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The condensed directions: Read the cue, react to the cue. There's no right answer, no research required. I cite sources where applicable but it's all about coming up with creative answers. Winners are picked in a week.

The number one rule? Have FUN!!!

05/23 - I'll be naming final winners this week!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Cameo

A Thousand Words: Photo day!



Write whatever comes to mind about this cameo.

Source: Creative Images Rubber Stamps, submitted by Alchemy16

We Have A Winner!!! 03/29/10
"Hey pretty lady. Why so blue?"
Winner: davidseven
Reason: Since it was Alchemy16's cue, I let her choose the winner. She picked davidseven "cause it was funny, and unexpected, and completely not pertinent. :)"

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bedrest

So I Have This Friend: Give your best advice to this friend.
So I have this friend... She is stuck basically on bedrest for most days. She is absolutely through with television. What book, DVD, or other creative idea would you suggest to her to help pass the time and keep from going crazier than she already is?

Thanks to Bethany for today's cue!

We Have A Winner!!! 03/29/10
I cannot imagine being stuck on bedrest, but if I were, the first thing I would turn to would be audio books, unabridged audio books. If my friend had the same taste I do, I would suggest the Mitford Series by Jan Karon, all of them, in order, and only the unabridged ones. Then, The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, which is the most amazing book I have ever read. And then on to the crime stories I love so much - too many to suggest here. Throw in some Stephen King and some Maeve Binchy - yes, I have conflicting tastes : ) Since I am usually a multi-tasker, I would also suggest knitting, crocheting, making cards, scrapbooking, taking courses on line, teaching myself some software so I could become an expert and teach it on line, learning and using photo manipulation software. Many of the crafts that can be done on bedrest (like the knitting/crocheting) can be donated to very worthy causes when they start to pile up : ) Some light exercise while in bed would be a good use of time too, if it's possible.
Winner: B, as posted on her blog
Reason: Since this was Bethany's cue, I let her choose the winner. She chose B because "she is the only one that mentioned that even on bedrest you can do crafts that can be donated to charity which is an awesome idea to still feel useful when limited in what you can do, who suggested audio books, and who suggested taking an online course."

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Repo Man

Letters: Given either a first line or a set-up, write a letter appropriate to the situation.

The bank has sent a letter stating that they will be repossessing your motorcycle due to non-payment of the loan. However, you have never owned a motorcycle or done business with this bank. Write a letter to clear up the mistake.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/26/10
Dear Sirs,

After reviewing my records I see that you are correct that I have not made a single payment on the mentioned Motorcycle.

However, while reviewing those records I see that you have likewise not issued payment for the Circus Elephant, Wading pool and 3 tons of Jell-o recently purchased from me. Once those Items are returned or paid for I will happily turn over any and all motorcycles which I have purchased from your company.

Thank you in advance for your co operation
Winner: Jason (whom I have no way of contacting)
Reason: I rather like the idea of turning it right back on the bank and citing THEIR non-payment!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

All Irish

Now What?: Write what comes next.
Today is St. Patrick's Day!
How do you celebrate, if you do? Or if you don't, how would you respond if someone tries to pinch you for not wearing green?

We Have A Winner!!! 03/24/10
I don't do much to celebrate St. Patrick's Day except I always wearing green!

It has become fairly acceptable in our society to pinch a person for an infraction as benign as not wearing green on March 17th. However, it is very much not acceptable to break those peoples pinching fingers for touching me and causing me pain.

So I wear green.

Happy Don't Pinch Me (or else) Day
Winner: Melinda (@mstacer)
Reason: "Don't Pinch Me (or else) Day"? I love it - it's exactly my kind of holiday!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

MacGyver

Checklist: A list of words will be accompanied by a scenario in which to use them.

You are handcuffed in the trunk of a car with only the following:
tweezers, breath mint, paper plate, plastic bag, emergency flares, jar of salsa
MacGyver your way out of the situation. (Yes, I think MacGyver IS a verb that means to manipulate an uncommon means of escape.)

Thanks to davidseven for inspiring this one!

We Have A Winner!!! 03/26/10
Well I’m useless with tweezers, so I’d open up the jar of salsa and dump it on my wrists. Hopefully that would make them slippery enough to escape the handcuffs.

Then I’d want to see what the heck I was doing, so I’d light the emergency flares. I’d quickly realize that was not the smartest move when the trunk filled with smoke. In the ensuing convulsions I’d probably hit the trunk hard enough, or in just the right spot, to pop it open.

Sitting up while hacking up a lung, I’d start waving frantically at the car travelling behind me. They, understandably, would be rather confused. A moment of inspiration would lead to me using the tweezers to carve out the word HELP in the paper plate and holding it up for them to read.

Their comprehension secured, they would phone the police while I tidied up after myself, sticking the used flare, torn up plate, and spilled salsa into the plastic bag. My Momma didn’t raise no dirty boy.

Once the cops arrived and pulled over my would be kidnapper, I’d offer the Good Samaritan who helped rescue me their hard won reward – a breath mint.

