David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 96

Writing - Some of the questions of 2014 answered.

1. What are frostquakes?

Answer: Frostquakes are the loud cracking of frozen soil caused by expanding ice beneath the surface, occurring after a plunge in temperatures following wet weather.
These occurrences were experienced in parts of Canada.
2. How do you drive in floods?

Answer: Stay out of water more than six inches deep. Drive slowly in a low gear with high revs to prevent water entering the exhaust.
This advice would have been quite useful to a number of drivers on the Somerset levels earlier this year.
3. What does Boko Haram mean?
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Answer: "Haram" means forbidden in Arabic, while the Hausa language phrase "ilimin boko", denoting the style of schooling created in Nigeria by colonialists, was shortened to "boko" and has come to mean Western-style education. So "Western education is a sin" is a workable translation.
4. How long can someone survive in a life raft?
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Answer: Lengthy periods of survival in a life raft have been known in warm waters but in cold or choppy waters the chances lessen. Access to drinking water, usually from rainfall, is vital to lasting more than a few days.
5. What language did Jesus speak?
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Answer: Aramaic would have been Jesus's first language, with Hebrew used for scholarly questions. He may also have known some Greek.
6. Why does the sum 7x8 catch people out?

Answer: UK Chancellor George Osborne refused to attempt this mathematical question, which had embarrassingly flummoxed Labour's Stephen Byers in the late 1990s. "I've made it a rule in life not to answer," the man in charge of the economy told a group of children who interviewed him in July. But research has found that 7x8 is only the seventh hardest multiplication sum, with 6x8 throwing most people.
7. Where does the phrase 'boots on the ground' come from?

Answer: The word "boot", a synecdoche (a figure of speech where the part represents the whole) meaning soldier, was used as long ago as World War One. The earliest known use of the full expression "boots on the ground" came in 1980, in a story in the Christian Science Monitor about the Iran hostage crisis.
Now that may be the truth of where the phrase came from but in fact the man who over uses the phrase is the special envoy to the Middle East one Mr Tony Blair.
God Bless

Writing - Earth plc

I suppose that I could have waited until it was available everywhere but I wanted people to have the book asap. So I've no patience! (! = laughing at myself). 
Here is the news:-
Smashwords
As an introductory offer this weekend the book is going to be priced at $3.99 just join Smashwords and follow this link,
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500183com
Amazon
The book is available for Kindle or the Kindle App for smartphones and tablets. For those who are unaware of the facilities available on those modern devices the app is free to download and only takes seconds. Then all you need is an Amazon account which really just means that you have previously bought something through Amazon. the current price for the book on this medium is £2.64 or around $3.50. Follow the link below
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earth-plc-Steele-Novels-Book-ebook/dp/B00QS3XB5O/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418392646&sr=1-6&keywords=david+l+atkinson 

Completely Novel
I've kept faith with this company for almost five years. They produce my paperback copies and delivery is really quick. All you need to do is click on the link
http://completelynovel.com/listings/earth-plc 
The paperback is priced at £3.99 + p&pIn fact all of my novels are available in paperback from that website under David L Atkinson.
God Bless

