http://banana.blog.co.uk/The place where I waffle on for no particular reason. Silly stuff, serious stuff, general musings and funny stuff. A typical blog where I won't be putting any poetry as that goes on my poetry blogs. I won't be being 'personal' either as I get too embarrassed & value my friends', relatives' and neighbours' privacy. There should be enough stuff going on in my head to keep everyone interested.en-UKhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://banana.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/7a/983d5beab0c89d9a866ec905784c5d_160x200.jpg <p>I've been wondering why it is that often artists and writers sneer at scientists?<br> I have read so many long diatribes about how scientists should take responsibility for the impact of their work and how so often they are blinded to consequences and just rush headlong into dangerous research.</p> <p> The usual story being that scientists just want to discover things and be remembered as geniuses and like the money that the big corporations pay them so they ignore the moral implications.</p> <p> In college we even had a Science and technology in society module in which an extremely left-leaning lecturer told us what we *should* think and tried to persuade us never to become lackies of the capitalist machine <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> But what about the responsibility of artists, designers, writers, film makers and other creative people?</p> <p> It seems to me that hardly anyone takes the impact on society that these folk have seriously enough.</p> <p> The selling power of celebs, the role model positions of footballers are often discussed in the media. But the steady drip drip drip of tv, books, articles, blogs, and many other places where art/writing crops up is so much more influential.</p> <p> It may sound simplistic but that doesn't make it untrue - the more a person is exposed to something the less they see it or are consciously aware of it.</p> <p> There is a physiological response called adaption - it is the ability of the body to 'airbrush' away irritations. For example if a person wears glasses that turn the images fed to their brain upside down - after a while they no longer have any difficulty - their brain just translates the image to seem the right way up again. Then when the glasses come off - the 'correct' image seems upside down - until the body adapts again. This is the same process that allows people to live in a noisy environment or a smelly one - they just switch off noticing the noise/odour.</p> <p> So it is not being silly to suppose that being constantly bombarded with violence, shocking scenes in writing or film, swearing, anger, intolerance - will lead to a similar response.</p> <p> Nobody will go off and commit a crime after watching one nasty film or reading one graphically explicit novel (unless they are already seriously disturbed) but after the hundred thousandth time of seeing comedy bashings, dramatic violence, artistic representations of scenes of carnage, violent films - especially if they have been exposed to such things from a very early age, maybe they might be so desensitised to do something small, or if under the influence of drugs or alcohol (again drip drip drip from media, books film and celebs that it is wild and exciting and cool to be a free spirit and tortured by addiction) they might.</p> <p> Even if they don't actually do anything criminal, they might be just generally depressed and despondent by a sensory overload from all corners that tells them life is pain, suffering, violent and grotty and that there is little hope of ever surmounting this status.</p> <p> I know I sound like a drippy middle class wally. But that is exactly my point.</p> <p> There was a time when people were allowed to want and express a love of life and a wish that other people would be happy and nice to each other. There was a time when children and families lived together in harmony and neighbours supported each other and community meant something wonderful and cosy and wasn't a buzz word meaning something quite the opposite and used by social workers.</p> <p> A time when social workers were not in constant danger going about their business.</p> <p> It wasn't perfect, it wasn't a dream world - but it was manageable and the deeply unhappy were the unusual ones not the norm. Yes people were unsatisfied in various ways - but overall people were measurably more content.</p> <p> I wonder why some artists etc think that the way to enthuse a shell-shocked population is by shocking them some more?</p> <p> Maybe the poor buggers are burnt out and now would be the time for artists to do something really radical and start giving the world some hope for a better tomorrow.</p> <p> And if you read all that I'm amazed. But at least it's out of my system now </p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/10/possibly-the-longest-most-boring-blog-post-in-the-world-7345652/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/10/possibly-the-longest-most-boring-blog-post-in-the-world-7345652/Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:14 +0100 <p>I used to write short stories. But my interest dwindled. I entered a few competitions and in those days there was no internet to share things on. One of my personality foibles is that I need encouragement and feedback to keep me going - at least I do when the task involves concentration and perseverence.</p> <p>Poetry is quick and almost a reflex to me now and that is why I kept up with it over the years even without any outside interaction on the subject. It is definitely the case that I produce more when I have an audience though. It's a lovely feeling to think that I have people to share with.</p> <p>Well today I had an urge to write a short story.</p> <p>I sat down and out it came, almost as easily as a poem! I had a couple of moments where I nearly went off and did something else, but I was firm with myself. I Twittered that I was mid short story and someone showed an interest.</p> <p>That was the spur I needed and an hour later it was done.</p> <p>So now I have a new blog with one solitary short story on it <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://short-banana.blog.co.uk">http://short-banana.blog.co.uk</a></p> <p>I hope it will take me less than 18 years to write another one.</p> <p>Oh and I got some lovely comments on Twitter about it, so I am very encouraged and pleased. I used to be very bad at dialogue so I was especially pleased that I was complimented on my dialogue this time. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/first-short-story-after-18-years-7331886/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/first-short-story-after-18-years-7331886/Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:56:36 +0100 <p>My book - a snip at $1,165.53 on Amazon! <a href="http://bit.ly/1cn6WV">http://bit.ly/1cn6WV</a> - & to think I was worried my #poetry was rubbish! LOL<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/amazon_wtf/4076911" title="amazon wtf"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/911/4076911_d0a3c8a2a9_s.gif" alt="amazon wtf"></a></p> <p>You can see from the address bar on this screen capture it is indeed my book Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition at that miniscule price LOL</p> <p>Could this be the answer to my question is my poetry rubbish?</p> <p>Is the answer yes - but very expensive rubbish?</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/the-most-expensive-poetry-book-in-the-world-1-165-53-on-amazon-7308593/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/the-most-expensive-poetry-book-in-the-world-1-165-53-on-amazon-7308593/Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:48:53 +0100 <p><strong>My book - Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition</strong> is THE featured book on the front page of Freado.com because underneath they are carrying <a href="http://teambookbuzzr.blogspot.com/2009/11/bookbuzzr-interviews-michele-brenton.html"> the link to my latest stop in my blog tour </a> on the BookBuzzr Blog.</p> <p>Here's how it starts....</p> <p>A few months ago, we had the swine flu scare in India. Everywhere I went, I saw people wearing masks.<br> And everybody kept cleansing their hands with hand-sanitizer. You could practically cut the fear in the air with a knife.<br> At this point, I stumbled upon a BookBuzzr book with the words "Alternative Poetry - Lite" in the title.<br> Intrigued, I flipped through a few pages. And before I knew it I was smiling ... and then laughing!<br> Then I came across this little verse which was so relevant to the "lets-keep-everything-clean" mania that had enveloped me<br> and all other people in my immediate surroundings:</p> <p> <strong>Where There's Dirt There's Life</strong><br> Nothing good comes from sterile and pure.<br> The best things in life spring up from manure.</p> <p>I was able to draw my own conclusions from this poem and more importantly<br> it lightened my heart and made me understand that the fear that people were feeling<br> at that point in time did not mean anything.<br> So when I recently got the opportunity to interview the author - Michele Brenton - I jumped at it<img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> So here goes:</p> <p> Hi Michele ... Can you tell our author community of readers, a little about yourself?<br> Hi Vikram... I'll try..."</p> <p> <a href="http://teambookbuzzr.blogspot.com/2009/11/bookbuzzr-interviews-michele-brenton.html"><strong>Read more...</strong> </a></p> <p> I had a lot of fun with this interview, Vikram asked some interesting questions and I did my best to be interesting in my replies. Even if you aren't interested in my shameless personal revelations - it is worth a look-see just to find out more about BookBuzzr which is something that every writer on authonomy ought to know about as it is free and a dream piece of armoury (for that read easy-to-use even for non techies) in the bid to find more readers <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> What do you think? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/03/what-do-you-think-of-it-so-far-banana-s-book-blog-tour-7296953/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/03/what-do-you-think-of-it-so-far-banana-s-book-blog-tour-7296953/Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:06:08 +0100 <blockquote><p>Posted November 1, 2009, 12:45 PM EST: I stumbled upon Banana the Poet, aka Michele Brenton, on the Writers Digest website. I've been following her on Twitter ever since and I read the sample poetry before purchasing this book as well. I really like the mixture of serious and funny poems that are included in this collection. "Cut Glass Floor", one of the serious poems, is raw emotion...it evokes the pain of a lover's broken promise that everyone has felt at one point or another in life. "While Sincere Apologies to my Teacher" is funny and sweet, even in its brevity, which is refreshing because Michele uses only enough words - the right words - in creating her prose. I am purchasing this book as gifts for several friends, and a copy for myself!</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/Review.aspx?page=Review&reviewid=1239341"><strong>Review on Barnes & Noble for Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition</strong></a></p> <p>How cool is that? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It is an amazing feeling to know that someone I've never met has taken the time to not only read my stuff but actually buy it (<em>more than once</em>)<u>and</u> then review it online like this! So much more than I expected. </p> <p>Of course when I started out I had to have a certain amount of confidence, but really all that I was certain of was that I would do my best not to make a total twit of myself. Which meant taking time to try and make the book the best first attempt I could possibly manage, and not being daft and getting myself into debt getting it 'out there'.</p> <p>Anything after that was going to be a bonus.</p> <p>But is it awful? Now I've had that great review I'm hooked on that feeling. I hope I get more nice ones.<br> And what if I get a stinker?</p> <p>Too much thinking again.</p> <p>I'll just enjoy this lovely moment and try not to spoil it for myself.<br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/1st-review-of-alternative-poetry-books-yellow-edition-on-barnes-noble-7289945/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/1st-review-of-alternative-poetry-books-yellow-edition-on-barnes-noble-7289945/Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:24:58 +0100 <p>If you would like to win a free copy - then please Retweet the following message on your Twitter stream.</p> <blockquote><p>Free copies of @banana_the_poet's new fun paperback #AlternativePoetryBooks <a href="http://bit.ly/DC3WY">http://bit.ly/DC3WY</a> RT this msg to be eligible to win</p></blockquote> <p>Next Thursday I will choose a random Twitterer who has Retweeted the message and they will win the first week's free copy.</p> <p>I will repeat the process for four weeks - with a new person winning a free copy each week. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/want-to-win-a-free-copy-of-my-poetry-book-7268644/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/want-to-win-a-free-copy-of-my-poetry-book-7268644/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:30:03 +0100 <p>The next stage of my Banana Blog Tour - an interview on Dan Holloway's Blog - <a href="http://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-bananas.html">The Man Who Painted Agnieszka's Shoes </a></p> <p>I wrote a new very short poem for this one, have revealed some things that I never revealed before and threw caution to the wind and said things I wondered afterwards if maybe I shouldn't have.</p> <p>So all in all - we had fun, and that's the main thing.</p> <p>OH.. Wait a minute, no, I'm supposed to be pushing the book. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-/" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Well it got mentioned - that'll do.</p> <p>Back to what I said - but the really important thing is that visitors to Dan's blog have fun reading it.</p> <p>So off you go and see what you think and please, please, pretty please leave a comment under the interview on Dan's blog. <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It'll be like meeting an old friend at a new coffee shop <img src="/img/smilies/grayshy.gif" alt=":." class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> I'll keep an eye out for you and reply to you if you do comment there so don't be shy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-bananas.html">http://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-bananas.html</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/fun-fun-fun-fun-going-bananas-on-blog-tour-7267441/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/fun-fun-fun-fun-going-bananas-on-blog-tour-7267441/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:58:41 +0100 <p>It is these days the 'done thing' to have a blog tour when a book is released on sale.</p> <p>I have no idea if I'm doing the done thing the way it should be done as I am just winging it like so much else <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>My first guest spot as part of the Blog Tour to Promote "Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition" is at Janet Colley's Blog - A Place of My Own.</p> <blockquote><p>Banana The Poet (aka Michele Brenton) and I originally met each other on Harper Collins’ peer-review writer’s site authonomy.com and have been in touch ever since. The first in her series of poetry The Yellow Book is available for pre-order.</p> <p>I hope you get a chance to read some of her work — you might discover you like poetry after all!</p> <p>In the meantime, read my interview with Michele and learn a little bit about the poet named Banana: <a href="http://jscolley.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/interview-with-a-poet/"><strong>READ MORE</strong></a></p></blockquote> <p>Hope you enjoy it, and please make comments etc on Janet's blog to let her know you popped along for a visit. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/my-blog-tour-begins-7246244/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/my-blog-tour-begins-7246244/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:20:34 +0100 <p>Have a weird sort of jumpy feeling lately.<br> As my Yellow book has been released early I'm doing a lot of 'by the seat of my pants flying' with it. Add that to the fact this is the first time I've done anything like this - it is a very surreal experience. Nice, but surreal.</p> <p>The box of books to be signed and embossed is on its way to us on Kefalonia still and I'm waiting for them on pins.<br> The first sales via the Paypal system on the blog have started trickling through to add to the sales made person to person by friends and family and acquaintances.</p> <p>My book is now available on Amazon in Japan, Canada, France, America, Germany and the UK plus probably more I haven't found yet!</p> <p>Here it is on Amazon.com : <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ylprjqd">http://tinyurl.com/ylprjqd</a> $7.99</p> <p>Here it is on the Japanese site : <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yl6xjh4">http://tinyurl.com/yl6xjh4</a></p> <p>Amazon.de are charging more for my book in Germany than I am for selling it signed, embossed and certified as one of only 50 of the limited copies!</p> <p>We've started making the certificates and they look lovely <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Hubby has been working hard over the last few days to wrestle the Kindle system into submission so that poems will appear in correct format. Looks like he has managed it at last - so next stage working out how to get the book onto the Kindle listings.</p> <p>Now I just need to calm down and get on with the Pink book.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/must-finish-next-book-7246025/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/must-finish-next-book-7246025/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:50:39 +0100 <p><span><span>banana_the_poet is proud to support </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Free-e-day, </span></span></p> <p><span><span>the online festival of independent music, literature, and art.</span></span><br> <a title="Free e-Day Logo" href="http://www.freado.com/book/4363/Free-e-day-Free-e-brochure-issue1 "><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/942/4040942_85b65a747d_s.jpeg" alt="Free e-Day Logo"><br>Click the images to read the online brochure at Freado.com<br> </a><a title="Free e-Day Cover" href="http://www.freado.com/book/4363/Free-e-day-Free-e-brochure-issue1 "><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/943/4040943_cefaf48368_s.jpeg" alt="Free e-Day Cover"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/free-e-day-7242540/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/free-e-day-7242540/Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:22:44 +0100 <p>Okay here <em>was</em> the plan:</p> <p>1. 50 copies printed to be signed, embossed certified as limited editions and sent out to pre-orderers ahead of the rest.</p> <p>2. Book released for general purchase in first week of November.</p> <p>3. Blog tour to coincide with general release and to start in the first week in November.</p> <p>Here is the reality.</p> <p>1. 50 copies being printed to be signed, embossed certified as limited editions and sent out to pre-orderer.</p> <p>2. Book being released NOW, right this minute as you read this post.</p> <p>3. Blog tour to begin maybe next week - depending on if I can get things sorted.</p> <p>This is why:</p> <p>When we get a book published we have to have a proof copy to see if everything is OK.<br> We can't have our 50 copies printed unless we OK the proof copy.