Hey, it would be all I had left.
Winner: Marc
Reason: Marc wins for his original and unselfish use of the mint.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Walker, Texas Ranger

In the News: This category features news-related prompts.
Happy Birthday, Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris turned 70 last Thursday, March 10. Write a brief story about his birthday party.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/24/10
Unfortunately, one-time actor and all-time ass-hat Chuck Norris passed away last Thursday at his own 70th birthday party.

His tea-bagger friends brewed up a spa-sized mug, but Chuck had previously downed a 64 oz blender full of vodka and whole bananas, mistaking ir for a fruit smoothie.

Thus impaired, Chuck tumbled over the rim, and refusing help, because - well he's CHUCK NORRIS, doncha know, drowned.

He nearly succeeded in returning from the dead, but could not overcome the rejection of the ObamaKare Death Panel.

RIP Chuck. You're gone but not missed!
Winner: JazzBumpa
Reason: Hmm, methinks perhaps Mr. Bumpa is not a fan of Mr. Norris?

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Daylight Savings

Take Two: Given a second chance, how would this be different? Rewrite the ending to a book, movie, scene, fable, quote, etc.

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Welcome to Daylight Savings Time. Rewrite the saying above.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/23/10
Early to rise,
Early to bed.
Wealthy and wise,
With a social life that's dead.
Winner: davidseven
Reason: Very nice job twisting the original back on itself.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Monkey Business

A Thousand Words: Photo day!



You know you want to caption this monkey! How could you possibly resist?

We Have A Winner!!! 03/23/10
Orangutan: Awt eh ah oo do, OWNT ick san!

(TRANSLATION: "What ever you do, DON'T lick sand!"
Winner: SparkleFarkle (@WishMittens
Reason: I've had sand in my mouth before at the beach and I hope the face I made was een half as cute as this monkey. Wait, I'm not sure if that's what I mean...

Friday, March 12, 2010

College Major

So I Have This Friend: Give your best advice to this friend.
So I have this friend... He's choosing colleges and declaring a major. What field would you recommend he study that will be vital for the next generation?

We Have A Winner!!! 03/19/10
Finance, with a minor in one of the humanities.

The first because it's a specific skill set that's applicable in a variety of careers and jobs. The second because it's what turns you into an educated person as it teaches you how to learn. If you learn how to learn, think critically, think creatively, you can do well at any job.
Winner: TMC @ Return to Rural (@returntorural)
Reason: Her answer makes a lot of sense. Really, any major that teaches you "how to lear, think critically, think creatively" is a great choice.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Desperately Seeking Cues

As I've mentioned over on my other blog, I'm going to be heading off for vacation in a few weeks. Since I don't want to strand you here without cues, I'm once again pleading begging selling my soul in exchange for some cue suggestions.

You can use the handy dandy Suggest a Cue form or just email me. Or tweet me. I'm not picky, just let me know. If I use your cue, I'll hook you up with your name in lights, some kind words, and a link to your blog.

Also, I won't be able to name winners in my totally consistent usual haphazard manner for about twelve days so everyone will need to play nice and I'll start catching up winners as soon as I return home.

Thanks in advance!

You Done Me Wrong

Letters: Given either a first line or a set-up, write a letter appropriate to the situation.

Someone in your life has wronged you and you can't say anything but you also can't let it go. Write them a note instead, realizing they'll never see it, just to get it off your chest.

I've done this many times and often find it helps. I then delete it or run it through the shredder but at least it's out of my system.

03/23: No winner on this one - only two responses.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cats vs Dogs

Now What?: Write what comes next.
This Saturday, there will be an epic battle between cats and dogs.
Which group will claim victory and why?

Yes, this is a bit of a repeat but the responses were great. I'm seriously considering replacing a daily cue with some sort of debate question.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/18/10
Cats take the high ground. Dogs tire of barking and eventually break off to pee on trees and hump each other.

Cats cannot act as a cohesive unit and will never mount a coordinated attack.

Regardless, war ends when dinner is served.
Winner: TM (@trmink)
Reason: From my experience, this is all true. And probably why the debate continues - there's really never going to be a winner. It's not in their natures.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Ultimate Winners

The hard-working and talented participants below have collected wins on all seven days or have won Wildcard days to fill in the gaps.

Congratulations!

03/01/10 - C. Beth
03/26/10 - Marc
05/06/10 - Inspired Dreamer
05/25/10 - Bethany
05/25/10 - davidseven

First Job

Checklist: A list of words will be accompanied by a scenario in which to use them.

lawn, robot, yellow, spork
Tell us about your first job.

