Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Worrrrrd
What I love the Most
By: Niki Stahlberg
I always leave with a headache and an unbearable thirst
My voice almost always nowhere to be found.
I have spent approximately $1000 of my hard earned money on it.
I have driven over two hours for one (more than once)
With it sometimes being on a school night, I have to drag myself out of bed with the high still wearing off.
All of this…for what?
Some call it an addiction, but I call it… well, yeah it’s pretty much an addiction.
It’s for the rush of adrenaline you get when the thunderous bass and guitars starts to play
For the 4 hours you get to just forget about the world and fall into the crazy world of music
For the excitement of knowing you are standing in the same room as one of your favorite artists
And hundreds, sometimes thousands of people who love them just as much as you do.
For the memories that will stay with you, at least until the next one can top the last.
It may not be what I love the most in life,
but without it I would never know what that amazing feeling is.
The indescribable moment when the drums, guitars and bass come together
and live music is born.
By: Niki Stahlberg
I always leave with a headache and an unbearable thirst
My voice almost always nowhere to be found.
I have spent approximately $1000 of my hard earned money on it.
I have driven over two hours for one (more than once)
With it sometimes being on a school night, I have to drag myself out of bed with the high still wearing off.
All of this…for what?
Some call it an addiction, but I call it… well, yeah it’s pretty much an addiction.
It’s for the rush of adrenaline you get when the thunderous bass and guitars starts to play
For the 4 hours you get to just forget about the world and fall into the crazy world of music
For the excitement of knowing you are standing in the same room as one of your favorite artists
And hundreds, sometimes thousands of people who love them just as much as you do.
For the memories that will stay with you, at least until the next one can top the last.
It may not be what I love the most in life,
but without it I would never know what that amazing feeling is.
The indescribable moment when the drums, guitars and bass come together
and live music is born.
It shouldn't matter when, right?
I said what I needed to say
Finally.
I told you how I felt
how things could be different now
I told you.
Isn't that what you wanted?
I finally opened up to you.
Let my feelings show
Like you've begged me to do so many times
So, I did it.
I said it.
I showed you.
Nothing?
That's all I get?
But I finally said it!
It shouldn't matter when, right?
Well, sorry it took so long.
You know how bad I am at that.
Closure?
Yeah, okay.
I haven't said anything to you in 6 months
I mean, there's nothing left for me to say.
But
if you ever need to say anything to me...
I said what I needed to say
Finally.
I told you how I felt
how things could be different now
I told you.
Isn't that what you wanted?
I finally opened up to you.
Let my feelings show
Like you've begged me to do so many times
So, I did it.
I said it.
I showed you.
Nothing?
That's all I get?
But I finally said it!
It shouldn't matter when, right?
Well, sorry it took so long.
You know how bad I am at that.
Closure?
Yeah, okay.
I haven't said anything to you in 6 months
I mean, there's nothing left for me to say.
But
if you ever need to say anything to me...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Already Gone
Here we go again…
The hurricane of confusion and rage
had begun.
Again.
I can’t even remember the last time I looked at you and thought of you as a person.
You turned into an evil villain;
a heaping pile of hypocrisy with a side of backstabbing.
Your manipulations and the act of playing victim went on and on,
a boring symphony of lies and deceit.
You blamed me for caring, you blamed me for not.
and your plan worked.
Friends will take sides, and saying that things will change is a soft pillow of what the grim reality really is.
Thanks to you.
My white hot anger will soon turn to gratitude though,
for now I finally know what a true friend is.
Not
you.
The hurricane of confusion and rage
had begun.
Again.
I can’t even remember the last time I looked at you and thought of you as a person.
You turned into an evil villain;
a heaping pile of hypocrisy with a side of backstabbing.
Your manipulations and the act of playing victim went on and on,
a boring symphony of lies and deceit.
You blamed me for caring, you blamed me for not.
and your plan worked.
Friends will take sides, and saying that things will change is a soft pillow of what the grim reality really is.
Thanks to you.
My white hot anger will soon turn to gratitude though,
for now I finally know what a true friend is.
Not
you.
Monday, October 13, 2008
1st version of "a time my world changed"
Here we go again…
The downward spiral of confusion and rage
had begun.
The only difference is this will be the last time.
I put up with you for too long.
I cannot stand the person you have become.
Your manipulations and the act of playing victim went on and on,
a boring symphony of lies and deceit.
You blamed me,
and it worked.
Friends will take sides, and my world as I know it will turn upside down.
Thanks to you.
It will take a while, but things will be okay again.
Thanks to you, I now know what true friends are.
The downward spiral of confusion and rage
had begun.
The only difference is this will be the last time.
I put up with you for too long.
I cannot stand the person you have become.
Your manipulations and the act of playing victim went on and on,
a boring symphony of lies and deceit.
You blamed me,
and it worked.
Friends will take sides, and my world as I know it will turn upside down.
