Social Saturday: Haunted House

Today we are going to visit a Haunted House!


Don't worry, it's not that scary.  After all, we do have our own vampires, ghosts and even a djinn and a fairy to protect us.  And some of us have magic powers as well.

This charming Victorian mansion is up for sale at a very reasonable price.  The realtors are serving free refreshments for anyone who wants to visit today.  Wouldn't you like to see this lovely piece of history?

We might also see a cat, a bat or a ghost or two. But not to worry!   I'm sure they're friendly.

But perhaps there is something you are just a teensy bit frightened of.  What would that be?  How do you think you could overcome your fears?

Or, just perhaps, you are a character who likes to frighten others.  Why do you do that? Who is your favorite victim?


Images courtesy of:

Social Saturday: A Deserted Island

Today we are visiting a deserted island. A very small deserted island. In fact, if the tide comes in any further we might have standing room only.

But, the water is warm and clear and the air a balmy 86 degrees Fahrenheit.  In short, a perfect day! And it looks shallow enough to wade in the water as long as we'd like. 

If you could only bring three things with you to this island, what would you bring?

Social Saturday: A Football Game

Today we are going to take part in an American fall tradition... football!

Football is a very odd sport.  For one thing, the players don't touch the ball with their feet very often.  Mostly they throw or carry it.  It is played on a field with two large tree-like structures at each end, and the field is painted with white lines to mark the ball's position.

However, the ball is not actually a ball, but shaped like a large, brown egg.  It looks quite a bit like a chocolate egg, actually, which may be why all of those overweight men are fighting over it. 

In any case, the overweight men chase the ball up and down the field in a game that resembles Keep Away.  Sometimes, they also jump into a huge pile.  At other times they get turnovers.  However, I don't know if they are apple or cherry.  Or perhaps they are pizza turnovers.  I've never actually seen the turnovers, but I assume they get to eat them after the game.

This type of contest appears to be a way for the various states in the United States of America to work out their aggressions and prevent wars from breaking out.  It seems to be effective, despite the fact that the men wear their armor underneath their clothing instead of over it.

It's a bright, sunny day here at the stadium.  While we are waiting for the game to start, would you like a hot dog? I don't think they are really made of dogs, but then... you never know.  Perhaps we should stick to soft pretzels and beer instead. 

Here come the players and cheerleaders now!

Social Saturday: The Mall

Today we are going to the mall.  What is a mall?  Well, it is a huge building containing a marketplace.  One can find practically anything here.  Clothing, footwear, jewelry, art, scented candles, sports equipment, electronics, lotions, toys, candy, furniture, cooking utensils, reading material, stationery, gifts, music... the list goes on and on!

In addition to all of those things, there is also food.  Malls sometimes contain restaurants, but they also usually have a food court.  A food court is a courtyard surrounded by vendors, who sell different types of food from around the world:  Chinese, Mexican, Greek, Indian, Italian and of course a lot of traditional American food like hot dogs, deli sandwiches, and fried chicken. My favorite is the gourmet coffee and pastry stand.  The food court is usually very pleasant, with tall plants and glass ceilings to let in the light. 

Malls also contain amusements, such as video games, miniature trains for children to ride, places to have your photo taken, and places to create your own stuffed animal.

What stores look most appealing to you?  Where would you like to go first?  What would you like to eat? 

The mall is all yours!

Social Saturday Part 2: The Hike Continues

It's morning, and all the characters are sleeping as the sunrise paints the mountaintops and reflects the colors in the lake.  They're all a little stiff and sore, but ready to begin a new day.






Their rooms at the fabulous Fictional Fantasy Lodge are waiting for them tonight.  There will be hot tubs, huge, soft beds, massages and room service. Or, they can eat in the five-star restaurant run by Chef Christine Cuisine.  It's all fictional, so it's absolutely free!

Will they make it, or will the ferocious flying vampire squirrels get them first?  Stay tuned to find out!

Social Saturday: Endurance Hike

Hello, Everyone!  This weekend we are going to get physical!  We are going on an endurance hike through the mountains.  It's going to be tough, but fun.  We'll need to go through dense forest, across rivers, and up stony cliffs.

Characters, we'll all need to pull together. Those who are stronger (and have longer legs) will have to help those who are more, um, "ergonomically challenged."  If you have any special skills to help us reach our goal, let us know.  And everyone needs to bring a backpack with their essential items.

