Create Something December 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. If you made a suggestion, thank you, you should get a high five.

*—–*

It was another great summers day on a Saturday. I had woken up the smell of bacon and eggs wafting through the house that my mother had made for breakfast. I had just finished my second helping when a heard the sound of a two-stroke engine getting louder as it approached the house; “Thank you for breakfast mom, I can hear Phillip coming up the road he is here to fetch me so I gotta go.”

“Oh, is he driving that thing again? Where are you going to go? I hope it is not far away?” She asked with some nervousness in her voice.

“I have a helmet mother dear and we aren’t going far. Just to meet up with some drug dealers and get tattoos.” I said as I laced up my shoes and picked up my helmet.

“No need for the snarky answer Mr. I am just concerned that is all. Say do you need me to pack anything for you? Then you can have a picnic for lunch later if you like.” Without waiting for me to answer she had already put some items into my bag for me to take with.

“We are just going to meet up with the rest of the group at our clubhouse and probably spend time there and swimming. So snacks are helpful. I don’t want to make Phillip wait so I am going to go now.” I took my bag as she was packing a packet of gumdrops into it and hugged her. “I promise to not meet up with any drug dealers while I am out. Bye, mom.” I began to walk towards the door.

“Do you have swimming apparel with you then if you plan to swim? You said no drug dealers, but what about the tattoo thing?”

I opened the door and put my helmet on as I responded. “Swimming stuff is also in the bag and I am not making any promises about the tattoo thing. See you later.” I closed the door behind me and ran up to Phillip who was waiting for me. “Alright, Mr. Potato head let’s get this show on the road, sorry for making you wait. Mom wanted to give me some food for later.”

I loved the feeling of the summer sun on my face as we sped through the neighborhood towards the dam. Mrs. Dorna’s dog, as always, chased us down the street barking and snarling at us, the poor thing was so old, it could never keep up for very long. We rounded the corner and the lake was now in sight. We were now just 4 minutes away from the clubhouse. Pitching money together to rent that spot for the summer was one of my better ideas. I had a place right by the lake which had a fridge and air-con but best of all a place to hang out with my friends. All summer long.

As we approached the door of the clubhouse we could see two bicycles outside and hear muffled voices inside, obviously, we were not the first to arrive. I walked inside and greeted Greg and Barry who were sitting on the bean bags. “Alright there champs, you guys are here early.” I walked towards the fridge to pack the things from my bag inside.

Create Something November 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. If you made a suggestion, thank you, you should get a high five. This one is also slightly inspired by the novel Ready player 1.

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“Borderlands hardly deserves an accolade for being a good game.”

“You are crazy Kobold, the Borderlands series had some of the best visuals in a game I have ever seen!” He said as he crunched another cashew in his mouth.

“Waaa – dude are you eating nuts again? You know I can hear that right in my ear! Can you at least mute your mic while you chew? Anyway, I just didn’t enjoy the game, sure the visuals were well done but there is more to a game than that. Alan Wake was a much better game, it is as simple as that Skunk.”

Skunk stifled a laugh, He knew that eating the cashews irritated Kobold. He did it purely to get a reaction from him but he tried to feign an apology to keep up the pretense. “Oh, I’m sorry I forget how sensitive the mic can be. I tell you what instead of arguing over games why don’t we play something together?”

“Ok sure, anything but Tensile tough, I am sick of those stupid puzzles.”

“Hmmm how about Turbulent? We can try that mission we were stuck on.”

“Nah man, you keep crashing in that game. I almost feel like it is on purpose. I don’t want to play a simulation anyway.”

He was crashing on purpose just for Kobold’s reaction. “Um, how about sawbones?”

Kobold sighed. “Is it really hard to choose a game? I don’t have that one you know that.”

“Oh yes, sorry. Ok how about Psychomancy I see Raindrop is online it could be a part of three?”

“Arg! Not Raindrop he and I have had a bad fallout since he stabbed me in the back in our last game. He is such a guisard! We teamed up all the whole game but as soon as another player offered him a higher reward he turned around and shot me. I just can’t trust him.”

Create Something October 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. If you made a suggestion, thank you, you should get a high five.

—

She could hear the bullets whiz past her as she ran and turned the corner. She dived onto a bus that was passing by and pulled her partner on board. As the bus continued to drive on their pursuers rounded the corner but had not seen them climb on the bus. They sat there catching their breath and she chuckled while her partner looked flustered. “Oh Frank, is all this excitement too much for you? I’m sure you didn’t expect any of this when we first bumped into each other on the landing of our adjustment aerie’s a few months ago did you?”