<br> As soon as we OK the proof copy - the system 'releases' the book as far as the distribution network is concerned.</p> <p>We had to say yes to get our copies. So the book is released - 3 weeks ahead of schedule!</p> <p>Oh well at least we're ahead of things instead of behind.</p> <p>Can't wait to see a box of my books - but I suppose I'll have to <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/23/the-best-laid-plans-of-men-and-bananas-7228788/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/23/the-best-laid-plans-of-men-and-bananas-7228788/Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:26:05 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/alternative_poetry_books_proof_editions/4008312" title="Alternative Poetry Books - proof editions"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/312/4008312_f62a2b85d2_s.jpeg" alt="Alternative Poetry Books - proof editions"></a></p> <p>The book with the small case at the top is the first proof and we decided the yellow was too mustardy and looked a bit maths text book. I also decided that the uppercase title with my real name would look better at the top.</p> <p>So we made the yellow brighter and more lemony and the red more scarlet and put the upper case on top.</p> <p>The contents underwent a font shrink and standardising process as in the first proof I realised that a font size that looks fine on screen is not necessarily the best one to use in the book itself on paper.</p> <p>I am now very pleased with my book <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It is done <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Now to order the 50 limited copies.</p> <p>I'm doing jumping up and down now <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/first-real-pictures-of-the-actual-book-7180170/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/first-real-pictures-of-the-actual-book-7180170/Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:50:21 +0200 <p>Just had a phone call from hubby!</p> <p>He's been to the couriers and the second proof is here <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>He is driving it home for me, but he opened the package and first glances are promising <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I will take a some pictures of the first proof and the second for the blog when it gets here.</p> <p>If anyone has been having any problems with the ordering system on the blog - please message me or if you can't use the message system leave a comment on the blog with a note that you don't want it posted up and I'll read and delete it - comments are all pre-moderated so you can send me a 'confidential' message that way - just be clear you don't want it posted as a comment.</p> <p>I've had a couple of messages that there have been some problems and I think I know what it is and will be investigating it + hopefully fixing it soon - but any more feedback to help me pin point the problem would be useful. Don't tell me any personal details or bank details or anything like that - just the sort of issue you may have had trying to use the system.</p> <p>Thanks.</p> <p>XX </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/it-s-here-it-s-here-7179845/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/it-s-here-it-s-here-7179845/Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:56:39 +0200 Greed: Very Low   Gluttony: Medium   Wrath: Very Low   Sloth: Medium   Envy: Very Low   Lust: Low   Pride: Very Low   <br><br> The <a href="http://www.4degreez.com/misc/seven_deadly_sins.html">Seven Deadly Sins Quiz</a> on <a href="http://www.4degreez.com/">4degreez.com</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/i-did-that-thingy-from-bushka-s-blog-too-7169839/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/i-did-that-thingy-from-bushka-s-blog-too-7169839/Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:02:01 +0200 <p>If you are thinking of Christmas presents and gifts yet, may I suggest considering </p> <p><strong>Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition </strong></p> <p>it contains the following poems:</p> <p>A Plea to Poetry Readers<br> Cut Glass Floor<br> Why I"m not a dentist<br> Sincere apologies to my teacher<br> The Great Wall of China<br> Sharper than a serpents tooth...<br> The Salvation of Disorganisation<br> A Taste of France? Non Mon Sewer!<br> Dust<br> Where there's dirt there's life<br> For Neda<br> What the music teacher really thinks<br> Thought Balloon<br> Little Jimmy and the Sweet Corn of Doom<br> In every breath as always potential for disaster<br> A Question of Pants!<br> The Hero Party<br> Grown Ups<br> Papa's Poem<br> Entente Cordiale<br> Land of my Mothers<br> Mother and the Monkey<br> Mad Dog and Englishman<br> Tea-Pot of Trouble<br> I Quit<br> Dog Day Afternoon<br> Loss<br> The Person who said 'Yes' to Spam<br> Lessons have been Learned<br> A Prickly Problem<br> Poising I be<br> Halfway round the Bend<br> Torreilles<br> The World on its Head<br> A Couple of Haiku<br> Nu Labour Christmas carol<br> De Problem with DEFOOING<br> Call me Home<br> Happy Anniversary Darling - 20 years and never a cross word spoken, but many snarled shouted and screamed.<br> Here Today, Gone Tomorrow<br> Father's Day<br> Summer anticipated<br> Summer in the UK<br> Love or 'In Love'?<br> Nonsense Poem<br> Suffer Little Children<br> Warn Parenting<br> Carnaval<br> Cauliflower Soup c'est delicieux<br> Ode to a Greek Taxi Driver<br> Finding Home<br> Snooze and you lose<br> I took my love<br> Mr BadShock<br> Love all<br> My Funny Valentine<br> Now I've Grown<br> What's in a Name?<br> The games you play<br> Money can't buy you love<br> Yellow<br> NEVER DO THE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </p> <p>It can be pre-ordered from Amazon.co.uk for <strong>£4.99 + P&P</strong></p> <p>or if you would like a signed and embossed certified limited edition paperback (1 of only 50)<br> also for <strong>£4.99 + £2.00 P&P or your currency equivalent</strong> you can pre-order by clicking the button below and filling in your details and I will send them to you as soon as I am able.<br> I'm hoping the UK postage strike won't affect the UK mailings too much.<br> As I'll be sending from Greece, anyone outside the UK won't be affected by the Royal Mail strike at all.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/title-7129812/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/title-7129812/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:45:10 +0200 <p>Good news is that my book is on Amazon.</p> <p>Bad news is that somehow they have mucked up the book image so that it looks very cheap and shoddy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I have no idea how they managed to get such a low quality image up there.