2011 Anti-Resolutions

Theme for this week: What are your top 5 Anti-Resolutions for the coming year?

The rules are simple:

List ten things you resolve not to do in the upcoming year.
Be as creative as possible.

They are asking for only the top 5 but Dale's instruction says ten. Do as you please.

• I will not throw my baby up in the air to see if I can actually juggle


• While in the hospital, I will not press the Nurse's call bell every hour on the hour to test if they are awake and on their toes.


• I will not go skinny dipping just so I can take that out of my to-do list before I turn 40. No one wants to see a pregnant woman bare all.


• I will not pretend to like annoying people by complimenting them on how good they look even if they look ridiculous


• I will not dye my hair flaming red just because it's my favorite color


• I will not pretend to be a Korean star and try to look cute and adorable


• I will not buy clothes that are one size smaller in the hope that my diet might work one day


• I will not force my friends to 'like' my Facebook posts to make it look like I've got a popular or unique idea


• I will not wear killer heels for the hope of my legs looking sexier. It's a boat, one's just got to accept it.


• I will not stock food supplies thinking I'll be able to use it when a big flood comes

I enjoyed doing this prompt. Hopefully it can be another tradition to follow every year.

I do hope to do one thing in the next coming year and that's to write as much as I can. I won't promise a daily write-up but I will definitely do my best to write as much as I can and join prompts when I can. With a baby girl coming my way in just a few days, I do have more reasons to write but I might be busy to do so.

Happy 2011!

Very Mild SuperPowers

Theme for this week:What is your Characters Very Mild SuperPowers? Keiara knew something is different about this day. When she woke up in the morning, she felt a different feeling, like something special is meant to happen today.

Today is her 18th birthday. She's been trying to keep a low profile about her birthday and not wanting to draw any attention to herself. She wore the new dress given to her by her favorite aunt, Aunt Matilda, with the shoes and jewelries to match.

Her school is just a few blocks away and with the good weather, she felt it's a good time to walk and show off her new outfit. But after one or two blocks, she realized something's a bit weird. A lot of the guys she saw are now walking a few paces behind. And they seem to be following her! She disregarded it as she thought maybe they are just going to the same place she's going to. But as block after block they followed, she realized she seems to be gathering a huge followers.

When one of them had the courage to approach her, all he ever said was "You're so pretty!"

Blushing and at a lost for words, she walked as fast as she can to her campus and ducked inside the first girl's restroom she can find.

She smelled her armpit and herself. She looked at her face closely. Nothing has really changed. Somehow on the day of her turning 18, she has gained a new power to attract the opposite sex. She used to feel she's invisible but today, that is no longer true.

She wondered what else she has power on. Maybe now she can be as smart as she want to be and be at the top five of her class. The day is just starting. Who knows what else it has in store for her?

I know the story line is a bit cheesy and a bit shallow but i can't seem to think of anything else to write right now.

inspired by:

I'm not a hero but I'm not a freak
I just have a very mild super powers

Evaded Disaster

Theme for this week:It took Edgar six months to muster the courage to ask out his dream girl. Their first date is almost over, and it couldn’t have gone better—until he discovers his wallet is missing. Write the scene.

"Are you in the mood for an adventure?" asks Edgar. He secretly crosses his fingers under the table as he waits for Vivienne's answer.

"Tonight has been fun so far. I'm game!"

He slowly exhales as he realized he has been holding his breath while waiting for her answer. She is looking at him expectantly, with a glint in her eyes and a bubbling excitement like a child awaiting to open her Christmas gifts. And in the middle of his dilemma, he can't help but feel the strong attraction that started the first time he saw her.

"Here's our plan. I will drop something in your soup and I want you to make a scene and tell them there's a cockroach in your food. I can do that but I know they'll suspect something as soon as they saw me. So you're it."

Vivienne smiled wider.

"Do I have to shout or jump up and down?"

Hmmmm. Vivienne seems to be so into this.

