David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 93

Tuesday recipe - fracking not this week

The title of this blog may suggest I didn't create in the kitchen last weekend but in fact I made a sausage casserole to a slightly different recipe using beer as my cooking liquid and including onions, carrots and potatoes with a variety of spicy sausages. It worked ok.
Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking)
Fracking refers to the procedure of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open. The larger fissures allow more oil and gas to flow out of the formation and into the wellbore, from where it can be extracted.
I was sent a notification on Facebook a few days ago from 38 Degrees (an action group) concerning fracking. There is a vote on Monday in the UK Parliament concerning the subject and those of us against the process were encouraged to tweet our MPs requesting that they vote against the proposals. As one does I shared the request on my timeline which elicited a single response from a writing friend in Texas, USA.
Jo King VonBargen - It's terrible here, where fracking has free rein!! They've had 26 earthquakes since the beginning of the year in Irving and surrounding area!!

This, for me, rather startling news caused me to look further into the process which yielded an article in the Guardian announcing that 11 tremors, ranging from 1.6 to 3.6 on the Richter scale, had been felt in and around that area in one day. As I have the time I decided to look further. The process is described above but it is the effects on the earth and the things on it that concerns.


The Dangers
Fracking fluid is made up of a cocktail of poisonous chemicals which includes formaldehyde, hydrochloric acid and a variety of other carcinogens.
Contaminated fresh water. Each well uses between 2 and 5 million gallons of locally sourced freshwater which after the process is unusable. Half of the water is stored on the surface in tanks until it can be injected into waste oil and gas wells, but no one really knows what happens to the other half. Best guesses suggest that some stays below ground while some finds its way back into the water supply.
Fracking causes environmental problems. 8 states have reported surface, ground and drinking water contamination due to fracking. Also habitat fragmentation and increased pollution from truck traffic.
There are other problems listed here that I will not go into at this time:-
Methane pollution, air pollution, blowouts due to gas explosion, waste disposal, workplace safety and infrastructure degredation.
Judging from the brief explanations of the above there doesn't seem to be much in favour of the process. The earthquakes ranges are for the most part imperceptible, anything over 3 on the scale will be noticeable, but the real concern is increased frequency. It raises the question of what will be the long term effects of so many earthquakes.
[image error]
I hope this blog raises some questions in the readers minds.
God Bless

Writing - Nostalgia unlimited

Nostalgia is something that raises moans, smiles and sometimes tears, but there is a place for it in life if not in writing. 
[image error]
How many times have you heard a sentence begin with 'I can remember when ... ' and stifled an inward moan? In fact it is my belief that nostalgia provides balance. What usually follows is a description of the way things were or even the manner in which people related to each other in the past. Usually, that 'past' is long past. Well I came across a collection of situations that you may like to apply to your own life.
[image error]
Fast FoodWhat was your favourite fast food? In fact there wasn't much in the way of fast food when I was growing up. In fact the only outlet of that sort was the occasional Wimpy Bar. As a family we sat down daily for a family meal and if we went into town we ate at a restaurant or cafe which had a menu that was usually very English. There were certain behaviours one followed as a child at the dinner table. You didn't rush, held your knife and fork in the prescribed way, and, if you wished to get up from the table, you asked permission. This wasn't just my parents, saying 'Please may I leave the table' was the accepted form by all.
[image error]Home People didn't own their own homes, in fact I was in my late teens before I ever went into a house that was 'owned' and it belonged to my first girlfriend's parents. I was lucky because as an only child, I had my own bedroom. There was no central heating and so I did witness frost on the inside of my bedroom window. We had two coal fires and two electric fires that were never turned on because they were too expensive to run. My parents never wore jeans, never travelled abroad and didn't (and never did) possess a credit card. If you wanted to buy something you saved up and got whatever it was when you had the required purchase price.My parents bought a TV in 1955 which was the first in our street, and four years later they bought a car. There was no refrigerator and milk was delivered daily by a man with a milk float. In fact there wasn't much in the way of frozen food, I seem to remember fish fingers as being one of the earliest examples.
[image error]

Here is a short quiz that may make you think, or smile or just entertain. Count all things that you can remember, not told about and then consider the ratings at the end.
1.  Sweet cigarettes
2.  Coffee shops with juke  boxes
3.  Home milk delivery in glass bottles 
4.  Party lines  on  the telephone
5.  Newsreels before the movie 
6.  TV test patterns that came on at night after the  last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning.
(There were only 2  channels  [if you were fortunate])
7.  Peashooters
8.  33 rpm  records
9.  45 RPM records
10.  Hi-fi's
11.  Metal ice trays with  levers
12.  Blue flashbulb
13.  Cork popguns
14.  Wash  tub wringers

