Alex B Broadway's Official Blog Archive

This Blog Has Moved

2011-12-07T03:24:00.001-08:00

This blog has been moved and the posts have been archived. Click here to go to the new location.

Ultimate-Guitar

2011-11-15T10:41:00.001-08:00

I haven't blogged in a while so I'm finally getting to writing a post to update everyone on my doings. I'm just going to cram everything into one post here, if nobody minds (and if somebody does they can go ahead and mention it in the comments).

For those who don't know me, I've been taking a bit of a blogging break to focus more on the musical side of me to see where it takes me in the near future.

I opened an Ultimate-Guitar tab and might be posting on their forums every now and then and maybe contributing a few guitar tabs when the mood strikes me. Here's "Pockets of my Jeans" by Koos Kombuis (hoping I didn't bugger it up!):

Koos Kombuis - Pockets of my Jeans Chords

I've also been trying to help a friend get his music out there. Give his song 10 000 Miles a listen on YouTube.

New Template (Yes, Again...)

2011-10-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

If my blog looked a bit weird today it's because I decided to change the template around (again). Mainly to include the "share" buttons that you'll find at the bottom of every post that makes it a lot easier to share the posts through social networks. Enjoy!

Closure

2011-10-14T03:55:00.000-07:00

Just something that popped into my head this morning about closure, Facebook pages and ex-girlfriends - especially one in particular.

We’ve all done it at some point. You randomly think about one of your ex-girlfriends or boyfriends and decide to check out their Facebook page, write them an e-mail or just send them a text message. Sobriety is optional since most people are a bit drunk when they do this in the first place.

Why do we do it? For the same reasons people go to shitty school reunions. You want to get closure, but at the same time you want to see their bald spot or hear they’re still stuck in a shitty job while you’re doing great for yourself. You want to be able to brag about your life – occasionally greatly exaggerated tales thereof that’s filled with stuff not even Stephen King can come up with. You have a great job, you love life, you go out, you party, without them, so screw ‘em. You are so happy, in fact, that you’re drunkenly checking out their page again.

What you don’t want to see is “in a relationship with (whoever they were sleeping with behind your back)” but most of the time it’s what you get.

An ex of mine managed to convince me for a few months that she was working as a tattoo artist. Thank the forces of the universe that I never let her get near me with any needles as I might have ended up with a huge stick figure on my back instead of the beautiful design I picked. To make a long story short, no, she wasn’t a tattoo artist, but at the time she was dating one.

Ouch.

I later uncovered that she indeed did have a Facebook page, just not one I was on. I browsed through it, seeing messages left by The Other Guy Who Makes More Money Than I Do, realizing that actually I don’t give a damn and that now I can go on with my life. May they go forth and multiply.

When you can go to an ex’s Facebook page, laugh and think: “Jesus, what was I thinking?” That’s the best closure you can possibly get.

Speaking of which, what was I thinking?

Aan Jan Rap

2011-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

My response to "Kommentaar vir Alex B Broadway" concerning The Nightmare of a Christian Nation was published on LitNet and can be found by clicking here (in Afrikaans). I'm reproducing it below.

Ek verstaan dat die wette wat ek genoem het ou wette is wat nie meer deur meeste Jode of Christene gevolg word nie, en dit is iets waaroor ons kan saamstem, maar ek het bedoel dat so iets maklik deur ’n crazy mixed up politician verdraai kan word as Suid-Afrika ’n Christen-staat sou word.

Die koue sweet was, ek moet erken, oordryf. Ek het dit gesê bloot omdat ek sien wat kan gebeur as die Bybel – veral die Ou Testament – weer letterlik opgevat word. As die Bybel as grondwet aanvaar word sien ek nie hoekom dit nie moontlik is nie. Dit is maklik om dit tot by ’n politikus se eie agenda te laat pas. Kyk na die Midde-Ooste waar talle mense doodgemaak word as gevolg van geloof.

