Download Rock Festival 2009

Last weekend was incredible. I can tick off another ambition achieved from my list of things I want to do before I get too old and suddenly discover one day that I enjoy crochet and listening to Terry Wogan on Radio Two!

Download is the ultimate rock festival of the year and as a rock chic it was the one festival I hadn't done after Reading, V and Glastonbury. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience because firstly the camping wasn't 10 miles away in another county! And because the festival isn't as large as the other aforementioned there was plenty of tent space, although two guys came in and asked to put their tent up next to ours stating that there was plenty of room, however they didn't tell us they were erecting Balmoral Castle next door to us!! This grated me a tad because there were huge expanses of Field further up the field, but hey ho!

We spent most of our time at the Tuborg Tent, which was in effect the Thrash Stage. I preferred it here because you could see the artists on stage and I like to hear new talent and emerging groups. Plus the fact when the sun became too much we could sit in the shade, oh yes and the Guinness bar was right behind us. Voivod and Face Cage are two bands to look out for.





We ventured to the larger stages for acts that we really wanted to see. For me it was Pendulum, Prodigy, Static X (who sang Queen of the Damned track Cold), Black Stone Cherry (who I'm going to see in October) and Slipknot... The showmanship in that band is awesome. The drummer was on this hydraulic stage that twisted and turned and he was actually drumming upside down at some points. I would love to be in a band like that. Can you imagine the fun they have? I first saw them ten years ago at Reading and thought they were strange, but mesmerising and I still hold that belief to this day.





I have a new digital camera which I am still working out how to down load photos on to this computer. When I've figured it out I will post piccys. Damn technology!!!


Slipknot

Halloween Was The Highlight Of 2008 For Me

I actually wanted to blog this when it happened and never got round to it, so I thought New Years Eve would be the perfect time to tie up any old bloggy loose ends that have been annoying me, knowing I wanted to write about events in my life, but just didn't have the time or decided I'd rather sit and watch some anal TV instead of doing something constructive with my time.

Well I have had some great times, my annual trip to Birmingham to meet all my old Ex-Leo friendsin February was good fun, catching up and reverting back to our 80's mispent youth!(sorry no photo's, because we all end up far to drunk to ever remember to take any piccy's) Will endeavour to blog this in February 2009 as my mate Terry has told me he's taking me on his famous Terry Tour of Real Ale Pubs. I must really get with the times and buy a digital camera.

September I decided to pluck up some dutch courage and attend two Fantasy Sci-Fi Conventions, one run by the British Fantasy Society where I met screenwriters, authors and publishers who all gave me valuable advice on how to get ahead in the writing industry. Specail thanks to Paul Finch and Sam Stone for their kindness and guidance that weekend.

I enjoyed the day so much I booked to spend the weekend in October at NewCon4 Convention, another Fantasy Convention for writers. I had the most amazing time meeting well known authors in my genre of work including Paul Cornell who gave me great advice on screenwriting for the BBC, Ian Whaytes, Terry Martin from Murky Depths, even played Killer Pool with THE Ian M. Banks no less, very nice man. I made some good friends there that weekend and can't wait to catch up with them all again at the massive EasterCon in Bradford at Easter funnily enough!

My two major book signings at Waterstone's this year for both Didikai Witch in April and for Demon Lupus in December were also fantastic milestone's for me too and made me realise my dream, making it as a true bonafide published author.





Didikai Witch and Demon Lupus on Waterstone's bookshelf! Whoo Hoo!

The other major highlight for me this year was an ambition I have had since I first discovered Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles fifteen years ago, and that was to attend her famous Vampire Lestat Ball in New Orleans at Halloween. It was amazing, the venue was like a dark fairy tale and the costumes were astounding. Meeting fans who had attended this famous party since the beginning was great, it was like attending a special secret society and everyone had a common cause... to revel in their biggest fantasies. The photos say it all...


Vincent The Vampire


Queen of the Damned... Akasha



More Stunning Vamps


Hmm me being made into a vamp... Okay just kidding I am still very much mortal, but it was quite erotic!!

