CD Richards

CD Richards: Today brought the terrible and unexpected news that one of my partner's work colleagues and a good friend has passed away. Her struggles ended at age 41 - far too young to lose such a gentle and kind soul.

"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Dylan Thomas

CD Richards: Time for a break from the Church of FanStory. Try not to miss me.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Balance finished second in the contest "5-7-5 Poetry Contest"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Asphodel Meadows finished second in the contest "Myth, Legend or Fairy Tale"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! Anthropophobia won the contest "Acrostic Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: Looks like FanStory has gone psychic! As I look at the profile thoughts entry on the forum thread listing, it says the latest post was "in a year" :)

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Be With Me finished second in the contest "3-6-9 Poem"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Hollow Words finished second in the contest "Betrayal"

CD Richards: I'm just going to say this here in response to comments I've seen elsewhere about the tragic death of two police officers and an innocent neighbour, as well as three low-lifes in Queensland Australia. I won't be arguing the point with anyone.

1. The two officers who died were carrying weapons. Those weapons didn't save their lives.
2. Had the three "legally entitled" firearms owners not been in possession of weapons, six people who are now dead would still be alive.
3. The perpetrators of this hideous crime have been identified as far-right conspiracy theorist nut jobs. Is anyone surprised?
We do not need this sort of insanity on ours shores; we've gone nearly forty years without it. But thanks to the internet, the epidemic of craziness taking place 10,000 miles away was never going to be avoidable. The ranks of our feeble-minded and mentally unstable are growing too. Congratulations to all those who've fought so hard to defend the right to be idiots. You win.

CD Richards: To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.

- Winston Churchill

CD Richards: I'd copy the post from the group I borrowed this from, except I can't. So instead I'll have to type it. It's so much fun, and it's true!

Nearly all of Emily Dickinson's poems can be sung to the tune of Gilligan's Island. For example:

Because I could not stop for Death
He kindly stopped for me.
The carriage held but just ourelves
And immortality.

Another:
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,
And Mourners to and fro
Kept treading -- treading -- till it seemed
That Sense was breaking through

Last one:
I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died --
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air --
Between the Heaves of Storm

:)

CD Richards: Breaking news: Yoko Ono has threatened to have her music added to Spotify if they don't remove Joe Rogan.

CD Richards: My thought for the day:

How come there are so many people who barely managed to graduate high school (if that), and don't know the difference between there, their and they're; but somehow, overnight, have become world-leading epidemiology experts, knowing more than people who have dedicated decades of their life to studying viruses? Quite astounding.

To my friends here on FS, and even those who are not, have a safe and happy Christmas!

CD Richards: There is some alarming and potentially deadly nonsense being spread in communities at large and on this site regarding Covid-19 vaccinations. Millions of people have died from this contagion, and millions more will, if superstition and ridiculous conspiracy theories are allowed to propagate. Here are a couple of occurrences which happened fairly recently in my home state:

1) 30 of 36 people at a party contracted Covid-19. Not one of those thirty people had been vaccinated. The 6 people who walked away from the party without contracting the virus had all been fully vaccinated. Speaks for itself, doesn't it? If there was no connection between immunity and vaccination, then the probability of this outcome by chance is around 1 in 2 million.

2) On one particular day, the evening news announced that there were 47 Covid-19 patients occupying hospital beds in the state, including children and young adults. 16 were in intensive care and 5 on ventilators. Not one of those patients had received a vaccination.

The evidence is clear and indisputable. There is a tiny chance of complications, including blood clots, from getting the vaccine. The risk of getting blood clots or dying if you are not vaccinated and catch Covid-19 is orders of magnitude higher.

Don't put off getting the vaccine if you want to minimise your chances of dying, and more importantly, don't spread stupid rumours with no basis in fact and risk the lives of others.

CD Richards: Can't post any more... works or forum. Later, gators. Have fun!

CD Richards: (In response to the use of the term "snowflake" by a Twitter user):

Yes, I've heard this word. I think sociopaths use it in an attempt to discredit the notion of empathy.

-- John Cleese

CD Richards: The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on.

--Omar Khayyam

CD Richards: Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich by promising to protect each from the other.

