Why Stories Stall

A brilliant premise will convince a reader to open a book, but only deliberate scene architecture will keep them reading past midnight. Every fiction writer eventually hits the wall: the dreaded "saggy middle." Around chapter ten or twelve, the excitement of the opening chapter evaporates. The stakes feel distant, characters drift through polite dialogue, and the forward pull of the narrative simply evaporates. Stories rarely stall because an author lacks imagination. They stall because the microscopic mechanics inside individual scenes lose their pulling power. When scenes merely report events instead of shifting power dynamics, the reader’s curiosity disengages. In The Anatomy of a Page-Turner: A Masterclass in Narrative Fiction Scene Architecture and Story Momentum, we peel back the hood of narrative drive to examine what actually forces a reader to turn the page: Micro-Tension in Dialogue: How to ensure no line of dialogue merely transfers data, but actively tests relationships, reveals leverage, and escalates subtext. Scene-and-Sequel Architecture: Structuring the natural heartbeat of goal, conflict, disaster, and decision so a narrative never flatlines between major set pieces.

Pacing Traps & Momentum Breakers: Diagnosing exposition dumps, passive setups, and repetitive beats that secretly drain suspense before the climax. Practical Diagnostic Frameworks: Clear, step-by-step revision questions to run sluggish chapters through until every scene pulls its own weight. Mastering narrative momentum transforms good prose into a compulsive, unputdownable reading experience. Test the Method: Free Scene-Building Exercise Before diving into the full book, test the core diagnostic framework directly against your current work-in-progress. I have pulled a practical excerpt straight from the book that breaks down the mechanics of scene drag, paired with a hands-on exercise designed to help you pinpoint why a scene feels flat and restore its momentum. [Download the Free Scene-Building Diagnostic Exercise (Click here to open and print it out or save it to your desktop, pick one scene currently giving you trouble, and run it through the diagnostic prompts.) Take Your Craft Deeper If this exercise changes the way you look at your pacing, the complete masterclass explores high-stakes momentum, structural architecture, and scene dynamics across an entire manuscript. [Get Your Copy of The Anatomy of a Page-Turner on Amazon Kindle] Available now for instant download on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

The Busy Bee Classifieds Shutting Down May 31, 2026

Effective May 31, I will no longer be a bravenet.com

member. The cost to maintain the sites because the cost is too much. The Busy Bee Classified Site, will no longer operate. The Busy Bee Classifieds

Those that have active ads on the site need to remove them before the above date or risk losing it altogether.

As the owner of the above site, it has been a joy offering this free service to everyone,

With love,

Farwell

The Busy Bee Classifieds

The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society: How AI is Shaping the Way We Live, Work, and Innovate

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a futuristic concept to an integral part of our daily lives. From smart assistants on our phones to advanced algorithms powering healthcare diagnostics, AI is revolutionizing industries and redefining the possibilities of technology. As machines learn to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions, the boundaries between human intelligence and machine capabilities are becoming increasingly blurred.

Advancements and Opportunities

One of the most significant advancements in AI is its application in healthcare. AI-driven tools are helping doctors detect diseases earlier, personalize treatment plans, and manage patient records with greater efficiency. These technologies not only improve outcomes but also reduce costs and streamline operations. In business, AI is enhancing productivity by automating repetitive tasks, optimizing supply chains, and providing deep insights through predictive analytics.

The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence: Job Loss and the Need for AI Trainers

While AI brings undeniable benefits, its rapid integration into workplaces has introduced real dangers for employment. Automation powered by AI threatens to replace jobs across numerous sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to customer service and even professional fields like law and journalism. As machines become more capable, many traditional roles are at risk of becoming obsolete, creating uncertainty for workers who may struggle to adapt or retrain.

This shift highlights the urgent need for AI trainers—professionals who guide and refine AI systems. AI trainers play a critical role in teaching algorithms to recognize nuances, avoid biases, and make ethical decisions. Their expertise ensures that AI systems learn from human feedback, improving their accuracy and safety. Without a robust workforce of AI trainers, society risks deploying AI tools that are unprepared for real-world complexity and prone to errors or unintended consequences.

To mitigate the dangers of job loss, it is essential for governments and organizations to invest in education, reskilling, and upskilling programs. By preparing workers for new opportunities in AI development, maintenance, and training, society can foster a workforce that evolves alongside technology rather than being displaced by it.

