OLD

Theme Thursday, Microfiction Monday & ABC Wednesday
With Thursday Thirteen news & more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!

PROF ISAAC GALISTEIN

Welcome to my weekly magazine post. Watch
it grow thru the week. You can opt to read the essay,
current affairs, themed mini mag with fiction & poetry, or just
read the lot. You’ll also see a linked essay and story from
my archives. Why not call back later to read them?
Plenty for everyone here. Do call again.

MICROFICTION

Fiction: The goat didn’t like crates –
especially this one – so it escaped.
Googling the address he’d been
directed to a Satanist website.

OLD

According to Plato everything is old. All exists for all time as ‘form’, and
what we think of as invention is really rediscovery. Such ideas are not
in vogue today, but there’s a reality to the idea. For instance, as a
storyteller I’m aware that there are no new themes. Every story is
simply a readaptation of the old. Indeed, it is said there are only really
seven stories. History seems to reflect the same idea, with change
being nothing more than cultural variation, and the same mistakes
being made over and over again. I think we need to revisit Plato and
realize the wisdom of his words. So why don’t we? I guess if nothing is
truly new, we’d feel our efforts are so pointless. But then again,
variation and adaptation CAN be so fulfilling.

BI-CYCLE

Fiction: There are two cycles to existence,
I decided – one of life and one of death.
I always tried to look forward to the former
– to peddle hard. I’m determined the other
cycle won’t catch me up.

UFOLOGY

Here are my thoughts on UFOs and aliens. They are written here to
form a thesis for discussion. My views on the subject are influenced
by an experience many years ago. I narrate it here to give you some
idea where I’m going …
… read more …

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

BRIT NEWS: Lib Dem leader
Nick Clegg has raised his party
to equal the main ones following TV
debate. This election is proving interesting.

TECH NEWS: US defence computers under increased
cyber attack. Has the promise of e-security proved a failure?
Is it time for the truth?

WORLD NEWS: UN says security provided to Benazir Bhutto was
insufficient. It doesn’t take a genius to work that out. Trouble isn’t
guarded.

BRIT NEWS: Election time. Political waffle rising. MPs bend truth to fit
party line. That’s confidence trickery. We need Independents!!!

GREEN NEWS: Report says amount of water used in imports to UK
is worsening global shortages. Not long before there are wars
over water.

WORLD NEWS: IMF proposes bank tax to form a bail-out
fund? Not a chance. Do people really believe the
bankers are NOT in charge of politics?

BRIT NEWS: Grim news for UK. Forecaster
warns economy stuck in doldrums ’til
exports pick up. Why does it need
experts to state the obvious?

THE CRIME POST

It would be criminal not to read it

One Single Impression
Sunday Scribblings – Friday Flash 55
Three Word Wednesday – Thursday Poets’ Rally
Writer’s Island

ENIGMA

He couldn’t work out why it all went bad,
Greed led to crime – so very sad,
It wasn’t as if they hadn’t enough things,
Plenty to eat and time to sing,
But it all went wrong; and because he could,
He wiped them out in a great big Flood

A MINISTERIAL AFFAIR

Detective Sergeant Jordan entered the room with an air of expectancy.
It seemed as if he’d been a copper all his life, but although he enjoyed
it, he knew that, at thirty five, he should be an Inspector by now. He
knew, of course, what the problem was – he just couldn’t keep his
mouth shut or tow the line. And with a new user-friendly police service
– NOT force – he knew he was seen as a dinosaur …
… read more …

DINNER

Sit down; please – drink your wine,
Not poisoned; infact, it’s quite divine,
No one will die at my dinner tonight,
Honestly, murderous thoughts are not in sight,
Though admitted, every tale needs its twist,
Of salt – on Peter!
Tender meat …
You simply cannot resist

FLASH 55 – PUBLISHED

Fiction: He was a frustrated crime writer. He just could NOT get
published, even though he wrote such realistic crime stories. Indeed,
as his frustration increased, they became more realistic than even he
could imagine. He had been so imaginative. And the ploy worked. After
his arrest the papers published all his reports of his exploits.

