Not Happy?

“You look like you’re not happy”

Danny worded his reply carefully.

“I wouldn’t say I’m ‘not happy’.”

Oh, no. Being ‘not happy’ implied an absence of happiness.

What he had was different; the presence of unhappiness deserved its own clear distinction.

It was far worse. And it had enveloped him.

Renewed Enthusiasm!

Having been away on holiday, Danny came back, and did the usual things;

Threw his bag down (to be unpacked later) had a cuppa, checked his emails, looked at his blog...

In 2 days, it had more views than it had received in weeks!

Danny started thinking about new posts...

Basic maths

In different circumstances, Danny would have taken a maths degree.

However, he had eventually decided on English Literature.

The latest block, 1930s poetry, was particularly tough. Progress was minimal.

Danny took a couple of days off, planning to restart work with double the enthusiasm.

The mathematician inside him said: 2(0)=0

Well?

After deliberating, Danny decided to play a trick on some of his friends.

He knew that it wasn’t particularly funny or clever, but wanted to see what reactions it caused, (if any).

After a little planning and preparation, the ruse was ready.

Danny waited, interested to see the results.

Worthwhile

Mr Johnson was pleasantly surprised by the gift from Sonny.

In truth, Sonny’s attitude throughout Year 6 had made Johnson wonder whether he’d gotten through to him at all.

As the bell went, the children filed out, for the last time.

Sonny was the first child to hug Mr Johnson.

Abiding memory of TMA5

Danny was disconcerted.

He had been expecting something, that hadn’t materialised.

Its absence wasn’t a bad thing; it was just that he’d become completely accustomed to its presence previously.

Now though, he’d completed a whole block of his Children’s Literature module without one mention of Freud, Oedipus, or sexual awakening!

Offer or challenge?

Danny had a revolutionary game plan.

If he stuck to this radical strategy, a personal best was achievable.

He began.

His discipline remained with each passing round.

One gruelling hour later, he’d done it!

Taking slightly smaller, more regular servings had helped Danny eat nine platefuls at the Chinese buffet!

To be pretentious, or smug?!

Danny had been reading other people’s short stories. And some of them were pretty good.

Some writers, though, seemed entirely preoccupied with making them ‘deep’ rather than actually making them any good.

Danny read another, then smiled.

“I’ll stick to putting twists on everyday life.” He thought.

“And toilet jokes.”

Tribute to a saga lost

Danny only jotted down mini saga ideas if they were good ones.

After having an idea, he would write one or two key words, until it came to actually writing it.

This had always worked well. Until now.

He stared at the word ‘Stranded’ in a continued state of torment.

29-07-01

Danny thought that he should probably feel sad.

And he did; sort of. But his sadness wasn’t reserved for specific days.

It was a sadness that usually hid, but could rear its head at anytime; at the slightest trigger, or with little warning.

His father had died nine years ago.