Well, temp dropped to -2 C last night. That’s a chilly tent sleep. And two days of rain is forecast so the trip maybe shortened. No fun packing in the rain.
Got a chance to read a few stories and reply to some comments. Feast and pin in the ass are two lasting memories. 🤣
I can’t wait to get home to ride again. Winter is coming. Gotta squeeze in some kilometerage before the snow flies. THAT should be a word.
Ciau for now.
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Magnificent Bastard
Hey Every-Body,
As per my recent story, I’m being held hostage in the mountains. I haven’t been able to access the forums ‘n stuff for several days until just now. I suspect it has something to do with the imminent changeover.
I’ll get to replies and comment on new stories ASAP. My cap-toors have me busy. Had to start the furnace this morning. Tres chilli. Gotta chop some more wood.
Anyone see the Field of Dreams special the other night?
I only saw the entrance from the cornfields and all the players take the field. Still emotional. Damn music and father/son thingie.
Gotta go. Later…
As per my recent story, I’m being held hostage in the mountains. I haven’t been able to access the forums ‘n stuff for several days until just now. I suspect it has something to do with the imminent changeover.
I’ll get to replies and comment on new stories ASAP. My cap-toors have me busy. Had to start the furnace this morning. Tres chilli. Gotta chop some more wood.
Anyone see the Field of Dreams special the other night?
I only saw the entrance from the cornfields and all the players take the field. Still emotional. Damn music and father/son thingie.
Gotta go. Later…
Magnificent Bastard
Lovin’ the injection of energy on the site.
As per Nicola, the new look SS has an ETA of a few days. After several years of dormancy, we’ve had a few competitions, and with the latest competition, and now the Challenge, SS is on the right track. Funny thing, a disco song about survival just popped into my head. New members. Old members revived. All good stuff. I can see the voluntary offering of ten dollars per annum to cover the cost of competition prizes. The more entries, the more in the kitty to help offset operating costs. But patience. The good ship SS needs to get launched and be reintroduced to the sea first.
What do y’all think about a competition-challenge repeating pattern?
I like it. Have a gap of a week or two between each. One involves judging and some formality, and the other is a friendly outreach for common-themed stories. I haven’t done the math, but this formula could see four to six of each format each calendar year. Now that it appears SS survived a near fatality, it needs to better look after its health. Consider competitions and challenges like regular exercise. They help to keep the interest up and creative juices flowing. Okay, that sounded way dirtier than intended.
Anyway, busy day today. Thanks to those that read my latest. I’ll respond in kind shortly.
Rump, I’ll take a travel mug of that pine tar you call coffee. Darn. I just thought about something. The only batting cage our area has was removed the make way for progress and ‘the public good’. Tragic. It’s something I’d love to take my kids too and swat away our daily frustrations. I guess it’s the driving range we go… until a new batting cage materializes. Sadly, my kids are not allowed to partake in the local offering of ax throwing. I’ve seen them play darts. No ax throwing is probably a good thing.
Good day to you all!
As per Nicola, the new look SS has an ETA of a few days. After several years of dormancy, we’ve had a few competitions, and with the latest competition, and now the Challenge, SS is on the right track. Funny thing, a disco song about survival just popped into my head. New members. Old members revived. All good stuff. I can see the voluntary offering of ten dollars per annum to cover the cost of competition prizes. The more entries, the more in the kitty to help offset operating costs. But patience. The good ship SS needs to get launched and be reintroduced to the sea first.
What do y’all think about a competition-challenge repeating pattern?
I like it. Have a gap of a week or two between each. One involves judging and some formality, and the other is a friendly outreach for common-themed stories. I haven’t done the math, but this formula could see four to six of each format each calendar year. Now that it appears SS survived a near fatality, it needs to better look after its health. Consider competitions and challenges like regular exercise. They help to keep the interest up and creative juices flowing. Okay, that sounded way dirtier than intended.
Anyway, busy day today. Thanks to those that read my latest. I’ll respond in kind shortly.
