Author Archives: Alice
fwd: 2010 Darwin Awards
You’ve been waiting for them with bated breath, so without further ado here are the 2010 Darwin awards. 8th Place In Detroit , a 41-year-old man got stuck and drowned in two feet of water after squeezing head first through an 18-inch-wide sewer grate to retrieve his car keys. 7th Place A 49-year-old San Francisco stockbroker, who “totally zoned when he ran”, accidentally, jogged off a 100-foot high cliff on his daily run. 6th Place While at the beach, Daniel […]
160 – Temperature
“Mom, have you seen my Winnie the Pooh doll?” “Not since your little brother took it into the yard.” “It couldn’t be there, it just couldn’t.” “Why not?” “Pooh is too cool to freeze.” Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Munch, Munch, Munch
Jill: Jack!? What happened? Jack: Don’t ask. Could you give me a hand? I can’t get up. Jill: Where is that noise coming from? Jack: The couch. Seriously, Darling. Help! Today’s theme is Hands Previously in Jack and Jill: Rumblerumblerumble Skreee Yep, I’m still not done with this one. The rules for Photohunt can be found here. Be sure to visit the home page.
Suzie’s House 196: First Day of School
He should have known something was up by the buzz. Gene was used to people not talking to him, so he shouldered his way down the hall by himself, ignoring everyone like they weren’t even there. Most of the time people got out of the way. He could be Moses, parting the sea of people just by walking, the way they moved. He liked the idea, but it wasn’t real. Especially when he got close to his classroom. More and […]
55 – Query Letter Sent
totally random picture Like a love letter, the request for an editor’s attention must seduce. In barely a page, it must fill the editor with yearning, pique curiosity, sate the need to know, “Is it worth asking for more?” Like a love letter, it hurts when a letter goes unanswered, or worse, scorned. Each one sent is an act of bravery. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction […]
13 Suggestions for Lists
Off the top of my daughter’s head: 1. 13 Pairs of Socks (I think I’ll do this one next week.) 2. “13 Months with Holidays. No, wait…” 3. 13 of The Girl’s Drawings. 4. 13 Fake Hair Colors 5. 13 different types of homes 6. 13 Nail Colors 7. 13 House Plants 8. 13 Random Electrical Cords in Mr. Al’s Stuff 9. 13 Cards, like Christmas or special occasion. 10. 13 Of Alice’s Reference Books 11. 13 Pieces of Fabric […]
The Solution?
Did you all check out my slide-show on Monday? Pretty intense. Well, you know human invention is bound to rise to the occasion. What do you think? Would you use it? Frankly, if the ice keeps up here, I’ll have mine on order by the end of the week.
Fwd: Going Somewhere?
This is from the email called Fwd: Russia in Winter. I guess I should stop complaining about the lack of road care here.
160 – A Musical Mile
On the stage of the high school auditorium, we are nervous. First recital of the year, and we sounded so bad in class. The teacher raises his baton and we begin the march. Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included. Inspired by Kavita.
Rumblerumblerumble Skreee
Jill: Gah! Today’s theme is Shadow Previously in Jack and Jill: Boom! This one ties in directly with last week and next week. The rules for Photohunt can be found here. Be sure to visit the home page.
Suzie’s House 195: Too Young?
“Innocent?!” Gene sat up so fast he almost fell off the bed. “You’re kidding, right?” “No, I’m not.” Tracy gave him one of those looks, like he should know better. “I’m only 13, you know.” “Yeah, but… but…” He wasn’t sure if he should say she didn’t act like it. “You kissed me first!” “That was weeks ago!” He threw his hands in the air. Wasn’t that worse? He hopped off the bed and walked toward the door to the […]
FF55 Dealers
Totally random picture: The neighbors are dealing. One night, coming home from work, my husband banged on the trunk and shined a flashlight in the car of a “customer”. “Do you know you’re parked in the wrong spot?” Furious jumping and furtive stashing proceeded the denial. “It’s a free country, isn’t it? We’ll only be a minute.” And still they don’t think they’ll get caught. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly […]
13 from Fwd: Russia in Winter
On Mondays I post something I call From the Mailbag. It’s generally the kind of stuff you find in a forwarded email. For example, these:
Tracks in Winter
Any guesses what this is? I was walking along a slick sidewalk, enjoying the fact I could actually walk on it, rather than having to slug through yet another snow drift or risk life and limb on the black ice they consider road, when I noticed the spirally print above. It’s a footprint. I know because there was a whole set of them marching along the sidewalk. Off hand I’d guess a man’s size 9. Don’t see it? That’s because […]
