The exercise:
Write four lines of prose about: the architect.
Tuesday January 28th, 2020
The exercise:
Write two haiku about: the rabbit.
Okay, I think that's enough of the Chinese Zodiac for now. Back to... whatever passes for normal around here... tomorrow.
Write two haiku about: the rabbit.
Okay, I think that's enough of the Chinese Zodiac for now. Back to... whatever passes for normal around here... tomorrow.
Sunday January 26th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about: the ox.
We might have a bit of a theme starting up here. I'll try not to get too carried away and totally derail your tale, Greg.
Write about: the ox.
We might have a bit of a theme starting up here. I'll try not to get too carried away and totally derail your tale, Greg.
Tuesday January 21st, 2020
The exercise:
Write two haiku about: the jackpot.
Oh yes, the puzzle. Here it is:
Write two haiku about: the jackpot.
Oh yes, the puzzle. Here it is:
Sunday January 19th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about: the puzzle.
Got a 1,000 piece puzzle from a friend on my 40th birthday. Had started in on it in Kat's parents basement, as our old place didn't have space for it, but then forgot about it. Kat's parents returned it to me when we moved here and Kat and the boys got into it on one of our snow days last week - I came home from work and it was all over our coffee table.
It's coming along pretty well, actually. Miles has no patience for it, Max has slightly more, so it's mostly been me and Kat. I'll share a picture once it's done.
Write about: the puzzle.
Got a 1,000 piece puzzle from a friend on my 40th birthday. Had started in on it in Kat's parents basement, as our old place didn't have space for it, but then forgot about it. Kat's parents returned it to me when we moved here and Kat and the boys got into it on one of our snow days last week - I came home from work and it was all over our coffee table.
It's coming along pretty well, actually. Miles has no patience for it, Max has slightly more, so it's mostly been me and Kat. I'll share a picture once it's done.
Thursday January 16th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about: crawling.
Bloody hell, that was a slow drive to work this morning. Thankfully by the time I came home the snow had been properly cleared and I could almost do the speed limit.
At least the boys had fun playing in the snow today. And I got some early morning exercise shoveling out the driveway, I guess?
Write about: crawling.
Bloody hell, that was a slow drive to work this morning. Thankfully by the time I came home the snow had been properly cleared and I could almost do the speed limit.
At least the boys had fun playing in the snow today. And I got some early morning exercise shoveling out the driveway, I guess?
Wednesday January 15th, 2020
The exercise:
In 2013 we went to Mejaran. 2014 brought us Vancouver Irrealis. 2015 took us to The Colony. 2016 was spent at House of Mercy. 2017 was the year of The Dream Kingdom. In 2018 we created Empires. 2019 took a different path with the A Robot and Its Master poem, along with monthly revisitations to all the previous stories.
Now, we have reached 2020's turn. And it simply makes sense to make this the year of Hindsight.
Yes, I waited three years to make use of this theme. You're welcome.
Mine:
Looking back now, standing here amidst the rubble of it all, everything is so crystal clear that it pains me to examine it. Like staring at the sun. If the sun was a giant, burning reminder of all the mistakes I made, just hanging in the sky, day after day, for the whole world to see.
It's easy to spot the things I would have done differently. All the no's that should have been yes's. All the yes's that should have been no's. The lefts that should have been rights, and rights left. The steps forward that should have been panicked backpedalling.
Regrets? Yeah, I've got a few. What happened between me and Nina is up there, near the top of the list. If not the top. Agreeing to the work trip to Tokyo... bloody hell, what was I thinking? That had no chance of turning out well - an unmitigated disaster was the safe bet there. And yet... off I went, suitcase in hand, English to Japanese dictionary in my back pocket, and an understanding of the culture that began and ended with sushi.
The stuff with my father... yeah. Maybe we'll talk to each other again. Time heals all wounds, right? Probably not though. Burning down his house is a bit of a deal breaker, and ain't nobody cares that it was an accident. At the end of the day there's no difference between accidental ashes and intentional ashes.
Yup, it's been a tough couple of years. I'm not looking to host no pity party though. I just... I dunno. Maybe by examining what went wrong I can do better next time.
Well, I mean, I sure hope I'll never again be faced with having to choose between a homeless clown and a reformed serial killer for a roommate. But, you know, if I am?
I'd definitely give the ex-serial killer a chance.
In 2013 we went to Mejaran. 2014 brought us Vancouver Irrealis. 2015 took us to The Colony. 2016 was spent at House of Mercy. 2017 was the year of The Dream Kingdom. In 2018 we created Empires. 2019 took a different path with the A Robot and Its Master poem, along with monthly revisitations to all the previous stories.
Now, we have reached 2020's turn. And it simply makes sense to make this the year of Hindsight.
Yes, I waited three years to make use of this theme. You're welcome.
