This isn't exactly writing so I'm posting it here, but it is related since it involves reading.
Anyway, I thought it might be fun. I tried this riddle on another SF writing site but no one even tried to answer it. It is as the name implies from real life.
A while back my wife drove a gold color car. Why, when it came time for me to buy a new Pick-up, did I want a bronze colored one---besides the fact that I kind a liked the color.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Man, that's pretty sad that you came in third in a two-person race.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
In car colors silver is kinda wimpy looking and(shoulder shrug) gold was already taken.
Posted by Corky (Member # 2714) on :
Hmm. I would have guessed that the color had something to do with the color of dirt you expected to get on the truck when you drove it around in places like the ones they show in the commerials. Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
quote: Hmm. I would have guessed that the color had something to do with the color of dirt you expected to get on the truck when you drove it around in places like the ones they show in the commerials.
Thanks for trying.
I thought I gave a hint or two but maybe I was being too cute. Think of a female SF writer, very well known and who I thought died but there seems to be a new book out by her. In either case she has been around for a long while.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Too cute for me. I don't get it.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Its not an Anne McCaffrey reference is it? Golden dragons and bronze dragons?
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
quote: Its not an Anne McCaffrey reference is it? Golden dragons and bronze dragons?
Got it.
Sorry, that my hints were too basic.
I assumed that with everyone talking about her that more people would be reading her. My bad as they say.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, you could have gotten a white car...
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
If my memory serves me correctly, that would white vehicle would need to be a moped.
Keeping to the theme of the thread, here is a fantasy/sci-fi riddle for you.
I am a ring but you can't wear me. From a distance, I am a wonder like none other. On my surface, I appear as an arch that reaches into the sky. The pacifist race that found me, almost destroyed me. The people that built me, would have killed you and your family to protect their own. I am a home to many but have no ceiling. I am filled with Homo's (not a gay reference) but few Sapiens.
What am I?
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Of course it'd have to be the only one...
*****
Ringworld?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I knew that was too easy for you Robert. Let's try again.
For 50,000 years, I was the center of the galaxy. As predicted, I fell and most of civilization crumbled with me. But steps are being calculated so I will once again rise...that is if the numbers add up.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Trantor from Asimov's Foundation series, right? Now that I've got the hang of it, it's easy. Or at least it will be if we stick to pre-1980 stuff.
How about this? What SF title is a compliment inside the field, but an insult outside of it?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
"All You Zombies" (Heinlein, I believe)
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Heinlein, but not that one.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Glad someone Ringworld riddle. It's been so long I had forgotten about the Pacifist race.
And I would have missed the second since I haven't read the Foundation series. I think it's the only Asimov book(s) that didn't interest me.
The next riddle I may not get either.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
quote:
Well, you could have gotten a white car...
I had a white pick-up it was small one but it should have been a Brat to be in this riddle, but bronze was the color of the queen's mate.
A moped would be too small, I think.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
quote:What SF title is a compliment inside the field, but an insult outside of it?
I originally thought it might be Cassandra by C J Cherryh
But if its Heinlein, then would it be Misfit?
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I'll post it Monday night if nobody gets it by then...
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
quote: I'll post it Monday night if nobody gets it by then...
It's the insult thing I can't figure out. When you say the answer I will either say" of course, duh" or I didn't know that was a compliment.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
It occurred to me I might not be able to get back here by Monday night. Monday late afternoon it is...
I'd hoped the joke was obvious...it seems obvious to me...
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Okay...no further answers?...drum roll please...
Space Cadet.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Ok, try this one.
Give me a hug, for I am nothing and I have nothing, and at the same time.
What two stories does this refer to.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
"Space Cadet"
Looks like my second response is the correct one.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Drawing a blank on Brendan's riddle...I tried Googling key phrases but turned up nothing that jogged my memories...so unless I have a moment of blinding inspiration, I'm down for the count.
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Time for a clue?
Two of the phrases indicate what are the titles. Two of the phrases indicate why they are famous.
[This message has been edited by Brendan (edited October 26, 2010).]
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Still no takers? Ok, next clue.
Give me a Hug(o)...
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
Sadly, I have to give away the answer. No ah-ha eureka moments.
The two stories are
The Hole Man, Larry Niven (I am nothing)
The Dispossessed, Ursella Le Guin (I have nothing)
Both were awarded the Hugo (Give me a hug) in 1975 (at the same time)
[This message has been edited by Brendan (edited October 30, 2010).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Y'know, I thought it was a case of a book and its sequel, but I couldn't find any that matched up on the lists of Hugo winners.
Y'know also, there's John Brunner's The Whole Man, up for a Hugo without winning in 1964...one title a parody of the other?
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I haven't even seen "The Hole Man" and I've seen but not read the other.
Didn't know they were hugo winners.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited October 31, 2010).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I completely forgot about my riddle. Of course, Robert is correct. Let's see what else I got.
The Borg, the Terminators, the Cylons, and the Daleks are all my grandchildren, but have goals that are too sympathetic for my cause. Man is just my latest enemy in my quest to rid the galaxy of its disease, and I won't rest until the last microbe is irradicated.
Posted by Grayson Morris (Member # 9285) on :
Saberhagen's Berserkers?
Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :
That wouldn't be Karel Capek's "Rossum's Universal Robots"?
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
I'm not sure the RUR's care about microbes, nor have galactic inclinations.
I think I know this one but it's bundled up in my head right now.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Mr Morris is correct. Berserkers they are.
Loved the short story Peacemaker (I think that's the title at least). One of my all time favorites.
This is fun and you guys are good. I'll have to think of a few more.
Posted by Grayson Morris (Member # 9285) on :
It's Ms. Morris, actually. (I'm very used to it - as a child I got assigned to the boys' dormitory at science camp two summers in a row, in fact.)
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I was thinking H. G. Wells's Martian invaders, but they were life forms, strictly speaking...
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
I have a nephew named Graysen.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Rats, I got it right but someone beat me to it. It was obvious enough it took me only a few seconds.
But nice to know that someone here reads some the same books I do. I wondered about that
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Okay, here's another. Tougher so get ready...
Vulcan made me sharp but I never cut. My brothers and sisters were created for their own ends and had powers that not even the gods could withstand, but all had a flaw forged within. The strongest of my siblings destroyed the others but could not vanquish me, for I ended up being indestructable with my power to do no harm.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Sanpper is this a book or a character?
I think I can almost see who it could be but a book?
Besides the last part makes me think of "I, Robot" . But I don't think the rest of it fits.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I'm thinking that Fred Saberhagen series about swords---okay, I cheated and Googled it, but I haven't read any of that particular Saberhagen series...
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Even if you did cheat, Robert, still impressive you managed to narrow it down. Consider Mr Nowell's answer a hint.
quote:is this a book or a character?
Not a character, but I am the main subject of one book. The object is present in most (if not all) of the series.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I haven't read that Fred Saberhagen's series either so if it's related to that series I may not get it.
But At work the other day I thought of two riddles but even though very short they could be too easy. Now if I could recall the second riddle but I just thought of a third.
I may give them a try tomorrow I really need to get back to writing.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited November 07, 2010).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I take it to be Woundhealer...here's a link to the Wikipedia article that provided that answer...
