Archive for August, 2009
Heros from the Past
I come from a long line of people who believe in serving their country. I know that I have relatives who fought in the Boer War, the war to end all wars (First World War), the second World War and then there is a pause during Korea, Vietnam, etc. But one war my grandfather fought when he came out to Australia was one with his own body. He was one of the few who stood up at Maralinga in the deserts of South Australia and watched an atomic bomb go off during the tests in the 50′s. Not surprising he died of cancer as a result of being bombarded with radiation. He’s not alone: there were hundreds that stood alongside him – and died.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m writing a story about him – obviously I can’t talk about my story, so I’ll give it a codename “Bert” after my Grandfather, Albert; a quiet ex-artillary man who wanted to give his family a new start after the tradegies of the Second World War. We almost went to Canada, but that’s another story.
I suspect I can sum up his life in this picture.
And I’ll wear them with pride and remember him. Without him, I’d never have been born.
thankful
August update
Well, I can say that I have been busy – with uni studies – not writing like I would have hoped, but I’m doing a post-grad thing that goes until May, and it’s keeping me on my toes. Mind you I still have about 14 story submissions on the go, and I have not heard from any of them – which is good, and bad.
The other day, I went into town and was lucky enough to catch up with Jason Fischer for lunch. It is always great catching up with Jason, he is a bundle of focused writing energy who inspires you to jut throw everything else away and write (I almost forgot about assignments.) I am also hoping to catch up with the awesome presence which is David Conyers, and fam soon – that too is always a treat.
I can say that I have been able to don the mantle of Editor for Issue 47 of ASIM, which is due out just before WorldCon, to be held in Melbourne, Australia next year in September. I have some really great stories already picked out and am enjoying my time, slushing fiction, submitting reviews, picking stories for my Issue. It’s all good experience, and still I am quietly, picking away at my novel editing and working on two shortish stories when I get the time. Roll on a break from all this study!
So, I remember saying a while ago, that I was going to post a couple of photos from the last Con in Adelaide., and so with permission I’ll post these couple from the night. Angela Slatter and LL (Lisa) Hannett during the Masque Ball…
And the awesome Sean Williams, our host for the night:
And for those that want to know what I have been doing with my time really… Yes I have been riding around the countryside enjoying the rolling hills and the cold winter’s days on “her”.
cheerful