Wacky Wednesday - Art Philosophy 201 (PICTURE PROMPT)

Today's prompt: Explain the deep philosophical meaning behind this painting.

Chuck C. wrote:

This is the final explanation, the final reason, the ultimate answer to the age old query “Why did the chicken cross the road?”. You see, on the other side of the road, the chicken finds his true self, his true desire. His full expression. When the chicken final is able to cross the road, he evolves to his final form. Only when he reaches his final form can he find is final prize. Isn’t that what we all desire? To reach are final form? To become who we were meant to be? The grilled cheese is a metaphor for the prize. You see, grilled cheese is objectively the greatest food stuff to ever come into existence. When we reach our intended destination. When we “cross our own road” we finally receive what we have braved proverbial vehicular death for. So I encourage you all, cross your road, get to the other side, and find your prize.


Pope Jon wrote:

This picture answers a simple question: what does it mean to be random?

Now, what one might suspect is that randomness is whatever comes to ones mind. This usually takes form in bizarre ideas, unrelated topics, or unsuitable objects.

But randomness doesn't root from nothingness. It's your mind finding something in your past, and bringing it forth. Like telling a story with similarities to one you've just heard, your mind finds images and words that have a strange, often untraceable connection to what is being observed or remembered at the moment of a requirement for randomness.

One might think of a picture like this and only laugh and say, "It's so random!" While they are correct from their own point of view, the artist will be able to trace why each part of the picture exists, even if each section is completely unrelated. It is, quite possibly a collection of stray thoughts and forgotten stories, rather than something that formed without forethought or careful planning.

So what does it mean to be random? According to this picture, the answer is simple: this is no random.

Or whoever drew it was high.


Melody Joy wrote:

The animal here is a combination between a zebra and a rooster. Zebras are wild cousins of domesticated horses where as roosters are domesticated cousins of wild quail. This represents the duel nature in all of us as we are both wild and longing to be domesticated and domesticated and longing to be wild and free. The floating grilled cheese sandwich is a representation of the simplicity and wonder found in childhood that we all long to go back to. It is only by reconciling our wild and domestic selves can we grow into the child we’ve always been.


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All About Me Monday - What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?

Today's Prompt: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? How is that working out for you?


Dana Lee wrote:

My dream career changed rather often when I was growing up. However, there is one career that remained constant until shortly after high school. I wanted to be a writer. My goal was to explore the world and write about everything that I saw. I wanted to take it all in and share with everyone. I am currently a teacher and working on pursuing my certification for special education. However, I recently started writing again and have no idea why I stopped.


Dan Christmann wrote:

I wanted to be a scientist as a kid which, If you know anything about me today, is a bit on the absurd side. But you have to understand, when I was little, I didn’t really even understand what a scientist actually does. My conception of the profession, if you can even classify it as that, was a lot sexier. Think ‘mad alchemist’ or Herbert West-Reanamator rather than the patient physicist or chemist that slaves all of his life to confirm that a single particle may or may not exist. I also wanted to do paleontology. And then I learned that paleontologists stand around all day brushing dirt off of more dirt in hopes that they find the toe bone of a brontosaurus. I probably imagined it would be more like Jurassic Park. As far as how it’s going; well, it’s not.

Melody Joy wrote:

There were a number of things that I wanted to be when I was younger, but most of them involved animals. At some point I wanted to be a farmer, a vet, a snake curator, a rancher... Probably more, but they always involved the care of animals.

A couple years ago I could have said it was working out perfectly as I was the barn manager at a camp where I was responsible for a number of horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, sheep, llamas, etc. However, I am now a teacher and unless you count the geckos and cockroaches at my house or the cat that’s taken up residency under the school’s cafeteria, I no longer have animals in my care (the cockroaches definitely don’t count since they are almost always killed on-sight).

However, I also know that I am where God wants me, and even though I do miss working with animals, I’m much more content doing what He wants me to do rather than trying to do what I want to do. I do pray, though, that someday my passion for animals would merge with His will for my life.



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Saturday Extras!

Prompt: Write a movie synopsis of a romance between a queen and a shoemaker.

Dana Lee wrote:

Susanna Flair thought she had it all. She was the Queen to the most powerful kingdom in the land of Gaiety. Her husband was the top ranking soldier in the army. When all of a sudden her world changes with his sudden death. Thomas George is a shoemaker and a widow. In fear of losing his business he seduces Susanna the only way the knows how....beautiful shoes. What they both don't know is that loneliness can bring people together.


Prompt: What is your favorite type of flower? Write a description of it from the perspective of a bee.

Pope Jon wrote:

My favorite flower would have to be Rock Lee's Lotuses!

From the perspective of a bee: The bee dies quickly and without time to process its demise. Did you really think a bee would stand a chance against Rock Lee? Have no idea of what I speak? Then you should watch Naruto. I don't know if Melody can/will let me post a link, but here's an summary of how awesome Rock Lee is.