If  you remembered 0-3 = You're still young
If  you remembered 3-6 = You are getting older
If  you remembered 7-10 = Don't tell your age
If  you remembered 11-14 = You're positively  ancient!  
God Bless

10 things we didn't know last week

There is quite a lot going on in the world at the moment and here are some off the wall facts that we've learned this week.
[image error]
1. Couples in the Danish town of Thisted are having more babies to keep public services going.
---------------------------------
[image error]
2. Women are almost two thirds more likely than men to believe in God.

---------------------------------
3. MI5 bars applicants with visible tattoos.


---------------------------------
[image error]
4. Nando's is one of the biggest buyers of contemporary South African art.

---------------------------------
5. The average life of a web page is about a hundred days.
---------------------------------

6. In Ohio, it's illegal to disrobe in front of a man's portrait.

---------------------------------

7. The Greater London Authority owns a cast iron, Grade II-listed pissoir called the Rotunda, although its present whereabouts is unknown.

---------------------------------
[image error]
8. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to a decline in the number of wild boar, brown bear and moose in most regions of Russia.

---------------------------------
9. Dagenham is Britain's most burgled town.

---------------------------------

10. The sewage from a city of a million people contains about $13m (£8.66m) worth of metal a year - about a fifth of the value comes from silver and gold.


---------------------------------
God Bless

Writing - Subliminal Advertising

Stemming from a conversation I had the other day about making money from writing, I decided to have a look at an idea that began over 60 years ago.
James Vicary
James Vicary first claimed that subliminal advertising worked and was going on all of the time in the 1950s. Since that time there have been various experiments which in the lab seem to be conclusive but in public the opposite. So what is it?In fact it is very Orwellian in nature. The idea being that while watching a film or TV, suggestions eg. 'Drink Coca Cola' or 'Eat Popcorn', are flashed on the screen at such a speed that only the subconscious mind can pick up the message. When the message is picked up, if you're hungry or thirsty, you may do as the message suggested.It all seems a bit hit and miss or have all my readers fallen for it? While you have been staring at your computer screen I have been advertising my novels with such messages as,
Read Steele
and,
Follow David L Atkinson
There's just no getting away from them! To help follow the links below. My 10 books as of December 2014
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 thin collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind 
and
Words from the Raindrops 
God Bless

Writing - Periodically dangerous

Yesterday I was moaning about the advertising of sanitary wear and wrote the following poem.

Is there nothing sacred?
When I was young there was something mysticalabout girls and their machinations physical.Today we are told of every aspectwhich to me detracts from keeping respect.The girl failed to progress to the next roundbecause menstruation came around.Did we need to know a fact that’s privatejustifying failure with the monthly habit.
We see dazzling adverts on TV nightlyfor equipment to maintain personal dignity.There are wriggle proof sanitary towelsthat protect pjs from accidental fouls.You can cavort, run or dance even maddernow there are things to cope with a sensitive bladder.Would it be so terrible for the rest of usif bodily functions were treated with less fuss.
It could never change my own regardfor ladies who in mind are starred.© David L Atkinson January 2015

[image error]

The inspiration was from English tennis player, Heather Watson
who suggested that the reason for her most recent defeat was 'girly 
things'. Little did I think that such an admission would lead to a huge article on the subject bringing in such athletes as Dame Tanni Gray-Thompson and Paula Radcliffe. But one surprise was the historical commentary.
Romans
It has been said that from first century Rome to 19th century England, menstruation was thought to leave women periodically dangerous.
Victorian
As late as 1878, the British Medical Journal printed the opinions of physicians who believed that menstruating women could cause bacon to become rancid.
Religion
Christianity associated the menstruating woman with the curse brought down by original sin.
The Catholic church used to object to women using tampons.
If you want to have a biblical viewpoint read Leviticus 15: 19 - 33 (New Literal Translation)
The BBC article goes on to examine the physiological changes that could affect performance but the bottom line is that women react differently and at differing levels of intensity.
We're the Millers
So what has this to do with writing? Well menstruation has been used in stories as a source of humour. The film 'We're the Millers' has a side swipe throughout on the subject often through the lady in the picture above. On the other hand why include it at all? If you write and feel that it is relevant okay but, rather like referring to Patrick Steele's haemorrhoids, is it relevant?Similarly, there are plenty of physical frailties that may be important to a plot line but if there not - leave them out.
As a man living in a woman's world, and having lived with women, suffice it to say that discomfort in any form needs to be managed as well as it can be. 
God Bless

