avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 1, 2012 - 9:12am

Okay.  So it’s JUNE!  Let’s see who made it to this hallway point in the year.  This is the thread where you talk about yourself and make sure we all know you’re fine and alive out there in your part of the world.  Lurkers, friends, nemeses, LitReactors….

Are you alive?

1. Any special Father’s Day memories?
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?
5. What’s your position on flip-flops?
6. Any vacation plans this month?
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?
8. What are you writing?
9. What’s that smell?
10. What do you want to read about? 
 

Chris Davis's picture
Chris Davis from Indiana is reading A Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews June 1, 2012 - 9:55am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? - Watching my first Red Sox game with my dad when I was 6.


2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? - no


3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. - at a pool party in 5th grade i got to see my first real live boob. 


4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? - As much as humanly possible
 

5. What’s your position on flip-flops? -  they're awful, cover up your feet, this isn't a brothel.
 

6. Any vacation plans this month? - heading to Chicago to see my first game at Wrigley and to go to Goose Island Brewery
 

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? - I have been to Disney World about 30 times.


8. What are you writing? - I'm rewriting a classic love story using Furries and frottage.


9. What’s that smell? - I'm not sure Avery, but I was once told she who smelt it dealt it.


10. What do you want to read about? Hatfields and McCoys, that miniseries was great and I want to know more.
 

OtisTheBulldog's picture
OtisTheBulldog from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz June 1, 2012 - 11:18am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? I'd be creating fiction if I did. I mean, I have a father in my life who I love dearly, we just never made much of Father's Day.


2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? None. May's where it's at.


3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. - I went to the first Bonnaroo, it was the first music festival I'd ever been to. I think they sold out 80,000 tickets. On the second day, it was disgustingly hot. We partied late morning to early afternoon and maybe found some sort of mind altering substances. We went down to see Robert Randolph & The Family Band and I remember my feet were just melting into the earth and the sun crushing my back. And he starts to tease into the riff of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" and he's playing into it, just dropping it here and there and the tension amongst the crowd is building and building, my feet molten fire. When he drops into the main riff the crowd just absolutely exploded and everyone is dancing their ass off and I eventually forget that my feet are charred while my vision pulses with the bass line. 
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? When I can. I have a 3rd story porch and it's in my lease that I can't grill on it, but I'm going over to a friend's tonight to do a bunch of charcoal grilling (like it should be)


5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Huge advocate, I won't wear shoes in the summer. But here's the caveat - has to be thong style. Those slip on jobbies are fakin' the funk. They're for communists. They're for people who are afraid to commit to the flip flop but want to open air experience. When I see a man in those slip on sandals (which they try to refer to as flip flops) I judge them as weak and soft. I have strong feelings about this topic.


6. Any vacation plans this month? Just got back from Alabama from the Hangout Music Festival. So I'm taking June to hang around the city and save some money. July has some weekend trips scheduled, like Newport Folk Festival.


7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Yes. 


8. What are you writing? A short story. Music. I should give the flash fiction contest a shot, too.


9. What’s that smell? Oooh that smell. Can't you smell that smell. The smell of death surrounds youuuuuuu...


10. What do you want to read about? A friend lent me a book by Steve Almond about rock n' roll. So now I have homework. But it's a subject I love, so I'm not too broken up about it.

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 1, 2012 - 11:25am

No one told me there'd be a test.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like June 1, 2012 - 11:31am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories?  no
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?  no
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.  no
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?  no
5. What’s your position on flip-flops?  no
6. Any vacation plans this month?  no
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?  no
8. What are you writing?  no
9. What’s that smell?  no
10. What do you want to read about?  no

manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) June 1, 2012 - 11:58am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories?

we always combo my dad's birthday with father's day since they're so close, so mainly cookouts and swiming memories

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?
see above. also mine, the 5th

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.

i got engaged in the summer, six years ago

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?

constantly


5. What’s your position on flip-flops?

it's turned to hate. they make my toes get charley horses
 

6. Any vacation plans this month?

not vacation. but the Midwest Haunters Conventon is the 8th-10th so 'll be deading it up that whole weekend in columbus.
 

