GURU TONY

Oratory is the art of public speaking, but how powerful is it? We’re
used to politicians spouting spin, but maybe it has more a hold on us
than we believe. To understand, we must go back to its beginning, in
the prehistoric storyteller, telling his tales by the campfire. He spoke
of the tribe’s past exploits and place in the universe. In other words,
he offered meaning and a will to glory.

This formed into the
great myths.

However, we now know myths are subtle. Whilst validating a ruling
elite, they were also as one with the people’s ways and placed taboo
upon them. This proved an important means of control. People could
identify with the tales, and slowly people become the story. And in
being as one in the story, a consensus grows. Such an ability is still
with us today. From the Medieval Christian media which portrayed the
life of Christ through the year, to the modern Soap opera with its
daily dose of storytelling, a powerful elite subtly defines the behavior
by which we live. Indeed, so powerful could be its influence that I’d
argue our view of reality changes to reflect the story. So remember
when you hear politicians speak, or descend into your favourite
storytelling media, it is usually defining the story of us, through the
power of the elite.

Eye On the World
Essays on everything from science
to religion, politics to crime

BRIT NEWS: So, British National
Party leader, Nick Griffin, gets his say
on BBC’s Question Time. And rightly so. His
party got a million votes, and despite their vile
ideas, freedom of speech must prevail. But the real
villains here are the main parties who’ve not only ignored,
but destroyed the entire culture of, the 20% British working class,
leaving this vile joke the only party that speaks for them.

WORLD NEWS: A re-run of the Afghan election farce is about to go
ahead in the hope that corruption and fraud can be avoided this time.
This is all very well, but is it right that western troops’ lives should be
put on the line to achieve it? When will the west learn, democracy
takes hundreds of years to achieve. It will not happen there.

BRIT NEWS: Bank of England governor says many banks should be
broken up. Totally agree. As with most organisations nowadays,
they’re too big, too distant from the consumer, and too
dictatorial in their approach. This is how we got in
this mess. Smaller and more would increase
true capitalism thru competition, and be
of a size where the consumer’s
thoughts matter. Remember,
Big Is Bad!!!

RATTLER’S TALE

A Voyage of the Imagination

One Single Impression
ReadWritePoem – 3 Word Thursday
Friday Flash 55 – 3 Word Wednesday

SHIFT IN TIME

I stand in this time and place,
Other things, though, want this space,
Atoms and particles and bugs galore,
Most go through but some can’t be ignored,
We’re only here for a blink of an eye,
If only a hint of them could be spied,
Like that truck hurtling down the line,
I just hope I can shift in time

THE LATE CLIENT

Fiction: Madame Gracie had been delayed getting to her séance room.
It had been a bad car accident outside and she hoped her client
wouldn’t be late also. While she waited, the ectoplasm seemed to be
forming easily. It was suffarcinate in nearly every facial orifice and
particularly spiscious. Perhaps it was the close proximity to death
today; so tristifical. And her initial contact with her spirit guide proved
difficult. Perhaps it was the archaic words she used. Eventually her
client appeared but seemed rather distant, as if not there at all. ‘Who
are you?’ he asked, frightened. Madame Gracie’s first thought was
that he had died, but as her spirit guide came through loud and clear,
she said, rather surprised: ‘Oh, I’M dead.’

suffarcinate – to stuff
spiscious – thick consistency
tristifical – causing to be gloomy

THE SPACE AGE FAIR

Roll up, roll up, the ultimate ride,
It’s quite an experience, I must confide,
A roundabout such as never seen,
Once you come out, you’ll be surprised where you’ve been;
Now don’t be put off by my big bug eyes,
Come ride the universe, get the prize,
Okay, when you’re back you may not feel whole,
We’ll implant a foetus and take your soul

FLASH 55 – PERFECT

Fiction: It was my virtual reality dream – to create the perfect woman.
I worked hard on the program and once complete the experience was
fulfilling in every way. At least, at first. But gradually disquiet crept
upon me. Where, her personality; the imperfections of humanity? How
can I love her when she makes me so insignificant?

