K. Morris's Blog, page 757

Thoughts On A Winter’s Evening

Winter. Not long gone 4 pm yet, all is dark. Wind cuts like a knife. People hurry, collars turned up against the icey blast.

Home beccons. Central heating warms, hot drinks revive, but what can unfreeze the shrivelled soul inside?

Sir Smasham UP By E. V. Rieu

At school I had a wonderful teacher, Mr Delacruz who, along with my grandfather kindled in me a love of literature. I remember Mr Delacruz’s classroom as being piled high with books, volumes tottered on storeroom shelves. For me, as a small boy entering his classroom was akin to visiting Aladdin’s cave.

I recollect him reading aloud to we children. He even made a recording of several stories and poems for me including Conan Doyle’s The Speckled Band and Alfred Noye’s poem The Highwayman. One poem from which I derived particular pleasure was Sir Smasham UP by E V RIEU, (http://monologues.co.uk/Childrens_Favourites/Smasham_Uppe.htm). For a reason which shall forever remain clouded in mystery, the first few lines of Rieu’s humorous poem popped into my head this morning,

“Good afternoon, Sir Smasham Uppe!

We’re having tea: do take a cup!”

and I determined to look up this childhood favourite. If you have children, grandchildren or are acquainted with children in any way I recommend introducing Rie

North Korea is Murdering People With Disabilities North Korean Defector Says

On 30 November I published a post entitled “Lets Talk About Eugenics”, (http://newauthoronline.com/2014/11/30/lets-talk-about-eugenics/). In that piece I wrote about how eugenics has been embraced by people with divergent political views, including leading socialists, conservatives, liberals and, in the most extreme manifestation of eugenic measures Nazi Germany.

Eugenics lead, in it’s most virulent form to the Action T-4 Programme (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/t4.html) under which the Third Reich sterilised and murdered thousands of disabled people. One would hope that the attitudes which lead to Action T-4 perished with the defeat of Hitler’s Germany. However according to defectors from North Korea the killing of people with disabilities continues apace, (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2869792/Dwarfs-castrated-babies-left-suffer-horrific-deaths-Defector-claims-North-Korea-purging-disabled-population-humiliate-regime.html), with the disabled being used as guinea pigs in medical experiments and being forceably removed from their parents. Words such as horrific can not do justice to the barbarity of what the North Korean regime is inflicting on people with disabilities and the populace in general.

Buy a Book for Christmas – Kevin Cooper – The Wizard, The Girl and The Unicorn’s Horn

drewdog2060drewdog2060:

I have enjoyed several of Kev Cooper’s books, including the Devil’s Apology and this one is on my reading list.

Originally posted on Smorgasbord - Variety is the spice of life:

Getting closer to Christmas and I am still browsing the halls here in Blogland to find gifts to fill the shelves in the Emporium…and today one for all ages who love fantasy, wizardry and Unicorns.

Kevin Cooper is an author and an amateur musician. He has a wonderfully diverse blog where all are welcome and his author interviews are very popular. His love of art, photography and cats is obvious as his love of music which is the subject of his other blog Kev’s Music Blog.

I have picked a book that I think is perfect for Christmas and in fact found out that Kevin has also promoted himself this morning. I have put a link to his post so that you can get a double dose.

This will go in the Christmas Gift Emporium along with the other books, music and design that I have gathered from both guests…

View original 288 more words

Dalliance; A Collection Of Poetry And Prose Is Available To Purchase In The Kindle Store

My collection of poetry and prose, Dalliance is available to download in the Kindle Store. To purchase Dalliance please visit (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQVJC7E) or (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1418159758&sr=1-1&keywords=Dalliance%3B+a+collection+of+poetry+and+prose).

Dalliance is a compilation of my poems many of which deal with nature and man’s relationship with the natural world. The collection also includes several of my short stories together with a number of essays on a variety of topics.

I hope you enjoy reading Dalliance.

 

Kevin

Successful Blogging – Guest Post By Kev Cooper

Many thanks to Kev (http://kevs-domain.net/about-my-blog/) for the below excellent post on successful blogging. I agree with Kev, its vital to build up relationships with fellow bloggers and remain courteous in one’s dealings with others. Thank you Kev, (Kevin, the other one)!

 

Successful Blogging

Successful blogging is not only about having good posts, although that does help, be they uplifting, informative, eventful, un-eventful or even if you’re sharing some unfortunate news; Rather, successful blogging is all about community. It’s about how you interact with your blogging community. It’s about showing appreciation and support to your followers and visitors. It’s not rocket science, folks. It’s simple, common courtesy.

For example, not everyone is comfortable with commenting, but they may like your posts and what you have to say… bear this in mind when someone likes your posts. Pay a visit to their blog, see what they’re about. If you like something; let them know in what way is comfortable for you.