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?
no

8. What are you writing?

a short story about an old woman with a growth in her stomach. a long story about a girl in love with a priest
 

9. What’s that smell?

rain!
 

10. What do you want to read about?

everything. 

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig June 1, 2012 - 12:16pm

1. I don't, really. We'll make a good one this year for Husband.

2. My anniversary is June 6. Very unoriginal, but it gets complicated when you're working with two first marriages to avoid mixing anniversaries with ;)

3. First date with Husband. We went to the amusement park and rode roller coasters all day.

4. We grill alllll the time. We grilled last night.

5. I wear them a lot. I have nice sandals for when I want to feel fashionable but you can't beat something tht practically appears in your feet.

6. Driving to NorCal in a couple hours.

7. Been to Disneyland twice. Looking forward to taking my daughter soon!

8. A short story about a woman with a death obsession falling in love with her childhood friend, and a longer piece about a man who attempts to recreate his dead wife with AI and holograms.

9. Wet nail polish.

10. I dunno, recommendations?

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated June 1, 2012 - 2:14pm

Are you alive? Yes

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Dad died just before Father's Day 2010
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Mine is the 22nd.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. When I was about 5 Dad worked nights, and took me to the beach almost everyday before work. I still like sand.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Yeah, some.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? In them.
6. Any vacation plans this month? Just got back.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? No.
8. What are you writing? 2 short stories, and 2 books.
9. What’s that smell? Dave.
10. What do you want to read about? I'm thinking a cookbook.

 

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 1, 2012 - 3:59pm

Are you alive? Is anyone?

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Many. 

 

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? I do not. I was born in August. It's good to be a leo. 
 

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. Many
 

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Who doesn't?
 

5. What’s your position on flip-flops? I am wearing them now. 
 

6. Any vacation plans this month? None of your damn buisness! 
 

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Yes several times. Not a fan.

8. What are you writing? A thread about being alive

9. What’s that smell? A Lynyrd Skynyrd song. 

10. What do you want to read about? Stuff

.'s picture
. June 1, 2012 - 4:43pm

 

Are you alive? Hangin in there.

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Of course. But I'm not a father.

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Nope.

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. Getting out of school for the summer.

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Pssh, who doesn't?!

5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Fuck em!

6. Any vacation plans this month? Doubtful.

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Shit yeah!

8. What are you writing? Outlining a new novella.

9. What’s that smell? Napalm. It smells like victory. 

10. What do you want to read about? My reading list is piled up for months. I have no choice in the matter.

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz June 1, 2012 - 6:15pm

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? My first Father's Day when I was actually a father.


2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Sister Sonya is tommorrow.


3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. When I was a kid we lived out in the country. The hills outside of Hillsboro. Very hilly. There were these big dried yellow grass slopes that you could sled on with flattened cardboard boxes. One warm summer night we went sledding under the stars in the full moonlight.


4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Barbecue like a maniac. Sometimes gas but I prefer to smoke the meat with wood to really infuse it with flavor.


5. What’s your position on flip-flops? I have several pairs of Adidas that I wear around the house as slippers and when it is super hot, but refrain if I am going to be doing any real walking.


6. Any vacation plans this month? Trip to France got postponed, so, no.


7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? California


8. What are you writing? I need to.


9. What’s that smell? Laurance's liver.


10. What do you want to read about? How I have a super rich Aunt I never knew had so much money and she decided to bequeath it all to me. 

Chester Pane's picture
Chester Pane from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz June 1, 2012 - 6:19pm

 

5. What’s your position on flip-flops?

it's turned to hate. they make my toes get charley horses

 

love this Amanda.

razorsharp's picture
razorsharp from Ohio is reading Atlas Shrugged June 1, 2012 - 7:05pm

1. No

2. Yes

3. If it's summer, that's enough for me to be happy.

4. All the time.

5. Flip-flops are okay for women as long as they don't have hideous feet and the situation is non-formal. They're okay for men as long as they're on their own property, at a pool, the beach, on a boat, or some other appropriate maritime activity. The obese may not wear them.

