Thursday, January 11, 2018

Swimming Upstream

This is Day 9 of the 2018 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaaPlease join us this month on our writing journey. Today's prompt is Swimming Upstream.

Previously on the continuing saga of the FBI and the Scuzzy Art Dealer (SAD), Alex has arranged for Sato Yasahiro of Tranquility Imports to obtain a rare artifact as a wedding gift for his fiancée. Based on a recorded conversation in the alley between Sato and SAD, it is believed that arrangements are being made. 
As the story continues, however, we find that this is how that conversation in the alley really went.
"Hello, I am Sato Yasahiro. I believe we are to be doing some business together," stated Sato.

"It would appear so. I am John."

"Interesting," commented Sato, "You don't look like a John to me." 

"Some things are best not known, so today I am John."

"I understand the object in question is in Hirosaki, and will be in the States within the week," responded Sato in confirmation. "The American will pay top dollar to make his woman happy. This is a good deal."

"This is where the deal changes, my friend," explained John. "I am thinking we kill the American and take the money, then we sell the artifact and split the profit fifty-fifty."

"Okay," says Sato, "But what are my chances of getting out of this alive with half of the money."

John laughed. "Oh, about fifty-fifty. Are you willing to take that risk for the money?

"Sure, why not. If I survive I have millions, and if I die, I won't know anything anyway. Seems fair enough," agreed Sato.


"Good morning Diane. Would you please let me know when the others get in," requested Charlie. "By the way, you look nice today. I mean you always look nice, you just look particularly nice today...Oy that didn't come out right," insert foot thought Charlie. "Excuse me, I'll be in my office," and a very flustered Charlie made his departure, leaving a puzzled Diane looking on. 

"Hey Charlie, what's up?" asked Alex as he, Bobby and Kyle piled into Charlie's office.

Relieved to get back to the case, Charlie plunged in. "We got a hit off of the cigarette butt. The DNA belongs to a Japanese guy with the equivalent of a rap sheet in Tokyo. His name is Hayashi Akio. However, it seems he may not be our guy because he has an alibi for the murder currently under investigation, but he is a person of interest by virtue of being at the warehouse, but not a suspect."

"Since we have no idea who SAD is yet, I guess we are still swimming upstream," stated Bobby matter-of-factly.

"Yes and no," said Charlie, "It's true he has an alibi, but we will investigate all known associates and double check his alibi because Hayashi could still be involved. I'll assign some agents to make phone calls and conduct searches into all his business and social contacts, pull phone and credit card records."

"Alex, you and Bobby keep going around to high-end establishments, museums, and such  and keep up your cover. You never know who is going to say what to whom when they think no one's paying attention."

"Kyle, you and I will do the same on our end, and hopefully we can gather enough information to put our plan into place before the package arrives.

To be continued...




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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Got Candy?

This is Day 8 of the 2018 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaaPlease join us this month on our writing journey. Today's prompt is Candy Bars.

Photo courtesy of Photobucket by jzata
What do we think of first when we hear the word candy? Easter, Halloween, Christmas and Valentines, right? Guess what? Candy is a year-round thing from something to get you through the afternoon with that last cup of coffee or an after-school treat for the kids.

There are so many kinds of candy barswhere do you start? There are dark chocolate and milk chocolate, plain and peanut, chewy centers and gooey centers, crunchy ones and ones filled with coconut. 

How can I pick just one favorite? I can't! But I can tell you what I like and don't like.

I don't like ones the ones with chewy centers like Snickers or Milky Way. I feel like they are going to rip my teeth out. While I do like chocolate and peanuts together, I don't like Mr. Goodbars or peanut M&Ms.

I like both dark and milk chocolate, depending on the candy bar. So, in no particular order, here are some of my favorites, and yeah they're not all technically candy bars. 

Mounds
Nestlé Crunch
Hershey Krackel
Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate)
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Kit Kat
York Peppermint Patties
Plain M&Ms

Other chocolate confections I like are brandied cherries (I don't like cherries otherwise), Whitman chocolates (soft centers only) and Lindt Chili dark chocolate bars.

