Richard Eyer Smith's Excellent Adventures in Paradise


Thursday, May 5, 2011

RADAR CONTACT LOST


Here's the first scene from my book "Radar Contact Lost."

Enjoy!




Chapter One

It’s more fun to make love in the tropics than in Pittsburgh.

He looked out over the veranda of their lodge, Hacienda Alta Vista. It was a nineteenth-century coffee estate that had been lovingly restored, then converted into a charming bed-and breakfast. He could smell the fragrance of roasted coffee mixed in with the scent of flowers, fruit trees and the muskiness of their lovemaking. This spot, about thirty-five miles southwest of the steamy, crowded capital city of Nueva Madrid, was the perfect place to be alone and naked with his new bride, high in the tranquil San Miguel rainforest.

“Can I get you another rum?” he asked.

“In a minute.”

He watched as she lazily rocked in the soft-cushioned chair on the secluded veranda. He couldn’t take his eyes off her tussled blond hair and her smooth white skin glowing soft and warm in the flickering candlelight.

He picked out the symphony of birds caroling in the cool night air, singing just for them. In his reverie, he was scarcely aware of the dull whine of a jet, miles away, descending into the island’s main airport.

“Tomorrow, let’s get up early and watch the sunrise.” He eased behind her chair and gently stroked her shoulder, then took another sip from his drink. The dark liquid kindled his passions.

Suddenly, from somewhere on the other side of the mountain, a bright flash of light illuminated the night sky.

The woman shot upright in her chair. “My God! What was that?”

“Storm’s coming in.” He set his glass on the table and walked nude in front of her. “Don’t be afraid of a little lightning.”


A deep rumbling, like a furious blast of dynamite, shook the veranda.
“That’s the loudest noise I’ve ever heard,” he said. “I guess it’s thunder. What else could it be?”

He reached out to her, lifting her gently from the chair. The two lovers eased together. They kissed and their fear slowly subsided. Then it turned to lust.
“Maybe we should sleep in again tomorrow,” she giggled. He knew she was still giddy sensing his excitement. He guided her towards the bedroom. “I didn’t think it was supposed to rain tonight.”

The window behind them rattled loudly once again. “That does sound awfully close,” he said. "It’s going to start pouring any minute.” He looked forward to the gentle sound of rain falling on the metal roof as they made love. “Anyway, I’m sure we can think of something fun to do in our room.”

He felt her face warm. He was charmed by her virginal embarrassment.
“I’m sure we can,” she said.

He slowly eased her down on the soft bed. Within a few moments they were too happily occupied with one another to notice.

Rain never fell outside their bedroom window.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

GETTING OLD

Here's an El D'Rage "Minute Rap" that looks at aging in America. What are you doing to look out for your old age?



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It's been fifty years since El D'Rage first picked up a guitar and began strummin' and hummin'. In 1955, his musical tastes ran from "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" to Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons". A lot has changed since back then.

The musical background of El D'Rage is the musical background of many a "Baby Boomer". Caught up in the folk revolution of the late 50s, then Elvis, Motown and the Beatles, he is a product of America's most tumultuous - and exciting - musical era. And "El" has been in the thick of music all his life.

Now, he's done something exciting; something totally different. El D'Rage has created Elder Rap: a new form of music combining the over-the-top rhythms of Hip-Hop with lyrics fun enough to get seniors jumping (carefully) out of their chairs - and sensitive enough to bring tears to the eyes of strong men.

Elder Rap is about three things:

First, it's a celebration of two proud generations: The aptly named "Greatest Generation" and their notoriously funky kids, the "Baby Boomers". These two generations have experienced it all - the Great Depression, wars, peace, poverty and riches - and El D'Rage's rap puts lyrics to their lives.

Second, Elder Rap is all about "unwrapping the rappers." Rap, which originated as a serious attempt to express feelings about life in America's urban ghettoes, has degenerated into a foul-mouthed expression of all that is wrong with America. Much of it is racist, sexist, obscene, hateful and just plain wrong for our kids. Today's rap messages are: crime pays; being disrespectful pays: being offensive pays; do your worst and reap the rewards of a nation growing too fat, dumb and lazy to give a hoot. El D'Rage says, "Enough! Parents, WAKE UP! DO YOUR JOB!"

Third, Elder Rap is about teaching the "Three T's" - teens, twenties and thirties - about the values and experiences of their parents' and grandparents' generations. We've learned a lot of lessons over the past sixty or seventy years. Listen to us. Pick up a few pointers about how to keep America a great place to live.

El D'Rage and his Elder Rap are moving front-and-center on the American stage. People over forty-five are getting their musical voice back. Give a listen, think about what you're hearing . . . and spread the word!