Announcing “Spooking Sidney”: A Writing Challenge

Wherein We Make A Startling Geographic Realization »

Announcing “Spooking Sidney”: A Writing Challenge

November 2, 2009 by Schnookie

The other day we were lucky enough to have breakfast in New York City with the inestimable (and outrageously foxy) Margee, of SportSquee fame. And it being a meeting up of such brilliant blogging minds, we spent much of the time lamenting how we have felt short of material of late. So while we sat there whining and spinning our wheels about how uninspired we’ve been so far this hockey season, Margee proved how much more brilliant she is than we are by declaring that what the world needs now is a Sidney/Cindy Crosby fanfic challenge. Last time IPB hosted such a thing (remember “Chasing Sidney”, Gentle Reader?), the theme was Sid’s teen-movie coming-of-age story. This time, since it was hatched the day before Halloween, the theme is spookiness. Ghosts. Ghouls. Monsters. Haunting. You get the idea. We want you, Gentle Reader, to join us in a celebration of “Spooking Sidney”. If you want to write a spooky Sid story for all the world to read here (and trust us — we get a lot of searches for Sid fanfic, so the world will read it), or even want to come up with some other creative project that can be posted on your favorite Devils blog, now is the time to do it!

About these ads

Posted in Challenge, Sid Crosby | 58 Comments

58 Responses

on November 3, 2009 at 12:16 am Patty (in Dallas)

Oh, man! I was THIS CLOSE to meeting Margee!! Dang it!
on November 3, 2009 at 9:18 am Pookie

You’ll just have to come back!
on November 3, 2009 at 9:30 am Schnookie

You WILL have to come back, Patty!

And good morning, everyone! Is it at all possible that today can suck as bad as yesterday? Or is there some kind of law governing the workweek that dictates that I got all my licks in yesterday? Sigh. Stupid work, acting like work for the first time since I got this job…
on November 3, 2009 at 9:33 am Caitlin

Anything you guys will come up with will be hilarious! I want to read this.
on November 3, 2009 at 9:44 am Schnookie

Thanks for your faith in us, Caitlin. And congrats on your move! I’m so happy for you that you’re all settled into the new place! Is your life all newer and better now? :D
on November 3, 2009 at 9:51 am Caitlin

Stupid work, acting like work for the first time since I got this job…

I know the feeling! It’s so lame. I think we’re starting to get a little slower at the office (which is a good thing, actually).

Is your life all newer and better now? :D

Definitely newer. I’m using the extra time to save up for a house. I signed a year lease, so I’m totally turning into Scrooge McDuck when it comes to money, in a lot of ways, because while I like the apartment, I can tell apartment life is just… not for me. (I don’t like having that many neighbors jammed up next to me. I am a hermit! A hermit, I tell you.)
on November 3, 2009 at 10:19 am Schnookie

I am a hermit! A hermit, I tell you.

You don’t need to tell me twice! I’d offer you a fist bump, but I shy away from human contact. :P (I had never put even the slightest thought into homeownership until I moved into a rental place. After about 15 minutes there, I was like, “Pookie, when our lease is up, we’re buying a house.”)

And I’m glad to hear work is slowing down for you. So far it’s been a hell of a lot quieter here than it was yesterday, so I’m hoping it was just an anomaly. It was so weird, because I was out of the office for five and a half days two weeks ago, and when I got back it was like I’d never been gone. Then I’m out of the office for one stinkin’ day on Friday, and when I come in on Monday, the wheels have completely fallen off around here. The moral of the story is to always take a week off at a time, I guess. Heh.
on November 3, 2009 at 10:25 am Mags

Ooooh, a writing challenge! I’m really looking forward to what everyone comes up with!

I don’t like having that many neighbors jammed up next to me. I am a hermit! A hermit, I tell you.

Hear, hear! I like where I live, but I could really do without my housemates sharing their thumping music, relationship problems, and cigarette smoke with me.
on November 3, 2009 at 10:34 am Schnookie

Oooh, cigarette smoke would be a dealbreaker for me!
on November 3, 2009 at 10:41 am Mags

I’ve harassed them all about their smoking so much, none of them don’t do it in the house anymore. So it’s loads better. But I can still remember the first few months. I’d hang my coat in the hall in the evening, and when I’d put it on in the morning it’d smell like I’d been hanging out in a particularly disgusting bar. Not nice.
on November 3, 2009 at 10:47 am Caitlin

Oooh, cigarette smoke would be a dealbreaker for me!

