"When you're in a position of power, people will always, eventually, inevitably get a crush on you. As a teacher, you have to learn how to resist it and redirect it - these young adults all have two things in common: they did something stupid and were kicked out of their schools and are trying to get their GEDs, and their hormones are still going crazy. Do n...
My sweet Babycat, I had a veeerrry nice dream with you last night. We were just home from a Renaissance feast, as in just walked in the door. I was in my Graham of Mentieth kilt and cape, the latter being a deep olive green over black, and wearing black, high suede boots with daggers, and a long sword. Under my kilt I wore the traditional accouterments. You...
Columbia University, Department of Art History and Archeology New York City March 30, 2001 - One Week Later Grace stood at the window, her eyes fixed on the street below. She absently watched the ebb and flow of people as they went about their business, seeing everything and nothing. It began to rain, and with each drop that hit the pavement, the same th...
Part 4: The Renaissance Room Note to reader: This is the 4th part of an on going saga. Please enjoy and take the time to vote. TRCIII was a tremendous help in helping me edit. Awaking Wednesday morning, we found it still was raining outside. We decided to get a head start on our shopping plans. There were five different shops within ten miles of here that...
The knights were atop their steeds in presentation to the Queen, about to fight for her honor. Sir William, strong, with his dark blonde hair tied behind him, handsome in face and wearing the colors of red and white; Sir Geoffrey, looking smaller in stature but dark and evil as he wore the colors of black and white, his skin and hair dark as well. Their intr...
Susan set the cold pack down on the seat. I stole a look at her. The black eyes didn’t show in the low dashboard lighting. She had to be in even more discomfort than I was. Home was still a ways away. “How do you feel?” I asked. “Safe, sir,” the beauty next to me replied. “For the first time in a long while, I feel safe. "If I may be so bold, sir, don’t...
'I should know better than to try and change it myself," were my thoughts, 'particularly in the midst of this torrential deluge. I should have waited for help. But damn it! My cell phone battery is dead and it's not like I call for help; on the other hand how hard can it be since the instructions are printed right here on the jack-stand pouch?' I must ha...
It started as a tension-reducing fantasy. Whenever work or the aggravations of city life started to get to me, I'd let my thoughts take me there. My 'fantasy flights' became more frequent. Far from being an outdoorsman, I needed to convince myself that I could do it. Standing on the lakeshore watching my outfitter's seaplane fade into the clear blue sky, I...
Errol Tarken returned to work on September 14, 2001, three days after Terrorists leveled the World Trade Towers. Power was disrupted for most of lower Manhattan and public transportation routes were redirected, making it nearly impossible for most businesses to open. When Errol finally got to the century old auction house where he worked, he found the Curato...
I groaned. Jesus, I felt awful. Mother of God, I had the hangover of all hangovers. Gingerly I opened my eyes, and promptly shut them again. Even with the curtains shut the light seared the backs of my eyeballs. I groaned again, and prayed for death; anything to take away the pounding in my head which felt as if a herd of elephants were on the rampage....