David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 26
December 22, 2016
Writing - Knights Templar
Dan Brown and others have used the tale of the Knights Templar in stories to add historical verisimilitude to their books. An interesting instrument to employ.
[image error]
The order began in Jerusalem around 1118 - 19 and was officially sanctioned by Pope Honorius II in 1129. It didn't take long for the order to begin acquiring property and support in England with royal backing.As a movement it was constantly looking for new recruits and on the face of it the only requirement is to have a vocation to fight for God. They made three monastic vows,1. to obey their commanding officer;2. to relinquish all personal property; and,3. to abstain from sex.
Some of the rules could be bent if enough property had been handed over on entry.
[image error]
The emblazoned uniform was renowned across the battlefields and even earned the respect of Muslim forces because of their 'no retreat' order in battle. The order thrived throughout the 12th and most of the 13th century, however, in 1291 the fall of Acre to the Muslims saw the Christians lose their last major stronghold in the Holy Land. The finger of blame was pointed at the Knights Templar and because of their wealth, they became a target. The French were leading the accusations of heresy.The French arrested and tortured many of the Knights died. In 1307 Philip IV had 54 Templars burned at the stake. The popularity in England waned due to royal connections between the French and English royal families. The Knights Templar movement was dissolved in 1312.
I have included this brief description as an example of real situations that could be used to spawn future stories. In my books I have not delved back centuries but used more recent real events and organisations as sources of inspiration.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
[image error]
The order began in Jerusalem around 1118 - 19 and was officially sanctioned by Pope Honorius II in 1129. It didn't take long for the order to begin acquiring property and support in England with royal backing.As a movement it was constantly looking for new recruits and on the face of it the only requirement is to have a vocation to fight for God. They made three monastic vows,1. to obey their commanding officer;2. to relinquish all personal property; and,3. to abstain from sex.
Some of the rules could be bent if enough property had been handed over on entry.
[image error]
The emblazoned uniform was renowned across the battlefields and even earned the respect of Muslim forces because of their 'no retreat' order in battle. The order thrived throughout the 12th and most of the 13th century, however, in 1291 the fall of Acre to the Muslims saw the Christians lose their last major stronghold in the Holy Land. The finger of blame was pointed at the Knights Templar and because of their wealth, they became a target. The French were leading the accusations of heresy.The French arrested and tortured many of the Knights died. In 1307 Philip IV had 54 Templars burned at the stake. The popularity in England waned due to royal connections between the French and English royal families. The Knights Templar movement was dissolved in 1312.
I have included this brief description as an example of real situations that could be used to spawn future stories. In my books I have not delved back centuries but used more recent real events and organisations as sources of inspiration.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
December 21, 2016
Poetry Thursday 243 - Nativity
Four more sleeps to go and the schools are almost all closed having sported their Nativity assemblies and similarly the Nativity services in churches will have taken place.
Nativity is a new birth or beginning and in some respects allows us frail and frivolous creatures to reset the clock on our behaviours.
Nativity Plays
Halls are filled with expectant whispering,parents, grandparents and friends are waiting,in eager anticipation of the signal to go,indicating the start of the nativity show.
The focus for all is the children’s display,and the roles assumed in this traditional play,whether they are angels, shepherds or kings,what type of gifts will the little ones bring?
Will it be gold, frankincense or myrrh,or the 21st century version causing a stir?Something to be said for observing tradition,rather than bowing to present day fashion.
So, on to the stage in billowing sheets,tea towel head dresses, and costumes complete.Tinsel haloes, and rope tied waists,no concessions for individual taste.
The production’s rich in speech and song,it really doesn’t matter if something goes wrong,for the age old story’s message is the same,a sojourn to Bethlehem from where Jesus came.
The end product a few minutes of revelry,in the undisputed talent of their progeny,and the chance to welcome the birth of a child,the world had embraced and then who beguiled.© David L Atkinson December 2016
Everyone should spend some of this time of year considering the less fortunate. I was walking through the bustling crowds in Dewsbury, W Yorkshire when I spotted a homeless man in an underpass.
