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1 day ago

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Mets win again, but deGrom left the game after three innings. MUCH rather we'd lost and he was healthy.

Finished a story for another site. Quite a departure from earlier stuff. I may or may not post.

Scott, maybe figure out what makes that first bit so good, and center a smaller story around that. I've taken good bits from bad stories and turned them into flash before.

Tired. Coffee and a cookie would be excellent.
Quote by Mendalla
Quote by Dreamcatcher

The Natural
Major League
For the Love of the Game
Field of Dreams
Bull Durham



Trivia: Field of Dreams is based on Shoeless Joe by the late W. P. Kinsella, one of my country's literary greats.


He's a great writer. He wrote a book called The Great Iowa Baseball Confederacy that blew me away.

And the guy who wrote For the Love of the Game wrote a Civil War novel that's in my all-time top 10 faves of books: The Killer Angels. Astonishingly good. Haven't seen the Love of the Game movie though.
Quote by gillianleeza
It is great news that the site can remain and all its features and data saved.

I usually try to be positive and rarely vent my anger, but I am making an exception, and I don't care if anyone thinks it doesn't belong in this thread.

I was appalled at the behavior and public airing of grievances and behind the scene communications. It was all ugly.

Think what you want about the site and the people who run it, but none of us deserve some of the things said and done.

I'm taking a break for a while. I have enough stress in my life that I don't need it here. This was the one place I could come to relax and feel welcome.

I wish everyone well and hope everyone can act like adults going forward.




I agree Gill, and I hope I didn't cause offense.

Can I buy you a coffee?
Quote by MagnificentBastard
Quote by verbal
Bull Durham is my fave ever, easily. Moneyball is good, a solid second. Field of Dreams a distant third - it's a little too touchy feely for me.


No, I wasn’t fortunate to be at the game. But at that time, I was a team manager for an athletics team. We traveled to TO and I arranged for the entire team to catch a game, beer, nuts, and all. It was magic.

Our top three are similar. Tougher question, what fills out your top five?

I’ll think on this but if Bad News Bears is on your list, you are dead to me. The Natural? So many others.

Funny isn’t it. For a guy who jokingly slams boreball, he sure does love baseball movies.

Just shook my jar of soaking coffee grounds. Twenty one hours to go.

If you can properly explain ‘scrapping pegs’ or some variation of that reference, I’ll give you the first taste of my Java elixir.


Shockingly, I've never seen Bad News Bears.

1) Eight Men Out
2) Bull Durham
3) The Natural
4) Moneyball
5) A League of Their Own

Glad the site is staying around. Perhaps we can get a liquor license now and celebrate in style!

I hope everyone is well.

The Big Man deGrom is on the mound tonight for the Mets.

I'd love a (spiked) coffee. And a frosted cookie!
Quote by Mendalla
Quote by MagnificentBastard
Stop being so negative. Others offered to help. Like a dog with a rotting bone, you chose to go your own way. Don't take your frustration out on me or anyone else, ESPECIALLY in this thread.



If you really want to help, leave. Or at least start being constructive.


I think asking people to leave is over the top, and liable to jinx the project, or at least the good vibes and spirit of camaraderie associated with it.

Can we all chill out a little bit?
Quote by MagnificentBastard
Quote by verbal
Quote by elizabethblack

Oh dear. No infighting here.


That's certainly fair. I'm just frustrated this cafe is going south just as it was getting fun. But Life is change, and perhaps the new cafe will be fun as well. My apologies.

3-0 Mets-Cubs in the 5th as I watch it on time delay. Roland, come talk baseball!

A decaf would hit the spot.


I’ll talk baseball. Joe Carter. Toronto Blue Jays. Back-to-back series champs. I saw them at the Skydome. It was awesome.

Moneyball is the BEST baseball movie ever. Bull Durham and Field of Dreams tie for second.



