Roland Clarke's Blog, page 50
May 11, 2016
A to Z Reflection
Eleven days after the great event seems a reasonable period of time for honest reflection on the Blogging From A to Z April (2016) Challenge. It’s also a good moment to respond to a friend nominating me for The Liebster Award, as that poses some A to Z and blogging questions. However, that will be tomorrow’s post so stayed tuned to this channel.
So first my thoughts about this year’s April Challenge.
After my first two years, 2014 and 2015, I wanted to do briefer posts that would be quicker to read. As I said in my Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016, I wanted something different, tighter and more cryptic. In that I succeeded, but in my desire to produce something ‘challenging’, I chose to write an episodic mystery that created more work. Each episode consisted of one word for each of the letters of the alphabet, commencing with the letter of the day. Of course, I imposed other rules and then as a bonus, had a ‘horse of the day’, and a ‘daily poison’ – again from A to Z.
I did succeed in writing all but a few posts in March, so succeeded in reaching Z and the end of April. However, I struggled to read a lot of other blogs each day – probably about a dozen or so – in addition to the other posts that I follow.
I loved the variety of A to Z blogs out there, and I intend to explore some more in the months ahead. I’m incredibly impressed at the depth of talent in the blogosphere.
My IWSG blog post last Wednesday expressed my concern at making comments, even during quieter periods. So I’m in awe of those that multi-task successfully throughout the Challenge, and don’t believe in clones.
My Liebster comments tomorrow will highlight those bloggers who impressed me, and I admit that I found many individual posts invaluable as well as informative. Maybe I will learn from them in my approach for the 2017 Challenge.
I won’t be giving up blogging quite yet, as doing the A to Z Challenge holds the MaelStrom MonSter at bay by keeping my brain active and distracted.
As for the A to Z Team, they did an excellent job – as always. So a special thank you to those that worked hard to make it possible, from the co-hosts to their helpers/assistants. Here they all are.


May 6, 2016
Adventure to London
I’m running behind by a few days, but this post by my wife explains what has been happening. So read on.
We left home (Harlech) on Tuesday the 3rd of May at approximately 9:30 am and headed to Porthmadog to drop the fur babies off at the kennels. After dropping them off we headed for London via the A5 which took us through places like Bala, Shrewsbury, Nuneaton, Towcester, Milton Keynes and into Kings Langley. We arrived at the hotel at about 4:30 pm and after getting checked in called Jo and Steve to let them know we had arrived. The room was okay but there were several things that did not make it handicap accessible like we were told. The bed was so low to the floor that when you sat on the side your knees were in your chest. The bathroom did have several hand rails on the walls but Roland could not reach the sink, which was low but the taps were to far away for him to…
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May 4, 2016
Why comment?
During April I read more blog posts than usual, mainly as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. However, I didn’t comment on as many of them as I should have done, judging by some amazing people like the Ninja Captain. How does he do it?
I know that it is common courtesy to acknowledge the effort someone has made writing a post. So I tried to tweet most of them. But that’s another insecurity: how to thanks all my own re-tweeters like others do.
Anyway back to the comments. I made a few, even trying to stick to the letter of the day – expressing enthusiastic enchantment OR waxing weighty worded warnings.
Quality not quantity?
And when a post already has 96 comments, I hesitate to add another one aping others – unless I have a unique perspective that is worth sharing. But that’s unlikely.
Does my reluctance mean anything? Never that I disliked the post, even when some were long articles although erudite ones.
But I suspect making few comments reduces the traffic to my site. The figures support that fact – 96:3.
What do you think? Or is it a matter of “No Comment”?
NOTE: I won’t comment on any posts for a few days as I’m travelling = a better excuse than the gerbil chewed my thoughts. How about the monster maelstrom sucks?
Maybe sometimes, monster shark munches severely, meaning stressed mind spasms. Maelstrom swamps my serenity.
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The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We post our thoughts on our own blogs. We talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs. We offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.
Please visit others in the group and connect with my fellow writers.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
And be sure to check out our Facebook group –https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/
The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris!


April 30, 2016
Z for Zelotic – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 26
Zelotic prisoners detained means gratitude.
