I am seriously in the mood for a rant this afternoon... so beware you have been warned! Yesterday the sun was shining and hubby managed to get some time back from work. Great, we'd take the girls out for the afternoon and get some "quality" family time. WRONG. Put the keys in the car and nothing...the car decided it was staying put for the afternoon. So hubby spent most of the time with various neighbours trying to start the car, on the phone to our breakdown cover, (which doesn't cover you if you break down outside your house), his mehanic mate and any Tom, Dick or Bob that'd listen! It wasn't too bad, it was nice and hot so at least we could sit out in the garden with the girls, there was beer and wine chilling and England were about to kick butt in the football (by the way Rob Green...most guys would drop ANYTHING to play in goal for England...oh er, so did you!!), so yeah, Saturday didn't turn out well. We'd promised our eldest we'd all go swimming on Sunday...well looking at the huge puddle in our garden from the torrential rain...that still could be an option...the car is still not working, we have to try and get it towed to the garage - £95 the breakdown service is!! So she's not happy that she can't show us how she learnt to dive this week in her swimming lesson. It's STILL raining, girls are fed up, I'm bored (the alternative is the ironing...I'm not THAT bored yet!!) Hubby has gone off to work (got a lift off my dad who has a car that works!!). We've done all the arty farty crafty things I can think of, which has only resulted in the house looking like a bomb's hit it (guess who gets to clean that up!??!) So I have now sent the girls upstairs with NOW 75 so they can practice their dance to "Don't stop believin" While I tackle the mess down here...just thought I'd take five minutes to share my rant with you because I am seriously going round the twist....have you ever, ever felt like this? When strange things happen are you going round the TWIST?? Perfect for how I feel today!!
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I am sooooo excited today. In a few weeks el husbmundo and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary...I really don't know where those ten years have gone, they have scarily flown by. For the past few weeks he's dropped little hints of the surprise he had planned and before I share it with you let me tell you a little story first...
My hubby has always been really supportive of my writing and will encourage me, come up with ideas to help market the books and not moan too much when I ignore him cos I'm in the middle of "an important part of the plot". The one thing he hasn't done is read my stuff. He doesn't like reading, in fact if someone bought him a book he'd think they didn't like him! (Although to be fair he has read the Steven Gerrard autobiography!). When it comes to books he is the total opposite to me...I have at least four bookcases, all books in alphabetical order and love having my head stuck in a book. So I can say with some confidence that he has not read chapter two of Love Overboard... Chapter two of Love Overboard involves two of my main characters Zoey and Adam celebrating an anniversary. (I should just quickly point out that Love Overboard is partially set on the Wirral - over the river to Liverpool for anyone not sure where the Wirral is!) Being the romantic that he is he books a table at the Panaromic Restaurant, the highest resturant in Liverpool giving err panaromic views right across the City and over the river. (I chose this restaurant for my story for two reasons, one I've always wanted to go there and two Bon Jovi stayed in the suite above the restaurant a few years ago and you should all by now know of my love for the great JBJ!!) But Adam wasn't finished there, he wanted to treat Zoey further and booked a suite at The Malmaison, right on the waterfront. (The foyer to that hotel is purple, yet another of my "things") The beauty of writing is that sometimes you can give your dreams, ideas, whatever to your characters. So as I mentioned before, I know hubby won't have read about Adam's romantic gesture to Zoey, but fortunately he CAN read ME pretty well...so in a few weeks time, for our anniversary we're off to the Panaromic for a meal AND we're staying in the Malmasion (it's got a kingsize bath!!! How fab is that!!) I can't wait! So while it's fun making up all my male characters to share with you...I'm glad I've got my fab hubby for MY story! Haven't blogged for a few days...been busy visiting my lovely friend Katie (and her new baby) and celebrating my birthday with her, which was lovely. I had a bit of a wobble last year when I turned 30... really didn't want my 20's to end... would I be too old to read HEAT magazine? Would I have to start reading something sensible like "people's friend"? Would I have to listen to Smooth FM and put my Rock CD's away? Would I have to start ordering "Slacks" from those offers on the back of Sunday Magazine supplements? More importantly would I have to start being sensible? Well, I decided the only way to combat all these worries was to have a big party and just not worry that I was turning 30. So that's exactly what I did, had a party, wore a purple dress (obviously) and did a mad dance routine with my hubby (just to prove I was still 21 at heart!) It was on of my best ever birthdays, being 30 wasn't as bad as I thought ( I would gladly take 30 over the 31 that I am now!!) So was this year any less stressful? Well I'm still reading HEAT and I spent my birthday in Cadbury world...spending the day surrounded by chocolate and one of my best friends in the whole world - what's not to like? Have I become any less of a nutter these past twelve months? Well judging by a card I got from one of my friends... "You're crazy you, A proper nutter! They'll come you know one day- the blokes in white coats and take you away for being a loon ball, but until they do stay crazy as your nuttiness makes the day fun." So I think that above paragraph will be my new motto, just cos I'm 31 doesn't mean I have to be sensible, besides which, I'm working backwards therefore I'm actually only 29!! Off to open a bottle of birthday wine! Bottoms up...Boobs out! Me on my 30th Birthday!!
