Business as usual! Thursday Potpourri

Hi all. In honor of our upcoming concert, I thought I'd share some pictures and thoughts to get us in the mood!

"It was like being in the eye of a hurricane. You'd wake up in a concert and think, Wow, how did I get here?" John Lennon


"When I go to a concert, I can't believe that people pay lots of money to see a band that they obviously like and then they dance the whole time." John Hughes



"A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business, live concerts." Elvis Presley

Blog Announcement

****Notice****

It looks like there might be ways to continue here. I deeply appreciate the support of the members. A shared partnership is in the works. If you'd like to be a patner, let me know.

Otherwise, business as usual for awhile as the details are worked out!!
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For anyone who didn't read it, a notice was posted here saying I would need to close the blog due to time constraints. But I'm looking for another solution - partnership! Or even better - a collective.

Emote This: Joy/Playfulness

After yesterday's masterpiece of romance, I thought we could continue the good feelings.

What makes you feel joyful? Playful? Silly?

Tell us all about it! We'd like to hear some happy emotions today!

Group Story: Romance

Hi all. Tuesday is group story day. Last week we wrote a thriller. How about a change of pace? Romance!

What do you say? Shall we write the sweetest Romance ever seen? Our job won't be done until we all have at least two new cavities.

So, let's do it! Let's write a masterpiece!

First Line: It was Tuesday. Love was in the air.

Note: For those who are new to group stories, part of the fun is just to go with the twists, the turns, the U-turns, the similies that don't ever stop....turning.

2nd Note: Please feel free to contribute to the story as yourself, your character (s) or both.

Getting to know you: Who is the most important person in your life?

Hi. We'd like to know about the people who surround you, and helped make you who you are! Who is the most important person to you?

Of course, if they are not a person, or if you're not a person, we'd still like to meet them.

So, please introduce us. Who is important to you?

Announcement: Upcoming Concert this Saturday!

Hi all. The band asked me to post this announcement. Sounds very fun!

Kalila: Hi, everyone! I mentioned a couple weeks ago that we’d like to invite all of you to one of our shows. Ricky found us a venue that would let us put everyone on the guest list, so next Saturday, May 2, you are all invited to our show at Cabal. Details about the show and instructions on how to get there are here. Those of you needing a fake ID should get in touch with Nevin during the week so he can conjure one for you.
Ricky: Kalila, that’s illegal.
Kalila: You worry too much.
Ricky: Would you at least tell them that the underage characters shouldn’t drink?
Kalila: Oh, sure. No drinking if you’re underage, okay? It’s a rule of some sort, and Ricky could get in big trouble. If we catch you drinking, we’ll have Lazaro eat you.
Ricky: I think I better go call my lawyer now.
Kalila: I also understand there will be an after-party right here at CIC!
Bo: And don’t wear clothes!
Kalila: They have to wear clothes. It’s another one of those human rules.
Bo: Then wear sexy clothes. Or buy one of our new logo t-shirts, available off our website.
Kalila: Right. And be ready to have a great time! Be sure to check out the details about the event, and we’ll see you there!

Sunday: Open Discussion

Sunday is the day for characters and authors alike to mingle and chat about whatever is on their minds.

Possible discussion topic: How are you?

Or - feel free to talk about anything you like.

Forum game: Would you rather?

For Social Saturday, would you rather play a game together or spend the day cleaning your bathroom (with a toothbrush)? I hope it's 'play a game together' because that's what we're going to do!

The game is simple. The first person asks a question:

Would you rather be real or fictional?

The next person takes their pick (with explanation if you like, tho' it's not required), and then asks the next question.

As always, when you play as a character, feel free to play the game as your character would play.

I'll start: Would you rather be real or fictional?

Character of the week: Troubadour

Here's introducing our very first character of the week: Troubadour.

