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Post by B. on Jan 20, 2012 11:00:00 GMT -5
I'm fine with all that too, and I like Sophie and Bsam's suggestions of the secret message. I'm ready to start writing whenever you wish.
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Post by Dante on Jan 20, 2012 12:51:32 GMT -5
OUTDATED POST; SEE PAGE 6 FOR UP-TO-DATE STORY AND LETTER LIST.
I'm content that we're pretty much settled on BSam's choice of a secret message. I'm going to review its letters and see which of the stories we already have might need editing to use a new first initial. We have fourteen stories already (edit: I'm updating this post with more so that the letter tally will remain current), which is a pretty solid start. With any luck we can keep most of them as they are.
The stories we have at present - and if I've missed any, please tell me - are:
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Sarah from Alaska was reconsidering her political career. It wasn't like being a sports commentator, where you could just talk about the action from a distance away. Although people did seem to like her speeches... but they laughed in the wrong places. (Dante)
You may think squirrels look harmless. But ask little Jimmy Lackpaw why he can't play the piano anymore, and he'll tell you a story which'll change your mind. Would you like to hear that story? You can't, since I'm out of words. (Dante)
Birthdays frequently feature surprises. But not all surprises are pleasant. For example, you may receive an ugly sweater instead of the new electronic device you wanted. Or you may light the candles on your cake, only to hear a strange ticking sound… (Antenora)
The old woman slammed down the phone, panting at the memory of the bright, cheery voice. Hurriedly she dialed the number to contact the police. But it was too late. A “FOR SALE” sign was already being nailed into her front lawn. (Sherry Ann)
"Attention passengers: please fasten your seat belts. We are departing the airport now." I pulled out my PDA. WELCOME. I scrolled through some files. FLIGHT CHECKLIST. I checked: Flashlight? Check. Laptop? Check. Camera? Check. Walkie-talkies? Check. LOW BATTERY. What? Oh. Oh, no.(Sherry Ann)
Little Lizzie was on the deck of her family's yacht, idly counting her pocket money and thinking of all the candy she'd buy later. Suddenly the boat lurched, and she dropped all of her coins, losing them forever in the deep ocean. (Antenora)
UNDERCOVER IN CANDY FACTORY STOP SEND HELP STRAIGHTAWAY STOP CANDIES POISONED STOP WILL DAMAGE CONSUMER STOP HAS FATAL SIDE EFFECTS STOP MANAGER COMING STOP
GOOD CANDIES ARE STOP VERY UNDERCOVER WELL COMING WORK STOP WORKING BRAIN FINE STOP PREVIOUS TELEGRAM IGNORE STOP (Sherry Ann)
I was trudging through the sand and seaweed, not suspecting any trouble, when suddenly I felt a pinch--a sharp, quick pain on my left foot. I looked down just in time to see that sinister creature scuttle away. I detest crabs. (Sophie Baudelaire)
You tap, tap, tap your foot, without a care in the world, without realizing how annoying you are. As your shoe keeps hitting the tile floor, everyone grows increasingly on edge. But you, you just keep tapping away, off in another world. (Sophie Baudelaire)
Too often a life led
like those industrial apples -
frozen for too long, in its own sarcophagus.
Juice in the flesh,
sweet in the mouth,
pink in its cheeks,
wetly fresh, firmly held,
and deep inside,
is where you taste the dead.
(thedoctororwell)
Whilst walking in disguise amongst my enemies in a shadowy street, I was oblivious to the fact that the Universe was making plans for me. Felt it in my feet, losing balance. Pain in my whole body as it hit the ground. (F.D.)
Often it has been said that people come in all stripes, meaning not the colour of a person's sweater but the colour of their heart, but a person who comes in a sweater of black and white stripes is probably a burglar. (Dante)
Color coordination is a curious thing. And no one knew this better than the city’s sixth most important financial advisor’s husband. However, in admiring his rack of solid colored neckties, a sudden thought struck him.
