The Writing People And Other Businesses...

Sorry about the delay in this broadcast. May your programs resume and normal...

As you might remember I was worrying about my Driving Test the last time I wrote something on here, which, surprisingly, as I've looked at the calendar now, was only the start of the month. Well if that's the case, then I think April has been the busiest month I've had in a while, and I interned for a publishing company in February. 

So you'd think that the news about me passing the Driving Test was the feature of this blog post, but as amazing as it sounds to me, it was nothing.

The real reason for getting in contact, and telling you that my new Driving capabilities are only the footnote to my month is that I and the other Writing People - you might remember our exploits on YouTube before Christmas - have started a website: www.thewritingpeople.weebly.com

We have lots more stuff to do with it, but where it is now (after 3 weeks) is a good jumping off place. And it's only our beginnings, you cannot possibly comprehend, unless you've been there, the excitement that has been following Tag, Cherrybelly, HB Sauce, Dark Horse, and I around for the last month. Well perhaps not the last month for everyone.

I decided that I was fed up of jobseeking one sunny afternoon, after an umpteenth rejection letter or just complete silence, as rejection letters don't turn up as often as you'd think. And I decided to make a website. Tag helped me find the place to work in, and we constructed, with my OCD, a good looking site. And there's more to come. 

Our site is for all writers and readers. We want to build a community that helps bring together published and unpublished writers, all editing, critiquing, and proofreading as we go. Or at least, that's the beginning of the plan. So spread the word, and I'm sure I'll get back to talking about emotions and soppy stuff later on...

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers... 

Two Days To Go...

Well my hands are still shaking...

I hope that by writing this down here I'll cast aside any doubt in my driving technique. Yep, that's right everyone, I've got a Driving Test on Tuesday. YAY!

Though I suppose it doesn't help that my instructor changed his car recently, and I suppose it certainly doesn't help that I keep finding faults with my own driving, and I suppose it doesn't help that I shout at my mother as she shouts instructions back (as I don't need to be told what to do at this stage), and it certainly doesn't help that I've not really been out in my (our, my parent's) own car that often, which is a lot less often than I would have liked. 

But really all this lumps up to some huge excuse as I try to calm down and keep smiling as I told HB that I would continue to do so. It's all some really basic stress that I really do not need to have at this stage. Last week I didn't even feel as if I had a Driving Test very soon. Right now, it feels like the only thing in the world and if I fail it, I won't really have an cash to have another go at it. I need to do this, I will do this. 

I suppose it didn't help that Tag (Yes, you!) seems to have less faith in me than I do. Admittedly he was drunk, but he just kept saying that I would Fail because I was a guy and all guys do straight away. Well, needless to say, it's just piled on the stress.

I had a good drive today, up until a small busy roundabout, where I chose to make a bad decision and feel my instructor take over. Oh what a good feeling that is, when your driving technique is always called into question before your test. 

But it's not as if these things are playing on my mind. HB has been detrimental in my confidence building, she has faith in me. And that's such a very useful thing to have. Knowing that someone out there believes in me. And she's introduced me to 'Netflix', 'Warehouse 13', and has been having a 'Shep Week' (playing Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3) or sorts with me, and I know it might not all be just distractions from the Test itself, but now I think about it, they have been keeping me relatively stress-less. 

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

P.S. Please have faith in me. 

CV Updates...

Well that was nice while it lasted...

Over the past fortnight I was 'employed' at Seren, in Bridgend. And it was really good fun. I got to read many things that weren't published yet, and some that will never be (due to my opinions) and I enjoyed that power.

I proof-read Owen Sheers', 'The Gospel of Us' - and that's the novel version of that thing he did with Micheal Sheen...that's this man:

...last year during Easter time. He was Jesus or something, in Port Talbot or something, but that didn't come across in the book, honest (Hi Tag - you should read this, it's full of real world magic).

And I got to actually format and 'proof' a book all by myself (well practically) which was a collection of poems by Keidrych Rhys:

...yeah, I don't know who he is either, but he does some good poetry - only some mind, he does go a bit loopy towards the end of the book during the 'Unpublished' poetry section, and I can see why. And I was told by my boss, the Publisher, that he had a meeting with one of the local Authors and my father's name was mentioned - which is very strange. I still don't know who the author was.