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alternative-Poetry-Books-Michele-Brenton/dp/1907375007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255058772&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alternative-Poetry-Books-Michele-Brenton/dp/1907375007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255058772&sr=1-1</a></p> <p>Look at that! Blech! It looks like it was coloured in by a three year old <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It looks even worse on the small image in the general search.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=alternative+poetry+books&x=0&y=0">http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=alternative+poetry+books&x=0&y=0</a></p> <p>I know we sent them a high quality, high resolution image as part of a .pdf file including pages for readers to scan the contents.</p> <p>But it looks as though they printed the image out on a low quality printer and then took a photo with a digital camera and then slapped that online <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>As a result there is a blurry, wishy washy quality to the image which is awful <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Not at all attractive and given the cover is such an important part of the marketing process and the efforts we took to make it bright, clear, and attractive I am miffed in the extreme <img src="/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif" alt=">:-[" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Will be throwing my toys out of the pram once I can discuss it with my other half and I expect he will be rather angry too.</p> <p>Hope it can be resolved soon. </p> <p>Oh well a good day yesterday a bad one today - that's the Yin Yang going on I suppose <img src="/img/smilies/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-/" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Thank goodness it is Friday and not Saturday - so hopefully something can be sorted out.</p> <p>Ho hum - onwards and upwards <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/good-news-and-bad-news-7128633/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/good-news-and-bad-news-7128633/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:34:21 +0200 <p><strong>Mostly armless!</strong></p> <p> <a title="mostly armless!" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/829/3974829_1af1bad9b5_s.jpeg" alt="mostly armless!"></a></p> <p> This hilarious shot of a bride apparently armless whilst magically levitating a bouquet, oblivious to her groom who appears to be preparing to have a wee behind her in the shrubbery is the masterful work of wedding photographer Gareth Bowers from Fresh Images who charged them £1,450 for this amongst others taken that day. :DD<br> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218248/Newlyweds-win-court-battle-1-500-wedding-photographer-shoddy-pictures-include-missing-heads-car-close-ups.html">Read more in the Daily Mail </a> </p> <p> The couple were awarded damages when they sued the photographer - problems included miss spelling the bride's name on special 'thankyou' cards to be sent to guests. Instead of Sylvia they were inscribed Slyvia !!</p> <p> I will have to dig out some of the wedding photos from my first wedding one day - there were a couple in that collection that would have fitted right in with these beauties ;)</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/mostly-armless-7113067/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/mostly-armless-7113067/Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:26:52 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1218255/The-polar-bear-invited-dinner.html" title="article-1218255-06B48EC9000005DC-983_634x440"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/253/3970253_8ad5b22c4e_s.jpeg" alt="article-1218255-06B48EC9000005DC-983_634x440"></a></p> <p>I wonder if they were using my special secret recipe from the South of France? <a href="http://poetry4fun.blog.co.uk/2009/02/25/delicious-cheap-secret-soup-recipe-shhhhh-5646712/"> Cauliflower Soup - C'est Delicieux - a poem </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/i-knew-cauliflower-soup-was-delicious-7105787/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/i-knew-cauliflower-soup-was-delicious-7105787/Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:56:31 +0200 <p>Alternative Poetry Books: Yellow edition is now to be found listed on Amazon!!! </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=alternative+poetry&x=0&y=0">Amazon.co.uk</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=alternative+poetry&x=0&y=0">Amazon.com</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=alternative+poetry&x=0&y=0">Amazon.ca</a></p> <p>No image yet - but we will soon be adding the search inside feature - which is a start. </p> <p>The co.uk Amazon site has a pre-order facility on there - but if you want to get one of the very first 50 signed, certified and authenticated copies I will be selling them directly from my blog once I get a Paypal system organised properly. We've had an embosser made for Endaxi Press and silver thingies that you can squish onto certificates to make them look snazzy to go with each of the first 50 which will also be signed and embossed on an inside page. </p> <p>It makes the whole thing a bit more of an occasion - I always like to jazz things up a bit where I can <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>If Franklin Mint & The Cabbage Patch Dolls can get away with it then so can I <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>If you are interested in one of the signed certified limited edition 50 copies please DM me.</p> <p>The cost will be £4.99 or the equivalent in your currency PLUS P&P - which we will be charging at £2.00/equivalent</p> <p>So to clarify if you want a signed limited edition you need to order that directly from me- if you just want a copy from Amazon (which won't be signed and won't have a certificate and won't be limited edition) - you can pre-order from them and then bundle it with other purchases to get P&P free on it.</p> <p>I think the limited edition ones might make good Christmas presents if you know anyone into that kind of thing <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>You could buy one of the limited editions for keeping - in case I ever get famous and it gains value AND buy a copy from Amazon for everyday use.