SoCS January 24/15 – Most/Least

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Badge by: Doobster @ Mindful Digressions

This week’s prompt is: “most/least.” 

 

It was a time of the most of things and the least of things.

At least that was how I was feeling when I saw this prompt. Over the past few days I have received criticism of many of my posts, I should point out valid criticism and of the sort I need to address.

Now I think like so many bloggers I am a bit precious about what I write. I like to think I am a creative person and that on occasion I can write something worthwhile.

The criticism I have to deal with stems from my ability to create as many errors in my work as humanly possible. Mostly I am talking grammatical errors. I am quite open about this. I never pretend that I don’t make errors for I know I do and my many ‘editors’ often point it out to me and I have to learn to deal with it much more effectively.

For me grammatical correctness is often an issue, as I know I often make up words as well as stretch the boundaries of grammatical correctness.

Now I do accept that when I write prose have to adhere to convention. As it is pointed out to me if I want people to read what I write I have to present it in a form that a moderately intelligent person may understand.

So in order to address such issues I am undertaking an edit of many of my posts. You may not notice as I wont make mention of the ones I have edited it is for me to work on my skills in that area.

But as you know why let a comma or apostrophe get in the way of a good yarn.

So having laboured your way this far I am sure, fingers crossed, that you have not found too many errors, but in case you feel disappointed that you have not I shall end with the most least of one’s.

 

Written for: http://lindaghill.com/2015/01/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-january-2415/

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Challenge 2015 Week 4: 22 January – African Safari

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Image: Close by Tom Svensson

When Carstairs suggested a safari in Africa it sounded a bonzer idea.

Though I should have known better for Carstairs wasn’t much of a planner.

Things went wrong three nights into the safari. We camped by a river, which Carstairs insisted was safe despite the warnings of Hippos.

In the early hours finding a massive hippo muzzling around the camp was not my idea of safe and so a hasty departure was in order.

The next night we camped inland and in an area we were told was big cat country. Carstairs was excited about the possibility of seeing one or two of the big cats up close. His version of close and mine were radically different as the night revealed.

As we settled to sleep, the cats could be heard around the camp, growling, no doubt discussing which of us was the more succulent.

Sleep was difficult and when I rose for a toilet stop, I opened my tent to find myself nose to nose with a rather large leopard, or it may have been a cheetah or a lion with freckles either way it was freaking big and solved all my toilet issues that night.

Written for: https://jeremysdailychallenge.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/challenge-2015-week-4-22-january/

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Tale Weaver’s Prompt: Create A Monster – My Monster

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Play scary monsters, scary monsters

I heard my students chorus.

They all line up

I issue the challenge

Frighten me, come do your worst.

Contortions, screams, twisted faces

Some crawl while attempting to growl

Some rush straight at me

Eyes wide mouths agape.

I laugh more than think of fear.

But one girl stands back.

Her focus is my eyes

She doesn’t move but stands so still

Arms by her side, its her eyes that draw me.

Then knowing she has my attention

She begins a slow walk, each deliberate step

In my direction her eyes never move from mine

Closer and closer she comes until she is a metre away

It is then a faint smile appears,

A sudden chill runs through me.

I feel her presence, my discomfort is clear.

Into my space she moves, perspiration forms on my brow

My inclination is to push her away

She’s far too close

She invades my space.

She pauses inches from my face

Still focused, her hand reaches to my face

I close my eyes

My monster has arrived.

My drama students and I used to play a game called scary monsters. After numerous hilarious efforts we decided the scariest of all was as described above. You don’t have to look any different to be scary; it’s all in the body language.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/tale-weavers-prompt-create-a-monster/

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JusJoJan Day 21-30 Prompt – Sex

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Linda’s Prompt: Sex

We were sitting in the local watering hole one day doing what we do well there.

Lounging on the bar, believing that we were important for no other reason than our presence held the bar up.

Often on days like today, you know those days where its so hot you just want to stop moving and lie in a big heap somewhere though we were always happy to heap ourselves at the bar and let the day go by suffering as we did under the hotels air con system which depending on its time of the month worked or it didn’t, or like any good woman I knew worked when it wanted to.

This day in question was one of our random word days. We have stimulating conversations like this when we get bored with politics and who won the footy or the score in the test match.

Barney in his usual languid way threw in the word sex. The result was dead silence for the next five minutes. I think the suggestion threw Barney as well for he was never short of an opinion on most things.

But it was Simmo sitting to my left who engaged us that day. Simmo wasn’t a very garrulous man, he chipped in with his five cents worth from time to time but mostly he sipped his beer and listened, as Barney and I would invariably discuss some subject that usually ended up in us having an argument of some kind.

But this day Simmo was off and going. As off and going as he could in his slow laborious drawl.

