International Bubble Wrap Day

 

Bubble Rap

In Today's Pop(ular) Issue

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
Bubble Rap
Bubble Wrap
That's Amaaaaaaaaazing
Random Joke

Feeling a little stressed lately.? Then, this special day is made for you!

It's Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

As anyone who has ever come in contact with it knows, bubble wrap is not just a protective wrapping for things. It is also a wonderful stress reliever! Just squeeze the bubbles in the Bubble wrap, and feel the stress disappear with each POP...POP...POP.

So, grab a piece of bubble wrap today, and go to town!


BUBBLE RAP

Little blisters of air

Bubbles suspended in plastic

How they get there I don’t

Know, I think it’s fantastic

Protective convex covering

Almost see through

Peek into the packaging

Your prize just in view.

But forget your purchase

It’s the wrapping raps

For it the joy of the pop

When you squeeze in the gaps

A stress release

Tiny small joy

Blahdy Blahdy Blah Blah

Helen of Troy

(I think I run out of steam a bit there)

 

USES FOR BUBBLE WRAP

Sleep on air while camping: 
Get a better night’s sleep on a camping trip. Take a 2m roll of wide bubble wrap to use as a mat under a sleeping bag. If you don’t have a sleeping bag, just fold a 3.6-metre-long piece of wide bubble wrap in half, bubble side out and gaffer-tape the edges. Then slip in and enjoy a restful night in your makeshift padded sleeping bag.

Its original purpose was wallpaper: In 1957, in an attempt to create a textured wallpaper, engineer Alfred W. Fielding and Swiss inventor Marc Chavannes sealed two shower curtains together in such a way that air bubbles were captured, giving the wallpaper a textured appearance.

It can insulate your windows:
Is your home feeling drafty? Simply cut a sheet of bubble cushioning to the size of your window, spray the window with water, and place the flat side against the glass for instant insulation. Since it’s clear, you won’t lose the natural light.

Protect Produce in the Fridge:
Line the crisper drawer with bubble wrap to prevent bruises to fruit and other produce. Cleaning the fridge will be easier too – when the lining gets dirty, just throw it away and replace it with fresh bubble wrap.

Stress Relief:
Get popping! Research shows that one minute spent popping bubble wrap relives as much stress as a 30 minute massage.

THAT'S AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZING

The most people popping bubble wrap simultaneously is 2,681, achieved by the Denver Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (USA) at the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch in Elbert, Colorado, USA, on 19 September 2015.

Random Joke of the Day

I met this bloke with a didgeridoo playing Dancing Queen. I thought “That’s ABBAriginal!”

Bargain Book

Have you got a kindle or e-book reader? Then as a gift from me you can now buy

my recent release, "Tales of the Unexpected" for the amazing low price of £1.99 (cheaper than a cup

of coffee) 

CHECK OUT THE 5 STAR REVIEWS -

B Silver
5.0 out of 5 stars

Great diverse short stories
28 October 2019
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Love this writer I bought his previous books and in my opinion this is the best so far. The stories are much more diverse than the others. For a book of short stories there are a lot there, great to pop in and read as and when you want to. Read mine on the train, I laughed out loud at one point making my fellow passengers jump out of their seats. Recommended read....

Here is a link to this book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Unexpected-Neville-Raper/dp/1687345600/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2P92XWFWDSVPV&keywords=neville+raper&qid=1643901973&sprefix=neville+raper%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-2

Subscribe - Like what you see ? want more content ? Hit the subscribe button.

e-mail - neville.raper@yahoo.co.uk

Two Sentence Horror

 In Todays Issue -

Two Sentence Horror

Trivial Top 10

That's Amaaaaaazing
Random Joke of the Day
More of this stuff
Subscribe

Two Sentence Horror

Two Sentence horror is a great example of ‘FlashFiction’.

This form of writing isn’t new; two-sentence horror stories have been floating around the internet and for years. They've even inspired a TV series.

Google the phrase “two-sentence horror stories”, and you’ll find many examples. This site has quite a few to get you started, but here are some just to illustrate how cool they are:

I just noticed a picture of myself sleeping in my phone’s gallery. I live alone.

The daughter ran up to her father, arms outstretched for a hug. Her father recoiled; he buried her three months ago after the accident.

A body was found in the basement. Strange, since I placed two in there just yesterday.


Two-sentence horror stories can help and reinforce some essential writing skills.

You have to use precise and concise language, and have to be choosy about the words used. The ability to choose the exact right word is a great consistent practice.

One of the biggest mistakes writers make when they write two-sentence horror stories is that they give too much away. For example, I’ve read plenty of stories that read something like “The chair floated in the air. It was scary because there was a ghost.”

You should try to hint at why a situation is scary without giving it away. Remember Show. Don’t Tell.

If you'd like to share your example to a wider "global" audience use the links on the blog, or drop me a line at neville.raper@yahoo.co.uk.

Good luck.

So here are a couple of mine.

Carbon Copy? 

I took a selfie.

The clone bank is yet to realise. 

