Hello,
Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here.
I have not blogged for a while due to the necessity of seeking to grow in my faith while simultaneously striving to be a husband, father, and member of my community. If I were to sum up 2023, I would say I have set clear boundaries and expectations.
2024 will be more of the same as I count the costs of various relationships and activities.
While not sure if personal growth was achieved, the waistband has exceeded expectations, likely from the stress hormone cortisol…and eating.
To mitigate this, I will be joining a weight loss competition beginning January 2, 2024.
Electing to resume blogging, I present a disclaimer.
For those of you who know me in person, I am not going to change my writing style to suit your worldview of who you think I should be. Invest time and learn about me and I will do the same. Alternatively, you can keep your nose in your own trough.
Let’s move forward from the business bit.
From the beginning, all the stories I have written are by the seat of my pants so there are a few holes to patch.
Unfortunately, I cannot fix them all. However, I was talking to the Erratic Engineeress and she encouraged me to write a bit of science fiction.
This genre may help me tie everything I have ever written into some semblance of order with a little suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader.
So, please join me as I provide an
Insight to the Extraterrestrial Perspective
J. Wardance, Captain of the B.C. Halhïn Gol, reviewed the file of Ricardo, a recruit fresh out of B.C. academy.
A Maverick of sorts, Ricardo worked hard and liked to play hard. Already, he was recognized by his peers for his fierce loyalty and willingness to be point in room clearings and such, but he was impulsive.
Discipline was paramount to the success of their multifaceted mission.
Laying out the documentation for signature,
J. Wardance beckoned for Ricardo to approach.
Ricardo snapped a crisp salute and the Captain offered him a chair.
“Recruit, it has been brought to my attention that you engaged in reprehensible and reckless behavior.”
“No Sir!” Responded Ricardo.
Wardance, a veteran of such interactions, leaned forward and cut to the chase.
“Son, I have been doing this a long time. You can either tell me what happened, or I assure you that you will be locked up until we dishonorably discharge you. “
Ricardo went pale, visibly shaken, and reached for a trash can.
“Oh no you don’t. You will not vomit in my trash can. You will pull yourself together. I don’t feel the least bit sorry for whatever it was you consumed or drank last night. You abandoned your post.”
Green vomiting protruded from Ricardo’s mouth and he swallowed it back.
Captain Wardance just stared, not the least bit affected by the visual.
Straightening in his chair, Ricardo began.
“Sir, while in our orbit of Earth, I was scanning the frequencies when I heard the most beautiful sound of Brazilian Samba. I focused on our view screen and saw some gorgeous females dancing near a beer tent. Noting the coordinates were in New Jersey, I was pretty certain I could get some dancing in before my shift and return with time to spare.”
Wardance liked Ricardo, as he had been a young reckless maverick type himself, but he was weighted down by the infraction at hand. It could be an inter-solar system embarrassment if not damage-controlled.
“Ricardo, you were found naked, running around at a rail yard. How do I explain this to the command? What will your family think when you are discharged? This was aired on FOX and CNN.
“Sir, all I could think of were those females. I jumped right on into a shuttle, broke on through the atmosphere, and landed right in the middle of the most beautiful specimens I ever did see.”
“Well, I knew I had work in the morning but we danced until I got tired, and I went on up to the beer tent.
At this time, two human bouncers came up speaking the intergalactic language of American English and led me inside.”
“They explained that it was a special party and I needed to strip and take a shower. It was a little weird, but I was down for some Samba immersion if you know what I mean.”
“When I was done showering, my clothing was missing!
I couldn’t find the exit and was led down a hallway by the humans, and I kid you not, the whole place smelled like excrement and was full of males.”
Ricardo’s voice lowered to a whisper.
“Captain, some of them were eunuchs.”
“That was the most terrifying moment of my life and I started running this way and that for a way out. The two humans started yelling at me, but I wasn’t having it.”
“Ramming a wall with my shoulder I exited and started covering ground.”
“I was tranquilized I think, because when I awoke I was in a moving vehicle.”
Captain Wardance frowned.
