Randolph Randy Camp's Blog: Randy C Creations RCstories, page 13
February 3, 2016
Carrot Cake
Is there any evidence of your ancestors in your daily life? My grandfather, ‘Eddie’ Camp, was a school janitor at James Monroe High in Fredericksburg, Virginia for years. When I wrote my blog piece ‘A Janitor’s Dream’ I wonder if my grandfather’s spirit was standing over my shoulder or sitting next to me as I typed out those words several weeks ago. Hm?
My father, William Henry Camp, was a preacher and a carpenter by trade. I learned a lot from my father and one of the greatest lessons he’d taught me was to always try to help those in need even though you may not have much to give yourself. As a carpenter, my father would build and repair peoples’ porches, out houses, doors, and windows even though sometimes they could not pay him fully upfront as some of his other customers would.
I remember going to this lady’s house one Saturday to help him build a shed for her, and our pay for the day’s work was a chicken dinner with a big piece of her homemade carrot cake because she didn’t have any money for our labor. I’ll never forget that day because it was the first time I’d ever tasted an excellent carrot cake like that, and most importantly, on that particular Saturday, as a twelve year old boy, I learned first hand from my father how to be a gentleman and to treat others as you would want to be treated.
Every day I’m reminded of my forefathers, especially when I’m writing. The themes of most of my stories seem to be about ‘triumph-over-tragedy’ and ‘rooting for the underdogs of society’ type of stories, which are the very things that my father was concerned and preached about at his church in Spotsylvania County so many years ago.
Yes indeed, I’m grateful and able to do what I do today because of the teachings and spirits of my fathers. And by the way, of course, carrot cake is my absolute favorite cake of all still to this day. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
My father, William Henry Camp, was a preacher and a carpenter by trade. I learned a lot from my father and one of the greatest lessons he’d taught me was to always try to help those in need even though you may not have much to give yourself. As a carpenter, my father would build and repair peoples’ porches, out houses, doors, and windows even though sometimes they could not pay him fully upfront as some of his other customers would.
I remember going to this lady’s house one Saturday to help him build a shed for her, and our pay for the day’s work was a chicken dinner with a big piece of her homemade carrot cake because she didn’t have any money for our labor. I’ll never forget that day because it was the first time I’d ever tasted an excellent carrot cake like that, and most importantly, on that particular Saturday, as a twelve year old boy, I learned first hand from my father how to be a gentleman and to treat others as you would want to be treated.
Every day I’m reminded of my forefathers, especially when I’m writing. The themes of most of my stories seem to be about ‘triumph-over-tragedy’ and ‘rooting for the underdogs of society’ type of stories, which are the very things that my father was concerned and preached about at his church in Spotsylvania County so many years ago.
Yes indeed, I’m grateful and able to do what I do today because of the teachings and spirits of my fathers. And by the way, of course, carrot cake is my absolute favorite cake of all still to this day. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
February 2, 2016
The Audacity to Dream
Some of my early childhood years were spent without a television in the house because our father was a very religious man, and he would say that the devil speaks through the TV. However, when I did get a chance to sneak to a cousin’s or a neighbor’s house to watch a TV show or movie I thought that it was the most fascinating thing, especially when I actually identified with some of the characters in the movie or in the TV series. Needless to say, I was hooked ever since. My love of creating colorful characters and original stories had its birth in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia in the mid sixties and early 70’s.
As I grew older I got this crazy notion and would have these wild dreams that I was going to write a book one day, and sometimes my thoughts and daydreams would really get away from me and I would have the audacity to think that I would actually write a movie screenplay one day and see it come to life on the big silver screen or on the small box in your living room. What a dreamer I am, huh?
Regardless of my income level or my past or present day jobs, I was always thinking about or actually working on a writing project. When I was employed as a security guard at a TV station and Studio Lot in Los Angeles, I used that opportunity to learn every aspect of the TV and movie production industry as various TV shows and movies were being taped on our sound stages. My five years as a security guard at this TV station certainly became my own ‘poor man’s film school’.
