It may be here, it may be there,
It could be round, it could be square,
It could be black, it could be white;
Do you have it? You just might.
It could be dead, maybe alive,
It could suffer, or it could thrive,
It could be silent or make a sound,
It could be nowhere or all around.
It may be common, it could be rare,
It might have feelings, it may not care,
It could be large, it could be small,
It might not exist at all!
What could it be, so mysterious and vague? Do you know the answer, or shall questions plague? Think outside of the box, if you will; perhaps you won't require help still.
Alright, well that's this week's riddle (the last paragraph isn't written in with the rest of the poem since it won't count in the scoring). Just remember to take chances and not over think it. I don't know if this will be easy or if it will confound you horribly, I'll just have to wait and see. If you're really stuck you're probably not going to like the correct answer, so I guess I'll just hope everyone gets it right (If not, I'm going to have to listen to a lot of yelling. Now where is my rapid attack cougar when I need it?)
Anyway, here's the updated scores (last week's only counted one point): Derek 8, Elizabeth G. 6, Caitlin 6, The Sugue 6, Ellen 6, Martha 6, Amy 3, Melissa 3, Rachel 3, Elizabeth E. 6, Kelly 1. (There are still a few of you who haven't done all the past riddles. Get with it ya bums!)
As for the posting contest, Elizabeth E. had the most posts this week, so she gets to make the call on colors (leave em in the comments box and I'll put them up). Until next time (or space).
Sunday, November 30
Saturday, November 29
The Triumphant Return of Cae..er..Dylan
After my brief hiatus in that dank, dark dungeons that are my grandparents lovely home, I have returned! It is so wonderful to bask in the glory of the radiant masses as they shower me with rose petals, cheers, and all sorts of shiny metal shrapnel. I then proceed on to my magnificient abode, wherein wait my trusty servants, Tom Pewter and Homer Werk. As I prepare to give the masses an encouraging speech to assure them that I shall remain with them forever and always, at least in my heart (as long as they don't start scrimping on their taxes), I hear a noise behind me. I turn, and there is Homer with a dagger clutched in his hand! Tom fights him off briefly but Homer eventually overpowers him, diving straight for me! "Y tu Homer Werk?" "Sorry Dylan, Spanish isn't til next semester!" he replies as he shoves the dagger in my heart!
Oh the inhumanity!!! Dylan, once King and Emperor of Procrastinatoria has been dethroned and annihilated! Why?!?! And on this, the Tides of Thanksgiving!
What I'm really trying to say is that, yes I am back from whereever it was I went, and no I will not spoon feed you mushed up asparagus for fifty years after your experiment involving nitroglycerin and cheese goes horribly wrong. Plus, I've got tons of homework. Will that prevent me wasting most of my time and having to rush frantically at 4PM on Monday for a way that I can extend the day 83 and a half hours? Of course not! But that doesn't mean I can't complain about it! (first one to complain about the double negative gets satirically or rhymically punished!)
So I'm stuck here, playing Risk II on the computer (which is surprisingly entertaining, although I can't play against real people) and, as usual, wallowing in despair. I may trying basking and/or surfing in despair if I get bored of wallowing, we'll just have to see. Well, I've got time to waste, and I consider this minutely productive! So away I go!...in a "I'm still right here" kinda way...
Oh the inhumanity!!! Dylan, once King and Emperor of Procrastinatoria has been dethroned and annihilated! Why?!?! And on this, the Tides of Thanksgiving!
What I'm really trying to say is that, yes I am back from whereever it was I went, and no I will not spoon feed you mushed up asparagus for fifty years after your experiment involving nitroglycerin and cheese goes horribly wrong. Plus, I've got tons of homework. Will that prevent me wasting most of my time and having to rush frantically at 4PM on Monday for a way that I can extend the day 83 and a half hours? Of course not! But that doesn't mean I can't complain about it! (first one to complain about the double negative gets satirically or rhymically punished!)
So I'm stuck here, playing Risk II on the computer (which is surprisingly entertaining, although I can't play against real people) and, as usual, wallowing in despair. I may trying basking and/or surfing in despair if I get bored of wallowing, we'll just have to see. Well, I've got time to waste, and I consider this minutely productive! So away I go!...in a "I'm still right here" kinda way...
