Archive for December, 2009
Are there hidden messages in water?
December 17th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
I was chatting with a friend this week and she was telling me about the work of Japanese ‘scientist’ Dr Masaru Emoto and his book “The Hidden Messages In Water”. In brief – and quoting from the Wikipedia page on Emoto – he claims that “if human speech or thoughts are directed at water droplets […]
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (0)
Cliches we love to hate
December 16th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
Today’s “Mirror” newspaper has an item listing 10 cliches that we all hate. I make fun of one of these 10 cliches in my short story “The Away Day”.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
“Guardian” + iPhone = :-)
December 16th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
This week, two of my favourite objects came together: the “Guardian” newspaper and the iPhone. The combination is the new “Guardian” apps for the iPhone priced at £2.39. There are some really neat features including the ability to customise the presentation of news stories so that one has in effect a personal virtual 24/7 newspaper […]
Posted in Internet | Comments (0)
Merry Christmas everyone
December 15th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
Visit to British Museum
December 14th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
I spent a few hours today at the British Museum in central London. I wanted to see two things. The first was the current exhibition on what I have always known to be Montezuma, the king of the Aztecs. However, I learned that he is now known as Moctezuma and his people are now called […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
Is the US political system broken?
December 14th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
At least one well-informed commentator thinks so. In a piece in today’s “Guardian”, Michael Tomasky writes:
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)
My 15th short story
December 11th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
My latest short story came out of an exercise on the City Lit course that I’ve been attending. We had to revisit and retell an established fable but adopting the point of view of a minor character in the narrative. I’ve called my effort “Cinderella Rebooted”. Please let me know what you think.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (3)
My short story writing course (5)
December 11th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
This term, I’ve been attending a City Lit course on short story writing. I’ve only managed to make 8 of the 12 sessions and for me the course is now over. I would have liked more structure and more feedback in the course, but it gave me some tips and insights and encouraged me to […]
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Forgotten World (195): Christmas Island
December 11th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company vessel, the “Royal Mary”, named the place Christmas Island when he arrived on Christmas Day, 25 December 1643. At Australia’s request, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1957; today Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands together are called the Australian Indian Ocean Territories […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
The best web sites in the world
December 10th, 2009 by Roger Darlington
This year’s “Guardian” list.
Posted in Internet | Comments (2)