Simon Royle's Blog, page 4

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A Time Of Grief

 

Color has fled Thailand; black, gray, and white, the clothe of grief for a beloved Father.

Color is joy, and we can find none; not at this time.

This is a time for grieving, for coming to terms with our loss, and for remembering.

The Land of Smiles is crying, swollen eyes, brimming with tears,

That’s what happens when you lose  someone you love.

In grieving we collect our personal and shared memories, our connections to His Majesty,

And He was connected to all who lived within, and many who lived without, Thailand.

We remember Him from televised events, broadcast live, and from before, daily when He was younger than we are now,

When He stepped in to save us – yes, save us.

We remember His speeches on the radio, and how He made us laugh or smile, and also feel responsible for our role, for the part we have to play,

And His sometimes stern admonishment of an official, delivered with His Authority, but done with kindness and always with the intention of what was best for us.

His guiding hand through our history, the only King in most of our lives,

We remember him as our Father.

 

Being optimistic

By nature, perhaps it was learned, or perhaps it is hard-coded and shared out, I am an optimistic, glass half-full, person.

My business partner, great friend for many years, a truly lovely, very smart guy, said I was a strange combination of a human being – on the one hand, a very pragmatic businessman – on the other a dreamer, who loves writing (and sometimes hates it, especially when it doesn’t happen :)).

I’ve thought about this quite a lot. Why and where did this ‘duality’ come from. Does it matter; obviously, because I am writing about it. I think the answer (short one) is because I can be. That sounds trite, but it is meant sincerely. It’s a succinct way of saying that when you allow yourself to be whatever it is you want to be; then you can.

Within the restraints of our existence we are able to build the world we want. I remain optimistic with that as a world view. We have no rights, we are not entitled, a huge uncharted rock from space could change everything. Life is time, use it wisely, and if you still have it then I believe it is better to approach time with a sense of optimism rather than pessimism. Be real, especially about yourself. You are the one person you can truly afford to be totally honest with. And you should be brutally honest. Like a good editor – spare nothing – do it kindly, but thoroughly. Anything else detracts from the value.

Major Construction in Progress

If this is your first time here – you’ve chosen a great time to visit because we are changing everything. But do stick around, ‘the times they are a changin’….

Seriously?

Thinking back, I first became aware of American Presidents, somewhat ironically as we moved from New Jersey to England, specifically, Northern England, when I was eleven and a half years of age. Nixon was being thrown out of office and Gerald Ford was replacing him. “Can’t chew gum and walk a straight line at the same time” – is the quote I remember. Gerald probably never expected to become president, never seemed comfortable in the job, and one term later we got “good ole boy” Jimmy. What I remember about ...

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The post Seriously? appeared first on SIMON ROYLE.

Seriously?

Thinking back, I first became aware of American Presidents, somewhat ironically as we moved from New Jersey to England, specifically, Northern England, when I was eleven and a half years of age. Nixon [...]

The Perfect Bloody Mary

Just in case you thought I was dead or disappeared…

The Perfect Bloody Mary Recipe

45 ml Stolichnaya

1 Can V8 juice

10 ml of fresh lime juice

6 Splashes of Lea & Perrins (rockin’ it since 1835)

6 Splashes of Tabasco (rockin’ it since 1868)

1/2 of a teaspoon of crushed black pepper

1/4 of a teaspoon of crushed sea salt

Stick or two of fresh celery

Method.

Pour in half the V8 to a tall glass, add in the Stoli, then the lime juice. On top of that add everything else, then add the remaining V8. Then add a bit more pepper and a pinch of sea salt and stir with celery sticks.

I’m drinking one of these right now, writing a story….

The Perfect Bloody Mary

Just in case you thought I was dead or disappeared... The Perfect Bloody Mary Recipe 45 ml Stolichnaya 1 Can V8 juice 10 ml of fresh lime [...]

Rumors of Chance’s Death are unfounded….

Inspired by (yet) another email blaming me for killing off Chance so early in the series; I thought I’d clarify matters for you all. I thought the clue was fairly blatant, but obviously not. For those that missed it, here’s the clue.

Do you want a smoke?” Chai said, holding out a packet of Marlboro red. I grinned.

“You’re a bad influence, but you know me better than anyone else. Thanks.” I took one out, Chai lit it, and I leaned against the Vito, watching planes take off. After nine hours ten minutes in the air and a punch from a cop on arrival I figured I was due a smoke.

My phone buzzed. An SMS from Aunt Dao – ‘Had a new dream about you, Pim and a baby? All okay, call me.’ I smiled, cool.

I dropped the butt on the road, ground it out, and got back in the van.

“Let’s go home.”

Prior to the above, which is in the final chapter; there is a Chapter and considerable reference to Aunt Dao’s dreams always coming true. There is another book in the making. It is going slowly, partly because I’ve been busy with life and partly because I am getting the movie rolling in my head. The movie in my head is only the beginning, once I’m happy with the threads it spins then I’ll start writing again.

Hope you’re all well.

Rumors of Chance’s Death are unfounded….

Inspired by (yet) another email blaming me for killing off Chance so early in the series; I thought I’d clarify matters for you all. I thought the clue was fairly blatant, but obviously [...]