Yeah. I try and be a respectful smoker (I’m trying to quit again, it’s working out really well, as you can tell by the fact that I’m still smoking, gah) but it’s hard. I clean up after myself and technically I’m allowed to smoke on my little patio area, so I hope none of my neighbors mind. (I don’t smoke in the apartment, considering that I know people can smell it in the vents and stuff.)

That being said, if my next door neighbors have a problem with it, they can SUCK. IT. They slam every door in their house constantly and when they slam their front door, it makes my floor and my front window shake. It’s driving me absolutely nuts.

Then I’m out of the office for one stinkin’ day on Friday, and when I come in on Monday, the wheels have completely fallen off around here.

I took two days off to move and as soon as I walked in the front door of our office Monday, my boss was waiting for me and started rattling off things for me to do as I was walking to my desk. Clearly I should never take time off. ;)
on November 3, 2009 at 10:49 am Schnookie

I’m trying to quit again, it’s working out really well, as you can tell by the fact that I’m still smoking, gah

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And don’t get me wrong, Caitlin — I fully support your right to smoke on your own turf! :D

Clearly I should never take time off.

No, based on my scientific study of time off lately, you clearly should have taken MORE time off.
on November 3, 2009 at 10:57 am Mags

my boss was waiting for me and started rattling off things for me to do as I was walking to my desk.

That sounds way too “The Devil Wears Prada” for me.
on November 3, 2009 at 10:59 am Mags

Speaking of neighbours slamming doors, excuse me while I walk upstairs to throw Upstairs’ speakers out of the window.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:05 am Caitlin

That sounds way too “The Devil Wears Prada” for me.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::: Oh, the stories I have….

excuse me while I walk upstairs to throw Upstairs’ speakers out of the window.

Here, I’ll help you kick Upstairs in the shins, and you can help with the Next Doors, how’s that? :D

No, based on my scientific study of time off lately, you clearly should have taken MORE time off.

I think my boss would’ve had a stroke. LOL.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:28 am Margee

We just got new neighbors downstairs, who have decided to place various furniture they apparently don’t want, ON THE STAIRS LEADING UP TO OUR APARTMENT. Imagine coming home lugging 40 pounds of laundry and an overeager French bulldog up five flights of stairs only to dodge halogen lamps on the narrow, crooked, spiral final staircase to your home. Bitches be crazy.

Also, can I just go ahead and blatantly rip off Twilight for my entry in the Spooking Cindy contest? Or Fear Street, maybe?
on November 3, 2009 at 11:31 am Schnookie

We just got new neighbors downstairs, who have decided to place various furniture they apparently don’t want, ON THE STAIRS LEADING UP TO OUR APARTMENT.

The phonk? I think there’s a special circle of hell for people like that.

And please, the more blatant rip-offs the better! I think a sparkly Spooked Cindy would be so wonderful. Although has he ever experienced true, pure love? I’m intrigued…
on November 3, 2009 at 11:34 am Caitlin

Bitches be crazy.

Someone would have a halogen lamp up their ass. That’s insane! What if there was a fire or something? People are so inconsiderate.

(One of these days I am just going to buy copies of Miss Manners’ original book in bulk and hand a copy to every rude person I meet.)

Also, can I just go ahead and blatantly rip off Twilight for my entry in the Spooking Cindy contest? Or Fear Street, maybe?

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Fear Street! Holy shit, that brings back memories of middle school.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:34 am Caitlin

Although has he ever experienced true, pure love? I’m intrigued…

Does Sidney smell like freesia, too?
on November 3, 2009 at 11:36 am mcguffers

They slam every door in their house constantly and when they slam their front door, it makes my floor and my front window shake.

When I first moved in to my place here, I tried to stay relatively quiet so I didn’t piss anyone off. Yeah, that’s over. Upstairs sucks balls. The two girls clod around in high heels all night and let their door slam, while the guy who’s bedroom is right above me clearly jump ropes everywhere. Plus they get up at 6:30am for work, sleep from 8pm-11:30pm, then fight with each other/drink/yell/fall over/tap dance? from 11:30pm-whenever.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:37 am Schnookie

Does Sidney smell like freesia, too?

