Ascent of Man?
How hard it is to change, you think change has been accomplished then realise how much remains the same,
Ingrained so deep you cannot see the source of its surge and strength.
So part of you that you could more easily shed your skin.
'Everything changes,yet everything remains the same'.
Is it all illusion? our lives so short, our memories and stories so shaped that we fail to notice how much we repeat, how much reflect rather than affect.
We talk of progress, we hope for improvement, yet the wheels turn in the worn grooves.
Ingrained so deep you cannot see the source of its surge and strength.
So part of you that you could more easily shed your skin.
'Everything changes,yet everything remains the same'.
Is it all illusion? our lives so short, our memories and stories so shaped that we fail to notice how much we repeat, how much reflect rather than affect.
We talk of progress, we hope for improvement, yet the wheels turn in the worn grooves.
A Micro-story
Human Error
The streets were relatively empty, it was 9pm but this was not an area frequented at night, quiet, residential, respectable. The few people who passed the unremarkable figure gazing up at one of the tower blocks barely glanced his way. They were all too familiar with droids, they worked with them and under them, some even afforded their own domestic version. They hurried on their way, he lingered. His attention lay not on the building but on the scene within flat 247.
He observed the occupants, all the while gathering information, cross-referencing matching, adjusting. He could see their expressions as clearly as if he were in the room but expressions did not register. In fact they hindered identification, slowing the process. Later models would evolve to eliminate such hesitations but he had been programmed. Satisfied that he had identified his target he walked towards the communal entrance.
In an adjacent flat a man scribbled his latest report long hand. He had long ago ceased to commit any of his thoughts to a computer. This piece was not going to earn him any money, it's reading, like its writing, would merely endanger, still he felt compelled to share what he knew. He folded the paper, stuffed it in his pocket & left, passing a droid on his way to the lift. He looked at it nervously, knowing what he did, he had reason, but the droid passed him pausing at his neighbours door. Stepping into the lift he missed seeing the droid knock politely and wait. His neighbour's wife rose with a quizzical look at her husband- at this hour, a visitor and one who had not used the intercom system. Still she opened the door.
The droid could have eliminated his target without ever entering the building but these were the early days of development, when stealth and discretion were required. The very existence of such drones was still denied and executions needed a plausible human explanation. Quietly, efficiently, using just the optimum force he fulfilled his mission, did a last scan for life forms, finding none he left closing the door behind him.
Of course there was going to be collateral damage in the early days of development but letting that journalist slip past them set back the project by years, and the loss of a key member of the assassin droid design group in that way, inexcusable! No one wanted to hear excuses about programming errors none were heard.
The streets were relatively empty, it was 9pm but this was not an area frequented at night, quiet, residential, respectable. The few people who passed the unremarkable figure gazing up at one of the tower blocks barely glanced his way. They were all too familiar with droids, they worked with them and under them, some even afforded their own domestic version. They hurried on their way, he lingered. His attention lay not on the building but on the scene within flat 247.
He observed the occupants, all the while gathering information, cross-referencing matching, adjusting. He could see their expressions as clearly as if he were in the room but expressions did not register. In fact they hindered identification, slowing the process. Later models would evolve to eliminate such hesitations but he had been programmed. Satisfied that he had identified his target he walked towards the communal entrance.
In an adjacent flat a man scribbled his latest report long hand. He had long ago ceased to commit any of his thoughts to a computer. This piece was not going to earn him any money, it's reading, like its writing, would merely endanger, still he felt compelled to share what he knew. He folded the paper, stuffed it in his pocket & left, passing a droid on his way to the lift. He looked at it nervously, knowing what he did, he had reason, but the droid passed him pausing at his neighbours door. Stepping into the lift he missed seeing the droid knock politely and wait. His neighbour's wife rose with a quizzical look at her husband- at this hour, a visitor and one who had not used the intercom system. Still she opened the door.
The droid could have eliminated his target without ever entering the building but these were the early days of development, when stealth and discretion were required. The very existence of such drones was still denied and executions needed a plausible human explanation. Quietly, efficiently, using just the optimum force he fulfilled his mission, did a last scan for life forms, finding none he left closing the door behind him.
Of course there was going to be collateral damage in the early days of development but letting that journalist slip past them set back the project by years, and the loss of a key member of the assassin droid design group in that way, inexcusable! No one wanted to hear excuses about programming errors none were heard.
Acrostic
A was acrostic
Who made him annoyed?
B was his brother, whose help he employed
C was the customs they both tried to follow
D was their dialogue, flowing but hollow
E was the energy wasted on fighting
F was the follow-up, make-up and righting
G was the glorious galumphing triumph
H was the hooraying, high-fiving hand thump
I was incorrigible
J just a jangle
K made a cola drink
L a light handle
M was morose but not with good reason
N was plain naughtiness, verging on treason
O was an open mouthed flat down denial
P was the perfect print left on the pile
Q was the quandary the evidence led to
R was the remedy coming on strong too
S was solemnity in the court faces
T was the testing, the trying the traces
U was unusual
V quite voracious
W waited....
