The Monotonous, The Mediocre, The Menial

BushMaid · **Posted:** April 27th, 2011, 11:40 pm

This was an idea I had whilst getting lunch ready today.

Everyone has their own routine, their own habits, their own practises around their home. They are boring, menial tasks that you do every day and think nothing of. However, though they may be mediocre to you, they aren't to everyone else. Your ways are unique, and are very intriguing to other people to hear about. Including these monotonously menial tasks in our writing can bring a real realness to the lives of our characters.

For instance, instead of a character that wakes in the morning, has breakfast, and leaves for work, the character could shuffle downstairs in their bunny slippers, hit the coffee machine with a spoon to make it start, and turn the radio on before leaving the house. How much more interesting this character becomes!

The challenge then: write a paragraph/scene (with yourself in mind as the MC) about a menial task you do every day. Anything from what's for lunch to how you hang washing!

FaiththeLoved · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 4:27 pm

Aw, that is a brilliant idea! I'm going to do this. For a blog post. It shall be fun! (Also, I'm not stalking you. Promise! I decided to do what you said and look for the new posts or something and instead I found unanswered post which, somehow, the first one that caught my eye was yours. I'm not a stalker! At least not all the time... XD...) Anyway, yes. Now I just have to decide which menial task I shall write about

~Faith

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 4:37 pm

Would you like to do a blog post for the HW blog? *wink wink, smile smile * I do beg very nicely as well, when I need to.

FaiththeLoved · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 4:46 pm

HW's blog? Are you speaking to me or Bushy?

~Faith

BushMaid · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 5:02 pm

FaiththeLoved wrote:

Aw, that is a brilliant idea! I'm going to do this. For a blog post. It shall be fun! (Also, I'm not stalking you. Promise! I decided to do what you said and look for the new posts or something and instead I found unanswered post which, somehow, the first one that caught my eye was yours. I'm not a stalker! At least not all the time... XD...) Anyway, yes. Now I just have to decide which menial task I shall write about

~Faith

Faithy dear, feel free to stalk me all you like.

Thanks so much for posting!

Airianna Valenshia wrote:

Would you like to do a blog post for the HW blog? *wink wink, smile smile * I do beg very nicely as well, when I need to.

*points to Faithy, then points to self, confused* Pray, who did thou ask, fair Airi?

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 6:05 pm

I was recruting Faith, Aussie. You are already one of my conquests.

BushMaid · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 6:09 pm

That's what I was thinking.

You better not wait for Airi to beg, Faithy, Airi's tears are hard to stand up against.

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 6:26 pm

*Waggles eyebrows * That's right. They are lethal.

FaiththeLoved · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 6:38 pm

Well, quite frankly, I'm honored! I don't know what I'd write about but I will do my best. Just let me know what I need to do

*wipes sweat off brow* I'm spared of the lethal tears, now, am I?

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 6:53 pm

Yes, you are.

Write about whatever grabs you. You can take a look at the blog and see what kind of this on on there for some inspiration. If it has to do with writing, books, fantasy, sci-fi, or bringing glory to God as writers and readers, then it is a good subject for the blog.

Here is the link to the blog. Scan through all the posts, and don't forget to look at some of our posts from way back. They are very good: http://www.holyworlds.org/blog/

And here is a link to the blog system process, and how to go about getting published on the blog: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=2895

BushMaid · **Posted:** April 28th, 2011, 7:26 pm

My mediocre meniality.

Paragraph turned into a few, I'm sorry. :roll:

-------

I was going to have fried eggs on toast for lunch. Opening the cupboard under the stove, I scrounged around inside it till I located the handle of the frying pan, carefully extracting it without causing an avalanche. I placed it on the hotplate, turned on the heat, and looked up to switch the overhead stove light on. It flickered and died. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

This horrible stove light! It irritated me to no end. It was probably a faulty connection which made it so fickle, but it seemed to die on cue just to infuriate me. I made a fist, and bashed it, raising only a spark before it conked out again. I scowled, and moved my position to the side of the exhaust and bashed it again. This time it came back on. Somewhat satisfied, I went about frying my eggs.

As I moved to the fridge, I bumped the oven adjacent to the stove. The light promptly disappeared again. It was so touchy that if anything remotely nearby moved, it would go out. I ignored it, and I took the eggs out of the fridge. Turning back to the stove, it came back on.

"Hah! See? I can do it by myself." It gloated.

