I sat in contemplative silence -- chin rested on my palm. Across a table from me was a jeweled walking stick. It leaned against a blank wall within the lab. For just a mere minute ago my friend had disappeared into the ruby on top of the cane.

It all started last night -- or if you wish to be exact -- early this morning. I woke up from my slumber by the sound of my door bell. Drowsily, I walked to my apartment door. Right in the hall was my lab partner from the university. He had a wild look in his eyes. His clothes looked as if they had been worn for days. The usually clean-shaven man had grown a beard. As I stood in the doorway just staring at him, he took it upon himself to enter the apartment.

I watched silently as he walked to my pantry and began to eat as if he hadn't in days. He sat on my table in silence for several minutes. I just sat looking shocked. Finally he stopped chewing long enough to speak. "My friend I have discovered something that will change how we think forever." I looked to him intrigued. "Everything we know is wrong. I know it all. An alternate universe, time travel, everything." I backed away slowly staring at him. "Don't believe me? I'll show you."

Reluctantly I followed him to his car. We drove in silence until we reached the University. With shaking hands he turned his key in the door. As the light switched on, I saw the object of my lab partner's excitement. Sitting bathed in flourescent lights was a jeweled walking stick discovered by the archeology wing in an excavation in east China. My friend slammed his fist on the lab bench saying "these bloody brilliant Chinese men made this during the Ming Dynasty - yet it changes every rule of physics. The ruby on top of the cane is a portal to other universes. Yeah, and I figured out how to tap it's full potential...spent 3 days wandering the Sahara. But now I can control it." I stared cynically at him and said "prove it".

At that point he touched the top of the staff, closed his eyes and disappeared. I was left alone in the lab. I waited for over 3 hours. Finally the air shimmered and there was my friend standing nonchalantly and said "ancient Egypt is a fascinating place". In his hand was something I have only seen in books. They were ancient gold coins - worth millions of dollars. I leaned on the jeweled walking stick for support and was in awe.

This is a magpie tale http://magpietales.blogspot.com/ and a poet rally post I nominate Jingle http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/

here's a fun challenge for all cartoonists and artists. Take paper and a pen and for 5 minutes sketch everything that comes to mind. Then post on your blog and give me the link on the comments. Above is mine.

Tim had been sitting in a freezing car for over 4 hours now. Most people on the sidewalk next to him were bundled up or moving as fast as they could to their destination. He sighed and checked his pocket watch yet again. The rhythmic ticking was the only sound in the car. His hand went to the radio until he realized that it had been broken for the past two months. He open a crumpled magazine he had picked up at a restaurant on a late night trip for takeout. Already the pop culture references were far outdated. The man's mind then turns to what happened to his friend who was supposed to be here hours ago. He checks his watch again. He said to meet in Cairo, New York at 11:30 pm. He checks his watch, thousands of miles away in Cairo Egypt his friend does the same.

this is my magpie tale http://magpietales.blogspot.com/

I find 1950's monster movies very entertaining. Here's my take.

On a hot sunny day Joe sits looking out a large window. He decides to go outside. Then from the kitchen comes the voice of his mother. She tells him "remember your sun screen." he sighs and puts on sunscreen. Awhile later he comes in for a snack. He is told to wash his hands. His mother notices that he didn't use enough soap. She makes him wash for 10 minutes. Joe goes on the computer. His mother sits right next to him watching his every keystroke. She checks his email. She goes on his friend's facebooks and blogs. She then allows Joe to access them. The final straw came when Joe gets a call from his friend asking him to sleep over. Joe's mother says "OK just give me 3 page essay about who your friend is and give a minute by minute agenda of what you will be doing." finally Joe has had enough. He says in a slightly raised voice "no I will not do that my rides here right now and I'm gonna go." he begins to walk out the door. As he's getting into a car his mother inquires loudly "You're riding in a car don't forget your helmet."

I am reading a book where the main character has overprotective parents. I think that has very humorous possibilities. For this weeks award I nominate Brian http://www.waystationone.com/ and Maha http://lostmelody-m.blogspot.com/

A landscape drawing. Was experimenting with depth

a scratchboard piece I did. Click to enlarge. It was inspired by an old myth that if sailors went out to far sea monsters would attack them.

