Banking Bins

Hello friends! It's another rant I'm afraid!

While doing my daily ablutions and sorting the mail into 'bin' or 'oh, goody, a proper letter from a real person' piles, I came across the seemingly weekly letter from my bank. I don't need to say which pile that went into but before it did, I made sure of pulling out the little plasticky window from the envelope (for recycling purposes).

And so I went about my business. It wasn't until my husband came home a few days later with a horrible rumour about what might have been inside the bank letter that I thought I should maybe check it.

Friends, we have a 'holding' bin. That is where all the waste from the office space waits until the night before the recycling. So I reached in and shook off the cornflakes from a slightly dampened official letter. And read.

My bank has very kindly done the following to make my life easier.

Instead of those pesky monthly calculations of paying me interest on any money in my account or charging me interest on my overdraft, they have decided to ditch all that in favour of a more simple solution.

They will charge £1 a day for each day I am in overdraft up to £1200, £2 a day from £1200-£2500 and so on. And if I slip up and go over my overdraft, I will be charged £5 per day. Ooops, did I say 'charge'? I meant these are the new 'fees'.

So there you have it. I thought I'd better put this out there just in case any of my readers are of the 'holding bin' persuasion.

Happy banking!

I'm away to eat some cakes. x x x

Non-Formal Learning, is it of value?

Last night, I was lucky enough to be invited along to a round table discussion on Community Learning & Development with reps from within the sector and MSPS, John Park and Margaret Curran.

Mary Blair from Midlothian's CLD asked me along as someone who has used the scheme to give my view.

Of course the main reason for the discussion was the worry about budget cuts and how this would impact the non-formal adult learning. By non-formal we are talking about non-qualification or non-skills based education. So I felt I really must share my experience and how important I believe this scheme to be.

When I moved to the wee town I now live in, I felt quite isolated. I had a baby - too small for nursery, and post natal depression. A combination which perhaps niether endeared me to the community nor it to me! However, through my health visitor pushing me, I made it along to a PND group. It was a lifeline to me. For two hours a week I got to chat to women with similar stories while my precious baby was safely looked after in a creche. As a follow on, I was introduced to an alternative therapy course at the community centre. Again, for no fee, and a creche, I could spend time in a group learning about massage and relaxation. At the time, this was a free resource and the benefits to me were far more than learning to identify the difference between lavender and bergamot (though, I must say, that was lovely!). I met and made friends with local people which in turn made me feel more confident and that I had, and deserved, a place within my community.

I then went on to a confidence building class facilitated by Mary Blair and Ali Burrel. Again, the bonding with fellow learners and the childcare provided all helped me to keep believing in myself and find the positivity and confidence that had eroded from me through the mental health and isolation issues.

I cannot praise Community Based Non-Formal Adult Education enough! I am now a published author, hosting and facilitating groups of my own in creative writing. www.ScottishAuthor.co.uk

It is likely, that with budget cuts, programmes like these will be the first to go - they can not be measured in economic success or job creation. However, I believe the long-term positive outcomes are far reaching and benefit the community at the most basic level - the individual. After all, surely that's where community building begins.

Thanks for reading! Please pass on if you think this is important! x x

Lovely Tart

Look at My Lovely tart!

I made it for Nat who will be 25 today!!!

Happy Birthday Nat!

It's cherry and apple.

x x x x

Why do I always fall for it?

Hello again me! (I am trying to get my blog 'out there' - but all I've managed to do so far is to click on something that makes me follow it myself!!!) Oh well, at least I've increased my fan base by 100%! It must be more than that, surely zero increasing to a whole one is more than 100% - I would venture that is a clear infinity percent increase, so take take that Blogger Kingdom!

Anyway, where was I? What pearls of wisdom was I going to impart before I so rudely interrupted myself? Ahhhh, yes... the 'falling for it' thing.