6. Nope.

7. Cali

8. A horror screenplay and a novel.

9. My bad.

10. I don't know. Pirates?

misskokamon's picture
misskokamon from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit Mind June 1, 2012 - 8:20pm

Are you alive?

Can you believe it? It's been FIVE months since I last had a job. The last time I was unemployed this long, I was too young to actually be working. I mean, come on! I can understand people who are 1) Aren't qualified, 2) too old, 3) too young, 4) aren't even trying, but none of that applies to me. Honestly! unemployment funds don't last forever. 

 

1. Any special Father’s Day memories?

Hmm... not that I recall. Mother's Day and Father's Day are celebrated by us kids exactly how our birthdays are celebrated by the folks: here's a homemade card! Thanks for being alive!

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? 

This June will mark my third year anniversary of graduating college. I'm the first one in my family to have done so! Too bad it wasn't for anything legit, like being a doctor or an accountant.

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.

I really enjoyed my first summer away from home. I moved up to Northern California, because my college said I'd be starting during the summer quarter. Upon arrival, we discovered that I was pushed back to Fall quarter. Having no place to stay and no way to get back home, I moved in with my hippy grandma and her eccentric-in-the-not-so-loveable-way ex husband. That summer was my first real taste of forced adulthood. I'd stay up four days in a row on energy drinks and excedrin migraine, fall asleep in the bathroom, and have wild dreams about motorcycle races in labyrinths. I wrote a long, sadomasochistic love story with a friend of mine that contains some of my best and worst wordage. I ate pudding to my heart's content. My grandma would often tell me stories of her love affairs with famous musicians, including Mick Jagger, I poop you not. She also told me there was no such thing as rape back then. It was perfectly acceptable for strange men to climb through your window and molest you, so long as they offered you your drug of choice afterwards. 
Oh, that summer. One of my favorites. 

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?

I'm not very fond of cooking and eating outside, to be honest. But I love cooking outdoor summer food inside.
Steak. Ribs. No, not ribs, not anymore. Ribs give me tummy aches. But I used to like to cook ribs!
And I love the smell of food cooking outdoors. One time in the summer I was riding the bus back home from work, and thought there was a huge barbeque going on nearby. But it wasn't. An apartment building was on fire. :(

5. What’s your position on flip-flops?

Doggy. 

6. Any vacation plans this month?

No, not really. I really just want to get a job. If I don't have something -- an interview, a phone call, a dirty proposition on the street -- something by the end of next week, I don't know what I'll do. A vacation, by that time, will be permanent. (No, not that sort of vacation. I mean I'd just have to move back in with my folks. And you all know how I feel about that, based on every "I'm Alive!" thread that exists.)

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?

Yes! My God! Who hasn't? Disneyland, my happiest place on earth. I love it. When I lived in Southern California, before college, I worked at a movie theater. And all proceeds of said working went directly into the pockets of ol' Mickey Mouse himself. I spent every other weekend in Disneyland, if I could find a ride to and from. I loved it. When my future husband decides to ask me to be his future wife, I hope he proposes to me in Disneyland. My wedding will be Dssney Princess themed. I'm serious! My bridesmaids will have dresses themed after forest critters. My dress will have poofy sleeves! My fondest memory of Disneyland has to do with my senior trip in high school. We spent the entire night, from midnight to 6am, locked inside of that magical place. 
I have horrible withdrawals sometimes now that I live up here in the north. I'm overcome with the urge to fly down there and live in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. No one will find me for weeks. I'll live off of the food thrown away by Disneyland patrons. In fact, if I can get some work, I plan on going down there this Christmas. I'll stay in a hotel for that trip, though. And I'll buy my food, thank you very much. 

