Arts
Christmas Singles
I live in a tiny rural community on the London/Kent border. The social life revolves around the local pub which draws its loyal customers from a wider area. In 2015 a couple of locals, Lester [more…]
Culture
Christianity
Silent Night (Stille-Nacht-Kapelle)
The Silent Night Chapel (Stille-Nacht-Kapelle) is located in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg in the Austrian province of Salzburg, and is a monument to the Christmas carol Silent Night and its librettist, Joseph Mohr [more…]
21st Century
After The Goldrush (an historical reprise)
There was a band playing in my head And I felt like getting high I was thinking about what a friend had said I was hoping it was a lie 2021 started as many had [more…]
Arts
Film Review: Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein’s book Starship Troopers (1959) marked his transition from writing juvenile pulp science fiction to serious novels of ideas, in this case setting forth a highly reactionary and militarist political philosophy. Paul Verhoeven’s [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, Part 2
Yule I grew up with Yule, even though I never really understood anything about it. It was just another word that was heard around Christmas time. People would wish each other a merry Yuletide, and [more…]
Arts
The Curious Tale of Colonel Ellis & the Christmas Oranges
In 1908 Colonel William Verner Ellis (*) had long been retired from the British Indian Army and an adventurous & distinguished career playing “The Great Game”. His restless nature found him one grey winter’s day, [more…]
Arts
The Swaling, Part Thirty Four
Myself and Rose are before a terminal in the underground comms room of a deserted British High Commission. The other girls, Nicole and Lotus Flower, are escaping the tropical storm outside by maxing out Mr [more…]
21st Century
After The Gold Rush
I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships Lying in the yellow haze of the sun There were children crying and colours flying All around the chosen ones All in a dream, all in a dream [more…]
Arts
Marilyn: The Enduring Appeal
In 1962, Bert Stern was amongst the most celebrated photojournalists of the era. His images of Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, & Brando defined the glitz & glamour of the post-war era. His schtick on fashion [more…]