David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 55
February 15, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Beef strogonoff and chips
I have often made liver strogonoff but rarely tried the beef version so here we go.
Beef Strogonoff
This recipe isn't 'borrowed' from anywhere but is based on the liver version.
Ingredients
500g beef (can be any cut but loin if you're rich)1 red pepper1 onionbutton mushrooms2 tbsp olive oil200g butter1 tbsp tomato puree1 tbsp Dijon mustard1 lemon juice1 tbsp mixed herbs1 tsp garlic salt or a couple of cloves3 tbsp creme fraiche (1 per serving) or double creamsalt and black pepper
Method
Pour the oil in the frying pan with half of the butter.Slice the beef into 5cm strips and brown the meat. Remove from the pan.Add the remaining butter to the juices in the frying pan and add the onions and peppers. Fry for 3 minutes on a high heat then add the mushrooms, and remaining ingredients. Simmer for five minutes.Return the beef to the pan, cover and simmer for twenty minutes to half an hour.Remove from the heat and add the creme fraiche stirring in well and serve.
I cheated and bought chips from my local fish and chip shop but also served it with rice a couple of days later. The meat sauce will keep in the fridge (covered) for three or four days without the cream. Ensure that you re-heat until the sauce is boiling, simmer for ten minutes then remove from the heat before stirring in the cream.
Strogonoff served with rice
This is a very easy recipe and yet has the flavours of a classy dish. Obviously the better the cut of meat the tenderer the finish in a shorter time. The longer you cook the meat the better the chance for the flavours to be absorbed.This recipe would lend itself to almost any meat adjusting the vegetables and herbs according to which meat you use.
God Bless
Beef Strogonoff
This recipe isn't 'borrowed' from anywhere but is based on the liver version.
Ingredients
500g beef (can be any cut but loin if you're rich)1 red pepper1 onionbutton mushrooms2 tbsp olive oil200g butter1 tbsp tomato puree1 tbsp Dijon mustard1 lemon juice1 tbsp mixed herbs1 tsp garlic salt or a couple of cloves3 tbsp creme fraiche (1 per serving) or double creamsalt and black pepper
Method
Pour the oil in the frying pan with half of the butter.Slice the beef into 5cm strips and brown the meat. Remove from the pan.Add the remaining butter to the juices in the frying pan and add the onions and peppers. Fry for 3 minutes on a high heat then add the mushrooms, and remaining ingredients. Simmer for five minutes.Return the beef to the pan, cover and simmer for twenty minutes to half an hour.Remove from the heat and add the creme fraiche stirring in well and serve.
I cheated and bought chips from my local fish and chip shop but also served it with rice a couple of days later. The meat sauce will keep in the fridge (covered) for three or four days without the cream. Ensure that you re-heat until the sauce is boiling, simmer for ten minutes then remove from the heat before stirring in the cream.
Strogonoff served with rice
This is a very easy recipe and yet has the flavours of a classy dish. Obviously the better the cut of meat the tenderer the finish in a shorter time. The longer you cook the meat the better the chance for the flavours to be absorbed.This recipe would lend itself to almost any meat adjusting the vegetables and herbs according to which meat you use.
God Bless
February 14, 2016
Write - Who are you to judge?
I have just read an article about a poet that I'm unfamiliar with, Stevie Smith and I have not as yet read any of her work. Already I feel quite perturbed on her behalf at the tone of the article. As a poet, novelist and writer I feel affronted on her behalf.
[image error]Stevie Smith 1902 - 1971
My effrontery springs from the fact that the writer of the article is classifying Smith's work as 'childish' as being produced by 'a savant that has never grown up' and more. It mentions that she lived her whole life in suburbia as if that was some kind of curse on the ability to write. When will critics begin looking at art for its own sake rather than the circumstances of the person who produce it? I don't accept that it is so they can better understand where the work came from, it is my belief that it is so the work can be slotted into false categories which are the creation of the so-called 'educated classes'.It is my submission that art of every type is the culmination of effort on behalf of the individual who has produced it, for the reasons personal to them and that it isn't the intellectual property of anyone else. When I write blog, poetry or stories what comes out is the result of my thought processes, my experiences, my emotions and my background. If I had gone to public school then it wouldn't have made me a better writer from an imaginative point of view, I may have been technically better but that bus has left the station, my work is from me as I am now and I have no wish to be categorised by some anally retentive public school hack.
So to consider Stevie Smith.
She was actually born in Hull, but must have moved to London early in her life, where she died in 1971.
She wrote three novels as well as her poetry. Her novels were 'A Novel on Yellow Paper', 'Over the Frontier' and 'The Holiday'. There are many more collections of poetry some of which were illustrated by Stevie Smith. One of her most famous poems and one often taught in schools is 'Not Waving, But Drowning'. (Even in this article supposedly supporting Smith's work it is dismissed as not one of her best works!)