"Well, it's up to you. I need you to look indignant and make them think you'll report them to the sanitation authority."

"Okay. Let's do it."

As he looks at her across the table, he can't help but feel a bit of guilt for not telling her the truth. She looks so happy and excited that he don't think he can tell her the truth now for fear of seeing her disappontment.

He stood up, dropped a black item inside the soup and gave her the signal to proceed. One thing he can say is that when Vivienne puts her mind to it, she gives it her best. She was magnificent! The waiter and the restaurant manager almost cried as they try to appease her.

The restaurant owner also ended up apologizing to the two of them and told them the meal complimentary and even gave them free vouchers for another dinner for two on any day they choose.

This happened a few years back. He still can recall that day so clearly and can even remember the clothes they were wearing. That was the day he decided that he has found the right girl for him and vowed that he wll make her his wife.

Edgar and Vivienne did end up marrying each other and Edgar only learned a few days back that she knew all along that he didn't have his wallet. She actually picked his pocket at the start of their date and waited to see how he will handle the situation. When what she thought will be a disastrous evening turned out to be an adventure, she decided then that she has found the man that she will marry.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Broken

Theme for this week:A woman makes a New Year’s Resolution to make her husband/boyfriend break his resolution within a week. What’s the resolution, and why does she want him to break it?

Disaster!

Jake is having a mid-life crisis at 36! I don't know what has gotten into him. He came to me a few minutes before New Year and surprised me with "I will change things these year. This year, I will do things I've never done before." This is well and good if this changing of things are sensible.

This morning, he suddenly have this "brillaint" idea of going on a white water rafting vacation. And this from someone who doesn't even know how to swim! I try to reason with him but he said that white water rafting is on his 'list'. Who keeps lists these days?

I saw him looking at slacks to wear, discarding everything that he has in the closet because he said they are just not fun! And online, I saw him ordering a red-colored corduroy jeasn and told me, 'Isn't it cool?' Does he think he's still in high school?

Today, I have made a decision that I will make him rue the day e mede this resolution. For a start, I changed his order of the red corduroy jeans and made it one size smaller. Let me see if he can make that fit. And for the white water rafting? I'll have to be extra smart about that and tell him at the last minute that it was cancelled and was replaced by a cruise in the Carribean.

Let's see how long he lasts. I'll give him one week.

8

Theme for this week:Write about 8.

I am now on to my eight. Eight is a good number. I think I'll do something special this time to celebrate this number. Maybe I'll keep my toy longer instead of discarding it after a day or two. Maybe I'll keep it for a week or a month or for as long as I want. Yes. My eight one would be special and something I'll remember for a long time.

There. That one is perfect. The little girl in a pretty white dress with a red ribbon on her hair.

It was so easy to get her to come with me. You'd be surprised by what a bunch of balloons and candies can do to a child's reserve. Of course it was helpful that I was wearing a police officer's clothes. That does make it easier for them to trust me.

Mommy, mommy! She keeps on shouting that word. Doesn't she know that her mommy cannot help her now? Mommy, mommy! She looked so unhappy when I told her I am her mommy now. I think I need to make her understand better.

Sleep little girl and stop shouting! I am getting annoyed with your continuous crying. Here, take this pillow and put it on top of your face. Yes, that's it. Keep quiet. See, it wasn't so hard. Sleep now little girl. Mommy is just beside you.

Hmmmmm. It is another day. My eight was a good one but it didn't last as long as I wanted. Maybe for my ninth I'll get myself a little boy this time. Maybe he would be more open to having me as his mommy. Maybe he won't cry as hard as the other one.

There. That boy in brown shorts and green shirt. Perfect. He is just perfect.



I know my writing is a bit 'dark'. Maybe it has something to do with my watching Supernatural. Ha ha.

Conspinkey

This Week’s Theme: Conspinkey. Don't look that word up, because it doesn't exist. But you're going to use it in your entry.

