In places of work, learning, healing and creating cultural competence is key for people from various cultures to learn, work, plan and develop together. This is a simple guide to cultural competence.
Career of Evil is the third in the acclaimed mystery series featuring detective Cormoran Strike, written by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling, author of the moderately famous Harry Potter series.
Everything you need to know about St John's Wort (Hypericum): where it is from, what it is used for, and what are the health benefits and dangers?
Master of the Mystic Arts, Conjurer of Cosmic Cataclysms, Arbiter of Alternate realities, Doctor Strange is the trippiest of Marvel's superheroes. Here we look at his tumultuous journey through time.
The curious history behind the popular nursery rhyme 'Sing a Song of Sixpence takes us from the Tudor times of Henry VIII to the Pirates of the Caribbean via the splendours of gastronomy—four and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie!
In this ongoing series of word origins, we visit 'M' for our monumental musings on the history of some M words.
The popular mambo instrumental song ¿Quién será? transformed as 'Sway' under Dean Martin's magical crooning. The tune has been covered by many artists across the world. Here is its musical journey ...
It has been 50 years since The Man from U.N.C.L.E burst on to TV screens introducing Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin. Here is a complete pictorial guide to the series and plenty of U.N.C.L.E trivia.
One to One teaching creates opportunities and challenges to the tutor. A well planned one to one teaching session can add immense value. We look at how to construct an excellent one to one session...
The film Mortdecai starring Johnny Depp is based on a series of humorous crime novels written by Kyril Bonfiglioli. Beneath the boisterous facade of this creative spark lurks a sobering tale..
While many succumb to the trauma of failure and lose confidence and performance, Resilient individual rise again, learn from their failure and improve their performance. Can Resilience be taught?
The Silkworm is the second outing for Cormoran Strike. Under the most unpseudo- pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, JK Rowling's second mystery novel proves that lightning does 'Strike' Twice.
The Pastel art of German Aracil brings light and vibrancy to this song of seeking love among the stars
The long living Ginkgo tree is a living fossil - a symbol of endurance and longevity. The Ginkgo extract is believed to confer high concentration, memory enhancement and improve blood flow to vital .
Emma Hack has taken body art to new heights. Her eye defying creations have been displayed across the world and have featured in music videos and films. The latest in the series of art and poetry...
In this ongoing series of songs that have been covered extensively by myriad artists, we meet the simple yet delightful Irving Berlin melody - What'll I do.
In our Etymologic excursion, we arrive at the Letter 'L' and luxuriate in its lascivious legacy...
A collection of Valentine's Day Haiku/ Haiga for the lovestruck.
Jack and Jill is an evergreen delight for children. The rhyme dates back many centuries. The speculation on its origins and history ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous!
The walk from the MRI department to David’s office felt the longest ever this time, even though I had done it a thousand times.
The sheer ingenuity of nature in helping animals survive is astonishing. The way animals have learnt to hide is explored in the science of Mimicry, Camouflage and Aposematism.
Change is inevitable. The ability to manage and adapt to change is an essential quality for all of us. This Simple Guide will help to make the process of change positive and productive.
The art of Michael and Inessa Garmash inspire this poem on daydreams and pleasant reverie...
Our expressions, gestures, posture, tone of speech and other non verbal modalities mean far more than the words we speak - Here is a simple guide to elements of NVC such as Kinesics and Paralanguage.
The art of Vladimir Volegov forms a perfect accompaniment to this ode to memory and magic, love and longing.
For 34 years Eugene Allen served at the White House. A humble man, who saw eight presidencies and was eyewitness to so many historical events. It is only fitting that he lived to see a Black President
The Cuckoo's Calling is an astonishingly good debut mystery novel by Robert Galbraith ( now revealed as JK Rowling).
The sneaky, cheeky, lascivious Pandemonicum Grenvillard Woodimp is the last person (?) I expected to teach me life lessons on loyalty. But hey, It's not the messenger but the message.
In this episode of the curious origins of nursery rhymes, we tackle the loveable but doomed egg that is Humpty Dumpty. Just what does the rhyme really mean?