Not Waving, But Drowning
Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning:I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larkingAnd now he’s deadIt must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.Stevie Smith 1957
Now I would never criticise another poet because poetry is a personal expression of emotion. I may not enjoy a piece or I may love it, but how dare someone suggest that there is anything wrong with the poem. It is filled with deeper meaning, it is full of clarity, and it is succinct. You critics should not assume that a 250 verse poem is better than a 3 stanza effort! I actually like this and could see children abstracting a deal of interesting work from the work.
Having now read a number of Stevie Smith's poems I find that her message is succinctly and cleverly delivered. Some of her work is no more than four lines long and yet the meaning is clear and the emotion tangible.
It strikes me that critics can be labelled as teachers are on occasions,
'those who can do, those who can't criticise'
God Bless
[image error]Stevie Smith 1902 - 1971
My effrontery springs from the fact that the writer of the article is classifying Smith's work as 'childish' as being produced by 'a savant that has never grown up' and more. It mentions that she lived her whole life in suburbia as if that was some kind of curse on the ability to write. When will critics begin looking at art for its own sake rather than the circumstances of the person who produce it? I don't accept that it is so they can better understand where the work came from, it is my belief that it is so the work can be slotted into false categories which are the creation of the so-called 'educated classes'.It is my submission that art of every type is the culmination of effort on behalf of the individual who has produced it, for the reasons personal to them and that it isn't the intellectual property of anyone else. When I write blog, poetry or stories what comes out is the result of my thought processes, my experiences, my emotions and my background. If I had gone to public school then it wouldn't have made me a better writer from an imaginative point of view, I may have been technically better but that bus has left the station, my work is from me as I am now and I have no wish to be categorised by some anally retentive public school hack.
So to consider Stevie Smith.
She was actually born in Hull, but must have moved to London early in her life, where she died in 1971.
She wrote three novels as well as her poetry. Her novels were 'A Novel on Yellow Paper', 'Over the Frontier' and 'The Holiday'. There are many more collections of poetry some of which were illustrated by Stevie Smith. One of her most famous poems and one often taught in schools is 'Not Waving, But Drowning'. (Even in this article supposedly supporting Smith's work it is dismissed as not one of her best works!)
Not Waving, But Drowning
Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning:I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larkingAnd now he’s deadIt must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.Stevie Smith 1957
Now I would never criticise another poet because poetry is a personal expression of emotion. I may not enjoy a piece or I may love it, but how dare someone suggest that there is anything wrong with the poem. It is filled with deeper meaning, it is full of clarity, and it is succinct. You critics should not assume that a 250 verse poem is better than a 3 stanza effort! I actually like this and could see children abstracting a deal of interesting work from the work.
Having now read a number of Stevie Smith's poems I find that her message is succinctly and cleverly delivered. Some of her work is no more than four lines long and yet the meaning is clear and the emotion tangible.
It strikes me that critics can be labelled as teachers are on occasions,
'those who can do, those who can't criticise'
God Bless
February 13, 2016
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week
A very sex orientated collection this week, from overpaid lesbians, underpaid gay men and male cheerleaders.
[image error]
1. At least 49 people have died in accidents involving selfies since 2014.
Mother taught it wasn't good to be selfish
-----------------------------------
2. Horses can tell when you're angry.
Beautifully sensitive animals and this one can see who is the best looking!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
3. Kidderminster Harriers FC players are fined £20 if they wear a hat on match day.
Makes you wonder how the club knows.
-----------------------------------
4. Some 2.25% of all American logos contained a heart shape in 2013.
It will come from some marketing theory
-----------------------------------
[image error]
5. Lesbians have a 9% wage premium over heterosexual women, whereas gay men face an earnings penalty of 11% compared with straight men.
Chicken or the egg - did their companies know of their sexual orientation or is it purely arbitrary?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
6. A subreddit inspired a scientific study into how people's minds are changed.
Another marketing exercise.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
7. Happy music makes colours appear brighter.
Hence the flower power era of the 1960's
-----------------------------------
8. Neanderthal DNA in humans is linked with nicotine addiction and depression.
Bah! Humbug!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
9. Sir David Attenborough turned down the late Sir Terry Wogan for a presenting job on BBC Two in 1965 because the channel's chief announcer was from Dublin.
To be sure!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
10. The first American football cheerleaders were male and they dominated the sidelines until WW2.
Not the same!
-----------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. At least 49 people have died in accidents involving selfies since 2014.
Mother taught it wasn't good to be selfish
-----------------------------------
2. Horses can tell when you're angry.
Beautifully sensitive animals and this one can see who is the best looking!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
3. Kidderminster Harriers FC players are fined £20 if they wear a hat on match day.
Makes you wonder how the club knows.