Writing - The Christmas story from a different view

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Christmas Story from a different viewpoint.Wise words from an unusual source
“I want….”“Stop!” yelled Dad. “I want never gets.”I wished that I’d had as many £1 coins as I’d heard that mantra trotted out in my 10 years of life. It was also said in the tone of voice that brooks no argument. The big day was due in a fortnight and already I may have cooked my goose.“Bed,” instructed Mum only a tad less impatiently. I think that was to discourage any discussion - for my own safety. I bade my loving parents’ goodnight, somewhat sheepishly, and made my way up to the chilly bedroom which was almost exclusively mine. As an only child I was lucky in having my own room but the fact was that in a house lacking central heating winter was a bit of a trial. Perhaps tomorrow morning there wouldn’t be frost on the inside of the windows!It was one of those nights when staring at the plain, white ceiling was going to be a long study. Perhaps the excitement of Christmas, the adrenaline generated from the discussion downstairs or thoughts about whether or not there was a Santa Claus. In short I couldn’t sleep. Of course I was ten, I didn’t believe in Santa Claus, I understood - I got it. At the same time I knew that there’d be presents and where they’d come from. I also knew that my dad didn’t earn a lot down the pit and Mum’s job in the shop wasn’t that well paid either, but they’d try, they always did. However, games consoles and other modern gadgets were expensive. I heard my pet rat, Rudi II, scrabbling around in his bedding. They only live around 18 months to 2 years as a rule but this one was already nearly 3! It was my intention to keep the name, just changing the numerical suffix, for subsequent rodent pets.“Shush Rudi,” I hissed. “I’m trying to get to sleep.”“Shush yourself! I have to put up with your snoring.”“What!” I couldn’t believe my ears. I sat up in the almost dark room, the only light there was coming from an orange street lamp, and looked at the bedroom door. I slept with it open but there was no sign of Mum or Dad, I turned and looked at the rat’s cage. Rudi II was sat up on his hindquarters staring at me.“I must be sick,” I thought.“No it’s me,” said Rudi II twitching his whiskers.“It can’t be,” I stammered.“Don’t be daft Ben. It’s me Rudi II, why you’ve added the ‘II’ I don’t know, perhaps I don’t want to know,” the rat grumbled.“But you’re talking,” I said.“C’mon kid catch up!” said the rat snappily.“But how?” I began.“Never mind that Ben,” Rudi II said. “You should be wondering why.”I was struggling to cope with this situation. I must have eaten something to upset my stomach and was hallucinating. I put my hand on my stomach.“You are perfectly well Ben,” the rat said.He’s reading my mind I thought.“At last,” sighed Rudi II. “And I’m speaking in your mind.”“Why?” I asked after assimilating this disturbing situation.“That comes back to your conversation downstairs,” said Rudi II“With my parents?” I queried.“Who else?” snapped the rat.“Rudi II give me a chance, it’s not every day your pet rat speaks to you,” I whined.“We can all do it,” said Rudi II.“What?” I exclaimed.“We just don’t usually choose to,” he explained.“Why then?” I repeated.“Christmas presents,” he said which as an explanation was a bit limited. “Your Dad was right to shut you up.”“That’s all I need,” I thought. “My pet rat telling me off.”“Christmas in Bethlehem was a wonderful time,” he stated baldly.“What do you know about that?” I was incredulous.“You don’t think that there were rats two thousand years ago!”“Okay!” I gave up looking for an explanation. “What do I have to do?”“Three wishes Ben BUT nothing for yourself!”I lay back against my pillows, being careful not to take my eyes off the rat, and started to think. If I could wish for things, but not for me, what could they be? After a few minutes I came up with,Make my dad’s knee better. It was arthritic whatever that was.Stop Mum from worrying because she does it all the time.A better Christmas for the kids next door who’s Dad had lost his job.“That it?” queried Rudi II.“I think so,” I answered.“How do you feel?” asked Rudi II“Good,” I said. That was true. I yawned. Yes I felt less stressed, easier in my mind. “Will they come true?”“What do you think?” said Rudi II and with that he burrowed back into his bedding.I fell asleep thinking about a Christmas Rat; my three wishes; and wondering about a rat in a stable in Bethlehem all that time ago.
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Peace and Goodwill
Peace and goodwill to all peoplegreat and small,on this the fairest night of all.
Peace and goodwill to all peoplegood and kind,keeping those less fortunate in mind.
Peace and goodwill to all peoplegentle and strong,carrying the weak carefully along.
Peace and goodwill to all peoplefair and just,supporting the strays as they must.
Peace and goodwill to all peopleof every colour and creed,treating accordingly to every need.© David L Atkinson December 2014


God Bless

Writing - Origins of all sorts of things

Firstly a tribute to a man brought up in the village next to where I was raised over 60 years ago.

1. TRIBUTES have poured in for the man who got the word Mackem in the dictionary.

Mike “the Mouth” Elliott, 68, lost his long battle with cancer this morning, leaving behind a rich legacy of comedy for which he will always be remembered.
Raised in Farringdon, Mike went on to forge a hugely successful career in the entertainment industry as an actor in films such as Billy Elliot, as a controversial radio phone-in host, stand up comedian and television presenter.
The outspoken comic was given the nickname “Mike The Mouth” when he launched his well-known late night talk show on Century FM.
Whilst appearing on BBC show Balderdash and Piffle, in which the writers of the dictionary asked the public for help in finding the origins of words and phrases, he managed to get Mackem in the dictionary.

For those who have seen the film Billy Elliot he was the boxing trainer.

2. Underpants


[image error]Tutankhamun
When Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb, alongside the treasure were 145 pairs of underpants. However, these were not the first examples of the garment. The mummified corpse of Otzi the Iceman, murdered in the Tyrolean Alps 5300 years ago, revealed a goatskin loin cloth.Most European men and women went pantless until the mid-19th century, with ladies wearing long smocks under their dresses and men tucking their shirt tails between their legs.
3. Spend a penny on a potty
A Roman toilet from Ephesus in Turkey
I took this photograph while visiting Ephesus in Turkey. There is no doubt that going to the toilet was a social activity and you can see about a third of the number of places above. Toilet paper wasn't available but a shared sponge on a stick was used for cleansing the bum. It wasn't until 1857 that massed produced toilet paper was available in the UK. The Chinese were wiping with hygienic paper in the ninth century.
4. Take a shower
[image error]William Feetham's shower 1767
The modern shower was invented by William Feetham in 1767. The above example is on wheels and you would have had to be careful not to roll away. There were other versions in which water was only sprinkled if an exercise bike was pedalled.The ancient people of Pakistan, the Harappans, were well ahead of even the Greeks in hygiene perfecting a public sanitation system. Whereas the Romans and Greeks created buildings with running water and heating, they were 2500 years behind the Harappans in delivering water to most of their homes.
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There are other examples I have in my possession but it is almost Christmas and I'm sure you don't want to read about body lice, teeth cleaning slaves and the developments of beds.
God Bless