-Oscar Ameringa

CD Richards:

Interested in time travel?

Come along to our meeting at the Baptist Church hall, last Thursday, 7:30 pm.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Hibiscus Flower finished third in the contest "5-7-5 Poem"

CD Richards: Did you hear about the woman who couldn't take a selfie in the shower because the steam fogged up the lens and made the pictures all blurry? Apparently, she had selfie steam issues.

CD Richards:

CD Richards: A seasonal warning:

Don't buy your children war-based toys for Christmas, or crappy, violent TV series on DVD. These things turn their impressionable brains to porridge.

And please keep the kiddies away from deranged cults.

Stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas.

CD Richards: Because I'm not a brainwashed juvenile, I'm not going to wish anyone dead. But I really would like to see some people prevented from breeding.

The fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years without brains gives hope to many people.

-Anon

CD Richards: Two tips for Christmas:

1. Forget the past -- you can't change it.
2. Forget the present -- I didn't get you one.

CD Richards: Scientists have recently discovered yet another mysterious substance permeating the cosmos. In addition to anti-matter and dark-matter, there is now doesn't-matter. Apparently, it has no effect on the universe whatsoever.

(Stolen from The Far Side - Doug Martin)

CD Richards: "Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one."

-Benjamin Franklin

Here's a thought, based on the wisdom of good old Ben:

If money is all you can focus on; if the acquisition of it defines all your goals; if the possession of it representss who you are; if you think any person of substance will respect you, or be impressed because you never stop talking about how much you have... perhaps you need to ask yourself, "What's missing?"

CD Richards: Here's a tip for novices: If you want to make a political rant, or you want to indulge in pompous, egotistical criticism of those who use the political forum according to the purpose it was provided for, have the courage to speak your mind in the area designated for it. And don't hide behind your ability to block responses as you can in profile comments. What are you afraid of?

Don't place long-winded, nonsensical rants in the profile thoughts area so everyone has to wade through it to get to anything relevant of general interest. The political forum was reintroduced for a reason -- to keep that sort of drivel out of the Profile Thoughts.

CD Richards: 250,000 (and counting) people in one country alone are ready to testify that it doesn't matter diddley-squat how much money you've got, when you're too dead to spend it.

So, next time you feel inclined to give thanks to the one who may or may not have put an extra 50 cents in your piggy bank, spare a thought for the quarter of a million now deceased people to whom that same person said "we have five cases", and "it will be gone in a week" and "it's just like the 'flu." The one who, by his own admission, lied to his citizens and told them everything would be fine.

By the time this post has been here a day, should it last that long, more than 1,000 more US citizens will be dead. No, Trump didn't introduce the virus to the US. But he did insult, vilify, ridicule and threaten those who took it seriously. And he incited millions to do the same.

Best President ever!

CD Richards: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. -- 1 Timothy 6:10

CD Richards: It's a beautiful day.

CD Richards: Great news everyone. Not sure if you heard, but there were devastating storms here yesterday. But praise be, our summer residence completely escaped damage. Had to get the leaf blower out to clean the tennis court, but that's nothing when our neighbours (the closest ones, two miles away) had their house gutted by the winds. Thankfully our fleet of Bentley automobiles survived without a scratch, as did the yacht.

She is indeed gracious and merciful in sparing us and our bank account, when death and destruction rained down everywhere. What more do infidels need to convince them that She is great and I am rich?

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: No Analogy Required finished third in the contest "Love Poem Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: "If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room."

- unknown

CD Richards: "Life was something you didn't argue with, because when it came down to it, whether you barracked for God or nothing at all, life was all there was. And death."

- Tim Winton, Cloudstreet

CD Richards: Public service announcement:

Would the law enforcement officials who repeatedly insist on strangling innocent, unarmed citizens to death please refrain from doing so. Such intimate contact could lead to the soon-to-be deceased person contracting COVID-19. It would be appreciated if you could just return to shooting them from a safe distance, as normal.

Additionally, please refrain from attacking and assaulting local and foreign journalists who inconsiderately report these human rights abuses.

Make America Sane Again. Thank you.

CD Richards: I just wanted to say heartfelt thanks to those who voted for my poem in the PoM contest. The fact you liked my poem enough to vote for it is great encouragement. Congrats to everyone who was nominated, and the winner. Well done, RG.