-----------------------------------
4. Some 2.25% of all American logos contained a heart shape in 2013.
It will come from some marketing theory
-----------------------------------
[image error]
5. Lesbians have a 9% wage premium over heterosexual women, whereas gay men face an earnings penalty of 11% compared with straight men.
Chicken or the egg - did their companies know of their sexual orientation or is it purely arbitrary?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
6. A subreddit inspired a scientific study into how people's minds are changed.
Another marketing exercise.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
7. Happy music makes colours appear brighter.
Hence the flower power era of the 1960's
-----------------------------------
8. Neanderthal DNA in humans is linked with nicotine addiction and depression.
Bah! Humbug!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
9. Sir David Attenborough turned down the late Sir Terry Wogan for a presenting job on BBC Two in 1965 because the channel's chief announcer was from Dublin.
To be sure!
-----------------------------------
[image error]
10. The first American football cheerleaders were male and they dominated the sidelines until WW2.
Not the same!
-----------------------------------
God Bless
February 12, 2016
Writing - Consumerism - a new phenomenon
Is the lust for 'new' a relatively recent trend, that is, over the last 70 or 80 years, or is it something that has pertained for a much longer period. In fact the answer would indicate that consumerism is part of human nature.
[image error]
It had been thought that consumerism was the result of almost manic manufacturing boom following the Second World War, particularly the 60s and 70s. However, there is research that suggests that our love of 'stuff' goes back much further. Frank Trentmann has produced a book that is the result of research that suggests this trend has been active since the Renaissance.
12 century carpets and silks
As early as the 12th century the trade in carpets and silks generated a wider range of colours and designs and from 1500 the spread of tea and porcelain across Europe.
Of course the explanation is in the difference between 'needs' and 'wants'. A poor society tends to concentrate on basic 'needs' whereas wealthier situations develop a taste for things that they don't really need, entertainment, fashion, and gadgets. Some of those trends can be seen in Egyptian society 5000 years ago.
Trentmann, a history professor at Birkbeck in London, believes that understanding the history of consumerism could help deal with its negative effects today.
It is my submission today to impress on my readers the need for ensuring they have the whole range of Steele novels, Cessation and collections of poetry. Please read on !!!!
December 2015
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
[image error]
It had been thought that consumerism was the result of almost manic manufacturing boom following the Second World War, particularly the 60s and 70s. However, there is research that suggests that our love of 'stuff' goes back much further. Frank Trentmann has produced a book that is the result of research that suggests this trend has been active since the Renaissance.
12 century carpets and silks
As early as the 12th century the trade in carpets and silks generated a wider range of colours and designs and from 1500 the spread of tea and porcelain across Europe.
Of course the explanation is in the difference between 'needs' and 'wants'. A poor society tends to concentrate on basic 'needs' whereas wealthier situations develop a taste for things that they don't really need, entertainment, fashion, and gadgets. Some of those trends can be seen in Egyptian society 5000 years ago.
Trentmann, a history professor at Birkbeck in London, believes that understanding the history of consumerism could help deal with its negative effects today.
It is my submission today to impress on my readers the need for ensuring they have the whole range of Steele novels, Cessation and collections of poetry. Please read on !!!!
December 2015Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
February 11, 2016
Writing - Short stories.
The BBC are currently running and helping young people write a 500 word short story. Some don't consider the short story as a 'serious' genre and yet some of our greatest writers produced them, including Charles Dickens with his famous 'A Christmas Carol'.
[image error]
I have written a number of such stories which are under 1000 words that were posted on the recently defunct Readwave site.
Yesterday I received notification that there was a competition, closing date 15/02/2016 with Writers' and Artists' Year Book.Entry email address competition@bloomsbury.com subject WAYB16 competition. Maximum number of words 2000 subject 'Ageing'.
Only a couple of days to get your entry in. I publish my entry below for your entertainment.