8. What are you writing?

Lots and lots of cover letters. Oh, and the other night, while ranting to God and my spirit guides and the universe and whoever'd listen about how hopeless life is because I don't have work, I had the sudden urge to write. So, without any brainstorming or outlines or anything, I wrote a full intro page to a novel I've had knocking around in my head this year. It's an awful intro and I'm afraid to go back to it in my highly lowly state of mind, but on Monday I'll take a peek and see what I can do about continuing it.

9. What’s that smell?

Lavendar. I soak my sheets in it every night to help me get to sleep. It's been difficult -- sleeping. Mainly because I've become obsessed with the process of falling asleep. I analyze every moment of it. But analyzing gets in the way of the actual inducing of sleep.

10. What do you want to read about?

I'm in the mood for a fresh, new YA adventure, possibly starring a girl in the role of Brotaganist, but with little romance involved. I'm so hungry for a YA featuring a strong female lead in a novel that isn't dystopian, that I've considered giving the protaganist in my scifi piece a B-cup.

.'s picture
. June 1, 2012 - 8:34pm

5. What’s your position on flip-flops?

Doggy.

 

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons June 1, 2012 - 8:52pm

 

Thanks for doing this Avery.It's fun.

1 Any special Father’s Day memories? Not really. He usually did the grilling and we gave him a t-shirt with a fish on it, or a Jeff Foxworthy CD. He just died though, as you know because I keep mentioning it. He was a great Dad.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?   Nope, no presents for me this month.

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. There was a song in the 70s called "Afternoon Delight." That brings back some memories!  Actaully there are so many good summer memories, but I'll say the smell of the lake and gasoline from the boat, water sking until your legs are wobbly,  and grilling out after with friends
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?  In the summer, winter, spring and fall. I grill with a coat on sometimes, in the snow..
5. What’s your position on flip-flops?   I vote "yes" for flipflops. Maybe not at a formal dinner or big work meeting, but hey they keep your feet from burning on the pavement when you go outside. What more do you need in a shoe?
6. Any vacation plans this month? Just returned from a mini-vacation in Hot Springs NC. If anybody wants a good B&B there I know one. Great views, no crowds, lots of hikes, the hot springs and massage area is interesting. It's a town that is right off the Appalachian Trail so tons of hikers. It's nice. Otherwise no big plans this year. We did a huge Europe trip last year so are saving money.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?  I took my son to Disney World when he was little.

8. What are you writing?  I have five or six stories going right now. I love a story when I'm discovering it, then I get tired of it and don't polish it enough. So i've got five or six sitting here that need some attention. 
9. What’s that smell?  Oh i lit some candles and just blew them out. Don't worry, nothing is on fire.
10. What do you want to read about?  Definately not lay or lie. I just read that whole thread and it was good but i got a headache. I want to read and write about people discovering things about themselves, having tiny revelations.  
 

.

misskokamon's picture
misskokamon from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit Mind June 2, 2012 - 12:05am

@Covewriter Tiny revelations are the best sort of revelations. The big ones are the ones we remember, but the tiny ones are the ones that get us through life till the next chapter.

@Jacks

 

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines June 1, 2012 - 9:53pm

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? I do not have a father. When Elvis died, so too did my dreams of us ever being re-united. 
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? My significant other is June 4th and the Lidia is June 18th, and her birthday should really be a national holiday. 
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. It's Riding My Motorcycle Time, bishes. Those are all happy memories, even the one of crashing on the race track.  
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? I cook outdoors 12 months a year. In summer, I can actually eat what I cook outdoors as well. 
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Definitely Top. 
6. Any vacation plans this month? Yes. 2 days in San Fran with a couple in their late 70's I randomly met in Paris at a dinner party then drive along the Pacific Coast to a 5 day writing workshop with the recently Oprah endorsed Cheryl Strayed and then two days north of San Fran with a couple of writer/teacher types I met in my first LitReactor workshop. And wine!  
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Both in North America but only as an adult with my son, which was awesome. 
8. What are you writing? I did a write every day challenge in April, so June will be sifting and expanding and revising. May was a write -off (TM) I'm also thinking of doing the Flash Me challenge and participating in the Letters to Everyone thing the Rumpus is doing. 
9. What’s that smell? Rain on the horizon. 
10. What do you want to read about? Hope amongst squalor. 

