Bobbing Around
Volume Seven, Number Four
Bob Rich's rave
December, 2007
bobswriting.com/ anxietyanddepression-help.com/ mudsmith.net/ other issues
Bobbing AroundVolume Seven, Number Four
Bob Rich's rave |
| *About Bobbing Around
subscribe/unsubscribe. guidelines for contributions *Politics Human Rights Torch Relay 'Peak oil is real, get ready,' by The Honourable Andrew McNamara 'Oil companies: white collar crime at its worst!' by Phil Harris *Environment Al Gore's acceptance of the Nobel Prize 'Earth tracking toward climate conditions of 3 million year ago?' by Prof. Andrew Glickson and Dr Graeme Pearman Red Cross report: disasters on the rise 'It's later than you think,' by Phil Harris *One laptop per child *Deeper issues A message from George Carlin *Helping Others Thoughts of murder and suicide Can't feel pleasure Jealousy Can't help my mother *For writers NEW VOICES contest Matching language to content *What my friends want you to know Moora Moora Festival Stop "research" whaling Petition: stop training the dictator's police Climate movement convergence Greg Austin's film win Kam Ruble's new book out 'The Great Field' by Dr John James 'In Search of the Unknown in Medieval Architecture' by Dr John James Darrell Bain's December newsletter 49 c to a book proposal 6-year-old author *Ergonomics Teeth *Poetry Cooked: about an atom bomb by Barbara Couston Cliff *Review 'Rarity From the Hollow' by Robert Eggleton, reviewed by Adicus Ryan Garton |
Recently, I had the honour of carrying the Human Rights Torch when it passed through Healesville, the little country town where I live. I also made a short speech, which I have reproduced below. I hope it will at least make you think. There is no such thing as an insignificant decision. Everything you do has effects; every situation you face is a choicepoint. You can make a difference. If you think about my words, then I have. My newest publicationFor years, my clients have been asking for a disk of my guided imagery scripts. Well, I've produced one, containing my favourites. It is now available at my website. For Bobbing Around subscribers only, I will post it for free, to anywhere in the world. email me if you'd like a copy. 
Bobbing Around is COPYRIGHTED. No part of it may be reproduced in any form, at any venue, without the express permission of the publisher (ME!) and the author if that is another person. You may forward the entire magazine to anyone else. I am responsible for anything I have written. However, where I reproduce contributions from other people, I do not necessarily endorse their opinions. I may or may not agree with them, but give them the courtesy of a forum. |
Human Rights Torch Relay
Peak oil is real, get ready by The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Oil companies: white collar crime at its worst! by Phil Harris
I don't care who the Falun Gong are, what they believe, what they do or don't do.
They are people, just like you and me, and deserve to be treated in a decent way.
But actually, they merely believe in a form of Buddhism, their practice being something like yoga. They are good people. Falun Gong is a way of life designed to ennoble the practitioner, and may be likened to Christianity in its effects on what people are encouraged to do.
Even if this was not true, even if they were devil worshippers or something, no-one should be tortured. no-one should be unwilling donors of body parts.
Falun Gong as a public movement only started in 1992, 15 years ago. There are maybe one hundred million people who follow this philosophy, despite the fact that it's been banned and persecuted since 1998. That must tell us something about its benefits, and about the courage of ordinary Chinese people who act in the way Christian martyrs did in ancient Rome.
What is being done in China today is worse than what the Nazis did during the Holocaust. The difference is that we went to war against the Nazis -- while we trade with the Chinese Communists.
Why?
Because there are profits in it for big companies.
For years now, the communist Chinese have specialised in making things cheaper than anyone else. They can do this by treating their own people worse, paying them less, having them live in conditions you or I would find intolerable.
The result is poor quality products. If I were a Chinese worker, I would not be motivated to work to high standards.
So, something made in Australia may cost you $10, and the same thing from China may be $6. But the saving is a mirage: it will last less than half the distance.
For many years, South Africa had the evil system of Apartheid. The international response was to refuse to trade with them, and to boycott them in sports. The sport was only a symbol, but it hurt them. The trade embargo hurt them even more -- in the pocket.
We need to send the same messages to the Chinese President. This torch relay is a symbol. But in addition, we have to hurt China in the pocket.
So, next time you buy something, ensure it's not made in China. The alternative will cost you more up front, but it'll be better made, so you'll actually come out ahead.
China is now the most powerful nation on Earth. Oh, America makes all the noise -- but the President of China could wreck the American economy with one signature. This is because the USA owes trillions of dollars to China.
Australia is also hugely indebted to China. Whenever the communist Chinese government chooses, it can ruin our country.
Where does this power come from? Because people blinded by greed trade with them.
So, if you have a business, stay away from China. If you buy anything, or sell anything, ensure it's made anywhere else in the world. Singapore is all right, Taiwan is all right, but if it's the so-called People's Republic of China, it's the enemy. It's the enemy, not only of the hundred million Falun Gong, of the billions of ordinary Chinese people, but of all of us who want to live in freedom and dignity.
This is why it's a travesty to have the Olympics, with its high ideals, held in China. It's as bad as the Olympics that was held in Berlin when Hitler was in power.
OK, what can you personally do? Can you make a difference?
A drop of water is nothing. But put enough drops of water together, and you have the ocean.
Media Release from the Queensland Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
A report tabled in State Parliament highlights the need for Queensland industry, primary producers and communities to lessen their dependence on imported oil supplies.
The report -- Queensland's Vulnerability to Rising Oil Prices -- was tabled by the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, who authored the report as a backbencher before his appointment as a Minister last month.
Mr McNamara said the report canvassed a range of options for reducing Queensland's reliance on oil imports, from reducing our demand to developing alternate energy sources.
"I'm now in the unique position, as the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, of having to co-ordinate a whole-of-Government response to my own report," Mr McNamara said.
"Obviously, as the report author, I have some ideas on what needs to be done, based on what I discovered as part of preparing the report, and the report makes a range of recommendations.
"However, the most important thing I learned was that, while further analysis needs to be done, this issue is both real and imminent.
"The focus of the report was the concept of peak oil -- the point at which maximum world oil production is reached -- which is predicted to lead to shortages and consequent significant price increases.
"If nothing changes in our energy mix and demand patterns after that point, we can expect significant liquid fuel price increases, and price increases in those things that are made from oil such as fertilizer and plastics and those things that rely on oil such as agriculture, construction and transport.
"The Taskforce sought to present the most likely time frame for peak oil, to assess its impact on the mining, transport and primary industry sectors, and then recommend options to minimise the impact on Queensland.
"The report concludes that the overwhelming evidence is that world oil production will peak within the next 10 years.
