...

You met the most amazing person from across the pond. On the net you met, merely hours ago. Why are they even talking to you? You get on well, already you are as friends, a deep trust is forming. You laugh together long into the night, playing, teasing, exchanging stories, likes and hates, turn on's and off's. Could it be love at first sight? After wandering solo for so long, a strange joy seeps in and you cannot help but grin. You go to bed but stay connected on your phone, the conversation delves into the mechanics of your soul, this is as close as anyone has gotten to you since you can remember, the walls you have built over the years collapse and it all comes flooding out. Someone who finally cares about you, more than a friend. It cannot be, it's all so right.

Battery Low... off.

You stare at the black screen, they are gone.
You slowly pull your knees up to your chest and cradle them with your arms,
tears form and sting your eyes and pits singe your insides with icy chills.
You are lying in bed alone, all alone, the same as every other night.

Trip to Iron Earth

Panic flashed in Ethan’s eyes. A droplet of sweat ran down the base of his palm, then along the rock, and fell to the barren floor. Ethan held his breathe, closed his eyes and propelled by a burst of adrenaline lurched wildly towards Arian. The rock soared along the arc of Ethan’s flailing arm and flew down towards his exposed skull. Arian calmly and with inhuman agility chopped at Ethan’s exposed elbow; snapping the bone. Then a produced quick kicked with the side of his heavy boot, at the very centre of Ethan’s shin causing him to collapse. Drunk on psychotic fury, Arian kicked at the Ethan’s weak body as he desperately curled up and tried to move away. Arian then grabbed him in his creaking leather grip and threw him to the wall beside the bed, before pulling out another cigarette and breathing himself back under control. Ethan spluttered and coughed, spraying blood over a nearby collection of pebbles and granulated rocks strew out over the floor. He pulled his body upright and looked up at Arian.

Arian pondered for a few moments then collapsed onto folded legs. He stared intently at his crippled victim. Ethan’s eyeballs darted wildly inside his filthy face.

‘I like you,’ Arian announced. ‘You have a survivor’s spirit about you.’ Ethan chuckled and relaxed his muscles,

‘I don’t want pity from the likes of you.’

Arian stared at the weakened man. He had bags sitting on top of the bags under his eyes; they melded together in an orgy of sleepless nights. Ethan gazed at his assailant. Arian stared with unhealthy intensity at him, as a cat focused on its prey. He was however, clutching his leg; this man was human after all. Arian grunted,

‘I was shot. Unfortunately it is a common hazard in my line of work.’

‘And what is that? Are you yet another idiot scavenger who flew to close to the sun got his wings burned and now is stuck in quarantine with the rest of us unlucky few. I say few; it is becoming far more like many these days.’ Ethan stopped and recoiled in pain before bursting out in a flurry of coughs. ‘I used to have a drink problem. It’s nothing.’ Arian said nothing; he caressed his face. At this Ethan strained a chuckle through the pain.

‘You absolutely adore yourself don’t you?’

‘What would a gutless, pathetic parasite such as you, know of me? I have only chosen to spare you because killing you would be equal to killing a beetle that happens across your path in the street; I could easily take its life, but for what, a cheap omnipotence with a lesser species? A quick and futile buzz of divinity? No, this is not my method, besides; you should know the man who kills you.’ Ethan closed his tired eyes tightly and smiled,

‘As a matter of fact, I do recognize you. I have read a lot of discarded papers. You are Arian Covenant.’ Pride gripped Arian who caught himself smiling. ‘Thug, rapist, murderer. And you smile.’ Arian’s grin widened and his eyes narrowed.

Thank you for reading
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-The Bloody 13, status update:
Continuing from last week, I am posting the next character from the Bloody 13's crew. It have included my own [Terrible] sketch and a brief description. Below is how I picture all the basic uniforms to looks, so bare that in mind when you look at the sketches.

Bloody XIII Attire:
Hat, Trench Coat, Leather Gloves, Toe-Capped Boots (All Black). Band-over scarf (Red).

V
Code Name: Core

Looks: (The website won't let me upload the image so here is the link.)
http://alec4u.deviantart.com/gallery/32036776#/d46qxhs

Full Name: Benjamin Core

Description

One of Mort’s military companions, Core, is a devastatingly talented weapons specialist. His application for the SAS only failed due to toxins in his blood. These same simulants Core uses to enhance his body that makes him more dangerous. The most elite fighter of the Bloody XIII, he is revered and feared by all but AD and Mort.

Writing of the Week:
This week a short story:

One Night [Read]
There are a few clear points in all our lives, where life would have been completely different had you made a different decision. This short story follows both of these paths and hints that perhaps we do have a destiny and there is nothing that can change it no matter which path we choose.
Remember, the grass always appears greener on the other side.

