Articles written by Jim Mcinvale

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About me - Jim Mcinvale

Engineer by necessity, but for fun I write/publish Diamondskydancer.com.
JimMoMac@centurytel.net

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Society & Lifestyle > North American Culture Greed, lust, pride and the fading American dream: 1 of 32
The overhead lights went out, turning the podium to a golden island in a sea of darkness. The crowd noise subsided and all eyes turned to the stage. A nondescript middle-aged man walked to the podium and clipped on a mike. He opened a notebook and started reading without an introduction. "Had Dante Alighieri written his Divin... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Mannequins: 3 of 57
Your Frozen, Flawless FaceWaxen skin and cloudy eyes - I don't buy itFrozen stare and absent smile - don't even try it.A bead of sweat slips from your faceAnd splatters on the floorStarburst diamonds at your baseBetray that act of yours.Exploding passion, unleashed lustLights out, the store retiresWild abandon, live now or bu... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Create your life list: 7 of 90
You already have it of course. No one is completely listless. We each have a list of things to do before the dark-hooded, sickle-wielding drill sergeant of life comes in with our orders and it's time to ship out. A friend tells you about his recent vacation and evokes a familiar fantasy. A book or magazine article sparks a me... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Religion: 7 of 69
Walter Finds His WayWalter peered over bifocals and rubbed a hand over his thinly bristled scalp. The shoulders of his charcoal gray suit sported prominent hanger marks and a layer of dust that made them look faded. A familiar but indistinct pressure brushed the nape of his neck, so he glanced back. Lorraine stood at the clos... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US elections 2008: Why Barack Obama epitomizes the American dream: 2 of 18
Barack Obama and the American DreamHope, of course, is why this man embodies the American dream. More than any other shared belief or common value, hope unifies us. It is at the center of America as a concept. The first Europeans that came fleeing tyranny or seeking adventure were driven by hope. Africans kidnapped and dragge... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Heroes: 5 of 34
A Hero With American CheeseThe darkness of the auditorium blinded us at first, but when our eyes adjusted we began catching glimpses of it. Intermittent lasers of gold pierced the serving line procession and snatched our attention, like a dollar bill in the dirt, or a flash of bare flesh. When we made it up to the front, wher... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Lawn care: 1 of 6
The Mole WarsVladimir scored again last night. That's my pet name for my mole trap - Vladimir. Like his Transylvanian namesake, his enemies know him as 'The Impaler'. I dug up the skewered little lawn terrorist and buried him deep in what I suspected was the main nest - you know, to send a message. I pictured a bearded patria... More..
Sciences > Astronomy 57 alien species: Are we alone in the universe?: 23 of 115
The VisitorsSergeant Clifford Stone, in a 2001 conference address, noted fifty-seven alien species that the military had cataloged at that time. He has, in fact, understated the actual number here on our planet, and he neglected (for fear of inciting panic) to discuss the purpose of their presence. It is, in a word, colonizat... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US presidential elections 2008: Presidential candidate pros and cons: 4 of 19
A Renaissance of HopeThis election season energizes voters, new and old, more than any in recent memory. Hope, of course, is the reason. It is the center of America as a concept. Hope drove Europeans fleeing tyranny to America, and it sustained African slaves and displaced natives. Hope draws new immigrants, melding disparate... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: A cat's perspective on life: 13 of 53
Sebastian saw the cat coming, but not clearly. An undulating image cloud floated slowly along a tracer string of fuzzy still frames that wound across the floor and sprouted up onto the counter. The whole thing was in flux, fading at the far end and coalescing from nothing on its approach. Definitely a cat, but more like a wet... More..