I watched EVERY PITCH of that 93 series! I loved that Phillies team--John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra. Mitch Williams gave up the losing run to Joe Carter AND HAD TO LEAVE TOWN! You were at the actual World Series games? Too cool.

Hot sunny day, and I'm on point to finish a new story, if I can get a little headwind behind me.

Mets are on a roll, baby.

Bull Durham is my fave ever, easily. Moneyball is good, a solid second. Field of Dreams a distant third - it's a little too touchy feely for me.

Coffee and cookies and lil monkey hugs please.
Quote by elizabethblack

Oh dear. No infighting here.


That's certainly fair. I'm just frustrated this cafe is going south just as it was getting fun. But Life is change, and perhaps the new cafe will be fun as well. My apologies.

3-0 Mets-Cubs in the 5th as I watch it on time delay. Roland, come talk baseball!

A decaf would hit the spot.
Quote by Mendalla
Quote by verbal

I see infighting is beginning to leak into the threads. I'd love to be able to find a lasting internet home again. A simple thead, people just talking about their day, and maybe talking about writing a little, without animosity or attention whoring.


Wouldn't that be this thread??



I was hoping so, yeah.
The Padres really DID put a number on the Mets. Tatis and Pham are the real deal. On to the Cubbies.

I see infighting is beginning to leak into the threads. I'd love to be able to find a lasting internet home again. A simple thead, people just talking about their day, and maybe talking about writing a little, without animosity or attention whoring. It's exhausting.

Okay. On to the day. Editing the coyote story. I really like it, but it's kind of long and wooly right now. The ACTUAL coyotes I've not heard from in about a week. I think I scared them a few houses down, which is all I really wanted to do. Of course, now there is a family of raccoons in the back yard of the other house, where my daughter is currently living.

See ya tomorrow, everyone. A coffee and a cookie would be swell.
The Mets game has been on for a couple hours, and the question of the day is: can I stay ignorant of the score for the next 8 hours? Seems unlikely, but if i do I'll be watching it tonight. Regardless, the Mets are rolling. Boy that Tatis is a force of nature though. I really like the Padres this year.

Saw The Conjuring 4 (I think that's the right number). Started out loving it, got a little bogged down toward the end, but I'd still recommend it. Seen it yet, Gill?

We finished the first season of Top of the Lake too, and really enjoyed it.

Lazy day. Edit, organise Talia's office for her, grocery shop, pet the cats, take a walk.

Coffee, cookies, and monkey hugs please. Hope your doggo is doing well, Larry.
Hey all.

So weird to be just settling in here, only for the site to leave. sad I hope things work out for the new site.

Larry, I saw your first sentence and "passed away" and "Victor" and thought your dog had died. My heart jumped! So glad to see I read it wrong, and that he's doing better.

deGrom on the mound tonight, against the best team in baseball.

I'm writing and running several tons of errands - Talia is physically at work today, so it's just me and the cats.

Coffee and cookies and monkey hugs please.
Quote by MagnificentBastard
Well, I did it again. Nude bacon frying. Why do it? Just like climbing Everest, because it’s there. Off to emerg shortly for some ointment. Treatment for pigs is called, oinkment. My daughter laughs every time I say that. I’ll probably get the same British nurse who likes to make spotted dick jokes.

Anyway, none of this is true. What is true is the Mochaccino I made and am currently sipping.

Easy Mochaccino: Get your favourite hot chocolate powder mix and use as the sweetener. Make coffee a little stronger than usual. Add powder to coffee to desired taste. Add some sugar if you fear drink becoming too chocolatey, or choc-latte, if you want to generate a daughter’s eye roll and smile. Add cream or whip cream to soften flavour, making drink creamier. Delish.

Hope to go for a little ride this morning before the day gets too busy and the skies open.

When the hell did, “Have a good one,” become the standard cashier saying. I hate it. Have a good day is better. Have a good one is lazy language. Have a good what? Visit to the bathroom after eating at Taco Bell? Have a good divorce? Have a good fall after tripping on some guest’s kid’s toy left on the floor.