Please. You have to ask? :P

while the guy who’s bedroom is right above me clearly jump ropes everywhere.

Oh, I do that! But only when I’m living directly above somebody.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:42 am Mags

One of these days I am just going to buy copies of Miss Manners’ original book in bulk and hand a copy to every rude person I meet.

I’m so with this plan. One of my friends actually handed out “congratulations, your an asshole” cards for a while, but she’s stopped doing that. I must ask her why.

When I first moved in to my place here, I tried to stay relatively quiet so I didn’t piss anyone off. Yeah, that’s over.

I recently took revenge on my housemates by turning my music up to 11 at 5:30am, while I was getting ready to go to hockey practice. They weren’t happy, but it did make an impression. You fuck with my sleep, I fuck with yours.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:47 am mcguffers

We just got new neighbors downstairs, who have decided to place various furniture they apparently don’t want, ON THE STAIRS LEADING UP TO OUR APARTMENT.

They left their couch right in front of the back door! My friend and I decided to very loudly mock it right below their open windows. “Oh My God!! Who would reupholster their couch with dead cats???”

I recently took revenge on my housemates by turning my music up to 11 at 5:30am, while I was getting ready to go to hockey practice.

Forgetting to turn your alarm clock off when you go away for the weekend works too. Apparently.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:51 am mcguffers

By “they”, I mean my Upstairs people. :)
on November 3, 2009 at 11:53 am Mags

Forgetting to turn your alarm clock off when you go away for the weekend works too. Apparently.

Oooooh, good to know.
on November 3, 2009 at 11:54 am Caitlin

Upstairs sucks balls. The two girls clod around in high heels all night and let their door slam, while the guy who’s bedroom is right above me clearly jump ropes everywhere.

I do try and be quiet as much as possible because the people below me are a family with children. I live on the second floor, so I take off my shoes when I get in the house, shut doors quietly, etc.

Forgetting to turn your alarm clock off when you go away for the weekend works too. Apparently.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::: What would be even better is if it’s a double bell alarm clock.
on November 3, 2009 at 12:10 pm Mags

What would be even better is if it’s a double bell alarm clock.

Like say, one of these?
on November 3, 2009 at 12:28 pm Caitlin

Just like that, Mags! :D
on November 3, 2009 at 12:33 pm Mags

Well, it just so happens I have a few of those lying around *evil grin*
on November 3, 2009 at 12:36 pm KenF

i just found out my downstairs neighbors are moving, which is too bad, they’re really nice people, and i rarely hear them. the worst thing, and i cant even complain about this, is he’ll sit on the patio quietly listening to and singing along with classic rock. its really quite endearing.

i fear my new neighbors will spend their days and nights trying to concoct new delicacies made entirely of curry.

maybe the gods will smile down on me and place a cute single hockey loving female. one can dream, right?
on November 3, 2009 at 12:48 pm Schnookie

I’m off to be a good citizen and vote! See y’all later! :D
on November 3, 2009 at 2:28 pm Pookie

Being a good citizen is fun! Hooray for voting! (I think my vote is going to be disallowed — I’m very bad at making my signature consistent so between the official one on record and the two places I had to sign today, I think they’re going to decide that [Pookie Lastname] is like four or five different people.)
on November 3, 2009 at 2:37 pm Myra

Hello! Dave’s interview is in less than an hour.

I think I’m going to throw up and I’m not even the one being interviewed!

Think positive thoughts, think positive thoughts, think positive thoughts….
on November 3, 2009 at 2:49 pm andrew

Hey everyone, good mornin’ (for another 15 minutes).

Better late than never, but happy birthday Boomer!

Myra, Dave, best of luck in the interview. Hope it goes well.
on November 3, 2009 at 2:50 pm Pookie

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Dave!
on November 3, 2009 at 2:51 pm Mags

Hello! Dave’s interview is in less than an hour.

I’m going to borrow a phrase from Grrrreg here, and say I’m keeping all my available fingers and toes crossed for him!
on November 3, 2009 at 2:51 pm Schnookie

Oooh, Myra, I hope everything goes great for Hub!

