Sixty, six-toed cats.

Solve the meaning or identify the significance of that reference and Verbs will send you a signed copy of his 1985 Verbs’ Beefcake Calendar, with him sporting big ass ‘80’s hair and bombastic ’80’s flair.

Quote by redwriter

Ping, Given your spooky success I'm sure you could work wonders with a story about cannibals, (long pig) is their main meal.

And just to ahow what a smart a-- I am, it is Bahrain, but surely Canada haven't qualified--oh, boy, we Brits have a great chance.

This footie qualifying thing is beyond me. I don’t know how it works but the announcers from last night’s match were seemingly counting unhatched chickens or pollo (Spanish for chicken?). Next to the Masters in April, the World Cup is my favourite global sporting event. I love the colours, especially now with high definition TV. My favourite team is Cameroon because I like yelling, “Ka-mar-ooooooooooooon!”

Now that I think about it, I’ve written two stories on the above said topic. One is a short funny, the other is dark, sordid, gender-fluid (no innuendo pun intended) soul-searching (and digesting) tale, with contemporary slant and a murderous twist. It even involves Limoncello. Yummy. 🤣

Short bread. Long pork. What’s the difference?

If you don’t know, don’t ever request or eat long pork. I wrote a story about it but never published it. Maybe I should. I will if we have a competition theme pertaining to it. 😉

Sadly, winter is here to stay. This is the first winter in my life that I’m cursing it. I guess I’ve hit that age. Sigh.

So much rain in British Columbia. Sections of major highways, including the Coca Cola highway, as I call it, have been washed away. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen in Canada. Climate changes dictate they do now. Hot and firey in the spring and summer, wet and floody in the fall and winter. Sigh again.

Last night, Team Canada and Mother Nature beat Team Mexico at their own game - devious game day tactics. Canada bested Mexico on and off the pitch yesterday, 2-1 in snowy, -10 C weather, or as we Canuckleheads call it, shorts & T-shirt weather. Mexico then, at the end of the World Cup pre-qualifier match, cleared the sidelines and tried to start a bench-clearing brawl a la hockey. I suppose when in Rome (or hockeyland)…

Canada should be going to Barain/Ba Rain/Brain (come on spell check, help a guy out!) in 2022 for the World Cup.

Have a groovy day everyone!

FINALLY. My kids asked if we can watch Stranger Things. Before, my son found the show ‘too stressful’. He still does. My daughter had zero interest. That’s now changed. Watched the first two episodes last night. Still pretty darn good. Will try to finish the first three seasons before season four gets released in 2022.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Oh, forgot to mention, just watched Roadrunner on Prime. A documentary about Anthony Bourdain. A highly recommend.

It didn’t reveal much that I didn’t already know. But it was good to see and hear him again. There are questions. How much did Asia A. and their, posthumously according to her, open relationship, push AB over the edge. I believe he was heartbroken when media widely revealed her coziness with another. Tony was a committed romantic in the truest sense. He was always a darkened soul, but he was happy with her until he joined her battle and took the #MeToo movement bit in his mouth. Feinstein is undeniably a wretched beast. But giving someone that much buy-in and then witnessing with the rest of the world her fling, open relationship or not, must have hurt really, really bad. No toxins in his system. He hurt. He hung. He died. I remember it like yesterday. Damn I miss him, just like I miss Freddie Mercury and Robin Williams.

Ooh, ooh, I may watch this tonight! $3! I knew very little about him until this year. I knew of the suicide, and the vague outlines of his persona, but had seen none of the tv shows or read his book. Then I started watching Parts Unknown and was just blown away, particularly after he hits his stride mid season 2 and you realize his true subject is not travel, or food, but the people he meets. And himself, but I don’t mind a little ego in the mix.

I told my youngest daughter I was binging it, and she started laughing loudly and told me I was turning into my Dad (I guess he loved this show, but I didn’t know that). So, another reason to recommend it.

Looking forward to Roadrunner. That, and Ping exclaiming “Oh my God, World War Z is SUCH an atrocious movie!”