NIGHTMARE SCHEMES

Sit on a thought, incubate ideas,
Hatching an answer to our dreams and fears,
This is the way progress goes,
Listening to he who we think must know,
But rarely does he produce our dream,
So often we end with a nightmare scheme,
Maybe because he claims it is true,
Such vanity from him, not thinking of you

© Anthony North, October 2009

I got this award from my blogger friend, Linda. Many thanks to her.

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

GURU TONY

Celeb Memoirs

Should celebrities write memoirs? Of course they should.
The problem comes with people who want to read them. Now,
let’s separate celebrities first. There are two types – those
who have achieved something of genius, and the trivia-based
celebrity for celebrity’s sake.

The first can often be rewarding reads;
the latter is indulgence from both them
and us.

But then again, Big Biz does need something for us all to aspire
to – to become the ultimate consumer. For in reading about how
seemingly ordinary people can have it all, we are entranced
and seduced to follow.

My Columnists
The ‘Y’ Files

Inde-Pol

BRIT NEWS: Privatisation of Post Office
scrapped. ID cards scaled back. What U-turn
today, folks? Govt is on the run – and dizzy.

BRIT NEWS: Brown’s measures to sort out economy are clearly
a Labour Party manifesto. Doesn’t he realise govt and Party are
different? Utter contempt.

BRIT NEWS: Recession deeper than expected.
2.4% slump in output in 1st quarter of
2009. Worst show for 50 yrs. It
ain’t getting better yet.

RATTLER’S TALE
A Voyage of the Imagination

Booking Through Thursday
Friday Flash 55

FLASH 55 – THE CRASH

Fiction: It seemed a normal night. There was nothing to prepare them
for what would happen. They had gathered as they normally did, and,
UFO geeks they may be, but when the flying saucer crashed they
were shocked. Slowly they gathered around it in awe. ‘Gee,’ one of
them said, ‘your girlfriend sure has a temper.’

BRIT SPEAK

Lovely day – what a bore,
Things to do – work galore,
Yes I’m well – you’re feeling sick,
An excellent fellow – what a pr***!
All is fine – nervous stress
It’s raining again – bless

© Anthony North, July 2009

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TONY’S MUSE DIARY

Glastonbury Rocks

Yes!!! I’m headlining. At last, I’m first. Reason? Him Outside’s too
tired to argue. It’s been Glastonbury weekend, and that meant 3
late nights watching TV. There were some average performances
this year, especially from the headliners. Blur’s comeback
performance closed the festival, and whilst the place
seemed to rock, Him Outside had seen better.

Another average performance seemed to
come from The Boss.

But then again, Him Outside had never been a great fan of
Springsteen. Tom Jones did okay in the old fogey slot, but man
that shirt was dripping! Most of the best performances came from
the lesser bands. Particularly enjoyed Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Nick
Cave, and good old Quo rocked nicely, if not with genius. But the
performance of the festival this year was Friday night’s headliner.
A true force straight out of the 70s. Yep, Neil Young rocked!!

Inde-Pol

BRIT NEWS: New New Labour: We
will free Bank of England from govt control.
Old New Labour after bank disagrees with them:
Curb it!!!

CELEB NEWS: So all the bits are beginning to fit together for
the first conspiracy theories. Sadly, with icons like Jackson,
’tis always thus.

BRIT NEWS: Govt releases central control over
teaching in huge U-turn. At last they’ve
realised – central control is
BAD. Always.

RATTLER’S TALE
A Voyage of the Imagination

Manic Monday – Heads or Tails
Carry On Tuesday – Poetry Train
Unconscious Mutterings

THE TOOL

The tool is coming to save our way,
Got to prepare without delay,
Instructions provided of what we must do,
Everyone busy, not just a few

We’re ready, so, when will it come?
Did as you asked – everything done;
But hold! Haven’t we sorted it out?
That tool was intention, took away doubt

LOVERS

Fiction: The red rose whispers of passion, and the white rose
breathes of love. They were sat in the garden in a lovers’ embrace.
Birds serenaded, adding to the mood, and a pleasant sun bathed
them. He touched her face, delicately, and when their lips met,
passion burst out upon the scene and they were fulfilled. He watched
them, his heart full of joy, and a tear came to his eye. It was all just
so perfect, and he knew he did good. Finally, he pulled himself away
and to his front took in the hundreds of other monitors. The candid
microphones and cameras guarded us from harm and protected our
freedoms, he was sure.