Ek sê nie SA is so nuut en verbeter nie. Inteendeel, ek sien ook wat besig is om met SA te gebeur – nasionalisasie van myne, iemand? – en ek besef dat die mense iets sal moet doen om dit te verander.

Demokrasie en vryheid van geloof is iets wat werk tot die verbetering van Suid-Afrika. ’n Nasie met net een geloof sal heeltemal daarteen gaan.

Die kommentaar op “Wasted Battle” was ’n ruk gelede en kan hier gevind word.

Groete

Alex B Broadway

On My Brand of Satire (for those who missed it)

2011-09-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

On My Brand of Satire (for those who missed it) on LitNet. Click here to read it.

Ontspan Alex B Broadway - My Response

2011-09-17T02:29:00.000-07:00

Read Jan Rap’s response to The Nightmare of a Christian Nation here (in Afrikaans). I decided to put my response to him here, also in Afrikaans. My original piece can be read here.

Ontspan Alex B Broadway – My Response

Beste Jan Rap (en sy maat),

Die punt wat ek probeer maak het is een wat jy en jou maat heeltemal gemis het. Het jy my stuk met behulp van dolosse probeer interpreteer? Die klein hoenderbeentjie in die hoek was totaal en al van die merk af as ek jou antwoord daarop lees.

Voodoo of Hoodoo is nêrens ter sprake nie (maar is albei baie interessant, as jy ooit besluit om dit op te soek) as dit is wat jy met die obskure term “wehoedehoe-tipe” bedoel het.

Beteken dit dan dat alle nie-Christene die “Christelike beginsels” gaan ignoreer en die land totaal en al afbreek, steel en ophou werk? Die toestand van die land kan nie op geloof geblameer word nie (ook nie op Apartheid nie, maar dis ‘n ander storie).

Soos laas keer met A Wasted Battle het jy die punt gemis wat ek probeer maak het. Verstaan jy nie satire nie of lees jy net my werk soos baie mense die Bybel lees – selektief en om by jou eie agenda te pas.

‘n Mens hoef nie ‘n Christen te wees om die beginsels na te kom nie – net ‘n ordentlike mens. Dit is ingebore. ‘n Mens kan amper sê dat menslikheid iets is wat ingeneem word met moedersmelk (tensy jy ‘n formulebaba was).

Rentmeesterskap, verbod op diefstel en verwoesting kom nie in ‘n pakkie met “Christenskap” op die label nie – dit behoort aan mense van alle gelowe.

Doen my ‘n guns en leef ‘n week volgens die reëls van die Ou Testament. Lees dan my brief weer. Dis nou as jy nie intussen gestenig is nie.

Jammer om jou teleur te stel; ek stres nie, ek was vir ‘n lang tydperk op moedersmelk.

Groete,

Alex “Beginsellose Heiden” Broadway

The Legend of the Assuming Tourist

2011-09-16T04:21:00.000-07:00

I don't put a lot of writing as-is on my blog, as those who regularly visit it would know. But since I haven't figure out where to submit this one, I give you: The Legend of the Assuming Tourist...

The Legend of the Assuming Tourist

Among many curio shops and guest houses in South Africa there exists a legendary creature of which tales have been told for generations. It is known only as The Assuming Tourist.

The Assuming Tourist has been elusive throughout the years, but through months of intensive study I have finally uncovered its secrets and I am the first person worldwide to document the habits and behaviors of The Assuming Tourist! This is an absolute scientific breakthrough (and I am, in fact, waiting for the Nobel Prize, or at the very least a thank you letter from the Minister of Tourism).

The habitat of The Assuming Tourist is varied, but they mostly stick to aquariums, zoos, parks, curio shops and game farms. Sometimes they dress in all khaki clothes, in an attempt to blend in with local customs.

The Assuming Tourist will always carry a camera to document everything it sees. Yes, I mean everything. The South African flag, the cat, the couch and the conifer – all of it is captured on film for later review.

The Assuming Tourist will absolutely love true South African cuisine and will seek it out whenever possible. Arguably you can serve The Assuming Tourist anything you like, including Mopani worms, especially if the first question they ask you the moment they come through the door has to do with the Big Five.

