and out into the woods. The rushing stream was a welcoming sound, and its subtlety was hypnotic. He closed the truck door and circled to the back.
The concept for this outing was minimalism - who could do the most with the least. Frank never really liked the themes that the group came up with but he played along, anything for that thrill of the kill.
Taking a quick visual inventory of his daypack, he synched it back up, slung it on and buckled the waist strap all in one smooth motion.
This wasn't his first rodeo.
The others had spent the entire two weeks planning which gizmo to bring - Frank took only 5 items:
A lighter
his truck keys (with bottle opener keychain)
a knife his father used for hunting
a six-pack of beer
and a flanel jacket
Now the six pack was technically 6 things but that still left him well under the 15 item minimum.
The others ware all new to the hunting scene and did it as some sort of hobby for the weekend - cheapening the experience with their commando - wanna be attitudes.
Survival is not a game, but if it were Frank would be on the all star team.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Page 10 - Tripping Point
The key card opened the door just like she had said.
All entrances to the building are tracked in real time by the security software so he had to move fast.
The nervous lump returned to his throat. Hands began to moisten. Ears keen for the sound of other inhabitants in the hallways of the all too familiar office.
During the day the office was exactly like most others, filled with the hustle and buzz of modern corporate life, but after nightfall was a different story. The absence of people made made his mind play tricks on him, the corner of his eye catching people ducking into cubicles.
Illusions from a mind that now wanted desperately to escape this empty shell of a workplace.
Move fast.
Quickly rounding the last corner to the office that had been home for three and a half years, he suddenly realized that he had never worked late a day in his life.
Filling the backpack with all of his personal effects, he lifted the printed page from the back folder of the bottom drawer that would explain all of this to his superiors. The single page had been locked in the drawer since the first wage review over 2 years ago.
The text of the brief note etched into his mind - some days he would do nothing but read those 10 words over and over again dreaming of this day.
Dear Idiots,
You have burned the wrong guy.
Never Again!
Placing the note and taking one final look around, he let out a sigh and started his life.
All entrances to the building are tracked in real time by the security software so he had to move fast.
The nervous lump returned to his throat. Hands began to moisten. Ears keen for the sound of other inhabitants in the hallways of the all too familiar office.
During the day the office was exactly like most others, filled with the hustle and buzz of modern corporate life, but after nightfall was a different story. The absence of people made made his mind play tricks on him, the corner of his eye catching people ducking into cubicles.
Illusions from a mind that now wanted desperately to escape this empty shell of a workplace.
Move fast.
Quickly rounding the last corner to the office that had been home for three and a half years, he suddenly realized that he had never worked late a day in his life.
Filling the backpack with all of his personal effects, he lifted the printed page from the back folder of the bottom drawer that would explain all of this to his superiors. The single page had been locked in the drawer since the first wage review over 2 years ago.
The text of the brief note etched into his mind - some days he would do nothing but read those 10 words over and over again dreaming of this day.
Dear Idiots,
You have burned the wrong guy.
Never Again!
Placing the note and taking one final look around, he let out a sigh and started his life.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Page 9 - The 24th floor
The rain sloshed across the windshield of his rusted old hatchback as he rounded the corner. Slosh, Slosh, the unrelenting deluge attacked the car with such vigor - the glass in the window were rendered 80% useless.
Squinting and rubbing his breath off of the inside of the vehicle he saw a rain soaked blob in the shape of the parking structure entrance to his office. Hidden from the downpour he rolled down the window to slide his key card in the automated security gate and the arm lifted.
His mind was now already racing, he had received the text 45 minutes ago and his mind was reeling with the implications.
The seven most ominous words he had ever received on his phone "The situation has changed. Attendance not optional."
He had run the simulations personally and analyzed the results - had he forgotten something?
Exiting his car he realized time was now of the essence. This situation had only been described in general, vague terms during the final week of his "orientation".
They had called it orientation but it really was indoctrination. He had even moved into the city to be closer in case...
...in case tonight is really happening.
Squinting and rubbing his breath off of the inside of the vehicle he saw a rain soaked blob in the shape of the parking structure entrance to his office. Hidden from the downpour he rolled down the window to slide his key card in the automated security gate and the arm lifted.
His mind was now already racing, he had received the text 45 minutes ago and his mind was reeling with the implications.
