A book idea - Fiction is a lot harder to write than non-fiction

Just a few ideas at the moment

I'm thinking I would like to write a fictional book. The thing is, to do so, I have discovered you need more of a creative side. You see, writing non-fiction, although not entirely easy, at least that shit has happened to you, so you have an idea of your memories and recollections. Then it's just a cassette of how you would like to present your book. Dark, humorous, serious, embarrassing, inspirational, suspenseful, historical, brutal, violent, and I could go on and on. I suppose everything that gets put in is based on a real-life experience, and all you have to do is kind of narrate your story.

My self-published book Lost2bFound, you can find it at Amazon

I got a lovely review of Lost2bFound, for example from someone on Librarything, which reads,

"When I started this book, I was struck right away by the wandering narration. I immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was going to be a struggle to get through. What I found instead was that it was a pleasant as sitting down for a chat with someone you haven't met before and sharing your stories. Rather than being frustrating or confusing, it was quite enjoyable. This is probably going to be one of the very rare books that I read again."    

I would agree as a first time, and I am not sure I can really call myself an "author" because I found it difficult trying to get what I wanted to say down in an organised fashion. I  mean, I am the same in every day-to-day life, all over the place, jumping from tangent to tangent, never mind trying to make sense of how to format a book.

The previous review, I guess, is a testament to that; however, the reader, instead of giving up on my book, carried on and appeared to enjoy it. I do have to say it is written very much as if I were sharing a story with someone just across the way or on one of my chance meetings whilst I am out on my bike.

And so to my latest attempt and thoughts. Well, I am not going to give too much away, just in case it is a fail, and I don't get round to finishing it, or get writer's block, as you see, I don't have the full story in my head yet. I tend to think as I write, and sometimes things will come to me, so I jot them down for use later on. Bedtime,  find my mind never, ever turns off, so things can sometimes just pop into my head, and I end up having to get up, turn my bedroom light on and start trying to recall "What was that thought again?"

So the premise of my story, I suppose, will have been done many times over in different ways. Basically, it is about a guy who takes ill (Yes, I have my main character's name), and he ends up being somewhat tricked into selling his soul to the devil. 

I'm thinking somewhere in my story, but haven't yet decided, there may be either an English Bull Terrier or a Border Terrier, a bit like Wor Nev. I have names picked for each of the dogs.

The theme of the book is a mix of dark forbidding, supernatural evil, humour, resilience, suspense and redemption.

I have had to do a lot more research, even at the beginning of writing, to try and tie things in so that they come across as realistic, thinking that if I get it wrong, some eagle-eyed reader will pounce on the fact.

An area I am struggling with is not wanting my main character to become like some superhuman or a serial killer in doing the devil's work. So I am trying to think of a way he can regain his soul, or at least go out fighting.

Oh, and within the story is an old dark guitar, a pocket watch and like I say, a dog of which breed I will decide, depending on which way I go. And that is about all I have at the moment. Well, apart from I did have another plot twist, but I ma not convinced I like it. Apologies for all the mystery. The twist I am talking about may make the story humorous, you see, and take it off in a completely different direction, even though I think if I were creative enough, it would work, and as far as I am aware, it hasn't been really done before.

Title? "Mmmmm," still thinking on that one.

A little song I wrote called Nettles and Thorns.

 

Nettles and Thorns

I've been strumming away on my guitar, and wrote this short song based on my experiences of riding my bike locally around Stanley and getting nettled and stuck with thorns... Well when I am riding.

Just awaiting to go for antibody treatment to try and help with this auto immune thing, and Ulcerative Colitis.

Anyhoo the song is called "Nettles and Thorns". I kind of composed it with like a Southern lick. I'm still not really getting anywhere on my guitar, but hey at least I haven't quit.

Hope "ya'all like it"...see what I did there put me Southern US accent on Lol

 Nettles and thorns by Glenn Johnstone

 

Nettles and Thorns, nettles and thorns

 

Feel the sting as the poisons injected in

 

Silica tipped hairs injecting their chemicals 

Nettles and thorn, nettles and thorns

Whiny bush your no friend, you have assaulted me 

Feeling my skin pierced and scratched now Im bleeding

Nettles and thorns, nettles and thorns

Now I'm itching burning bleeding all upon all upon this nightmare trail.

Kind of goes to a beat which is hard to describe

Do, doo, do , do - Do, do,do, do then a bit of Do, doo, doo, do, do 

You had to be there ha, ha LOL 

Gaurdian Designs - Just sitting in the house going broom broom

 It must be about 6 weeks ago that I decided to treat my wee Abarth 124 Spider to a new, and I suppose some would call expensive and not needed, steering wheel. You see, I got my eye on a company called Guardian Designs, who are based in Poland and loved the look of the steering wheels they offered.

