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In 2009, I submitted a proposal "Pandemic: An Experimental Blended Course using Alternate Reality Gaming Techniques for Large-scale, Authentic Problem Solving." It wasn't funded. But if it had been, it would have seemed really prescient.

This has always been my problem: I'm always a bit too far out in front like when, in 1994, I proposed to study the educational uses of hypertext for my dissertation and my advisor said, "Yeah, this whole 'world-wide-web' thing? Nothing might ever come of that."

The brigands swaggered into town after their latest successful hijacking.
"I'm in the mood for some fun, boys," the leader said.
"Like you said, Boss!" the others crowed.
They headed toward their usual tavern, but noticed the townspeople not cowering like usual. Then were surrounded by a mob of people carrying clubs & spears.
"Who armed these people?" the bandit leader said, standing with his men in a defensive circle.
Curtains, standing in the shadows, smiled.
"I wonder," he murmured.

#wss366

"We're in a tight spot," Roughneck said. "They hold the high ground."
"But only along these sides," Curtains said, indicating the map.
"But the other side is a cliff!"
"Sure, but we have Flypaper. He can climb anything. And I made a point of having us bring extra rope."
Flypaper, a lean, gangly youth, was able to #scale the rock face and anchor three ropes. Curtain's platoon swarmed up and launched a surprise assault that quickly overwhelmed Lord Baton's platoon.
"Blast you, Curtains!"

#wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub Describe an action moment you’re most proud of. Share an excerpt.

The stranger had seen a switchback coming and sprinted up early, cutting it off, and getting ahead. Will skidded to a stop as the stranger stood *en garde* in the middle of the turn.
"Draw!" he snarled, panting.
"I don't carry a sword," Will said, cheerfully, only lightly winded. 
"Then you're going to die," the stranger said, lunging forward.

(from *Where There's a Will*, a *Revin's Heart* side story)

I am drinking a can of Resignation IPA from Two Weeks Notice brewing, which holds special significance tonight of all nights.

spanking #wss366

Sophie whimpered as Veronica held her over her knee.
"You were very naughty, weren't you?"
"No! I just…"
Veronica spanked her bare bottom, eliciting a squeal of surprise. The slap created a #wave that radiated outward in her pale flesh. A flush of arousal swept through her as she watched Sophie's response.
"Tell the truth!"
"Yes! Sophie whispered. "I was being naughty!"
"And you did it because you want to be punished. Don't you?"
"Yes…" Sophie admitted, now panting slightly.

#WritersCoffeeClub What five things do you need to be a writer?

I don't do listicles. But I also don't know.

I pretty clearly need time, but having nothing to do doesn't make the writing go faster. My creative process is bursty, with moments of great productivity and long periods where I accomplish little.

I also need space — mental space. When I get too worried or depressed, I can't write. But some level of stress drives me to use creative thinking to distract myself.

So… Balance.

My campus is interviewing candidates for provost. Yesterday a candidate asked us a question: "What values does the next provost need to enact or embody?"

Several of us had good responses. I said that they need to foremost see themselves as an educator. A provost once asked me why people resisted her initiatives. I pointed out that she was presenting solutions to problems that people didn't understand. A provost needs to educate us first and, only then, can we work together to solve problems.

Today's @wss366 word #paw is the last one by @philipbrewer — until next time. Tomorrow, we start on words by @tobadzistsini! If anyone else would like to contribute words, please DM me. We're looking for ordinary words that have multiple meanings — preferably ones we haven't used yet.

Totemo and Lambda arrived at headquarters where they were greeted with accolades from the other investigators.
"Good work!" called their boss from her office. "Let me hear your report."
"We stopped the terrorists before they could undermine the unique ecology of the area," Totemo said, with Lambda sitting at her side.
Lambda raised a #paw.
"Yes, Lambda?" said the boss.
Lambda barked.
"That's right!" Totemo said. "We got a solid lead on the corporation that was funding this group!"

#wss366

Tanuki with her fightin' ball and a can of Tiger Lily IPA. #DogsOfMastodon

Unless your entire story takes place in a single moment in time, then your story is also a time-travel story.

Oops. It's "Holufinia" of course.

Just because terrible people like something doesn't make it bad. The fact that a lot of terrible tech bros love linux doesn't mean that FOSS is bad. There may be a lot of valid reasons to hate something, but the fact that terrible people like it really isn't one of them. Even though 100% of murderers drank milk as children that doesn't mean you should shun dairy products. Terrible people like breathing air too, but don't hold your breath trying to get them to stop.

#WordWeavers If your SC had to describe their world to an alien who knew nothing about it, what would they say?

"Tell me about Holufinia," said the alien.
Tau barked.
"It sounds glorious! What a rich tapestry of odors!"

#WritersCoffeeClub 
Do environmental concerns feature in your work?

Environmental concerns are rarely the focus, but always present in everything I write. Like today's #wss366 story fragment about Totemo Isogashii and Lambda, who are environmental investigators on Holofinia tracking a group of ecoterrorists. https://wandering.shop/@stevendbrewer/112037987829374994

"You heard her," Totemo said. "Mount up!"
In moments, the engines began to wind up while the party carried the pilot aboard.
Lambda lifted off and then pushed the throttle all the way forward.
Hours later, Totemo and Lambda waited outside the operating theater. A doctor emerged & lowered his mask.
"The medicoids have stabilized his condition," he said. "It was lucky you got back so fast."
"Luck had nothing to do with it," Totemo said, patting Lambda's head.
Lambda's tongue lolled. 2/2

#wss366

In moments, the forest clearing had become a scene of carnage. The ecoterrorists had backtracked & encircled the investigative team. Only Lambda's alert warning had saved their lives.
"Bad news," one of the investigators said, holding pressure on the chest of a supine figure. "The pilot was struck by a railgun. He needs immediate medical treatment. Can anyone else pilot the DR20?"
Totemo & the rest shook their heads.
Lambda, a petite NeoBoxer, barked & leapt toward the cockpit. 1/2 #microfiction

I have finished writing comments on my students' projects and I still have more than an hour until the next thing on my agenda!

#WordWeavers What food from your fridge or favored restaurant would your characters enjoy?

The Butter Angels would love exploring non-replicated food in so many different venues. Booboo likes almost everything (as long as it doesn't have lemongrass). Lolo only cares about booze. Mewmew likes a raw bar. Nono doesn't like anything. Pompom is enthusiastic. Ruhrow has questions. Susan is price conscious. Tumtum likes everything — if the servings are large enough. And Zsazsa has very refined tastes.