I do hope you enjoy this. Tony was as complicated and colourful as he was verbally graceful and poetic.

I swear, if you’ve pushed me off World War Z for the wrong reason, I will egg your house.

BTW, are you familiar with Four Corners? The point where four states meet? I’m tempted. Possibly next year. My panniers hold lots of eggs.

The show is worth the $3. However, you might want to binge more of No Reservations and Parts Unknown before you watch it. You’ll get to better understand him, his ways, and the incredible loss his friends now feel. Several episodes, he brings them along. I love Eric. They were besties. My heart breaks whenever I see him now because I know he’s in pain. Tony also took one of his buddies to Japan. That was a great episode.

Remember - monkey bars. After school. Bring your soft city-boy pampered fists. Ya lilly-livered Martian movie-loving retiree. 😁

Just woke from an after lunch couch nap. Decadent stuff. No school today. Boy is playing Fortnite. Girl is painting cats. Neighbours will be upset. I say, fair game! Keep your darn cats indoors or at the very least, out of our private property yard. If you don’t care that your free-roaming cat will eventually be a coyote appetizer or a road carpet, then you won’t mind some paintball colourant. 🤭 Ah, the girl is actually painting. Ever since we got the dogs, no longer do cats visit our garden and plant beds. Hmm. That’s all I got. Oh, it’s snowing. Remember when people referred to snow as God’s dandruff? Gross.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Quote by verbal

World War Z is AWFUL. Good book though.

We saw Last Night in Soho and really liked it. Not perfect, but really great performances and set decoration and music. Worth seeing.

We saw Belfast too. Not as memorable, but very good. Best picture Oscar bait.

Really?!? WWZ is awful? 😩 Awful like most The Rock blockbuster albeit entertaining movies or awful like Killer Tomatoes and most things Marvel?

Grumble. Grumble. I really wanted to watch it. I guess I’ll go back to my first pick, Stillwater. Damon can’t be worse than that stupid zoo movie or that even stupider Mars mish-mash… could it/he?

Awful as in I saw it at the DRIVE IN and I still didn't like it. Drive in movies are a mighty low bar: as long as there's dancing popcorn boxes and hot dogs I'm happy. It's mindless, and the book is so good (Mel Brook's son wrote it).

The Martian is stupid!? The Martian!? Thems fighin words.

I think we agree The Rock is pretty silly.

I remember thinking what a stupid movie The Martian was. Poo potatoes et al. IDK. Didn’t see it at a drive in so the bar was set to a mediocre height and it still didn’t clear it.

As I type this, I’m trying to remember the movie. The explosion and the end are the only two other things I recall. Like my memory and writing skills, that flick was mediocre at best. Had they called it, The Mediocre Martian Movie that simpletons might like, I’d have not held it to such a low-lofty standard. But since I can’t remember anything worthwhile about it, I accept your challenge and shall meet you at the monkeys bars after school to throw some hands. 😁

Oh, forgot to mention, just watched Roadrunner on Prime. A documentary about Anthony Bourdain. A highly recommend.

It didn’t reveal much that I didn’t already know. But it was good to see and hear him again. There are questions. How much did Asia A. and their, posthumously according to her, open relationship, push AB over the edge. I believe he was heartbroken when media widely revealed her coziness with another. Tony was a committed romantic in the truest sense. He was always a darkened soul, but he was happy with her until he joined her battle and took the #MeToo movement bit in his mouth. Feinstein is undeniably a wretched beast. But giving someone that much buy-in and then witnessing with the rest of the world her fling, open relationship or not, must have hurt really, really bad. No toxins in his system. He hurt. He hung. He died. I remember it like yesterday. Damn I miss him, just like I miss Freddie Mercury and Robin Williams.

Quote by verbal

World War Z is AWFUL. Good book though.

We saw Last Night in Soho and really liked it. Not perfect, but really great performances and set decoration and music. Worth seeing.

