K. Morris's Blog, page 766
October 19, 2014
Vampire By Kevin Morris
I am pleased to announce that Calamities Press have published my flash fiction piece, Vampire which can be found here (https://calamitiespress.com/2014/10/19/vampire-slippy-realism-by-kevin-morris/).
BlindStudent Refused Entry To Tesco Because Of Guide Dog
Last night my friend, Brian drew my attention to the case of a blind student who was ejected from Tesco’s supermarket for bringing her working guide dog into the store, (http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/17/blind-student-banned-from-tesco-for-taking-in-guide-dog). Under the UK Disability Discrimination Act (now subsumed into the Equalities Act) assistance dogs (including guide dogs) are allowed to enter premises selling or serving food and it is an offense to refuse entry. Tesco and those employees who threw this lady out of the store where therefore guilty of breeching the legislation. To compound matters the dog was wearing it’s distinctive high visibility harness thereby clearly marking it as a working animal.
Initially Tesco offered the lady a £20 voucher. However following the BBC picking up on the story Tesco has, I understand agreed to pay £5000 to the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association (The UK charity which trains guide dogs). The supermarket has also said that it will “remind” staff of their duty to admit assistance dogs.
As a blind guide dog owner I am afraid that this incident does not surprise me. On several occasions I have been refused service in restaurants when accompanied by my guide dogs (my current dog is called Trigger). I have, however had 3 previous dogs: Nixon, Zeff and Drew all of whom have been wonderful companions and have provided essential assistance in finding my way around London together with other cities.
In most instances the issue of my guide dog has been resolved amicably by me politely explaining the law and producing a letter from the RNIB which furnishes a brief description of the legislation as it relates to blind people (including their working guide dogs). Unfortunately, in a few instances I have had to invoke the threat of legal action which has proved effective in ensuring the future admittance of my guide dog and I.
It is incredible that a huge multinational like Tesco can not provide adequate training to it’s employees regarding their duty not to discriminate under the Equalities Act. Despite the company’s assurance that they will “remind” their employees of their duty to admit working guide dogs I feel in my water that incidents such as this will continue to happen.
Tesco is not the only company guilty of such actions. Many other organisations have (and continue to practice) discrimination against disabled people.
Ironically I visited my local Tesco (it’s about a 30 minute walk from my home) on Friday and had no problems in gaining admittance with my guide dog, Trigger. Indeed the staff where extremely helpful and I was escorted round the store as I can not shop independently due to my poor vision.
I hope that Tesco and other similar organisations get their act together. However, as I say above I fear that articles like this will continue to appear.
October 18, 2014
Something Wicked (Part 3) And An Apology
A thousand apologies. Yesterday I published the final part of my story, Something Wicked. However on looking at the post today, I see that it is not, in fact the complete (final) chapter but an earlier (incomplete) version of it. Below is the complete text of the final chapter. I have no excuse, only an explanation, the fact that I was tired when posting. I hope you enjoy reading Something Wicked and would love to hear what you think of my story.
—
Charles lay awake held fast in the arms of night terrors. The dark, like a plastic bag placed over the head was suffocating. He thrashed and gasped for air. Charles tried to cry out but the sound which escaped his lips was a mere whimper.
Suddenly the intense blackness was broken by a dim light coming from the wardrobe which towered, menacingly above him.
A sound like that of claws scratching disturbed the profound silence. It couldn’t be Smudge. He had checked and the animal was definitely not in the wardrobe. Besides cats don’t generate light.
Charles lay paralysed with fear, unable to teare his gaze away from the wardrobe. Surely he was imagining it? He was certain (well almost so) that he had closed the wardrobe door properly. However it was now slightly ajar. Maybe in his desire to return to bed he haden’t shut the wardrobe correctly. As the boy watched, the door moved. So imperceptible was it’s motion that At first Charles doubted the evidence of his own eyes.
There was, however no doubting the reality of the arm which snaked through the gap between the wardrobe and it’s door (the latter had ceased to open leaving an apature just large enough for the arm to pass through). The white bone of the arm glinted in the baleful light emanating from the wardrobe. The skeleton wagged an admonitory finger in the direction of the boy who lay sspeechless with fear then, with a wave it withdrew into the cupboard, closing the door behind it. As the light was extinguished the child, overcome with fear collapsed in a faint.