Frank shook his head “No indeed. I knew you were filled with adventure as soon as I looked into your eyes but I never expected this.”

The bus came to a stop and they both got off and walked into the nearest store. Which ended up being a bookstore. “Yes, well those individuals are from some business in Knysna that didn’t end well. Take a look at some of these books while I make a phone call. I won’t be long.”

He grabbed the first book he could and just stared at the pages not really taking anything in. His heart was racing and his mind was whirling. This woman was wild and adventurous. She ignited him. In the time they had spent together he had learned what it meant to live life and not to merely exist. He loved her and he knew she loved him. His recent encounter with death, however, had him asking questions. Why would people be shooting at them? What kind of trouble was she in? What kind of trouble was he now in?

He snapped out of his thoughts as she came up to him and grabbed the book out of his hands and looked at. “Aggiornamento” She tilted her head and looked at Frank.

“I’m sorry what?” Frank said.

She read aloud from the page he had been starting at; “Aggiornamento, meaning A bringing up to date, it was one of the keywords used during the Second Vatican Council both by bishops and the clergy attending the sessions and by the media and Vaticanologists covering it.” She smiled. “Frank, what on earth are you reading? Is this a dictionary? No matter, bring it with we need to go.” They walked out of the store and she squeezed his hand.

Create Something September 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. If you made a suggestion, thank you, you deserve a noddy badge.

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As I walked into the restaurant my interest was immediately piqued by the lady alone at the table in the corner. While she was very attractive that is not what I noticed. It was the lineaments on her face, something about her cheeks and her eyes that I noticed. They were too perfect as if sculptured from clay to be just right. I approached her.

“Good evening, I must say that looks like a delightful dessert, you seem to be enjoying there.” I wasn’t lying I don’t know what it was but it looked great and I wanted it. “Could I bother you for the name of it?”

She looked up, it felt like she was assessing me. Deciding if I was some creep or someone she could spare a few sentences for. I hoped she would decide the latter. I slowly sat down while maintaining what I hoped was a none-creepy smile on my face. She seemed to have decided. “I’m not sure, to be honest. I just asked the waiter for the most chocolate thing on the menu and this is the result.” She took another spoonful and then swallowed. “Besides being a small serving, It is very good. Well, you know, it’s no packet of Jelly tots but it is a close second.” She was referring to a candy that was no longer in production. They had stopped making it a year ago. All that was left was remnant stock and it came at a premium these days.

Create Something August 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. If you made a suggestion, thank you, you are the real MVP. Enjoy.

___

“Mom, it really isn’t too late, you can take me home and I will fend for myself this weekend. I won’t even tell dad. Just, please don’t leave me with gran.”

“Kit, your gran isn’t that bad. I am sure you will have fun.”

“Ma, she speaks funny. Sometimes I don’t understand what she is saying and every time I come here she tries to give me a new nickname. Last time she kept calling me Patric Swayze’s stunt double who ever that is. Come on, leave me at home this weekend and I will keep to myself. Promise.”

“I question my parenting skills if you don’t know who Patric Swayze is…Anyway, I’m not leaving you at home alone. Not after I found you and Kim canoodling outside of school. Oh, look we are at the reservoir.”

Kit looked out the car window at the reservoir as they passed some otter’s swimming. He knew he was now only five minutes away from his gran.

“Look Kit, I know she might speak strangely but give her a chance, please?

The car came to a stop in the driveway and Kit could see his gran at the front door. He grabbed his earphones and packed them into his laptop bag, at least he could get lost in his music if there was nothing else for him to do.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite Power Ranger. How are you Kit?” She asked walking towards the car.

“Hi gran, I am doing fine thanks.” Kit said as he walked to the trunk to collect his luggage. His mom bumping into him.

“Don’t be terse with her Kit, be nice! Go hug her, I will get your bag.” She said beneath her breath.

Kit turned and walked to her gran to hug her. “How have you been gran? Are you still enjoying all this space around you out here?”

“Ah, well I have a minor case of collywobbles at the moment and I dare not mention my swollen feet from the long walk this morning but I will be fine.” She chuckled as she squeezed him.

“Hi mom, sorry I need to rush off. Thank you for taking care of Kit. I’m sure he will behave himself, he will probably be buried in his music or games on his laptop most of the time. Did I hear you say you are not well?

Create Something July 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by sending them to my twitter @OdlyOtter and using the hashtag #createsomething Below is this month’s submission and story. This story also seemed to naturally blend itself into the Ke!th Universe which is another piece of fiction I write. Enjoy.