We saw Belfast too. Not as memorable, but very good. Best picture Oscar bait.

Really?!? WWZ is awful? 😩 Awful like most The Rock blockbuster albeit entertaining movies or awful like Killer Tomatoes and most things Marvel?

Grumble. Grumble. I really wanted to watch it. I guess I’ll go back to my first pick, Stillwater. Damon can’t be worse than that stupid zoo movie or that even stupider Mars mish-mash… could it/he?

Currently watching One Night With Adele. Great venue. Griffith Observatory in LA. Dusk to Dark. Gorgeous views of the city.

Succession and Yellowstone later tonight. Good Sunday TV.

Getting ready to watch World War Z. Oh, that Brad Pitt. If he was a preacher, I’d attend mass at his church. 🤣🤣🤣

Quote by WriterGirl

Poppin in while my eyes are working. Ping!! Big congrats! I told you years ago when I first read your stories, your mind reminded me of Quentin Tarantino - brilliant but a little scary

Sweet Violet! What I wouldn't give to roam around in your imagination for a bit! Congratulations to you!

And when Mr Thespian called to tell me the news, I squealed so loudly I burst his eardrums. Hee Hee A heartfelt thank you to Molly, judges, readers, and this site for providing this simple girl from KY a safe place to express myself.

I loved all the entries! Y'all scared the pee out of me! The talent here is incredible!

Ah shucks. Thanks. I do like QT and I’m a fan, but he’s a few leaps and bounds above my pay grade. But I’ll take the compliment nonetheless. Hugs. 😊

Chillin’ with the kids watching Killing Eve. Winter is coming. Might get snow today. I’ve always joked about how I fear my young daughter. Sleep with one eye open, I does. No surprise she loves the show.

Well, woke this morning with the Folgers jingle in my head. “The best part of waking up, is with Folgers in your cup.” Molly’s news is a close second. Congrats to all and thanks to the rest.

BTW, I left a big bottle of extra strength Irish cream at the bar for your coffees. Enjoy!

Have a groovy weekend everyone!

Well, how did that happen?

Like I said before, there is something about this genre that brings out a special creativity in people. I guess we all have our spooky passions.

Thanks to Molly, the judges, and all the others behind the scenes. And thanks to all that entered and read our stories.

Comps are fun!!!

Quote by CuriousAnnie

I should mention my entry, Tales From the Crypt: Downunder Edition

Okay, fine. Verbs, ya big chicken. Annie, you have a dirty mind. I’ve seen it 😇

Fine. Double fine. I’ll bring it up.

The double entendre of this thread’s title is hilarious! If Vanessa was here, she’d be on top of this, like a something on a subthing. 😳

Point Break.

I was channel surfing (unintended pun) while watching something else (I can’t recall what) and landed on a show discussing cult movies. It talked about this one. Never saw it before. Didn’t know anything about it other that Keanu had cheesy lines, the blood looked fake, it was filled with clichés, and it had my favourite movie uncle actor, Gary Busey (remember him in Silver Bullet? Love the chemistry between him and young Corey Haim of Lost Boys fame).

Anyway, as early-Keanu-Reeves-movie-feeling it had, it was far better than expected. Patrick Swayze was excellent. Watching him full of life made me sad. I was never a hardcore fan, but I adored him in this flick. Maybe Matthew Alright, alright, alright, could have played this role, but Patrick was charismatic and mesmerizing. I liked his long, surfer hair and the darkness he brought to the role. It was as dark as he was f’n creepy in Donnie Darko.

I judge movies by what they leave me with. The more I think about them, the more I want to think about them. And that I like. This movie moved me in a weird, unexpected way. It was cheesy, for certain. But there are a few underlying messages that have got me pondering on this thing. It garnered a whole new respect for Patrick. I am even more saddened by his passing, and especially saddened for his fans.

Suspend your beliefs and absorb. But there is lots of reality in this one. James Cameron? Really? Katheryn Bigalow? No way. Yup. This was one of theirs. I was shocked. When I watch it again someday, I’ll watch with a more analytical eye. But for now…

One more.