Have a good one is synonymous with See You Next Tuesday. If you don’t know what that means, best look it up. It’s not a kind way to say goodbye, but it is satisfying.

Anyway, have a good one everybody.

See you next Tuesday, Verbs.




I had to look that one up - my inner 12 year old boy is out mowing the lawn.

What's wrong with have a good one? Rabble-rouser. Talia is currently learning the sheer number of non-specific nouns i use in an average day, primarily: dealer, delio, thang, and thanger. As in, Would you take that delio and put it in the thanger?

No baseball today. Rematch with Larry's Padres on Friday.

Time to write. Coffee please.
Quote by gillianleeza
Quote by verbal
Quote by gillianleeza


I've tried watching Tenet on HBO max a few times but can't get into it. I got lost in the beginning and didn't have the patience to continue. Maybe I'll give it another shot one night when I can't sleep.




We saw this in the theater, and Talia leaned into my ear and said "I have absolutely no idea what's going on." She hated it. I didn't understand it any better, but I kind of enjoyed trying to figure it out. I even watched it again. Talia made fun of me. I still didn't understand it, but it made a LITTLE more sense the second time around.

Looking forward to the new Conjuring movie. Not a big fan of sequels, but this series is better than most.
Hey all.

HUGS

Nice to see all the love pouring out for Stories Space. Let me know how I can help. It's nice to know we'll all probably have a way to keep in touch, and read each other's work. I have nowhere else to talk about baseball! Or fiction!

Speaking of: the Mets got pummelled last night, by (I think) the worst team in baseball. It's so hard to tell if they are any good or not.

Tired. Did not sleep well last night. Slow day. It's nice out. Grilling tonight!

Coffee and a cookie please. Now where's that goofy lil monkey?
Quote by MagnificentBastard


With Mandalla’s past and current experiences, Sara’s cookies for fuel, and Verbs’, I don’t know what he’ll contribute 🤭, something might work to save and/or revive the space of stories.



Why, my expertise on kaiju and late 50s sci-fi movies, of course!

I've got some web game. I don't know much about web BBs, but I imagine there's a lot of building out of pages for stories, members, yadayadayada, and I'd be happy to help. I imagine there's a lot of boring grunt work in terms of editing a TON to text, and I could help there too.

I'm not a very good proofreader, but Talia is, and she might come help too (Ping I know you miss her avatar). Encourage her!!!

HUGS Hang in there everyone.

Anyway. We now have a new grill!!! Made some amazing sausage and pepper and onion sammies yesterday. Pork medallions and a mushrooms sauce are on the horizon.

Beautiful day out. Mets play the Os at 5. The coyote story is finally done, ready for some HEAVY editing, and I have a newsletter to write.

Coffee and a database-shaped cookie please.
Quote by rolandlytle
Quote by Mendalla
If/when we move to a new site, we definitely need to make sure the cookie jars get packed. And the coffee maker and kettle.

We just had a horrific act of white supremacist terrorism (or at least that's how many of us are reading it) here. A guy drove his truck into a family of Muslims out for a walk. Four dead (grandmother, parents, teenaged child) and one child in hospital. Guy has been charged with 4 counts of murder one and 1 of attempted murder. May also face hate crime and/or terrorism charges. The cops are still working that file with help from the Mounties. Meanwhile, my city is in mourning.


I do not understand how so many people believe this type of heinous act is right. I do not believe people are generally evil, but as the last decade has played out, I am beginning to think I may be wrong. My prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones, the man who did this, and everyone affected by it.

I have to say that the news of Stories Space's closure is a huge blow. I am home-bound for the most part and my time with you here on this site is my only person-to-person contact, except for my wife. I cried this afternoon and had to take medication for when I have an emotional break.




I leave in the morning for N.C. to see my family. I will not be able to be online very much over the next two weeks due to the trip. Everyone stay safe.