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Conspinkey.

It was a word my sister and I used to chant whenever we want to ward off evil and bad luck. And as I walk down the hallway, I silently whispered the word like a magic spell that might bring me the luck I so desperately need.

I have been jobless for almost a month now and the meager savings that I thought was enough is proving to be so much lesser and is quickly disappearing.

The door to the office manager was closed so I knocked and waited. I entered as bidden and had my first glimpse of the office manager, Mr. Scott. He accepted my resume and proceeded to browse through my work history.

Mr. Scott looked fierce and serious. My heart ache as I realize that he is not the type that hires someone like me for an assistant. His assistant would probably be like a model-lookalike but would also be perfect in dictation and typing.

I murmured, "Conspinkey."

Mr. Scott suddenly straightened up, looked at me and smiled.

"You're hired."

"There is no interview?"

"No. I got the information that I need."

I sighed a breath of relief as I realized that I no longer have to scour the newspaper daily for any job opening that I can apply for.

"You know Ms. Taylor that there are far more talented and more qualified applicants before you but I have followed my guts and hired you."

"So why did you hire me sir if you think there are more qualified candidates than I am?"

He whispered.

"Sir?"

"Conspinkey. I heard you say that word."

"Yes. What's that got to do with the job?"

"It is my lucky word. So when I heard you say it, I knew I got my assistant."

I smiled. It was ridiculous but funny. My sister and I invented that word when we were still little kids of 8 and 9. But here is another person in the planet stating he uses the same word!

I think my lucky word is working.

Conspinkey!

The Elder

This Week’s Theme: Write about a Tree.

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I used to be an important part of their life. The children comes to me in the afternoon, to rest their head on my bosom while I shade them with my leafy arms. Their laughter fill my days and my cold nights are warmed by the memory of their hands. They take comfort in my company and partake in the bounty of my fruits.

Days pass and weeks turn into months. Each day brings the children farther away from me.

Alas! I am now old and all of the small children have grown. They no longer seek the happiness and comfort that I bring.

I am weary and would like to rest. However, the birds that make me their home still need me. The time will come when I will cease to be and all that will be left are my memory.

The Guitar

This Week’s Theme: Your adult character just got a guitar for Christmas--a gift very out of character. What changes, if any, does this cause in her life or personality? (You may adjust the instrument if a guitar would be out of place or time in your story.)

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A guitar. What was she thinking? My younger sister had the idea of giving him a guitar for his 35th birthday. She said, "You might find what you want with it." He thought she has lost her mind! Who tries to teach an old dog a new trick?

He had to pick it up even from the music store because she said she didn't have time. So there he was, trudging over to the two-floor music store a few blocks away from his place. He gave the girl his name and his identification card and after a brief searching, there she was. She was a pretty one, although how good the quality of the instrument is, he wouldn't know. He tried the fit on his hand and it was perfect. How the heck he'll play it and learn how to play it is a different matter.

So he went on his way back to his house. But something seems to be different. Women started smiling and looking at him for some reasons. He is not ugly but the attention he's getting just after he slung the guitar behind his back is record-breaking even for him. Almost everyone seems to be looking at him and smiling. One woman even asked him if he plays the guitar. He of course bragged that he did and he could play the music especially for her. She believed it and she gave him her number! This guitar must be my lucky charm.

When my sister Mary called to ask about the gift she gave me, I told her it was the best gift ever! She was so happy that I liked it. Maybe she thought I can make music with it. But for me, it was an instrument to help me meet more women. Now, if only I can learn how to play it and really impress the ladies.

He plucked the strings and a horrible sound came out. Uh oh. How can I impress the girls if I cannot play? The woman he's going to meet is coming over in two days!

Two days later, the woman found him with a serious bandage on his hands. He said it was an accident he met when he was trying to fix his cabinet. He lost his firm grip and ended up hammering his hands instead of the wood. Ouch! The lady bought it, hook line and sinker. Just the look of the guitar in his living room seem to add this incredible charm to his personality.

