Stu vs 2012 (Resolutions for Next Year)

2011 has gone by in a blur and was filled with ups and downs. More on that another time. However by far the best part of 2011 was watching my son go from this:



To this:


Anyway onto 2012. Usually new year resolutions are either made to be broken or are so ludicrous that we have no hope of actually achieving success. I've thought long and hard over the last few weeks about what I actually want to achieve next year and believe my resolutions are actuslly achievable. Some of this determinations comes from reading about my wife's aims for 2012. Please feel free to read about her passion for all things sweet related at http://little-sprinkles.blogspot.com/

Next year I intend to:

1. Read more (My bookshelves are filled with books left untouched). Please look to the left for more on what I intend to read in my 2012 Reading list.

2. Push on with my Writer's Bureau Children's course. I started last May and am currently bogged down with assignment 2. By this time next year I want to be booged down with assignment 6.

3. My lifelong passion is to become a published author. Next year I intend to finish my first children's Book and publish it via the Kindle. So watch out for Captain Cosmo: Space Adventurer on a Kindle near you.

4. Finally get a fulltime teaching position and do away with all this unpredictable supply malarky.

5. Spend more quality time with the family (anyone who knows me knows how much I depend to technology and my gadgets. In 2012 I promise to use these less. Ironically I'm typying this out on my IPad - lol.

6. Lose a little bit of weight. Tone up a little.

Well that's it. Not too far fetched I hope. Anyone else care to share thier own?

Stu vs. Christmas

Well folks as 2011 comes to an end I have actually found time to reflect on a few things. The first of which is Christmas. Now this is the first proper 'Copping Christmas' I've been involved in for 8 years. The last few times I've spent Christmas with my side of the family we've been in Florida. Although I had not forgotten how hectic it can get and how we are always swimming in presents, this was my wife's first taste of it all. It didn't disappoint.

This was our son's first Christmas and days before my brother and wife brought us the gift of a niece, Lyla. We were very excited to get to see her too. My wife is very organised so there was no last minute present dashes for people. Although on Christmas Eve-eve-eve (yes that is its official title) I was putting the last finishing touches to a present and in doing so destroyed my laminator beyond repair. This little mishap meant Ruth had to shoot into work on her day off to complete my awesome present for Dad.

Our journey to the parentals was slow but uneventful and we managed to fit presents et al in the car along with a moses basket for our little niece. My brother's car was a little more chocka (I will try and find a hilarious photo of this which had my sister-in-law wedged in the back).

So Christmas Eve arrived and the presents mounted. I thought we were quite reserved. My other family members had other ideas. For example my aunt dropped off 11 (yes 11) bags of presents just from her. Hence the tight fit in my brothers car. Strangly enough no-one seemed to get too hammered that evening. I think we were just too knackered.

I was up early on Christmas Day in anticipation for my son's early rise... It never came. He slept right through leaving a tired Daddy come breakfast time. TYPICAL. Now for as long as can remember we've haven't done traditional stockings at Christmas. Instead everyone get's everyone else a present or two that cost £1. This usually means an obscene amount of crappy presents that get lost on the way home. I was however suprised with my hall this year. Out of the 10 I received I think I've kept over half. My favourite being a map of Discworld. Bargain.

This went on until midday. We started at 10. When most people have ripped of paper and packaging and getting to play with shiny new toys our fun is just beginning. Now this went on until 4ish when we stopped for 'lunch' and then carried on once more until 10pm. I got a huge number of children's books which I intend to plough through this year, along with some PS3 games and a few Blu-rays which should also keep me entertained until my birthday in May.

I was more shocked with Nathan, who took in his first Christmas with awe. He wasn't too interested in presents, that I'm sure will happen next year, but he behaved excellently and monopolised his Grandad throughout the day. He got some excellent bath toys that we've already tried out.

Boxing Day was spent setting up my Mum's new IMac. I want one now, they're awesome. There were also more presents to open and lots of food to eat and I was all to happy to oblige. We then headed home on the 27th with more stuff than we came with.

That was out Christmas in a nutshell. It was great to spend it with family and see old friends (Bex your son is great). I've already read about other people's Christmas' and it looks like everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves this year.

