James Pyles's Blog, page 129

Blowing Bubbles

Kent Ingram had been chasing the hyperfold for decades. The first time he encountered it was in 1916 during the Battle of Jutland. The HMS Indefatigable exploded, German shells having penetrated her ammunition magazine, but instead of being thrown over the railing, he fell into what looked like a large, misshapen bubble…and found himself in […]

So That’s What Happened To Grandma

Lionel thought it was a strange place to put a mirror until he saw a piece of paper taped to it saying “Free.” Then the glass was a swirling black as if thousands of iron filings were being moved around by an unseen magnet. He gaped in awe as another image appeared. “Grandpa’s shed.” He […]

Quoting: Thanks for the Criticism

Be resolved for the next two weeks to thank anyone who criticizes you. Visualize yourself being able to do this with a sense of inner joy. Since you’re mentally prepared to do this, it will be much easier to implement. -from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp.184-6. I suppose this one is good […]

Another Troll Has Surfaced

Yeah, that’s a real comment from a troll on Fandango’s blog and it’s pretty shocking. I suppose stuff like this goes on all the time, but I don’t see a lot of this unless I deliberately go looking for it. After a brief Google search, I discovered you can report such comments to WordPress. You […]

Húxiān

Henry Dore ate lunch at the Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant in Chinatown everyday just to be near her. He didn’t know her name, and in fact, she was a complete stranger to him, but she was captivating in a way he couldn’t articulate, even to himself. He had first seen her when he was […]

Buying a Memory

“You’ve got to be kidding.” It was Martin’s first reaction to his wife Helen’s suggestion. “You want to buy this…this thing for our three-year-old granddaughter?” “It’s adorable.” “It’s ridiculous, and it’s made of porcelain. Couldn’t we get her a gift that won’t break when she drops it?” “But she’ll love it.” “She’ll love a lot […]

Quoting: Soften Criticism

If someone is critical of you in a harsh tone of voice, try telling them the following: “I appreciate your strong feelings about the matter, but I would appreciate the comments more if they were expressed more pleasantly.” From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s book Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp.184-6 Given all of those shrill voices in […]

Finish The Story Blog Hop – Part 7

Teresa’s challenge details can be found here: Finish the Story # 8, 25 August 2018. The rules: Copy the story below as it appears when you receive it (and the rules please) Add somehow to the story in which ever style and length you choose Tag only 1 person If you choose to not participate […]

Psyche Poised Against Infinity

Psyche stood on the edge of the rooftop contemplating the city’s nightlife far below. If anyone saw her swaying twenty stories above the street, they might vitiate her plans and try to persuade her to go indoors, or perhaps to a hospital, but suicide wasn’t on her mind. Privately celebrating the occurrence of her twentieth […]

Quoting: Love Criticism

Work on developing a love for accepting criticism. When you have a sincere desire to grow and develop, you will appreciate the opportunities that arise for further growth and development. Criticism expressed with profound love and concern is easier to handle than criticism expressed with anger or condescension. But if what is said to you […]