Despite the frequently gathering rainclouds in their horizons, there are some that never stop shining. They radiate goodwill and great fun.
I see so many things in you. I see you in so many things.
This is a handy guide for "Game of Thrones" fans who wish to visit the various countries and castles used to film and build the beloved world of Westeros.
Nursery rhymes are an evergreen delight for our children. They date back many centuries. There is so much speculation on their origins and history. These range from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Giving Effective Feedback is a skill anyone can master. Here we shall see the definitions of feedback, its usefulness in improving performance and the attributes of an effective feedback session.
Although it looks and sounds complex, medical terminology is easy to pick up once one learns the fundamental logic behind how these words are created. This easy to understand series will help you.
In this ongoing series of best cover songs here's another evergreen classic that has been covered widely by various artists.
In Physics, that which occupies space and has a mass at rest is defined as Matter. Just what is matter? What are the elementary particles? What constitutes us? What matters...?
In this ongoing series on medical etymology, we look at the fascinating stories behind the names of various anatomical terms and organs.
Restless Leg syndrome is a 'spectrum disorder'. These means all manner of different conditions are labelled as RLS. Here's some help to separate the fact from all the fiction.
A collection of paintings depicting sleep show how various artists see the act of sleep. Peaceful or troubling, relaxing or restless, one cannot deny the power of sleep.
Ginseng has been known to the Chinese since prehistoric times. Its widespread popularity is a mixture of real benefits and some tall claims. It is useful to know its history, benefits and dangers.
J Scott Campbell is a superstar American comic book artist. His highly stylised and sensual drawings have garnered a huge fan following among the comic book community. He created "Danger Girl."
In our ongoing series exploring word origins, the delightful stories behind familiar and unfamiliar words open a world of wisdom, wonder and weirdness. In this part we look at some 'K' words.
Dusk has its own magic and this poem is inspired by the impending arrival of darkness and its promises. The paintings of Jack Vettriano felt a perfect accompaniment to the song by The Platters.
We are constantly at the mercy of our perceptions and make decisions based on heuristics. What we don't know is how much our daily moods, decisions and actions are affected by these heuristics.
Echoes are Louder when Empty; Loneliness sometimes is a choice one makes. Feeling alone and the accompanying sense of despair can make one deaf and blind to offers of love and friendship.
Shafts of sunlight dance through branches as the apprentice arrives at the master's garden. His eyes crinkle at the beauty around him. A lone furrow worries his forehead. Unsure. Unwary. Incomplete.
Snow came to Hundred Acre Wood early that winter. Unhappy Eeyore receives a surprise and understands the meaning of the charitable Christmas spirit from Pooh and Piglet.
The season of joy and goodwill is also the season of wanting to come home, however long one has been away... Back for Christmas.
It has been a year since I saw you lying in the centre of the room, surrounded by wailing relatives and distressed mourners.
Strange Biology: Through the mists of time, sometimes animals that have been extinct for years or only known through their prehistoric fossilised remnants may be rediscovered in this modern day. These living fossils may rise from the dead, like Lazarus.
One of the fundamental skills necessary for academic and lifelong success is the skill of learning to learn. Here we look at the concept of Self-Regulated Learning and the habits of self regulated learners that make them what they are.
The story of the nanny who was "practically perfect in every way" has stolen many hearts. Learn about her creator Helen Goff, aka P. L. Travers.
A celebration of Autumn through a collection of autumnal paintings. And a poem about the russet and gold autumnal game of love, longing and leaves.
Bond, James Bond. The iconic agent made his debut in 1962 with the arrival of "Dr. No." 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of James Bond in celluloid. In order to celebrate this anniversary, I've compiled here my own Fifty Fascinating Facts about suave British spy for your delectation.
She noticed him first when she wandered down the Library aisle looking for “The Lord of the Flies”. As she worked her way down G section, her fingers tracing down the dusty spines of the books she had a funny sensation on her nape and she turned around.
At first I was meaningless. Then I became everything. I grow from the plumage of peacocks, from the songs of the nightingale, the dance of the birds of paradise, the mane of a lion. I live on the bright rainbow petals of flowers, their delicate scents and their honeyed interiors that attract the...