I am getting the sense that there will be a new stories space somewhere. Such a nice outpouring of affection for the space - I think folks'll put together a new one. And I need someone to talk baseball with! So if the site goes we'll finD someplace else to talk about baseball.

Enjoy your trip, and we'll see you in a couple weeks!
Quote by Mendalla
So here is a story.

In 2014, the members of a board called Wondercafe that was run by the United Church of Canada learned that the church planned to close it down and force them on to a Facebook group. The site used custom board software built on top of their website content management system and upgrading to a new version was going to cost an ungodly amount of money. There was almost universal dismay at this plan but the church felt the site had run its course and did not want to spend the money.

So three members with suitable backgrounds (2 in IT, 1 had run forums before) realized that the board could be recreated much more cheaply using off-the-rack software and set out to create what is now called Wondercafe2. They had support, but not wholehearted, from the owner of Wondercafe but definitely had the support of the community. They drafted rules, found a host, chose software, appointed the first moderators and, almost exactly seven years ago, wondercafe2.ca went live.

The punchline is that I am one of those three members and am still the principle administrator of the site. And I have emailed my interest in helping keep this place going in some form to Nicola. Unfortunately, I may not have the time to spearhead an effort, but I am game to help.


Cool story. And encouraging enough so that Talia and I have volunteered our services to Nicola as well.

Any cookies left?
Sigh.

Most good things fall apart eventually. Doesn't mean they weren't good. I'll keep coming in to talk baseball and grab a cup and a cookie (and a hug from that lil monkey) til the doors close. I'll keep reading any stories that anyone posts too, and post a few of my own. Maybe there can be a comp on How the End Comes to StorySpace!

Personally, I blame Ping. We had NO problems til Ping showed up.

I hope efforts to save this place pay off - thanks to those who are trying.

Anyway. Great Mets/Padres series this weekend, each team won two games. Good pitching duels in every game. I'm liking the Padres this year (unless they're playing the Mets).

A cofee and cookie and a wistful look at the soon to be closing doors.
So, I watched baseball til about 2:45 in the morning last night. I started watching well after midnight, figuring I'd just catch a few innings of deGrom's start. What a great pitcher's duel. Couldn't quit watching! I fast forwarded through some middle innings but call all the action. 2 p.m. start today, maybe we can turn what looked like a sweep into a split.

In his first nine games deGrom has given up one run or less. It's the best start for a pitcher in over 100 years of baseball history.

In other news, Talia and I bought a grill yesterday. Tonight: pork medallions and a mushroom bourbon sauce, and corn on the cob. Yum.

We also started Top of the Lake, as a post-Mare of Easttown binge. Good show.

Later gators. Coffee and a cicada cookie please!
Quote by Molly
The Vast of Night on Amazon. I really liked this movie.


This movie was such an unexpected delight. Right up my alley, in so many ways - I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Quote by gillianleeza
The Woman in the Window on Netflix.

I had read the book but thankfully had forgotten the ending. It did not get great reviews but I enjoyed it. I love Amy Adams.




I know! The critics really blasted this, but we enjoyed it a lot! Amy Adams and Juilianne Moore (dreamy sigh) are both really good.

For a good story, google the book sometime. The guy who wrote it is quite a piece of work. He's a Talented Mr. Ripley level liar.
Gill, are those cicadas wearing SUNGLASSES!?



The Padres are the best team in baseball, and beat the Metros 4-3 in a game much less close than it sounds. Another game tonight, though I think we'll be going out to an actual restaurant. Good game, Larry!

We also just got our first tix to live music is well over a year. Robert Earl Keen! During my birthday weekend no less! I'm very psyched. Feels like the world is opening up.

Pingalope, GoT starts with the WW, it has to end with them too. That battle is good but goes by SO FAST. They really overly rush it. Still, Khaleesi's 'moment" on the dragon at the end is stunningly cruel, and the endless hots of death and destruction after really bring it home. I also find the way they get to the Night King very satisfying.