Ageing with realisation
It felt really cold, whether that was because of the lack of food or that the air temperature was actually dropping, I didn’t know. Sitting huddled in the doorway sheltered from the cold wind my heart sank when I felt a drop of rain smack into my forehead. That’s all I needed. There weren’t so many people about now as it was late in the afternoon, the daylight was failing and soon it would be the loneliest of places.“Get your life sorted!” snapped a passer-by.I thought of making an appropriately rude reply but then my eye caught sight of a surveillance camera high up on the wall of the building opposite. It made me stop, because it ‘could be used in evidence’!“So you think you have your life under control!” I internalised. “Really! I have a theory that is bordering on science fiction and may be too strong for you to take mate, so if you are of a nervous disposition it may be time to leave. However, whatever you do don’t look up to admire the sky; don’t fool yourself into thinking that your government hasn’t got your DNA; and, stop using the internet – if you can!”The above may be seemingly scary stuff but consider surveillance by camera and satellite. Did you know that when a rocket sets off into space to launch a large satellite, or travels to the International Space Station it often takes large numbers of mini satellites? They cost around £200, consist of a 10cm cube and are packed with technology that can sample, tap into the internet, and a myriad of other nefarious uses. Anyone can arrange for such a device to be circling this planet, or any company!“Consider the interactions you have on a daily basis and never fool yourself into thinking that the internet hasn’t any involvement pal,” I thought. “The most common way of obtaining DNA, for example, is by mouth swab. Who is it that spends time, on average twice each year, probing round your mouth and keeping records on the internet? As soon as that information is on the dentist’s computer it is available across the world pal!” I admonished in silence.“Why do you think that the USA and UK were so quick to condemn the actions of Edward Snowden? The answer is simple – he was telling the truth. NSA, CIA, FBI, MI6, MI5 and many other security agencies around the world are probably tapping into our lives even as I tell you this. The real worry of course is that it’s already too late for you, Snowden and the rest. (Not me!) There are around seven million people in the UK that are not on the internet and are probably congratulating themselves that Big Brother can’t touch them because they’re not connected. However, where do these folk get income from? Who holds their health records? Do they shop with a card of some description? Even if you shop using cash and went into the bank to withdraw the cash over the counter or from a ‘hole in the wall’ your financial records are online. I know they are I worked in a bank! Honestly!There was a bit of a fuss recently over Google losing a court case because a man complained that they kept financial records showing that he’d had his home repossessed years ago and that information was still available just by typing his name into the search engine. He successfully forced them to remove that from their records but surely the question goes much deeper. Who published that information on the net in the first place? Did his mortgage lender flag up his default or perhaps it was the credit checking agency, or the estate agents? The fact is Google may remove any reference to his financial problems but all they do is pull together information linked to a name from the World Wide Web! It’s still out there buddy!” I glared.“Every person in the UK, who has had a bank account, and the government forced every pensioner to open a bank account in which to have their state pensions paid, has a credit reference controlled by credit referencing agencies. They advertise that you can check your financial standing on the net for a small fee. Ipso facto everyone is on the net.It may seem that I’m talking against the use of the internet but in fact what choices do any of you have? You are all in it, even if you don’t have a computer at home. The only solutions available would be to pull the plug on all electronic interchanging of information and return to pen and paper records secured in vaults, or to pull the world wide electric plug from the proverbial socket. Such an action would plunge you all into the dark ages,” I’m already there, “so we have to be smart online at home. Don’t waste your time railing against the internet. You ordinary citizens need to adopt high security measures at home. I used to find changing my passwords at work, monthly, an absolute pain. They tell you not to write them down but if you are working on three, four or more systems, each with different passwords, remembering them becomes impossible after a while. However, you must decide to deal with that issue, whether it is regularly changing passwords or pulling the plug on the computer at home altogether, the single indisputable fact is that you are on the net.” I sighed.The really helpful guy full of, no doubt what he thought was, good advice, was striding off down the street in the increasingly heavy rain undoubtedly feeling full of righteous indignation that he’d put someone like me in my place. I pulled the donated blanket tighter round my shoulders and considered dashing across to the rubbish bin to grab the newspaper before it got too wet. Newspaper is great at insulating! I was back before anyone else could take my doorway. I re-wrapped, stuffed newspaper and leant against the cold marbled door frame and thought that it wasn’t too bad that evening.‘Get my life sorted out.’ It’s sorted buddy. It was sorted the day I switched off the machine for the final time and left the office for good.
God Bless
[image error]
I have written a number of such stories which are under 1000 words that were posted on the recently defunct Readwave site.
Yesterday I received notification that there was a competition, closing date 15/02/2016 with Writers' and Artists' Year Book.Entry email address competition@bloomsbury.com subject WAYB16 competition. Maximum number of words 2000 subject 'Ageing'.
Only a couple of days to get your entry in. I publish my entry below for your entertainment.