Today, I’ve been very fortunate to have accomplished many of my literary dreams, but seeing one of my stories (especially ‘Wet Matches’) come to life on the big silver screen is one dream that I’m still working on and truly hope to see realized in the near future.
As we venture forward in 2016 I hope that this year has gotten off to a great start for all of you and whatever your aspirations and goals are in life, don’t let anyone or anything dampen your spirit and your audacity to dream. – Randolph Randy Camp
Wet Matches
As I grew older I got this crazy notion and would have these wild dreams that I was going to write a book one day, and sometimes my thoughts and daydreams would really get away from me and I would have the audacity to think that I would actually write a movie screenplay one day and see it come to life on the big silver screen or on the small box in your living room. What a dreamer I am, huh?
Regardless of my income level or my past or present day jobs, I was always thinking about or actually working on a writing project. When I was employed as a security guard at a TV station and Studio Lot in Los Angeles, I used that opportunity to learn every aspect of the TV and movie production industry as various TV shows and movies were being taped on our sound stages. My five years as a security guard at this TV station certainly became my own ‘poor man’s film school’.
Today, I’ve been very fortunate to have accomplished many of my literary dreams, but seeing one of my stories (especially ‘Wet Matches’) come to life on the big silver screen is one dream that I’m still working on and truly hope to see realized in the near future.
As we venture forward in 2016 I hope that this year has gotten off to a great start for all of you and whatever your aspirations and goals are in life, don’t let anyone or anything dampen your spirit and your audacity to dream. – Randolph Randy Camp
Wet Matches
January 27, 2016
The Power of Visions
I can't believe it! It was 13 years ago when I ran my first marathon. Running those 26.2 miles on that cool Los Angeles morning was one of my most challenging experiences ever. In fact, it was such a rewarding experience for me that I also ran in the 2004 LA Marathon the following year. Running 26.2 miles in a marathon race can seem overwhelming at first, but what helped me through my months of training, and what allowed me to continue putting one foot in front of the other during the actual marathon was the fact that I kept envisioning myself crossing the finish line.
Completing a full screenplay or a novel manuscript can seem a bit overwhelming as well. As a writer, I would envision someone physically holding and reading my book as I would be in the early stages of making the outline or just getting started on the opening sentence of the first chapter. It's amazing how the power of visions work. When I was writing my very first screenplay, I would envision people sitting in the theater watching the movie on the big silver screen.
If you're an aspiring musician, actor, actress, or someone who dreams of becoming an executive or a CEO of your own company or a huge fortune 500 company one day, then, by all means, go ahead and use this valuable tool of envisioning, and image yourself on stage, on screen, or sitting comfortably behind your massive, glossy oak desk in that cushion, high-back executive chair.
Regardless of the challenges, don't ever let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your goal. Keep taking those baby steps toward your dream! - Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp
Completing a full screenplay or a novel manuscript can seem a bit overwhelming as well. As a writer, I would envision someone physically holding and reading my book as I would be in the early stages of making the outline or just getting started on the opening sentence of the first chapter. It's amazing how the power of visions work. When I was writing my very first screenplay, I would envision people sitting in the theater watching the movie on the big silver screen.
If you're an aspiring musician, actor, actress, or someone who dreams of becoming an executive or a CEO of your own company or a huge fortune 500 company one day, then, by all means, go ahead and use this valuable tool of envisioning, and image yourself on stage, on screen, or sitting comfortably behind your massive, glossy oak desk in that cushion, high-back executive chair.
Regardless of the challenges, don't ever let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your goal. Keep taking those baby steps toward your dream! - Randolph Randy CampRandolph Randy Camp
January 26, 2016
Speaking of Metaphors
One of my readers recently wrote and asked me why do I seem to use metaphors a lot in my novels. I replied with this simple statement, “Metaphors make the reader think from a different angle.” I further went on to explain how I’ve always loved imagery in songs, poems and stories when I was growing up. Listening to the songs on the radio was my first lesson in creative writing. I just loved the way a certain lyric describing a specific object or an event could instantly plant a picture in my mind. To me, that was a powerful thing and I fell in love with creative writing ever since.