The rise of AI also raises important questions about ethics, privacy, and the future of work. As automation continues to replace certain job functions, it is essential for society to invest in education and retraining programs that prepare workers for new opportunities. Moreover, the responsible development of AI requires establishing frameworks that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in decision-making.

A Personal Perspective: The Human Element and Accessibility in AI Recruitment

Recently, after submitting my resume to a company for a position as a Creative Writer—AI Trainer, I was invited to an interview conducted by a virtual assistant. The prospect of discussing my qualifications with an automated interviewer was, frankly, disheartening. The experience felt impersonal and hollow, as though the interviewer wasn’t even present to engage in conversation or evaluate my talents. Ultimately, I withdrew my application, discouraged by the absence of genuine human interaction.

In another instance, the interviewer conducted the interview via Skype, fully aware of how unprofessional and impersonal the setting was. Despite this, I was expected to answer written questions within a strict 30-to-45-minute window. What was even more troubling was the lack of accommodation: these AI trainers imposed rigid time constraints, showing little regard for candidates with disabilities who may need additional time. The absence of flexibility and empathy in these AI-driven interviews underscores a broader issue—technology can inadvertently perpetuate exclusion if it is not designed with accessibility in mind.

Looking Ahead

AI holds tremendous potential to solve complex global challenges. From combating climate change with intelligent energy management systems to advancing scientific research through automated discovery, the possibilities are vast. As we embrace AI's capabilities, it is crucial to foster a culture of innovation that balances progress with ethical considerations, ensuring that technology serves the greater good. Yet, as my own, I’ll also include proper source attribution, so the claims stay credible.

Why Many People Distrust or Dislike Artificial Intelligence

Despite its rapid adoption, artificial intelligence has generated significant public resistance and skepticism. One of the most common concerns is job insecurity, as workers increasingly view AI as a direct threat to stable employment. A 2026 report by the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that artificial intelligence was cited in approximately 25% of U.S. layoff announcements, reinforcing public fears that automation is being used to justify workforce reductions rather than support workers through transition. This perception has fueled anxiety, particularly among white‑collar and creative professionals whose roles were once considered resistant to automation.

Beyond employment concerns, many people distrust AI due to issues of privacy and surveillance. AI systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data, raising fears about how information is collected, stored, and used. News investigations have highlighted growing unease over opaque algorithms that make decisions without clear accountability, leaving individuals unsure how outcomes—such as hiring decisions, loan approvals, or content moderation—are determined.

Bias and Fairness Concerns in Artificial Intelligence

Another major source of opposition is bias and fairness. AI systems trained on imperfect or historically biased data have been shown to reproduce and amplify existing inequalities. Critics argue that without careful human oversight, AI can reinforce discrimination in hiring, policing, healthcare, and education, undermining trust in automated decision‑making. As Bloomberg reports, even industry leaders acknowledge that AI adoption has outpaced the ethical frameworks needed to govern it responsibly.

• AI systems often learn from large datasets containing historical biases, which can perpetuate unfair outcomes when these models are deployed.
• Discrimination may occur in critical areas such as hiring, policing, healthcare, and education, where automated decisions can adversely affect marginalized groups.
• Critics emphasize the necessity of human oversight to identify and address these issues, ensuring that AI does not reinforce or worsen social inequalities.
• Ethical frameworks and guidelines have not kept pace with rapid AI adoption, as noted by industry leaders in Bloomberg, making responsible governance a pressing concern.

Absence of Human Empathy and Accountability in AI

A major reason for disliking AI is the absence of human empathy and accountability. Replacing genuine human interaction with automation often makes individuals feel undervalued and impersonal, furthering perceptions that AI prioritizes efficiency rather than meaningful engagement.

Artificial intelligence faces skepticism due to job insecurity, privacy, bias, and lack of empathy. Workers worry about layoffs tied to automation; a 2026 report showed AI was cited in a quarter of U.S. layoff announcements. Data privacy concerns center on opaque algorithms and unclear decision-making, while bias remains problematic as AI can perpetuate inequality. The lack of human touch in automated interactions increases resistance, highlighting the need for robust ethical guidelines.

AI is transforming the world, offering many benefits when implemented responsibly, including new opportunities and improved quality of life.

