Today I Watched

Today I watched as this poor man crossing the street almost got hit by a Ringger car.

Today I watched as Jujube said "hi" in her own way of boxing the air in front of my face.

Today I watched the funniest canvas war as the seemingly missing canvas suddenly showed up on the hallway wall.

Today I watched as Jujube went to find someone to open Duck's office only to find that his office was wide open the entire time.

Today I watched as Jujube put her stuffed lion in a plastic bag and hung him on my cubicle wall. She did this to her own stuffed child...

Today I watched as my IM screen filled up with "Shut it! Shut it! Shut it!"--not talking to me but about the queen. I hope...

Today I watched as time went by, as the day wore on, as Jujube decided we were crazy because of multiple strikes against us (some being English majors, work, hometown, teachers, experiences, etc. that just happen to be the same).

Today, really, was just a great day to watch. (Should have had some popcorn.)

Messed Up Fairytales

After a very interesting conversation this morning I realize that although I have been guilty of the fairytale day dream, I'm not so sure I want one to come true for me. Take the following into account:

Snow White
Being the fairest maiden of them all comes with its problems, namely blond disorder. After receiving the threat of being killed by her wicked step mother, she goes into a stranger's house and begins cleaning. And after only knowing Snow White for a very short time... is it just cause she's fair... are the dwarfs hoping for something more... they let her stay. Then, Snow White takes food from a stranger. Sure, we think we should be able to trust all little old women. But...really?

Not much later, the dwarfs encase Snow White's body in a glass tomb because she is so fair. And a prince, after seeing her only a few seconds, decides to kiss her corpse. Ew.(Thank you, Bill, for this new insight on Snow White.)

Next case: Cinderella
It's the shoe that really bothers me. The prince has only known Cinderella for a few short hours while dancing with her. He was so taken by her that he must search the whole kingdom to find her, but he only has a glass shoe to go by. So he tries it on all the maidens. Only one, ONE, person fit the shoe. Who's to say he really found the girl he danced with last night? I think he was more in love with the shoe than the woman.

Final case: Rapunzel
I must admit that Rapunzel is my favorite fairy tale and I wouldn't be surprised to find myself writing my own version. But, I wonder if Rapunzel loved the prince as much as she claims. After her prince's eyes were poked out, she stayed in a cottage, not looking for him. It was he who wandered all over and finally came upon her. When she does finally see him again, she sheds tears and, voila, he is healed.

The part that bothers me the most. He found her. He didn't stay in his room, living a comfortable life with servants to cater to his every need. He went after her... the entire story. And she did nothing. Just expected him to do everything. (I might reverse the roles for modern day.)

There you have it. Messed up fairytales. I think I'd prefer to keep my blond head out of it all, make sure my prince has other requirements other than feet, and find an equal relationship where both parties work together.

Child's Fire: Part 5 (final)

Brita’s body tightens as if she is trying to hold something in. She doesn’t want to continue, but Mr. Strong looks mean and impatient, like he might hurt her.

The explosion. The fire. The lady was mad and I was cold. Suddenly, the room was only fire. My dancing friends were back. And they danced on everything. Everywhere. Fast. And it grew and grew real big. The fire was mad. The woman screamed. The men screamed. I heard many screams very fast. I was scared and I closed my eyes. And the fire danced and licked me sometimes but never hurt me. It wasn’t mad at me. It wanted to hurt the lady and the man.

I stayed under the table until it was gone. The table was gone and the building was gone. I was alone. I cried and cried until I dreamed. I dreamed of fire. I only dream of fire now. It doesn’t go away, and it is not my friend anymore. It wants to be, but I hate it. It’s a killer.

How did you get out of the building, or the rubble from the building?

Brita screams and Mr. Strong and Mr. Hanning look nervous. But Brita believes they are mad and want her to continue.

A man with a hose found me. He sprayed water all over me. He didn’t see me. He didn’t see that the fire was already gone. He sprayed everywhere and I shivered and started crying again. He picked me up and carried me to a truck with flashing lights. Told me he would take care of me. Told me I would see my daddy again.

Dr. Scott looks at the men behind him.

Is that as far as you wanted to go today?

Mr. Strong, who has been glancing at his watch every thirty seconds nods, with a look of relief. He and Mr. Hanning stand without a word. Brita watches as the two men leave the room. Just before the door closes, Brita calls out.

Mr. Hanning, please don’t leave me.

It’s okay, Brita. I just have to go talk to my secretary and then you can go. Can you wait right here until I come back?

Mr. Hanning closes the door. Dr. Scott puts his pen and notepad on the desk next to the dead flowers. He leans close to Brita and whispers.

Do you know who is behind the mirror, Brita?

No.

Bad people, Brita. They want to hurt your daddy and Riley. They are mean and they want to hurt you. They are watching you because they want to take you away where you will never see your daddy again.

Brita begins breathing faster, hiccupping faster.

Why?

They are bad, bad people.

Dr. Scott looks out the window and raises his voice.

It’s okay, Brita. I just have to go talk to my secretary and then you can go. Can you wait right here until I come back?

Brita tries to clamp her mouth shut but the hiccups prevent her. She is scared to be alone. She shakes her head at Dr. Scott.

It’s okay, Brita. I’ll be back.

Dr. Scott leaves the room. Brita looks at the mirror, then at the door. She runs to open the door, but it is locked. Her breathing is louder and quicker. Her hands become warm, and warmer, and warmer. She looks down and sees sparks dancing in her palms. She starts screaming.

Help me. Dr. Scott. Help me. Mr. Hanning. Mr. Strong. Heelllp meeee.

The sparks grow bigger and jump from her hands onto the carpet and chairs and walls. It consumes the dead flowers and quickly spreads throughout the room. Brita hears screaming from behind the mirror. The fire attacks the glass and explodes. Brita runs through the giant flames to the window; the oak desk is gone, eaten by the fire. She looks to the street below and sees Mr. Hanning, Mr. Strong and Dr. Scott watching from across the street.