Reflections

WOOF Contest winners July 10, 2009

2009-07-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

Poetry

Dragon Blogger – “Late Afternoon Nightmare” - A poem about trying to catch an afternoon nap which only ends in a nightmare.

Roy – “unpoetic” - Senseless lines... or are they?

Zorlone – “Blank page” - "Such a true prose, the "process" is as you describe. The blank page a canvas for thoughts and inspiration, ready to pour out from within." Eric S.

Zorlone – “Just another bus commute” - "...That chance may never come again..but then... I'm sure somewhere down the road, you'll finally meet your princess." - JenaIsle

Fiction / Prose / Memoir

Roy – “The Short Story Blogger” - A blogger... his life... his stories...

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the July 10, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends July 17. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 07/10/09

Fiction / Prose / Memoir

Jennifer M Scott – “Cinnamon French Toast” - How making french toast spawns a memory or two.

Webbielady – “The Fish Is Caught From Its Mouth” - Indeed, the fish is baited in the mouth, thus, to keep quiet sometimes gives us safety.

Roy – “He is still the same son after all...” - Rediscovering my long lost relationship with my son...

Poetry

Jennifer M Scott – “Haiku Series 19” - A series of haikus based on a variety of subjects.

Jennifer M Scott – “Waterlily” - A surreal poem and it includes another picture drawn by me.

To take care of my sight

2009-07-11T23:50:00.001-07:00

All those blogging, whether I admit it or not is really taking its toll me, especially my sight. While I don’t want to admit it, I may require eyeglasses soon, that’s why the $ 8 Rx eyeglasses is really appealing to me.

I’ve seen Zenni Optical on TV!!! At least through the links in the web, I’ve also read High Five for Zenni Optical, so maybe they could be a good choice.

So I am not allowed to celebrate

2009-07-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

After a long delay, finally we can go out and celebrate Father's Day.

On the day of the occasion itself, my youngest and middle children were sick... fine, we can celebrate after a week...

Following weekend, my oldest son was sick... okay, fine there's always next week. Granted it was a rediscovery for both of us, he was still sick.

Finally yesterday, to celebrate the weekend that nobody was sick - the long delayed Father's Day celebration was finally pushed through... or so, I thought.

While we were at the movies, I received a text from my sister, my father was admitted to the hospital because of pneumonia.

Swell! Celebration cut short and we rushed to the hospital.

Now, I don't really claim to be so close to my father. The fact is, I was not... never have been. But being older now, and a father myself, I am slowly... albeit awkwardly, trying to build a relationship between us two.

He is my father after all.

And while we're in the hospital, I was thinking... "what kind of cosmic forces are plotting against me?! Now, that my kids are safe, and I didn't get sick, it has go outside, yet still within the family."

Coincidences?

I hope so.

The problem now, is while I would want to keep watch over my father, I can't. I have to attend to my kids who would be attending school... and I have to work, to keep sending them to school.

My father is already old... these past few days, my mother always tell me that he is already saying a lot of nonsense - a sign of senility, to say the least, and he is not really in the peak of health, and he moves slower now... much slower.

Now that he's in the hospital... I'm seeing flashes of images... nightmares... I hope the worst won't happen.

The gap hasn't been patched yet... the bridge is being built...

I hope he gets through it.... I hope he gets well...

He is still the same son after all

2009-06-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

I was really depressed, frustrated and feeling low. What happened last year was repeated – three kids getting sick one after the other.

Angel and Edgar were already well and finally went to school.

Ralph’s fever just started last Friday.

Of my three kids, Ralph, who is the eldest, is the one that I don’t want to get sick, because he is the one who has the lowest threshold on pain.

True enough, he was always whining, almost crying at the slightest hint of pain in his body.

I don’t know if it has anything to do with being a firstborn child. We were always there for him, and wouldn’t let anything harm him.

Because he was the only one then, we can look after him better. That’s why he rarely gets sick when he was still young.

But he got sick… and was always crying. I couldn’t even leave him for a while – so I stopped writing, left the computer and just sat beside him on the bed.

To entertain him and let his mind off the pain (imagined or true), he is feeling, I talked to him. I asked if he still recall what we used to do when he was still small….