Quinella strategized, xenial Archibald lures Jamila racing. Nirvana unbounded – kismet.
Though habile Yoshi escapes custody, vanishing over borders, while Interpol fumes.
Glossary:
Habile dexterous; adroit
Kismet fate; destiny
Nirvana any place of complete bliss and delight and peace; (Hinduism and Buddhism NOT for Archibald) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
Quinella bet predicting first and second-place finishers, in either order
Xenial relating to hospitality
Zelotic of the nature of a zealot
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Zenyatta won 19 of 20 starts; first mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (2009); first to win two different Breeders’ Cup races (Ladies’ Classic in 2008, Classic in 2009).
But I have to accept that Betting is a mug’s game and Zero is, “The value of most betting systems and tips!”
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Zarontin Trade name for Ethosuximide, an anti-epileptic medication;
Symptoms: can cause swelling of the limbs, liver failure, and fatal bone marrow aplasia. There is a delay of one to several days in the onset of the coma, mainly because it takes several hours for the above symptoms to kick in. Acute overdoses may produce nausea, vomiting, and CNS depression including coma with respiratory depression.
A relationship between ethosuximide toxicity and its plasma levels has not been established.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
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The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 29, 2016
Y for Yearling – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 25
Yearling deaths were less. Archibald proposes klendusic factors. Or unintentional miscalculations.
Hyperhidrosis betrays Xander; incriminating evidence justifies the second guilty verdict.
Recreational zols calm querimonious nerves.
Glossary:
Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating
Querimonious adj. Complaining; querulous; apt to complain.
Klendusic able to withstand disease due to protective mechanism
Zol a hand-rolled cigarette, especially of cannabis.
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Yigitbasi is a successful Turkish bred horse, although in Arabian Horse Racing. I’m beginning to think that my Canadian might be a Yankee.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Yellow Jacket, hornet (Vespula species);
Distribution: temperate regions;
Toxic principle: similar to bee venom; also acetylcholine;
Symptoms: they can both bite and sting; the sting is similar to that of the honeybee’s but more painful; yellow jackets are quite aggressive; stings may be fatal.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
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The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 28, 2016
X for Xenagogue – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 24
Xenagogue peculiarities impel Jamila to make vegetative observations, forcing yard audits.
Displaying no qualms, Zollie unloads everything, blatantly claiming lethal kyphosis weakens him. Guilty sentence reduced.
Glossary:
Kyphosis hunchbacked condition
Xenagogue guide; someone who conducts strangers
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Xanthi FC sounds Greek. Agreed, my mind is on another sport and the “X” means ‘a draw’ on a soccer betting coupon. However, there is a US racehorse called Xanadu.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. It is naturally found in low concentrations in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables.
Xylitol has no known toxicity in humans, but is often fatal to dogs.
Whereas Xanax (alprazolam) can be addictive to humans and potentiate other benzodiazepine drugs.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
*
The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 27, 2016
W for Wharfage – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 23
Wharfage records unequivocal evidence; ketch movements finger vexed litigants.
Xemes groan outside the pitted courthouse. A youthful judge demands silence.
No zanyism inside his quirky bailiwick.
Glossary:
Bailie 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in Scotland) a municipal magistrate; 2. (Professions) an obsolete or dialect spelling of bailiff
Bailiwick 1. the district within which a bailie or bailiff has jurisdiction; 2. a person’s area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.
Wharfage (Nautical Terms) 1. accommodation for ships at wharves; 2. a charge for use of a wharf; 3. wharves collectively.
Xeme a fork-tailed gull
Zanyism buffoonery
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Winning Colors appealed to this ladies’ man, as she was the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby (1988). Another Win so I won’t Welch on this pay-out.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Weever fish (Trachinus draco);
Distribution: Mediterranean Sea;
Toxic principle: weever fish venom, chemistry unknown;
Symptoms: opercular and dorsal fin spines can produce instant pain, burning, stabbing or crushing sensation; pain spreads and becomes progressively more intense, causing the victim to scream with anguish and suffer loss of consciousness, numbness about the wound, swelling, redness, nausea, delirium, difficulty in breathing, convulsions, and death; no known antidote.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
*
The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 26, 2016
V for Verdict – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 22
Verdict by coroner: two grooms – homicides; four wolves and six racehorses – misadventure.
