One Down...A Few to Go!

Children shielded
From blog stories about divorce and subsequent relationships

Upon hearing son’s great news,
I gushed, “I’ll post that on my blog.”

“What…” he said, “…you have a blog?!!!”
One demon exorcised.

_______

I wrote this for the Trifextra Week 48 Writing Challenge where we are to write about exorcising a demon.

This was a tough story to get across in 33 words.  Even though my three kids are adults, I did not want them to see these particular stories until I thought it was an appropriate time, which probably would have been never, except for my exuberant slip of the tongue. So, of course, they all wanted to read my blog and, with an appropriate setup, they seem to be ok with the stuff I’ve put out there.  At least, they are still speaking to me.  I even got a couple of compliments, though no comments on the touchy stories!

Oh! I should mention my son’s great news. His and his girlfriend’s short film, “All You Can Eat”, was accepted by the Slamdance Film Festival. I am very proud of him!

Your comments are appreciated.

No Answers Here!

I wonder why some people hug
And others shake hands

I wonder why some people talk
And others are silent

I wonder why some people are horrified
And others are complacent

I wonder why some people help
And others hurt

I wonder why some people give
And others take

I wonder why some people love
And others are indifferent
__________

I wrote this for the Week 57 Trifecta Writing Challenge where we are supposed to write 33-333 words using the word "wonder" in the contexts of either, rapt attention or astonishment about something new or mysterious; or, an expression of doubt or uncertainty. 

I went with the latter of these two, very different, contexts.  I was hesitant about this prompt.  At first, I wasn't motivated, since I felt the responses would be predictable (and, maybe, mine is), but I realized that I wonder about these things, just about every day. So I decided it was worth putting my "wonderings" out there, obvious or not.

Your comments are appreciated.

Managing Expectations

The key to having happy holidays is to manage expectations. Do not cling to fond memories of your childhood. Instead, focus on your blessings:  The relatives, overeating, hangover remedies, bills, etc. Happy holidays!
__________

I wrote this for the Trifextra Writing Challenge Week 47 where we are to write exactly 33 words about our feelings about the holidays.  We were given a quote by Dave Barry, one of my favorite writers, to use as inspiration:

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!”

― Dave Barry

I appreciate your comments.

 

What About U.S.?

Of course,
the answer is that we must heal
But the "why" of these killings confounds us

We don't need CNN talking heads
to tell us that he was a disturbed individual
or interviews from school-mates to gain insight

But we need to know why
killings take place,
not just by "disturbed" people

What about Russia?
What about Germany?
What about Rwanda?

What about U.S.?
What about Wounded Knee?
What about Kent State?
_____________

I am writing this post for the Week 56 Writing Challenge, where we are required to write 33-333 words using the word "heal" in the context of restoring purity or integrity.

I don't usually like to justfiy or explain my posts, but in this case, I feel the need to make two points.  We should do everything we can to deal with crazy people and gun control is one of the things which can help.  But my second point is that I don't understand why we are more focused on random acts of violence, when governments have committed acts of violence and we rarely speak up in horror, the way we did this past weekend. 

Your comments are appreciated.

The Law is the Law

Henry Elfman, having done this gig for 180 years, wasn’t pulling his weight anymore. The Boss demoted him. Pride got the better of him and Henry filed an EEOC injunction. Christmas was cancelled.
__________

I wrote this for the Week 46 Trifextra Writing Challenge, where we are supposed to write a “humorous” 33 words.

Your comments are appreciated.

The Play

My daughter, Grace, is a junior at a university in New York City, majoring in Theater. She invited me to see a play which the students had written and in which they would perform.  She felt the need to prepare me for what I would see, so she said:  “Just so you know, the play’s got some porn in it.” She quickly added, “The porn is in film clips.”

I was a surprised by my reaction to this bit of news; I was actually relieved that that the porn would be on film and not performed live, especially, not by my daughter. So, with great anticipation about what I might be seeing, I walked to the theater, having been fortified by two Manhattans.

The play opened with a young man, about twenty years old, speaking a monologue.  He was describing historic events over the last thirty years or so.

After the narrator set the scene, two students appeared as Ronald and Nancy Reagan.  (I’ve already confessed to my daughter that I didn’t entirely follow the plot, especially after the Manhattans, and she, graciously, acknowledged that the script was still a work in progress).

At this point in the play, while Ron and Nancy were chatting, a young woman began simulating masturbation and licking her fingers and slapping herself in the face. Of course, this was unusual, but not entirely unexpected. But that was because I was already knew about the porn.

And, yes, the porn was explicit.  Thankfully, it was the typical, one on one stuff, with no major kinky action. I was, sort of, proud of myself for being cool about this. 

After the play, Grace was a little apprehensive about my reaction.  So, I guessed she wanted some assurances. And being the dad that I am, trying to be cool, with my lame jokes, I offered:  “Yeah, I was cool with the porn.  It seemed a little tame to me!” Grace gave a nervous laugh and we changed the subject.

_________

I wrote this for the the Trifecta Week 55 Writing Challenge where we are required to write a 33-333 word composition using the word "anticipation" in the context of a visualization of a future event.

Your comments are appreciated.