UNWELCOME GUEST
(Another free association poem)

Guest unwelcome
Impact profound
Unplanned foray
Tactic sound
Delayed my life
Bombastic thought
Comfort denied
Trumpet taut
Joe doesn’t stay long, that’s a fact
Budget covers – entertain with tact

© Anthony North, June 2009

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TECHIE WITHOUT A CLUE

Toys

Toys tell us a lot about society. The important thing about them
is not what they are, or what they do, but who plays with them.
Identify a toy in history and you’ll identify children of families who
have become relatively free of struggle – ‘cos before this, they
were too busy surviving to have time for fun.

Mankind’s toys on display,
The museum of games they play,
Things been thrown from Dick to Tom,
From primitive spear to atom bomb

Toys have a philosophy all their own. This may not be immediately
apparent, but consider the kinds of toys that were popular when
community still existed. Toys were mainly about shared playing. As
individuality grew, toys became more personal, ending up with the
video game, isolating the child in his room. There was an electronic
comeback of community with toys such as Wii, but this developed
a philosophy of its own. Out it comes and kids banished to their
rooms while the parents have fun.
Toys show up our social stupidity, too.

Hello mate, shall we play a game,
Lots of toys to raise a flame,
Help us in our passionate embrace,
From videos to gossamer lace

Inde-Pol

BRIT NEWS: Experts warn energy bills
could soar to £5000 a year in a decade. Utter
nonsense. Profiteering on a grand scale.

HEALTH NEWS: Sales of vitamins slump as people buy fruit
& veg during Recession. Looks like poverty = commonsense.

MEDIA NEWS: Salaries and perks queries now go
to BBC. Under fire for excess. And why not?
It’s paid for by compulsory licence fee.

TONY’S MUSE does … SATURDAY 9

Writers’ Tips

Him Outside has decided I’m allowed to play a
few memes now – as long as I don’t say anything
about him I shouldn’t. Yeah, right!

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died?

It was late at night in the UK so Him Outside was winding down
for sleep.

2. How do you think that he will be remembered?

Jackson will never be remembered for what he really was. A
sensational person in life, his death will have to end up as sensational.
This is the fate of all icons. He will be, to the future, whatever
conspiracy theory sticks.

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune?

Singing Ben could be a Thriller,
Heal the World, never Bad,
Remembered as a Rockin’ Robin,
He’s HIStory, but let’s not be sad

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels?

Yes, he did.

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah?

Him Outside’s Dearest hated THAT poster. She was a hairdresser and
everyone wanted THAT hair. Unfortunately, few of them had the hair
to allow THAT hair. In the UK it was soon replaced by the Purdy look.
Much more manageable.

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic?

Is it heroic to face something that you can do nothing about?
Heroism is facing something you have a choice in – to do it or
not. If the question was: did she face it with grace and
humanity, yes, certainly.

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnnie Carson?

He watched it occasionally. Him Outside’s a Brit.

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show?

Don’t really remember him.

9. What else will you remember McMahon for?

Ditto. But …

Three stars fall, a saddening time,
Music, laughter, acting divine,
For us it may be a blow,
But they’re together on the celestial Tonight Show

© Anthony North, June 2009

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PAPPA RAZZI

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is dead. There is genuine shock in many places
today. He was a man who was always in the background of my
cultural life. Not a great fan, you couldn’t help but be aware of
his musical and cultural power. From the sweet tones of Ben to
Thriller, he enchanted generations. A fashion and lifestyle icon,
he was also to court much controversy.

I’ve said before that Jackson was a modern-day
alchemist, in search of the cultural Philosophers’
Stone and Elixir of Life.

His plastic surgery was the transmutation to something more perfect
– ageless, androgynous, raceless. And in this, he led the march of
physical fixes for our ageing, a generation who thought the soul was
skin deep. In typical icon-fashion we could well see a touch of
cult-like behaviour in the coming days, and who knows what
conspiracy theories may arise in the future. But for now, Rest In
Peace, Michael Jackson – you finally made it to Neverland.

My Columnists

Inde-Pol

BRIT NEWS: As final salary pensions
collapse, pension crisis intensifies. Yet we
had it sorted with a State pension. But they had
to meddle.

GREEN NEWS: Plastic bags to replace boxes for breakfast
cereals? Really will be crunch time. And surely more polluting.

