Daily writing prompt

What app eats up most of your screen time — and do you even feel bad about it?

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Solitaire.

Sometimes I feel bad about it, because I know I should be tending to something more urgent or fruitful or stimulating. But most of the time it’s something to do at most any time or in just about any setting, and apparently there is an endless number of combinations of starting cards– 8×10 to the 67th– which exceeds the number of atoms in the known universe, so I’m unlikely to see the same setup… ever.

A close second is YouTube, with Pinterest in a distant third.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel?

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The ending scene from Castaway still resonates with me, and often gets me thinking about the open road. For a long time now, I get a hankering, a sense of anticipation, when I think about heading west.

It’s somewhat cliche, but also based in reality– I love the feeling of heading toward the wide open spaces, in the direction of endless corn and grain and grassland– and mountains, eventually– where the land opens up and the horizon expands and things feel less cluttered and close.

Daily writing prompt

If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?

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The trend that has humans resorting to war as a solution. Evolution toward kinder and gentler– if there is such movement– is taking way too long.

And whatever it is that keeps cranking out skunks like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and their ilk.

Daily writing prompt

Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why?

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I don’t know that I miss any of it. We still have a land line, though it’s been tempting to lop that relatively small expense off our monthly TV/Internet bill, since it’s all bundled. We keep it as a back-up and I occasionally still use it, even as cell service is established and has become increasingly robust.

I don’t miss my iPod, VHS, DVDs, typewriters, dot matrix printers, the clunky, heavy CRT televisions and computer monitors, and I never got into the gaming systems, though we took the plunge and bought a Nintendo Wii, which has long been boxed up and is sitting on a shelf somewhere. I would still spin a CD every now and then, if I had my stereo set up.

Nostalgically, I wouldn’t mind if we still had phone booths around, though it makes sense that they’ve also gone the way of the dinosaurs.

Daily writing prompt

What is the best excuse you have heard lately?

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Sorry, but the only excuse that’s coming to mind is when Donald Trump tried to explain away the meme in which he was portrayed as Jesus. I’m not sure it’s even an excuse, but claiming he saw himself as a doctor is really rich, and on brand.

Daily writing prompt

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

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Yes.

It’s not a 50-50 split, though. We inherit traits and tendencies, and a happy childhood doesn’t necessarily equate with a happy life. Environmental factors like stability, nurture, socialization– love or the lack thereof– all have a role to play. Our choices along the way, the exposure we have to the world around us, incidents and accidents and health challenges all contribute, one way or another, to who we are, who we become.

Some are better at learning and adapting than others. Some rise above difficult beginnings, others do not. Memories and experiences either serve as motivating factors or stumbling blocks, but we are all molded and shaped, to some extent.

I suppose one could say that our experiences shape who we are, and what we inherit genetically doesn’t necessarily doom us or guarantee smooth sailing.

Daily writing prompt

If you had to be an animal for a week, which one would you be and why?

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Either a bald eagle– because they can fly and soar and ride the thermals– or a dog living with a loving, caring family, because that sounds like a pretty nice situation.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a piece of technology you’re convinced will exist in 20 years?

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Maybe a flat screen TV. Gotta have something to watch movies and sports on. It makes me wonder how big they may yet get– literal wall units that measure in feet instead of inches? With audio options that will test a dwelling’s structural integrity.

Or maybe someone will develop a high-tech paint that dries and serves as a UHD surface for much improved projection units, which would take the place of the monstrosities we cart home in massive boxes and hang on our walls.

I imagine there’d still be some sort of communication device that may or may not look like today’s smart phone. Twenty years… that’s a long enough time for things to evolve considerably, or just go away.

Daily writing prompt

Which book have you read more than any other?

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I’ve read and reread sections of The Bible over the years, but other than that, I don’t think I’ve ever read any book more than once.

If I were to reread something, it might be To Kill A Mockingbird or A Separate Peace. Maybe 1984, given the current atmosphere around here.

Daily writing prompt

What villain actually had a good point?

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I’m not that familiar with TV and movie villains, or real villains, for that matter. Well, except for people like Hitler and Jim Jones and Vladimir Putin. I know that, in general, people we consider evil are convinced of their own “good” intentions, their own beliefs and zeal for drastic measures and certain results. I suppose one could argue that the “villain” moniker is a matter of perspective, but I don’t believe that is relevant in every instance.

Anyway, the one person who did come to mind is from V for Vendetta. V at one point says that people should not fear their governments, but governments should fear their people. Or something to that effect. I seem to recall hearing this being spoken lately, or seeing it in print, and find it to be of some relevance, given what we’re facing here in the U.S.

Living under the thumb of a repressive, oppressive dictator wannabe has led to anger and revolt. Donald Trump appears to relish the role of troublemaker and fearless leader, and can easily be dismissed as a shallow pretender who never grew up, who always needs to get his way. But he wields great power and as such commands our attention– even if it’s the people around him, lurking in the shadows, who are more scary and focused and zealous.

In any event, such hard-headed conviction and delusions of grandeur exact a toll on the person harboring such beliefs, and eventually the oppressed win the day. Even if, agonizingly, it takes a while.