“Ricardo, you do not know the immense danger you were in and we are fortunate that the United States Space Force provided a bit of misinformation cover to the news stations on our behalf. Do you realize you were nearly killed?”
Ricardo smiled.
“Sir, dancing with those females would have been worth it. Respectfully sir, I would do it again.”
Captain Wardance had no choice but to lock up Ricardo for his blatant disregard and reckless behavior. Shaking his head in frustration, he thought about Ricardo’s love for Samba; it came from a series of events prior to his recruitment and was quite popular amongst his crew.
It was Earth date February 21, 2018, when unable to communicate through the prearranged frequency, the sensors detected a lock from a fighter jet and they had taken substantial damage at 41,000 feet above Earth’s sea level.
The aggressor, a USAF F-22 Raptor, likely scrambled from Nellis Air Force Base, had struck
the B.C. Halhïn Gol with her M61A2 20 mm gun through apparent Line-of-sight targeting, a mind boggling feat.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/02/25/faa-cant-explain-pilots-ufo-sighting-last-weekend-over-new-mexico/?sh=5ccb1eea49e1
Bewildered, they had disengaged and ascended into orbit.
Due to an extended absence, and unaware that Walker Air Force Base had been closed since Earth Year 1967 and also unaware that leadership changes every 4 to 8 years, they had stressed the Air Force out a little causing them to fire.
So, on Earth Date February 24, 2018, failing to make contact with NASA, the USAF, or the Trump administration, they disengaged, docking in a secondary refuel point in Brazil, where repairs were made.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/brazilian.report/society/2023/09/19/brazil-ufos-hotbed-unexplained/amp/
Without our consent, they were boarded by the Bala na Cara Cartel, a warlike people. While primitive, they carried AR-15 Rifles and 9mm pistols, both effective tools that can cause devastating wounds.
Enthusiastically, they filled our cargo bays with a white, powdery substance that our sensors determined to be dangerous.
Communication was nearly impossible until a Cartel member produced what is called a cell phone. With this tool, they translated from Portuguese to a language we were familiar with, Universal, Intergalactic American English. That is when they utilized a program called YouTube to play Samba. The crew loved it and the white powdery substance.
Captain Wardance had put a stop to it all and offered gold for the product to be removed from his ship and replaced with anything else.
The cartel obliged and replaced our cargo holds with coffee beans. Not wishing to offend, it was accepted. The cocaine was forgotten about, but the Samba was absorbed into the very hearts and souls of his crew like a siren song.
Captain Wardance peered out of a porthole window, wishing he was anywhere else than Earth at the moment, but realized that to save face he must remain. He was mortified by Ricardo and the news articles, hoping it would all go away after a while.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/loose-bull-seen-running-new-jersey-tracks-saved-slaughterhouse
The Captain’s thoughts drifted to his thankfulness for the perfect blend of the Trump administration and woke culture that did volumes for intergalactic space travel.
Back in 1995, Gary Larson, a progressive advocate was shut down for public representation of Claire, negating public awareness. This all changed in the 2010s, when a greater awareness of social injustices emerged in a backward, yet subtly necessary sector of earth called the United States.
This developed into folks identifying as anything and everything. One could identify as another species if they wanted, and general acceptance was in the works.
Captain Wardance mulled over the bizarre relationship between woke culture and the Trump administration. To Captain Wardance, both sides were “woke”.
On January 6, 2021, a Jacob Chansley had identified as “alien”, and represented woke culture. It made no sense to Wardance why the two groups were at odds as they had worked together on issues before. On December 20, 2019, with bipartisan support, the US Space Force was established. They could work together.
The establishment of the US Space Force resulted in renewed communication and the invitation for the return of B.C. Halhïn Gol to US Air Space for refueling and limited trade.
If he could keep his crew in line, he might make another trip to planet Mashbitoes and strike a deal with the Heron Tribe in La Longi. Among other materials valuable to the US Military, the Heron had numerous deposits of Yttrium, Dysprosium, Samarium, and Neodymium.
Captain Wardance had the potential to generate immense wealth; the Heron Tribe willingly traded these materials for coffee.
Nice to see you!!!!!
I read the bits about you but not the story… maybe later.
