#623 – Write About One Thing…

…on the list from #622.

When I was just a wee lad, I had a bit of an anger problem.  And I don’t just mean I was easily ticked off either.  I was a violent, drop-of-a-hat rage monster who would destroy anything around me for any slight against me.  Think the Hulk only skinny and white.

Naturally, this just added to the numerous targets I already had on my back for bullies who found my outbursts entertaining (so long as they managed to get out of the way).  This came to a peak in middle school when I was faced with suspension.

After years of therapy and anger management, I didn’t reach a breakthrough until my younger brother moved away to live with our dad.  Suddenly, I wasn’t so angry anymore.  I’m not saying the two are directly connected, but there you have it.

Ever since then, I’ve struggled to never find myself in that place again, constantly walking in a red haze.  When something does manage to push me over the edge, the mere thought of being angry just adds to it, causing a snowballing effect.  Anger begets anger and it smolders deep inside of me, staying with me for days at a time.

Some days I feel like a ticking time bomb that has no idea what time it is.

Behind the Random: My anger issues in the past are a huge reason on why I don’t like to take things seriously and try my best to keep things fun and light-hearted.  Most people believe that I’m naturally carefree and easy-going but the truth of it is it has taken years of self-realization and practice to attain it.  However, this is just an illusion to protect myself and others from the anger inside of me.

#253 – Imagine a Character…

…at two very different ages, and describe his or her day at each age.

Davin was at the top of his game.  At the cusp of 30, he’s accomplished everything he set out to do.  Already near the top of his advertising firm, married to a beautiful woman and expecting his first kid, the life of the world beating go-getter was a life worthy of envy.  Not that there weren’t concerns of course.  The house needed a new foundation and the his car was making that strange clunking sound again.  His dog recently got diagnosed with worms and needed special medication that was a fight and a half to get him to take.  Worst of all, his father was battling a losing fight against cancer.

A huge difference to the time Davin’s only concerns are eating and sleeping.  A simpler time, he has no real worries beyond that draft that’s chilling him.  He sees the faces of people he barely recognizes as they talk to them in funny little voices.  He’s heard their words again and again but their meaning is all but lost to them.  It doesn’t concern him as he lives his life as he wants, sleeping whenever and wherever he pleases and crying out for attention whenever he’s hungry.  Then, as he feels a familiar rumble and he promptly soils his diaper, a rarely clear thought passes through his once young and vibrant brain: being 95 is no 30.

Behind the Random: This one is another hard topic to do.  At first, I had to decide if I was going to do a serious comparison betwen two ages or if I was going to try and make it humourous.  Obviously I attempted to go with both at this point.  Then I had to decide which ages to do.  At first, I thought it was a no-brainer and I was going to point out the similarities between being a helpless infant and being old and infirm.  That proved harder than I predicted and time was running out so I instead decided to do the ol’ bait and switch and throw a twist at the end.

#423 – My Grandfather’s Girlfriend

So it’s been a few years since my grandmother passed away and my grandfather, bless his soul, decided he wanted to get back into dating.  He asked me for some advice, which is funny in itself since I can attract women like a dog attracts cats.  Still, I told him what I did know, which was mostly a lot of Do-Not-Do’s and sent him on his way.

Wouldn’t you know it, it worked for the ol’ sly bugger.  I don’t know what he said or did, but he managed to snap up someone who fits him so perfectly.  It’s like he’s a young man again, if that young man needed to wear depends and take his medication every four hours.  There’s a spring in his step now whenever he walks now, which is murder on his hips but he’s happier now so it’s a small sacrifice I suppose.

It was a whirlwind romance, with trips around the world and present after present.  I guess my ol’ grandpa is quite the romancer when he wants to be.  Too bad it’s not hereditary.  Or maybe it’s because he recognizes that he doesn’t have that much time left in this world so he’s just giving it all he’s got and going for broke.  Fortunately, he’s loaded so he can give it for a good while.

That would explain why he’s standing there now, in his best suit, with her by his side as the minister talks about love and commitment and all that other stuff.  I’m sitting here, happy for the buzzard but a little sad that he’s beaten me to the alter twice now.

Even now, looking at the leggy blonde 22-year-old fitness instructer, I can’t help but wonder how he did it.  I mean, he’s not a bad looking guy for a senior and he’s quick with a joke and stuff, but to land a girl like that.  Makes me wonder if there’s another reason she’s marrying him…

You don’t think she’s doing it, y’know, for more sinister reasons, do you?  Because I don’t think I could handle that.

Who wants to hear their grandfather is well endowed?

Behind the Random: This one was going to be obvious, even if you aren’t familiar with my writings in the past.  So, I decided to add the fact that the narrator is an ignoramous (word of the day kids, write that down) and completely oblivious to the fact that his grandpappy is marrying a gold-digger.  I even considered throwing in the Black Widow style character, but decided against it.  I’ve done a lot of death lately so gonna try and step back from that for a while.

Oh, and this is complete fiction…in case you needed the disclaimer.