Food matters - Breakfasts

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. It was my intention to take it easy from a blogging point of view over the Christmas period but nobody turns off ideas and issues that arise on a daily basis. I had obliterated food from my mind. or so I believed but then my BBC History magazine came through the door.
[image error]Full English Breakfast
This may seem totally pig-like but I could tackle a full English breakfast everyday if someone else cooked it and cleared up for me! Any offers? However, in an effort to demonstrate health awareness, I usually have a bowl of gruel (porridge) with a teaspoon of honey.
 [image error]Porridge
Even in the summer I tend to have this for breakfast. As a child Mum fed me porridge in winter and cornflakes in summer, but the History magazine made me think twice about ever having cornflakes again.
Cornflakes
Cornflakes arrived in the 1890's as a treatment for patients with mental illness that masturbated too much. Dr John Harvey Kellogg believed the lack of sugar and spice would reduce a person's sex drive. It was his brother Will, who sprinkled the sugar back on top and made a fortune out of the Kellogg brand.Of course, every bowl of cereal requires a splash of milk, but this was only possible after the Neolithic farming revolution saw humans domesticate animals. Indeed the mutated gene that allows most of us to drink cow's milk without suffering painful flatulence is only 6000 years old, and the majority of the Earth's population don't have it.
Makes you think twice before grabbing the cornflakes from the supermarket shelf.
God Bless

Writing - Earth plc

One of my readers - its great being able to say that 'cos there aren't that many of them - gave me feedback on Earth plc today. She has uploaded to her Nook ereader and read the book in a couple of days and says that 'it was good'.
I am so pleased.

I suppose that I could have waited until it was available everywhere but I wanted people to have the book asap. So I've no patience! (! = laughing at myself). 
Here is the news:-
Smashwords
As an introductory offer this weekend the book is going to be priced at $3.99 just join Smashwords and follow this link,
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500183com
Amazon
The book is available for Kindle or the Kindle App for smartphones and tablets. For those who are unaware of the facilities available on those modern devices the app is free to download and only takes seconds. Then all you need is an Amazon account which really just means that you have previously bought something through Amazon. the current price for the book on this medium is £2.64 or around $3.50. Follow the link below
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earth-plc-Steele-Novels-Book-ebook/dp/B00QS3XB5O/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418392646&sr=1-6&keywords=david+l+atkinson 

Completely Novel
I've kept faith with this company for almost five years. They produce my paperback copies and delivery is really quick. All you need to do is click on the link
http://completelynovel.com/listings/earth-plc 
The paperback is priced at £3.99 + p&pIn fact all of my novels are available in paperback from that website under David L Atkinson.
God Bless

Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week

Look alikes and crushes played a part in the news this week.

1. The US National Security Agency used to have a Clown Club for staff members.
I never liked clowns. Spot the spy!!!
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2. There is a deep sea snail named after Joe Strummer.

Joe who?
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3. Main characters are more likely to die in children's cartoons than in films for adults.

Its tough at the top.
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4. The origins of Monopoly go back decades earlier than previously thought to the Landlord's Game, patented in 1904 by the feminist Lizzie Magie. It had a square board with nine rectangular spaces on each side between corners labelled "Go to Jail" and "Public Park".


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5. There is more water locked deep within the Earth's crust than previously thought - at about 11 million cubic kilometres it's more than all the world's rivers, swamps and lakes put together.


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6. The Star Wars character Han Solo was partly based on Francis Ford Coppola.

Who says so?
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7. The late Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe had a long-running fantasy about marrying Princess Margaret.


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8. Christingle started in Germany in 1747 but didn't reach the UK until 1968.


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9. The three escapees whose story was told in the movie Escape From Alcatraz (and who were never found) could have survived if they set off after midnight but before 01:00.


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10. Arctic ground squirrels hasten the release of greenhouse gases.