The day I've been eagerly waiting for arrived today!! BETRAYAL finally went on sale in the UK! At the risk of going all "X Factor" on you it's my dream come true. I sat on the train to work with a stupid grin on my face, quickly texting everyone I could think of before I lost reception in the tunnel. Do I feel any different than yesterday? Hell yeah...I may not be about to be a mega rich JK Rowling type author, but I do feel proud of myself (not something that I'd find easy to admit) and my book may not hit the number one spot in the charts, but if people who buy it read it and like it then I'm happy. If they enjoy the emotional rollercoaster ride that my characters go on, then I'm happy. If they hate bad boy Marcus a much as they're supposed to, then job done and if they care about what happens at the end, then yeah, that's more than I could ever ask for. So thank to everyone who has supported me so far....keep doing it! I can't do it on my own, I need you all. So please tell everyone you know about Betrayal... £7.99 from Amazon Thanks, my shameless plug is over ;o) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Betrayal-Bev-Dulson/dp/1907461299/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275070720&sr=1-1
The post arrived with a THUD today, so went to investigate and spotted a parcel. It's my birthday next week so I thought maybe Mark had ordered something for me, but then I saw it was addressed to me. Couldn't remember ordering anything (that'll be being almost 31 and the memory going) so I opened it up, well ripped the packaging...I love parcels, it's like the feeling on Christmas morning...and there before me, it's beautiful cover gleaming and shiny was my copy of BETRAYAL...this is the first time I've seen it with it's brand spanking new cover - it looks fabalar! I carefully lifted it from the packaging, hugged it to me and danced around the living room for about twenty minutes (it then strated to rain...apologies - the Gods seemed to think I was doing some kind of ritual rain dance!!) my little four year old looked at me liked I'd gone even more bonkers than usual, then proceeded to join me in my happy dance!
The feeling of seeing my book in print is amazing, it's 15 years or hard work, re writes, edits, wobbles in confidence (STILL getting those!!). What this means is you will very soon be able to get your own copy of Betrayal (if you like!!) and if you do I hope from the bottom of my heart that you love reading it as much as I've loved writing it...and if you do, you'll be glad to know there is a sequel on the way! HUGE thanks and BIG love to every one out there who buys a copy (it will fit very nicely into suitcases for a holiday read!!) Ok for any of you who may have missed the news last week, one of the greatest British products/Exports Simon Cowell is about to be given a Knighthood and about time too I say. He is a self made success, he came back from bankruptcy and built himself an empire. He is globally, instantly recognisable, more famous than Prime Ministers (some may say that's a good thing!!) and we can't get enough of him. Say what you want about the guy, but he totally knows what the X Factor is all about...he wrote the book on it (then made it into a very profitable TV show!!) so what is it about him? He obviously has "It", but what is "It?" Having discussed this at length with friends in work (it's a VERY important topic) We have come to the conclusion that it's the arrogance...take a look at the clip posted below, he turns Amanda into a giggly heap and to quote any of the X Factor judges he "Totally owned the stage". I'm sure a lot of you ladies reading this might think "Well I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers." Although could you imagine what it must be like to be Sir Si's girlfriend.... Bringing him a cuppa in the morning, "That was arguebly the worst cup of tea I have ever had." Getting ready for a night out, "Sorry, have to stop you there, that dress is all wrong, the looks not right." You couldn't even sing in the shower. " I can honestly say, Worst. Voice. Of. The.Day." And lets not even get started on the bedroom. "That wasn't good....it was fantastic!" Yep, so I'm glad he's getting a Knighthood, X Factor & Britain's Got Talent is must see TV, even my mum who hates shows like this syas BGT is strangely addictive! So arise Sir Simon of Cowell...hope the Queen curtseys to YOU! I have a huge sense of Deja Vu as I watch my eldest daughter (almost 9) with her new obsession...boyband JLS.We've got the CD, the posters, the hooded sweatshirts. She thinks I don't understand, especially when I'm doing my own to routine to 'Beat Again' or cracking a joke at their expense..."Why can't you get drunk at a JLS party? Cos you only get one shot!" I get the "look" - mother, you're making a show, please stop. So yeah, she thinks I haven't got a clue. Maybe it's time to dig out my Bros Live on tour Video and the "Best of Bros" CD (YES...there was one before you start!!) and my diary from 1989 that was filled with nothing but Bros.I was (and probably still am if I think about it) a Brosette!! I had the Bros Jeans, the T's shirts, the hats, the beer tops on my shoes.I'd practice drawing the logo on any bit of paper I could find. I adored Matt & Luke Goss (although Matt was always my fave), of course there was also Craig...the "bloke with the bass". I HATED Brother Beyond -poor imitation of a boy band if you