Thanks again for doing these, Avery. This is a great way to feel somewhat connected to the forums in between life and writing and I actually read most of the replies. 

misskokamon's picture
misskokamon from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit Mind June 1, 2012 - 11:12pm

Oh, Drea! I live in San Fran. Make sure you stop by Philz coffee. Really, the best coffee I've ever had in the states. (It might not help that I've only had coffee in California, but hey! Philz is the best coffee, anyway.) Have fun. Hopefully it won't rain while you're here. And just because it's California doesn't mean it's going to be warm... make sure to bring a hoodie, or something! Wish I was hittin' up workshops and litreactor folk with you!

Marius Hjelseth's picture
Marius Hjelseth from the frozen Norwegian tundra is reading Gomorrah June 2, 2012 - 12:56am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? I've never really paid any attention to Father's Day. I try to honour my father for the rest of the year, but I'm really not that good at it. Don't get me wrong, I love my father dearly, but we've never been able to talk to eachother the way I'd like. It just seems so superficial, like we're just two completely different people.  
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Not a single one. 
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. We used to sneak into an off-limits football field during the summers when I was younger. We'd spend the entire day there, morning right until the evening, playing football, laying around talking bullshit or just jury rigging the sprinkler system whenever it got too hot. Long, warm summer's days with the dearest friends I've ever had. Sure we'd get busted every now and then, and had to flee from furious care-takers, but those were some of the happiest summers of my life.  
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?
Hells yeah! If it's dead and/or tasty, it goes on the grill.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Flip-flips should be your secret shame. Never use them in public, only in the comfort of your own home, and only around the people you really trust not to judge you. 
6. Any vacation plans this month? Nope, not until August. 
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? No. 
8. What are you writing? Working on a few sumbissions for the workshop, as well as my giant fantasy epic that will never be finished, and some entries for my dumb video game blog.
9. What’s that smell? Sorry about that...
10. What do you want to read about? I want to know more about the etymology behind names. Names are fascinating.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 4, 2012 - 9:49am

Not enough of you are alive...

I am.

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Not a big holiday for me.  

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?  Not me.  My mom's birthday is this month, my best friend's anniversary, as well as the birthday's of two other good friends. 
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.  Summer...Not my favorite season.  However, I like baseball. 

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?  Yeah. 

5. What’s your position on flip-flops?  I'm a fan in general.  I have about 8 pair of cheap flip flops, they're good for bumming around.

6. Any vacation plans this month? Nope!

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?  Senior year in high school I went to Disney World.  I loved it. 
8. What are you writing?  I'm thinking about writing right now.  Not actually doing it.

9. What’s that smell?  my lotion probably

10. What do you want to read about?  Great question.  I want to read about bad decisions. 


 

Jack Campbell Jr.'s picture
Jack Campbell Jr. from Lawrence, KS is reading American Rust by Phillipp Meyer June 4, 2012 - 10:00am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? My first Father's Day with my son was the first I really thought about much. My relationship with my son is the most important thing I have.


2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? No.


3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. I played baseball a lot as a child. I used to love the look of the field. The green grass, the brown dirt after it had been drug, fresh chalk on the baselines. Some days I still miss it. It's a shame my high school coach ruined it for me. The ballpark is always a great place to be.


4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? I cook outdoors year round. I have a smoker and a grill on my deck. I've waded to the thing through six inches of water and trudged through snow. Smoking turkey and ham is a holiday tradition in my family.


5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Hate them. Can't stand having anything between my toes.


6. Any vacation plans this month?  No.


7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? No. My family was always too poor to afford it. I would love to take my son someday.


8. What are you writing? I am writing a dystopian science fiction novel with a noir-style detective story for Camp Nanowrimo this month.


9. What’s that smell? Coffee, as usual at work.


10. What do you want to read about? I want to finish reading the Wool series, but I need to read A Rulebook for Arguments for my class.