Tuesday, November 25
Waltzing Alone
Well, it seems the Plague is running rampant throughout the school system. The most likely cause is the incentive points, which seem now to be more of a Devil/soul-selling thing than an actual positive note for education. That's not to say I wouldn't hesitate to come to school and spread some sort of vile contagion even without the accursed points, because I'm just that kind of a fool.
But to cope with all the horrible tragedy (and idle time I thought I'd fill walking through the halls), I've decided to try walking 1 (or 3/4 time, whichever strikes your fancy). It's rather interesting and certainly entertaining. You can just walk along and as the time in the rhythm comes up, backpack permitting, you can twirl around, do a leap, or glide right in front of passers by in an attempt to create a pile-up for your own sadistic enjoyment. It rivals trying to tap out the percussion part to Mars, The Bringer of Mar and hum the main theme at the same time (If you want to drive yourself crazy, try it; 5/4 is just crazy!).
Speaking of my ever spreading insanity, as if I didn't have enough frayed thoughts roaming my mind in search of prey, my contacts apparently require mental power to sustain their incredible non-glasses-requiring-seeing-power-of-refraction. In layman's (and coherent people's) terms, according to the all-knowing optometrist different muscles are used in contacts than in glasses (or the same muscle differently), thus I have to condition my eyes. You'd think after all my years of sight, and there's quite a few believe you me, I'd be good enough at it to not need training. But nnnoooo. So instead, during this arduous process, my mind becomes foggy and I can't focus. Not that I do a very good job under normal circumstances, but you can see how this compounds the problem. Ah well, I guess now I have an excuse for eccentricity. Well, besides the malnourishment and mental scarring.
And that is about all the rambling I feel up to today. Remember to post if you want a chance to change these blasted colors. Otherwise, continue doing what you were doing before you got distracted. Unless it involves five surgeons, a miter saw, and a beautifully grotesque copy of Thomas More's Utopia.
But to cope with all the horrible tragedy (and idle time I thought I'd fill walking through the halls), I've decided to try walking 1 (or 3/4 time, whichever strikes your fancy). It's rather interesting and certainly entertaining. You can just walk along and as the time in the rhythm comes up, backpack permitting, you can twirl around, do a leap, or glide right in front of passers by in an attempt to create a pile-up for your own sadistic enjoyment. It rivals trying to tap out the percussion part to Mars, The Bringer of Mar and hum the main theme at the same time (If you want to drive yourself crazy, try it; 5/4 is just crazy!).
Speaking of my ever spreading insanity, as if I didn't have enough frayed thoughts roaming my mind in search of prey, my contacts apparently require mental power to sustain their incredible non-glasses-requiring-seeing-power-of-refraction. In layman's (and coherent people's) terms, according to the all-knowing optometrist different muscles are used in contacts than in glasses (or the same muscle differently), thus I have to condition my eyes. You'd think after all my years of sight, and there's quite a few believe you me, I'd be good enough at it to not need training. But nnnoooo. So instead, during this arduous process, my mind becomes foggy and I can't focus. Not that I do a very good job under normal circumstances, but you can see how this compounds the problem. Ah well, I guess now I have an excuse for eccentricity. Well, besides the malnourishment and mental scarring.
And that is about all the rambling I feel up to today. Remember to post if you want a chance to change these blasted colors. Otherwise, continue doing what you were doing before you got distracted. Unless it involves five surgeons, a miter saw, and a beautifully grotesque copy of Thomas More's Utopia.
Sunday, November 23
Riddle #5
An incentive to act or an incentive to run
Regardless of which, it’s rarely much fun.
If you have too much, your life it may rule
Yet if you have none, you’re more of a fool.
Used by great leaders to inspire, yet divide
A more potent tool than love or pride.
Often irrational, with no reason why;
Still if you don’t heed it, you’re likely to die.
Overcome it you must, if you wish to succeed
But a healthy amount is something you need.
Without any, you can try what you will,
But I strongly doubt you’ll be with us still.
Well, I managed to waste an hour of time and put off all the mountains of work I need to do, but I managed to pump out another riddle. Not one of my better works, but I had to put up something! I think this one's probably an easier one, but I say that about all of em, so who knows.
Anyway, here's the scores thus far: Derek 5, Elizabeth G. 5, Caitlin 5, The Sugue 5, Ellen 5, Martha 4, Melissa 2, Elizabeth E. 1, Kelly 1. I'm still not enforcing any sort of time limit, but it would be nice to tie up the loose ends a few of you have.