I asked Troubadour to be our first because he was one of the first to appear here who wasn't me. (It was so nice to see another person here!) And, he's a fascinating character. He's not the hero, he's the villian. He's evil. He's very evil. He's mega evil. He's......well, why don't I let him tell you about his evilness?
I introduce you to:

TROUBADOR

I have been dead for a long time. I don’t remember when I died, or how my life ended. I fear it was shameful, though, and that is why I am trapped earthbound as a ghost.

These days I wander the globe looking for tragedy; it isn’t hard to find. When I find someone on the brink of death I lie in wait, and when the soul leaves the body I strike. When the light comes for the soul I must hold on tight, for its pull is strong, but as strong as the light attracts the newly departed soul, there is an even stronger force pushing me away.

Most of the time the souls slip from my grasp and cross over into thelight. But sometimes, with the weaker souls, I can hold them back. And when I do, they are mine. I squeeze them as hard as I can, and Iam able to absorb their energy into my own. What a feeling of power!It is addictive, the rush that surges through me when I consume a soul.

But there is a down side. As I absorb their energy, I absorb the souls’ memories. And not just from the life that ended, but from all of their past lives. Now these memories have overshadowed my own. I can’t even remember my name. All I know is that I was a Troubadour,that’s the name I remember people using when they spoke to me, so I presume I come from France, sometime around the thirteenth century.

Can you help me find my past?
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So, there he is folks. If you have any comments, instructions, insights or questions for Troubadour, today's the day. Let's get to know: Troubadour.

Do you see what I see?: The value of art

Thursday is tenatively potpurri day. In browsing high brow literature looking for something to discuss, I happened upon this business letter.

I thought people might find it interesting. Please share your thoughts. I apologize for the length.

Laugh your head off at pYzam.com, where there's lots of funny stuff?

Announcement: Character of the week

Not to detract from the great exploration of jealousy, but I have a quick announcment.

I've been so impressed with the quality of writing here. Truly. I wanted to find a way to give people a chance to really shine.

So, I'm trying out something new. This Friday, we will start a new thread called: Character of the Week. They will start the post, and interact with other characters through the day.

Each week, a different character will be featured.

I selected one of the first characters to every appear on this blog to start us off. Who? It will be a surprise! You'll meet them on Friday.

Oh, also, it seems weird for me to always pick them. I may figure some other way in the future. Anyway, it's just an experiment!

Now, please go back to being jealous, if you like.

Thanks!

Emote This: Jealousy

Wednesday is tenatively Emotion Day. Now, we've done some basic emotions in the past - anger and fear.

Bo just made me think of a more complicated emotion - jealousy.

What makes you feel jealous? What colors you green with envy? Or are you more bothered by the fact that other people are terribly, horribly jealous of you?

So, come on - let's hear it. Let out that emotion!

Group Story: Mystery Thriller: Cold as Ice

Hi all. Let's try Tuesday for Group Story Day.

The Genre is: Mystery Thriller
(thanks to Pure Fiction for the excellent suggestion of picking a genre.)

The title of our work is: Cold as Ice





Feel free to post in character or as yourself.

Okay, let's create a masterpiece!

Getting to know you: Where will you be in five years?

Monday is 'getting to know you' day. This is a day for us to learn more about who you are.


We'd like to know about your plans. Where do you think you will be in five years? Are you a king because you pulled the sword from the stone? Are you on a starship because you passed the academy exams? Or are you exactly where you are now because you're the evil villian, and evil villans never prospire?

Let us know - we'd like the scoop!



Note: Thanks to Rick Daley for the question, and Candy for the suggestion of theme.

Sunday: Open Discussion

Sunday is the day for characters and writers alike to mingle and talk about whatever is on your mind.

Thanks again for stopping in, everyone! It's been alot of fun and great practice with writing buddies.
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As a possible discussion topic and for your writing edification:

Great rules of writing

Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

~William Safire

Social Saturday: A forum game: Get the cookie

Let's play a game together.

I have the last cookie in the Universe.

How are you going to get the cookie from me?

Do you see what I see?: Courage

Ann had a wonderful idea yesterday. Let's try it!

Please feel free to share your thoughts about this.
Happy Friday!



