I really wish I had the means to update this when I’m out and about – I get motivated to post something while I’m nowhere near my laptop but then by the time I get home I just don’t feel the same and can’t post without knowing it’s not entirely genuine because I CBA to post and forcing it would feel lame. 
First world problems.
I don’t think I see depression as a challenge of one’s self, strength or will.
I see it as a test of character for those around you.
If the last four+ years of dealing with this has taught me one thing it’s that once you hit rock bottom, you’re so called ‘friends’ split into two very distinct groups.
The ones who stick it out with you, who support you, who put up with your snide remarks, out of character behaviour, pick you up and dust you off and face tomorrow with you.
The others who don’t because essentially, they’re assholes.
Depression isn’t a test for the victim, it’s a test for everyone else.
It shows you the real, good people in your life, and uproots the parasites that weed their way out of your life because you don’t serve any purpose or personal gain for them.
That’s all my food for thought right now because it’s nearly dinner time.
Happy travels, readers.
Hello everyone.
So I haven’t posted since September of last year. That’s a mighty long time. There are two main reasons for that – one, the usual lack of motivation to both sharing anything and two, a lack of anything of significance really happening in my life.
2013, so far, is looking quite good through these old disenchanted eyes of mine. I’ve acquired not one but two jobs – the first I’ve been doing since December; helping out on an ESOL course for immigrants that have somehow found themselves in Wolverhampton of all places. It’s challenging work, but incredibly rewarding to see the difference I’m making in somebody else’s life. It also gives me an opportunity to learn about their language, their countries’ history and culture and overall has been thoroughly eye-opening, enlightening and edifying.
The second job is writing-related. Finally, some ~4 years after graduating with a degree in journalism, I have managed to get somewhere as I will now be a freelance contributor to a kids’ magazine that is going to be distributed throughout the country. The best part? I’m doing the film section so it’s basically my job to watch films by Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks and whoever else then write about them!
To state the obvious, these two massive improvements have helped with my confidence and the whole depression thing – something I have actually turned and faced for once instead of running and trying to hide from it. It was either late January or early February where this all came to a head. I finally came to realise that some things which held so much sway over me actually didn’t and that I just allowed them to rule my life. They had no real power over me at all.
All in all, things are looking good. Friends and family have commented on the noticeable change in my attitude and outlook. I’ve noticed it myself at times but only in extreme cases – others just feel natural so they don’t stand out so much.
I feel kind of refreshed. As though things aren’t nearly as heavy, dreary or grim as they used to be (or I at least imagined them to be!). I’m a changed man.
This isn’t to say I’m cured, of course. I’m still prone to very sudden and very severe down time which can come from nowhere and disappear just as quickly. I guess I’m saying I’ve just found a better, healthier way of dealing with it now.
I mean, how many of you would expect to see a photo of me looking smart, making friends with a one year old?
That would be Lily, Francis and Rachel’s darling little daughter. Oh, and that’s how I look most days when I’m doing the teaching. I always liked having an excuse to dress up nice in a shirt and tie etc, now I get to do it more often.
I’m feeling so positive now I’ve started to see the good in the world again, the good in people. I’m almost open to the idea of a relationship too but finding someone who can understand me, understand all of this, and accept it, is one big obstacle. In the meantime I do have some seriously awesome new friends I’ve made, not to mention the old ones too.
I hope you are all well, readers. 
Hello ladies and gentlefolk.
I’ve started a new blog, of sorts, which is going to be dedicated to reviews.
Aptly named Rich’s Rapturous Repertoire of Reviews, you might notice it shares the same layout and theme as this blog and that’s because I wanted it to still look and feel more like an extension of my site instead of a random other entity.
The link is here as well as clickable in the below image. So bookmark it, follow it, subscribe, and if you fancy you can throw me some reviews to be posted up on there with a free plug for yourself and your site too.
Happy reading, folks! (Even though there’s only one review up at present… haha)
A lot of puns as of late. I’ll put it down to the excessive reading I’ve been doing! 
Before I’ve even finished anything I’ve bought since last we spoke of literature I’ve gone and found an ass-load of new books to add to the collection. My bookshelf doesn’t look nearly as meagre or neglected as it used to! Hooray!
What bookshelf is respectable without some classics?
Or the latest blockbuster adaptation?
Or some of Iain Banks’ awesome sci-fi and some of that crazy Swedish literature?
Also, paws for a thought.
Those paws have been known to smack cats in the face, claw excitedly at treats and even flatten small towns in search of sausages.
A more in-depth post is coming soon, I just felt I hadn’t posted in a while so threw this filler in to keep y’all entertained until then! 
Watch this space on Friday/Saturday!
In the meantime, go and comment on my gangster tale excerpt?
Peace off.
Hello friends, I just posted a new piece of writing.
It’s an excerpt from something I hope to flesh out into a full story some day involving gangsters and brotherly betrayal!
This particular snippet focuses on the life and times of Derek “The Tailor” Tinney, one of the main enforcers for the family.
Here’s a link:
click to read (and leave comments while you’re at it! )
Enjoy!
So, according to an unnamed Amazon seller, the listing option “Used: Like New” actually translates to “Tatty piece of crap but we can’t sell it under that description so we’ll lie. Trololol umad bro?” and so my copy of The Dark Tower IV: Wizard & Glass sticks out like some unloved, battered book on my otherwise impressively well-kept bookshelf!
Still, the tower is closer…
I suppose…
I also bagged Mario Puzo’s The Godfather as well as Henry Hill’s account as a wiseguy in Goodfellas and the follow-up Gangsters & Goodfellas… And Life On The Run
“Forget about it…”
I’m hoping to add Joe Pistone’s books to the list as well. You might know him better by his undercover alias Donnie Brasco – as played quite brilliantly by Johnny Depp in the film of the same name.
In other news I am recruiting the very talented Cynthia Wong to help create two images for my works in progress. One for my short story collection which only needs three pieces to be wrapped up and another for my aforementioned gangster tale. She’s a wonderful photographer and I’m really excited to see what she can come up with!
Also, I wouldn’t be a dog lover by any means if I didn’t show you this gorgeous little creature! He belongs to a friend of a friend and I happened across her blog and said something about wanting a black dog to call Sirius after, you know, the greatest Harry Potter character of all time, and what do you know she steals my idea but keeps her first choice, Tiberius, which is of course the middle name of the greatest man to ever go where no man has gone before!
Images are linked if you wish to see more of that heart-breaking little face!
I’ve also been getting rather creative with my cheese on toast. Oh I do love some cheese on toast. But I do get bored of making the same thing over and again so I spiced things up a bit this time. Literally.
Ham, chicken, peppered salami, spring onion and jalapeños!
Equals very very tasty!
In more pressing matters, my doctor wants to change my medication and has started me on a weening off my current one which is resulting in some crazy side-effects and symptoms but more on that another time.
For now, peace off!