CD Richards: How then to enforce peace? Not by reason, certainly, nor by education. If a man could not look at the fact of peace and the fact of war and choose the former in preference to the latter, what additional argument could persuade him? What could be more eloquent as a condemnation of war than war itself?

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.

- Isaac Asimov

CD Richards: Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.

- Euripides

CD Richards: This is not a comment attacking anyone, it is a simple question. My last, short, profile post was hidden by the site admin. Yet other, incredibly verbose posts which deliberately, and falsely, insult and accuse other site members are allowed to remain. Why exactly is that? I believe we need clarification on this seemingly haphazard application of site rules.

CD Richards: Anyone else sick and tired of the whining, snivelling attacks on mature adults we are being bombarded with, by those who are not mature adults?

CD Richards: My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

Thomas Paine.

CD Richards: From the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/ageing/ageism/en/):

Ageism is the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults.

And you can find as much of it as you like, right here on Fanstory... still.

CD Richards: Why are there still posts on the Profile Thoughts page which vilify people based on their age?

CD Richards: A vicar, a priest and a rabbit walk into a blood bank.

The rabbit goes up to the counter and says "I'm pretty sure I'm a type-O.

CD Richards: Please, nobody respond to this. My purpose is not to invite communication, but to lecture. And if I can't manage to construct a grammatically valid sentence with correct spelling, feel free to overlook my failures, I'm just blogging.

I understand there might be the possibility of some forum discussions on the topic of intercessory prayer. I am looking forward to contributing a great deal to this discussion, so I'm eager to sign up for the club. After all, we baby boomers are the generation that is all about peace, love and understanding. So, will we be petitioning for some new viruses or perhaps plagues to be visited upon those we don't like? I only ask so I can be properly prepared.

Let's all be excited about a topic on which everybody, no matter their political or religious perspective, can freely and openly share their thoughts in the spirit of true fellowship with others whose opinions we respect and value.

I sincerely hope everyone - Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists, fundamentalists, liberals, conservatives and all flavours in between will get with the program and make this a truly ecumenical event!

(OK, just kidding about not responding. You are welcome to comment, providing you agree with me).

CD Richards: Heaven save us from little children who believe they are geniuses because that's what they've been told by the parents/grandparents they now despise.

CD Richards: If your religion has led you to feel a need to pray that people will die as a result of this appalling pandemic, or to regard it as an answer to your prayers:

1) Your religion sucks.

2) You are in need of psychiatric help.

That's all, thanks.

CD Richards: Favourite piece of Facebook wisdom for the week:

When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is felt by others.

The same thing happens when you're stupid.

CD Richards: Strike another match, go start anew
And it's all over now, baby blue

-Robert Zimmerman

Adios amigos, keep writing.

CD Richards: From my Facebook feed:

Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature. Unaware that this Nature he's destroying is this God he's worshiping.

― Hubert Reeves

Amen to that.

CD Richards: I'm excited that my first collection of 40 magnificent incredible superb really good poems is now available on Amazon, in both Kindle version and paperback.

Earthshine: Reflections on life

The links are in my profile, for anyone who's interested to check it out :)

CD Richards: Whenever I get involved in conversations about the meaning of life, and where everything's headed, I can't help but feel that there's an underlying assumption that because these are 'big' questions, they necessarily need big answers. There aren't any, though. We're not here for a universal purpose, and there is no grand plan, no matter how tempting it is to believe it.

But that's absolutely fine, because it means that if there aren't any big answers, the little ones are all the more important. So every day, I take my dog for a walk in the field near my house. Sometimes I get to see a pretty sunset, but usually it's either bucketing down and I get soaked, or cold, or the field is full of mud and bugs and dog turds, and it's a pain to navigate through. Whatever the situation, though, my dog has the most ridiculous fun ever, and being a part of that little moment of joy is what it's all about. So be nice to the people and things around you -- it doesn't cost anything, and generally makes the world a nicer place to live in. Focus on the little answers.

- Dr Pete Etchells

CD Richards: Excellent viewing, available on STAN:



You'll be glad you watched it.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! Symbiosis won the contest "Six Word Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: I'm sorry if my out of office autoreply gave you false hopes of my swift and enthusiastic response.