This hilarious funny picture courtesy of pYzam.com

Mucho thanks to Christine H. for teaching me how to do this!

About the blog: site suggestions, lurkers and guidelines

Hi all,

I was hoping we could take a break today to talk about the blog abit. Again, I have to say how grateful I am that other people are here and participating in this! I would like to make this a site that works for everyone.

First, I'm very open to suggestions about how to make this site really fun and interactive. Allowing Ms. Fettleston to host a tea, and trying a group story are experiments. You can let me know if it worked for you, and if you have other ideas, I would really welcome them. If you don't want to post them, I'm always open to e-mails. My address is on the side.

Any suggestions at all about the site would be welcome.

Second, I am going to post a set of guidelines this weekend. Nothing fancy, just the basics. I don't like having to single anyone out, and I think that might help avoid any hard feelings. I really don't want people to feel badly here in any way, either because they accidentally stepped over my artifical line, or because someone else did.

Lastly, I debated about letting people know this, because there can be something fun about a site that feels intimate. But I think many people would want to know, so I will tell you we have a bunch of lurkers. Maybe 50-60 people daily who are reading the site, but not posting. Sometimes more.

That's cool. People may be lurking because they are just reading for entertainment, or maybe feeling too shy to post. I will say that this is a good place to post for shy people, because no one has to know who you are! Also, I will never get a site counter that tells me who you are. That totally defeats the point of this site.

Okay, I've rambled on. Thanks again for being here, and any suggestions again would be very welcome!

Group Story: Religion and Politics

After sharing our religions and debating our politics, why don't we write a story including both? Let's create a masterpiece of political intrigue and religious fevor together!
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Note: Staying on topic is, of course, not required.

Note again: Feel free to contribute as often as you'd like.

Last note: Part of the fun is to write the story from your character's voice. Although 'real' people are also welcome to contribute, of course.
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I'll start the story off:

"It was a dark and stormy night. Priests and kings alike would remember this night forever. "

Challenge: Political exposition

Following the polite converstation at Ms. Fettleston's tea, let's talk about all the 'forbidden' topics. Yesterday was religion. Today, let's do politics.

First of all, what political system are you dealing with? Then secondly, do you agree with that system?

How do you think things should be run? If you were in charge, how would you set up the system? And if you are in charge, how do you plan to change things? Or is your role more to take things apart?

Either way, let's get political!

Getting to know you: Religion

Yesterday's holiday celebrations brought up the subject of religion. Do you have one? If so, do you worship a singular all-powerful diety? Or multiple Gods who are using you as their pawn in their intense political battles? Or perhaps you are a God yourself - and you are looking for just the right pawn to play with?

Whatever you worship, if you worship, tell us all about it!

Open Discussion: Happy Holidays!

Many holidays are being celebrated today in this part of the universe. Easter, Passover, Ostara (celebration of the solstice). Are you celebrating a holiday today? If so, how is it going? If not, please feel free to talk about whatever you would like.

Either way, have a wonderful day today!

p.s. Ms. Fettleston asked me to let you know that she had a lovely time yesterday and was thrilled that you attended her tea. She wishes you a Happy Holiday as well!

Social Saturday: Tea with Ms. Fettleston

I am turning today over to Ms. Fettleston. She sent me the following message.
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Dear Ms. Mira,

Please let all of the young people know they may now come over for tea. I am so happy to have them here in my little house.

I have Earl Grey tea prepared, with cream and sugar if they like. I have herbal tea bags, if they prefer. I also have lemonade, and water, of course, dear.

I will now serve:

Raspberry tarts
Blueberry scones
Lemon drops
Poppyseed Cake
Dark Chocolate Muffins
Hard-boiled eggs cut into a flower shape
Little ham sandwiches cut into triangles.
My very special Oatmeal Raisin cookies

I will please ask my guest to be sure to wipe their feet on the doormat. Also, if they would use one of my knitted coasters for their drinks, I would be most gratified.

Welcome, dears. I know we will have a lovely tea together.