X Y Z got the blame and were hated
Who made him annoyed?
B was his brother, whose help he employed
C was the customs they both tried to follow
D was their dialogue, flowing but hollow
E was the energy wasted on fighting
F was the follow-up, make-up and righting
G was the glorious galumphing triumph
H was the hooraying, high-fiving hand thump
I was incorrigible
J just a jangle
K made a cola drink
L a light handle
M was morose but not with good reason
N was plain naughtiness, verging on treason
O was an open mouthed flat down denial
P was the perfect print left on the pile
Q was the quandary the evidence led to
R was the remedy coming on strong too
S was solemnity in the court faces
T was the testing, the trying the traces
U was unusual
V quite voracious
W waited....
X Y Z got the blame and were hated
Annual Check-Up
Dedication to David and Lee on the occasion of their marriage
You love and cherish one another
You try to outdo each other in kindnesses
You enjoy many shared interests
You allow one another space to develop and grow as individuals
You respect one another's strengths
And support each other in difficult times
You work together and complement one another
You are creative and talented individuals
And combined you are quite a force
You are generous with your time and energy
You value your friends and family
You are welcoming hosts, sharing your lovely home
Today you are celebrating your love and have invited us all, as people special to you, to share in witnessing your commitment to one another. It is a joy and a privilege. We celebrate with you and will stand with you to support you as you build your life together in a way that fulfills you as individuals and grows you as a couple.
Extract from “Les Miserables” - Victor Hugo
You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves.
You love and cherish one another
You try to outdo each other in kindnesses
You enjoy many shared interests
You allow one another space to develop and grow as individuals
You respect one another's strengths
And support each other in difficult times
You work together and complement one another
You are creative and talented individuals
And combined you are quite a force
You are generous with your time and energy
You value your friends and family
You are welcoming hosts, sharing your lovely home
Today you are celebrating your love and have invited us all, as people special to you, to share in witnessing your commitment to one another. It is a joy and a privilege. We celebrate with you and will stand with you to support you as you build your life together in a way that fulfills you as individuals and grows you as a couple.
Extract from “Les Miserables” - Victor Hugo
You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves.
Two a Penny
I remember when sparrows were two a penny
Black jacks were four a penny
And a penny would pay for a bus ride to school,
I remember spending the penny, walking home
I remember black cars, they made me travel sick and broke down
I remember TV, small and flickering, nothing much to interest me
But radio... was music and stories in full glorious technicolor
Babies were pushed in prams with carriage wheels
Weighed in metal scoops with brass weights
Wrapped in blankets and dressed in knits
I remember rag and bone men, you gave them rags and they gave you pegs
Who got the bones?
Milkmen and bread men, veg. in vans
Boys delivered papers
I remember pre-fabs, weed filled bomb-sites, Nissen huts and re-building
Unexploded bombs discovered in the woods
But only peace in my lifetime
I remember when everyone smoked, but only men worked
The streets belonged to the children
And gardens were for veg.
I remember older girls in swirling skirts stiff with net petticoats
I aspired to those
But when I got there they had vanished, replaced with mini- skirts
I Remember warm school milk, frozen bottles warming by a stove, in the classroom
School benches, inkwells & pens, outside to the toilet block
Rulers
It's strange to remember things which now belong to history, it must mean I really am older than I think
Impressions
Don't try to impress me
To impose your line
I'm not that yielding
Constructed of firmer stuff
When you have gone, however hard you have tried I will regain my own shape
Your warmth may be felt but your form will not
Don't try to impress me
Be yourself
Let me be myself
February evening
Smoke from a hidden fire on the farthest hills swirled up and was spirited away. Closer, in the sheltered valley, a column of smoke from a chimney fire curled lazily upwards, joining others, adding to the evening haze and making the hills appear more distant. The unnaturally bright and warm February day was closing with a delicate band of cloud fingering its way across the blue sky. A perceptible chill accompanied it and quiet fell as people retreated indoors.
Observations
The Foyer
- all the surfaces are hard, reflections bounce from floor, windows, metal framed furniture, stainless steel handrail only the ceiling is dark, pock marked with pin-points of bright light, dimpled with sensors to detect smoke, movement,
Nothing to absorb the sounds
-end of day employee banter, furniture dragged into place, gulls crying into setting sun, background hum of air conditioning units & lights, automatic doors slurp as they open and close, tippy tappy footprints on polished concrete, echoes from distant parts of the building remind you that you are only passing through
- leather sofas invite you not to linger, copious signage guides, informs, and warns, but does anyone notice? Draft from doors, leaflets flutter & settle in untidy piles, somehow fresh air is excluded
- like any building well used by the public- smells of hospitals, schools, health centres, no- one would buy it if it was bottled!