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines June 4, 2012 - 10:47am

@misskokamon Thanks for the tip about Philz coffee. And noted about the warm layers. You can always spot the tourists as the ones wandering around in shorts and tees when the locals are scarved and layered, lol. I like to be blendy so will pack for the possibility of foggy and damp. If I had more time we could meet up at Philz! 

Profunda Saint-Sylvain's picture
Profunda Saint-... from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series June 4, 2012 - 11:02am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories?
I think I made a mural out of clothespins for my dad once. It was great.

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any?
Not personally.

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory.
Swimming in a terribly polluted river and getting bit by leeches.

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer?
I own the very first BBQ of my whole life, so pretty much constantly.

5. What’s your position on flip-flops?
Not a huge fan, but there are appropriate times to wear them.

6. Any vacation plans this month?
I came back from vacation like... 12 hours ago. I MISS YOU VACATION!

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?
Not since I was a wee little monster. So yes, I have.

8. What are you writing?
Something mind-blowingly good. So, nothing.

9. What’s that smell?
I don't ask that question in this house anymore... never ends well.

10. What do you want to read about?
The potato famine. Or elves.

Boone Spaulding's picture
Boone Spaulding from Coldwater, Michigan, U.S.A. is reading Solarcide Presents: Nova Parade June 4, 2012 - 11:02pm

Are you alive? Not alive enough.

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? No.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? No.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. School's out. Pedaling my BMX bike with 15-inch wheels on 20-mile round-trips to towns, villages and lake communities to visit friends, relatives, and to buy comic books. I wore no helmut. There were no personal portable music players other than little transistor radios. I rode with the radio hog-tied to the handlebars. Fun. Independence, nature (lived in the rural sticks), music.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Yes. I prefer to do it over an open fire.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? With the exception of professional tap-dancers, I don't want to listen to anyone's noisy footfalls. They're comfortable for the wearers. I wore them when I was a kid. I don't wear them anymore, because Crocs and Uggs were invented. I go barefoot or I wear shoes.
6. Any vacation plans this month? I just returned from a three-day vacation in the northern woods of Michigan. I did not see any black bears or skookum on this trip, but it was fun anyway. Relaxing too. Hiked several miles through the woods and I'm planning the next vacation already. Same area, different places...
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? No. I'm told I might enjoy it. I remain skeptical...
8. What are you writing? Progress notes. Comedy screenplay. Horror story. Novel on hold...
9. What’s that smell? The smell of death. It surrounds you...
10. What do you want to read about? Struggles with conscience and courage. A few laughs never hurt either....I want to read more humor and less jokes.

Boone Spaulding's picture
Boone Spaulding from Coldwater, Michigan, U.S.A. is reading Solarcide Presents: Nova Parade June 4, 2012 - 10:50pm

That is not my hat. That is my machete...

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 18, 2012 - 12:01am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? I went swimming in a saltwater pool for Father's Day 2012.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Not anymore.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. None.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? No, but I like eating outside though. Fresh air rocks!
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? I want my toes to be together, not separated. I like open-toed sandals A LOT. If I can, I want to be barefooted.
6. Any vacation plans this month? No.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Unfortunately, yes.
8. What are you writing? A happier story.
9. What’s that smell? Me, after a morning shower. I try to shower twice a day.
10. What do you want to read about? Something that interests me and makes me want to read more.

UPDATED 6/18/12

Mike Mckay's picture
Mike Mckay is reading God's Ashtray June 6, 2012 - 12:27am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Sure there are some.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? My birthday's on the 28th.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. That will be on the 30th of June.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Grilled some meat two days ago.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? I fucking hate them.
6. Any vacation plans this month? Happily working this summer.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Who hasn't?
8. What are you writing? Short stories, notes, and some brainstorming.
9. What’s that smell? Sorry, I haven't showered today.
10. What do you want to read about? Something I've written that's actually worth reading.

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly June 7, 2012 - 1:03am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Not off the top of my head at 3am.