Thanks to you.
It will take a while, but things will be okay again.
Thanks to you, I now know what true friends are.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
1990-2008
1990-2008
Niki Stahlberg
“Were you sad? Were you scared? Did you whisper a prayer to be free? Was it quiet and cold? Was it light or too dark to see?
And did you reach for me?”
-Sugarland
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunted her dreams and was with her everywhere she went, and she couldn’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It got worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away. “I’m so sorry,” she says as she folds up a picture and puts it back into the box.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She stumbles through her morning routine of a quick shower and cold cereal, and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school.
“Are you getting the hang of things now?” Kayla asks her brother as they get into her 1998 pale blue Ford Focus.
“I think so.” Greg says, trying to pry the door open. “I’ve already heard a bunch of kids talking about getting drunk this weekend. You never hear anything like that in middle school; it’s crazy what a transformation it is.”
Kayla nods, wishing her little brother could stay in 8th grade forever. That way he wouldn’t have to deal with the pressures that are bound to come his way.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t let life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
With every day that passes she only misses him more. He told her that they were going to build a life together. She always believed that he was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with. That dream ended one year ago today. And Kayla’s world is still upside down. How do you just come back from that? How do you move on? She wondered these things everyday. Joey is gone. And she blamed herself.
It had been one year ago today, the second day of school. Last year it was a Thursday, it was a day where you’re already used to your new schedule of classes that there’s just no excitement anymore. You just saunter through the days until you can’t tell the difference between a Tuesday and a Friday.
“Rex and Trysta are having some people over tonight. Their parents are out of town until Sunday. Think of it as a “Farewell Summer” party. Come with me?” Joey pleaded, batting those perfect black eyelashes.
Kayla tried thinking of excuses for them to just stay home. “I thought you didn’t like Rex. Didn’t he steal your bike in 3rd grade or something?”
“No, that was Peter. And yeah, I still don’t like him! Come on Kay, it could be fun. And if it’s not, then we’ll leave. I just want to get some stuff off my mind”
Right there was when Kayla could have said no. She could have put her foot down and refused to go to a party where she knew there would be alcohol. She couldn’t say that she was an angel and had never had a drink before; she just knew that Rex’s house was where you went if you wanted a wild party. It just didn’t feel right, and Kayla knew it. Instead of saying no, she let him go.
That decision will resonate with Kayla until the end of time. That night she received a phone call from Joey’s mother. Joey was driving home when he lost control and ran his truck off the road. The police tried to get Joey out, but it was too late. All they could do was let him go. Kayla tried to make sense of everything. What had she done? Was it her fault? She couldn’t help but think it was. She knew it was a bad idea, but she let him do it. She let him go.
One year later, Kayla still thinks of that night. She thinks of all the things she could have said to Joey to make him stay.
As Kayla enters Jefferson Senior High, she sees everyone she used to know, her former best friend Rachel, her soccer team, and all of her friends in the Drama club. She can’t help but think of all the good times she used to have with them. A year ago today, she was only thinking about Joey. But now he was gone forever, and there is nothing she can do about it. Life with Joey would have been great, and now she will have to learn what it will be like without him. She knows that he wouldn’t want her to be stuck on him. He would want her to move on to bigger and better things. Regret is a very powerful emotion, and Kayla knows she will have to learn how to cope.
She slowly walks up to Rachel, wondering with each step if this is a good idea.
“Hey… um… Rachel? Can I talk to you?” Kayla manages to say.
“Yeah, sure” Rachel mutters, with unbearable awkwardness filling in all around them.
“So, I know I haven’t been myself…well, for the past year I haven’t been myself, and I just want you to know that I’m sorry”
Rachel stares at Kayla. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a necklace that says forever on it.
“I still have this. I never forgot about you either. I just didn’t know what to say to make the pain go away. No matter what anyone said, nothing helped. I’m still so sorry, Kayla.”
“Hey, um, do you wanna come over after school? Like old times?” Rachel asks, becoming more and more comfortable as time passes.
“I would love that. Can Becky come? She’s been wondering about you lately too.”
“Yeah, that’d be fun. I’ll see you then.”
Kayla walks away and heads towards her first hour class. She can’t say she’s ready to completely let go, but for now, she will try harder to lead the life that Joey always wanted for her.
“Love ya kid.” Kayla says, looking up and smiling for the first time since she can remember.
Niki Stahlberg
“Were you sad? Were you scared? Did you whisper a prayer to be free? Was it quiet and cold? Was it light or too dark to see?
And did you reach for me?”
-Sugarland
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunted her dreams and was with her everywhere she went, and she couldn’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It got worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away. “I’m so sorry,” she says as she folds up a picture and puts it back into the box.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She stumbles through her morning routine of a quick shower and cold cereal, and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school.
“Are you getting the hang of things now?” Kayla asks her brother as they get into her 1998 pale blue Ford Focus.
