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CHALLENGING DAYS  Today (June 1st) kicks off a new journalistic experimental series called "Challenging Days" !  My friend and creative brother-in-arts Phil Corso (Drummer of The Vigilance Committee and More Than Skies ) and I conceived this fun interactive month-long experiment  called "Challenging Days".  Each day throughout June, we will roll the bones to randomly choose a prompt, task or challenge from a predetermined list meant to shake our routines and perspectives and then reflectively report on the site how it went and what we experienced each day, hopefully feeling a little more informed or enlightened by the events or interactions we may not have otherwise engaged in! My favorite part? We set it up on our website so that you all can be privy to the prompts of each day, participate and then submit your thoughts on the page in real time!   Visit  https://alloneandphil. wixsite.com/challengingdays  ...

Hey there AllOne family, Here is an essay blurb of sorts containing just a few thoughts on writing and expression.  This originated as a Facebook post that I put up as a discussion prompt after I scrolled past an advice column on editing....     Now, I understand the intent and concept of these ideas and that these following "rules" I'm about to reference are circumstantial.  Also, in creative expression it is important to remember that no rules really need to be heeded in artistic pursuits.  I'm always wary or a little conflicted when I read and recall advice like:  "don't use flowery language"  "don't use a ten dollar word where a dollar word will do"  "only use words that people understand"  and, the troublesome quote that I read in the article that prompted this: "if your readers need to grab a dictionary your writing needs improvement". You get the picture.       As I inferred, I understand that pret...

“ The Editor” Criminal episode49 written by Bruce A. Pandolfo 4/30/2017 In Maryland, Robin Woods was no Robin Hood robbing goods prolifically from warehouses or whatever whereabouts, but how else are you to make a living with no catered education, given the ruler at school your future is dimming a decade later, breaking and entering villain thieving phones and computer equipment.. stole a car, and 20k worth of gear, he's 26 tops, next night he's playing pool in comes 6 cops, a friend turned rat went behind his turned back, Robin doesn't blame the guy, its every man for himself, which often means its every man v.s. Everyone else. Non-violent felony, but had prior convictions too, given 16 years at Maryland Correctional Institute, Absolutely overkill, perhaps Draconian, certainly the worst place they'd ever thrown him in. Guards beat the inmates with nearly no provoking, so the next night, revenge was reaped in a riot...

“ Gil From London” Criminal Episode20 Written by Bruce A. Pandolfo 4/30/2017 Karen, I know you're dreaming as I type this, Funny, you're a dream yourself, you really are terrific these last three weeks have been exquisite and exciting Honey, I've been dreaming too of detours while on business... I'm alighting right now, (to India, I'm flying) Distracted, second guessing getting a second ticket, Since my child and wife passed, I've also felt lifeless Disagreeably you're grieving, but our symmetry so assisted Unprecedented since the loss, I've found myself smiling, You're the cause of course, could I repay with paying a visit? In just a few days I could be in Los Angeles, You've uniquely understood the pain's heaviness your tenderness and empathy's innate readiness, have healed my heart aches and strangely steadied it and yet you've jump-started its invigorated pace Sorry we can't easi...

“ The Agreement” Criminal Episode30 Written by Bruce A. Pandolfo 4/28/2017 Danny's mother prays every day. She prays daily that she will stay healthy. Danny's mother takes care of herself. She hopes Danny will have a great big family party when he turns 50. Danny talks to his mother on the phone every day. Between phone calls and prayers, Danny's mother speaks with Danny and God equally often about the same things. Mothers are the great creators and they worship their sons. Despite this, if you meet Danny's mother, she will not tell you about him. She does this to protect herself. “ I love you baby” she says to her son with an hint of exhausted desperation. “ I lo--- THIS CALL IS FROM A FEDERAL PRISON ” That familiar automated response interrupts Danny with its rigid robotic reminder. and 15 minutes into their conversation, the phone clicks off. Danny can't use the phone for another hour. But after...

“ Pappy” Criminal Episode 40 Written by Bruce A. Pandolfo 4/27/2017 You want to get yer hands on a bottle o' Pappy huh? More of a statement really i'n't it? You WANT to get yer hands on a bottle o' Pappy. Your lips mor'n likely too. Ouch'er mind if ya don't! Pappy the best bourbon money can buy. And hell, money can't even buy it most times. Like a myth or a legend, that stuff. Comes around only e'ry so offen like a comet or surprise sex in your married life pardon me for sayin' so... More than common firewater.. Put hair on your chest and a fire in it. Ain't no question. Cure yer ailments, keep ya warm, put ya to sleep, douse your problems... 'tho' shit, these days, Bottle o' Pappy? Clean out your bank just as much as your woes (if you got em.) And if you're on a huntin' f'Pappy, lemme tell you...you're in for some heartache pal. I tell ya.. Hard ...

“ Tiger” Criminal Episode 46 Written by Bruce A. Pandolfo 4/26/2017 Come see Tony the Tiger! Yes, son just like the one on the cereal box... Now imagine that 550 pounds! Incredible isn't he? Tigers are fierce predators, Don't get too close ma'am, he may spray you! How old is he? 16! Yes pretty Miss, 16 Years he's lived in this here Louisiana gas station. Putting the ”pet” in “petrol”. Go and get your “ animal rights activists taste like chicken” T-shirts when you're through pumping your gas. Haha! Oh don't cry lil lady! Oh he's happy as can be. He gets the best food money can buy and doe'n't even work for it like he was built to. Oh no son, he's happy here with his poppa Mike. Ignorance is bliss. Wild ain't he?