Sincerely,

Ms. Fettleston

Imagery: Safety and Comfort

After yesterday's intense and compelling discussion about fear, let's take a moment to think soothing thoughts.

It's good to go into the dark, but let's climb out again and come into the light. What makes you feel safe? What images give you a sense of safety and comfort?

Let's feel the nice solid ground under our feet again!

Announcement: Tea with Ms. Fettleston for Social Saturday

This Saturday, I am pleased to announce that Ms. Fettleston will be hosting a tea in her house for all and sundry. Here is her invitation:

Dear Ms. Mira,

I am so happy that you will allow me to invite all the nice young men, women, witches, ghosts, Gods and demons over to my house this Saturday. I will serve raspberry tarts, blueberry scones, lemon drops and my special oatmeal raisin cookies.

I will seat Gods and demons at opposite ends of the living room, and I will ask all demons not to use bad words. It is quite inappropriate to say bad words at a tea, you know, dear.

If guests have any special dietary considerations, they are welcome to bring their own food, dear. Also, I really must put my foot down and say that guests are not allowed to eat other guests. That would be quite rude, you know, dear.

I quite look forward to the occasion. I hope you can all attend.

Sincerely,

Ms. Fettleston

So, there you have it. The tea will last all day. See you there!

Emote This: Fear

After getting all cozy in your home in yesterday's impressive descriptions, let's take on a difficult emotion: Fear.

What scares you?

Let's hear some emotions!

Describe This: Where are you?

Now that we're back from 'sin city', where are we?

What is your usual place to hang out? What do you see in front of you? Are you in a room? What's it like? A town? What's in the town? A bar with 27 different forms of alien life? What type of alien life? Or - the really important question - will they buy me a drink?

Let us know where you hang. Go ahead, describe it!

Challenge: Out of context, Las Vegas

Let's go to someplace that is possibly outside of your story - a luxury hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hot tubs
Huge, comfortable beds
Maid service
Premium entertainment
Casinos
Free drinks (I.D. please.)

You have been given a weekend in the fanciest luxury hotel around in Las Vegas. What do you do?


p.s. If you're already in a luxury hotel in Las Vegas, please go to a mud puddle somewhere. It's only fair.

p.p.s. Please remember to answer this question as your character.

Getting to know you: Secrets

Do you have a secret?

Well, what is it??!!

Come on, we won't tell anyone. It will be just between us.

Besides, confession is good for the soul. Let's spill!

Although.....if you don't want to tell us your secret, that's okay, too. Tell us about the effect it has on you or your life.


p.s. thanks to Candy for the question!

Sunday: Open Discussion and Introductions

Today is a day to talk about whatever is on your mind.

Also, if you're new to the site, this might be a good place to introduce yourself and your story. Tell us who you are. If you're not new to the site, please feel free to re-introduce yourself to any newcomers. Let's get to know each other!

Also, please feel free to continue the forum game. Those are fun! And I'm going to snag a bunch of questions from the game in the future. Great stuff!

Social Saturday: Have you ever?

For Social Saturday today, let's play a forum game together.
"Have you ever" is a simple game. The first person posts a question. The second person answers it, and then asks a new one.

Example:

Q: Have you ever played a forum game?

A: Forum? You mean an arena? I was a gladiator in the games after my family was captured by Roman Slavers. I escaped when I killed five lions with my bare fists.

Now my question: Have you ever killed animals with your bare fists?

So, there you are. Have fun!

Note: Remember to ask and answer questions in character!

Imagery: Calming

After yesterday's intensity, it would be nice to relax. What kind of thoughts calm you? What do you do to soothe those difficult feelings? What makes you feel better?

Now that we've let it all out, we've earned some rest and relaxation!

Emote This: Anger

Let's hear it! What makes you angry! Let's hear some emotions!

Describe This: What are you wearing?

Let us get a picture of you. What do you have on? Are you wearing jeans and a t-shirt? Fancy formal dress? Or perhaps a bunch of oak leaves carefully sew together to spell your name? Or do you wear clothing?

Whatever it is, we'd like to know what you have on!