Author: Ergo, the Ogre

  • True Darkness

    True Darkness

    It’s time for Fandango’s Friday Flashback! How about you? Why don’t you reach back into your own archives and highlight a post that you wrote on this very date in a previous year? You can repost your Friday Flashback post on your blog and pingback to Fandango’s origina post at https://fivedotoh.com/2020/10/16/fandangos-friday-flashback-october-16/

    This week at Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, we are diving into the depths of PERSONIFICATION. Our challenge is all about the use of personification in our writing. You will need to use the statement provided in your response – which can be poetry or prose.

    Our statement using, personification is:

    There was a heavy thunderstorm, the wind snorted outside, rattling my windowpanes.


    There was a heavy thunderstorm, the wind snorted outside, rattling my windowpanes. What a crappy night for Hallowe’en.  I got up from the couch & looked out the window: not a trick-or-treater in sight. Not to mention all the money wasted on candy.

    On my way back to the couch, I grabbed a few fun-size Butterfingers. I wonder why the call these fun-size? To me, fun-size would be about five times the size of this. Now that would be fun! In any case, I tore the wrapper off of one, stuffed it in my mouth and began flipping channels. Given there were some 200 channels on my TV, you’d think there’d be a good scary movie on that I hadn’t seen. No luck.

    I was about to turn it off and find a book to read, when all of a sudden I heard a popping sound and the TV began to sizzle like Sunday morning bacon. Then, the lights went out. All of them. Even the street lights outside. I guess a transformer must’ve blown or something. It was so dark that it made no difference whether my eyes were open or closed.

    That’s when you know true darkness.

    Usually I’m a pretty tough broad, but I felt the tingly-tickle as the hair on my neck stood up. A chill sliced through my body like a machete.

    “Chuckie?” I called for my cat. Not that he was going to protect me from my imagination, but still. “Chuckie, c’mere!”

    Not a sound. Usually he came running when I called his name, but not this time.

    Now I was really creeping myself out. I was afraid to move from the couch until I remembered the flashlight I kept behind the end table. I reached for it, and sure enough, there it was. I flicked it on, and only darkness came out. Batteries must be dead. Shit!

    I sat on my couch as still as a rock listening to my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest. My mind was running wild. I tried to calm it by thinking logically: the lights would be back on soon, the power company was working on it now, nothing to be afraid of, it’s just darkness, etc… .

    It was no good. I was scared shitless and that was that.

    Footsteps in the kitchen. Whoever it was wasn’t even trying to tip-toe. It sounded like a big man in heavy work boots — it certainly wasn’t Chuckie’s little paws.

    “Who’s there?” I tried to sound tough, but a quivering squeak came out instead.

    Suddenly I smelled the odors of cigarettes and coffee breath. The man was standing in front of me. His breath was hot.

    “Remember me, Jeannie?” He was playing with my hair, twisting it around his fingers.

    I knew that voice and my heart stopped. How did this crazy bastard find me after 20-something years?

    “Why…How…y-y-you’re supposed to be in p-p-prison!”

    “Ain’t you ever heard of parole, baby?” He laughed.

    I couldn’t speak.

    I couldn’t scream.

    I couldn’t even move. All I wanted was to wake up from this nightmare to the shining sun and Chuckie curled up next to me.

    But I couldn’t.

  • Share Your World | 10/12/2020

    Melanie,  of Sparks from a Combustible Mind fame, will post four or five different questions each week for us to answer. Here they are:

    Are we “here” or do we just think we are?  (A metaphysical question today folks.) Can you prove your point of view?

    Either way, I think the end result is the same. Whether life on this mudball called Earth is real or a product of our collective imaginations, we’re pretty much stuck with this version of reality. No, I can’t prove it.

    From an identity stand-point, which would be the worst for you personally to lose?  Your face, your body or your voice?    Which do YOU identify with most strongly for your own sense of self?

    Wow. What an interestng question. How weird would it be to be wandering around with just a face and a voice, but no body. LOL! Or vice versa. Losing my voice would be no big deal. My mouth has gotten me in trouble too many times over the years. Plus, I’m a writer and communicate more often through the written word. So, I guess losing my face would be the worst to lose for me, personally.

    Do you have a ‘song’?  If you’re part of a couple, you could use “your couple’s song” OR a song that’s just always resonated with you.

    My song would be “Desperado” by the Eagles. They’d clearly written it with me in mind.

    “Spooky” Halloween Question:  Oooo!  BOO!  

    Are ghosts real or has someone been smoking something and just imagines them?