Here's to a cracking 2012!! Happy New Year readers

Stu vs. The 2012 Reading List

My new reading list for 2012. Most are left over from last year and I fully intend to purchase (I don't condone stealing at all) all the books I dont have to avoid this years debacle.

There a quite a few children's books on this list, I'm doubling up with some research for the Writer's Bureau course.

The Minipins
World of Warcraft - War of the Ancients: Book 3
Magyk
The Borrowers
Astrosaurs: Riddles of the Raptors
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
Muddle Earth
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
The Warcraft Archive
Scott Pilgrim vs The World: Book 5
Scott Pilgrim vs The World: Book 4
Tales from Earthsea
World of Warcraft: War of the Ancients - Book 2
The Wyrmling Horde - Sum of All Men
Brisingr
Inkdeath
Tom Trineheart and the Land of Dark Stories
The Amulet of Samarakind
How to Train Your Dragon
Edge Chronicles: Curse of the Gloamglozer
Assassin's Quest
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Apprentice
The Bromliad
The Complete Spiderwick Chronlicles
The Subtle Knife
Inheritance
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Five on Treasure Island
Tollins

Stu vs. 25 Books in 2011: An Update

Well as we near the end of 2011 and think about what's in store for us in 2012 (I'll deliberate that later) I thought I would revisit my reading challenge. Looking back this challenge was flawed and doomed to fail from the start. The reason: I didn't actually own all the books on the list. Yes, I intended to but them all eventually but never got around to getting all of them.
Now I'll admit I'm a slow reader but I honestly thought 25 books in a year was doable. I managed to finish... 6! Yes just six. I blame A Dance with Dragons tbh. That book alone took me over three months to get through. Since then I finished a fair few others. My latest conquest being the first book in the Warcraft: Ancients trilogy.

So the list to the left will be altered to 30, yes 30, books in 2012. I'm going to remove those I've finished and add a few more. To quote Yoda, 'Do or do not, there is no try.'

This will probably be my final post pre-christmas, so I will take this opportunity to wish my readers a Happy Christmas. Eat. Drink. Be Merry.

Stu vs Writer's Bureau Assignment 2

Progress Update:

I've already given you people a sneaky peek at the synopsis for my science fiction novel for kids and was really shocked at the feedback I was getting. But alas, assignment 2 for my Writer's Bureau course doesn't end there. It is actually split into about six parts and I'm slowly ticking each one off. Below is my next synopsis aimed at children aged between 7 and 9 and takes place in a prep school with some hidden secrets. Once again read and enjoy and as always comments and criticism is not only welcome but encouraged.

The Stationary Store-Room Adventures (7-9)

Nathan and his friends, Snotty Fred and twins Ruben and Holly, are bored, having played with their Christmas presents constantly for the last few weeks. So in a moment of madness they decide they need supplies and plan a raid on the school’s stationary room during a lunch break. Their raid is successful but one of the stolen maths books becomes enchanted.

During lunch they take stock of their hoard and begin planning what to do with it. Fred reaches for the enchanted maths book and begins to create a maze full of traps and monsters using the squared paper. As Nathan hides the stolen goods and Fred is nearing completion, the paper begins to fold out on itself encompassing the four friends and they find themselves at the start of Fred’s maze. As Fred tries to remember how to get to the exit they are attacked by a ghoul. They manage to escape but get lost in the process.

As they make their way blindly through the paper maze they find that by drawing weapons on the walls and then cutting them out they come to life and use them against the hoards of creatures of the maze. As they come upon what looks like an endless plain of paper Fred realises he never finished the maze. To escape Nathan cuts a hole in the floor with the scissors and upon jumping through they find themselves on the sports field with only a few minutes left until registration.


I have to say with a word cap of just 250 words I felt I didn't do the story justice, but I'll be working on it during subsequent assignments. I'm hoping I can edit my final synopsis down enough and get it up on here over the next couple of days. At the moment my word count is waaaaay to high. I'll also be adding these tasters to my website (see to the right for a link that will take you whizzing over to it).

Stu vs. NaNoWrimo: As One Thing Ends....

Another continues....

