One of the drawbacks of being the worldwide spokesperson for Surprise is being confronted by all comers and asked to do sumpin' different all the time. Like the toughest guy in the bar (a title I never remotely held, by the way), I find myself wielding all sorts of in-yo'-face challenges here at what should be my serene Surprise Central hideaway.
(Not that I am foreign to these expectations, mind you. As CEO of Just For Laughs, I was besieged constantly by seemingly well-meaning people asking me to tell them a joke. "Did you hear the one about the pain-in-the-ass accosting the fed up executive?" I used to reply. But once again...I digress.)
The latest "double-dog dare ya" comes from Robert Hruzek, owner, author and operator of the Middle Zone Musings blog and social lounge. Robert is hosting a writing contest, one which features mercifully-brief six-word stories (something we both were enamored with after reading a bunch of 'em in the November Wired evidently), and closes relatively soon...this Sunday, to be exact.
Using the largesse Texans are renowned for, my Houston-based blogging buddy had tossed two gauntlets my way:
- To actually write one of these six-worders
- To be a "Surprise" judge and pick the story with the best Surprise ending
Well, the last guy to back down from a Lone Star State challenge ended up being President of the United States, and I can't do any worse than him, so pardon me as I bend down to pick up these gloves and throw them right back with two resounding Yups.
Robert, I guess I can judge the swarm of stories on my flight to your somewhat chilly state on Monday (I'm heading to Dallas for the NHL All-Star Game, Kemo Sabe Stetson in hand). Avalanche me.
And as for my story, here goes:
"Why six?" smirked the contrarian.
Thank you. You've been a wonderful audience. WInners and details to come soon, I suppose.