We used to walk around the neighborhood without any particular direction, he was barely four or five years old then.

Every afternoon, we would go out, walk around. Sometimes, we would fly kite in the vacant lot just a block away from our house…

We used to go swimming then too, all three of us – Ralph, my wife and me. We wouldn’t even wait for any occasion to go, anytime we decide, we pack and call on the tricycle at the corner to take us to the resort…

He was smiling… he remembered…

He remembered too, as he told me, the things he did when he was small – how he got burned by the flat iron because he touched it out of curiosity, the same curiosity that pushed him to touched those grills at the back of the refrigerator, and how I found him once stuck on the freezer because he tried to lick the ice at the sides.

We were laughing… it was a very rare chit-chat that has become a luxury for us two – Ralph and I.

Lately I have been trying to push him to grow up, making him responsible… because I need him to be. He is after all the eldest of the three.

He is not really the rebellious type, but in his own little ways he does… by going home late without even texting me… and teasing Angel even though he knows it irritates me no end.

Maybe those weren’t intentional, maybe it was just me…. whatever.

The closeness that we used to have when he was still small wasn’t there anymore… as if we were alienated from each other.

But because he was sick, I had to talk to him gently… lowered my voice, so as to calm him and his pain…

And because he was sick, he too had to stay put, listened to me, and at the same time talk in a gentler voice too.

Our conversation was nice… one that didn’t happen for a long time.

And I was surprised, because he put his head on my lap – imagine a 16 year old boy, sleeping with his head on his father’s lap… and he slept good… he was calm… and I realized, it was something that I miss…

I too was able to fall asleep while seated, because I can’t move lest I’ll be waking him up. So I just stayed there and savored the moment that my son and I were close to each other once more…

That was when I realized that, he is still the same son that I used to have more than 10 years ago.

Why?

2009-06-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

This was supposed to be a post to say that my daughter and middle son are finally well and are already going to school... and how I was looking forward to a late Father's Day celebration this weekend.

I even thought it was perfect timing since Transformers 2 is showing.

but I have to pass one more test...

Last night, while I was drafting my original post, my eldest son came home from school. He said he wasn't feeling well, especially while he was still in school. He slept after having his dinner.

At around 1AM, I heard him calling. He asked for medicine because he has a headache, and he was feeling cold. I checked him, he has fever.

Now, he's in bed complaining of various pains in his body.

This isn't new to me. The exact thing happened last year - first it was Edgar, and then Angel, and finally Ralph.

Ralph's sickness came a little late this time, but it didn't fail.

Why?

Am I amiss in my fatherly duties? Don't I know how to take care of my kids?

Why?

You might say I'm making a big fuzz out of this. Maybe I do. But, shouldn't I? If you were in my place, wouldn't you?

I thought so. That's easy for you to say.

When you're on the outside looking in, wisdom is easy to deliver, but unless on your on someone else's shoes, and understand everything that's happening...

Some father's day!

2009-06-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Yes indeed! Some father's day it turn out to be!

As if my son's swollen lips wasn't enough, my baby has to catch fever!

She was already fine last night, after giving her medicine, buying her comfort food (her favorites, especially when she's sick). She was feeling well when we slept yesterday.

But today, we woke up again with her feeling hot. Her temperature reads 40! She looks worst! She have already taken her medicine, and her last temperature reading was 39.5, and she said she feels better.

Some father I'm turning out to be!

My son's lower lips isn't getting any better either.

The disadvantage of not having a mother. Unfortunately, it has to happen to my children.

Some father's day indeed!

Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan

2009-06-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

Last year, I tried my hand on video-editing. I made two projects, just simple ones though - a series of photo slides, and a music background

This one, I made in memory of my wife, I hope you like it...

Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan

Thank you

She wants to be free

2009-06-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Meek and frail she was, fragile as can be
Seeing her grow before my eyes… so fast
All the time I will be right beside her
A promise given, keeping it ‘til end
Forever my baby, she’ll always be

Yet one unsuspecting morning, she said
In tiny voice, yet seems thunder to me
A request to let go, from my baby
She seems to be so sure when she asked me
“Can I go to school alone? Please Daddy?”

