Saturday, March 18, 2006

Rare Indeed

Here's something new and rare. A Saturday post. It's rare because I'm not usually on-line during the weekends. I have way too many irons in the fire, so to speak. During the day I do landscaping (this pays for my hockey league fees.) On Sundays, I have jam sessions with a few friends that are musicians. In the afternoons, I just relax and unwind with my wife. It's very nice and peaceful. Well, I'm heading out. I'm going to meet up with Mrs. Grifter and go to dinner. I'll catch you guys in my usual time slot: M-F 9am - 5pm Pacific Standard Time. Late.

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Friday, March 17, 2006

Prelude to a Kiss (Part 3)

The Line, The Bitch and The Mystery Loaf I awoke with a startle as the bell rang. I was in the nurses office with an ice bag over my eye. It felt as though my face had been caved in. For all I knew it had been. I looked at my watch and realized it was lunch. I was starving since I didn't have time for breakfast. A day with out my chocolate frosted sugar bombs is like a day with out a pulse. I lemented missing my daily fructose intake, but it was lunch now. I stood up and gathered my books and headed towards the cafeteria. Awe, crap. The line was rediculous today. I must have been 725th in line of 725. Fortunately for me, the line was moving quickly. Oddly though, students were leaving from the line in droves. Is this the break in the storm I'd been waiting for? Will my luck finally turn around? Huzzah! I'll be able to eat at my leisure without running late and rushing to finish. Just ten people to go. Oh, I can't wait, what's it going to be? Turkey and gravy. Perhaps cheese burgers. The suspense was killing me. I steadily approached the front of the line when suddenly this viciously attractive, yet extermely annoying female cut me off. What is this crap? She was refering to....yes! Turkey and gravy! What, now miss Petager? There is a freaking hair in my freaking gravy! Shouldn't you be wearing a hair net?! I am, miss Petager. Then how did this freaking hair get in my food, Mrs. Magilacutty? My apologies, miss Petager. I was mortified as I look on at this baligerant girl. She had the gall to yell at a staff person? Talk about ballsy. Then again, she is the captain of the Cheer squad, not to mention the Mayor's daughter. Brittany Petager, the class rep and resident bitch. The shame was that she was so popular. Guys wanted her and girls wanted to be her. Quite a sad lot of students, I'm among. This is disgusting, she went on. I could have this whole school shut down! Let me get you another helping. God, no! I refuse to eat this slop. She slammed the tray down, spilling it's contents onto the silver tray rail. I looked down at my shirt to see gravy and turkey bits spattered on my shirt. I should be angry but, the way my day had gone thus far, I was just too tired to care. That is until.... Sorry kid. What? We're all out of Today's special. My bottom lip began to quiver. No...no, this...this can't be. Sorry kid, all that's left is meat loaf. By the gods, meat loaf? Anything but that. But it was too late. She had already plopped it onto my plate. I moped out of the line and off to find a seat. My lunch period had joined the rest of my day in room 5643, cavern 21 of Hell. I sat staring at the pile of grayish-brown meat like substance. I thought of taking my meat-pile and ramming it down the throat of miss health inspector general and whaching her choke. Then, sensing that Brittany was the type who, when she had kids, would probably eat them; I just walked to the trash and deposited the remains of what might once have been some sort of farm animal. I left the caf in dazed hunger. I've got a buck, I'll just get a bag of cheetos. At least I know what's in those. I think. The Remains of this Day Just when I thought my luck had turned. It was just another case life kicking me square in the nuts! I don't know if I can take any more today. I had hoped that the turkey and gravy lunch special was a light at the end of a very long tunnel. It turns out that it was a freight train named Brittany Petager. Alas, my day was at an end. I could finally put this whole fiasco called life behind me. Tomorrow was a new day and more importantly, it