"The report recommends that a prudent risk mitigation approach requires a mix of initiatives such as:
"The future availability of fossil fuel and alternate energy supplies is one of the main sustainability issues facing society today.
"The recommendations are preliminary, and more detailed analysis including detailed modelling of the downstream impacts and substitution effects of the various proven and evolving alternative energy technologies will be a necessary next step."
The recent surge in oil prices is the epitome in white collar crime. One cannot help but wonder how long people and politicians will sit idly by while oil corporations steal from the poor to fatten their overflowing wallets. On Friday oil hit $95.93, down slightly from Wednesday's high of $98.62 a barrel. Just out of shear delight my guess is that forces are at work to reach $100/barrel, just to say that it did.
The rationale for such high prices has become an annual refrain. One reason is the drop in U.S energy reserves. How do people become billionaires by not having enough reserves for the winter? This excuse is heard every year. Do oil companies not have calendars? Why should reserves be low going into heating and holiday travel season? That would be like stores letting their stocks of goods dwindle before the holiday shopping season. Does that make any sense? Is it a secret that people use oil to heat their homes?
Another excuse is the proverbial storm. Okay, a North Sea storm closed some Norwegian platforms. Doesn't this happen at the beginning of every winter? Of course there are storms. In hurricane season there are, let me guess, hurricanes? We all know this and so do the oil companies. Don't they plan for this?
These are my favorites: there might be a revolution somewhere so prices go up. There may be a storm somewhere, so prices go up. A prince in Saudi Arabia sneezed, prices go up! This is all ridiculous. There is no question in my mind that oil prices will have to rise. This will probably be the major stimulus to forcing people into using alternative energy, most of which products are owned by oil companies anyway. Oil will not last forever.
Consumers are paying $4-5 billion more per DAY for oil than they did just 5 years ago. This adds some $2 trillion to the oil companies' bank accounts. How much more do oil companies want? When oil hits these kinds of levels it affects every aspect of the economy. The list of petrol based products is astounding. As consumer dollars are increasingly spent on energy, little is left for other products. My guess is that this year's holiday retail sales will be abysmal. Who will lose? The outlook is not good for small businesses who cannot offer deep consumer discounts. So the winners will be Wal-Mart and other super retail chains. Can we see the trend here? Small will not only not be beautiful, small will not exist!
So where does this leave us? Up the creek, I would say. Oil companies and speculators are going to destroy small businesses and drive the consumer into the ground while they fill their bank accounts. Where are our political leaders? Why are they not forcing change? Why are they letting oil companies commit the crime of the century? The middle and lower classes in America are bleeding to death and they do nothing. Have they given us an alternative? No! Are their heads in the sand? Yup! Elections are coming and he/she who is willing to take the oil companies on will get my vote!
Philip F. Harris
http://dickens111.tripod.com/theliteraryworksofphilipharris/
Blog
WAKING GOD
A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL
JESUS TAUGHT IT, TOO...
RAPING LOUISIANA: A DIARY OF DECEIT
Al Gore's acceptance of the Nobel Prize
Earth tracking toward climate conditions of 3 million year ago?
by Prof. Andrew Glickson and Dr Graeme Pearman
Red Cross report: disasters on the rise
It's later than you think by Phil Harris
Al Gore's acceptance of the Nobel PrizeHis friends and opponents alike have to admit, Al Gore is a good bloke. The Nobel Prize is entirely appropriate for him, and I hope it gives him even more standing to carry on his work.
I cannot reproduce his acceptance speech here, partly because it's too long, and partly because I have not obtained permission. However, you can read it for yourself at Al's blog.
Some of us have been shouting the same message for over 30 years, and the best we can say about the outcome is that it's not our fault. Al has actually managed to penetrate the public consciousness, and has put the issue of climate change where it belongs: on top of the agenda.
People are willing to make all sorts of sacrifices during times of war. Some volunteer to put their lives on the line. Most will readily undergo the rationing of essentials, the curtailent of normal freedoms and the requirement to engage in necessary work. And yet, a war against a human enemy is nowhere near the emergency that is now facing us. It is quite possible that within the next ten years, billions will die. You and those you love could be among them. And those who die could be the lucky ones, because a post-disaster world will not be nice to live in.
So, it is essential for all of us to get behind Al, and carry on the work toward saving what we can of a sustainable future for all the children of the world.
Andrew is Associate Professor at Department of Earth and Marine Science, Australian National University. Graeme is former Chief, CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research, and now heads a consulting group at Monash University. Both have impeccable academic credentials.
Andrew has sent me a series of papers, some intended for a scientific audience, some for the lay public. I have selected one, which summarises the relevant information. Because this paper is too important to be buried in the Archives of 'bobbing around', I have made a web page of its own. To read the paper in a new browser window, click on http://mudsmith.net/glickson.html.
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) says global warming caused a record number of natural disasters across the world in 2007, up nearly 20 per cent from a year earlier.
"As of 10 October 2007, the Federation had already recorded 410 disasters, 56 per cent of which were weather-related, which is consistent with the trend of rising numbers of climate change-related disasters," the IFRC said in its World Disasters Report.
In 2006, the IFRC recorded 427 natural disasters, a rise of 70 per cent in the two years since 2004.
Over the last 10 years, the number of natural disasters rose by 40 per cent from the previous decade, while the number of deaths caused by disasters doubled to 1.2 million people from 600,000, the report said.
The number of people on average affected by natural disasters each year rose to 270 million from 230 million over the same period.
"Better reporting of smaller disasters partially explains these increases. However, more severe disasters are also on the increase," the IFRC report said.
The report warned that vulnerable groups in society such as women, disabled people, the elderly and ethnic minorities face extra hardships when coping with natural disasters.
A recent AP report (10/17) indicates that the Tundra, worldwide, is warming up. Caribou are on the decline as they have a hard time dealing with change and shrubs are taking hold in was once a permanent frozen wasteland. In the article NOAA said that the change is rapid and occurring from Alaska to Siberia. This past year, sea ice saw a reduction of 23%. As shrubs begin to take a foothold in the Tundra, the area warms even further as the darker earth absorbs more heat.
On the other side of the globe, residents of Ghoramara are fleeing rising sea levels as two islands are being swallowed by the sea. They have landed on the Sunderbans and are the first of what is being called "climate change refugees."
Back on the home front, the city of Atlanta is down to a 90 day water supply. With no plans in place for getting more water, we may see climate refugees here in the good old US of A. According to state officials, Lake Lanier, which supplies water for some 3 million residents, may well go dry in the next three months. A dry summer and no hurricane activity have brought the region to a major crisis. If a La Nina develops the situation may get even worse.