Immeasurable anxiety felt
Has she grown faster than I thought she has?
My baby has become a young lady
She now wants out of my protective watch
Can I really let go of my baby?

------------------------------------------------
Jenanian verse
Roy
June 11, 2009
11:10 PM
Angeles City
Philippines

A father's dilemma

2009-06-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is just another one of those exaggerated anxieties.

This time, it was brought to me by my Angel... yes, my little darling caused me anxiety this morning.

No, she didn't do anything. She just asked a question... a simple, innocent question...

"Dad, when can I go to school by myself?"

I was surprised, caught off-guard so to speak. My baby wants to go to school alone. She asked this while we were on a public jeepney on the way to her school.

Everyday, I take her to school in morning and I come back in the afternoon to pick her up. This is our daily routine. I am self-employed (read: jobless), so I have all the time in the world. Quite frankly, I am enjoying it.

I thought my baby was enjoying it too.

She said she just want to experience being solo (is this her way of telling me to move back?), she asked me to allow her even for a day, just for the experience (I know how freedom feels, I know she'll want more of it).

Reminds me of the anxiety I felt when my son was going on his first field trip... unimaginable!

Now, it's Angel's turn to seek her independence.

But she's only 11 years old! So young... so small... so fragile...

Unfortunately (for me), her request was not without basis.

One - her best friend lives near our house, and they can go home together, so she won't be necessarily travelling alone.

Two - with the installation of traffic lights near her school makes crossing the street not as dangerous as it was before.

Three - on her way home, she won't even have to cross the street!

I now imagined myself going out of the house, looking at the street waiting for her to appear within my view every 4:30 in the afternoon... and not until I get a glimpse of her will I be able to feel relax.

I promised my wife I will take care of our baby. That's why I see myself looking after her as long as I can, even watching her in school 'til she reached high school (maybe even college)... she's my only baby.

Now, this early, she is telling me to "back off" in the most subtle way... is she ready to be independent?

Am I ready to let her be independent?

I know, I'm over-reacting.

Writer's block

2009-06-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

I thought I was good, I thought I was an average, if not a good writer. But I've been going to and fro in all my blogs this morning and I can't seem to find anything to write.

What gives?

I have to write.... at least for me to survive.

Another day will soon pass and I haven't submitted anything yet to my employer.

It seems that I have exhausted myself last month, that I can't put anything out now.

Is that even possible? Or is writer's block just a lame excuse for a writer's laziness.

How can I even consider myself as an influential blogger when I can't even push myself now to write anything. Why do these times come? I hate it when it does.

What now?

emptiness

2009-05-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

I long
for your smile
for your kiss
for your touch

no more
shall I hear
shall I see
shall I feel

memories
are all there is
are all I have
are all I need

I miss you… I really do

-------------------------------
Roy
May 29, 2009
7:52 PM
Angeles City
Philippines

Do I really want to be influential?

2009-05-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

I'm at a crosscroad.

After years of blogging, it seems that I am really about to accomplish something out of it.

Do I really want it?

Admittedly, just being included in such a list brings me into a state of euphoria. And I haven't even won yet!

This 'influential blogger' thing is really getting into my system. I want it. I know I do.

But part of me says, "Are you ready?" Then there's the more familiar side which says, "There you go again expecting. Do you really think you can win?!"

This thing won't be handed down to me on a silver platter. No, it won't. It requires efforts. Lots of work.

And that, I'm founding out early on.

Already, it has taken a lot from me. I'm so focus in the contest that I tend to drift from my online work which I need badly. And I have never been so conscious of my posts! "Will this be a hit?", "Will they comment on this one?", "Will it earn me another nomination?". "Is this clever enough to solicit a nod?"

And I'm not even talking about the grammar yet!

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm really taking this thing too seriously.

That's how bad I want this thing. The 'only' thing that can give me an affirmation that I have existed in this chosen endeavor that I'm in.

Am I ready?

My poem for my wife made the grade

2009-05-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

The WOOF Contest winners for the week-ending May 15 has been picked.

The poem I wrote for my wife was lucky enough to pass the peer's standards.

Here's the complete list.

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Poetry

Webbielady – “If I Am God...” - What if I'm given the seat as the God of this universe just for a few hours or a day or a couple of days? A crazy though, a weird poem came out of it...