was Saturday. All that was left was my walk home. Why walk home? I just needed to be alone with my thoughts. Besides, I didn't need to be reminded of the days earlier follies. It was a five mile walk, but I didn't care. I needed the fresh air. My walk started out with a bit of a ruckus as students that had their drivers license, peeled out of the parking lot and left trails of school papers and the thick smell of burning rubber behind them. As I continued, the sounds of school life drifter into the distance and was replaced by the calming cool breeze of an afternoon sky. A sky that grew darker as I moved along. Oh cruel fates, have I not endured enough this day? Have you no pity upon this weary lad? Will you give this king of ill will no rest, though I wear my crown of woe upon a troubled brow? Nay, the fates be unjust this day, friends. I walked on as the rain began to fall and the wind blew with increased ferver. I pulled up the collar on my coat as the cold rain stung my neck. So cold and miserable. So down-trodden and bleak. However, I press on. To home and to closure. For this day could not die quick enough. I was soaked to the bone as I made my way down the avenue. The rain fell steady as the cars grew few and far between. My home was on the outskirts of town in a small gated community. The road was wide and well traveled. Today, it was quiet. I needed that. As I anticipated my home coming and lemented the days events, I had a vision. I saw a flood of shame, washing away my last nerve and laying waste to me. Then a ray of sunlight dryed me out and warmed me as I lay basking in its kindness. Just as my mind cleared, a wave of water enveloped me. Kicked up by that damn trash truck. Which brings me full circle back to where this tale began. What few dry spots I had remaining on my body were fully drenched. The fates are real assholes. I trudged on as I began to make a squishing sound with every step. I wiped away the rain from my face and thought this was how I was going to die. Sopping wet and miserable. Then It happened. When I thought all had been lost; all had been washed away, I saw....her. She stood there in the pooring rain, as though waiting for something. Her black umbrella protecting her from the elements that even now ravaged me. She was truly how God intended beauty to be defined. She wore a heavy rain coat that looked a size or two too big. Her hair was a dark chocolate brown and cascaded to her mid back. Her eyes, oh how they could sink ships and bring kings to their knees. They were the clearest of aqua blue and pierced right through me. She looked up and made eye contact. I could not escape her gaze. I was lost in it. Awash in a sea of aqua blue passion. "Hey." By the gods....she spoke to me. "Rough day, huh?" She had no idea. "Ya, you could say that." "Wanna share my umbrella?" "Um...y...ya, could I?" "Sure", She said as she flashed me a smile. Though the clouds poured out their fury, I had my ray of sunlight. We started our walk and she moved closer. "I wanna make sure you don't get any more wet." "I don't see how that's possible." She laughed. "I suppose not." I paused and said, "Thanks for helping with my books this morning." "You're welcome", she said. "I'm sorry about the day you had" How could she have known? Was she following me? "Everyone was talking about how bad your luck was today." I sighed, "Everyone, huh?" "Yah." she replied. "I hope your day gets better, I mean, I guess it has to 'cause its over, right?" "Yah, but its been getting better ever since I got under this umbrella." What the hell did I just say?! She laughed, "ahh, your sweet." I couldn't believe what my mouth was saying. Shut up you fool. Then I realized, my heart was doing the talking. She just listened to me as I began to tell her of the first day I laid eyes on her. She laughed and replied where appropriate. I never noticed, but my feet weren't even on the ground. They never touched the sidewalk the rest of the way home. It was at that very moment that I felt her head lay onto my shoulder. I was stunned as I felt her arm wrap around mineand tighten. I held the umberella as we walked the rest of the way home in the rain. Together.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Update Central