Water is also of great concern in India and China. According to an ANI article, the snows of the Himalayas are melting at an alarming rate. Some 500 million people in South Asia and 250 million people in China may also find themselves with dry faucets. One model run by the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment indicates that the North Pole may be free of ice by 2070. An important thing to keep in mind is that many of these models are not capable of keeping pace with rapid changes in the climate. Few were able to take into account the thawing of the Tundra and the release of methane gas and now they have to take into account the greening of the Tundra. The fact that there still has been no real breakthrough in greenhouse gas reduction plans does not bode well.
The upcoming climate change meeting in Bali in December may be "make or break" for the planet. While the U.S. will attend the session, the Bush Administration is still rejecting the idea of mandatory limits of greenhouse gases, pushing instead for voluntary curbs. The problem is, the point is being missed. While there is no question that we must reduce greenhouse gasses, climate change is happening now. The effects are being felt now and they only promise to get worse. Yes, we must try to stop making it worse, but we must plan now to deal with the effects that are already happening. We have no real plans for Atlanta; we do not know the impact of a thawing Tundra: glaciers and sea ice are disappearing at a more rapid rate than projected by most models and we have done nothing to deal with these issues.
Most experts had predicted that climate change would mostly affect third world countries. With 43% of the U.S. under a drought and Atlanta about to go dry, this may very well not be the case. Where will the dollars come from to quench a thirsty Atlanta? What will have to cut to pay the bill? We still have not managed to address the issues from Hurricane Katrina so what makes us think we can deal with other looming disasters? Perhaps there should be a Summit of the States here at home and some real planning can get started.
Philip Harris is a multi-published author. His latest book, RAPING LOUISIANA: A DIARY OF DECEIT is a LiFE Award recipient. A complete listing of his books can be found at http://dickens111.tripod.com/theliteraryworksofphilipharris/.
Blog http://philipharris.blogspot.com
The mission of One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we're doing and want to help make education for the world's children a priority, not a privilege.
Since November 12th, OLPC has been offering a limited-time Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During Give One Get One, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. Thanks to a growing interest in the program, we are extending Give One Get One until the end of the year. You also may donate laptops via our Simply Give and Give Many options. Though the increasing public interest in OLPC, we hope to give many more children the opportunity to grow, explore, learn and express themselves.
I'd be in on this, if it wasn't aimed at the wrong part of the world. I had a look at one of these wonderful little machines last year, and I think any kid will love them. And education is the key to the problems of disadvantage, exploitation, the spread of diseases like aids, overpopulation... you name it.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much , and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment, for some day that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Thoughts of murder and suicide
Can't feel pleasure
Jealousy
Can't help my mother
Lately I have been plagued with very disturbing sessions of thoughts that I can't get out of my head. I see myself killing people and myself. Sometimes I see myself hanging from the window in a noose, Sometimes I see myself killing people I hate or that I think I hate or else perfectly innocent bystanders. It consumes me for several minutes if not hours. Sometimes I don't sleep at night. I have been seeking medication to make the thoughts go away. Some sleep medicine will knock me out like Seroquel or else Codeine, but I don't want to get hooked. I also don't want to ruin my career by going back into the hospital, but my psych isn't helping me. I am afraid to lose all that I have by telling people what I am going through. My wife sometimes knows because I tell her, but she doesn't fully comprehend how close I feel to losing it. I have been thinking of getting a gun.
How do I keep my life together and yet get help? I am not very trusting in this situation.
Dear Sam,
It is terrible when an inner enemy wants to kill you, and to do violence to others. From your note, I can see that you abhor violence, and definitely do not want to hurt people.
The first helpful thing is that, in fact, you have got through 44 years of life without having given in to these terrible urges. This shows to me that, however you might judge yourself, you are a good person.
I once had a client who had an almost overwhelming urge to engage in sexual activities with any small child he encountered. He had vivid images and bodily feelings about the activities these urges wanted him to do.
And yet, never once did he give in to them. No-one except for him and his therapist ever knew that he was tortured in this way. He certainly never sexually abused a child, or even committed any acts of unkindness toward children.
He happened to be a strong Christian, and I used his beliefs to his benefit.
Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days and 40 nights. In the end, Jesus refused the temptation, and went forward with His mission.
Was this easy? If it had been, it would have taken 5 seconds, not 40 days. The temptation must have been just as overwhelming for Jesus as the urge to kill is for you, to sexually abuse for this man. But He made the right choice.
If it was OK for Jesus to face temptation and choose right, then it is OK for us ordinary little mortals.
Had Jesus not faced the temptation from Satan, perhaps He could not have done His job as Saviour. In the same way, we are ennobled, strengthened and improved by facing difficulties and trials.
So, perhaps, before you were born, you were given this hardship. You were given these awful urges, so that you could grow toward wisdom and kindness by resisting them.
You don't need drugs. You don't need to feel bad about yourself. Simply accept the urges when they come -- and continue to do what you know within your heart to be proper. That is treating yourself and others with respect and kindness, REGARDLESS of the urges that may continue to torture you from time to time.
Hello there,
I was doing some research and came across this and it said to email, so I am hoping maybe you can give me some advice.
My story is that I was molested by 2 persons from age 6 to about 12. My father was never around and I have been in relationships that were not very healthy when looking back. My problem is that I was in a marriage for over 20 years and I have 5 wonderful children. In the past 10 years my relationship with my husband had brought back old feelings. I feel used and throughout this time, my husband never knew what happened to me as a child. Don't think I would have trusted him to be there emotionally for me and in some way use it or look at me differently.
When he finally found out after we decided to separate, he said it was my skeletons that caused the marriage to fail. Not the case. I started to feel that here is a man who says he loves me and he is doing what they did to me. Using me just for their own pleasures.
We are no longer together. My fears were that I could never be intimate with another person. Couldn't imagine having anyone touch me or to touch them. Throughout my whole life, I always worried if I was doing things correctly and never experienced the true pleasure (what I am told) of being truly intimate with someone else. NEVER.
So my problem is now, that I am a nice looking woman with 5 beautiful children and have met a very nice guy. I have known him for over a year, but recently went out dating. We just took it to the next level and even though I have experienced feeling a pleasure, I can't seem to let my fears go and feel what I am supposed to. To me if I never had it how can I miss it? To this person it is important to make me feel this and I worry that if I can't find a way to I could lose him or anyone I am with.
