Congratulations to one all, especially the winners. 😎

First, hugs Kimmi. Lots of hugs.

Secondly, thanks for opening up Rumpies, Bear. Yes, I know it always open, and it not called Rumpies but thanks anyway. A mug of Yorkshire tea please. 😎

I’m still in Crete lounging around, nice pool by the way, Bear. We have a hot tub but that been closed all summer as it been too hot, we be opening it back up when we return home next Saturday.

Coincidentally, Bear, Tanqueray gin was what I was drinking yesterday evening with grapefruit tonic, while on our balcony, and yes I may have had one too many. 🙄😎 I have another please Bear, thank you. 😎

Quote by Seeker4

Just another day at the office for me. Yawn. I am having my Thursday blahs. I seem to have fatigue every Thursday, sometimes even a headache.

I remember those days, Ape... but now, older and retired, I sit here in Crete overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, sipping a Gin and tonic, thinking of Lion, while editing my latest story. I am sure those days will happen for you too. 😎

I take a shot too, 🥃 Still hoping, but no answer so far to my email. 🥺

Congratulations, WW on joining the Omnium Club! It is richly deserved. 😎

We can only hope… Lion we miss you. I sent him a private email, hoping for a response. 🙏

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Mornin’, Rumpies

Don’t hate on me but… I’ve never loved Shakespeare. 😳 I think he’s overrated…

Forced to study Macbeth and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in school, I was nearly put off reading literature for life. Luckily, as an older teenager, I discovered H.G. Wells and, most importantly, J.R.R. Tolkien, and my imagination was released. 😊😈

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

I had a go this morning. But the idea I had couldn't be expressed in 75 words to my satisfaction, so I made it into a micro instead.

Guess I'll need to rethink to enter this contest... 🤔

Until you try, you don't realise just how important those extra 25 words are! 😳😈

Kimmi, I wish to thank you for organising this fun mini-contest. Here is my effort, which was written on a sunbed while on holiday, though not the one mentioned in the story – just one far, far away, by a swimming pool... 😎

*****

Design Flaw

The Pleasuroid saw the gorgeous naked blonde lady lying on a sunbed at Interstellar Pleasure Resort.

“I’m Bob, at your service. I have the latest, year 2225, AI software, enhanced endurance, soft hands, and my penis has full girth and extendable control, with colour shading," his cock, erect and flashing like a beacon.

The blonde lesbian scanned the humanoid's impressive body. 

“You have a design flaw, Bob – no vagina.”

“Sorry, I do not compute!”

Well I made it to the heat, Bear, although no one mentioned the strong winds. Just trying out the sun beds, so an ice cold glass of lemonade please, Bear😎

A mug of Yorkshire tea, please, Bear. Thank you. 😎

Well, we're packed and ready for our taxi to take us to the airport tomorrow morning. So, with my tab fully paid, I won't be around much in the next three weeks, though I am taking my laptop, so there is a chance I might drop in. The pastries look good, but I think I should wait to eat them until after the flight. 😳😋

The weather is bright and warm but a little breezy here; it certainly feels as if Autumn is on its way. However, the temperature in Crete is 28C, that is 6 degrees warmer than here. 😎

Well, good luck with the fact-checking, Bear. Just thinking, if any of it is set on Lake Ontario or in the Gulf of Mexico, you're going to have to go over all that text and edit it to get the names right! 🤣😈 Or perhaps not! 😎

Cup of Yorkshire tea, please, thank you, and one of those pastries - any one will do, as it's been a while since I have eaten something like that! 😀 The weather here is warm but changeable, with a strong breeze. Yesterday, we were at a wedding which was going to be held outside, but it rained, the first real rain we had for months. Still, it didn't spoil it.

I have just submitted Chapter 5 of my "Cash in Hand" series. It is the longest story that I have submitted for some while, at 5.5k words. I didn't bother to cut it in half, as it a important chapter and lets some of the story secrets out. I just hope people will read it at that length!

