by Omar Khayyam translated by Edward Fitzgerald XLI Oh, plagued no more with Human or Divine, To-morrow’s tangle to itself resign, And lose your fingers in the tresses of The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine. XLII Waste not your Hour nor in the vain pursuit Of This and That endeavour and dispute; Better be merry withContinue reading “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam XLI-LX”
Author Archives: Robin
Road Rage – a modern phenomenon?
The more things change the more they stay the same. Almost 50 years on from my time as a reporter in Basildon, Essex, I have been looking at my scrap books of stories I had written then and think how often the same things happen now and the bad ones are often worse than inContinue reading “Road Rage – a modern phenomenon?”
Dynamic duo produce another great thriller
The President’s Daughter is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton Thriller readers know James Patterson as a prolific writer. Young adults know James Patterson for his works in Manga and Graphic Novel works. Children know James Patterson as a writer who puts youngsters like themselves at the centre of exciting adventures. Many of usContinue reading “Dynamic duo produce another great thriller”
ROBIN’S REVIEWS
Welcome to a new category on this blog – reviews. Not just any old reviews but reviews of books I have read (whether recently as with new books or my favourites from a lifetime of reading); films or television productions; and music. I have reviewed newly published books over many years, beginning in the 70sContinue reading “ROBIN’S REVIEWS”
Tears of sorrow for a Welshman in exile
My time as a journalist in Basildon was not all politics and crime, although I did spend a lot of time in the council chamber and the magistrates’ courts. The Arts Centre, just off the town square, was a cultural centre for the district and, as well as hosting concerts and professional entertainment, it providedContinue reading “Tears of sorrow for a Welshman in exile”
Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics
When I returned to my desk on that mid-November Monday, following the funeral of my last grandparent, I was determined to throw myself into my work and become part of the Basildon community (although to do that fully I would need to wait until I was allocated a flat). Basildon was born out of theContinue reading “Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics”
My final farewell to a wonderful grandfather
The news of my grandfather’s death was a shock but after 10 minutes sitting quietly in Tony’s office I had composed myself. He had given me that time to let it sink in before returning. I told him I needed to call my parents to find out the arrangements for the funeral and said IContinue reading “My final farewell to a wonderful grandfather”
Death comes too close for comfort
Dealing with death becomes a part of life for many journalists, especially those working on regional dailies or weeklies when the people involved are part of their community. Whether it is a case of natural death, by old age or a long-term illness, or sudden death by accident or design (a house fire or fallContinue reading “Death comes too close for comfort”
Knock! Knock! Who’s there?
DOORSTEPPING – we’ve all heard about it. A politician or an entertainment celebrity is alleged to have done something (cheated on the wife; fiddled their taxes; taken a bribe) and members of the press are on their doorstep waiting for them to step outside and face a string of questions and a barrage of cameraContinue reading “Knock! Knock! Who’s there?”
Mea culpa – mea maxima culpa
Sorry I didn’t get back to the tale of our young reporter on his big adventure in Essex but a few things happened before I got round to it which made me think carefully about friendship, something I have talked about before. Friendship is important. We begin making friends when we are very young andContinue reading “Mea culpa – mea maxima culpa”
Robin's Nest 