DEPARTURE

She had to depart, leave me alone,
After igniting love – she had to atone!
People don’t do such things to me,
I get even – don’t you see?
Rotten to the core, they say I am,
I got my mother – left me in the pram

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

I’m a good cop, I follow my nose,
Leads me to where the villains repose,
Straight from the murder scene I get a clue,
Then I home in, straight and true,
Got her in no time – I guess it was meant,
The message in a bottle was definitely scent

WORLD NEWS: Goldman Sachs
accused of fraud? Let’s be honest.
Operating like this 100 years ago every
bank boss would have been locked up.

HEALTH NEWS: Cash and funeral costs are in ideas
to encourage people to donate organs. Let’s not let grief
get in the way.

BRIT NEWS: Unemployment not been so high since 1994. Sorry,
it’s much higher. Millions have been diverted from jobs, or taken
off register.

EDUC NEWS: UK students want a debate among political parties
about university funding. Don’t be silly. Money will be slashed
after election.

SPORT NEWS: Forbes Mag show Manchester United still
most valuable football club in world. Did I say this
was sport news? Sorry, Big Biz.

BRIT NEWS: With 1000s stranded, arguments
raging over cost of airspace closure. This
should keep us entertained for months.

© Anthony North, April 2010

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

Follow me on Twitter
Good place to see what I’m discussing
from my Archives

NEWTON

Theme Thursday, Microfiction Monday & ABC Wednesday
With Thursday Thirteen news & more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!

BLOGGER BARD

Welcome to my weekly magazine post. Watch
it grow thru the week. You can opt to read the essay,
current affairs, themed mini mag with fiction & poetry, or just
read the lot. You’ll also see a linked essay and story from
my archives. Why not call back later to read them?
Plenty for everyone here. Do call again.

MICROFICTION

Three girls sang. Slaves threw themselves on
lions; gladiators slit their throats. Nero burnt
the house down. Too early for girl bands.

NEWTON

Keynes classed Isaac Newton not as the first great scientist, but the
‘last great magician’. He delved into all things esoteric & holistic,
searching for the meaning of the universe, his ‘science’ a bi-product
of his quest. It is to the disgrace of science that they try to forget
this, leaving us with a cold, compartmentalised, materialistic
scientific world that tells only half the story.

DRAFT

Fiction: It will be a brilliant story about …
well, as soon as I put the words down on
paper, to explain, they disappear – blown
away by the wind. I try to stick to the
prompt, but I can’t spell.

THE CREATION ACCOUNT

I’ve been fascinated with Genesis for many years. Over that time
I’ve asked myself a simple question: is it mere myth, or is there real
knowledge to be found within the poetic nature of the words? …
… read more …

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

BRIT NEWS: Lib Dem leader
thinks cuts to help economy could
cause Greek-style unrest. Forget the
Greeks, just look at UK’s past.

HEALTH NEWS: Report says Brits eat & drink too
much. Have they ever considered all the health over-
exposure is driving us to it?

BRIT NEWS: Labour manifesto suggests failing public services will
be taken out of local control. They brag about such totalitarianism?

WORLD NEWS: Richard Dawkins & Christopher Hitchens ask human
rights lawyers to produce case against Pope over cover-up. Pure
politics.

BRIT NEWS: 3 Labour MPs facing charges from expenses scandal
to fund defence at public expense. It’s lonely on Planet Contempt.

GREEN NEWS: Developing nations say west is offering cash
for them to sign up to climate deal. We’ll do all we
can except our own cuts.

BRIT NEWS: Tory manifesto says the people
will have more decision & control over
their lives and services. Ah, I do
love a good fairytale.

