Tag: competition

Still life is a bowl of cherries

Usually I don’t enter the photo competitions. Simply because it is dangerous to cut about with a camera in my neck of the woods for a variety of reasons. Once a man goes beyond a certain age he is looked on as suspect when he starts taking snaps outdoors. Vigilante bands with pitchforks appear out of nowhere. Another basis for not photographing is the danger of catching a crime being committed in the background of your shot. This can annoy the criminal no end. They have been known on occasion to drop the plasma and attack the amateur paparazzi because a set of lens have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. As I treasure my skin I tend not to photograph in the neighbourhood.

This still life has still got some life in it.

Continue reading “Still life is a bowl of cherries”

Citius, Altius, Fortius (Take Two)

As bells ring out unto the world
And fires are lit and flags unfurl
The Gods in heaven lean back and roll the dice
To see who’ll win and who will lose,
As sparks ignite the Olympic fuse;
Each man, each woman taking part,
Linked by molten rings in unison do cry
“Faster, higher, stronger – we can but try.”
They stride the track and kingly turf
Each in pursuit of their own true worth
And not for money or stately prize
But in selfless sacrifice.

Results of Photo Competition No. 28

So there we were, (yes, we have a panel) four of us mulling over the entries for our current photo competition.

A fine selection of entries indeed. As per my intention subjects were varied and imaginations tested.

After much debate and consideration we had a split decision!… Continue reading “Results of Photo Competition No. 28”

Water, water, every where…

Drip, drip, drip.

Entries for the current photo challenge appear to have dried up!

So. here’s a gentle reminder, deadline is this Saturday.

Water, any form, anywhere, remember water doesn’t even have to be the subject just important to the shot.

Since posting the challenge we’ve had the jubilee flotilla, regatta weeks and of course rain (was it not the wettest June on record in some parts?)

Some fine pictures have already been posted but as the old adage goes the more the merrier.

If members are unsure how to insert a picture on a thread there are very clear instructions at the top of the page or here or simply create a new post and I’ll insert it for you.

That, by the way is my daughter on the left (another one of those ‘Dad’s heart attack moments!’)

Photography Competition No 28

WATER

.   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Dolphin in Algoa Bay

Water in any form, water doesn’t even have to be the subject, simply important to the picture.

A couple of rule changes;

1) I’d like to see pictures taken this year (2012)

2) Members may enter as many times as they like, all will be considered. I know how frustrating it is to have two or three suitable pictures for our competitions and have to pick only one, so I’ve scrapped the ‘one pic only rule’ for this one.

Water it is, solid, liquid or gas, have fun 🙂

Closing date Sat July 7th (all time zones, I’ll be judging on the Sunday)

Good Luck.

Short Story – ‘Magical Thinking’ for Bilby

Magical thinking

I come downstairs just as the girls are ready to go out – they had spent so much time getting ready and now I can see the end result of their ‘finery’ – their hair, the fake tan, the spiders’ legs coatings of mascara. All that time and money does not disguise their thickened waists. Rowena at 5’11” is taller than me, just, but in her 4” stiletto heels she towers above me, and Angelica is wearing thigh-high black boots and a very short leather skirt, of the type I have heard described as a pussy pelmet. I didn’t understand how Melinda could let them go out like that. Since I only assumed the role of step-father just as they were going into their teens I have never felt I have any authority over these girls and they treat me with disdain.

Melinda arrives in a gush of exuberant compliments.  She can’t wait to see her darlings before they go out and I can so clearly see the similarity between her and her daughters: the coarseness and petulance if everything doesn’t go their way. Of course in the early days I couldn’t see that, smitten as I was, still grieving for my first wife.

The girls call me Albert.

“Hey, Albert,” said Rowena, “What d’ew think?” She strikes a pose.

“Will you be warm enough?” I ask her, “without a coat?”

Three pairs of eyes are raised to the ceiling and I shrug as I pick up my newspaper. Continue reading “Short Story – ‘Magical Thinking’ for Bilby”

CRIKEY! Judging now completed….. short story competition

This is difficult.

I have just read the two entries for the creative writing competition and find I’m completely stuck: I can’t make the decision.

Both Ara and Bilby have written stories that carried me forward, making me want to read on. Each story is so very different and that makes it harder still!

Ara’s story made me feel so sad for all boys sent out to boarding school at such a young age, especially as I am currently reading Andrew Motion’s memoir of childhood (In the Blood) which details the horrors of his schooling before common entrance. Her blending of the scary fearsome tiger into AA Milne’s Tigger at the end made me smile.

Bilby’s story of an evil man looking for a way out of a relationship is chilling – in that it could really happen! This man, an opportunist,emotionally cruel, and completely ego-centric, is caught out while the girl is saved by the skin of her teeth. Interesting stuff.

I’m going out into the garden where the frost has now lifted.

I may be gone sometime. By the time I come back in I shall have made a decision 🙂

I shall add it to the comments