That's all for me, off on holiday this Friday! David. 😎

Happy Anniversary, Bear and Lady Jay! 😀

We're off to attend a wedding this weekend, so I won't be around so much. Then next Friday we're off on holiday for three weeks; I'm looking forward to it despite still having some twinges of sciatica.

Kat, we did a European cruise from Malta with our family a couple of years ago. Loved it. I personally preferred it to the Caribbean. A new country almost every day.😎

Just a mug of Yorkshire tea, please, Bear. Thank you. 😀

Quote by techgoddess

If I've counted properly, I have 10 more genres to write in to reach the non-existent Double Omnium.

Hi Rumpie's

It is a shame that there is no Double Ominium Badge, as it strikes me, looking in from the outside, that it wouldn't be the hardest thing to introduce. 🙄 I would probably do it, having (very roughly) another 30 genres to write two stories in. Without it becoming official, it is unlikely I would write additional stories in the more unpopular genres. 😈

A mug of Yorkshire tea, please, Bear. 😎

I go for a cup of Yorkshire Tea, please, Bear. Thank you. 😎

Not much to say really; had a good weekend hosting the family, then spent yesterday recovering. Yep, my sciatica is still playing up. But enough of that... A friend's daughter is getting married this weekend, so we are away up country, Saturday and Sunday morning. Then we’re back for four days before flying away on holiday. I'm taking my laptop, so hopefully I will be able to post a photo here. 😈😎

Steampunk is an interesting genre for a writer, since most of us don't know much about it. 🙄 When I wrote a story in that genre, I needed to write one in my pursuit of gaining my omnium badge. I did some research and soon realised it was not too hard to write steampunk stories. Think Victorian Britain, goggles, steam-powered machinery, blimps, big hats, etc. There are plenty of photographic examples online.

The downside is that not many people read stories in that genre; my steampunk story, which I have always considered one of my better ones, is The Open Purse

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Nice! I’ll read it after work. This comp was a fun theme, wasn’t it. KimmiBeSpooky hopes we go dark again in nearby future comps, though. 😈

Maybe Halloween? 😀😈

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

Neither have I – died, I mean.

Nice to see Elyse back on her barstool!

And just so you all know, I've finished a first draft of the book!

Now comes the hard part – editing and making sure it is suitable for Columbia University Press!

So – this round's on me, folks! Belly-ache to the … I mean "belly-up" to the bar!

Congratulations, Bear... on both accounts, finishing your book's first draft and buying me my morning cuppa. 😎

Quote by joe71

My track record on picking the winners is certainly no better than yours. But that's part of the fun, because it prompts me to reread good stories that maybe didn't flick my switch the first time, for whatever reason.

I am slightly smirking this morning, Joe. Not only did I solve today's Wordle puzzle in 2 guesses, but I also selected 8 of the top 10 comp stories in my 12 guesses. That has never happened before and is unlikely to happen again, and I am now talking about the competition results, not the Wordle puzzle, as that's the 73rd time I solved it in 2 goes. 😳😎😈

I thought it was an excellent theme for a competition. Having read, liked and commented on every story, I can also say the standard of entry was exceptionally high. So congratulations to the winners, runners-up, and to all who took part. 😊

Also, thank you to the judges and Jen for running the competition. 😎

Look after yourself, Kimmi... I hope you heal quickly. ❤️

Quote by joe71

I Favorited almost a dozen stories from this comp, so yes I'm anxious to see how they align with the judging.

After reading, liking and commenting on all the comp stories, I also had 12 favourites, one of which was for sheer novelty, which always appeals to me. 😊 As my track record is not so good on this, I will be happy if I get 4 of the top 10 correct and one of the top 3. 😎😈

I'm currently writing the second series of 'Cash in Hand' stories, which I am pleased to say has been as popular as the first series. Here is the link to the first chapter of series 2: "Cash In Hand 2" - Chapter 1 - "Sabbatical?"