Life is brittle
The crowds rush by stirring the cold air,barely glancing at the motionless one,hurrying to the shops to spend hard earned money,not considering him sitting on the flags with none.Worrying about what to buy for which child,when he will be fortunate to find shelter,concerned about the quantity of gift wrap,while he huddles in ill-fitting rags and shiver.What weight of turkey to put on the table,if he’s lucky there will be a free meal.How to plan out the day so all are happy,when for him the extra fuss seems unreal.Sitting in the pedestrian underpass on a damp, smelly blanket,a greasy upturned hat for money but containing little,he isn’t planning ahead beyond that night,and if lucky a bed and another day – but life’s brittle.© David L Atkinson December 2016
God Bless
Nativity is a new birth or beginning and in some respects allows us frail and frivolous creatures to reset the clock on our behaviours.
Nativity Plays
Halls are filled with expectant whispering,parents, grandparents and friends are waiting,in eager anticipation of the signal to go,indicating the start of the nativity show.
The focus for all is the children’s display,and the roles assumed in this traditional play,whether they are angels, shepherds or kings,what type of gifts will the little ones bring?
Will it be gold, frankincense or myrrh,or the 21st century version causing a stir?Something to be said for observing tradition,rather than bowing to present day fashion.
So, on to the stage in billowing sheets,tea towel head dresses, and costumes complete.Tinsel haloes, and rope tied waists,no concessions for individual taste.
The production’s rich in speech and song,it really doesn’t matter if something goes wrong,for the age old story’s message is the same,a sojourn to Bethlehem from where Jesus came.
The end product a few minutes of revelry,in the undisputed talent of their progeny,and the chance to welcome the birth of a child,the world had embraced and then who beguiled.© David L Atkinson December 2016
Everyone should spend some of this time of year considering the less fortunate. I was walking through the bustling crowds in Dewsbury, W Yorkshire when I spotted a homeless man in an underpass.
Life is brittle
The crowds rush by stirring the cold air,barely glancing at the motionless one,hurrying to the shops to spend hard earned money,not considering him sitting on the flags with none.Worrying about what to buy for which child,when he will be fortunate to find shelter,concerned about the quantity of gift wrap,while he huddles in ill-fitting rags and shiver.What weight of turkey to put on the table,if he’s lucky there will be a free meal.How to plan out the day so all are happy,when for him the extra fuss seems unreal.Sitting in the pedestrian underpass on a damp, smelly blanket,a greasy upturned hat for money but containing little,he isn’t planning ahead beyond that night,and if lucky a bed and another day – but life’s brittle.© David L Atkinson December 2016
God Bless
December 20, 2016
Writing - Using the physical
How do you answer the question - where do stories come from?
Imagination?Places?Events?People?Well the answer is that they can come from all of these and more.
[image error]Salt
Salt is a story by Maria Lloyd.
SALT is a dark tale of a girl growing up in a castle, with parents who are so fixed in their ways, that they are slowly crystallizing into salt figures.As the girl gets older she is scared of suffering the same fate as her parents. Deep down, she knows that she has to find a way out so that she can make her own life choices.
The setting for the story is the UNESCO heritage site in Poland, Wieliczka, a salt mine with carved chapels deep underground.
Wieliczka
The above is a photograph of the entrance to the salt mine. The carvings below ground are astonishing not only in detail but also for scale. One of the chapels has held full services and is as high as a cathedral.Very inspiring.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
Imagination?Places?Events?People?Well the answer is that they can come from all of these and more.
[image error]Salt
Salt is a story by Maria Lloyd.
SALT is a dark tale of a girl growing up in a castle, with parents who are so fixed in their ways, that they are slowly crystallizing into salt figures.As the girl gets older she is scared of suffering the same fate as her parents. Deep down, she knows that she has to find a way out so that she can make her own life choices.