“I think so.” Greg says, trying to pry the door open. “I’ve already heard a bunch of kids talking about getting drunk this weekend. You never hear anything like that in middle school; it’s crazy what a transformation it is.”
Kayla nods, wishing her little brother could stay in 8th grade forever. That way he wouldn’t have to deal with the pressures that are bound to come his way.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t let life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
With every day that passes she only misses him more. He told her that they were going to build a life together. She always believed that he was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with. That dream ended one year ago today. And Kayla’s world is still upside down. How do you just come back from that? How do you move on? She wondered these things everyday. Joey is gone. And she blamed herself.
It had been one year ago today, the second day of school. Last year it was a Thursday, it was a day where you’re already used to your new schedule of classes that there’s just no excitement anymore. You just saunter through the days until you can’t tell the difference between a Tuesday and a Friday.
“Rex and Trysta are having some people over tonight. Their parents are out of town until Sunday. Think of it as a “Farewell Summer” party. Come with me?” Joey pleaded, batting those perfect black eyelashes.
Kayla tried thinking of excuses for them to just stay home. “I thought you didn’t like Rex. Didn’t he steal your bike in 3rd grade or something?”
“No, that was Peter. And yeah, I still don’t like him! Come on Kay, it could be fun. And if it’s not, then we’ll leave. I just want to get some stuff off my mind”
Right there was when Kayla could have said no. She could have put her foot down and refused to go to a party where she knew there would be alcohol. She couldn’t say that she was an angel and had never had a drink before; she just knew that Rex’s house was where you went if you wanted a wild party. It just didn’t feel right, and Kayla knew it. Instead of saying no, she let him go.
That decision will resonate with Kayla until the end of time. That night she received a phone call from Joey’s mother. Joey was driving home when he lost control and ran his truck off the road. The police tried to get Joey out, but it was too late. All they could do was let him go. Kayla tried to make sense of everything. What had she done? Was it her fault? She couldn’t help but think it was. She knew it was a bad idea, but she let him do it. She let him go.
One year later, Kayla still thinks of that night. She thinks of all the things she could have said to Joey to make him stay.
As Kayla enters Jefferson Senior High, she sees everyone she used to know, her former best friend Rachel, her soccer team, and all of her friends in the Drama club. She can’t help but think of all the good times she used to have with them. A year ago today, she was only thinking about Joey. But now he was gone forever, and there is nothing she can do about it. Life with Joey would have been great, and now she will have to learn what it will be like without him. She knows that he wouldn’t want her to be stuck on him. He would want her to move on to bigger and better things. Regret is a very powerful emotion, and Kayla knows she will have to learn how to cope.
She slowly walks up to Rachel, wondering with each step if this is a good idea.
“Hey… um… Rachel? Can I talk to you?” Kayla manages to say.
“Yeah, sure” Rachel mutters, with unbearable awkwardness filling in all around them.
“So, I know I haven’t been myself…well, for the past year I haven’t been myself, and I just want you to know that I’m sorry”
Rachel stares at Kayla. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a necklace that says forever on it.
“I still have this. I never forgot about you either. I just didn’t know what to say to make the pain go away. No matter what anyone said, nothing helped. I’m still so sorry, Kayla.”
“Hey, um, do you wanna come over after school? Like old times?” Rachel asks, becoming more and more comfortable as time passes.
“I would love that. Can Becky come? She’s been wondering about you lately too.”
“Yeah, that’d be fun. I’ll see you then.”
Kayla walks away and heads towards her first hour class. She can’t say she’s ready to completely let go, but for now, she will try harder to lead the life that Joey always wanted for her.
“Love ya kid.” Kayla says, looking up and smiling for the first time since she can remember.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Version 2
Longer short story
Niki Stahlberg
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunts her dreams and is with her everywhere she goes, and she can’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It gets worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away. “I’m so sorry” she says as she folds up a picture and puts it back into the box.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She does her morning routine and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t let life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
With every day that passes she only misses him more. He told her that they were going to build a life together. High school drama would mean nothing anymore once they moved away and lived together. She always believed that he was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with. That dream ended one year ago today. And Kayla’s world is still upside down. How do you just come back from that? How do you move on? She wondered these things everyday. Joey is gone. And she blamed herself.
Life with Joey would have been great, and now she will have to learn what it will be like without him. She knows that he wouldn’t want her to be stuck on him. He would want her to move on to bigger and better things. Regret is a very powerful emotion, and Kayla knows she will have to learn how to cope.
“Hey, Kayla?” She heard a voice coming from the classroom. She turned to see Rachel, her former best friend.
“Hey, what’s up?” Kayla said, with awkwardness so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“I just wanted to know how you were. I mean, I know what today is, and I know it still has to be hard, and I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you. No matter how hard it gets, I’m here, okay?”
