LEADERSHIP
Posted by anthonynorth on October 2, 2010
Microfiction Monday, ABC Wednesday, more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!
BLOGGER BARD
Microfiction: He threw his daughter’s
fantasy book off the balcony. ‘Flying
horses don’t exist,’ he said. Later a
flying Daddy was spotted.
LEADERSHIP
Don’t we just love our leaders! Well, in most cases, no. We live in a
world where we vote for them and we still can’t get it right. Why is
that? Maybe it’s to do with the caliber of people who go forward for
leadership. They all seem to think they know what’s good for us. This
is what leadership should NOT be about. It should be about asking
what is needed, and then trying to provide it. A leader should
facilitate, not dominate.
BRIT NEWS: Left wing Ed Miliband
just wins the Labour leadership over his
older brother, David. The unions sealed it. The
parliamentarians won’t be happy. And Britain lines up
for an old style ideological battle with the Coalition but with
no stable sides. So, Kid Brother, we’re watching you.
HEALTH NEWS: Scientists identify a genetic defect that could cause
migraine. So many breakthroughs coming, but I often wonder if we’re
placing too much in our genes. Culture, environment and upbringing are
being left behind. But also our free will to choose. Does genetics
absolve us of blame?
GREEN NEWS: Comprehensive study of plants around the world
shows 22% of species are at risk. From societies to ideas
to nature we are destroying diversity. Yet only by
having plenty of options does evolution
continue. I guess that means
we’re devolving.
RATTLER’S TALE
A Voyage of the Imagination
One Single Impression
Friday Flash 55 – Writer’s Island
One Shot Wednesday
***TRY
We always do it to gain entry,
Thrive as we can in our country,
Indeed, it’s all quite elementry (?),
It even works writing poetry;
We don’t really need to ask why,
It just always ends when we try
FLASH 55 – THE WALK
Fiction: He always walked tall. It was his way. When he met his love
he walked even taller. Work did, of course, interfere with their
relationship. But even after returning from the war, wedding plans were
made. It took six months to walk tall again for the wedding – and so
different with prosthetics. But he prevailed.
SOAR
Do rocks soar in space?
No atmosphere – negative grace;
They certainly soar coming through the sky,
This you definitely can’t deny,
Crashing more violent than any war,
Terrible to see what Dino saw
© Anthony North, October 2010
Try my Pictures of Life, a novel
BEYOND THE BLOG 
shanegenziuk said
I hope we never see what Dino saw.
anthonynorth said
Hi Shane,
I certainly hope so, too.
Deborah said
Wonderful!! :o)
anthonynorth said
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Nessa said
We might like our leaders more if we quit focusing on momentary popularity contests.
Mary said
So much to think about here!
anthonynorth said
Hi Nessa,
Yes, so very true.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for that.
PattiKen said
Flying daddy: Ha! Serves him right for doubting. He’s lucky he wasn’t turned into a toad.
Leadership: It’s a conundrum. More and more, politics seems to be all about the politicians and nothing about the people.
Brit News: Sounds like sibling rivalry of princes from days of old.
Health News: Interesting thought.
The Walk: I love it.
Soar: Sad that dinos couldn’t talk. Then someone could have yelled, “Incoming! Duck!”
anthonynorth said
Hi PattiKen,
Many thanks. Yes, politics is moving away from people fast. And yes, the Dinos should definitely have ducked 🙂
Diane Truswell said
I agree with you totally!
systematicweasel said
I couldn’t help but laugh when I read flying daddy! =) Awesome post!
-Weasel
anthonynorth said
Hi Diane,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Weasel,
Many thanks. Glad you liked it.
pamela said
Amen Anthony and I doubt I will live to see the day!
Thanks for this!
Pamela
anthonynorth said
Hi Pamela,
Possibly. It doesn’t happen often.
1sojournal said
Anthony:
Flying Daddy: Don’t mess with my myth or my fantasy. Hoped he learned something during his flight.
Leadership: They might start out to facilitate change, but get caught up in selling themselves for election. Seem to lose every other goal after that.
Health news: No, genetics might predispose, but choice must take first and front seat, or we are forfetting our ability to think at all.