Not exactly xenogenous killings. “Deadly phytotoxins yielded loss of zoetic qualities,” utters Jamila.
Glossary:
Phytotoxins plant poisons
Xenogenous due to an outside cause
Zoetic living; vital
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Veillantif was Roland’s horse in the La Chanson de Roland – not a racehorse but Roland’s my hero, of course. Value for some here.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Venomous ticks (species of Ixodes and Ornithodoros);
Distribution: temperate and tropical regions;
Toxic principle: unknown;
Symptoms: tick bites result in swelling, redness, intense pain, headache, muscle cramps, loss of memory, etc. Cause diseases such as Lime Disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Colorado Tick Fever, Powassan Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia, some of which can be fatal.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
*
The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 25, 2016
U for Usury – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 21
Usury created vulnerable welchers, inciting reprobate sharks to punish grooms.
Nefarious quisling Xander dropped Yoshi’s zori for kickbacks, expecting hamshackled jockeys’ betrayal of a manipulative lover.
Glossary:
Hamshackle to fetter; to restrain
Welch also welsh 1. To fail to fulfil an obligation; 2. To swindle a person by not paying a debt or wager: welsh on a bet. Usage note: Use of the verb ‘welsh’ is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Welsh, the people of Wales. However, its actual origin may have nothing to do with Wales or its people; in fact, the verb is also spelled welch.
Zori Japanese thonged sandals
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Undercover Secret might be on the Underdog team or a dark horse that keeps on surprising.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Urtica Dioica or Stinging Nettle; though everyone knows that brushing the plant will cause an uncomfortable burning pain for several hours, many do not equate that effect with ‘poisoning’;
Distribution: Europe, North America, Australasia;
Toxic principle: Formic acid is present and responsible for the initial pain but the longer term effects are caused by histamine, acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine;
Symptoms: Brushing the plant produces a stinging on the skin of varying intensity. There is almost no-one who has not been stung by the nettle;
Urtica ferox is a species unique to New Zealand which is said to have caused one human death as well as numerous deaths of dogs and horses. It is believed to contain an additional neurotoxin to those found in other species of nettle.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
*
The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.


April 23, 2016
T for Touts – #atozchallenge
“A Brilliant Conspiracy” Episode 20
Touts utter veiled warnings about race fixings.
Not exactly bribery, more like querked debtors.
Xander importuned grooms of hippic compilations. Yoshi knackered profligate jockeys. Zollie strategized.
Glossary:
Hippic of, like or pertaining to horses or horse-racing
Profligate licentious; dissolute: recklessly extravagant
Querken to stifle; to suffocate
Tout including: Horse Racing. a person who gives information on a horse, especially for a fee; chiefly British. a person who spies on a horse in training for the purpose of betting.
Archibald’s ‘Horse of the Day’
http://www.paulaura.com/betgloss.htm
Totilas was the first horse to score above a 90 in dressage. Another departure in my Tips, but then I’m the Tout with Clout.
Jamila’s ‘Daily Poison’
http://www.britannica.com/science/poison-biochemistry/Types-of-poison#ref396648
Tree frogs (some species of Hyla and Phyllobates);
Distribution: northern South America, Central America;
Toxic principle: skin secretions are poisonous; batrachotoxin, steroidal alkaloids, serotonin, histamine, and other substances; bufotenine varies with the species;
Symptoms: some frog species produce a burning sensation and a skin rash when handled; skin secretions in the eye may produce a severe inflammatory reaction; if ingested, poison causes vomiting and abdominal pain; batrachotoxin is extremely toxic if injected; used by Indians as an arrow poison.
Word Links
http://phrontistery.info/glossaries.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adverbs.shtml
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
*
The Challenge runs over 26 days – with Sundays off for good behaviour – and each day will be based on the alphabet, from A through to Z.
Read more about the Challenge I set myself in my Theme Reveal:
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2016
For more on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and to visit the other brave bloggers, go to the official site and this linky list.

