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Saturday 31 December 2011

To Be Read Pile Challenge 2012

I suppose the reason I love to write comes largely from the fact that I love to read. So in honour of hogmanay and NYResolutions I thought I'd accept this challenge handed down by one of my followers on Twitter. The following are books that I have been putting off for years or have managed to get half way through then push to one side. There are a few titles that I have always wanted to read an never owned, but this is the year to rectify that!

The list is as follows;


2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

3. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

4. The Big Nowhere - James Elroy

5. LA Confidential - James Elroy 

6. The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas 

7. Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes 

8. Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) - Victor Hugo 

9. Porno - Irvine Welsh 

10. The Shining - Stephen King

11. The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum

12. Cock and Bull - Will Self 


My two alternatives: 

1. Shooting Sean - Colin Bateman

2. Persuasion - Jane Austen 


Perhaps you would like to venture yourself into the challenge? Good luck and happy reading!

http://roofbeamreader.net/tbr-pile-challenge/ 

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Common knowledge, shared consciousness.

Is it beyond belief that organised religion may be onto something, and has only been foiled to date by the more repressive aspects of human nature? In my humble opinion they may be closer to the truth than many in our increasingly secular society give them credit for. Is it too far a stretch to suppose that we as humans share one consciousness and that there is a pathway to link each and every member of the human race in one shared consciousness where peace and love reign supreme? At this point I draw reference to the multiple theories that a "kingdom of heaven" or "promised land" exists and the notion that it is our ultimate goal to enter this world or at least create 'heaven on earth'. If we as a people were to connect in consciousness and thrive on the bi-product of peace and love, then surely the aforementioned platitudes will have been realised? Perhaps idle musing serves no other purpose than to stretch the imagination that little bit further or present the heart with hope in times of woe and misery. One can dream and is certainly entitled to entertain these thoughts, as undeveloped as they may be. The key to unlock this shared consciousness? It remains to be seen...

Saturday 3 December 2011

How's it going?

Coffee black, nose bunged, robe adorned, tissue wet.

In essence this synopsis of tonight could apply to every day so far this week. I've been ravaged by the terrible affliction that is man flu and it shows no sign of shaking. Although my mind knows that the horror must end soon. If any hope is to be drawn from this evening it is that the razor blade stuck in my oesophagus seems to have shifted, only to be replaced  by shifting layers of phlegm, each thicker than the last, might I add.
    While it may seem that I feel very sorry for myself, I find no shame in this. For self pity and deprication are two of my more refined qualities/personality traits. Qualities of which I am proud and often boast in social circles. I am, however, not in the habit of dwelling on my misfortunes and can announce the completion of four short stories. Intertwined and overlapping, they may eventually form the basis of some novel or series of novellas. At the moment though, the plan is to publish as a collection of short stories. Obviously they must go through the editing process, but we will save that for some talented acquaintances and the new year. Below you may notice that I have shared one such short story, though I must add that this will be the last from the series to be published so frivilously! I am,  of course, of proud Scottish ancestry and tight fisted by proxy.
    If you enjoy what you read then perhaps you would like to share the experience with another. I for one do not give a flying fiddler's who follows me, and often prefer not to be followed - mostly when in possession of cash or a decent phone. I would, though, appreciate any feedback you may like to share.

Ciao

Jude