___

Her notebooks were laying all around her as she laid sprawled on the floor. She came to with Joe pulling her up by the arm trying to help her stand. “What on earth just happened? Did I black out or something Joe?” Joe shook her head.

“No Sam, you didn’t black out. What just happened is the direct result of you attempting to be an intrepid whistleblower. The alliance doesn’t approve of whistleblowers Sam.” Said the man standing in front of her casually swinging a small electrical object in his hand.

“I’m sorry? Did…Did you just taze me?! Who the heck do you think you are and what are you talking about?” Sam replied.

The man chuckled. “You may call me Dave and this is not a taser I assure you. It is, however, on its lowest setting currently. Now, onto the matter at hand. I am talking about your recent article with the headline that read; “Crime spree imminent. So says sociologist! I am sure you recall said article.”

Sam nodded. A taxi stopped next to them and the man promptly got in as another man got out also holding the same type of object. The man stared directly at Sam. “I am here to inform you that if you are to continue to hypothesize upon such things as you did in that article it will not be salubrious to you.”

Sam was slightly taken back by the sudden change of person. “I assume you are with the man who just left in the taxi? I hope you two are aware that you are threatening a member of the press! Who do you work for?”

The man smerked . “It is not a threat, it is a warning. It is time to stop Sam. It is time to take a spontaneous cruise. Perhaps the time on the ship will be good for you. Now, if you will excuse me…” Another car pulled up next to them and the man promptly got in and it sped away.

Create Something June 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. Enjoy.

___

“This is all just metaphysical dribble! He said as he threw another paper to the side.”

“Now Father, that is no way to speak of your students.” said the man at the opposite side of the desk.

“Sorry son. But it baffles my mind that it is so hard for these first years to articulate themselves. I am adamant that their minds are no longer able to focus. It’s the age of distraction I tell you!” The more he spoke the more excited he became.

He looked at his watch. It was close to 7 pm. “Perhaps you can tell me more about this age of distraction on the car ride home? Mother will have dinner waiting for us back at the cottage and I feel as if I have not eaten in forever.”

“Agreed, let us leave this dribble for tomorrow. Seeing your mother will improve my mood and restore some much-needed sanity.” He smiled as he packed his briefcase.

“Alright, tell me more about this age of distraction.” He said they drove down the road.

“Ah! Yes, the age of distraction. I am convinced that we are allowing our minds to become increasingly lazy and unfocused by exposing ourselves to a mixture of information concurrently.” He glanced towards his son who was typing on his phone. “Just as you are doing right now.”

“Huh, you mean my phone? Sorry, I am just responding to an email but I am listening.”

“Oh son” He chuckled. “That is precisely my point. How can we focus on a single goal or purpose amongst a myriad of notifications constantly begging for our attention?”

Glancing up from his phone to the road and then to his father before returning to his phone, “So is this just an attack on smartphones then?”

“No, the smartphone is merely a good example. The point is that our minds are no longer allowed to be captured by a single thought because we are trying to multi-task. We are unable to think deeply on a topic or approach a debate because our minds are so quickly distracted. As an example, if I were to say a word you do not know such as ‘teetotaler’ one of your first instincts is to take out your phone and search the word online for a definition.’ He paused. “You just searched the word didn’t you.”

“….Maybe” He smiled at his dad before continuing his email.

“You see my son there is no longer a reverence for learning. Our minds live on such a shallow level and are lazy because it is almost too easy to just read a quick search result to find something out. Such a mind is unable to write good papers because they just can’t do the mental hard work anymore. There is also no reverence for the present. Our time is split between what is happening around us and what is happening on the screen in front of us never fully paying attention to either. Always being distracted. That is why I say this is the age of distraction and until we realize it we will never be able to think or be focused again.”

“I don’t know dad, while I agree with you, it sounds cynical. I have been able to handle this email and talking to you at the same time, haven’t I? Perhaps some can’t focus but that doesn’t mean we are distracted.” He put his phone in his pocket.

“Son, I have driven around our block three times while you were on your phone to see if you would notice but you didn’t. Welcome to the age of distraction.”

Create Something May 2017

Every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this month’s submission and story. Enjoy.

—-

The smog was hanging over the city in a way that was comforting to him. It shielded him from the sun’s radiant rays as he moved from his front door to his car. As he drove he made the choice to leave the radio off. He didn’t want to be distracted he wanted to spend the time in thought. To ruminate on what he had experienced the day before. He never thought taking his friend’s challenge would end up like this;

“You see Clive, you only think about yourself. That is why you are so unhappy deep down. Tell you what, I challenge you to come spend time with me at my churches charity drive. Nothing too difficult, just handing out soup to those who need it. After helping others for a bit, just a small time of service will change you. I promise.”

