The Adventures of Captain Imperfecto

You are here: Home » Not a 49er, Your Story July 21st, 2012 This was my first requested story I wrote for a reader who entered information in the Design a Story section. He wanted it posted here. You can have one done too. Just click on the Design a Story link to provide some details and have your own story posted for free. Read the Be in Your Own Story link. Not a 49er Not a 49er   For my family and the love we have shared over the centuries, starting here. The ships were being prepped to set sail from New York on their way to California,  "GOLD, THERE'S GOLD THERE IN CALIFORNIA!"  a voice rang out in the hordes of people working their way to several ships that were getting ready to make the long journey west in search of wealth and prosperity. It was the great gold rush of 1849. People from all over the world, including my great, great, great grandfather, decided to make the trip to the region from North America by way of New York. California was one...

You are here: Home » White Water Rafting, A Short Story July 20th, 2012 Down the stream we go, on our boat, into the white-water rapids. The view is spectacular, but soon, it will be washed away once the rapids take command and demand our attention. At first, the smooth surface gives us the illusion that we're on a leisurely stream. But our life vests and helmets remind us otherwise. The anticipation amps up our adrenaline, and the laughter and slight chit-chat turn to anxiety once the first ripples appear in the water; it's right then we realize we aren't on a rowboat, merrily going down the stream.  The strong current pushes us left and quickly back to the right. Wait, it could be the other way around. There are only so many things to worry about, like paddling to steer this raft! The white water isn't throwing us around too severely yet. I can still hold my balance. But soon, the waves and current turn violent as the waves crash over our heads and our body r...

You are here: Home » Live Your Life July 18th, 2012 I'm falling into the black hole of uncertainty. I lost my footing months ago and have been falling ever since. Being on the edge of a life-changing moment is enough to rattle the brain. And when you slip, you hope to find the bottom in a shortfall, where you'll land ever so lightly. Every day, we flirt with disaster by teetering on the edge. The panic sets in when you feel your body being pulled into the deep tunnel of the unknown. You reach out with a sense of urgency, grabbing hold of the ledge. Your feet are swallowed first, and while they dangle beneath you, your body instinctively kicks feverishly at the sides of the wall, where the balls of your feet slip. With a sense of urgency, you beg God for some traction. Your fingertips plant into the ground as you try to anchor yourself in. You're grasping with all your might, trying to find the strength to pull yourself up. Your breathing is deep and rapid as you exhaus...

You are here: Home » Taking on the Run, Short Story Part II July 17th, 2012 I am ready to go on the chase. I was just waiting for the canine officer to arrive with the dog so we can begin our chase... When the dog handler arrives, he removes his barking dog from the car. His animal is excited. His adrenaline is pumping just like ours. The officer takes his dog for a brief walk so the German Shepard can get some of the anxiety out of him and use the bathroom. “Right there was where he was last seen.” I point in the direction of the long stretch of sidewalk that runs along the store fronts. As soon as the handler brings his dog to the area he catches the scent and takes off running. It’s a good sign when the dog runs, that means he is hot on his trail. We run down the sidewalk, the dog on his lead, stretched out front about fifteen feet from us. We are trying to keep up. Not very easy when your carrying twenty-five pounds of extra weight from the vest, gun belt and a lon...

You are here: Home » Taking on the Run, Short Story Part I July 16th, 2012 The helicopter was low. So low that I could see what the pilot had for lunch by what food was still stuck to his teeth as he stared at us from up above. I was in awe of it. The blades of the chopper creating a down force of wind so strong I felt like I was in the biggest windstorm of my life. The wind cutting through the thick brush as sharp as the helicopters blades that were cutting the air. Forcing the thick brush to separate and making it easier to see inside the foliage. My focus redirected by an over bearing voice trying to shout over the whirling sounds of the chopper. “Hey! Hey! Over here, look over here!” I turn my head quickly to my left, as if the wind slapped me in the face for my attention. It was my fellow officer who was on the man hunt with me. Just moments earlier a check cashing store was robbed by a man in a black mask, welding a semi-automatic hand gun. We were hot on his trail...

You are here: Home » Peering Through the Window July 15th, 2012 I glance out the window watching my son Nico climb the six foot wood, stockade fence, trying to make his great escape. I can’t help but smirk when I see his little head pop up from the portions of the wood slats. Parts of his black hair peaking over the top, just before I see his beady brown eyes pier over the top. He shifts them left and right, looking for the perfect spot to climb over as he looks for the guards, or in this case his daddy. I sit on the couch, my knees  placed on the cushions, my butt resting on my ankles leaning forward with my chin on the windows ledge. I duck my head low as I peek out the window hoping he won’t see me. I laugh every time I see his little head bob up and down over the fence like a fisherman’s bobber in the water, as the fish tease the line below the surface. I continue my gaze until I notice the tape that is placed over the glass of the window frame. The spot one of the b...