After a month or so, he knew he can not use the injury trick forever and ended up trying to learn how to play the guitar. And he realized that he can be quite good at it. He loves taking his time and just getting lost with the music. Now, he and his guitar make great music together. He realized something he never knew before: he is an artist and he finally found his craft.

He thank his sister everytime he sees her. The guitar has shown him things he would never have tried before. He never knew he had it in himself to learn new things or even to enjoy music without thinking of how the women will be impressed. It has definitely changed his perspective.

The night was young and the air is cold. But me and my guitar are close together, making music and feeling content. I did find a woman I am starting to love. Yes, my guitar definitely changed my life.

Sweet Mistake

This Week’s Theme: Your character met their love in a unique way. How?

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I felt a cold hard steel pressed behind my back and fear trickled down my spine. I have always been afraid of guns.

“Put your hands behind your back and your feet apart.”

Perplexed, I followed the instruction of the voice of the stranger.

“I think you are making a mistake sir.”

“That’s what they all say.”

“Seriously, I think you are making a mistake. Why are you arresting me officer?”

“I saw you put items inside your bag and that my dear is called theft.”

I smiled.

“Which bag sir? This?”

And I proceeded to show him my I’m Not A Plastic Bag tote by Anya Hindmarch.

“Yes. You do know that it is against the law to shoplift?”

“Uhm. Yes sir. I do know that. But I am not shoplifting. This bag here (and I showed him my bag again) is a shopping bag.”

Confused, he looked at me like I was losing my mind.

“It is true sir. Ask that lady from the counter.”

“Sure, let’s go over there.”

He then proceeded to handcuff my left arm to his right arm to ensure that I don’t run away. I was starting to get irritated. It was funny at first but now it’s just plain annoying.

The saleslady had to call her manager and get her manager to explain the use of the bag before the hardheaded officer allowed me to go.

With a killing look thrown on his way, I paid for my shopping and left.

And there I bumped into the officer again.

“What! Are you going to arrest me again?”, my voice laced heavily with sarcasm.

“No miss. I would like to apologize for my mistake.”

I tapped my feet impatiently.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?”

I was dumbfounded! Where did that come from? My tapping feet froze in the middle and I almost forgot about it until I realized my foot was a few inches off the ground.

“Sir. Are you joking or mocking me?”

“No! I mean it. Please let me take you to dinner to compensate for the trouble I made earlier.”

“Do you go around taking to dinner all the women that you try to put into jail?”

He laughed, that sweet rich laugh that makes you want to smile and laugh with him at the same time. I smiled.

And that was the start of our history. A mistake that has turned into the sweetest thing I’ve ever known.

I still tease him about how he has mistaken me for a shoplifter every time I get a chance and had fun telling our girls and boys about how we met and fell in love.

The Painter

This Week’s Theme: Have a character explain an odd hobby they practice

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He climbs up the hill with his materials clanging inside the bag on his back. A small canvass on his right hand and his changing clothes on his left. He is in a rush today as he has an appointment at half past six. He only has a few hours to finish his session today.

The house looms in the horizon as he reached the peak of the hill. Anticipation bringing a spring on his steps. Before he turned the doorknob, he took in a deep breath, as if preparing himself from any surprise within.

And there she is sitting beside the window and enjoying the view of the valley below. Her face has such a content look on it that he wanted there and then to paint that image. But that is not why he came in here today.

He settled himself on the other side of the room and waited for her to pose. She stood up and slowly took off her clothes and sat down in her naked glory.

His hands started to move and brought life to the empty canvas. And after a few hours his busy hands have captured her exact replica. He puts on his finishing touches and signed the canvas.

Fr Angelo Seeing his name on the canvas made him feel proud. And even as the feeling started to fill him, a feeling of guilt made him twitch on his seat. He cleaned up his materials and bundled them all into his bag. He then reached out to the girl and gave her the canvas.

