Stuart Aken's Blog, page 217

Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.24

Running:

This week I ran all three of the set runs in the programme. Fifteen minutes through the forest, with the birds chirruping their joy in Spring on Wednesday. Twenty minutes on Friday, extending the same run. And then a short; ten minutes on Sunday, running up the steep rise of Church Road, down the rutted track onto the village road and along as far as the Working Men’s Club. Then the return along the main street past the Village Hall where I go for my art class and on past the GP’s s...

The Last Post

This is the last post on this blog. 
From today, all my posts will appear in my new, developing, website at http://stuartaken.net/ Please do join me there.
I would like to thank all my readers for their support here on Blogger over the past few years, I really appreciate it. So, why am I giving up this blog? Well, for one thing, as a free blog (thank you Google, for your support) it is open to the whims and fancies of its owners and controllers. Also, as a free blog, it has no real facility as a website.
I've migrated to a hosted site on Wordpress, where I will have much more control over the style and content of my new site, where I will be able to present my content in exactly the way I want it. Or, I will once I've learned the ropes of the new system.
So, please bear with me. It will take a little time to get on top of the technical issues, the changes in working, the simple act of placing the information on the new website, where I will also blog, of course. Please do join me there. You'll find it easier to comment as well, should you be so inclined.
Once again, thank you all for your valuable support here on Blogger. To those who don't wish to follow me into the new venture, I'm sorry to lose you. To those of you who click on the link above and join me on the new site, 'Welcome' and enjoy the read!

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #25

[image error] This time series, based on satellite data, shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum since 1979. The September 2010 extent was the third lowest in the satellite record. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: LargeEmotional: Big
‘As the reigning Conservative party, we are able to fool a large portion of the electorate regardless of our appalling record of broken promises.’
‘There’s a big section of voters who are easily taken in by the lies of the major political parties.’
Intellectual: LearnEmotional: Find Out
‘What are we to learn from the speed of our response to the situation in Ukraine?’
‘Do you think we’ll ever find out why the stupid buggers took so long to actually do something about the Ruskies invading Ukraine?’
Intellectual: Peril         Emotional: Danger
‘The evidence suggests that we will place the existence of the human race in peril should we ignore the evidence presented by climate scientists.’
‘Those bloody climate deniers have put us all in danger because they won’t believe the facts about global climate change.’
Intellectual: WorldwideEmotional: In The World
‘There appears to be a worldwide conspiracy amongst Big Business to drive the population into a frenzy of needless consumption merely to support the excessive lifestyles of the super-rich.’
‘Nearly everyone in the world’s been fooled by the leaders of Big Business and their plan to make us all buy things we don’t need just to keep them rich and comfortable.’

This last post in this series is also the last on this blog. From today, all my posts will appear in my new, developing, website at http://stuartaken.net/ Please do join me there.Related articles [image error] A Climate Change Denier's Links to the Fossil Fuel Industry Exposed [image error] Climate Deniers Using Same Tactics as Big Tobacco [image error] Climate Change: What's Really Been Going On (And How We Can Solve It)

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #24

[image error] "[The] Giant Skrymir and Thor, by Louis Huard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: HugeEmotional: Giant
‘Huge variances in voter response ensure that predicting the outcome of the election is, at best, an exercise in clairvoyance.’
‘With the giant shifts in public opinion, there’s no way anyone can guess the outcome of the election.’
Intellectual: NotionEmotional: Idea
‘The underlying problem stems from the public’s notion that they are better informed and more suited to judging the reality of the situation, which we in power know to be a fundamental flaw in their thinking.’
‘The very idea that the plebs have a clue about what’s really going on is just bollocks.’
Intellectual: Utilise      Emotional: Use
‘We will be able to utilise the ignorance and indifference of the electorate to impose our own will on the people, the way we always have.’
‘We can use the ignorance and stupidity of most voters to get our way, just like we always have.’

A piece of information: I intend to finish this series, which will take one more post, and I shall then cease to use this blog. From that point, all my posts will be restricted to my new, developing, website at http://stuartaken.net/  Please do join me there.Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #22

Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.21

Some of you will know that I'm in the process of migrating from this site to a better website, where I can run a blog and a website over which I have more control.

All posts, other than the final 2 in the Word Choice series, will now appear only on the new site. You can reach it with this link: Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.21 

I want to make it clear I'm not moving because of any deficiencies of the blogger site. It's simply that the Wordpress site, which I am self-hosting, is not a free site and I therefore have more control over what I can do on there. Mind you, it's taking a while to get used to the different method of posting and applying information. But I'm getting there!

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #23

[image error] just before the one mile marker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: DonateEmotional: Give
‘There is an opportunity to donate funds to a worthwhile cause on my blog. Please consider making a donation to support my half marathon and raise money for ME/CFS through this link. Thank you.’
‘Go on, give us some dosh for Action For M.E. It’s a good cause, mate. Just text MESA76 to give £5 by text to 70070. Ta, ever so.’
Intellectual: FortunateEmotional: Lucky
‘I have reason to believe I have been very fortunate in recovering from ME/CFS after suffering the condition for nearly ten years.’
‘Talk about lucky: fancy getting over chronic fatigue after ten years, eh?’
Intellectual: MustEmotional: Has To
‘In putting myself forward to run the half marathon at the Great North Run, I have placed myself in a position where I must train seriously if I am to satisfy the wishes of my sponsors.’
‘Anyone daft enough to run a half marathon for charity just has to do the training; it’d be madness not to, wouldn’t it?
My almost apologies for playing this card in this post, but I’ve allowed emotion to overcome intellect in this case. The cause is dear to my heart and I feel I must use every opportunity to raise both awareness and some funds for a cause that helped me in a time of need.