Guardian Designs Steering Wheel Abarth 124 Spider

 The wheels can be customised, and all you have to do is select the style of steering wheel that you would like, then go through the process of making it your own. There are lots of options from different materials like nappa leather, perforated nappa leather, alcantera, etc. Then there is thickness, grips, colours, and the list goes on.

I chose a Corsa D design, which has a flat bottom, and specced the wheel up with a chunkier size, opting for the GT at 120mm, alongside thumb rests. I also went for Sports Ferrari red stitching with a red Ferrari Noon marker, and the wheel is done in black Nappa leather in a seamless Pagani style.

Oh, and I also requested that the steering wheel spokes be painted a silk black, which came at an extra cost, but in my opinion was well worth it.

  

Beautiful stitching and finish

I know the design will not be to everyone's taste. I wanted something that looked pretty minimalist, so that is why I didn't go full on bling, with various materials and colours.

The black fins of the spokes makes a huge difference

Checking the steering wheel out, the finish is amazing. The one piece of leather wrapping the wheel is perfect, and the stitching looks fantastic. The wheel does feel a lot fatter than my original, so it is going to take some getting used to. Hard to tell at the moment how it will feel on the car, as I am waiting to get someone to fit it. So at the moment I have just sat on the sofa and pretended to drive my car, holding the wheel, obviously making the necessary "Broom Broom" noises of my Abarth.

Just a little more info. As mentioned, the steering wheel took about 6 weeks to arrive. I didn't have to send in my own wheel. The time frame is so that all the custom work can be carried out. Communication with Tomaz over at Guardian Designs was excellent; he answered all my queries, and I paid by PayPal with no problems for the extra work and the painting of the spokes.  I was kept updated on the expected delivery of the package coming via FedEx, and when it arrived, it was very well boxed up, with protective foam and a cover over the wheel.  Basically, all that is required is the old wheel to be removed and the new one plugged in and positioned and tightened into place. I have been advised as the splines are so fine on the steering wheel that I will need my car aligned.    

Boxed up well

Wheel is protected with a cover

Foam on the wheel rim to prevent it getting damaged

  Once I get the steering wheel in place, I shall post some more pictures and be able to offer my thoughts if I have made the correct choice in getting the thicker rim.

Oh, and I thought I would also mention something else to do with my Abarth. After having her serviced, the mechanic mentioned some of the suspension bushes were wearing and could do with being replaced. I wasn't expecting the shock I got when I started researching just how many of these bushes there were, and just how much the job would cost.

So after having my car down to Mazda Dudes at Darlington (The Abarth is on the same design as a Mazda ND, and these guys know their stuff) and discussing the options, I came home and started looking into replacing all of the bushes, both front and rear. Initially, trying to find a complete kit was a bit of a ballache. Fiat/Abarth, from what I hear, tries to tell you that the bushes in the rear hubs cannot be replaced, and reading on forums, some people have been quoted absolutely astronomical prices to replace the hubs with new ones, something in the region of £2500, then the labour to fit them.

Example of Poly Bushes

Anyhoo, I have discovered a company called Polybush.co.uk, and they appear to have front and rear Poly Bush kits. The price is just a shade of £850 for both kits, and then of course I will have to sort the fitting out, hopefully with Mazda Dudes. As I intend to keep my wee Abarth, I figure it's money well spent. Now, just need to save up a bit more, wonga.

It's nothing but bad news!

Fuck it... It's nothing but bad news, so I decided to write.

Probably doesn't make much sense, and there are no pictures, so I'm guessing not many people will read it anyhoo lol

No Cure

A cure for cancer, scientists and drug manufacturers are working hard, but what of a cure for humanity, as humans are the real cancer of this world?

Humans are the only species that kill just for fun. Using numerous pure evil ways to get things done

The only species to kill every single living thing, and when they are done, they kill their own.

It doesn't matter if you're black, white or some other colour, this species you can trust.

It doesn't matter your political, religious or spiritual views, or what you choose, as you have no defence.

You see, humans can't make their minds up; they have so many skewed and distorted views.

No peaceful resolutions, it's all greed, power and ego as they hate to lose.

You can't please everyone, and so you become public enemy number one.

Thinking you're safe, but you're not prepared for evil opportunist souls to sneak up and take your life

Humans, in many cases, just aren't satisfied with killing one or two.

They design bigger weapons using physics, chemistry, and engineer their bombs.

Imagine a world with no war, hunger, or murder

As a species, we just all need to be laid to rest to allow the earth to flourish and return to its best.