Happy New Year XXX

Afrika Afrika So Good They Named It Twice

I'm currently catching up with my culture blogs. I tend to add them to my blog because I think it's important for me to get out and see shows, plays, musicals etc to broaden my creative mind.

Shame on me though, because I actually went to watch Afrika Afrika back in July and I've only just found the time to actually blog it. Double shame on me because I've just realised that this was the last cultural thing I did.

I need to see a show me thinks, but not Mamma Mia! Good grief! I saw the movie version of that pile of pants back in the summer too and I was overwhelmed with the dreadful singing and exaggerated HAMMY acting. When I was getting married I didn't come up with naive plotting and scheming games to get what I wanted. The so called heroine got her just deserts in my opinion when she was faced with ALL three fathers wanting to walk her down the aisle... Spoilt Brat!

Anyway I digress... Afrika Afrika. What a great show all the performers enthused so much energy. The human spider and the human snake... How on earth can anyone possibly bend themselves in to such amazing postures? The music was authentic (and live) African Tribal songs and those fit muscular, oiled bodies... Phwah! Ah hem. I was actually very appreciative of their artistic and acrobatic talent and not their physical appearance... At all, one iota.

The whole tent the show was housed in was amazing too. It was decorated just like the inside of a traditional Bedouin tent, and the aroma of African cooking was just mouth watering. They certainly put on a show and gave you the full African experience. I believe they are still touring the UK so if you get the chance go and see it. It beats listening to cats scratching a blackboard to the tune of Super Trouper or whatever the hell Julie Walters and the others were singing.

Official Website For Show

There is a video to watch so you get a feel for what to expect. Better than what I can write here I think.

Demon Lupus Book Two - The Beyond Series Now on Sale

My my, this monthly blogging does come round quickly. I would honestly like to say that I would love to blog so much more than I do, but time does not allow it. I mentioned in a previous post that I enjoy visiting a variety of online social and creative sites, as well as having time to write my novels and having some kind of 'normal' social life. Trying to juggle everything that I want out of life can prove a bit difficult really, If only I had a Tardis so I could travel through wormholes and discover dimensions in space and time that allow me to do everything I want. Anyhoo!

Good News!! Last week my second book in The Beyond Series, Demon Lupus, was released for sale. You can find this wonderful and gripping action supernatural thriller on Amazon, My Website, My Publishers or any great bookshop.

You can always find little gems in independent bookshops too. I always wanted to own my own independent shop by the way, that smell of old and new paper, infused with wooden shelves, some scattered comfy chesterfields and an old fashioned till register that goes "ping" when you open the money draw! If you ever get the chance to Visit Scotland Please try and go to Wigtown, it is the Scottish National Book Town and I swear I was in heaven. One shop was like something straight out of Harry Potter. Oooh I get a warm feeling of nostalgia and shivers down my spine just thinking about it. (I will add the name when I remember it, I just went off on one of my wild tangents there.)



Now where was I? Oh yes my new novel, Demon Lupus. It tells the story of Lily Roberts who has trouble controlling her temper and her super human strength. Until she discovers her family's well kept secret and her battle against her own inner demon.

The book has some of your favourite characters from Didikai Witch, however I wrote this book, because I wanted to introduce you to some really hot and juicy shape- shifter characters that will begin to appear throughout the series of the ten books I have planned... Yes you read correctly, your eyes do not deceive you. I have already written the synopsis for ten novels and I am excited about each and everyone of them. So you see this is why I need to create time to write, blog and be me once in a while. However, I do get distracted at times, much to my own annoyance by other contemporary thrillers that just pop into my head when I least expect them.

Take last night for instance, I read an article in a newspaper about someone who I have a very distant association with, but have spoken to and thought was a very nice chap. Apparently he has just done a bunk owing thousands and no-one can get hold of him, not even me and I'm a super sleuth extraordinaire, (Nancy Drew has nothing on me normally.) So it got me thinking, What could possibly have happened for him to do that? And within an hour I had the entire synopsis written for my fifth contemporary thriller (and I'm still only putting the finishing touches to my first! My Head is a nightmare!) For those who of you who are not great serial or supernatural book fan you will be pleased to know that these five books are all completely independent stories and haven't a ghost or blood sucker in sight. For those who do like Fantasy/Horror, don't you worry, there are still plenty of ideas coming from the back and beyond of my mind to keep voracious readers going for a few years yet.