Quote(s) of the Week:
"They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong." ~ Ronald Reagan


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. Iron Earth baby! =)

An Aspiration to Fulfil

To fulfil a fantasy is to live a dream. A dream can be all you expected and more or an utter catastrophe which brings a wrecking ball down on the glass ceiling that taunts your desires. Your desires burn stronger than before as all of those wants and needs for which you yearn, on heat; itching, twitching and squirming inside your belly. Your belly full of butterflies as the chance to live your dreams approaches, you are walking on air and the very fabric of time ebbs to the back of your mind, your thoughts subside and you feel a complete clarity taking hold. Taking hold of your own strings, you dance as you will. You will yourself on for should you stop for even a second you would collapse into a useless heap of realisation. Of realisation that dreams are concrete you become aware and conscious. Aware and conscious of the actions you are taking you boldly step onto the stage and liberate yourself from inhibitions and become more than you ever possibly believed. Possibly believed by very few, that you can achieve something this divine. This divine inspiration from my previous sentence, strings together as a fantasy yarns its thoughts through your mind; sometimes with subtlety, sometimes with painfully obvious brusqueness that drives you to detraction, until it is a fancy you are able to fulfil.

Thank you for reading
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from the Iron Earth, status update:
I will be posting another page of the final chapter next week for feedback

-The Bloody 13, status update:
Continuing from last week, I am posting the next character from the Bloody 13's crew. It have included my own [Terrible] sketch and a brief description. Below is how I picture all the basic uniforms to looks, so bare that in mind when you look at the sketches.

Bloody XIII Attire:
Hat, Trench Coat, Leather Gloves, Toe-Capped Boots (All Black). Band-over scarf (Red).

IV
Code Name: Luqa

Looks: (The website won't let me upload the image so here is the link.)
http://alec4u.deviantart.com/gallery/32036776#/d46qx13

Full Name: Isabella Medina Torres

Description

Isabella was the CEO of a large communications technology company which she inherited from her father, Luqa. After selling the company off and taking early retirement, she joined the Bloody XIII for a more thrilling lifestyle. Isabella has a cool head but often has pound signs on her retinas. Though quite petite she a very strong women with an overbearing moral compass. Her weapons are a side arm and cell phone. The majority of the XIII's funding comes from Isabella.

Writing of the Week:
This week another two poems for your pleasure:

Hope [Read]
I write a lot of bleak poetry, to counter this I wrote a brief poem about hope and how maybe tomorrow things will be better.

I Live Life [Read]
I

L
I
V
E

L
I
F
E

Quote(s) of the Week:
"Ambition has but one reward for all: A little power, a little transient fame; A grave to rest in, and a fading name!" ~ Walter Savage Landor


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. Stars in my eyes, argh! =)

The Witch of the North(London)

Once again, don't forget to check out deviantart.com to see all the stories and poems I have posted in past updates as well as some new ones yet to be posted here.

Today I'm going to write a few words about someone in my family of whom I have a lot and yet little understanding, it may be painfully obvious who it is but I shall hold back on naming them.

There is no doubt that you have suffered in your time, no doubt that crippling loneliness fills your time, yet you make little time, in mind, for thoughts of others except those of little relevence to yourself.

You are a mother but unlike a mother that nurtures, you make your children suffer and have done all their lives. Whether on purpose or by accident, it is difficult to tell for your mind has unfurled and is sporadic as the flecks of paint flicked from a brush at a blank canvas. Mean and frustratingly oblivious to any harm caused by your senselessly and tactlessly wagging tongue.

For someone as anxious as yourself, for someone so affraid of the new and of wiping the dust from their bulging wallet as you, it seems rediculous to me, an impartial observer, that you would treat others so.

I have to comfort and reeassure my own mother that she does not ressemble you, so affraid is she that she carries genes. And her brother, of whom I am very fond, has led a lot of life in crying hands thanks to the lonely witch in her tower.

You will not be missed and I shall do nothing to remember you.

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from the Iron Earth, status update:
I will be posting another page of the final chapter either next week or the week after, for feedback. I am really starting to gain the motivation and momentum need to actually finish this before I go back to university. Exciting times!

-The Bloody 13, status update:
Continuing from last week, I am posting the next character from the Bloody 13's crew. It have included my own [Terrible] sketch and a brief description. Below is how I picture all the basic uniforms to looks, so bare that in mind when you look at the sketches.

Bloody XIII Attire:
Hat, Trench Coat, Leather Gloves, Toe-Capped Boots (All Black). Band-over scarf (Red).

III
Code Name: Double

Looks: (The website won't let me upload the image so here is the link.)
http://alec4u.deviantart.com/gallery/32036776#/d46qw0i

Full Name: Daniel Dee

Description

Archie Dee’s younger, larger, balding brother. He is totally loyal and dependable but fails as a leader without Archie’s guidance. Double, is in charge of the admin side of the business and is often left at base on jobs. He is the XIII's secretary and accountant making him an invaluable asset.

Writing of the Week:
This week two more poems for your pleasure: =D

Lonely One [Read]
This is poem from my 'Pain of Monotony' Collection that was written for the poetry portion of my degree. Poetry isn't my forte but this was a hard period for me and it helped at the time to transfer some feeling onto paper. I hope you can appreciate this.