BRIT NEWS: David Cameron vows to make govt more
open to the people. Trying to think of measured
response but can’t stop laughing.

Friday Flash 55

FLASH 55 – FAST FOOD

Fiction: Her weight had become a problem of late, but she
chose a novel way to lose it. And who’d have thought it could
be conquered by fast food. Yes, she ate fast food every day
– lots of it – literally gobbled it down. Indeed, often it was so
fast she had to run to catch it.

MATCHSTICK MEN

Stripped to nothing but their form,
Matchstick Men becoming the norm,
Trapped in the material, corporate jog,
Life without meaning, just a cog,
Expressing individuality by being the same,
Modern life – so insane

© Anthony North, June 2009

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PAPPA RAZZI

Modern Art

Every now and then the debate rages – is modern art really art.
Usually conceptual and temporary, pandering to the darker or bizarre
side of life, many believe it is not art. Sadly, though, they are
incorrect. Whilst it often lacks permanence – even, it could be
argued, skill – an art form is a reflection of society; which is
increasingly becoming conceptual and temporary in its fads.

My Columnists

EDITORIAL

This post is in two parts – newspaper and
magazine. Read either or both. It is also
a debating platform, so do join in. Don’t
forget to call again.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Eye On the World – Choose an Essay

Inde-Politics & Socio-Capitalism

BRIT NEWS: Women are out-performing men
in nearly every university subject. This is due to
a general loss of confidence among men.

BRIT NEWS: Rout in local elections, his Cabinet falling apart,
rebellion in ranks, Brown say he will not go. I say: he will
not listen.

BRIT NEWS: Ex- spy chief says logging net/phone
use vital. To whom? Carry on this way and
the enemy becomes the State.

Call back Wed for more NewsFlash

READ WITH MUMMY

The Magazine Post with a gentle hint of horror

Try my Horror Archive

HAUNTING MELODY

It’s in your mind, won’t go away,
Memories rush in, thoughts do stray,
To happy times filled with glee,
Yet now, a haunting melody,
Tuneful acceptance of when you were one,
Remembrance of beloved gone

IN SEARCH OF TRUTH

Fiction: The book was thick and black and covered with dust, but I
had found it. At last, after years of searching, it was before me. The
library hadn’t been entered in centuries – for so long had the Book of
Truth been denied us. And as I walked into the library its boards were
bowed and creaking. But there was no fear within me now – at last I
was to know the Truth! At last I would we able to go into the world
and tell the people how things should be, how we must live, how we
must exist! Yet just as I was in reach of the Truth, the boards gave
way and down I fell, forever down, the boards snapping shut once
more above me. I spent many eons in that dark place, amidst the
prophets and dictators, before I realised the world could not handle
Truth.

SHINE

Shine bright, being of light,
Bath your rays on us, delight,
You banish the weird that invades our mind,
Only joys will we find,
Except …
Always you let the darkness in,
Trapped in our shadow, its veil very thin

© Anthony North, June 2009

SCRIBBLERS’ NEWS

Check out my Writers’ Tips posts

Keep up with the latest prompts and writing
news. Let me know of any new sites.

Carry On Tuesday
A new poetry/prose prompt here. Take a look.
Manic Monday
The word is: shine
Poetry Train
Link any poem here
Weekend Wordsmith
New prompt word every Sat
Saturday Scribes
Have you tried this prompt yet?

TONY’S MUSE DIARY

Health wise Him Outside is a delicate thing. Each day when I
descend from literary heaven into his head I have to check the
bodily workings. With cfs, his abilities can vary daily. The term
‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ is actually a joke, giving the idea that
sufferers are simply ‘tired’, poor things. Well, if you add constant
muscle pains, regular insomnia, never ending flu-like symptoms,
loss of concentration, temporary unconsciousness if you do too
much, dizziness and countless more embarrassing things, you’ve
about understood it. Oh, and being fatigued all the time.