We may encounter some dangers on the way, so everyone needs to keep a sharp eye out.  There might be bears, or lions, or even ferocious, flying vampire squirrels.

Tonight we'll cook our dinner over a campfire, sing songs, roast marshmallows, and sleep under the stars.  Tomorrow we will complete the hike to our final destination - the spectacular Fictional Fantasy Lodge!

Fortunately the weather looks good, and we shouldn't encounter any heavy rains or high winds.  I have several maps and compasses to pass out to the group.

Ready?  Set?  Let's go!

Group Limerick

Let's have some creative fun today. Let's write a limerick together.

And for no particular reason, let's write limerick about this guy. Um, or gal. And here's the first line:

There once a very odd lemur

For those who may not be familiar with the limerick, a limerick follows a five-line format. AABBA, with all the As rhyming and the Bs rhyming. Then a new stanza begins.

A very important point here: we at CIC only follow standard formats when our characters feel like it. So please consider all formats to be in the nature of a suggestion, rather than a rule.

That said, we are positive that all of our characters have a limerick within them, just waiting to get out.

Well, here's our chance. Let it out. Let that limerick fly free in the beautiful sky. Fly, little limerick, fly.

Note: Group projects are everybody posts.

Game: The lying game

Notice both the picture and the word?

As writers we create illusions with words, too. Let's do that today!

The game is this: No truth allow. Only lies today. After all, truth is an illusion, and illusion, truth right? Let's have some fun and stretch the truth as far as we possible can. In fact, let's stretch it past it's breaking point. In fact, let's lie!

The Lying Game!

Social Saturday: Lol game

After the talk of sadness earlier this week, it's time for an antidote! Let's do an LOL game. This is where you post something that makes you laugh: a joke, a phrase, a story. Anything that brings you a chuckle.

Let's have some laughs together!

Game: What is in this box? - Answered!

The ANSWER to what is in the box is below. Scroll down, and find the ANSWER to the amazing mystery: What is in this box?!



What is in this box? It's a mystery!

Let us know what you think is in the box. Then, on Sunday evening the owner will appear to tell us the exciting secret.....what is in this box? Can you guess right?

Open discussion also welcome all weekend. Also, don't forget to drop in and say 'hi' to the band on their travels, if you have a chance!

Okay, Many interesting theories have been offered. Definite points for creativity. We have our lovely answers, our clever answers and our completely degenerate answers (we knew we could count on you!) However, sadly, no one guessed it.

OR you could say, happily no one guessed it, because the answer is something that will amaze and delight you! Here is the owner of the box:

And he (or is it she? No idea.) has provided us with the following treats!

Enjoy!

Hmmm. He or She also left this. I wonder what it is....

Social Saturday: A forum game: Mad Libs!

Poor Hamlet.

He can't decide what to say.

So many words. How can you choose?

Let's help him out! Take your pick, long or short, then fill in the blanks!



Short Version:

To ______, or not to _______, that is the ________.


Long Version:

To ______, or not to _______, that is the ________;
Whether 'tis _______ in the ______ to suffer
The _____ of _______,
Or to _______ against a sea of ______,
And by _______ end ________.

Please help poor Hamlet - what was he going to say?

p.s. Feel free to help poor Hamlet more than once.

Weekend event, Sunday Encore: Maelstrom, the concert!

Check it out!



The band is in the house!!









If you missed it yesterday, there's still time to rock it out! Head on over. Grab a drink (I.D., please), grab a seat, and grab your mojo, because it's time to get it on with:

Maelstrom, the Concert!

Before and after, there's a sidebar where you can chat with the demons, er, band. Also, you can head back here and PARTY!

So, let's go. Get your jackets......we'll need some water......who wants to sneak in some snacks?......everyone use the potty?....okay. Everyone in! Time to hit the road!

Let's go get our rock ON, baby!

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?

Social Saturday: Tea with Ms. Fettleston

I am turning today over to Ms. Fettleston. She sent me the following message.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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

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!

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!

Social Saturday: Family

We'd like to know about those who surround you. Let's start with family. Are you an only child? Do you have a large extended family? Or are you one of 50 million identical pea pods? (If so, I imagine that your Xmas shopping gets expensive. Or maybe you don't have....shopping.)

Either way, we'd like to meet your family!