</p> <p>OR you could buy a copy for every room in your house just in case you are the sort of person who might suffer withdrawal symptoms if too far away from my wonderful poetry for too long <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> Ooops I'm getting silly now - shall go and lie down until my brain returns to what passes for 'normal' <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/news-news-news-about-my-poetry-book-7095852/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/news-news-news-about-my-poetry-book-7095852/Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:57:35 +0200 <img class="photo" src="http://cdn.freado.com/cdn/book/signature/4041/da0b566359c3862f20b5072c3d49bd0f.gif" alt=""> <p><a class="url fn n" href="http://www.freado.com/users/3092/Michele-Brenton"> <span class="given-name"><strong>Michele Brenton</strong></span></a></p> Author <a href="http://www.freado.com/book/4041/Alternative-Poetry-Books-Yellow-edition-Lite"><span><span><span><span>Alternative Poetry Books Yellow edition - Lite</span></span></span></span></a> Read Now - <a href="http://bit.ly/uevBj"><a href="http://bit.ly/uevBj">http://bit.ly/uevBj</a></a> Twitter - <a href="http://twitter.com/banana_the_poet">@banana_the_poet</a> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/title-7089439/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/title-7089439/Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:28:18 +0200 <p>Wrong is like infinity. You can take a bit from it, add a bit to it and it is still just wrong.</p> <p>Some wrongs can NEVER be undone.</p> <p>But there are rituals to try and help those who suffered from a wrong to move forward with their lives.<br> Other rituals to try and make it clear to potential wrong doers that it would be more beneficial to them not to make that decision to carry out a wrong action.</p> <p>Those rituals are lumped together and form the basis of the judicial and social systems and are also a large part of what underpins religion.</p> <p>They start at something small - like an apology and finish up with something massive like an execution.</p> <p>But there is no getting away from the fact that without these rituals the suffering from wrong doing increases.</p> <p>The latest public discussion about Roman Polanski has made me think about these issues. To be honest it has made me quite angry.<br> I have been seriously disturbed by the number of actors and other media figures who have felt it is acceptable to stand up and defend the guy, to the extent they have even tried to pretend that the crime he committed wasn't even anything to be upset about.</p> <p>It was bad enough that he did what he did, to a child, not 'technically a child' - but most definitely a child who was only 13 at the time - a child who asked to be taken home and who said no. But he ran away from the court trial that was designed to put a closure to the process at a time when it could have been dealt with and allowed his victim an opportunity to see some sort of action taken against the person who wronged her. By now it would have been very old news and she would have had many many years to move on - having had the necessary ritual completed.</p> <p>The wrong would never have been righted - but she would have had a life with it having been dealt with. </p> <p>Instead Polanski ran and stayed on the run. He is rich, he has powerful influential friends and probably because he had himself suffered a shocking and horrible crime in the loss of his lovely wife and unborn child to the evil Manson gang, there was a certain amount of sympathy toward him. They probably also tried to disbelieve that he actually committed the crime at all. Nobody wants to believe someone they like or even love has done anything so vile. We see it all the time when murderers, rapists etc come to court and even when the evidence is overwhelmingly against them- there are always relatives & friends who turn a blind eye and a deaf ear in order to keep their own world view as rosy tinted as it ever was.</p> <p>But all this has done has prolonged the situation for the victim AND for the perpetrator. </p> <p>There is no excuse for what Polanski did then. Nor is there an excuse for the way he has evaded the right course of behaviour ever since. The child is now a woman who has been quoted as blaming the media for ruining her life even more than Polanski. She even unsuccessfully tried to represent Polanski in an attempt to have the crime 'struck out'. She didn't want any more hoo hah about the situation - and it is easy to see why she would feel that way.</p> <p>The problem is, that until Polanski faces up to what he should face up to - there will never be an end to this.</p> <p>The air headed celebrities who massed in his support have only made the situation even more urgently in need to be resolved.<br> In effect they have put their starry eyed influence behind the following concepts:</p> <p>If someone has suffered tragedy it is OK for them to rape a child.</p> <p>If someone is a genius - it is ok for them to rape a child.</p> <p>If enough time elapses it was ok for someone to rape a child.</p> <p>If someone is famous and makes friends with enough other famous people - it is ok to rape a child.</p> <p>Oh and if enough famous people get together to say it - then it is ok to rape a child.</p> <p>Not forgetting the 'piece de resistence' from Whoopi Goldberg - if a famous actress who wasn't there decides - then it wasn't even really rape in the first place - despite it being carried out against a 13 year old, who cried and said no and wanted to go home. </p> <p>The only conclusion I can draw is that children are at constant and terrifying risk in these strange circles - because these people all seem to think that Roman Polanski's behaviour is acceptable and that it is perfectly acceptable to be seen as supporting him.</p> <p>Maybe I'm over reacting but that all makes me very angry. How much more angry must it make those people charged with coping with the aftermath of these sorts of crimes day in day out? They also need to get closure on this, or what they do each day is made a very public mockery of. The suffering of children day in day out is being made mockery of. </p> <p>Which only leads to one result</p> <p>wrong + wrong = wrong</p> <p>Someone needs to be seen to be doing something right. The rituals must be fulfilled - or we all suffer - every single one of us - the consequences.