I think I have learned that it's not important how I feel because that is all I have known. How do I allow myself to feel the pleasure of being with someone who truly cares for me? He knows what I went through but not sure he can (and how can he) understand my feelings. I feel that I stop feeling the pleasure because I never thought that it was important. Nobody up to this point has ever cared about my pleasure. So do you have any suggestions on what I can do to help me truly experience the feelings that I should. I have to say that with this person I feel more comfortable than I ever had with my ex of 25 years, but still I don't seem to let myself go to that level of pleasure. I am very proud of myself and what and who I am. I am loved by many, family and friends. I think that being in a spiritual place has brought me very far through all of this. I went to counselling for over 1 1/2 years. She believes that I can only overcome those fears when I am in a relationship and to relax and just be in that moment. I try but something stops me. Now I am feeling bad for him and feeling that I am disappointing him. He believes that we will work on breaking down those barriers together and he has been extremely understanding. So why can't I get rid of all these fears and just enjoy what I am told I should be enjoying?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any advice you may have would be so greatly appreciated.
Chris
Chris my dear,
Maybe you were meant to seek me out, from all the other many people you might have approached. All my life, I have also felt that other people experienced emotions that were denied to me. In my case, this was because of very severe trauma in infancy rather than sexual abuse, but the result is similar.
All the same, I have enjoyed a very satisfactory marriage for 40 years. I have the good fortune of my wife's love -- not that we haven't had difficult moments over the years. Every long term relationship does.
Recently, I have actually been able to reverse the effects of my childhood trauma. I have been able to experience deep emotions, including both grief and joy, for the first time in my life. I am no longer shut down.
Over the many years, my approach has been to simply accept how I felt inside. I understood where my flat emotional state came from: it is the only way a young child can cope with the intolerable. At the same time, I acted AS IF I had the deep emotions my intellect told me I should feel. So, when it was an occasion for grief, no-one but I could tell that I didn't grieve like I saw others do. When it was a time for joy I did my best to act joyfully. And if I couldn't feel the emotional aspects of love, I could give them. All my life, lovemaking has been a matter of giving pleasure, rather than worrying about how I felt about it, or should have felt about it.
So, the strategy is to accept whatever feelings come or don't come, and act in a way that gets the results I want in life, in my interactions with other people. My wife, my children, my friends feel good from what I do, and if I don't feel inside the way they do, this is no more important than if I was colorblind, and yet was able to distinguish objects by other means, for example the position of traffic lights instead of their color.
In my work, I have often helped people to overcome the effects of childhood trauma. There are many ways of doing this, and all depend on exposure: of allowing the memories and their associated emotions to play out in full. It is natural to run away from the terrible, but in fact that allows the memories to poison the present. By permitting them to be felt, we can have them lose power, to become history instead of reexperiencing.
I have worked with others to achieve this, and even did it for myself regarding memories in my childhood, teenage years and as a young man. However, I needed help for the bits I could not even remember, from my infancy. Recently, I visited a friend for a few days, and she talked me through it. During my visit was the first time I was able to cry over my mother's death, the first time I experienced real joy, emotionally as distinct from intellectually.
Since my return, a friend has commented about how differently I have been behaving and appearing. So, if I could do this, so can you.
Hi Bob,
I've been dating my partner for a year and a half now and I can't seem to understand why I'm so jealous. It confuses me because I've never been the jealous type. I don't like that he has friends who are girls, I don't like that his friends who are girls go to him for advice about their boyfriends, I get upset when he talks about his friends who are girls. This jealously issue wasn't always there though. He's never cheated on me and he's never hurt me in anyway, I have nothing to worry about but still I'm jealous. He's the first person I could say that I am truly in love with. He's never given me a reason not to trust him so then why am I still so jealous. Everytime I feel like the jealously has passed something always happens. I'm intimidated by any girl who even looks his way especially if in my eyes the girl is confident and good looking. What is wrong with me? Please help me shine some light on this issue.
Dear Bonnie,
The simple answer is that it doesn't matter why you feel jealous. What matters is that you hate feeling this way; that you rightly realize that it is endangering your relationship to this young man; and that you don't know what to do about it.
We don't ask for our thoughts, images, emotions, urges. You didn't ask to have these feelings of jealousy. When they come, they come. So, you are not responsible for them. You are not faulty or stupid or inadequate for having them -- they come, and that's that.
Until now, your response has been to fight them, and this hasn't worked. Fighting a thought never works. To prove this, try not to think of the name of a teacher in your last year in school. This may be a person you haven't thought of in years, but now that I have mentioned it, can you keep the name out of your mind? Come on, just for one minute, don't think of this teacher's name.
This will show you, the more you fight not to think of something, the more it is in your mind, right?
And this is why the jealous thoughts keep torturing you, and getting stronger: because you are fighting them, worrying about why they are there, giving them importance.
They are there. Accept them, but don't believe them. Don't disbelieve them either. Simply say to yourself, "OK, here is that stupid jealousy again. So, let it be here." Just accept them, observe them, consider them to be no more than the annoying buzzing of a blowfly, or the TV next door talking about something that's of no interest to you. It's there, you can't not hear it, but you don't have to listen, or to pay it any attention.
Until now, you have taken these jealous thoughts as if they were real, as if they were telling you something about the world. They are actually only thoughts in your mind. That does not make them either true or false, and you don't have to dignify them by considering if they are true or false. They just are.
Instead of torturing yourself with examining the accuracy of the thoughts, you now need to do something else. Decide how a self-confident, strong, attractive young woman acts -- and then do that. Design a character for a movie. She is exactly the way you want to appear. Make the script sufficiently good that an actor can step into the role, and when you watch her play, you'll know that she is doing exactly what you intended.
Then, be that actress.
Hello,
I came across a brief conversation you had on the internet when you were helping a man in need of your advice. I hope I am not bothering you with this, but I really need some advice in helping my mother. A year ago she was diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia and was given medication, but she decided it wasn't helping and stopped taking it. She is not a threat to anyone, and not really to herself either, but she worries me constantly.
She has intense mood swings every now and again, and intense feelings of anger can arise out of nowhere, to the point where she says she feels like hitting her head against a wall or throwing objects. She doesn't actually do either of these things, but will get out and take a walk at all hours of the night in an attempt to feel better. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes she'll become psychosomatic. She's visited her doctor many times for physical symptoms but there's never anything wrong. I've tried to explain that it's all in her head, an emotional state, and she should see a psychologist, but she refuses to go. It all started when she reached menopause and has slowly gotten worse since then. She is 58 years old and has good days and bad days.
On occasion she hears voices and feels like technology has put her brain waves on the internet and people talk to her left and right. I won't be surprised if I ever see her making a tin foil hat.
After much talking I think I managed to get her to understand that none of this is real and that her condition is psychological and psychosomatic and I've tried endlessly to get her to see a psychologist but she refuses. She is a good woman, very intelligent, and very much able to do whatever she puts her mind to. I don't know why she refuses to help herself but I imagine it's the schizophrenia that's doing it. Much of the time when she is normal, she is very very normal. It is only when this sudden (I don't know what it is) hits that she becomes paranoid, anxious, and is prone to panic attacks.
