You’ve probably heard the story where a couple of people in a bar turned down an offer to buy into Trivial Pursuit for $10 before its launch. I’ve no idea whether its true, but I’ve got a equally good idea. If you’d like to invest (say) ten Blackwells, I’ll count you among the board of directors for the company. One of the great things about Blackwells is that since I can print them off myself, you don’t have to send a thing.
So, what’s the game?
Fortune Cookie Stories.
It’s easy. All you have to do is collect the proverbs from fortune cookies and make a story. One of the great things about these stories is that you don’t have to bother with all that “show don’t tell” stuff – feel free to “tell” away. Metaphors, sayings, and euphemisms are all fair game. You have to be fairly lax with the idea of “story,” and naturally, “in bed” can be appended to any cookie (or “in the playground” if you’re in a family group). Points should be awarded for an inciting incident or darkest moment, and after that you’re free to make up the rules as you go.
Since you may not actually be eating Chinese food at this moment, here are a few sayings to get you started.
- Flattery will go far tonight.
- A thrilling time is in your immediate future.
- An admirer will soon send you a sign of affection.
- Plan for many pleasures ahead.
- Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later.
- A pleasant surprise is in store for you.
- A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.
- As the purse is emptied the heart is filled.
- Love deeply.
- Be mischievous and you will not be lonesome.
- Do not mistake temptation for opportunity.
- Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need.
- Ideas are like children; there are none so wonderful as your own.
- The greatest danger could be your stupidity.
- He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
- Love is for the lucky and the brave.
- If you continually give, you will continually have.
- The one you love is closer than you think.
- It doesn’t matter.
- You can always find happiness at work on Friday.
- Your heart is pure, and your mind clear, and your soul devout.
Let me know what you come up with …
Cheers!
Just realized this moment, Nigel, how curious it is that Fortune Cookies are anonymous. No one takes credit for the sage advice nor the promise of dream fulfillment. Could that be so I can’t hunt them down and sue them for everything they have when my secret admirer fails to send that sign of affection, when my Friday is miserable, when the empty purse means I’m broke?
I’ve had many a sweet promise of success by fortune cookie, but no one specific phrase comes to mine. However, my daughter gave me a fridge magnet once. Love the message:
Anyone who tells you money can’t buy happiness doesn’t know where to shop!
Hi Sherry
Anonymous – that is weird, isn’t it? Maybe you could start a line of “brutally honest” fortune cookies, after all there are those places where they treat their customers rudely on purpose, and no, I’m not talking about Paris.
Thanks for the warning on the fridge magnet. Now I’m going to have to make sure I censor any coming into our house just in case my wife sees them!
Cheers!
This sounds like a winner. I’d like to invest a hundred Blackwells. Or a million, since you’re printing them yourself. Just send me my stock certificate.
BTW, I guess it’s too late to invest in Write Only Memories.
Thanks David. I’ll start printing this minute. Good job I invested in a bigger printer to keep up with everyone’s generosity.
Sorry to say I’m negotiating with Greece on the write only memories. We figured the things are worth about the same 🙁
Cheers!
Write Only memories are NOT a new product. The Social Security Administration installed them in their data system last year. Who would have thought that such a simple device could have saved Social Security from insolvency? Saved by technology!
Hi Holmes, good to see you. Spooky that you should comment just as I’m reading spy ships and Piper’s tweet that Russia is planning a naval presence in Cuba.
You’re right that many government agencies have long used WOM. Their implementation is, of course, slow and inefficient, but certainly write-only. Perhaps, like alcohol, it is the cause of, and solution to, many of our problems.
Have a good weekend.
Cheers!
“Do not mistake temptation for opportunity; flattery will go far tonight. A thrilling time is in your immediate future in bed, so love deeply. The greatest danger could be your stupidity, but it doesn’t matter. He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
The one you love is closer than you think, so plan for many pleasures ahead. Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later.”
…Or does that sound more like stalking? As per:
“Something came between me and woman I’ve been seeing.”
“Really? What?”
“Window blinds…”
Diane, you’re supposed to make up a story, not try and live out a fantasy 😉 Just kidding. I’m most impressed with your creativity because I spent ages selecting the worst ones I had. Naturally, this involved eating a lot of chinese food …
I’m going to check my blinds now 🙂
Cheers!
I’m suddenly ravenous for Chinese food. Thanks, Nigel! I’d put all my Blackwell’s on this game’s success. Okay, most of ’em. 😉
Hi August.
“Most of ’em” … since I’m not sure how many you’ve got, I’ll just print myself a thousand, ok? Sorry about the food thing. Hope there’s a hole in the wall joint nearby, or at least Pei Wei or Changs 🙂
Cheers!
I’m in for however many Blackwells. I love this idea! And I love Chinese food so I’m sure to be stocking up on fortune cookies fairly soon.
Ha! I did forget to mention that you get to have a meal with every game, or a game with every meal, depending on how you look at it 🙂
Cheers!
Nigel! You know I want to play this game. I’ll be back later this week. As soon as Sherry Isaac — in the land of the U hogs — gives me time to think creatively.
We have been staying up late and
playingworking, working, working…Plus There is a glob hosted by someone named Gloria Richard. If you see her, please let her know she’s next up for a post.
Oh yes, Gloria, I’ve always imagined that Sherry is just work, work, work. I don’t know how you’ll manage, but knowing you, you’ll find a way. If I see Gloria, I’ll be sure to remind her that her blog misses her 😉
Now, get back to work! Or at least eat a little Chinese food and let me know what you come up with.
Cheers!
I think you could make a fortune on this concept. Go sell it!!!
Hi Brinda. I’m trying to break into the market. Unfortunately people keep getting distracted by the sweet and sour chicken.
Cheers!
I’ll take three million shares and an option for three million more. “Love deeply”? I do my best.
You request for shares is duly noted, Holmes. I may have a delay in launching the game because I really got to get a better sweet and sour recipe organized first.
Cheers!
“You will soon enjoy the fruit of your labors.” A week later I gave birth. Haven’t been the same since!
ROFL! That’s classic. Some fortune cookies are really powerful 😉
Cheers!