The beauty of metaphors, for me at least, is that it allows you (the writer) to introduce a serious topic while simultaneously softening your story to make it easier to swallow for your readers. This is what I did in my first book ‘Wet Matches’, a story that covers HIV and teen homelessness.
If you are an inspiring author, see if symbolism and metaphors will enhance and make your story more interesting. And please continue writing and don’t ever give up! Believe in your story, and most importantly, believe in yourself! – Randolph Randy Camp
Wet Matches
The beauty of metaphors, for me at least, is that it allows you (the writer) to introduce a serious topic while simultaneously softening your story to make it easier to swallow for your readers. This is what I did in my first book ‘Wet Matches’, a story that covers HIV and teen homelessness.
If you are an inspiring author, see if symbolism and metaphors will enhance and make your story more interesting. And please continue writing and don’t ever give up! Believe in your story, and most importantly, believe in yourself! – Randolph Randy Camp
Wet Matches
January 19, 2016
My Spotsylvania Nights
I’m a couple months from my 55th birthday and last night my mind drifted back to the fall of 1978 when I was 17 years old anxiously diving into manhood. I definitely went through a lot of changes during my last year of high school. I seriously think that 1978 and 1979 were the years that gave me a glimpse of the real world and helped to shape my views and attitude toward women and dating.
As in countless towns throughout America, Friday night high school games in Spotsylvania County was the place to be, especially when the Spotsylvania Knights was playing their greatest rivalry, the James Monroe Yellow Jackets, from Fredericksburg, Virginia. During these Friday night games, many of us had our first experiences with the opposite sex and got a bitter taste of reality as we tried to shed our juvenile skin.
During my senior year at Spotsylvania High, I would leave school and sometimes go directly to work at the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Fredericksburg. While working as a busboy and dishwasher, I’d worked up enough nerve to ask a fairly new waitress out for a date. The first time I saw her I wanted to be with her. During our lunch breaks we would chat and laugh about our high school lives. We made a date to meet up Friday night at the Snack Shack just before the big game between the James Monroe Yellow Jackets and the Spotsylvania Knights.
I arrived early at the Snack Shack nervous as hell but looking sharp. This was going to be a big night for me because I truly thought that one of my mannish dreams would be realized. As this particular night unfolded however, I slowly became aware that our hopes and dreams come in many shapes and sizes and that we have to prepare ourselves for the different angles in which things present themselves to us. What I’d initially viewed as an awful experience actually was my most valuable lesson.
After waiting for twenty minutes for my date to arrive, the lady behind the Snack Shack service window gave me a look of concern. I instantly looked away, pretending not to notice her look because I was too embarrassed that my date hadn’t showed up yet. The Snack Shack was quiet briefly because the football game a short distance away had started already. From a distance, we could see the bright stadium lights illuminating the dark Spotsylvania sky and we could faintly hear the stadium cheers of the fans. The lady at the counter knew that I was hurting and instinctively knew why I was hurting. She motioned me towards the service window and kindly said, ” You want to eat some fries with me? It’s my break and it’s on the house.” Shame-faced, I shook my head ‘no’ and slowly stepped away.
About fifteen minutes later my date still hadn’t arrived. Once again, the lady behind the counter approached the service window with a large order of fries in her hand. She tapped on the window to get my attention. She could easily read the obvious frustration and embarrassment on my face as I repeatedly sighed at the side patio table. She motioned me to come to the window. This time I accepted her offer as she tried her best to cheer me up with stories of her school days and all of the boys who’d stood her up.
When it comes to dating, still today, some 38 years later, without even realizing it sometimes, I will make my judgments and opinions about potential women in my life not based upon the young lady who’d stood me up, but instead, based upon the beautiful qualities of that wonderful warmhearted lady at the Snack Shack that cool September night.
I’m approaching 55 now, and after all these years, I still think about that kind-hearted lady at the Snack Shack and all the changes I went through during my young Spotsylvania nights. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
As in countless towns throughout America, Friday night high school games in Spotsylvania County was the place to be, especially when the Spotsylvania Knights was playing their greatest rivalry, the James Monroe Yellow Jackets, from Fredericksburg, Virginia. During these Friday night games, many of us had our first experiences with the opposite sex and got a bitter taste of reality as we tried to shed our juvenile skin.