Baptize 

I felt the cool sweet water wash away all my sins

As I watched the last bubbles of air leave her open mouth. 

Once upon a time. 

“Kiss me,” said the frog. She did and all her dreams came true.

Mainly due to the hallucinogenic quality of the frog’s skin.

You know the Drill.

Power tools have really come on in the last couple of years, I was always running out of extension lead.

Now, cordless means I always catch them.

 

The Trivial Top 10

Highest-Grossing Horror Movies Ever

1 It (2017) ($327.48M)

2 The Sixth Sense (1999) ($293.5 million)

3 Jaws (1975) ($260 million)

4 Ghostbusters (1984) ($242.2 million)

5 The Exorcist ($232.91 Million)

6 It Chapter Two ($211.59 Million)

7 World War Z ($202.36 Million)

8 A Quiet Place ($188.02 Million)

9 Get Out ($176.04)

10 US ($175.08)

That's Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing

The most successful horror film series is SAW with a total gross of $733,271,976 (₤481,525,920.92) throughout its 6 installments. This record considers the global grossing of each one of the SAW movies.... YUK

Random Joke of the Day

So I've decided to use one of my Two Sentence Horror stories as today's joke (I used to use this in my stand up act)

Night Night

Go to sleep there’s no such thing as ghosts.

I wish you’d leave me alone Mum; you’ve been dead for eight years.

Bargain Book

Have you got a kindle or e-book reader? Then as a gift from me you can now buy

my recent release, "Tales of the Unexpected" for the amazing low price of £1.99 (cheaper than a cup

of coffee) 

CHECK OUT THE 5 STAR REVIEWS -

B Silver
5.0 out of 5 stars

Great diverse short stories
28 October 2019
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Love this writer I bought his previous books and in my opinion this is the best so far. The stories are much more diverse than the others. For a book of short stories there are a lot there, great to pop in and read as and when you want to. Read mine on the train, I laughed out loud at one point making my fellow passengers jump out of their seats. Recommended read....

Here is a link to this book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Unexpected-Neville-Raper/dp/1687345600/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2P92XWFWDSVPV&keywords=neville+raper&qid=1643901973&sprefix=neville+raper%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-2

Subscribe - Like what you see ? want more content ? Hit the subscribe button.

e-mail - neville.raper@yahoo.co.uk

Well it's Been Awhile

In Todays Issue -

It's Been Awhile
Micro Fiction
Superman

That's Amaaaaaazing
Random Joke of the Day
More of this stuff
Subscribe

It's Been Awhile.

Well what a year that was.


2021 brought us yet more Covid, climate anxiety, Brexshit, a Government more interested in lining its own pockets than serving the nation, an orange loon inciting violence on his government, Matt Hancock squeezing someone's bottom and, it would seem, for some, lots and lots of parties. But, in spite of it all, we found a way to live … and watch more Netflix.

If 2020 was the original novel then 2021 was a sequel that went down a much darker even more depressing narrative.

The rise and rise of mis-information crushed social media into a bipolar filth fest.
People sharing opinions as facts. Rabid attacks on the vaxxed, not vaxxed, masked and not masked tribes.
"Influencers" always seeking for a way to make a quick buck, jumping on the bandwagons exchanging likes and shares for social responsibility.

Conspiracy theorists given a free platform to share their nonsense to the 'hard of head' who's main mantra and argument, if you dared to disagree or challenge them was calling you, 'sheeple'. The screaming right wing who supported Brexit and freedom of choice railing against people who chose a vaccine and a mask. I could go on....but I won't.

Luckily these loud screamers are in the minority. Most of us still care about each other, their wider community and society around them.

To you people I say well done and thank you. Love and Hope, not hate, will win through.

Thank you for reading this - Neville

Micro Fiction

Micro Fiction: Tends to be stories that are 100 words or less. Some publications have stretched this to up to 250 words, but in general, 100 words is the sweet spot for defining stories in this category.

I have recently been asked to write some micro fiction for a horror/fantasy web site. I the next couple of weeks. I will post my submissions. Please let me know what you think.

Man of Steel

“Up, up and away”
Launching himself from the tallest building in Metropolis he revelled in the feel of cool evening air on his chiselled face.


“Jumper?”

“Yep”

“Any ID?”

“A Mr. Clark from Ashford”

“Where’s that?”

“Kent”

Superman facts you probably didn't know -

1. It’s not just about the glasses.

Clark's disguise isn't as simple as slicked back hair and glasses. The lenses of his glasses are slightly tinted, changing the shade of his eyes. Thanks to incredible control over his muscles and vocal cords, Superman actually gives himself a different voice when he’s Clark Kent. Looser clothing and slouching over gives a different impression of his body. And thanks to studying some acting techniques, he completes the disguise by employing very different body language as Clark. T

2. Clark Kent and Superman HAVE been seen together.

The DC Universe has heroes with various abilities. On occasion, friends of Superman who have the ability to shape-shift have masqueraded as Clark Kent, allowing the famous reporter and the Man of Steel to be seen and photographed together. To the general public, they are friends who simply bear a great resemblance to each other.