Summary

This document examines key reasons for distrust and dislike of AI: job insecurity, privacy issues, bias, and the absence of empathy. It discusses how automation affects employment, personal data, and social fairness, stressing the importance of ethical frameworks for responsible AI adoption.

References:

Roeloffs, Mary Whitfill. “AI Blamed Heavily for March Layoffs, Report Says.” Forbes, April 2, 2026.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/04/02/ai-blamed-heavily-for-march-job-cuts-report-says/

Fanzeres, Julia. “U.S. Job-Cut Announcements in Tech Keep Rising With AI Adoption.” Bloomberg, April 2, 2026.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-02/us-job-cut-announcements-in-tech-keep-rising-with-ai-adoption

 

 

The Magic Of Making Up

From the Man that has helped 50,119 people in 77 countries....

NEW! Now You Can Stop Your Break Up, Divorce or Lovers Rejection… Even If Your Situation Seems Hopeless!

If you’ll take my hand, I’ll show you exactly what to do and what to say to get your ex lover back in your arms – Especially if you are the only one trying…
Zzzzziiiiiip…CRASH!…and then the shattering sound of glass as Deidre hurls Al’s Playstation 4 from the 2nd story apartment window…followed by a shrill and sobbing “GET OUT!…GET OUT!…GET OooooUT!”

See, IT WAS THE LAST STRAW! Even though Al loved Deidre with all his heart…he had lied so often… had ignored Deidre so much that she just reached her boiling point that hot, muggy summer afternoon.

And Al did get out. Deidre was serious. She had had enough of Al’s ways. See, Al was a good guy…a great guy even…he cared deeply and loved Deidre… and Deidre knew it too… but that wasn’t her problem. She was sick of feeling unappreciated…and Al just didn’t know what would make her happy anymore. He didn’t know how to wipe the slate clean…or start over…

And this WAS the end of Deidre and Al…forever…As it is the end of so many relationships…


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Send this to a man when he pulls away (then watch his face)

Change can be a good thing...

But it isn't when your man wants to change you for another woman.

If he has already left you or is starting to pull away,
just use this PHRASE on him before anything else...

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After you use this just sit back, and definitely don’t relax.

Because...

He'll suddenly start to call and text you multiple times only to SHAMELESSLY
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Even if he was ignoring you so far or has DISAPPEARED on you COMPLETELY.

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See you soon.

YOUR NAME 

How to make any man beg you for commitment (Terrific advice from a cat)

Here’s a fun (slightly evil) little experiment that you should definitely try out.

Sneak up on a cat, as quietly as you can, and try to pick it up.

I’m being completely serious here. Sneak up on that cat as quietly as a cat sneaks up on mice, and scoop it up like it’s a fumbled football.

You might call this crazy, and you’re not wrong if you do, but I prefer the word “educational”.
9 times out of 10, that cat’s going to take off like it’s on bath salts. You’ll probably also get a few claw scratch beauty marks for your trouble.

There are few things to take away from this experiment:

Number one, don’t ever do it again.

Number two, the cat ran away because cats hate any kind of sneakiness that isn’t their own sneakiness.

Number three, men aren’t cats, but you shouldn’t get sneaky with them either.

A lot of women try to get their man to commit like trying to snatch up a cat, and the rate of success is just about the same

Oh, by the way, I am not saying it's your fault. In most cases, it's never the woman's fault because she basically doesn't understand the weirdness of the male mind (more on this later).

Now, let’s try an experiment that actually isn’t impulsive.

Instead of stalking the cat, let’s try approaching from the front so that it knows we’re there. Cats, like men, are visual creatures. Cats prefer to see things coming.

By approaching from the front, we can actually get into its personal space without making the cat hate us.

After you accomplish the task of getting close to a cat while it sees you, like a normal person, you can gently pet it and it might not hiss and take off like a bottle rocket.

Men are bigger than cats and not so great at slipping under the sofa at a moment’s notice, but it’s the principle here that counts.

At the first hint that a woman is trying to be sneaky with them, they’re going to make themselves scarce.

Lots of men today are already a little bit paranoid about potential hidden motives of their partners, and you definitely don’t want to give him a good reason to be on-guard. Spies aren’t known for having stable relationships, so save the sneakiness for the secret agents.

Now, here is the weird bit - You might not be sneaky whatsoever, but in the crazy world of men, what you think is completely innocent might be seen as EVIL if you were to look at the same from a male lens.