My Friend Maha http://lostmelody-m.blogspot.com/ gave me a thing (very eloquent I'm aware) where I answer a variety of questions of sorts than pass it on. so here I go.
1.If a movie based on your own life is to be made, what will be the name of that movie, and who’s gonna play you?
Um let me see well the person who would play me is Zach Galifanakis (except thinner and without a beard)(also check out his SNL at http://www.hulu.com/watch/132883/saturday-night-live-zach-galifianakis#s-p1-so-i0)a the title would be Stuff I learned cartooning in 3D
2.Why did you start blogging?
Well for years I had many comics short stories and other written pieces that I had no outlet for. It wasn't however until I started my apprenticeship with Sam Hiti http://samhiti.com/ that I had a need to be online hence this blog.
3.What is the one thing you want the most?
In all honesty their aren't many things I want. In fact all I really want is to continue to have my current awesome life and books.
4. What would you do with a million?
With a million currency I'd suppose that I'd what one would expect. For example the trips for family I-stuff etc.
5.Name one thing you hate about yourself, and another thing you like.
I quite honestly wish that I could enjoy watching sports but that doesn't seem feasible. I love that I have friends and artistic talent. (not to sound full of my self or anything.)
6.Name five objects you can see in front of you right now
a sketch pad, a cup of water, speakers, a calender, a lamp.
7.If you had a super power, what would it be?
I would love the power to absorb any one's powers. That way I could have any powers.

OK so their you have it. my people are
1. Brian http://www.waystationone.com/
2. Jingle http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/
3. Henryhttp://dangerousmindofhenry.blogspot.com/

and my questions
1. Whats the last thing you saw on TV and was it good?
2. What book are you currently reading?
3. Worst movie you've ever seen and why?
4. What do you consider to be the best piece you've ever written.
5. Weirdest thing you've ever eaten.
6. Least favorite common phrase.
7. Have you read any comics recently if so which ones?

another picture of team mongoose as of thursday everyone's favorite spy team.

As the clock strikes two in the morning the party is still going strong. All around the dance floor walk men in tuxedos and women in ridiculously frilly dresses. One woman stands in a darkened alcove towards the side slowly sipping a coke can. This is completely boring her. from behind sunglasses she looks first to her partner standing in equal discomfort. Her gaze then shifts to the balcony above the dance floor. She sees a quick movement. It is time.She stealthily moves to a stair case. As she moves up the stairs and through the hall the music from the party all but disappears. The hallway is lit only by soft lights.As she nears her destination two guards suddenly appear. They are both armed. They ask her "what are you doing so far from the party?" Suddenly from the folds of her dress come two katana swords. They now know they are dealing with blademanster of team Mongoose. They gulp and slowly lower their weapons. They are soon tied up in a nearby closet. She soon reaches her destination. There are her two partners there. One is dressed in black ninja garb. The other is still dressed in a stiff tuxedo. One asks "any trouble getting here?" "Nope" she answers slicing open the safe. Her teammates begin photographing the safes contents. As they depart out the windows blademaster sets a tube of lipstick on the masterminds' bedside table with a note saying "something to remember me by S."

This is a post for both Magpie tales http://magpietales.blogspot.com/ and my own team mongoose.This is my first attempt writing spy. Also I have no idea as to blademaster's real name know it starts with s though.

A guy with wings

a still life of various cans and bottles

I sit in a sweltering room inside a dull brick school. I'm seated tortuously close to a window beckoning me. The teacher is speaking on a subject I comprehended long before this. Outside I spot two white birds gulls most likely. I am hit with the oddity of this sight as I never associated gulls with Minnesota.I begin to wonder "how did such a bird end up here?" Maybe it got cut off from the pack, but wait gulls don't go in packs. Or maybe it's some sort of anomaly or some shape shifting creature. Just as the possibilities flood into my mind, I am brought back to reality by the voice of the teacher. He says in a monotone "Just because it's last period on a Friday doesn't allow your mind to wander. Now flip to page...". I sit upright for several minutes before the inherent dullness of the subject loses my concentration. I look to my friends. They feel the same. My eyes wander yet again to the window.

We all have days like this but it gets worse as spring then summer comes around. Anyway hope you enjoyed this week's short story.