Dim's Write Stuff

The science of the evolution of words is a deeply fascinating and curious thing. So fascinating and curious that author Nick Earls took the idea of etymology and fashioned it into not one, not two but three amazing adventure books for kids . But (lots) more on that another day... The concept of word play and word origin is equally as absorbing for writers as for readers and led me to ponder on the development of the word 'selfie '. Selfie : a picture of a person taken by that person. (usually badly if that person's name is Dimity) How did the term 'self-portrait photograph' become reduced to such a bland, throw away two syllable text term? When did we become a race of need-it-yesterday, don't-have-time-to-speak-full-words narcissistic androids? And if we are that desperate for a shot of our own mugs, what is wrong with using a tripod or the old fashioned method of accosting a complete stranger and risking camera abduction in the name of getting behind th...

I'm not sure when Free Time packed her bags, turned her back on me and walked out the door. It might have been last month sometime in between the submissions, presentations and school projects. Maybe it was when I was hanging the washing out. It could have been while I was driving back from school. Or when I was attending a seminar somewhere. I am ashamed I didn't even notice, until now. It feels like I haven't seen her for a long long time. And I miss her. If any body knows where she is, could you please pass on a message to her from me? Tell her: I'm sorry. I'm to blame. It was all me, my neglect that caused her to leave. I'll try not to ignore her any more. Really I will. From now on, I'll make sure we unite, like we used to. We'll have fun again; go for long walks, light candles around the bath, like we used to. Listen to the family finish their stories, watch them, laugh with them, like we used to. Tell her: I'll reserve more spa...