There’s just one thing that we need to remember above all else: men (and also cats, for the record) love their freedom.

To a man, being free and being alive are one and the same. The threat of losing his freedom is even scarier to a man than cliff diving, public speaking, earthquakes, and romantic comedy movie marathons combined.

To put it simply, if you want to lose a man as quickly as possible, grab onto him as tightly as possible. He’ll slip out of your grasp like an eel and put three oceans of distance between the two of you in one fluid motion.

To a man, the thought of getting locked down to the wrong woman is the same thing as death. It’s not that they’re afraid of the concept of getting locked down, though, but just that, a relationship with the wrong woman feels no better to him than being in prison. Prison means no freedom, and no freedom means no life.



But there is one thing you can do right now that will make any man chase you to the point of madness and literally make a fool out of himself to win you over.

So what is this one thing you ask? I call it a "Mesmerizing Phrases".

Here is a personal video for you explaining how this works-

Follow this link...

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In short…

This is a set of Psychological Hidden Messages that provoke any man to feel so much ADDICTIVE LOVE that he'll fall at your feet just for a moment of your attention.

=> Discover it here


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This means that the same commitment phobic man will now desperately kneel at your feet and will gently slide a ring across your finger to seal the deal forever.

=> Discover it here

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How A/B Testing Works--Savio Alves

A/B Tests play a critical role in all our campaigns, we're able to prove a success of a campaign based on a successful A/B Test.

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Watching Movies online was supposed to be about access - it was supposed to be about
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My Writing Site Promo

Take a look at My Writing Site, a place where all types of trending web topics were discussed. Be sure to sign up so that the latest My Writing Site news can be e-mailed to your inbox on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis or just follow the Facebook page if you have trouble with the forms on my blog, or website or social media page. 

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Video Sardokie X Don Method--Biibi Ba

Video Magbo(Ago Die) Don Method x KKQ Musiq

Don Method × Kku Musiq-Vibrate

Don Method ×Kku Mudiq-Yolo

Don Method × Kku Musiq-Diana

Don Method-Dede(Noise)Freestyle(produce by TefL Beatz)

/Don Method × Kku Musiq-Ex Girlfriend(mixed by Senkye)

Onipa Regula-Nyame Ne Hene ft Don Method (mixed by Jaynim)

G

MAGBO (AGO DIE) (Prod by Senkye) Don Method X KKU Musiq

Don Method-Osaberima Refix(Cee)

Don Method Cyta Song

Don Method-Saa Na Wotie(Mad Over You Cover)

Powered by Cricket Wireless

 Don Method--Fa Sor Ho Refix

Don Method Music and Videos

Want more? Be sure to check out his page on Facebook and website for the latest music and concert dates!

Microsoft vs. MacIntosh: Why Microsoft was preferred

In all fairness, the only Apple product that got any attempted use from me was the IPod Nano. It now resided at my mother’s house because of the difficulty in using it with my computer. When it came to whether one was better than the other, here were some facts one should consider:

The MacIntosh computers had a different type of operating system. Those that had to switch from Microsoft would have to learn a whole different set of rules and or commands. Unfortunately, this was my problem. All of the computers owned by me were completely Microsoft-based. Keeping this in mind, some Microsoft programs were not compatible with the Apple Mac computer. My printer/scanner might’ve become a casualty as it may not have been compatible either but it was replaceable.

Microsoft needed the internet to upgrade their programs and anti-virus software. It had an open door policy when it came to using their programs so there were always problems with malware, adware, and all types of computer viruses, and trojans. Apple Mac had a closed door policy, so online threats like this were avoided, leaving computer programs intact and minimal or no damage to the computer.

It still baffled me as to what went wrong the last day in January this year when starting up my mother’s laptop and getting a black screen. No one in my family knew how to fix this problem without being here. Most of the people known on the outside would have to have been here too. My sister’s friend had the ability to remotely enter the laptop and fix it that way, but they have not responded to my e mail at this time. My brother knew tech people at his job that were able to do this, but they would have to train him.

Getting three quotes from the Geek Squad didn’t make me feel any better. They compared this laptop to a 90 year old man. If they came to the house to fix this laptop, the cost started at $250 assuming it was a virus that was causing the start-up malfunction. At the $150 option, they could take it, fix the diagnosed problem, clean and upgrade it. At the $100 they could do what they needed and it would cost $10 a month on warranty. That would’ve made it healthy and still 90 years old. All of these options required the use of a credit card. Neither of these were affordable by me at this time. 

