About Draliman
I’m a computer programmer based in Cornwall, and a physicist by training. Exciting, no?
But don’t write me off straight away. Read my blogs, then write me off!
Here are some posts which contain more information about me.
- An interview conducted between myself and, okay, myself! More “jokey” than containing any serious information.
- Some questions I answered via an award nomination
- Some more questions I answered – a bit more seriously than the previous post
I was brought up in Cornwall (UK) and I’m living in Cornwall again, but in between I’ve lived in Surrey, Hampshire, Stuttgart (Germany) and Cork (Ireland). All amazing places to live!
I started this blog as a place to inflict my “life musings” on the world at large, but I quickly ran out of those. It now contains a mix of musings, flash fiction, largely rubbish poems, humour, photos, doodles (“DraliDoodles”!) and even a cartoon or two!
I hope you enjoy clicking around – the Stargate “random post selector” (image courtesy of the wonderful Rarasaur) is a good place to start!
Speak to me - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Click for a random post!
Woohoo!
I totally didn't win!
Share Your World
Friday Fictioneers
draliman on life 
If you have to be a computer programmer ANYWHERE then Cornwall is way better than most places for sure
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Yeah, it is pretty nice down here.
To be fair, programming is a great job (if you like that sort of thing). Then I guess, anything is pretty great job if you enjoy what you’re doing!
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I’ve just nominated you for an award! Go check it out http://wp.me/pN3Y2-4U!
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Wow, thanks – that’s so kind of you! I shall put together my post (along with the required facts about myself of course!) if not today (working all day and busy evening), then tomorrow for sure!
Thanks again!
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Hey, try look at mine:
http://limseemin.wordpress.com/
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Hey, I did look at yours! Looks quite cool, I’ll take a longer look when I’m not at work…
Thanks for dropping by!
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Feel free to follow me,, Haha 🙂
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Right back at ya 🙂
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I received a Versatile Blogger award & in passing it on, have just nominated your blog. You can view it here: http://khanasweb.com/2013/06/10/the-versatile-blogger-award/ . I hope you accept but if you don’t like awards or just don’t have time for them don’t worry, I understand
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Thanks – I accept 🙂 and popped a comment on your award post to say thanks. I shall put something together in the next few days!
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Great, I’m really pleased. It’s a bit of work but fun. I changed it a bit so feel free to do the same. I don’t think anyone minds 🙂
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I have just received a WordPress Family Award & have nominated your blog. (Yes I know – Oh no not again lol) You can view it here: http://khanasweb.com/2013/06/22/the-wordpress-family-award/. This one is easy, you just need to nominate 10 folks who have been friendly. Thanks for your friendship & support 🙂
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I just saw that – thanks! This is one I’ve always wanted actually. I might have trouble finding 10 nominees but I’ll do my best 🙂
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I just looked through my list of followers & picked 10 people that I’d had some genuine interaction with recently. Thanks for responding 🙂
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Thank you for your encouraging comment you left me. WordPress thinks I want a blog and I can’t seem to find a way to tell them otherwise. I poked instead of clicked a button.
I will be a reader, observer and a fan to bloggers. There are so many talented bloggers that I feel privileged to be let in.
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That’s fair enough!
I always enjoy your comments on my posts and I’m the one who feels privileged that you choose to read my blog.
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The fact that you have a Stargate random post selector is enough to make me want to follow you. 😀
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I must admit to being quite the Stargate fan!
The lovely Rarasaur made a load of badges to use as random post selectors a few weeks back, free to use! Lots of people grabbed one 🙂
Having just located the post, I notice she’s since added Space 1999 and Red Dwarf – ah, the agony of choice!
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My boyfriend is an avid Stargate fan too. I am very new to it (but not uninterested!) How awesome! Ah yes, so many cool badges, how to choose?
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Good luck with the Stargate and the badge choice 🙂
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Thanks! 😀
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I am apologizing for continual misspelling’s on your site. I don’t know how they happen, has to be someone else’s fault. Not me!!
Sticking to that story.
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Blame the keyboard, I always do 🙂
What browser do you use? Chrome has a built-in spell check, I’d have millions of spelling mistakes if Chrome didn’t keep underlining them in red!