Just wanted to let you all know that The O just accepted my first two wallpapers! Very cool. Please check 'em out and tell me what ya think. Oh and I just got 300 hits! Thanks to all my visitors! You are always welcome in the house of Grifter. Late.

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Cliff Hanger

I'm extremely busy today, so I'll have to put up the next installment of "Prelude to a Kiss" a bit later. Thanks for all you responses. P.S. does anyone like the new bg? He's actually sitting on a pile of rocks. I submitted this wallie and another under Misc. Anime. I hope they get accepted. My last one of Miroku and Sango didn't. I'll post that one so you guys can see it. It's not the best but, it's not the worst. At least not for a first attempt at a wallie. Preview: Our hero takes a shot at eating cafeteria food, dealing with the popular girls, and, maybe another run in with our mystery girl. Stay tuned!

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Prelude to a Kiss (part 2)

Gym Class Blues Long and well traveled is the path to the bain of my school day. I glance ahead to see the masses enter the double doors as students and exit with a sadist's idea of uniformity. A good way to look at this was the fact that I could shed these pants that displayed the color of my boxer shorts to all who happened to look. On the other hand this was gym class and nothing good can come of this part of my day. Nothing. As I vengefully stuffed the traitorous pair of pants into my locker, I spied from the corner of my eye, three beastly goliaths being led around as though on a leash, by a fourth, more prominent figure. It was the jock squad. These four bahemoths were responsible for the downfall of grace and civility during any class they happened to be enrolled in. Yes, there was no shortage of crude inuendos and fart jokes when these neanderthals were around. Their leader, was well built. Almost herculean to most of the student body. All he need do was flash a smile and faculty and females were at his beckon call. I loathed him for I had a special place in his daily routine. They approached me with a bit of a swagger. Heard about English class today. Did you? I said. Yup. Nice going! I returned the remark with a "Go-fuck-yourself" look. See ya out there dork. Yah, yer ass is ours! As they turned to go, I wanted to pummel them with a flurry of coarse remarks. I then realized that it would more than likely result in a savage beating. I held my tongue, and made my way to the collisium where Ceasar and his minions awaited this sacrifice. Casualties of War Coach Vermacher. His polo shirt and sport shorts were a constant reminder of how important it is to dress yourself with the aid of lights and a mirror. He stood at the front of row upon row of students that were to become his loyal followers or at least semi-descent athletes. He spoke as though channeling General Patton himself. Listen up ladies! Today we will be doing something different. The Board of Physical Education says I need to test your reflexes and motor skills. So, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Just then, the Fuhrer's personal TA rolled out a large cage on wheels. In it are what looked like medium, red, rubber spheres. As the cart came closer, I could make out some writing on one of the spheres. It simply said the word, VOIT. I began to tremble for fear of the worst. Could this be? Surely the gods weren't this cruel. Surely they had more than their fill of my torement. Then, he spoke those words. Today, we'll be playing Dodge Ball. Divide up by class and go to your spots. That sick bastard. I knew it. Oh the humanity of it all. This is the game that made bullies into legends and the weak into statistics. My head was reeling as I made my way to my designated encampment. I looked around at my team mates and those whom I would be buried with. The Chess team captain, the Debate Club president, and the head of the Captain Kirk fan guild were among the condemned. We haven't a chance, I thought. I offered up a prayer for my comrades as the first shot rang out. Like a swarm of bees, they flew from all directions. Red blurrs all around me as droves of underclassmen littered the gym floor. I turned to seek shelter when I was staring down the path of a speeding red comet. Instinctively, I put my hands up to brace for the impact. I felt as my hand grasped the fiery object and stopped it dead. I had caught it. By some stroke of luck, I caught it. I opened my eyes to survey the carnage around me. I was surrounded by the upperclassmen. Not one lowerclassmen remain, save myself. I looked in stunned silence as they look back with equal amazement. I had the chance of a lifetime to strike down one of their own. What's it gonna be? The coach snarled. I pulled the ball back over my shoulder as if I was going to throw the game ending strike of a no- hitter. I reared back, closed my eyes and fired with all my strength. I heard a metalic like thunk and a yelp followed by a thud. My target was hit. I opened my eyes to see the three Titans gathered around their master. I had hit the alpha male of the jock squad. He had left himself unguarded and my one ball struck his two balls with grim accuracy. I began to sweat profusely as they helped him to his feet. He was then handed a ball. He looked at me as though I'd killed his family and shot his dog. Someone came up to me, blind folded me and lit a cigarette. I stared in horror as he lined me up in his sights. The four horsemen, with an apocalypse in their eyes, reared back and fired their angry, red spheres at me. I awoke in a daze. The faint memories were being blocked by a dull throb. I looked up in a fog a saw a heavenly aparition. You okay? I could say nothing. Here, put this on your eye. Still, no words. The fog grew thicker and colder. Then Black. (to be continued)