There are plenty of story twists and some important decisions that the Joneses have to make on their continuing hotwife journey. Why not hit the link and read some of the members' comments?

Below are the cover photos of the already published chapters, and remember, every chapter is a self-contained story that links up to make a longer story. 😎

I hope your day improves too, Kimmi, and yes, naughty, Butters.

I spent the day doing a little writing. It is simply too hot, too dusty and too dry to go outside. Still no rain here; we need it, as everyone is worried about wildfires. The government has just sent out an emergency alert about them. That has never happened before. 😳

Something cold and wet, please, Bear... Thank you, Kimmi. 😊

Quote by HusbandwatchesX

My wife submitted a story of her affair with her bosss, last week. It is very detailed. We hope it will be published soon.

Does anyone wait till their newest story get published before writing the next one or do you just keep going?

Just keep the momentum going. Though, occasionally I do reevaluate and make a story change if a reader makes a good suggestion, one I had not thought of.

Quote by fuzzy1954

Night all just a random thought what do you say to pain 1 to ten hmmmmm I'll ask around if anyone cares

Hi Carl, my answer to pain is to take a pill, and grit my teeth. Take care my friend. 🤗

Quote by KimmiBeGood

David, there is the funniest razor commercial with 3 women, naked from waist down, standing in front of topiaries that were positioned in front of their mounds. They are each trimming their “topiary”. 🤣🤣🤣

I have not seen the commercial, Kimmi. Maybe it's not on this side of the Atlantic, but my idea was very much along those lines – the young village casanova/rascal practising his trimming on the three judges' wives, each wife blushing as his 3 competition pieces are unveiled! 😳🤣😈

Quote by Piquet

Ok, fellow Lushites, there are eight days left until the big announcement and, as we all know, after that, competition stories get shelved somewhere between the unknown and the long forgotten. So it's time to get reading, liking and commenting. As a suggestion, I'm making new contestants and stories with low numbers of comments a priority to offer a bit of encouragement. Good luck to all.

Quote by techgoddess

I'm in the process of reading, liking, and commenting the comp stories. There are some really unique takes on this theme. I love your thoughts on being encouraging. I do try to get to all of them. 😎

I count 70 competition stories, though I read 72 on my list, so a couple must have dropped out. 🙄 Like Piquet and Techgoddess, I enjoy reading, liking and leaving a comment on all the competition entries. I have just finished doing that, and I have to agree with Kat. There are some wonderful, unique stories. Though it seems that no one went for what nearly was my first choice theme, topiary. There weren't enough words to do it justice, so "The Wilmington Village Topiary Contest" will have to remain on my to-write list. 😳

I wish the judges good luck, and I can already see the results date being pushed back a little. There are a lot of excellent stories to get through. 😎

Afternoon, Rumpies,

Did someone mention free drinks? I have a mug of Yorkshire tea and something alcoholic with an umbrella in it. 😈

Happy Birthday, fillelapine. 🎂 Good luck with your novel; nothing wrong with romance as long as there is a happy ending. The romantic kind. 😀

Kimmi, you get there with the walking, as healing takes time. I'm finding that out myself with my sciatica; at the moment, I would have a problem walking a mile. I might be able to limp it – just!

Kat, good news about your brother; I am pleased for him. 😊 Sorry to hear about the fridge. They don't build them as they used to. Hot here too, though not Florida hot. We haven't had meaningful rain down here on the south coast of England for months; we need it, as everything is dry and withered, a bit like me. Where's my drink, Bear? 🤣 Thank you. 😎

I look forward to reading your competition story, Bear. I already have my badge on my profile, which I am currently polishing. Take care, everyone... my whole family are just about to turn up for Sunday roast. It doesn't feel right when the temperature is in the high twenties (C), and there isn't a cloud in the sky! But that is what you get when you offer free food! 😎 I wouldn't have it any other way. 😀