I don't know if I have explained this properly but I am looking for any advice I can get. Is there any over-the-counter medication I can get for her to calm her down or alleviate many symptoms? Is there a particular specialist I need to consult? Is this a common condition, and is it curable? Please let me know what I can do.
I thank you in advance for any information you can provide me with and I hope this e-mail finds you and your family in excellent health and happiness.
Sincerely,
Ida
Dear Ida,
It is extremely distressing when you know what a loved person should do to climb out of misery -- but they won't listen. You are perfectly right: your mother does need psychological help, and if she got it, there is a good chance that it would help her. From what you write, it is also likely that medications would help her -- if she took them.
Unfortunately, we can't force our views on another adult. When I have been in an analogous situation, all I could do was to let the other person know my opinion -- once -- and then bite my tongue. I offered love, understanding, support, and unspoken hope that she would in time realize that she could and should address her problem.
You are in the kind of situation in which you can draw strength, comfort and inspiration from a wonderful book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. When you have nothing else, you can find what kept this man alive in the NazI concentration camps.
Your mother is traveling her journey. On this journey, she has choices to make. They are her choices, and we hope that one day she will make the right ones.
But also, you are traveling your journey, and you also have choices to make. You know you are facing a Life Lesson if:
1. The same situation keeps recurring, causing more and more misery to you.
2. Doing more of the same doesn't work, or even seems to make matters worse.
3. When you do something different, it may or may not work, but at a certain stage, with a new approach, you shed the load. The situation may well have remained unchanged, and yet you feel free, wiser, stronger, more loving and compassionate. At that point, you have learned this Lesson, and proceed to a higher level.
I feel that's where you are at this moment.
Just suppose that, before you were born, you could have chosen your circumstances in this life. You chose this woman to be your mother, in the full knowledge of her having this problem. If this were true, what are the Lessons the situation you are in were designed to expose you to?
I hope these few thoughts are of help.
NEW VOICES contest
Matching language to content
EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Connection, has run an excellent contest for kids for the past two years, and I've had the pleasure of being involved in running this. The contest offers excellent prizes, and more important, a positive, encouraging critique to all entrants. You will find the details at http://www.epicauthors.com/.
This year, we have received plenty of entries, but are short on judges. Contest coordinator Will Willcox wrote at the end of November:
This coming Friday, November 30th, is the final submission date for entries to the New Voices competition. We have entries from around the world, especially in the areas of High School Short Stories and Poetry.
What we don't have is enough judges. So far, only *five* people have stepped forward to be judges in this year's competition. It would be an absolute shame if we had to cancel this year's competition because of apathy of writers, publishers and editors, who all qualify to be judges.
If anyone has been meaning to sign up, send an email to 2008NewVoices@epicauthors.com or 2008NewVoices@gmail.com. I will send you the judges' application form.
This was one of my three handouts for the Muse Online Writers' Conference earlier this year.
Imagine a little Australian Aboriginal girl just starting school. She arrives to find out that she already knows everything being taught, but no-one believes that. This is how she feels:
She quickly realised that she already knew everything Miss Bachel taught the class -- even the things the Grade 2 girls were supposed to learn. So, she sat in her little seat and dreamed of home with her eyes open. Within her mind she could smell the scent of the gumtrees, feel the wind on her face, she played with her two little boys, hugged Mother or Old Mother or Father or Atan, who smelled of horse even in her imagination, sat on Mrs Mac's knee while the lady read her a story, copied the same words that Gerald was teaching Atan, and all the while she managed to comply with the teacher's directions and seemed to be just one of the class. Occasionally, Miss Bachel spoke sharply to her for not paying attention, then she'd be forced to return to a few minutes of boredom, but soon she went home again, replaying scenes of Mr Mac on Devil, or from earlier, food gathering with the women by the river, or listening to Uncle Riso telling stories about the Dreamtime, or about the old days before the white man.
Contrast the language with this:
"What are you doing?" the big girl demanded in an unpleasant, high voice.
"I... I need to have a call of nature," she answered, using Mrs Mac's term for it.
"Nah. What are you doing in my school?"
"Mrs Talbot decided I could come." Within, Maraglindi felt a stirring of anger, perhaps for the first time in her life. She could see from the girl's glow that she was furious, but now she no longer feared her. Who was this fellow student to question her anyway?
"Well, listen here, dirty little Abo, you go home where you came from and--"
"No! You have no right! I'll tell Mrs Talbot. She said I should."
A whirl of movement, and Maraglindi found herself on the ground, looking up. At first, there was no pain, just a numbness about her left cheek. Then a shod foot slammed into her side. The girl towered over her, and Maraglindi had never seen a black glow about anyone before, except, suddenly she remembered, Father had one like this after Kohli had been killed.
"You do and you're DEAD, little slut!"
Then she was alone.
The worst thing was, she'd wetted herself.
Reflecting the activity of musing to escape boredom, the first passage has deliberately long, rambling, chained sentences. If you read it aloud, you'll find it has a sing-song cadence, and the emotional tone will be low, soft, even.
The second scene involves sudden, violent action. To reflect this the sentences are short, direct, staccato. If you read it aloud, you'll use a louder voice, probably with a lot of inflection to reflect the emotions.
Here is something far more violent, from another story:
If I wasn't an old girl of seventy-eight, I'd be dead too.
Not that I care -- I'd be better off dead than the way I am. I haven't slept at all since it happened. Every time I close my eyes, I see horribly the mutilated little bodies, and Naomi's white crossing supervisor uniform covered in deep red blotches and bits of her brain, and I see his gloating face as he flashes by.
It was on purpose. I could see it in the leer of his eyes, his half-open mouth. I could even see that he was leaning forward in his seat, the seatbelt a little pulled away from the side. He looked like a naughty kid snatching a chocolate bar off the shelf before he runs out of the shop.
If I'd been able to walk as fast as the children, I'd have been among them, walking beside Naomi. But I was a few steps behind, half leaning on my wheelie frame, so he missed me. I felt the wind of the red car's passing, smelled the stink of its exhaust, was even close enough for my stockings and the bottom edge of my dress to be splattered with some blood. He must have missed the front of my wheelie frame by inches.
Six lovely little children, none over seven years old I'd say. And kind, fat Naomi who always had a laugh for everyone, and was out there twice a day during school term, whatever the weather.
Dead. Killed. Snuffed out in an instant of terror.
And me, I live.
Having it in present tense gives it a vivid immediacy that matches the fact that the narrator is having a flashback while telling the story: she is THERE, THEN, so it just has to be in present tense.
At the same time, she is grappling with emotions, and this slows her speech, gives it somewhat complex syntax. Despite this, reading it aloud will reveal the same staccato sound as in the second passage. A subtle little addition is the occasional ungrammatical word string. This emphasizes the emotion -- but only because the rest is very strictly grammatical.