Here’s another…

I’m trying to post a northern lights pic. Hope it works… IT WORKED!

Quote by redwriter

Hi Everyone, Just back from a first drive since my cataract op last week. Driving okay, at least I can see ALL of the road now. But, by hell, the wind's turned chill today. Could I beg a good hot chocolate, please?

Sigh. I want to make a Cadillac joke, but I shouldn't. My most recent visit to my ophthalmologist identified an early clouding on one of my eyes. I'd miss driving if I couldn't. It sounds like your surgery was a success. Unless, of course, you posted this from a police station. "Honest Officer, that two hundred year old oak tree jumped right out in front of me. Is my unicycle okay?"

Finally finished all the comp stories. If it can be thought, it sure as Halloween can happened. That's why the horror movie genre is so popular.

Furnace is getting fixed as I type this. Looks like the flame sensor was just a wee bit too dirty. CPU needs to read a specific number. If it can't, no heat for you!

So... last night. Or more accurately, this morning at 2:30. Woke up. Checked my e-mail. Got an aurora borealis notice. RED ALERT! I woke the boy and we took a short drive to the country, to get away from the city lights.

In all my years, I've never seen such an enthusiastic display for that northern hemisphere dancing radiation. My son was in awe. He's not seen the northern lights as vibrant as they were. So much green and purple rippling across the star-studded sky. Took some amazing pictures with my iPhone. The greens and purples were brilliant. Even thought we got a glimpse of some red too. That's rare. Usually, only see that at higher latitudes. We could have stayed there all night, but he needed more sleep before school. I once wrote a story about a zoo, igloos, polar bears, and northern lights. Good times.

No coffee for me, please. As soon as the furnace tech leaves, I'm going back to bed. Been up since 2:30. I've almost put in a full day and its not even 10:00 am.

Killing Eve, again, from the beginning, but this time, with my daughter.

Quote by verbal

Haven't started writing yet - had a video therapy session today. My therapist actually compared me to Pigpen, the filthy Peanuts character. I plan on suing her.

I believe she compared you to PingPen. Still filthy. Go ahead and sue. Clog the court system with a frivolous lawsuit ya big weenie snowflake. Stick ‘n stones, man. 😉

I’ve got four more stories to read. I think new mom Annie’s is next. It’s interest how creative people can be, especially in a genre like horror.

Furnace is acting up. GMC. Got mechanic coming.

Going up to 8 C this aft. Best I go for a rumble in the concrete jungle with a motorcycle. Not many riding days left.

So, when does the World Series begin? I try to catch a few playoff games each fall. Should be soon, yes?

Same with the Summer Olympics. Tokyo should do well, even without fans. I should see when those start too. Don’t want to miss the good stuff like T ‘n F and football. Canada should do well on the pitch. The women have a solid team.

When’s the Presidential election? That’s sometime in November, isn’t it? I hope Trump goes. Egad. He’s exhausting. If Joe Biden gets nominated, I dearly hope if he wins, he doesn’t fall asleep at any public functions. Because if he does, you just know that ‘Sleepy Joe’ nickname will stick.

Anywho… it’s about that time. Second time today too. Same damn thing happens at exactly the same time twice each day. What a system.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

Evening all, warm here, the first hint of humidity in the air; I think we can safely say it is summer.

I imagine you will find this odd, but today was Melbourne Cup day. Yes a horse race and that meant no work was done after lunch in Australia, and most had their annual flutter on the ponies. Even more remarkably, in the state of Victoria (where Melbourne is) it was a public holiday.

Himself decided to celebrate his first Halloween by sleeping through the night for the first time. It was a tease of course, he so didn't bother to do it again the next night. I am beginning to understand what it means by: 'the days are long and the weeks short.'

