Stories in Art Class

I like to write. I'm an author, so it's what I do for my living, but I really enjoy it. It's not necessarily considered "work" to me. I write in the morning, afternoon, evening, night, during school, and in my dreams. Seriously, words are just what I do. They follow me around.

As noted above, I sometimes write in school. Not only do I put pen to paper in English class and occasionally History, but a few weeks ago I was able to craft a tale in my Art class. Mr. H was trying to get the class to spend more time on our weekly journal entries (sketch books) so he came up with the idea of us writing a one page story one week and drawing an illistration of the said story the next week.

My story wound up being three pages, but what can ya do? When I start, I can't stop.

Important: This did not happen. This is fiction. I wrote this for a school assignment.

So, here it is: Christmas Get-Ups starring Stasia Porter, M.R. Sellars , Kristin Madden and Dorothy Morrison :



It was nearly a year ago when my tale took place. There was snow on the ground, CHristmas music playing, and a line of people, nearly two blocks long, waiting for their chance to meet Santa Clause.

I was not in that line. Instead, me, Dorothy and Kristin were back stage with the "Santa" who was, in fact, our friend; a paranormal thriller fiction writer, Murv Sellars. Picture him; a man with dimples when he overly smiled and long black hair... which he had pulled back into a bun, in order to fit the wig, so he could play the part of the white bearded Christmas character.

He'd adorned in a red jumper, coat and hat and the three of us girls were laughing joyfully at him. It wasn't that he didn't look like a convincing Santa Clause, it was just... he's Murv. He writes fiction novels about crazy killers for a living.

But, Murv has a big heart. He is a very kind man and that is why he'd agreed to do this gig.... well that and some prodding from Dorothy and his wife EK.

That's right folks, you heard right. Murv is in this situation because of me. I needed a Santa and he seemed perfect for the part. *grin* after all, I'd always wanted to meet M.R. Sellars and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

When Murv went out to the kids, Dorothy, Kristin and I watched from the doorway. That's when I noticed an evil grin playing across Kristin's face. She then turned to Dorothy and I, and told us her master plan. Naturally, Dorothy and I were all for it.

Murv was reading to the kids in the large library. Beside his throne type chair was a sleigh that he was using to store his books. What made Kristin's idea perfect was that he wasn't sitting by the sleigh. Everyone knows that when M.R. is talking he can't sit still. He has to walk around, pace, and make all kinds of gestures.

Our plan is simple: steal the sleigh.

That way, when Murv got through the first book and went to grab the next one, he'd be forced to make up a story on the fly. Lots of laughs are always produced when Murv makes up stories on the fly... let us all remember the shoe box spell from his famous "Legend of the Bobblehead Lady" adventure.



But, our plan turned sour when we pulled the sleigh into the back room. We then noticed that books weren't the only things being stored in the sleigh. Not only did we have the souces of entertainment, but we also had the kids' gifts!!!!!

Starting to sweat, we had no idea what to do. Going back to the doorway, we saw that we couldn't pull the sleigh back. We'd be caught by not only Murv and the kids, but the photographers... lots of photographers...

We could never let our evil plan be unmasked like that.

So... we went back into the dressing room and there I found Kristin starting at a chair full of material with another evil grin dancing across her face.

We did the only thing we could do. We dressed ourselves up as Santa's Elves and presented the sleigh full of presents in style *grin*

The End

I hope you enjoyed that. Please visit Murv's, Dorothy's and Kristin's sites. They are awesome people with great stories to tell!

Until next time,
Stasia Porter

Forensics Prep

Forensics is one of the few things I enjoy about my high school experience. For those who don't know, I'll tell you that for five years I was homeschooled. It was a great cyber program where I could work at my own pace (aka work at night and not wake up at the crack of dawn... unlike now when I am up BEFORE the sun). Last year, for my junior year, I enrolled at Blacklick Valley High School. It's not bad. I would never call it fun. But it's not terrible. But, back to my point, I was homeschooled and many people thought that would mess with my social skills.

Obviously those people were never homeschooled or didn't know many others who were homeschooled.

I brought home a second place at the Forensics meet last Thursday, so obviously my social/speaking abilities are just fine if not better than some people. In fact, I've never been in anything other than honors english classes.

Alright, now that I've blown my own horn, let's get to the point.