The setting for the story is the UNESCO heritage site in Poland, Wieliczka, a salt mine with carved chapels deep underground.
Wieliczka
The above is a photograph of the entrance to the salt mine. The carvings below ground are astonishing not only in detail but also for scale. One of the chapels has held full services and is as high as a cathedral.Very inspiring.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
December 19, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Christmas fayre
As the big day is less than a week away I thought that I'd post about comfort food.
[image error]Christmas meal
In the north east of the UK it would be called dinner and be eaten early afternoon - dinnertime. My parents didn't like turkey so we had chicken and pork. The trimmings were as expected, roast and mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, apple sauce and gravy. Pudding was the Christmas variety but served with custard.
In the above there are regional peculiarities such as the Yorkshire puddings and I'm sure that is the case around the world. The point is to make it special for the family with the best ingredients. Of course there are other things to embellish the table - mince pies, christmas cake, with stilton cheese and so on.
It is all rather rich, a positive food fest and this year I am the guest of my daughter and her family which means for the first time in a lot of years I have no responsibility for producing a meal on the 25th December.
As it was the weekend before Christmas I decided on comfort food.
Lasagne
I have always enjoyed Italian cooking so I made a lasagne on Saturday. There are no tricks or extras just quality beef and red Leicester cheese for the sauce. I always find that the dish tastes better the following day.
Have a great Christmas!
[image error]Christmas meal
In the north east of the UK it would be called dinner and be eaten early afternoon - dinnertime. My parents didn't like turkey so we had chicken and pork. The trimmings were as expected, roast and mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, apple sauce and gravy. Pudding was the Christmas variety but served with custard.
In the above there are regional peculiarities such as the Yorkshire puddings and I'm sure that is the case around the world. The point is to make it special for the family with the best ingredients. Of course there are other things to embellish the table - mince pies, christmas cake, with stilton cheese and so on.
It is all rather rich, a positive food fest and this year I am the guest of my daughter and her family which means for the first time in a lot of years I have no responsibility for producing a meal on the 25th December.
As it was the weekend before Christmas I decided on comfort food.
Lasagne
I have always enjoyed Italian cooking so I made a lasagne on Saturday. There are no tricks or extras just quality beef and red Leicester cheese for the sauce. I always find that the dish tastes better the following day.
Have a great Christmas!
December 17, 2016
Writing - 10 things we didn't know
Mozart a best selling chart artist and Barnsley for mince pies; doesn't the Lord like wonderful variety!
[image error]
1. Women can improve their chances of winning board games against men by playing rock music in the background.
For me BORED games
------------------------------
[image error]
2. The world's largest mince pie factory is in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and it produces 720 pies a minute.
'appen!
------------------------------
[image error]
3. The top-selling musical artist of 2016, measured by CD sales, is Mozart.
Well he was very talented
------------------------------[image error]
4. You can spend $1m playing a mobile phone game.
Nice if you have it to spend
------------------------------
[image error]
5. A pre-election phishing attack on Hillary Clinton's campaign chief succeeded because of a typo by a campaign aide.
Me neethr
------------------------------
[image error]
6. Britain's least-used railway station, Shippea Hill in Cambridgeshire, serves 12 passengers a year.
I wonder how many passengers missed their train?
------------------------------
7. At US airports, the usual limits on taking liquids through security do not apply if the liquid is holding live fish.
A likely story
------------------------------
[image error]
8. The bottom half of American adults by income earn no more in pre-tax income than the bottom half of American adults did in the 1970s.
The rich get richer
------------------------------
[image error]
9. In the UK, 2016's most commonly asked question on Google beginning with the word "what" has been: What is Pokemon Go?
Why?
------------------------------
[image error]
10. A 66-year-old albatross is still fertile.
Just no one to mate with.
------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. Women can improve their chances of winning board games against men by playing rock music in the background.
