Sometimes I will post things of interest to me that are not related to books or martial arts.
Take this latest news about Tesco, for example.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24361465
On two occasions in the last three years, I've been stopped by security guards because they thought I had items on me that I hadn't paid for.
Both times, I had my receipts, and was furious to be stopped. I mean, with guards watching your every move, and CCTV all over the place, you would think they would have reasons to stop you, right?
I know they are doing their job, and I do go round fast when I food shop (it's not my favourite experience).
But that doesn't mean I'm a thief.
It seems I am not alone in having heavy handed behaviour from Tesco.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2029808/Tesco-branded-shoplifter--happen-YOU.html
Surely they need to look at the systems they have in place, and the people executing those systems.
I would have still been annoyed if thee security guards had apologised, but apparently "Sorry, we have to check these things out" or "It's our job, hope you understand, really sorry to have made you feel upset"
is not something some Tesco security guards are taught to say, instructed to say, or feel they should say.
Tesco, I'm part of a growing band of people who won't be sorry if you lose more customers.
Wednesday 2 October 2013
Monday 30 September 2013
Reading, Writing, Martial Arts - what else is there?
Well, of course, there's many things out there. I try and write about what I know, what I have learned over the years. So as much as I enjoy reading, writing and reviewing books I have read, I will share with you some views I have about martial arts too.
I **might** just drop in the odd movie review as well. I hope you'll have a view on it too!
I **might** just drop in the odd movie review as well. I hope you'll have a view on it too!
Currently Reading "The World According to Bob" by James Bown
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18043373-the-world-according-to-bob?ac=1
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed 'A StreetCat Named Bob', it's really no surprise that this book follows in the same vein. Bob is a totally cool cat, and truly, the book's strapline doesn't lie - the duo do have many more adventures and it is a fun, if scary read, sometimes.
Fun - because anyone who has a cat will know of their little 'ways' in the manner only an owner knows.
Scary - because some of the situations they find themselves in are indeed 'what the hell?' moments and you can't put the book down because you want to know what happens next.
Anyway, it's a top read so far. I understand there are seven boos in the series, so whilst some may feel it is more of the same, I honestly feel like it's a very fresh read. It leaves you with a nice feeling inside. How mant books can you say have done that for you?
The Mentality of a Martial Artist
As some of you may know, I teach martial arts on a full-time basis. What is most important then, as an instructor, and indeed, as a student, is the mentality.
If you are an unwell, ask yourself can you push yourself through your training, even if you have no idea what the lesson on that day may entail.
If you are injured, how did this happen? You know, most of my student's injuries have come via the gym, where abnormal weights were lifted. Or it might have been at the football ground.
When I was aged 19, as well as training in martial arts, I also played ice hockey for a 'B' or reserve team. I was never professional. I played for the enjoyment. We were a team that provided the warm up for the crowd whilst they waited for the main event to start.
They would cheer us on, all the same, because some of that team played in the senior A team, and others dropped back to the C team level.
That year, in 1992, I suffered my worst injury to date. I was in a collision at high speed with one of the opposing team. I smashed into the barrier at rink-side, thinking my leg was broken but actually, my knee had been all but shattered. This shattered my theory about the knee being the hardest bone in the body.
Seven operations later, my knee was functioning again. During that time, I had many highs and lows, but I never stopped training, even from the hospital bed. I would do all manner of punch drills, blocking techniques.
I never gave up. Especially when the doctors told me I would not play ice hockey again, or throw a punch in a martial arts tournament.
And you can't, when something inevitably gets in your way.
The mentality to win, to come through, to see a future where you'd like to be, is what should consume martial artists on a daily or yes - hourly basis!
On that note, I'm off to teach now.
If you are an unwell, ask yourself can you push yourself through your training, even if you have no idea what the lesson on that day may entail.
If you are injured, how did this happen? You know, most of my student's injuries have come via the gym, where abnormal weights were lifted. Or it might have been at the football ground.