Forensics.

I mean Speech Forensics, not Science Forensics, just so you know. I had to explain the different to my mom and others several different times, so don't feel bad if you didn't know there were two types of Forensics. Why they have the same name, I have no idea. It's anyones guess, I suppose.

Now, there is a lot of time, work, and effort that go into Forensics. First, we have to dress up. I often feel like I'm going to congress or some big cooperate meeting because I'm decked out in a suit and heels; the works. I even put my hair up in a very neat bun (opposite of the usual style I have my hair when it's in a casual bun: which is lazy and sloppy LOL)

There is also the day-before meeting.

Tomorrow I have a Forensics meet, so today, as per usual, the Forensics team met up and went over the major issues... that being where we were going to eat lunch, of course!

We had a few choices to select from. Park N Eat, McDonalds, Ryans, Hoss's, Long John Silvers and a few others were on the list. I didn't really care, though I chimed in that I'm not a big seafood fan so... we all decided to discard the possibility of John's.

We landed on Hoss's.

So, here's the lesson for the day. If you join Forensics you not only get the opportunity to earn ribbons but you can also go to Hoss's and get Steak!

Until next time,
Staisa

Baking on a Semi-Sunny Day

Have you ever waken up one morning with the overwhelming desire to bake? You open your eyes to the new day and the first thing you want to do is throw on an apron and pull on your oven mitts?

Well, that's not exactly what happened yesterday, but that's exactly what I did.

Just like last Saturday I was pulled from my dreams by a cell phone. And, just like last Saturday, my brain wasn't working and I thought it was my alarm telling me that it was time to get up and go to school... that's not the best motivator that early folks. So, unhappily, I rolled over in bed and went to turn off the annoying musical contraption. But, I was met with only my glasses. My phone wasn't even in the room!



Frowning, now confused as well as annoyed that my plans of sleeping in had once again been dashed, I turn my glare onto my mom's cell phone just as she goes to grab it. Still sounding sleepy, she greets the caller, "Hello?"

As it happens, Mom's plans for her Saturday were dashed too. Getting out of bed and getting dressed, I learned that she was going to Everett to talk to grandma. I won't go into the details of why... all that's important is that I then had the apartment to myself for most of the day.

With that in mind I got up, got dressed, and got myself ready for a day of throwing words at a word document.

That had been the plan anyway...

I'm getting to the point people, I swear. But before we get into the baking part of the story I have to inform you that I'm a double earth sign. My sun sign is Taurus and my rising/ascending sign is Virgo. "What does that have to do with ANYTHING?" you ask. Well, lately Mom and I have been journaling our moods in the different signs. Yesterday, the moon was in Aquarius: water.



Put water and earth together, what do you get?

Mud.

And folks, I have to tell you, that's exactly what I felt like. I could not focus to save my life. I tried. I swear to you, I tried. I cleaned my office area to rid the clutter Mom had created the day before. I drew up my dry-erase board with the day's to-do list and sat down at the computer knowing exactly what needed to be done.

I finished a novel outline, but that was it.

After doing that all I could do was stare at the computer screen. I wasn't even daydreaming. I just didn't know what to do. I couldn't focus. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't even string two words together.

So, I got up and headed to the kitchen in search of something grounding.


That's when I found the Red Velvet cake mix Mom bought me a few days ago (she had planned to make me a cake when I got second place at my Forensics meet ((red for second, get it? lol)) A broad grin formed on my lips and I set out on a mission.

Now, ask any of my friends and I bet they'll all tell you the same story about me and cooking. Mom and I can't even make rolls. When we want rolls we drive over to Crackle Barrel.

But, I can bake.

I'm great at cookies (I also make the best mac and cheese in my household *grin*)

And I'm also good with cupcakes... see, we made it to the baking! You didn't think we would, admit it. LOL

With music on in the background, the sun coming through the kitchen window (a rarity in Nanty Glo, PA) and the house all to myself I made cupcakes.

They're really good too, if I do say so myself :D

Until next time,
Stasia

The Wonders and Absences of Snow Days!

The sound of my alarm sliced through the otherwise silent room and I was forced to pull myself out of my dreams and fall into the reality of a school-day morning. Throwing back my blankets, not at all happy by the cold air that immediately hits my bare legs, and head into the kitchen to make some much needed hot chocolate and breakfast.