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Friday Favorites - Bees are Buzzing

What is your favorite type of flower? Write a description of it from the perspective of a bee.


Dan Christmann wrote:

Useless. Bloody useless. I can’t find the hopping nectar anywhere. I can smell it. It’s everywhere in this place. Jiminy Crickets, I can see far into the ultraviolet spectrum, and it’s clearly there. But every time I dive in to taste the blasted thing, It moves, or I bump against something hot and squishy. Once, a great wind came at me, and then a very large object, like a meteor, and nearly knocked me on my stinger. What’s this flower’s deal? Doesn’t it want to be pollinated? Whatever, man. The smell in this bar is driving me nuts, I’m out!

(It was a wallflower, in case that wasn’t obvious…)

Dana Lee wrote:

Oh sunflower. So high and mighty.
How I love your nectar
So sweet and tasty
You are so high in the sky
But the challenge I do accept
For your nectar is worth
That of a thousand other flowers

Oh sunflower. So high and mighty
Please be mine
We can rule the world
I have conquered you.
Your nectar is as sweet
As I could have ever imagined
You will always be
My favorite flower

Photo complements of: http://www.lucypaintbox.org.uk/Photo-gallery-plants-sunflower.htm

Melody Joy wrote:

My favorite type of flower would have to be the carnation. There are certainly others that are more beautiful and exotic, but carnations are simple and yet complex at the same time which is why I love them so much. Now, from the perspective of a bee....

I approach the flower slowly. There is nothing especially inviting about it, no bright colors, no brilliant lines, no widely spread petals or deeply fragrant pools of delicious nectar. But at the same time, it draws me in. Its petals are bunched tightly together and their ruffled nature provide me plenty of things to hold onto while I peruse through them. It is then that its sweet smell hits me. It is familiar and inviting, and I continue to browse among the well-packed petals to find what I am looking for. I get my fill of the nectar, barely noticing where I have brushed against the pollen, and continue on. As I fly away, I glance backwards once more to take in the simple elegance of the carnation.

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Wacky Wednesday - The Queen and the Shoemaker

Today's prompt: Write a movie synopsis of a romance between a queen and a shoemaker.


Melody Joy wrote:

This film, featuring Mila Kunis as Queen Bayarmaa Woksapiwi Illimani Pagnanelli III and Johnny Depp as Ipo Giovannetti, is a perfect mixture of hilarious antics and the passion of a forbidden love. The Queen’s quest to find the perfect pair of shoes for the biggest ball of the year finds herself falling for the awkward yet charming shoemaker. The shoemaker has been recently widowed and although his affections stir for the queen, he also must desperately try to conceal from her the quintuplets that his wife left behind. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this 191 minute film is sure to please the whole family.


Dan Christmann wrote:

Queen Brunhilda Marigold has everything she could want. Transported from a shoddy tenement apartment building to the magical land of Zoort, Brunhilda learns that she is the only child of the kingdom’s dying ruler, and sole heir to the throne. Over the years she has become a wise and terrible ruler, truly integrating into the two dimensional stereotypes of this storybook land. But there’s just one problem: no arch support!

Fed up with spiked heels and their only alternative, two pieces of leather strapped together over the feet of a diseased and suffering peasent, the queen’s only recourse is to abandon her kingdom and, with the help of her trusty cat, Bartholomew, go on an adventure back to the present that you will never forget! But once there, will she begin to long again for the simplicity of modern life? And, when she finds the handsome shoe designer, Derek Smith, will she come away with more than she bargained for? This rollicking romantic comedy will have you rolling in the aisles one moment, and reaching for your date’s hand the next.

It’s A shoe, a shoe, my kingdom for a shoe!

In theaters everywhere.


Pope Jon wrote:

She was the queen of England. A widow of 95 years.

He was a designer for British Knights.

Photo complements of: http://pixgood.com/british-knights-shoes-1990.html

They met when his custom design was selected for the Queen to wear during a promotion on the telly.

Some said he was too young, and she was too old. She was as noble as could be, and he was a simple man. But others who like bad puns would say that fate was one size fits all. Or that love was on the other foot. They would even say, with no shame or sarcasm, that they would walk a mile in each other's shoes. Others still would say that it was just a writing prompt, and that attempting to flesh out the story was pointless.

But they all agreed on one thing: love will always find away when the shoe fits.


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All About Me Monday - Life-Changing People

Today's Prompt: Write about someone you met that unexpectedly changed your life.


Dana Lee wrote:

Just before I entered high school my sister was telling me how awesome this one English teacher was. I was stoked when I saw that she was going to be my teacher for that upcoming Fall. I remember the first day of her class vividly. I sat in the first row alongside the door in front of a good friend at the time.