I imagine that when you read, you do so for pleasure. You get immersed in the content, and the language disappears. If it doesn't, then the author has done an incompetent job of writing.
Now, pick up a book from one of your favourite writers. Among the writers I've studied are Jonathan Kellerman, Dick Francis, Stephen King, Wilbur Smith and Ernest Hemingway. All of them do a beautiful job of matching language to content. Read with an eye on this device, and you'll be surprised at the subtle, usually invisible, but very definite way the language changes with the needs of the story.
The next thing of course is to have a go at writing that way yourself. If you haven't done so before, at first you'll be way too obvious about it, which is of course the opposite of what you want: artificial, attracting attention to language. But persevere.
Moora Moora Festival
Stop "research" whaling
Petition: stop training the dictator's police
Climate movement convergence from Cam Walker, FOE
Greg Austin's film win
Kam Ruble's new book out
The Great Field by Dr John James
In Search of the Unknown in Medieval Architecture by Dr John James
Darrell Bain's December newsletter
49 c to a book proposal
6-year-old author
www.mooramoora.org.au/festival.html
Saturday 1st March 2008
11 am - 12 midnight
in partnership with
SUSTAINABLE LIVING FOUNDATION
Enjoy a fun family day in the clean mountain air, with breathtaking views toward Melbourne. The Moora Moora Festivals are famous for tours of interesting houses, workshops and demonstrations on alternative building, healing and health, and sustainable living. See our Community Supported Agriculture project in action, and enjoy live music and stage performances.
The 2008 Festival is being run in partnership with the Sustainable Living Foundation, three weeks after their Expo in the city, and will compliment it by showing a long-surviving alternative community in action. All houses are solar powered, we supply our own water, grow much of our own food. Part of the proceeds will be used to reduce our greenhouse emissions.
Activities include: music all day and dance in evening; a healing village; marketplace; tours of Moora Moora; Community Supported Agriculture; healthy food for sale; earth and strawbale building demonstrations; ornithologist (endangered bird stilt walking), Alfonzo the clown, The peace train, kids' activities; Mad Hatter's tea party; Camping will be available for 100 people. There will be a Walk Against Warming to Healesville on Sunday.
Stage features are: Moora Moora kids, African drumming, Belly dance, Pin Rada, Tounge and Groove, Lothlorien Triad, Jody Moran Band, Portal window, Recycled Fashion Parade, belly dance performance and much much moreÉ.
A shuttle bus will run from Healesville, and signs from Don Rd.
You can save money by pre-booking, or using the shuttle, or filling your car: $15 presale; $20 at gate; $10 concession; $5 child; $12 in shuttle (not for campers); $40 max. per carload; $10 camping fee additional to entry. Volunteers 2 hours get free ticket, 3 hours ticket and camping.
LOCATION Mt Toolebewong: follow signs from Healesville. Shuttle bus from Green Street (near lights).
Stalls and crafts welcome; contact Dale 5962 1094 dalemail1@yahoo.com
Entries for the Recycled Fashion Parade very welcome, contact: Georgie Warner 0402311256
See web site for details.
No alcohol or drugs. No dogs or cats. Bring warm clothes for the dance at night.
This is nasty stuff and we all need to say enough is enough, it needs to stop...
The Japanese whaling fleet left Japan to great fanfare under the guise of "research" to kill 1000 whales in southern waters -- some of it whale sanctuary.
The Australian Government and interestingly the New Zealand governments have done nothing to deter Japanese ships in our waters or close by international waters.
Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace will place their ships between whales and harpoons for now and the Labor party has indicated it may send naval presence to "monitor".
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Sign this:
www.whalesrevenge.com is trying to get a million people to sign a petition to stop whaling.
Thanks for your support and remember to sign the petition.
Hi friends,
Australia has been training the Burmese police who have been used to crack down on peaceful protesters recently. 31 dead according to UN but the diplomats believe about 200 or more. 3000 arrested. Please sign the petition against the police training.
Cam Walker of Melbourne FOE writes:
February 9, 2008
Over the past few years, we have seen the emergence of a new social change movement, driven by an inspiring new wave of grassroots community activism. Around the country there are literally dozens of new groups, campaigning for effective action on climate change.
As yet, this new movement has not been able to gather in the one place. The climate movement convergence seeks to create this space in a one day forum, aiming to bring together the remarkably diverse climate change community we have here in Victoria, including local climate action groups, peak green groups, thinkers and strategists, and progressive businesses.
We will aim to provide an inspiring day of workshops, open space, an overview of the latest climate science, ideas on building a strong and vibrant movement, and the opportunity to ponder what opportunities are now present with a change in federal government.
We would welcome your involvement.
The convergence is being organised by the Sustainable Living Foundation (SLF), Friends of the Earth (FoE), the Greenleap Strategic Institute and Sustainable Business Practises and is supported by a range of climate groups including Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), Carbon Equity, Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, Environment Victoria, Futureye, Greenpeace, Moreland Energy Foundation, Western Region Environment Centre and Zero Emissions Now (ZEN).
Details will soon be available at: http://sustainabilityconvergence.org.au/
Greg Austin's film win'Fallen City (Mazer) screenplay wins at the Canadian International Film Festival.'
Last December 06 I submitted a screenplay entry to the Canadian International Film Festival. The aim of this section of the festival was to foster new and undiscovered writing talent with awards given for the top screenplays in competition. The entry was the latest script version of my award winning sci-fi novel, Fallen City. The contest was open to 90 nations and not limited to one genre, which meant selection would be tough. The long wait for the October results were worth it -- to my absolute delight I was invited to Vancouver to pick up an award for winning 3rd place.
"On a future Earth, two distinct groups of survivors, each unaware of the other's existence, meet up on the once decimated surface. An advanced society contrasts with a communal, primitive culture. They unite to save the remnants of civilization trapped miles below ground."
Black Tulip: Have No Mercy IV
ISBN: 978-0-9798087-2-2
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Age Appropriate: Adults 18+
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 321
Size: 6 x 9
Print: Large
Publisher: Global Authors Publications
In Mt. Pride, Colorado, Detective Captain Joe Warner and Detective Lieutenant Eddy Konklin are faced with apprehending a serial killer. With several likely suspects, this case becomes a real Whodunit.
Book can be purchased online at Amazon or at your local Hastings Video and Book Store.
THE GREAT FIELD
THE SOUL AT PLAY IN A CONSCIOUS UNIVERSE
by John James, PhD.
"The Great Field is a provocative synthesis of cutting-edge scientific, spiritual, and therapeutic data supporting the once and future potential of humanity and our place in the universe. It is an inspiring read that will raise questions for some and provide answers for others. It is a book for seekers and a book of hope written from vision and love."