“Thank you. Really, I think I’ll be okay. This past year has been the hardest in my whole life, and I’ve missed you. I’m sorry for not calling. I just needed to be alone. But, I think I’m ready. I’m ready to move on.”
“Are you sure?” Rachel says, reaching out to touch Kayla’s arm.
“Yeah…” Kayla looks up and sheds a tear. “I love you” she whispers, and walks into the room.
Niki Stahlberg
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunts her dreams and is with her everywhere she goes, and she can’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It gets worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away. “I’m so sorry” she says as she folds up a picture and puts it back into the box.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She does her morning routine and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t let life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
With every day that passes she only misses him more. He told her that they were going to build a life together. High school drama would mean nothing anymore once they moved away and lived together. She always believed that he was the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with. That dream ended one year ago today. And Kayla’s world is still upside down. How do you just come back from that? How do you move on? She wondered these things everyday. Joey is gone. And she blamed herself.
Life with Joey would have been great, and now she will have to learn what it will be like without him. She knows that he wouldn’t want her to be stuck on him. He would want her to move on to bigger and better things. Regret is a very powerful emotion, and Kayla knows she will have to learn how to cope.
“Hey, Kayla?” She heard a voice coming from the classroom. She turned to see Rachel, her former best friend.
“Hey, what’s up?” Kayla said, with awkwardness so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“I just wanted to know how you were. I mean, I know what today is, and I know it still has to be hard, and I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you. No matter how hard it gets, I’m here, okay?”
“Thank you. Really, I think I’ll be okay. This past year has been the hardest in my whole life, and I’ve missed you. I’m sorry for not calling. I just needed to be alone. But, I think I’m ready. I’m ready to move on.”
“Are you sure?” Rachel says, reaching out to touch Kayla’s arm.
“Yeah…” Kayla looks up and sheds a tear. “I love you” she whispers, and walks into the room.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Longer short story
Longer short story
Niki Stahlberg
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunts her dreams and is with her everywhere she goes, and she can’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It gets worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She does her morning routine and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school. She begged her mom for Greg to take the bus, saying that she wanted to get to school early every day and having to bring Greg would interfere with that. That of course wasn’t the real reason, but although she tells her family a lot, she does not tell them everything.
Her mother insisted she drive her little brother to school, and reminded Kayla of when she would get a ride from her dad when she was a freshman instead of having to ride the bus.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t like life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
-----
Totally isn't finished yet. I still need to think of where I want to take my character and stuff.
QUESTIONS FOR PEER REVIEW:
1. Do you think I need to tell what happened to Joey in order for the story to make sense?
2. Do you like where this is going or should I take it a different direction?
Niki Stahlberg
Kayla was sobbing. Her world had fallen apart all over again. She couldn’t take back the things she said or did, although she wished she could. It had been one year exactly since Joey had died and she still blamed herself. He haunts her dreams and is with her everywhere she goes, and she can’t seem to get rid of the image of his face inside her head. It gets worse at night time, since that was when it happened, and especially on cold, rainy nights. Now that a new school year has started, people don’t stare as much and it’s rarely even mentioned anymore, but if Kayla had a penny for every time she thought about his name, face, smell, taste or touch, she could buy all the heartbreaks in the world.
“Kayla! Hunny, its time to get ready for school!”
“Okay Mom, just a second!” Kayla said wiping the tears away.
She wished she didn’t have to go to school. The further away from people she is, she figured, the less she could hurt them. Ever since the accident, she isolated herself so much her friends don’t even bother calling anymore. Kayla is strangely okay with it, and doesn’t mind that the only people that talk to her are her family. They have stuck by her side throughout the whole ordeal. Although it’s hard to watch, they figure whatever can make Kayla happy these days is something worth keeping around.
Every day is always like the last. She does her morning routine and drives to school with her brother Greg. Kayla is a senior this year, and has been forced to help her freshman brother adjust to the crazy world of high school. She begged her mom for Greg to take the bus, saying that she wanted to get to school early every day and having to bring Greg would interfere with that. That of course wasn’t the real reason, but although she tells her family a lot, she does not tell them everything.
Her mother insisted she drive her little brother to school, and reminded Kayla of when she would get a ride from her dad when she was a freshman instead of having to ride the bus.
With the school now in sight, she couldn’t help but think of Joey’s laugh. He always hated coming to school. He never was the smartest kid, but he didn’t get into much trouble either. He just didn’t like coming. He always said that when he went to college that he and Kayla would push each other to go to class, but that it probably wouldn’t work. She always liked that about him. He was always joking, always laughing. He didn’t like life get in his way of having a good time. They both found that out the hard way.
-----
Totally isn't finished yet. I still need to think of where I want to take my character and stuff.
QUESTIONS FOR PEER REVIEW:
1. Do you think I need to tell what happened to Joey in order for the story to make sense?
2. Do you like where this is going or should I take it a different direction?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
55 Word Story
55 Word Story
"IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, PULL HANDLE"
Tony walked by this sign every day.