     

Older computers were less compatible with newer computer programs and their operating systems. It was well-known that a newer more powerful computer to do my job at Yoboogle was needed. Granted, unless there was remote support, reformatting my mother’s laptop was an option. Having an Apple Mac would’ve meant no family support. My brother knew nothing about these operating systems. If it went down, the Geek Squad would’ve been my only resource other then the Apple Store. The only good thing about them was there were no costs given until the diagnosis was made.

Fighting back after getting burned on line

This summer wasn't considered the most defining of my life, not that it was all that bad, but it wasn't anything to brag about either. The only thing learned by me was how to survive financially after being burned on line twice in the same summer.

I have made and lost a job in the space of three and a half months. Jobz For Writers was a great place to work, provided the employee was available to take on projects last minute, due within five hours or less or a 50 page project with the expectation from the client and employer that it be completed over night including the research..The people who made the decisions as to who got what assignment took too long. They sat on the assignments for at least two days before they were given out. Even though my last client was in the Masters program, they didn't understand the easiest of questions, like:

1. What direction was the paper to go?
2. Where would one get the articles needed for this piece?

 For the medical journals one had to buy the articles to use them.  It took the client two days to download information needed to write the paper.

There was no way to write this paper in two days time after all the smoke cleared. My computer crashed the day before the first deadline. I got burned again twice with this trying to get the problem fixed. but by the time the smoke cleared here, there were three on line companies that were vying for repairs on my laptop. They were none too kind when my phone call came through to cancel all three because of my financial problem. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. because it taught me two things:

1. Never let anyone over the phone scan the computer for problems that didn't exist.
2. Know one's rights when agreeing to services offered by a third party. 

Even though all three companies told me it was known what was offered, [they read a statement over the phone stating their position] one of them coerced me to take extra coverage for a computer that was not in use.This one gave me some of the money back to avoid getting a black mark over their coercion. It wasn't the service offered it was the price.Since my phone call came through the tech assigned to help me got their $99 regardless. The last was a scam because no one from the company they represented or the one called by me to get things going right again, knew who they were so my refund here was in full .

Waking up to $1.70 in my bank account on August 20, made me start to economize in order to pay bills for the next few months by cutting unnecessary expenses. reducing the cost of some services and, paying out of pocket by buying on a need only basis. While it saved me from being evicted from the apartment, it left me with some serious concerns on what to do next. In spite of my efforts to save and the big chunk left in my account, it still left a big gap in my cushion.

The truth was, while all this was going on, my VR Counselor informed me that there were two weeks left in our association before they had to close my case on September 8. Since it was already known by me how to:

1. write a resume and cover letter
2. handle myself during an interview
3. follow up with a thank you letter

There was no need to pay another vendor to help me job develop.They had no idea that Work Services did this the second time. If my mother hadn't found the job as a part time tutor at the Eastside Girls' and Boys' Club, the nine year disaster with the first counselor would have occurred again. Even if there was a job outside the home, the two jobs occupied by me took half my paycheck. Even though both were around the corner from Mom's house, the money I made went to the cab company. A lot of the customer service jobs they recommended were out of the county like Richland Hills and Corral, Texas. Most of the greeter services offered at Walmart, IHOP, and the like were cut because of the economy. The ironic thing was they didn't know this. After nine months of listening to how they knew what I went through and how hard things were here, it felt like I was lied to.Contractual work was great but at this time it wasn't lucrative.

 Mom mentioned other state services, but knowing what I did about them, I'd have to be homeless and penniless before I qualified for them. Even Section 8 housing required a part time job while living on their rosters and meeting income requirements to boot.Since finding these services were harder because of the economy, it might have been wiser to stay with contractual work like writing. At least it was something that bought money in.

Hopefully, there won't be any more burns suffered by me if my wits were kept. Only God knew what was.


   

Knowing people by their fruit: On line advertisers not honest all the time

Knowing people by their fruit: On line advertisers not honest all the time

While it was great getting another writing assignment from Jobz For Writers, some of the mistakes made me feel like an idiot. My having to buy, Flash Fiction Forward, 80 Very Short Stories, edited by James Thomas and Robert Shapard, was as expected. Nothing was free anymore. Every site visited by me that had that book in .PDF format, wanted a fee to download it, supposedly for free. It cost more on those .PDF site than where it was purchased by me.

