Category: General

September

Let us not forget the children of Beslan, killed in a muslim terrorist attack 6 years ago yesterday. And in seven days time it is, of course, the 9th of September. Just two examples of the numberless violent attacks carried out by muslim terrorists across the world. Just this month, five hundred and fifty-five people have been killed by muslim terrorists.

Remember!

New Creative Writing Competition: September

Here it is, earlier than planned.

2,000 words, or less, in a story or poem. A pictorial story is also fine; no-one has attempted it yet (quite difficult, I feel) but there may just be someone out there who would enjoy the challenge.

The theme is: “For want of a nail …” (proverb)

The following words should be included: “toad” and “lemon”.

I quote Mr Mackie, as did Jaime (because she knows what’s what, even though the sentence gives me a headache) and it is the quintessential Mackie, in my opinion, although I could, of course, be wrong : “Deadline midnight GMT (01.00 am BST on the day immediately following the specified day and all and/or any other time zones pari passu)” on 21 September 2010.

If anyone has a problem with the deadline, please let me know.

An experiment

Left to my own devices in a DIY store yesterday – my interest in Allen keys and such is slight – I decided to try an experiment. I need to repot a houseplant, so was looking for a larger pot and also a plant pot holder.  I found the necessary flowerpot,  then took it to find a suitable PPH.   None of what was available was big enough.   I then decided to see just how many of the PPHs were the correct size to accommodate the flower pots on sale.  Well, you have a choice between a small flower pot at the bottom of the PPH or the flower pot sticking out of the top of the item that is meant to conceal it. Some of the very attractive PPHs were not even large enough to hold the smallest flowerpot on sale.  Does the buyer never get brain in gear and work out that if the store sells both types of pot, they must fit? I realise I probably left someone with a lot of rearranging to do, but if that sends any messages to anyone, I shall feel my messing around justified.

Lousy Logic

As a toper I confess to being bemused and irritated by the plan to place a minimum price on alcohol. Perhaps I am speaking out of turn, given that I live in France, where I have never seen a display of public drunkeness, but it is the unfairness that irritates. Why should people who can handle their drink be penalised because a bunch of meat-heads cause problems? Why not target the culprits with minimum penalties for their misbehaviour, and leave Joe and Nelly Bloggs to have their quiet snifter in peace, and at a price they can afford?

A summer holiday

I have recently returned from a trip to the UK and Europe. I was gone for 5 weeks. Although it was the depths of winter, the weather was warm (26 deg) and sunny when I left Cape Town. I flew BA into terminal 5 at Heathrow, where I was met by a friend who drove me into London for a spot of breakfast. The great thing about flying that route is that there is no jet lag. Despite the long flight, 12 hours, give or take, the time difference is only one hour and thus one is able to sleep through the night. Even though I am tall, 1.93m, (6’ 4”), I found the leg room to be adequate and though I know it is unfashionable to say so, I rather enjoy airline food. Continue reading “A summer holiday”