The Room [Read]
I was once trapped inside a room. We all have been at some stage, whether literally or metaphorically. Trapped and then set free. That is what this poem is all about. Entrapment and freedom.

Quote(s) of the Week:
"Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why." ~ Kurt Vonnegut Jr.


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. Mmm Donuts! =)

The Good, the Bad and the Politically Correct

Our gender, our job, the colour of our skin, the country we live in, the languages we speak and the lifestyle we lead all culminate in our identity and individuality. In recent years various governing bodies have been attempting to remove that identity, to remove our freedom and cast out tradition all in the name of protection or as it is commonly known, actions of ‘Political Correctness’. I am writing today to not only bring to light the causes and affects of this liberal mutation, but to rally you and the people as a whole into shaking off the shackles of this oppression currently imposed upon our society.

Throughout Europe and America hundreds of changes to our society have taken place in very recent years. Some of these changes make the headlines whilst others are more secretive. Regardless they are all classed as Politically Correct. Some more ‘left wing’ individuals describe Political Correctness as an excuse for Conservatives to shun new ideas that might better us as a country. However, when these ideas extend to that of changing the name of the well known bakery products; Gingerbread men, to Gingerbread persons, I am led to doubt these claims. After all how can you possibly discriminate against a biscuit?

This, though silly, is a less harmful example of modern day changes, a much more harrowing one is the current implementation of health and safety and its spiralling paranoia. In schools, teachers have to adhere to safe-handling policies, that prevent teachers from disciplining pupils who act up, helping students when injured or offering them basic medicine for such as Paracetamol and even prevents them from restraining children whilst they fight for fear of being sued. These are restrictions that leave teachers virtually powerless to bad behaviour and have resulted in a new generation who have grown up with fewer role models from which they can learn to be respectful. In the pursuit of protection, schools have also doctored traditional nursery rhymes such as the fascist, Baa Baa Black Sheep, the excessively violent; Humpty Dumpty and the perverse, old Macdonald. Whether you found the story of the black sheep upsetting or not, you have to admit that it’s culturally diverse counterpart, Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep, does nothing to add to the rhyme. Poor ol’ Humpty Dumpty was removed for the trauma that children have suffered upon hearing about his tragic accident. Maybe this ordeal goes someway to explaining the cognitive capacity of some of the older generations. And Old Macdonald can’t be married anymore, as it is essential to specify to children that he is in a comfortable civil partnership, so that all those children with single mothers and homosexual parents aren’t singled out and discriminated against.

The truth is that this subtle change is constantly happening throughout literature and the media. But what does Politically Correct truly mean and where did it come from?

To be politically correct was a term originally invented to specify what actions and words the current governing body deemed appropriate for use. It is believed that this all began, in a modern sense, after the Civil Rights and Age Discrimination Act of 1964 and became more prominent after the Race and Sex Discrimination Acts came into fruition in 1974. The first case of a term being band for the offence it may cause, occurred in 1957 when England, in an attempt to appease their Russians allies, outlawed the commonly used term ‘bourgeois’, which was used to describe the middle classes. Although none of the hypersensitivity over race, religion and biscuits was anywhere near the levels it is today, in fifties culture, the western world was incredibly uptight in its views of sex and ignorant of other races and lifestyles. This was the very reason that Political Correctness came to pass, in accordance with the civil rights movements it protected discriminated groups from being abused verbally or in a derogatory manner. And for this purpose, it is essential. However, like all things with good intentions the civil rights acts left society wide open to abuse by selfish opportunists who used the system for their own ends. There were several widely reported court cases at the time that saw men being torn apart socially and stripped of their assets for discrimination in the work place. In a lot of cases it was valid but in some it was abused. Davis Mamet’s, ‘Oleanna’ is a fantastic dramatisation of some of these cases. Since then consciousness of Political Correctness has slowly spiralled out of control to the point where an underling fear now sits in the back of everybody’s minds as to what they can and can’t say. The effects of this are detrimental to our society.

Political Correctness has forced us to trade tradition, manners, customs and beliefs for often forced ethnic and social respect, tolerance and equality when these things should be earned, learned and come naturally. The reason I suggest that this tolerance is forced is because people skirt around important issues such as immigration and religion through fear of persecution causing ignorant beliefs to sink below the surface. If somebody is ‘racist’, silencing them doesn’t solve the issue it simply forces them recede out of public sight, allowing their ignorant beliefs to fester into further resentment. Take the British National Party for example, until recently there entire party consisted of name and a few signatures but due to the social muzzle of Political Correctness and the ineffectualalety of successive recent governments they are now a party with an MP in parliament. Now, whilst this isn’t a huge number it goes to show that there is an underlying culture of unrest within certain sections of our society and should disturb you deeply. Instead of labelling people as racist or intolerant and disregarding their opinions, we should find what causes their ‘intolerant’ beliefs try re-educate instead of letting hate bubble beneath the surface. People deemed racist may be ignorant but it is their right, living in a free county, to be ignorant, as long as they don't hurt anybody and do not spread hatred.