Jenny Wade, author of Changes of Mind.
The Great Field uses first-hand evidence from therapy to unravel some of the fundamental cosmological and spiritual questions on which there is still little general agreement. It is the first time a therapeutic understanding of the psyche has been used to clarify how the universe functions.
Science is explaining the nature of the universe, therapy is revealing the way it operates in us. Together they clarify the personal energy we call soul.
The Great Field demonstrates that therapy is one of the roads to enlightenment through the development of the same internal psychic coherence as operates in the Great Field itself.
John James' book offers a new vision of reality based on fields of energy that are totally interconnected.
Pindar Press is publishing a collection of 40 essays called In Search of the Unknown in Medieval Architecture. Many of these articles were printed in difficult-to-find publications, most have been updated and some are new.
I have organised with the Press to offer my friends and colleagues a 20% discount and free postage for any who order directly through me between now and the end of the year. Once your order is received, you will be billed by Pindar Press and payment must be made directly to them. Their email address is tom@pindarpress.co.uk.
The list price is £150 plus postage. Your cost is £120, including postage. More details of the book may be found on http://www.pindarpress.co.uk/catalogue/medieval-western/james-unknown.htm.
Hi Folks--
My December Newsletter is up at www.darrellbain.com
SUBJECTS THIS MONTH: FREE BOOKS, BAIN BLUNDERS, CHRISTMAS, BAIN MUSES, VELCRO THE CAT & SUSIE THE DOG, PROGRESS REPORT, QUANTUM THEORY FOR LAYMEN, BOOK REVIEWS, POLITICAL CORRECTNESS RELIEF, THE F WORD, INDIVIDUAL VS MASS DISASTERS, EYEWITNESS CONVICTIONS, FAILURE OF DEMOCRACY, EXCERPT FROM DOGGIE BISCUIT.
Happy reading!
Darrell Bain
Fictionwise 2005 Author of the Year. Double Eppie Award winner 2007.
Dream Realm Award, 2007. See www.darrellbain.com for all my books.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is partnering with Amazon Shorts, a program that brings short pieces from published authors for the amazing price of 49 cents. Shorts include nonfiction and how-tos, short stories, poetry collections and more.
Howard-Johnson, the author of five published books available on Amazon, says, "I have consulting clients who hate to learn the proposal and synopsis process. There are many good books out there on the subject but I needed to lead these authors through the process easily and fast. Thus The Great First Impression Book Proposal was born. Amazon's short program seemed made for it. Amazon is a true publisher. They put the work out their and publicize it to the reading public."
Daniel Slater, editor at Amazon, and his team put together a cover and shepherded The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less through the process in less than six weeks. Howard-Johnson says, "They have been very responsive, excellent communicators."
Howard-Johnson is no stranger to publishing or to awards. Her novel, This is the Place, won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction, Harkening, won three and her chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press) won the award of excellence from the Military Writers Societyof America. The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success and The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't are both USA Book News Award winners in the publishing and writing category. Her marketing campaign for those books won the Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award.
The author is an extension division instructor for UCLA’s renowned Writers’ Program and speaks at writers' conferences nationwide. She was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature and American Business Women's Association (ABWA) named her Outstanding Woman.
Learn more about Howard-Johnson at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com or http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com.
Find The Great First Impression Book Proposal at Amazon.
Hi Bob,
I think my daughter is getting more attention for HER current children's book than I am for mine, and she's not yet six years old! She created/illustrated the book KISKI THE CAT and already has a few impressive reviews, one being from THE editor of the Society of Children? s Book Writers and Illustrators Bulletin, Stephen Mooser, who wrote:
"Dear Ayla -- I loved your story. It had lots going on, and I was very impressed with your art -- I have two cats myself and so I know a cute cat when I see one. Another thing that was special was the great names of all the cats Keep up the writing."
This link will bring you to Ayla's book, so you can see its cover, as well as the MOST glowing review from author Sally Odgers at page's bottom!
As for moi, my second Aydil Vice book, AYDIL VICE, AUTHOR OF KISKI THE CAT has gotten a couple of nice reviews too! http://www.lulu.com/content/1058012 takes you to it; you can see the two reviews at page's bottom.
You suffer when you get them. Watch any tiny tot with red, swollen gums and a cry to wake the dead... certainly to wake Dad. Slowly, a fraction of a millimetre at a time, each tooth cuts through tender soft tissue, and babies don't yet have understanding of pain. At last, the tooth erupts, and isn't even the term indicative? The only other things that erupt are volcanoes and temper tantrums.
Then, for some years, they are nuisances that need to be protected. "Have you brushed your teeth, darling?"'Oh no, he's fallen on his face and chipped a tooth." "No, you can't have another sweet, it's bad for your teeth."
Then of course that first lot get loose and get replaced, one at a time. This is not so bad, because a child that age has understanding, but it can be nuisance enough.
Time passes... and then we come to the so-called wisdom teeth. What's wise about the stupid things? They have no function: you can eat perfectly well without them, as all those who've had them removed can testify. Much of the time they become impacted, or grow in the wrong direction, or are infected with caries before even erupting. They are a sort of oral appendix, there only as some sort of evolutionary leftover.
And of course, what went for milk teeth goes for the permanent set, only more so. "I'm half an hour late, but I MUST brush my teeth." "Oh no, when I came off my bike I chipped a tooth." "Oh God, I shouldn't have eaten so many sweets; I've got to make an appointment wth the dentist some time... well, urgently."
Dentists are like funeral directors. No-one wants to use their services, but everyone must, sooner or later. And the occasion is equally cheerful. They are onto a sure thing, saving suffering by imposing suffering. Regular preventative visits... removing the muck that toothpaste manufacturers claim to prevent... drilling and filling... and when all else fails, the dreaded extraction. You might choose to avoid a doctor when you have a gutache, or a sore knee, or an arthritic hand, but sure as anything you'll go to the dentist when agony makes its home in your mouth. And that's why dentists can charge the fees they do.
So, your teeth are gone. Are we finished now? Ask anyone with dentures and they'll laugh at you -- a bitter and sad laughter it is too.
And it's not as if there were no better designs. Rabbits have an excellent system. As they eat, the rough fibre of their diet cleans the teeth and wears them away. So, they keep growing the way your fingernails do. Or look at elephants. They only have four teeth at a time. As soon as these wear out, a new set grows. And when the last set it used up, the elephant stops eating. In case you didn't know, starving to death is quite comfortable, after the first couple of days. So, if we were elephants, we wouldn't have the population explosion, and all the ills of environmental suicide.