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Monday, March 13, 2006

Prelude to a Kiss

Cold and wet. That's the best way to explain this day. Walking home in the rain and wind is the just the perfect ending to a perfect day. Don't you love how sarcasm comes in many forms. This is just one. As I walk home, I think to myself how much worse this day could get. Then it hits me. No, not anything profound or enlightening. Just a huge wave of rain water kicked up by a passing truck. A garbage truck. Welcome to what was my day. The planets weren't lined up right, Hell wasn't serving up rocket pops or banana splits. No, no; that would be an act of madness. Did I get a damn thing right today? Not on your life. Allow me to exlpain this culmination of extremely unfortunate and irritating events. Top O' The Morning. Well, to start things off, I took a cold shower. I don't like cold showers. The knob had come off in my hand while adjusting the temperature. I thought, well, I've got to shower. I did. It was cold. I was not amused. Clean, but definately not amused. Brushing my teeth was no small task either. I was completely out of my toothpaste. I had only one choice. That was to use my little sisters barbie sparkle paste. Again, not amused. After rinsing all of the glitter and bubble gum taste out of my mouth, I proceeded to my room to finish getting dressed. Much to my dismay, the only uniform pants I had to wear happened to be the one pair that fit a bit too tightly. It was too late to find an alternate solution, so I put them on. As I reached for my shirt in the dark, I felt something wet on my shirt pocket. I had left my lucky pen in my shirt pocket and it had begun to leak. A lot. Glancing at the clock, I had just a few minutes to finish getting dressed, grab my books and bolt for the bus. That is, if the bus was picking me up at twelve AM. As if my morning couldn't suck anymore, my clock was flashing 12 am and had been since the last time I saw it. I grabbed my watch and looked. Instead of having ten minutes to go, I was ten minutes late. It was at this time that I came to the realization that I would be walking to school in the most ill-fitting of pants, a shirt with a blue ink stain and now my uniform coat wouldn't zip. I thought to myself, this couldn't possibly get worse. I should stop thinking that. Just in Time. I was sweating and breathing heavily. My back pack weighed a metric ton and the strap was straining under the load. I had run about a third of the way to school, when the other strap broke. Fortunately, nothing fell out of my bag. Thanks to my zipper jamming on me when I closed my bag upon leaving the house. Oh yah, I was really looking forward to this day continuing. I made it in to class just as the bell rang. Upon reaching my desk, the remaining strap on my back pack gave way and fell from my back making a loud smack as it hit the ground. My zipper then decided to join in the fun and break open, releasing the contents of my bag onto the floor. Laughter and applause erupted as the catastrophy unfolded before my class mates. I was mortified. I was humiliated. I knelt down to pick up my school swag, when I noticed a pair of long, fair skinned, smooth as as a baby's but, legs appear in front of me. I looked up and noticed that heaven was short one angel. It was her. The girl of my dreams. The girl I've had a crush on since the third grade when she pushed me off the monkey bars at recess. Oh, how love had smote me with it's arrow. My face blushed a bit. Can I help you with that? Gah! She spoke to me. What should I do, what should I say? Uh, o...okay. She knelt down and began picking up my books and papers from the floor. Any creature this beautiful shouldn't have to lift a delicate finger to help me. Oh, you unworthy swine. How dare you subject this fair maiden to such a request as this. Here ya go. I took the last bit of papers from her and set them on my desk. I turned to thank her and bumped her hand, knocking her pencil to the floor. Thinking chivilris, I offered to pick it up for her to return the favor. It was then that my ill-fitting pants betrayed me in the worst possible way. I knelt to the floor in persuit of her pencil when, as if in some horrible, slow-motion nightmare, the seem in my pants ripped exposing a three inch gash in the rear of my pants. Words could not describe the intense feeling of embarassment. With red flushed cheeks, I handed the pencil back to her. With an equally red face she thanked me awkwardly and moved back to her seat. Me, I just sank into mine amidst the ever increasing laughter. Come one, come all, I thought. To the greatest show on earth. Here, now, the incredible shrinking boy. I was dying and it wasn't even eight- thirty yet. (to be continued)

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006

New BG's and Wallpapers

I have been toiling all day and night on two new wallpapers/bg's for my site. Both are, of course, of the Grifter. I'm trying to keep some continuity on my site. I see alot of sites that have different themes every month or so. I like to keep it to one, but then, that's just me. So, you can expect to see a new bg for my site in the next day or two. I wonder if the Otaku would accept my wallies if they aren't exactly anime? Worth a shot! One of these days I will post the origin and history of just who the Grifter really is. I've gotten a lot of visitors to my site over my time here, asking who he is or where he came from. I'll dispell those questions and any other rumors in the coming weeks. I hope you've all been enjoying my writings as much as I have enjoyed writting them. I appreciate all of the generous feedback. There will be much more to come so stay tuned. The big news is this: Grifter99 is getting his first home! It'll be official on May 9th. That's when they hand my wife and I the keys. Huzzahs and good fortune! We are genuinely stoked. No more renting and no more moving around. I quote Quasimoto: Sanctuary! However, I'll avoid ringing a bell. Don't want to disturb the neighbors. Until next time, Adieu.

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Monday, March 6, 2006

A Sonet for Ava

My heart was captured and pierced by one. Only one. She sends me in a thousand different directions and back to one solitary moment. Better is one dream among a multitude of nightmares, for mine is a depth of clarity known by no other. My mind and body set ablaze with passion and intent. My pulse quickens for favor of kiss. How she moves me to sip from sweet waters. How she dares me with every glance and move. She takes me to hights and depths with words and whispers. I am at peace. I am at rest. I am complete at long last.