Political Correctness itself has a basic flaw. If all views are equal, why do some who embrace this view feel the need to push an agenda as the ‘correct’ one whilst at the same time demonizing other views as ‘incorrect’? This is because complete equality is an impossibility and ‘right and wrong’ are rules set in place by society and its governing body, a select few. When anything is deemed wrong by society it is standing up for one group and not for the others. For example ‘Humpty Dumpty’ is a rhyme that has deep tradition and history within English culture. The rhyme is not based on an egg at all but a tortoise siege engine that was unsuccessfully used to assault the parliamentarian owned City of Gloucester, during the English Civil war, in 1643. After years of this rhyme being passed down from generation to generation, at the whim of a few over protective mothers – and it was only a few – some schools abandoned the oration of the rhyme to its children. Political Correctness is hypocrisy: be tolerant of others because intolerance will not be tolerated. This seems to be its flawed policy.

The main weapon of Political Correctness is fear. It is this fear that allows it to be successful and has materialised as the ability to sue. The suing culture that exists, especially in America has created the fear of saying or doing the incorrect thing for fear of punishment; the punishment being a tattered reputation and a sizable financial toll in hard financial times. In a politically correct society, if I was to criticise a religion such as Islam or Christianity I would be censored, without criticism there can be no evolution. Censorship creates ignorance as it is once again infringing upon Freedom of Speech.

There are signs that we are beginning to fight back against social repression. The traditional puppet show, Punch and Judy, was band on some beaches of the United Kingdom for its ‘violent’ and ‘sexist’ themes but after a fight back from the community and many hundreds of signatures the ban was repealed. It was a small victory but a victory nonetheless.

If you want to see the devastating long term result of parents and teachers restrained by Political Correctness, then look to many secondary schools in England, look to the London Riots. Thousands of children have grown up without any discipline, traditional morals or respect for anyone and in some cases, even their parents. During the riots people sought to rob and destroy other peoples livelihoods for nothing more than fun and petty selfish gains. Hundreds of children, teenagers and young adults with no concept of respect or even thought of their fellow man took part and still stand to suffer little punishment or remorse for their actions. So what happened, we clean up, put a political plaster on the problem and more people join the BNP.

In reality decent people know how to treat others properly, how to be respectful and considerate. And for those who don’t, it can be learned. We don’t need hypocritical, hypersensitive, social politics monitoring our speech for even the slightest offence. Maybe our time would be better spent teaching etiquette and culture to the youngest generation and even some of our elders. Be more relaxed in are speech and not so easy to jump to offence. A level of decorum is required is required in our lives people need to be protected from discrimination but there are other, better methods of achieving this. Living in a fear controlled state where our very speech can be incorrect is no way to live at all. Political correctness stands in the way of Freedom of Speech but in the end Freedom of Speech will always prevail.

.
Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-The Bloody 13, status update:
Continuing from last week, I am posting the next character from the Bloody 13's crew. It have included my own [Terrible] sketch and a brief description. Below is how I picture all the basic uniforms to looks, so bare that in mind when you look at the sketches.

Bloody XIII Attire:
Hat, Trench Coat, Leather Gloves, Toe-Capped Boots (All Black). Band-over scarf (Red).

II
Code Name: Mort

Looks: (The website won't let me upload the image so here is the link.)
http://alec4u.deviantart.com/art/I-AD-253196052

Full Name: Rafael Morte

Description

This Dutchman is ex-army and AD's closest friend. Mort, is every bit as tough at AD but lacks the charisma required for personnel management. Mort is often in charge of jobs when AD isn’t available, or heads up the ‘B team’. He distinguishes himself by wielding the family Broadsword and by wearing a long red scarf down his back instead of the Bloody XIII Neck-chief.

Writing of the Week:
This week two poems for your pleasure:

Time Sink [Read]
A poem about a man washing his face and time slipping away.

Omega Strain [Read]
A freeverse poem depicting the horrors of living upon Omega Strain. A grey bleak fantasy world where everything is grey.

Quote(s) of the Week:
"I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism." ~ P. D. James


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. Make love not war, then get 'em whilst they are most vulnerable! =)

Let's Play, Master and Servant

I am bound, thoughts flashing, heart racing. My dreams are of heroism, strength and honour yet I am a lowly worm constricted by the very base that binds us all. Fear. Fear of the new; unknown quantities that threaten every possibility of a creative's mind; fear of ends, the outcomes that beckon the most extreme possibilities and tease you like a child avoiding ghosts, hiding in their bed at night. Fear of old is also there; the Pain that you have suffered and could well face once more but worse. Missed opportunities that remind us of our failings and inadequacies. And the mistakes that we make through naivety, or a seven sin, or of others twisted designs. I am scared to death.

This fear is the product of a tragedy. I am a victim of my own mind. That scorns my body and its inability to fulfil my dreams, its lack of immortality that we once had as children. How it quivers, how it shakes, how my stomach churns dead butterflies and the pale skin tenses, sweats, freezes and tightens. I am no hero. One couldn't even claim villainy through all the mediocrity. There is no hero without a villain. No strength without a weakness to compare to. I am that comparison. With no hope of achievement, why not surrender myself to base desires and live a life of slavery. Bound and gagged I will continue and enjoy my pleasure as my soul fades to black.