Mine:
Looking back now, standing here amidst the rubble of it all, everything is so crystal clear that it pains me to examine it. Like staring at the sun. If the sun was a giant, burning reminder of all the mistakes I made, just hanging in the sky, day after day, for the whole world to see.
It's easy to spot the things I would have done differently. All the no's that should have been yes's. All the yes's that should have been no's. The lefts that should have been rights, and rights left. The steps forward that should have been panicked backpedalling.
Regrets? Yeah, I've got a few. What happened between me and Nina is up there, near the top of the list. If not the top. Agreeing to the work trip to Tokyo... bloody hell, what was I thinking? That had no chance of turning out well - an unmitigated disaster was the safe bet there. And yet... off I went, suitcase in hand, English to Japanese dictionary in my back pocket, and an understanding of the culture that began and ended with sushi.
The stuff with my father... yeah. Maybe we'll talk to each other again. Time heals all wounds, right? Probably not though. Burning down his house is a bit of a deal breaker, and ain't nobody cares that it was an accident. At the end of the day there's no difference between accidental ashes and intentional ashes.
Yup, it's been a tough couple of years. I'm not looking to host no pity party though. I just... I dunno. Maybe by examining what went wrong I can do better next time.
Well, I mean, I sure hope I'll never again be faced with having to choose between a homeless clown and a reformed serial killer for a roommate. But, you know, if I am?
I'd definitely give the ex-serial killer a chance.
Monday January 13th, 2020
The exercise:
The power went out five minutes before I got home from work. Came back on just after seven. Just long enough for us to have to go out for dinner, which would have been more pleasant if we weren't going through a cold snap right now.
Then again, the power probably wouldn't have gone out if we weren't going through a cold snap right now.
Anyway. Unexpected complications. I am too tired to get things going tonight, so I'll aim for Wednesday for the first installment of the yearlong tale.
Tonight, write about a place that is: lawless.
The power went out five minutes before I got home from work. Came back on just after seven. Just long enough for us to have to go out for dinner, which would have been more pleasant if we weren't going through a cold snap right now.
Then again, the power probably wouldn't have gone out if we weren't going through a cold snap right now.
Anyway. Unexpected complications. I am too tired to get things going tonight, so I'll aim for Wednesday for the first installment of the yearlong tale.
Tonight, write about a place that is: lawless.
Sunday January 12th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about: the epicentre.
Barring any unexpected complications, our next yearlong journey begins tomorrow.
Write about: the epicentre.
Barring any unexpected complications, our next yearlong journey begins tomorrow.
Saturday January 11th, 2020
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: lemonade.
Brought the boys to visit Kat's parents this afternoon. Was supposed to have a coffee, then go work out, then drive them back home. Forgot to pack my gym shorts. Used the time to catch up on comments instead.
Write a four line poem about: lemonade.
Brought the boys to visit Kat's parents this afternoon. Was supposed to have a coffee, then go work out, then drive them back home. Forgot to pack my gym shorts. Used the time to catch up on comments instead.
Thursday January 9th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about a: bossypants.
I've been listening to Tina Fey's audio book on my commute this week (other than Tuesday, when I listened to a podcast). It's been making the twenty minute drive each way pass by pretty quickly.
Write about a: bossypants.
I've been listening to Tina Fey's audio book on my commute this week (other than Tuesday, when I listened to a podcast). It's been making the twenty minute drive each way pass by pretty quickly.
Monday January 6th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about something: gradual.
First Oliver to Osoyoos commute went smoothly. Almost fully unpacked at the new house. Just need to get stuff up on the walls.
Things are gradually coming together.
Write about something: gradual.
First Oliver to Osoyoos commute went smoothly. Almost fully unpacked at the new house. Just need to get stuff up on the walls.
Things are gradually coming together.
Sunday January 5th, 2020
The exercise:
Write about: reluctance.
I have to go back to work tomorrow.
I do not want to go back to work tomorrow.
Write about: reluctance.
I have to go back to work tomorrow.
I do not want to go back to work tomorrow.
Saturday January 4th, 2020
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: moving.
We're here, we're getting settled in. Still lots of boxes to unpack, but we're getting there.
I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to treat myself by not writing a four line poem for the first Saturday in a year.
Write a four line poem about: moving.
We're here, we're getting settled in. Still lots of boxes to unpack, but we're getting there.
I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to treat myself by not writing a four line poem for the first Saturday in a year.
Wednesday January 1st, 2020
The exercise:
Happy New Year!
Write about what happens: should old acquaintance be forgot.
If I had more time I'd use this as an excuse to visit a character that I've neglected. You guys do what you will with it though.
Happy New Year!
Write about what happens: should old acquaintance be forgot.
If I had more time I'd use this as an excuse to visit a character that I've neglected. You guys do what you will with it though.
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