I rolled my eyes, and concentrated on my eggs beginning to brown in the pan, sizzling all the while. As I waited, I softly began to lean my head on the stove exhaust, gingerly so as not to disturb the light. With a flutter of realization, it quickly went out like a candle in the wind.

It laughed at me. "You can't fool me! I know you touched me! Haha!"

Angrily I pounded on it at all angles, even slamming a few cupboards to no avail. It stubbornly stayed out. I huffed, fed up. By this time, my eggs were done and I removed the pan, turning off the heat. With a smirk, I reached up to turn off the light.

It flared for a brief moment, "Alright! I'll--"

But it was too late: I had turned it off.

"I win." I said smugly.

-----

Calenmiriel · **Joined:** April 19th, 2010, 8:33 pm **Posts:** 2119

Oooo, nice Bushmaid! I like how you conveyed the character's frustration at such, in reality, a silly thing.

I'd like to participate in this one, but probably won't have time until next week.

Until then!

~Calen

Calenmiriel · **Joined:** April 19th, 2010, 8:33 pm **Posts:** 2119

Sorry, double post.

I found time to write a couple short paragraphs!

I'm not sure if this next scene so much spices up a monotonous action, but I feel it makes the character's life seem more interesting. *shrugs*

Sakura ran upstairs and entered the spare bedroom across form her room. Though she called it a spare bedroom, "storage room" would be a more appropriate title. The single sized bed was covered with books and boxes containing various items she never unpacked from her parent's house. A narrow wardrobe-like structure housed her weapons and medic gear. Beside that was a model of a human skeleton decorated like a Christmas tree with Post-it's, notes scribbled on them from her past study assignments.

I'm not sure why, but I'm particularity fond of this scene. ^^

Once she was clean and warm in pajamas, Sakura padded downstairs and served herself a small bowl of chocolate ice cream. Taking her ice cream with her, Sakura switched on the lamp which warmly lit her modest living room. She plopped down on the loveseat and stirred her ice cream until it was reduced to the consistency of a thick shake and spooned some into her mouth.

~Calen

BushMaid · **Posted:** April 30th, 2011, 5:37 am

*Laughs delightedly* I love those! Especially the first one, the bit about the skeletal Christmas tree.

Those are awesome, Calen! Thanks so much for posting!

By the way, I feel that frustration a lot.

Calenmiriel · **Joined:** April 19th, 2010, 8:33 pm **Posts:** 2119

*Claps hands* Yay! I'm delighted you liked them!

I also feel that kind of frustration too.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

I like the overhead light one

I'd love to write some of these, but this and the following are finals week.

Not much HW for me. But the week after that.... =D

eru

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 3rd, 2011, 5:28 pm

I look forward to seeing yours, Eru!

Here's another one, only it's a bit more of a description of something boring in my house:

I slumped into my chair and gawked at my desk. It really was a mess. My large desk pad was buried under a pile of half finished assignment papers, sticky notes, and eraser scraps. A stack of CD's with a hot pink set of speakers perched on top sat in one corner next to two tin cans full of pencils, pens, and scissors. A letter holder bulged full of penpal correspondence (half of which needed replying to) sat up against the wall. A wooden block with drilled holes in it held 50 sharp coloured pencils, the sunlight shining through them casting bizarre patterns on the crazy mess already collected there. A stack of random books from unfinished scrapbooks, theology books and notebooks monopolized the right hand corner. My lamp bent it's neck over the whole seeming stiff with the horror of having to observe such a mess. I didn't bother opening the drawers: they were full of more of the same. I really should clean my desk.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

Hot pink speakers? :shock:

I wish I had a desk like that....particularly the colored pencil holder

I just use a tin cup....

eru

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 4th, 2011, 6:50 am

I thank my brother for the pencil holder.

He loves making me stuff. The hot pink speakers were a prize from a reading competition.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

Does he have a pattern or something?

I love reading competitions...

eru

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** May 4th, 2011, 7:17 am

You want hot pink speakers, Eruheran?

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

*chuckles* Perhaps

eru

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** May 4th, 2011, 8:11 am

*shakes head * Silly boy.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

See? That's what you always say!

*rerails topic* I will try to post one of these this week.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 4th, 2011, 5:19 pm

eruheran wrote:

Does he have a pattern or something?

Nope, he just sands a block of wood and drills holes in it.

Then I stick all the pencils in the holes.

