Friday, May 24, 2013

Like Watching the Paint Dry

Your word count, verbally speaking, must number in the thousands.

Tens of thousands. 

Hundreds of thousands.

I nod.

Smile.

Trying most convincingly to feign interest-

and digging my nails, hard, into my palms.

 

 

On now to our weekend challenge.  This weekend we are asking for a thirty-three word confession.  You're free to write non-fiction or fiction or to blur the lines in between.  We just encourage you to get creative and give us your best.

32 comments:

  1. Valerie, I almost had this deja-vu thing where I wanted to say, 'How long have you been writing, Valerie? It must be for eons because your way of expressing yourself in words...,' but then I imagined you with your fingernails digging into your palms.

    Still I'll say it, you always deliver, and in spades!

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    1. Dawn, I would never, ever dig my nails in my palms if I was talking to you, my friend! And Dolores accepts!!

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  2. I think I've been there. Amazing what you convey in 33 words!

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I love the challenge of doing it-and I think you'd be awesome at it yourself!

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  3. Trapped by a monologue of the most boring person in creation. Well when you're listening and trying to respond at the appropriate points --- I had a good laugh. I hope that is an appropriate response.

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    1. Perfect response Ann-especially if the laugh is a bit on the maniacal side;)

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  4. good one - hard into palms could imply many things stay awake, try not to hit him, no tell him off.....

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    1. All of the above! It's fun to fantasize about anyway;)

      Thanks so much!

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  5. If I read it right, it speaks to the importance of quality in what we say over quantity. I like it.

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    1. Thank you! You got it exactly! The worst part is when the other person won't even let you get a single word in!

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  6. I've been to those meetingzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    sometimes digging into one's palms is the only thing that keeps us sane . . . erm . . . awake. :)

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    1. Thank Barbara! It's the very reason I keep my nails a little on the long side;)

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  7. It's horrible to be caught by someone who drones on with no apparent realization that we'd rather be anywhere else but there :)

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  8. Completed moment in so few words. You created tension, displayed the lie, and the reason for it, in only 33 words. Bravo!

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    1. Thank you! And I felt that so few words for this one seemed kind of fitting;)

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  9. Haha, too funny! I have been around certain people like this before ;) Hope you have a great weekend!

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  10. Rargh that frustration! Love it.

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    1. Thanks Draug! I love "rargh" by the way-it sums the feeling up so well:)

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  11. Oh. I get this. My son is going through a very talkative phase right now. I hate that I have to fake interest, but he just rambles and rambles. :-) There are times when I am digging nails into palms to make it to bedtime. And then an hour later, I kind of miss the babbling. Thanks for linking up. Remember to come back and vote.

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    1. I know what you mean-my daughter was the same way. When they get older, you really appreciate anything they say. Unlike some grown ups...;) Thank you so much for your comment!

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  12. It's hard to be polite sometimes... I like the tension and the contrast between the appearance and the reality.

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  13. Interestingly enough this happens to me over and over again. I must have a face that people see and feel the need to tell me everything. I think I have calluses where my fingernails have dug into my palms. Great story.

    Barbara @ allmylivesnow.blogspot.com

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  14. Ahhahahaha. So I shall put this on MY wall!!!

    Actually there are very few people to whom I don't apply this palm nailing. Haha. Kidding. kinda.

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  15. 33 words should be compulsory for some. (RogRites)

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  16. hi Valerie, my sweet! I am back a day early and ready for whatever hits me. Well, within reason! hahahaha. Thank you for your sweet creative mind, your literary skills and your fun smile!

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  17. I HAD to chuckle a little at this! Last weekend my family and I celebrated my youngest brother's graduation. By the time it was over I don't know how many puncture wounds my palms had after fielding the typical "So how's the job search going?" "You should be a [insert completely opposite job here]." "Did you hear about [insert successful friend/relative/complete stranger's name here]?" Afterwards I do chuckle about it all since my sister and I place bets on who will be 'interrogated' more. Have to find the humor in life sometimes :-)

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