On another note, I've decided to let whoever makes the most posts each week decide what colors the journal will have the next week. You can see a list of the possibilities by doing a google search for hexadecimal colors and clicking the first or second links (there's a virtual crayola box of choices). If you make the most posts, but don't want to choose, then just tell someone else to do it for you (or I'll make it black on black and ride into the distant laughing maniacly).
Well, I've got Chemistry to do, until next time.
Regardless of which, it’s rarely much fun.
If you have too much, your life it may rule
Yet if you have none, you’re more of a fool.
Used by great leaders to inspire, yet divide
A more potent tool than love or pride.
Often irrational, with no reason why;
Still if you don’t heed it, you’re likely to die.
Overcome it you must, if you wish to succeed
But a healthy amount is something you need.
Without any, you can try what you will,
But I strongly doubt you’ll be with us still.
Well, I managed to waste an hour of time and put off all the mountains of work I need to do, but I managed to pump out another riddle. Not one of my better works, but I had to put up something! I think this one's probably an easier one, but I say that about all of em, so who knows.
Anyway, here's the scores thus far: Derek 5, Elizabeth G. 5, Caitlin 5, The Sugue 5, Ellen 5, Martha 4, Melissa 2, Elizabeth E. 1, Kelly 1. I'm still not enforcing any sort of time limit, but it would be nice to tie up the loose ends a few of you have.
On another note, I've decided to let whoever makes the most posts each week decide what colors the journal will have the next week. You can see a list of the possibilities by doing a google search for hexadecimal colors and clicking the first or second links (there's a virtual crayola box of choices). If you make the most posts, but don't want to choose, then just tell someone else to do it for you (or I'll make it black on black and ride into the distant laughing maniacly).
Well, I've got Chemistry to do, until next time.
Thursday, November 20
Scandal Across the Board!
Big business took another hit today. Allegations against corporate tycoon and mass landowner “Rich Uncle” Pennybags were brought up earlier today. Charges such as money laundering, extortion, tax evasion, bribery, inappropriate relations with inanimate objects, theft, and more have all surfaced earlier today. Pennybags, known for his trademark top hat and shady corporate dealings, has been the source of many past charges, some of which the reader may remember, but this latest set may finally put the mad man behind bars for good.
Foremost of the new allegations is the charge that Mr. Pennybags has been printing his own money and using it to increase his property value and buying power. Pennybags owns a variety of land from run down shacks in the Mediterranean (already in clear violation of building and health codes) to elaborate estates in North Carolina, home of notorious mobsters and ex-Enron executives.
Also, expenses credited to Pennybags’s company, Pennybags Incorporated, are under investigation. Charges such as “Business Supper with Shoe”, “Thursday Night Thimble Meeting”, “Evening Entertaining Iron”, frequent trips to the “Boardwalk”, and others are especially concerning. Pennybags is notorious for his blatant abuse of his personality and power, swaying local beauty contest officials, stealing public funds, extorting illegal marriage taxes, using tax loopholes to gain money through unemployment benefits, holding a general monopoly over the Boarding District, and more.
Although charged before, Pennybags has used mysterious colored slips of paper to avoid any confinement within federal facilities. This brings up further charges against the local police force who are being called out for failure to cite Miranda Rights, arbitrary and completely random arrests, a flagrant speed trap apprehending even lawful individuals, not to mention bribery and poorly guarded prisons.
A tenant of Pennybags describes him more as a mad dictator. “ The man is clearly daft. He treats us as if we’re pawns in some sort of game! He sells our homes to his pet dog and luxury sports car and buys them back after they’ve decimated everything! His sports car for crying out loud! Not only that, but he uses his own personal cannons and battleships to wage wars for his own amusement on our front yards. He’ll buy houses and hotels, erect them in one day, and demolish them an hour later with no warning to the poor residents whatsoever! He’s a menace that needs to be stopped!”
Pennybags Inc.’s owner, the P&B Corp., said through a spokesman “We’re shocked at these frivolous and obviously unsubstantiated charges! Mr. Pennybags is a model citizen who is a staunch supporter of all things American. After conducting our own investigation we fully expect to welcome Mr. Pennybags back into the P&B family.”
Pennybags had this to say as being escorted to a waiting police car. “This is just another example of the liberal media trying to take trumped up, minor incidents and use them discredit and take down successful businessmen! It’s all part of a vast communist conspiracy to tear down all that this country is made of. Mark my words, this is just the beginning!”