ask me! I even wore my Bros attire up a mountain in Wales with My Mum & Dad (they weren't wearing Bros stuff!) One properly kitted out walker commented that he'd never seen a Bros fan up a mountain (probably never will again!) My bedroom walls were decorated in lovely cute lambs, not that you'd know every inch was covered in Bros posters, lovingly cut from my Smash Hits (RIP!) I would enter competitions on Going Live, desperate to win Bros stuff or the chance to meet them...never did! (Although did get the chance to see Luke play Danny Zuko in Grease when I was 19). I was very protective of them, my dad would call them Dross...I'd give him the "look" (history repating itself me thinks!) My friend Emma at school loved Bros as much as I did and we would often fall out over who loved them the most (now that we're adults and a bit more mature we just argue about who loves Jon Bon Jovi the most!!) I was gutted, for five minutes, when Craig left...but the boys said they'd carry on so tradegy was averted...but not for long. Two albums later, Bros called it a day. I was devastated, what would I do with my shrine of a bedroom now?? Oh what's that on the radio...New Kids on The Block?? They sound good, grab my Smash Hits, there's a poster...oooh he looks nice...Jordan...looks around the bedroom, I think I can make a space on the wall for them...I'd only have to take one Bros poster down, I'll take one down with Craig on, that'll be ok - Ah the fickle heart of teenagers. So yes my dear daughter...I understand! TOO MUCH - taken from THE TIME. Loved the song, the video was fab, Matt & Luke in a helicopter, in a sports car, on top of a mountain...so wanted to be the girl in this video! Once I turned 17 I couldn't wait to get my provisional driving licence...it was part of the road to adult hood. I loved my lessons, just didn't like the idea of actually taking my test, so the driving kinda fizzled out, tried again at 20 but chickened out again. So you can imagine the look on my face when I was 23 and instead of the Bon Jovi tickets I was hoping for Mark gave me a driving theory test and a block of ten lessons. THUD went the brick sized book as I dropped it on the floor. (You'll be glad to know that I did get the Bon Jovi tickets!!) the lessons were valid for 12 months and by the October I'd made no attempt at even ringing the instructor, by November I started to feel a bit guilty, It would be a waste of money if I didn't take the lessons. I decided I'd just do the ten and then that'd be it...I'd stick to walking, the bus, the train. Again I enjoyed my lessons, My instructor Ange was fab, I'd tootle off in the car for and hour and we'd be chatting, putting the world to rights, and occasionally remembering to mirror, signal, manoevoure and the odd parallel parking (I hated them - still do!!) So when the subject of the test came up, I tried to put it off again. Didn't work. So on the day of the test I wore my lucky ear rings (turned out they weren't so lucky). I can't remember exactly what I failed on...something to do with a round about I think!) But I failed. On the plus side my dad bought me a huge tin of minature hero chocolates (I have NO trouble remembering that!!). So I had another go. I knew before I even turned the engine on I'd failed. My under bonnet checks hadn't gone very well...it helps if you can actually remember which button opens the bonnet...I opened the petrol cap! My tester was standing in the rain while I ran around the car looking for the button, convinced someone moved it. Finally he said "Let's just get in the car." Then there was the matter of my driving licence...it was in my hand, obviously I couldn't drive holding it, instead of doing the sensible thing and popping it in the space by the side of the door, I leaned across to open the glove compartment (Do people ACTUALLY keep there gloves in there?? I've always wondered!) It wouldn't open, so I yanked it open...the whole contents landing in the testers lap...so yeah, I knew that one wasn't gonna end well. Third time lucky I finally passed, I had the same tester as the glove compartment incident and when he told me I'd passed (2 days before Christmas and 2 years after the Driving lessons "Present!!") I said "I didn't even mind having you again, even though you failed me last time." He said. "I failed you?" I replied "Well no, I failed you just told me!" So I'd done it...but told Ange I still didn't really like driving and it was a means to an end. Well that's changed slightly. I am lucky where I live to have a prom to drive on along and beautiful views of the Irish sea, so on days like today when it's gloriously sunny and I have Kings Of Leon or other good driving music on like Don Henley's Boys Of Summer , there is nothing that beats driving along there and that's when I'm glad I learnt to drive. One day I'd love to drive along the pacific Coast Highway in a jeep, with the wind in my hair and music blasting out. Ange now says to me "I told you you'd like driving one day." and I say "I still can't bloody park though!" I was asked to blog about Liverpool, hmmm what can I write about this great City?? Yes there are the stereotypes, the shell suits, the cars on bricks which we laugh off with our world famous "Scouse sense of humour", currently being shared with the rest of the country by our very own John Bishop. We also have the Beatles, the mighty LFC, plus the small matter of being Capital of Culture 2008 - which reminded me of something I'd written for a competition for the capital of culture...A Liver Bird's Eye View. It made the final of the writing competition, so I thought rather than me tell you about Liverpool, I'll let my little Liver Bird tell you: A Liver Bird’s Eye View 5.30am Ah another lovely sun rise up over the Irish Sea. The QE2 is slowly making her way up the Mersey. From my perch at the top of the Liver building I get a great view. There are a few early birds (bit like myself!) already out taking photos of the ship. It’s always special when she returns to Liverpool. 