TONY ON LIFE, SCEPTICS & MORE
Posted by anthonynorth on April 1, 2009
Including Thursday Thirteen, Totally Optional Prompts and Three Word Wednesday.
With thirteen lines of poetry.
GURU TONY ON LIFE
Life’s a bitch – and I really mean that. Problems mount constantly. That’s why I’ve learnt to be optimistic. You see, problems can be obstacles or opportunities. The latter is best, leading me to plan for the worse and hope for the best. That way, most surprises are good ones. Life IS a bitch. As soon as you realise that, you can enjoy it.
WEIRD OBS ORG ON SCEPTICS
Many people are sceptical of the paranormal. Why is this? One answer is fear, and the denial involved. Another is the modern paradigm, where science seems to discount such things. But should anything that is experienced be discounted? Only if you deny that many people have such experiences – which leaves them rather frightened.
Next Post Fri. See you then.
© Anthony North, April 2009
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Soul & Stone
Our soul is portrayed in stone. Throughout history man has
endeavoured to understand his place in the universe by relating
himself to forces beyond his control. Trapped in his individual
needs and wants, he realised his puny existence is nothing
without a cause …
… read more …
BRIT NEWS: Home Secretary in another ‘perks’
scandal as husband claims on expenses for porn
movies. The Labour ministers seem to be being morally
culled. Reminds me of the dying days of the lasy Tory
government. Here’s hoping.
WORLD NEWS: It seems the G20 Summit may be nobbled before
its even started. All decisions, it seems, will be deferred until the
next one. That’s what I like to see – decisive statesmanship.
Yes, I am being sarcastic.
BRIT NEWS: It seems only 5 of the Church of England’s bishops
are interested in ringing the bells on St George’s Day. Does
anyone remember that you cannot love others unless
you love yourself? It works with institutions, too –
even the increasingly cowardly ones.
Lots more news on my Mini Blog
RATTLER’S TALE
A Voyage of the Imagination
SOLITUDE
All alone, nothing to say,
nothing to entice, no waylay,
All alone, is there anyone alive?
Why do I feel I’m in a hive,
People buzzing this way and that,
No time for me, that’s a fact,
Crowds are of people, but not intact
THE HANDSOME KING
Fiction: He was a God-king of ancient times. Everyone knew him;
everyone revered him; everyone feared him. And he was undoubtedly
the most handsome man in existence. Well, no – he was quite ugly
really. He was born ugly and he’d remain ugly in death. But aware
of this, once he’d battered all his subjects, he was the most
handsome man in existence.
A VARIED LIFE
A varied life I’ve lived, it’s true,
Lots of different things to do,
In youth a crush for many a girl,
Later lots of jobs unfurled,
Until I found the knack to write,
Now let poems come forth without respite
KISS ME
Kiss me! I was a Prince,
Long ago – you’re not convinced?
Yes, the wrinkles have advanced,
Don’t you think my character’s enhanced?
Kiss me! Let’s do our thing;
Cellulite swingers can really zing
© Anthony North, April 2009
SCRIBBLERS’ NEWS
Check out my Writers’ Tips posts
Here we go with another Scribblers’ News. Is it proving useful?
I’m trying to do my bit to help advertise the prompt sites, as
too many have been disappearing. Can anyone think of other ways
of doing so? Let me know of any news or new sites.
Totally Optional Prompts
Poem giving thought to solitude. Post Thurs
ReadWritePoem
They’ve committed to a prompt a day for NaPoWriMo
Three Word Wednesday
The words are: crush, knack & varied
Thursday Thirteen
Any list of 13 things. Posted Wed evening GMT
Naisaiku Challenge
Have you joined this challenge yet? Take a look.
Acrostic Only
For Acrostic poetry. This week: Pain Is Addictive
Write Anything
Always a good source of info and prompts
Call back Fri for more sites.
Follow me on Twitter
BEYOND THE BLOG 
gautami tripathy said
I am all for abolishing the political parties!
And you forget to mention the poetry train.
thommyg said
Funny you should open with life being a bitch. I’ve got so many mounting “opportunities” my head is spinning.
Loved the post, as always. Good use of 3WW words and just good stuff.
Fledgling Poet said
Life truly IS a bitch…it’s all about acknowledging you have no control, and learning to deal with the constant changes! I’m still working on that. :~)
Your ‘Solitude’ poem really resonated…wonderful post!
sudharm baxi said
All were so good, particularly liked ‘A Varied life’ and ‘Handsome King’
anthonynorth said
Hi Gautami,
Yes, certainly.
As for poetry train, I list it on Mondays, and advertise it on Twitter.
Hi Thom,
Thanks for that. Yes, life is a funny old thing.
Hi Fledgling Poet,
Many thanks. Yes, once you realise the problems with life, you can just go with the flow. Quite liberating.
Hi Sudharm Baxi,
I’m pleased you liked them. Your comments are always much appreciated.
SandyCarlson said
It is a bitch. And like most bitches, it can be handled. The question is sometimes how!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
So very true. It’s just practice, practice, practice – and learning from mistakes.