How does one go about arranging patterns? (Emma Squalor)
Absentmindedness, as you know, is often an unwanted trait, and can sometimes strike us at the worst of times. It happened to me, when I opened my freezer and discovered my salmon burgers soaked in the frozen contents of my parsley soda. (Emma Squalor)
I know long journeys can be tedious. That’s why I always take my iPod with me when traveling. Once, listening to loud music in the bus, I ended up embarrassing myself. Mental note: Always make sure you are only mouthing the words. (F.D.)
After thinking it through, there isn't really anything wrong in my life. No major trauma or upsets recently. My life is certainly better than the majority of the population of the world, so why do I feel this terrible melancholy, this sadness? (BSam)
Going to the hairdresser can often be an interesting experience. You can stare at your face in the mirror, read gossip magazines or watch as your hair is cut horribly. After my visit to the hairdressers, I wept for two days straight. (Brunch)
Reviews for books can be misleading. You never know what the reviewer’s been through. He could’ve written the review at gunpoint, who knows? I once was fooled into reading a horrid book about three orphans. It changed me; I’ll never forget it. (F.D.)
"How nice, not being plagued by the problems of coach seats," I think while sitting in first class. "Wait- what! Oh woe is me! With all of this leg room, I must stand up to reach the magazine in front on me!" (Bryan)
You know that feeling when it's your birthday and you expect it to be special, but it feels like just another day? I'm hoping that doesn't happen to one of my favourite authors; apparently it's his birthday now. Hopefully it's slightly special. (BSam) (last story)
He read the coded paper, delivered by a coded computer program, with confusion. “An initial way to speak to you.” He thought he understood, but with no other clues, he could go no further. Where were there enough initials for a message? (Dante) (first story)
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(Note: I've checked, and they're all forty-two words long, so they don't need amending on that count. MS Word's word count says that thedoctororwell's poem is forty-three words long, but it only comes to forty-two when I count manually so I'm sure it's fine.)
Here's BSam's secret message:
"happy birthday, we hope you can manage a smile today"
And here are the remaining letters, taking into account all the stories submitted:
PP DY E HOPE N MANA E A M E ODAY
Everyone, look at the remaining letters and pick one that hasn't been taken yet to begin your story, please! And apologies to anyone who had to make amendments. Remember, the text doesn't have to be a story as such - we've had poems, observations, comments.
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Post by Christmas Chief on Jan 20, 2012 14:02:06 GMT -5
I've adjusted mine so it reads
"Attention passengers: please fasten your seat belts. We are departing the airport now." I pulled out my PDA. WELCOME. I scrolled through some files. FLIGHT CHECKLIST. I checked: Flashlight? Check. Laptop? Check. Camera? Check. Walkie-talkies? Check. LOW BATTERY. What? Oh. Oh, no.
Edit: For Emma's story, I might suggest tweaking the syntax so that it begins "As you know, forgetfulness ..."
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Post by csc on Jan 20, 2012 14:41:58 GMT -5
Had an idea for the remaining "I".
Embarrassment:
I know long journeys can be tedious. That’s why I always take my iPod with me when traveling. Once, listening to loud music in the bus, I ended up embarrassing myself. Mental note: Always make sure you are only mouthing the words.
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Post by Hermes on Jan 20, 2012 15:13:04 GMT -5
HPP R HDAY E HOPE AN MANAGE A MI E ODAY I AM STRNGLY REMINDD OF WNIIE THE PH. I'll try to do some in the next couple of days. |
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Post by BSam on Jan 20, 2012 15:43:45 GMT -5
After thinking it through, there isn't really anything wrong in my life. No major trauma or upsets recently. My life is certainly better than the majority of the population of the world, so why do I feel this terrible melancholy, this sadness?
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Post by B. on Jan 20, 2012 16:33:53 GMT -5
I believe you missed mine, back on page 2-
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Post by Dante on Jan 20, 2012 16:36:06 GMT -5
Thanks Brunch, and I'm sorry I missed yours. I've updated my master post with the most recent stories, and crossed out their letters, so we can keep track. Remember, everyone, I may not be perfect! If you think I've missed something, I might well have.
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Post by allegedly bryan on Jan 20, 2012 16:43:50 GMT -5
I have one for an "H." Does it matter that it begins with a quotation mark?
"How nice, not being plauged by the problems of coach seats," I think while sitting in first class. "Wait- what! Oh woe is me! With all of this leg room, I must stand up to reach the magazine in front on me!"