RATTLER’S TALE

A Voyage of the Imagination

One Single Impression
Sunday Scribblings – Friday Flash 55
Three Word Wednesday – Thursday Poets’ Rally

FISSURES

Stormy relationship; see the cracks,
If only we could turn our backs,
A brief respite to cement our love,
What’s that in the sky? A dove?
I yearn for peace – let them flock,
You’re angry, nature – I’m just a rock

AUTUMN OF THE SOUL

When Alan Jeffries walked into the nursing home to see his father he
saw the most horrific thing he’d ever seen in his life. For there, in the
corner, Percival Jeffries rested one hand on his walking stick and held
seventy five year old Rita Madden in his other arm. With a slight
shake of the body, he struggled to control his deep cough and spittle
whilst his and Rita’s lips met in what can only be described as an
awkward but definitely passionate kiss …
… read more …

WONDER

I wonder what I’m going to be,
What is my ultimate destiny,
I’m sure I’ve not reached it yet,
Even though in my ways I’m set,
I wonder what I’m going to do,
What is left to amaze, imbue

FLASH 55 – SAVING A LIFE

Fiction: They said she was mad, saving her husband’s mistress’s life.
She just jumped in the lake and fished her out. Things changed then,
mistress dumped amid a new affection for his wife. She’d hoped this
would happen. You can’t fight a ghost. And it didn’t cost much to pay
the guy to push her in.

RANDOM LIFE

Everything random, ebb and flow,
Sometimes fast, often slow,
Negotiate obstacles, try to thrive,
Occasional failure, take a dive,
But whatever life throws your way,
Just make sure you’re there to stay,
‘Cos in the end the choice is yours,
Don’t give in – fight; don’t stop to pause

BRIT NEWS: Lib Dem leader attacks
Labour on human rights record. Love it!
Labour DID bring in human rights laws. Parties
CAN’T get it right.

BRIT NEWS: Brown says he made a mistake not bringing
in tougher bank regs sooner. Did you hear that? Brown says
he made a mistake!!!!!

GREEN NEWS: Researchers advise northern Europe could get more
cold winters due to low solar activity. I could do without that news.

BRIT NEWS: Election Debate is a boring name for our new politics
reality show. How about: I’m a Prime Minister … Get Me In Here!!

BRIT NEWS: 20,000 Iraq/Afghanistan war vets in criminal
justice system. Call is made for Cabinet post to look
after welfare of vets. Yes!!!

BRIT NEWS: Volcanic ash from Iceland closes
UK airspace. Is it panic? If it continues
will life be degraded for the
economy? We’ll see.

© Anthony North, April 2010

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

Follow me on Twitter
Good place to see what I’m discussing
from my Archives

MODERATION

Theme Thursday, Microfiction Monday & ABC Wednesday
With Thursday Thirteen news & more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!

GURU TONY

Welcome to my weekly magazine post. Watch
it grow thru the week. You can opt to read the essay,
current affairs, themed mini mag with fiction & poetry, or just
read the lot. You’ll also see a linked essay and story from
my archives. Why not call back later to read them?
Plenty for everyone here. Do call again.

MICROFICTION

The swan looked at its reflection in the water;
to confirm its beauty – had a hang-up over it
ever since the nasty ducks led it astray.

MODERATION

Most ideas have a degree of commonsense, so why do things always
go wrong? Usually the ideas or people are blamed, but this is not good
enough. One thing I’ve noted about any idea is that it is invariably
followed fanatically and above all else. I’m convinced this is the
problem – we are unable to apply moderation. We should try it.
Indeed, I’m fanatical about moderation.

CAN’T HAVE LUNCH

Dark Fiction: I miss my lunch. Used to enjoy
it. But now I have to content myself on a
hearty meal when I get out of the coffin.
Washed down with a nice Bloody Mary.

YOUR GREEN QUESTIONS
ANSWERED

We are aware that we should be Green – that we are polluting
the environment and heating up the world – but many people
have little understanding of ecology and the science behind
many green issues.
Ecology is about holism. It isn’t so much interested in the parts
of something, but the wholeness of the system. It looks for
interactions that cannot be seen, measured or observed in an
easily scientific way …
… read more …

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

BRIT NEWS: So now we know.
The Election is on 6 May, and our
choices are the worst bunch of inane
political managers in modern times.

TV WATCH: Finally seen the new look Doctor Who.
There was so much clever storytelling it sparkled, and
the new Doc & assistant are magic.

HEALTH NEWS: Charity warns ‘generational shift’ in skin cancer
due to package holidays. This, and cars, taking us away from all
year sun.