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Friday, March 3, 2006

Brave New Venture

I have to say, I'm very happy with the response I got from my story. I do hope you truly enjoyed the tale. My reasons for a third part was so I didn't lose any readers with alot to digest in one post. Sort of an anti-overkill switch. I haven't written like that since I was in high school. I plan on writing more stories in the future. I'm sure it's more interesting than reading the daily goings on in my boring life. Hell, I may even throw in a poem now and then. Thanks again to all who read and commented on that story. I came into my office and wanted to post something different. I sat down and just started to write. It's been some time since I've had a chance to sit down and just flow like that. It was very rewarding personally. In other news, as most of you may have noticed, the Mech of the Week is in full swing. I decided to start with one of my personal faves, the EZ-8 from Gundam:08th MS Team. That is the format I'm going with for now.I'll be tweaking it a bit, here and there. If anyone has any better ideas about layout or format, please feel free to share them. Well that's what's happening in this corner o' the world according to the Grifter. Oh, and if you have any questions about me or the story I wrote, please PM me. I'd love to talk. You can always IM me too. Have a great weekend, everyone. Late.

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006

What Dreams May Come (Part 3)

Nothing But A Nightmare. I am standing at the edge of a deep canyon. Beeds of sweat drip down my face as I strain to focus. The rain keeps collecting on the lens. I'm constantly using the manipulator to wipe it clean. This sucks just waiting and whaching. I'm hoping the rain cools the skin enough to hide my heat signitures. It should, its cold enough. Damn, it's hot in here, though. Just stay focused, rondevous in a few minutes. A lone figure comes into view. I focus the lens to get a closer look. She's beautiful. Her chestnut hair flows through the light wind like a sweet mist. Her skin is light and soft. She carries a basket with a blanket. She sets a place for one on the bluff overlooking a valley of the most fragrent white flowers. Am I dreaming or have I just died? Only heaven could give me this. An angel. It has to be. Those eyes, those lips. I'm utterly intoxicated. Oh to sleep, for a chance to dream of her. If only this would be my eternity. I wipe a tear from my eye and continue to walk up the path. I'm growing tired of this. I have to remind myself of just why the hell I'm putting myself through this. I'm beginning to hate myself for this. Keep going. Please don't make me. Just a few feet to go. I don't want this. Doesn't matter any more. I'm here. Marker Ten. Open your eyes, you bastard. I won't. You will. No. You want this to stop, don't you. Yes, more than anything. Then simply open those cursed eyes of yours and look. Damn you. Damn you to hell. I'm afraid I'm already there. Quite wasting your time and open those big hazel eyes of yours. You don't want to miss this. I hate you. I know. As I open my eyes all I see is a blood red sky married to a blackened ash colored ground. It occurs to me that I'm no longer in heaven. No longer safe. Far from clean. I feel numb all over as I look out over the vast baron landscape. A lone figure appears as I wipe the flow of rain and tears from my face. Her chestnut hair flows like it once did. I failed you. No, you didn't. I couldn't...hold on. I know. I should've been able to. There was nothing you could have done differently. There is always something. No, there wasn't. I fall to my knees and cry out to the baron sky. "AAAAyyyyyvvaaaaaaa". My sweetest Ayva. I pound the ground with my bare fists as the tears and rain soak my tormented face. I fall on my face, emotionally drained. I have nothing left to say. My words are silent. My ears hear only the sounds of rain and wind. My thoughts are at a stand-still. Then a deep hush falls over everything. I slowly raise my head and look up only to see it. A loan white cross. At the foot of it lay a single white flower. So sweet and beautiful. Just like her. For that one moment, I knew what it was to know love. to feel warm. To feel complete. And now, I feel nothing. My blood runs cold. I am a broken man. An empty man. I lay my head down and close my eyes one last time. I take one last breathe. I hear a faint whisper in the distant recesses of my mind. I love you. You don't. I miss you. You couldn't. I forgive you. Silence. You do? I do. And I always have. Tears. You don't know how long.... I do. Now finish this life, while I wait for you in the next. I can't. You can. You've come this far, don't quit. If I do this, I do this for her. If that's what it takes. Just promise one thing. Anything. Take your time getting back to me. I will. Now, will you open those big hazel eyes? I will. Go, before you miss any more of this life. And live it...for me. Epilogue. That should be the last one. I look behind me as I see a pile of white marker posts in a cart near a large, baron oak tree. These will make great fire wood. I kneel down and smile to myself. I feel arms close over me as long locks of chestnut brown hair cascades over my shoulder. I breath in and smell the most fragrant white flowers. The breeze sends the aroma across the vast meadow that lays before me. The sun kisses my face as its light dances across the tops of the trees. Nothing could take this away. Not now, not ever. I feel warm breath on my cheek and a light kiss that sends a tingle through me. I smile again as I pick up my shovel and grasp her hand. I begin to walk back down the path, smiling all the way. She still moves me. She still thrills me. She's still with me. I stop breifly to pick a white flower. A gift for my little Ayva. If only her mommy could be here. I guess she is in many ways. I am complete. I have always been. And will always be. A loan flower rests at the foot of a little white cross. Just a little longer, my love.

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