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I use Chrome on my computer but I have always used my iPhone. I do you … usually after I turn in for the night. Phone is right here.
Please let us know about your home purchase. Exciting time for you with hurdles and stories.
I checked out UK lack of trees … Stone Age. One source only, will read more later.
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I only occasionally use my phone – I can’t type so well on it! It’s Android though so it’s also Chrome!
The lack of trees/Stone Age thing actually rings a faint bell, something from school (oh so long ago).
As for the home purchase – boy am I scared! It would be easier if I wasn’t on my own. I finalised the mortgage details today and phoned a solicitor. Eek! I know there was something else I need to do… oh yes! Find a house!
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Not sure this note is ok, Astro Andy, PCT thru hiker 2012 ~~ passed away a few months ago. I’ve read about him on other thru hikers blogs with photos. He kept his condition quiet.
His mom also kept a blog up on his entire thru hike. Top of his class, Berkeley, Astro Physicist.
Thought you would be interested in him.
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Thanks, Google located his blog for me! I’ll check it out later (when I’m not at work!). Sounds like quite a guy.
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Hallo Draliman, I love Cornwall and I live near Stuttgart – funny…Liebe Grüße aus D-land Carmen
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Wow, it’s a small world!
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I’ve just copied one of your random post selectors. I’m not at all that clever with this sort of thing but managed it okay. Learnt a lot about widgets doing this. Thanks for the pointer.
I will look around your site.
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Rarasaur and her hubby made some great little pictures to use – they love their projects! Check her blog out if you haven’t already (http://rarasaur.wordpress.com/).
I also didn’t know anything about widgets so this was a good learning experience for me as well.
I hope you enjoy your visit!
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i just noticed the random post selector and think it is VERY cool! Ok i’m off to see where it takes me! 🙂
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Good luck!
Rarasaur and her hubbie put these images together for all to use (loads of designs). I think they’re offered on thequeencreative WP blog now (their joint blog).
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Dear Draliman,
We wish you and your family a brand new year full of love, health, wealth and happiness!!!
From the heart ❤
Yelloz & Family
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Thank you so much, and a very Happy New Year to you and your family too 🙂
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dear Draliman, I wish you you a fantastic new year, inspirating, and poetic…much love from Germany
Carmen
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Thank you Carmen, ich wuensche dir ein Gutes Neues Jahr!
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It’s that time again lol. I have just nominated your blog for The Liebster Award, which is an award that helps to draw attention to newer blogs with fewer than 200 followers. I know you have more but like me you’re borderline so it’s probably now or never for this one. It is an opportunity for those bloggers to make themselves & their blogs better known to the blogging community. You can find out more & read my nominations here …
http://khanasweb.com/2014/01/26/the-liebster-award/
Please feel free to decline but I will, of course, be very happy if you accept, mainly because I’m dying to read your answers to the questions I’ve posed 🙂
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Thanks – I just read your post before getting to my comments!
It will take me a while I think but I definitely want to give it a go. I have made a note of the page.
So many people don’t show their follower numbers (like me, at least I don’t think I do) – I suppose we can just make a guess based on likes and comments?
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I found the numbers in Reader. There’s a ‘Blogs I Follow’ link right at the top & if you click on ‘edit’ it shows the complete list of blogs. When you click on a blog it tells you the number of followers it has. I only found it yesterday, but it came in very handy 🙂
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So it does! That’s handy 🙂
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A Cornishman! My best friend of 43 years comes from Cornwall. She still gets homesick. Never, never call her English though 😀 I’m looking forward to reading more of your stories.
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I’m much the same. I’m British but not English (unless I’m really not in the mood to argue!). I hope you enjoy my stories!
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Ck out trentlewins writing blog.
You two write in a similar flow.
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Thanks, I just had a quick look and just from his home page it looks like I will enjoy his blog. I’ll take a proper look later!
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A 10 part miniseries of GracePoint will be airing here soon. The man who starred in the UK version is also playing the lead here.
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I heard about that, and that David “Dr Who” Tennant would be in it. I never actually watched Broadchurch but I think it was quite good, so I’ll have to give it a go.
