tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post1391719125869145610..comments2023-11-14T01:13:04.914-08:00Comments on A*Musings: Happy BirthdayShellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068094486297918345noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-59907664623969134212010-07-04T20:45:54.444-07:002010-07-04T20:45:54.444-07:00Like the comment before - I was expecting some hug...Like the comment before - I was expecting some huge disaster - an asteroid or something - but no -the cruelest blows... nothing..<br /><br />mine can be seen at http://annieevett.blogspot.com/2010/07/essence.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01308937047474819914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-49911332899036797942010-07-03T14:34:28.545-07:002010-07-03T14:34:28.545-07:00Thank you, admin -- and I love the luxury of a 9 p...Thank you, admin -- and I love the luxury of a 9 pm bedtime! As long as the day has been meaningful.Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068094486297918345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-55096903224852046282010-07-03T14:20:43.423-07:002010-07-03T14:20:43.423-07:00There I was expecting the roof to fall in on him o...There I was expecting the roof to fall in on him or maybe get his finger stuck in an electric plug. The ending actually moved me ... as well as make me contemplate the tragedy of my 9pm bed time last night!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-34671553659876149802010-07-03T10:35:45.627-07:002010-07-03T10:35:45.627-07:00Scott -- thank you, that is quite a compliment whe...Scott -- thank you, that is quite a compliment when your characters mimic real people. I'm glad you enjoyed it!Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068094486297918345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-37031894194413869692010-07-03T10:28:37.861-07:002010-07-03T10:28:37.861-07:00Thank you, Laura. I tried to give his character a...Thank you, Laura. I tried to give his character a little depth. I appreciate your comments.<br /><br />Thanks, Melissa!<br /><br />Renee -- you are a wonderful friend. I always appreciate your encouragement. BTW, I'm almost finished with the first draft of my first novel. Once I get a good second draft out of it, I'd be honored if you'd read it for me!<br /><br />Karen, thank you. I thought about perception while I was writing this. Bad things happen all the time to everyone. Maybe his bad luck was no worse than anyone else's. Focusing on the negative robs you of so much.<br /><br />Thanks, John, I always appreciate that you come by to read!<br /><br />Thank you, Susan -- and don't all of our actions lead us to death? I recently watched an indie film, Expiration Date, which was so-so, but I loved the message in the end: you have to dance in the face of death. Daily, I hope! And I love writing Friday Fiction, so I'm glad you are enjoying reading it.<br /><br />Thank you, Adam. I always appreciate your opinion and that you took the time to come and read!<br /><br />Hey -- you guys know I can handle a little criticism, right? You can be tougher on me than this! (But thanks for the wonderful encouragement, too!)Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068094486297918345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-8961102429241516532010-07-03T10:27:53.294-07:002010-07-03T10:27:53.294-07:00Very nice. As I read about his family in the first...Very nice. As I read about his family in the first paragraph, I kept thinking "I know them." Very nice pacing throughout - and the punch of the ending was very effective. I really enjoyed reading it.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-10065250540326439282010-07-03T03:41:21.613-07:002010-07-03T03:41:21.613-07:00If hell had an ironic punishment department, this ...If hell had an ironic punishment department, this would be deemed as "cruel and unusual." Lovely description that set up a strong emotional ending.<br />A good read.<br />AdamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-3634744160158900012010-07-03T01:19:10.558-07:002010-07-03T01:19:10.558-07:00It reminded me of a story I read years ago about a...It reminded me of a story I read years ago about a person so scared of death that his actions in running away lead to death. I loved your story. I felt for the guy and kept wondering what would happen that day. I was sad that he cut off so many people that had remembered his birthday, especially having his kids there.<br />I enjoy your fiction Fri. keep it up.Susan G. Hawshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08149863824322299876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-89833037648715842662010-07-02T19:07:49.945-07:002010-07-02T19:07:49.945-07:00Wow Shelli, I feel sorry for the guy!Wow Shelli, I feel sorry for the guy!John Penderhttp://johnpender.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-84439512876769396142010-07-02T15:26:35.274-07:002010-07-02T15:26:35.274-07:00Well, you've done it again, my friend. You hav...Well, you've done it again, my friend. You have such a gift. I found my heart wrenched and pulled, lifting and then falling with each passing of his birthday. I could feel for his decision on his 40th yet something sad entered my heart as I listened to all the wonderful things he was shutting away on his birthday. And thus he sealed his fate by his own hand. Bravo in sending such a message! Talk about the impact of our choices and the sad irony of fear. I loved it, truly!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-45342087274892305062010-07-02T15:13:35.164-07:002010-07-02T15:13:35.164-07:00This story reminded me of someone I know who feels...This story reminded me of someone I know who feels the same way about life and his birthday. Wow...I love the ending because it really points out the lonliness or isolation is worse than not being in control of what happens any day...let alone our birthdays. <br />I am always blown away by your gifted writing, Shelli...seriously....you need to write a book. Maybe you already have, but I want to be the first one who reads it, friend. You rock!Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-18953416787029868662010-07-02T14:08:24.325-07:002010-07-02T14:08:24.325-07:00i liked this story and how it had an ironic twist....i liked this story and how it had an ironic twist. very well written. thanks for posting!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488832373580617482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356166881256164183.post-24313976983161453722010-07-02T14:06:09.336-07:002010-07-02T14:06:09.336-07:00Nice story this week, Shelli. You've painted ...Nice story this week, Shelli. You've painted a great picture of his sad birth and subsequent unlucky birthdays. I got a real feel for his family and what it must have been like for him growing up after his mother died in child birth. Great characterization. <br /><br />I like the ending. Very clever making the point that spending one's birthday all alone might be the worst way to spend it. It seems his birthday curse still found a way to get him.Laura Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05407312422139066511noreply@blogger.com