Flash Fiction For Thanksgiving 2009

Posted on November 25, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier hasn’t forgotten that tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I’ve got my beer and ‘DVE is playing “Monster” by Steppenwolf.  Man, does that song bring back memories for the Old Soldier.  What a great rock song from the Vietnam era.  I hope I spelled the name of the band correctly.

Well, I don’t write flash fiction for any particular holiday; but I thought over the Thanksgiving Holiday you might like to read some of the flash fiction published by the Gazette that gets the most hits. 

So, here’s the first one: Girls Gone Wild

This is the Old Soldier drinking beer, listening to ‘DVE playing Black Sabbath, blogging and reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Blogging, ‘DVE And Beer

Posted on November 25, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier got his social security check today by electronic deposit and you know what that means: beer.  But this is not as happy an occassion as it usually is.  The Old Soldier has been under a lot of stress lately and I like totally, I mean like totally forgot about paying my AOL bill.

Well, my bank PNC paid it for me when the bill hit my account; but then the bastards charged me a $35 overdraft fee and $7 on Monday and Tuesday.  I can’t afford that nonsense.  It’s my own damn fault; but banks really have us by the short hairs.  Oh, well, you know the Old Soldier will carry on.

I’m going out and get a six-pack and I’ll meet you here later.

This is the Old Soldier taking a hit in the wallet and reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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So You Want To Be A Full Time Blogger?

Posted on November 25, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Good morning, good morning.  The Old Soldier is getting a late start this morning.  It’s 11:15 AM.  Let’s get blogging.  

So, you want to be a professional blogger?  You better check this out first:  The All Day Blogger.  The Old Solder would not lie…

It seems that Big Ben will play on Sunday and the Mayor and his wife are separating.  So much for the news…

I still say the big non-profits, like UPMC, have to pay taxes.  You get that big and you better believe you’re making a profit.  How does the University of Pittsburgh own as much property as it does and it’s not making big profits.  Who do they think they’re fooling?  They’re not fooling the Gazette.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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A Celebration Of Flash

Posted on November 25, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Writing good flash (articles, commentaries and fiction) is tough to do.  It’s not just about being short.  All the necessary information has to be there.  There has to be clarity.  There has to be unity.  There has to be brevity.

Let the Gazette be your home for tips on writing and blogging.  Let the Gazette be your very short story destination.

Flash is not only a literary genre.  It is also a state of mind.  Look around.  Explore.  Join the adventure that is flash.  Here is life on the page.  Enjoy.  Have fun.

And don’t forget to tell all your friends.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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No More Tax Exemptions For Non-Profits

Posted on November 25, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

As the City of Pittsburgh and other municipalities across the United States struggle with finding revenue, this may be a good time for a reconsideration of the tax exempt status of non-profits.

The Gazette has no trouble with giving tax exemption status to any organization that just pays its bills.  That means it’s a non-profit.  Is the University of Pittsburgh just paying its bills?  No, it’s buying up city property and taking it off the tax roles.

In dynasties the aristocracy did not pay taxes.  Taxes were for the lower orders.  It’s time for a review of the tax exemption laws for non-profits.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

 

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New Bloggers Check This Out

Posted on November 24, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Gazette has all kinds of great articles for new bloggers.  Just go to the sidebar on the right and click on whatever grabs your fancy.  The Old Soldier has been blogging for about three years now so I’m passing on a few tips to the readers of the Gazette…

‘DVE is playing “People Are Strange” by The Doors.  Yes, I’m in my classic rock bag.  Soon it’ll be time to go for a walk to “Little Italy” to pick up some can goods at the ShureSave supermarket in Bloomfield.

The sun is back behind the clouds.  See you in a little while.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Community Colleges To Get $9,000,000,000

Posted on November 24, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

A bill has already been passed by Congress and is now pending the Senate to give $9,000,000,000 of direct assistance to the nation’s community colleges..

The Old Soldier attended Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County about a year after coming back from Vietnam.  And three years later, I got my Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. 