“Thank you. This is a really good painting. Too bad you cannot own it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I hope you enjoy and treasure it.”

“I will. Don’t worry. I will. I don’t understand why you do this.”

“Do what?”

“Paint and then give it away.”

“I need to express myself but I cannot betray who I am. So I come here to paint and give it away every time.”

She nods as if she understood exactly how he feels. “Goodbye and thank you for the gift.”

The bells of the church started to toll, signifying the end of the day. He knew it is time for him to go back down to the valley.

Inside the church the choirboys are practicing, their angelic voices can be heard in every corner of the place.

There are a lot of people tonight, both familiar and new. And as he stand in front of them, he remembers again the vows he made in his youth. He vowed to make a difference and he wish to God he is doing that.

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. We are gathered here today….”

Nursery Rhyme

This Week’s Theme: Use the first line of a nursery rhyme (your choice) to start your own story.

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Ring a ring o'roses,
A pocketful of posies.
ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo.
We all fall down.

It was Jake's favorite song for that week. He learned it just a few days back and was proudly singing it to everyone who will listen. His incessant high-pitched voice was a good company for her as she tries to put some semblance of order inside her house. Having her sister's family's visit with her 3 small kids running around with Jake is like having a tornado sweeping across her room.

Ring a ring o'roses,
A pocketful of posies.
ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo.
We all fall down.

Assured that Jake is keeping himself busy, she went about her work and suddenly met her husband's sad face.

"Honey, are you coping well?"

"Huh? I am okay. Don't worry about me."

"You know it is okay to feel sad and lost but you should know that I am here and we can go through this together." Roger's voice was filled with emotion and she was a bit dumbfounded by this.

"Roger. Is everything okay? You seem a bit sad."

Roger gave him a look of surprise, a look of sudden alarm passed through his face.

"Honey. Do you know what day it is? And what has happened a few days back?"

She stopped at her tracks as she tries to recall what Roger is trying to allude to. And then she remembers. The pain and sudden ache in her heart was so strong that it had her slumping down from where she stands. Heart-wrenching sobs escaped and although she wants to stop, she has no power to halt the emotions that threatens to overwhelm her.

Her son, her only son, has been missing for a month now. Today marks the first month of his disappearance. And although they cling on to the hope that he will be found, in her heart she fears for what the Police will find.

She was with him a month ago. They were in that department store they frequently go to. He always separates from her whenever she's browsing around. He's just so used to her taking too long a time to pick a new dress. She looked across the lobby and saw Jake playing at his usual place, happily enjoying the freedom he has. She only went inside the dressing room to try on a new dress. It was but a few minutes when he was out of her sight. But when she stepped out again, her son is nowhere to be found. The security guard and the police looked and looked but they were unable to find him. Her heart broke into a million pieces when the police decided it was time to stop the search.

Ring a ring o'roses,
A pocketful of posies.
ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo.
We all fall down.

She keeps on hearing his incessant singing like he is just beside her. She feels in her heart that her son is gone but she still refused to believe it. And so until she sees any evidence to indicate otherwise, she will assume that her son is somewhere out there, alive and well.

Ring a ring o'roses,
A pocketful of posies.
ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo.
We all fall down.

As she starts to calm down after her sudden breakdown, she hears his voice like he's just beside her. His high-pitched voice lulls her to sleep as he sings her his favorite nursery rhyme.

Swim

This Week’s Theme: Pick an unusual phobia and explain why a character has it.

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I am afraid to swim. I do not venture out into the water for fear of losing control and drowning. And I get scolded every time I stop at the edge of the water and hesitate before going in. I have no choice, I have to go in and swim.

My body is stiff from the tension I feel every time I venture out. I feel cold sweat all over my body that the tepid water cannot warm. And when the soft breeze blows, the goosebumps appear all over and make me look more awkward than before.

Now, I know it’s funny and some would find it difficult to understand. How a duck like me would be afraid to swim.