The seven most ominous words he had ever received on his phone "The situation has changed. Attendance not optional."
He had run the simulations personally and analyzed the results - had he forgotten something?
Exiting his car he realized time was now of the essence. This situation had only been described in general, vague terms during the final week of his "orientation".
They had called it orientation but it really was indoctrination. He had even moved into the city to be closer in case...
...in case tonight is really happening.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Page 8: Configuration Malfunction
Following the original configuration manual will result in a the corresponding level of settings being configured to the pre-configuration level. To increase the level of the corresponding settings to an new previously un-configured level follow the enhanced configuration manual that follows this document.
Take care to ensure that you have run the verification on the original configuration to determine which set of enhanced configuration settings apply to your specific hardware and software combination. Hardware enhancements must first be approved by the vendor before being installed by an enhanced configuration hardware enhancement licensed technician with applicable accreditation in the specific sub-upgrades that will be included in your enhanced configuration settings. The current list of specific sub-upgrades is available from the vendor (at point of purchase upon original sale) and available from licensed technicians that have been certified dually as technicians and resellers. Some sub-upgrades may require additional licensing that was not included with the hardware / software package in the original sale.
Additional licensing can be purchased from authorized resellers or technicians that have been dually certified as technicians and resellers.
Good luck with your configuration!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Page 7 - Turn of Events
Never had Stanley been this discouraged - twenty years he had devoted to that mill and all they said was "Sorry...".
There was a feeling that was welling up beneath his gruff exterior. This would be the last day that he would play by their rules and be subject to their whims.
It was noon on a Friday. They always fire on a Friday - gives you a weekend to "cool your head".
The feeling grew. All else seemed to haze over.
Stanley woke up as if from a daze with his key in the door of his poorly aging accord. He gave a sheepish look around the lot - "how long have I been standing here?" he thought.
Getting in he let out a larger than normal sigh for leaving work and pulled out of the lot.
He caught himself driving the same route he always drove home.
He fought the feeling.
Soon he was in his neighborhood and saw himself driving to his apartment building like he was having an out of body experience.
The calming routine of winding through the park basement caused a moment of clarity.
He gained some ground against the feeling.
He knew what he had to do - he hopped out of the car and into the elevator. Today would be the last day.
Hearing a familiar tune he realized he had been humming the whole ride back. His key still in his hand the doors opened and he trudged through the shag carpeting in the hallway to his room.
He was comforted by the familiar sound of his key in the lock.
He gained another inch against the feeling.
The door squeaked open.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Page 6 - New York Second
"Did you get the reports printed for the presentation?" Blake blurted out as he un-docked his laptop.
"Are you Kidding me?" Troy stopped stuffing loose papers into his bag long enough to check.
"Gotcha!" Blake saw the colour return to the stunned face across the kitchen table.
"I swear, if you pull anymore stunts like that I am going to crack!" Troy returned to packing. "You are killing me off man!"
"Just think, two maybe three more months and we are outta here! - Not that I don't appreciate your hospitality, but the big time is so close!"
"I had my doubts! - but here we are... Only..." Troy checked his watch, "21 hours till the IPO!"
"The copies are already loaded in my trunk - we have got to roll or we are going to miss the meeting!"
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Page 5 - Deep Fried Goodness
Jackson hated his job.
He hated every single minute. Every minute seemed to drag out longer
than the next. Beeping came from the frothing bath of lard before him.
He hit the button and lifted the fries.
He dumped the fries and sprinkled them with salt.
He took the hot basked and filled it with more fries.
He lowered the fries into the vat and hit the button.
Jackson hated his job.
He hated this minute more than the last. this minute seemed to be
longer than the last. Mesmerized he stared at the counter: 51...50...49
Jackson couldn't take it anymore! His mind raced as his eyes darted
about the crowded kitchen. Bodies everywere bustling and racing -
racing for what? So his fat-cat manager could make a couple bucks? This
is not what he had in mind for making some money over the summer.
Jackson had a thought "Maybe I should quit!"
Beeping came from the frothing bath of lard before him.
He hit the button and lifted the fries.
He dumped the fries and sprinkled them with salt.
He took the hot basked and filled it with more fries.
He lowered the fries into the vat and hit the button.
Jackson hated his job.
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