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Yes.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. Umm....
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? I don't cook.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Won't catch me in them.
6. Any vacation plans this month? Nope.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? In third grade, I went to the 'land.
8. What are you writing? A zombie police procedural.

9. What’s that smell? Don't ask.
10. What do you want to read about? Interesting things and people and happenings.
 

Howard Litchfield's picture
Howard Litchfield from Bristol UK is reading Jay McRoy - Japanese Horror Cinema June 7, 2012 - 2:20am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Nope, my family ignore it.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Nope (Although that now makes me worry that I've forgotten something.)
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. Meeting my partner for the first time after 6 months of online chatting. Met him at Kings Cross station, I got stupidly drunk and we ended up driving round South East London in a cab for several hours while I tried to remember where I lived. 15 years later the mad sod is still with me.
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? On the rare occasions it stops raining long enough to light the BBQ.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Usually on top of them. Have tried gluing them to the ceiling and suspending myself underneath, but it resulted in injury.
6. Any vacation plans this month? Due to saving money for a wedding next year and the recent acquisition of an 8 week old bearded dragon, we're staying at home this year and doing all the local things we've been saying we should do for three years and never got round to.
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Yep, when I was about 6 sometime back in the 1870s.
8. What are you writing? An article on hysteria in films, one on Hans Bellmer's dolls (Google 'em, they're right creepy) and trying to finish work on a short story collection.
9. What’s that smell? Ylang Ylang and bacon.
10. What do you want to read about? Since Madeline Miller's The Song Of Achilles is at the top of my reading pile, it seems I want to read about gay Ancient Greeks.

Boone Spaulding's picture
Boone Spaulding from Coldwater, Michigan, U.S.A. is reading Solarcide Presents: Nova Parade June 7, 2012 - 9:11am

Hans Bellmer's dolls are damnably creepy. They'll haunt my dreams...(my three worst flesh-crawling affects are 1: dolls; 2: clowns; 3: hospitals. The worst scenario would to be trapped in an old hospital ward pursued by clown dolls...).

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry June 7, 2012 - 11:07am

Are you alive? Tired.

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? Not yet.  But soon.

2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? Yes.  About to hit the first year anniversary.

3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. Last summer tried like hell to kill me.  It did not succeed.

4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? Hell no.

5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Flip flops are not for grown men.

6. Any vacation plans this month? Just bought a new house and expecting a baby soon.  No vacation plans for five years or so.

7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? Disney World.

8. What are you writing? Thread posts.

9. What’s that smell? I had Mexican for lunch.

10. What do you want to read about? All kinda stuff.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 7, 2012 - 11:29am

"Flip flops are not for grown men."

I approve of this.

manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) June 7, 2012 - 12:14pm

my husband wears flip-flops. maybe i bought them, maybe i didn't.... but damnit, he wears them around our yard. and he is the most masculine of gentlemen.

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 7, 2012 - 12:26pm

Of course, he wears them around his crotchal area and not on his feet.

manda lynn's picture
manda lynn from Ohio is reading Of Love and Other Demons (again) June 7, 2012 - 12:34pm

'crotchal area' is a phenomenal term

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 7, 2012 - 12:38pm

5. What’s your position on flip-flops? Flip flops are not for grown men."

You and I are enemies now. I would be barefoot most places if it were possible. Since it is not. Flops and sandals will suffice. 

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 7, 2012 - 12:40pm

Hold a sec while I trademark that.

drea's picture
drea from Rural Alberta, Canada is reading between the lines June 10, 2012 - 9:06am

@GaryP I've said "crotchular area" so my question to you is, would this be a) a trademark infringement, b) variation on a theme or c) just poor grammar? 

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 10, 2012 - 9:36am

D) All of the above.

Though maybe we can get people to start saying "crotchular" in the same way as "tubular" was used in the '80s: Dude, yo, that comment was totally crotchular. 

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry June 10, 2012 - 9:38am

I would be barefoot most places if it were possible.

You oughtta really lame it up, then, and get you some of those shoes that fit over each individual toe.  It's like being barefoot, only you will be shunned much more. 