Rump, I’ll take a travel mug of that pine tar you call coffee. Darn. I just thought about something. The only batting cage our area has was removed the make way for progress and ‘the public good’. Tragic. It’s something I’d love to take my kids too and swat away our daily frustrations. I guess it’s the driving range we go… until a new batting cage materializes. Sadly, my kids are not allowed to partake in the local offering of ax throwing. I’ve seen them play darts. No ax throwing is probably a good thing.
Good day to you all!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by rolandlytleHi my friends.
I have been off my rocker for a few days but started feeling better last night. I am falling so far behind on my reading. Please accept my apology.
I love my father, but he believed in so many of the right-wing conspiracies like Covid-19 was a hoax. So he did not get the vaccine. Last week he got sick. He would not go to the doctor because he did not think it was serious. My sister and her husband, who live with my father, made him go to the hospital on Sunday night with labored breathing and a fever. When they arrived My sister and her husband had their temperatures taken to get in the hospital and found out they both had fevers too. All three were tested and were positive for Covid-19. Last night my father died of Covid-19. My sister and her husband both had their vaccines. My sister still has a slight fever and a sore throat and her husband no longer has any symptoms. Next week I will be going to Charlotte, NC with my family for his funeral.
I am heartbroken and upset. I can not help but think my father threw his life away because of the lies he listened to and believed.
Until I return from the funeral, I will not be writing much, but I will try to read some. I am sure that reading your stories will help keep me sane for the next two weeks.
Death is a part of life, just like birth, happiness, love, and tragedy.
Till later. Be safe, happy, and continue being the great people you are.
Laughter is healing, so remember; chameleons who can not change color are suffering from reptile dysfunction.
Hugs.
You might find some comfort in writing. I know I did when my mom passed. Verbs might have something to say about this matter. His dad passed last year. Rump’s wife too. And many more. However, we all mourn and deal with death differently. Regardless, we’ll be thinking of you. You know where we’re at if you need to chat and drink (ahem) coffee.
Magnificent Bastard
My Tam's-suggested-Theme story has just been posted.
For those unfamiliar with the TikTok Shuffle Challenge, this is the dance and song I've referred to. There are hundreds, if not thousands of videos of people shuffling with some absolutely incredible moves.
Dance like your life depends on it!
For those unfamiliar with the TikTok Shuffle Challenge, this is the dance and song I've referred to. There are hundreds, if not thousands of videos of people shuffling with some absolutely incredible moves.
Dance like your life depends on it!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by gillianleeza
I step away for a bit and now there is talk of a Ping/Verbal/Tams baby.
The world is definitely not ready for that, but any stories he or she write would be amazing.
I've been a bit under the weather so haven't had any energy to do anything other than the necessities of life.
I'll have a ginger-ale to settle my stomach.
Cheers Everyone!
To paraphrase one of my favourite movie quotes, “Ginger ale? Is it made with real gingers?”
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by elizabethblack
Has anyone have any ideas for a comp story about Tam's baby with Verbal and/or Ping? Monsters, horror, sci-fi?
It’s true love, baby. Like real men, Verbs and I didn’t have to do a thing. Tams did all the work. Well, I did say it was immaculate conception. So, really, no one did anything. It just happened.
Oh God, I just know it’s mine!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by Rumple_deWriter
So here's the deal, Lucille:
2. I've been boycotting the olympics ever since they added Judo to the list of competition while continuing to exclude the noble sport of, Caber Tossing. It's an insult to all Scots no matter where they roam.
Caper tossing?!?
How much do those salty little balls (Salty Little Balls was Rump’s call sign while in the Navy) weigh? How far could they be thrown? Was the toss by the jar? Did the athletes grab a handful and chuck at will, furthest traveling condiment wins?
The caper toss was before my time but I feel your anger. I do recall reading about the caper controversy during Hitler’s Olympics. Sure, Jessie Owens got all the coverage, but there was scandal. Apparently, for those of you who aren’t Olympics’ historians, the Mexican team smuggled in their own capers. Sneaky bastards. The had genetically engineered Mexican Jumping Capers. At the time, furthest distance was measured post-landing. All bounces count. So, boinga boinga boinga, Team Mexico took Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Started labeling their tequila with those colours after their medal sweep.