—
Lord Brockett hurried along the narrow passage, his torch lighting the way. It was a sheer stroke of genius on his part to hit upon the idea of using the long forgotten priest hole.
Brockett Hall had been finished during the reign of Elizabeth I. The Brocketts along with other Catholic families where forbidden to celebrate mass (anyone caught practicing the Catholic religion was subject to imprisonment, torture and, frequently death). Many devout rich Catholic families continued to celebrate mass and to employ Catholic clergy for this purpose. The lay Jesuit, Nicholas Owen had overseen the construction of many priest holes which acted as hiding places for priests when the authorities raided Catholic houses in search of clergymen. Many such hiding places where concealed on staircases or in the vicinity of fireplaces, while the priest hole in Brockett Hall was hidden behind a substancial oak cupboard. A tiny apature, almost invisible to the naked eye would, when pressure was exerted open a section of the cupboard allowing a priest to pass through, close the panel behind him and escape by means of the passage along which Lord Brockett was now passing.
As a doctor Lord Brockett was aware of the heart condition from which his nephew suffered. A few more frights along the lines of that which Lord Brockett had inflicted that evening should result in Charles suffering a massive heart attack. Indeed Lord Brockett was surprised that his nephew had survived thus far unscathed.
The sombre books, the confiscation of the mobile thereby isolating the boy from his friends and the artificial skeleton where all designed to hasten Charles’s demise.
Lord Brockett was able to observe his nephew’s reactions through the infrared camera concealed in the light fitting. The moment Charles reached out his hand to open the door Lord Brockett had ceased to tap on the back of the wardrobe. The existence of the priest hole had long since been forgotten by all accept himself and his sister, Amanda who was now dead as a consequence of her car having hit a tree.
The estate was mired in debt and those to whom he owed money where closing in. Amanda’s will left everything to her son Charles however, in the event of his death all her property passed to Lord Brockett.
“Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The boy’s death would be seen as a tragedy with he, Lord Brockett being comforted as the man who had taken in his nephew Charles only to have him tragically die under his roof” Lord Brockett thought.
—
Lord Brockett pulled on a rusty metal leaver. A section of brickwork swung open. Pushing aside the ivy which covered the building, Lord Brockett entered the grounds of the hall. He turned pushing the section of brickwork back into place then, with great care he arranged the ivy so as to cover the secret passage which, in centuries past had allowed Catholic priests to escape their persecutors.
“I see you Alfred”.
Lord Brockett whirled around,
“Amanda! No, it isn’t possible” he said staggering back against the wall.
“The dead see everything Alfred. I know what you intend for my son”, Amanda said.
“It, its … it’s a game. Boys love games. Its only a bit of fun Amanda”, Lord Brockett replied. He was sweating despite it being 12:30 am on a freezing winter morning.
“The dead know everything Alfred. You can hide nothing from me. You intend the death of my beloved Charles” Amanda said her blue eyes flashing with anger.
“No, no, it’s harmless fun, Charles loves a good game”, Lord Brocket said mopping his perspiring brow.
“It’s useless denying it Alfred. I know every twisted thought that infests your poisoned mind. In the priest hole I stood behind you, choosing not to reveal myself. I saw you tap on the back of the cupboard. I watched as you shonne your torch behind the panel. I saw you push the arm of the skeleton into the room but, most of all I boiled with anger at the torment you inflicted on my son”, Amanda said.
“Forgive me”, Lord Brockett said prostrating himself before his sister.
“You showed no mercy to Charles and I will show none to you. Get up you poor excuse for a human being”, Amanda said.
Lord Brockett felt himself being lifted up by unseen hands and carried towards the river which ran through the grounds of the hall.
“No for the love of god, no, please Amanda no”, Lord Brockett screamed as he felt his head being irresistibly forced towards the water.
The unseen forces appeared not to hear or, if they did chose not to harken to Lord Brockett’s pleas for mercy. Despite his struggles Lord Brockett’s head was forced under the fast flowing current. There was a flailing of legs, a desperate gasping for air then, in no more than a minute it was all over. Lord Brocket lay limp, his body supported by the river bank while his head lolled in the water.