Soar: I have often thought that dinosaurs were perhaps the dragons and it’s sad that they didn’t survive other than in human imagination.
Thanks Anthony, you are always a challenge to the thought process.
Elizabeth
nimaruichi said
Negative grace? – sets one thinking. The walk is inspiring; the Flying Daddy got what he deserved. 🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Elizabeth,
Many thanks for the comments. Always appreciated.
Hi Nimaruichi,
Thanks for that. He certainly did 🙂
Sally Hutt said
This is ViV on Sally’s computer! Great posts today. …Try amused me very much when I realised that you can carefully avoided the word why? among your y words. Your soaring was intriguing. I never think of rocks as anything but staying put, anchored.
anthonynorth said
Hi ViV,
Thanks for that.
Amity said
Poetry…?
Try… ***try?
Hmmm…we have really to try so much in many aspects of our lives Anthony!
anthonynorth said
Hi Amity,
We do indeed.
zephyr said
Microfiction is about just what the world is coming to.
Leadership is surely lacking in today’s politics, be it any country round the world.
Migraine genes? what next? I wish that could be isolated so that I may be rid of it forever and ever!
anthonynorth said
Hi Zephyr,
Thanks for the comment. You’re right about leadership. A forgotten art.
christopher said
I like your thoughts on leadership. I hope the people refrain from asking the leaders to lead us around in circles as well.
gautami tripathy said
Liked reading about leadership!
is it love poetry or missing muse or nothing?
kimmy said
on LEADERSHIP: sad to say but I think that there is something more than ‘leadership’ problem in my country. it seems as if those who want to lead us do not actually believe they know what’s the best for us nor how to solve our problems. whatever their reasons are, whether personal or otherwise, are not helping and we are all SO UNHAPPY about it..
systematicweasel said
Trying is that driving force we all seem to neglect at times, lol. Awesome take on the prompt! =)
-Weasel
patti said
All of your entries are ponderable- as always!I especially liked the poem on leadership- so true. Well done
Twilight said
“We live in a
world where we vote for them and we still can’t get it right. Why is
that?”
From where I’m sitting (USA) it’s because they aren’t what they profess to be, AN. They can put on a good show at election time but…. Many are merely puppets handled by those who paid millions and millions to promote them and get them into power, so to do the master’s bidding.
Ed Milibrand seems like a refreshing change over there. A bit of Old Labour into the mix has to be helpful to the man in the street, as against the man in the ivory tower. 🙂
“What Dino Saw” – a good title for your next book, or movie, AN!
Jeeves said
Flying daddy!!!Thats naughty!!!Nice one
anthonynorth said
Hi Christopher,
Many thanks. I’m sure they’ll try.
Hi Gautami,
It’s an interesting subject.
Hi Kimmy,
That sounds a bad situation.
Hi Weasel,
Many thanks. Yes, it’s so easy to neglect it.
Hi Patti,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Twilight,
Yes, I’m looking forward to a good old bit of proper politics for a change – confrontational, so as to get the issues debated properly. Fingers crossed.
Hi Jeeves,
Thanks for that. I couldn’t resist it 🙂
Ramesh Sood said
Hello, Anthony sir,
I always like reading your writings..so deep and vast.. a lovely take on prompt..Try..Thanks for your constant presence and inspiration..I am moving on..
Ramesh
anthonynorth said
Hi Ramesh Sood,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Harshad said
Hello Anthony,
Tried, tried and tried but could not get used to the format of your blog! Yes, it always ends when we try!!
Wonderful take on the prompt.
Harshad said
Liked your write up on leader. It is much more true for India.
anthonynorth said
Hi Harshad,
Thanks for that. My magazine format can be a bit confusing.
Susan at Stony River said
I loved the Microfiction (thanks for the laugh!) but the 55 stole my heart. Loved it.
anthonynorth said
Hi Susan,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Sylvia Kirkwood said
Just laugh needed, Anthony! Really fun one for the day! Hope you’ve had a good weekend!
Sylvia
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked it.
Pat said
That is a strong little girl (or her mama is strong). Made me laugh–good one.
anthonynorth said
Hi Pat,
Many thanks. I guess they have super strength when enraged 😉
Peggy said
Made me laugh, which I love to do.