CD Richards: My new "out of office" message:

Sorry, I'm currently out of the office, and can be reached by waiting until I get back.

CD Richards: Isn't it just as well we never get tired of being told what will happen to us if we don't buy what you're selling?

I do not find your threats all that scary,
for I'm sure your friend's imaginary.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Unhappy medium finished first in the contest "Objects of Desire"

CD Richards: Random thoughts on political correctness
-----------------------------------

I'm offended that you find my words offensive
And responding to you makes me apprehensive
For it never takes you long
To find what I've said is wrong
It's enough to make a bloke withdrawn and pensive

My world is rarely solemn and mysterious
I'm really bad at recognising "serious"
If you can't take a joke
We'll I'd say that's your yoke
If it makes you feel good, just call me imperious

CD Richards: Quote of the day:

"Most liberals are name-callers, so I'm not surprised."

ROFL. Well, lest I be accused of being one of those nefarious types who are out to silence all opposing views, I thought I'd publish it here. Thanks for the best belly laugh I've had in days. Isn't irony wonderful?

CD Richards: He promised to make them a beautiful philosophical book, written very small for their usage, and said that in this book they would see the point of everything. Indeed, he gave them this book before leaving. It was taken to the academy of science in Paris, but when the ancient secretary opened it, he saw nothing but blank pages. "Ah!" he said, "I suspected as much."

Voltaire. Micromegas (1752)

CD Richards: But unluckily there was another animalcule in a square cap, who, taking the word from all his philosophical brethren, affirmed that he knew the whole secret, which was contained in the abridgment of St. Thomas. He surveyed the two celestial strangers from top to toe, and maintained to their faces that their persons, their fashions, their suns and their stars, were created solely for the use of man. At this wild assertion our two travelers were seized with a fit of that uncontrollable laughter

-Voltaire, Micromegas (1752)

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Hero and Leander finished second in the contest "Loop Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: I wrote a crap review, my comprehension's not real good
You took the bait, and called me out -- I didn't think you would
So then I got all snarky and I played the teacher's pet
But sucking up hasn't produced the ends I wanted yet
I'm gonna sign me up as a free standard member now
And leave another crap review -- perhaps I'll sign it 'sow'
I'm not the slightest sorry if my antics made you frown
I think it's time I took a Bex, and had a wee lie down

CD Richards: A busy few days - several events on, and building work to supervise. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up on reviewing and posting after the weekend.

CD Richards: It's time to make a change.

The following is part of a piece which appeared on Australian Sixty Minutes tonight. It shows footage taken by a Pakistani whistle blower of an Australian shipment of sheep to the middle east as part of our live export trade. Some 60,000 were crammed into an area where they had to stand the entire journey, and sent into an environment high in heat and humidity. Over two thousand sheep died on this one trip, and it's not the first time. Most were literally cooked alive, others were trampled or suffocated.

I seriously doubt that Australia is the only country in which this happens, but I'm disgusted and ashamed that it happens here. And it never sees the light of day unless some whistleblower can manage to smuggle out footage of what is going on. If you have the stomach for it, I suggest you watch the entire appalling Sixty Minutes program.

What I find equally appalling is that people might think this applies only to the live export trade. It's equally as bad in the domestic market. I've seen mountains of fly-blown bodies laying for weeks beside unloading ramps at saleyards, where animals have died due to conditions as bad as these, or worse, on transport trucks.

I'd like to make a plea - if you say you care about the welfare of animals, and are against them suffering, please consider not eating them. Not lambs, not cattle, not pigs, not chicken and not fish; because ALL meat production involves horrendous cruelty, in spite of what the industry tries to tell you.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Antichthon finished second in the contest "Acrostic Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: Congratulations to the brave youth of America, who are addressing the problems their parents and grandparents have washed their hands of. By 2020, there will be 20 million of them voting. Perhaps the politicians who receive millions in blood money from the NRA ought to keep that in mind.

CD Richards: The last male northern white rhino in the world has died, thus ensuring the extinction of yet another species. Well done, humans.

