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Mike Brightman's bio
Started in Law then Local Government, Civil Service, Business World then had a massive breakdown - eyes opened and spent the last 16 years in the Charity World full time and now semi-retired volunteering for Windsor Hill Wood, Shepton Mallet and part time "work" at the Bishop's Palace Wells, amongst other activities. Avid book reader, humourist, poet; written and published under different names poems and articles. First ebook published in August - "The Mystery Factor" = a fast paced feelgood mystery/love story with Mafia connections set on the mythical Greek Island of Scythia - based on beautiful Spetses. Written the second and seeking publishers = "The Cock Never Crows" - a wild romp where laughter is compulsory (!) - around Gestonbury - based on Glastonbury in Somerset only not as you know it. -
Mike Brightman's latest comments
ViewDate:
20th Nov 2015
Mike Brightman commented on:
Mobile PhonesVodafone is great provider I am able to gain a signal abroad when others in the family fail. I do not get on with smart phones. Had one for a week and that was 8 days too long. Retreated to a Doro with radio etc - just great. I can even see all the numbers and letters without my glasses. Like all things depends on what you want from a phone/iphone etc I want simple and not a 101 uses - 99 of which I will hardly ever, if ever, use. I use twitter via my trusty laptop and take pics on my camera then transfer via laptop to my twitter account. Only used latter since early in year and have found it far more interesting than I would have imagined = another debate! (Twitter account - @MikeBrightman - great to hear from you anytime)ViewDate:
20th Nov 2015 Mike Brightman commented on:
Win a Stylo Record Player to play your vinyls!I have a box full of LP's from sixties and early seventies - it would be great to hear them again with friends of like minds! Great idea!ViewDate:
10th Jan 2015 Mike Brightman commented on:
Would you consider cashing in your pension for a lump sum?How about the government bringing out a fail safe system where pensions can be topped up and awarded a guaranteed interest rate - not thrown out to the "free markets" where collapse and loss of all savings are not unknown! I know several people where this has happened in the past. And who do we trust? What sounds like a great idea to live for toady, recklessly, could turn out into a nightmare - I know what financial near disaster is like from the long distant past, thank God, and have helped people via Charity work who struggle to make ends meet by seeking grants, benefits not claimed etc - I'm a great one for having fun but don't let's go too wild - tempting though it is!!!! - Sorry to be a misery! (Michael Brightman author Mystery Factor ebook)ViewDate:
1st Dec 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Silversurfers Book Club Summer 2014Hi. Robert Harris is a great writer and I have read all his books to date including An Officer and A Spy - what an amazing account of the Dreyfus case in novel form. First page and he has you hooked - Try Imperium and Pompeii too. I too am an avid reader - with wide tastes - so from the list above I am drawn to Lucy Clarke's A Single Breath - a new author to me and I love the joy of new discoveries! Oh, and currently reading Michael Cox's first novel - former editor of Oxford University Press - an expert on the Victorian period - a modern day Dickens writing a thriller with twists and turns galore. Just an amazingly good book and it is called "high brow" by Giles Foden, Guardian - don't be put off - I wasn't! and haven't regretted it.oh and previous book (stop me ! Sorry) was Alias Grace - based in the most enigmatic and notorious woman of 1840's in Toronto by the great Margaret Atwood. (Author of the Mystery Factor ebook - wach out for The Cock Never Crows - hopefully out in mid 2015.)ViewDate:
26th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Did you marry the right person first time round?40th Anniversary in July 2014 and Ruthy still puts up with me. Yes it has had its ups and downs - and we had to work on living together. But from the moment we met we never stopped talking - and we both have many interests in common. It is not all fun and frolics (!) - but it is worth it. Something about when the going gets tough the tough get going - as long as it's not straight out the door and never to return! Good luck to all newlyweds. I got very lucky indeed! (Michael Brightman The Mystery Factor ebook)ViewDate:
