Open Topic. (Anything the contestants choose to write about)
Of 143 contestants, these were the 54 I liked best. This week especially, people took creative approaches that I found refreshing and enjoyable. I think this was one of the strongest weeks of the competition.
Again, I only included entries I could read. If they were friend-locked or the journals have been deleted, I could not include them. I apologize if you have trouble viewing any of the friend-locked links below.
http://lifeinamarble.livejournal.com/206112.html
A plea on behalf of gay marriage.
http://thisgirliknow.livejournal.com/1625724.html
Pondering language and censorship, with some humor for good measure.
http://technophile.livejournal.com/202518.html
A funny, sweet and touching comic.
http://dabhug.livejournal.com/155146.html
A vignette about coping with death.
http://brightflashes.livejournal.com/408373.html
Stream-of-consciousness ponderings about Santa Clause and the author's father.
http://baxaphobia.livejournal.com/133756.html
A root canal and a celebrity encounter, at the same time!
http://monkeysugarmama.livejournal.com/41912.html
God works in mysterious ways in this funny, revealing story.
http://alexpgp.livejournal.com/1289748.html
The author shares his personal experiences with astronauts.
http://js-africanus.livejournal.com/185880.html
A fictional piece that keeps the reader guessing.
http://az-starshine.livejournal.com/543498.html
Who could love working at a helpline? This author could.
http://silverwisdom.livejournal.com/2926.html
A fan's reflections on the rock band Queen.
http://puppetmaker40.livejournal.com/526632.html
A puppet master explains the joy of his art.
http://beldar.livejournal.com/433681.html
A funny story about frustration at Starbucks.
http://caersidi.livejournal.com/943329.html
The pluses and minuses of being in a wheelchair.
http://ahavah-ehyeh.livejournal.com/208315.html
Insight into the practice of Reiki.
http://alycewilson.livejournal.com/78160.html
My thoughts on dogs as poets of life.
http://walkertxkitty.livejournal.com/539837.html
Tale of a persistent plant.
http://spydielives.livejournal.com/1955408.html
Taking a good look at her neighborhood.
http://ka-crow.livejournal.com/715777.html
A free-wheeling piece blending poetry and narrative.
http://drippedonpaper.livejournal.com/20180.html
A sad family story told with rich detail.
http://edith-jones.livejournal.com/108735.html
The author's tribute to her father.
http://beeker121.livejournal.com/103246.html
A cute story about learning about the birds and the bees.
http://jenandbronze.livejournal.com/165144.html
A playful vocabulary exercise.
http://millysdaughter.livejournal.com/194278.html
To be or not to be like Lassie.
http://bitterlight.livejournal.com/641013.html
The symbolism of a pharmacist donning her white coat.
http://abbismom.livejournal.com/194785.html
An edge-of-your-seat story about a terrifying experience.
http://witchofthedogs.livejournal.com/754258.html
An origin myth about totem animals.
http://bewize.livejournal.com/441150.html
For this author, the birthday curse is real.
http://kittenboo.livejournal.com/245844.html
Reflections on a wedding anniversary and motherhood.
http://lisasali.livejournal.com/89780.html
A heart-warming story about finding friendship at camp.
http://free-vigilante.livejournal.com/78627.html
Remembering her hometown, and painting it for the reader.
http://mshades.livejournal.com/526083.html
Some deep thoughts on the nature of God.
http://nursemae.livejournal.com/237411.html
Sad story from a military emergency room.
http://darkprism.livejournal.com/218899.html
Dealing with a personal demon.
http://masterofmusings.livejournal.com/327645.html
Explaining blindness to those who can see.
http://mandolinorange.livejournal.com/248327.html
A personal journey, told through perfume.
http://shaze.livejournal.com/19596.html
Finding a lifelong canine friend.
http://rejeneration.livejournal.com/156798.html
A tightly-written, compelling view inside a junkie's brain.
http://agirlnamedluna.livejournal.com/507176.html
A simple gesture can mean a lot to the lonely.
http://azikale.livejournal.com/200544.html
An essay exploring the complexity of diversity.
http://stegzy.livejournal.com/746218.html
Terribly funny piece about an aggravating experience.
http://supremegoddess1.livejournal.com/774457.html
A moving tale of institutional red tape and compassion.
http://samsausage.livejournal.com/32568.html
Sometimes asking questions only leads to more mystery.
http://firesign10.livejournal.com/532829.html
Age is only a state of mind, until an unexpected reflection.
http://blueashke.livejournal.com/188216.html
Part one of a tag-team entry. Deliberately overwrought.
http://gratefuladdict.livejournal.com/21293.html
Part two of the tag-team entry. Hilarious!
http://kathrynrose.livejournal.com/501900.html
For some experiences, there are no words.
http://galebird.livejournal.com/859621.html
A sweet story about her nana's accidental participation in a pride parade.
http://emo-snal.livejournal.com/45651.html
An informative essay about killer bees.
http://justkimu.livejournal.com/511471.html
An entertaining primer on making cloth diapers.
http://kajel.livejournal.com/31589.html
A short tale of synchronicity.
http://8673.livejournal.com/5985.html
How to tell when you're not meant for each other.
http://winterberries.livejournal.com/4983.html
A funny, engaging tale of finding love.
http://marjory.livejournal.com/231864.html
Musings on the differences between living in Germany and in Britain.