Be mindful of those who take the extra effort to leave a comment, however short. It may be that they have a lot to do, somewhere to go and are in a hurry and therefore just leave a word, like “nice,” “beautiful,” or a smiley face. It could be they want to say something, but don’t know what to say. Either way, they have still made an extra effort to show appreciation. Jeez, I should know, I’ve done it often enough myself just before setting off to work or continuing with a project on hand! A return “Thanks/Thank you” or even a smiley face shows your acknowledgement of their effort and will in no way go unnoticed.

Some folks find they have quite a bit to say, use this as a great opportunity to establish a good rapport and even develop a solid blogging friendship. It’s these interactions that really bring your blog to life. Some of the great rapport I have between blogs started with just a simple like, a smiley face, and/or a “nice.”

Finally, be open-minded. Not everyone is going to think like you do. Learn to appreciate your differences and allow yourself to grow from your experience with the wonderful world of successful blogging.

(Now if I can just find a way off this soapbox without slipping…)

Happy successful blogging folks! J

Discrimination By Taxi Driver Who Refused To Convey Me With My Guide Dog Trigger

In the United Kingdom it is an offence under the Equalities Act 2010 for a taxi driver and/or a company to refuse to convey an assistance dog owner accompanied by their working animal (http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/legislation/equality-act-2010). As those of you who follow this blog will know, I am a registered blind guide dog owner. This post is about the discrimination I encountered on 27 October when a taxi driver from Station Cars refused to convey me and my guide dog Trigger.

Responsibility for ensuring taxi companies comply with their legal obligations to convey assistance dog owners, accompanied by their working animals rests with the Public Carriage Office, (https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/). I reported the issue on 27 October however I have, to date received no feedback from PCO regarding my complaint other than an automated acknowledgement that it had been received by them. I have chased, several times (including via recorded delivery). However I have yet to receive a response from the PCO.

I have thus far refrained from blogging about the incident in the hope that it could be resolved via the PCO. However given the inordinate amount of time things are taking I have determined to blog about the incident in order to highlight it and the difficulties faced by myself and other assistance dog owners.

I have reproduced below my e-mail to PCO (withholding my address and that of the witnesses to the incident for reasons of privacy).

 

Text Of E-Mail From Kevin Morris To PCO Sent On 27 October 2014

 

“Dear Sir/Madam,

Further to my conversation with (name redacted) of today’s date, I am

writing to complain regarding the failure of Station Cars (vehicle

registration LC63UBM – a Vauxhall Zafira) to convey me and my guide

dog Trigger from my home (address redacted). to (address redacted)

At the time of the incident my guide dog was wearing his distinctive

harness clearly marking him as a working guide dog.

At approximately 7:40 am on Monday 27 October I telephoned Crystal

Cars and requested a car to convey me and my guide dog to (address redacted). The firm advised that the taxi would be with me

for around 8:15 AM.

At about 8:20 am a driver arrived from Station Cars and refused to

convey me and my guide dog. I explained that under the Equalities Act

he was obliged to take guide dogs when accompanied by their owners. He

said that he had not been informed about the presence of the dog and

contacted his office (Station Cars). Station cars backed up the driver

and on me requesting to speak to them (the driver handed over his

mobile) Station Cars repeated that they where not obliged to convey

guide dogs. The firm further confirmed that the booking had been

passed to them by Crystal Cars owing to Crystal Cars not having a

driver available.

My neighbour, (name and address redacted) and her daughter, (name redacted) spoke with the driver and tried to

reason with him. However he remained adamant that he wouldn’t convey

me and my guide dog. (Name redacted) then took the driver’s details as set

out above.

I subsequently contacted Crystal Cars who apologised for the incident

and sent another car which arrived quickly.

To recap. The initial booking was made with Crystal Cars who due to

not having any drivers available passed on the booking to Station

Cars. It was a driver from Station Cars and Station Cars themselves

who refused to convey me and my guide dog. The dog was wearing his

distinctive harness so it was crystal clear that he was a working

guide dog. I would be grateful if you could please investigate the

actions of Station Cars and the driver in question.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to

contact me.

tours Faithfully

Kevin Morris

 

Nightmare

The whispering moved closer. Mark’s instinct was to flee but where could he go? The cellar was black as pitch. If he ran Mark would, in all probability run straight into the arms of the loathsome creatures. Even if, by some miracle he evaded them he would in all likelihood run slap bang into a brick wall. However, remaining where he was was not an option as, sooner rather than later the vile things would be on him.

Mark shuddered at the thought of the Dracs, They didn’t kill their prey immediately. Captives where confined in cages, their blood being taken as and when the creatures became hungry. They where the size of an average domestic cat. In a one to one situation a man could (assuming he was able to get hold of a Drac) choke the life out of the detestable creature. However the cellar was crawling with Dracs. Even if he killed a dozen of them their brethren would capture him eventually.

