Story time- Chptr 7

The fog slowly drifted onto the darkened stage as Michael Jackson bounced up and down in the wings, awaiting his cue. But he was also signaling for help with something. A stage hand rushed over and reconnected the metronome chord that ran through to Jackson's ear. Mikey heard a loud click as the wires meshed. 'Thanks!' Jackson said, 'now I will know for sure when to start singing. It can get confusing with all the dance moves.' The techi gave him a heavy, approving pat on the back and moved the huge gorilla mask from a table to a stand closer to the stage. Jackson warmed up his arms and hands by raising them to the 'thriller' move, and jerked his head to the beat of the music playing. He looked thrilled to go on stage and gave a quick look to his stylist for a go ahead. She hurried over and pulled a few strands of hair loose from Jackson's ponytail. 'There,' she said, 'perfect!' He smiled, clapped his hands, then ran onstage just in time for his cue as the crowd went ballistic.

Story 2 - Chapter 6

Mikey’s unusual interest in history and worldly events for a young kid made him jump with excitement at the thought of getting such a mysterious bottle. He wasted no time in drinking the first bit of potion and after what seemed like several days of adventures he found himself back at the retirement home with all kinds of ideas whizzing through his head – “So that’s who really killed JFK!” and “I never would have guessed that UFO’s really did exist” and "American independence really was inspired by a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males who didn't want to pay their taxes." In all this excitement and despite his exhaustion, Mikey had so many more things that he wanted to discover. “I’ve always wanted to figure out how Michael Jackson became so successful” he said to himself. As he was about to drink some more portion that would allow him to go back to Michael Jackson’s prime in 1983 he heard voices through the other side of the door. “Stop that kid before it’s too late!” he heard a stern voice say. Just as two men burst through the door Mikey sipped another drop of potion. The potion was running out and before he knew it he was backstage at a Michael Jackson thriller concert.

Story 2 Chapter 5

The energetic and springy Mikey walked over to Colin with the eagerness that only seven year olds possess. "What is it Mr. Davis?" "I have something that you need to take for me, inside this green bottle is a magical potion that allows you to go anywhere at anytime while being invisible to everyone around you. You have the power to see if the dinosaurs roamed the earth, how your favorite tv show is made, what people are really like and so much more. Sadly I have wasted this power by replaying memories of love lost and squandered opportunities in my own life. I have been a greedy selfish old man but you Mikey I hope you do great things with this gift. I hope you make great discoveries and make our world a better place. Here take this bottle and remember what I told you." Colin handed the bottle, somewhat forcibly, to Mikey and almost immediately drifted off into a relaxing slumber before Mikey had a chance to assess what was happening.

Storytime 2, Chapter 4

Colin snapped back to his room again. Clearly his prolonged exposure to the green liquid was effecting his brain and causing him to come unloose in time. It was imperative he find the right candidate and make the hand off in the next 24 hours or he could be trapped forever in a timeloop. The knock came again, more insistently this time. "Mr. Davis" the muffled voice called through the door. "Come in" Colin said with exhaustion. The door opened slowly and a child, no more than 7 years old entered. This was Mikey Walsh, the rest home owner's son and a very sweet young man. Colin was startled at the prospect of entrusting a small boy with this precious gift, but then saw a beauty in it. "Mikey, come over here. I have something to show you."

StoryTime 2, Chapter 3

'Three, Two, One...Happy New Year!!' "Colin, can you believe it? 1940! A whole new decade! I tell you I won't be making it to the factory tomorrow because I will be up too late partying here in Times Square, yeahhhhhhh!" Colin Davis just heard the last word of that sentence from his co-worker, Mr. Riley. He was distracted by a beautiful blonde woman with incredible blue eyes. "Happy New Year Mr. Riley, enjoy your night," Colin said as he made his way through the crowd towards the woman. "Happy New Year!" A festive person in the crowd yelled right in Colin's face. "Let us toast to a great year!" "To a great year," Colin dryly said as he raised his bright green bottle. He was annoyed by this festive individual because it seemed the blonde was getting further away from him. He pushed his way through the crowd a bit gruffly until he was right next to the blonde. "Nothing like a New Year. My name is Colin Davis and what is your name?"

Story Time - Take Two - Chapter Two

At least that's what he thought it was. His ears strained towards the noise...it sounded more like something familiar - what? - bouncing off the tile floor outside and then onto the tough wood exterior of his door - ka ka thump. The noise bounced and shimmied through the echoes of Mr Davis' innermost being - his eyes shot up up to the shelves next to his window - taking in all the gleaming trophies. Now he knew what it was - it was the sound of a tennis ball bouncing off a handstrung 1920s Wright and Ditson wooden racquet. Mr Davis did not shuffle, he ran to the door, flung it open, and there before his eyes was - Martella!? smiling that gap-toothed dazzling smile. "It's about time you opened the door, Colin." Only she didn't say it in English. Because she only spoke Russian. She walked into the room, bouncing the bright green tennis ball off he racquet. "Do you still have that bottle?"

Utah Valley Half Marathon

Last Saturday I accomplished something I've been wanting to do for a while. I ran my first half marathon! The course started up in Provo Canyon near Sundance and ended at Provo's Center Street. It was an awesome experience. I love running, and since I don't get to do quite as much of it since high school cross country ended, I do what I can to keep it up. I've never run more than 10 miles before, and I honestly didn't train very well for this race, but I really loved doing it. I hope to do more half marathons in the future, and eventually a marathon. This is a picture I got off the event website of me crossing the finish line. I was pretty dead by the end, the last three miles were killer! My final time was 2:02 and my goal for next time is to get 1:50. I know I'm not the only one in this family who likes running, Ian and Beej have both accomplished half marathons and/or marathons so it would definitely be fun to get a family group going sometime for a race!