So I gave up on my nano, no not given up but shelved for a time, and gave myself a few weeks off the writing. Until yesterday when I got back on the metaphorical saddle, picked up a pencil and began Assignment 2 of my Writer's Bureau course. The blue sheet of paper has been pinned to my notice board for six months. So I dusted it off and began working on writing synopses for three possible book ideas.

I've now written them all, one completed, the other two in draft form with too many words so will need to edit. I'm going to share one with you now. This is an idea for a book aimed at 5-7 year olds and I would love to know what you think. My tutor believes sci-fi for younger children is a very hard sell. Now I've done my research and I'm out to prove her wrong.

So here it is. My synopsis for Captain Cosmo: Intergalactic Space Explorer:

Captain Cosmo and his childhood robot friend Bal-4 have been asked by the Space Museum of Extraordinary Living Life-forms (SMELL) to track down the Gurdulfozer. In return he will be paid and receive a lifetime supply of Super Zombie Attack credits and get his own action figure.

So they head of to the Gemmi Nebula, believing they find the creature there. However along the way his stasis pod malfunctions, he wakes believing he is heading out for a vacation and sets down on the nearest planet to the sun. Bal-4, awake the whole journey plays along as he knows this is the correct place.

On arrival they are met by a race of small beings known as the Putrefowl. They try to enlist Cosmo in their fight against Kiro who has begun enslaving them. Slightly annoyed that it is getting in the way of his vacation he offers to help. Cosmo agrees to take the Path of Five, a series of tests, to free the Putrefowl. He passes the first four challenges Kiro sets him; the dagger pits, glacial climb, eating fire chillies and game of ape swing. The final challenge is to battle the Gurdulfozer to the death. Instead he sets it free, causing Kiro to flee the planet. The Putrefowl hold a feast in Cosmo’s name, then he and Bal-4 leaves with the Gurdulfozer and return to SMELL. After collecting their prize they decide to go on a real vacation.

If you are at all interested in my other stuff you can get a sneak peek on my website http://awritersblock.weebly.com/ and click on the projects tab. If you can wait the other synopses will be up on my blog tomorrow.

Enjoy and goodnight!

Stu vs The Christmas List

Well folks, it's that time of year again and at the grand age of 29 am finding it harder and harder each year to come up with things for people to get me.

However my father is having no such problem. His list last year was comedy gold, this year its almost as good, so good I thought I'd post iton my blog. ENJOY!!

THE CHRISTMAS LIST

By John
 

2 weeks at the Almond Beach and Spa in Barbados. Please do not scrimp Ocean view room on the 1st floor and upgrade to business Class on the flight. (I will pay for the stay at Holiday Inn the night before). Budget for around £7,000

2 Weeks in a villa at Sunset Lakes Orlando. (Please check with me first and I will send link to book villa direct). Again, upgrade on the flights please. Do not scrimp on the car hire....Cadillac Seville. If you shop around allow for £5,000 (how cheap is that?)
 
10 days in a villa at Competa. Unfortunately no flight upgrade available so be generous with the car hire. Well worth £3,000 which should give me some spending money if comparing with above.
 
ALL DATES SHOULD BE CHECKED WITH LAINE
May have to steer clear of Christmas next year as we seem to be gathering a collection of Grandchildren
 
The biggest Apple Computer costs a lot and does things I will never understand but bugger me does it look good. Since he bought his laptop, sorry Mac book, Jamie can advise on additional software.
 
Conn Iggulden...Conqueror. Amazon £8.55
 
George R R Martin...Dance with Dragons. Amazon £12.50
 
Nils Lofgren...Favourites 1990 – 2005. Amazon £7.49
 
Apparently you can buy credits for WII games to buy ‘on line’. Now that we have rescued this from Alex and Lisa best check with Stubag to see how this is done. You can borrow my ‘idiots guide to all things gaming’ that Stu wrote for me last year if you needed, should you wish to try yourself.
 
As mentioned last year I get great satisfaction killing things, they should invent a game with Politicians as the main protagonists, how much fun would that be? Oh, I digress; speak with Stubag to get an idea of what I can cope with.
 
I have asked Stubag and Barmy to come up with ideas for me, as and when they do I will add to list therefore please check regularly for updates.

All I'm hoping for is a few books (shock horror) and a couple of other bits and bobs. Here wishing all readers a Happy Christmas.