Still looking for a replacement for Justifed. We're considering lobotomies, to cut out our memories of the show, so we can watch it again.

I have literally one paragraph to write today to finish the coyote story. And it's all pretty much pre-written in my head. I may start a new on up today.

Lovely, lovely weather today, and the weekend.

Coffee and a banana cookie. *throw my own poop at the monkey and run away*
Quote by etairay
Quote by Survivor
Hi, dear E. Never fear, I am always right here.


Beautiful Friday morning here in Welly ..bring on the weekend. Dad just left so I am home alone, a lil lost on what to do ..book or TV. Sheesh ..he left his live podcast on, to keep me entertained ..boring. Sorry old mam😃♥ gotta love him.



Go back and listen to the podcast your Dad left on RIGHT NOW, young lady. (Sorry, you kicked up my Dad instincts).

Yeah, GoT holds up really well under a second viewing. I'll be interested in hearing what you think about the last season, away from the hype. Do you sing along with the opening song like we do? You have to do something, it's like 2 hours long.

Roland, it's an exciting early season, isn't it. All the divisions are close, and the Dodgers are looking vulnerable. The NL East is crazy, which is good news for the Mets. Someone is gonna get hot eventually and challenge them.

Game's about to begin. May the best team win, Larry.

Gimme some Raquel in One Million Years BC please.

Quote by Mendalla
Well, thanks for that, verbs. Now I'll never be able to see a pencil resting on another pencil without shuddering.

And for the rest of you, read the story. He's good at this spooky stuff.

Getting late so I'll make an herbal to go with my bedtime cookie.


Thanks for the props, Scott. I was pretty proud of this one.

Charlie Decides: https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/horror/-charlie-decides-.aspx

Pingaling, the Red Wedding is one of my very favorite moments on GoT. My daughter's reaction was the same. It's great to watch that scene a second time so you can see them setting it up. Wow.

Sunny lovely day. Hoping to finish the coyote story today.

Mets won a squeaker from Bill's D-Backs last night. On to Larry's Padres tonight, who I see are THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN BASEBALL according to ESPNs power rankings. Let's see how good these Mets really are. 8 p.m. Larry. Be there.

Okay. On to the words.

Coffee and a small stack of chocolate chip cookies please.
Quote by Mendalla
Good evening all. Nice to see the place livening up a bit.

Cool to hear the boot camp stories upthread. Have you guy written stories about your military careers at all?

Hello to Linda. Nice of you to pop by.

Rainy evening here after a decent day. Going to work on Friday and may start going more often after that. We shall see.

Writing is happening but we will see where it goes. I've had a few false starts of late.

Pecan divines should go well with my evening sencha.




I'd also be interested in reading stories about your military careers, either in s thread, or even better, as stories here.

I have a very short horror story on the front page. It's a little longer than a flash. Let's call it a flash and a half. Give it a read if you are so inclined.
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/horror/-charlie-decides-.aspx

How about a decaf and a cookie?
Quote by Rumple_deWriter
Morning, Larry and many thanks for the setup. When combined with some of Sarah's cookies, your coffee approaches being a goodness. ;)

And speaking of a 'goodness', Linda has appeared among us. However, if she takes all the oatmeal raisin cookies we may have to convene a 'come to Jesus meeting' on a fair and balanced distribution of that vital resource. ;)Don't know about the rest of y'all, but Wednesday following a Monday holiday just doesn't feel like 'Hump Day'.

Now with one hand holding a mug full of Larry's coffee and my other hand full of Sarah's cookies, I'll sneak over to the corner table and marvel at how two of the three baseball teams I follow are both in fifth place (NL West, D-Backs -- AL West, Rangers) sad

Later, Inspirators.


Bill, the D-backs may be in 5th place, but they staged a hell of a 10th inning comeback last night. Afternoon game today. Then, Larry's Padres this weekend!

Hey Linda! Cool Godzilla emoji!