And a piece of information: I intend to finish this series, which will take another 2 posts, and I shall then probably cease to use this blog. From that point, all my posts will be restricted to my new, developing, website at http://stuartaken.net/  Please do join me there.Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #22

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #22

[image error] English: Terrorist Banker - PortoCartoon 2009, - Jup (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: Haste, HastenEmotional: Hurry
‘You must hasten toward a solution of the problem before the public recognise the issue for what it truly has become.’
‘If you don’t hurry up and get this sorted, even the idiots will soon know the truth.’
Intellectual: JestingEmotional: Kidding
‘Cameron is jesting when he suggests that we are all in this together, of course.’
‘You’re kidding: how can a millionaire ever know what it’s really like to be poor?’
Intellectual: TidingsEmotional: News
‘We’ve received glad tidings concerning the suppression of information relating to our bankers’ bonuses.’

‘Great news that we bankers can have our great big bonuses without letting on, eh?’Related articles [image error] The Bankers Are Laughing At You As They Prepare to Steal Everything You Own

Running and Writing for ME/CFS #19

Running:And, again, at last! My first run since the move that I’ve managed to complete outside. Running around the house is okay for those days when the weather is too cold to bear outside, and the stairs make the whole exercise a little more ‘real’ than it would otherwise be. But there’s no substitute for running outdoors.This morning, I ran from the front door, down part of the road that slopes toward the main road and then branched off up a narrow and fairly steep public footpath and into the forest. The track took me along a slow rise to the old railway bridge, where I turned and then came back the same way; downhill for most of the way, until I reached the road and had to climb back to the house. I slightly mistimed the run, turning slightly before I needed, as I’d not really been aware of the upward slope on the outward leg. But the route back took me down and I therefore covered the distance more quickly and ended up doing only 13 minutes and 42 seconds instead of the advised fifteen minutes. Still, a good and testing run. Next one will be Wednesday.So, this week, I’ve completed 3 runs, of ten, fifteen, and nearly fifteen minutes.This afternoon, Valerie and I took a walk along the same route but then continued our saunter under the bridge and back down to the road via a different route. I used the opportunity to take the picture that accompanies this post. It shows the turning point in the forest, an old bridge that once carried a small railway along the valley side.
Writing:
At last! I’ve started the actual writing of the book. 2,000 words so far, which constitutes the opening chapter. Of course, the way I write means I’ll have to edit when I’ve finished the whole book, but that’s all part of my creative process. I’m aiming to have the book finished and ready to publish in Spring.

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #21

[image error] English: British versions of the Harry Potter series My own collection ^_^ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: ExceptionalEmotional: Marvellous
‘Harry is an exceptional student; we shall have to supervise his growth at every turn.’
‘Harry, you’re a marvellous wizard; you could do anything you want with that wand.’
Intellectual: Is Provided WithEmotional: Has
‘Government is provided with all the facts needed to rule efficiently and fairly; it is greed, self-interest and prejudice that prevents it so doing.’
‘The Government has all it needs to do a good job, but those in power don’t give a shit for the rest of us; we’re just consumers and buyers for their big business cronies.’
Intellectual: OmitEmotional: Leave Out
‘If we omit the full truth from our dogma, it will provide the gullible with sufficient evidence to allow them to persuade themselves they are being pious and good.’

‘Look, it’s simple; we leave out the facts that don’t agree with what we want and the stupid buggers will believe every word because they’re too lazy to think for themselves.’Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #20

Running and Writing for ME/CFS #18

Writing:I’ve spent most of the last few days involved in making the new home a good place to live. This is the beginning of a new life for us, and my wife has had to put up with a lot during the ten years I suffered with ME/CFS. She, of course, makes no demands, has no expectations, and is content to continue to ‘muddle along’ until the new place is as we want it. But I feel she deserves better. And, now I’m fit enough to actually do something to make things better, that’s what I’ve been doing. But the most important tasks are now complete. It’s been a time of aching muscles brought into normal use after a long period of doing little physical work. But we’ve reached the stage now, where the jobs that need doing can be taken steadily. So, today, I shall start again on the writing of the book I intend to publish. I should have more positive news on that for the next progress report.
Running:As I’d had to miss several runs on my old training plan, I started a new programme. So far, I’ve done a 10 minute and a 15 minute run, both indoors due to the very cold weather. It’ll be interesting to see how I manage in this new part of the country. Where I lived previously, slopes counted as hills. Here, the hills are real, and steep! Each time I leave home for a run, I will always have to climb to return, so I expect to grow fitter as the weeks progress.I should learn shortly whether I’ve been accepted for the run I’m aiming to complete. I’ll let you know once I have the news. At that time, I’ll be placing links to a site where those who wish to support the charity (ActionforME) will be able to make donations and sponsor my run.

For now, the sun is shining on a day with frost slowly disappearing, and I await a man who is going to supply and fit a loft ladder. So, time to do some writing, I think.Related articles [image error] A Primer on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [image error] Running and Writing for ME/CFS #17 [image error] Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Versus Myalgic Encephalomyelitis