20th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Speakers Corner CommentsWhen I was younger this type of "Russian Roulette" would have been normal. Now, absolutely not. Like others I did it once - a senior moment and I Forgot! But why is it as soon as it is too late to do anything about it one remembers. Two days before the end of a wonderful holiday in Puglia, Italy I remembered. Never mind about stories of the Mafia - I imagined every type of catastrophe happening to us! (Wife and nervous wreck me) Unfortunately I didn't lose any weight in the process - even though food consumption reduced. Perhaps "someone" was trying to tell me something. Never done it sinc; tempting though it is, Jock, don't risk it.ViewDate:
18th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Should it be illegal to leave a child home alone under 12 years old?I agree with Kaye.ViewDate:
18th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
What are your views on organ donation?Thanks to blood donors and a massive transfusion some years ago I am still here. I also have an excellent GP and the previous one along with the local support team have been marvellous in many ways to myself and my wonderful wife. Musgrove Hospital, Taunton and the surgeons were brilliant re. the better half's breast cancer - clear now; and follow up monitoring = excellent. So we have no problem in passing on whatever bits might still be of use! Don't worry, please. Imagine it might be one of your family who benefits - no pressure - just a thought.ViewDate:
18th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Has The Archers had its day?Definitely lost its way. It seems to have the change for changes sake disease. It's as if the "bull in the China shop" approach has been implemented. A more subtle and sensitive (they may need to look up the word in the dictionary) approach is needed. I agree with those who say the characters are losing their identity and its a pity as in the main they are a great team. I haven't given up entirely but it may come.ViewDate:
18th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Marmite … Do you Love it or Hate it?I neither like nor loathe it - I enjoy it from time to time! Just a stupid advertising gimmick. What would be more fun would be to see/hear how different people use Marmite - the more unusual the more entertaining - I like Marmite, peanut butter and tomato in home made wholemeal bread - which I make - or how about half a spoon in the stock in a curry - oh I could go on. But I'd love to hear what other people create!ViewDate:
18th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Should GP's be incentivised to diagnose Dementia?This is ridiculous - and who thought up the actual amount anyway - was this a Friday afternoon after liquid lunch idea? Come on now. And what an insult to Doctors. It assumes that they i.e 100 per cent of, are not doing their job properly in the firts case. We all know that there are good and not so good GP's but in the main we get a very good service from our GP's and I speak of having experienced some good and bad in London - one saved my life. And some excellent ones in the South West - along with one surgery in North Somerset I wouldn't send my worst enemy to!ViewDate:
11th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Silversurfers NewsletterI have had a few problems with my emails recently - bring back the carrier pigeon and quill pen - so I seem to have missed or lost a newsletter. I enjoy them so it would be great if you would be kind enough to send what is probably another - have logged in again - OK, so I forgot my login details too - but all seems well now. Your site is so much easier than many to navigate - I love the idea of being on a ship and navigating the web - wonder what Sir Francis Drake would make of it all?ViewDate:
11th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Win one of 5 copies of the brand new CD Sounds of the 80s!Reminds me of the time when I first saw the Pantheon, Bernini's Appollo and Daphne at my favourite gallery, the Borghese (have been many times since!), St Peter's, The Trevi - so romantic; well Idid have my beautiful wife of 6 years with me then-, and just walking round Rome discovering the most amazing restaurant where a jazz trio were playing - never found since - oh, and so much more. Rome is definitely one of the VERY greatest cities ever. We have been going to Italy ever since on and off. The music of the 80's just takes me back to that first magical encounter. Rome is so alive and seductive - for all ages.ViewDate:
11th Nov 2014 Mike Brightman commented on:
Enter our Prize Draw to win a Halogen Table Light from Serious Readers!Really like the variety of items covered and the positive approach to age. -
Mike Brightman's latest showcase activity
Approved1 Comments10/07/2015 10:17:05poems: A Magical BirthdayJust one of many poems I have written to my wonderful wife, Ruthy, over the years. Poetry to many...
Approved0 Comments14/11/2014 18:37:06short stories: Palacio da PenaA spectacular palace that was a home for royals; in Portugal, close to Lisbon home of the... -
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