Sango Beach Durness

Quinag Mountain

Suilven Mountain

The Strange Case of Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy

Lincoln vs. Kennedy

Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846
Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946

He was elected President in 1860
He was elected President in 1960

His wife lost a child while living in the White House
His wife lost a child while living in the White House

He was directly concerned with Civil Rights
He was directly concerned with Civil Rights

Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy who told him not to go to the theater *1
Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln who told him not to go to Dallas *2

Lincoln was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife
Kennedy was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife

Lincoln shot in the Ford Theatre
Kennedy shot in a Lincoln, made by Ford

He was shot on a Friday
He was shot on a Friday

The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was known by three names, comprised of fifteen letters
The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was known by three names, comprised of fifteen letters

Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a warehouse *3
Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to a theater

Booth was killed before being brought to trial
Oswald was killed before being brought to trial

There were theories that Booth was part of a greater conspiracy
There were theories that Oswald was part of a greater conspiracy

Lincoln's successor was Andrew Johnson, born in 1808
Kennedy's successor was Lyndon Johnson, born in 1908

Attending the Lord Provost's Reception

Enjoyed attending a civic reception at Dundee City Chambers last night. For contributiing to the Hilltown Writers' Group, meeting weekly at the Highwayman Youth/Community Centre, I was presented with a certificate - as part of Adult Learners' Week - by the Lord Provost, John Letford. It was an enjoyable night, well attended by about 75 adult learners, their tutors and members of the council - enjoyed the free finger buffet meal and the free alcohol being served. It was a good morale-booster and good recognition for the Hilltown Writers' Group literary efforts. A group photo was taken and printed in The Courier along with a report of the event.

News Update - 40th birthday, music gigs

Enjoyed my 40th birthday celebrations with friends from the Hilltown Writers Group, Duncan and Jim, at the Pillars bar in Crichton Street, Dundee. Several sociable drinks and good conversation.

Also enjoyed the Woodlands Dance Orchestra's recent gig at the Trinity Church in Victoria Street Dundee, varied playlist of jazz, swing, modern pop, 60s medley, performed well by the band and singers.

Tried to book a ticket for the back-touring 2/4 of Queen - Brian May & Roger Taylor - + ex-Free singer Paul Rodgers at the SECC in Glasgow, supporting their forthcoming album of new rock material, but missed out due to high demand and a persistent flu virus sabotaging my online attempts at registering in time. Will try to book a ticket to see Kaiser Chiefs instead, touring the Highlands in May before appearing at T in the Park.

CD-ROM Writing Project - Hilltown and Dundee

My collaborative project with Hilltown Writers Group re poems, short stories, prose, photographs old and new, readings/audio files will soon be available on CD-ROM via the Central Library and I will post a selection of my writing on this blog, so keep watching this space!