The Assuming Tourist will also ask a lot of questions, usually while pointing and laughing at everyday objects. Some of the questions I have documented may include: “Where are the lions?” and “Is Apartheid over?”

Sometimes it will even attempt to speak one of South Africa’s native languages. Beware of The Assuming Tourist who walks up to you and attempts to say “Waar is die toilet?” for you can never know if they can fully comprehend that you were just gossiping about them in Afrikaans.

Rarely, you find an Assuming Tourist sprouting complete gibberish (usually an attempt at Zulu from something they saw on the discovery channel), or saying horrific obscenities with a straight face. Do not be alarmed by this. It simply means that, in the pursuit to learn a new language, a fellow South African found it funny to teach it that “fok jou” means “hello” (Note: It doesn’t.)

Sometimes The Assuming Tourist will try to pay in a foreign currency. It might be dollars, pounds, but whatever it is, you may safely take it without worry. The money of The Assuming Tourist is often worth more than the South African rand.

Here ends my brief study of The Assuming Tourist. I hope that it has been of some use to you or to the scientific community. And, of course, I will keep waiting on my thank you letter, dear Minister.

The Christian State Nightmare

2011-09-15T07:08:00.001-07:00

This morning I wondered exactly what the consequences of a Christian state would be. Based on the various interpretations of the Bible - especially taking into account Christian fundamentalists and the rules of the Old Testament - it could turn out to be a nightmare. Read my thoughts here.

Guest Post - Procrastinating Writers

2011-07-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

A guest post of mine was published on Procrastinating Writers on how you can improve your writing. Click here to read it.

Subscribe to my Blog

2011-06-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

You can now subscribe to my blog via e-mail, which means you'll be notified whenever something new is posted! Just type your e-mail address into the sidebar (under Subscribe) and click on Submit.

New Template

2011-06-12T03:43:00.000-07:00

I changed the blog's template around a little bit. Should I keep it or revert back to the old one? Leave your answer in the comments!

Musings of a Marfan Mom - Guest Post

2011-05-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

A guest post of mine about Marfan Syndrome and the National Marfan Foundation was published on Musings of a Marfan Mom. (Thanks!) Click Here to read it.

Steve

2011-05-15T03:35:00.000-07:00

I don't often put Afrikaans pieces on my blog as-is, but I'm going to make an exception. Sorry to those who don't speak Afrikaans (at least the English Steve Hofmeyr fans won't hate me now). I might post a translation later on if they don't sue me for this one first.

Toe Steve Hofmeyr besef sy loopbaan is besig om na die agtergrond toe te fade het hy besluit hy moet iets doen. Hier is ‘n paar van sy opsies:

(1) Hy kon weer iemand preggers maak en hoop dit haal die nuus. Hy’t hierteen besluit toe hy besef die enigste koerant wat ooit regtig oor hom geskryf het opgehou toe hy hulle redaktrise met ‘n koppie tee gegooi het.

(2) Hy kon die redaktrise van ‘n ander tydskrif met ‘n koppie tee gooi.

(3) Hy kon sy U2 kaartjies in ‘n rivier gaan gooi. Hierdie een was actually in ‘n paar koerante - voorbladnuus nogal, want dis belangriker as moord - en toe besef hy Bono weet nie eers wie hy is nie.

(4) Hy kon politiek toe.

Fok weet hoekom hy toe nommer vier gekies het. Seker omdat die politiek nie genoeg van ‘n gemors is sonder hom nie. As Amerika die Terminator kan hê hoekom kan ons nie vir Steve hê nie?

Ironies genoeg, dit sou beter wees as Malema ophou sing en Steve eerder net sing.

My opinie oor sy nuwe song: Daar is geen regte konteks vir die “K-woord” nie, buiten in Arabies waar dit iets heeltemal anders beteken. En ja, ek weet jy soek my opinie net so min soos jy Steve s’n soek, solank hy ‘n gat van homself in die nuus maak sal ek aanhou om dit uit te wys.

