I’ve been trying to figure out how to combine efforts to become a published author and keep a functioning journal on the web, one that viewers will want to read – one that’s about the businesses in Portland’s Lloyd District.  At the same time, I need to figure out a way to meet the people who live, work, and shop in the Lloyd District, too.

I’ve decided to write a mystery novel.

The main character will be Hank Sikon.  The name comes from two people out of my past, but the character is not based on them.  He is an exaggerated version of me, a bumbling curious guy who wanders the Lloyd District, goes for walks and wants a job in the local bookstore.  When I say ‘exaggerated’ – I mean walter-mitty-super-ultra-exaggerated.

You know how a movie says it is “Based on a True Story,” but contains no truth?  The idea behind the movie might be a true story, then writers merge several main characters into one and events are changed – for dramatic reasons, of course.  Sooner or later, there is no resemblance to reality.

That’s what I’m shooting for – no semblance of reality.  The names were changed to protect the innocent.  All characters are fictional and not based on anyone real.  I mean that.  Places?  Well, the Lloyd District is real.

Regarding the character’s name?  One person from my past provides the first name and nickname and one provides the last name.  I barely knew one and knew the other very well.

Hank ‘the Scab’ played catcher for my baseball team.  ‘The Snake’ Sikon played right field.  One was very good, one was not.  Henry was an excellent catcher.  He and I did a lot of things together, some of which I’ll admit to and some I won’t.  The Snake could tell a joke so well that he was on the team in spite of the fact that he couldn’t play a lick of baseball.  That may or may not be true.  Recollections are a little off, sometimes.

I was somewhere in between.  I could play really good left field but I sucked batting.  That’s not good for a left fielder who is supposed to be a good hitter.

Of course, for dramatic effect only – I was an excellent ballplayer!