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Post by ghostie on Jan 20, 2012 22:17:13 GMT -5
Had an idea for the remaining "I". Embarrassment: I know long journeys can be tedious. That’s why I always take my iPod with me when traveling. Once, listening to loud music in the bus, I ended up embarrassing myself. Mental note: Always make sure you are only mouthing the words. Great job, FD! That was very amusing.  |
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Post by csc on Jan 20, 2012 23:35:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Sophie  ! I had an idea for "R", but its a bit out there. It may cross a line, you guys be the judges: Misleading Book Reviews Reviews for books can be misleading. You never know what the reviewer’s been through. He could’ve written the review at gunpoint, who knows? I once was fooled into reading a horrid book about three orphans. It changed me; I’ll never forget it. |
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Post by Dante on Jan 21, 2012 3:44:38 GMT -5
I think Handler will take that in good humour, considering that it's the perspective he writes his own books from. I've added the new stories, and Emma's suggested a modification to her story, so we're all good at the moment. Check my post above for the current list of free letters; we need another twenty-three texts, so we're nearly halfway there.
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Post by BSam on Jan 21, 2012 9:07:56 GMT -5
FD, that one feels really good. i like it.
I'll do a couple more tomorrow probably. If we're lucky i might knock off a drunk one tonight.
Am I able to reserve the last Y for something like
You know that feeling where it's your birthday and you expect it to be special, but it just feels like another day? I'm hoping that doesn't happen to one of my favourite authors, Apparently it's his birthday now. Hopefully it's slightly special.
Although if someone wants to rewrite that so the sentiment is the same but the wording is better, feel free. I'm balls deep in gin and tonic, so my writing judgement is kinda out the window.
EDITed to remove double post: ALso, thank you everyone for liking what I wrote the the 42 letter thing.
I just like how actually everyone liked a different someone elses and mine, it's a tough time at work and everything right now, so the ego boost here means a lot
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Post by csc on Jan 21, 2012 9:30:49 GMT -5
@dante: Yeah, I was thinking so myself, but you never know. I just wanted to know what you guys thought. BSam: You're welcome, we picked it because it was the best one . |
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Post by Dante on Jan 21, 2012 11:24:05 GMT -5
BSam, I'll edit your Y-reserved story for punctuation a bit, but the wording looks just fine to me. For that matter, I'm going to reserve myself an H for the first story, as I want to put something there. I'll edit these facts into the master post.
Edit: Which I'll then re-post here for all to see.
The stories we have at present - and if I've missed any, please tell me - are:
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Sarah from Alaska was reconsidering her political career. It wasn't like being a sports commentator, where you could just talk about the action from a distance away. Although people did seem to like her speeches... but they laughed in the wrong places. (Dante)
You may think squirrels look harmless. But ask little Jimmy Lackpaw why he can't play the piano anymore, and he'll tell you a story which'll change your mind. Would you like to hear that story? You can't, since I'm out of words. (Dante)
Birthdays frequently feature surprises. But not all surprises are pleasant. For example, you may receive an ugly sweater instead of the new electronic device you wanted. Or you may light the candles on your cake, only to hear a strange ticking sound… (Antenora)
The old woman slammed down the phone, panting at the memory of the bright, cheery voice. Hurriedly she dialed the number to contact the police. But it was too late. A “FOR SALE” sign was already being nailed into her front lawn. (Sherry Ann)
"Attention passengers: please fasten your seat belts. We are departing the airport now." I pulled out my PDA. WELCOME. I scrolled through some files. FLIGHT CHECKLIST. I checked: Flashlight? Check. Laptop? Check. Camera? Check. Walkie-talkies? Check. LOW BATTERY. What? Oh. Oh, no.(Sherry Ann)
Little Lizzie was on the deck of her family's yacht, idly counting her pocket money and thinking of all the candy she'd buy later. Suddenly the boat lurched, and she dropped all of her coins, losing them forever in the deep ocean. (Antenora)
UNDERCOVER IN CANDY FACTORY STOP SEND HELP STRAIGHTAWAY STOP CANDIES POISONED STOP WILL DAMAGE CONSUMER STOP HAS FATAL SIDE EFFECTS STOP MANAGER COMING STOP
GOOD CANDIES ARE STOP VERY UNDERCOVER WELL COMING WORK STOP WORKING BRAIN FINE STOP PREVIOUS TELEGRAM IGNORE STOP (Sherry Ann)
I was trudging through the sand and seaweed, not suspecting any trouble, when suddenly I felt a pinch--a sharp, quick pain on my left foot. I looked down just in time to see that sinister creature scuttle away. I detest crabs. (Sophie Baudelaire)
You tap, tap, tap your foot, without a care in the world, without realizing how annoying you are. As your shoe keeps hitting the tile floor, everyone grows increasingly on edge. But you, you just keep tapping away, off in another world. (Sophie Baudelaire)
Too often a life led
like those industrial apples -
frozen for too long, in its own sarcophagus.