I believe in writing for the masses of all genres, but obviously I write about the subjects I know and love. Strewth I'm rambling again. This is what my head is like 24-7. So I'm writing books three, four and five at the moment out of the fifteen, but I still have time for some fun and lurvin'. I will be blogging next time about my speed dating adventures. See, even my love life has to be on fast spin!!

Relay For Life

I have spent the summer fund raising for Cancer Research. Race For Life in May at Heaton Park in Manchester and then Relay For Life in Rossendale.

The idea behind Relay For Life is to get a team together then raise funds by any means necessary then each team member takes it in turns to walk around a race track for a solid twenty four hours. 19 teams braved the elements to raise money for Cancer Research UK at the fundraising event held at Marl Pits on 5th and 6th July, and spirits were certainly high.




The event itself was the culmination of many months of fundraising on behalf of the teams, with money being raised through activities such as Asda bag packs, quiz nights, raffle ticket sales, sales of Candles of Hope and general donations.
Originally planned to start at 11.00am, the event got underway at 12.00noon and was opened with moving speeches by Steven Farr, Chairman of Relay for Life Rossendale and the Mayor of Rossendale Christine Gill, herself a cancer survivor who sadly lost her husband Deputy Mayor of Rossendale. I cried as I remembered my dad, his best friend Barry and my grandad, who had all so recently been taken from me. (getting emotional just writing this blog!)



Anyway, the first walkers of the day took to the track. The honour of starting the relay fell to local people who have survived cancer and notable participants included the Mayor and inspirational four-year-old Millie o'Shea. Their steps were accompanied by the sound of applause from team members and other spectators who had come along to offer their support.



From there it was up to the teams to ensure that at least one member of the team would be on the track at all times for the next 24 hours. At that stage, little did the teams know that they would experience torrential rain, thunder, blustery winds and warmth! The teams came onto the track in various guises, from Cowboys, Human Chickens trying to flap their way round, Batman made an appearance, to Sumo Wrestlers on Spacer Hoppers (which was hilarious and I'm spitting mad for not getting a photo of that).


The atmosphere was lively and there was this real sense of camaraderie and community spirit that I always love! There was live music, face painting, fun stalls and cakes and drinks being sold to raise money for this worthy cause. Sadly, a number of stalls had been destroyed during the high winds of the previous evening, meaning that fewer than expected were available. But that didn't stop our determination to have some good old fashioned Stiff upper lip British Summer Fate type fun.

Here are some of the BB4US Team and Team mascot The Famous Mad Meggy Moo Moo!


At 10.00pm, the Relay came to a standstill for the emotional ‘Candle of Hope' ceremony. In the run up to the event, and on the day itself, people had the opportunity to offer a donation in return for a Candle of Hope which they could dedicate to loved ones who'd either lost their battle with this dreadful disease, were in the process of receiving treatment, or had fought their battle and triumphed.



Following this, all members of the teams walked around the track to read the messages on around 400 candles of hope, which by this stage were lit, and would continue to light the way for those walking during the hours of darkness. Much care and effort had been taken with the messages on the candles bags, and many were beautifully designed to honour the person to whom they were dedicated. I found mine to pops, which was so lovely to see.

At midnight I started the graveyard shift and walked around for two full hours in the pouring rain, with a gammy foot (an old war wound that just decided to flare up on the day of the Race... Typical) There seemed to be no end to peoples stamina and ceaseless amount of energy. Even the local pubbers came and staggered around the track with me showing their inebriated support for us, which was lovely and I met a great guy who decided to walk his chocolate labrador dog, Fudge around the track for his bedtime walk. Thank you whoever you were. My only real quibble was that of the local police relay team who insisted on having a barbecue at 1 am and didn't even offer me a burnt sausage!!