Morbid Curiosity

2011-05-05T10:11:00.001-07:00

By Alex B Broadway

Whether you like to admit it to yourself or not, we all have a little dark corner of our mind that we prefer to keep hidden from everyone else while we go about our daily lives. We don't talk about it and we sure as hell don't act any of it out, but it's there nonetheless, locked up somewhere where you can try your best to ignore it.

With the death of Osama bin Laden it seems like people are suddenly unlocking that dark room and letting loose whatever demons they kept there. They celebrate death in all it's glory and demand to see the evidence!

I call it morbid curiosity. It's what causes you to watch a scary movie and not look away when the person onscreen is killed with an exaggerated spray of blood. It's what causes you to stand in front of someone and wonder what it would be like to shut them the hell up with a blow to the face. It's also what causes someone to pick up a knife and plunge it straight through the back of someone who happened to piss them off that day.

Some people embrace it. Often they are the artists. And the murderers. The line between the two are surprisingly fine.

Some writers have very twisted imaginations. At some point they have to think: "What if..." They create their characters and sometimes become them, but only on the page. For some, fiction is a way to safely act out their most horrid fantasies. For others, fiction isn't enough.

Throw away the key to Morbid Curiosity. Watch a scary movie and think about goring your coworker through the eye with a stapler (you can even imagine the audible pop! of an eyeball under pressure if you really want), but keep that room locked up tight. Curiosity can kill more than just a cat.

Love in Past Tense

2011-03-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

By Alex B Broadway

Love is one of the hardest topics to write about, and it’s even harder when you’re writing about yourself. As a writer and occasional journalist, I know I can’t lie to myself. My job is to tell the truth, the full truth and nothing but the truth, but if you find yourself in that situation, is it possible to be objective?

You declare yourself an outsider in your own life. Old wounds are reopened and they usually start bleeding again. To write as an outsider makes it a bit easier, but as an outsider you can fall in love with her all over again in ways you never thought possible.

She decided to write her own version of it. She writes about the pregnancy and how it didn’t work out, the rape when she was thirteen and the pain she went through. She writes about everything that worked out and everything that didn’t. This is what hurts the most: She’s writing about you.

You try to rewrite her version from your point of view, but you can’t. She wrote it with brutal honesty and you realize the wounds are still too fresh to write about it honestly.

At the same time you try your best to postpone it, because you know the moment you finish the last page it’s all over. The moment the last word is written, it’s over, and you can’t look back. Thus, the longer you manage to postpone it, the longer you can cling to her memory.

Suddenly you wish you’d never met her. Not because you hate her, but just because you would’ve never known what you’re missing. You can’t miss someone whose existence you don’t know of, can you?

Eventually, you sit down to ask yourself: Does she love me?

The answer comes with a bottle of vodka and too much cheap wine: Yes, she used to.

- Translated from Verlede Tyd, Lyne, Spring 2010

Praying Mantis

2011-03-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

By Alex B Broadway

I don't know what the point of this piece is... But there's some truth in it. Yes, there was really a praying mantis on my shoulder for two hours (but it wasn't nearly as talkative). Maybe it's good, maybe cute, maybe a little bit on the creepy side, but the truth is I only wrote it to get the message of "Be Yourself" into my head and make sure it stays there. How true is the kiss? Only two people would know about that.

Praying mantis’ make good therapists. I know this because there has been one sitting calmly on my shoulder for the past hour while I’ve been telling it about my life. Logic tells me it doesn’t hear a word I’m saying, but a part of me needs someone to talk to.

“I miss her.” I say, once the formal introductions are out of the way. It doesn’t reply, but slightly flicks its feelers to the side, which I decide to take as a sign of acknowledgement. “I’ve been thinking about her a lot. Especially since the moment I kissed her.”

It looks up at me. “Please don’t look at me like that.” It still does. “I can’t stop thinking about her ever since I kissed her. Now please stop judging me.”

“And?” It suddenly asks. “How was it?”