After a little rant, Him Outside has some news. After some
recent comments he’s decided to end his break from his longer
works. While these Magazine Posts will continue at three a week,
he’s also going to do a Tuesday essay, and on Thursdays he’s
going to post a longer story written before he became a blogger.
Hopefully he’ll keep it up for a while.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL
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Liberty
Promoting human rights in the UK
The Anomalist
News & blog source on the unexplained

Call back Wed for more prompts
and campaigns

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WEIRD OBS ORG

Telepathy

Telepathy is thought to involve mind to mind contact, best evidenced
by a person’s name coming into the mind, and moments later they
phone you or you bump into them. Most tests for telepathy show a
slight statistical bias above chance for the ability, but sceptics
constantly question the methodology involved. But could something
else be involved?

The mind takes in more of the world than
we consciously realise. Most of this information
goes to the unconscious.

However, over an average day in a city, a person can unconsciously
input thousands of conversations and actions. Could the mind work
like a computer, analysing this knowledge, and when it finds a bit of
information relevant to a point in time, send it to the conscious that
a particular person had planned to be there, too? This would seem
to be telepathy. Click here and scroll down for a general survey of
telepathy, and here for more on the above theory.

My Columnists

EDITORIAL

This post is in two parts – newspaper and
magazine. Read either or both. It is also
a debating platform, so do join in. Don’t
forget to call again.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The ‘Y’ Files – Choose an Essay

Inde-Politics & Socio-Capitalism

BRIT NEWS: As senior Labour members
are sacked or ‘quit’, Brown urged to take control.
We are witnessing something dying here. Go! Go! Go!!!

TECH NEWS: Constant chatter on social networking is damaging
idea of compassion, say scientists. Something we have to
certainly be aware of.

BRIT NEWS: Church of England turning away trainee clergy
as financial crisis costs them £1.3bn. I seem to recall
something about traders at the temple.

Call back Sat for more NewsFlash

THE CRIME POST

It would be criminal not to read it

True Crime – Crime Fiction

UNEXPECTED VISITOR

Invited in; they know it’s you,
Nothing here but loyalty true;
What’s that you spy? You want one of those!
This is how the intruders impose,
Jealousy, envy – you feel distress,
Those emotions rising that you detest;
You fight it; you have to; it isn’t the way,
When the unexpected visitor’s in your mind to waylay

FLASH 55 – SEEING THE LIGHT

‘Crime is not evil,’ said the criminologist. There was general
disagreement – until he showed the examples. The first was a
modern city, lawful by day, but at night, the lights out, crime
increased in the dark. The second was an ancient settlement
where, at night, the fear of evil kept them all in their beds.

LAKESIDE
(Quilly’s word meanings below)

It was risible but the fish seemed fat. I was stagnicolous, floating
in the lake by Larry. We often went for a swim here, expecially
when we needed to cool off. We’d argued, you see, and Phil wasn’t
here to invigilate – which was bad. Larry had a temper. They’d
argued recently, too, and I was about to ask where Phil was when
my foot touched something soft. Then I said: Take your hands
off my thro … !!!

risible – laughable
stagnicolous – living in stagnant water
invigilate – keep watch

© Anthony North, June 2009

SCRIBBLERS’ NEWS

Check out my Writers’ Tips posts

Keep up with the latest prompts and writing
news. Let me know of any new sites.

American Sandwich
A story in 3 sentences of 17 syllables
Three Word Thursday
The words are: risible, invigilate, & stagnicolous
Tell a Tale
Competition now closed
Acrostic Only
Have you tried an acrostic yet?
Friday Flash 55
A weekly Flash 55 to be done here

TONY’S MUSE DIARY

Last Sunday night the UK’s Channel 5 featured 5 robot films back to
back. A full ten hours of nothing but robots, and Him Outside thought:
who in their right mind would watch all these? Well, the reality is,
quite a few people, and mainly under 30. It seems to be an evolving
mentality. Him Outside watched the first series of 24 and then vowed
never to watch it again. He classed it as obsession media. Now, I’m
an obsessive – but then again, I’m a muse. I can’t do anything else.
Him Outside is now and again over his writing, but he takes breaks –
does something else. But obsession seems to be encouraged
nowadays. Why is this? I guess it’s the natural outcome of a
specialised world, creating what can be best described as obsession
mentality. Which is rather handy for Big Biz. After all, obsessives buy,
buy, buy!!!