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Alistair I’m proud to be associated with if only by marriage. I wished we lived nearer so your Uncle & Auntie could get to know you better. My favourite colour is green for many of the same reasons you have listed when naming yours. xx
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Thanks, Auntie Bridget! We are all pretty spread out, aren’t we?
I’ve actually been thinking about a little trip to the South East sometime in the first half of next year to visit you guys and my friends in Essex. It’s been far too long since I saw everyone. xx
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I just saw a ad or trailer for a show premiering next week called Trip Flip hosted by Richard Taylor, “Adventure to Middle Earth” It’s filmed in New Zealand at the Hobbit amusement park.
Its in the Travel Channel.
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That sounds really cool! I don’t think I get the Travel Channel, though. I’ll have to look, it’s probably only on satellite or cable.
But thanks for thinking of me and my Hobbit obsession 🙂
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Check out –
http://blog.travelchannel.com/the-traveling-type/2014/12/08/on-location-filming-trip-flips-the-hobbit-special-in-new-zealand/
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Thanks, I’ll take a look.
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Hello Ali. I’ve just tagged you on my post, Love in Four Words. You may well groan as loudly as I did at being nominated to participate, but I had a (feeble) go. I’m sure you’ll manage better than I did. Some male input would be good on this, I think. 🙂
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Oh crumbles.
I’ll need to get my thinking cap on 🙂
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It’s funny you shoud say that, Ali – it’s exactly what I said to Rachael, who nominated me! (Minus the ‘Oh crumbs.’) I’m so glad you’ve accepted. Male imput is definitely needed here! 🙂
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Hello! I have nominated you to take part in the Liebster Award! https://fsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/liebster-award-2/
Hope you accept.
Francesca.
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Thanks 🙂
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Hey there Draliman! I’m doing a project where I’m following ten exciting, fresh, and interesting bloggers each day for the month of March 2015, and you’re today’s #2! Feel free to come visit me when you can at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com, and follow if you like what you read. Have a good one!
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I’ll pop on over and take a look!
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Hi draliman – I always enjoy reading your stories and would love to know more about your writing, so I have nominated you for the Blog Tour Award. You answer four questions where get to tell everyone about what you’re writing and your writing process. Here’s the post – if you would like to join the tour! Az.
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Thanks for inviting me! I might give it a go but it would be pretty embarrassing. I’m not really working on anything (too lazy) and I generally write my flash fictions while watching soap operas 🙂
I’ll have a think! I’ve bookmarked your post.
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aw come on don’t be so modest.. you’re a great writer! 🙂
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🙂
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For the past week on ABC there’s a show called “500 questions.”
It’s Phd’s and assorted genius’s
competing against the clock & other smart ppl for a million dollars. They often know each other.
It’s on for a few weeks, any of your friends??
patti
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I doubt it! I’m not sure I know anybody in America apart from my blog buddies and none of them has said they’re taking part. I know a couple of really smart people in this country who could probably take part, though 🙂 Not me, though. My general knowledge is complete pants.
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Ok, you might enjoy watching if you can find it.
It is interesting. The last man lost on Rock and Roll hits.
pp
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I’ll keep a watch out for it!
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Just to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Real Neat Blog Award. Hope you can accept, but will understand perfectly if you must decline. Millie 🙂
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Thanks, I’ll take a look as soon as have a spare minute 🙂
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Hello!
I have nominated you for the Real Neat Blog Award.
https://fsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/apparently-i-have-a-real-neat-blog/
Francesca.
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Thanks! Sorry, your comment got caught in the spam. The spam filter acts weird sometimes 🙂
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That’s okay!
It is funny how it works sometimes.
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Are you interested in doing 3 Days, 3 quotes challenge? 🙂
Here is a link
https://valiantwarrior.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/3-days-3-quotes-day-2/
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Hello!
I have nominated you for the Brotherhood of the World Award. I hope you accept.
https://fsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/brotherhood-of-the-world-award/
Happy blogging!