During my last week there, there was also another work experience person (we were called Interns, which in itself is very cool...I mean professional) who was called Alex, he was doing English Literature in Cardiff and did this in his reading week (ah reading week, I remember you). I felt like a kind of mentor to him, as I walked him to the Train Station most evenings, and he was talking about everything I worried about in my first week (I'd only been there a week, and listen to how high-and-mighty I sound).

So that was that, and now I'm trying to relax after a busy weekend of Rugby, Booze, and 18-Year-Olds not knowing how much they can drink. And how am I relaxing I hear you say...

(No Tag, not like that...)

...I am being this man:

Where in actual fact I look something more like myself, though just as kickass I assure you (Tag stop laughing, Cherrybelly slap him for laughing...oi! Both of you stop laughing) - the nose is almost perfect...

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

The Week That Never Was...

Well last week was fun, but it didn't feel very much like a week at all...

Monday I had a meeting to join up with a local editorial group - CHECK

Tuesday I had a driving lesson which was loads of fun - CHECK (I should probably book my test after this)

Wednesday I had a meeting at the Job Centre - CHECK

Thursday I had to catch a train to Dark Horse's, where HB drove us to G's with my helpful, if slightly misleading directions - CHECK

Friday I had to enjoy the journey back from G's, directing as I went - CHECK

Well, as you can see, obviously I didn't think it was a week, after all I was only doing something on the first three days and had a small holiday on the last two. The week before however, HB had work almost all week so I was, dare I say it, bored out of my mind.

Anyway, this week I'm on Work Experience at a Publishers in town. One day down, and I'm enjoying it so far. Believe it or not, I have been reading all day. Which certainly makes a very pleasant change to everything else I've been doing recently - namely job seeking. I managed to read the best part of three manuscripts, and review them.

Well I say review them, the Publishers seemed more interested in my opinion and how I would try to sell the story. Which is quite an interesting way of approaching a review, don't you think. Though, saying that, I am slightly ashamed to say, that I might have shot down the dreams of those three manuscripts today, though my opinions might not have been bad, but they weren't the best - and that was certainly the case with the final one I looked at today. I sat at that desk reading and writing for almost eight hours, and I didn't take my lunch break, mainly because I wasn't hungry when lunch came round. It was quite pleasing to share my views on the first one with the Publisher, only to have him agree.

This is going to be an interesting week. I hope I'm working quickly and efficiently and doing what they ask correctly. It was all quite bizarre. I wonder what's in store for me tomorrow and the rest of the week. I'm sure I'll keep you up-to-date.

Also, this editorial group thing I'm a part of ('Bwsted') also got back to me today, setting up meetings with me, and praising me for my two of three articles they posted on their website. I don't know whether I can keep this up, but I will certainly try - I'm already tired.

It feels good to have done a proper day's work on something I enjoy.

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

P.S. You can read my articles at these locations: 'The Networking Society' and 'Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back'

The Patronising Game...

Well I just had an experience I don't want to experience again...

Travelling into town today my main aim was to buy a video game for my mate. Now, I don't know about you, but he likes shooting things and I know nothing of video games or their ilk. Therefore, I'd hoped that the kindly men and woman at the Game store would assist me in my en devour.

How wrong I was to hope that.

The shop assistants seemed more interested in having conversations with people who already knew about the games they were buying, and discussing the intricacies of something that I knew nothing about - very much like being in a room with a group of people who are speaking a different language.

I tried getting the Manager's attention, and when I did he asked me which type of game and then just scrambled my brain as he spouted countless names of things I knew nothing about. I smiled politely and left, as I knew I was out of my depth. All in all it wasn't my best shop experience...

Rant over.

Bedtime Thoughts...

I really can't stop thinking about her.I'm lying in my bed, writing this on my phone and I can't stop thinking.

I'm sure she had a nice time on Friday when we spent time together eating rubbish, talking about everything and watching dvds, but I couldn't help but think that something was off.

She said that she was feeling a bit under the weather, but when she left and didn't come back for a hug, like she usually did, I thought it was strange. Though she did text me to tell me that she had arrived safely home, which was also odd as it wasn't the norm.

Well either way, I'm sure its just because she wasn't feeling quite herself. But I've been trying to keep contact with her to a minimum, mainly to not disturb her at work, but also to see if I can.

There have been plenty of opportunities, like on the xbox today, but she seemingly ignored the join party requests. To be honest with you I'm actually writing this here now so I don't attempt to text her and put my foot in it like I usually do.