During my senior year at Spotsylvania High, I would leave school and sometimes go directly to work at the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Fredericksburg. While working as a busboy and dishwasher, I’d worked up enough nerve to ask a fairly new waitress out for a date. The first time I saw her I wanted to be with her. During our lunch breaks we would chat and laugh about our high school lives. We made a date to meet up Friday night at the Snack Shack just before the big game between the James Monroe Yellow Jackets and the Spotsylvania Knights.
I arrived early at the Snack Shack nervous as hell but looking sharp. This was going to be a big night for me because I truly thought that one of my mannish dreams would be realized. As this particular night unfolded however, I slowly became aware that our hopes and dreams come in many shapes and sizes and that we have to prepare ourselves for the different angles in which things present themselves to us. What I’d initially viewed as an awful experience actually was my most valuable lesson.
After waiting for twenty minutes for my date to arrive, the lady behind the Snack Shack service window gave me a look of concern. I instantly looked away, pretending not to notice her look because I was too embarrassed that my date hadn’t showed up yet. The Snack Shack was quiet briefly because the football game a short distance away had started already. From a distance, we could see the bright stadium lights illuminating the dark Spotsylvania sky and we could faintly hear the stadium cheers of the fans. The lady at the counter knew that I was hurting and instinctively knew why I was hurting. She motioned me towards the service window and kindly said, ” You want to eat some fries with me? It’s my break and it’s on the house.” Shame-faced, I shook my head ‘no’ and slowly stepped away.
About fifteen minutes later my date still hadn’t arrived. Once again, the lady behind the counter approached the service window with a large order of fries in her hand. She tapped on the window to get my attention. She could easily read the obvious frustration and embarrassment on my face as I repeatedly sighed at the side patio table. She motioned me to come to the window. This time I accepted her offer as she tried her best to cheer me up with stories of her school days and all of the boys who’d stood her up.
When it comes to dating, still today, some 38 years later, without even realizing it sometimes, I will make my judgments and opinions about potential women in my life not based upon the young lady who’d stood me up, but instead, based upon the beautiful qualities of that wonderful warmhearted lady at the Snack Shack that cool September night.
I’m approaching 55 now, and after all these years, I still think about that kind-hearted lady at the Snack Shack and all the changes I went through during my young Spotsylvania nights. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
November 27, 2015
Shine Your Light Brightly
There's a special light that shines deep inside of each one of us. Some of you have been blessed with more than one shining light. Some of us spend almost our entire lifetime trying to find or figure out what exactly is our special light.
I firmly believe that we each have a special gift or talent, and once we discover it and begin to share it with others, it's then, at that moment, when we are blessed with true inner happiness and peace of mind.
Whether you have a gift of gab, singing, dancing, writing, acting, cooking, sewing, designing, farming, teaching or preaching, please share it with the rest of us and shine your light brightly! - Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
I firmly believe that we each have a special gift or talent, and once we discover it and begin to share it with others, it's then, at that moment, when we are blessed with true inner happiness and peace of mind.
Whether you have a gift of gab, singing, dancing, writing, acting, cooking, sewing, designing, farming, teaching or preaching, please share it with the rest of us and shine your light brightly! - Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
November 26, 2015
Being Grateful
How often do we complain about minuscule stuff? My morning started off just like any other morning. Hardly anything was going right, and the complaints quickly began to pile up. I woke up to a nagging knee pain, and then, later, I had to go back inside to put on a thicker shirt because it was a bit chillier than normal this morning. By now, I was running late for an important meeting so I reluctantly skipped my routine visit to the coffee shop…and then, it hit me. It was at this very moment when my ‘wiser self’ reminded me of the morning, a couple years ago, when I was working at the Buffalo Veterans Hospital.
As usual, my mornings at the Veterans Hospital started off with me going down to the cafeteria to get my large cup of coffee. This one particular morning would be permanently engrained in my memory because I was in a hurry and I didn’t do my typical ‘sip-test’ after I’d hastily mixed in a little cream and sugar.