Mrs. W started the class with what was expected of us as her students. She told us we could only pass with an 80% or higher. She said that all absences would count against our grade in the class. She talked about having to write really long papers. There was more but I do not remember the rest.

Needless to say, I was terrified and had no idea why my sister liked her so much. Then, she gave us the best lesson we would ever receive. She told us to cross out any notes we had just written. She gave us the real syllabus for the class and said, "This just proves that no matter how bad you think high school can be, it can always be worse." I held onto those words all these years and have applied it to the rest of my life.

Thank you Mrs. W, I can never thank you enough. I hope one day to be half the teacher you were.


Pope Jon wrote:

If we're going strictly based on how much a person changed my life in combination with how unexpected it was, I'd have to go with Daniel R.

I met this guy when my cousin had a crush on him, and wanted to see him. So she invited me to hang out with her at the mall, and casually mentioned that I should pick up her friend on the way. How convenient.

I didn't hold my cousin taking advantage of my being one of the few peers she knew who could drive at the time against Daniel and we hit it off right away. That's the unexpected part.

The change part was that I'd suddenly become featured in countless school projects Daniel needed to film for his video editing (or whatever) class. Almost every weekend there was a new video that was due the following Monday, and he'd spent the previous weeks catching up on other assignments. I was featured as a homeless, alcoholic version of my younger brother, a guy who developed electric super powers only to be struck by lightning, and a prejudice and semi-cannibalistic murderer!

There was also the fact that Daniel helped me to get my first job for which I had to interview. All other jobs before were sorta given things. I'd been trying to get a steady job for a while at that point; I remember turning in countless applications, and had received zero call backs. We used to have a lot of adventures, Daniel and I. I'm not sure what happened to him, though. I think he got shipped to South America or something.


Melody Joy wrote:

I remember being in third grade and being one of the “bad kids” in Sunday School. I probably wasn’t nearly as bad as the others, but I thought I was pretty tough. Once, I sat on a tall stack of chairs and refused to come down right away.... Yeah. I was pretty hardcore back then.

One day, a new teacher came in who changed my life. I only vaguely remember meeting her, but I do remember immediately wanting to be good for her. We instantly clicked and the year flew by. At the end of my third grade year, I had become so attached to her I didn’t want to leave, so I ended up getting special permission to be her assistant the following year.

Needless to say, I was thrilled. For the next couple of years, I was her assistant in her Sunday School class. But the relationship went beyond Sunday mornings which is what made it so incredibly special. She would take me out on special outings, just her and me. We would go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and then go see a movie after. It became our tradition, and it was one that continued throughout middle school and even high school.

I still have a strong connection with her, and have had the pleasure of eating out with her several times in the last couple of years. In fact, she was one of the first to hear about a major life decision I had made a few years ago. She’s always been there for me, to the point where I often thought of her as a second mom. In fact, for Mother’s Day one year, I wrote a poem that my English teacher submitted to the newspaper which was published about my second mom.

Honestly, I don’t know where I would be now without her guidance through my adolescence years. I don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for her. I am a better person because of her.


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Saturday Extras!

Prompt: Write about a time you spilled something.


Melody Joy wrote:

When I was in second grade, my thrifty and crafty mother lovingly made me a pair of pants. They were corduroy, but that’s not the worst part. The worst part was that one pant leg was teal and the other was magenta. Despite the fact that I have never been overly conscious of current fashion trends nor do I feel obligated to keep them, I hated the pants and never wore them.

One day, I spilled chocolate milk all over my blue jeans during lunch. The school office called my mom and asked her to bring me another pair of pants to change into. As I waited for the dry pair of pants to arrive, I had the fleeting and terrifying thought that she might bring THE pants, but dismissed it quickly because the thought was simply too awful.

When she arrived, she had them in her hands: THE pants. I obligingly put them on as she simultaneously chided me for needing a change of pants since I hadn’t spilled that much and for never wearing the fabulous pair of teal-and-magenta corduroy pants she had made me. Needless to say, I ended up being more embarrassed about the clean pants I had to wear rather than the actual initial spilling.


Prompt: Write the obituary of a fairy blacksmith.


Dana Lee wrote:

George Thomas Jebodiah Smith- Fairy. Aged 241 years old. He originates from the land of Postrepollo where he owned and operated a blacksmith shop. He leaves behind his wife of 141 years, Elizabeth Jane Anna Smith. He also leaves behind two boys: George Thomas Jebodiah Smith II and Henry Jebodiah Thomas Smith. Those who knew him will always remember him for the work he did in the blacksmith shop. He was a very beloved man.


Prompt: What is your favorite type of facial hair (on men)? Write a letter to petition the government to make it law that all men sport that facial hair.


Pope Jon wrote:

My favorite type of facial hair is the full beard. This may be boring, but you can't choose what you love.

However, I would be extremely opposed to the government enforcing all men to sport the exact same beard, or any beard at all!