Over 30 years later the University of Pittsburgh accepted 75% of the credits of that Associate Degree and I entered Pitt as a second semester sophomore.  True story…

The sun is trying to come out.  I don’t think it’s going to make it.  So, we’ll just keep blogging and rockin’ to ‘DVE.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

Naming Your Blog

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The Beauty Of Flash Fiction

Posted on November 24, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

What a gray day in Pittsburgh.  Well, at least there’s no snow on the ground.  When I was a kid there would be snow on the ground in October…

But enough about me.  We have another day of blogging ahead of us.  And this blog is about flash fiction.  We have flash fiction all over the place.  How about this definition of the very short story: Flash fiction is a significant event with closure.

Flash fiction is all over the Internet.  Readers love it.  Editors love it.  And if you are a writer, this blog is for you.  So, a new day of blogging is ahead of us.  Make the Gazette your one stop blog for information about writing, blogging and flash fiction.

This is the Old Soldier, drinking a can of Arizona Fruit Punch and listening to Rush doing “The Working Man” on WDVE, reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

Good Things Happen When You Keep Writing

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Will Public Television In Pennsylvania Survive?

Posted on November 24, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

I watch public television a lot.  I was surprised to find out that every major city in the United States does not have public television.  Right now I have on the Antique Road Show to keep me company while I blog.  WQED is Pittsburgh’s local public station.  I’m a big fan of The News Hour, Nova, Mystery, Nature, American Masters, Nightly Business Report…I could go on and on…the great concerts.

Because of the present Great Recession no money was earmarked by the state for public television in Pennsylvania.  That’s understandable.  Will public television survive in PA?  Probably.  Does public television contribute to a better quality of life in Pittsburgh?  Absolutely…

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Looking Out My Apartment Window

Posted on November 23, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Now that most of the leaves have fallen off the trees, I can see the Cathedral of Learning of the University of Pittsburgh from one of the windows of my apartment.  That’s still one of my proudest accomplishments: getting my MFA in fiction writing from Pitt in 2006 at the age of 59.

Little did I know that I would find that blogging was my true calling.  I thought I was going to be the fiction editor for The Front.  Remember The Front?  I’d been offered the job just before graduation.  Then the publication went belly up.

But now  everything’s okay.  I got my own blog and everything is slammin’.

Be sure to check out the “Sexy Flash Fiction” tab at the top of the page.  I got to get back to my spaghetti sauce.  See you in a little while.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Spaghetti Sauce

Posted on November 23, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier just came back from the CV/Pharmacy across the street.  They have all kinds of stuff in that place.  I picked up some milk and three cans of  Arizona drink.  Now I’m ready to make some spaghetti sauce.

I already have everything I need to make the sauce: a can of Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauce flavored with Italian sausage, a package of lean ground meat, a green pepper and a small package of garlic.

I’m going to put the sauce over rigatoni.  I can eat off of this rigatoni for days…

Take a look around my blog.  I’m pretty proud of it.  It’s not bad for a Vietnam War veteran.  I’m pumped about this blogging thing.  I didn’t think I would ever find my niche.

This is the Old Soldier, listening to WDVE, blogging and reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Steelers’ Season May Be Over

Posted on November 23, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Rumors are flying around Pittsburgh that both Steelers quarterbacks Big Ben and Charlie Batch are injured and neither may be available for Sunday’s game.  Big Ben may have a concussion and Batch may have injured the wrist of his throwing hand…

Writers, check out the articles and flash fiction stories of the Gazette.  This blog is the home of some of the best very short stories being published today.

Don’t be shy.  Step up and enjoy this blog out of Pittsburgh.  Enjoy the fiction.  Enjoy the articles.  Enjoy the commentaries.  Yes, enjoy the word on the street.

Live life with passion and remember that rock and roll will never die.

