My Cardboard Balcony

I could be introspective tonight... but nope. I'm too sleepy. Big week coming up, though, including: - More work - Maker Faire - Party seeing off my former assistant manager - Third year anniversary with my girlfriend And that's just the beginning. More info on the last one later. Night, all.

This is an untitled, unfinished novel that was technically left alone in late 2008. However, the last time it was modified and checked for errors was 2011, where upon I decided that the absurdity of the plot combined with the sloppy British research was too much for the story to continue. However, seeing as this is Whims of the Time Traveler, it's a perfect example of my first attempt at long fiction, so I've decided to unabashedly display it. Have fun. Untitled: Prologue by Belinda Roddie There are three different kinds of people in the world: Those who find themselves straightaway, those who find themselves through experience, and those who never find themselves at all. If you’re one of the people who believe that no one searches and comes up with at least one jewel from some unknown treasure cove, then you haven’t looked at the intricate details. Plenty have found a purpose or a true meaning to who they are. They just aren’t the majority of the population. Of co...

In order to finish the project, I had to backtrack. But I didn't want to backtrack. I wanted it to be done. I wanted it to be done so I could open another bottle of wine in celebration rather than shame. So I could drink half of the Riesling and then dance in my boxers without feeling like I was being judged. So I could get the artificial courage to email my boss and attach a picture of my snarling face shooting two birds from my hands, telling me I was quitting and moving to Nepal.

The Cowhands Danced by Belinda Roddie The cowhands danced beside the cacti as the desert sun dipped lower in the sky, the heat clinging to the brims of the hats that each cowgirl and cowboy wore. The eye of the moon kept watch as horizons dimmed, and soon, guitars, banjos, and ukes were strummed as some old ranchers sang of stories grim while others drank cold whiskey to stay numbed. One cowgirl told a tall tale of the past, about a bronco working in the South with cattle herds whose giant shadows cast a majestic darkness across the mouth of the Grand Canyon. Later, some hands slept, while others turned their sights homeward and wept.

It was the first time that Arvey had seen a mountainous range in nearly six months. It was not imposing to her, nor majestic. It was simply an occurrence she was not used to, and as such, she let out a small puff of air as she observed the peaks, typically dusted with snow. "Huh." Quinoni limped to her side, the scars never quite fading from her torso, hidden beneath her tunic. "What?" "I just realized," Arvey murmured, smiling faintly, "I've never climbed a mountain before."

Orange and Black by Belinda Roddie This early summer in May inspires me to roam further down the bay, to where the blatant advertisement for Coca Cola glows green. To don my cap with the proper insignia and watch the boys pitch and hit and lob and swing and bring the victory home while I eat overpriced nachos and drink even more overpriced booze. Because the sun bakes our brains and makes us crave entertainment, and what better thing to cheer for in the heat than a spiraling baseball sent as far away as possible - past the roaring fans, past the boats bobbing for a hopeful catch, past the green waters into the deep end where the bridges hum under the weight of traffic and the day grows sticky with orange and black enthusiasm?

"I'm sorry," snapped Alaria, "did you think your punishment was not severe enough? Should I have used more ropes? More blades? A deeper bucket of water to submerge you in? Pray tell me, prisoner, what did you find lackluster about my performance?" The emaciated man said nothing, his eyes bulging from his hollow skull as his dry tongue flopped out of his mouth in a futile protest. The High Councillor smiled and unsheathed her father's sword.