- all the surfaces are hard, reflections bounce from floor, windows, metal framed furniture, stainless steel handrail only the ceiling is dark, pock marked with pin-points of bright light, dimpled with sensors to detect smoke, movement,
Nothing to absorb the sounds
-end of day employee banter, furniture dragged into place, gulls crying into setting sun, background hum of air conditioning units & lights, automatic doors slurp as they open and close, tippy tappy footprints on polished concrete, echoes from distant parts of the building remind you that you are only passing through
- leather sofas invite you not to linger, copious signage guides, informs, and warns, but does anyone notice? Draft from doors, leaflets flutter & settle in untidy piles, somehow fresh air is excluded
- like any building well used by the public- smells of hospitals, schools, health centres, no- one would buy it if it was bottled!
Recipe
Irish Wholemeal Soda Bread
Heat oven to 160
Ingredients
300g whole meal flour
150g plain flour
30g wheatgerm
75g pinhead oatmeal
2tsp. bicarbonate of soda
1and1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 tsp. sugar
2 large eggs
550ml. Buttermilk (alt. half & half milk & yoghurt)
Mix dry ingredients well
Beat eggs & buttermilk together
Combine into a smooth dough
Bake in 2 loaf tins 40 mins
or 1 very large for 45-50 mins
Electric oven 160
Heat oven to 160
Ingredients
300g whole meal flour
150g plain flour
30g wheatgerm
75g pinhead oatmeal
2tsp. bicarbonate of soda
1and1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 tsp. sugar
2 large eggs
550ml. Buttermilk (alt. half & half milk & yoghurt)
Mix dry ingredients well
Beat eggs & buttermilk together
Combine into a smooth dough
Bake in 2 loaf tins 40 mins
or 1 very large for 45-50 mins
Electric oven 160
Library at night
Lulled by the warmth, the homely touches, soft sofas and contrasting cushions worn carpets and well browsed books I snuggle down revelling in the stillness. Lifting my head from the book for a moment to scan the room I take in the railway clock, strident notices, posters and commandments. 'Please Do Not Spray Deodorant in this room!' Arching above it all the openly industrial structure bridges and envelopes these contradictory impressions.
It is quiet now, but not quite peaceful, aware suddenly of being vulnerable my mind anticipates a hint of menace. Newly sensitised I am aware that though quiet it is not silent- the room breathes rhythmically, it's straining form creaks, stretches and yawns. Partially lit its shelves create canyons, tapering into shadowy hide aways. Its shiny surfaces reflect a steady light but then..the beam is broken, just the merest flicker. The distinct sound of footsteps. I am not alone!
February
It has rained without ceasing
But, at least it's mild
Grey skies have cast a gloom over every day
at least it's mild
Raging seas have claimed young lives
at least it's mild
Gusts have tossed dinghies like bath toys
at least it's mild
Surges have threatened our houses
at least it's mild
Seas have inundated farmland and stayed
at least it's been mild
29 soggy days
What's this, it's turning cold!
Hope this doesn't stop you looking in again...
For Tuesday 9th February 2016
Pancake Blues
I didn't get a pancake
I didn't have the time
It wasn't out lack of planning
I'd sugar and a lime.
I didn't get a pancake
And somehow I do mind
It's a whole year til next pancake day!
And I'm feeling flat & fried.
A bit tossed about too but that's another verse.
(This year I'll try to do batter)
Sorry...
Lulled by the warmth, the homely touches, soft sofas and contrasting cushions worn carpets and well browsed books I snuggle down revelling in the stillness. Lifting my head from the book for a moment to scan the room I take in the railway clock, strident notices, posters and commandments. 'Please Do Not Spray Deodorant in this room!' Arching above it all the openly industrial structure bridges and envelopes these contradictory impressions.
It is quiet now, but not quite peaceful, aware suddenly of being vulnerable my mind anticipates a hint of menace. Newly sensitised I am aware that though quiet it is not silent- the room breathes rhythmically, it's straining form creaks, stretches and yawns. Partially lit its shelves create canyons, tapering into shadowy hide aways. Its shiny surfaces reflect a steady light but then..the beam is broken, just the merest flicker. The distinct sound of footsteps. I am not alone!
February
It has rained without ceasing
But, at least it's mild
Grey skies have cast a gloom over every day
at least it's mild
Raging seas have claimed young lives
at least it's mild
Gusts have tossed dinghies like bath toys
at least it's mild
Surges have threatened our houses
at least it's mild
Seas have inundated farmland and stayed
at least it's been mild
29 soggy days
What's this, it's turning cold!
Hope this doesn't stop you looking in again...
For Tuesday 9th February 2016
Pancake Blues
I didn't get a pancake
I didn't have the time
It wasn't out lack of planning
I'd sugar and a lime.
I didn't get a pancake
And somehow I do mind
It's a whole year til next pancake day!
And I'm feeling flat & fried.
A bit tossed about too but that's another verse.
(This year I'll try to do batter)
Sorry...