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Digging For Answers

May 17, 2010 in Writing

Steven had few real regrets, but seeing how his major in philosophy had little practical application in the real world often proved daunting. Thoughts of easier choices could inspire pointless envy, true tales of those less capable from an intellectual standpoint now handsomely remunerated, firmly ensconced in cherry-wood paneled offices high over the city, transformed by time and money and paper into semi-respected lawyers and businessmen. But Steven lacked pull.

Once he had tested patience by temping in such places. That test proved troublesome, gargantuan efforts expended to keep comments unspoken for minuscule wages, insubordination bubbling just beneath the surface, followed by violent dreams of vengeance. Read the rest of this entry →

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by Suzanne

Waiting For Summer

May 17, 2010 in Writing

“Spring is not meant to be cold.” This is what Ella thought as she bent over and picked up the sleeping stones she had placed outside several days ago. The way the sun was shining made her feel as if the season was being cheated. She moved from stone to stone with a vague feeling of anger; some watery form of injustice. “Where is the spring?” she thought again, picking up another slab.

While she was thus engaged in this somewhat depressing activity, a black shadow slid near her, abruptly soaking up the brilliant sunshine. The shadow took on the oblong shape of a man; a somewhat overweight and short man, with hair that struck out wildly from one side of his head like a snake lashing out. Read the rest of this entry →

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by Foible

Estate Planning

May 17, 2010 in Writing

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business.

When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his wealth.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Her natural beauty took his breath away. “I may look like just an ordinary man,” he said to her, “but in just a few years, my father will die, and I’ll inherit 20 million dollars.”

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

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by Robb

Let Your Finger Do The Talking

May 17, 2010 in Writing

A young children’s librarian who is six months out of library school comes into my office for her half-year probationary review. If she passes the review she becomes a permanent member of the staff; if she flunks she’s gone.

Even now as she settles nervously into the seat next to my desk, I’m not sure which way to go. Sure, she’s an enthusiastic advocate of children’s services and yes, she has proven to be a creative, knowledgeable, and well-liked staff member; but there’s a certain unpredictability to her behavior patterns that makes the administrator in me very uneasy. Read the rest of this entry →

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by Chears

Late For School

May 17, 2010 in Writing

I dreamed last night that I woke up late because my alarm clock had grown arms and legs and run away. Then, as I stumbled into the kitchen I discovered a crocodile was eating Cheerios on my kitchen floor. Being late, I decided to pass on breakfast and returned to my bedroom to dress. I took off my nightgown, slipped into some edible panties, pink tights, a torn tutu, and my basketball jersey. I then slipped on my funky purple tennis shoes, went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, braided my hair into a pig tail, climbed out my bedroom window, got on my bicycle, and peddled off to school.

When I got there the first thing I saw was Tiger Woods smacking at weeds on the front lawn with a long-handled tire iron. Nearby was a group of Tibetian monks who seemed to be involved in some kind of limbo contest. And behind them there was a three-legged dog frantically chasing a peacock in circles while barking loudly out of tune. Read the rest of this entry →

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by Mintz

A Private Service

May 16, 2010 in Writing

Mother arrived by mail today. The box was less than twelve by twelve and heavier than I’d imagined. There were little knobs and hard things in it.

I called my sister. “She’s here,” I said.

“Did you open the box?”

“It’s small.”

“Did you OPEN it?”

“Yes.” Read the rest of this entry →

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by adieu

The Renaissance Man

May 16, 2010 in Writing

Is there a common goal all men should strive for? The easy answer is obvious, and while I agree with the chorus of, “yes,” that I imagine is the reply, I differ in opinion on the specifics. Perhaps there is an alternative, or at very least a complement, to the beauty pageant answers.

As modern human beings we too often strive for complacency. We yearn for normalcy. We pant eagerly at dreams of homes and jobs, families and the night or two when inhibition is thrown to the wind and we indulge ourselves in alcohol and consequences.