Pennybags arch-rival “ Brother Comrade” Nocash Foreyu made no comment but only let out a deep, maniacal laugh as he jumped onto his solid black winged unicorn and rode into the sunset followed by his legions of yellow hatted leprechauns singing "Turkey in the Straw."
Pennybags is scheduled to begin preliminary hearings November 31.
Foremost of the new allegations is the charge that Mr. Pennybags has been printing his own money and using it to increase his property value and buying power. Pennybags owns a variety of land from run down shacks in the Mediterranean (already in clear violation of building and health codes) to elaborate estates in North Carolina, home of notorious mobsters and ex-Enron executives.
Also, expenses credited to Pennybags’s company, Pennybags Incorporated, are under investigation. Charges such as “Business Supper with Shoe”, “Thursday Night Thimble Meeting”, “Evening Entertaining Iron”, frequent trips to the “Boardwalk”, and others are especially concerning. Pennybags is notorious for his blatant abuse of his personality and power, swaying local beauty contest officials, stealing public funds, extorting illegal marriage taxes, using tax loopholes to gain money through unemployment benefits, holding a general monopoly over the Boarding District, and more.
Although charged before, Pennybags has used mysterious colored slips of paper to avoid any confinement within federal facilities. This brings up further charges against the local police force who are being called out for failure to cite Miranda Rights, arbitrary and completely random arrests, a flagrant speed trap apprehending even lawful individuals, not to mention bribery and poorly guarded prisons.
A tenant of Pennybags describes him more as a mad dictator. “ The man is clearly daft. He treats us as if we’re pawns in some sort of game! He sells our homes to his pet dog and luxury sports car and buys them back after they’ve decimated everything! His sports car for crying out loud! Not only that, but he uses his own personal cannons and battleships to wage wars for his own amusement on our front yards. He’ll buy houses and hotels, erect them in one day, and demolish them an hour later with no warning to the poor residents whatsoever! He’s a menace that needs to be stopped!”
Pennybags Inc.’s owner, the P&B Corp., said through a spokesman “We’re shocked at these frivolous and obviously unsubstantiated charges! Mr. Pennybags is a model citizen who is a staunch supporter of all things American. After conducting our own investigation we fully expect to welcome Mr. Pennybags back into the P&B family.”
Pennybags had this to say as being escorted to a waiting police car. “This is just another example of the liberal media trying to take trumped up, minor incidents and use them discredit and take down successful businessmen! It’s all part of a vast communist conspiracy to tear down all that this country is made of. Mark my words, this is just the beginning!”
Pennybags arch-rival “ Brother Comrade” Nocash Foreyu made no comment but only let out a deep, maniacal laugh as he jumped onto his solid black winged unicorn and rode into the sunset followed by his legions of yellow hatted leprechauns singing "Turkey in the Straw."
Pennybags is scheduled to begin preliminary hearings November 31.
Wednesday, November 19
Here and Here Again
Well, as the Model UNers prepare to go off on another voyage to try and save the world, I'm stuck at home (once again) thinking of what might have been. I've actually been doing it quite a lot lately. Regrets, mistakes, murders I didn't cover up too well, that hobo who still thinks I'm a leprechaun with the power to make him a real tuna sandwich (not those fakes kinds he sees in his dreams), these things and more plague my mind. The word that most comes up is "should". "You should have done this." "You should never have done that." "You should have used that rocket launcher three seconds sooner." You get the gist.
Perhaps I should have tried to go to the Model UN thing. Last year I was largely dissappointed, aside from my stint in front of the Security Council, but the needless formality and biased workings of the convention were only parts of my antipathy towards it. I suppose I expected more and, as usual when I raise my expectations, my ideas crashed and burned. Plus I got afflicted with my normal jitters and knowing how to do things much better in hindsight. Maybe I'll try Youth Ledge.
Ah well, what can you do? Other than create a time machine, go back (forward) in time, make the necessary changes, and watch reality and existence crumble in front of your very eyes. *Sigh* One of these days. Now where did I leave my How-To-Make-A-Big-Explosion-With-A-Toothbrush-And-A-Container-Of-Peanut-Butter Pamphlet....
Perhaps I should have tried to go to the Model UN thing. Last year I was largely dissappointed, aside from my stint in front of the Security Council, but the needless formality and biased workings of the convention were only parts of my antipathy towards it. I suppose I expected more and, as usual when I raise my expectations, my ideas crashed and burned. Plus I got afflicted with my normal jitters and knowing how to do things much better in hindsight. Maybe I'll try Youth Ledge.