Ageing with realisation
It felt really cold, whether that was because of the lack of food or that the air temperature was actually dropping, I didn’t know. Sitting huddled in the doorway sheltered from the cold wind my heart sank when I felt a drop of rain smack into my forehead. That’s all I needed. There weren’t so many people about now as it was late in the afternoon, the daylight was failing and soon it would be the loneliest of places.“Get your life sorted!” snapped a passer-by.I thought of making an appropriately rude reply but then my eye caught sight of a surveillance camera high up on the wall of the building opposite. It made me stop, because it ‘could be used in evidence’!“So you think you have your life under control!” I internalised. “Really! I have a theory that is bordering on science fiction and may be too strong for you to take mate, so if you are of a nervous disposition it may be time to leave. However, whatever you do don’t look up to admire the sky; don’t fool yourself into thinking that your government hasn’t got your DNA; and, stop using the internet – if you can!”The above may be seemingly scary stuff but consider surveillance by camera and satellite. Did you know that when a rocket sets off into space to launch a large satellite, or travels to the International Space Station it often takes large numbers of mini satellites? They cost around £200, consist of a 10cm cube and are packed with technology that can sample, tap into the internet, and a myriad of other nefarious uses. Anyone can arrange for such a device to be circling this planet, or any company!“Consider the interactions you have on a daily basis and never fool yourself into thinking that the internet hasn’t any involvement pal,” I thought. “The most common way of obtaining DNA, for example, is by mouth swab. Who is it that spends time, on average twice each year, probing round your mouth and keeping records on the internet? As soon as that information is on the dentist’s computer it is available across the world pal!” I admonished in silence.“Why do you think that the USA and UK were so quick to condemn the actions of Edward Snowden? The answer is simple – he was telling the truth. NSA, CIA, FBI, MI6, MI5 and many other security agencies around the world are probably tapping into our lives even as I tell you this. The real worry of course is that it’s already too late for you, Snowden and the rest. (Not me!) There are around seven million people in the UK that are not on the internet and are probably congratulating themselves that Big Brother can’t touch them because they’re not connected. However, where do these folk get income from? Who holds their health records? Do they shop with a card of some description? Even if you shop using cash and went into the bank to withdraw the cash over the counter or from a ‘hole in the wall’ your financial records are online. I know they are I worked in a bank! Honestly!There was a bit of a fuss recently over Google losing a court case because a man complained that they kept financial records showing that he’d had his home repossessed years ago and that information was still available just by typing his name into the search engine. He successfully forced them to remove that from their records but surely the question goes much deeper. Who published that information on the net in the first place? Did his mortgage lender flag up his default or perhaps it was the credit checking agency, or the estate agents? The fact is Google may remove any reference to his financial problems but all they do is pull together information linked to a name from the World Wide Web! It’s still out there buddy!” I glared.“Every person in the UK, who has had a bank account, and the government forced every pensioner to open a bank account in which to have their state pensions paid, has a credit reference controlled by credit referencing agencies. They advertise that you can check your financial standing on the net for a small fee. Ipso facto everyone is on the net.It may seem that I’m talking against the use of the internet but in fact what choices do any of you have? You are all in it, even if you don’t have a computer at home. The only solutions available would be to pull the plug on all electronic interchanging of information and return to pen and paper records secured in vaults, or to pull the world wide electric plug from the proverbial socket. Such an action would plunge you all into the dark ages,” I’m already there, “so we have to be smart online at home. Don’t waste your time railing against the internet. You ordinary citizens need to adopt high security measures at home. I used to find changing my passwords at work, monthly, an absolute pain. They tell you not to write them down but if you are working on three, four or more systems, each with different passwords, remembering them becomes impossible after a while. However, you must decide to deal with that issue, whether it is regularly changing passwords or pulling the plug on the computer at home altogether, the single indisputable fact is that you are on the net.” I sighed.The really helpful guy full of, no doubt what he thought was, good advice, was striding off down the street in the increasingly heavy rain undoubtedly feeling full of righteous indignation that he’d put someone like me in my place. I pulled the donated blanket tighter round my shoulders and considered dashing across to the rubbish bin to grab the newspaper before it got too wet. Newspaper is great at insulating! I was back before anyone else could take my doorway. I re-wrapped, stuffed newspaper and leant against the cold marbled door frame and thought that it wasn’t too bad that evening.‘Get my life sorted out.’ It’s sorted buddy. It was sorted the day I switched off the machine for the final time and left the office for good.
God Bless
February 10, 2016
Poetry Thursday 199 - Mattresses, Gorillas and Schrodinger's Cat
This is most certainly the strangest collection and even makes me wonder where my head has been this week!
[image error]Palliasse
It isn’t small by any measure,but an essential part of life,it doubles as a source of pleasureand occasionally a site of strife.
They come in a variety of sizes,and are covered in all types of stuff,can have soft, medium or firm guisesand may feel both smooth or rough.
Some are made with orthopaedic qualities,others may be filled with liquid,designed for loving and resting activities,but remains stubbornly passive and limpid.
Once bought and installed we cover,in materials of every hue,then spend time ignoring forever,until someone decides you need new.
Never designed to last forever,a home for harbouring mites and dust,in a while loses supportive fervour,so eventually to be replaced it must.
An expensive item in many varieties,awkward to lift move and turn,then there are the disposal vagaries,enough to make the temper burn.
An old one may be yellowed and wrinkled,left out in all weathers in its distress,waiting to be inevitably collected,then to the place for the old mattress.© David L Atkinson February 2016
There is nothing metaphysical or surreal about the above, I just replaced an old mattress and as anyone who has ever moved a double mattress will know it is a nightmare. It is as if they have a life of their own, imbued with some kind of evil spirit capable of the most inappropriate relationship with gravity.
Then there is the weekly animal poem below.