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Campaigning for better understanding of mental health
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POLLY TICKS

Free Speech

I’m getting worried about free speech, and not only because
government seems to be whittling away at it. To many, free speech
seems to be about making statements and then feeling hurt if
someone answers back in the negative. This is not free speech. It
is about being able to say what you like – hopefully with manners
– and engaging in debate. Am I alone in thinking this is dying?

My Columnists

EDITORIAL

This post is in two parts – newspaper and
magazine. Read either or both. It is also
a debating platform, so do join in. Don’t
forget to call again.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Eye On the World – Choose an Essay

Inde-Politics & Socio-Capitalism

BRIT NEWS: The last Titanic survivor
has died at the age of 97. There’s been many
disasters since, but it remains iconic. Truly the end
of an era.

BIZ NEWS: US to pump billions into saving GM. If there was one
country I never expected to embrace nationalisation, it was the US.

BRIT NEWS: Pressure mounting on Gordon Brown to quit
before next year’s expected election defeat.
Waste of time. Too ‘intellectual’ to listen.

Call back tomorrow for more NewsFlash

RATTLER’S TALE

A Voyage of the Imagination

Twist In the Tale Archive

T is for … TELLING TALES

Telling tales is what I do,
Not gossip – this doesn’t imbue,
But plots and schemes that take my fancy,
Sometimes stories very chancy;
So telling tales is my redoubt,
But tell me ..
Did you hear about …

AFTER THE SHOW

He knew the drugs had been folly, but how else does a celebrity
survive with such an overbearing, often hostile media? The pressure
to conform to an image was just too powerful. But sometimes he
just wished he could have been ordinary. Rehab helped, of course,
but it was meeting Jenny that really sorted him out. ‘I just don’t know
who you are,’ she said after several weeks together. They searched
for him in the videos of his shows, but he was not there. They relived
the films and the interviews, but he was nowhere to be found. ‘We’ve
got to go back to your roots,’ she said; yet it was hard when all he
had been was image. But they both knew there was a human being
to rebuild.

My friend, Quilly, has given me this award, for which I thank her. I’m
supposed to list 7 things I love and pass it on to 7 people. The first is
easy, the second, I now find far too difficult, so this is for all the
great bloggers I’m associated with. A great bunch of people.

Many things I truly love,
My wife is one, way above,
My writing which means so much to me,
Every day, scribbling away, my destiny,
But there are seven alongside this,
Giving life’s purpose, total bliss,
From chef to airman, counsellor too,
And computer whizz kid to name a few,
Managers, student, grasping life’s bids;
Who are these?
My kids

© Anthony North, June 2009

SCRIBBLERS’ NEWS

Check out my Writers’ Tips posts

Keep up with the latest prompts and writing
news. Let me know of any new sites.

Blog Your Blessings
Write about a blessing
Only the Good Friday
Write something optimistic
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Current prompt is: covert
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Call Friday for latest prompt
Write Anything
Good source of tips & Fiction Friday

TONY’S MUSE DIARY

Two didn’ts today. Yes I know that isn’t a word, but Him Outside
wrote it, not me. The first didn’t is Susan Boyle, who didn’t win
Britain’s Got Talent. A shame really – especially as she has now
been admitted to a clinic. How many others would crack up over such
a media onslaught? It’s wrong. And then the other didn’t is another
wrong. Him Outside’s favourite for the new Doctor Who assistant –
Michelle Ryan – didn’t get it. Instead we’ve got a very young, virtually
unknown actress called Karen Gillan. Combined with the new Doctor’s
young age, this suggests a youthening (yes, I know. HE wrote it!)
of Doctor Who. I hope this isn’t a mistake. I’d hate to see the
series become a didn’t.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL
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PAPPA RAZZI

Modern Comedy

I find a problem with much modern comedy – it isn’t funny. It seems
to be based on insult or inane behaviour. Comedy proper is a process
of illogic, where a statement or action confronts the rationality of the
experiencer, causing a self-defence mechanism called laughter. True
comedy is so subtle that its practice is no laughing matter.

My Columnists

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Eye On the World – Choose an Essay

Inde-Pol Sub-Domain

HEALTH NEWS: The UK growing more
fearful, it seems, causing rise in mental illness.
This is what happens when a society loses meaning.

WORLD NEWS: General Elections begin in India but can
democracy exist in such a big country? Can a Parliament be
representative here?