‘I had sex once,’ he said. ‘I remember it clearly you know. You don’t forget events like that. It was a Tuesday, just after six in the evening. Her name was Lyla. She’d been sitting at the bar just up from where you are now Robbo, (that’s me).

Both Barney and I turned our heads simultaneously in the hope a body called Lyla might still be there but all we saw was drunk Dan and he never had a good word to say about anyone.

But Simmo went on. ‘She was beautiful, had red flowing hair, gorgeous legs and a figure that left you speechless. I’d seen her in here a few times and I knew she was a looker. But this day she sidled up to me and asked me if I could buy her a drink. Next thing I knew we were having a conversation, well she did most of the talking, I mumbled a few replies, I’m not all that good with women you know.

She sat real close like, rubbed her leg against mine, stroked my arm, even started whispering in my ear.

I’d never had a woman as beautiful as Lyla that close before. Things did start to happen, you know what I mean. Things. Things that are usually quiet, at least here in the bar. She ran her hand up my leg and I knew she could see that I was flushing. I know cause she giggled and made a remark about my reaction.

She said she had a room upstairs and would I go up with her for a while. The way I was feeling there was no way I was going to let her go too soon so like a puppy I followed her up to her room.’

‘And what happened?’ We both asked as one.

‘We had sex,’ replied Simmo.

Both Barney and I sat back and scrutinised Simmo as never before. He never struck us the active type. The most activity we’d ever seen from him was getting off his stool to go to the toilet.

Simmo sat there and let us think, let us draw the pictures in our heads and they were fuzzy to say the least.

‘Ya didn’t think I had it in me did jas?

‘No Simmo we didn’t’

‘You’d be surprised with what I can do,’ he said. ‘You get me worked up like Lyla did and there’s no holding me back.’

‘You sure it was sex you had Simmo?’ asked the incredulous Barney.

Simmo fixed him a smile and said ‘Barney it was all wham bam thank you Ma’am.’

With that we other two settled back on our stools and ordered another round of beers. We had no stories to contribute to this discussion at least ones we could brag about.

Written for: http://lindaghill.com/2015/01/20/jusjojan-day-21-30-prompt/

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100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#164 – The Temple.

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This week’s prompt: …and then I smiled…

 

The temple was on top of a mountain and there were only ten thousand steps to climb.

A voice inside said to me, “How hard could it be, they are only steps.”

Fatigue is an odd thing, it creeps up on you, grabs you in the thighs, tells your knees they are insane, at the same time your brain is justifying the next step.

After an hour, of taking more steps than I thought imaginable we made it. There was a temple, people milling round and a girl in high platform shoes. It was then I smiled.

Written for: https://jfb57.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week164/

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Haibun Thinking – January 20th 2015 – Mr Franklin

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Image: Ben Franklin by Jules Paige

I have travelled half a world to stand here. Left behind my steamy summer for this freezing winter. But rugged up against the cold I have longed for this day to look up at a man whom I have read so much about. A ‘founding father’ a man who actively promoted the union of the states a man from poor working class origins who had a vision that only unity could bring about.

Today on this bitter morning I look up at you, your face looking ahead I wonder what you saw, I wonder what you would think now. Is the world as you thought it might be, I am sure you would never have envisioned the technology we take for granted now but has your country reached the heights you could see all those years ago.

As a visitor and in awe of the achievements of you and others at the time I am saddened just now a small boy walking with parents asked them who you were and your name didn’t ring any bells with him. I watch as his dad explains your significance no doubt this boy’s education will be enhanced by this visit.

I gather by coat around me and head off, like you Mr Franklin, I too look ahead.

winters bracing wind

historical legacy

forward thinking

Written for: https://haibunthinking.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/haibun-thinking-january-20th-2015/

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Photo Challenge # 44 – Sleeping Ship – January 20, 2015 – Josie’s Funeral.

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Image: Kirsty Mitchell

At Josie’s funeral there wasn’t a lot said

Among the tight knit circle of friends

There were whispers, rumours, gossip

Every possible speculation

For no one was saying anything out loud.

She’d been found reposed in a magenta field

Her gown, the one her mother sewed.

Evenings formalities dispensed with

Parties to attend, drinks and unwinding.

She was the princess at the ball

The head turner, elegant, poised

The evenings dream girl.

She’d taken the bus with many others

A safe way to get to and from

A gathering out of town

Protected and guarded

She’d behaved, as did they all.

But sometime in the early hours she disappeared

It was obvious she had gone

At first they thought her mum had picked her up

But later that proved false.

Someone took her, laid her out,

Stole her life and she from us.

It had to be, everyone thought, one of us!

