CD Richards

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!