Danny January: Blog

I just posted a new chapter to Something Fishy and it really got the nostalgia going for me. I find that, as often as not, it's music that gets me in a nostalgic mood. For this chapter, that was definitely the case. I found myself listening to an album I hadn't heard in a long time. Too long.

On top of that, there has been some great swimming competition at the Olympics this year.

Katie Ledecky is a fish.

It's been raining for nearly a week here in Chucktown. It might sound funny, but it's tough to get a good swim workout in when that happens. Lightning nearby closes the pools and drives people indoors to train. With the end of the triathlon season upon us, no one wants to lose a day of training so the Aquatic center is packed.

Nearing the end of summer is a sad time. It will be even sadder if the Yellow Jackets don't do better on defense this year.

If you're like me, you love the Olympics. Everyone has their favorites. I'm sad the Baseball is not part of the Olympics this year and hope to see it back when it goes to LA in 2028. The swimming has been amazing, like always.
It's almost impossible to describe just how much time and effort goes into becoming a world class athlete in any sport. I understand that better with sports I've participated in. At one time, the idea of swimming at the college level, with hopes of competing on the Olympic stage, captured my imagination, I have no regrets in not pursuing that. You have to be single-minded in your pursuit of excellence.
I'll be watching the women's 1500 meter finals on Wednesday to see if Katie Ledecky can do it one more time. What an amazing ambassador for the sport.

Something Fishy seems to be well-received. This is a bit surprising to me since it's a fairly simple, straight-forward chronicle; almost a diary.

I enjoy reading comments and feedback so don't hesitate to email me directly or comment on the story. I plan to re-write some of my earlier works as they seem pretty crude to me now.

Plot changes - I've had a few recommendations on plot for the story. Some of them are pretty entertaining, however, I don't plan on making any.

I am considering a very short chronicle of a weekend trip, meeting 'Michael' from the Beach House series for the first time. We'll see.

I posted the preface for Something Fishy Going On, then the 1st chapter of the next story by accident. I sent in the re-post request and SOL should have it posted soon.

My mistake. Sorry guys.

Something Fishy Going on is in the publication queue.

It's been a few months since Summertime and the Living is Easy finished up so here are a few refreshers.

Jack Pierce - 16. Attends Porter-Gaud, a private college prep school. Typical SAT scores are more than 300 points higher than national average. Tuition last year was $30K.

Christie Pierce - Jack's mom. Married twice. She divorced Victor Strzok when Jack was little. Married Ronnie Pierce, who provided for the family financially, but spent little time with them. He died young. Christie is engaged to Dane Edris

Dane - Yankee. Cardio pulmonary surgeon at MUSC. Moved south to Charleston a couple of years ago.

Franklin Pierce - Jack's brother - older by 10 years and recently married to Karen.

Sally Hinkleman - Jack's first love. Her father moved the family to Nashville. This didn't go over well with Sally or Jack.

Kim McTighe - Jack's second girlfriend. 16, and a junior at Porter-Gaud. She's perfect. You can ask anyone.

Pat and Mary McTighe - Kim's grandparents. Kim's biological parents and older sister died in a car crash. Her grandparents have been raising her.

Veronica - Christie Pierce's best friend. Recently went through a divorce. She is perhaps the most complex personality in all of this.

Melanie Middleton - Kim's best friend and fellow cheerleader.

Bobby Claire - Jack's friend and fellow swimmer.

Lori Newsome, Lisa, Allie, and Annie are fellow cheerleaders.

Vince Delinger - Porter-Gaud graduate and former QB.

Doctor Hank Legare - Dane's good friend, orthopedic surgeon and a bit of a health guru.

Coach Miller - Swim coach
Coach Hamilton – Baseball Coach

This is not a typical cast of characters. The friends and neighbors are affluent and Porter-Gaud is very definitely an elite school with highly motivated students. The standards are very high. Within that environment, someone rises to the top. I understand that this environment is very unusual for some readers to get their arms around. It is, however, very real. To put things in perspective, tuition at Porter-Gaud is currently right at $30,000. GPAs and SAT scores are high, as is the motivation and expectations.
Over the summer, Jack worked with Hector’s crews to earn the money for an engagement ring for Kim. Kim, Jack, Christie, and Veronic spent an interesting vacation in Puerto Rico followed by Jack popping the big question.

I hope this helps those who've read the first story get back on track. For those that haven't, this will not be enough to bring you up to speed.