My first real taxable job was as a student aide at the University. No sporks allowed.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/16/10
My first summer job was to cut the grass at a nursing home, in Arizona. It was 99 degrees when I woke up at 8am and I don't particularly care that it was a dry heat because so is a freakin' oven and you don't see people crawling into those for a vacation. My father said I had to work this summer, something about being a spoiled rich brat, but he never said anything about having to do the manual labor myself. So I made a quick trip to Gadgets 'N Things and bought one of those top of the line robotic lawnmowers. I tried to get one in green so it would blend in with the over watered lawn more but all they had was yellow. So I charged that robot up and then set it loose on the perfectly flat and perfectly out of place green lawn in the middle of a desert. As it cut the lawn, I relaxed in the air conditioned rec room of the nursing home. Hey, they have Wii in those places now and I was deep into a bowling battle with some old guy when I heard an old woman screaming about a UFO on the lawn. Oh crap! I dashed into the kitchen to find a group of old ladies gathered around the window watching my bright yellow lawnmower working. I tried to distract them with the awesomeness that is a spork but I failed miserably. Finally the director came in to see what all the fuss was about and I was caught red handed (or yellow roboted). After a call to my father, the robot was confiscated and in punishment I was given an antique push mower - you know the ones that do not have an engine. Apparently the residents are not the only antiques kept there. I earned that check, only to have to turn it over to my father to pay for the robot I put on his charge card. The same robot that now cuts our lawn so he does not have to go out in the heat.
Winner: Bethany (@Auburnrose)
Reason: Great scenario crafted with this list of words. Nice job!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Salmon Story

In the News: This category features news-related prompts.
Upbeat salmon forecast worries fishermen
Write the article that accompanies the headline.

Source: SFGate.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/16/10
A massive harvest of salmon sounds like a good thing, but for some fishermen near Scotlands fishing grounds, it's a real worry. Angus McCaber explains.

"Weel, I canna see ho we'll be away to kitch all dese salmons. We dinna have the wurms."

The worm shortage is a distinct source of concern, as they are a necessary part of fish catching. Tests are continuing with fake worms to enable the men to catch all that they can.

This however, also worries Mr McCaber, whose wife owns several sea fishing boats as well as a smokery.

"I seys to t'missus the other day, I looks in the freezer, and it's full. I has to seys to her "She canna take any more Captain. She's up to capacity as it is. I canna change the laws of physics!"
Winner: s'me
Reason: The faithful representation of the accent won me over.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Romeo and Juliet

Take Two: Given a second chance, how would this be different? Rewrite the ending to a book, movie, scene, fable, quote, etc.

Romeo and Juliet is a classic but let's play Shakespeare and rewrite the ending.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/14/10
Oh that's easy - the parents let them get married, they start having kids, he has a boring going nowhere job, she has to get a really crappy job since she's a woman and can only work part time with the kids, he gets tired of it and cheats on her - she poisons him. Happily ever after right??
Winner: B, who posted her response on her blog
Reason: Perhaps the moral of B's story is that living an unhappy, unfulfilled life is a fate worse than a passionate life that ends in death? Beats me but I kind of like the idea that either way, they would not escape their eventual fate.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Fortune

A Thousand Words: Photo day!



What does she see in the crystal ball?

Source: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress): Pauline Frederick - Potiphar's wife (LOC)

We Have A Winner!!! 03/14/10
She sees herself fifty years from now sitting in the same chair looking into the same crystal ball.
Winner: SOL
Reason: I liked her response so much that I'm going to make it into a future cue. I can't imagine 50 years from now seeing that nothing in my life has changed.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Tattoo

So I Have This Friend: Give your best advice to this friend.
So I have this friend... Her name is TMC and she blogs over at Return to Rural. Recently, she's posted about the new tattoo she's having created on her back. If you were to have something tattooed on your body (let's imagine it's free, both in regards to cash and pain), what would it be and where?

We Have A Winner!!! 03/14/10
I'd tattoo eyeballs on my eyelids so I could sleep at my desk and no one would know!
Winner: Eternal Lizdom
Reason: Sounds very useful! Not to mention very painful.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Advice to Newlyweds

Letters: Given either a first line or a set-up, write a letter appropriate to the situation.

While digging through the Google Analytics for this site, I found someone came searching on the term "advice for newlyweds". I'm not sure if they found what they were looking for so let's give it to them!

Write a note of advice to the newlyweds.

We Have A Winner!!! 03/14/10
Dear Head Over Heals in Love,

Get a nice piece of paper and something comfortable to write with. Sit down in a comfortable place to write. Write out what you love about your spouse and why you wanted to marry. Fold the note carefully and store it in a safe, easily accessible place.

Believe it or not there will probably be days when you will wonder what you ever saw in your spouse and why you ever wanted to get married. On those days it will be good to be able to pull out your note and remind yourself of how you feel today.
Winner: Jacqueline, who posted on her blog
Reason: I've been married almost 12 years and I think even at this stage her advice is valuable.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Genie in a Bottle

Now What?: Write what comes next.
You have rubbed the magic lamp and a genie promises you three wishes.
Now what?

We Have A Winner!!! 03/10/10
I wish for millions of dollars
And the little man smiles at me,
Snaps his greasy fingers,
And I'm buried in cash from Monopoly.

I wish to be able to fly
And the little bastard smirks;
With another snappity snap,
I receive two plane tickets to Newark.

I wish for immortality
And he snaps his fingers once more;
Now I'm up to my neck in formaldehyde,
And thinking I should be more careful what I wish for.
Winner: Marc
Reason: A rhyme with a lesson. Nice work!