When I got into the elevator to return to my work station on the ninth floor, I had a chance to take a test-sip of my coffee and it was just plain awful! Needless to say, I let out a profound ‘f-bomb’ as the others in the elevator turned their heads to me. When we finally reached the ninth floor, the elevator door opened and a wheel-chaired double-amputee cheerfully greeted us with, “Good morning, ladies n’ gents!” as he wheeled himself into the elevator. After seeing this man with no legs, I immediately felt ashamed at myself for complaining about the taste of my coffee.
No, today I’m certainly not perfect and I still sometimes complain about life’s minuscule things. I wish that my ‘wiser self’ would pop up more often to remind me that I truly have nothing really to complain about. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
- Randolph Randy Camp
As usual, my mornings at the Veterans Hospital started off with me going down to the cafeteria to get my large cup of coffee. This one particular morning would be permanently engrained in my memory because I was in a hurry and I didn’t do my typical ‘sip-test’ after I’d hastily mixed in a little cream and sugar.
When I got into the elevator to return to my work station on the ninth floor, I had a chance to take a test-sip of my coffee and it was just plain awful! Needless to say, I let out a profound ‘f-bomb’ as the others in the elevator turned their heads to me. When we finally reached the ninth floor, the elevator door opened and a wheel-chaired double-amputee cheerfully greeted us with, “Good morning, ladies n’ gents!” as he wheeled himself into the elevator. After seeing this man with no legs, I immediately felt ashamed at myself for complaining about the taste of my coffee.
No, today I’m certainly not perfect and I still sometimes complain about life’s minuscule things. I wish that my ‘wiser self’ would pop up more often to remind me that I truly have nothing really to complain about. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
- Randolph Randy Camp
November 21, 2015
The Picture Frame (Revisited)
I received an email from a reader yesterday who’d asked me about my childhood in Spotsylvania County, Virginia and some other interesting questions. Her email reminded me of a blog piece I’d written awhile back entitled ‘The Picture Frame’. So, for her and others, here it is again:
Who we choose to walk with in life has a big impact on who we are and who we may become. When I was coming up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, one of my uncles went to prison for something that I honestly don’t remember, but what I do remember about my uncle is that, while he was behind bars, he meticulously made these beautiful picture frames from wooden matchsticks. Our uncle sent his handmade picture frames to certain relatives while serving his time, and I remember, as a child, being fascinated by the glossy shellac finish and the contrasting colors of the half-burnt matchsticks every time I walked by the multi-picture frame in our living room.
I often meet people who tells me that they feel somewhat ashamed of things in which they’ve done in their past, or that they may have people in their lives who are passing negative judgments on them based upon their past mistakes.
This is when I would share with them my uncle’s story because it shows how our life is a true journey filled with both good and bad experiences along the way, and that people will either choose to remember the bad things from your past or they can talk proudly about the positive things that you’re doing right now. And these are the moments in our lives also when we may have to decide to let certain so-called friends go because they could be the very person actually slowing us down as we continue our life journey. And if I ever I slip up and begin to get some crazy inkling to pass judgment on someone I’m immediately stopped by the memory of that shiny matchstick-picture frame sitting on the end table in the left corner of the living room.
As an afterthought, I pray and hope that I’ve helped or perhaps inspired more people than I’ve hurt during my 54 years here on earth. Stay positive Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
Who we choose to walk with in life has a big impact on who we are and who we may become. When I was coming up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, one of my uncles went to prison for something that I honestly don’t remember, but what I do remember about my uncle is that, while he was behind bars, he meticulously made these beautiful picture frames from wooden matchsticks. Our uncle sent his handmade picture frames to certain relatives while serving his time, and I remember, as a child, being fascinated by the glossy shellac finish and the contrasting colors of the half-burnt matchsticks every time I walked by the multi-picture frame in our living room.
I often meet people who tells me that they feel somewhat ashamed of things in which they’ve done in their past, or that they may have people in their lives who are passing negative judgments on them based upon their past mistakes.