I never know where I stand with her, but I'm glad I can write this here knowing that no one will read it and take it seriously. Now I must go to bed. I'm just impressed that I've written all this on my phone, technology these days...

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

Employment And Other Things...

Well I think the news has gotten out now, mainly because I told everyone in the last blog, but I did actually reject - in a very roundabout way - my first job opportunity...

Well I say it's my first job opportunity, my first job was offered to me when I was seventeen, by a shopkeeper who I was friends with. But more on that on another occasion I think. As you all know, I rejected the job offer at the Call Centre.

And just as I thought I had closed the door of employment for the time being, it leaked in through the window. Because we all know that employment can be seen as a very wet thing, perhaps a storm, in this on-going metaphor of my life. What do you think?

Anyway, after rejecting, in a roundabout way, a job I really didn't want to do, I managed to acquire myself a work experience position in a local publishing house, and if that wasn't enough I also managed to spark up a meeting between me and a local editorial group - I know what you're all thinking, it doesn't pay the bills. No, you're right there, they really don't pay the bills, but they're all real-world experience in a world I want to be a part of.

I was having a conversation with HB and her Cousin yesterday, and they're both fed up of the jobs they have, and just want to get to the careers they, we, and I deserve. We didn't all work for those bloody degrees to work on Customer Service until we're in our late twenties.

I think the problem with me is that I'm just ambitious and a dreamer, waiting for the world to make sense to me, and serve itself up on a plate of silver and gold. And now I know why we came up with the term 'silver platter'.

Anyway, I just wrote on Twitter (@BigTomAjax) that this and Disney films were obviously the cheapest form of therapy, so let's get on with that therapy business.

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney film, it's not the best one, but it is my favorite. I just told someone that, much to their surprise. So without further ado, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure, that I welcome you tonight - as we analyse which of the characters I would probably suit the best.

I don't think I'm either of the male leads, I'm not as much of a meat head as Gaston, and I don't have Beast's rugged charm (otherwise I'm sure I would have already won over Beauty and be living happily ever after until death in our grand French Enchanted Castle with a staff of hundreds). Nor am I the female protagonist, I'm smart, but I'm not that smart.

As for supporting roles, I'm not Codsworth, Chip, Mrs Potts, or the simply handsome and irresistible Lumiere. And nor am I Belle's Father - that would be wrong as I quite fancy Belle.

In actual fact I think I'm more the trusted, loyal, and brave in the face of danger, but completely willing to run away from danger trying to save the ones I love Phillippe - and if you were wondering, yes that's the Horse.

Though of course being Phillippe I have the aspirations of becoming the Beast, and all his might, bravery, and getting-the-girlness. Would you believe that? What do you think?

Well there we are then, if I'm a little shorter with women, then I'm sure I'll make some ground somewhere. Now don't read into this next bit, because it's been going on in my head all evening, so I thought I should get it down on paper and make the voices stop. And like I say, this is cheap therapy. I wonder if something good will span from this next bit, but just ignore it and skip to the end if it's boring...

W:

Are you not talking to me?

M:

I'm trying to ignore you.

W:

Why?

M:

Because I like you.

W:

That doesn't make any sense.

M:

It does to me. It hurts me every day knowing that I like you but you don't like me, all because of my mistakes.

W:

I never said I didn't like you, and would you stop bringing up those 'mistakes'. You always do this when you're drunk.

M:

I love you. Is that what you want to hear?

W:

No.

M:

I know, I had my chance and I should leave it. But when something feels so right it's that much harder to leave behind.

W:

Don't do this to yourself.

M:

Everyone already thinks we're going out. My parents, your parents, our friends, your friends, my friends. Everyone, even strangers. Everyone knows, apart from us.

W:

Please stop. I don't want History to repeat itself.

M:

But that's all History does. Repeat and repeat until something changes for good or...

W:

Yes, or... I don't want to hurt like that again.

M:

I can promise you won't ever hurt again.

W:

No you can't, but I like that you care. But enough's enough.

M:

No it's not. Not for me. And I'm sure that's what you keep telling yourself to stop yourself from doing this.

W:

Please stop this.

And I think I should stop there because the voices in my head are starting to sound a bit teary. I don't know what that'll turn out to be. Maybe a superb play/musical. Oh I'm the queerest straight man from these parts you'll ever meet. But I try. That's enough talking for the moment I think.

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...