—
Martin, the gamekeeper came across his master while doing his rounds the following day. The pathologist’s report showed a considerable amount of alcohol in Lord Brockett’s system which lead to the coroner’s conclusion that
“Lord Brockett had, while in a state of intoxication fallen on the river bank. His head had become immersed in the river and (probably due to his state of intoxication Lord Brockett had been unable to withdraw it leading to death by drowning)”.
The coroner commented on the dangers of over indulgence, extended his sympathies to the family and the case was closed.
Charles went back to prep school and, in the holidays stayed with his older cousin, Milly and her 2 boys. On reaching 18 he inherited a considerable sum of money which he invested wisely and now lives the life of a gentleman farmer.
Sometimes he remembers that terrible night at Brockett Hall. The horror of that evening is tempered by Charles’s recollection of his mother leaning over him, her long blonde hair touching his face,
“Everything will be OK my darling boy”, she had said her lips brushing against his cheek. Strange, the dream had been so real …
A Brain Surgeon Visits Heaven
The vision of heaven related by the brain surgeon in the above article reminds me of Hardy’s poem, “The Oxen”. In it the poet hints that he is sceptical about the existence of god however, where he to be asked to visit the barn, on a christmas eve to see the oxen kneel he would go, “hoping it might be so”.
“Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.”
Christopher Columbus Stole Credit For Discovering America
A new book claims that Christopher Columbus stole the credit for discovering America, (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11170080/Christopher-Columbus-stole-credit-for-discovering-America.html).
A new book claims that Christopher Columbus stole the credit for discovering America, (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11170080/Christopher-Columbus-stole-credit-for-discovering-America.html).
October 17, 2014
Something Wicked (part 3)
Below is the final part of my story, Something Wicked. For parts 1 and 2 please visit http://newauthoronline.com/2014/10/11/something-wicked-part-1/ and http://newauthoronline.com/2014/10/12/something-wicked-part-2/
Charles lay awake held fast in the arms of night terrors. The dark like a plastic bag placed over the head was suffocating. He thrashed and gasped for air. Charles tried to cry out but the sound which escaped his lips was a mere whimper.
Suddenly the intense blackness was broken by a dim light coming from the wardrobe which towered, menacingly above him.
A sound like that of claws scratching disturbed the profound silence. It couldn’t be Smudge. He had checked and the animal was definitely not in the wardrobe. Besides cats don’t generate light.
Charles lay paralysed with terror, unable to teare his gaze away from the wardrobe. Surely he was imagining it? He was certain (well almost so) that he had closed the wardrobe door properly. However it was now slightly ajar. Maybe in his desire to return to bed he haden’t shut the wardrobe properly. As the boy watched the door moved. So imperceptible was it’s motion that At first Charles doubted the evidence of his own eyes.
There was, however no doubting the reality of the arm which snaked through the gap between the wardrobe and it’s door (the latter had ceased to open leaving an apature just large enough for the arm to pass through). The white bone of the arm glinted in the baleful light emanating from the wardrobe. The skeleton wagged an admonitory finger in the direction of the boy who lay sspeechless with fear then, with a wave it withdrew into the cupboard, closing the door behind it. As the light was extinguished the child, overcome with fear collapsed in a faint.
—
Lord Brockett hurried along the narrow passage, his torch lighting the way. It was a sheer stroke of genius on his part to hit upon the idea of using the long forgotten priest hole.
Brockett Hall had been finished during the reign of Elizabeth I. The Brocketts along with other Catholic families where forbidden to celebrate mass (anyone caught practicing the Catholic religion was subject to imprisonment, torture and, frequently death). Many devout rich Catholic families continued to celebrate mass and to employ Catholic clergy for this purpose. The lay Jesuit, Nicholas Owen had overseen the construction of many priest holes which acted as hiding places for priests when the authorities raided Catholic houses in search of clergymen. Many such hiding places where concealed on staircases or in the vicinity of fireplaces, while the priest hole in Brockett Hall was hidden behind a substancial oak cupboard. A tiny apature, almost invisible to the naked eye would, when pressure was exerted open a section of the cupboard allowing a priest to pass through, close the panel behind him and escape by means of the passage along which Lord Brockett was now passing.
As a doctor Lord Brockett was aware of the heart condition from which his nephew suffered. A few more frights along the lines of that which Lord Brockett had inflicted that evening should result in Charles suffering a massive heart attack. Indeed Lord Brockett was surprised that his nephew had survived thus far unscathed.