Comedy Plus said
I think government is way too big and wields too much power. That is not what our founding fathers hoped for. I too am all for getting rid of all the parties and starting over. We are on a roller coaster ride from Hades with our current administration. Our great grandchildren will still be paying off the massive debt.
Have a terrific day Anthony. 🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandee,
Yep, it’s getting way out of hand. And totally self-serving.
Twilight said
Life’s a bitch…..how’d it go?….”And then you die”. Maybe the “bitch” part isn’t so bad after all. 😉
Handsome King -good one! Lucky that he got those new clothes.
I particularly enjoyed “Soul and Stone” , thanks, AN.
lucy said
love your 3 ww! very cute!
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
That solitude poem is so true to life. So many drones and a lot of buzzing but without a ‘flight path’ it’s all just nothing.
That’s another thing that worries me about the internet as well, it reduces young peoples’ exposure to ‘physical’, social, connective skills and the development thereof. It’s very easy to hide behind a ‘screen persona’ and ‘camoflage’ oneself from the real world.
I liked the “Soul & Stone” piece too. I wonder if our race sub-consciously perceives these monuments as ‘cairns of immortality’?
bundleocontradictions said
It’s interesting. I’ve recently been contemplating how the mind deals with issues despite our efforts to maintain a positive outlook. I, like many right now, am dealing with a lot of financial issues in addition to daily garbage. I try to remind myself of all the things I’m thankful for & “it’ll get better” is now a mantra. But, without my permission, I’ve lost my appetite & ability to remain calm in some situations. It’s as though a part of me is forcing myself to face the difficulties I’m living with. We can only control so much of how we perceive & deal with unpleasantness. Limitations stink. 🙂
Tumblewords said
Guru nailed it again. Varied life makes for a head full of thought and words full of experience.
anthonynorth said
Hi Twilight,
Thanks for that. Yes, getting life right is so important.
Hi Lucy,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
Hi Chris,
I think your immortality remark is just right.
Hi Bundleocontradictions,
A well considered comment. Sometimes it is just so damned hard.
Hi Tumblewords,
I think you nailed it with that comment, too.
Selma said
Life is a bitch that occasionally needs to be slapped. Remembering that often makes the dark days a little easier.
Fun, breezy poems as always!
Jeeves said
Kiss me and varied life are my fav’s.
anthonynorth said
Hi Selma,
Thanks for that. It’s a hard lesson, but one worth learning, I’m sure.
Hi Jeeves,
Many thanks. Glad you liked them.
Sweet Talking Guy.. said
Hi Tony, good psychology as ever, in Tenerife they say ‘life’s a beach!’ but that’s another story…
SandyCarlson said
Re the paranormal: I wonder to what extent science simply serves human ego: I think it exists, therefore it exists. I can’t see it, therefore it does not exist. “I” am at the center of all knowledge.
Brenda ND said
Wow, you’ve got a lot going on within your site.
anthonynorth said
Hi Andy,
Oh, for those marvellous beaches!
Hi Sandy,
Good take on Descartes there. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Hi Bredna,
Thanks for that. I try to offer something for all tastes.
Tumblewords said
‘Crowds are of people, but not intact’ – Wisely written!
opengroveclaudia said
I always enjoy a visit to your blog – Thanks!
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Thanks for that. Yes, crowds can be lonely places.
Hi Claudia,
Many thanks. And it’s always a pleasure to have you visit.
susan said
Hi Tony,
Enjoyed “varied life” and your other entries as well. Thanks for coming by. I really appreciate how you consistently support others.
anthonynorth said
Hi Susan,
Many thanks. Support is what we do in a community.
aliceaudrey said
I was so sure you were going to list 13 ways life is a bitch.
anthonynorth said
Hi Alice,
I’ll work on it 🙂
happilyretired said
Wow … varied multitasking here ;–)
Thanks for visiting me at Small Reflections recently.
Hugs and blessings,
anthonynorth said
Hi Happilyretired,
Thanks for the kind comment, and you’re welcome.
Daily Panic said
Hey Tony,
Great attitude to have about accepting life is a Bitch, might as well accept it and get over it! this made me laugh! Thanks Guru!
Forgetfulone said
You have some really great writing here! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
anthonynorth said
Hi Daily Panic,
Thanks for that. The attitude has certainly looked after me at times.
Hi Forgetfulone,
Many thanks for that kind comment. Much appreciated.
pieceofpie said
hi tony, yep, another interesting post… all inclusive… politics… i can only laugh, the whoopla over michelle obama touching the queen, she was most gracious if indeed michelle crossed over the line.. is this a view of changes ahead… the bells no longer ring… how sad… i guess politicians have always been corrupt it’s just out in the open now.. nothing is held back… maybe thaz the problem… yr writing stories are creative and humorous… yes shall we do away with political parties.. it would definitely be interesting to see what they replace it with… sounds like a revolution.. i look forward to the future… the glass is half full not half empty.. yes,no
anthonynorth said
Hi Pieceofpie,
Yes, we should always be optimistic – if not, we’re done for.
Linda Jacobs said
We’re never really alone, are we? Nice little poem, there!
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.