Hospital corridors have their own smell, their sounds, their colours and the oppressive stale air that circulates within. I wondered how many stories of hope and loss, birth and death, disease and healing these walls would speak.
Bond, James Bond. The iconic agent made his debut in 1962 with the arrival of Dr No. 2012. To celebrate the long journey of James Bond, I've compiled here my own 25 fascinating facts about the suave British spy for your delectation.
In this ongoing series on word origins and their wonderful stories we come to the Tenth letter of the alphabet. Here we shall go from an ancient Gemstone, a signature, A Roman God to a bottle of champagne and end in a dance. Now where else can you make such a strange journey?
I have had a recurring dream since the day my father disappeared. Initially it was vague and as years went by it became more and more detailed.
Everytime is like the first time As my world opens and you come walking through Everytime is like the first time As you move closer and take up all my view
The tail end of the 19th century is called "Belle Epoque". The Boulevards of Paris have never been more exciting to walk. At 23 years, a young Italian called Leonetto Cappiello arrives in Paris, wide eyed and wonderstruck. He soon changes the face of Poster Design.
Imagine a summer meadow. Gloriously lit sky reigning over the beautiful green grass. There is a gentle breeze blowing and the soft rustle of leaves.There is a hint of a fragrance in the air, without overwhelming the senses. In the distance there is a steady trickle of a stream. On the meadow, there...
David says I need to do two things in writing this : one is to talk about the 'MacGuffin'. And the other is to pick him a suitable introduction scene. He says if ever this was made into a film, the scene should be worthy of attracting a big name actor.
Happy bears are all the same. Unhappy bears are unhappy in their own unique way. Our story ends where it started, dear reader, as things often do. There is a certain comfort in such circularity.
Before Superman, Batman and Spider-Man, there was Mandrake the Magician. Learn about this hero who fought crime with a mere gesture of his hand.
Man in the Can turned Rapper P-Sty astonished the music world and his fans today on the Oprah Winfrey show. He appeared with his co-writer/mentor Docmo to promote his new Redneck Musical ' Pig Sty of the Oprah'.
A poem and a video of paintings that are full of moments like this...
You can Kiss me on a Monday, A Monday, a monday is very very good... Wherever you are in the world, it is highly likely you have heard this tune. If not as the English version of the song, you would have certainly heard it in your own language be it French, German, Spanish or even Mandarin.
The extraordinary international success of Downton Abbey was bound to spawn some competition, and many are claiming Parade's End is it. Both are sumptuously produced big budget costume Dramas ...
Every Journey, however small or long, will eventually come to an end. So here we are ,dear reader, at the end of this journey. There may be other journeys of course.
Here are a few movies that explore the many sides of class reunions!
The wonderful juxtaposition of art and Haiku is called Haiga. I love the union of images and poetry. The magic of a beautiful poem set against the backdrop of beautiful art is a double joy for those who appreciate such creative endeavors.
Writing it as it happened is hard. I realise I am writing this as it happened to me. David says it’s called a POV – a point of view. This is my POV. My reality.There will be others who are involved in this whose story may differ, whose reality will be different. Could there be a reality without an...
It all started on a rainy day like this one. Or should I say ended? Sometimes I get my beginnings and endings confused. May be all endings are beginnings anyway
Even though Pooh still has not figured out who he is, with Piglet help, he hops over a few puddles and gets one step closer to his answers. A wise man once said a journey of a thousand miles begins with but one step. Pooh hopes this is not going to be a thousand mile journey.
A Hoop wearing transvestite and caribou wrangler Bobbi Joe meets gopher beater extraordinaire and the owner of an extraordinary wart on her chin Missy Sue at the small town of Akiachak . Bobbi Joe was in town as a hired hand at a caribou ranch. Missy Sue was here to learn musk ox cooking skills...
A break through Hip-Hop duo is taking the music world by storm. In an astonishing turn of events a prison Doc and a prisoner have teamed up to create a new act. Their first single ' Yo Daisy -M' is said to be born out of one of the singer's heart break. Red neck 'man in the can' Pig Sty says of his...