Stealing and faulty advertising was a breach of the eighth and ninth  commandments. It sounded like the phone app on one of the sites that was supposedly free only after signing up for three offers that weren’t needed. One site promising free .PDF downloads let me have the book, but told me to sign up for three offers before releasing the password. The other site requested membership then asked me to pay $1.99 for the download. My login was declared invalid on part of the site. It wouldn’t take any of my credit cards either. The only thing wasted here was time. My sin would’ve been in not reporting this snare.

This bad experience was not to turnout like Academia-Research because the book was in stock on Amazon.com. There wasn’t to have been any Inter-library loan or use of the local college library either. Books-A-Million had the book, but it was not known if the store in the mall had it. There wasn’t enough cash on hand for cab fare and purchase of the book. In order to have had it here before the holiday, the two-day shipping price was almost double. Luckily there wasn’t more than one copyright date on the book above.

My ads weren’t working. It was a simple error made by me. My not knowing how to circulate my referral link got one of them banned on one of my affiliate sites. The goal was having them posted on the different affiliate sites. E-mails could’ve still been sent. In a way, what was done by me was also wrong. No one clicked on my ads because they were already members of the site they were being referred to. At least my account wasn’t suspended because of these mistakes.

Paper, pencil, and pen vs. smartphones, tablets, and computers

Was there any need  for paper, pencil, or pen  now that there were computers tablets and smart phones? Some would say no, others would say yes. For me, this was a “middle of the road’ issue. There were times when electronic gadgets were loved by me, other times my wish was that they worked better.

When there were activities at church with my Sunday School Department Fellowship next week and my class Fellowship Dinner next month in Decatur Texas, putting these things in my phone saved me the trouble of keeping track of sticky notes or finding a pencil with a point or a pen that works in the kitchen. In doing this, it also worked with other appointments made with doctors and my Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor because the office location was shown on a map. Sometimes, this helped the cab driver in knowing the best route to take. Unless the note was in front of me on the side of the microwave, that was the only reminder available. With a smart phone reminder, there is a sound that went of other than the basic default whistle when one got mail or other notifications.

Other times, my wish was that these electronic devices worked as well as they were supposed to. My on line writing depended on internet access. There were three times last year when my internet access was needed and was not working. It was important for me in keeping the encyclopedias my brother kept insisting was no longer needed now that there was on line access. My distrust of my internet connection justified my keeping those books. They held up the second to the last shelf with my jewelry boxes on it. The shelf supports gave out before my sister moved in 2005.

1.  February 14-21, 2013 Problems with setting up the appointment on the customer service line almost cost me my job with the Examiner. After complaining to a supervisor, Time Warner Cable gave me a discount on my bill until February this year.

Last April, while talking to my Aunt on the phone, two of my WordPress blog posts were written like that before. It gave me something to do while waiting for the problem to be fixed. While this issue got fixed, there were other blog posts  and pieces for me to start.

2.  May 6, 2013 After getting my smart phone, someone in my apartment complex cut my cable wire and hooked it to their box. The technician told me not to pursue the people who did this because an inquiry took too long. It was a prank done during graduation week  at MSU and there were a lot of people moving out anyway. I got a credit on my bill for the two and a half days of having no internet access.

3.  October 5, 2013 Sometime during my mother’s visit that afternoon and 9:30 p.m. there was no internet, cable or wi-fi access. With all of the Sunday School teachers unable to teach being otherwise occupied either in another part of Texas or another state entirely or physically hurt, this left us with no teacher or prepared lesson. Without internet access, there was no way of my teaching the lesson on adultery that Sunday. The lights went out three times before the technicians got it right. Working in the dark was not easy anyway. The light from my phone kept me from panicking.

Like a Girl Scout, a writer was prepared  always keeping paper and pencil or pen handy to jot down their ideas. Stephen King wrote a review of a long ago popular movie using plain notebook paper and pen. My uncle, who resided in Florida, still wrote his blog posts longhand, in draft before typing on a computer. There were benefits to  this “old fashioned” way of doing things.



It helped me maintain the old time skills of writing learned in elementary, junior high, high school and college. One of my college English professors told me my writing skills propped up my grade in class. Another told me that there was no need for the evening class another professor was trying to get me to take. With my command of the English language, there wasn’t any need for Structures of the English Language, taught after the current class by the other teacher who gave that compliment.