Not much else happening. Talia had to work at her actual office today, so it's just me and the cats here today. I'm missing her a little.

Oh well. Time to write the newsletter.

Coffee would be swell. And a cookie! And a hug from that lil monkey!
Sorry, Bill, that the Mets beat up on the D-Backs last night. Their bats appear to be coming alive. And DeGrom was awesome. Six wins in a row!

Not much else happening. Hanging out with youngest daughter for lunch. Trying to nail the ending down on two stories - that's my goal today.

Hey Roland, glad the cookout was a good time! Didja see DeGrom last night? Wow.

Enjoyed the story about the navy, Larry - thank you for your service.

Good to see you back Verity.

And Ping, Ping, Ping, I was suddenly struck by the idea that you may actually live in a tent in the woods, no kids or home or lemoncello or motorcycle, spinning a fictional middle-class reality from the dregs and ephemera and snips of stories you come across in the homeless camp as you spend your days haunting dumpsters and trash cans for food.

Too dark? He, I'm just warming up. These coyotes aren't gonna hypnotize and kidnap the children of my neighborhood themselves!

I'd love a coffee and a Gamera cookie.
Quote by MagnificentBastard
Quote by rolandlytle
“... said to be extremely sweet, especially when they are warm.”


This feels like the beginning of a potential mother-in-law/cannibal punchline.

I was given a homework assignment. This picture is real. I’d bet this rivals the lean angle of Rump’s adjustable snore-prevention bed.

So, one drawback of sleeping in the backyard are the emergency vehicles. Damn. 3:30 am some fire trucks came roaring past our home. Second drawback: birds. The sun rises early here and it began getting light shortly after them rip-roaring vehicles. The freaking birds have been incessantly chirping since about four. Ugh. Crows. Magpies. Geese. Mallard ducks. Sparrows. Blue Jays. Some damn grey birds that eat rotted/fermented crab apples. Right now, there is one f’n bird right outside my tent. I swear it is right next to my ear, a foot away in the shrub. I can’t yell at it because I’ll wake my son. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.

He hasn’t stopped. I can’t type the word cheap as fast as he is cheaping. WTF is his problem?!?

Arrrrgh!!!

I wonder. If I cough, would it scare the shit out of him? Maybe I should set up a GoPro tonight. Timer. Remote control. When he starts cheaping tomorrow, I start the GoPro and then blast him with a can of airhorn.

This is worse than a water torture test. Drip. Drip. Drip.

I do have a full bladder. Maybe I cut a small hole in the... wait... I mean big hole... Big hole in the tent and unload on that little cheaping bastard. Seriously. The whole time I’m typing this, he hasn’t stopped making f’n noise.

Anyone use an air press for coffee? I do. Best coffee brew ever. Clean, not chewy like a French press. Less mess than a percolator or drip. Easier to throw at f’n birds that wake me at 4:00 am.

Oooh. I just involuntarily sniffed. He stopped.

Ugh. He’s going double time now. WTF?!? Something just hit the tent! A dull thud. A splat. Damn it. That’s not a pizza on the ceiling. Only a small child or a goose can poop that much. I bet the goose was trying to bomb that little bastard.

Sigh. My son is now up. He just commented on the bird in the bush. He thinks he can get back to sleep. He doesn’t have to get up until 6:30 to shower before school.

Good luck with that.

And now a helicopter. An f’n helicopter. Seriously? Who needs a traffic report at 5:23 am on a non-holiday Monday in Canada?

It’s gunna be THAT kind of Monday, isn’t it Fate?



Oh, just suck it up and drink your air press coffee. My recollection of sleeping in a tent with my daughter during Spring break was that I immediately went inside and fell back asleep for 3-4 more hours.

It's been rainy as crap all weekend long, with several bouts of hail. We've barely left the house, and then only to shop. So, no Quiet Place 2, but we binged the excellent Mare of Easttown. GREAT show. Kate Winslet is a force of nature.