Mark felt the gentlest of touches, rather like being tickled by the whiskers of a domestic cat. He screamed and kicked out in the direction of the contact. The Drac shrieked as it was propelled through the air. There was a splat followed by a shrieking from the Drac’s enraged companions.

Where was the entrance. He had got into this infernal place, surely he could, somehow find the way out?

Mark was conscious of needle-like fangs puncturing his leg. His fist connected with something warm and soft. The creature groaned in agony attempting to escape. Mark brought his foot crashing down on the skull of the Drac.

The death of another Drac brought a veritable horde of the creatures on him. Desperately Mark clicked on the “close game” icon.

“The programme is not responding”.

Mark reached for the computer’s off switch. His hand was caught in the sharp fangs of a ravenous drac. Mark screamed. With all his strength he attempted to hook his foot around the computer’s cable. If he could get a grip on the wire then Mark could end the nightmare by pulling it out of the socket. The Dracs, as though comprehending his intention, locked both his legs in a vice-like grip. The things piled on top of him forcing Mark off his chair and on to the ground. A sound rather like that of a cat lapping milk could be heard.

 

—

 

Becky found her boyfriend lying on the carpet without a mark on him. He lay entangled in the virtual reality suit. It covered him from head to toe. The garment allowed the user to interact with computer generated worlds and, in effect to become an integral part of whatever game he was playing.

Mark’s face wwore a look of utter detestation and fear. Something about the way in which Mark lay and his expression told Becky that he was beyond help.

Becky reached for the telephone which stood next to the computer monitor. She froze at the sight which greeted her. Cat-like creatures glared at her from the monitor, their sharp fangs seeming to reach out to Becky. Instinctively Becky stepped back to avoid those razor-sharp teeth. Averting her eyes from the screen Becky bent, turned off the power and unplugged the machine. As the power died Becky fancied she heard an angry howling coming from the headset which remained strapped to Mark’s head.

Previously Unseen Letter By Jane Austen Goes On Display At Torquay Museum

A previously unseen letter by Jane Austen has gone on display at Torquay Museum. The letter contains the first mention of Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. For the article which contains a transcript of the letter please visit the following link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2863601/Previously-unseen-letter-Jane-Austen-writes-Pride-Prejudice-goes-public-display-time.html

Briefcase

Below is my entry to Tipsy Lit’s December short story writing competition (http://tipsylit.com/2014/12/01/decembers-short-story-contest/).

 

BRIEFCASE

 

 

John Mcmanners was every inch your typical civil servant. Dressed in a conservative grey suit, leather briefcase in hand, he walked along Whitehall in the direction of the Ministry of Defence. Tucked under his left arm John carried a large fluffy toy dog. The animal was golden brown in colour with long floppy ears. A long pink tongue protruded from the animal’s mouth. It looked, for all the world as though the dog was smiling.

“Hey, what a cute dog. Is that a present for your little girl or boy?” a tourist with an American or Canadian accent (John always got confused between the 2) said.

“It’s for my daughter”, John said, smiling at the middle-aged lady.

 

—

 

Keith Robbins instructions where clear,

“An official in the Ministry of Defence will arrive at work between 9:20 and 9:30 am. Grab the briefcase he will be carrying. Go to Wong’s Chinese takeaway in Covent Garden and hand it over to Mr Wong. Is that clear?” the man had said.

“Perfectly”, Keith had said.

Keith had no idea who his employer was or why he wanted the briefcase. He worshipped at the altar of Mammon, so long as he got paid Keith didn’t care whether his employer was Satan himself. Money was money whatever it’s origins.

 

—

 

Keith sat astride the powerful motorbike apparently consulting an A to Z of London. As John came abreast of him Keith said,

“Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Regent Street? This A to Z is useless”.

John paused and turning towards Keith started to speak,

“You need to”,

John swore as Keith yanked the briefcase out of his right hand and rode away at speed.

 

—

 

John entered the office of Mark Colins, the head of the UK’s missile defence programme.

“Do you have those plans of China’s proposed new arms factory?” Mark said.

John placed the large cuddly toy on his boss’s desk. He pulled on the dog’s long pink tongue. It came away in his hand. Rummaging inside the stuffed animal John extracted a computer flash drive,

“There you go” he said handing it over to Mark.

 

—

 

In Wong’s Chinese takeaway, Mr Wong looked in disbelief at the contents of the briefcase: today’s Daily Telegraph, a Marks and Spencer ready meal and a rolled up umbrella. He swore violently. It would, he knew be impossible to recover the plans from the Ministry of Defence. Heads, including his would role over this fiasco.