When I was aged 19, as well as training in martial arts, I also played ice hockey for a 'B' or reserve team. I was never professional. I played for the enjoyment. We were a team that provided the warm up for the crowd whilst they waited for the main event to start.
They would cheer us on, all the same, because some of that team played in the senior A team, and others dropped back to the C team level.
That year, in 1992, I suffered my worst injury to date. I was in a collision at high speed with one of the opposing team. I smashed into the barrier at rink-side, thinking my leg was broken but actually, my knee had been all but shattered. This shattered my theory about the knee being the hardest bone in the body.
Seven operations later, my knee was functioning again. During that time, I had many highs and lows, but I never stopped training, even from the hospital bed. I would do all manner of punch drills, blocking techniques.
I never gave up. Especially when the doctors told me I would not play ice hockey again, or throw a punch in a martial arts tournament.
And you can't, when something inevitably gets in your way.
The mentality to win, to come through, to see a future where you'd like to be, is what should consume martial artists on a daily or yes - hourly basis!
On that note, I'm off to teach now.
Friday 27 September 2013
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Release Date for 'Dark Winter'
Okay. So the draft has been completed. And then re-drafted. Then re-drafted several times more. The script has been through editorial, some friends have had snippets of the script, and well, friends, we are all but there.
So I have a date for its release - 9th October on Kindle (and other devices) and printed version to be available soon after that.
I prefer the 'hard copy' version of books but can see some merit in e-books. Whichever one you happen to be, I hope you'll try this book and see something different in it.
It's my first 'official' novel, so I don't know how it will be received. Sometimes, you just have to go for it and see what happens.
Nervous? You bet. But it won't have been the first time, and sure as hell won't be the last.
Thursday 27 June 2013
Book Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
It is not a zombie book either.
No. Not really. And that's why, having bought this back in January 2013 it has taken me nearly six months to complete it.
I didn't buy this on Kindle. I bought the paperback version. I still can't make out who it is on the front cover.
But these details aren't that important. What is important, however, is a good story, with good characters, and for the first hundred pages or so, I was waiting for something definitive to happen.
I didn't like the f-word on practically every page. It made the characters more unlikable, but I stuck with it because the premise of the children stuck in the school was good. Not original - but who cares, so long as it is told well.
This, is where Miss Summers raises the story above an average yarn. The in-fighting reminded me of Lord of the Flies - a good book which was spoiled by having it rammed down our throats at school.
I have never read that story again, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't give this book a second read, because I doubted I could complete it the first time around.
Nothing seemed to be happening, but - (see spoilers below) when it really got going, it was unputdownable. I have read the remaining 220 pages this afternoon.
This is Not a Test is not so much about zombies - though their inclusion is well written and satisfyingly executed. What it is about is surviving - day by day, down to second by second.
In some cases that reflects the struggles of many people today, who battle every single moment in order to survive.
Replace zombies with bills at the door, and you will know what I mean.
Sloane is without doubt the best written character in the book. I couldn't feel much for the others until much later. Miss Summers doesn't give you it all in the first chapter...instead she lets us peel away the layers - much like the zombies rotting skin, to reveal their true feelings, true angst, and the 'what the hell do I do now?' that they feel at every turn of the page.
I'm not a prude. I don't mind profanity - and yes, I would use it myself in this situation! Just a little less would be good.
So. It gets four stars for an amazingly gripping 220 pages. The first 100 failed to take off for me, but I still love this book.
It's got zombies in it, but what it mainly has is an emotional impact rarely experienced in YA novels. That hit me harder than any of the zombies going on the attack.
A solid, super read.
Well done Courtney Summers :)
***SPOILER ALERT***
Thank Heavens for Mr Baxter then! When he arrives, around page 120 or so, things really kick off.
The back story of Lily and Sloane is so emotional - it's brilliantly well done, and you would have to be made of stone - or just 'cold' like the zombies themselves, not to feel something for the girls and their awful father (putting it mildly).
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