"That's silly, of course you would pull the handle", he always thought.
As he stares at the flames rising in the sky, now all he can think is...
"So why didn't I pull it?"
"IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, PULL HANDLE"
Tony walked by this sign every day.
"That's silly, of course you would pull the handle", he always thought.
As he stares at the flames rising in the sky, now all he can think is...
"So why didn't I pull it?"
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Final 10-Min Play
Vacation
By: Niki Stahlberg
INT. KITCHEN
[A MOM and her DAUGHTER are standing at the counter, shuffling through travel brochures and advertisements. A second DAUGHTER sits at the kitchen table, listening to her iPod and seeming “zoned out”. A MAN stumbles through the door, looking like he has had a bit too much to drink.]
BRIAN
Have you picked a damn place to go yet?
NATALIE
Dad, this kind of stuff takes some planning. You can’t just choose a random place to go on vacation. Especially a family vacation that actually is important to some people!
SUSAN
Brian, please try and have an open mind. This means a lot to the girls.
BRIAN
[rolling his eyes]
Fine, whatever.
ABBY
Lets go to Atlantic City .
NATALIE
Why? You can’t gamble. Or drink.
ABBY
[under her breath]
Legally.
SUSAN
I was thinking some place educational. With some history behind it! Like… Washington D.C.
BRIAN
Oh Jesus.
NATALIE
No offense Mom, but I’d rather go to Grandma Paula’s house. And you know how the smell of Aspercreme gets to me.
SUSAN
Alright, alright, just a suggestion.
ABBY
How ‘bout Vegas? Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends are making an appearance next month. We could check that out.
[BRIAN’S face lights up for the first time. SUSAN looks appalled.]
SUSAN
[to Brian]
Down boy.
SUSAN (CONT’D)
Absolutely not. How about some place wholesome. Nashville maybe? Come on, it’s Music City !
ABBY
More like Music Shi-
SUSAN
Alright! Well no one is making any appropriate suggestions maybe we’ll just stay home.
NATALIE
No Mom, I’m sick of this family just moving day to day like this. We need this. Am I the only one who even cares?
ABBY
Let’s go to Canada .
NATALIE
Why there?
[An awkward silence fills the kitchen. Everyone glances at ABBY, who is obviously lost in her music]
ABBY
What?
BRIAN
I’m going out. When you make up your minds, let me know.
[BRIAN exits the room]
SUSAN
I’m not sure there’s a place we could go that would bring that man out of the state he is constantly in. He just mopes around all day, totally in his own world.
ABBY
[snorts]
How ‘bout rehab?
SUSAN
That’s enough. Your father doesn’t have a drinking problem. He just needs something to do besides…
NATALIE
Let’s take a road trip! Go wherever. Go everywhere. I don’t care. Let’s just go.
[Desperation in her voice]
Mom? Can we please just go?
SUSAN
[tucking Natalie’s hair behind her ears]
We’ll figure something out Honey, I promise.
[NATALIE gathers the papers and exits the room. SUSAN and ABBY are left sitting across from each other at the table, ABBY still fully engaged in her iPod]
SUSAN
[sighs]
Do you have any serious suggestions?
ABBY
Those were.
SUSAN
I don’t understand why you’re so…
ABBY
[rips her earbuds out of her ears, as if she has just had a jolt of energy]
Because no matter where we go, or what we do, or how long we’re there for, nothing will ever change. We’ll come back home and everything will be exactly the way it was when we left. Am I the only one in this family who sees that? You can’t just take a trip and expect people to change, Mom. You just can’t.
SUSAN
Well what do you want me to do, Abby?! I cannot control the things your father does no matter how hard I try. Believe me, if I could make this all go away I would. I would in a heartbeat.
ABBY
That’s exactly what I’m talking about! He’s never, ever going to change. He’s been this way ever since I could remember and I hate him for it. I hate him for treating you the way he does.
SUSAN
You can’t hate your father.
ABBY
Well it’s not like he makes it easy for me to love him. When was the last time he took me anywhere? When is the last time he asked me how my day was? He doesn’t give a sh*t about anyone but himself and his precious bottle of Jack Daniels.
SUSAN
I know. God. I know.
[she thinks for a few seconds]
Whatd’ya say we take a girls trip? Just us and your sister.
ABBY
Again, it will be all the same when we get…
SUSAN
Who said we had to come back?
ABBY
[a look of shock on her face]
Are you serious?
SUSAN
[smiling]
Yes.
[SUSAN calls NATALIE back into the room.]
ABBY
No more fighting? No more waking me up in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes cause you’re afraid? No more holes in the walls from his drunken rampages?
NATALIE
What’s going on? What are you guys talking about?
