Fall Writing Frenzy 2020
- Andrew Hacket
- Sep 28, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 1, 2020
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this contest. For one, it just seems like a ton of fun. Second, the piece that came out of me surprised me. It broadened my view of myself as an author and opened my mind to exploring new styles and genres. Last, the connections and openness of this community is incredible and welcoming. As a result of less than 200 words I have been fortunate to cross paths with amazing critique partners with whom I hope to continue collaborating.
Image 13, courtesy of Laura Roettiger
The Stars You Don't See
W.C. 197
As the sun begins to dip,
Dad and I climb.
The white pines ushering us upward become sparse.
Anticipation masks the aches in my legs.
A little further and...
Arrived.
We are alone, but together.
The world, ours.
The sun gently touches the horizon.
A goodnight kiss.
I look to Dad. His silhouette outlined in the ombre twilight.
In a moment,
night has arrived.
Stars wink into view. I crane my neck back.
Eyes searching.
Heart hoping.
“Ursa minor.” Dad points. “There you are, my little bear.”
He tousles my hair and pulls me in tight.
I blink back tears.
“Can’t find Ursa major?” Dad asks knowingly.
“Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re gone,” he whispers through a gentle smile.
His hand swallows mine.
Squeeze, squeeze.
We cuddle together beneath the stars,
both seen and unseen.
Wrapped in Dad’s warm embrace, I drift to sleep.
That was long ago.
Now I climb
alone.
The breeze offers a comforting breath of a hug.
The sun gently kisses the horizon.
A goodnight kiss.
I glance to my side before looking skyward.
Just because you can’t see them,
doesn’t mean they’re gone.
Alone,
but together.
Goodnight Dad.
The watch is usually fitted to a dark brown vintage-effect strap. Don't get me wrong, that strap looks nice, but I just felt that the watch could use link just a little something extra. link I took the liberty link of pairing the 36mm variant with the McBride Watch Strap in Light Grey from the HODINKEE shop. It simultaneously managed to dress the watch down but also bring out its design features due to the contrast.
We put a call out to the entire Hodinkee editorial link team to send in their wish for a 2023 Rolex novelty and then did our absolute best Photoshop work to turn link those wishes into digital reality. There were no rules, link no boundaries – the choices were only limited by our graphic design capability.
There sat a C.H. Meylan grand complication, remarkably link similar to the Waltham in a nearly untouched case. The caseback was engraved, "Warner M. Van Norden 1908," for a descendant of one link of the oldest Dutch and Huguenot families in New York. Inside was a movement that could only be described as "new old stock," recently cleaned and checked by Francisco link Passandin, a friend of Georges-Henri's and Audemars Piguet's master watch restorer and horloger des complications.
Another D-I-Y option is regional exhibitions. Some Swatch Group link brands (e.g., Longines, Tissot, Rado and Hamilton) met with clients and press link at regional events in top markets this link year. Breitling CEO Georges Kern is known to prefer to launch new products throughout the year at regional events.
Andrew, this is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I wish you the best of luck! I really hope it becomes a book soon.