Dementia is not a disease. It is, what we call in the medical parlance, a syndrome—a collection of symptoms and manifestations that can collectively represent a condition. It is vitally important to get the right diagnosis so the physician can plan the right treatment and management plan.
I'm all torn up that my purdy sweet heart Daisy May has taken up with the Mayor. She wrote me a letter tellin' me so herself. I ain't good with the writin' malarkey.
A Rain inspired poem with paintings inspired by rain.
The Imp jumps on the BDSM bandwagon as the popularity of Fifty shades of Grey pervade not only earthly but also otherwordly dimensions. In an episode full of handcuffs and leather, the Imp tries to persuade me to try my hand at allied literature'...help!
The Palace I built is now complete....
Filmmakers always loved to borrow a badass action hero from the literary world. Right from the days of film noir, when Chandler's Philip Marlowe and Hammet's Sam Spade graced our screens, audiences have rooted for tough guys with many shades of grey in their personalities.
The bottle is chilled and my guitar is tuned Been at work all day and felt marooned In a sea of suits, who’ve lost the meaning of fun Come join me on the beach, by the setting sun
To be a good caregiver for a patient with dementia, the person needs energy, determination, courage, and understanding. However, they also need insight, self-motivation, and enormous amount of self-care. A carer who doesn't care enough for themselves will emotionally and physically burn themselves...
I was about ten when I discovered a collection of verse. I was struck by the sheer exuberance of the word play here. The author of these poems was clever and unconventional and broke all the rules of rhyming. He invented new words when he didn’t have the right one to rhyme. He combined wit with...
Classic literature always provides a rich treasure trove that Hollywood mines regularly. The setting, the vast array of characters, the familiarity the story brings to viewers who are likely to have read the story sometime in their life and the opportunity to show off rich production values all...
There are many who cannot articulate to themselves or to their loved one how they feel at the time of loss, of painful separation. I wrote this for them.... I wrote this for me...
The moment you click your camera, the two dimensional image captures a snapshot that misses that little moment of inspiration. A video, is too long and captures too much. What do you do? You create a 'Cinemagraph'- the brand new trend that is driving the fashion into a frenzy.
It is not unsurprising that couples choose seaside destinations for their romantic interludes and honeymoon. There is an infinitely sensual nature to lying on the beach, letting the waves caress our feet.
In which Pooh's puzzlement deepens despite the help from a well meaning friend. As they say a problem shared is a problem... doubled? halved? quartered? quadrupled? I was never very good at maths. What does P/2 = ? ( where P is the problem and the 2 are the friends)
The journey from Page to Screen, as many authors and filmmakers will testify, is a tortuous one. In this chapter we'll look at three more wonderful books that are coming to the silver screen.
What started life as a quirky 'out of office' sign put up by the founders during their absence to attend a cultural festival (and to let users know that the site will run despite their absence) has since become a modern cultural icon and an internet phenomenon that brings a smile to the every day...
The relationship between the written word and the movie industry has been a lasting one. Like any lasting relationship there are good times and bad times, productive couplings and disastrous dalliances.
In our journey through the alphabets we arrive at our ninth stop, the inevitable, indispensable and indefatigable ‘I’. One of the five vowels, 'i' is also the fifth most commonly used letters in the English language
A well told story captures and captivates instantly. A good style that tells a good story can establish a connection between the writer and the reader that could be everlasting.
In which Pooh wakes up with amnis.. amnez.. umnis.. what was that called again...I mean amnesia.
Driving aimlessly, I see you in this rain soaked night Fade in; fade out of my screen, wipers wipe like my memory
A crusading counsellor, a brave barrister, a slick solicitor, a daring detective, a lithe lawyer and a courageous crusader. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I give you, without further ado, Perry Mason, Attorney at Law.
There are a variety of foods available that can help or hinder the Thyroid Gland. In this hub we will look at those food items that can help the Thyroid gland to function better. We will also look at dietary items that could worsen thyroid function.
How to be an adaptable leader with a polyphonic style.
