Thursday, August 2, 2012

Write On Edge: Going For The Gold Challenge

Red Writing Hood offered three different options this week, inspired by the Olympic Games.

We are to choose one from the following:

The 100 Meter Sprint
100 words on a conflict, competition, or game.
The Road Race
300 words on a topic of your choice. The only catch? Your setting must be London, Beijing, or Rio de Janeiro.
Synchronized Diving
Partner up with another Write on Edge writer. You each have 450 words to write about a conflict between two characters; each writer should represent a single character’s point of view.


So, funny story...


When my editor speaks and the words "So, funny story..." escape her lips, everyone around her stops and listens. She's got a verbal arsenal of tales, mostly hers, some borrowed, that oft times bring uncontrollable fits of side-splitting giggles to surface. Those words became a catchphrase that my circle of immediate friends has adopted. Of course, the ubiquitous "No shit, there I was..." happens also, depending on the amount of drinks consumed by the party speaking.

So, funny story...and my attempt at narrative non-fiction for The Road Race event...


I offer the following in response: A Rare Commuter



St. Paul’s Cathedral blocked what little of the dawning sun the clouds couldn’t hide. Armed with our backpacks, we left the nearby hostel, walking the empty Saturday streets to the Tube. I whistled Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins, in fond farewell, as we passed the baroque apostle before we descended into the earth for our last journey through London.

“My-nd…the gap!” echoed the alternating male and female automated voices over the speaker system as the two of us stood on the vacant platform. When the train doors opened, we did as instructed, stepping over the gap between the platform and the train. The car to ourselves, we chose the seats against the end, backs to the wall, to better survey our empty traindom.

The rumble of the train lulled us into our own thoughts and we occupied the time writing in our journals. Stops blurred by without our notice, until an unexpected passenger boarded.

Feathered smartly in a hounds-tooth-like mottled brown, our new travel companion was an adventurous pigeon.

It jumped into the car and bobbed its head in different angles as if to better ascertain our merit. It pecked briefly at the ground as the doors closed behind it. I held my breath, preparing for the desperate flight of a panicked pigeon. Instead it bobbed, swaggered, and pecked while the train lurched onward. Too stunned to move, I simply watched it watch us.

As the train slowed for the next station, the pigeon turned and waited for the doors to open. It shot one last look at us before hopping from the car onto the platform. Only when the doors slid shut again did we risk laughing. We giggled the entire rest of the way to Victoria Station and our waiting Edinburgh train.


28 comments:

  1. That is hilarious! The pigeon figured out how to ride the subway. That would have been something to see.

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    1. Oh it was a riot. My friend and I were too nervous to move, in case it spooked, but it was certainly fun to watch.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  2. Pigeons are pretty smart birds. But what are the odds that one would ride the train? Hilarious!

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    1. The scene certainly conjured up all kinds of silliness, like did the pigeon pay the toll, if not, did it get a ticket from the transit authority. Hence the giggling to Victoria Station.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  3. I've heard of pigeons in London doing this - there's even a YouTube video of it, so you know it's true! LOL

    I loved the interaction between the people and the bird, particularly the exchange of looks. Nicely done!

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    1. I'm gonna do a YouTube search. What a riot!

      I'm glad I captured the situation well. I write so little of non-fiction that I can never be sure how "story-like" it comes across. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  4. very funny and completely engaging. Clever response. BRa and vo

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    1. Thanks! (Bows) I'm thrilled you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  5. i really enjoyed this light humorous piece! thanks for sharing.

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    1. It's a story that had to be told. I wouldn't have made that up in a hundred years. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  6. That would be quite the sight. Clearly this pigeon is familiar with the trains...and to "My-nd that gap!" ;)

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    1. I kid you not, the second the train started slowing down on it's approach to the next station, that bird waddled to position like a pro.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  7. Wannt to ride this train. Great job.

    JAKS

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    1. Thanks! It was a fun ride for certain, and I think you'd have a blast in London.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  8. Interesting. Some ride it must have been :)

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    1. It certainly made the morning. (I've never been much of a morning person)

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  9. What a funny piece. The pigeon can ride the train better than I could manage it LOL! I though would have been hysterical being caught in the train with a pigeon or any bird for that matter. Great job!

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    1. It took near a month for me to feel confident in my subway skills (I am a Californian after all): I wonder how long it took the pigeon?

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  10. There!:-D you did it again. made me click.
    There was a poem I once read about human beings folding their hands behind their backs and looking like pigeons. And you gave us a story about pigeons riding trains!

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    1. Oops I did it again! :)

      It was one of the most unique experiences I had in London, so I felt compelled to share. I am thrilled you stopped by. You're always welcome here. I hope you've enjoyed your stay!

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  11. Thanks for commenting, this was such a cute story and I could see it happening right before my eyes.

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    1. I'm glad the story came across like it happened; I get nervous whenever I write anything non-fiction. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  12. If you've got to get to Victoria Station, the Tube is an excellent choice. Clever bird.

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    1. Indeed. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  13. Giggling...we all wish we could fly like birds, but it turns out they just want to ride the Tube. I enjoyed the non-fiction!

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    1. Maybe it feels like flying without wings? I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  14. Great tale, I love your descriptions especially the baroque apostle and the lines about the bird. Pigeons get everywhere. :)

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    1. I generally call them "rats with wings" but that one was too smart for that title. Thanks for the love, I'm happy you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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