I highly recommend signing up for one of the diet $$ reward sites.
When I did it, via DietBet, you signed up and paid to join 1 or more challenges (with different buy-in amounts). At the end of each challenge, 90% of the funds were split among those who lost => 4% of their starting weight.
I entered multiple challeges with small buy-ins. If I had more conviction, I could have a LOT more money!!
Nice to see you as well! I am throwing in at work with something similar. Last time I lost 41 pounds. I am not sure if I have that much to lose this go around.
Well, I have an extra 100 lbd you can borrow/keep!
Thank you for your generosity!
Dear Benjamin,
Your story, “Insight to the Extraterrestrial Perspective,” is a rich tapestry of adventure and humor. Ricardo’s escapade, driven by his love for Brazilian Samba, is both wildly imaginative and comically grounded. The interplay between Captain Wardance’s responsibility and Ricardo’s impulsive nature creates a dynamic narrative. The inclusion of real-world elements like the USAF and the Trump administration adds an intriguing layer of realism. Your ability to weave in elements like the Bala na Cara Cartel and the cultural influence of Samba on the crew showcases a unique blend of science fiction with cultural nuances. It’s a delightful blend of the extraordinary and the familiar, making for an engaging read.
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I was perplexed as well. Perhaps the next chapter can clue us in!
Nice to see you back. The story was highly entertaining, even if I’m coming in the middle of the movie. I wish you well in your endeavors.
Thank You! It is an ongoing tale, and many of the chapters stand up by themselves
Welcome back, Benjamin
I found the story so brilliant!
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback from your amazingness!
You’re more than welcome!
Ben welcome back brother…my blog will be morphing into a personal blog come 2024. But this was a treat to read
Cool! and Thanks!
Indeed welcome back !!
Welcome back my friend… Great read this! ????
But my personal take home message is you can “keep your nose in your own trough”. Brilliant!! ????????????
Ha Ha! Thank you!
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We all missed you. I’ve been hit or miss for some of the same reasons I think. Glad you made it back and with a sci-fi tale to boot.
Thank you for the warm welcome! Real life concerns are most important!
Wow
I would say!
Nice to see you and your story is a very touching writing ????????✍️your mind and physical strength will become
a strong support to challenge of life , and cow’s photos merging with nature photography ???????? after so longtime
Can read your great post , so happy I’m ????we must not lose hope , your wife and children in pink of health by
God’s Grace ???? ???? Merry Christmas and Lovely Greetings to my precious friend and loving Family ????????
Why the question marks came , no idea ????♀️ typing mistake , sorry dear friend ????????????
I think it is a WordPress problem.
✅ ok ????
All is well! I hope all is well with you over there!
Yes ???? thank you so much and Grace wishes also ????????????????????
Ah haha, he’s back! Great (and danged funny) story! ???? Welcome back. Also, I think God doesn’t care what’s on our outside. I get it (though I have the polar end of that gain problem, now), but if we have/aim for good health, He’s happy, and we should be, too. It’s very good to see you! I hope all your clan are doing well.
Thank you for the encouragement from under that mask of yours!
(btw, emoticons are apparently replaced here in the combox by question marks, lol — mine was a happy-face applauding you)
Yeah, it is happening to everyone on the blog today ????
And thank you!
So, I’m testing your comments section to see what’s going with the emojis. Very weird. ????????????????????????️♂️????????????♂️????????????????
Yikes!
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Hey, I am glad you are back. I love the keep your nose in your own trough, it made my husband spit out his coffee.
Ha ha!
We needed a laugh after being stuck up in the mountains yesterday.
Snow?
Yes, up in the high country. We certainly met some characters on that adventure.
Great story and looking forward to more. I’m still trying to figure out the emoji thing. I know it’s important to some of your readers.
I have a lot of emoji loving readers!
Still aaarrrggghhh!!!????????????✡✝????
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Glad your back!
Thank you! It is nice to hear from you as well!
Welcome back brother Benjamin!!!
Thank you!
Good to see you back around the campfire!
Thank you!
Woo, I finally found the time to read it and it’s a promising start Ben!
Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement!