Kurt Brindley's Blog, page 108
February 7, 2015
Dude Mode Activated
Seems only one of us realizes they are no longer the cuddly little pups they just recently were. However, I still abide…
Filed under: Photography Tagged: Aurelius, cuddly puppies, Dude Mode, Dudes, movie references, photography, puppies, puppy photography, The Dude, Zeno
This would make for great fiction…
Global food poisoning? Yes, We’re maxing out. Forget Peak Oil. We’re maxing-out on Peak Food. Billions go hungry. We’re poisoning our future, That’s why Cargill, America’s largest private food company, is warning us: about water, seeds, fertilizers, diseases, pesticides, droughts. You name it. Everything impacts the food supply. Wake up America, it’s worse than you think.
We’re slowly poisoning America’s food supply, poisoning the whole world’s food supply. Fortunately Cargill’s thinking ahead. But politicians are dragging their feet. They’re trapped in denial, protecting Big Oil donors, afraid of losing their job security; their inaction is killing, starving, poisoning people, while hiding behind junk-science. – MarketWatch
He says that over the next 50 years, if nothing is done, crop yields in many states will most likely fall, the costs of cooling chicken farms will rise and floods will more frequently swamp the railroads that transport food in the United States. He wants American agribusiness to be ready. – New York Times
Among the future trends that will impact our national security is climate change. Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict. They will likely lead to food and water shortages, pandemic disease, disputes over refugees and resources, and destruction by natural disasters in regions across the globe. In our defense strategy, we refer to climate change as a “threat multiplier” because it has the potential to exacerbate many of the challenges we are dealing with today – from infectious disease to terrorism. We are already beginning to see some of these impacts. – Pentagon
If it wasn’t already our reality…
And which is why I believe this and this.
Filed under: Environment Tagged: environment, food, food shortages, food wars, global warming, national security, natural disasters, news, Peak Food, Pentagon, threat multiplier, war, water wars, writing
February 6, 2015
The Man Crossing Lombard Street… Selection
- randomwordbyruth wins the Make Kurt Scratch His In Complete Befuddlement As He Tries to Comprehend the Linkage Between the Story and the Prompt award.
– Josh Wrenn comes in with another powerful submission. Josh’s story is set up perfectly in both tone and pace. I loved all the unknowns, especially the unknown of why all of a sudden the San Franciscans turned on the lonely man. I only wish it would have ended right after the unknown lonely man purchased the rope. For after that, everything becomes known and a bit too trite for me with the play on the Beatles song. I say this not to be publicly critical, but to publicly express how great I think the story is and to strongly urge Josh to consider submitting his story, after taking my public feedback under consideration, to a literary journal. Congratulations, Josh, on yet another fine piece of work.
Which takes us lastly to our first submission…
It is my pleasure to present to you tonight’s Flash Fiction Friday selection, which is yet another well written, powerful submission and one that is selected despite it implicating yours truly in a Big Brother role of sort. In fact, it just may have been selected for that spot-on implication because its presence is really felt and it adds a heavy layer of paranoia and wonderful creepiness to the story that might not otherwise have been there. The dialogue is perfect and the story is completely relevant to our times. Bravo, karen.
THE MAN CROSSING LOMBARD STREET
by karen rawson
“People oughta mind their own business, I say.” Henry raised a curled fist to his mouth and coughed into it.
“What people, Mr. Schmoll?”
“Them. Those people.”
“I see. Can you take a deep breath for me?”
Henry wheezed and brought up a rattling breath. Dr. Redmond tipped her head, listening. Congestion, for sure. But there was something strange in there. “How long have you had that cough, Mr. Schmoll?”
“Aw. I dunno.” He heaved and cleared his throat. “Awhile. That ain’t why I’m here. It’s the internet people. They’re bugging me.”
Dr. Redmond pulled back and eyed him. “What internet people?”
“The people! All the people, watching me. Writing stuff down. All the way down Lombard. Watching me. Goddamn people. They oughta mind their own business.”
“I see. And how long has this been the case?”
“Aw jeez. Aw jeez.” Henry shook one leg, pounded a fist on it. “Goddamn. Someone just wrote me a war injury. I wasn’t even in the war.”
The doctor took another step back. “Someone wrote you a war injury?”
“They say I live alone! I don’t live alone. I got family.”
The doctor backed to the door and reached back for the knob. “Mr. Schmoll, I’m going to consult another physician on this. Can you just sit tight until I’m back?”
Henry blanched and curled an arm around his stomach. “Okay then. But hurry. Someone just wrote me a bad case of indigestion. If you don’t hurry up, those goddamn people gonna write me to my grave.”
Thank you, Authors, for sharing your fine skills with us. Have a fantastic weekend.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: authors, Batman, contests, depression, fiction, flash fiction, Indie Authors, lonliness, paranoia, solitude, suicide, writing, writing contests, writing prompts
Beauty in the Bleak
lose me the colors
blemish me the sacred land
bleak is my demand
I need not the blossom hue
I need not the morning dew
Inspired by Nature? Join our Newsletter Love Emerson, First Commitment .
Must be a subscriber to participate.
Edition 003-15 is germane.