This might not get posted due to my rebellious outburst, but I will NOT sit back and participate in the desensitization of beard appreciation!

I'll be referencing beards from this image, so pay attention.

First off, there are several beards depicted that I cannot wield, despite my fairly voluminous face forrest. For example, I cannot grow a Scholar. My cookie duster simply doesn't extended that far, nor is it remotely wispy or flowing, as a good Scholar should be. It is both cruel and degrading to expect men to grow facial hair that their bodies just won't let them!

Second, even if we assume that every man CAN grow an identical beard, this is the equivalent of forcing people to wear bags over their heads that identify them as male or female. A man's bear, or lack thereof, is a part of his personal identity! Many men name their flavor savors and assign personas and spirits with them. They identify with different styles, and would be heart-broken to be forced to adopt another.

Lastly, as indicated in the image above, there is a certain level of trust that you can assume a man possesses based on his chin moss. If every man is forced to don the Full Beard, we would live in a society that subconsciously puts false trust in innumerable men! Or potentially worse, if every man had to change their face warmer for a Hitler, no one would trust any man! The economy would collapse as salesmen, car mechanics, and lawyers are suddenly seen as liars, thieves, and swindlers.

In short, I would never write a letter like this to the government. I would do the opposite. Not the opposite of never writing the letter, the opposite of writing the letter.

In shorter and less confusing... ish... beards deserve to be independent.

VIVA LA RESISTENCIA DE LAS BARBAS!


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Friday Favorites - Government-Mandated Facial Hair

Today's prompt: What is your favorite type of facial hair (on men)? Write a letter to petition the government to make it law that all men sport that facial hair.


Chuck C. wrote:

I would like to offer a letter of petition in favor of mandating full, lumberjack beards. There are many advantages, many benefits to said mandate. Beards offer protection from the elements in the harsh winters. It has been scientifically proven that woman like men with beards better than men without (even if some many deny this), thus it is good for the perpetuation of the species. It will also lead to an overall re-invigoration of manliness in a continually sissified culture. Mandating beards on all men will, in my not-so-humble opinion, return America to its former greatness. So please, on behalf of the host of great-bearded Americans, institute this mandate. Bring our great country back to its former glory.

Melody Joy wrote:

I’m going to have to go with the full beard. My dad has sported one for as long as I can remember and my brother has also sported one. Admittedly, I prefer kissing a clean-shaven face, but.... full beards.

To Whom it May Concern,

It has been brought to my attention that there are an increased number of incidences of men not stepping up and being as extraordinarily manly as they should be in America today. I believe this has a direct correlation with the fact that many men today have the same amount of facial hair as women. Another growing problem in our society is that many men are not as trust-worthy as they have in the past, particularly among politicians.

As a remedy for both of these problems, I recommend issuing forth a mandate that all men must sport a full beard. This way, when a man looks in the mirror and sees that thick forest of hair that is covering the lower half of his face, he will know that he is a man. Just looking at his beard will cause a surge in testosterone which will in turn enable him to conquer any problem he may be facing.

The chart that I have included clearly displays that people with beards are inexplicably and indisputably more trustworthy than those without. If all men sported full beards, they would also all be trustworthy. This would create a more honest political and economical system which will get America back onto the top of its game.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen

Photo complements of: http://file.scirp.org/Html/2-6901043_44185.htm

Dana Lee wrote:

Dear Government,

It is possible that you have more important things to do than deal with psychopaths like myself. However, I have a petition that I feel is important to be pushed through to congress. I firmly believe that all men should be required to wear a beard. It is eloquent. Other countries will be more intimidated by our men if we have them do so. Statistics show that men with beards are simply more appealing. This will also help to convince other countries to follow our commands. With this simple change, we could finally take over the world!

Thank you for your time.

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Wacky Wednesday - Dearly Departed Fairies

Today's prompt: Write the obituary of a fairy blacksmith.

Photo complements of: Bryan DeFilippi

Pope Jon wrote:

Elvo Elfin, a royal blacksmith to Oberon, was shot dead today at the senseless age of 83.

Elvo was often feared and misunderstood by his fellow blacksmiths for his desire to create hammers, plate armor, and other "crude" items. Oberon saw through the stigma, however, and asked Elvo to construct such items for him and the Guardians of Nature, an elite branch in the Fairy Royal Military. Elvo refrained from creating traditional wands, staffs, and knives for your average fairy, and was highly respected for his fine craftsmanship by many shamans, sentinels, and druids of various races.

Elvo shall be remembered as a fairy who did what he loved, and did it well. He bridged the gaps between fey folk and mortal races, and will live on for eternity through his masterful smithing.