Jena Isle – “Poems of Adieu and Hello” - What would be more indelible in one's memory, is it saying adieu or hello?

Albert Ashok – “Concerning my land” - Concerning my land- is a concern for my country and the well-being of all concerned with my country.

Dragon Blogger – “A Mother's Love” - A tribute to Mother's everywhere.

Roy – “Don't Ask Me Why” - A poem I wrote for my wife in 1999.

Christable Anon – “The Third Day of May” - How would you address your pain to some deaf wounds?

Zorlone – “Simply A Mother” - The joys of motherhood cannot be expressed in a single poem. But this one tries to have a glimpse of the beauty of such a devoted and unselfish love.

Jennifer M Scott – “Birthday” - 2 months to the day is my birthday and I will be 29 I guess getting older is bothering me some since it seems like I am writing a lot about getting older and losing childhood completely.
Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the May 15, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends May 22. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 05/15/09

Poetry

Dragon Blogger – “The Hunt For The Pegasus” - Poetry Prose about hunting for Pegasus to save his love.

Roy – “Can we really expect the unexpected?” - Just some words and phrases which have caught my curiosity and wondered if they were really being used correctly.

Dragon Blogger – “Lavender Rain” - Random word poem about mysterious Lavender Rain.

Jennifer M Scott – “Vacancy” - There is a old people's home near my house with a little sign that says "vacancy apply within" This sign inspired this poem.

Jennifer M Scott – “Haiku Series 18- Before Vacation” - I think the title says it all.

Jennifer M Scott – “Reflections” - An acrostic using the word reflections, it is about poem about childhood friends and missing that person.

Short Story / Flash Fiction

Zorlone – “Flood and Traffic are Tears and Choices” - Photographs, lies, love, and selflessness. A flash fiction of a moment in Star's life that left her clinging stranded in a flooded road.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Don't Ask Me Why

2009-05-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

Don't ask me why I love you,
I just do.
I love you not because you
love me back
I just do

Although I may not say it,
Sometimes It may not show,
But believe me,
I do

I love you not for the caring
Nor the thoughtfullness you've shown,
Not for being there
At times when I'm low!

Not for taking care of my children,
Not for making me a home
and not for being patient
of all my imperfections.

Please don't ask me for reasons
'cause I don't need them at all
Because loving you is itself the reason
And nothing else matters anymore

So don't ask me why I love you,
Because I do.

-------------------------------
a poem i wrote for my wife in 1999

Happy Mother's Day Mama!

Birthday... big deal!

2009-05-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

What’s so special about birthdays? Aside from adding one more year to your age, what significance does it really brings?

When you have nothing to prove that all those years of your existence in this planet was something worthwhile, then a birthday means absolutely nothing.

Some people would have a house perhaps to show that they are really working hard… some people commands respect because others have seen that they are so deserving of this… some people developed an enterprise, one that will be their legacy to their children…

…and then, there are some who can leave only nothing but footprints… footprints that gets easily erased and washed away even by the smallest waves. And when that happens, there won’t be any proof of existence of those footprints nor the man who left them.

it matters not…

how many birthdays he had…
how many times he cried…
how loud his laughter was…
how badly bruised he was…

neither here nor there… a candle that couldn’t keep its light… an age that didn’t come with wisdom…

ahhh…. birthday! Others rejoice in it, thankful for the day to come… while others wouldn’t really give a damn.

Is it really significant?

It depends… on who you are… where you are… and how you are…

Birthday? Big deal!

Rain and anxiety

2009-05-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Rain falling… dark skies… gloomy weather…
should it follow that heart be filled with anxiety?

I am…

I can’t tell why…

I don’t know why…

I love the rain… I love the showers…

Maybe that’s it!
I better go out there

drown the unexplained anxiety that I’m feeling now
with the very same cause that brought it

so then…

May... she comes

2009-04-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Used to be that May was my favorite month of the year, and I got a lot of reasons for doing so. As a kid I always look to it being the time of summer of vacation... a time to fly kites, run under the sun all day, without any worries of doing any homework or waking up early the next day.

