Sitting in a Wal Mart McDonalds
Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers ...
Funeral arrangements for Becerro are finalized. Family members rush about in a surrealistic mindset, gathering supplies and keeping busy against the imminent shock and overwhelming grief of saying goodbye.
I sit in a Wal Mart McDonalds, waiting, in full-on support mode, watching the people around me.
To most I am only some guy sitting alone, nursing a cup of coffee. Little do they know that I am like Jane Goodall or Marlin Perkins, or maybe even Jacques Cousteau, observing and documenting. But, this is no science project.
I am collecting. I am picking up on subtle and overt characteristics of humanity in order to "stock" my "lab," to where I shall retreat. There I will build my world and populate it with characters, monsters and heroes, victims and idiots and braniacs and almost certainly a SpongeBob derivative.
And they'll never know.
He he he ...
Funeral arrangements for Becerro are finalized. Family members rush about in a surrealistic mindset, gathering supplies and keeping busy against the imminent shock and overwhelming grief of saying goodbye.
I sit in a Wal Mart McDonalds, waiting, in full-on support mode, watching the people around me.
I am collecting. I am picking up on subtle and overt characteristics of humanity in order to "stock" my "lab," to where I shall retreat. There I will build my world and populate it with characters, monsters and heroes, victims and idiots and braniacs and almost certainly a SpongeBob derivative.
And they'll never know.
He he he ...
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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More commentsI agree with sitting in a McDonald's to watch the world, Ken. Especially at a Walmart. The variety of people is like a who's who of characters from every possible novel.I appreciate you taking the time to write during this time. Humor helps in ways we can never know.Good job.That is so true, Michael. Like the difference in women that gracefully reach down for an item as if they were a princess and those who bend over like they are NOT surrounded by dozens of people!But the folks I saw gave me an idea for another story that I began working on the same day- (working title) "The Violent Grievances of Clark the Penguin."Thank you, Michael.
OK, you rock! Keep on writing!I am blushing here, thank you so much, Brianna.
My condolences...and how great that you are constantly working on your passion of observing and being involved with everything around you. You are lucky you care and we are lucky you care too--when you share your "stuff"-- keep the faith!Thank you, Steve. It means a lot that you would say that.
And Mcdonald looms as a retreat.But there are no real retreats,as long as we are forced to take ourselves, with us,wherever we go;consider;just as you observe and record others,another is watching you,closely,as well,unnoticed,from a distance.That almost sounds a little eerie, but when I think about it, it's very true. Good observation Paul.With the proper use of imagination, we CAN escape from ourselves, Paul.The number of surveillance cameras, especially in a Wal Mart, testify to your ending statement.Thank you, Paul, for reading and commenting.
Ken,I offer my condolences as well. You have reached that period in your life and it can be difficult.I am glad, however, that you can still observe the world and keep your humor. Good job, Ken. I'm definitely looking forward to reading what comes from this one!NancyThank you, Nancy.I lost my father in 1988 and my mother last year- 3 days shy of twenty years difference.Becerro is my father-in-law, and a hero to myself and many others.Thank you so much, Nancy.
Hi, Ken,I offer my sympathies. It is good you can keep things in perspective and use your coffee drinking moments as inspiration at some future moment.PS My late husband and I agreed that MacDonalds had the BEST hot coffee ever!They do have good coffee, right? Go Figure!Writing has saved my life so many times. If I had been a cave man, (had been?), I would have scribed symbols on my cave wall with rocks and sticks!Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
Bro - and here is one of the many reasons I love you so! Head held high in times when it rightfully should be swinging low, and yet you still manage to bring a laugh to those who know you. You are sure to be the rock your wife and the rest of the family need because it is clear you are leaning on your ROCK.I am praying for all of you! hugs, sisThank you so much, Sis. It's been one of those times in life where there is only one set of footprints in the sand.
That's what writers do when we slow down long enough, isn't it? Had to grin. MarijoMost of the time we don't even need to slow down!Thank you, Marijo.
Ken-You are one creative fellow! The best material is always the material taken from real life! Thanks for sharing! I will notice those people in the Walmart McDonalds more closely and be self conscious from now on! :)Just pay no mind to the man with the coffee!People are such interesting creatures, right?Thanks for stopping by.
My condolences, Ken, to you and your family. Funny the things we see in ordinary places when our minds are to worn to think.Thank you, Lorrie. I have been told at least a thousand times that I think too much. And, you are right. When I slow my mind I see so much more.
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