For me BORED games
------------------------------
[image error]
2. The world's largest mince pie factory is in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and it produces 720 pies a minute.
'appen!
------------------------------
[image error]
3. The top-selling musical artist of 2016, measured by CD sales, is Mozart.
Well he was very talented
------------------------------[image error]
4. You can spend $1m playing a mobile phone game.
Nice if you have it to spend
------------------------------
[image error]
5. A pre-election phishing attack on Hillary Clinton's campaign chief succeeded because of a typo by a campaign aide.
Me neethr
------------------------------
[image error]
6. Britain's least-used railway station, Shippea Hill in Cambridgeshire, serves 12 passengers a year.
I wonder how many passengers missed their train?
------------------------------
7. At US airports, the usual limits on taking liquids through security do not apply if the liquid is holding live fish.
A likely story
------------------------------
[image error]
8. The bottom half of American adults by income earn no more in pre-tax income than the bottom half of American adults did in the 1970s.
The rich get richer
------------------------------
[image error]
9. In the UK, 2016's most commonly asked question on Google beginning with the word "what" has been: What is Pokemon Go?
Why?
------------------------------
[image error]
10. A 66-year-old albatross is still fertile.
Just no one to mate with.
------------------------------
God Bless
December 16, 2016
Writing - So considering the future
It is not my intention to pre-empt new years resolutions but since I completed the latest Steele novel I have spent time considering what to do without coming up with any firm answers.
[image error]
On the hard drive currently there is a historical story that I am around 10k words into; I have a rough outline of a children's story along with illustrations; and, I have considered writing a biography.There's a lot to consider but I also have hundreds of poems that could be drawn together into a third anthology. So it is going to take time to come to a decision but all projects could be completed in time.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
[image error]
On the hard drive currently there is a historical story that I am around 10k words into; I have a rough outline of a children's story along with illustrations; and, I have considered writing a biography.There's a lot to consider but I also have hundreds of poems that could be drawn together into a third anthology. So it is going to take time to come to a decision but all projects could be completed in time.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
December 15, 2016
Writing - So stories must be important
It's true and there is proof - stories are important. Why else would the Library of Congress save them?
[image error]Lion King
The Lion King is to be saved along with several other stories.
Each year the library chooses films for preservation which are "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".
This year's 25 additions bring the total number of preserved films to 700.
Other inductees this year include The Princess Bride, The Breakfast Club, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 thriller The Birds.
To be eligible for preservation, films must be at least a decade old.
The announcement of The Lion King's inclusion comes three months after Disney announced the movie would be remade as a live action film directed by Jon Favreau.
The original animation was released in 1994 and later adapted for the stage.
Other films to be added this year include Lost Horizon, Funny Girl, East of Eden and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
Paris Is Burning, a 1990 documentary that explored drag ballroom dance culture through the eyes of New York City's black and Latino LGBTQ community, is also among the inductees.
Perhaps one day there will be the film of a Steele novel locked away in the hallowed halls for posterity.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
[image error]Lion King
The Lion King is to be saved along with several other stories.
Each year the library chooses films for preservation which are "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".
This year's 25 additions bring the total number of preserved films to 700.
Other inductees this year include The Princess Bride, The Breakfast Club, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 thriller The Birds.
To be eligible for preservation, films must be at least a decade old.
The announcement of The Lion King's inclusion comes three months after Disney announced the movie would be remade as a live action film directed by Jon Favreau.
The original animation was released in 1994 and later adapted for the stage.
Other films to be added this year include Lost Horizon, Funny Girl, East of Eden and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
Paris Is Burning, a 1990 documentary that explored drag ballroom dance culture through the eyes of New York City's black and Latino LGBTQ community, is also among the inductees.
Perhaps one day there will be the film of a Steele novel locked away in the hallowed halls for posterity.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
December 14, 2016
Poetry Thursday 242 - Christmas meanings
Of course it isn't just the spirit of Christmas that has been increasingly tarnished by capitalism but this is the season we're in at the moment.