Sorry that is ten minutes of free writing and there is alot on my mind. To cure a poison you have to suck it from the wound. If there is too much to handle then you only make things worse.

As the legendary Devin Townsend once said, "sdifhjahowuegvuwdgfwdaugrfsdurgtAWEUIRTWEUIOFASDGFTuouwdfuogtfuoasdgwef uirtwefigaweifg 8K EG"

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-The Bloody 13, status update:
From this week onwards I will post a character from the Bloody 13's crew. It will include my own [Terrible] sketch [Looking for a proffessional artist here :)] and a brief description. Below is how I picture all the basic uniforms to looks, so bare that in mind when you look at the sketches.

Bloody XIII Attire:
Hat, Trench Coat, Leather Gloves, Toe-Capped Boots (All Black). Band-over scarf (Red).

I
Code Name: AD

Looks: (The website won't let me upload the image so here is the link.)
http://alec4u.deviantart.com/art/I-AD-253196052

Full Name: Archie Dee

Description

Archie is the leader and the founder of the Bloody XIII. He is tough, powerful, clean shaven and always willing to do whatever is necessary to finish the job. He is an often harsh leader but always fair, he is stubborn yet has a soft side that is exclusive to his family and his good friends Rafael Morte 'Mort' and Noah 'Bison'.

Writing of the Week:
The Beanstalk [Read]
My own 'Carter-esque' version of Jack and the Beanstalk.

This short story got me my only A for a piece of work at A-Level.

The word limit when I wrote this was 2500 words so it is rather concise and altogether brief in places but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

And YES this is written in the first person and YES Jack is a girl and YES it was very difficult to write at the time. With all that in mind, enjoy.

Quote(s) of the Week:
"In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant." ~ Charles de Gaulle


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. I'm honoured by your readership! =)

Riots And Random Stuff

Seeing as I and the blog our on holiday I thought I would post some random fun stuff for you sexy readers out there. A minor break from my standard wall of text. (What's wrong with a wall of text?! O.O) So here are three kind of random bits for you to view. A list, a video list and art video I made.

Firstly, want to write a few words on the riots currently happening in London and in the rest of the country:

 STOP DESTROYING YOUR OWN HOME YOU BASTARDS!

I just recently finished replaying Kingdom Hearts, a video game I bought five years ago and could only be bothered to finish recently. I loved the game and it got me thinking about all the other video games I have loved throughout my childhood. So after careful consideration here are my top 10 in no particular order:



Top 10 Video Games

-Age of Empires (PC 1997)
This was the first game I ever got. I was 8 years old and I remember playing this on new years eve on my dad's computer. It was the first time I had stayed up until midnight. There are loads of other great real time stratergies but this comes out top.

-Diablo II (PC 2000)
One of my absolute favourites. Ever. The atmostphere and the itemisation of this game are only a couple of Diablo II's stand out qualities.

-Championship Manager 01/02 (PC 2001)
My dear friend Patrick gave me this on a hot summers day in Christs College Finchley School. He told me that as a football fan I should try it. I did and have been buying Championship and then football manager games every other year since, like most men in the country. Now I know you kind of have to love football to like this one, but I happen to, so it is here.

-Worms 2 (PC 2000)
Worms 2 has to be one of the most fun multiplayer games. Thanks to the nature of its gameplay the little worms lobbing missiles at each other can never get old. I think worms 2 is the best of the series as it is the simplest yet can support up to 6 players on a single computer.

-Final Fantasy VII (PS 1997)
Who doens't love Cloud? Who doesn't love Cloud crossdressing in order to break into a club to rescue his female companions from what can only be explained as Japan's answer to a pimp. Final Fantasy VII is an EPIC game that's story spans time. Graphics, not so much.

-Final Fantasy X (PS2 2001)
The first Final Fantasy to feature voice acting. Granted it was cheesy as hell but FFX has such a powerful story with great gameplay and music that I'm contemplating completing it for a third time.

-Kingdom Hearts (PS2 2002)
Whilst somewhat childish, the disney and final fantasy aspects cross over to make a weird sort of role playing love child. And oh boy is that love child cute... erm, a great game.

-Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP 2008)
This is the game that almost single handedly ruined my A-level results. That said I loved playing this with my brothers and school mates.

-Super Smash Bros. Melee (Game Cube 2001)
I still play this one now when I get the chance. It is a must have for all nintendo users. Sigh, nintendo users.

-Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (PS2 2004)
GTA San Andreas was simply Vicy city with MORE STUFF! Who didn't utterly abuse that mountain with their mates?

-Goldeneye 007 (N64 1997)
The classic first person shooter. Need I say more.

As you can see the majority are story based or are multiplyer games. I would love to hear some of your favourite video games. Feel free to post them in the comments section below.