Ah well, what can you do? Other than create a time machine, go back (forward) in time, make the necessary changes, and watch reality and existence crumble in front of your very eyes. *Sigh* One of these days. Now where did I leave my How-To-Make-A-Big-Explosion-With-A-Toothbrush-And-A-Container-Of-Peanut-Butter Pamphlet....
Tuesday, November 18
A Day Like Any Other (except this one's worth noting)
Well, today was eventful in the normal uneventful way my life normally is. I raged against society a bit more today, and in finding one of those truths about life, I realized that it's moving closer to anarchy and Ayn Rand's philosophy (no, not all of it, and yes, I'm as shocked as you are). It really is rather disturbing, but I'll be glad to talk about it if you have no better way to waste your time. (As a Warning to Readers, I strongly advise against seeking the ultimate Truth and furtherance of man's understand of existence. It's not only depressing, but it can really kill a party).
On another note, I went to that farce of a initiation in the National Honors Society. I really don't understand the need for them, but I go along like the rest of the flock because it's not worth protesting (although I do regret not writing my typical "Washington Irving" in the sign-in book thing). On the bright side, I got to mingle with my homies, which I rather enjoyed. It was rather strange, seeing as how I was intoxicated on the atmosphere (I think; maybe Conatser spiked the lemonade). But it was kinda fun; just inspired me to pursue the board game thing more (much better than any stupid movie or other social event). I mean really; who can refuse an all night 4 player Stratego extravanganza.
Thirdly (yes, it's that kind of a day), I borrowed Weird Al's new CD (even though it's been out quite a few monthes) from The Sugue. I enjoyed it. I have a flair for the dramatically and ironically tragic, finding it strangely beautiful but still depressing. The music of a few of the songs was like that, but the words were quite satirical and humorous, making it all the better.
And finally, here's this weeks (and last week's) quotes (even though they both happened just now). Caitlin after getting the riddle wrong:
Caitlin: #$%&#$%&$%*&$%^%^$#$^#
Caitlin: %$&$%$*$%*^$%*$*^$%*^&%^$$@#@
IndubitablyDyl: wow
Caitlin: yep
IndubitablyDyl: You sound quite irritated
Caitlin: yep
Caitlin: you'd better run tomorrow
But things got better, and she tried to get by through flattery:
Caitlin: Dylan, you're such a hunk.
Then she rapidly degenerated into bribery and threats saying:
Caitlin:Winning is Fun.
Caitlin: But Cheating to win is delicious.
(These are barely edited, folks!) And there you have it.
Well, that's all for today. Heck, that should be all for the week! (You wish...)
On another note, I went to that farce of a initiation in the National Honors Society. I really don't understand the need for them, but I go along like the rest of the flock because it's not worth protesting (although I do regret not writing my typical "Washington Irving" in the sign-in book thing). On the bright side, I got to mingle with my homies, which I rather enjoyed. It was rather strange, seeing as how I was intoxicated on the atmosphere (I think; maybe Conatser spiked the lemonade). But it was kinda fun; just inspired me to pursue the board game thing more (much better than any stupid movie or other social event). I mean really; who can refuse an all night 4 player Stratego extravanganza.
Thirdly (yes, it's that kind of a day), I borrowed Weird Al's new CD (even though it's been out quite a few monthes) from The Sugue. I enjoyed it. I have a flair for the dramatically and ironically tragic, finding it strangely beautiful but still depressing. The music of a few of the songs was like that, but the words were quite satirical and humorous, making it all the better.
And finally, here's this weeks (and last week's) quotes (even though they both happened just now). Caitlin after getting the riddle wrong:
Caitlin: #$%&#$%&$%*&$%^%^$#$^#
Caitlin: %$&$%$*$%*^$%*$*^$%*^&%^$$@#@
IndubitablyDyl: wow
Caitlin: yep
IndubitablyDyl: You sound quite irritated
Caitlin: yep
Caitlin: you'd better run tomorrow
But things got better, and she tried to get by through flattery:
Caitlin: Dylan, you're such a hunk.
Then she rapidly degenerated into bribery and threats saying:
Caitlin:Winning is Fun.
Caitlin: But Cheating to win is delicious.
(These are barely edited, folks!) And there you have it.
Well, that's all for today. Heck, that should be all for the week! (You wish...)