Bobble BJ In Miniature by BJ Neblett

Bobble BJ In Miniature by BJ Neblett

This is going to be short and to the point. Last time I made a passing reference to my 'bobble head'. This simple, off the wall mention sparked a host of email requests ranging from, "What bobble head," to "Let's see the bobble head," to "What are you talking about?" Well, one of my ambitions in life has always been to have my own bobble head image. I know, my goals are sad... anyway... A couple of Christmases ago, a girlfriend of mine fulfilled my desire with a very cool and unexpected gift. Then, about a month ago, as my alter ego sat nodding up at my from my desk, I realized that he represents only one part of my complex life. So, calling on my modeling and origami skills, with help from a couple of computer programs, I fashioned perfectly scaled copies of my published novels. (I'm still working on Beyond The Hedge and Wouldn't It Be Funny If...) Make sure you get your full size copies of Planet Alt-Sete-Nine, Elysian Dreams, and Ice Cream Camelot from your favorite book seller or Amazon! (I know, shameless self promotion).
Anyway, for all of you who requested, and the rest of you who probably are wondering, "Why the heck am I reading this?" here he is! Drum roll please!

Now I'm wanting one of these guys of me in my softball attire!

Peace,

BJ

Paper And An Ancient Art by BJ Neblett

Paper And An Ancient Art by BJ Neblett

Funny what being stuck home alone can bring out in a man. Kinda like recovering from an illness, except when you are sick people come to visit and bring you presents. Which makes me think of being 9 and having the chicken pox or mumps or some childhood plague and my father bringing me a plastic model car to build. If this lock down lasts any longer maybe I should dig out my old model stash and...
But I digress.
A few years ago I was bored (Read: retired from radio and not working) and took an origami class. I've always been very good with my hands and if you read my books, you know I have a vivid imagination, two great assets for an origami-est. (Not sure if that's a word). I found I had a knack for the ancient art, and I still enjoy the occasional paper folding session, although it's surprising how much your fingers forget while inactive. Origami is a great ice breaker and party conversation starter, not to mention it's a great way to impress the ladies. Below are few examples of my efforts over the years.

A couple of traditional swans, one of the first things you learn in origami class. Although, I'm not sure why they teach you this right off as they are a bit more involved than some other figures. But it is a good thing to know when dining in Japanese restaurants, as fashioning one is always good for a free side of something!

Hand made holiday items are always popular. Here are some Easter critters, three colorful peeps and a bunny made from a dollar bill.





     


Here's a neat little Christmas tree I made for my friend Alissa. As you can see, it brightened up the celebration we shared at a local coffee shop that year. I am told by purists that using more than one piece of paper and/or different objects, such as popsicle sticks is cheating. But who cares? Look how cute!

Ladies love flowers and these lilies are no exception. They are actually of my own design, involved and have a crazy amount of tiny folds. The bouquet below was for Alissa's birthday.

   

                                                                       

    Sometimes I surprise even myself. The two cool planes were designed my me in a folding frenzy. The red fighter is a Star Wars inspired space fighter. The other is a pretty cool rendition of a modern day stealth. To say I was in the zone that day would be an understatement. Try as I may, I've never been able to duplicate it!                                                                          

A couple of more animals.

Here we have a Dachshund I fashioned out of two pieces of paper while bored at work. A few days later I was really bored and gave him a red LED nose. It lights and flashes when you squeeze his tail!

Turkey anyone? Another center piece I figured out myself for the holidays. It is all one piece as are all of my creations except as noted. However I did take the liberty of cutting his tail feathers to make him look more attractive to the hen turkeys!

Here we have a dragon of sorts. Not sure if I was aiming for a dragon or not, but hey, he looks pretty good.

This little guy is a seal, an early creation while I was still taking lessons. Still holding up pretty well, despite his age.

One of my favorites, a cool little penguin. He is surprisingly easy to make, and using the double sided paper brings out his tuxedo! He's another favorite with the ladies.






If I look around a bit I'm sure I can find more, but I think you get the idea. Hope you enjoyed and I haven't bored you too much. Origami is a fun, relaxing pastime, that can be easily learned from any of the instructional books available, or on-line sites. Great for family projects. I just hope my publisher doesn't see the results of the last couple of hours when I should have been writing. Which reminds me, I fashioned three miniature examples of my books complete with front covers to go along with my bobble-head. But that's a blog for another time. Back to writing!
Peace,
BJ

Number Three Encounter by BJ Neblett

Number Three Encounter

by BJ Neblett

© 2013

E mail to the Stranger Newspaper, September 23, 2013.

Dear Sirs,

Please include the following ad in your ‘I Saw You and Missed Connections’ column with your on line personals.

Thank you.

Last Friday afternoon, September 20, it was around two PM, maybe 2:30, in downtown Seattle, the #3 bus. I got on at Third and James Street. I promised not to drip on you as I sat down. Did I?

You were wearing a grey Huskies sweatshirt. You had longish dark hair, a ponytail, pretty painted nails, pink I remember, and a killer smile. You reminded me of the sexy heroine stepping out of the pages of one of my short stories.

Me, I’m just a guy who sat next to you, a writer, a hopeless romantic some say, others aren’t so kind. I wore a blue slicker with a Looney Tunes tie and a silly grin.

We talked a bit, you and I, about the rain, and buses, and coffee, and Seattle, and nothing in particular.

I told you I wasn’t from Seattle. You said you could tell because I carried an umbrella.

I wanted to say more but I found myself drowning in your beautiful dark chocolate eyes.

The lady sitting in the wheelchair asked us to ding the bing bong for her to make the bus stop and we both laughed.

I made you a pink origami duck. It matched your nails, do you remember?

How’s he doing?

Actually, I looked for you the next day, and the day after.

But you were gone and so was the rain.

Anyway, I’d like it if we could meet; maybe have coffee and talk about the rain and buses and Seattle and ducks.

You can be my sexy heroine with the killer smile.

I’ll be just a guy with a Looney Tunes tie and a silly grin.

You can text me anytime.

And remember to ding the bing bong when you want the bus to stop.

I’ll be waiting.

Billy.