"Life" says the Imp, scratching its chin with one gnarly finger, “is like a box of chocolates” “So you never know whatchu gonna get?” I offer. It was quite in the park. I am still a tad breathless from my run. I am sitting on the bench enjoying the view of the lake in the spring sunshine when the...
Pterygium and pinguecula are both caused by damage to the conjunctiva (a transparent, thin membrane that covers the white of our eye). There is a tendency to mistake one condition for the other.
Perhaps the simplest way of looking at leadership styles is to look at the task-oriented approach versus the relationship-oriented approach.
Lets familiarize ourselves with those sensational scriveners who were the purveyors of Steampunk long before the genre was a twinkle in the eyes of the three amigos who birthed the genre, Jeter, Blaylock and Powers.
What does a good leader need to be, know and do?
The sublime Art of Bec Winnel speaks to us through those beautiful, deep, delicious eyes. The latest in Art & Poetry...
A simple guide to effective leadership skills.
Do you ache for the scratchy yet seductive sounds of an old gramophone player? Do you pine for the chuff chuff of a rocking steam engine over the soulless glide of an electric one? Do you care for the clackety clack of a Remington typewriter over the bouncy plastic of your keyboard? Then you have...
An entertaining series on the origins of anatomical terms and the stories behind the names of various parts of our body.
Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars... Doesn't matter how often we hear the tune, it always reaches deep. It conveys such an wonderful emotion of happy abandon, a celebration of love for life and for each other. Lets look at the wonderful covers this song has inspired.
The human skin is not just ‘packaging’; it is also the largest organ of the body. It serves many functions. As our outer covering, it is the one that faces up to the daily challenges of heat and dust, sun and snow, wear and tear. The skin can give you youth or age you, for as it was once said,...
The night I lost you I lost me too. * The mist rolls down the hill and caresses the cabin with smoky fingers.
"The name Dandelion", says the Imp in a sibilant whisper, "is a corruption of the French phrase 'dent -de- leon' meaning lion's tooth. This is a reference to the coarsely serrated leaves"
The words 'Robotic Surgery' may at once inspire a sense of awe or strike fear in the heart of a patient. You may, depending on your view of technology, be amazed at the advancement in technical wizardry and start to think about the advantages. Or you may equally be petrified with fear - Put my...
Little did I know as I ducked into the arched doorway of ‘The Bibliophile’ that we will be dealing with the strange case of a missing bone, a biblical puzzle and a murdered priest all in one night. The incessant drizzle dancing on the pavements and creating little ripples of reflection from the...
Everything you need to know about licorice (or liquorice): where it is from, what is it used for, and its health benefits and dangers.
This article is not just about learning and memorizing but about being able to logically work out what a term means by simple methods of understanding the roots.
There are some songs that are timeless. They transcend eras, musical styles, fashions, trends and go straight to one's heart. They evoke such emotions in the listener that no one is safe from their pull.
After all the frivolities of the ‘F’ words, it may seem positively ‘hum-drum’ (boring or dull - comes originally from the monotonous nature of a hum) to move on to H. But do not abandon your hopes yet as H contains as many historical nuggets as any other of its alphabetic siblings.
I aint no expert in matters of love There’s no help from heavens above All I have are my words and dreams May not be much, or so it seems
Ten more haiku for valentine's day. The simplicity of the haiku makes it capture so much with so little. Much like in matters of love.
The glorious science fiction and fantasy opened new horizons: broad open spaces, alien landscapes, super powers, rocket ships of grandeur, extraterrestrial villains and much more. The sky used to be the limit for the imagination of an author. But now, they could travel a million galaxies the very...
The Imp tries to psychoanalyse me with some disastrous consequences. And yes, it does try to cross its legs suggestively. ugh.
There is something about the Tango that recalls the narrow alleys, the stolen intimacy and the closeness of space while dreaming of heaven...
You may build the most luxurious, creatively stunning world in your story but without characters to populate in and interact with this literary landscape, the world will be but an empty facade.
Among those ageless melodies covered by many, Besame mucho is among the best. Soulful, romantic and intoxicating...
Wimbledon fever is burning high. There is nothing as refreshing as the sunshine, soft green turf, strawberries and cream, soaring balls ( ahem!) and short skirts.