Great MF Anthony.
anthonynorth said
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
ninotaziz said
Loved the MFM. Daddies beware with teenagers today!
anthonynorth said
Hi Ninotaziz,
Many thanks. And so true.
Kelley Westenhoff said
I think flying horses are a bit more graceful than flying dads! I envision arms and legs a-whirling as dad goes flying! Funny one!
And the 55 is awesome.
Bill said
I guess he didn’t realise his daughter had her mind made up.
Diane said
Fun MicroFiction! Have a great week :O)
JP/deborah said
My fav was the Flash 55 this week!!
Have a joy-filled and peaceful week,
JP/deborah
SandyCarlson said
The Walk has me thinking of a few friends who are in harm’s way right now. You have me thinking warm thoughts for them. May it be otherwise upon their retrn.
Try. We must. And then we write.
Thom said
OMG and flying daddy. Love it and it’s perfect. That’ll show him. LOL And your 55 is brilliant my friend. You are always so clever. Well done and have a great week ahead 🙂
Deborah said
Loved the MM :o)
Michael G-G said
The MM and the 55 were both masterful. (I’ve done my share of “flying daddy,” or so it sometimes seems.)
Have a great week.
Ellie said
Flying dad! Genius. I loved it.
Have a great week x
anthonynorth said
Hi Kelley,
Yes, I think you’re right 🙂
Hi Bill,
He got that very wrong, ‘cos she certainly had.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for that.
Hi Deb,
Many thanks. glad you liked it.
Hi Sandy,
I’ve had family involved. I hope so too.
Hi Thom,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for that.
Hi Michael,
Many thanks. Yes, been there too.
Hi Ellie,
Kind words. Much appreciated.
Beth Patterson said
Dear Anthony–
As always, enjoyed your effortless-seeming ‘tries’!
Especially enjoyed ‘the walk’.
anthonynorth said
Hi Beth,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
jabblog uk said
Flying Daddy – oh dear, what was he on? Your Flash 55 was most poignant and fitting.
I’m wondering how long it will be before pregnancies are scanned for the Alzheimer/dementia gene, if there is such a thing. Why can we not accept that we will not live forever, may often not be in good health, and that there isn’t a prevention for everything? Survival of the fittest doesn’t seem to apply any more.
anthonynorth said
Hi Jabblog,
Very true. Whilst it’s always right to seek medical breakthroughs, we must also realise that it can be counter-productive to our mentality – making us wish for too much, and also fear what illnesses we may get.
jinksy said
Blogging Bard – I like it, flying Daddy.
Akelamalu said
Microfiction Daddy shouldn’t oughta have done that! LOL
Cheong said
advice to Flying Daddy : don’t mess with a kid who’s into fantasy.
The Walk is so inspiring.
Soar : who, or what, really killed Dino. but most are thinking it’s a rock. a big one. 🙂
Anthony, thanks for another wonderful read.
anthonynorth said
Hi Jinksy,
Thanks for that 🙂
Hi Akelamalu,
He certainly shouldn’t have.
Hi Cheong,
Many thanks for the kind words.
EG Wow, Canada said
Oh my goodness! Who would have thought not believing in flying horses could be so tragic?
anthonynorth said
Hi EG Wow,
It’s a good job it’s fiction 😉
hope said
Bad Daddy. 🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Hope,
Indeed 😉
quilly said
My daddy didn’t think I should read fantasy fiction. He and my Language Srts teacher had a long talk about it. The teacher won. I read The Hobbit, and the Return of the King Trilogy, and Watership Down that year. Go, teacher! (I did not push my father off any balconies.)
That soldier was a stand up kind of guy. The world needs more of them — and the kind of women who stand with them.
anthonynorth said
Hi Quilly,
Fantasy is important at any age. And I agree about the soldier.
Geraldine said
LOL…flying Daddy indeed. Good one Tony. 😉
anthonynorth said
Hi Geraldine,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Sylvia Kirkwood said
Couldn’t agree with you more in regards to leadership! Great one for the L Day! Hope your week is going well, Anthony!!
Sylvia
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. A pity too many leaders don’t like the idea.
Reader Wil said
Great post as always Anthony! Sad story about the walk of the man who walked tall.
