April 30-Day Challenge: 30th Daily Limerick - Looking Forward to a Limerick Break

This challenge kept my brain wide awake
'Though at times induced a headache.
The rhyming's now done
And while writing limericks is fun,
I look forward to taking a wee break.

Image from Kevin Dooley (FlickR)

Whew!  April - what a month!  The daily limerick challenge was at times supremely difficult and extremely fun, but I must say that I'm looking forward to May's challenge which is much less taxing on the brain - flossing my teeth every day.

Tomorrow I'll round up my daily limericks and pick a few favourites.

Check out my remaining challenges for the year (here) - I can't believe I'm on to my fifth month already!

Want to join me in any challenges?

April 30-Day Challenge: 29th Daily Limerick - Twelfth Night with Shakespeare in the Park

A grass picnic in the near dark -

Perfect setting for Shakespeare in the Park.

The old Bard's Twelfth Night,

Was an incredible sight.

In Olde English, many a witty remark.

The scene is set

Fort Canning is a perfect setting for outdoor performance.  The natural amphitheatre created by the gentle slope is perfect for the audience to picnic on while allowing everyone a good view of the stage.  Singapore's tropical evenings are just pleasantly cool - the only gamble is the rain!

This year's Shakespeare in the Park is Twelfth Night.  I wasn't very familiar with the story line, so feverishly read my Wikipedia plot summary (here) heading out the door.  The troupe are very funny - lots of physical comedy thrown in with Shakespeare's witty lines and the set is simply outstanding.  It's a shame you can't tell from the photos, but behind the yacht is actually a projected sea with either waves crashing or calmly lapping in the background.

Twelfth Night runs until 20th May so there is plenty of time to pack your picnic basket and head down to Fort Canning to check it out.  Get your tickets here.

April 30-Day Challenge: 28th Daily Limerick - Sunday Morning Pancakes

Sunday mornings should start with pancakes.

A few minutes is all that it takes.

At the pantry I muse

As I struggle to choose

Between chunky oat or lemony crepes.

Healthy banana bread pancakes

All Sunday mornings should be pancake mornings.  Quite possibly the easiest breakfast to whip up, and there's no one to see if I forgo cutlery and lick my fingers afterwards!

This morning I decided to go for chunky banana bread pancakes (here), but these crepes (here) are also a firm favourite, with much better finger-licking potential.

Crepe cooking in action

What's your favourite pancake recipe?

April 30-Day Challenge: 27th Daily Limerick - Harry Potter & Fan Fiction

The discovery of the website 'fanfiction'

Has become an engaging affliction.

For Harry and friends,

The fun never ends

Oh dear, I'm predicting a full blown addiction.

I've never kept it a secret that I'm a huge Harry Potter fan - I've been known to pick up one of the seven books, open any random page and just start reading, or start from the very beginning (a very good place to start) and emerge, vaguely depressed, at the end of the seventh some time later.  I'm normally a very fast reader, but I dragged out that seventh book because I didn't want to say goodbye to Harry, Ron and Hermione.  Well, now I've discovered fanfiction.net and I don't have to say goodbye any more.

For those who haven't heard of fan fiction (that was me until last week), in a nutshell it is when fans of a work (movie, book, whatever) continue, expand or rewrite the original story.  Stories always start with a disclaimer acknowledging the original author and stating that they do not own the characters etc, and the stories are published purely on the website for other fans to enjoy.

Before you write me off which adjectives such as "geek", "addict", "nerd", "weirdo", let me point out that fan fiction is believed to have started in the 17th century with an anonymously published expansion of Don Quixote, and over time fan fiction authors have included C.S. Lewis and Francis Hodgson Burnett.  Obviously the internet allowed for an explosion of fan fiction, and now fan-authored works are estimated to make up a third of all content about books online.

Debate continues over questions of copyright - some authors embrace it, some vigorously oppose it - but in the US it's considered a derivative work which means as long as the fiction contains a level of originality in it's own right, there are no legal issues.  

Currently, I'm reading the story of how Lily and James Potter (Harry's parents, for those non-Harry nuts) got together.  If you're interested, click here for the link.

