Discussion thread -- seventy-five word challenge September 2013

[HoopyFrood]

Joint third with the reindeers, I'm afraid. Stormfeather won that month, Hoopy lost in a tie. (Dec 2010; obsessed, me?)

I usually have a mad memory for stuff but I can't quite remember this one. So it feels like I just lost all over again. Thanks, Alc.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Hey all,

First of all: Congratulations, Alc. A runaway winner. I'm ashamed to admit I've not read more than a couple of entries as I was planning to do this and vote yesterday afternoon.

Secondly:

I got back from hospital this morning around 3AM having been there since 11AM the previous day. I was running an extra curricular, catch-up technique class for GCSE students and one of them sustained a dreadful injury. Long story short - single parent fam, absent mother (out in Brighton and not answering her phone) and older brother is 'looking after' the other two kids and we do not have his contact details. Consequently I had to stay with her all day through triage, ankle setting, and then till I could get hold of her brother. He turned up around 1AM stinking of weed. Two nightbuses later (via Hackney) I got home.

Participating and not voting is something I've never done and regardless of the circumstances, I do feel rather s****y about it, so here is my humble apology. I am sorry, especially as I see I have two mentions - thank you Stormcrow and Johnnyjet. And my thanks also to Victoria and Starbeast for once again making me feel good about my dross

I will explain a little about my story later when I get sorted (and going to vote on the Photo challenge immediately lest some other kid breaks their ankle - or worse!) - I loved the theme and genre but found it difficult, and also over-egged the pudding trying to crowbar too many references in.

Anyway, I shall slink off now before I turn into Uriah Heap with all this hand-wringing.

pH
ps. Missed the wedding
pps. Set back my Sekrit Santa II time.
ppps. This job is that new one I was rattling on about a month ago, that I hate
pppps. ALC, just read your wonderful story - a clear winning entry.

 

[stormcrow]

Congratulations Alchemist on a very convincing victory!

...and here, Phyrebrat, I have some plates need spinning if you wouldn't mind...and here's a broom too....!!
(Hope things calm down a bit for you)

 

[Ursa major]

Well done you, Phyrebrat.

 

[Bowler1]

Well done, Alchemist, three seconds and finally a win - a clear hands down win, very well done, sir.

I'm not too upset myself, two votes has doubled any past performance of mine. Thanks to Tywin and Stromcrow for the votes, it's made my month.

Mentions from the winner himself, Alchemist, then Aun, Chrispy and Boneman - thank you one and all.

Roll on next month.

I think we can safely say that you had good reason to miss the voting, Phyrebrat. Well above and beyond the normal call of duty.

 

[nixie]

Congratulations Alchemist

 

[paranoid marvin]

Well done Alchemist, a thoroughly deserved victory.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I can't believe (having also not quite memorized TJ's goodly chart, alas) that (1) alchemist hasn't won before, and (2) alchemist got here almost a full year after I did!

The mind boggles.

 

[chrispenycate]

I'll spring to your defence now - I think we should only comment on the positives whilst voting is in play

No, you've got it wrong; I find it a sssplendid piece. Who else would have written a philosophical treatise worthy of a jesuit in seventy-five words? After all, if one has abstained from the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil one can not be aware that stewing (and presumably killing) a sssapient being was not sssossially acceptable; the lack of guilt involved with ssserving up the adversssary is evident, and echoes down the ages through religious leaders whose "thou shalt not kill? Ah, but that can't hold in these circumstances, they're not human because…" As if the command were 'thou shalt not murder'.

I found the subject and genre excellent, but there again listening is something I've dedicated half my life to. Tanks, Hex; I could have done quite a lot of different universes (five or six, on estimate. My actual piece needed a title involving Dungeness as the British, having lost the battle of Britain and never developed radar (0r they would never have been using the decade old acoustic system:- Fileenge acoustic mirrors -March2005.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) are in dire straits; if Pyan's universe happens to be the same, and they don't waste energy attacking Russia, I'm afraid, I Voyager, that the situation is fairly hopeless.

Obviously, many thanks for the vote, Bowler 1, and for the mentions, Glen, Stormcrow and The Judge.