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Thanks, I’ll take a look 🙂
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Thank you for liking “Bathsheba.” I hope you consider sponsoring the poem at the Tupelo Press 30/30 poetry fundraiser at https://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/. Every little bit helps! Thank you for your time and attention! 🙂
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Wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award – see my post at https://talesofeneana.wordpress.com/2015/09/15/blog-award-time/. I know not everyone participates in blogging awards, but I wanted to give you a big fat gold star, even if you decide not to accept the award.
Cheers!
Joy
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Thanks! I have a few waiting in the wings now that I should really take a look at 🙂
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Ali, there’s something wrong with your latest post for MFtS. The link in the notification email is broken, and you can only get to it from your home page, but there’s no way to leave a comment.
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Thanks, someone else mentioned that as well. I think WP must have had some sort of glitch, all I did was click “publish”! Not a lot I can do about the notification emails 😦 I’ve often had emails from other people where the link didn’t work.
I’ve had some comments on the post so that seems to be working for some people at least.
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Hello, am not sure but I think something’s wrong with the last post. I can’t leave a comment on it, great story too.
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Hi, that’s weird. This has happened before :-(. It works fine for me in Chrome, Edge and on my mobile. Last time it cleared itself up by the next day. Fingers crossed and thanks for letting me know! I’m glad you enjoyed it anyway! I’ll pop a note on it in case anyone else is having problems.
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OK 🙂
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It might be fixed – someone else has left a comment! Actually at the same time all the gravatars in my email notifications changed to broken links. I think maybe gravatar had an issue which prevented the page from completely loading.
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It’s sorted now. 🙂
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You are nominated for the ‘Epic Awesomness Award’. (https://adivir.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/the-epic-awesomness-award/) I just want you to know that you are awesome and this is my way to letting you know that. I will be happy if you will accept this and if not, absolutely fine with me. Stay blessed!
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Thank you! Sorry about the late reply – for some reason your comment fell into my spam 😦
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Atleast it reached you… Looking forward to reading your answer. And your posts are all awesome!
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Thanks 🙂
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I just wanted to wish you an early Happy New Year. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement this past year. May you find renewed fulfillments in your blogs this New Year and may your blogging families ever increase. Blessings. Roger
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Thanks, Roger, and a Happy New Year to you too! I hope 2016 goes well for you.
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Hi Ali! I wanted to let you know that I’ve just nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! Even if you don’t have time to do the award now (or ever), please accept my appreciation for all your wonderful blogging efforts! By the time you get through with all these posts and awards asking you facts about yourself, you’ll have enough for your memoirs!
https://talesofeneana.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/one-lovely-blog-award/
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Thanks, it’s lovely to be nominated! I have a few in my to-do list now 🙂
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Hey Draliman. Didn’t know you were also a computer programmer 😉 I’m nominating you for the One Lovely Blog Award! I know it takes some time to write these up but if you’re interested, check the link below and keep the great ideas flowing!
https://snapshotvignettes.wordpress.com/about/awards/award1/
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Thanks for the nomination!
I actually do more reviewing of other people’s code these days, but still… 🙂
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homepage on computer is bbc news where i just read of bad storm katie. hope you’re not in its path. thinking of you
ellespeth
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I think we’re supposed to get just the tail end of it – it sounded pretty wet and windy last night but this morning it’s very calm. Maybe it just clipped us. I just checked BBC News and it appears to have hit the South East pretty bad but fortunately that’s a long way from here.
Thank you 🙂
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A programmer and physicist! Wow, what an awesome combo!
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I’m guessing if you were to ask people for a list of the world’s most boring professions… 🙂
I did a lot of programming during my PhD so it wasn’t too much of a leap.
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Cornwall is one of those places I’ve always wanted to see! Im discovering there are quite a few physicist poets out there…and naturally that leads me to wonder if all that computing doesn’t stimulate the opposite side of the mind? 😉
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There’s a lot of lovely scenery down here!
I’ve often wondered how I like writing stuff even after all that science training 🙂
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the mind needs a creative outlet 😉
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🙂
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Hey, here’s a fun one you might like, Ali. “FLASH FICTION CHALLENGE: If you could go anywhere in time, where would you go?” It’s at Dan Alatorre’s blog; I’m not sure if you follow him or not (https://danalatorre.com/2016/09/30/if-you-could-go-anywhere-in-time-where-would-you-go/). Hope you are having a great Friday!