BRIT NEWS: Business leaders ditch Labour and flock to the Tories. This
was inevitable. They never endorse a dying brand.

EDUC NEWS: Research says teachers’ assessment of children’s ability
affected by stereotyping. Always has, always will. It’s human nature.

BRIT NEWS: Think Tank says voting age should be lowered to
16. No, no, no! It doesn’t help if adults think kids are
grown up at 16, too.

WORLD NEWS: Obama bans nuke retaliation
against chemical/biological attack –
mainly ‘cos big foes are scrapping
these weapons.

READ WITH MUMMY

The Magazine Post with a gentle hint of horror

One Single Impression
Sunday Scribblings – Friday Flash 55
Three Word Wednesday – Thursday Poets’ Rally

MASK

The senses …
Not hear, not see, not touch,
Restrict experience so very, very much;
Can’t quite hear what the spirits say,
Can’t quite see what could easily waylay;
Their ghostly touch comes from a veil so thin,
Thankfully masking nightmares …
Careful!!!
Don’t let them in

WHEN DARKNESS COMES

To feel alien in a world of people is to be dead. I’d thought this since
I came round, after the accident. How it happened, I don’t know. I
cannot remember a thing. And neither can I remember any of these
people, or even myself.
‘A bad case of amnesia,’ Dr Forster had said …
… read more …

DEADLINE

Waiting, waiting, nowhere to go,
Just shuffling forward with the flow,
No one speaks, they only stare,
Not even sure if they’re aware,
A terrible accident, I’m not fine,
Waiting in the dead line

FLASH 55 – THE BLESSING

Fiction: He loved his new house and didn’t believe the stories of
ghosts in the place. But still the priest insisted a blessing could be a
good thing. Of course, he’d never believed in religion or the
supernatural, but he allowed it to happen. Which was not good for his
skepticism. That night it all began …

A SAINT’S FALL

Born a saint, there’s no doubt,
But even as a baby he’d scream and shout,
In his life he began to learn,
Lubricate Ego – people should’ve been stern,
Turning brash, a demon soon grew,
He’s Mr Everyman – me and you

BRIT NEWS: Petrol hits
120p/litre. Cost of living has
rocketed. Profiteering showing clearly
what Big Biz thinks of little consumers.

HEALTH NEWS: Dietary study says 5 portions fruit/veg
has only modest effect on cancer. Quite possibly true. Balanced
diet is key to health.

BRIT NEWS: Tories deny their cuts in public services will cost 40,000
jobs. Of course it will. Has to happen, no matter who’s in power.

BRIT NEWS: It’s emerged a Labour candidate gone ‘cos of remarks on
Twitter: Elderly are ‘coffin dodgers’, etc. Rather stupid nowadays.

TV WATCH: Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth) leaving Coronation
Street after decades. With Liz Dawn (Vera), he was
great. Happy retirement.

BRIT NEWS: Labour & Tory leaders decline ‘grilling’
by Newsnight’s Jeremy Paxman. Not surprising.
He is about the best at uncovering spin.

© Anthony North, April 2010

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

Follow me on Twitter
Good place to see what I’m discussing
from my Archives

LAW

Theme Thursday, Microfiction Monday & ABC Wednesday
With Thursday Thirteen news & more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!

POLLY TICKS

Welcome to my weekly magazine post. Watch
it grow thru the week. You can opt to read
the essay, current affairs, themed mini mag
with fiction & poetry, or just read the lot.
Plenty for everyone here. Do call again.

MICROFICTION

Fiction: She dreamt of riding on a rabbit from an early age. I’m
practicing, she’d say. When I grow up I WILL get it into the boiler.

THE BOX

It’s just a box. That’s all it is – a boring,
innocuous box. Yet our existence is so
intrinsically connected. I’m just a staple.

LAW

The law has become too complicated. Indeed, I’d argue it is now
impossible not to break the law in some way. Further, it is no longer
Common Law, in that we are not all equal under the law. Here is my
attempt at creating a simple law and constitution. Do take a look if
you’ve got time. There will be mistakes, and it may need hundreds of
supplementary elements to make it work. But if they could be written
with similar brevity, what a sensible world we could live in.