But I remember the reason, like it was only yesterday. It was a tragedy that from my memory never goes away. My father and I were swimming at the river, near the place where it joins the sea. I was playing and frolicking as happy as I can be and I didn’t notice that I have gone too far away from my father.

Suddenly, the tide of the current is much faster than my feet can handle and I found myself starting to lose control. I tried to swim away and go back to where my father was but the tide was too strong and soon my feet started to grow weary and I started to give up.

My father rescued me by trying to push me over to the side of safety. But this then put him on the path of the strong current. My father is a strong swimming and was a varsity player in his school but he was no match for the cruel force of nature. I shout and shout and cried until my throat is hoarse but my father was already carried over by the water to the sea.

Since then seeing the water reminds me of my father and how his brave effort has saved my foolish hide. I have always wished I can turn back the time and maybe swim faster and stronger so he didn’t have to save me then. I can still hear his shout as he struggles to stay on top of the water.

“Swim away son and get yourself to safety. Say goodbye to your mom for me.”

And that was all I heard from him then. He tried to say a bit more but the strong current of the water toppled him over. After the last strong wave, all I can see was the white churning water from where he used to be.

So now I am afraid of swimming in the water for it brings back memories that I’d rather forget. But my mother is a strong woman who cannot be denied. She said, “Son, your father will never allow you to blame yourself for what happened. He had to do what he did so you must follow his example. Swim like there is no tomorrow. Swim and make him proud.”

Anonymous

This Week’s Theme: Write a story, poem, or essay from the point of view of an inanimate object.

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My life is full of romance, my family encompassing different origins. My mother dabbles in history and showed me the magic of Egypt. My father runs with the horses and leans toward the country. My younger sister focuses on fables and prose and everything that rhymes. My cousin is a computer junkie, he can explain almost anything to me. And there are so many others in our line of tree that it is difficult to enumerate each one.

Everyday I want to complain about the condition that we are left in. Scarred, vandalized and left behind, but we stay true to our origins.

At the start you would love us and treat us like royalty. But once you’ve had your fill, you discard us so quickly. Once you would grip me tightly, trying to convey the intense emotion you feel. But that is now all gone and you pass me by without recognition.

Oh how long you have waited to get me in your arms. You braved the sun and the heat and endured the long line. How quickly you examined me, trying to dissect my mystery. But once all is revealed, oh how quickly you left me.

My ears are scarred through the years and my face is no longer as attractive. But no matter how my outer looks change, I am still the same.

Sometimes I twinge when I see my family being mistreated. How easy for them to slam us around and put us in just about any space they can find. Then there are those who would open us up so widely, like an acrobat making her splits. But what you don’t understand is that after that, we are no longer the same.

I wonder how I can convey clearly what I want to say. Should I keep my mouth shut and not allow a word to be uttered? Or should I shout and shout until someone starts to listen?

We need the same thing that you need, a loving glance and a soothing hands. We need to be respected for who we are and not be left behind.

I wish you would learn to appreciate the story that I bring. I wish you can understand the knowledge that you gain.

We might be just mere books but we also have feelings. All I’m really trying to say is please take good care of me.

Three Two One

This Week’s Theme: A character gets three wishes...

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He saw a ball lying on the road and for nothing better to do, he started kicking it. To and fro he kicked it, the simple pleasure of it warming his young heart.

“Oi! Will you please stop doing that!”

Startled, he looked around to find the source of the voice. He is alone in the deserted road so he figured he must have been imagining those words. And so he kicked the ball again, as heartily as he can. But just before his foot touch the ball once more, an angry voice started to boom.

“Please stop doing that and I will grant you three wishes.”

“Who are you? Why can’t I see you?”

“Are you blind boy? I am in front of you. I am the fairy that resides in that ball that you keep on kicking around. You’ve been bringing me farther away from my own familiar ground.”

And so the boy squints closer and was surprised to see a fairy flying close to the ball’s surface, her face a mirror of concentration.