Melody Joy wrote:

Olive Flameglow was a fairy who truly loved her craft and contributed greatly to her community long before she became the hero that we all know her as now. In fact, many of our readers have been directly affected by her hard work. She not only created the nails and connection parts to nearly all of the buildings and houses of Polliton, but she also fashioned the swords and battleaxes that we used in our battle against the rabid squirrels. It was while she was bringing more weapons to the battle that lost her life. However, it was that last group of specialized weapons that ensured our victory over our foes and reinstated the peace that we enjoy. It is therefore with deep admiration and gratitude that we mourn the loss of this amazing fey person.


Chuck C. wrote:

Today, a dear friend and mentor Pixie Wrought-Iron went to be with the great fairy in the sky. Succumbing to the ravages of time, he went on surrounded by all the friends and family he had accumulated over his 140 years of life. He will not only be remembered for his fine iron works, enjoyed by soldier and Child alike. He is survived by his loving wife Vixie, his son Dixie, his daughter Mixie, and countless friends. Memorial services will be held at the Highpoint Forge tomorrow at 6pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Blacksmiths Benevolence and Beer fund.


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All About Me Monday - No Use Crying Over Spilled..... Stuff

Today's prompt: Write about a time you spilled something.


Dana Lee wrote:

I am a very clumsy person. God has not granted me the gift of gracefulness. I am always spilling stuff, knocking stuff over, and bumping into things. I wish I was exaggerating. One day in particular was a doozy.

I was working in a fast food restaurant as a shift manager. I was trying to show an employee how to change the fruit punch in the back of the restaurant. Somehow the bag came open in the process. This bag is massive. It probably weighed about 10 pounds and was awkward because of the liquid inside of it. Fruit punch was spilled everywhere!! It looked like a murder scene. We somehow managed to bandage up the bag and put it back in the box it was normally stored in. I have never seen so much fruit punch in my life.


Pope Jon wrote:

I actually make a habit of spilling things, especially at dinner parties of people I barely know.

The perfect example of this happened when I was around 17 years old, and was dragged along by the 'rents to a Christmas gathering at a pastor's house. I decided that I was going to try to stay upstairs and converse with the adults, rather than do what I really wanted and watch "Horton Hears a Who" with all the kids/other teenagers.

Well, before long I set my drink on the floor beneath my chair, and promptly kicked it over. As anyone else who has frequently spilled beverages or the like will understand, there's something childish and embarrassing about uttering the phrase, "I spilled," to whoever is unofficially best suited to clean it up. In most cases, it's a mom, so she tends to handle it with grace.

As my drink was spilled and the polite but teasing jokes were made, I realized that I'd be better suited in the basement after all. I took a deep breath before beginning the descent, knowing that every young person in the basement would be looking at me when I appeared. Much to my relief, the awkwardness only lasted a few seconds. I broke the ice with a guy a few years younger than me by confessing to what I'd just done, and enjoyed the last 20 minutes of "Horton Hears a Who," which is now on my long list of movies of which I've only seen the endings.


Chuck C. wrote:

Just a normal run to Sam's Club. That was the idea at least. My clumsiness had other plans though. I was perusing the wine section, which was surprisingly ample, when I found the perfect bottle. It was a 2010 Merlot that I had been looking for for quite some time. In my excitement I grabbed it off the shelf and carefully placed in the cart. I made the critical mistake, though, of placing it in the child seat. When I pushed the cart forward the fine elixir shifted just the wrong way and flew through the leg holes. The crash it made, and the subsequent splash of staining red liquid drew the attention of every passerby in the immediate area. My face turned as red as the liquid that now stained my pants. Panicked, my traveling companion and I bolted. On the way out though, conviction set it. I grabbed an employee and said “I saw someone drop a bottle of wine in the wine section; just thought I'd let you know."

Photo complements of: https://icastel.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/broken-happiness/

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Saturday Extras!

Prompt: What was something that kept you up past your bedtime as a child? What keeps you up late at night now?


Chuck C. wrote:

Clowns.....colorful, cheery, abjectly terrifying clowns. Nothing more nightmare-inducing than a man with a painted face and a polka-dotted onsey holding a balloon. You try to sleep with that image.

Prompt: What is your favorite US state that you’ve ever visited? Make a top 10 list of reasons to move there.


Chuck C. wrote:

If you have yet to visit the great state of Missouri, I strongly recommend it. Specifically there are two destinations you should consider. First, going through St. Louis, you must track down a small bakery, Gooey Louie, that makes what’s known as gooey butter cake. Gooey Buttery Cake is a bit like lemon bars, but twice as rich and gooey. You may need a shot of insulin immediately following, but it’s a small price to pay. This decadence though, pales in comparison to my next recommended destination. A few miles south of Springfield, MO is a restaurant known as Lambert's. Known as the home of the thrown rolls, this place is a bit like a Cracker Barrel that decided to produce edible food. Everything is all-you-can-eat. If you eat your entire entree, they will provide another for you. They also have a whole corps of employees who's task it is to distribute their fresh-baked butter rolls. I recommend the Hog jowl. Your cardiologist may chide you for such indulgences, but secretly the new boat your heart surgery bought him will make him quite happy.

