Sunday 26 July 2015

Honesty, Sport, Kids and Writing… oh & the 'P' word because it’s not allowed apparently…



First of all, I’m so sorry for the miss in posts recently. I’ve been rather busy writing a screenplay. The first draft took me four weeks and two days – two days OVER my target!! That’s what being a Menieres Mum does for you.

Honesty


I find it really shocking how people would rather land someone in deep dodo than actually own up to their own mistakes or failings. It saddens me when someone, who is hardworking and honest has their name and their character dragged into question because the perpetrator can’t get their own act together. A narcissist always show their true colours and that is when it is time to walk away …smile and wave boys, SMILE and wave!

Honesty starts with yourself. Too many people are too afraid or too arrogant to hold their hands up and say “sorry I was wrong”. It’s not that hard is it? I have never found it hard, nor have my children. The problem with a lie is that sooner or later it is discovered by the very people you are trying to impress and save face with. That then makes you worse than a liar, it makes you a coward. 

HONESTY is the best policy.

Socialism


Followers of this blog will know by now I am a socialist and I am not going to apologise for that or for discussing my political beliefs. WHO said never talk politics? Someone who doesn’t want people to be honest and open, or too afraid of other peoples' opinions?  For too long the Labour Party has been hijacked by the middle of road, swerving to the right suits. I call them ‘closet Tories!’ The one thing that came out of the last general election was the lack of choice for voters and we have to remember that most people are not educated in the difference in the parties – they’ve been brought up on the ‘NEVER TALK POLITICS’ stance. 

I was originally backing Andy Burnham for the next labour leader primarily because he impressed me with his stance on social care and the NHS, and his work on Hillsborough. BUT he showed his true colours this week and to say I’m disappointed, well, it is a bit of an under-statement. I don’t understand, under any circumstances, how a socialist cannot vehemently oppose a bill that basically says ‘we’ll change child poverty to make it look like there are fewer children in poverty yet there will be more, that way we don’t have to deal with the real issues of poverty’. Moreover, it is a complete SIN for an elected member to choose to ABSTAIN! How can someone who purports to represent their constituents, advocate the merits of voting in a democracy choose NOT to vote? No elected member should EVER not vote. EVER. I backed Andy Burnham for his integrity. He has lost that and lost my vote.

I really believe this country want a left wing choice and that is why there is a surge in support for Jeremy Corbyn. What I want is a party that offers HOPE, EQUALITY and FAIRNESS for ALL, for everyone whatever their background or circumstances. That is why I joined the Labour Party and that is what I want the party to stand for. The goal posts have changed so much for Wes and he has not even reached eighteen yet – change in exam results thresholds, abolition of university maintenance grants, lack of cash invested in education and very few job prospects. We are not in the top 1% of this country’s wealth and we wouldn’t want to be but we do want a stab at being able to pay our bills and be successful in our chosen fields. I don't understand why the powers of this country hate young people so much.

By the time Wes has grown up there is unlikely to be the safety net we were conned into believing was there for us. They said, ‘pay your tax and national insurance and you’ll have a free NHS, a state pension and a safety net should anything go wrong.’ In the words of Ricky Tomlinson ‘My A***’. I paid into a system that let me down when I was diagnosed with Menieres. LIES! LIES! LIES! Even private pensions are not safe from greedy bankers with no morals!

If I had my way, the whole ‘democratic’ system in the UK would be scrapped and started again. This time, it would be filled with MPs that have honesty and integrity at the heart of the decisions that are made. 1980s Thatcher brought in the ‘I’m all right Jack attitude.’ I despise that but it is the centre of our society now. Just think what the NHS would have looked like if we had kept the utilities as nationalised industries – all that profit being turned back into public services. We were conned again. Privatisation was sold on the basis of more private investment would lead to greater infrastructure and cheaper prices! REALLY! The government is spending public money on the infrastructure, we are paying higher prices and private shareholders are reaping profits. The crazy world of capitalism.

It is time for a new era and a new stance. Jeremy Corbyn has my vote. Why? Because there is HOPE he can bring about the new dawn. Without hope we are truly stuffed!

Rugby League


Over the past two weeks, we have been to Swansea. On the back of that performance, my gorgeous boy earned a spot in the Reserves team against Leigh. Hard work and determination pays off. I am incredibly proud, not just of Wes but of all the youngsters I have seen working so hard over the season to be the best they can be. The training schedule is tough but they have stuck with it and are a great bunch of lads. If I could sum up Sheffield Eagles as a club in one word, it would be HONEST. 

It is a real privilege to be part of a great set up that are giving young men a chance to start their career in earnest. Thanks to everyone involved, I have fallen in love with rugby league again.

Cricket


Yep this is a new sport to add to our family repertoire! Lucas has found it hard sometimes to find a sport that he truly loves. He has his football which he adores but he wanted something of his own. He has always felt pressured into rugby – not by me I can assure you! I am proud that at eight year old he has stood his ground and chosen to try CRICKET. Let me say this, I have never seen him so excited and animated as he was after his first training session. I am thrilled he loves it and look forward to an afternoon of cricket, hopefully Sundays otherwise I  am seriously going to have to look into cloning myself!

Writing


I have taught myself a new skill – scriptwriting. With a little help of some software and a great book, I have finished my first full script. The story originally started as a novel but after the first hundred pages, I was not sure whether it was the proper format for a book. I wanted to have a go at scriptwriting. I am super proud of the outcome but as all writers know, the easy part of the work has been done. Now the hard work starts – the writing of the treatment then the soul destroying touting to agents and production companies. At least I have a strategy for this, lessons learned from the first book I published. 

I have nightmares about writing the treatment. It is the only time I suffer from writer’s block, probably because I know I can let the script down with a naff synopsis! Once it is written I will post extracts of it on my blog.

My next script is already in the planning. Never stop growing…



Have you had the chance to read it yet? Would you like to review it for me?

Read the first three chapters FREE on my website
Available from:
Pegasus Publishers
Amazon UK
Kindle
Amazon US
Or you can order from your local bookshop. The ISBN number is : 978-1-84386-789-0

Have a fabulous week everyone. 

HOPE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY!







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