Fundamentalist Christians (and I have good friends with such beliefs) tell us that a woman's reproductive system has all its negatives because Eve was naughty and bit into the forbidden fruit. It's punishment. Apart from the blasphemy of considering God to be childishly vindictive, of the unfairness of punishing billions of innocent women for the misdeed of one, the failure of this view to explain why female chimpanzees and gorillas and orangutans have exactly the same problems, there is the extra issue: did God also punish Eve by giving her human dentition? If so, at least this is a little fairer: males have the same punishment. After all, Adam took a bite too!
I would like to see a return to the drawing board. Our chewing apparatus needs to be ergonomically designed.
The British authorities wanted to test the effects of an atom bomb on humans. They chose Maralinga, in the Australian inland. The local owners of the Land were deliberately targeted, and the defenders of Democracy ordered British and Australian soldiers to stand where the radiation of the blast would get to them.
Out of the starry night
orange desert and blood red sun
of the Timeless Land
--burst the bomb from hell
splitting time asunder
firing the Emu Clay Pans
blasting the Fields of Thunder.
The lost Children of the Dreamtime
had watched the mushroom cloud.
They didn’t know the black mist
was a black mist shroud
and when the white frost fell
the children played
in the frost from hell.
Neither did the young men know,
blinded through the backs of their brains
standing like robots in a row
--‘We must obey--we must obey,’
--‘Bloody Hell! Oh Bloody Hell!’
What was that fateful day?
They should have prayed
and disobeyed.
Another time, Western time
The mindset stays the same
Another time, another place
Invaders play another game.
Flowers bloom in red desert sand
People move softly on sacred land
Under the earth the water flows
--more precious than gold
as the hot sun glows.
We’ll take your land
This nowhere land
The Dreamtime, you’ll lose it
We’ll mine it and use it,
leave nuclear dumps
and infuse it
with time--toxic time
ticking away
on the countdown to zero.
When I asked Barbara for 50 words about herself, she wrote: "You're welcome! Story was from an old veteran mate who lived here 10 yrs. Was in Air Force Construction Unit, Maralinga in the 1950s. Will be 80 next year--if I'm lucky! As I love life and have so far been lucky, have lovely family, and live in a beautiful part of a wonderful country. We have to keep trying to save this 'Garden of Eden' from destruction. Barbara ps. am trying to paint theme."
The reviewer is Editor of Atomjack Science Fiction Magazine
Published by Fatcat Press
ISBN 0-9776448-2-0 (.PRC)
ISBN 0-9776448-3-9 (.PDF)
$6.95
Imagine Wizard of Oz and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy smashed together and taking place in a hollow in the hills of West Virginia. Now you have an idea of what to expect when you sit down to read Rarity From the Hollow: A Lacy Dawn Adventure by Robert Eggleton.
This novel is an unabashed, unashamed exploration of the life of young Lacy Dawn, as she learns that she is the savior of the universe. The naked, genderless android, Dot-com, who lives in a ship in a cave, told her so. Add her abusive father, her weak-willed mother, a sexually-abused ghost for a best friend that was murdered by her own father, trees that talk to her, a dog that can communicate telepathically with cockroaches and so much more.
There is so much to this story, and its writing is so unblinkingly honest; Eggleton spares us nothing in his descriptions of her father beating her and her mother, the emotions that the mother and daughter go through, the dark creeping insanity that eats away at her Iraq-veteran father, and the life in general of people too poor, too uneducated to escape.
In part, it is a grueling exposition of what children endure when being physically and emotionally abused. Eggleton almost seems to suggest that the only way for a child to escape is to learn that she is the savior of the universe. Lacy Dawn is strong, tough, smar--all those attributes that any child should have--and she reminds us that children are survivors, adaptive and optimistic. Instead of giving us a story of escapism, Eggleton shows us a girl whose life follows her through the story.
But don't think you're going to be reading something harsh and brutal and tragic. This book is laugh-out-loud funny at times, satiric of almost everything it touches upon (some common themes are shopping, masturbation, welfare, growing and selling drugs, and the lives of cockroaches). The characters from the hollow and from the planet Shptiludrp (the Mall of the Universe) are funny almost to the point of tears.
I hate happy endings to stories that deal with any kind of oppression or abuse because they tend to suggest, “In this case, it worked out okay,” and the reader walks away with the impression that the world is a better place (think of all those inner-city sports movies about black kids who win the big championship despite being addicted to crack). I thought for a long time that this book was an escapist fantasy, and when the fantasy broke, it was going to be tragic. No one wants to see a little girl go through heaven only to learn that hell awaits her at the end. And then when I realized that Eggleton was not writing an escapist fantasy, I worried that this happy ending effect was going to take place, making me not like the book, despite all its positive attributes. But when I realized that Lacy Dawn had to fix her life first before the story could progress, and that this was IMPOSSIBLE except by extraterrestrial means, and that Lacy Dawn carried her past with her as part of her instead of in spite of, it made the prospect of a happy ending much better.
Go here, buy the book and read it. It's absolutely fantastic, and the proceeds go to the Lacy Dawn Adventures project. It's like buying ice cream for charity--everybody wins.
More information about Robert Eggleton and the Lacy Dawn project can be found here.
"Stainless Steel", the story of Lacy Dawn's best friend, can be read right here in Atomjack.
Robert Eggleton’s debut novel was listed by columnist Howard-Johnson as one of the best releases of 2006. Shorter Lacy Dawn Adventures have been in Wingspan Quarterly, Atomjack Science Fiction and Aphelion. The newest adventure, Lionel, will be in Beyond Centauri this January. He is a children’s mental health therapist.
If you received a copy of Bobbing Around and don't want a repeat, it's simple. Drop me a line and I'll drop you from my list.
You may know someone who would enjoy reading my rave. Bobbing Around is being archived at http://mudsmith.net/bobbing.html, or you can forward a copy to your friend. However, you are NOT ALLOWED to pass on parts of the newsletter, without express permission of the article's author and the Editor (hey, the second one is me.)
If you are not a subscriber but want to be, email me. Subject should be 'subscribe Bobbing Around' (it will be if you click the link in this paragraph). In the body, please state your name, email address (get it right!), your country and something about yourself. I also want to know how you found your way to my newsletter. I hope we can become friends.
Contributions are welcome, although I reserve the right to decline anything, or to request changes before acceptance. Welcome are:
Submission Guidelines
It is a FALSE RUMOUR that you need to buy one of my books before your submission is accepted. Not that I cry when someone does so.
Above all, contributions should be brief. I may shorten them if necessary.
Content should be non-discriminatory, polite and relevant. Announcements should be 100 to 200 words, shorter if possible. Book reviews, essays and stories should be at the very most 500 words, poems up to 30 lines.
Author bios should be about 50 words, and if possible include a web address.