SUSAN
Let’s just say, your father isn’t going to ruin your birthdays anymore. He’s not going to make a complete fool of me at the company Christmas party. I’m just sick of it. I love you girls too much to see your lives revolved around your father and his mistakes. I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t know how I survived this long. I don’t know how I let it get this bad.
NATALIE
But what will happen with Dad? We can’t just leave him can we?
SUSAN
Your father will be fine. He can take care of himself. Maybe this will be his wake-up call and he will finally change his ways. I’m just sick of waiting around for that to happen. Enough is enough.
NATALIE
Wow. Mom, I’ve never seen you take this much initiative. Are you completely sure about this?
SUSAN
I’ve never been so sure about anything. Ever.
NATALIE
I’m really proud of you. Not a lot of women have the courage to pack up their lives and leave. No one deserves to be treated the way he treats you. Nobody. We’re here for you Mom, we’ll be right by your side.
ABBY
Yeah, totally.
SUSAN
Well, let’s start packing up before he gets home. You know he’ll be stumbling in around midnight , so we have some time. Now we just have to figure out where to go…
ABBY
[smiling for the first time]
Can we seriously go to Vegas? We don’t have to see the Playboy chicks, I just want the $8.99 All-You-Can-Eat buffet and to see those crazy fountains.
END SCENE
By: Niki Stahlberg
INT. KITCHEN
[A MOM and her DAUGHTER are standing at the counter, shuffling through travel brochures and advertisements. A second DAUGHTER sits at the kitchen table, listening to her iPod and seeming “zoned out”. A MAN stumbles through the door, looking like he has had a bit too much to drink.]
BRIAN
Have you picked a damn place to go yet?
NATALIE
Dad, this kind of stuff takes some planning. You can’t just choose a random place to go on vacation. Especially a family vacation that actually is important to some people!
SUSAN
Brian, please try and have an open mind. This means a lot to the girls.
BRIAN
[rolling his eyes]
Fine, whatever.
ABBY
Lets go to Atlantic City .
NATALIE
Why? You can’t gamble. Or drink.
ABBY
[under her breath]
Legally.
SUSAN
I was thinking some place educational. With some history behind it! Like… Washington D.C.
BRIAN
Oh Jesus.
NATALIE
No offense Mom, but I’d rather go to Grandma Paula’s house. And you know how the smell of Aspercreme gets to me.
SUSAN
Alright, alright, just a suggestion.
ABBY
How ‘bout Vegas? Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends are making an appearance next month. We could check that out.
[BRIAN’S face lights up for the first time. SUSAN looks appalled.]
SUSAN
[to Brian]
Down boy.
SUSAN (CONT’D)
Absolutely not. How about some place wholesome. Nashville maybe? Come on, it’s Music City !
ABBY
More like Music Shi-
SUSAN
Alright! Well no one is making any appropriate suggestions maybe we’ll just stay home.
NATALIE
No Mom, I’m sick of this family just moving day to day like this. We need this. Am I the only one who even cares?
ABBY
Let’s go to Canada .
NATALIE
Why there?
[An awkward silence fills the kitchen. Everyone glances at ABBY, who is obviously lost in her music]
ABBY
What?
BRIAN
I’m going out. When you make up your minds, let me know.
[BRIAN exits the room]
SUSAN
I’m not sure there’s a place we could go that would bring that man out of the state he is constantly in. He just mopes around all day, totally in his own world.
ABBY
[snorts]
How ‘bout rehab?
SUSAN
That’s enough. Your father doesn’t have a drinking problem. He just needs something to do besides…
NATALIE
Let’s take a road trip! Go wherever. Go everywhere. I don’t care. Let’s just go.
[Desperation in her voice]
Mom? Can we please just go?
SUSAN
[tucking Natalie’s hair behind her ears]
We’ll figure something out Honey, I promise.
[NATALIE gathers the papers and exits the room. SUSAN and ABBY are left sitting across from each other at the table, ABBY still fully engaged in her iPod]
SUSAN
[sighs]
Do you have any serious suggestions?
ABBY
Those were.
SUSAN
I don’t understand why you’re so…
ABBY
[rips her earbuds out of her ears, as if she has just had a jolt of energy]
Because no matter where we go, or what we do, or how long we’re there for, nothing will ever change. We’ll come back home and everything will be exactly the way it was when we left. Am I the only one in this family who sees that? You can’t just take a trip and expect people to change, Mom. You just can’t.
SUSAN
Well what do you want me to do, Abby?! I cannot control the things your father does no matter how hard I try. Believe me, if I could make this all go away I would. I would in a heartbeat.
ABBY
That’s exactly what I’m talking about! He’s never, ever going to change. He’s been this way ever since I could remember and I hate him for it. I hate him for treating you the way he does.
SUSAN
You can’t hate your father.