Filed under: Photography Tagged: barns, beauty, farms, fields, Indie Authors, Japanese Poetics, landscapes, nature, photography, poetry, Ralph Waldo Emerson, tanka, wabi sabi, writing
The Man Crossing Lombard Street…
FLASH FICTION FRIDAY PROMPT
Write a 750ish words or less story based upon the photograph and tanka of the man crossing Lombard Street.
Who is he, that man,
Crossing Lombard Street alone?
Who is he, that man,
Head down and looking forlorn?
Just who is that lonely man?
This may explain things a bit.
Submissions close at 7pmish.
Selection announced sometime thereafter.
No comments other than submissions for the prompts please. All comments welcome for the selection when published, however.
Please “Like” those you like.
It should be noted that, as stated on the Disclaimer page and the Relating to Humans guidelines, a “Like” by me does not necessarily mean I like or endorse a submitted work. My “Like” is foremost intended as a means of acknowledging a submission; though chances are pretty good I may like it, as well.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: authors, city landscapes, city streets, contests, forlorn, Indie Authors, lonely men, lonliness, photography, poetry, tanka, writing, writing contests, writing prompts
February 5, 2015
Saving the World… Thoughtful Thursday Selection
Requirements are such a pain, aren’t they?
I mean, why was it necessary for me to stipulate arbitrarily that today’s haiku must follow the 5/7/5 syllable count and also rhyme and illustrate a passionate cause?
Well, of course…because it makes the selection process all that much easier when those submissions do not meet the requirements set unto and forthwith, as well as erstwhile.
Huh?
Anyway, there are some mighty fine haiku – and mighty funny too – that, unfortunately, either don’t rhyme or meet the syllable count or have a missing or misunderstood cause of passion and therefore don’t qualify…
Sorry.
But I will say a few words about the haiku that are not today’s selection for this or that or the other reason…
– I think it awesome how Queen J Hardy Carroll’s non-rhyming haiku speaks in the third person…as in the “Royal We.” Though I wonder about the Queen’s priorities when his “most passionate cause” appears to be that of dissing drum solos.
– Queen Clintington, with his non-rhyming and, judging against the prompt requirements, non-reasoning haiku wins the “Make Kurt Legitimately LOL” award. On top of that, I especially enjoy how the Queen orders his King about.
– Queen Josh Wrenn’s haiku is pure awesomeness, one I can empathize, sympathize, and actualize with, and it would be a definite selection contender had it not been missing a couple of letters critical to the overall effect of the poem. I’m not much of a cursing kinda guy, despite my sailorness, but sometimes, there are no better alternatives to a big, fat, juicy curse word when effectively deployed. And this haiku by Queen Josh is one of those sometimes in my estimation.
– Queen Myas’s beautiful wonderment of an extended haiku was out of bounds by the length of eight syllables or so.
– Queen Ritu wins the “Elision Award” for her effective use of “d’ya.”
– Had Queen MLJ’s procrastinating polite poem rhymed, as awesome as it is, whoa…
– Queen Mandy Moran, with her powerfully potent political haiku unfortunately did not rhyme; however, had she had followed the rules properly, her Realm of Anarchy would have been immediately delegitimized.
Which leaves us with one haiku. One of perfect parts, and of resounding rhymes, and, most critically, of profound and powerful poetry. And as a bonus, her passion of a cause in the form of today’s haiku is my passion of a cause in the form of today’s haiku. Awesome.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Queens and Queens, it is my pleasure to present to you today’s Thoughtful Thursday selection…
THE WORLD IS QUEEN
by Queen Dancing Echoes
Gaia doesn’t play,
In the end She’ll have her way,
Earth will win the day.
Thank you all very much for sharing your incredible poetry with us… And as always, if you’re interested in receiving a digital edition of one of my Amazon selections as a gift for your participation…hit me up via the Contact page.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: contests, environment, environmentalism, Gaia, haiku, Mother Earth, nature, non-gender specific, poetry, Queen of the World, Queens, writing, writing prompts, 俳句
Saving the World, One Haiku at a Time
IF I WERE QUEEN* OF THE WORLD…
[Thoughtful Thursday Prompt]
If World’s Queen were I
Nature’s Reign would never die
On Her I’d rely
For today’s prompt…
Queens* of the World, tell us in a rhyming haiku what cause you are most passionate about.
The 5/7/5 syllable count must be adhered to.
Special consideration for those submissions accompanied by an original relevant photograph or artwork. Copyright responsibilities are assumed by the contributor.
And if I may have a quick word with my male friends…
Dudes, I hope your lack of participation in last Thursday’s prompt had nothing to do with the fact you must assume responsibilities as Queens of the World. I mean, come on… We forced our non-gender specific maleness down everyone’s throat, so to speak, in our literature since the beginning of the written word so it’s time for you to man* up and get over it already and let us know how you would make the world a better place if you lorded* over it as a Queen*.
Roger that?
Roger that.
*non-gender specific
This may explain things a bit.
Submissions close at 7pmish.
Selection announced sometime thereafter.
No comments other than submissions please.
Please “Like” those you like.