*chuckles* My brother wouldn't mind having my speakers, regardless of the what colour they are. They run on battery, and are portable, so they're very handy if you don't have any power and you want to hear your ipod.

Looking forward to reading yours, Eru.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

I see. *must find block of wood*

Cool

I just like any speakers. In Asia I had three sets which I hooked together with stereo splitters so I had six speakers and two subwoofers - 'twas awesome

*will post monotonous thing later today*

eru

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 5th, 2011, 5:06 pm

Awesome! The sound would have been incredible. :shock:

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

'Twas indeed.

OK, here is my take:

Quote:

Crowds cheered as driver J. Andrews speeds down the Bristol Motor speedway. Yells and shouts fill the air as he speeds down the straight lanes, miles ahead of the competition. He rounds the turns with expert ease, guiding his vehicle with the expert touch of a pro. Cheers rock the stadium as he zooms pass the finish line.

I sigh.
And turn off the lawnmower.

Sort of different, but me likes

eru

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 7th, 2011, 1:07 am

Me likes too.

I've had episodes similar to the overhead light one with the lighting in my room and the lawnmower. :roll:

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 11th, 2011, 4:04 am

*laughs* That was awesome, Eru! I loved it!

Pray, do tell Sui.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 11th, 2011, 4:55 am

Sorry to double, but I thought of another one today:

I pulled the driver's side door open and slid into the car, plopping down onto the seat. Turning the key, I pushed the gear stick into fifth before plunging it into reverse to try and prevent the gearbox from crunching. The drive to town was uneventful as usual; the radio dipping in and out as I went through slight valleys. I passed a few cropped paddocks just before reaching town, and I shook my head. The Lucerne had been mowed. I looked at the sky: it was grey. Of course. Every time this farmer cut his hay, it was guaranteed to rain - every time. I think he has only ever gotten two or three crops baled before it got wet. I glanced at long rows of carefully mown hay again before turning the corner. Raindrops spattered the windscreen.

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 1:27 am

BushMaid wrote:

Pray, do tell Sui.

Quote:

It stalled... again. I hunched over the lawnmower to take a moment to catch my breath. The sun was setting, I probably didn't have another half-hour of daylight. If I could just get this section of the neighbor's lawn mowed I'd put up the stupid lawnmower and be done with this lawn until tomorrow.
I sighed then moved my aching muscles in an effort to pull the cord that would start this lazy lawnmower again. I pulled the motor and it immediately crashed. I gritted my teeth and willed myself to try again. I pulled again and it managed to start sputtering. I rushed over to the push-button-thingy and started pushing like crazy. The lawnmower gave evidence of being alive for now at least.
I cut down another row of glass and the lawnmower decided it didn't want to cut anymore. I pulled and pulled. The lawnmower sputtered once or twice but on the whole lay there loafing. I gave up and put everything away for the day.
**********The Next Day**********
I pulled the cord multiple times but the lawnmower wasn't cooperating. I finally called in the cavalry, also known as my dad, and gave the mower up for inspection. He opened up a cap on top and said, "There's your problem- the gas tank is empty."

I promise I'll get to the story on the lighting in my room tomorrow.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 1:48 am

*laughs and groans at the same time* That is so funny, and yet it must have been so infuriating at the time! You write well, Sui. I look forward to reading your next one!

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 1:51 am

Well thank ye kindly. (spoken with an awful and very fake southern accent)

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 3:12 am

Turns out I had time for this after all.

Quote:

I could faintly hear the sounds of working coming from the bathroom. In what little brain power I had at 11 in the morning, I wondered how long they would be working on the bathroom's full renovation today. After a brief sigh I sleeply started on morning devotions in bed. I got part way into the Morning's passage when the fluorescent lights fizzled briefly then went out. I lay in bed and waited. Momentarily, the lights came back on, as I knew they would. A few verses later the lights died again and a power adapter I had plugged into the wall made a very mornful sound as it slowly drowned from lack of energy. I sighed and waited. When the lights didn't immediately come back on I moved on to the floor where I could read by the light coming from the next room. Another verse and the lights came back on. I crawled backwards out of the next room's light and the lights promptly died. I made the slightest motion to pick myself up off the floor and the lights turned on. I rolled my eyes. I'm was sure the wiring in my room was laughing at me.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 4:12 am

*laughs* I know that feeling only too well with our stove light. :roll:

You write well, Sui!