While I wait for the water to boil, I happen to glance out my kitchen window.

Snow…

Snow!

SNOW!

That’s all that I see. It’s coming down so hard and thick that I can’t see out to the Jeep. Turning my back on the horrendous scene, I bolt through the hallway and into the living room. Not worrying about whether or not I wake up the Bird, I switch on the light and head straight to the computer.



((Note that this picture was taken a few days after the big storms. A bit of the snow had already melted but, seriously, did you think I was going to run outside in the blizzard to snap a pic of the snow??? I'm not THAT crazy LOL))

The first thing I see as I pull up Internet Explorer is the fact that it is 3 Degrees outside my apartment. 3 degrees!!!!!! With my mouth still hanging open I go straight to the local news station’s website and go to the school closings.

I am certain we will have, at least, a delay. With one look outside I was sure of it. Seriously, who in their mind would make kids go out in that mess?

Waiting for the page to load, I was imagining my day. I'd go back to sleep, get up and start either a Gilmore Girls marathon or Harry Potter marathon (or both LOL). I've have popcorn for lunch. Make meatballs for dinner. Hang out with Mom and get a TON of writing done!

Surely we have a delay.

Surely we don’t have to drive in the blizzard.

Surely…. “OMG!” School is bloody in session.

A note to all those readers who have schools like mine: I am sorry. Really, I truly understand what it’s like to be in school at 7:30 while 72 other schools have a 2 hour delay or the whole day off.

It sucks, doesn’t it? LOL

Until next time,
Stasia

Lost and Found... Thank the Gods!!!

“Where are they?”

I heard them fall over here! I swear, I’m not crazy, I heard them over here…. *looks*… they’re not there. Standing up, planting my hands on my hips, I glare at the otherwise blurry room. Only the colors of the furniture and objects around me tell me where I am and what I’m “looking” at. Turning my back on the television, I start towards the computer.

They couldn’t have possibly gone over there… but I’ll look anyway. Getting down on my knees I feel around the floor, the desk, the chair, the printer, the rug, the shelves, the stacks of books and movies, and finally moved the whole damn TV so I could get behind it.

Still, I found nothing.

Wait, let me backtrack. I’m sure you’re all wondering what in heaven’s name I’m babbling around. If you’re not, I’ll tell you anyway. You see, I was pacing (which is something I do no matter the emotion I’m feeling: sad, happy, excited, nervous, anxious and tired). At this moment, I was pacing because I was reciting lines from a freshly written chapter of my latest manuscript, It’s Us or Them… because as most of you know I can’t stand still when I’m talking. But, anyway, lets get back to the story. I was pacing, when I hard a noise.

Now, another thing you need to know about me is that I’m a paranoid person who is, for the most part, always ready for a fight. Call it my Wolf side coming out, or call it strictly paranoia… it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that the noise (banging loudly from the apartment that shares a wall with me) scared the living daylights out of me… which caused me to whirl around frantically while grasping my chest and lowering down in a light fighting stance.

Well, that’s where the crime is committed.

One minute I was wearing my glasses. The next, I wasn’t.

As soon as my vision became blurred (and I mean seriously blurred) I froze. A few seconds later I heard them land. I swear, I’m not crazy; I heard them land near the television!!!

This is where you came in: the search of my necessity.

The absence of my glasses is not tolerated, just so you know. In fact, if someone ever messed with my glasses, I would have no quarrels about killing them. I’d strangle them, get back my glasses, and call the police to turn myself in. That’s how important my glasses are to me. They are even more important to me than my flash drive… which is saying a lot!!!!

People often think I’m kidding when I say I’m blind. Sure, I can see color, make out fuzzy shapes, and see how many fingers you’re holding up, but I can’t make out faces, details, or anything besides huge blurs. So, when my glasses flew off and landed somewhere unknown, I was hit with a major problem.

After checking the television, the place I SWEAR I heard them drop, I grabbed my phone, dialed Mom’s number (I had to hold the stupid thing about three inches away from my face to do that, just so you know, because they make cell phone buttons so damn small!!!) and immediately dropped to the floor as I continued my search.

Of course, all that call did was make me more upset because Mom got mad. She wasn’t necessarily mad at me. But, she was at work and couldn’t help me… and she was mad she wasn’t there to help me.

