Free!

“You don't drink? Life must be boring for you.”

I've lost count of how many times I've heard that.

First, and foremost, alcohol isn't a prerequisite to a good time.

Oh, I know it is for some people. For some people, a good time is going out and drinking. But, for a lot of people, a night out, or a day out, doesn't have to involve alcohol.

Some people have never drunk, and probably never will. Some people may have tried alcohol and didn't like the taste. Some people may have drunk at one point but have grown out of it. And some people, like myself, may have drunk ourselves into oblivion so many times that it winds up becoming a hazard to our health.

A while back, I wrote about my addictions.

http://veetu-industries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/im-addict.html

But I've never really written about what it's like post-addiction.

Yes, I still drink but it's mostly a glass of wine once in a while. I now know my limits. I know when to say no. I know what triggers me to go on a drink and drugs binge. I know how many drinks I can have before I'm going down that slippery slope again. Mostly though, I don't touch alcohol.

However, there are those who, once they've acknowledged their addiction, choose never to drink again. A good example is Izzy Stradlin (former GNR) who, when he cleaned up, gave up everything from heroin and alcohol through to coffee and painkillers. Along with David Ellefson (Megadeth), Izzy was one of the influences for me to clean up and stay clean.

And you know, we're not boring because we don't drink. Nor do we think we're better than anyone else because of our lifestyle choices. We've just realised what works for us. If you come across someone who doesn't drink, or doesn't do drugs, don't call them “boring”. Politely ask them why and perhaps they'll tell you a story. ;)

And while I'm here, here's the lyrics to the song I've been banging on about for weeks!

If you're scared then walk away, cause there's no need to feel ashamed,
Yeah we all feel the same.
I fell in love with rock and roll until I found out it was false,
And plastered on a face for me.

Woah, where's you passion, where's your fire tonight,
Woah, I can't believe there's nothing you're willing to hide,
Woah, I want to believe,
I set my body on fire so I could be free.

So I could be free, yeah.
So I could be free,
So I could be free, yeah.

And don't be told it can't be done, because the best all die young,
Yeah we all feel the same.
And if there's nothing left to say, just have the guts to disagree,
Or plaster on a face for me.

Woah, where's you passion, where's your fire tonight,
Woah, I can't believe there's nothing you're willing to hide,
Woah, I want to believe,
I set my body on fire so I could be free.

So I could be free, yeah.
So I could be free,
So I could be free, yeah.

Free,
Free.

Free,
So I could be free, yeah.
So I could be free,
So I could be free, yeah.

Hurricane Sandy

My family from America are in the UK at the moment. You know what's coming next, don't you? Yep, they're trying to get home but Hurricane Sandy has dealt them a bad hand. They were routed to fly into Philadelphia but that airport is about to shut down, along with most of New York. Scary, scary stuff.

We Brits love to moan about our weather, but we never get anything like this and, for that, we're grateful. The most we get is when the news forecasts snow. When that happens, the country shuts down, even if the snow never arrives. Yep, we're pussies when it comes to the weather.

A lot of my friends also live Stateside and I just wanted you to know that we're thinking about you. We're praying and lighting candles for you, and hoping that you're all safe and well. We do worry and we're keeping on top of the news (ironically, our family found out about the hurricane from BBC News rather than from anyone across the pond).

It looks crazy and we hope that, if you're in the path, you're prepared and ready to go. If your power goes out, please check in with us once it's back on. We'll love you for it. :)

If you're travelling in to, out of, or around the States in the next few days Flight Aware are issuing regular updates on which airports and airlines are closing down and when.

Keep us posted if you can. We want to know that you're okay. Take care and stay safe, America. We love you.

Wooooo! It's Finally Here!

Woooo! Here it is! Print copies to follow soon. :)

Selling Mars (Veetu Industries #2)
Erus Veetu, the self-proclaimed Angel of Death, is dead. Or is he?

Though executed for crimes against his own people, his body was never recovered, and a strange, coded note leads Cedo and Billy to believe he may still be alive. Following the clues, they head into untold dangers as they cross Europe and enter the secretive Dynasty. Captured by the country's brutal president, they find themselves trapped in an underground prison with no possibility of escape. Pitched against a world they could never have imagined, Cedo and Billy find themselves battling not only with a world which wishes them dead, but also against one another. Faced with a world on the brink of war and a barrage of deadly machines, they learn about the true meaning of love, life and freedom. Yet what else will they discover? Will they find Erus? More importantly, will they escape with their lives? Selling Mars is the gripping sequel to Mars on the Rise and will enthrall your mind and capture your heart.

