Discussion -- May 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

Great to see some new writers in the Challenge, perhaps the rumours of their (the challenge not the writers) demise were exagerated.

Loved Jo's story. I feel a little sheepish though, the first time I read it, i thought maybe he will be coming back. Then I remembered my history, and in particualr my lessons in 'British stiff-upperlipishness' and got all depressed :(
 
Cascade said:
Great to see some new writers in the Challenge, perhaps the rumours of their (the challenge not the writers) demise were exagerated.

Loved Jo's story. I feel a little sheepish though, the first time I read it, i thought maybe he will be coming back. Then I remembered my history, and in particualr my lessons in 'British stiff-upperlipishness' and got all depressed :(
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Oops, sorry Cascade. I shall go do my lines - must write cheerful stuff. Must....:D

Um, I had a memory of a long wait at a full carpark when I came up with this story. One in-one out. Or in my case, 30 minutes of none out and needing the loo....:) (tmi?)
 
Cat's Cradle said:
Nice one, Bowler! :)
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That was quick, cheers Cat. I got the idea while setting up my mini perimeter laser defence system to protect my garden from any wayward dandelion seeds. It's working brilliantly, I only have to wait for the battery pack to run dry and I can use my garden again. While in A&E getting treated for minor burns (I had a lot as I was a big target (note to self, must stick to diet)) I knocked out this months 75 word entry. Clearly... I suffer for my writing!
 
:) I actually came on to ask about this laser defence system, because we have tons of dandelions...but then something clicked, and now I suspect there isn't such a thing (though in a better world, there surely would be).
 
There's lasers and RAY GUNS aplenty in my world, all very real to me! You just have to find my world (a scary thought I'm sure) and you can have the latest in garden home defence.
 
The real problem is multidirectional recognition systems that only target dandelion seeds - otherwise you splat all sorts of butterflies and Bowlers. They might seem obvious to you, but the geometry is very different depending on angle it is seen from. I once did an equivalent system running on audio cues, for mosquitoes.

Would you believe, I once saw a packet of dent-de-lion seeds for sale in a garden centre - I know they make a decent salad, but even so…

Which is a departure from departures (dandelion seeds are probably going transonic in today's wind), and should probably be moved to 'random comments'. :)
 
Can I set my home defence to cats and squirrels? Both like to take it upon themselves to dig up my recently purchased flowers and give Mrs Bowler ample opportunity to spend my hard earned dosh.
 
Mr Orange's tanned head rises over the parapet; he lobs a coconut into the 75 word thread and 3 papayas in the general direction of the 300 word poll, then slowly sinks back down behind the stone.
 
telford -- With the passage of time, devices which once seemed to be on the cutting edge of technology become commonplace, even nostalgic. According to Arthur C. Clarke, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Perhaps it is also true that any sufficiently ancient technology is indistinguishable from myth. In any case, these old machines evoke emotions which make them suitable metaphors for timeless situations.

Glen -- The artist stands outside the work. This is the great paradox of creation. Although those who bring new worlds into being seem to have complete power over them, they cannot truly become part of them. The most one can do is to acknowledge this separation. It is this fact which shows that people are not gods.

Jo Zebedee -- The population of Earth continues to rise, with no end in sight, although the rate of increase may slow. The maximum capacity of the planet is difficult to determine, and is hotly debated. At some point in the future, however, humanity must decide to either limit its numbers or face disaster. Although this time may not be for centuries to come, it would be wise to face the issue now.

Juliana -- Words seem inadequate to convey the full complexity of emotion. At worst, they become trite and lifeless. In the hands of a skilled poet, however, they are reborn. This involves not only the meanings of words, but their sounds and their relationships to each other. At its best, language is transformed into music.

tenaciousb -- One of the most profound mysteries is that of consciousness. Philosophers and neuroscientists strive to understand the puzzle of self-awareness. Yet, by definition, it is something that can only be experienced by an individual. If we could only stand outside ourselves and study our own minds objectively, what strange discoveries we might make!

BluePhoenix711 -- Often we are torn between loyalty to family and loyalty to others. When peace is not possible, we may feel ourselves to be helpless. By refusing to choose one over the other, we create conflict within ourselves which may n ever be resolved. At such times, silence may be the best response.

Cat's Cradle -- The experience of communicating with another, even if only briefly, is a powerful one. To be prevented from doing so creates an enormous feeling of loss. The sorrow of isolation and the joy of companionship can even be observed in animals. It is not surprising that any being capable of emotion should know the pain of loneliness.

TOny Hine -- The psychological flow of time is subjective. There may be situations where it seems to slow to a halt. Such a sensation may be impossible to convey. Perhaps we can best imagine such an experience by picturing an endless period of waiting, an eternal anticipation of a change in being.

Bowler1 -- The desire for new places burns deep in the hearts of many. As these questing souls seek out their destinies, they become aware of the vast gulf which separates them from those who prefer the familiar surroundings of home. Lonely pioneers, they blaze trails for others, only to feel the urge to move on when civilization approaches too near.

Mr Orange -- The creative process more often resembles the messy, scratched-out and scribbled manuscripts of Beethoven than the perfectly delineated ones of Mozart. The vast majority of artists, lacking the gift for instant genius, must resort to hard work and many reworkings. Until complete, the result may not prove to be a pretty sight.
 
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Thank you Victoria! Ditto what telford said! :)

You've written another terrific story...nice ending...it has a sort of best-of-The-Twilight-Zone vibe to it! :)
 
Mr. Orange: I looked around your story and wondered if the Artful Dodger was about to appear.
 
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