Ok, I realise I'm opening myself up to a certain level of abuse here, but does anyone have any good recommendations?

April 30-Day Challenge: 26th Daily Limerick - Pirate Version of Jono's Special Request

I received a special request to translate yesterday's limerick into Pirate Language.  Here goes:

This limerick be Jono’s request

Aye, it be at his own behest.

“Arrrrrrr... do one about me,

Or I’ll feed you to the sea.”

“Aye cap’in, but the cost be your treasure chest”.

Jono - the man himself

Useful Things to know about Pirate Language

Pirate Language translator - click here to translate between English and Pirate Language.


Common Pirate Expressions - from yppedia (here):

Ahoy
Ahoy is the pirate equivalent of a greeting.
It can also be used in relation to incoming ships.

1) Pirate says: "Ahoy mates!"
2) Pirate says: "Ship ahoy!"

Aye
The pirate equivalent of "yes", aye can be used in a number is circumstances.

Captain says: "Will you bilge Pirate?"
Pirate says: "Aye, I will!"

Avast!
Literally means "stop," but it is also a piratey exclamation of surprise.

Pirate says: "Avast! It be the black ship!"

Arrr!
"Arrr" can be used by a pirate in almost any context. It can be used to express a pirate's approval, as a verbal declaration of his or her anger or sometimes as simply a way to ensure everybody around knows you are a vicious bloodthirsty pirate.

1) Pirate says: "Arrr! This be good grog!"
2) Pirate says: "Arrr! Matey!

Be
"Be" is commonly used by pirates in place of "am," "are," or "is." The past tense of "be" is "were" in singular and plural.

Hornswaggle
To cheat or defraud. Hornswaggling is a common occurrence amongst such dishonest folk as pirates.

Mate
A pirate friend, acquaintance or ally.

Pirate says: "Grab the sails there, mate!"

Me
The pirate equivalent of "my".

Captain says: "Me fleet is bigger than yers."

Landlubber
An insult aimed at non-pirates or anyone that does not frequently go to sea.

Pirate says: "Stop ye whining ye yellow bellied, lily-livered landlubber!"

Shiver me timbers!
Used to express surprise.

How do you think I went translating yesterday's limerick?  I couldn't figure out how to fit 'hornswaggle' into the limerick - any ideas? 

April 30-Day Challenge: 25th Daily Limerick - Jono's Limerick Special Request

This limerick's a special request.

It's about Jono, at his own behest.

"Pleeeease do one about me"

Came the over-lunch plea.

Well, here you go, now please let it rest.

April 30-Day Challenge: 24th Daily Limerick - A Happy Place

My balcony's where I start my day.

I always linger, wishing I could stay.

This moment of calm,

A warm tropical balm

That sends me off on my way.

April 30-Day Challenge: 23rd Daily Limerick - Hand Washing Dishes

Each night, with a full sink, I stand 

Staring, resigned, at stacked high pots and pans. 

I want the machine 

That leaves my pots sparkling clean 

And I'm not left doing the damned things by hand.

Photo by Miguel Pires da Rosa (FlickR)

April 30-Day Challenge: 22nd Daily Limerick - Mum and Dad

It started with a yank on a braid,

Then a flicked contact, and Mum had it made.

34 years - not bad!

Good on ya Mum and Dad,

A damned good innings so far you two've played.

Mum and Dad in Ho Chi Minh City

April 30-Day Challenge: 21st Daily Limerick - I'm a Kiwi, Therefore I Like Rugby

Rugby's more than our national sport -

If you don't like it they void your passport.

Best enjoyed in the pub,

With a few beers, mates and grub.

Pick your team, get out and support.

Image from superxv.com

Sadly, my home team (Hurricanes!!) didn't win this afternoon, and what's worse is that they lost to Sander's team. Sigh.

April 30-Day Challenge: 20th Daily Limerick - The Weekend's Here!

Another work week flashes by,

They go in a blink of an eye.

The ‘to do’ list is long,

But motivation is gone.

It’s Friday afternoon - the weekend is nigh.

Image by Tim Geers (FlickR)

April 30-Day Challenge: 19th Daily Limerick - Eighth Anniversary

That night we talked 'til the dawn,

The concept  of 'us' was born.