Exterminate!!!!
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God Bless

Writing - Rulers that we set ourselves against

In the hectic world of indie authors striving to have work published and receiving nothing but rejection slips there is another way to gain some measure of how you're doing.
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Writing competitions can produce positive feedback on your efforts. I don't enter many and haven't won anything as yet but it seems that entering helps you to focus on parameters for writing set by a third party and, if nothing else, is a valuable writing exercise. There are copious competitions to enter across the globe and some offer amazing prizes but completing such an exercise is another way of showing off your efforts.
My online publisher completelynovel.com (search under David L Atkinson) have produced a list of current competitions which I share with you.

 completelynovel.com 
Just click on the links or the picture to find out more.
I chose to enter a poetry competition to a group called Third Coast with the following piece.
A Soldier’s Lot
Patriotic young men lied about their age
to protect their country – war to wage.
Wearing woollen uniforms sizes too big...
carrying weaponry in a webbing rig.
Digging trenches for miles in Normandy’s mud
half expecting to fill them with their own blood.
Yet youthful exuberance drove them forward
over the edge and pushing onward
with no certainty of returning
and assuaging a families yearning.
But onward they went to the killing ground
believing they were the toughest men around,
thinking they would be the ones to kill
then returning if it was God’s will.
The men facing were just as confident
convinced that their cause was the valiant.

Once the starting gun was discharged
God only knew which boys would be recharged
to their young, exuberant and promising lives,
a national lottery as to which ones survive.
Metal projectiles have no preferences
human flesh offers few defences
and is ripped, torn and misused
leaving the owner screaming, abused
or silent if the hurt is too great
consigning youth to war’s own fate.
In the aftermath there were many lost and maimed
even those returning were scarred and shamed
by the chance of a future not given to others,
guilt tearing them over the death of their brothers.
So to those who hold the power of decision
in the event of conflict a moment’s hesitation
may prevent a nation’s unnecessary heartache
for their people who fight and the families you break.
I chose the above because of it's relevance to the beginning of the Great War.
Happy competing.
God Bless

Writing - DAVID L ATKINSON - author

Well the first copies of Earth plc have arrived today. The portfolio is complete for 2014 and copies of the latest book Earth plc are becoming available in more outlets. One of my readers sent a Christmas card in the following envelope:-

As all struggling indie author's will testify such compliments as the above are like diamonds in a sea of rejection mire. Perhaps I should have it framed.
Portfolio Dec 2014
10 books in total but not the end. Another Steele novel, Grace and Favour, is on its way.




A man is found dead in the massive Kielder Forest in Northumberland and the initial reports suggest suicide. A member of Patrick A Steele’s team feels that is not the whole story and an investigation ensues that leads the team into conflict with some of the most powerful people in the UK. Steele can mete out his own brand of justice initially but when the power companies and the government become involved Steele has to tread carefully.
This time Patrick has been drawn into a national issue that affects us all - Global warming. Steele comes up against the might of corporate finance with the backing of national government who are keen to maintain the status quo on the subject when in fact there is evidence to support a different view.The team struggle to maintain their anonymity under intense pressure and the chances of success seem to be increasingly slim.Has Patrick bitten off more than he can chew?Is there collateral damage to other aspects of his life?What is next for Steele and his team?

God Bless

Poetry Thursday 141 - Magic moments

Life for all of us is a collection of incidents, actions and relationships over which we have some control some of the time. Today's poetry is inspired by one such 'moment' and the general nature of those 'moments'.

A view over the fence
When I were young I went wi’ me dadto the match every other Saturday.We went on our bikes at half past middayand peddled into the toon like mad.
“It isn’t cos’ we’re hard up lad,”he said to me on many occasions,“we just need not suffer more privations.”I was proud to be in the plan wi’ me dad.
On arrival we puffed and panted like madpleased that we’d found a great place,parked bikes against the fence now we’d won that race.He pulled out sarnies Mum had put in t'pockets, did dad.
As a youngster the next two hours were bad.I were easily bored an’ t’weather were glum,and me legs were stiff and toes were numbbut nothing seemed to get to me dad.

At 3 o’clock he climbed on his bike did dad,he held out his hand and hauled me up on mineand ensured the view over the fence was fine.He admonished me to stand still ‘there’s a good lad.’
The match kicked off and I was gladcos’ time would no longer crawl.We cheered our team to win the ball,me, the other fellas and me dad.
The result didn’t matter - tho’ losing were bad.This were a rite of passage joining menand to take part in this ritual again and again.To be honest I’d have gone anywhere as long as it were wi’ me dad.© David L Atkinson December 2014
And the general view of life's events that shape our views about human existence.
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Life’s Moments
A collection of moments only partially owned.Some are childish, poignant and transient;some are scarring, jagged and life changing.All moments are inescapable but there is some control.
You need to recognise moments sothat when they happen you are ready.They can’t always be stoppedBUTcan be changed to something better,not that they’re all bad.
Some moments are better than we could possibly dream of and brook no change,but some can’t resist the urge to tinker.
Life’s skill is knowing which to touch,and which to allow run their course,accepting the consequences with gratitude.© David L Atkinson December 2014
God Bless