More stuff I've bought over the last few months and not been able to use... As Yet, maybe next year!

As I remain off work, I do have to admit that, in a sense, I am not actually bored. I would say I am more numb. I guess in a way, I am having flashbacks to a previous time where I felt like I was in limbo. Man, I just feel like I am going nowhere and time is tick, tick ticking away.

A few months back, after buying yet another bike, I got it in my head, " Right, let's plan for some bivvying and biking adventures". So there I was buying various bits and bobs of new camping kit and whatnot.

Visiting Alpkit, I got myself a Kraku collapsible stove, which only weighs 45g and is tiny. Whilst I was on, I also bought two 100mg gas canisters.

Alpkit Kraku Stove

Tiny little stove

Got a couple of gas cylinders while I was on.

Next on my shopping list was a new tent, and after much research, and having learned my lessons from the past, I wanted something really light and pretty minimalist, so I opted for a one-man Lanshan 3FUL, plus. Bought some 3FUL carbon tent pegs. I just attempted to seal the tent a few weeks ago, and it ended up not going to plan. I later discovered that the tent doesn't like the sealant I bought, so I had to attempt to peel it all off. My new tent now doesn't look new at all, ahh well, live and learn, still will get some use if I ever get over this damn illness.

Lanshan 3FUL one-person Pro tent

Lanshan 3FUL one-person Pro tent

3Ful Carbon tent pegs, proper light these

3Ful Carbon tent pegs, proper light these

Oh, whilst I am on, I just thought of another purchase from Alpkit, I got a Vertex Tarp pole. You see, the Lanshan tent only requires one pole of about as I recall 125 cms to pitch it, so that again saves loads of weight.

Alpkit Vertes tarp pole

Alpkit Vertes carbon tarp pole - Very light

Next on the agenda, a couple of items I had been checking out for some time from a company named Aeroe, this was a Spider rear cradle which attaches to the rear triangle of a bike to carry gear, like in a dry bag, so a tent or sleeping bag, plus mat, etc, oh and a front handlebar Spider cradle.

Aeroe Spider rear cradle

Aeroe Spider rear cradle

Aeroe Spider Handlebar Cradle

Now, if I ever get myself pulled around and manage to get out... I mean, it's going to be next year now, I have got my eye on an Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy Bag. By all accounts, the majority of the reviews I have read say it's a pretty good bag for overnighters. 

Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy Bag

I will put it on the back burner for now as I await getting word when I will start this new treatment, which I am hoping will sort me right out, and then I can get back in shape and enjoy hitting the trails once again.

I'm obviously bored as I'm blogging about housework

I don't know if the majority of blokes are like me, in that I don't mind washing and cleaning my cars and pretty much take great pride in them; however, when it comes to doing housework, well, it's just not my thing.

It's possibly because I don't own my my own house and unconsciously think, "why should I clean up after other folk", or it may be just that I don't give a fuck, there are more important things to worry about. I mean, don't get me wrong, our house isn't exactly a shit tip, I would say it's more what you might call "Lived in".

Of course, if you were to check out each of the rooms my dad inhabits, you would see bits and pieces of all sorts, all arranged with a method of I'd like to say organised chaos, but basically it's just an untidy mess.

Anyhoo, on with my story. Years and years ago now, we replaced all of our carpets with engineered flooring. It was really expensive, however has proved well worth it, especially as we have had dogs, the latest of which is wor Neville. Neville has taken absolutely ages to house train. I don't think it's because he is stupid or even lazy. No, I think he just doesn't like going out and constantly wants to be at someone's side. 

If we leave the front door open all day, yes, even when it's freezing, Nev will toddle outside, have a wee or a dump, maybe dig a few holes or bark at anyone passing our fence. But if the door is closed, he doesn't give any indication he wants to go out, and will quite often, as not just piss on the floor, generally in the kitchen near our back door. That said, he does appear to be getting the idea, and all in all, he is a good little dog with a cracking personality.

And so this housework Malarkey. Getting down on my hands and shall we say knees to scrub the floor is both very tiring and uncomfortable. I have tried a mop and some floor cleaner, but again it's bloody hard work.

 

Aircraft PowerGlide cordless hard floor cleaner. 

 

I then got my eye on an electric floor cleaner, though I wasn't convinced it would work that well. Nevertheless, I read a few reviews and decided to take a punt and purchased one. Choosing an Aircraft PowerGlide cordless hard floor cleaner. 