Poetry Thursday 144 - An Invisible man, the Barista and a moan

I've written a number of times of the nature of why poetry is written and I'm not going through that again. The offerings today reflect my innermost thoughts as well as the impression created in one of the most commonly used types of retail outlets across the world.
[image error]
An Invisible Man
In the world but not!Appreciated but unclear for what.
Achievements over a life time, second rate.Never one to push on another’s plate.
Still a person nonetheless.Not everyone respects humanities mess.
Intentions always were meant wellbut that proverbial road leads to hell.
Understanding of one’s world’s placeescapes comprehension in this case.
How can one generate such disregardfrom a life where one tried so hard?© David L Atkinson January 2015


Barista
As brown as the coffee,in brown uniforms.Forced politeness in a brown mood.Browned off at being in work.Clever art in the creamy top with brown chocolate.A caffeine stimulated experience in a brown world.© David L Atkinson January 2015
I can imagine some who read this would consider sending in the men in white coats with the jacket that fastens down the back.

But consider living alone and having issues, poetry is a great outlet even if no one reads it.

And a topical moan about TV advertising, physical attributes of women and the appliances available to alleviate problems.




Is there nothing sacred?
When I was young there was something mysticalabout girls and their machinations physical.Today we are told of every aspectwhich to me detracts from keeping respect.The girl failed to progress to the next roundbecause menstruation came around.Did we need to know a fact that’s privatejustifying failure with the monthly habit.
We see dazzling adverts on TV nightlyfor equipment to maintain personal dignity.There are wriggle proof sanitary towelsthat protect pjs from accidental fouls.You can cavort, run or dance even maddernow there are things to cope with a sensitive bladder.Would it be so terrible for the rest of usif bodily functions were treated with less fuss.
It could never change my own regardfor ladies who in mind are starred.© David L Atkinson January 2015


God Bless

Writing - Birth of Democracy

A number of years ago, while holidaying near Carcassonne in the south of France, we attended a sound and light show during which the name Simon de Montfort came up. I had heard the name before but knew nothing about him or his actions.
[image error]
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester (c. 1208 – 4 August 1265), also called Simon de Munford, was a French nobleman who inherited the title and estates of the earldom of Leicester in England. He led the rebellion against King Henry III of England during the Second Barons' War of 1263–64, and subsequently became de facto ruler of England. During his rule, de Montfort called two famous parliaments. The first stripped the King of unlimited authority, the second included ordinary citizens from the towns. For this reason, Montfort is regarded today as one of the progenitors of modern parliamentary democracy. After a rule of just over a year, Montfort was killed by forces loyal to the King in the Battle of Evesham.
In fact the parliament called on 20th January 1265 was the first to include representatives of towns and cities throughout the land and met in Westminster Hall in London. It is quite interesting that 850 years later there are discussions in the UK about the nature of democracy. I'm sure de Montfort wouldn't recognise what his original intentions have developed into.
In the world today democracy seems to be controlled by a political elite spawned from money. MPs are elected, usually as the result of a minority vote, but then represent their own views or those of the party they represent rather than the people whom they purportedly stand for in London. Simon called the counties, towns and cities to send 2 representatives each and I've no doubt they were at Westminster Hall to represent their own area rather than some financially motivated personal agenda.
Democracy is dead - long live democracy
---------------------------------------
[image error]Stephen Hawking
This man is a modern hero of mine and I've just returned from seeing the film, The Theory of Everything, about his life to present. Eddie Redmayne who plays the lead has done a fantastic job as has Felicity Jones as his wife. The reasons for my being drawn to this amazing man's life is not just his success through adversity, or his brilliant mind, but the fact that he has maintained a sense of humour throughout. Spend a couple of enlightening hours and watch this film.
God Bless

One Pot Cooking - Brisket in brown ale

Continuing the recipes from Clarissa Dickson-Wright's book I tried this brisket in brown ale recipe.

Once again a very tasty dish that would go well with a number of different meats. Any dish where you begin by sautéing the vegetables, add the meat, then cook the whole dish for a long period of time would work. As always I avoided the celery sticks as it is an incarnation of beelzebub but had to face another demon in using Newcastle (it took me ten minutes to type the name of the place) Brown Ale. I couldn't find an alternative proper brown ale sadly. Only Mackems will fully appreciate the pain that caused.
Instead of the celery I used parsnips because I like them, but in fact you can use any combination of veg that you'll like. 