Of course, as I grew older the reasons became more meaningful, more meaningful that these childhood joys. Aside from the fact that it is my birthday month (which makes me Taurus, that's why I'm stubborn), May was also the time my wife officially became my girlfriend.

It was in the month of May that she said yes to me, albeit with hesitation. But of course, I proved to her that she doesn't have anything to worry about. I am not a perfect person, but I tried to perfect for my wife.

This year could have been our 23rd year anniversary as lovers.

Then there is the Mother's Day, the time where we give special honor the all the mothers in the world.

Like I said, May used to be my favorite month....

A blog for Angel

2009-04-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

My daughter Angel was creating a new blog in her Friendster account the other day. Not her first blog actually, because she already had one in her old Friendster account which was unfortunately hacked.

When I saw her, I asked if she wants to have a 'real blog' not that a Friendster blog isn't a real one. I was meaning for her to have her own domain, to save her the trouble of thinking about transferring files and blog posts, or worse, starting over again when she comes of age.

Right now (based on her old blog), she really have a poor command of English grammar, she's only 11 years old after all. So what worries me once I create her blog is that those pseudo-English gurus might be hounding over her blog, checking it twice (like they were Santa Clause) and find what they think were lapses.

Honestly, I found out personally that blogging is not really for the faint-hearted. Save from some supportive friends who always push and boost your morale to encourage you to write some more, there are some who comes from nowhere creating havoc in the blogosphere.

Some would pick a line or phrase from your post, expounding it on their blog - which is totally out of context from where it was picked-up, to justify their post and make you look dumb.

Back to Angel's blog, these facts make me think twice whether or not I would create a blog for her. But I don't want her to miss a beautiful experience just because of some stupid paranoia. Maybe I could just be keeping a watch on her blog, and throw all those commentators who 'doesn't have anything better to do' in the river of fire where they will 'burn and gnash their teeth as they cry.'

Sorry, I got carried away... anyway, Angel wants a blog... Angel will get a blog!

But make no mistake about it, Daddy will be keeping a watchful eye.

The blue collar worker

2009-04-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just know I had to quit my job. It's like I'm a square peg in a round whole. I delivered the goods, modesty aside my outputs has helped the company sales chart have an upward trend, but something was lacking... it's like I don't have a sense of fulfilment despite of my achievements.

The challenge was there, and I'm really up to it. But it's really getting to be routine, so predictable actually. That was then that I decided to quit... no ifs, no buts, it's one-way ticket, and there's no turning back.

The first few days of freedom were liberating, taking my sweet time to eat my breakfast with no deadlines and sale quota to meet. After a while though, I became bored, I still haven't figured out what to do or where to find my passion.

One day, a neighbor asked for my help as she saw jogging around the area. She was having trouble with her faucet. Being the gentleman that I am, I fixed her faucet in no time. She was paying me but I said no, it was my pleasure to help.

But it didn't end there. This kind lady spread the word around, everytime somebody in the neighborhood got some plumbing problem, she would refer me. That's how I got started really... in a humble way. Now, I'm one of the most sought after Memphis Plumber, and with my humble beginning I was able to form my company, American Tech Plumbing.

Now, I found my passion. And I am happy.

Meet Chuchi... the newest member of the family

2009-04-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Meet Chuchi, an 'askal' an ordinary dog. She may not be like one of those expensive dog breeds that we see famous people totting around. But she is special to us, especially to Angel.

Chuchi was given by her classmate and bestfriend who happens to live in the neighborhood. She was just a tiny pup when she came to us, barely out of weaning. We gave her milk during her first days with us. We tried to feed her bread then, but she wouldn't eat it.

She was a timid little dog at first, we thought she will always stay like that. Always lying silently in one corner, very, very lame. We thought she was weak.

As the days passed by, since the excited kids would always play with her (and sometimes I do too), she started getting active. Now, after more than a month of staying with us, she has turned into one frisky, hyper-active little pup.

At times, we would be walking around the house dragging her as she is biting on our pants and wouldn't let go. There are times she would bite the slippers we're wearing, pulling it and once we took it off, she would run away with it.

But what is really most anticipated by the kids is feeding time. During meal time, Chuchi would be staying under the table, waiting for us to be finished. Although there would be times she would jump up, but after we tell her wait, she'll go back under the table.