Now I love lists, so here is another:

There have been many terrible and cheesy music video's since the dawn of time (MTV). This list has none of those video's. Here is a compilation of songs, some of which are fantastic, which, at first released were seen to be less camp than age has defined them to be now. These are the:




Top 5 Unintensionally Camp Music Video's

5 - Billy Joel - Uptown Girl

 The half cut shirts and the creepy guy to Billy Joel's right make this video almost scary if anything. I'm pretty sure they aren't mechanics. That's all I'm saying.


4 - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

 Whilst this video is cheesy as hell, although, I think it has to be the 'barman' that steals the show. It's possibly the jumping splits that give him away. Oh fyi, you just got Rick Roll'd! ;)


3 - Journey - Seperate Ways (Worlds Apart)

I love Journey and I love this song, but this video... The random instruments on walls thing and the band members all huddled together lurching to and throw in unison, is just too much. Steve Perry <3
>.>
<.<

2 - Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

Maybe it's the fact that the lead singer is now a woman, or the fact that this is the soundtrack of meatspin(dot)com (Avoid this website unless want to see a swinging cock.), or maybe it is just the music video itself. Whatever makes it camp, DAYYYYM. And before you say anything, he wasn't 'out' at the time (I think =P) so this song fits in this list.

And the 'best' for last,

1 - Sonia - You'll Never Stop Me Loving You

This has to be the cheesiest, most unintentionally camp video I have ever witnessed. And no it isn't Sonia's poor spinning cam segments but her solo dancer who, lets say, moves in his own way.



Lastly, I have uploaded an art video that I made for one of my creative modules last year. It is a series of stills of Winchester that I have taken and edited in two directions. One to be serene and the other to be eerie. It was an aim to see if this was possible simply using photoshop and the effects that it offers. Some photos worked out really well, some not so well and so were, random? Reguardless, take a peek.

That's all for this week I hope you liked this small offering. Next week it's back to the harsh god forsaken realms of Iron Earth.

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from the Iron Earth, status update:
I am using my holiday time well at the moment trying to get a solid idea of how to reform my plot into a fantastic short story for the FYP and am trying to get as much as I can done whilst I still have the work ethic and free time since I intend to go out drinking a lot when I return home.

-The Bloody 13, status update:
Character sketches to come when I return from holiday next week.

Writing of the Week:
The Heart of Iron Earth [Read]
The almighty Jupiter Broadcasting were hosting a competition for the best Star Trek Online related Character Bio's. Naturally as a writer who plays the game and loves their shows, I wrote my own and submitted it. They subsequently picked me as one of their winners! This was the show:
[link]
So a big thanks to Chris, Jeremy and the rest of the guys at Jupiter Colony.

Quote of the Week:
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'" ~ Isaac Asimov

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A Patch of Iron Earth

I know many of you have been waiting for this, so here it is, a single page from my book and F.Y.P. 'Tales from Iron Earth', I know it's only a snippet but it is all I can publicise at this moment. I hope you like it and this time more than any other all feedback is vital to me so please tell me your thoughts. Enjoy.

"A haggard figure stood, drenched in the doorway, fists clenched and peering into the stagnant gloom. Ethan rolled over on his mattress and caught a glimpse in the radiated glow of a puddle. He carefully reached down behind the bed and clasped a sharp rock that he kept there. He lifted it to his chest and held it tightly, waiting to pounce.

A dull rumble of turbines pulsed and pellets of water peppered the thin folded metal sheet that sheltered Ethan’s bed. The rest of the room was reduced to rubble; it was the remnants of an old building that had collapsed in upon itself. All that remained was a skeletal wall which led to the ruined doorway. Ethan’s eyes didn’t break from the unwanted intruder for a second. He struggled not to move and would have succeeded had it not been for his rogue eyebrows that pushed down on the rest of his facial features and he clasped his stomach in pain. Ethan lay, curled from his cramps, on the exposed membrane of his mattress that bore the scars of many nights use. The silhouette lit up a cigarette illuminating a gaunt, pallid face.

Staying as still as his worn-out body would allow, Ethan barely dared to exhale and his heart thrashed in his ears, deafening him. Casually, the figure strolled over to the only other feature of the room. Beside the bed protruded a lonely sink that lent against the mementos of wall. The hot tap failed to work but the cold still produced a steady flow of water. He coughed violently and spat his gurgitations into the sink, then swiveled to face Ethan and said,

‘Can you please stop cowering, it’s pathetic.’ The stranger lit another match and held it out, decorating Ethan’s corner in a dull, shadow-strewn glow. Before him, Ethan lay; a malnourished, bearded man clothed in a patched tracksuit and hole-ridden hoodie, squirming on the mattress as he struggled to sit upright and keep his rock concealed. Bemused, the man cocked his eyebrow and ran his leather-bound thumb and forefinger down his jaw until they met in the middle on his chin. Ethan composed himself and climbed off the mattress.

‘Who are you?’ The man headed back to the arch of the door and half turned.

‘My name is of no importance to you. I would ask you yours, but I really couldn’t give a slimy shit. What you do know, is why I am here.’