[image error]
Silverback
Massive in both ego and size,being aggressive is no surprise.It falls short of following throughan attack – just as well for you.
A gentle, giant, family beast,caring for each member large to least.An animal with power to be a thriller,the dominant silverback mountain gorilla.© David L Atkinson February 2016
Schrödinger's Cat arose as the result of something a friend posted on facebook. It just seemed to be an appropriate metaphor for life.
[image error]
Schrodinger’s Cat
Existing in the world like Schrödinger Cat,we have a box in which we persist.Inside we pack our nuclear gatand that which may cause life to desist.
And like those who can’t see Schrödinger Cat,when out of sight are we dead or living?Did the nuclear trigger a coup d’etat,or does life remain strongly persisting.
As it is with Schrödinger Catwhen out of sight are we out of mind?Lacking strategies with which to combat,living or dead, no proof of any kind.© David L Atkinson February 2016
God Bless
[image error]Palliasse
It isn’t small by any measure,but an essential part of life,it doubles as a source of pleasureand occasionally a site of strife.
They come in a variety of sizes,and are covered in all types of stuff,can have soft, medium or firm guisesand may feel both smooth or rough.
Some are made with orthopaedic qualities,others may be filled with liquid,designed for loving and resting activities,but remains stubbornly passive and limpid.
Once bought and installed we cover,in materials of every hue,then spend time ignoring forever,until someone decides you need new.
Never designed to last forever,a home for harbouring mites and dust,in a while loses supportive fervour,so eventually to be replaced it must.
An expensive item in many varieties,awkward to lift move and turn,then there are the disposal vagaries,enough to make the temper burn.
An old one may be yellowed and wrinkled,left out in all weathers in its distress,waiting to be inevitably collected,then to the place for the old mattress.© David L Atkinson February 2016
There is nothing metaphysical or surreal about the above, I just replaced an old mattress and as anyone who has ever moved a double mattress will know it is a nightmare. It is as if they have a life of their own, imbued with some kind of evil spirit capable of the most inappropriate relationship with gravity.
Then there is the weekly animal poem below.
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Silverback
Massive in both ego and size,being aggressive is no surprise.It falls short of following throughan attack – just as well for you.
A gentle, giant, family beast,caring for each member large to least.An animal with power to be a thriller,the dominant silverback mountain gorilla.© David L Atkinson February 2016
Schrödinger's Cat arose as the result of something a friend posted on facebook. It just seemed to be an appropriate metaphor for life.
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Schrodinger’s Cat
Existing in the world like Schrödinger Cat,we have a box in which we persist.Inside we pack our nuclear gatand that which may cause life to desist.
And like those who can’t see Schrödinger Cat,when out of sight are we dead or living?Did the nuclear trigger a coup d’etat,or does life remain strongly persisting.
As it is with Schrödinger Catwhen out of sight are we out of mind?Lacking strategies with which to combat,living or dead, no proof of any kind.© David L Atkinson February 2016
God Bless
February 9, 2016
Writing - Where is self-publishing at right now?
Initially self-publishing was believed to be something of a vanity, but these days it seems to be the norm rather than an exception.
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Erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey began life as a humble, self-published e-book, unable to satisfy the tastes of traditional publishers. Within a few years it had achieved domination on a global scale, spawning a series that has sold more than 125 million copies.
E. L. James's personal story has become a tantalising fantasy for aspiring authors. But one that technology and social media are making increasingly realisable.
I wish!!!!!
At this point it is relevant to say that even if I didn't publish my work it would still be written because I love telling stories. My good friend, Bert Carson, describes my as 'kitchen table' stories. That is, he feels it is like having me across the kitchen table telling him the story. Some would feel affronted by such a description but I am flattered because one of my skills as a teacher, and I believe as a parent, was telling stories. Therefore, it is unsurprising to me that I write in a style that is intended to entertain.
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The competition for those who produce their own books, after they have ploughed through the technical side of doing that, is to reach out to potential readers. It seems that authors of all types need to blog, or have a website, to use social media and put themselves out there. This is the way things are, and as I said in another blog recently, traditional publishers are requiring their authors to be involved electronically in the same way.One author produced chapters on his website for free, others have made YouTube their vehicle making audio books, it is all available to everyone. Some pin their flag to Facebook's mast; give copies of their work away free on sites such as Smashwords and Amazon; and, help budding authors by describing how to self-publish.
I began six years ago with the above novel, featuring Patrick A Steele. It had loads of issues, with formatting, it was not proofread, and seriously needs a new edition. One of these days, when I am not burning to write something new, I will reproduce this book.
If I was starting writing now I would have no issue with self-publishing, but would probably not spend time trying to acquire an agent then eventually a publisher. Things have changed.
God Bless
[image error]
Erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey began life as a humble, self-published e-book, unable to satisfy the tastes of traditional publishers. Within a few years it had achieved domination on a global scale, spawning a series that has sold more than 125 million copies.