BRIT NEWS: Local councils to be watched by govt for using
anti-terror laws to increase snooping. Shame it took
public to show problem.

BRIT NEWS: A million householders in negative equity;
another 1m close. And there’s talk that we may
have turned a corner. Wanna bet!

Call back Mon for more NewsFlash

FUTURE ZONE

What’s ahead … and Beyond!!!

My Sci Fi Archive

JUST ONE WORD

The future holds our destiny,
Tech for good or enmity,
Driving one word to ultimate power,
Providing a button that can devour,
Everything as the missiles hit,
Our leader safe in his pit;
Godly, he takes out man and bird,
For: In the End Was the Word

DREAM LIFE

Sci Fi: The boy had been having lots of dreams of late. He just lay
down and off he went again. This time it was a lovely dream, and
he felt at home with the person the dream made him become. Waking,
he turned round to the salesman and said: ‘I’ll have that one.’ After
all, things were so much easier now that you could have the
life you dream of.

THE LANGUID SPACEMAN

Languid spaceman, isn’t it time,
You went to planets, hoping to find,
ET and other magnificent stuff,
Even though it may be tough?
The tech’s been on the drawing board so long,
The aliens are wondering where we’ve gone,
Just orbiting the planet without any cred,
As if flies buzzing round something dead

OPPORTUNITY GAME

Ordeal of fire, proving yourself,
Pow! On the pyre, onerous smell;
Participants line up, having a go,
Only to duck, gladiator show,

Reduced to your genes, future guaranteed,
Tuned to the memes, orchestrated seed;
United society, the new way to be,
Normal entity, no you or me

It was a hard fight, but now he has won,
The fires burn all night, he can now have a son
Youth wins outright, eugenics begun

© 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.

Inspire Me Thursday
The prompt word is: green
One Single Impression
The phrase for a poem is: one word
Sunday Scribblings
Write something about ‘language’
Search Engine Stories
The phrase is: falling slowly
Weekend Wordsmith
The word is: languid
Poefusion
A prompt a day for NaPoWriMo
Tell a Tale
Still time. Tell a tale set on an evening
Naisaiku Challenge
Have you taken the challenge yet?
Acrostic Only
Choose a word or a phrase. Take a look.

Call back Mon for more prompts

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BLOGGER BARD

Writing Changes

Why doesn’t anyone write like Shakespeare any more? I blame
technology. You see, there’s a big difference between the quill
and the computer, and that difference is the time it takes to
write. The quill works slower than you can think, giving you
time to compose. The keypad is quicker, leaving you having to
catch up. And the beauty of the word is lost in that space.

My Columnists

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The Hoax Page

Inde-Pol Sub-Domain

GREEN NEWS: Science adviser to Obama suggests
geo-tech solution to climate change. No! No! No! This
means more tampering with nature instead of changing industry
to more eco ways.

TV WATCH: The Doctor Who Easter special was excellent as usual.
Won’t give the plot – you may not have seen it yet – but Michelle
Ryan did a great job as Tennant’s co-star, perfectly
built as a modern-day Emma Peel, complete with
leathers and attitude.

Call back tomorrow for more NewsFlash

RATTLER’S TALE

A Voyage of the Imagination

My Fiction

LIVE WATER

Live in the Water, the way to be,
Swirling around, my destiny,
I must be a fish, at home in here,
Nothing to worry about, nothing to fear,
But what’s happening now? Who pulled the plug?!!!
Oh! I’m a baby – Mom’s giving me a hug

MASTER OF DISGUISE

Fiction: I’m a master of disguise. I can become anyone I want to
be. I can take on many personas, play many parts, act in so many
ways. I’m a master of disguise, forever re-inventing who I want to
be. I can live better with that – not recognising myself.

SCISSORS

Cut it here, cut it there,
Cut it out, don’t despair;
Cut it down, cut it round,
Cut it now, that’s profound;
Cut it short, cut it long,
Cut it from your memory, gone;
Cut it back, cut it, splice,
Cut it into shape, your life

© 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.

One Single Impression
This week’s prompt is: live water
Weekend Wordsmith
The word is: scissors
Search Engine Stories
The word ‘fragments’ extended for another week due to Easter
Meme Express
You’ll find a daily meme here

Call back tomorrow for more prompts

Follow me on Twitter