There are a number of things in my life that are taking shape at the moment.  Some are good, some are not so good.  But this is the way life goes - as one phase of life ends, another begins. So, I'll assume you all want to know the bad new first... I recently had my 45 birthday checkup.  My doctor was particularly pleased to hear I'd given up smoking and had started exercising instead.  While there, I also had the usual checks - weight, body fat, blood tests etc.  ...

My wife and I went and saw the Incredible Hulk yesterday for my birthday.  But before I get to the movie... We spent a good part of our time in the city at our favourite bookshop (supposedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere - I'm not sure if the claim is correct but it is a huge shop nonetheless).  It is a fantastic place to get lost in for a few hours, particularly if you are bibliophiles like we are.  The shop, called Kinokuniya, is in the centre of the city (for those ...

I want to give you something You’ve never been given before Something deserved To make you think Before you speak in future And bash someone else senseless With your callous, cavalier invective I want to give you something A present or a gift, if you fancy Something thoughtful To remind you to be more Careful in the future So you won’t tear emotional strips Off someone who doesn’t deserve it I have a number of choices And this is my dilemma Whether I should ...

As I get older, I find myself less inclined to any grace and tolerance towards those who show none for others. I teeter-totter on the edge, berating lack-of-indicators, swearing at pedestrian-ignorers, fist-waving mobile phone drivers, and large battering-pram walkers. As I get older, I find myself more justified in my personal ire towards those who engender stupidity. I swing back and forth, verbally menacing bible-bashers, stultifying narrow-minders, vituperating rude-s...

I watched him run across the sand to the water. He stopped where it met the sand and waited for another wave to run up the beach at him. Tentatively, he dabbed his foot on the wet sand, testing to see if it the water was warm enough. A wave broke around his skinny legs, legs the same as mine and he was off, running towards the deeper water, lifting his legs in a loping gait familiar to all beach lovers. I continued watching him for a time as he ducked-dived under the waves before emerging aga...

It felt the black surround and hold it in place.   Every time It moved, the shadowlight pulled against It, wrenching at its existence.   But each time, It could feel the shadow losing its grip, allowing It to slip a little further away than previously.   Soon, It would be completely rid of the shackles of this plane.   When this happened, It would feed as much as it wanted without the restrictions imposed by ritual and incantation.   But the procedure had to be f...

To get to the centre One has to start at the edge Be it of a social circle, A conversation Or achieving a dream   Its not as though One can hit the bullseye Without missing a few Yet so many try And believe they’re can   My limited experience Doesn’t grant me extra powers More a desire To remain peripheral While others rush past   Call me edgy if you want I’m happy w...

I thought I'd update anyone who is interested in the bits and pieces happening in my life at the moment.  This is not too exciting but as I've only really posted comments and fiction of late, I thought I'd write a bit about my life for a change. I've been wondering whether I'm going through some sort of midlife crisis.  I turn 45 at the end of June and I suppose if I due to have a midlife crisis, now is about the time.  Ha, to think I'm potentially about half way through this w...

It was dark and cold.   A bitter wind blew around him as he traipsed along the dirt track.   There were high hummocks growing in the centre of it indicating the track hadn’t been used in a long time.   These brushed against his legs as he walked; startling him each time this happened.   He could taste the sharp metal of his anxiety in the back of his throat.                 &nbs...

The shopfront still had a ‘For Lease’ in the window but activity inside negated this sign. A group of kids, noisy and nosey, were pressed up against the window, watching the goings on. The air around them fairly pinged with eager anticipation. The group broke apart suddenly, all members scooting across the footpath to stand by the gutter. As they did, the shop door swung open and a disembodied voice cajoled them. “Come in, kids, come on, come in.” None of the childr...

This is the intro and first chapter into a longish short story I'm currently working on.  More to follow...   Lying in the grass Near the shady trees I hear a voice from the dark Calling out to me It sounds like my death   Written in a bubble above an image of a young lad lying in a grassy field, this image, covering a whole page, intrigued the boy as he read it because he was doing exactly the same thing.  In the picture, there were...

This one is dedicated and inspired by my friend Roy Levosh.  You put the idea in my head about being in the chair, under the gun, getting a tattoo.  But in writing this, I realised it is also a great little analogy for what we do in the name of getting and staying fit.  Hope you enjoy it.   Today it hurt, As it will tomorrow. Pain is our bodies way Of saying,   “Enough is enough! Time to take it easy.”   But sometimes pai...