Latest Articles from The Vandal AKA Derek Haines

A Head For Science Fiction

Science fiction fact. Not as much fun. When reality exits the pages of a book or falls from the silver screen, and lobs into the lap of reality, somehow the magic of science fiction is lost. Especially when it is over my breakfast. In a severe blow to fantasy, an Italian doctor from Turin, Sergio Canavero, is in the midst of making plans to conduct the world’s first head transplant within two years. As I read the article in The Guardian (of course), over my bowl of Fruit Loops, my disappointment was replaced by a head full of crazy ideas. Yes, my head that is. The first that hit was a

Easy Prefixes

Inside is the opposite of outside. Logically. So, the opposite of hangover must be hangunder then? And is the positive of disappointed, appointed? The ‘un’ and ‘um’ prefixes are easier though. Simply a matter of sound, phonetics and clear logic. An umbrella can’t be an The ‘un’ and ‘um’ prefixes are easier though. Simply a matter of sound, phonetics and clear logic. An umbrella can’t be an unbrella now, can it? And umbridge is not a hesitation in crossing a river. It does get a bit trickier though with some of these incomprehensible prefixes and suffixes that sound so simple. Less is naturally the antonym of more. So if one is unfortunate

Overcome Writer’s Block – The Joy Of Writing

How to overcome writer’s block As I know many Vandal readers are writers, I know they will understand when I say that there are times when the words just get stuck. Some call it writer’s block, but it’s only a moment in a story when your ideas dry up or you feel that the story is drifting. While there is a vast depository of information and ideas on this topic, I didn’t think it should dissuade me from offering my helpful little tips. When these wordless moments hit me, I resort to some of the following tactics to help me get going again. They usually work. Make a sudden noise.

10 Ways To Become Popular On The Net

Do you want to be popular? Everyone wants to be liked and be popular with a wide range of friends and acquaintances, so naturally this sense of self-worth must extend to your life on the internet. As we all spend far less time face to face with our friends now, and far more time sat on our collective backsides clicking and clacking away as we seek information, interaction and infamy perhaps, we really need to focus our attention on our internet image. So you can forget about dressing well, showering regularly and using an expensive deodorant. Forget about combing your hair and brushing your teeth twice a day. Perhaps you