Welcome to my Soapbox

You know the things that tick you off? Well, Les Clark has a bunch of those. You know the things that confound you about others? Yup, you'll find them here. Do you talk to strangers or listen to strangers' conversations-or even jump into them? No, don't do the latter. But he does the first two things all the time, and the results are in this book. Amazing what people talk about.

Résumé
Nonfiction books like Welcome to my Soapbox are hybrids; there's just no theme. Uh, I prefer to describe this book as a literary buffet table. I've got fibrous protein with real bite. There's mushy mashed potatoes in the form of unabashed pandering. I liedthey have lumps you didn't expect. Following is the mixed media of string beans with little pearl onions and grey mushrooms. Stories of varied interest. At the end are desserts, sweet, plain vanilla and chewy chocolate with nuts. If you've got a story allergy, take these in smaller spoonfuls. Choose from my menu and fill your plate accordingly.When I started writing and accumulating these 48 stories, I thought I'd just let them follow one another without category, however, there are oasis here and there in the form of poems, like a fifteen minute break at work.I'm a fan of the short story and the successful masters who pen them. Fiction, nonfiction, humorwhatever. They are the tapas of the written word. Diane Kane, my friend, writes flash fiction; very short, fully satisfying stories. While I love a long (read: HUGE) novel like Steven King's, The Stand, and a much shorter motivational tome like Khalil Gibran's, The Prophet, I'm better, writing generous dollops of fun, odd, fanciful, bizarre, honest words.Let's get started. You'll begin with where we live. My TownAny Town in America, and end with Your TownAny Town in America. These are great places, full of recognizable characters, colorful locales. Take the road less travelled and stay a while. I reached out to two local poets for their workmeaningful reflections: Swan. Family. and Mirror Image. Some of the furniture in my apartment I found sporting "FREE" signs wherever I drove. That led to Roadside Jewels.I learned at an early age to whine and complain. Pet PeevesPart Two, How Stupid Can They Be and Worthy, But Stupid Stuff may be what you're thinking but learned how to filter. Not me, man. I turned it all loose. It's only right.At an early age, I was admonished to avoid conversations with strangers. As an emancipated adult, I'll talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere. And once I flick their "ON" switch, people just start talking faster than I can type or take notes. I have deep simpatico for veterans, everyday folks standing in line, shuffling through the supermarket and others doing their job. I want you to meet The Cat Rescuer, Deidre's Dad, Leonard Roaen, Jim's Stratojet, Emily, and April in July. One of these won't let you adopt a kitten for its forever home until you've passed her interview. The next three are veterans who served their country in various commonplace or horrendous capacities. The last two are young women with different views on their future. You'll find the others I haven't mentioned. With 330 million Americans, I won't run out of material anytime soon.I've addressed life's quandaries with my investigation into the rationale of why we penalize our kids with names they'll always regret. My son has a unique name. "Why didn't you name me John or Bob?" he wailed. As an executive in a high tech company it's now immaterial. You'll relate in Baby Name Madness. Made up holidays, phony celebrations, fake reasons to stay home get sunshine in Get the Confetti.Having matured, I've gotten and given suggestions to improve my lifestyle. In one ear and out the other side. Take it or leave it resides in That's Some Good Advice, The Word is Out and The Flowing Caftan.Do you think I have a serious side? My take on Creation should not be read to kids at bedtime. On the end of the life cycle, a centenarian friend revealed a dream I memorialize in Dying.