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin June 11, 2012 - 6:22am

1. Any special Father’s Day memories? ~ Nothing that springs to mind.
2. I’ve noticed many birthdays and anniversaries in June (how unoriginal) do you have any? ~ Nope.
3. Summer begins this month, tell me a happy summer memory. ~  so,a couple of years ago we were on Holiday in Tenby, Wales  walking back from the town- and it was pouring with rain - when this guy walking his dog came past us and said "hello". After he passed us we remarked "oh look its Ron Weasly haha" only to find out a day later that Deathly Hallows part one was filming in the next bay (the shell cottage scene)... so yeah, it probably was Ron Weasly/Rupert Grint. 
4. Do you cook outdoors in the summer? ~ sometimes.
5. What’s your position on flip-flops? ~ yes I like flip-flops, especially as beach wear.
6. Any vacation plans this month? ~ Not till August
7. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park? ~ No, don't hate me but... it all seams kind of cheesy to me. (Also closest one is in another country and we have Alton Towers which is pretty cool)
8. What are you writing? ~ satire on love, story about burning, and trying to write a horror about where I live...
9. What’s that smell? ~ Ricci Ricci
10. What do you want to read about? ~ i am eagerly awaiting my copy of Invisible Monsters remixed from St Helens Book shop, I want to read the message Chuck has written to me, as well as the book itself :)
 

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig June 11, 2012 - 5:44pm

You oughtta really lame it up, then, and get you some of those shoes that fit over each individual toe.  It's like being barefoot, only you will be shunned much more.

I do NOT understand why people wear these just...to wear them. I've read up on them and think they may actually have some right to be good fitness shoes, for things like running, yoga, etc. But there is NOTHING sexy about them. Nothing.

Stacy Kear's picture
Stacy Kear from Bucyrus, Ohio lives in New Jersey is reading The Art of War June 11, 2012 - 7:41pm

Alive? And kicking tantrum style
Memorable fathers day? My memories shit, really don't remember yesterday much
Daughters birthday is today
Happy summer? Camping in Alaska for the summer
Cook outdoors? Not enough
Flip flops? I wear them
Vacation? Ocean City Maryland
Disney? Once, is enough
Writing? Stalker letters
Smell? Cupcakes and sunshine
Read about? Other people's miserable lives, makes me happy

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 11, 2012 - 7:43pm

"Stalker letters"

We have something in common!  :D

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated June 11, 2012 - 8:22pm

We should do a compilation book of stalker letters we've received. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 11, 2012 - 8:23pm

I've never gotten any.  I just write them.

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated June 11, 2012 - 8:40pm

Me and my now ex-gf were at the mall. We ran into a girl I went to high school with. Nothing big, intros and hellos. Maybe lasted 60 seconds, if that.

6 months later I break up with the now ex-gf for being literally insane.

A months after that I get a email from the girl we bumped into at the mall. Nothing big just a oh soandso sent us both a silly forward and I saw your named and thought I'd say hi how you been.

I reply back, and we exchange emails every week or two. Nothing big, just a quick hello between old friends. She mentions something a friend from high school wouldn't know. I do some snooping.

Turns out the girl I went to high school with isn't sending the emails. I snoop some more. My ex, who meet her once, months before we had broke up is.

So yeah, I have my share of stalker letters.

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly June 11, 2012 - 8:58pm

Did...anyone ask? No? Me either.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 11, 2012 - 9:01pm

I wrote a bunch of stalker letters to Dave, but he wouldn't ever reply.  Time for stage two.

Grigori Black's picture
Grigori Black from US is reading Radium Girls by Amanda Gowin June 11, 2012 - 11:21pm

We should do a compilation book of stalker letters we've received.

 

My stalker accused me of being Satan and threatened to 'expose me for the monster I really am'. Additionally, they created multiple dating site accounts of me and tried to use that as 'evidence' against me. Heh. On top of that, they tried using my published work as 'proof' that I was a sociopathic threat and that my wife was in real danger.

P.S.   Oh, hi. I'm still alive. I think.