And hi, andrew! Are you all excited for your beatdown this week at the hands of the Too Oranges?
on November 3, 2009 at 2:52 pm Meg

I’m very bad at making my signature consistent so between the official one on record and the two places I had to sign today, I think they’re going to decide that [Pookie Lastname] is like four or five different people.)

I don’t know…if voting in Jersey is like voting in New York I think you’re OK. I’m still receiving absentee voting materials for my roommate’s grandmother, who has been dead for years.

I’m going to vote this evening but it feels a little superfluous given that the most closely contested election in my district is likely to be won by double digits. The best thing about the election being today is that I’ll stop getting two mailers a day from Bloomberg. Seriously, dude, I know who you are.
on November 3, 2009 at 2:52 pm Myra

Thanks everyone!
on November 3, 2009 at 2:55 pm Caitlin

I think we had some voting today, but I’m not sure. I’m a terrible citizen! And as it is, I’m not on the voting rolls in my new county.

Fingers crossed for Dave!
on November 3, 2009 at 3:01 pm andrew

And hi, andrew! Are you all excited for your beatdown this week at the hands of the Too Oranges?

Yo!

No, no…there will be no beatdowns. The Rioters are ready flip over some orange cop cars. If ya know what I mean.

I think we had some voting today, but I’m not sure. I’m a terrible citizen!

Ha! You sound like me. Vo-ting? Today? Huh…
on November 3, 2009 at 3:03 pm Caitlin

The best thing about the election being today is that I’ll stop getting two mailers a day from Bloomberg. Seriously, dude, I know who you are.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I’m particularly looking forward to the Texas governor’s race. That should be entertaining. Predictable, but entertaining in the sense that Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry are already smearing each other and the election is not going to be here for a pretty long while…
on November 3, 2009 at 3:06 pm Pookie

I only remember to vote in non-presidential years because I get the day off.
on November 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm Schnookie

The best thing about the election being today is that I’ll stop getting two mailers a day from Bloomberg. Seriously, dude, I know who you are.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m looking forward to the commercials for the gubernatorial candidates to go off the air. I was saying to Pookie when were leaving the voting place that these have been BY FAR the most insipid campaign commercials I’ve ever seen. It’ll be one guy saying, “If I’m elected, my government will abolish taxes and give everyone fresh-baked cookies every day!” And the the other guy says, “My opponent says he wants to give everyone fresh-baked cookies, but actually he HATES cookies.” And then the first guy comes back with, “My opponent says I hate cookies, but that’s OUTRAGEOUS! My dear deceased granny used to bake me cookies after school when I was a child. HOW DARE MY OPPONENT SMEAR MY DEAD GRANNY!” And so on and so on. I’ve got no problem with stupid campaign commercials, but these are all just so uninspired and completely devoid of ANY meaning. It’s been exhausting.

The Rioters are ready flip over some orange cop cars. If ya know what I mean.

Oh yeah? The Oranges are READY. If you smash them, you’ll just be stuck with orange juice with extra pulp. And that’s DISGUSTING!
on November 3, 2009 at 3:16 pm mcguffers

What would be even better is if it’s a double bell alarm clock.

*adds double bell alarm clock to shopping list*

Myra, good luck to you guys on the interview! Maybe he should use the cardboard creche story to win them over. :D

I’m still registered at my dad’s house in Roc, so my dad (Mr. Best Friends with Everyone) has usually told the volunteers something to tease me about when I get there like, “Your dad wasn’t sure you’d know how to get here what with us being in a church and all.”
on November 3, 2009 at 3:20 pm mcguffers

HOW DARE MY OPPONENT SMEAR MY DEAD GRANNY!

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The fresh-baked cookies platform is always a controversial one.
on November 3, 2009 at 3:25 pm andrew

“If I’m elected, my government will abolish taxes and give everyone fresh-baked cookies every day!” And the the other guy says, “My opponent says he wants to give everyone fresh-baked cookies, but actually he HATES cookies.”

HA! Sounds like one of my favorite Futurama episodes, when the two clones of each other are running for President:

“I say your three cent titanium tax goes too far.”

“And I say your three cent titanium tax doesn’t go too far enough.”