There are some songs that never die. They are born and reborn through the mouths of various artistes, through their musical reinterpretations, throughout time.
She has broken records, created massive amounts of money, voted the best ‘virtual game heroine of all time’, had two motion pictures, hundreds of comics and merchandise and featured in covers of magazines. The legendary game, was of course, Tomb Raider. The girl who made it all happen was , of...
Classics illustrated introduced millions of children to the world of celebrated works of literature in an accessible and memorable format : In a comic book form. At the time when comics usually meant superheroes and masked vigilantes, it was a daring move to publish the classics of world literature.
There are times I have to show I am a friend and not your foe Emotions may hit the low And actions that stop the flow Just don't hate the mirror For showing the errors Don't fight the hands That hold you when you fall When I give you my all....
In our journey to find stories associated with words, dear reader, we come to the 7th letter of the alphabet, G. The letter has many sounds in different languages. There is the ‘soft’ g of gypsy and giant to the hard ‘g’ of game, gamut and gargoyle in English. In French it takes an even softer...
But it isn’t just the magic potion that makes them so powerful, it is those two mighty heroes – one brave, wise and small – the other large, dumb but with a heart of Gold and natural strength ( he fell into the magic potion as a child) who are the stars of the show. Intrigued that this is some...
The art of haggling is enjoying a resurgence. For too long it has been the mainstay of the exotic eastern markets, been confined to the dusty corridors of a local flea market or perhaps a garage sale, or in the higher echelons of buying a luxury car. Now everyone is waking up to the...
There was a best kept secret in the ancient world. A secret that was kept forbidden for thousands of years known only to a few in the east. A secret that made untold riches to those who held it..
Pen me an old fashioned love song Then sing me the sweet melody Take my hands And make me dance For this may be Our only chance
The pursuit of excellence is a vocation, a lifestyle and perhaps a lofty ambition. Just what is excellence? Can this be taught? If so do we have to be excellent ourselves in order to teach it and cultivate it?
“I think it’s time you wake up” says the Imp. It is a distant echo through the hazy clouds in my head. I am running through some strawberry fields in my dream, stopping to pluck a berry and taste its juicy goodness in my mouth. I feel my mouth fill up with strawberry juice so much that it starts to...
Long before Indiana Jones walked into my life with his fedora and his whip, long before Harry Potter burst across the skies on his Nimbus 2000 chasing the snitch, there was a boy who took me away from the dreary backstreets of Madras on his globetrotting adventures. His name is Tintin. And he is...
Faithful reader, in our journey through the wonders of the alphabet, through those etymological entities that tell us a thousand tales, it is inevitable that we will arrive at F. It is also inevitable that your curiosity gets the better of you as you scroll down my list of chosen words to see if I...
“Hello, Hubbomaniac!” came the Imp’s voice through my headphones. I am straddling the cross-trainer and pedalling furiously towards my fitness horizon as the Imp's voice disturbs my reverie.
A tribute to the legend that is Elizabeth Taylor
There is something about lost love that bends space and time, skews logic and warps your senses. The art of Fabian Perez accompanies this poem about forever nights.
There’s something magical about the scent of a woman. The natural fragrance entices men through pheromones. A well chosen fragrance can combine and enhance the natural scent. Women's perfume is a perfect companion. If worn correctly it can kiss and caress, drift and dance, float and flirt and...
We dream in story, live in story, love in story and die in story. This is the human prerogative. Ever since we evolved the language of communication, humanity has been sharing stories with each other. The stories and their itinerant plots have existed since time began. I love a good plot. Who...
In the olden days it was called cold-fire. When walking through the forest, our ancestors discovered glowing mushrooms on rotting wood. They called it ‘fox-fire’. They were fascinated by the fairy tale nature of insects flying through the forest with an eerie and ethereal glow. They called...
The sensational art of Rob Hefferan proves an ideal inspiration for this poem - The Map of you.
“You know what your problem is?” says the Imp. It is sitting in the corner of my study, over a pile of John Grishams, swinging its short, hairy legs.