As a tradition I read A Christmas Carol and watch George C Scott's version of the film in December but this year I went to a reading of the story.
[image error]
Dark Spirits
The day was in the chill, dank grip of December,the spirits ride the breeze, zephyr-like,searching for the living souls tell-tale ember,to which it will appear dreamlike.
Apparitions at large are of dual nature,both good and evil ready for employment,waiting to project their dose of culture,intended for the recipients deployment.
Success or failure is not in the remit,they will chill or terrify as designed,their function to open hearts and permit,a life more acceptable, resurrected.
Reasoning impossible with a ghost,the wise listen, learn and change,the party at which the spirit is host,will return seasonal happiness within range.© David L Atkinson December 2016
The above was inspired by the 3 ghosts of Christmas
[image error]
Dazzling Days
Started in September shop floors overflowed,with gold, red, green and glitter,stirring dormant memories suppressedfor a year to allow the mind to recover.
The pressure builds as time goes byto begin to spend hard-earned cash,even though we take time and tryto avoid yet another Christmas big bash.
Emotions run high and provide the forceto ensure recipients have even more,but we worried last year about lasting the course,that made us spend until we abhorred.
The love for Christmas doesn’t come from spending,more from thinking about family and friends.Planning parties, buying presents and card sending, are the important parts rather than the dazzling ends.© David L Atkinson December 2016
The second poem came from seeing Christmas goods on shelves in August!
God Bless
As a tradition I read A Christmas Carol and watch George C Scott's version of the film in December but this year I went to a reading of the story.
[image error]
Dark Spirits
The day was in the chill, dank grip of December,the spirits ride the breeze, zephyr-like,searching for the living souls tell-tale ember,to which it will appear dreamlike.
Apparitions at large are of dual nature,both good and evil ready for employment,waiting to project their dose of culture,intended for the recipients deployment.
Success or failure is not in the remit,they will chill or terrify as designed,their function to open hearts and permit,a life more acceptable, resurrected.
Reasoning impossible with a ghost,the wise listen, learn and change,the party at which the spirit is host,will return seasonal happiness within range.© David L Atkinson December 2016
The above was inspired by the 3 ghosts of Christmas
[image error]
Dazzling Days
Started in September shop floors overflowed,with gold, red, green and glitter,stirring dormant memories suppressedfor a year to allow the mind to recover.
The pressure builds as time goes byto begin to spend hard-earned cash,even though we take time and tryto avoid yet another Christmas big bash.
Emotions run high and provide the forceto ensure recipients have even more,but we worried last year about lasting the course,that made us spend until we abhorred.
The love for Christmas doesn’t come from spending,more from thinking about family and friends.Planning parties, buying presents and card sending, are the important parts rather than the dazzling ends.© David L Atkinson December 2016
The second poem came from seeing Christmas goods on shelves in August!
God Bless
December 13, 2016
Writing - December 13th
An interesting date in history.
[image error]Francis Drake
In 1577 Drake set sail on a round the world trip on this date.
1643 the battle of Alton took place - English Civil War.
1774 - first incident in the American revolution.
1833 - Darwin arrived in Patagonia.
1938 - Los Angeles freezes at 28 degrees F
1950 - James Dean began his career with a Pepsi commercial.
1989 - 'Driving Miss Daisy' released (best picture 1990) starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.
A variety of incidents over the years but I could have chosen many more. No one is any more significant than another because everyday in the past and looking forward, has events.This year we have had significant deaths with the likes of Leonard Cohen and John Glenn, there have been weather anomalies, and many more. The importance is that we go about our business as writers and authors with our eyes and ears open.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
[image error]Francis Drake
In 1577 Drake set sail on a round the world trip on this date.
1643 the battle of Alton took place - English Civil War.
1774 - first incident in the American revolution.
1833 - Darwin arrived in Patagonia.