     ‘Well I have been waiting for someone to arrive. Honestly, I was expecting someone of more authority than you.’ said Ethan who slowly edged closer to his guest. He was barely a metre from striking distance. Turning completely away from Ethan, the man continued,

‘Then you can empathize with my disappointment. I have been expecting you to hit me with that rock since I arrived. If anything, I have been looking forward to it. Yet you continue to disappoint me.’ The man grinned and slowly ran the tip of his tongue over his top row of teeth."

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-The Bloody 13, status update:
I've been busy on the Bloody XIII front this week. I have done very quick sketches of the 13 to give myself a visual representation to aid me in my writing. I would love for a more professional artist to draw me better caricatures. So look out for those once I return from my holiday and any interested artists do feel free to get in touch!


Writing of the Week:
Relating To Love [Read]
This week I have for you, a short tale Relating to Love. It is a seemingly simple love story with an ever-so-slight twist. Enjoy ='D

Quote(s) of the Week:
"A forbidden love. How romantic." ~ Minnie Mouse


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I Love Writing

Just to note, if you are just interested in the creative pieces, then check it all out at: [deviantART] also don't miss the [Read] link, next to the 'Writing of the Week', each week.

I love writing. Love, love, love it. A communication form of such an eloquence, elegance and enticement that is rarely matched by speech. This may be an artistic thing, perhaps it is a complete lack of social skills but writing trumps the spoken word in so many manners.

Longevity, would be one of the written words strongest assets. A single book can last through the ages, be handed down from generation to generation and immortalise a writers place in history as opposed to throat warbling, 95% of which is fleeting, lost in time mere seconds after an utterance.

Imagery is another enormous advantage that writing has. Just within poetry, there is the power to illustrate luscious, vivid imaginings that can evoke many, if not any, feeling that the writer wishes to give to their readers. Prose, can offer readers a portal to another world or an alternative existence, an escape that we can access at will and revel in for as much of our lives as we choose. Non-fiction, can persuade, highlight, ridicule, humour, disgust, pervert, emote or overcome a reader. Granted speech has the power to do all of these things and more, but it is far less easy to construct vocalities into coherent and powerful words that will stick in peoples minds, especially without notes.

People may say that one area where the ability to speak has writing beaten is passion. To those people, I ask, have you ever received a letter from someone you love? A physical letter, that someone that truly cares about you deeply has taken the time to craft specifically for you. If you haven't then it's something you have to discover, try sending one yourself rather than demand it though! It is even better and more powerful when they don't expect it. A letter and the contents held within it, is something that you can cherish forever and it's meaning will remain relevant to you every time you open it. Can you say that about a large portion of what your lover has said to you? Okay maybe you can, but I truly believe writing can be on par in this department if you let it.

How about a more modern context, instant messaging perhaps. We can all communicate with each other instantly. Textually. More than that, you have time to think about exactly what you want to say and are largely free from any kind of pressure which allows for you to say exactly what you wanted to say rather than what you were able to spurt out in a moments indecision. After all, the biggest advantage e-chatting has over the spoken word is the backspace key.

I'm sure many if not most of you will disagree, but as a writer I feel it is my duty to shout (WRITE IN CAPS) from every rooftop (Bedroom) about how amazing writing is. There are so many facets to literature and it is exciting to be a part of it.

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from the Iron Earth, status update:
I will post the first page of the final chapter next week for feedback. I am yet to write the rest of it so I need to get off my lazy ass and sit down and write... hmm.

Writing of the Week:
Beautiful, Adorable Birds [Read]
Firstly, I have uploaded this blogs first poem. I am unsure as to what you all think of poetry and how it will be received so this is a test. If you like my poetic works then I shall post more in future, if you don't then I will probably still post it but FAR less often! See, I'm not totally evil. Regardless, this poem is a humorous look at birdsong at five in the morning, after entering dawn from the wrong end, without sleep. So for all you fellow insomniacs out there.


Legendary, Loaded and Lonely [Read]
Secondly, some non-fiction. This is a violent and scything thought process on the rich and famous that I once spewed onto paper in my own ironic and dry manor. Give it a go if you can stomach this self-indulgent bile, goodluck! ;)

Quote(s) of the Week:
"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." ~ Anais Nin

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." ~ E.L. Doctorow


Don't forget to bookmark this page, so you can check back in future. The written word may stay with you forever but spoken words can be far more comforting. =)

Nature: No, YOU Put the Gun Down!

I know it's only been a couple of days, but I'm excited dammit and wanted to post again. Don't take that away from me!
Today's theme is nature. The reason for which is of course relevant and ironic to my blog named Living on Iron Earth as my planet lacks greenery. That and both the pieces that I have posted for you to read today are about natures epic struggle with man. Every being that has ever dwelled on this planet has either been a part of the force of nature or struggled against it. When a species has become too powerful nature finds a way to wipe that species out, just look at the poor dinosaurs. However, us humans have changed the mould. for the first time in Earth's history we have become as capable of destroying nature as nature is at destroying us. We have arrived at the unique position of a Mexican stand off, where neither side makes to-big-a-move so as to not to provoke the other and cause our certain mutual destruction. It's ironic and sick and totally unforgiving but this is the fine balance that we face in the future. Nature is the Godfather(Godmother?) and we are next in line to the throne, vying for her power, the only problem is that if we are found out, she'll murder our children. Fun. Anyway, we have all heard the scaremongering countless times. As if we, sat at our computers, have the personal power to change the world. If you get bored of waiting for the inevitable showdown why don't you come and visit me on Iron Earth. There is no nature on Iron Earth, just humans doing what they do best. Destroying ourselves.
I do apologise for the slightly morbid topic but, well, why not!