You are very fortunate. I miss my babies. Pure innocence. Babies can do no wrong. Cherish every moment. Even the tougher ones. Document stuff too - on a calendar. Good for future reference. First dates. Graduation toasts. Wedding speeches. Stuff to use to manipulate and potentially embarrass. Leverage. Appropriate but blush-inducing baby and toddler bubble bath pictures are the best! 🤣

There’s a place in Columbia that celebrates donkey’s (as seen on VICE), like New Zealand and Scotland celebrate sheep, and the southern US states celebrate family. Is Melbourne Cup Day kinda sorta the same thing? 🤭 Is there a lot of inappropriate horse play in the streets, or is that activity left to the stables?

Foreign cultures and their rituals are fascinating.

You know what’s great?

You know what’s great?

Looking for common ground and interest with one’s own kids, especially dads and daughters, and then finding them. Verbs will definitely get this.

My eleven year old is a very creative and talented artist. I really wish I could post some of her stuff. She can creatively draw like I can creatively write. But her drawing is so much better than my poor attempts of writing. And, she has an edge.

For example. One art assignment in grade two or three, I don’t recall the parameters, but she did not subscribe to the premise. So, out of spite, she drew a frog holding a bloodied and clearly deceased small mammal of some sort in its mouth. Sound like something anyone you know would do with writing?

My God, we laughed when she brought that home. I’m sure her teacher was stunned.

Anyway, we’ve unearthed her interest in the horror/thriller genre of movies. Yup. She kind of reminds me of a little Vanessa. Leading up to Halloween, we watched Signs, and a few others. The other parental unit was concerned. Nightmares et Al. Nada. Stop projecting on the kid.

Then, as some of you may recall, I sang the praises of a wonderful Spanish movie called, Veronica. Damn. We had a great discussion about that movie. Sister Death. Evil spirits. Good stuff. I expressed how much I loved it and why. She actually got it, or so I think.

We were channel surfing and the beginning of Jaws 2 was on. We watched to the explosion and she then ask if I found that scary. No. No I didn’t not. Nor did she. But one needs context. She’ll see Jaws sometime when she wants to. I’m good with that.

But the apple pies de resistance was tonight. Sorry, I was supposed to be reading comp stories. I promise. I will. But tonight, after ballet, we were going to watch, A Quiet Place. We were going to start it when I had a revelation: Killing Eve.

Well, she LOVED the first episode. Her eyes got wide and glossy. She was riveted. So, we will watch the series (me re-watch) so we can watch the last season together.

How great is that?

By the way, if you are down or just need a laugh, watch some Best of Graham Norton clips on YouTube. Tears. Always. I laugh until I cry.

Egg nog, please.

Too soon?

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping
Verbs sucks.

Dude! What did I do? I'm just sitting here, resting on my laurels. Sadly my laurels are going numb.

Great Halloween - we had a ton more kids than we usually do - I chose to see that as an optimistic thing, though I don't quite know why. We ran out of candy toward the end and were considering handing out canned goods. Mmm, canned yams! We had left over cake frosting, I was suggesting having kids open their mouths and then spreading frosting on their tongues with a butter knife. Calmer minds prevailed.

Good World Series! Braves in 7 games!

Cool and cloudy. Not much on my plate today - about to start herding words like cattle. Heyaa! Git!

A coffee and a yam flavored cookie please.

I don’t know. Someone said you suck. Someone should investigate. Maybe get to the bottom of such allegations.

Do the Braves’ fans still do the tomahawk chop? I suppose it could be even more insensitive. Pick yur stereotype. BTW, I believe it was the Euros that introduced scalping, like a pelt from their trapping for pay days, not the gouge and resale of tickets. That concept got real nasty, real fast. Racism. Can’t live with it, can’t live without.

Years ago, when the RCMP opened recruiting so it could be more inclusive, they created special head gear, especially for those that wore turbans. It actually looked pretty good. However, the institutionalized racism in media et al reared its ugly head.

The moronic Sun family of newspapers had a picture on the front page of a man wearing Mountie-approved turban. The moronic, double entendre headline read: Does This Make You Sikh?

Wow.

I hope that journalist lost their job.