    I believe there is a very thin veil between this world and the “Otherworld.” I think the spirits of those who have crossed over have the ability to communicate with those left behind. We just need to pay attention.

  • No Brakes

    No Brakes

    It’s Song Lyric Sunday again, and Jim Adams has given us the prompt Pause/Stop/Wait/Hold. I chose the song, Can’t Stop the Love by Frankie Beverly (above) & Maze. It’s been my experience that love does not come with a set of brakes. All you can do is hang on & hopefully enjoy the ride.

    Lyrics

    Don’t stop don’t stop that lovin’ feelin’
    Don’t stop don’t stop that lovin’ feelin’

    There’s music in the air love is everywhere
    And if you really care you won’t let go
    Time is on our side love will be our guide
    We’ll be satisfied this much I know
    It doesn’t matter the weather
    We are in this thing together
    And with you and me this love will grow

    Oh you just can’t stop the love
    We’ll sing a song we’ll get along
    Oh no you just stop the love
    We’ll see the light we’ll be alright

    Don’t stop don’t stop that lovin’ feelin’
    Don’t stop don’t stop that lovin’ feelin’

    You will always find love will be on time
    They’ll be peace of mind for you and for me
    No matter what they say love will find a way
    We will be ok just wait and see
    Some will try to change us
    They will try to rearrange us
    But we’ll put it back the way it should be

    Oh you just can’t stop the love
    We’ll sing a song we’ll get along
    Oh no you just stop the love
    We’ll see the light we’ll be alright

    Oh you just can’t stop the love
    We’ll sing a song we’ll get along
    Oh no you just stop the love
    We’ll see the light we’ll be alright

    The Story

    Frankie Beverly started the band as Raw Soul in 1970.[2] They recorded a couple of singles on the small Gregar label, but without any major hits. With a few personnel changes, a relocation from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in 1971, and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, the band became an immediate success.[2] Gaye took the band on the road with him as one of his opening acts, and in 1976, he suggested that they change their name from Raw Soul to Maze.[2]

    Maze signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1976, and released their debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, in 1977.[2] From that album, the hit singles included “Happy Feelin’s”, “While I’m Alone”, and “Lady of Magic”, ultimately giving them their first gold record and earning Maze a devoted following. They also had success with the albums Golden Time of Day (1978), Inspiration (1979) and Joy and Pain (1980). The group has stated that their hit single “Southern Girl” was dedicated to all the southern women from Virginia to Texas.[3]

    The band released their next album, Can’t Stop the Love in March 1985,[2] which featured the group’s first number one R&B hit “Back In Stride.” The Top 5 follow-up, “Too Many Games” was also featured on this album. The latter single also became the band’s biggest hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart.

    In 1989, they signed with Warner Bros. and released the hit album Silky Soul, plus Back to Basics in 1993,[2] and released the live DVD recording at London‘s Hammersmith Odeon in 1994. The two albums also attained gold disc status. They had another number one R&B success with “Can’t Get Over You”.

    In October 2004, “Twilight” appeared in the video gameGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station, Bounce FM.

    In 2009, a tribute to the hits of Maze was released. Called Silky Soul Music: An All Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, it included modern stars performing Maze’s biggest hits with Maze acting as the backing band.[5]

    In recent years, it has become tradition for the audience to honor the group by dressing in all white attire, as the group has often worn while performing.

    On September 2, 2011, their percussionist and background singer, McKinley “Bug” Williams, died of an apparent heart attack.

    Maze continues to tour around the United States as well as Europe to this day.

  • Fibbing Friday | 10/9/20

    Fibbing Friday | 10/9/20

    It’s Fibbing Friday again! Below are my answers to some wickedly intriguing questtions:

    ***

     1 What tax did Henry VIII introduce in 1535?

    The Decapitation Tax

    2 Who entered a contest for his own lookalike, and came third?

    Ernest Hemingway

    3 What sort of creature is a mountain chicken?

    Mountain chickens were once farm chickens who ‘hatched’ a plan to form a pack and go wild. Today they live in a hidden enclave in the Appalachian Mountains called the Feral Fowl Zone where they run a moonshine still to produce Chicken Cock Bourbon.

    4 In which city is the UK’s Dyslexia Research Trust based?

    Dawkcabtidaerville

    5 What is Scooby Doo’s full name ?

    Fred

    6 What is a zeedonk?

    Zeedonk is a French donk.

    7 Coprastastaphobia is the fear of what? (and no, I can’t pronounce it)

    It is the fear of not being able to coprastasize on a daily basis.

    8 What is an orange pippin?

    A pippin who mixed red and yellow paint and took a bath in it.

