Cromer - Town on the Decline

A few weeks ago, a man, whose name I forget, wrote in one of the local papers that Cromer was now nothing more than a collection of junk shops, and it's population was now nothing more than God's waiting room. As I read this, I found myself agreeing with him.

The WWF Light-Heavyweight Division - Going to Waste

The current state of the Light-Heavyweight division can be perfectly summed up by it's current champion - Duane Gill. To be perfectly honest, as a wrestler, Duane Gill is crap, and he only beat the previous title-holder, the gothic-like Christian, due to interference by the so-caleld Job Squad, Al Snow, Bob Holly and Scorpio.

The current champion of this division really says it all about it's current state. For year, I believed that this was where the WWF lost out against it's opposition. Guys like Hakushi and the then named 1-2-3 Kid screamed out for a division of their own. Most of the time, these men were matched against opponents that outweighed them by some fifty pounds, and although they were, and still are, able competitors, they didn't do that well in the long run.

You Smell What the Rock is Cooking?

In this, the second of my series of articles about the wrestling business, I had originally intended to write about the WWF Light-Heavyweight division, what was wrong with it, and what could be done to improve it, but recent events at last week's Survivor Series and on Monday Night Raw changed my mind.

One of my predictions for the winner of the championship tournament was Dwayne Johnson, aka Rocky Maivia, aka The Rock. I thought that the final would be between the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, but once again, the machinations of Vince McMahon, and his son, Shane, robbed this great athlete of the title he so readily deserved.

Observations of a Wrestling Fan #1

It is just over three hours until the beginning of the Survivor Series, and the so-called "Deadly Game" tournament for the WWF championship.

And I begin to think of the reasons why such a tournament is taking place, and the reason is quite a simple one - the ego of Vincent K. McMahon.

The WWF has been without a World champion for nearly a month now, and it is entirely the fault of the main stock-holder of Titan Sports, Vince McMahon. If it wasn't for his now constant interfering in the athletes affairs, none of this would have happened.

The Council Exchange

The following is a true story. I know it's true because it happened to me. It was my original intention to send this to the editor of the Cromer Courier, who had published my article "Science Fiction - A Fans Viewpoint". I decided to write it under an assumed name because I did not want any repercussions. It was my hope that the family we did the council exchange with would read this in the Cromer Courtier, realize it was about them, and realize how they had pissed us off and stabbed us in the back. However, it was my brother Paul who talked me out of sending this in. He said that people would have known instantly who I was writing about, but frankly, at the time, I was pissed off with this family, and annoyed that they had stabbed us in the back they way they did.

Some Random Thoughts

Whilst walking past Norwich Market today, I saw an elderly lady, possibly in her 70's, handing out leaflets. She was also wearing a bib with the worlds "The End is Near". Should this woman be wearing these words, because for her, the end very probably is near!

A Matter of Taste

Someone asked me a while ago, "What sort of music do you like?" I began to run off a list of names.....Deep Purple...Black Sabbath...Guns 'N' Roses...Oasis...Beethoven...Wagner...Glen Miller. Upon hearing this a shocked look appeared on this man's face - Guns 'N' Roses AND Beethoven? How could this be?

Science Fiction - A Fan's Viewpoint

I like Star Trek, in all it's forms, be it classic, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine or Voyager. I have been watching it for as long as I can remember. I am a Trekkie.

The Nescafe Commercial

While watching television a few days ago, I saw the new Nescafe commercial, the new one with Chris Eubank as the lorry driver, picking up the hitch-hiker.

Letter to the Highways Department

With reference to your front page article about the Highways Department and their clampdown on the outdoor displays in Cromer, I myself have had recent experience of how petty they can be, and some might say, incompetent.

The Evils of Satellite Television

Before I go any further, I would like to go on record as saying that I was NOT paid to do this by Rupert Murdoch.

Corporation - Chapter Four

    Cautiously Watt and Jet moved through a further two floors of building, and they were surprised when they did not encounter any more resistance. Then after going down another flight of stairs they saw someone. As soon as they opened the door they saw a huge fat man wearing a white t-shirt standing along the corridor from them. He appeared to be holding two sticks but they didn’t look like any form of weaponry.

Corporation - Chapter Three

    The dining room of the Hilton Hotel had been rearranged at DiMambro’s request so the press conference could take place. Reporters from all over the media had gathered there awaiting the arrival of DiMambro. He did not keep them waiting much longer. Flanked by two men in black suits he seated himself at the top table. After adjusting the main microphone he began to speak.