Aircraft Powerglide Cordless

The cleaner came with a selection of pads, and once charged, I gave it a whirl. I attached the cleaning mops, which simply Velcroed in place, then popped some floor cleaner into the mop's fluid container and topped this up with water. A little push on the button on top of the mop base, and the mop heads fired up and began spinning. A press of the spray button and the mop didn't need much pushing back and forth to start cleaning the floor.

Aircraft Powerglide Cordless

I have to say the mop is pretty light, and it doesn't take a great deal of effort to get the job done. I think in hindsight, if I had put a few tubes on whilst I was carrying out the job, it would have made it an even more pleasurable task. I'm not saying I'm going to be cleaning every day, but I did find letting the mop do its stuff quite relaxing.

Our floor looked a lot cleaner. I asked the Ern to order some floor oil, it's like an oil as well as a protector, as our flooring is real wood and not just a laminate mix. So once it arrives, I will have a go at applying this with the polishing mops of the cleaner.

Dear me, now wasn't that an interesting and informative read?

Eighteen Years Later - Word of Warning Contains Graphic Images

It has been eighteen years to the day since I had my right leg amputated.

Kotz Prosthesis

Kotz Prosthesis

September 11th will no doubt bring back memories for lots of other people for a very different reason,  that being the Terrorist attacks in New York on the World Trade Centre and the Twin Towers 11/09/2021

For me, 2007 was to be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life. Having been diagnosed with a giant cell tumour in my right tibia, this was around the May of 1995. The tumour emerged about a month after I witnessed a horrific murder just down from my parents' house.

WORD OF WARNING CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES

Two birds with one stone

I am sure you know what I mean when I use the phrase "Two birds with one stone". I don't want anyone reporting me to the RSPB for bird cruelty, as I haven't been out hoying stones at birds.

No, I called this blog's title that because today's outing yielded more than one positive result. Firstly, I went out on my bike and am sure I covered around 24 miles. However, my Beeline Velo only recorded 5.9 miles, which I know is completely wrong, as I could tell by the map. Plus, I was exhausted and had only 15% battery left when I returned home.

Little cards I designed and had made up 

During the week, I had come up with a cunning and devious plan... "Muhahahahaa!". I had gone over to Instaprint and designed some business cards, well, not quite business cards, but you get the idea, the same shape and size. On one side, I put the front of my book design with a picture of little old me, and on the other, I just put where to find my book, my email and blog address. I figured that when I was out on my adventures, if I got chatting to anyone and if they appeared friendly and interested, I would mention my book and well promote it. So today I gave away a few cards, who knows, I may get a few sales and some much-needed reviews.

GOPro shots are pretty pants to be honest

The second positive was meeting some thoroughly nice people on my journey. Meeting nice folks kind of restores my faith in humanity. There is nothing quite like heading out for a ride and on the way having the opportunity to stop and chat to pleasant and friendly people. Today, I think I spoke to six people on the various trails I was on, I didn't get the names of the first couple who were out walking with their dog, or the second young lady, as I got lost; however, the next gentleman I discovered was named Digby, what an unusual and fantastic name. Digby was delightful and we chatted about the old railway lines in the area, plus ventured into putting the world to rights, touching on politics and political correctness and how the world has gone mad. I told him I pretty much take after my dad and call a spade a spade, not a shovel. We talked about the use of the words "hinne, flower and pet", all of which my dad still uses. I then chatted to two separate other gentlemen on the way up through the bank and going under the roads through these tunnels. I think it's part of the Bowes railway where I was venturing up. These other two men were Mark and then a little further on Brian, again, two lovely chaps. Following getting to Birtley and getting on to the C2C, then riding up to Stanley, I stopped in at  Young's opticians on the way home. The lasses at Young's have always been so supportive and helpful, so in passing, I thought I would drop a few of my book cards in to let them know what I had been up to. Upon my return home, I had a text message: "Lovely to see you today. Book is purchased. Need it signed for when you are a famous millionaire ". Like I say, a great bunch of girls.

On the Bowes Railway Line  overlooking the fields

Bowes Railway Track

Unfortunately, today my GoPro decided it didn't like the lighting conditions, so I didn't get many good pics. I would much rather shoot in photo mode; however, the timer is only 10 seconds, so it doesn't give me time to get on my bike. Time lapse mode is very hitty missy for exposure and quality, I find.

Weapon of choice my new Scott Lumen

Love this bike

Bit of urban art

Upon my route today, I discovered some new trails over at Hedley Hall Woods, so thinking I may use these to shoot a video. I know what I would like in my head, it's something completely different in my mind to what I normally do, but getting it caught and edited is the difficult bit.

Okay, feeling wiped out with a banging head once again, so I think I will have to hide under my duvet for a little bit in the dark. 

Catch you later.