Well, at the post medal ceremony dinner, something fishy was on the menu. Adolf wanted something a bit round and salty to compliment his fish. (Insert chubby fisherman joke here). Rommel brought him some Mexican capers. Every time a caper jumped from his plate, and for that matter, everyone’s plate at his table because everyone ate the same thing he did. He ordered for them. Well, as those salty balls jumped straight up, it was looking like a boiling pot of hopping locusts at their round table of thirteen. Everyone kept extending their arms, straight out from their shoulders, swatting those little buggers with their extended flat hand, back down onto the table.
All the other tables in the conference room did not observe the jumping capers as such, but he interpreted this enthusiastic gesturing as a new salute to their Furor. Did I spell that correctly? Doesn’t matter.
Anyway, to make a ridiculous story longer, the Mexican Team was disqualified, caper tossing was forever banned from the Olympics, the true origins of the Heil Hitler salute should be credited to the Mexican caper tossing team, and of course, Hitler blamed the Jews.
Sorry Rump. I feel your pain. I know you’ve held your grudge against the Mexicans ever since you and Davy Crockett stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Alamo. This caper controversy was just the cinnamon icing on the churro.
Anyway, a shot of sodium pentathol please.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by Tams
Thanks for the coffee set up, Larry.
Despite my botching of the english language (and yes, I agree there are far too many confusing words), Mrs Rambles has kicked off the first-line story challenge with a wonderful piece. Which can be found here: https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/micro-fiction/-the-invisible-girl-.aspx
I'm fighting some sort of cold. I'm fully vaxed but went to the walk-in clinic over the weekend, just to be safe. Tests came back negative for covid and the delta variant, so I guess there are still other viruses out there all vying for our attention. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have minded giving it to them. But now I can't help but wonder if every time I get sick, I will feel the need to get tested. Ugh...
Hope you all are having a wonderful start to the week!
Could only be one other thing… you’re pregnant.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
If it’s a boy, please name him, Verbs. If it’s a girl, please name her, Ping.
If you have one of each, or more, any variation of PinglyVerbs or VerballyPing will do nicely.
Immaculate conception. What a concept!
Just spent three hours in the dentist chair. A very old (probably older than our mother-to-be) crown broke. Lots of prep. But we’re good to go again until the permanent crown is made.
Toffee, gum, and anything sticky and chewy, please. I want to test my dentist’s proficiency.
Smile. It’s Monday. No more Olympics.
Magnificent Bastard
Anyone else feel there are too many words in the English language and many of those words are redundant?
Now one can argue subtlety is a lost art, but nonetheless, too many words.
Woke at 4:30 am. Could get back to sleep so went for a long highway ride. FYI… A sunny 13 C is much different than an overcast 13 C with 120 kph highway wind AKA traveling speed. After a couple of hours, I needed a hot shower and an even hotter cup of coffee.
I may need to change my Tam’s Comp theme. I too was going the assassin route, but with a different ‘ssassin spin. Surprise. Surprise.
Speaking of too many words, the Olympics has become an event for the recreational woke. Too many events that should not be in the Oly’s. Classic thought has this event celebrating human effort events on the land, in the air, and in the water. The stupid steeplechase, yes, the same damn thing horsies do, manages all three.
Not golf, FFS. Not equestrian. Not synchronized swimming. Not BMX. So many more. And fewer team sports too. Egad. Beach f’n volleyball? Come on!?! I studied and managed this stuff a long while ago. The lobbiests win.
Vent complete.
Now one can argue subtlety is a lost art, but nonetheless, too many words.
Woke at 4:30 am. Could get back to sleep so went for a long highway ride. FYI… A sunny 13 C is much different than an overcast 13 C with 120 kph highway wind AKA traveling speed. After a couple of hours, I needed a hot shower and an even hotter cup of coffee.
I may need to change my Tam’s Comp theme. I too was going the assassin route, but with a different ‘ssassin spin. Surprise. Surprise.