I have two shocks to deal with here, firstly, it’s talking back, and secondly, I never thought a praying mantis could have a voice like Barry White. Even if this is because of the drugs and it’s all in my head, at least I have company.

“Well…” I think. That’s a good question. At first I was nervous. Standing next to her, absolutely awestruck, wondering whether I should kiss her or not. I was somewhere between completely paralyzed with fear and exhilarated with excitement. I knew I couldn’t stand there staring at her forever - if I did that for five more seconds she might think I’m weird. Then I kissed her. Everything else faded away, time stopped and there was nothing but us.

I think that, and reply: “It was amazing…wait…you’re a praying mantis. What the bloody hell would you know about kissing?”

“You have a point. Our females usually bite our heads off after mating, so I’m a bad person to talk to about love.”

“At least you’re a good listener.” I look down and see it’s still looking at me. “It’s still a bit creepy when you stare at me like that.”

“Sorry.”

“I have my insecurities.”

“Like?”

“Like being scared I’ll screw up or say the wrong thing. Or take things too fast. Or just…”

“Just what?” it asks. “Be yourself? Face it, that’s the worst thing you can possibly do. Just be yourself. You won’t screw up, and if you do at least you’ll be able to laugh about it in fifty years.”

It sighs, as much as a praying mantis can sigh, anyway. “I should go. I have a few more ears to whisper in before the night is over.”

“Well, could you put in a good word for me?”

“You know it.” He says and leaps out the window.

How to Write

2011-03-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

By Alex B Broadway

Obviously I can’t tell you how to write. Nobody can do that. It’s like trying to tell someone how to breathe or blink their eyes. What I can tell you is how to make writing easier for you.

If you think it takes talent to write, you’re half right. Talent has to be there, but talent is only half the battle. Talent is something everyone has in them. Heck, talent is something you can buy at the local corner shop for a few cents. It’s hard work that separates those who want to write from those who can.

Here are a few tips:

• Write something. Every day. Status messages on Facebook, Tweets and angry letters to the electrical company don’t count. Even if it’s just a few hundred words on a random topic, or a sentence that describes something you saw today. Nothing written is ever a waste.

• Don’t erase what you’ve written, no matter how awful you think it is. Like I just said, nothing written is a waste. You could always rewrite it once you’re done or if it’s that awful just shove it in the bottom of a drawer and forget about it, but never get rid of it.

• Never write for money. People who make a living with their work will argue with me on this, but I stand by it. If I write for the sake of writing, I write at an extreme pace and my work is always better than the last, but the moment I start writing with the sole purpose of trying to make a quick buck I experience a block that lasts for weeks. Write for the sake of writing, not for the sake of money. It only deadens your creative spirit and sucks the life out of your work.

• Eliminate distractions when you write. This is a pretty old tip, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad one. No matter how many times the neighbor calls today or how badly you want to watch that show on television, once you’re sitting down to write, do it. Giving in to constant distractions will later lead to an endless cycle of procrastination.

• Write anything down immediately. If I get the urge to write I have to do it the moment the idea pops into my head. If I don’t the idea will fade in a while and I’ll never get around to putting it onto paper. You could keep a notebook with you and jot down the basics or just the opening paragraph. Keep a Dictaphone and record it. Save it on your phone. Just don’t let an idea wait until later because it’s hard to recapture that initial flair.

• Get your environment right, but don’t push it. I can’t write when my desk is a mess. I have to clean it up before I start, and most writers have some sort of ritual before they start writing (and I’m sure something popped into your head right now). Do your pre-writing ritual if it makes you comfortable, but don’t let it turn into a three hour session of “I have to do this before I can write because…” that keeps you from doing it.

• Don’t show your work to anyone until it’s done. This might not work for everyone, but it works

for me. Showing an unfinished piece of work to someone creates an expectation that I suddenly realize I can’t meet. As soon as it’s finished I’ll usually send a copy to a close friend so that I can get an opinion, but until then only I get to see it.

• Ignore the critics. Even if you achieve success as a writer there will always be someone who says, “I hate this piece of writing.” Some people are tactful about it and others are just plain blunt. It doesn’t matter. Take creative criticism, anything else you can take with a pinch of salt.