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Thanks, I’m aware of his blog but am not a regular reader. I’ll take a look!
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You’re like the man I wanted to become when I wanted to grow up 😮 A computer specialist and physicist combo 😮 That’s amazing man !
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Is there no end to my skillz 😉
I actually always fancied going to medical school like you, but I’d be useless – if it takes me 10 minutes to decide on which brand of margarine to buy I don’t fancy my chances (or the patient’s) in a trauma situation 😦
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Hahaha you da man 😉
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🙂
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And while I’m here, I guess I’ll check out your About page I had failed to notice in…… what’s it been, about four years now? Very cleverly hidden!
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I cunningly hid it behind a link called “About Draliman…” 🙂
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Hi Draliman,
I found out about you from your FF stories. Love reading your stories and your comments on my wife’s stories (she is the writer, I am the engineer – meaning I can change a light bulb, ha). We live in Lenexa, KS, USA. Anyway, I like your stories. They are always great. Keep up the great writing.
Mike
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Hi Mike,
I’m glad you’re enjoying my stories! Last time you left a comment I clicked on your blog link and saw that you’re Nan’s husband. We’ve both been Friday Fictioneering for quite a few years now!
I’m a physicist by training so can change a light bulb – in theory 🙂
Ali
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glad to connect – I like your writing style.
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I like yours too. Pegman – bringing people together since 2017.
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ha – that was fun to read…
and my hubs was peeking at some of my recent posts and then he looked at some comments (he always has fun with some of the blog handles people have) and he said (from my Pegman post) “Draliman commented…” and I added – “I LIKE that guy’s writing a lot…”
just wanted to share that
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Thanks for sharing that, it’s lovely to hear 🙂
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I am no longer getting your blogs in my email? I have ‘rejected” your blog an even signed up for it again. Do you have a quick geeky answer?
I am now back on planet Earth! I retired as of March 1st… and life is sorta stabilizing.
I hope to be back with my blog on a daily basis and with the Challenge as well.
Hope you are doing well. I saw your picture of snow. We have only ha snow here ONCE this year… I think? We usually receive five or six nice three inch plus snow falls. IT calls for one tonight, but it might not hit this area. I live at a mountain range- so it is often hit or miss.
I think I still get your blog in my Reader- but I have never really used it as a Reader…. I read my emails?
Hope to seeing you more in blog-world.
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I don’t use the Reader as a reader either, I use my email too. But if you go to the reader from your dashboard and click “Followed Sites – Manage” and find me you can click on “Settings” next to it and see if you’re supposed to be getting email notifications.
I did see your follow come into my email.
I’m glad everything is stabilising for you!
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Thanks… I might have fixed it? I don’t know how it would have changed, but I have been away from the blog for a while…
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Weird things happen from time to time on WordPress!
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I seem to be reconnected! Thanks!!
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Great!
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It would be fun knowing you! You have a lovely blog
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Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying looking around!
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https://abbeyisnotnormal.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/theres-a-woman-screaming-in-my-neighborhood-so-come-read-my-blog/
(It’s Mer.)
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Yay, good to see you again, “Abbey” 🙂 I have followed!
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🙂 Thank you!
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I am from cork, in Ireland! Where abouts in cork did you live? In the city or county? I hope you enjoyed it here!
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I was three years just off Glasheen Road near the Wilton Shopping Centre and one year in Cobh, working at The Tyndall Institute at Lee Maltings (which was NMRC when I was there). I had a great time 🙂
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I’m also in the city, I know where wilderness, I also like Cobh it’s a nice little town 🙂
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Hi. Just found your site and trolled around in it for awhile and gotta say I like the quirky vibe. Strange to say, but your humor and diversity of topics reminds me of me. I’ll be following.
You might want to check out my website at http://www.boblorentson.com to see for yourself. I’ve got my first book coming out soon, called Hold the Apocalypse – Pass Me a Scientist Please, and there are some sample essays there, along with other stuff.
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Glad you liked my blog, I’ll check yours out!
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