“I had to hold on for my dear life because you can’t stop kicking. And now if you’ll just return me to my rightful place, I will grant you three wishes.”

The boy was delighted and glad with the fortune that he has found. And after a careful thought decided what he wants.

“I want a lot of money, a car and house to call my own. Make it one grand place where I can bring my friends and family.”

And so the fairy granted his first wish and the boy became a celebrity. His family and friends come everyday to celebrate and to party. But he was not satisfied, as he has to sleep too early. His parents always said that a boy needs his sleep so he can grow properly.

“I want to be a grown up, a boy I no longer want to be.”

The fairy swished her magic wand and the boy turned into a man. The boy/man was so happy because now he can party. He can stay up late at night and do whatever he wants. He can dance away the night with every lady he chooses. He can drink as much as he wants and drive around as fast as he can.

But as days past by and his life revolves around the party that he throws daily. He realized that he has become bored and he is now desperately lonely. Surrounded by family and friends, he never felt more alone. He looked back in his memory for the times when he’s happiest. He realized he’s happiest playing outside with his little friends. When they would splash around the shallow pool and run around like fools.

“I want you to return everything to the way it used to be. I no longer want wealth and maturity when my life seems so empty.”

“Are you sure that that’s what you want for this is your final wish. You can no longer ask for anything more once I grant this wish to you.”

“Fairy. I will be happy to be back as a boy for life then is without a care. Being an adult and rich doesn’t really mean you’ll always be merry.”

“Spoken true like a wise boy I grant your final wish. I hope you realize that life cannot be rushed and you just have to let things go through their natural courses.”

The boy returned the ball to the original location where he found it. He made sure that no other boy would chance upon and kick it.

Secret

This Week’s Theme: Pick a famous fictional character (for our purposes here it can be any character from fiction, mythology, legend, comic books…whatever) and give them a secret vice—at the very least it should be distateful if not outright illegal. Now give the character’s rationale in their own words.

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He’s known for his sour disposition. Whenever there’s a discussion he always goes the opposite direction. Not that he does that to make a point, it’s just who he is.

But there is a part of him that a lot of people do not know, a secret that he guards closely like his heart. It is a secret that he keeps with a vengeance for fear of ridicule and loss of reputation. So he is always careful when it’s time to go back there again, ensuring that he is unobserved.

Today, like other similar days, he sees himself walking the same path far from the place he calls home. There is a spring in his walk his destination giving him inspiration. He slows down as he nears, careful not to be observed. Fifteen minutes past five. He arrived just in time.

A bus stopped and down walked a little girl, in ponytails and red ribbons. And he let go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding. She does not walk but skips like she’s always playing all the time. She then smiled and giggled, that precious sound a balm to his soul. He felt a twitch in his face, his usual dour expression changed. He realized he is smiling, just because he saw her again.

Her parents met her at the doorstep, a kiss was exchanged and hugs shared. He turned away and moved, at peace again inside. That is his vice, a routine he follows when he needs absolution.

But as he walks back through the same path he passed earlier, he started to feel the pressure again. Down the path he saw them gathered outside the house playing and sharing a game of ball. As he nears them he had to remind himself to put his game face on.

“Grumpy! You’re back home! Welcome!”

“What are you hollering about? It’s not like I’ve been gone a long time! Stop fussing about me Snow White! I don’t need to be mothered.”

It feels good to be back to being his usual self. Back with his friends and family. But he knew that one day he’d be back in that same path again searching for her sunny face and gay disposition.

I didn't manage the distasteful, illegal vice but I figured for Grumpy, being happy might be distasteful to him as it is against his usual disposition.

Realization

This Week’s Theme: Create a character in a genre you would normally avoid.

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Her mind must have been engaged with something important because she never felt his presence for a long time. She did not feel his avid stare as he watch her undress. He hid himself inside her closet, the slats in the door allowing him to breath easily and also get a good view of the outside.