Speaking of too many words, the Olympics has become an event for the recreational woke. Too many events that should not be in the Oly’s. Classic thought has this event celebrating human effort events on the land, in the air, and in the water. The stupid steeplechase, yes, the same damn thing horsies do, manages all three.
Not golf, FFS. Not equestrian. Not synchronized swimming. Not BMX. So many more. And fewer team sports too. Egad. Beach f’n volleyball? Come on!?! I studied and managed this stuff a long while ago. The lobbiests win.
Vent complete.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by Verity
Hello, only me. I now have my story up but unfortunately Molly changed the line from bluejeans to blue jeans. I hope it’s still okay. Regards, Verity
Fret not. If a Mod alters something in a submission, it’s never to change the story. That’s not what they do. It’s to polish it where a wee more buffing is required. It’s usually a spelling or grammatical edit. If it is more substantial, the Mod will send you a PM asking for clarification on why you did what you did, or advise the writer what they need to amend.
Remember this: a mod is a writer’s best friend. Think of them as a second set of skilled eyes. Your very own personal editor. They want your submission to be the best it can be without altering the essence of what you’ve written and submitted. They will never change the poem or story. That’s not their role. Their role is to make you and the site, via its literary offerings, look good.
Now, if you disagree with something a Mod has suggested, ask them. Send them a PM. Easy peasy. You will ask ways get a clear and respectful response. It is possible that your intention was missed by the Mod. Let’s say, for example, bluejeans as one word had a particular meaning in your story. It had to be one word, or you were using an incorrect spelling for literary effect. Mention that in the notes to the Mod that is verifying the submission. Alternatively, you can message the Mod after the fact, explaining why you did what you did and would like the alteration reverted back to the original form. Done. The Mod will make that change because they have a better understanding of what you intended. It wasn’t just a spelling or grammatical error.
I hope my rambling explanation makes sense. Just remember that a Mod is a writer’s best friend. They’ll tell you when you have something stuck in your teeth and they’ll praise you when you’re looking good.
Keep writing, keep learning, and have fun doing both.
Magnificent Bastard
Eight hours to game time. Put a bow in it. Do it for Sinclair!
Funny thing. Something people don’t talk about when they ride motorcycles - the smells.
Having an unobstructed view is awesome, especially riding in the mountains and through other pretty sceneries. But damn. Some places just reek. Sewage. Asphalt. Bitterness. But fields of flowers, fresh cut grass, falling water of the stream and rainfall variety, and mountain air. Just. Awesome. Definitely not the same experience as driving a car.
Some McD’s decaf cold brew with some ice, sugar, and cream, please. I’m also craving a fish taco with some diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, a dash of homemade lemon-kissed tartar sauce. Any chance a fella could get one or six?
Funny thing. Something people don’t talk about when they ride motorcycles - the smells.
Having an unobstructed view is awesome, especially riding in the mountains and through other pretty sceneries. But damn. Some places just reek. Sewage. Asphalt. Bitterness. But fields of flowers, fresh cut grass, falling water of the stream and rainfall variety, and mountain air. Just. Awesome. Definitely not the same experience as driving a car.
Some McD’s decaf cold brew with some ice, sugar, and cream, please. I’m also craving a fish taco with some diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, a dash of homemade lemon-kissed tartar sauce. Any chance a fella could get one or six?
Magnificent Bastard
I haven’t been to a theatre in almost two years. I wanted to see A Quiet Place 2 on the big screen with the big, Crap your pants, jump out of your skin theatre sound system. I then just noticed it’s on Netflix or Prime. Can’t recall which. I have a date with that naughty and gorgeous Emily Blunt tonight. And you know, you just know, she and hubby John role play Mary Poppins as a domme. Ya just know it and I love her even more for it.
Edit Update: Me expects A Quiet Place 3.
They did a really good job. Explained some pre and post-QP 1. But questions have still not been answered, and they should have kept to the invisible Jaws formula. Regardless, still intense.
Edit Update: Me expects A Quiet Place 3.