So, first of all, I've been trying to promote my book - yep, you know the one The Device, The Devil... (I'd be a fool to forget the link...) Anyhoo, I've been eagerly sending out recommendations to book groups and excitedly awaiting any responses - surely they'd be interested in hearing from a new author? So I got one! Hooray! I opened up the email and there it was, 'We'd be delighted to list your book as recommended reading for all 750 reading groups!' How wonderful, I thought. It went on... 'Just deposit $50 in our secure account' then listed all the ways I could pay. Never mind.

THEN, I saw an advert on Gumtree showing a picture of the most gorgeous and cute little chihuahua puppy who desperately needed a good home. Again, I was excited. I duly typed my email with shaking fingers explaining what a wonderful adopted mother I'd make to this little puppy and how I would send photos and even arrange visits because I know how hard it must be to give up a precious little puppy dog. And so it went on. I got a reply, 'will you promise to take care of my wee Lulu?' etc, etc. I said yes and couldn't believe my luck! I had been selected as the successful candidate out of 35 others (I'd seen the viewer count)! I waited for one more reply. It came. 'Just deposit £100 into my secure account (and listed ways to pay) then the dog will be shipped to you as soon as the funds clear.'

So the darling puppy in desperate need of a loving family became the 'dog' and I became a fool.

So there you have it.

But my darlings, this blog is free! And you can have my book for free! All you have to do is deposit a one time goodwill fee of £10 into my secure account (£11 if you want it sent in real life) and the book is yours! Of course further copies would need similar 'donations' but I am delighted to offer you this 'no catch' offer!

If you do want something genuinely for free - visit my website, www.ScottishAuthor.co.uk and read my wee ebook, Coco and Tino Go Outside - just for you - with no catch! x x x x

Publicity & Press

Oh, what to do?!!! I have just told a reporter I don't want to do an article in Now magazine. Was that daft of me? Have I looked a gift horse in the mouth. I have to wonder, is all publicity good publicity?

I published my first novel, The Device, The Devil & Me in August with a small independent press - The Linen Press. I'm very happy - the book is perfect, however, the press has no budget for publicity and so it falls to me to do all that I can to promote my book. This would be no problem at all but for the fact that my book covers sensitive issues about mental health and eating disorders, and of course, me being the author, may have experienced some of these things. So it may become clearer to you my dear reader that the angle any publicity seems to take is that of my background first and the book comes in at last place.

Even though the reporter was extremely sensitive to my situation, she had to agree that magazines would only take my story if I bared my soul and secrets.

So last week I bit the bullet and said 'yes!' I have an important message to give! Of course I must seize this opportunity! This would have been fine and exciting except that I started to feel uneasy. I couldn't sleep. I felt sick and kept visualising my two little boys sitting in the doctor's waiting room in two years time, picking up a tatty issue of Now with their mother showing pictures of her life warts and all. I couldn't face it.

Of course I want to publicise the issues my book raises, but I need it to be in a responsible way that is sensitive to the reader as well as myself. I can't have publicity for the sake of it.

I'm not ashamed of my life but I'm just not ready to share it with the world just yet.

So, please read my book! If you like it and are interested, I would be happy to answer any questions. I might not make the best sellers but hey, never mind. At least I can sleep. x x

Four Leaf Clover - Lucky or Just a naturally occuring mishap?

So, ever since Brownie camp eight million years ago when I won the treasure hunt for our team by finding one, I have a special talent for locating four leaf clovers.

I can't go past a clump of grassy embankment without casting my knowing eye over the area for one of the so-called elusive lucky charms. In fact, I am quite obsessed. I can tell if there will be one, not by looking, but by a special feeling that comes over me. If the feeling comes - you can be sure I will spot one within a few seconds. If not, I will quietly walk away.

So, my question to you is; why are they lucky? I don't know. I thought that maybe I've used up my luck by finding them so I have to pass them on...

If anyone can answer me, or if anyone has a similar talent - let me know.

Maybe like the clover I am just lucky. Or maybe, like the clover I am just a naturally occurring mishap...

The Internet – friend or unruly teen?