Daylight saw participants continue to walk around the, by now extremely muddy, track, and the music re-commence.
Finally, a large number of rather tired-looking team members gathered around the stage for the closing ceremony, the event had raised an amazing £25,000 and there was still the sponsorship money to collect and I believe the money is still rolling in. FANTASTIC!!! Our Team have so far raised £2700 not including just short of £500 that me, my cousin Nichola, my Auntie Doh-Doh and sister-law Joanne Raised in May. A real sense of achievement that I have done something really worthwhile this summer.




The final total will be announced in September when a cheque will be presented to Cancer Research UK. I will be there, because I have donated some of my books to the raffle, which I will be signing on the night for the prize winners. So watch this space!!!


Survivers Flag...

Facebookers and Mad MySpacers

If you have looked at My Beyond Series Website you may have noticed there is a direct link to my My Space profile page.

I have to admit that I am a bit of a My Space addict and I have to limit myself to just one hour a day on BOTH My Space and Facebook, otherwise I would get lost in cyber space and never actually get anything done, like write my novels, wash my clothes or feed my poor dog.

I do get a little exasperated at just a few of my fellow Facebookers and MySpacers for several reasons. Okay here' why.

1. Bands and musicians who request my friendship when I have absolutely no interest in Poppy Pop, Rap, R&B, Hip Hop, Bip Bop, Garage, House, Folk, Country and Western... I don't even listen to the music on their profiles, so I decided to do an experiment... I left comments after THEY had sought me out and they didn't even have the decency to reply. At least when people leave comments on my profile I do my best to reply to every one as well as personal messages. (I do this on Facebook too.) I will never chat, comment or look at their profile again so what exactly is the point? I have searched my expansive logical mind and I simply can't find one. This exercise is completely pointless and wastes my precious hour on My Space.

2. When I first set up my accounts I was a completely unknown debutant in the literary world and so I used the sites to go and seek like minded people who I thought would like my work. So I requested friendships with anyone who liked to read fantasy/supernatural books. Makes sense right? But what irritated me the most were the odd few who just don't seem to get the whole VIRTUAL SOCIAL NETWORKING thing... AT ALL! You request friendship and they send you a stupid email asking one of the following:

Question: "Do I know you?" My Answer: "Nope, but you do now! <;0)"
Question: "Who are you?" My Answer: "Alison Kershaw! See profile name. Numpty!"
Question: "I'm sorry, but I can't remember where I met you?" My Answer: "No need to apologise, you haven't met me. I'm just messing with your head!"

What is that about? If you don't know me then look at my bloody profile! That's what it's there for. And it's not even like I am stingy with information either. It's safe to say that my Facebook profile (which is an open profile so non-friends can go in and have a good old nosey) is the size of a small virtual island like Guernsey for crying out loud.
I spent hours building up that profile so I didn't have to answer anal questions. However, I did have some fun for a while with these folk, one reply I once gave to "Who are you?" went something like: "I am an evil blue flying monkey, who has moved on from emptying scarecrows heads full of straw and have now discovered the delights of virtual reality, where I can happily empty your heads of all common sense through the power of the computer. By the time you have read this message you will have the IQ of a labotomised donkey."
My account got disabled for a week for that one, but now I am happy to say that my networks are large enough and I don't really need to bother much anymore. I merely delete. If these people don't know the rudimentary workings of social networking then I feel that The Beyond Series of books would probably be a mystery to them as well!