8.00am Looks like it’s going to be a nice sunny day, in fact the sun already feels warm on my wings. The ferry is going back and forth across the river bringing people to work. How many other cities can boast that they have a ferry as part of their rush hour transport? 9.00am Lots of people emerge from the underground stations on their daily commute. The tunnels look busy as well this morning! A seagull perches next to me, it does the same thing everyday. I’m sure that bird fancies me! 11.00am Liverpool is full to the brim with tourists today. The Albert Dock looks chocca. I spot a young boy having his photo taken on one of those Superlambananas. Not sure what I think about them, as long as they don’t try and turn me into a fruit I should be ok! 1pm The panoramic restaurant above me is filling up for lunch. It’s strange having buildings taller than me. I used to have the highest perch in the City. Still it’s not worth getting in a flap about, who am I to stand in the way of progress? 3pm The shoppers are out in force today. There are some great places+ to shop in town now, all the footballers wives love it, in fact there’s Stevie G’s missus going into Cricket now! 5pm Mass exodus from the offices, millions of people seem to spill out into the streets. Some heading straight home others off to trendy bars. 7.30pm People are lining up across both sides of the river to see the QE2. There is a real carnival atmosphere. 9.00pm A huge big firework display has just started. It’s a bit scary up here, some of those sparks are too close for comfort! After the fireworks have finished the ship honks it’s horn to say thanks. 10.30pm It’s been a long day, it’s hard work keeping watch over my City. There is so much going on all of the time. Blink and you might miss something! This old bird’s off to bed! *For thouse of you not fluent in scouse "Chocca" means busy!* Superlambananas are half lamb and half banana, we had loads of them dotted around Liverpool in 2008, we had Beatles ones, Rafa Baa-neitez, LFC ones, Bluenose ones (well you have to give Everton fans something!) we even had one painted in a stripy prison outfit outside Walton Jail (see there's that famous sense of humour I mentioned!!) Our Liver Birds are surrounded in myth...it is said that the female bird faces out to sea to welcome the sailors home, whilst the male bird looks out over the city to check the pubs are open. If the birds ever fly away, it will bring destruction to the City. This may well be the most educational blog I've ever written... Picture of a lamabanas & Rafa, The QE2 and the iconic Liver building, View of the skyline from New Brighton, The sun rising over the City - beautiful!
I was recently asked to compile a list of my all time favourite books, how could any list be complete without Judy Blume's FOREVER?? It's hard to believe this book was written in 1975, because the topic is still very relevant...teenage sex. I remember reading this book in year eight at secondary school, a dog earred copy was passed around the year group. "Have you met Ralph yet?" I was asked when I'd started reading the book. I hadn't at that point...was surprised when "Ralph" turned out to be Michael's (the boy in the book) nickname for his todger. After reading the book (under the duvet...was convinced I would be grounded for life if my mum knew what I was reading!) that was my biggest question...do boys really call their todger's names like Ralph? Once I got to my late teenage years I realised "Ralph's" weren't all that common! I'm sure most of my friends from school still remember when they read FOREVER...it's always been a controversial book which caused a scandal when it was first released. Thankfully this book has stood the test of time, probably for a number of reasons...we may be living in a high tech world that didn't exist nearly 30 years ago...but some things stay the same. I imagine that if I read FOREVER now it would transport me straight back to those teenage years of uncertainty, the emotional rollercoaster of hormones... FOREVER is a book that as the title suggests will stay with me, Forever...will I let my daughters read it when they are older? Yes. FOREVER was never about gratuitous sex there was a message behind it, maybe it should be read in English classes...we are so quick to not talk about teenage sex, it may go some way to our teenagers being open enough to talk about it with their parents. Although we probably wouldn't have been able to read it at our secondary school - we had one teacher who tippexed all the swear words out of Gregory's Girl...Imagine what she'd have done with FOREVER!!! I feel quite nostalgic now...I might even go and order FOREVER from Amazon... HOPE THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES FOR YOU....
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