Workshop on one of my short stories

Experienced a first last night in having one of my short stories, 'Dealing with Jeff' discussed at a workshop in Birkbeck. Much positive criticism, which I found very helpful.

Colum McCann

Interesting review of Colum McCann's new book, Let the Great World Spin in the Guardian.

Hilary Mantel

I see the Booker Prize winner, Hilary Mantel is giving the 'George Orwell Lecture' on November 17 in my college, Birkbeck. I got a ticket. I am a great fan of Hialry Mantel and the late Mr Orwell. I loved 'Fludd' and 'Beyond Black'. They have a unique darkness and morbidity. I feel there is no point in listing the late Mr Orwell's achievements, other than to state that I wish he were around now.

Sally Gardens

A gentle refrain from Korea - words by William Butler Yeats.

Start of - "Incident in Havana"

“So what is this?”

“It’s just a key-fob torch*

“I will warn you once. Do not be insubordinate with me, this is a very serious matter”

(The short story is currently being edited)

©David O'Rourke 2009

Don't Get me Started

Don’t get me started on football

A sport knee-deep in cliche

But for players and owners

No good comes of this game

Don’t get me started on football

Don’t get me started on cricket

Lords won’t sell me a ticket

Panamas, mid-offs and maidens

Finance on a sticky wicket

Don’t get me started on cricket

Don’t get me started on Cheltenham

A throwback to “gentlemen”

and “lads”

Celtic tigers turned to kittens

As ever, a high count of cads

Don’t get me started on Cheltenham

Don’t get me started on MPs

Surprise is, anyone’s surprised:

So many of them try to squeeze -

truth for a private wheeze.

Don’t get me started on MPs

Copyright David O'Rourke 2009

Big Disappointment

I have tried to keep politics out of this blog, but I find that I am unable to resist commenting on this matter. It is reported today that Tony Blair is likely to be appointed President of Europe. Blair is a war criminal. He lied to his parliament about weapons of mass destruction and other aspects of the illegal war on the people of Iraq. The proposal must be rejected at all costs and Blair must be arraigned to the International Criminal Court in the Hague for war crimes, including that of aggression. Shame on Sarcozy of France and Merkel of Germany for supporting such an outrageous proposal. It compounds the sick-joke of Blair's appointment as "tripartite negotiator" for peace in the Middle East. Where is the George Orwell for the 21st Century?