This isn’t a failsafe way towards knowing how to write, but it’ll keep you focused and motivated to continue. Don’t stop writing.

Alex B Broadway

Love Thy Neighbor

2011-03-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

By Alex B Broadway

The Bible says one should love thy neighbor. Seems pretty straightforward at first, doesn’t it? However I’ve found a few problems with this commandment that I would like to mention.

To what extent am I allowed to love my neighbor? The Bible clearly outlines premarital sex as a sin. What if my neighbor is a man? Can I still love my neighbor even though homosexuality is, according to the Bible, an abomination to God? The Bible should have said: “Love thy neighbor (just not that much),”

Does this commandment include my neighbor’s wife, son or daughter? What about their family dog, doesn’t he deserve to be loved just as much as they do?

Can I still love my neighbor even if he’s having a pool party and cranking his stereo to top volume at two in the fucking morning?

What about if my neighbor is simply an obnoxious stuck-up asshole who absolutely has to have a Porsche and will show it off at every possible occasion?

Let’s say my neighbor is not a Christian. The Bible clearly states that those who do not worship God should be put to death. Do I love him or do I bury him up to his shoulders in the flowerbed and pelt him with rocks?

If you live in an apartment complex and the two rooms next to you are empty, who do you love?

Do you choose to love the neighbor on the right side of your house, the one on the left side of your house or the one across the street?

Does “love” mean you have to actually talk to them on a regular basis or can you just do what I do and only go over there when you need to borrow sugar or condoms?

If you ask me the commandment should be re-written to include all of this and to avoid any future confusion over the matter. How about this: Love thy neighbor, when you (a) need to borrow something (including but not limited to power tools you’ll never return) (b) are really desperate to get laid or (c) they’re having a party with a lot of beer and mind-altering drugs, otherwise just go about your business, ignore them, smile and nod awkwardly when you see them in the driveway.

Work...

2010-11-17T11:03:00.001-08:00

In December I'm finally going to start work on my nov...oh, fuck it, I've been saying that every month for the past few years. Whenever I start a novel I get to chapter 4 (if even that far) and get sidetracked by a new, better idea.

Maybe I have Attention Deficit Disorder. Or wait...maybe I can attribute it to eccentricity and just say that I like to leave an idea in my head for several years to let it form.

There are so many things I can write: Fiction, non-fiction, those little stories on restaurant menus that distract you while you wait for really bad service...

I suppose I should finally take the advice of a few friends: Just sit down and get it done already!

Sigh...

2010-11-16T00:55:00.000-08:00

I've taken a long break from writing to focus on other projects, most of which paid well, but I have a feeling that I need to start writing again soon (even if it's the little tidbits of information you find at the back of a cereal box).

I might hear back from a few magazines within the next few weeks. Hopefully the articles get accepted so I can get paid and go blow it all on useless crap that I can pawn when I'm desperate.

I changed the background image, I hope it looks alright, otherwise I'll just change it again in about six months when I remember that I have a blog. If you have any suggestions besides "Update it more often you lazy bastard!", feel free to e-mail me.

"Ghost"

2010-11-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

I sent out the first (very) short story in a long time called "Ghost". Basically it's about a spirit banishing that goes horribly wrong. I won't reveal too much yet, I'm just going to wait and see if the editor replies with a note saying: "Don't contact us again, please." or something more positive.

There's another writing project on the horizon - my inner voice is already going "Don't screw this up. Don't screw this up." I'm probably going to have to send some sample articles with the proposal. The problem? I have none...so I need to get writing.

Oh, and right now I'm reading Evil Ways by Justin Gustainis. Not bad at all. If you're looking for a good book to read look out for Black Magic Woman by the same author. It's one of the few books that I can't stop re-reading.

I should probably get to doing something useful like wasting a lot of time browsing Facebook, figuring out why I have Twitter when I never use it (the button looks nice on the side...) and being irritated by politics.

Cleared the Hit Counter!