This is when I would share with them my uncle’s story because it shows how our life is a true journey filled with both good and bad experiences along the way, and that people will either choose to remember the bad things from your past or they can talk proudly about the positive things that you’re doing right now. And these are the moments in our lives also when we may have to decide to let certain so-called friends go because they could be the very person actually slowing us down as we continue our life journey. And if I ever I slip up and begin to get some crazy inkling to pass judgment on someone I’m immediately stopped by the memory of that shiny matchstick-picture frame sitting on the end table in the left corner of the living room.
As an afterthought, I pray and hope that I’ve helped or perhaps inspired more people than I’ve hurt during my 54 years here on earth. Stay positive Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
November 15, 2015
Touching Someone
Are you happy with the way you are living your life? Is your life meaningful? Is your life boring?
Normally, I tend not to share the finer details about my private or romantic life on the web but a few months ago I shared a personal childhood memory, in which I’d entitled ‘The Longest Walk’. In ‘The Longest Walk’, I revealed how I had this secret crush on one of my elementary school classmates, and how incredibly cool it is, some forty-five years later, that this “girl of my childhood dreams” is currently one of my Facebook friends today. Ironically, as I also had mentioned in ‘The Longest Walk’, I’m still not revealing the actual name of the mystery girl.
I’m giving you this backstory because I’d received an email recently from one of my followers who was very curious to find out who exactly this mystery girl is. Personally, what I find to be the most interesting thing about this whole ordeal is that I can’t believe that there is actually something truly interesting and kind of cool about my life after all. Typically, we think of a writer’s life as being rather boring, but to have someone curious and interested in my life has given me a different perspective and made me realize that these mere words and stories that I share may possibly touch or impact someone else clear around the world. Yes indeed, words can be quite powerful and meaningful….and here I thought that my life was so boring. Hm. And just maybe, after taking a closer look at your own life, it’s also probably not as boring as you may think. Every day we touch people and we’re not even aware of it. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
Normally, I tend not to share the finer details about my private or romantic life on the web but a few months ago I shared a personal childhood memory, in which I’d entitled ‘The Longest Walk’. In ‘The Longest Walk’, I revealed how I had this secret crush on one of my elementary school classmates, and how incredibly cool it is, some forty-five years later, that this “girl of my childhood dreams” is currently one of my Facebook friends today. Ironically, as I also had mentioned in ‘The Longest Walk’, I’m still not revealing the actual name of the mystery girl.
I’m giving you this backstory because I’d received an email recently from one of my followers who was very curious to find out who exactly this mystery girl is. Personally, what I find to be the most interesting thing about this whole ordeal is that I can’t believe that there is actually something truly interesting and kind of cool about my life after all. Typically, we think of a writer’s life as being rather boring, but to have someone curious and interested in my life has given me a different perspective and made me realize that these mere words and stories that I share may possibly touch or impact someone else clear around the world. Yes indeed, words can be quite powerful and meaningful….and here I thought that my life was so boring. Hm. And just maybe, after taking a closer look at your own life, it’s also probably not as boring as you may think. Every day we touch people and we’re not even aware of it. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
November 14, 2015
A Safer Place
I was very relieved that several of my fans and followers from France responded back to me and informed me that they were safe and okay after yesterday’s terrorist attack in Paris.
I strongly believe that there are far more positive people in this world than there are negative ones. Trying to maintain composure and staying positive amid negativity and chaotic events certainly isn’t an easy task so I commend all of you who are always reaching out to others in your own special quiet way trying to make this world of ours a more peaceful and safer place. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
I strongly believe that there are far more positive people in this world than there are negative ones. Trying to maintain composure and staying positive amid negativity and chaotic events certainly isn’t an easy task so I commend all of you who are always reaching out to others in your own special quiet way trying to make this world of ours a more peaceful and safer place. – Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
Randy C Creations RCstories
Thanks for Visiting! Randy was born on March 12, 1961 in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Randy has written several TV scripts and screenplays, including TIME OUT TIME IN, THE LEGEND OF THREE TREE
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