There is some pretty scary stuff going down in West Africa right now. In fact, what is happening is the stuff of a science fiction or horror writer’s dreams, a biological killer on the loose, with no cure and a 90% mortality rate. It's called Ebola, and it is very much within the realms of … Continue reading A Horror Writer’s Wet Dream
nature
Inspired by Nature
Man is a lucky creature indeed. We won the evolutionary arms race, a triathlon that started in the primordial soup, then grew legs and ran a foot race out of Africa, before ending with the invention of the wheel. Once clear of our nearest competitors we became the lords of our kingdom, developed an intelligence … Continue reading Inspired by Nature
The Lion Sleeps (less soundly) Tonight
It feels like I've been neglecting my blog a bit lately, but other things have started to take precedence. That's the problem for me - the creative muscle is stronger than the other components that go into being a writer: new ideas overtake older ones before they are finished. Still, I haven't forgotten what inspired … Continue reading The Lion Sleeps (less soundly) Tonight
Grizzly End for the Grizzly Man
It was nine years ago today that Timothy Treadwell died in the wilds of Alaska, killed by an unbridled passion for the wilderness, and in particular, the animal he had dedicated his life to protect. You may or may not be aware of the story of Timothy Treadwell. Indeed, you may have seen Werner Herzog’s … Continue reading Grizzly End for the Grizzly Man
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
The Tyger By William Blake Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, and what … Continue reading Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
The Great Plastic Inevitable
Anyone who was around in the 60's (sadly, I am too young), or knows their music and pop art, might be familiar with the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, an Andy Warhol show featuring music from the Velvet Underground alongside screenings of the artist's work. Andy Warhol was also famous for his Campbells Soup image. So, what's … Continue reading The Great Plastic Inevitable
The Scream of the Butterfly
I’m not very clued up when it comes to art. In fact, I’m probably more attuned to the works of Tony Hart and Rolf “Can you guess what is yet?” Harris than I am to any of the greats (not saying you’re not great, Rolf!). Probably the only painting that has had much of an … Continue reading The Scream of the Butterfly
Wild Places: A Bucket List
I suppose we all have one, and even if it’s not written down on an official list it resides up there in grey matter, buffeted by a multitude of daily chores, soap-opera plots and countless other bits of mundane information, like this: there is approximately one chicken for every human being in the world. Which … Continue reading Wild Places: A Bucket List
Rewild the Mind
Land of the Lost Wolves is a two-part documentary charting the reemergence of wolves in the US Cascade Mountains (if you missed it it’s available on the BBC iplayer). In part its a success story about the durability of nature and survival against the odds, yet it also serves as a reminder of the challenges … Continue reading Rewild the Mind
Blurred Worlds 