2010-10-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

I decided to clear the hit counter to make things a bit easier - it now reflects each page view and not every individual person. It's better to track how many repeat views there are, too. So it starts counting from 0 again. I also took the logo down - it looks better with the bigger text than the small logo.

I'm also working on some new articles and stories. It's a combination of Talent and Luck mostly (and I think the editor's mood plays a bigger role than people admit...). I'll just see what happens and hope for the best.

Lyne

2010-10-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

I just got a copy of the spring issue of Lyne with my contribution "Verlede Tyd" in the mail. Thanks to everyone who worked on developing the magazine - the end result is something to be proud of! Click here to visit the official Lyne website to order a copy.

The story behind it
Well, I guess people are going to ask why I wrote it. This is the short answer: I wrote it because I had to. There were a lot of things that I needed to get out of my system, and writing was a way of getting it all out of my head so that I could finally stop obsessing about it.

The past is finally in the past, and I told my side of the story. I'm just grateful I didn't try writing more poetry, and trust me, you all can be too...

Tweegesprek

2010-09-24T02:14:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been chaotic. I submitted a few new articles (and in the process forgot about a lot of old ones), and I decided to just take a break for two days to polish the handful of cracked marbles I have left.

Well, another one of them got published on LitNet. I was so absorbed in other things I didn't notice it until someone told me to go read it. Thanks for letting me know, Ellen! Click Here to read it directly on the site.

I also know of another article that was published, but I'll blog about it later once I've gotten a copy of the magazine.

Until later!

A Reaction to "A Wasted Battle"

2010-08-27T11:00:00.001-07:00

I was Googling myself, and I found a reaction to my letter on LitNet. Click Here to read it. This is definitely one that deserves a treasured place among the toilet barbie and the pink roses in the bathroom.

Alex B Broadway

A Wasted Battle

2010-08-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

A letter of mine was published this morning on LitNet, at least I get to add something to the published works page. The whole letter appears below, or Click Here to read it directly on LitNet.

Alex B Broadway

A Wasted Battle

Before I even start writing this, I know that I’m probably going to get shot for it. For at least three months afterwards I should make a point of not opening any unmarked packages (especially not if I can hear something ticking from the inside), and I should definitely employ a bodyguard and travel in groups of mostly white people which I know they wouldn’t bomb anyway.

White supremacist organizations are like stubborn lapdogs with a shrill, irritating bark that keeps barking up the wrong tree. Yes, it keeps the neighbourhood awake and says: “Pay attention to me damnit!” but it doesn’t say much.

For years now the white supremacists have been talking about saamstaan and bymekaarkom op Oom Frans se plaas net buite Welkom, but so far there has been very little of this much talked about bymekaarkoms. What worries me, however, is that most of them fear an impending apocalypse, and this leads me to believe that there’s a whole stockpile of .45s at someone’s farm just waiting to be used.

Some day one of them is going to decide that the time has arrived, and he’s going to rally up the men, get the gun and go to the nearest train station with the gun in his hand. Faced with 56 men, he’s going to say: “Ek en die mense is hier om julle op te fok!” From the crowd comes the voice of a very daring man: “Which mense?” He’ll turn around and say, not without some pride in his voice: “Dié mense! My mense! Mense?” to find that all of them went back to watch the rugby game between the Bulls and the Cheetahs.

Let's face it: The average white supremacist Afrikaner would rather have a braai and talk about a boer uprising than actually do anything. And thank God for that.

New Beginning!

2010-08-22T15:21:00.001-07:00

I deleted all the previous posts, changed the layout completely, added another hit counter from whos amung us, and found out that I can add individual pages (why didn't I know that before, I wonder...).

The blog's undergone a complete makeover, and hopefully a good one! I also set it so that everyone can comment on the posts, and not just OpenID users. I pretty much welcome input, as long as it's not derogatory.

I'm going to try to start writing a book, or at least some more short stories. You'll find them under Published Works.

Any more suggestions? E-mail me!

Alex B Broadway [at] gmail [dot] com