Pity so few votes; not that I think it would change the result, but so many great stories were left out.

 

[ratsy]

congrats on a well deserved win Alc!

 

[crystal haven]

Congratulations, Alchemist!

 

[Ursa major]

It's explanation time again, is it?

Well mine is pretty well self-explanatory, with only one pun ("Auteur Joy" sounds a bit like "Ode to Joy", when each is said quickly and out loud).


As to the content, history (or some, possibly mistaken, versions of it) helped write most of it:

• Beethoven was on the platform at the premier of his ninth symphony, supposedly conducting, although the orchestra had been told (by Michael Umlauf, who was the official conductor) not to follow him (which is why it reached the end of the work before he did);
• at the end, the contralto, Caroline Unger took Beethoven's arm and turned him round to see the applauding audience;
• There are some very high notes for the singers, which can be at the limit of some singers.

Wanting to give Beethoven his hearing back, but to change as little of the rest as possible, I removed Umlauf from the stage, but had him involved in the rehearsals. (The real Umlauf had seen a disastrous rehearsal, conducted by Beethoven, of the opera Fidelio, which is why he'd told the orchestra to follow him, not the composer.)

While one could argue that a Beethoven whose hearing was intact might have removed those high notes before the premier, I don't think the real Beethoven would.

 

[Aun Doorback]

No, you've got it wrong; I find it a sssplendid piece.

Fair do's then! And well explained sir. I've asked the B.A.L.K mercenaries to stand down

 

[Parson]

Congratulations Alchemist!


GGGGGRRRRRR!!! This was the most frustrating entry I've ever put in. I was running at full throttle all month and was headed for Chicago for a conference and didn't have any more time, and no guarantee that I would have a chance after I got back. So I was editing on the fly trying to get the most bang for my 75 and totally FORGOT a word. I saw it a day later, what a bummer!

What a waste of what I thought was pretty fair story.


(Probably too much information but at least I feel better.)

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Good on you, Alchemist.


To be honest, it really wasn't a surprise victory, but a deserved one nonetheless.



We're all waiting in anxious breath to see what you choose for the month of the supernatural.

 

[Luiglin]

Sorry didn't vote. I blame all the alcohol I was forced to drink this weekend on my stag do.

Thanks for the shortlistings folks.

Know all I need is for my head to get back to some sort of normality.

 

[mosaix]

Congratulation, Alchemist!

And thanks for the mentions, Mith, TDZ and Alc.

 

[alchemist]

We're all waiting in anxious breath to see what you choose for the month of the supernatural.

Oi! Canvassing WITHOUT a bribe isn't allowed!

 

[The Judge]

As we're now half-way through the 2013-14 season, it's time for the stats here...

So far this year we've had 284 stories, with June being the best with 57, and this month the weakest with only the bare 42. We've had 28 new entrants, June again being the best with 10, and only 2 this and last month. Voting hasn't been as good, with a total of only 348 votes. In no month so far have votes even come close to equalling the entries which is very disappointing, and the deficit has been 9, 5, 5, 12, 9 and 6. Not good people.

The 9 votes alchemist accrued this month has propelled him into equal first place with me on 17, but in only 4 Challenges, damn him! After that comes Victoria on 15, Hex on 10, then joint 5th on 9 votes Boneman, DEO, paranoid marvin and reiver, with TDZ on 8, and Glen and Sleepy Dormouse joint 10th on 7.

So, can alc spring further ahead? Can Victoria lope forward and take first? Or do we have a dark horse way back in the throng just waiting to take over the lead? Doubtless October will see more thrills and spills! Stay tuned, folks!


NB Although magnificent, alchemist's 9 votes aren't a record for the 75 worders. If we exclude the 2 Challenges where we had 3 votes apiece, which rather skew things, the highest-votes accolade belongs to mosaix, for 11 votes in June 2011, and Culhwch got 10 in October 2011. However, alchemist has won by the biggest ever margin, of 6. So well done him!


And while I'm here, I propose we inaugurate a Good-Samaritan-of-the-Year award, which shall be immediately handed to Phyrebrat!

 

[Aun Doorback]

Thanks for the vote Mosiax. Only just noticed!