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Friday Favorites - Top 10 Lists for US States

Today's prompt: What is your favorite US state that you’ve ever visited? Make a top 10 list of reasons to move there.


Pope Jon wrote:

10. In my travels, I've found that people hate Detroit and Michigan in general. We must be doing something right!
9. Only two seasons to worry about: Winter and Construction.
8. We have amazing love-hate relationships with our neighbors. Especially Canada and Ohio!
7. You can always sound tough to out-of-staters by saying you live near Detroit.
6. The people of Michigan were dubbed "Wolverines" due to their fierce and violent nature. What a fun tradition to uphold!
5. Weather is always a wild card! Keeps life interesting.
4. We have pop here! (Most everyone else has "soda," which sounds far more bland.)
3. Michigan is basically two states in one.
2. You can always point out Michigan on a map to a foreigner who may not know anything about 'Murica.
1. I'm already here!

BONUS!!! NUMBER ZERO!?!

This was the first image that appeared when I Googled "Michigan perfectly summarized in one picture."

Dana Lee wrote:

Top ten reasons to move to Illinois (not in any specific order)
1. Public Transportation- It is amazing. Seriously. It is so reliable that you almost do not need to own a car.
2. Food- Chicago style pizza- Need I say anymore?
3. Chicago- No explanation needed
4. Chicago firemen- I have no doubt in my mind that the firemen in Chicago are as sexy as the ones on the popular television show.
5. Museums- Seriously though, they have a ton! There are still more that I want to explore.
6. Ed Debevics- It is pretty legit and a very enjoyable time.
7. Have I mentioned Chicago yet?
8. Biking lanes- They are all over the city and make biking that much more enjoyable.
9. Shopping- The downtown area alone has a TON of stores. I am pretty sure there is a store for everyone to enjoy.
10. Oh....and.....Chicago.

Melody Joy wrote:

I’ve driven through a great number of US states but have only spent a bit of time in a few of them, so I’m going to have to go with Oregon as being my favorite. So, here are the top 10 reasons as to why you should move to Oregon!

10. They have the world’s first sand-boarding park. That’s right. You can go down beautiful sand dunes along the coast on a specially-designed sand board.

9. The beaches. There are too many beautiful scenic beaches to count, but there’s always a new one to visit and explore.

8. History. If you’re a fan of history, you’ll find plenty of it in Oregon. They have old lighthouses, museums devoted to the Native American population that still remains strong there, and so much more... Actually, if you look hard enough, you can find the museum of one of my relatives there that my family and I sort of broke into once....

7. Waterfalls. Oregon has a number of spectacular waterfalls, some of which I have had the honor of seeing. There are some that you can climb up to get an even more amazing view of the surrounding mountains from the top.

6. Mountains. I LOVE mountains, and Oregon has some beautiful ones. They’re covered thickly in pine trees, making them appear lush and green all year round. And hidden within those mountains are lakes and streams that have few visitors which makes them the perfect retreat for a fun day on the water.

5. Wildlife. There is no shortage of wildlife that can be seen in the Oregonian wilderness for sure, making it a paradise for anyone who enjoys seeing different types of wildlife. This includes whale watching along the beaches.

4. The people. The people there are SO nice. I recall one particular time when a guy at a gas station RAN after our car to tell us that one of the brake lights was out.

3. Choices. For people who love being out in nature but want the conveniences of being in the big city, there are plenty of big cities that are not at all far from the beach or the mountains. In fact, you can find yourself lost in the mountains just a few hours outside of the big city of Portland.

2. Full-service gas stations. It’s actually illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, which means when you pull up to a gas pump, rain or shine, you get to stay sitting in the comfort of your car while someone else braves the weather to top you off.

1. The weather. The weather in Oregon stays fairly mild year-round although it can get hot in the summer and cold in the winter. However, when compared to other states, Oregon’s weather is much more mild depending on what area you’re in, so there’s not as much concern for big snow blizzards or scorching summers.

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Wacky Wednesday - Pirates Have Birthdays, Too, Right?

Today's prompt: Write a birthday invitation from a mechanized pirate.


Dana Lee wrote:

Ahoy mates! It's me birthday party. Please. come. to. my. party. I am turning 128 years old!
Day: When the mood strikes
Time: When the sun hits the water
Where: Between Neverland and that place where Wall-e lives.

Gifts. are. not. required.

hope. to. see. you. there.


Chuck C. wrote:

Hey everyone! Its Mecha-Blackbeard's 30th birthday! You are cordially invited to join the fesitivies aboard the S.S Barish. Tonight's delicacies will include petrol-marinated sea bass, Motor oil ribeyes, and WD-40 Martini's. We got the booze, you bring the party!