Some men don’t wear any fragrance apart from simple soap. Some douse themselves in deodorants and are happy with the end product. Some go for the popular high street brands, guided by Christmas campaigns and settling for whatever floats on the TV. Believe me, it is worth investing some time in...
Sometimes When the burden of life Overwhelms When tears refract The light of life When the dust of reality Clogs life’s windows- Unlatch
Of all the Easter Eggs ever made and gifted, there is a particular collection that exists as a testament of craftsmanship and genius. They were gifted as an expression of love and adulation, represent a continued legacy from father to son.They are the brainchild of a man who is perhaps the best...
Here's my selection of songs for mothers. There are those that sing about the selflessness, the sacrifices. those that sing about the love and compassion. There are regrets and revisits, wishes and wistfulness. There is courage and grief, inspiration and intensity.
A fascinating look into the origin of anatomical terminology. The Greek and Latin origins of anatomical etymology and the stories, myths and legends that follow them.
There is a song that reminds me of my mother. The song that usually makes me cry hopelessly, every time I hear it on the radio. I have it on my iTunes playlist and as I scroll past the song title, I hesitate to click , knowing very well I am going to be heavy with grief, choked with emotion and...
For his first hit single, he sang: ‘And I am so sick of love songs So tired of tears So done with wishing You were still here.’ Despite being 'so sick' , he has ironically gone and penned some of best love songs for himself and for other artists. And in the process has had...
Leaves whisper messages caressed by breeze Flowers sigh as they are kissed by the bees The love you have shown, for me to know Music follows me wherever I go
There I was lathering myself (careful!) and luxuriating in the pleasant smelling foam of the modern soap. As the bubbles swirled around and drifted off in the water droplets, I began to wonder about the history of soap. Such is the effect of the uncommon history of common things topic, I can’t be...
No other game has influenced human thought, emotions, superstitions, language, art and entertainment since their inception centuries ago. Whether it’s the solitaire played on a rainy day when no one else is around to give us company, the boisterous card games played with pretend money with...
There was a boy who lived in the street next to us where I grew up and he was a kite flyer. He was a good flyer and he participated in kite fights. He handmade his own kites and I used to go and watch him. He would use thin bamboo sticks for the spars and used silk or thin paper for the material....
Rusty armour and broken spears Chainmail stained with unshed tears Wandering mind unspoken fears White Knight’s in Trouble
What is Rosacea and how is it identified? Learn about this inflammatory skin condition and how it is treated.
The art deco vision of 1920s, the scratchily magnificent vinyl music, the sober tones of the leader streamed through tinny audio, genetically enhanced enemies that scared the life out of me...
The complete history of the toothbrush from its ancient origin to modern incarnations. Yes, the humble toothbrush.
An entertaining series on the origins of anatomical terms and the stories behind the names of various parts of our body.
Imagine walking along the boardwalk of Atlantic city on the eve of the New Year . In a few hours it will be 1920. The US Government is about to launch the Noble Experiment ... the Eighteenth amendment of the United States Constitution. An act that would effectively ban the manufacture, sale or...
Close the door Sit close to the phone So no one else can listen to my tone I hope you don’t Mind hearing my voice E-mail and texting were never a choice
Role-play is a valuable teaching and training tool that delivers immense amount of imprinted learning. This learning is retained and recalled better through the role-play experience.
In our trip through the alphabet ( a word that is a conjoined twin of the first two Greek letters alpha and beta!) we arrive at ‘E’. The fifth letter of the alphabet and the second vowel in our journey has spawned many words to choose from. Before we look at the beautiful dawn from the East,...
You've seen those Posters. They often tell a story. They seem so full of sheer action the images threaten to pop out three dimensionally. There is poetry in action. There is usually so much happening, your eyes are overwhelmed. The men are immaculately dressed. The women are gorgeous and oh so...
A collection of Haiga : Haiku with Imagery. This is for Valentine's Day a selection of Kisses and Wishes.
One of the frequent questions every writer (amateur or professional) gets asked by others is ‘Where do you get your ideas from?’ Let's reflect on exactly where ideas spring from...