“Thinking about myself is the only thing that makes me happy Ben. But ok fine, I’ll take you up on the challenge, only to prove you wrong though.”

He entered that charity with the aim to do his duty and leave as soon as he could. As he dished up soup, which was textured something akin to poorly mashed potatoes, he was inundated with faces that were deeply grateful for another meal. He watched as some kids played with some basic toys but yet looked so happy. Serving others had a somewhat euphoric impact on him. It was a feeling he was not familiar with nor would he have ever associated it with other people.

As a latchkey kid his whole life he had learned to look after himself. People had always gotten in the way. He had to be aggressive in the pursuit of his own happiness or he would just be that lonely and sad kid from his past. But his experience at the charity eluded to a much richer way of living. Life was meant to be lived in community. He understood that now. Exorbitant joy was found not in the things he owned but outside himself. There is something so much better at that church that he just had to understand. That is what he was going to tell his boss. That is why he was prepared to quit his job to pursue. He had been called.

Create Something April 2017

At the beginning of every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this months submission and story. Enjoy.

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She was known as the puppy with the most persistence. She climbed mount Denali in her young years just to prove that she could when others were saying she couldn’t. She was a dog of adventure that could not be denied. But she was also a dog that loved her comforts and friendships. The feel of soft grass under her paws as she walked alongside her pack at night was a treasured time to her. But the time for adventure and walks had now passed and her persistence was now replaced with fear.

The trouble started when her pack came across the wolf with the unkempt hair and the look of danger in his eyes. It was the first time a dog had ever been bitten by another dog. The rest of the pack was in shock. It only took one bite and suddenly there was two of them with the look in their eyes and then they the turned on another member of the pack. There was three. The pack scattered. All of them ran in a different direction. She was unsure of what was happening but she knew she didn’t want to be bitten and so she ran. That was the first night she spent alone, hiding in a cave.

The next night she lay under a unimog to sleep. Looking at the moon above which was redolent of the night walks with her pack. She missed those nights desperately. She missed her pack even more.She didn’t like being alone like this.

She awoke to another dog sniffing her. She yelped and tried to move backwards. But it was to late he lunged forward and managed to bite her. She expected pain, which was present. But what she didn’t expect was the other dog. As she looked at him, He now longer had the look of danger in his eyes, rather he had a certain charisma about him that was welcoming. The fear had left her. The need to run away was is in the past. She followed alongside her new friend, enjoying the feeling of grass underneath her paws yet again and soon she was surrounded by more dogs.

She was with her pack again. She belonged again. Different sure, but she wouldn’t ever want to go back. Being bit was, in a way, a discovery of true freedom. True freedom. She was wild.

Create Something March 2017

At the beginning of every month I try to write a story using words or phrases submitted to me by others. You can submit some to me by using my twitter @OdlyOtter and the hashtag #createsomething below is this months submission and story. Enjoy.

This is not what I expected to see. Here I am, face to face with a possum that is so large it is positively wolfish. “Come to Australia!” They said. “It would be a nice family reunion over Christmas.” they said.  There was no mention of possum’s this big. What do I do now? The kitchen door is so far away I can’t run for it. All I have is this stupid whip, why did I buy this thing? It seemed like it would be a good quirky gift for someone back home. But how would you even use it…hmmm maybe I can frighten this things away if I flick it well enough.

*whip*

*crack*

Ha! That worked, wow that was loud. Whoever named this thing surely understood what onomatopoeia was, although I might have called it the cracker. Nah, too silly. Ok, I should get inside before I’m attacked by a Kingler Pokemon or something. So far this visit has had too little waterfalls and mountains and waaay too many things that look like they want to eat me or rob me. Welcome to the outback I guess.

—

 

“Hi there Pops. I am back from my walk. I was almost maimed by a possum but I survived. I think I might have a headache starting. Do you have any panado’s or some other tablet I can take?”

“Sure thing Bert, my boy. They are in the cupboard to your left. Say, are you up for a adventure?”

Good ole Pop’s, always looking for the next adventure. “Where are we going?”

“Oh well this newsletter says they found a strange artefact in the rainforest near us. It looks like a throne of some kind, thought you might like it.”

That does sound interesting, no doubt he really wants to see it too. “Ok sure Pop’s, lets go for another adeventure. But first, time for a nap”