3. The “S” isn’t just for Superman.

The famous S-shield is not just Superman's family crest. First hinted at in the 1978 feature film, in the comic book story “Superman: Birthright” and the series “52,” we learned that it's also a Kryptonian symbol that means “hope.” Interestingly, drawing the S-shield upside down changes the meaning to “resurrection.”

4. Even superheroes need safeguards.

Clark actually wasn’t thinking about secret identities when he started wearing glasses as a freshman in high school. Around this time, Clark’s full powers were finally emerging and he had a tough time learning how to control them. Martha Kent had noticed that his heat-vision didn’t burn through the rocket that had brought him to Earth, so she took glass pieces from its window and put them into frames. Now if Clark’s heat-vision ever sparked up accidentally when he got excited, the glasses would block it and no one else would be the wiser.

5. It wasn’t always the “American way.”

Originally, Superman’s catchphrases called him the “champion of the oppressed” and said he was dedicated to “truth and justice.” Folks didn’t say he also fought for “the American Way” until the 1940s during radio broadcasts of that era, and the phrase became an iconic part of Superman lore when the TV series starring George Reeves began airing in the 50s.

6. Superman’s a time traveller.

As a kid in high school, Clark was visited by the Legion of Super-Heroes, super-powered teens from the 30th century who had been inspired by his legend. Seeing he was desperate for a chance to hang out with kids who were more like him, the Legion regularly brought Clark into the far future to join them in adventures. Whenever Clark returned home, part of his memories were clouded so he couldn’t alter his own future. These trips with the LSH helped Superman learn to become a hero and are part of the reason he maintains an optimistic view of the human race. He believes we’re worth it because he’s seen what we achieve 1,000 years from now.

7. He wasn’t always able to fly.

When Superman first appeared in 1938, the comic said that he was incredibly strong, could withstand anything less than a bursting shell from a tank, and was able to leap 1/8th of a mile. And that was it! His ability to fly first showed up in the radio series and his original cartoons. In the comics, he officially gained the ability to fly in 1941, nearly two years after his first story. In the years since his creation, he's been given new abilities and had some later taken away. Nowadays, his arsenal includes heat-vision, incredible strength/stamina, enhanced senses, X-Ray vision, arctic breath, super-speed, increased healing, near-complete body/muscle control, and a skin-tight force-field that makes him invulnerable to most forms of harm.

8. He didn’t always date Lois Lane.

Reporter Lois Lane is his wife, but she wasn’t the first one to capture Superman' attention and heart. In high school, Clark had deep feelings for his best friend Lana Lang, who was also the first person outside of his foster parents to learn about his strange powers. As a teen, Clark also had a crush on Saturn Girl, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. In college, he seriously dated a girl named Lori Lemaris, who turned out to be a mermaid from Atlantis. During a time travel adventure to Krypton’s past, Superman became involved with Lyla Lerrol, a famous Kryptonian actress. And for a while, Superman had a crush on Wonder Woman (hey, who wouldn’t?).

9. Batman owns Superman.

Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you’d be surprised how much Bruce Wayne is a part of Clark’s life. Bruce owns the building that Clark and Lois live in and, in fact, gave them their apartment as a wedding gift. And some years ago when it needed a new financial backer, Wayne Enterprises bought the Daily Planet newspaper, where Lois and Clark both work.

10. Kryptonite isn’t his only weakness.

Superman has faced many alien and superhuman enemies whose strength rival his own and whom have been able to injure him. Since he draws his power from our yellow sun, standing in the light of a red sun (such as the one Krypton orbited) immediately robs Superman of his powers, leaving him vulnerable to fists and bullets like anyone else. Clark also lives in a world where magic is real and simply being an alien offers no special protection against most sorcery. In fact, the chaotic energies of magic disrupt his force-field, meaning demons, vampires and werewolves can draw blood if Superman lets them get close enough.

That's Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing

Marco “Superman” Zorzin has soared into the new Guinness World Records Blockbusters! 2017 book with his record breaking superhero collection with a total of 1,518 Man of Steel-related items.

Random Joke of the Day

"I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money"

Bargain Book

Have you got a kindle or e-book reader? Then as a gift from me you can now buy

my recent release, "Tales of the Unexpected" for the amazing low price of £1.99 (cheaper than a cup

of coffee) 

CHECK OUT THE 5 STAR REVIEWS -

B Silver
5.0 out of 5 stars

Great diverse short stories
28 October 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Love this writer I bought his previous books and in my opinion this is the best so far. The stories are much more diverse than the others. For a book of short stories there are a lot there, great to pop in and read as and when you want to. Read mine on the train, I laughed out loud at one point making my fellow passengers jump out of their seats. Recommended read....

Here is a link to this book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Unexpected-Neville-Raper/dp/1687345600/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2P92XWFWDSVPV&keywords=neville+raper&qid=1643901973&sprefix=neville+raper%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-2

Subscribe - Like what you see ? want more content ? Hit the subscribe button.

e-mail - neville.raper@yahoo.co.uk