Wednesday February 18th, 2015

The exercise:

Write about: balance.

This morning I took Max to the play cafe once again. This time we were both fully healthy, so there were no concerns about appearing sick. Just lots of climbing and painting and sliding and playing in the mini-kitchen.

A good chunk of the afternoon was spent in the backyard again, which was a little less pleasant than last time - thanks entirely to a surprisingly (to me at least) chilly wind. Max, of course, didn't seem to notice the cold until he was ready to come back inside.

Mine:

"We here at Henri's Investment Distribution Networks are big believers in work/life balance," the nameless man behind the desk told me. Well, he wasn't technically without a name, I suppose - he just hadn't told me what it was.

"That's a relief," I replied, looking up at him from my wobbly stool. "I'd recently heard a lot of stories to the contrary."

"Ah yes, those." His eyes narrowed and his lip curled. "Simply a matter of fired employees who are lashing out after finding out they just didn't cut it here. A bunch of simple-minded, socially inept, worthless sacks of sh-"

"Surely you must be aware," I dared to cut in, "that many of those tales come from former employees who quit of their own accord?"

"Quitters never win. And winners never quit." He placed his forearms on the desk and leaned forward to glare down at me. "That, I hope, is something we can agree on?"

"Certainly." He'd really left no room for argument.

"Good." There was a long, uncomfortable silence before he spoke again. "I see that this is your first time applying for this position, despite it having been posted multiple times in the past six months."

"Yes, about that -"

"Poor hiring choices by my predecessor. Mistakes that I do not intend to repeat." His nose wrinkled as though he detected something foul in the air.

"I can't say that I agree with that," I said, sitting up a little straighter. "I happen to be very good friends with one of those 'poor hiring choices' and I know for a fact that he is a very hard worker with skills and knowledge well beyond this position. When Roberto wa-"

"Oh! You're a friend of Roberto?" I nodded mutely and a viper's smile appeared on his face. "That changes everything. I have someone you simply must meet."

"That's not necessary," I said as he reached for the intercom. "I'm quite certain I'm no longer int-"

"Hush, now," he said before pressing the button that connected him to his secretary. "Grace, be a dear, won't you, and get Henri over here as soon as possible."

Thursday April 2nd, 2009

The exercise:

Just a quick reminder before we get started that Monday's offer is still open and that donations of all sizes are deeply appreciated.

With that out of the way, today's starter is: seesaw.

Mine:

Up and down,
Back and forth,
Laughing like crazy clowns.

Wind in hair,
Sun on cheeks,
Launching with lazy care.

Too much force,
Too small hands,
Landing on gravel coarse.

Tears are shed,
Scrapes are kissed,
Lacking skin quickly shed.

Run and play,
Leave the pain,
Lasses are that-a-way.