3. Okay this point is specifically to Facebook, although I'm sure it goes on in My Space too, but I have never bothered to look, as I use MS very differently from FB. It's Celebrity Fansites that irritate me. How can we be sure it is the bonafide celeb running that site or at the very least their PA?
Now it may or may not come as a surprise to some readers, but I am a huge fan of Top Gear and I recently found a fansite for Jeremy Clarkson. It has only been on Facebook for about two weeks and already has about two and a half thousand fans. I was suitably impressed so I decided to join it and left a comment for who I thought was The JC himself. However, as the group got larger, the creator couldn't resist holding on to the enigma of staying stylishly silent and distant from his fans and decided to leave a post promoting the lamest group on Facebook I have ever seen. It had just 32 members and it had a hotch potch of videos from...well I'm not quite sure, because I didn't bother wasting that precious hour looking.
So I began to get suspicious of this fansite for several reasons. The first was that JC had put himself down as an actor! Eh? Jezza is a Journalist, prolific writer and TV Presenter.
Then the post itself was appalling. As he is a writer and I'm sure he writes daily, would not dream of starting a sentence in lower case letters, he would automatically use correct grammar and punctuation and I don't think he would end a sentence with "lol" or use "awesome" either. If he handed over his weekly Sunday Times column to the editor in that slovenly manner, he would be laughed out of the world of journalism.
Finally, I don't think that JC would bother promoting a seriously amateur group page on FB when he can promote two very professional websites that plays a plethora of past Top Gear episodes. Strewth!
What possesses people to pretend that they are someone they are not? Does it make you feel popular? Important? Wanted? Dare I say famous? Get your own identity and do something original, creative and constructive if fame and notoriety is what you seek.

4. Rant nearly over I promise. My final gripe is this text or txt typing that goes on in these comments and message boards. Don't be so bloody lazy. You have a proper alphabetical keyboard in front of you. Write properly. The entire English speaking world will end up illiterate at this rate. Here's an example of a My Spacer who left me a comment.
"wos up babe u r sexy n i wud luv to take u out on a d8 or a kwiki at urs i av a big n lol xxx" The suave and sophistication of this Casanova's verbal articulation must be limitless. Can you imagine the quick witted conversations we would have over a G&T and a bowl of olives? I had nothing in common with this guy, except that we lived in the same town and quite clearly went to different schools!
It took me half an hour to read and understand the god damn message. It's all Chinese slang to me. I politely replied. "Been single long then?"
Enough said. Write proper English like what I do! I will be able to understand so much more and as I only have an hour a day to virtually network I'm hardly going to spend fifty percent of that time trying to get my head around this new lazy mobile phone shorthand. And yes I have predicitive text on my phone so I can type words properly and quickly. So there!

Okay rant over. Don't get me wrong though, I have met some lovely, talented and thoroughly hilarious and creative people over these sites. I am merely talking of a very small percentage here. Whilst I am on the subject of My Space, if you have entered this blog through my website and want to know what I am up to in the literary sense please go to My Space Profile I use that blog for all my publishing and appearances information. This blog is purely for my everyday observations of life, no matter how bizzare and journal. Where I try to put some common sense back into a nutty old world.
TTFN

Morning Has Broken....

I am so tired it is unreal, so I guess this blog is going to be short and sweet.
I was rudely awoken this morning by the sun blazing through my bedroom window, because I had stupidly left the blinds up last night, because I was hot and I needed to sleep with the window open.

Now, if I have the blinds rolled down and there is a gust of wind the blinds rattle and stun me awake. So anyway, there I am at 6.30 am head under covers getting hotter and hotter, but thankfully my tired peepers are protected from the summer sun.

However, because my window is open, I hear some mad early bird decide to empty what sounded like the entire contents of bottles and tin cans from an all night rave the previous night into his recycle bin.

I groan as my ears throb from the high pitched clatter. Then a house alarm goes off and the owners miracuously don't hear it for at least fifteen minutes!!! What is that about? What's the point in having a car, house or fire alarm if you are a sleeper of the living dead? Anyway this sets off the local yappy, ankle biter dog that seems to be left out for most of the night and this sets my Mad Meggy Moo Moo off huffing at my bedside. (She doesn't bark, she huffs and puffs, because she's special!)In a mad fit I get up "Right that's it!" And storm downstairs to make a brew and defeated decide to start getting ready for work. However, because I haven't had my eight hours beauty sleep you can imagine my face looks like a lima on speed today.

So I have come up with an idea for sleeping in hot whether. 1 Bedsheet, 1 Birthday Suit, 1 Open window with the blind up, 1 Eye mask with the words "Wake the Bitch at Your Own Peril" (In Pink sequins of course) and a pair of industrial strength ear muffs.

Or I could just buy an air-conditioning unit!
TTFN