To a novice lover, the opposite sex is a mystery. Often completely clueless on the subject of wooing. So why not ask the very object of your affections to give you a clue. why not?
An entertaining series on the origins of anatomical terms and the stories behind the names of various parts of our body.
One way of building a broader vocabulary is to be vigilant for context clues. This way of keeping a lookout for clues contained within the sentence or the paragraph containing an unfamiliar word helps us to pick up meanings of new words in our language or in a new language.Now we move on to the...
Robert McGinnis was the king of paperback covers. He was an astute painter. McGinnis has the gift of composition. His lines were clean and sensual, his anatomical details lifelike.
His name is Nathan Drake, and he is a descendant of Sir Francis Drake. He is quick with his gun, his fist and his tongue. He is suave with the ladies, slick with his friends and sly with his enemies. He may have shades of Indiana Jones and follow the well trodden footseteps of Tomb Raider, but he...
My love exploded in a thousand pieces as she stepped to pick a wild flower Her dreams vapourised in a sulphurous light In a thunderous clap of power
An entertaining series on the origins of anatomical terms and the stories behind the names of various parts of our body.
Will you walk with me The night isn’t over I want to know That you’ll stay closer
There is one woman who can show James Bond a thing or two. Her name is Modesty. Modesty Blaise.
I fell in love with a feisty, ass-kicking, intelligent, sexy, honourable, fearless woman when I was 10. Her name is Modesty. Modesty Blaise. Some call her Mam'selle.
Any high performing organisation depends on continually identifying, developing and improving skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary for the individual and organisational success.
Fragments of a Dream stutter my sleep Memories or myths buried so deep Places I’ve never been, Faces I’ve never seen Drift across in a luminous sheen
A BOOKLOVER'S DELIGHT I love books, old and new. I like the smell of them, the way they feel in your hands, the dazzling book jackets and cover illustrations, the magic of what is contained between the covers and in some cases their history and their collectability. I love the crazy world of book...
There are some actors who think they are stars, demand marquee status, get by on charisma and good looks. And then there are others, who thrive on raw talent, who can quietly steal a scene from under the very handsome noses of those who think they are stars.
So in our journey through the alphabet we come to ‘C’. There are several ‘C’ words to choose from ( careful!) but I am going with the ones that offer fascinating stories and fascinating roots. We first visit The Aztecs whose Nahuatl language yielded the word that will melt in our mouth, make our...
It’s only later, many years older , wiser and when I was able to afford to actually buy books - did I revisit the comics of my childhood years and realised Rip Kirby was the brainchild of superstar comics artist Alex Raymond and was produced as a daily strip for that institution that defined...
A selection of stunning watercolours by Steve Hanks form a perfect accompaniment to this poem I penned.
Tonight The moon sheds its borrowed light Onto snow soaked Rooftops Shadows play hide and seek Between Silent sleep filled Houses
The pursuit of a better vocabulary is a rewarding one. 'B' words and their bombastic, brain-searing origins...
Bleary eyed I wake up Sun shining through the blinds Fragments of a dream cling to my eyelids Or was it real?
We don’t like change, we like things as they are. Not many of us like to be told to change. This can be intimidating, upsetting and downright patronizing. We have the right intentions. Here I tell you how to make change a positive experience and to get the most out of it!
All throughout history, great writers have teased their readers with gripping first paragraphs. I have tried to illustrate some examples of the ‘hook’ to give you an idea of what your readership may expect and find engaging. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.
This article discusses the relationship between our hidden values and belief systems and our outward behaviours. Similarly, attitudes have been described as hypothetical constructs that represent a person’s likes or dislikes.
An ongoing Etymological series on the fascinating stories behind words in everyday use...
Arturo Pérez- Reverte is the bestselling novelist in Spain. His historical adventures featuring the world weary swordsman for hire, Captain Diego Alatriste, are popular amongst the young and the old. For someone who came late to writing, at 35 years of age, he has certainly made up since. His 23...
Of all the gifts that Santa can bring There’s only one that’ll make my heart sing Of all the stuff that make Sleigh Bells ring There’s only one thing, there’s only one thing