1938 - Los Angeles freezes at 28 degrees F
1950 - James Dean began his career with a Pepsi commercial.
1989 - 'Driving Miss Daisy' released (best picture 1990) starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.
A variety of incidents over the years but I could have chosen many more. No one is any more significant than another because everyday in the past and looking forward, has events.This year we have had significant deaths with the likes of Leonard Cohen and John Glenn, there have been weather anomalies, and many more. The importance is that we go about our business as writers and authors with our eyes and ears open.
At the current time there is the presidential election in the USA and if you consider the electoral system there is undoubted connection back to the events of 9/11. There is the involvement of the security agencies, unexplained and precipitate actions by the US Government and a failure of security agencies to communicate knowledge with each other. Many of the same people are probably still in post 15 years later. So read 7 Hours After and allow your mind to wander freely and decide what is fact and what is fiction.
Synopsis
Patrick Steele is off crusading once again with his sidekick, fiancée Naomi Kobayashi. This time he is risking life and limb by returning to the hostile shores of the USA. He has had brushes with the authorities in that vast country on previous occasions, but now has been stimulated to return because of apparent dodgy dealings over the World Trade Centre disaster of September 11th 2001.After discovering numerous ‘theories’ concerning 9/11 and who was behind it, Steele identifies possible links between large corporations with financial interests and political parties. In a presidential election year he is concerned that those vying for that prodigious post may have links with the disaster.Has Steele discovered underhand dealing by the US security services? Did one of the major political parties have a hand in the destruction of 9/11?Will Steele be caught by the CIA or can he escape back to the safety of the UK?
What was Building 7?
Where can the books be bought?
amazon.co.uk
completelynovel.com
smashwords.com
In each case search under David L Atkinson, don't forget the 'L', and search through the available options to see all 11 novels.
Or click on the links below.
The Kindle copy available from amazon.co.uk will upload to devices supporting the Kindle App as well as Kindle devices so you can get this an all of my books on your smartphone.
God Bless
December 12, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Roast with differences
It is probably the case that I have mentioned enjoying pork on many occasions but it doesn't offer much in the way of variety.
So as a reader what could you possibly gain from this post?Well I hope that there is something in the trimmings that comes with roast pork that you find worthy of consideration.
The meat
I roasted it in a moderate oven for a while but covered with rashers of streaky bacon and sitting on a bed of sliced dessert apple and onion rings and surrounded with chunks of potato.Sometimes pork can be a little dry and the apple and onion go well with meat juices. When the meat is cooked remove it and the potatoes from the roasting tin and use the meat juices, onions and apple as a base for a rich gravy.
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The vegetables
I roasted potatoes round the meat basting periodically but also roasted carrot and parsnip. The batons of veg I dusted with paprika and garlic and used olive oil in which to cook.
The mash was a new departure for me in that it was swede and sweet potato, boiled until tender then mashed with butter, salt and pepper.
I have swede and parsnip left over which will possibly make an interesting mash topping for cottage pie. Gone are the days of just mashed potato.
God Bless
So as a reader what could you possibly gain from this post?Well I hope that there is something in the trimmings that comes with roast pork that you find worthy of consideration.
The meat
I roasted it in a moderate oven for a while but covered with rashers of streaky bacon and sitting on a bed of sliced dessert apple and onion rings and surrounded with chunks of potato.Sometimes pork can be a little dry and the apple and onion go well with meat juices. When the meat is cooked remove it and the potatoes from the roasting tin and use the meat juices, onions and apple as a base for a rich gravy.
[image error]
The vegetables
I roasted potatoes round the meat basting periodically but also roasted carrot and parsnip. The batons of veg I dusted with paprika and garlic and used olive oil in which to cook.
The mash was a new departure for me in that it was swede and sweet potato, boiled until tender then mashed with butter, salt and pepper.
I have swede and parsnip left over which will possibly make an interesting mash topping for cottage pie. Gone are the days of just mashed potato.
God Bless
