It really depends on what name I’m being called at the moment. My family name is Slavic; my given name comes from a Chaplin in the Marines. Later I gained an adopted name, when all along I identified with my great-grandfather’s name. I’ve had the usual assortment of nicknames and variations on the theme, never really liked any of them enough to embrace it.

The name I was called most often was Seargent. I grew into it and embraced the spirit of the title until it became a name. It represented a master of my trade, skilled enough to lead and teach others. Over the years, I hope that I inspired others to strive for the same level of success and knowledge.

There comes a time when you have to take off the uniform and become someone else. That sloppy undisciplined someone you were before. Today I can tell where I know someone from by what they call me. Family and old friends dredge up nicknames I have heard or answered to for decades. Soldiers and cops dance between rank and Sir Name. New acquaintances are just confused.

Maybe someday I’ll figure out who I am.

Daily writing prompt

Where did your name come from?

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There’s an old reference. If you know it, I congratulate you on a very unique reading history. Since I started reading at a fairly young age and usually borrowed my siblings’ books, that describes my personal experience.

Maybe I should open a bookstore and sell all of the books that fed my imagination. Corrupting the youth of the future seems like a worthy cause. Making sure there is a new generation questioning everything the “establishment” tells them sounds fun. We are a sum of our experiences and what we feed our minds, weird should be on the menu.

Ohhh! A gun shop. Nothing fancy, just plain old, reliable weapons. A little custom work, sights and accessories. Bulk ammo, leather work and good blades.

Motorcycles! All makes and models, stock and custom. I’ll call some friends, and we can set up a real shop. Make a rep for good prices and custom work.

The bottle shop? Fine wines and spirits. Not just expensive. Good quality no matter the price. Yep. A bottle shop. I’ll sell bottles with things in them. Just don’t let them sit on the shelf and gather dust or the wrong person open them.

Daily writing prompt

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

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I’ve spent a lot for dinners, usually more for alcohol. Or a combination of the two. They have all been worth it. Probably the most for one night out with friends was about $600 with drinks and a bottle of wine for a couple that just got married. Cute kids.

The most damage in one night was taking over a bar in Myrtle Beach and dropping a thousand before it was over. Worth every penny. I don’t know what was spent overall, but I remember the tab. We still tell stories about that night and “Stinky Pinky” because I refused to order foo-foo drinks by name.

Worth every cent!

Daily writing prompt

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

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Golf.

Motorcycles.

ammo.

Scotch/Coffee.

Books.

If you need an explanation, we can no longer be friends.

Daily writing prompt

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

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Start with a mid-90s Harley-Davidson Soft tail. Not the most impressive beasty on the road, but it still had that old Harley feel. That deep, rumbling sound you can feel without being beaten up. Great power band and decent speeds, carburetors and Hyper-chargers. Pure mechanical push.

Modern tech, gave us fuel injectors and CAD designs to balance out handling. The 103A, high output was the best of them. Tuning done with a computer, tweaked for long rides. The Beast roared down the road and only frightened parents with cute daughters.

Finally, the era of the Milwaukee 8, 8 valve, computer management, displacement went from 107CI to 131CI. It’s like putting a compact car worth of power on 2 wheels, knocking off a thousand pounds and making it faster. It leaves muscle cars at the light and the over tuned crap doesn’t even start to run. I’ve finished quarter mile sprints and not had time to shift out of 4th gear.

Yep. Motorcycles are my favorite automobiles. Two wheels rule. I’ll reserve the other two for a spare bike.

Daily writing prompt

What is your all time favorite automobile?

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Seriously, who came up with winter? This cold weather sucks. I’m not leaving the house until it’s over 50 degrees again.

Daily writing prompt

When are you most happy?

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The prompt is my top 5 shopping list. Fine here goes.

Scotch – Speyside by preference. Single malt over blended.

Wine – A decent selection, mixed varieties but not a lot of sweet stuff.

Ammo – The usual selection of 9mm, .45, 5.56 and 12 gauge. There are a couple of specials, but I don’t use them very often.

Half a pig – Gotta have a pig-pickin’.

Coffee – There is no life without coffee.

Daily writing prompt

List your top 5 grocery store items.

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Truthfully, I expected to be dead by 30, Job and lifestyle were against me making it long. What little planning I did was based on having fun. When I made it past thirty, I started looking at everything a little different. Planning for an imagined future was never my strong suit, so I just winged it.

It’s like falling off of a cliff and wondering what’s at the bottom. Do you get ready to dive into an ocean of swirling doubt or will you smash into the rocks? Is it even a fifty/fifty bet?

So now, I’m retired and trying to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up. My life isn’t what I expected.

Daily writing prompt

Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?

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It has been a dream, building in my mind for years, to have a compound where I can gather likeminded friends and build a community. Why likeminded? Because home is where you should feel safe, without drama. Please notice that I didn’t mention race, sex, orientation, religious affiliation or anything else that superficial idiots fixate on. I don’t even care about political affiliation, as long as you have reasons for your belief and cand respect others who may disagree with you.

It needs enough space for growth, families and new residents being expected. I want a good sized woods for kids to play in, so they can explore the outdoors safely. Room for households to grow kitchen gardens and have outdoor gatherings. As a special plus would be to have a good shooting range and golf course within the grounds. Fine. Okay. I’ll add a Pickle Ball court for you nut jobs that have joined the cult, we can put it in by the gym/dojo. Happy now?

There are some requirements for residence. You must have served our nation. Not just military veterans. Police, medics, teachers, anyone who has dedicated their lives to protecting and preserving our nation. You must be willing to own and train with weapons to protect yourself and your neighbors. If you aren’t willing to defend your home and generous enough to defend your neighbors, you probably won’t fit in.

When I first envisioned my compound, it had a fully developed defensive grid with bunkers and such. Then I had an image of Wacko, TX and worried that it would result in a raid and the death of many federal agents who were only following orders. (BTW, yes, I misspelt Waco on purpose.) Just being able to defend yourself should be enough.

Now. I’ll just settle for a little place somewhere warm. The golf course just down the road and access to a range to keep up the skills. If I can’t find some good people there, the pub down the street. I’m sure there is someone to drink scotch with.

Daily writing prompt

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

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I wasted nearly fifty years doing random things for little good reason. I didn’t enjoy them, mostly. There were some highlights, just not worth the cost. Jumping out of airplanes was fun but did we need to take six hours to do it? Shooting? There was more waiting and not enough ammo. Travel was great except for the restless natives.

Being retired is less exciting and boring. I guess I need to go find a job to keep me occupied.

Daily writing prompt

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

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