    9 What is a Royal Flush?

    It happens after a member of any Royal Family successfully overcomes coprophobia.

    10 Who is currently 15th in line to the British Throne?

    There are so many loos in the Royal Palace that no one ever has to wait in line.

  • Another Day

    Another Day

    It’s Song Lyric Sunday again! This week Jim Adams has given the option to choose whatever song we want. In other words, no rules. So, I’ve chose “Just Another Day” by Jon Secada.

    Lyrics

    Morning alone
    When you come home
    I breath a little faster
    Every time we’re together
    It’d never be the same
    If you’re not here
    How can you stay away, away so long

    Why can’t we stay together
    Give me a reason
    Give me a reason

    I, I don’t wanna say it
    I don’t wanna find another way
    Make it through the day without you
    It’s just another day

    Making the time
    Find the right lines
    What do I have to tell you

    I’m just trying to hold on to something
    (Trying to hold on to something good)
    Give us a chance to make it

    Don’t wanna hold on to never
    I’m not that strong
    I’m not that strong

    I, I don’t wanna say it
    I don’t wanna find another way
    Make it through the day without you
    I, I can’t resist
    Trying to find exactly what I miss
    It’s just another day without you

    Why can’t you stay forever
    Just give me a reason
    Give me a reason

    Songwriters: JON SECADA, MIGUEL MOREJON
    © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
    For non-commercial use only.
    Data From: LyricFind

    Song Facts

    • Just Another Day” is a song by Cuban-American artist Jon Secada. It was released in March 1992 as the lead single from his debut album Jon Secada. Written by Secada and Miguel Morejon, the song reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at No. 1 in Sweden, No. 2 in Canada, and No. 5 in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The song was also recorded in Spanish as “Otro Día Más Sin Verte“, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart. Gloria Estefan sings background vocals on the song and is given writing credit for the Spanish-language version.

    Early Life

    Secada was born in 1961 in Havana, Cuba.[2] Secada’s father, José, was incarcerated for 3 years as a political prisoner by the Castro regime. In 1971, the Secadas received permission to emigrate and moved to Miami.[4] His parents opened a coffee shop.[5]

    Secada was raised in Hialeah, Florida. In 1979, he graduated from Hialeah High School.[6] It was during his performance of A Christmas Carol in 11th grade when he realized his musical potential and was encouraged by teachers to pursue music as a career.[2]

    In 1983, he received a Bachelor of Music and in 1986 he received a Master of Music in jazz vocal performance, both from the Frost School of Music.[7] He graduated cum-laude and was later inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society.[8]

    Career

    From 1986 to 1991, Secada was a teacher at Miami Dade College.[9]

    In 1986, Secada was introduced to Emilio Estefan by his college acquaintances.[1] Estefan listened to one of Secada’s demos and then became Secada’s mentor and manager.[2][10] This led to Secada becoming a backup singer for Gloria Estefan‘s Miami Sound Machine.[5]

    In 1991 Secada co-wrote and was a backup singer for “Coming Out of the Dark,” a number-one hit song inspired by a tour-bus accident involving Gloria Estefan in 1990, in which her back was broken.[11]

    In 1992 he released his self-titled debut album, which sold 7 million copies.[5]

    In 1994 he performed a duet with Frank Sinatra, a re-recording of “The Best Is Yet to Come,” released on Sinatra’s album Duets II. He also performed at the awards for Miss Venezuela 1994.

    In 1995 he performed on Broadway in Grease,[5] and he also presented at the 49th Tony Awards. He recorded If I Never Knew You, a duet with Shanice for Pocahontas.

    In 1999 he co-wrote and produced “She’s All I Ever Had” for Ricky Martin.

    In 2003 he performed in Cabaret.[5] He also co-wrote Juramento for Ricky Martin.

    From 2006 to 2009 Secada was a judge on Latin American Idol for its entire four-season run.

    In 2007 he co-wrote three songs, and performed in one, on Lilian Garcia‘s album ¡Quiero Vivir!

    In 2017 he released a tribute album with cover versions of songs by Benny Moré.

    Personal

    From 1988 to 1993, Secada was married to Jo Pat Cafro. In May 1995, he started dating Maritere Vilar. They were married in February 1997.[13] They have 2 children.

    Secada resides in a 7,284 square-foot house, with a tennis court and pool, a few blocks west of his alma mater in Coral Gables, Florida.[14]

    Secada created the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami, raised funds for The Recording Academy‘s effort “Keeping Music in Schools,” and supports many initiatives including the Pediatric AIDS Unit at Jackson Memorial HospitalMake-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.[15]