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from the Iron Earth, status update:
The first and potentially most tricky part is complete. That's what they say, starting is the hardest part. I tend to disagree with this but I guess we'll see. Still undecided on the most fluent way of combining the beginning and the end of the short story version of this for my Final Year Project. I will post the first page either next week or the week after for feedback.

-The Bloody 13, status update:
Last post I said "I have two plot ideas, one of revenge and the other is a more standard crime plot line. There are pro's and con's to both of these, I will go into it in more detail next week..". So let me give you lovely readers a quick breakdown.
The Bloody 13, is a story focusing on a group of mercenaries operating in an alternative reality of London (Or just London, still deciding.). It was intended to be a more cynical, more heavily stylised, localised and adult version of the A-Team made for either graphical novel or film - or both. My original plot idea was based heavily around a key point in the Matrix where the team is betrayed and attacked from within and they very quickly get killed off. The Bloody 13 would rile a powerful gang or corporation who would gut their organisation. However, I have a second idea that also revolves around betrayal from within and the blood-blind desire for revenge that follows which, itself destroys everything. This is the dilemma, I like both ideas and am struggling to pick the appropriate direction. Another update to follow next post.

Writing of the Week:
Battle for Holt [Read]
This week I would like to share with you my short story, Battle for Holt. It is a fantasy depiction of the conflict between Nature and Humanity and yields a stark contrast between old mythologies and new technologies.

Within the prose I attempted to keep the descriptions concise. Using the symbolism and engaging narrative voice of Poe(Edgar Allan) and various imagery akin to Carter(Angela), I created a vivid fantasy world whilst focusing on keeping my sentences short and potent.


The Drill [Read]
The second piece of work that another short story that I wrote during my degree. It is unread and unmarked so forgive any grammatical errors. The Drill was my own literal interpretation of, Jacob Epstein's Rock Drill sculpture. A terrifying and brilliant piece that captured my imagination when I first saw it at the age of fourteen.

Quote of the Week:
"Fishes live in the sea, as men to a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones." ~ William Shakespeare

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Welcome To My Mind

Firstly, if you are reading this, You Rock!
(Now, with the flattering hook out of the way, time for the content. Keep Reading! Please.) o.O

Welcome, you have entered the depraved depths of my imagination, the metaphoric Iron Earth where I dwell. Inside this war torn, festering, wasteland exists a hope. A slither of fluorescent creativity that mutates itself into short stories, scripts, poems and a myriad of ideas yet to be channelled into legible prose.

As with many aspiring writer's, finding a voice can be a real bastard. To get noticed, you either have to shout louder than the competition, stand out in some fashion, get very lucky or shoot some of your competitors. I wouldn't advise the latter.

So, through divine inspiration (thank you, Ian), I have been motivated to create this blog to showcase my work. Over the next X weeks, months, years, I will be uploading short stories, poems, chapters from my novel and all sorts of extra awesomeness for your mental consumption. All feedback will be warmly accepted. No criticism will be rejected. And all love and attention will be desperately grabbed hold of, clung onto and physically abused.

As well as an update on life/writing in general, I will also be adding updates on my novel, Tales from Iron Earth. I will add a quote of the week plus other fun stuff for your enjoyment. Without further ado, thank you for bearing with me and I just know you'll love reading, Living on Iron Earth. Enjoy. ;)

Thank you for reading,
Alec:


Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-Tales from Iron Earth, status update:
I have begun work on the new final chapter. The Nurse, Sarah Quinn, is the working title and it is the story that will bring all the first three together leading to one cauterizing conclusion. I am writing it as a short story for my Final Year Project as part of my creative writing degree so development on this should be far more rapid than with previous instalments.

-The Bloody 13, status update:
I've been at a crossroads on my Bloody 13 script this week. I have two plot ideas, one of revenge and the other is a more standard crime plot line. There are pro's and con's to both of these, I will go into it in more detail next week but needless to say, it's a tough decision and one I must dwell on further before a can really begin writing.

Writing of the Week:
Raven's Room [Read]
This week I would like to share with you a short story that I wrote as part of the Short Story module of my degree. It is a horror, pastiche of Edgar Allan Poe’s, The Tell-Tale Heart that contains my written voice and an unceasing description of the apparently mundane to highlight paranoia. True to Poe, I have created a tense atmosphere using gothic imagery and a controlled tempo that quickens until the dramatic conclusion. At least this is the desired effect. I would love to hear some feedback on this.

Quote of the Week:
"Fame is the thirst of youth." ~ Lord Byron


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