And when it's her turn to eat, Angel would always be feeding her by hand. Yes, this one spoiled 'askal' would be eating food from Angel's hand as Angel would hand it to her one by one until she finishes everything.

I really have come to love this dog myself, especially with what she brought to the family. My Angel has someone to show her affection too, aside from having a playmate. Even the two boys have become affectionate because of Chuchi.

Chuchi is a one frisky little dog, she tears the newspaper one day, once the radio dropped off the table because she dragged its cable while she was running inside the house. Sometimes we wonder if she's really an 'askal' because we find her intelligent.

Whatever, we still love her, because she is family.

Why would a father want a Chicken Soup for the Soul book for mothers?

2009-04-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of you know the Chicken Soup for the Soul book, and I just found about Dee and her contest where she is giving away two Chicken Soup for the Soul books:

The first one is about Moms and Sons and the second one is about Mothers and Daughters, and I'm writing this post because I want to win both books.

I know what you're thinking, "Why would a father want Chicken Soup for the Soul books for mothers?"

Most of my friends know this, but for those who doesn't, since my wife passed away last year, I have been standing both as father and a mother to my two sons and daughter -- so theoretically speaking, I am qualified to want to have these books.

Seriously though, being a single father, I honestly believe these books would help me rear my children well, especially my daughter who would unfortunately have to grow up with a loving mother to guide her.

Right now, being only eleven years old, I still have no problem. But she will grow up, and that's a fact -- I'm thinking boys, crushes, sleepovers, heartaches... and heaven forbids -- 'monthly period!'

How can I cope? Would we be able to connect to each other and maintain the relationship we have now once I start to be strict on her when it comes to boys?

And what about my sons? You think that them, being boys, I won't have any problems relating them? Guess again.

You know how boys keep things to themselves, and being a man myself, how would I be able to convince them to pour out all those aches, pains and frustrations inside? Things that they could easily open up to their mother... which unfortunately is no longer here.

I know these two books won't really tell me how to do things and be a 'mother' to my kids... but maybe they could give me an idea, a woman's point of view perhaps, or maybe a sound advice coming from a mother to another 'mother.'

Is it still a wonder why I want to win these books?

WOOF Contest Winners for April 17, 2009

2009-04-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Fiction

Jena Isle – “Was Love Meant to Last Forever?” - Is there such a thing as eternal love? A story of love's imperfections.

About Writing

Roy – “Getting back to poetry... my real reflection” - Rediscovering my love for poetry writing...

Izzy Daniels – “Maximizing Your Writing Time: Ideas! I need Ideas!” - Ways to come up with ideas for your writing, and maximizing your outline in order to avoid having to go back.

Poetry / Poetic Fiction

Zorlone – “Ancient Cities” - We are awed by the presence of astounding skyscrapers, sturdy bridges, and majestic monuments. They are in one way or the other influenced by the ancient cities from all over the world.

Deeptesh Sen – “Time Travel” - It's the creation of a surreal city which you can reach through your mirrors by means of time travel.The vehicle for this telepathic transport is a symphony.

Dragon Blogger – “Unlikeable” - A random word poem about a person who is simply unlikeable.

Gabriel Gadfly – “Shelter” - Two creatures cross paths at the junction of life and death.

Zorlone - “A Gentle Touch” - An intimate beauty of lovers sharing their passion for one another.

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the April 17, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends April 24. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 04/17/09

About Writing

Jonathan Crossfield - “Finding creative freedom by adding limitations” - Why creative freedom isn't necessarily a good thing. The more constraints we have, the more creative we are forced to become. Supported by some interesting video of Robert McKee.

Writing Nag – “The Chasm Between” - It's very difficult to get on the page what we imagine in our mind. These 15 prompts may help you get started.

Fiction

Webbielady – “How She Wish She Could Stay” - She wishes to stay with him longer... or even forever. Will she attain this goal? Would her wish be granted?

Non-Fiction, Life Improvement, Spiritual

Amritbir Kaur - “Prayer” - Prayer is not a mere lip service. Do we ever introspect ourselves? Read more...

