Articles
Who Let The Dogs Out?
I was watching television recently and saw the advertisements for new Lynx Lower Body Spray. For those who do not know, Lynx is a brand of men’s deodorant in the UK. Whatever one may think of the scent, it lingers. Lower Body Spray is the company’s newest product. It is an aerosol one can spray … [Continue reading “Who Let The Dogs Out?”]
Familiarity breeds Shorthand, Contempt or Commentary
Nicknames for American presidents are something about which I have been wondering lately. I remember “Tricky Dick” (Nixon) and the “Klutz in Chief” (Ford). A little later there was Bill Clinton who was known as either the Comeback Kid or Slick Willie. Each was a form of popular shorthand, whether to create a sense of … [Continue reading “Familiarity breeds Shorthand, Contempt or Commentary”]
GREAT NEWS!
I am delighted to announce that I have signed a contract with Ace of Swords Publishing for the publication of my novel, Gun Barrel Polka. It is scheduled to be released in approximately one year.
The Day of the Triffids, Today
If John Wyndham would have written his novel today, would there have been an invasion of Triffids? I don’t know, given people are being encouraged to eat more plant-based foods, would the plot then have revolved on the Triffids being harvested as salad ingredients? On the other hand, would the real enemy bethe Vegan lobby … [Continue reading “The Day of the Triffids, Today”]
A meteorological explanation
A recent study into Toronto’s climate has been released and the conclusions are staggering. “There is no doubt,” said Canadian Institute for Climatology And Meteorology executive director Allan Tempor, “the Greater Toronto Area is the centre of an area of acute seasonal inversion.” When pressed about it, Dr Tempor revealed how the think tank tried … [Continue reading “A meteorological explanation”]
Scratching the surface of some hockey history
It has been a while. I finished writing a novel entitled Gun Barrel Polka. Then I was busy with a massive editing job that also included coming up with a new ending, one that I think is better and keeping with the themes and some of the moral ambiguity of some of the themes. Now … [Continue reading “Scratching the surface of some hockey history”]
Making history repeat
George Santayana wrote those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it. However, sometimes we are faced with those who wish to use history and make it repeat. Take the intention of the UK government to ship migrants to Rwanda. According to government sources, of which we have none, the plan is to … [Continue reading “Making history repeat”]
Harry, Meghan and that autobiography
Spare me. Seriously. Just spare me.
Music and Inflation
With the economy so much in the news lately, the Origin of the Specious thought it would be a good idea to provide an example to explain what inflation really is. We need look no further than popular music. These days the Barenaked Ladies may be best be known for writing and performing the theme … [Continue reading “Music and Inflation”]
The Rear-View Mirror: a cultural study
After years in the UK, the Origin of the Specious has given quite a lot of thought about British culture today. While it is not an authoritative explanation, we have a sense derived from British politics, British history and the ambiance within British society. It used to be said the sun never set on the … [Continue reading “The Rear-View Mirror: a cultural study”]