E. L. James's personal story has become a tantalising fantasy for aspiring authors. But one that technology and social media are making increasingly realisable.
I wish!!!!!
At this point it is relevant to say that even if I didn't publish my work it would still be written because I love telling stories. My good friend, Bert Carson, describes my as 'kitchen table' stories. That is, he feels it is like having me across the kitchen table telling him the story. Some would feel affronted by such a description but I am flattered because one of my skills as a teacher, and I believe as a parent, was telling stories. Therefore, it is unsurprising to me that I write in a style that is intended to entertain.
[image error]
The competition for those who produce their own books, after they have ploughed through the technical side of doing that, is to reach out to potential readers. It seems that authors of all types need to blog, or have a website, to use social media and put themselves out there. This is the way things are, and as I said in another blog recently, traditional publishers are requiring their authors to be involved electronically in the same way.One author produced chapters on his website for free, others have made YouTube their vehicle making audio books, it is all available to everyone. Some pin their flag to Facebook's mast; give copies of their work away free on sites such as Smashwords and Amazon; and, help budding authors by describing how to self-publish.
I began six years ago with the above novel, featuring Patrick A Steele. It had loads of issues, with formatting, it was not proofread, and seriously needs a new edition. One of these days, when I am not burning to write something new, I will reproduce this book.
If I was starting writing now I would have no issue with self-publishing, but would probably not spend time trying to acquire an agent then eventually a publisher. Things have changed.
God Bless
February 8, 2016
Tuesday Food Blog - Mexican Tortilla Bake
I was rooting through my cupboards for something last week when I rediscovered a little used Pyrex pie dish, then I was looking at the BBC website when a photo of Mary Berry's recipe caught my attention. Hey presto! This week's recipe.
Mexican Tortilla Bake
This all-in-one dish is so quick to make. Think Mexican lasagne using ready-made tortillas instead of sheets of pasta. Utterly delicious and very moreish!
For this recipe you will need a 1.5 litre/2½ pint wide-based (preferably round), shallow ovenproof dish.
It is very straight forward but I simplified it even further by omitting the oven baking of the meat sauce. You will see what I am referring to in the full recipe on the relevant TAB. I cooked this very much as you would the meat sauce in a traditional lasagne.
On the plate
Unlike my usual dishes I did stay very close to the recipe apart from garnishing with fresh coriander which I didn't have, I used dried in the recipe. I did use the three cheeses that Mary recommended and I also employed the tip of spreading the mascarpone on the tortilla on a flat chopping board before sprinkling the rest of the cheeses on top.
I totally concur with the comment that this is moreish, and it would go well with salad. One of the tastiest meals I've made of late.
God Bless
Mexican Tortilla Bake
This all-in-one dish is so quick to make. Think Mexican lasagne using ready-made tortillas instead of sheets of pasta. Utterly delicious and very moreish!
For this recipe you will need a 1.5 litre/2½ pint wide-based (preferably round), shallow ovenproof dish.
It is very straight forward but I simplified it even further by omitting the oven baking of the meat sauce. You will see what I am referring to in the full recipe on the relevant TAB. I cooked this very much as you would the meat sauce in a traditional lasagne.
On the plate
Unlike my usual dishes I did stay very close to the recipe apart from garnishing with fresh coriander which I didn't have, I used dried in the recipe. I did use the three cheeses that Mary recommended and I also employed the tip of spreading the mascarpone on the tortilla on a flat chopping board before sprinkling the rest of the cheeses on top.
I totally concur with the comment that this is moreish, and it would go well with salad. One of the tastiest meals I've made of late.
God Bless
February 7, 2016
Writing - An author's meat and drink
It was with great pleasure that I read a review of Flight Into Secrecy written by good friend Bert Carson and left on Amazon.com the other day. I have reproduced part of the review below.
Now to the Patrick Steele books, not just Flight into Secrecy, but all of them. I love series for the simple reason that in a series you get to know the characters and in the process you get to know the author. I know David and I know Patrick, and I love the way David tells his readers the Steele stories. I can't compare David's style to any author you've ever read because David Atkinson has his own unique style. It's one I love and think of as his "kitchen table style." By that, I mean, when I read a Steele story I feel like I'm sitting at David's kitchen table and he is sitting across from me. As we sip our coffee, or tea, he tells me about Steele's latest adventure the way he would tell me about Rupert's first words, or the choir's latest project, or that he reached and passed his swimming goal for the year. David's books aren't Robert B. Parker, James Lee Burke, Robert Crais, or John D. MacDonald, because they are David L. Atkinson books. However, if you like one of that group you'll love all of the others. But don't believe me, buy the books and see for yourself.