We gear our lives toward the honing of one skill or set of skills. It is reflected in our lives, hobbies, jobs. Even in video games we see characters who are “by nature” more powerful when they focus on a single pathway of development. every subject has seemingly become so broad that we can only learn one or two. We have adages that support this mindset: i.e. “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Read the rest of this entry →

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by Whynot

Dividing Line

May 16, 2010 in Writing

In an instant, a life can divide into Before and After. A phone call, a news flash can do it. Invariably, something remains as a reminder. For Joseph, a colleague at Chloe’s office, it is Bach playing on the stereo before the screech of brakes, the crunch of metal, an ambulance, the hospital.

“I hear Bach now and think: oh, yes, I used to love that. Before. In my other life.”

For Chloe’s sister, Anna, it is a body shampoo. She told Chloe how the shower was hot and steam clouded the glass. She stood in the warm fog, then sniffed the fresh, pine scent of the new Badedas body shampoo. That clean scent of mountains and good health. Just seconds later, her fingers, tentative, pressed back and forth, smoothing the skin as her brain bristled indignantly. It can’t be! But it is, yes, it is. I think it is. A lump. Read the rest of this entry →

Tot Swap!

May 16, 2010 in Writing

You’ve given the little guy everything he could possibly want: besides the usual food, clothing, and shelter, you’ve given him every toy you never had. Even a bed made to look like a racing car. Then think of what you HAVEN’T given him: siblings, strange disease, rules, a bedtime.

What do you get back? Non-stop crying. He never stops. You didn’t get him what he wanted fast enough. It was the wrong color (he wanted the red bed).

In the past, we threw our unwanted kids away. Or we put up with their awful behavior. Why put up when you can trade up? Now, in this computer age, you can get rid of your problem child forever with just a few clicks. You post a description of your child, then look for the child you’d rather have. Click click click and you’ve made your choice. It’s called TotSwap.com. Try it today! You’ve got nothing to lose but a bratty child!

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by Boutime

The Guilded Mirror

May 13, 2010 in Writing

I haven’t told this story to anyone else but you seem nice enough. Maybe you’ll understand. At any rate, it’s time I told the truth.

You see, I’m not from your world. I know you find that hard to believe but just hear me out before you make any judgment.

It all started with the mirror. I was going through the piles of junk, looking for anything useful to trade – or eat – food being one of the highest commodities on my world. The sun was just breaking the horizon. That’s a good time to hunt. The gangs tend to sleep later so I’ve learned to rise early.

The first rays hit something in the rubble, something shiny that caught my eye. I dug through the layers hiding it and found a mirror. By some miracle it was unbroken, with a large gilded frame surrounding it.

As I tried to wipe the grime away, my arm fell through the plate of glass. Not breaking it, mind you, but through. I was so startled that I dropped the mirror onto the ground. I lost my balance and fell on top of it. Instead of lying there in the dirt and garbage though, it shimmered silvery and I passed right through it. Read the rest of this entry →

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by Tirika

The Online Mental Nudist

May 13, 2010 in Writing

Do I dare disrobe my mind online? Will I have to strip away common knowledge, abandon tradition, cast aside rumors, dogma, and biases? According to legend, Lady Godiva rode through town naked because if she did so, her husband agreed to relieve the townspeople of the burdensome taxes he had placed on them. She, out of compassion and kindness, overcame her embarrassment in order to lessen their pain. What would enable me to become a mental nudist? Perhaps it’s the vision of helping to create an environment, a community, where all views are respected, where everyone is encouraged to consider divergent ideas. While I hold onto my own beliefs and perceptions with commitment and passion, can I find the generosity of spirit and the will to try to understand the flip side? It’s an adventure worth trying, don’t you think?

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by Unravel

I, Unafraid

May 11, 2010 in Writing

I am a generous spirit who does not like to be crossed. I am unafraid to stand my ground and to use a sharp blade, metaphorically speaking or otherwise, when necessary.

I am a teacher, lover, friend, healer, salesman, manager, hope fiend, intuitive, writer, remover of irrelevancy, inspirer, spirit commissioner, evolutionary agent, shaman, swami, and conniver – or is that McGiver?

The process of discovering what is worth-doing as it moves through the pattern of integrity I call my body seems to dictate that I pull as many people through the portals as I possibly can. This pattern integrity has not received information at this time as to why it should do this or from where to where. I do take this directive to heart. Read more…

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by Blissen

Blind Date

May 11, 2010 in Writing

Let me get this straight. You have, without my permission, without even telling me until now, set me up on a blind date with a fairy?”