Melody Joy wrote:

Captain Smith,

It would do me a great honor if you were able to attend my birthday party this year. I know in the past we have had our differences since I once caused your ship to run aground and you once blew off half my body, but I do hope that we can let our bygones be bygones and be friends. After all, thanks to modern technology, you now have a better ship than before, and I have a better body than before. If you are unable to join me in the celebrations, please feel free to send some of your finest rum or women as a gift. I will also accept pieces of eight.

Sincerely,
Captain Mecha

Photo courtesy of: http://msnegative24.deviantart.com/art/Robot-Pirate-Island-212963710

We want to wish our writer Dana Lee a happy birthday! She's not a mechanized pirate, but she's still pretty cool. Happy Birthday, Dana Lee!!! Thanks for all your hard work!

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All About Me Monday - What Keeps You Up at Night?

Today's prompt: What was something that kept you up past your bedtime as a child? What keeps you up late at night now?


Melody Joy wrote:

When I was a little older and had a lamp by my bed, it was books and word puzzles that kept me up, but when I was a younger child, it was my imagination that kept me up. I created stories as I sat on my bed, turning my stuffed animals and myself into characters, and we acted out various scenes from the story that was ever ongoing in my mind. That story has remained all these years, and I do hope to someday get it written and maybe even published.

Now, it’s once again my mind that keeps me up late at night, but it’s more of its reeling thoughts that prevent sleep from coming as opposed to my imagination. Sometimes, as every worry, concern, and possibility swirl around me, I do wish that it was just my imagination that was keeping me up. At least when I was a child, there were exciting stories being created rather than problems being mulled over that are not likely to be solved just by thinking about them.


Pope Jon wrote:

When I was young and pure, I caused plenty of trouble for my parents. Now that I'm old and corrupt, I am far more efficient in my trouble causing.

But as a wee lad, I loved to sneak downstairs after my parents were in bed to watch television or play video games. Over time I figured out where the creaks in the floor were the worst, and memorized the most stealthy route. I even dragged my younger brother along, but I don't think he was as passionate about our late night excursions as I was.

I had a fascination with several shows that aired around 12:30 until 3:00. If I managed to get down on time, I'd watch Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show. I don't remember all of them, but the other shows that aired that late were usually less popular or out-dated sitcoms. Like Becker, Just Shoot Me, or Cheers.

This was during the time period in my childhood when my brother and I were really into renting video games. We usually got games that we were either testing to see if we wanted to purchase them, or if we knew we would get bored with them quickly.

You know, like Madden.

Character creation was the most thrilling part of any sports game for me.


Dana Lee wrote:

I was notoriously bad at falling asleep as a child. While my sister could just go to bed and fall asleep, I had to force myself to sleep. For a few years we shared a bunk bed in this tiny room in the front of my house. Because I was the youngest I was on the bottom bunk. I would often sing about what I did during the day. I literally would talk about what I did that day but in a sing-song voice. I would also kick the bottom of my sister's bed and spell her name in a sing-song voice. She absolutely hated this and would tell me to stop a few times before I just passed out. When I was a little bit older my dad allowed me to watch wrestling with him. The show on Thursday nights lasted until 10:00 pm so that was the only night of the week I was allowed to stay up late. It was our bonding time.

Now I do not stay up very late. I am very much a morning bird. If I am awake past 10:00 I usually feel exhausted and ready to pass out. I am sure my roommate can agree to this. When I am staying up late I am either watching something online (via Netflix or other fabulous apps) or I am reading a story on my iPad.


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Saturday Extras!

Prompt: Write about a memory you have involving one (or more) of your grandparents.


Pope Jon wrote:

I'll go with something simple, but legendary among my family: Grandpa Cary's sneezes.

This man would be sitting with everyone in the living room, chatting away, and would suddenly feel the urge to put earth on a different orbit. Local airports would make noise complaints. The national threat level went up on several occasions. Ships lost at sea would find their way to land.

Obviously those are exaggerations, but sleeping babies from the opposite side of the house would awaken and start crying. Since I was a G when I was an infant, I never cried from one of gramp's nasal catastrophes, but plenty of my weaker willed cousins did. They know which ones they are.

Cousins like these.


Prompt: Why did the chicken cross the road?


Melody Joy wrote:

The truth of the matter is, the chicken did not intend to cross the road at all. You see, the chicken had become increasingly aware of the danger that motor vehicles posed to animals, particularly those who attempted to cross the road. So, the chicken decided to organize a protest of the roads. Gathering supporters from the rest of the animal kingdom, he made signs and began picketing.

Unfortunately, the protest was unsuccessful for several reasons. First of all, nobody could read his chicken scratch so nobody understood the point of the protest. Secondly, the other animals he recruited were a raccoon, a possum, and a coyote, who were only there because they wanted to eat him. In a cruel twist of irony, the chicken crossed the road in the mouth of the coyote who chased off the other protesters in the name of a quick meal.