Corporation - Chapter Two

    As predicted by Simon Kennedy forty-eight hours later a plane arrived at Heathrow Airport from New York. It carried the usual visitors and business people from across the pond, but it also carried one man who hoped to be staying in merry old England for some time. After checking through customs Giovanni DiMambro was greeted by Peter Oswald, also known to the Police as Gunner, the weapons expert.

Corporation - Chapter One

    It had been some time since Paul Solo had been summoned to the Home Office. The last time was when he was a Chief Inspector in the Police Force. Now he was listed as a current member of Anglo-Force, even though he had been on leave for the past month or so.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Four

    The wind swept through T’Chuka’s hair as he sat in a jeep that sped across the island towards the presidential mansion. All seemed to be going well until they suddenly had to swerve. They rammed into the grassy bank which lined the road. They had to swerve to avoid a man - Thundarr.
    The guards jumped out of the jeep as Thundarr approached them. T’Chuka was not far behind them as Thundarr took out his sword and destroyed the jeep. This was enough to send the guards scurrying down the long road, running for their lives. T’Chuka, however, was not scared as easily. From a position on the ground the Voltanian watched as Thundarr approached him. He was surprised when the Barbarian lowered his sword and extended his hand, helping him to his feet. Then Thundarr reached into his pocket and took out a small device that looked like a key. He handed it to T’Chuka.
    “You will need this.” he said. “It will deactivate the collars.”
    T’Chuka took the device and inserted it into his collar. There was a slight hum as the collar was switched off. It then fell off T’Chuka’s neck and hit the ground.
    “Who are you?” asked T’Chuka.
    “I am called Thundarr. The device I have given you will release the other prisoners. Use it to free them and overthrow the government of this island.”

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Three

    President Richards sat in his office later that evening, his security advisors around him.
    “The one called Birdman tried to escape this afternoon. We had to put him in the cooler as punishment.”
    “How are the new arrivals getting on?” Richards asked.
    “They are not mutants like the others. One is from Voltania, the other claims to be from Scotland. As for the third we have no idea where he could be from. It seems like he’s not from this planet.”
    “An alien? You mean the one with control over fire?”
    Before his advisor could reply the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness. It wasn’t just in the office that the power had failed, it had gone all over the island. Quickly Richards picked up his cell-phone.
    “This is Richards. What’s going on down there? Why is the power out?”
    The voice of the security guard sounded into Richards’ ear.
    “He just slipped by us sir. He knocked out three of my men before we could do anything. Then he knocked out one of the generators!”
    “Who?”
    “Thundarr sir. He just came out of nowhere!”
    Richards banged the desk with his fist.
    “Garner, take a full squad out to the power station. Get Thundarr! I want him dead!”
    The tall security advisor left the office, on his way to the power plant.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Two

    The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was a long one. It sometimes left Amarus wishing that his spacecraft had not been destroyed when he arrived on Earth. However, upon arrival in Ikotia their moods changed. They soon found the airport, and upon disembarking broad smiles appeared on their faces. McCloud was the first to disembark, and putting sunglasses on he looked around at what could only be described as paradise.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter One

     There had not been a debate in the House of Commons like this for years. The attack by members of Anglo-Force upon the Cyberdine plant was condemned by many members of Her Majesty’s official opposition. The most fervent critic was none other than Simon Harkes, the man responsible for pushing the Anglo-Force bill through Parliament in the first place.
    “Never before have I heard of an attack by a government organisation on the property of an overseas company. I am disgusted by the acts of Captain James Watt and his men.”
    The sound of many members shouting “here here” and waving their ballot papers sounded through the chamber. Then the Home Secretary, Simon Kennedy, rose to his feet and moved towards the ballot box.
    “I find the right honourable gentleman’s view somewhat ironic.” he said. “Because it was him who pushed the bill to give Anglo-Force full government backing in record time. Now he condemns them! How two-faced can you get?”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Five

    Scotty walked through the engineering section, tool belt strapped to his waist. He did not look a happy man.
    “Careful with that crystal chamber!” he shouted. “And you! You’re using the wrong tool! I always say you should use the right tool for the right job!”
    Then Magus strode into the engineering room. He clapped Scotty on the back.
    “How are things going?” he asked.
    “These bloody dwarves don’t seem to have the faintest idea what they’re doing!”
    “Dwarves are considered the finest engineers in the galaxy!” said Magus.
    “That may be so.” said Scotty. “But they can’t reach half the controls!”
    “Just give them time Mister Scott.” said Magus.