By the time she’d spat out the last word, Lucynda’s voice was almost a screech. She winced and glanced around the coffee shop, then spoke more quietly. “What the hell possessed you? You know I don’t date anything that isn’t human. Fully human.”

Unperturbed by her best friend’s protests, Kelly continued to eat her salad. When Lucynda finally had to pause to take a breath, she glanced up. Her lips curled in a secretive smile and she gestured with her fork. “I told you, Valandil is an elf, not a fairy. And he’s a friend of Iulian’s.”

“I don’t care if your vampire boyfriend recommends him, I am not going on a date with a fairy.”

This time Lucynda managed to respond in a low hiss, no doubt disappointing the nearby couple that seemed determined to eavesdrop. Read more…

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by Tirika

Spring

May 7, 2010 in Writing

I’ve always been in awe of the works of visionary artist Susan Seddon Boulet. This picture of Isis and Osiris is one of my favorites.

The story of Isis and Osiris is veiled in mystery. The story goes somewhat like this: Osiris was pharaoh of Egypt, Isis was both his sister and his wife. Set, their brother, killed Osiris, and Isis brought him back to life.

Then they mated and she bore a son, Horus.

Now for the mythology/mystery/magic of it all. Isis was and is worshiped as the goddess of many things, motherhood, fertility, the matron of nature and magic. Read more…

Shhh…

May 1, 2010 in Writing

Some things we say
are better left unsaid;
are better felt instead.

Especially those things
we say that may return
to haunt us someday.

Silence, then, is what
to better choose if our
hearts we stand to lose.

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by Lilith

Man! You look like a woman…

April 19, 2010 in Writing

I must admit that in spite of its overt stupidity and more than occasional shallowness I love to read Elle.

I have always been driving my ass around in two cars simultaneously for as long as I can remember: I can swear out loud one second and invoke all gods known to man the next, I drool over Hemingway as much as I do over Sandra Brown (yep that was not a typo), I can tango in flats and do grocery shopping in heels, and my Winamp occasionally jumps from Mozart to Fifty Cent bringing about the same reaction of audio-delight. I sometimes feel the need for idiocy. Makes me think: “I may be mentally challenged, but you people are seriously fucked”. Which is always a comforting realization, something in the vein of: “Have I left the gas on?” “No, I don’t have any gas to leave on cause I didn’t pay my bill last month. Thank God!”

So I was reading Elle this weekend. I skimmed through the fashion pages…Read more

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by admin

Killing Time Together

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Fusce dignissim pellentesque egestas. Duis libero magna, pretium eget elementum eget, accumsan non velit. Proin tincidunt lobortis sem, sit amet imperdiet nunc luctus sed. Fusce tempus quam turpis. Nullam vel mauris sapien. Ut mauris libero, dictum quis tincidunt adipiscing, posuere quis quam. Nam at risus id dui tristique elementum tempus sit amet diam. Cras auctor placerat tincidunt. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Sed egestas lacinia metus volutpat laoreet.

Nulla at mauris magna. Duis a ipsum sem. Donec vel leo erat, in porta arcu. Maecenas ullamcorper scelerisque magna id mollis. Phasellus elementum lectus non purus sagittis vitae semper quam consequat. Duis varius nibh a enim convallis at elementum libero accumsan. Nullam vulputate rhoncus mattis. Phasellus placerat nibh non sapien tincidunt fringilla. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Ut ut purus sed sem vestibulum placerat. Etiam in risus purus, sit amet volutpat metus. Donec ultricies justo et sem dignissim tincidunt. Duis non ante at dolor semper tempor et in massa. Quisque ac lacus magna. Morbi augue libero, ornare et tincidunt quis, ornare et libero. Vestibulum et risus nec dui venenatis facilisis. Pellentesque ac nisl diam.

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by admin

Looking Away

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

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by admin

Been Out Of Town

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

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by admin

I’ve Been Waiting

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

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by admin

I’m Nuts About You!

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

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by admin

Yabba Dabba Doo

April 11, 2010 in Writing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur auctor lectus tellus, at malesuada eros. Pellentesque nisi augue, egestas et tristique id, sagittis nec augue. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.