So her funeral was a subdued affair

So unfair she deserved much more

We should have celebrated her life

But instead we stood silent

Sideways glances, incriminating looks.

Only her mum sobbed, the cry of a parent

And so she should, her grief was now

Ours would arrive, a day, a week from now.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/photo-challenge-44-sleeping-ship-january-20-2015/

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Creative Expressions #6: Light and Dark – The Rehearsal

This week’s challenge: to write a piece about contrasting concepts.

Light and dark

The budding actress was rehearsing her lines for the upcoming production of ‘Macbeth’ and as Lady Macbeth I had been asked to assist her in learning her lines. After labouring her way through most of her lines and me asking myself serious questions over why this young lady had been given the role when at best she was pedestrian, I pulled her up after this line:

‘My hands are of your colour; but I shame
To wear a heart so white.…’

 

I set out to explain the virtue of the concept of light and dark. She was as I suspected dumbfounded by such a consideration. I went on about delivery, discovering the meaning in each line, the nuances in each word and making decisions as to how that word or line might be said to enhance that discovery for the audience.

Some words and lines I explained were light, soft tones could be used to elicit a response from the audience that might generate empathy for the character or an emotional one from the audience. Some words and phrases evoked a darker response, lines that could be said with strength and vigour have your audience sit up and take notice.

After a good half hour of this I then asked her to think about what I had said as she rehearsed further.

The following harrowing twenty minutes reminded me she was not a light and dark actress in any way but rather one skilled in the act of monosyllabic delivery.

Written for: https://penntonic.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/creative-expressions-fire-and-ice/

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Mondays Finish the Story – January 19th, 2015 – A Weekend Away

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Finish the story begins with: “They finally made their escape.”

 

It was go go go.

Pedal to the metal.

Looking back there was no sign their departure had been noticed.

What had begun, as a pleasant weekend had not turned into a horror of potentially biblical proportions.

Their hosts were cordial.

The meals delicious though they did query the crumbed things in the octagonal bowl, the strange howling from the basement, the steam seeping from the locked attic door.

Their explanation of it being an old house with a character all of its own didn’t wash so well.

It was the sensation of noticing their eyes blink horizontally that threw them finally, along with the sudden whip like action of their blue tongues that gave them cause to pack up and make their exit.

As they hurtled east towards home they resolved not to accept another invitation to spend a weekend with the Beachams.

Written for: https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/mondays-finish-the-story-january-19th-2015/

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Wordle #44 – January 19, 2015 – Uncle Bole

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This week’s great word selection: Polish Bark Laundry Magenta Saturate Camera Blink Valuable Stance Penalty Sensibility Texture

When my Uncle Boleslaw won the world championship in French Polishing he became the first man also of Polish extraction to gain this title.

In the blink of an eye he went from obscurity to fame, his name of the lips of the six people in Poland who knew what French Polishing actually was. Within our family Uncle Bole was a hero, a man who had taken our family name from the run of the mill Smith to Smith with added importance.

His beautiful magenta toned trophy sat proudly on the mantle above the fireplace. It was there that we would gather each year to hear once again the story of his success. The camera would be passed around and photos of Uncle Bole and each family member preserved for another year.

After ten years though the story had well and truly saturated our family. There was only so far and so long he would ride on the crest of his success.

Uncle Bole became depressed when family stopped coming round. His bark was becoming less than his bite and even his weekend laundry business was beginning to suffer, as clients grew sick of his constant whinging about not being taken serious any longer.

In a fit of overall depression he took a stance and threw the valuable trophy into his back yard. His good wife Aunt Bronislawa, Aunt Bron, took it upon herself to preserve Uncle Bole’s sensibilities by imposing no obvious penalty upon his rash action. It was true that my Uncle wore his heart upon his sleeve.

It was the sleeve of the shirt he was wearing that momentous day that brought about a change in our family. The fabric had the texture of a cold winters day, the sort of texture that made you shiver and wish you’d packed your beanie and gloves.

Uncle Bole had ripped the sleeve from his shirt. Cast it down and in a fit of rage jumped up and down on it cursing the day he ever took up French Polishing. His passionate Polish heritage came forth that day gushing from him in a torrent that could only be described.

My uncle downcast, his laundry business in tatters, his magenta trophy cast out, the bite well and truly gone from his bark, his days now saturated with dark thoughts blinked at his wife whose firm stance reassured him that with her his sensibilities were always to be understood.

That afternoon they walked to George Place, sat under the Oak tree on the Poets seat and contemplated life. The texture of their life had changed, and in a photo taken with Aunt Bron’s camera we saw Uncle Bole smiling for the first time in months, a look of determination on his face as he cradled his slightly chipped magenta toned trophy.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/wordle-44-january-19-2015/

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