The recipe is on that TAB at the top of this page
God Bless

Freedom to insult people

As part of the aftermath of the tragic events in Paris over a week ago various questions have been raised about the nature of freedom of speech.
[image error]
Pope Francis stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest by suggesting that if someone insulted his mother he would punch them on the nose, suggesting that similar things would happen if you insulted his religion. Prime Minister David Cameron has come out and disagreed with the Pope defending the right to insult one's religion.
I have one simple question - Why?
The answer may not be as simple. I can remember my father giving me a piece of advice before I set off to college a callow youth of eighteen years. He said that one should never discuss politics or religion with your friends, the reason being that they are two things which can cause fights and also the loss of those friends. In a sense the position taken by the Pope is an indicator of the level of strife attacking someone's religion can bring about. Religious and political views are intensely personal. People adopt tenets from both as key parts of their personality and so someone with differing views can be seen as against them and therefore enmity arises. As we age it seems that we are better able to step back from conflict but even so I know the underlying feelings that can be generated as a result of such discussions. I believe that it was unwise of Cameron to comment on the Pope's position.
[image error]
Now of course the above raises the whole question of satire.
Satire - is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government or society itself, into improvement.
The above definition suggests that there is a greater purpose to satire than taking the mick out of each others position on religion.
One comment I heard about the Charlie Hebdo publication related to the fact that satire shouldn't be indulged in for its own sake. As the definition suggests the purpose is to shame individuals, corporations, government and society, into improvement.
[image error]
Juvenal wrote satirical poetry almost 2 thousand years ago so it isn't something that is new, and writing in the 21st century can also involve satire. In fact satura was a formal literary genre and Juvenal wrote in the style criticising Roman morals, excesses and unfaithfulness. However, the direction was inward looking and not an outsider criticising Roman society.


When I've written the Steele novels and Cessation there have been elements of political sniping and commentary on society and I believe that it is part of the job of an author to make such comments so that members of that society can sample differing views of how society is. 
I had a discussion along those lines in church this morning. A friend  asked what I would write when 'Steele' has come to the end of his useful life. My answer was along the lines of there was always situations in society arising that rated some kind of commentary, so Steele may never come to an end. At the same time I wrote Cessation, a dystopian story, because of an internal desire to comment on the situation in the western world regarding energy use and illicit profiteering. The chances are that over time there will be other issues that also stand alone. 
So, going back to the original premise, there is a place for satire as long as it is used as an internal tool for self-evaluation. When you begin to criticise other countries, religions or societies I believe you are indulging in larger and more dangerous insults that may have longer term consequences. Satire, like more general humour, does not cross cultures well.
Can you imagine if an Anglican publication began to pick holes in the operations of the Catholic faith; perhaps a big name newspaper in the UK should have a satirical swipe at USA foreign policy or banking practices. The result would be a return to the Tudor relationship with Rome and the end of the so-called 'special relationship' between the USA and UK. So be careful who you take a swipe at!
God Bless

10 things we didn't know last week

Judging from the comments I've received, this little collection of off the wall facts seems to be popular.
[image error]
1. Jamaica, Colombia and Saint Lucia are the only countries in the world where a woman is more likely to be a boss than a man.
Makes you wonder where they're going wrong!
-------------------------------
[image error]
2. No-one has won a Spot The Ball competition for 10 years.

-------------------------------
3. You can buy a Lycra outfit for a camel.

There's chance for me to where lycra yet!

-------------------------------
[image error]
4. Shredded Wheat's early packaging recommended serving it with a poached egg.

That's so wrong.

-------------------------------
5. Edwards County, Texas, has roughly one person and 22 goats per square mile.

-------------------------------
[image error]
6. One in 10 of Britain's train carriages flush toilet waste straight onto the railway tracks.

-------------------------------
7. Men are less promiscuous when women are scarce.

-------------------------------
[image error]
8. A recently published image of a thresher shark giving birth may be the only photograph ever taken of an oceanic shark in labour.

-------------------------------
9. About 30 copies of Charlie Hebdo are sold in the UK in a normal week.

-------------------------------
[image error]
10. Thundersnow is like a thunderstorm but brighter, less noisy and with snow instead of rain.


-------------------------------
God Bless