This is the Old Soldier reporting from Oakland in the heart of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Life In Oakland In Pittsburgh

Posted on November 23, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

I live in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh and I love it.  Everything I need is within walking distance; and that’s important when you’re a senior citizen, poor and don’t have a car.  I’m poor because it’s my own fault.  I didn’t find my niche until this year: blogging.  Well, some people never find their niche.

So, Pittsburgh, don’t cry for the Old Soldier.  I’ve just began to blog.  Check out my blog.  There are a lot of great articles, flash fiction and commentaries here.  Live life with passion, commitment and don’t forget to have fun.

Blogging’s Sweet Spot

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Let Flash Fiction Into Your Life

Posted on November 23, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Discover the intensity, discover the beauty, discover the art of flash fiction.  Flash fiction is old but it’s perfect for the computer screen.  On this blog you will find stories of love, lust and passion.  You will find stories of hope and you will find stories that ring with an echo of truth.  Look around.  Enjoy.  Have some fun…

The Old Soldier is in good spirits today and ready to do some blogging.  This is the mildest November in Pittsburgh that I can remember.  I’m not complaining…

The Steelers lost to KC.  Okay, let me say it.  I know the Steelers have a lot of talented receivers and they have Big Ben. 

RUN THE BALL!

Blogging: More About Tags

Good Articles Make Good Money

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Flash Fiction Is Here To Stay

Posted on November 22, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Flash fiction goes back thousands of years; and now with the Internet flash fiction is hot and going strong.  Don’t know what flash fiction is?  Don’t know how to write flash fiction?  Well, you’ve come to one of the best flash fiction blogs on the web.

Look around.  Not only will you find great flash fiction stories to read but you’ll also find great articles on writing and blogging and flash commentaries on just about anything.

Have fun.

How Good Writers Always Write Good Articles

This Simple Tip Will Make Your Blog More Successful

 

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Female Breasts And Slasher Films

Posted on November 20, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

That’s right.  The Gazette has plenty of very short stories for your reading pleasure and plenty of articles on how to write them.  There are stories about husbands and wives and boyfriends and girlfriends.  There are stories about love and lust. 

And if you’re a new blogger there are plenty of articles for you, too.  Just look around.

Try Blogging About Your Hometown

Blogging About Female Breasts and Slasher Films

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Flash Fiction & More For Beginners

Posted on November 19, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Are you new to flash fiction and you don’t know where to turn for examples of flash fiction and advice and tips on writing it?  You’ve come to the right place.  Let the Gazette be your home for all things flash fiction.  You will find an entire blog here dedicated to the art of the very short story.  You can even get your first publication here.  So look around and read what you want.  Tell all your friends about the Gazette.

Are you new to blogging?  The Gazette has that covered, too.

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Pasta & Lean Ground Beef

Posted on November 13, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

The Old Soldier needs to do some food shopping this morning.  I’ve had my fill of crock pot turkey.  Now it’s time for something different.  I’ve got two boxes of rigatoni and cans of spaghetti sauce in the kitchenette.  I’ll walk to the supermarket in Bloomfield and pick up the ground beef and a green pepper.  I’ll be able to eat off of the rigatoni for days.

In the mean time look around the Gazette.  There’s all kinds of good things to read.  It’s life on the page.

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Flash Fiction For Flash Fiction Writers

Posted on November 12, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Do you write flash fiction, mini fiction, short shorts, micro fiction and very short stories?  Are you looking for concise, insightful articles about blogging and writing?  How about great fiction about life, love and sexuality?

You’ve come to the right place.  The Gazette is here for you.  And you don’t even have to live in Pittsburgh.  Be sure to let your friends know, too…

Good luck to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers this weekend against the Fighting Irish.

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Creative Writing For New Bloggers

Posted on November 9, 2009 by pittsburghflashfictiongazette

Who says bloggers are not creative writers?  If you have a blog you’re a creative writer.  And all creative writers need support.  You will find that support here in some of the best articles about writing and blogging on the Internet.

Short stories, making money online and using your blog as a marketing tool, it’s all here.

Be a part of this society of bloggers and writers.  Be sure to tell your friends about the Gazette.

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