It should be noted that, as stated in the Disclaimer page and the Relating to Humans guidelines, a “Like” by me does not necessarily mean I like or endorse a submitted work. My “Like” is foremost intended as a means of acknowledging a submission; though chances are pretty good I may like it, as well.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: art, contests, drawing, environment, gender issues, haiku, nature, photography, poetry, Queens, writing, writing contests, 俳句
February 4, 2015
It’s Only “Weird” If… [Weird Wednesday Selection]
I are you and we are not Combat boots are left to rot Thrash the holy from the wheat Stack the stock in piles neat Refrain thy meek from honeyed dreams Sow thy saviors ‘tween the seams Left is up and down is fright The morn is black the black the light The night is ’til the way goes wrong The prisoner sings her victory song The song of prison the victor brings The victor’s prison the song shall sing — Not are we and you are I Wars of rot forever die Not are we and you are I Wars of rot forever cry Not are we and you are I Wars of rot forever lie Not are we and you are I Wars of rot forever try…
Blessed are the weirdos for weirdos all are we…
Well, this was fun. Thank you all for sharing your wonderful weird words with us.
Speaking of weird…
Did any of you notice how often the word “weird” is used in Murakami’s The Wind-up Bird Chronicles? It’s rather weird.
Anyway…
Yes, weird has a scale and some of you are a tad bit weirder than others.
Thankfully so, for it allows me great pleasure to present to you the weird that struck me the weirdest, which, in this context is a wonderful thing…
Its only weird……
Mandy Moran
I hear you ask for weird….
When all around is calm and still
There is no ripple in the waters light
Just the moon and its luminous reflection
How can I interpret weird….
Is not for lack of imagination
When suddenly the water erupted its sleep
With a crash of a hat and limb
The water felt hot like treacle
Pulling through its gulp
Bittersweet with its welcome hold
Lumps, glue, sticky and yet free
Time is but an essence
Each day bringing the weird and wonderful too
Give the weird a chance
For all things need a balance….
Capture the opposite, encounter the within
The moon has a light but dark prevails
Water will flow until its sealed
As we feel the weird from deep held in…….
Mandy.x
Mandy, if you’re interested in a digital edition of one of my selections at Amazon let me know.
Thanks for all the wonderful weird everyone!
Filed under: Writing Tagged: contests, Haruki Murakami, normal, poetry, socialization, society, strange, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, weird, writing, writing contests, writing prompts
It’s Only “Weird” If… [Weird Wednesday Prompt]
I like those beer commercials that were airing a couple years ago about how it was only weird if it didn’t work.
If that isn’t one of the most true and profound beer commercials in the history of beer commercials then I don’t know what is…
I mean, if we do something strange or have a less than normal personality, then we are automatically labeled as weird. But have someone rich and/or famous exhibit the same behavior then it immediately goes from not working and being weird to working and being, you guessed it, eccentric.
Eccentric… What every weirdo strives to become.
Imagine an average joe* walking down, not the red carpet, but the average city street in a dress made of meat… I doubt the eccentric defense will work well with the average city cop.
Yet another example of the long, hard, enduring struggle between the classes…
But if you think about it, weird ain’t easy to do. It’s hard to go against the grain, against convention. Normal is so easy, welcoming. We’ve been doing normal for most of our lives and it now is hard not to do it.
Don’t get me wrong, normal is cool. Whoever invented it was a genius – and I suspect female – for how else to get us stupid men from bashing in each other’s stupid heads with clubs and rocks and whatever else we could get our hands on than to create a system where such behavior is strange, odd – not normal.
So I’m all in for normal, while knowing very well that weird is where the action is.
So, for today’s Weird Wednesday prompt…
Put together something – a poem, an essay, flash fiction, a drawing, whatever – stream of consciousness perhaps, whatever – something less than normal, something against convention, but something that, at least in your mind, is normal and as conventional – and preferable, enlightening to all – as can be.
My guess is, it won’t be easy…
And I suspect Josh Wrenn, the author of yesterday’s Tanka Tuesday selection, just may be tapping into some of that brandy he waxed so poetically about for some weird inspiration.
*non-gender specific
This may explain things a bit.
Submissions close at 7PMish.
Selection posted some time after…
Filed under: Writing Tagged: art, beer commercials, drawing, eccentric, essays, flash fiction, meat dress, poems, poetry, strange, weird, writing, writing contests, writing prompts
February 3, 2015
The Sailor Said Brandy… [Tanka Tuesday Selection]
sailors love but one
tho’ lonely a love it is
the sea’s seduction
port o’ call’s are fleeting spells
hearts are broken with the bells
With but two submissions in response to today’s prompt, and with one, by my count, off by a syllable, seems my work has been completed already for me. And work well done it is…’tis, indeed.
It is my pleasure to present to you our tanka selection by Josh Wrenn…
Brandy good to drink
So smooth on my waiting tongue
Not good for liver
Never lonely with Brandy
Killing me but I can’t stop
Thank you very much to both authors for sharing their very fine poetry with us.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: authors, broken hearts, contests, Indie Authors, music, ocean, poetry, sailors, sea, tanka, writing, writing contests, writing prompts