What's your favorite candy bar, or other candy?


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Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Hot and Healthy Beverages

This is Day 7 of the 2018 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaaPlease join us this month on our writing journey. Today's prompt is Hot Beverages.

With much of the country being a deep freeze lately, many of us have turned to hot beverages to warm us up and chase away the winter blues.

  • We Southerners like our iced tea, but there is a greater health benefit in drinking hot tea because the steeping process draws all of the flavor, nutrients and antioxidants into the water.
  • Hot cocoa is higher in antioxidants than red wine, 2-3 times higher than green tea and 4-5 times higher than black tea. So, if you don't like tea--drink cocoa. However, commercial preparations may negate any benefits, so check the labels and consider making your own.
  • An infusion of hot water, lemon, and turmeric with pinches of cayenne, sea salt and raw cane sugar is filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The hot water and lemon serves to flush the liver and kidneys.
  • A cup of hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick does more than warm you up. It is a good source of Vitamin C, and the cinnamon promotes good digestion and can moderate blood sugar levels for diabetics.
  • If you're feeling a bit under the weather, a cup of hot ginger tea can help with digestive issues as well as relieve coughing. Make a soothing cup with boiling water and fresh ginger slices, strain and add honey to taste.
  • Coffee drinkers, you are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's or dementia. Coffee may also reduce risk factors for heart attack and stroke. The caffeine, however, can raise blood pressure and increase adrenaline levels.
  • Herbal tea isn't really tea, but the steeping process and health benefits are the same. Chamomile is a popular one often used to help you relax. Most herbal teas contain antioxidants, but do not contain caffeine, and are therefore good for bedtime drinks.
  • Mulled wine is a seasonal beverage of red wine blended with various spices such as
    nutmeg and cinnamon, and we already know red wine and spices contain antioxidants. So enjoy a mug of hot, mulled wine during the holidays, but as with all alcoholic beverages, enjoy in moderation.
  • Last but not least is the hot toddy. An age-old remedy to chase away those winter time nasties that just drag you down. There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. Just put some honey in a mug, add boiling water and a bit of lemon juice and let the warmth soothe what ails you. To make the alcoholic version, just add a splash of your favorite, rum, brandy, bourbon or other similar liquor.
What is your favorite hot beverage?


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Monday, January 8, 2018

Embarrassment on the 16th Floor

This is Day 6 of the 2018 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaaPlease join us this month on our writing journey. Today's prompt is Well, that was embarrassing... Check out the other participants for more embarrassing stories.

Picture it, a mid-1990s office setting. An office gal, dressed in a casual skirt and loafers, is carrying papers, folders, etc. to her supervisor, who was standing near the back door of the department; the door which opened onto a hallway lined with VP offices.

At that very moment in walked a VP who rarely had business in her department. She thought he always looked serious, perhaps even stern.

So what did the office gal do? She tripped on one of those invisible things that love to tangle up the feet of unsuspecting people, and went sprawling headlong onto the floor practically at his feet. 

Totally mortified, she scrambled to her feet, handed off the papers and made a hasty exit to her cube to lick her wounds. 

The most embarrassing thing is that this is a true story...that office gal was me. 😧



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Friday, January 5, 2018

#20daysofchill

This is Day 5 of the 2018 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaaPlease join us this month on our writing journey. Today's prompt is #Hashtag.

Not every prompt is going to stir your imagination or bring forth a humorous recollection. This is one of those days and one of those prompts.

Today's Top Ten Instagram Hashtags

  1.  #love - 143,817,139 photos

  2.  #instagood - 97,570,915 photos

  3.  #me - 80,693,198 photos

  4.  #tbt - 75,411,509 photos

  5.  #cute - 75,047,873 photos

  6.  #photooftheday - 70,995,806 photos

  7.  #instamood - 64,925,462 photos

  8.  #beautiful - 54,570,181 photos

  9.  #picoftheday - 53,776,027 photos

10.  #igers - 52,997,258 photos


And my own as it relates to today's topic:  #igotnothing


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