I have to turn my bedside lamp on at the power point by sticking my hand down the back of the bed, and stretching my arm to reach it. I should get a switch for it... someday.

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 12th, 2011, 9:18 pm

BushMaid wrote:

*laughs* I know that feeling only too well with our stove light. :roll:

You write well, Sui!

Thank you! (normal voice now)

BushMaid wrote:

I have to turn my bedside lamp on at the power point by sticking my hand down the back of the bed, and stretching my arm to reach it. I should get a switch for it... someday.

*laughs* Probably.

Calenmiriel · **Joined:** April 19th, 2010, 8:33 pm **Posts:** 2119

Bushmaid: I liked both your scenes. It clearly shows the quirks of your house. XD

Quote:

I rushed over to the push-button-thingy and started pushing like crazy. The lawnmower gave evidence of being alive for now at least.

You mean the "choke" button? :rofl:

Sui, I enjoyed your lawnmower escapade. I agree with Bushaid, you tell a great story.

I'll have to get back here and write some about my car. Be afraid! *kidding*

~Calen

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 13th, 2011, 12:35 am

Thanks Calen! Yes, our house is full of quirks. :roll:

I look forward to hearing yours!

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 13th, 2011, 1:02 am

Calenmiriel wrote:

Bushmaid: I liked both your scenes. It clearly shows the quirks of your house. XD

Quote:

I rushed over to the push-button-thingy and started pushing like crazy. The lawnmower gave evidence of being alive for now at least.

You mean the "choke" button? :rofl:

Sui, I enjoyed your lawnmower escapade. I agree with Bushaid, you tell a great story.

I'll have to get back here and write some about my car. Be afraid! *kidding*

~Calen

Yeah, that push-button-choke-thing.

:blush:

Thank you.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 13th, 2011, 2:15 am

I could never work out that choke thing...

Suiauthon Mimetes · **Posted:** May 13th, 2011, 7:51 pm

It seems to help...

Calenmiriel · **Joined:** April 19th, 2010, 8:33 pm **Posts:** 2119

Quote:

Yeah, that push-button-choke-thing.

:blush:

Thank you.

Hey, no problem.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 16th, 2011, 5:44 pm

I'll have to write another one for this...

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

BushMaid wrote:

I'll have to write another one for this...

Yep.

I guess I need to write one, too. :roll:

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 16th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Yes.

You more so then me, I've already written a couple.

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

Well, you did start the thread.

I'll try to write one sometime soon.

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 18th, 2011, 10:38 pm

Ok, here is the long awaited vacuum cleaner of doom paragraph. :roll:

It was time to vacuum. Generally I liked cleaning, but the vacuum cleaner resented me. I don't even know what I did to cause it to hate me so, but it holds on to that grudge with a vice of iron, and reminds me of it whenever I go near.

I dragged all the parts out from under the bed, tripping over several cords and cables it threw at me. After plugging it all in, I turned it on. It revved to life with a furious growl that kept going the whole time. The long hose that traveled from the body of the machine down the pole to the vacuum cleaning head shuddered as it sucked at the carpet. The electric cable was joined part way down this hose to keep the brushes whirring. However it loved to come apart, killing the brushing action and make me bend down, scramble around for both ends to join back together.

Dragging it down the hall, it loved to trip and stall on every bump in the floor, it's rickety wheels kicking up a fuss and squealing the whole way. As I lifted it down the step, the wheels dropped off, landing on the floor with a clatter. I held my breath and closed my eyes. If I had a dollar for every piece of equipment that fell off this thing, I could buy a new vacuum cleaner.

As I try to maneuver the vacuum head in the tight tricky spaces, I find I have wound myself up in the midst of all the miles of hose and cables. Frustrated, I have to extract myself from it's prisoning hold, yanking the power from the brushes again. Crawling on the floor, I relocate the plug, and jam it back in.

The cleaner has a cruel sense of irony too. I can run scrap paper over a million times with the thing, and yet if I get too close, it will suck up the little one's marbles and lego pieces in a trice. The nerve!

By the time I'm finished, I'm exhausted, and I'm happy to shove the nasty contraption back under the bed for the next week before I repeat the process again.

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

I can see why you hate vacuuming now. :roll:

BushMaid · **Posted:** May 18th, 2011, 10:55 pm

Yes; all becomes clear to you. :roll:

The Monotonous, The Mediocre, The Menial

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