They did a really good job. Explained some pre and post-QP 1. But questions have still not been answered, and they should have kept to the invisible Jaws formula. Regardless, still intense.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by Tams
Morning All!
drums fingers on counter waiting for the coffee to finish brewing...decides to sneak a GF cookie for the wait
I'm having post-comp blues. The energy and buzz when those comps are active make it so much fun. Plus for some reason, my brain gets more active when there is a prompt to work off of. What if we did a friendly Inspirators story challenge thingy? Anyone have ideas for a prompt?
I tend to gravitate toward these categories(but I'm certainly open to anything):
- Thriller
- Horror
- Fantasy
- Romance
Just a thought...hope everyone is having a great day...and look at that, the coffee's done percolating.
You know me. I love comps too. I too become more creative.
In the competition results thread, I did suggest a scary campfire themed comp. Tis the season. We could do that here, unless the SS Admin (sound like a battleship) was considering that theme.
Anyway, I’m in. Thriller and horror are my top two picks. Gritty and Noir would be good too. Just nothing sad and depressing. We need to escape to a different reality.
Speaking of escape, the asylum staff is motioning for me to put down the lawnmower blade and the head nurse, and come for dinner. It’s probably pills again. I hate pills. They always make me sleepy. I’m starting to think I checked into the wrong hotel.
Yes. Let’s do this!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by verbal
I hope everyone is doing well! When's the next contest?
I recall reading someplace in the competition rules for SS that a winner of a competition cannot enter for six months or something. I could be wrong but I’m too lazy to confirm.
If this rule exists, it should be updated via abolishment.
I’d prefer to have good writers write and not be censored. If Verbs wins every competition here that he enters (he won’t) I’d still want him or someone in the same situation, to be able to enter every competition bar none.
We learn things from amazing writers. That’s the whole freakin’ idea when reading top drawer scribes. Learn so we can better our own techniques and abilities. Tams and Verbs are two we can learn from. Sheesh. We learned Verbs was a hairy kid raised by wolves. Who knew?!?
VerbWolf? WereVerb?
A couple enthusiastic rides in the books today. Might go again after dinner.
Just an iced tea, please. No booze before, during, or after a ride. Huge HUGE correlation between riding boozy and death. Still too early for death. Wait a minute. Who said no booze after a ride. Inconceivable!!!
Later Y’all!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by MendallaQuote by Ping
Bond.
No Time to Die sounds like a promising entry in the series but I seem to have burned out on 007. Still haven't watched any Craig 007s.
Then you’ve missed the best Bond. Connery takes second place now due to era, acting, and motion picture quality. Do yourself a big favour, watch DC. He is spectacular.
Magnificent Bastard
This morning, my daughter asked why a pole vaulter cried after she failed to jump. The athlete ran towards the bar, but fell into the mats and cried. I tried to explain. When someone wants something, something they've trained for for almost their entire teenage (if not younger) and adult life, and they can't complete that task due to injury or something else, it is heartbreaking. Gut wrenching. Demoralizing. Hence, the ugly cry tears. My daughter didn't quite get it. She's young. I then reminded her how she freaked out and the tears fell when crashed a few days ago. Mid-post and chatting with her friends, she was cutoff. She still didn't get it. I think. Best I read another parenting book about teaching empathy. LOL.
Canada is off to the Gold Medal match in soccer. Awesome stuff. Heartbreaking for Team USA, but that's how sports go. That's why we play the game. Just like when Canada was on the receiving end of a bittersweet Team USA finish several years ago. As much as we prognosticate, the outcome is never predetermined. Unless it is. If the latter is the case, then we have no control of our destiny. Whatever we do, it was predetermined for us to do that. No free will. What's done is done because it was supposed to be done.
Coffee please. Gloomy day today. Fogging morning. But all of that haze is supposed to disappear as the heat comes later today. Should be a grumbly sky tonight.
Have A Great Day, Eh.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by verbal
Sorry, couldn't resist, that's my favorite comic of all time.
What a cool contest, what a strong field, and I love that it is ultimately about the survival of StoriesSpace, and the continued camaraderie of all the writers here. I met a couple new writer friends here, and got into some extended conversations with others I'd not talked to much before. So here's to the writing community here, and to the hard work and skill of everyone who entered. Frankly, the strength of those early entries (I'm looking at you Verity) is what pushed me, and I'm sure many others, to do my best.