It is an excellent review that I'm suitably chuffed with because part of my aim as a writer is to entertain. I write because I love writing but if I didn't entertain part of the point of writing would be lost. Having one's name mentioned in the same breath as Crais and so on is amazing.
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The only thing I have to question is why a review posted on amazon.com appears on amazon.co.uk but only as an addendum and without the star rating? C'mon Amazon get sorted.
Even so it was a very pleasant surprise and I'm hoping readers will look at the whole of Bert Carson's review and consider the books as a source of entertainment.
[image error]Bert Carson
In his turn Bert Carson is a fine writer with a number of books to his name some of which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. Check them out on his website/blog at,
http://www.bert-blogging.com/
I particularly enjoyed reading Southern Investigations.
Reviews I know are important if an author is to make progress and so if you too have read any of my works I would appreciate your thoughts on Amazon, Smashwords or completelynovel.com just search under my name David L Atkinson.
God Bless
Now to the Patrick Steele books, not just Flight into Secrecy, but all of them. I love series for the simple reason that in a series you get to know the characters and in the process you get to know the author. I know David and I know Patrick, and I love the way David tells his readers the Steele stories. I can't compare David's style to any author you've ever read because David Atkinson has his own unique style. It's one I love and think of as his "kitchen table style." By that, I mean, when I read a Steele story I feel like I'm sitting at David's kitchen table and he is sitting across from me. As we sip our coffee, or tea, he tells me about Steele's latest adventure the way he would tell me about Rupert's first words, or the choir's latest project, or that he reached and passed his swimming goal for the year. David's books aren't Robert B. Parker, James Lee Burke, Robert Crais, or John D. MacDonald, because they are David L. Atkinson books. However, if you like one of that group you'll love all of the others. But don't believe me, buy the books and see for yourself.
It is an excellent review that I'm suitably chuffed with because part of my aim as a writer is to entertain. I write because I love writing but if I didn't entertain part of the point of writing would be lost. Having one's name mentioned in the same breath as Crais and so on is amazing.
[image error]
The only thing I have to question is why a review posted on amazon.com appears on amazon.co.uk but only as an addendum and without the star rating? C'mon Amazon get sorted.
Even so it was a very pleasant surprise and I'm hoping readers will look at the whole of Bert Carson's review and consider the books as a source of entertainment.
[image error]Bert Carson
In his turn Bert Carson is a fine writer with a number of books to his name some of which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. Check them out on his website/blog at,
http://www.bert-blogging.com/
I particularly enjoyed reading Southern Investigations.
Reviews I know are important if an author is to make progress and so if you too have read any of my works I would appreciate your thoughts on Amazon, Smashwords or completelynovel.com just search under my name David L Atkinson.
God Bless
February 6, 2016
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week
Eat pizza not socks while playing snap in Thailand.
1. It is illegal to possess more than 120 playing cards in Thailand.
I'm in the UK and legal in Thailand then.
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2. Hillary Clinton has spent more on pizza than any other candidate in the 2016 US presidential race.
Its only February, 9 months for the others to catch up.
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3. Female orangutans are capable of murder.
Would you argue with her?
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4. It costs more than £5,000 to surgically remove a sock from a dog's stomach.
Depends how badly you want the sock back.
-------------------------------------
5. Death row inmates' last words are much more positive than negative.
Only just!
-------------------------------------
6. David Bowie's dog also had different-coloured eyes.
Owners become like their pets.
-------------------------------------
7. People in Oregon are the fastest talkers in the US while those in Mississippi are the slowest.
I'm sorry but - why is this important?
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8. It's possible to stage a 10k race in Moldova's largest wine cellar.
What a cellar! The house must be enormous.
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9. An invisibility cloak would stop working when travelling near to light speed.
Wow
-------------------------------------
10. You can replicate a brain's wrinkles in a jar.
Why?
-------------------------------------
God Bless
1. It is illegal to possess more than 120 playing cards in Thailand.
I'm in the UK and legal in Thailand then.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
2. Hillary Clinton has spent more on pizza than any other candidate in the 2016 US presidential race.
Its only February, 9 months for the others to catch up.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Female orangutans are capable of murder.
Would you argue with her?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
4. It costs more than £5,000 to surgically remove a sock from a dog's stomach.
Depends how badly you want the sock back.
-------------------------------------
5. Death row inmates' last words are much more positive than negative.
Only just!
-------------------------------------
6. David Bowie's dog also had different-coloured eyes.
Owners become like their pets.
-------------------------------------
7. People in Oregon are the fastest talkers in the US while those in Mississippi are the slowest.
I'm sorry but - why is this important?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
8. It's possible to stage a 10k race in Moldova's largest wine cellar.
What a cellar! The house must be enormous.
-------------------------------------
9. An invisibility cloak would stop working when travelling near to light speed.
Wow
-------------------------------------
10. You can replicate a brain's wrinkles in a jar.
Why?
-------------------------------------
God Bless