“It’s time for someone who has the courage to stand up and say, “I’m against those things that everybody hates!”"

Politicians man. ugh.

If you smash them, you’ll just be stuck with orange juice with extra pulp.

I eat pieces of pulp like you for breakfast! Um…literally. I kinda like the orange juice with all the pulp left in it.
on November 3, 2009 at 3:29 pm Pookie

“It’s time for someone who has the courage to stand up and say, “I’m against those things that everybody hates!””

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Or it’s like that Stella sketch about running for co-op leader. “We love motor scooters! Our opponent has no opinion on motor scooters. No opinion on motor scooters?!? Is that who you want in charge?”
on November 3, 2009 at 3:32 pm Schnookie

“I say your three cent titanium tax goes too far.”

“And I say your three cent titanium tax doesn’t go too far enough.”

“It’s time for someone who has the courage to stand up and say, “I’m against those things that everybody hates!””

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It really is fantastic, isn’t it?
on November 3, 2009 at 3:39 pm Meg

I’m looking forward to the commercials for the gubernatorial candidates to go off the air. I was saying to Pookie when were leaving the voting place that these have been BY FAR the most insipid campaign commercials I’ve ever seen.

Yeah, I can’t say I’ve envied Jersey their gubernatorial race. The New York was is just weird…Bloomberg’s spent like 100 million dollars of his own money on a race he was never going to lose in the first place. And his opponent has spent, what, about 10 million. It’s so wacky.

I’m particularly looking forward to the Texas governor’s race. That should be entertaining.

In New York they’re just trying to figure out how to get the current governor out of the race. He’s a little like the Black Knight in Monty Python, really.
on November 3, 2009 at 3:57 pm Schnookie

He’s a little like the Black Knight in Monty Python, really.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: He really has been! That’s the perfect comparison!
on November 3, 2009 at 4:07 pm andrew

In New York they’re just trying to figure out how to get the current governor out of the race. He’s a little like the Black Knight in Monty Python, really.

That’s awesome. He’s hopping around Albany on one leg.

We’re getting close out here, next governor will start term in 1/2011. All I can say is thank god for term limits.
on November 3, 2009 at 4:23 pm Caitlin

He’s a little like the Black Knight in Monty Python, really.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on November 3, 2009 at 6:25 pm carolbrowne

What’s spookier? An all day staphylococcus meeting at your boss’s house or using your gravy boat as a netty pot?

What does this have to do with hockey? NOTHING!

But Canucks play tonight. Yippee!
on November 3, 2009 at 7:24 pm Schnookie

Oooh, I gotta go gravy boat as netty pot, but both are pretty spooky! (What brought that up? Did both of those things happen to you today, Carol? And couldn’t you have used that coffee pot that a hobo peed in as a netty pot instead? :P)
on November 3, 2009 at 7:37 pm carolbrowne

Oh good idea! I’ll use the hobo pot for my netty pot needs. That makes me feel better about not using the gravy boat. It’s a Mikasa.

Mike’s dad gave us some some helpful hints to keep safe from the H1N1 flu and that included the netty pot reference. Since we don’t have one, I thought I’d multi-task it. Who buys a netty pot, anyway? SNORT!

Heh! Snort and netty pot!

Anything to get out of the all day meeting. Please note, on the agenda, it says, “Noon: Lunch & Laughter”.

I seriously doubt that.
on November 3, 2009 at 7:40 pm mcguffers

“Noon: Lunch & Laughter”.

I don’t think Laughter means what they think it means.
on November 3, 2009 at 8:04 pm Schnookie

“Noon: Lunch & Laughter”.

I don’t think Laughter means what they think it means.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Wow. That is DREADFUL. My senior management team decided during last year’s door prize part of the Holiday Party that they think they’re hilarious every time they say “faaaaabulous prizes.” So now that gets worked somehow into every department-wide meeting. I’m not a high enough pay grade to tell them that it’s not fooling anyone.

And I have to confess — I had to look up netty pots to figure out what it was. And it seems lots of people at least sell them, although that doesn’t necessarily mean anyone buys one. A hobo pot should work just as well. Heh. (I mean, who wants such a single-purpose thing as a real, official netty pot? You want dishes that can be used for lots of things! :P)