:)

I agree with Jon's suggestions, and garblesnix's number 5 is definitely a very good one. May I also suggest themewise challenges too, like 'humour', 'science fiction', 'short story', 'descriptive', etc., occasionally? Agreed, the number of participants in each may be less, as compared to a general, write whatever you want one, but the criteria for voting becomes easier to tackle. The voting process is a traumatic one, but as I mentioned to Diana some time back, it's not an issue for me. My attitude is 'try and bear fruit within constraints, rather than complain'. plants that can flower in a tiny, earthen pot, will fruit anywhere. The Haiku is a miserable one, but the idea I think is not. I'm not sermonizing; this is my attitude, so the silence of the forum does not deafen my ears. :) We must all survive. :]

I'm sorry to hear that! Hope she recovers soon. Best wishes to her. :)

rain, rain, rain, neverending damp, mould abounds I feel like I'm on another planet where the only forms of life are various mushrooms seen vaguely through the cloud of fungal spores. My wife remarked on my looking rather hairy; it's actually the mycellia that I'm trailing. My computer smells of mould. I can't remember what the sun looked like...:)

Hmm. I think that's right; people would prefer anything that means less work, but then on the other hand, being and remaining on the site itself means work! :) The least you have to do is login. :) I don't think it's possible to come up with a solution that satisfies everyone, so maybe if the suggestion has sufficient takers, we could try it out, or something workable that someone can suggest, failing which we could continue with the existing system. I'm OK either way. It's not a big deal for me. :)

I agree with that. I've often been hard pressed to decide with only one vote. A rating score with totals being the basis of winning...whatever. Diana, is it possible to modify the voting system a bit? Congratulations to the winners, at the risk of it sounding trite, to more acid pens. What the heck! It was fun reading everything you all wrote. (Offering hand around whether taken or not) :]

Well, I vote for others as well, and don't mind losing (life is too short to waste energy burning about being 'one-down'). I haven't written for a while (decided to follow Dialyn's excellent counsel and write only what I think is impeccable, and also break my dependence on the Net like I wrote in my modem poem), but I'm for change as well, Diana. The current way is fine, but a society that doesn't welcome change ingrows and stagnates, so let us know what you have in mind, and it'll be fun stretching in a new direction. :) Personally, I think being in a tie is humbling and good for character growth. I'm for the tie. This is just my SUBJECTIVE opinion, NOT intended for anyone personally. :]

:D Ha! Ha! Fun talking to you, Dialyn. :)

NO! Just when i'm travelling again! I could have really sunk my canines into this one, and written quite a tail. :) I think I'll drown my sorrows listening to some Bark, or was that Bach, and keep my ideas on leash till next time. :) Hi Dialyn, couldn't resist those puns! Sorry! :D

Cheryl almost wilted with embarrassment and was unable to say anything for a moment. With something of a shock, not entirely pleasant, she realised how close she was to Jacob, and the feel of his body against her. As she looked into his eyes, a cold feeling of horror crept over her. Her skin became clammy with cold sweat as it dawned on her that she could not feel his breath, though his face was so close to hers. She fought against a feeling of nausea that rose within her, and decided that she would ride this one out to the bitter end. With that her fear vanished, and she steeled herself as she asked him,"Are you dead?" Jacob looked at her without blinking. "No." he said, matter of factly. "Are you alive?" asked Cheryl, now more curious than apprehensive. "No." repeated Jacob. "What are you then, really?" "Neither. I do not live, though you may seem to find me alive, neither am I dead, for I was never truly alive. I am a machine."

Cheryl took the bag with a hand that trembled slightly. "I really don't need so much." she said, nervously looking around. "Your ghosts seem to be spirited beings."

Jacob looked long at her without saying anything. He suddenly whipped off his towel and Cheryl had a brief glimpse of leaf green shorts under it, before he snapped the towel viciously at her head.

"Drat!" said Jacob, "Missed! Osmond, do you think you could flap up there and nab that fly that's just gone and sat on that rafter?" He then turned to Cheryl and said, "There was a fly on your ear, sitting. I couldn't bear it."

Message edited on: 06/07/2005 13:53

The lilac rustled with thinly concealed disgust. "Seedy lot! You've all gone to pot with your scented ignorance! Bumblers! That's what you lot are!" Cheryl looked confused.

glory be for mothers that give LIFE to us Although ungainly, The love of goodly mothers Is a wondrous thing. (Haiku live forever)

Dialyn, Dialyn! What would we do without you? :) Thank you so much again, And again. I think I can't recover any of it, Jon, but in my usual way, I'm pondering the parable that'll surely emerge out of this, and then I'll WRITE. Ha! Thanks guys. It's good to have you around. :) (handshakes all around)

Hey, Congratulations to everyone! It was great to see so many entries. Evielouise, well done!