She never had a visitor, that he knows because he has studied her moves. At around 10pm, she will arrive carrying a bag of Chinese deli that she would have bought at the Chinese store at the corner. Being a trusting person, she never look around and check for any signs of danger before entering her building door.

But he was a careful man. And so he went in earlier and decided to wait inside instead of following her in when she arrives. He figured she might shout and attract other people's attention. That will not do, definitely not.

And so he follows her nakedness as she saunters into the bathroom. For a while he lost her in his sight, as the door was half closed, limiting his view.

She went out after a while, but now with her bathrobe on. It was red and silk and this only fired him to be bolder. He went out of the closet and present himself to her, expecting a welcome, a smile.

But what is this? Her eyes bulged like she has seen a ghost and her mouth started to open and close like a fish out of the water. And then when he thought that was the last of it, she started to scream so loud that he was sure she has waken up the whole neighborhood.

"Anna! What is it? Are you okay?"

Her neighbor heard her scream and was vehemently pounding on the door.

She rushed outside to open her front door and assure Miguel that she's all right.

"Sorry Miguel. I am okay. I was just frightened because I thought I saw a ghost."

"Do you want me to stay here with you and keep you company?"

"No, it's okay. I'll be okay. Thanks for the offer. Good night."

She closed the door and pressed her forehead as she tries to calm herself.

"I know you are here Joshua because I saw you earlier."

And he was glad because it seems she did see him. But then he realized, why did she scream?

"Oh honey, you just don't know how much I missed you. It is so difficult to live without you."

What did she mean by that? I am here, am I not?

"How many times have I wished to see you and be able to talk to you once more? And when I saw you again, I never thought I'd feel such fear."

She's very confusing.

"But I think I understand now and I will not be afraid. Please show yourself, I want to see you one more time."

He walked over and stood in front of her, ensuring that she sees him.

He reaches out to touch her face but his hands seem to just go through her and did not make contact.

This is so confusing. Why can't I touch her?

And then the memory started to come, of the night when everything changed.

They were driving using her car and stopped at the traffic light near her place. The light went green and he started to pass through the intersection. He never saw it coming. The big truck that was trying to beat the red light. It hit him just as he was thinking what a peaceful and clear night it was. He remember seeing himself lying in a bed with Anna crying and shaking him continuously.

So I am dead. He finally accepted it and understood it all. And with that realization, an extremely bright light shone and almost blinded his eyes. He felt himself being pulled away against his own volition. Closer and closer it brought him to the source of the bright light. And he understood then that he’d never see her again, so he whispered in her ears "I'm sorry for leaving you. But I'll love you for eternity."

The last image he saw was of Anna convulsing into a heart-wrenching sob.

I am already late but I thought I should still give it a try. I started this with the idea of molestation and murder but it somehow evolved into a ghost and love story. I am a slave to my imagination and I go where it brings me. =)

Popsicle

This Week’s Theme: Sleeps cocooned in bedsheets or blankets

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It’s her first winter and she shivers as the cold hit her again.

She misses the sunny Sunday mornings when she can drink coffee at the porch and just wallow in the warmth of the sun. Thinking about it just makes her miss her home more and rekindles her secret longing to go back.

But she can’t. Not until she makes her mark and achieve what she came here to do. She can’t go back home empty-handed with nothing to show for all the pain she left behind. She took all the money she can grab and bought a ticket to this cold, snow-filled place. All the time thinking this is where success is. She can’t be more wrong.

She sighs and rolls into more blankets to keep herself warm. It’s the only way she can sleep. Each morning she wakes up stiff from being cocooned for far too long but the only other option is to suffer the cold the whole evening. The discomfort seems to be easier than to feel like a Popsicle in the morning.

Each day she dreams of her sunny Sunday mornings spent lazily with her family. And how she wish she’s there right now instead of trudging through inches of snow on her way to work. But the only thing that she can really do, is dream.