Poetry / Poetic Fiction

Alex McGaughan – “Found Poem: Spam Villanelle” - This is a bit of found poetry I did using the spam comments from my blog as my source. The form is a traditional Villanelle, with the A-B-A rhyme scheme and repeated lines.

Dragon Blogger - “A Million Followers” - Fun Poem to join the hype to help Ashton Kutcher reach a million followers on twitter, I don't think he read it though.

Jennifer M Scott – “April” - An acrostic poem about April.

Jennifer M Scott – “Haiku Series #17” - Random haikus on different topics.

Jennifer M Scott – “Finding My Reprieve” - A poem written in nonette form about finding one self.

Jennifer M Scott - “Depressed April” - A very short poem about rainy days in April.

Jennifer M Scott – “A Kiss From Apollo” - Dedicated to the god of poetry Apollo.

Dragon Blogger – “Gluttony” - Random word poem consisting of 13 words about someone not caring about their health and eating poorly.

From poetry to short story writing

2009-04-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

After rediscovering my passion in writing poems, I am now on a journey to write stories... short stories at least.

I am struggling, especially since I have so much writing to do as well real world matters to attend to. But I am determine to test myself to see if I can indeed try to pull this one.

I have managed to inject a few stories in my blogs before, but those were done in leisure time. They may or may not be written, it won't make a difference. I still can post a lot of nonsensical and irrelevant matters on my blog.

But when you have blog like a short stories blog, you really can't post anything in it other than short stories, right? So, when the blog don't get updated... say, for more than a month, you know somebody is not keeping up in his personal challenge.

I am excited, and at the same time pressured. Especially now that I am promoting it in almost all of my blogs. Perhaps, you may have read the other posts too and have grown tired of reading the same thing -- just re-worded.

Just leveraging on the existence of my many blogs.

So far, I only have two entries in it... an introductory story, and another one that aims to be a sci-fi with a twist.

But of course, expect it to be filled with more stories of different genre - romance, suspense, real life, action, mystery, humor and more.

And without much further ado, I give you, my Short Stories Blog

See you there!

Getting back to poetry... my real Reflection

2009-04-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

My last entry in my Sugar Coated World made me realize one thing -- I need to write poems.

Although the mood of that piece was a dark one, it reminds me of where I came from... of what I am.

I am a self-proclaimed poet before I was a struggling blogger.

Like what I said when I traced how REFLECTIONS started, before there were blogs, url's and PRs -- there were only notebooks, an old reliable blue ink pen, and a lot of pent up emotions.

Those emotions were able to fill up three notebooks of verses of different moods, each one reflecting how I was feeling, what happened or what I saw at the time of writing.

And as I started my fourth REFLECTION early this year, the 11 entries written in it weren't really new, they were old poems that I have written after filling up the third notebook, which were just scattered everywhere. I still don't know if I have missed some, I can't remember.

As I write my latest poem in the notebook, there was a strange feeling... something that I didn't feel when I write on my blogs... but it was familiar... it's something that I have felt before.

I can't recall where I read it... but I do remember it something like...

When everything always fails, look back... trace your steps... trace your beginnings...

it might be a good time to start again...

so I am...

Pressured...

2009-04-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

It's the first week of the fourth month of the year... Yup! It's now the second quarter of the year, I would say, it's income tax season, but since I'm not employed, what do I care?

Obviously, I'm blabbering again... with nothing to say and no particular REFLECTIONS in mind. Honestly, right now as the title suggests, I am pressured.

Pressured about what? A lot of things.

For one, pressured to keep this blog updated and active. I've been at my other blogs and have no problem keeping them updated. After all, I have just to seek for the news, add my thoughts to it, a little humor here, some fire there... and voila! One blog post!

Unfortunately, I can't do that here. At the most is, to relate the news to the things that's happening in my life right now... hmmm, there's a thought.

But that's not reflections. The worst I can do to this blog is pollute it with posts that don't really have anything to do with my reflections... although I admit to doing it... but then again, I really don't get to do it much often lately.

Anyway, I do have a lot of ideas 'in the pipeline' for this blog... lots of things happening lately, I just can't put them into words... I don't know why.

I guess, I blabbered enough... and I think this can already count for a blog post... for the meantime.