Also, HUGE thanks to Molly, who did so much verifying and clarifying, and kept us all up to date on who had entered. This would not have happened without the talented, hard-working, red-haired siren of Stories Space, Molly.
This really made my weekend, everyone. Thanks!
Drinks are on me! And while no alcohol is allowed in the coffee shop, I hear a rumour that Ping is passing out limoncello shots from the trunk of his car out in the parking lot. It's that 1979 Monkey-sh1t green Ford Pinto out there. No, wait, that's my car!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by WriterGirlQuote by Ping
Drinks on Verbs.
Dinner & Dance on Tams.
Garden Weeding for a month on TheShyThespian
Congrats Everyone! There is nothing like a wonderful storytelling event to bring people together around the campfire.
OOH, scary campfire stories. Next competition theme perhaps?
Thanks Molly and everyone else involved with the competition.
Ping, I was especially excited to see a story by you ... missed your writings ...
Magnificent Bastard
Drinks on Verbs.
Dinner & Dance on Tams.
Garden Weeding for a month on TheShyThespian
Congrats Everyone! There is nothing like a wonderful storytelling event to bring people together around the campfire.
OOH, scary campfire stories. Next competition theme perhaps?
Thanks Molly and everyone else involved with the competition.
Dinner & Dance on Tams.
Garden Weeding for a month on TheShyThespian
Congrats Everyone! There is nothing like a wonderful storytelling event to bring people together around the campfire.
OOH, scary campfire stories. Next competition theme perhaps?
Thanks Molly and everyone else involved with the competition.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by Survivor
We have been suffering under a heatwave that appears to be ready to break tomorrow. The highs have been in the 90sF/30sC degrees. When it gets down into the 80s/20s we may have a break. Rough on the little critters.
Iced tea with a blast of limoncello solves all heat problems. I left a pitcher of this good mix in the fridge.
Lovely Fryday to you all!
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by verbal
Ping, is that birds changing their songs story really a thing in Canada? Is it an actual story there? What if birds started to speak? What if it turns out they can talk, but they're really boring? They mostly talk about worms and twigs.
Unfamiliar with the song change but I know people who have changed their tune.
Happy Birthday, Verbatim. I still like Verbie The Love Buggar. Happy B’Day to hymn too.
Boysenberry mead, please.
Magnificent Bastard
https://youtube.com/shorts/QNf6yC6A7AQ?feature=share
Okay. Okay. I’m not a Tik Toker, but this lady and her hubby make me laugh. She’s from Montreal but I think they live in Boston. Parents of two. She sings and is an ‘influencer’. He’s a lawyer. He never shows his face but is known as the Real Indian Dad. They both of Indian descent but he uses a very thick Indian accent for his character. It started out as him heckling her off camera while she played piano and sang, while preparing a future video post.
Sooo sooo funny.
RID: Did you hear about the two guys that stole a calendar?
DM: No
RID: They each got six months.
Iced tea, please. Some seed for the bird man of Colorado.
Okay. Okay. I’m not a Tik Toker, but this lady and her hubby make me laugh. She’s from Montreal but I think they live in Boston. Parents of two. She sings and is an ‘influencer’. He’s a lawyer. He never shows his face but is known as the Real Indian Dad. They both of Indian descent but he uses a very thick Indian accent for his character. It started out as him heckling her off camera while she played piano and sang, while preparing a future video post.
Sooo sooo funny.
RID: Did you hear about the two guys that stole a calendar?
DM: No
RID: They each got six months.
Iced tea, please. Some seed for the bird man of Colorado.
Magnificent Bastard
Quote by verbal
New story idea: any of you Canadians heard of a huge population of songbirds there changing their tune? Apparently white throated sparrows started singing a shorter song - "Oh sweet Cana, Cana, Cana" instead of "Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada."
WHAT IF the birds had something more nefarious in mind!?
How aboot this, eh?