Speaking of things disappearing, I found my kids’ Halloween stash. If I can keep my theft to one item, per child, per day, they might not notice. So far, I’m already into next week’s thievery allotment. 🙄

I wonder what team sport has the best transferable skills to be successful in another team sport? Are the skills sets too mutually exclusive?

For example, basketball players would probably suck (like Verbs) at playing hockey. But hockey playing soccer is probably a good match. However, the reverse, not so much. If the athlete can’t skate, that ‘lete is hooped, and not in a basketball way.

I started thinking about what transferable skills baseball has and I almost fell asleep. I suppose, we’ll, there it is. Sleep inducing… zzz

Quote by danadmin

Hey Ping,

Yeah its visible on mobile, maybe you missed it because its an image?

We’re in! 👍

Quote by danadmin

Hey Ping,

You can see them all on the competitions page linked from the main competition page (linked from the home page), or at the top of each story that is an entry.

Should we be leaving the banner on the home page until the announcement date rather than the closing date?

I found it. It’s in the category section at the bottom of the most current stories section. Maybe it should be in genres too? But the banner thing would help. 👍

Quote by danadmin

Hey Ping,

You can see them all on the competitions page linked from the main competition page (linked from the home page), or at the top of each story that is an entry.

Should we be leaving the banner on the home page until the announcement date rather than the closing date?

Hey Dan, I still can’t see it.

What is the home page? Is that the main stories page? If it is, I can’t find any link or anything referring to competitions.

Yes, the banner should be left up for easy comp story access for buffoons like me who can’t find the comp link.

Does it matter if one is on mobile vs computer? Do we see the same things?

Strange night. Weird dreams. No aurora borealis. Sigh. Still need to read about half the comp entries. Can’t find any link to the comp or any stories now that date system parameter overrides what’s displayed. No link on mobile where some have said there was. I’m sure Molly knows.

Verbs sucks.

Over four hundred greedy kids begged for candy last night. Ran out so some got apple sauce, tide pods, remaining socks from lost pairs, elastic bands, half smoked joints, empty bottles for recycling, individual pieces of fettuccine, and some discount coupons for condoms. Most of that list is untrue.

Or is it?

Soon, we won’t see the Sun for six months. Only the moon. I’ve chosen to go commando all winter in addition to no clothing AND I’ll be walking backwards everywhere. Bad Moon Rising comes to mind.

I heard someone is spreading a rumour about verbal sucking. I hear it’s true.

Coffee is starting to taste undesirable. I hear carbs are bad. Salt and processed sugar too. Trans fats. Red meat. Geez. What’s left? Tofu? Icky.

Is sour krauut offensive to say? Does it still refer to an upset German from a by-gone era? Kimchee. Sour krauut. Are there other fermented cabbage dishes?

I never met a morphis I didn’t like.

Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man. Who’s faults that then, Lord? Infallible my ass. I saw Pope Paul in his Pope Mobile. Rear ended the Batmobile. Papal infallibility is not observed by traffic cops. Pope took a swing at the cop writing the ticket. Used two Pope-on-rope shower soaps like nunchucks. The dude had moves.

Anyway..,

Quote by Molly

Quote by Ping

Howdy. The competition banner and link to all the entries has disappeared. In addition, the competition link in genres has disappeared too. Is there another way to see a list of the comp stories?

Hmmm… I wonder if the banner and links were programmed to be date sensitive? Here yesterday, disappear October 31, the competition deadline.

Yeah, that is something I was not expecting with the new system. It was supposed to be closed at midnight PT tonight. I'm trying to see if I can open back up.

Edit to add:

Okay, that finally worked! Phew. Lesson learned on this one.

Hey Molly, is there another way to see the list of entires? I know the date thingie will be addressed at a later date. But for now…

There isn’t a comp category under genres (on mobile access; I did not check on my laptop) and there is nothing at the bottom of any page if I scroll there.

Is there a comp view hack? Or just someplace else the stories can be viewed? I still need to read half of the stories.

Thanks.