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

BRIT NEWS: Labour target
Shadow Chancellor as ‘immature
and shrill’. Okay, he’s a toff. Funny how
class is being used still as a weapon.

WORLD NEWS: Pope under increasing fire over Catholic
paedophile scandals. Is this going to do severe damage to
the Church? Is it political?

TV WATCH: After decades The Bill to be scrapped as viewers fall.
If ITV hadn’t messed with a good formula it would still be ok.
Murdered!

WORLD NEWS: After more bombs in Moscow Putin vows to destroy
terrorists – bloodbath will follow bloodbath. Has to be a better way.

SCI NEWS: Large Hadron Collider about to step up operations
in search of the God particle. I hope they’ve banned
sandwiches this time.

BRIT NEWS: A compulsory levy to pay for adult
social care in England being proposed. We
already have one. National Insurance.
Put it up.

GREEN NEWS: James Lovelock blames
inertia for lack of action on climate.
No, its a definite policy of Big
Biz to guarantee profit.

FUTURE ZONE

What’s ahead … and Beyond!!!

One Single Impression
Sunday Scribblings – Friday Flash 55
Three Word Wednesday – Thursday Poets’ Rally

VICARIOUSLY ME

Watch me – handsome – never looked so good,
Striding through life with confidence, exactly as I should,
No more do I worry about every little thing,
From now on joy is all that I will bring,
For this is definitely, indubitably, vicariously me,
Blemishes all gone in virtual reality

THE RELIGIONIST

Sci Fi: Religion had been banned long ago – the Atheist Constitution
had seen to that. And with the Tick Tock Administration, even the
thought of deviance from the factual had been buried. Indeed, the
Tick Tock Men produced a most reliable society, with everything in its
place, and never a stray thought. So it was with amazement that
they viewed the sudden appearance of the Religionist. He was a most
scruffy, long haired man with mania in his eyes. People quickly
gathered around him to hear what he said, many ending up LATE! The
Tick Tock Men tried everything to prize them from him, but after a
while they began to notice the device he carried with him. Finally
taking it from him, they decided it was some kind of hypnosis
machine, but when they opened it, they found it to be empty –
which left only one shocking conclusion. Religion was still in their
hearts.

MENTOR(N)

Throughout the past we’ve got it wrong,
Now, far future, we’ve got the bomb,
To end it all in a flash,
Leaving, in spacetime, a great big gash;
Do you press the button, let gravity suck?
Or learn! Pick up that history book

FLASH 55 – THE PERFECT WOMAN

Sci Fi: ‘It was a stunning achievement. Plastic surgery had merged
with cybernetics,’ said the historian. ‘The result was the perfect
woman. Wherever she went she caused passion – which drove the
men mad.’ ‘Why was that?’ asked the listener. The historian felt
pained – he was old enough to remember. ‘As soon as you tried sex,
she’d melt.’

IDENTITY

The space cop knew just who he was,
Identity assured just because,
He’d deviated all around the place,
Interstellar robber, quite a disgrace,
Saturated crimes, never alone,
Caught!
Then he goes after another clone

CRIME NEWS: Following jury
tampering, 4 armed robbers found
guilty by Judge without a jury. I can see
why, but a slippery slope for justice.

GREEN NEWS: MP’s inquiry criticises UK’s Climate
Research Unit for withholding info but say the science
remains intact. Good to hear.

BRIT NEWS: Blair back to help Labour in election. Tory leader’s
comment about being nice to see him give a speech he’s not paid
for is good.

BRIT NEWS: Tory leader wants to rejunenate society by recruitng
5000 community organisers. Good idea, if it’s done properly. A big if.

HEALTH NEWS: Concerns raised that celebrities outing their
souls in public is raising levels of depression as it
becomes ‘trendy’.

BRIT NEWS: Rail strike stopped by judge over
irregularities in ballot. Good! This union
is political. I thought this stopped
in the 80s.

© Anthony North, April 2010

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

Follow me on Twitter
Good place to see what I’m discussing
from my Archives