Torquere Press (All e-readers): http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3728

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Selling-Mars-ebook/dp/B009W9ZOCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351261210&sr=8-1

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Selling-Mars-ebook/dp/B009W9ZOCY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351260914

Amazon Germany: http://www.amazon.de/Selling-Mars-ebook/dp/B009W9ZOCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351261242&sr=8-1

More sites to be added soon!

Guess What's Coming Tomorrow?!

Yep, it's the final countdown! See you all tomorrow!

One Pill To Rule Me

I work around death.

What a great way to start a blog, right?!

It's true, though. My day job (when I'm not here trying to finish the latest book) is working in end of life care. Death is, sadly, a daily part of our job. What it's made me realise is that every moment is precious and that every moment passing is not one to waste. For me, it's why I work as hard as I do. But it also leaves me with a few regrets.

One of them is the events I can't get to. I get invited to so many amazing events yet can only ever really attend a few. One of the reasons is money (yeah, we all have that problem!) while the day and night jobs don't help much either.

The other is my health. I can't remember if I've really spoken about it here (definitely spoken about being a drug addict ). Thanks to my stupidity and depriving my brain of essential chemicals during those hedonistic periods, I came out the other end with bipolar. To make sure I don't have another breakdown, of which there's been several, the latest one being August 2011, I live my life in an extremely regimented way. A way which includes schedules, lots of advance planning and vast quantities of anti-psychotic medication. Every night I pump 300mgs of Seroquel into my system, several times the amount the average user takes. It takes hold in around 20 minutes, after which only World War 3 breaking out or my stupidly loud alarm will wake me.

Because of this, I plan my entire life around that one little pill. If I'm going anywhere I have to know exactly when I'll be back, who's travelling home with me (No car for me yet!) and how much time there is between me getting into bed and having to get up. It's stressful and, to be truthful, I do loathe it at times. But, for now, it's the way for me to completely repair my body.

This year has been, without a doubt, one hellva a year! It's been busy, fun and tiring. 2013 is going to be a great one as well! I just wanted to let all you wonderful people who are putting on events that you're doing an incredible job and that, next year, hopefully I'll be able to get to more of them. I don't want people to think that I dislike them or hate them for not going to their events. I'll support them any way I can, especially if I can't make it. If you want to pop one up on this blog or any of the Facebook pages, go for it! Got absolutely no problem with people pimping the amazing stuff they do. My day job is actually as an events manager (strange place for one, I know!) and if you ever need a hand, just shout! Always here for the brilliant people who make this world a better and happier place to live in.

And now I'm going to Gangnam Style over to the kettle and make us all a brew. Peace and love to you all!

Partying Like It's 1899 Part 2!

The launch for "Selling Mars" has all been arranged! Fingers crossed it'll go nice and smoothly. You can find the tickets for it in the side bar of this blog. Be warned though, that there are only 85 tickets and when they're gone, they're gone! The venue's a nice little one, very cozy and perfect for the event. We're having performances by Birthrite and Crimson Clocks and everyone who attends will receive a little bag of goodies. We're also planning other things and we'll reveal them as the date draws closer.

It would be great to see you there! Everyone's welcome and, while it's not compulsory, turning up in Steampunk dress would be amazing! Really hope to see you there.

Facebook Event Page

Tickets £10 each

Time Is Ticking Away

A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me how I fit writing into my life. It's not very interesting, but here's how I do it.

7am - Get up and go to the day job.
3pm - Return from the day job. Start up computer, read and reply to email, check other sites etc.
4pm - Write.
5pm - Shower, dinner, chill out.
7.30pm - Write.
9pm - Chill out.
10.30-11pm - Bed.

Rinse and repeat! And that's it. My life's not all that interesting, is it? In addition to that, I also, like many writers, carry a notebook with me. The journey to and from work, and before finally dozing off, gives a extra little time. It does take will power to not get distracted and, more often than not, something arises which takes away from getting any work done. But everyone needs a break from time to time. All work and no play etc etc. If you schedule your life, how do you do it?