“Leaders all seem to think they know what’s good for us. This
is what leadership should NOT be about. It should be about asking
what is needed, and then trying to provide it. A leader should
facilitate, not dominate”. I agree with you, however such a person is not a leader but a social worker, a healer or a Soldier of the Savation Army.
Leo (Leonnyes) said
a leader must facilitate for sure, but the thing I think is that once the leadership is assured, the promises seem to falter! unfortunate that, but it is what happens! thought provoking ABCW as always, Anthony sir!
loved the OSI poem for try as well, lovely rhyme there! subtle! 😀
anthonynorth said
Hi Reader Wil,
Yes, that’s about the only place a real leader emerges nowadays.
Hi Leo,
Thanks for that. It’s the old power corrupting thing.
dustus said
Another fine magazine post! “A leader should facilitate, not dominate.” Soar is a great piece. Excellent wordplay in there.
KB said
NIce OS Ant
anthonynorth said
Hi Dustus,
Many thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
anthonynorth said
Hi KB,
Thanks for that. glad you liked it.
suzicate said
Flying daddy – funny. I don’t want to see what Dino saw! Your Flash 55 is touching. Love today’s post.
brian said
whew yeah…definitely not wanting to be a dino on that day…negative grace…nice….great one shot!
Roger Green said
I can’t help but to think that being in office just changes people. or maybe running for office is different from being in office.
.ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Tumblewords said
Leadership. Right on. They all seem to have a personal agenda.
RiikaInfinityy 마왕 said
Amazing work as always :D~~~
Shashi said
Enjoyed reading it … Flying daddy was a great inclusion.. there are so many thought provoking words and images there… need to revisit again…
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com
Gay Cannon said
The topics you raise today could be discussed forever. I think I agree with you on most (not sure about British politics .. not so up to date…for that matter not so up to date with US politics either these days. But I always enjoy your mini takes on a variety of subjects handled with a range from humor to serious pondering. Very interesting read. Thank you, Gay @beachanny
Chris G. said
Ha! Oh the blogger bard made me laugh. One must be careful when they go stomping on imagination–you never know what might come to be!
And as to the green news, goodness, 22%? I believe it, but god, what a thing. Profound statement. I guess we are devolving. Certainly no other way to describe our advancement through the world around us. What a lovely thought, that as time goes on, we just keep going back…
Talon said
“Soar” was a really neat piece, Anthony. Had me thinking that keeping an eye on the sky (maybe a bit like Chicken Little) isn’t such a bad idea!
anthonynorth said
Hi Suzicate,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Brian,
Yes, best not to be around at such times, I think.
Hi Roger,
You’ve got a point there. Maybe we invest too much power in too few people.
Hi Tumblewords,
They do indeed.
Hi RiikaInfinityy,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Shashi,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked the post.
Hi Gay Cannon,
I’m pleased you enjoyed your visit.
Hi Chris,
Yes, maybe if we used our imagination more we’d stop devolving.
Hi Talon,
Yes, it’s a dangerous place up there.
Emmanuel Ibok said
Another insightful piece. Your take on leadership is right, but how do voters see beyond the gimmicks these leadership aspirants pose? (one will ask)
Flying horses dont exist but flying daddy spotted?…lol (that was a good laugh you.)
Interesting, all are.
Cheers!
anthonynorth said
Hi Emmanuel,
Many thanks for the kind words. It’s always difficult for voters to see beyond gimmicks, very true.
jabblog uk said
Leaders who would ask what the people want – now that would be something different.
anthonynorth said
Hi Jabblog,
It certainly would.
bkmackenzie said
Love it the flying Daddy to the Dino….always trying we are to write…me too – gain entry to what..still do not know why I write…nice read Anthony…bkm
Sherry Blue Sky said
Incredibly thought-provoking, informative, inspiring and enjoyable to read. I especially loved Walking Tall. Good work.
Eric said
A journey of a thousand miles, as they say…
Nice One Shot!
anthonynorth said
Hi Bkm,
Thanks for that. Writing is definitely addictive.
Hi Sherry Blue sky,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Claudia said
soar and crash – sounds like real life…
Monkey Man said
I love coming here and getting it all in one swift read. Love the 55 and your One Shot. Harsh reality and humor…you serve all at this diner of words.
anthonynorth said
Hi Claudia,
It does indeed.
