Prompt for Friday Writing Essential 1/4/2013

One of our professors in college would often sit in awkward positions on a wooden chair as he was lecturing. He would wrap his legs around those of the chair and lean so as to balance the chair on two legs while in a precarious position. Occasionally he would just catch himself from falling over. A result was that students could easily get caught up in wondering whether or not he would fall on his head instead of concentrating on the content of his lecture.

This week’s challenge, then, is to write about distraction. Is it a coworker’s cleavage? A “private” conversation you’re not supposed to hear? Kids playing “terrorize your sibling”? It can be humorous or serious, factual or fiction, prose or poetry. Be certain to tag with FWE and include “FWE-Distraction” in your title. Please try to post by 1/11/13.

Thanks to those who responded to the 12/28/12 FWE-Disappointment challenge. Let me know if I missed any.

FWE-Disappointment by Katryn D.

Christmas Hope - FWE - Disappointment by Jan S.

FWE disappointment dec 28/12 by Karen Vaughan

Low Ebb (FWE Disappointment - Friday Writing Essential Prompt for 12/28/2012) by Joann B.

FWE-DISAPPOINTMENT!!! by Peter Rogerson

FWE-Disappointment: The night everyone was disappointed. by Franklin Newman

FWE-Disappointment 12/28/2012 by Ashley S.

Friday Writing Essential12/28/2012 Disappointment--When Disappointment Turns to Resentment by sarah leanne

Unrequited Love (FWE-Disappointment: December 28th, 2012) by Angela A.

Comments: 34

Janet "Jax" B. Jan 4, 2013, 12:28am UTC

We had a prof lean against the chalk board and end up with a benezene ring on the back of his brown cordory jacket.....it was funny....every time he turned around we started laughing.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:31am UTC

Our HS algebra teacher was always getting calk on the elbows of his jacket, which always had patches over the elbows.

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Busy Buzzy Bee 'Gather Proud Mamarazzi' Jan 4, 2013, 12:41am UTC

:) there's lot of scope .Good one, John!

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:31am UTC

Thanks, Buzzy. Great to see you!

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sarah leanne Jan 4, 2013, 1:03am UTC

That is hilarious John.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:31am UTC

Thanks, Sarah.

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Tracy Fabre Jan 4, 2013, 4:36am UTC

Oh... your professor reminds me of one of mine. I may just have to do this prompt!

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:32am UTC

Hip Hip Hooray! I'll watch for it, Tracy.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:32am UTC

I hope you're over your nasty bug.

Tracy Fabre Jan 4, 2013, 10:27am UTC

No such luck, but I *am* plotting my entry for the prompt.

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Greg Schiller Jan 4, 2013, 6:22am UTC

A result was that students could easily get caught up in wondering whether or not he would fall on his head instead of concentrating on the content of his lecture.

Think of it another way. Instead of wafting off into hormonal daydreams, the youth of that class were kept focused on their professor.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:34am UTC

That's a thought, but in my case it was a distraction which I had to overcome if I wanted to get his points.

Thanks, Greg.

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Barbary C. Jan 4, 2013, 7:53am UTC

And Hip Hip Hooray! for you, John...for this prompt which will bring
flights of imagination. I look forward to reading some of them
and the posts you listed for last week's entries.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 7:55am UTC

Thanks, Barbary. It's fun to see what Gather members come up with, given a bit of a nudge.

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Angela A. Jan 4, 2013, 10:16am UTC

I could write on this prompt. But, my kids, dog, cat and oven are distracting me. What were you talking about again? Lol

Angela A. Jan 4, 2013, 11:07am UTC

My prompt is done and ready to be digested. Slowly. Ha, ha
IGotSoDistractedThatI'mHomeless

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 11:47am UTC

Cute, Angela.

Angela A. Jan 4, 2013, 11:57am UTC

:-)

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jan 5, 2013, 1:36pm UTC

Angela,I got your distraction right here hon.

(now if we could just distract donald somehow...)

Angela A. Jan 5, 2013, 3:48pm UTC

Ha, ha.

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Pam Brittain Jan 4, 2013, 5:31pm UTC

My post was chewed up. I have an idea for this one - now to find time to do it.

I figure I miss a few responses to my challenges, and I think I submitted mine for last week too late.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 5:57pm UTC

I'll watch for it, Pam.

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Len Maxwell Jan 4, 2013, 5:53pm UTC

Distracted? Me? Um, let's see... yep, I've been distracted occasionally. Maybe I can figure out a way to write about one of those distractions. You had to mention cleavage and that always manages to distract me.

JOHN BECK Jan 4, 2013, 5:58pm UTC

Yes, maybe some would rather I hadn't mentioned that one so that they could write about it. Thanks, Len.

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Elsie Duggan Jan 4, 2013, 11:54pm UTC

Talk about distraction, my life is so full of it these days, :), great prompt John, so nice to see you as an editor, love, Elsie

JOHN BECK Jan 5, 2013, 12:16am UTC

Thanks, Elsie.

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Granny Janny Jan 5, 2013, 12:08am UTC

One word...many stories!

JOHN BECK Jan 5, 2013, 12:16am UTC

Indeed. Thanks, Jan.

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Robert - just a simple man - B. Jan 5, 2013, 1:35pm UTC

I'd get right on this Mr. Beck, if I weren't already so distracted.

:+)

JOHN BECK Jan 5, 2013, 1:57pm UTC

Thanks, Robert. Yes, there are many distractions today.

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Irina Dimitric Jan 5, 2013, 9:41pm UTC

This is really a fun challenge, John.

JOHN BECK Jan 6, 2013, 8:16am UTC

Thanks, Irina.

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Jan S. Jan 6, 2013, 12:55am UTC

These ought to be fun to read. I had a professor who paced back and forth in the big lecture hall, often tripping over chairs or dropping his pen or pointer. He was so enthusiastic about his subject - history - that he'd get carried away. Although his antics were a bit distracting, everyone did well in his class and loved him. His enthusiasm was contagious.

JOHN BECK Jan 6, 2013, 8:17am UTC

Thanks, Jan. So many good educators are a bit eccentric.

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Prompt for Friday Writing Essential 1/4/2013

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