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/wrong-wrong-wrong-7083705/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/wrong-wrong-wrong-7083705/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:28:10 +0200 <p>Pictured: The baby pygmy hippo who's barely bigger than a lettuce leaf<br> Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1217348/Pictured-The-baby-pygmy-hippo-whos-barely-bigger-lettuce-leaf.html#ixzz0Sg44fGhm">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1217348/Pictured-The-baby-pygmy-hippo-whos-barely-bigger-lettuce-leaf.html#ixzz0Sg44fGhm</a><br> <img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/234/3954234_96811fbd3a_s.jpeg" alt="article-0-06A4E266000005DC-228_634x420"></p> <p>How cute is this?</p> <p>Aaaaah! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/cutest-thing-ever-teeny-tiny-hippo-7076527/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/cutest-thing-ever-teeny-tiny-hippo-7076527/Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:13:17 +0200 <p>Just read this article about a typical night for a paramedic on a weekend night in Birmingham, UK.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216175/Now-hes-dying-feet-friends-joke-A-harrowing-dispatch-binge-drink-Britain.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216175/Now-hes-dying-feet-friends-joke-A-harrowing-dispatch-binge-drink-Britain.html</a></p> <p>Frightening that people still do not realise that drinking too much can lead to vomiting and couple that with passing out and you have a death happening.<br> To healthy young fit individuals who happily risk their lives week in week out. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>The man in the story was in a group of friends but he still died - purely and simply because 'he loves his lager' more than life itself apparently. More than the newly wed wife who the friends then had to contact to let know that her husband was now dead and she was a widow.</p> <p>It goes on and on listing the horrible night experienced by the ambulance teams and A&E workers as they battle against the effects of binge drinking.<br> There must be something wrong with me because I can't understand how anyone could go out in public amongst strangers and drink so much alcohol that they are vulnerable to anything anyone with any type of malevolent intention might feel like doing. Given how many drunk angry people there are out there, it is not a low likelihood that eventually a drunk incapable male or female will find themselves in a situation they can't safely walk away from.</p> <p>That is if they escape being destroyed by their own body's response to being bombarded by the toxin that is being sloshed down their gullets to the point where the body is so desperately trying to regain equilibrium that it vomits, passes out and chokes.</p> <p>I wish people would love themselves more. Find something wonderful to give themselves a buzz. Blimey can't they just find someone and have lots of sex?</p> <p>At least if they use protection and take a bit of care who they do it with - the worst case scenario is much less dire - and it's good for the skin and counts as exercise if you do it right.</p> <p>I know how I'd rather spend a Saturday night and it doesn't involve me with my head down a bog chucking up, and then passing out.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/26/satrurday-night-sunday-morning-7044900/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/26/satrurday-night-sunday-morning-7044900/Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:14:29 +0200 <p>Good news - my proof copy was collected in Argostoli today and borne home in triumph <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Bad news - it had printers errors in it <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Only one major error though just repeatedly throughout.</p> <p>But it enabled us to see how the colour was behaving on the cover - we will need to make it even yellowyer as it still was a bit mustardy.</p> <p>I will be fine tweaking the layouts as well - now that I can see how it all looks on the page.</p> <p>It is a lot different from seeing it on screen or on printouts.</p> <p>I have a LOT of work to do.</p> <p>But then it will be as near perfect as I can get it, so it is worth it.</p> <p>The quality of the printing, paper, and the cover is superb <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>All I have to do is make sure the content is of equally high quality and then I will have made something to be very proud of.</p> <p>We persuaded the printers to send the future proof copies via Royal Mail - even with the strikes, they are still more reliable and faster to deliver here than using UPS. Starting to feel like 'proper' publishers now, with the proof to work from. It takes much more work than I had originally thought, but it is just nit-picking to the nth degree and as long as we know what we are aiming for it is not insurmountable.</p> <p>We've also ordered a seal embosser so we can do clever things with certificates to ensure that the very first 50 off the printing presses/machines or whatever they are called these days, can be authenticated. Just in case it ever matters - and it will be an extra little something to make the book feel like the special occasion it ought to be <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I'll stick a photo up tomorrow of the proof copy.</p> <p>Hope this isn't too boring for everyone.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/proof-copy-of-my-alternative-poetry-book-arrives-7033480/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/proof-copy-of-my-alternative-poetry-book-arrives-7033480/Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:03 +0200 <p><span>Gone<br>Swimming.</span></p> <p><span><span>Splosh!</span></span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/where-s-banana-7009456/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/where-s-banana-7009456/Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:22:47 +0200 <p><strong>What goes on inside my head?</strong></p> <p>Something happens or I read something that starts me fizzing <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I don't write anything yet.</p> <p>I wait for ages and ages and let the fizzing feeling build and build and build.</p> <p>Sometimes rhymes start jumping in my head. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Sometimes a last line announces itself and starts niggling <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I ignore it all and watch tv or listen to the radio or even go to sleep <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lalala.gif" alt=":lalala:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Then when I have an itchy scritchy feeling in my chest like a laugh that hasn't happened ...</p> <p>I sit at the keyboard, open TextEdit and let it RRRRRRRIPPPP!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Ah that's better. The poem is out at last. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Then I read it through and tidy it up and put it on my blog.</p> <p>Then I read it again and decide it has glaring awkwardnesses and fix them.</p> <p>Then I decide to include it in my book and then find I need to 'improve' it quite a bit more.</p> <p>Wasn't that fascinating <img src="/img/smilies/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>No I didn't think so <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"> Sorry, maybe I'll come up with an interesting post next time. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/how-i-write-a-poem-7006329/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/how-i-write-a-poem-7006329/Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:34:34 +0200 <p><a href="http://bit.ly/4jjL1R">http://bit.ly/4jjL1R</a> </p> <p>Here is the link on Scribd for the Lite e-book 'taster' of my full 82 page paperback - Alternative Poetry Books - Yellow edition. You can download and keep it to read over for free rather than just read it online like the BookBuzzR version.</p> <p>It is on a website that Ian from the <a href="http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk">BoggartBlog</a> pointed out to me. Thank you Ian - a very useful site.</p> <p>The proof copy of the paperback has been having a weekend in Milan according to the UPS tracker system - so I hope it is having a good time. <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I am about halfway through the Pink book.</p> <p>Hope everyone is well and happy and had a good weekend.</p> <p>Love from Me <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/free-yellow-book-lite-version-download-7004724/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/free-yellow-book-lite-version-download-7004724/Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:38:27 +0200 <p>I have been reliably informed that a GOOD THING TO DO is to have a <strong>Blog Tour</strong> to publicise my new poetry book.</p> <p>This apparently consists of getting as many bloggers as possible to interview me - which gives me the chance to be witty, amusing and tart myself and my wares (oo er missus) to the very best of my abilities in order to get people to like me so much that they can't resist purchasing my book. Preferably in large numbers so I can then retire to a Greek island and spend my days swimming and not doing much except messing about on the internet... oh wait... oops <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Oh well anyway it is, as already said A GOOD THING TO DO <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I have done one interview already on The View from the Shoe section of the blog called <a href="http://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/2009/09/view-from-shoe-banana-poet.html">The Man who painted Agnieszka's Shoes</a> which was fun for me - and according to Dan resulted in the most hits ever for his blog - so I think that means it was worth while for him as well.</p> <p>So if anyone would like to use me until I squeak for mercy - in a blog interview way of course - not anything untoward - please let me know. </p> <p>The usual way of doing these things is as far as I can determine - to set up a series of interviews with multivarious blogs - then agree dates with them all when the interviews will go up and then post the tour dates and links on each blog and also on Twitter and other places I frequent so that people know where to find my next exciting exploit.</p> <p>I am happy to appear on any kind of blog as long as it is a 'nice' one - the sort of blog one can take home and introduce to an open-minded but kind hearted mother - I am not restricting this to literary blogs. I write poetry on many many subjects and it is the subject rather than the poetry that interests me.</p> <p>In fact I will set myself a challenge to write a serious or funny poem (depending on the requirement of the blogger in question) for each interview to suit the individual blog's subject of interest - which will premier on the blogger's website before my own and which will be permanently linked to from my poetry4fun blog once it then goes up there subsequently.</p> <p>So hopefully plenty of good reasons to host me on your blog. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/take-me-take-me-blogger-6974874/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/take-me-take-me-blogger-6974874/Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:24:38 +0200 <p>I'm just having to set the price for the book:</p> <p>It looks like</p> <p>£4.99<br> $7.99<br> E5.60</p> <p>Does that seem reasonable to you?</p> <p>Trying to get a reasonable price where we won't lose on each copy - have we hit it right would you say?</p> <p>Please let me know - I need feedback pronto! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/please-comment-what-s-it-worth-6969561/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/please-comment-what-s-it-worth-6969561/Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:46:48 +0200 <p>Tidying out a drawer today and found a fragment of paper. Very thin almost toilet papery and with the old familiar clonky blue typewriting I used to produce on my very first mustard yellow petite typewriter. Turns out it is an example of what has to be my very first poem.</p> <p> It goes as follows:<br> <span><br> </span><span><span><strong><span><span> TWERE night where winter dwelttt,<br> TWAS day when summer was felt ,<br> YOU n ever new when it would stop ,<br> twirling , hurling , winter leaves whirling towards<br> you . Never, never whould they stop .<br> Till baby birds fall plop from their nests .<br> falling , falling from their nests . .<br> <span><br> THE END<br> -------------------------------------</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p>I think I was between 7 and 9 when I wrote this 'masterpiece' of literature :))</p> <p> My typing was no great shakes either ;)</p> <p> On reading this my teenage son said today "You were one seriously disturbed little doodie" :))</p> <p> Oh the Twere and Twas ! At that age I must have thought you had to bung them in to make it into poetry LOL</p> <p> It was going to take a lot more than that.</p> <p> I'm hoping the variable spelling was because I was typing on a real typewriter and they were typos and I don't think Tippex had been invented then.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/13/proof-that-you-can-improve-even-from-a-dire-beginning-6953339/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://banana.blog.co.uk/2009/09/13/proof-that-you-can-improve-even-from-a-dire-beginning-6953339/Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:06:28 +0200