ABBY
Well it’s not like he makes it easy for me to love him. When was the last time he took me anywhere? When is the last time he asked me how my day was? He doesn’t give a sh*t about anyone but himself and his precious bottle of Jack Daniels.
SUSAN
I know. God. I know.
[she thinks for a few seconds]
Whatd’ya say we take a girls trip? Just us and your sister.
ABBY
Again, it will be all the same when we get…
SUSAN
Who said we had to come back?
ABBY
[a look of shock on her face]
Are you serious?
SUSAN
[smiling]
Yes.
[SUSAN calls NATALIE back into the room.]
ABBY
No more fighting? No more waking me up in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes cause you’re afraid? No more holes in the walls from his drunken rampages?
NATALIE
What’s going on? What are you guys talking about?
SUSAN
Let’s just say, your father isn’t going to ruin your birthdays anymore. He’s not going to make a complete fool of me at the company Christmas party. I’m just sick of it. I love you girls too much to see your lives revolved around your father and his mistakes. I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t know how I survived this long. I don’t know how I let it get this bad.
NATALIE
But what will happen with Dad? We can’t just leave him can we?
SUSAN
Your father will be fine. He can take care of himself. Maybe this will be his wake-up call and he will finally change his ways. I’m just sick of waiting around for that to happen. Enough is enough.
NATALIE
Wow. Mom, I’ve never seen you take this much initiative. Are you completely sure about this?
SUSAN
I’ve never been so sure about anything. Ever.
NATALIE
I’m really proud of you. Not a lot of women have the courage to pack up their lives and leave. No one deserves to be treated the way he treats you. Nobody. We’re here for you Mom, we’ll be right by your side.
ABBY
Yeah, totally.
SUSAN
Well, let’s start packing up before he gets home. You know he’ll be stumbling in around midnight , so we have some time. Now we just have to figure out where to go…
ABBY
[smiling for the first time]
Can we seriously go to Vegas? We don’t have to see the Playboy chicks, I just want the $8.99 All-You-Can-Eat buffet and to see those crazy fountains.
END SCENE
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
10 Minute Play
Vacation
By: Niki Stahlberg
INT. KITCHEN
[A MOM and her DAUGHTER are standing at the counter, shuffling through travel brochures and advertisements. A second DAUGHTER sits at the kitchen table, listening to her iPod and seeming “zoned out”. A MAN stumbles through the door, looking like he has had a bit too much to drink.]
BRIAN
Have you picked a damn place to go yet?
NATALIE
Dad, this kind of stuff takes some planning. You can’t just choose a random place to go on vacation. Especially a family vacation that actually is important to some people!
SUSAN
Brian, please try and have an open mind. This means a lot to the girls.
BRIAN
[rolling his eyes]
Fine, whatever.
ABBY
Lets go to Atlantic City .
NATALIE
Why? You can’t gamble. Or drink.
ABBY
[under her breath]
Legally.
SUSAN
I was thinking some place educational. With some history behind it! Like… Washington D.C!
BRIAN
Oh Jesus.
NATALIE
No offense Mom, but I’d rather go to grandma Paula’s house. And you know how the smell of Aspercreme gets to me.
SUSAN
Alright, alright, just a suggestion.
ABBY
How ‘bout Vegas? Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends are making an appearance next month. We could check that out.
[BRIAN’S face lights up for the first time. SUSAN looks appalled.]
SUSAN[to Brian]
Down boy.
SUSAN (CONT’D)
Absolutely not. How about some place wholesome. Nashville maybe? Come on, its Music City !
ABBY
More like Music Shi-
SUSAN
Alright! Well no one is making any appropriate suggestions maybe we’ll just stay home.
NATALIE
No Mom, I’m sick of this family just moving day to day like this. We need this. Am I the only one who even cares?
ABBY
Let’s go to Canada .
NATALIE
Why there?
[An awkward silence fills the kitchen. Everyone glances at ABBY, who is obviously lost in her music]
ABBY
What?
BRIAN
I’m going out. When you make up your minds, let me know.
SUSAN
I’m not sure there’s a place we could go that would bring that man out of the state he is constantly in. He just mopes around all day, totally in his own world.
ABBY
[snorts]
How ‘bout rehab?
SUSAN
That’s enough. Your father doesn’t have a drinking problem. He just needs something to do besides…
NATALIE
Let’s take a road trip! Go wherever. Go everywhere. I don’t care. Let’s just go.
[Desperation in her voice]
Mom? Can we please just go?
SUSAN
[tucking Natalie’s hair behind her ears]
We’ll figure something out Honey, I promise.
[NATALIE gathers the papers and exits the room. SUSAN and ABBY are left sitting across from each other at the table, ABBY still fully engaged in her iPod]
SUSAN
[sighs]
Do you have any serious suggestions?
ABBY
Those were.
