Category: Short Fiction

Another week closer to another year!

I’ve been thinking on smoking. I see that some programmes have trigger warnings. Or to be more precise, ‘A Nonsensical waste of words by fuckwits for fuckwits!’

There was an old panel game called ‘Joker In The Pack’ which is being repeated and you can hardly see the contestants due to the fog of smoke.

The amazing Comedienne, Dave Allen sat at his chair with a pack of cigarettes and a large whiskey. (I didn’t spell that incorrectly, he was a proud Irishman.)

‘The Wheeltappers And Shunters Club’ was filmed in a Working Mens Club and you could hardly see the audience!

Anything that was filmed early 2000 and beyond had smoking restrictions. Before that actors and / or their characters puffed away happily.

Continue reading “Week 563 – It’s Amazing What Can Smoke, R.I.P Another Legend And All The Very Best To You All!!” →

James IV, king of Scotland from 1488 to 1513, was a Renaissance Man. He was fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, Flemish and Gaelic. He ordered the construction of The Great Hall in Stirling Castle, arguably the first renaissance building in Britain. He issued the first ever compulsory Education Act (albeit only for the first-born sons of landowners). He introduced the first printing press to Scotland. And, like some other monarchs of the day, he appointed a court alchemist, one Father John Damian.

Continue reading “Kenny Drummond’s Parchment by Michael Bloor” →

The Legend of the Devil’s Brew

Gleefully unfit for the beige, and honest to the marrow, Hugh Cron has had the Mature Content tag applied more often than any other writer on the site. Although I haven’t checked, I’m willing to venture that he has more of those than all combined writers on the site.

I think that is something to be proud of!

A lot of those tags are due to Hugh’s direct opinion on religion. His writing reminded me of my time in a tenth grade Mythology class I took at age sixteen. Upon reading myths from many societies I had to wonder why something as clearly mythic as the Bible (and Koran and etc) is treated as real and the others as fiction, even though they too had been real at one time. I was not the only one who wondered that–a classmate raised his hand and pretty much asked the instructor the same question. He smiled and said, “I’d tell you but I don’t want to get fired.”

Although Hugh does not need to worry about getting fired, I believe he’d say what he thinks no matter what. Another thing to be proud of!

Let’s ask a couple of questions:

Q-1: Although it didn’t happen here, you have often been attacked (well, in the wimpy online fashion) by Christians who object to you using your right to speak your mind. I’m all for people having faith, if it helps them, but what has been your reaction to those incidents?

Q-2: I think if it were possible, The Devil’s Brew would take over every pub and tavern in the land. Do you agree?

Leila

Hi Leila,

Thanks so much for choosing this and thanks for the questions – These are a blast to do!!

Qu. 1 – I just laugh!! Not for the reasons that folks might think. I have the same attitude to staunch supporters of politics or royalty. If they believe what they spout, then there is nothing that I could say that should bother them. If they believe that their faith or loyalty is absolute, then there is fuck all that I say should matter. I think on it this way – What causes more trouble, belief or opposing reaction?

Qu 2. If it would get folks back into pubs, what are a few souls to keep an old and once cherished industry flourishing??

My own Devil’s Brew is quantity not specifics. When I was younger I had a phrase about being ‘five haufs in’ – That meant I was at the stage where I didn’t give a fuck but was still in total control. Over the years, unfortunately, that has increased to ‘twelve haufs in!’ I do have the curse / salvation of the quick drinker – Three quarters of the night I’m sober, it never builds, one drink later I want a kebab and a sleep!!

Thanks again Leila, these are always fun!!

Hugh