Prompt: What is your favorite tree or type of tree? Write about a family that lives in one.


Dana Lee wrote:

It's less than a type of tree and more of a specific tree. Across the street from the house I grew up in was like a mini forest. There were about ten trees and a compost pile that was known as "the hill." My neighbor was a landscaper and he let us play on the trees and hill. In the far back was a huge pine tree. It had thick branches that were very easy to climb.

Meet the Hill family. They are a family of four that rid of all their worldly possessions in favor of the natural world. When traveling the country to find a place to live they came across the most magnificent tree they had ever seen. It was a pine tree that stood 100 feet tall with branches as wide as a football field. They knew instantly that they had found their home.

Right away they got to work with the wood they already owned in constructing the most beautiful treehouse. The house stood beyond the tree and practically reached to Heaven. It was so wide that they had to buy property on the next lot in order complete the project. The Hill family knew they created something special when people began to travel from all over the world to see their home.

An architect offered a job to Mr. Hill In the construction of a whole treehouse civilization. People were inspired by their story and wanted to do the same. Mr. Hill accepted the offer with hesitance. He did not want or need the money. However, he wanted to share his passion with other people. It has been 29 years since this all happened. Now there are 231,431 different treehouse cities all over the world!


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Friday Favorites - Tree Families

Today's prompt: What is your favorite tree or type of tree? Write about a family that lives in one.


Pope Jon wrote:

I'd have to say that my favorite tree is Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, but before it got all mainstream and the other kids decorated it.

Charlie Brown liked this tree before it was cool.

I imagine a very desolate and run-down little family might live within the "tree." You know, like a poor version of The Borrowers.

What's with my fascination of classic movies from my childhood lately?

Anyway, they'd be like a northern wildling version of The Borrowers. We'll call them The Takers. They are the poor cousins of The Borrowers, who can't afford to give anything back. They'd have to make clothes out of what few pine needles they could afford to harvest. They'd have an extremely limited supply of wood for making fire or shelter. I suppose the other kids dressing up the tree was like a gift from heaven for The Takers, since they'll actually be able to stay warm with all that extra shelter. Maybe they can afford to go to nearby trees and get supplies now, or perhaps start trading all those decorations for goods.

They might even be called The Havers after this! Or at least The Have-Slightly-More...ers... or maybe The Don't-Take-As-Muchers?

Or maybe they'll become tragic villains and just start robbing Borrowers as a form of revenge for their own suffering, and keep being called The Takers.

Borrowers 2: Revenge of The Takers!


Melody Joy wrote:

My favorite type of tree by far is the silk cotton tree. Admittedly, I didn’t know their actual name until I did some Google searching, but I do love them dearly. There’s one near my place of work that I admire every time we drive past. I love them mainly because of their large and interesting root structures, but also because their branches are so thick I’m quite certain that a tree house could easily be built in one.

I imagine that a family living in a silk cotton tree would have an epic tree house with multiple rooms spread throughout the wide branches, or could hollow it out to live inside the thick trunk. They could also build a playground out of the roots with holes to climb through and make some of the roots into awesome slides.... Well, I guess I better be going. I have to find some property for sale that has a good silk cotton tree on it.


Chuck C. wrote:

It was at once the most regal and the saddest looking tree in the neighborhood. The 400 year old whomping willow was truly a sight to behold. 50 feet in diameter and nearly 150 feet tall, it was truly massive. It was rumored that, in its massive trunk was a family of muggles that had manged to hollow it out and hide themselves inside it, sustaining themselves on the surprisingly sweet and nutrient rich tree sap that came through it. Nobody has ever seen them leave or enter, but every once and while sounds of rubber duckies and vacuum cleaners can be heard coming from within it.



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Wacky Wednesday - Chickens

Today's prompt: Why did the chicken cross the road?


Pope Jon wrote:

To inspire the world’s greatest anti-joke.


Dana Lee wrote:

It's funny you ask that. I have been asked this so often and it's something I can't bear to answer. I am but an old tree. I have seen this chicken cross the road every day about twenty times a day. Yet, he never accomplishes anything. He crosses the road and then sits on the other side like he is waiting for someone or something.

Until one day...

The chicken finally accomplished what he hoped to accomplish. It all makes sense to me now! You see, there are lakes on either side of the road. The chicken kept seeing his reflection in the lake and was attempting to visit with what he thought was the other chicken. Another chicken did appear by the road on this particular day. He also kept crossing the road for the same reason until they were both on the same side and they were able to leave the road together and be the best of friends.


Chuck C. wrote:

Why did the chicken cross the road? None of your business; am I being detained? Do you have a warrant? Does the fourth amendment have any meaning to you whatsoever? Come back to me with a subpoena or leave my property.


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