SUSAN
I don’t understand why you’re so…
ABBY
[rips her earbuds out of her ears, as if she has just had a jolt of energy]
Because no matter where we go, or what we do, or how long we’re there for, nothing will ever change. We’ll come back home and everything will be exactly the way it was when we left. Am I the only one in this family who sees that? You can’t just take a trip and expect people to change Mom. You just can’t.
SUSAN
I know that, sweetie. What’dya say us girls take a trip? Just me, you and your sister.
ABBY
Again, it will be all the same when we get…
SUSAN
Who said we had to come back?
ABBY
[a look of shock on her face]
Are you serious?
SUSAN
[smiling]
Yes.
ABBY
No more fighting? No more waking me up in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes cause you’re afraid? No more holes in the walls from his drunken rampages?
SUSAN
We’ll leave tomorrow. I’m sick of it too, baby. I don’t know what I would do without you and your sister.
ABBY
[gets up to go start packing, smiling for the first time]
Can we seriously go to Vegas though? We don’t have to see the Playboy chicks, I just want the $8.99 All-You-Can-Eat buffet and to see those crazy fountains.
END SCENE
By: Niki Stahlberg
INT. KITCHEN
[A MOM and her DAUGHTER are standing at the counter, shuffling through travel brochures and advertisements. A second DAUGHTER sits at the kitchen table, listening to her iPod and seeming “zoned out”. A MAN stumbles through the door, looking like he has had a bit too much to drink.]
BRIAN
Have you picked a damn place to go yet?
NATALIE
Dad, this kind of stuff takes some planning. You can’t just choose a random place to go on vacation. Especially a family vacation that actually is important to some people!
SUSAN
Brian, please try and have an open mind. This means a lot to the girls.
BRIAN
[rolling his eyes]
Fine, whatever.
ABBY
Lets go to Atlantic City .
NATALIE
Why? You can’t gamble. Or drink.
ABBY
[under her breath]
Legally.
SUSAN
I was thinking some place educational. With some history behind it! Like… Washington D.C!
BRIAN
Oh Jesus.
NATALIE
No offense Mom, but I’d rather go to grandma Paula’s house. And you know how the smell of Aspercreme gets to me.
SUSAN
Alright, alright, just a suggestion.
ABBY
How ‘bout Vegas? Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends are making an appearance next month. We could check that out.
[BRIAN’S face lights up for the first time. SUSAN looks appalled.]
SUSAN[to Brian]
Down boy.
SUSAN (CONT’D)
Absolutely not. How about some place wholesome. Nashville maybe? Come on, its Music City !
ABBY
More like Music Shi-
SUSAN
Alright! Well no one is making any appropriate suggestions maybe we’ll just stay home.
NATALIE
No Mom, I’m sick of this family just moving day to day like this. We need this. Am I the only one who even cares?
ABBY
Let’s go to Canada .
NATALIE
Why there?
[An awkward silence fills the kitchen. Everyone glances at ABBY, who is obviously lost in her music]
ABBY
What?
BRIAN
I’m going out. When you make up your minds, let me know.
SUSAN
I’m not sure there’s a place we could go that would bring that man out of the state he is constantly in. He just mopes around all day, totally in his own world.
ABBY
[snorts]
How ‘bout rehab?
SUSAN
That’s enough. Your father doesn’t have a drinking problem. He just needs something to do besides…
NATALIE
Let’s take a road trip! Go wherever. Go everywhere. I don’t care. Let’s just go.
[Desperation in her voice]
Mom? Can we please just go?
SUSAN
[tucking Natalie’s hair behind her ears]
We’ll figure something out Honey, I promise.
[NATALIE gathers the papers and exits the room. SUSAN and ABBY are left sitting across from each other at the table, ABBY still fully engaged in her iPod]
SUSAN
[sighs]
Do you have any serious suggestions?
ABBY
Those were.
SUSAN
I don’t understand why you’re so…
ABBY
[rips her earbuds out of her ears, as if she has just had a jolt of energy]
Because no matter where we go, or what we do, or how long we’re there for, nothing will ever change. We’ll come back home and everything will be exactly the way it was when we left. Am I the only one in this family who sees that? You can’t just take a trip and expect people to change Mom. You just can’t.
SUSAN
I know that, sweetie. What’dya say us girls take a trip? Just me, you and your sister.
ABBY
Again, it will be all the same when we get…
SUSAN
Who said we had to come back?
ABBY
[a look of shock on her face]
Are you serious?
SUSAN
[smiling]
Yes.
ABBY
No more fighting? No more waking me up in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes cause you’re afraid? No more holes in the walls from his drunken rampages?
SUSAN
We’ll leave tomorrow. I’m sick of it too, baby. I don’t know what I would do without you and your sister.
ABBY
[gets up to go start packing, smiling for the first time]
Can we seriously go to Vegas though? We don’t have to see the Playboy chicks, I just want the $8.99 All-You-Can-Eat buffet and to see those crazy fountains.
END SCENE
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