Eight years to the day,

You stole my heart away.

We have a fabric that never looks worn.

In case you haven't guessed, 19th April is our anniversary.  Eight years - yikes!  That's gone fast!

And, yes, my heavy hint in yesterday's limerick paid off - I had a beautiful red rose waiting for me when I arrived at dinner.

April 30-Day Challenge: 18th Daily Limerick - Boot Camp in the Park

Twice a week I head up to the park,

Half asleep in the pre-dawn dark.

"Allez!" yells Martine,

When I'm slacking - she's seen.

This boot camp is no easy lark!

Boot camp girls

April 30-Day Challenge: 17th Daily Limerick - Say it with Flowers

A spot of brightness in your day,

Or cheering in their own unique way.

"I'm sorry", "I love you",

"I'm thinking about you",

There are so many things flowers say!

White roses for eternal love

I wonder if I'll get flowers for our anniversary tomorrow... hints don't get much more obvious than this!

April 30-Day Challenge: 16th Daily Limerick - Tony Soprano

My life is being ruled by a show,

And there's still one more season to go.

Almost every night,

I can't put up a fight.

I'm a slave to Tony Soprano.

Image from onlyhdwallpapers.com

April 30-Day Challenge: 15th Daily Limerick - A Soul Weekend

The weekend was good, on the whole.

The type that is good for the soul.

Good convo's, good food

Left me in an excellent mood,

As Monday t'ward me did roll.

Yes, I admit it... I'm playing catch up from Sunday...

April 30-Day Challenge: 14th Daily Limerick - The 'Right' Side of the Road

When you drive on the left every day,

You'd run the same, wouldn't you say?

But you stick to the right,

Seem surprised, get a fright,

When stubborn lefties refuse to give way.

Photo by JuditK (FlickR)

Seems logical, doesn't it?  Anyone who has ever walked the pavements and ridden the escalators, let alone run anywhere in Singapore will understand.  When I first arrived in Singapore I spent my time weaving in and out of the pedestrian traffic, giving way, dodging all over the pavement and getting extremely frustrated.  The 'eureka' moment came when I realised that I was actually a lot bigger than most of the people I was giving way to (yes, even the guys - I'm tall, ok!?).  So I stopped dodging, and walked straight.  No problem, let them move.

When running it's a little more interesting.  There's usually a 'face off' moment - you've seen each other from a distance, you're both sticking to the same line (me on the left, them on their right (my left)), and you privately make the decision on whether you're going to move or not.  The longer I live in Singapore, the less frequently I budge off my line (usually only for grannies, or people loaded with shopping bags).

Yes, I realise this makes me seem like an irate pavement hogger, but after two years, no one has been able to explain to me why everyone insists on driving on the left, but running on the right.  Perhaps I'm being wildly inconsiderate to some unknown rule, but I doubt it.  If you know the rule, please let me know!

Ah well, getting worked up about it is a bit like beating your head against a brick wall - you're the only one who gets hurt.

April 30-Day Challenge: 13th Daily Limerick - Staying in on a Friday Night

Respond to all invites with "I might"
To save yourself from a fight
When all you want to do
Is watch an episode or two
Of Glee of a Friday night

Image from Wikipedia

April 30-Day Challenge: 12th Daily Limerick - Romeo and Juliet

In fair Verona the scene is set,
Where Romeo woos Juliet.
The odds - too great -
Did seal their fate
With poison and blade, so death is met.

Wild Rice's Romeo and Juliet

Wow!  Romeo and Juliet with passion, energy, laughter and tears, in Singapore.  Blood-soaked fight scenes, passionate kisses and a few Singaporean caricatures (watch out for the nurse!).

Not to be missed!

W!LD RICE
presents

ROMEO and JULIET12 - 28 APRIL 2012
DRAMA CENTRE THEATRE, SINGAPORE

Written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREDirected by IVAN HENG

April 30-Day Challenge: 11th Daily Limerick - Taxi!

Taxis seem as cheap as can be

But add up when you take two or three.

Get out of the back

To cut your wallet some slack,

Save your cents - take the MRT.

Photo by Geoff Penaluna (FlickR)