Secrets and Lies.

The world turned upside down on Friday - and family came first. The end of an era for some and the beginning for others. The house is now diffferent, but nicely so. The devil on one shoulder and an angel on another are having a field day. Who will win? Who can say? Life is what happens while we're waiting to die. Brave people take chances and others stay put. Sometimes corners are forced upon people and they come out fighting for a new future.

The story edit is two thirds through and I am two thirds tired. On the telephone to a flying school here last week I mentioned that my main character would find himself on a 747 packed with explosives. tree-topping the Hudson, on target for Indian Point and my phone line died. It clicked several times and eventually came back to normal. You know the feeling when someone is listening but doesn't talk? Well that was it. I guess I hit trigger words and Menwith Hill 'acquired' my computer history. It's been three years now and the research has been hard work. Did you know that an SA80 is a right shoulder weapon? That the Browning HP 9mm is best drawn from a chest holster? That low yield weaponry make one hell of a mess? That GX9 Gas simulates radiation poisoning? That FLAG is a covert military organisation established in 1959? And Major Frank Chandler was hung out to dry by the British Government during the Iraq/Iran war while on a black op in the Zagros Mountains? Which country has the largest reserves of oil? Which country is next on the US list? I ran a long way to get this information.
Time for bed said Zebedee.

Ghosts or dreams that is the question ...

Another week sailed by! Finished this one with a wonderful trip to Harrogate for a few days to see friends. Friends are so important - especially those from our youth - the time when we all thought we were fireproof. When we rode at the limit a 500cc twin would go - maybe a 105mph down hill with the wind behind us. What is it nowadays? 140mph in first? The bikes have become faster - we've become slower. No longer fireproof and there's the rub.

Interesting discussion recently on how far the tentacles of secret organisations can stretch and how they place locked gates on career paths. Do you have the key? If not you could be totally buggered. No gates (locked or unlocked) is the answer.

The book has me dangling at the moment. Learning curve is straight up. Will it plateau? I bloody hope so! Incidentals: Browning HP or Glock 9mm? Leg or chest holsters? Why are SA80s designed for right-hand firing - my guy has to use his left-hand and the ejector sends casings against the pillar then into his chest or his face.

The weekend is here ...

It's Friday - Working on edit.
Dilemma ... the ending needs total reversal. Hollywood ending may be best after all. Lots of discussion on validity of souls / FLAG/ Messenger. Why is it that being so close to the story sometimes doesn't let you see the wood for the trees?

What the hell happened to Monday?

A morning discussing the synopsis with Rita was time well spent. Now, if only I can find someone who writes the sort of storyline that I do then I'm in business trying to find a good agent and publisher. Trouble is I think I am the only one with my sense of 'other worldliness'. I seem to see the 'what if' factor in everything I do. Mind you, I don't do much nowadays other than write. Must get back to the gym.

Well, it's been a beautiful day- the sun has been kind and Millie is back in the land of the living, thank God (or whatever force makes the sun shine).

Tried to vote for the amazing young diver, Tom Daley, but the Sun (not that sun) site wanted me to take a free trial of something called High Beam before it would let me vote - what sort of sharp practise is that? I feel a letter coming on. Actually a letter has come - and gone. I sent a missive to the Herald advertising my displeasure at this shoddy sales pitch.

Now, this next bit is important as it will figure in the future of everything, believe me:
The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers, which are cited to justify it.
President John F. Kennedy
Address to Newspaper Publishers
April 27, 1961

What's that throbbing?

Well, it's a bright day - wish now I hadn't sold my yellow Harley last year. It'd be great to cruise around Dartmoor in the sunshine. Trees and shrubs appearing on the tors like huge cardboard cut-outs against a blue sky. Coming out of a dark tunnel of overhanging branches into sharp sunlight. Sheep skitishly running from the middle of narrow roads, others dithering, debating whether to go left or right and, at the last minute, standing still. Brown and white pot-bellied ponies lifting their heads as I pass saying, 'Blimey, I haven't seen a Harley that colour for a while. Let's put the shits up the rider,' as they stroll four abreast into the road and turn their tails to me. Crows the size of grave stones crashing into each other six inches above the tarmac as they tug at the innards of a dead cat. Actually, now I think about it ... maybe not.

Get editing lad ... get editing!

What a day!

Sarah's 40 and Millie's hospitalised. Frightening day for all concerned. It is to be hoped that Millie will now get the medical treatment she should have been granted before this happened.

Editing is slow, but it's happening. Trouble with the military - they are unable to assist with certain aspects of weaponry and vehicles due to security. Air Force One plans which US Air Force said were Classified - I found on childrens' Q&A site! Now, providing the US doesn't invade Iran before it's published I should still be writing fiction.

The local case has been submitted. The turning point was the exemption ref Article 8 of the HRA - it works both ways. Let's see them wriggle out of this one!

Right, back to the world of dreams.

EEK!