Now, I am new to this blogging business but since I am trying to carve out a career as a writer, it seems pretty lax not to at least give it a try. So this morning, I excitedly gave up my morning jog (!) to hurry to my computer and begin a blog.

Then I encountered one of the main reasons why I never attempt any sort of www. interaction apart from emails and buying stuff: It doesn’t work for me… I switch on my computer which has been programmed to automatically log on and it just doesn’t connect.

Ever.

The J-man comes in and does exactly the same as me and bingo is ready to roll within seconds. I sit with my chin in my hand watching the ‘error connecting’ message flash over and over again as I silently seethe. Sometimes I treat myself to a not so silent seething. Like this morning. I won’t bother you with the details but most of the words started with F.

As you may guess, this is a pre-recorded message for my web log. Is that allowed? The main idea for this came to me this morning when I was pondering that old, ‘if a tree fell in the forest and there was no one to hear it…’ chestnut. If everyone switched off their computers at the same time, would the internet cease to exist? Or would it continue without us, morphing and misbehaving like a teenage house party when the parents thought they could get away with a quiet week on their own in Costa Del Sol?

Would we be too scared to switch it all back on and reconnect? God, I remember what happened at teenage parties. I can see us all with our fingers poised to hit the connect button just like your mum and dad’s hand hovering over the door handle knowing something is up purely by the toilet roll, beer cans and pubescent bodies in various states of undress all over the garden.

Is the World Wide Web simply a teenage house party waiting to happen? Or would it just vanish?

If there does happen to be a massive global power cut, would we be brave enough to switch our computers back on and press the connect button?

I know I would. With a trembling hand I would click on that connect icon, images of virtual devastation thrilling my brain, only to have ‘Error 691: Access was denied because the user name and/or password were invalid on the domain’ brand itself to my screen.

And even though it is the same user name and same password that has been used since the beginning of my time on the internet, it still wouldn’t work. And I will never be able to RSVP to or take part in that big old teenage house party that is the World Wide Web.

So if you are reading this (that doesn’t include you Gran, I mean on the computer, not a bit of paper) hooray for me, I must have done something right! Party on!

London

Ahh, already blogging has become another wonderful way to, how shall I put this in a constructive way, take a break from what I'm supposed to be doing. This is up there with with my favourites including, calling friends and checking emails - again and again...

So, to London!

Feeling like Steve Martin in The Jerk, myself and my husband made it out of our small town (wee toun) in Scotland and got the train down to the Big City last Friday to attend the opening of the Manga Jiman exhibition in the Japanese Embassy (running until April - very exciting work). Armed with only email print outs for our travel tickets, hotel booking and exhibition invite I can only tell you I was highly skeptical about getting there at all. However, like a dream everything went smoothly and we arrived refreshed and excited. We tried not to look too excited though, knowing that thieves can spot a tourist at twenty leagues through one glimpse of a goofy smile.

As the trip wore on the suspicion that everyone was out to get us and nobody is friendly began to evaporate. Even when I made the mistake of bringing out my map, wholly expecting locals to run away and muggers to come closer, all I got in reality was a lovely lady attentively give me all the help and directions I needed. It was only when she got on her bus that I remembered to check for my wallet. There it was, safely tucked in my zip up pocket.

So, I found London to be a lovely, friendly, exciting wee toun that I hope to visit again very soon.

Cheers pals x x

This is it... no excuses!

At last! I can ignore the future no more and am ready to blog.

A web presence. A space in the virtual cosmos. It's pretty exciting for l'il ol' me so just yawn and skip this bit if you lost your blogging virginity like, last millennium.

One thing does worry me though, all my other writings and ramblings are tucked away in conveniently difficult places to reach - be it a file festering away in the back of my computer or a dogeared diary in a forgotten handbag, at least I know my thoughts are safe from from exposure. Surely though, the whole point in writing things down is that on some level you expect to share them, else what would be the point?

So here I am ready to jump in and hit the post button... it is just so instant - think it, type it, post it. Mental.

Hope we can be friends!!

I think that will do for now x x