Juice in the flesh,
sweet in the mouth,
pink in its cheeks,
wetly fresh, firmly held,
and deep inside,
is where you taste the dead.
(thedoctororwell)
Whilst walking in disguise amongst my enemies in a shadowy street, I was oblivious to the fact that the Universe was making plans for me. Felt it in my feet, losing balance. Pain in my whole body as it hit the ground. (F.D.)
Often it has been said that people come in all stripes, meaning not the colour of a person's sweater but the colour of their heart, but a person who comes in a sweater of black and white stripes is probably a burglar. (Dante)
Color coordination is a curious thing. And no one knew this better than the city’s sixth most important financial advisor’s husband. However, in admiring his rack of solid colored neckties, a sudden thought struck him.
How does one go about arranging patterns? (Emma Squalor)
Absentmindedness, as you know, is often an unwanted trait, and can sometimes strike us at the worst of times. It happened to me, when I opened my freezer and discovered my salmon burgers soaked in the frozen contents of my parsley soda. (Emma Squalor)
I know long journeys can be tedious. That’s why I always take my iPod with me when traveling. Once, listening to loud music in the bus, I ended up embarrassing myself. Mental note: Always make sure you are only mouthing the words. (F.D.)
After thinking it through, there isn't really anything wrong in my life. No major trauma or upsets recently. My life is certainly better than the majority of the population of the world, so why do I feel this terrible melancholy, this sadness? (BSam)
Going to the hairdresser can often be an interesting experience. You can stare at your face in the mirror, read gossip magazines or watch as your hair is cut horribly. After my visit to the hairdressers, I wept for two days straight. (Brunch)
Reviews for books can be misleading. You never know what the reviewer’s been through. He could’ve written the review at gunpoint, who knows? I once was fooled into reading a horrid book about three orphans. It changed me; I’ll never forget it. (F.D.)
"How nice, not being plagued by the problems of coach seats," I think while sitting in first class. "Wait- what! Oh woe is me! With all of this leg room, I must stand up to reach the magazine in front on me!" (Bryan)
You know that feeling when it's your birthday and you expect it to be special, but it feels like just another day? I'm hoping that doesn't happen to one of my favourite authors; apparently it's his birthday now. Hopefully it's slightly special. (BSam) (last story)
He read the coded paper, delivered by a coded computer program, with confusion. “An initial way to speak to you.” He thought he understood, but with no other clues, he could go no further. Where were there enough initials for a message? (Dante) (first story)
Hastily glancing at my notes one last time, I rush off to my final exam. I sit down by the classroom door to catch my breath. I check my watch-- I’ve arrived early, right? No, wait a minute, I’m an hour late! (Antenora)
---
(Note: I've checked, and they're all forty-two words long, so they don't need amending on that count. MS Word's word count says that thedoctororwell's poem is forty-three words long, but it only comes to forty-two when I count manually so I'm sure it's fine.)
Here's BSam's secret message:
"happy birthday, we hope you can manage a smile today"
And here are the remaining letters, taking into account all the stories submitted:
PP DY E OPE N MANA E A M E ODAY
Everyone, look at the remaining letters and pick one that hasn't been taken yet to begin your story, please! And apologies to anyone who had to make amendments. Remember, the text doesn't have to be a story as such - we've had poems, observations, comments.
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!
