Friday, 15 August 2014
You're Amazeballs
If you read original versions of books by William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and other greats; I'm sure we all come across words that are pretty alien to our everyday lives. It may also be that we have to search out the actual meaning.
The English language and other languages are continuing to develop, all influenced by the multicultural society that we now live in and our use of social media.
Because of this the Oxford Dictionary has added some new words to their listings, in recognition of words that are now being used on a regular basis by English speakers.
Some people I'm sure will be holding there hands up in horror, when they read through the new additions. However, if the users of words such as clickbait, amazeballs, bingewatch, neckbeard, sideboob, cray are used in the correct context and the user knows the true definition; I certainly don't know what the fuss is about. After all, YOLO.
Monday, 11 August 2014
Drawing the Line
There has been lots of debate recently about the over sexualisation of teenage girls. We can't stop talking about how distasteful some of us find the raunchy antics of celebrities and the advertisements for teenager's clothing ranges.
Yes, we know that sex sells, always has and probably always will. Even if we go back 60, or 70 years in the movies, young female starlets were cast in the lead role not on account of their wonderful acting skills, but because of their sex appeal.
Without a doubt, due to the Internet and other media outlets it's now out there for all to see, therefore making it a very difficult thing to police. Yes, some girls may try to emulate their idol, or wear their skirt as short as the model's in the advertisement, for them it's part of growing up.
However, it is our duty as adults to protect our girls and boys whenever possible. Providing both with a good sex and relationship education I believe is critical in helping them distinguish the difference between right and wrong. Ultimately, the teenagers themselves are the only ones that can draw the line that should not be crossed.
Friday, 8 August 2014
Super Luna
As the moon cosies up to Earth on Sunday, 10th August; should we brace ourselves for a natural disaster such as an earthquake, and volcanic eruption? Or, with all the man-made disasters that are going on in this crazy world should we just enjoy the beauty of her lighting up our night sky?
I'm hoping that the clouds won't come along and spoil the sight of the perigee moon, because I'm depending on its light whilst I'm keeping a look out for vampires, werewolves and any roaming deities that may want to gatecrash the party.
Monday, 4 August 2014
Lights Out
The declaration was made.
Words of diplomacy had failed, there was nothing left to be said.
Trenches were complete.
The battle lines drawn, a healthy optimism could save them from defeat.
If the snipers bullet's didn't their lives defend,
The boom of the shells, would stop their scarred mind's ever being able to mend.
As the rats ate the dead soldiers colleagues bodies, that lay by their side,
some reminded themselves that they took the King's shilling.
Yes, they went there willing.
Believing what they, their King and Government thought was right,
that lamps were going out all over Europe and the people were being left without a light.
#GreatWar #poetry
Thursday, 31 July 2014
A Mediterranean Treasure
Paphos Harbour Castle |
If you've ever visited the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, it's hard to believe that hostilities took place there. Unless you visit Nicosia, the island's largest city which still bears some scars of the heavy fighting there, it's unlikely that you would notice that this warm and friendly land has had its problems.
Nicosia is the whole of the island's capital, however it is split into two zones. The south being governed by the Republic of Cyprus whilst the north is known to Turkey and only Turkey, as the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
A buffer zone patrolled by a UN Peacekeeping Force maintains peace and security in the region, amongst the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, through a ceasefire that was agreed forty years ago this month.
Theoskepasti Church, Paphos |
Paphos Harbour |
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Literary Butterfly
With airlines now placing tight weight restrictions on travellers luggage, gone are the days we can pack four, or five, four hundred page paperbacks to read while we're on vacation.
However since the arrival of eReaders and the wonderful choice of eBooks available, we can take as many books we want along with us.
I'm a bit of a literary butterfly while I'm on holiday, as my brain in relaxation mode likes to flit from book to book. Therefore, I make sure I download my Kindle with novellas and compilations, including those written by classical authors.
I have a collection of works written by Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Louisa May Alcott and Mark Twain. What will take my fancy? Who knows, but wherever I start I'll be able to nourish my mind with words from the masters.
Monday, 14 July 2014
The Devil is in the Detail
Good versus evil plays a big part in what I write and this includes the whole Heaven and Hell thing. Therefore, the decision made by the Church of England to offer an alternative baptism service, that makes it optional to 'repent sins and reject the Devil' I found fascinating.
Some within the church believe that certain teachings within Christianity are outdated, there is a need to engage with the congregations now and the future, in language that is uncomplicated. But, let's give their target assemblage, children, youths and young adults respect and realise that they more than ever recognise the difference between mythological and supernatural beings.
Religion is a personal choice and I'm not convinced that changing words will necessarily have the desired outcome which is to attract more parishioners. The question I'm asking myself, 'Is editing out the Devil on this occasion the correct thing to do?'
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