So, I was stuck continuing my search on my own. That was a joy, let me tell you; because, as I’ve already said, I am BLIND without my glasses!

Crawling around on all fours, feeling every surface, and praying loudly only gave me sore knees and led me to knock over both of my plants, a stack of movies, and my cup of green tea. In the end, I sat down on the middle of the rug of the living room and tried to keep myself from hyperventilating.

I’d already searched the television (the entertainment center, inside the entertainment center, on top of the TV, behind the TV, on the floor around the TV and the drawers of the entertainment center (don’t know how they’d get in there, but I had to try something) three times. But, I was constantly being drawn back there. I knew, without a doubt that my damn glasses were around that stupid TV somewhere.

With my luck, they were probably there staring me right back in the face.

But, as it turned out, they weren’t.

This is going to take a turn, but how many of you are familiar with Captain Jack Sparrow? Well, a few years ago my mom bought the pirate’s wig for her Halloween costume party at work. That wig was neatly put in a box and I had it underneath the entertainment center (don’t ask me why, that’s just where it would fit without being lost in the hall closet like everything else mom puts in there). Well, I decided to look around the TV once more. I moved it again; dusted the whole stupid thing with my hands, and still came up empty handed. Or, I did until I pulled out the box the Captain Jack Sparrow wig was held in.

That’s right Lady’s and Gentleman, Captain Jack Sparrow’s wig stole my glasses! They were folded and tucked safely inside the stupid thing.

Let me tell you, after I found them I could breathe normally again; without fear of crying.

Those ten minutes or more without my glasses were the worst 10 minutes or more of my life! Well, maybe not my life, but you get the idea.

Anyway, now my glasses are right where they belong: resting on the bridge of my nose, helping me see the keyboard and make sure I’m not making any HUGE spelling errors.

Until next time,
Stasia

Weather Report

Nanty Glo, PA: 18 degrees (which is better than the 3 degrees we were suffering from four days ago) and snowing

Ferrum VA: 43 degrees and sunny

How fair is that? I want to move NOW!

For those of you who don't know, Ferrum VA is where I'll be moving to for college this fall. Because of that my mom and I have been keeping track of the weather there... we wanted to see if we'd still be turning into human Popsicles next winter. As it turns out, they do get snow, but seriously 43 degrees!!! 43 degrees and sunny! I can deal with some snow if I can go outside and stand in the lovely, soothing, gentle, WARM rays of the sun.

I forget what the sun even looks like. All I can think of is snow. Every where I look there is snow. It's outside, inside, making puddles on my floor, and causing much emotion from everyone around me.

Before Blacklick valley, I was home schooled. I didn't have to get up and go outside in the freezing weather. Because of that, I loved snow! I loved it! I'd pray for it's arrival and delight in the sparkly frozen water for hours. I'd bundle myself up and my dog and we'd go sledding. I'd start snowball wars with my neighbors. I'd make snow-people. I'd lay down and make snow angels. I shoveled paths galore for Mackenzie (aka the dog).




But, now I do have to get up. I have to actually get up out of my nice warm bed and venture out in the brutal cold that is Western PA.

Let me tell you, it's not that fun. I've yet to go sledding, make snow angels, or any of that jazz. Really, when I'm not in school I'm drinking hot chocolate and spending time on facebook (you thought I was going to say writing, didn't you? Well, unfortunately, I've been a little lazy lately. It's school, I tell you! It drains me until I can't make myself throw words at the computer screen!).

Then, to top it all off, tonight and tomorrow we're getting a huge snow storm... according to the people who sit behind the desks on the TV and go on about 20mph winds and precipitation rates.

Yuck!

Well, that's all for now.

But, before you go, here's a word from our sponsors... Hot Chocolate cures all. Whatever your mood it will brighten your day and fix your problems, guaranteed!

For those who are suffering from all the white stuff coming down from the gloomy sky, stay warm! And, for those who are sunbathing still, tell the sun to take a trip towards western PA. We need it! LOL

Until next time,
Stasia

Happy New Year!

This is going to be short, but undoubtably sweet:

I hope you all had a great New Years! Also, I wish you all the luck in all the goals you have set for yourself :D

Until next time,
Stasia Porter