Today was a good day for doing things semi-old fashioned way, hence my “middle of the road” answer. My use of Microsoft Works to set up my next few blog posts made it that way. Because one might’ve needed their cell phone to call a cab to get home, it was better carrying pen and paper in jotting down information. One needed to conserve the battery.

Wanted: House for rent. Quiet cul de sac preferred

Up until a week ago., my mother told me a house wasn’t a good idea. Growing weary of hearing my neighbors noises really got on my nerves. For the last six years the pendulum swung from one extreme to another. A detached house on a quiet cul de sac would’ve been nice.

One of the problems with renting an apartment or house, there were a few things that bothered me but all this had to have been asked before signing an application or lease:

1.Section 8 Housing required everything in my bank account plus 20 hours outside the home. When most of the places accepting this situation found my not being able to meet income requirements, they laughed in my face or made smart aleck remarks about my getting a job. They also appeared on hand to inspect the house’s condition and what the owner had in it. My smart phone would’ve been a red flag to them.

2. Was there easy access into and out of the apartment? If not would the complex have done that? Most of the apartment complexes looked at by me said they weren’t required to do so, so the application was not filled out and signed by me either. One allowed alterations to the inside, but the expense to return it to its former state was the tenant’s responsibility.

Luckily one of the apartments looked at by me that didn’t work out recommended my current residence. There was no ramp upon my arrival here, but they built one in 2002 and had it redone in 2007 correctly. Even though there were no discounts on my rent until 2005, all was well until 2007, when my neighbors behavior began to change. If they weren’t hollering loud enough for neighbors to call the cops, they were having loud intimate relations.

 It was a good thing my knowing my rights as a renter. My lease stated a few things:

• Rent was due on the first of every month but the deadline was extended a day, from the 5th to the 6th. The office opened at 8:30 a.m. Rent was late if the clock said 8:31 a.m. and fees applied.   

• Visitors had a 72 hour rule when staying with a tenant. After that time notification had to be put in writing if it were any longer. 

• Community Rules: Rowdy visitors were warned of their behavior. Three strikes and an eviction of the tenant took place, This included any noises that disturbed the neighbors and caused them to complain to management such as blaring music, arguing inside the house and outside.. 

• There were to be no home based businesses on property. Tenants got suspicious if people were running in and out of another tenant’s residence. They might assume illegal drugs were being sold, which was a felony and a lease violation. 

• If there were a problem with a tenant, one was to call the appropriate people first, then tell management. To avoid retaliation, never confront them alone. 

• Lock the car and apartment door. There were three locks on everyone’s apartment door, use them.

Those were a few of the rules in my first lease signed in August  2001. Now, after 13 years at the same place, my wariness increases as new neighbors came and went during that time. Recently, Mom told me of a house near Southwest Parkway. It was previously occupied by an elderly person, so it was easy getting in and out of the house. Unfortunately, the rent was too expensive. With utilities included, it was $600 a month for that two bedroom. There was another problem. With nine months left on my lease, breaking it would’ve been detrimental to my bank account. Because income requirements were unable to be met by me, they gave me a discount because my income came from the government.

In order to terminate my lease, the nine month discount would’ve had to have been paid back in addition to the administrative fees for breaking my contract. That left a black mark against me because the new landlord would‘ve been notified of that which made me a risk. It was better leaving in 2007 when management was more willing to waiver those fees, but no one else offered the perks I had here. Most of the apartments only gave one month at a reduced rate just to hook the prospective tenant.

My problem with the other places reviewed by me was that they were not ADA compatible either inside the apartment or outside. If they stated the We weren’t required to speech, the application wasn’t filled out by me because there was no obligation to. One apartment complex allowed alterations to the inside of the apartment, but the tenant had to pay to put it back as was. It my have taken them five years to fix the ramp at the end of the sidewalk, or get sued, but it was fixed.

One thing that shouldn’t happen was renting a house and having to vacate in 72 hours because the landlord sold it and the new owner demanded the occupant leave in that time. It happened to one of the former members of my church. They moved four times in as many years before changing churches.

There was a thought of moving to the other apartment complex down the street, but it was the closeness of my neighbors that deterred me from that. And the easy access rule of my own.  There was plenty of time for me to decide where to live between now and the end of February 28, 2015