CD Richards: It's something I've been becoming increasingly aware of lately. The people most likely to toss around the term "liar", like it's going out of style, are the ones most likely to be doing it, even... especially... to themselves.

CD Richards: Watch your back today... just sayin'. "Beware the Ides of March" - Bill S.

CD Richards: There is a big black hole at the center of the galaxy today, created by the passing of Stephen Hawking. It is unlikely we will ever see someone like him again. RIP, Stephen. You, your giant contribution to human understanding, and your sense of humour will be sorely missed.

CD Richards: I'm no great poet or writer, but I have fun trying. There are some very good writers on this site. Then there are others who are good, but spend way too much time listening to the panderers, and consequently think they are a lot more talented than they actually are. Welcome to the world of "artists".

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Heaven and Hell finished third in the contest "Antonym Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: Happy New Year to all my FS friends! If anyone is wondering why I haven't reviewed their work or responded to their review or message, it's because I'm away from home for a couple of days and have almost no online time - but I'll be back soon, and do my best to catch up! cheers, Craig

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! unfinished. won the contest "One Line Poem"

CD Richards: It's official. Sydney's newest aquatic public transport vessel is named Ferry McFerryface. Everyone in our household thinks that's a hoot, including our as yet unborn foal, Pony McPonyface.

CD Richards:
Christmas tip #1:

Get a bunch of empty cardboard boxes and wrap them in pretty seasonal paper and ribbons. When the kids start misbehaving throw a couple (of the boxes, not the kids) on the fire.

(P.S. I hope I shamelessly pinched this from my FB feed, not someone here - I honestly can't recall. If I pinched it from you, please let me know and I'll remove it - or at least give credit where credit is due).

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: A long way from Durham Town finished first in the contest "Double-Blind Challenge"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! Class of 71 won the contest "Sudden Flash Fiction"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! Pacific Palms won the contest "Character"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: My loving heart finished second in the contest "Love, Compassion and Kindness"

CD Richards: I love Matilda - even more now.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Tragedy at St. Matthew's finished first in the contest "Shaggy Dog Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: Congratulations to all the participants who made it through the NaPoWriMo contest, on a job well done. Special congratulations to Kim for winning! And on a personal note, to everyone who took the time to read and review my pieces over the month, and especially those who voted for me - I can't thank you personally, but your support means everything.

CD Richards: Answers to the Rolling Stones poem quiz (in order of appearance):

It's all over now
Bitch
Start me up
Miss you
Love in vain
Under my thumb
Loving cup
You can't always get what you want
Satisfaction
Get off of my cloud
Time is on my side
Let it loose
Rocks off
Angie
I'm free
Wild horses
Play with fire
Happy
Dead flowers
Moonlight mile

Sorry, I originally said there were 22 songs, but I left a couple out when I was reworking it. 20 is the final number.

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Just Cause finished first in the contest "This is serious"

FanStory wrote to CD Richards: Congratulations! The Calm won the contest "Antonym Poetry Contest"

CD Richards: I've recently become aware that to have made the grade as a proper poet, you must have created your own poetic construction. Not wishing to miss the boat, I've created my own - here are the details:

The Trumpolet

1. It must contain no rhyme nor reason of any kind.
2. It must go on and on and on and on - without end.
3. Preferably, it should appeal to the primal instincts - fear, pack behaviour, etc
4. Anyone giving critical reviews of a poem adopting this form will be forcibly removed and beaten.
5. The louder, the better.
6. Certain people won't be allowed to enter. Deal with it.
7. If you don't like it, you're stoopid.

A contest featuring this form will be created shortly. If you can't handle it, go back to where you came from.

Thank you.

CD Richards: A couple of people may have noticed I haven't posted anything in a bit. No major dramas, it's just that life has a tendency to get in the way of more enjoyable pursuits from time to time. By the look of it, I won't be posting much, if anything in the foreseeable future.

All of that is neither here nor there, the real point of this post is to say "sorry" to the people whose stuff I regularly love to review that I haven't been able to review much lately, and also to apologize in advance that I won't get to read much at all on here for a while. Textbooks will be my bedtime reading for the foreseeable future (sigh).

To those who have brought me so much joy reading their stuff (you know who you are), keep it up, and I hope to catch up one day!