The sombre books, the confiscation of the mobile isolating the boy from his friends and the artificial skeleton where all designed to hasten Charles’s demise.
Lord Brockett was able to observe his nephew’s reactions through the infrared camera concealed in the light fitting. The moment Charles reached out his hand to open the door Lord Brockett had ceased to tap on the back of the wardrobe. The existence of the priest hole had long since been forgotten by all accept himself and his sister, Amanda who was now dead as a consequence of her car having hit a tree.
The estate was mired in debt and those to whom he owed money where closing in. Amanda’s will left everything to her son Charles however, in the event of his death all her property passed to Lord Brockett.
“Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The boy’s death would be seen as a tragedy with he, Lord Brockett being comforted as the man who had taken in his nephew Charles only to have him tragically die under his roof” Lord Brockett said to himself.
—
Lord Brockett pulled on a rusty metal leaver. A section of brickwork swung open. Pushing aside the ivy which covered the hall, Lord Brockett entered the grounds of the hall.
October 15, 2014
A Day In The Life – RNIB Writing Competition
Last year the Royal National Institute of The Blind (RNIB) ran a writing competition with the theme “A day In The Life”, which was judged by RNIB members and the writer Natalie Haines, (for a podcast of the entries please visit http://dl.groovygecko.net/anon.groovy/clients/rnib/Vision-65-podcast.mp3).
The winning entry imagines a day in the life of Blind Willie Purvis, a blind singer/song writer who toured the pubs of Newcastle regaling the locals with his singing. Purvis’s life was an interesting one (for a short article on him please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Purvis_%28Blind_Willie%29).
The runner up is also well worth a listen. In it Hariet Smith describes her first day attending Worcester College For The Blind. Hariet movingly describes the sense of uncertainty and loss experienced by a child attending a new school (in this case as a boarder).
RNIB’s current writing competition asks entrants to submit crime stories or court room dramas. Entries will be judged in 2015.
October 13, 2014
Book Giveaway – Eyewitness Blues
The chance to win a paperback copy of Tim Baker’s book, for those of you who live in the US or Canada. I live in the UK so can not enter but good luck to those of you who can. Kevin
Originally posted on blindoggbooks:
According to Mr. Big (the villain in the 1973 James Bond movie Live and Let Die) “when entering a fiercely competitive field one finds it advisable to give away free samples.”
Sounds like good advice to me – so I’m going to give away some books.
Of course, Mr. Big was giving away heroin in an attempt to corner the market…and the heroin trade is a little more cut-throat than the book business…but I still think it’s a good idea.
So to make a long story short, beginning on October 13 and running through November 13 you can enter for a chance to win one of five signed paperback copies of Eyewitness Blues on Goodreads.
The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. You will have to join Goodreads also – but that’s free and easy – and it’s a good way to find some new…
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You Would Be Barking Mad To Miss It
For anyone interested in the work of The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association, this event may be of interest. The below text is extracted from an e-mail sent to me by GDBA:
“Celebrate Christmas with Guide Dogs
London Guide Dogs’ Training School warmly invites you to our Christmas
Market on Saturday, 8th November 2014, 12midday to 4pm at Guide Dogs
Training School, 7 Manor Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8ER.
There will be craft stalls, kennel tours, dog demos, Christmas cards,
refreshments and you can even visit Santa Paws Grotto!
Admission is free.
If you have any questions regarding this event please call on
08453727421 or email
How Much Do Authors Really Earn?
Originally posted on Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
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“It doesn’t help authors to say that 70% of the book market is in print if only a small fraction of that money ends up in authors’ pockets. What we want to see is the combined effect of royalty rate, sales volume, and sale price. These three factors combine to give us a true picture of comparative earnings, as shown in our pie charts” says Hugh Howey, founder of Author Earnings.
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A Fantastic Report About Author Earnings
He explains: “Sports stars, musicians, actors— their salaries are often discussed. This is less true for authors, and it creates unrealistic expectations for those who pursue writing as a career. Now with every writer needing to choose between self-publishing and submitting to traditional publishers, the decision gets even more difficult. Online Book Retailers, such as Barnes&Noble or Amazon don’t share their e-book sales figures.”
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Website for Authors, by…
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