Hi Monkey Man,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Terresa Wellborn said
I laughed at the flying daddy bit. I say, Fly on! 🙂
pete marshall said
and again i am absorbed….your are so right about genetics….theres a lot going on in politics this week and i feel like opening my mouth about the unfairness of it all…something that always makes me laugh though and is not often mentioned…someone, i believe, on 45k and someone on 5 million pay the same national insurance contributions, its the employer that pays the salary that pays the difference…perhaps they should look into that a bit more!!!!! cheers pete
anthonynorth said
Hi Terresa,
Yes, a silly Daddy, wasn’t he 😉
anthonynorth said
Hi Pete,
Yes, I can imagine many irregularities coming out over the next few weeks. And a lot of angry people.
Lela said
Great to read you again!
Thank You So Much! A Breath of sanity.
I completely agree with your green!
Too bad we cannot arrest them worldwide.
Money moves around fast doesn’t it?
Cap & Trade, Carbon Credits, used to
be swampland for sale. Now its air
shaped like pyramid schemes??eh!
anthonynorth said
Hi Lela,
Many thanks for the comment.
Glynn said
I don’t think I want to be around to see what Dino saw. Good poem.
):)(:( said
great poem i really liked the short fiction you wrote FLASH 55 – THE WALK
🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Glynn,
No, definitely not a good idea.
Hi ):),
Many thanks for that.
gabrielle said
An estimated 40 billion will be spent in mid term elections in the US. That’s because the Supreme Court ruled recently that corporations are people and can make unlimited donations to political campaigns. This limits the pool of qualified leaders. I suspect we add to the mess with our infatuation with messiahs. Just my 2 cents on the lack of leadership in politics…
On a lighter note, I enjoyed the whimsy of “try”. I never fail to be amazed by your lively and prolific posts!
anthonynorth said
Hi Gabrielle,
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, democracy is increasingly about the right of corporations to choose, and not the people.
brian said
sobering…glad he found the strength to stand tall even after…great 55.
G-Man said
Tony…
Your body of work was again outstanding.
Your 55 was hard hitting and Eye opening.
The Horrors of War..
Thanks for playing and have a Kick Ass Week-End
Jannie Funster said
Really? One brother ran against another for a seat? Not such brotherly love, I think. Never heard ot brothers vying for the same place. Funny to me.
xoxo
Hootin' Anni said
Your 55 sent chills through my soul at the end, but it’s so loving, and so very meaningful!!!! Well done Anthony.
Talon said
Awww! Anthony, I loved the 55. Just beautiful and touching. My b-in-law lost his leg in an accident…this brought back memories of his struggle to ultimately regain his balance and his feeling he was still whole.
anthonynorth said
Hi Brian,
Thanks for that. The human will can accomplish anything.
Hi G-Man,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
Hi Jannie,
Yes, a strange pair. Since losing, the older brother has retired from front line politics.
Hi Hootin’ Anni,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Talon,
Thanks for that. I hope he made it.
Claudia said
oh this was a serious 55 anthony! but glad he managed to walk tall again…!
anthonynorth said
Hi Claudia,
Yes, I occasionally do serious.
Alice Audrey said
At least we have prosthetics now so that it’s possible to walk tall.
anthonynorth said
Hi Alice,
Yes, marvellous things.
Akelamalu said
Loved your 55 tale of bravery and perseverence this week Anthony. 🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Akelamalu,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Mama Zen said
Wonderful 55!
anthonynorth said
Hi Mama Zen,
Many thanks for that.
Eric said
Interesting 55 and, unfortunately, that’s all too common these days.
anthonynorth said
Hi Eric,
Yes, sadly it is. A tragedy.
moondustwriter said
The father in the first piece proved soaring possible in the last piece.
The soldier who walked tall certainly hadn’t devolved – he was a hero to many
Another great week accomplished by none other than Anthony North!!!
Have a great weekend
Moon Smiles
anthonynorth said
Hi Moondustwriter,
Many thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
trisha said
“flying daddy” thats a ferocious daughter.
anthonynorth said
Hi Trisha,
It certainly is 🙂