Tag Archives: newauthoronline

Successful Blogging – Guest Post By Kev Cooper

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Many thanks to Kev (http://kevs-domain.net/about-my-blog/) for the below excellent post on successful blogging. I agree with Kev, its vital to build up relationships with fellow bloggers and remain courteous in one’s dealings with others. Thank you Kev, (Kevin, the other one)!

 

Successful Blogging

Successful blogging is not only about having good posts, although that does help, be they uplifting, informative, eventful, un-eventful or even if you’re sharing some unfortunate news; Rather, successful blogging is all about community. It’s about how you interact with your blogging community. It’s about showing appreciation and support to your followers and visitors. It’s not rocket science, folks. It’s simple, common courtesy.

For example, not everyone is comfortable with commenting, but they may like your posts and what you have to say… bear this in mind when someone likes your posts. Pay a visit to their blog, see what they’re about. If you like something; let them know in what way is comfortable for you.

Be mindful of those who take the extra effort to leave a comment, however short. It may be that they have a lot to do, somewhere to go and are in a hurry and therefore just leave a word, like “nice,” “beautiful,” or a smiley face. It could be they want to say something, but don’t know what to say. Either way, they have still made an extra effort to show appreciation. Jeez, I should know, I’ve done it often enough myself just before setting off to work or continuing with a project on hand! A return “Thanks/Thank you” or even a smiley face shows your acknowledgement of their effort and will in no way go unnoticed.

Some folks find they have quite a bit to say, use this as a great opportunity to establish a good rapport and even develop a solid blogging friendship. It’s these interactions that really bring your blog to life. Some of the great rapport I have between blogs started with just a simple like, a smiley face, and/or a “nice.”

Finally, be open-minded. Not everyone is going to think like you do. Learn to appreciate your differences and allow yourself to grow from your experience with the wonderful world of successful blogging.

(Now if I can just find a way off this soapbox without slipping…)

Happy successful blogging folks! J

Discrimination By Taxi Driver Who Refused To Convey Me With My Guide Dog Trigger

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In the United Kingdom it is an offence under the Equalities Act 2010 for a taxi driver and/or a company to refuse to convey an assistance dog owner accompanied by their working animal (http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/legislation/equality-act-2010). As those of you who follow this blog will know, I am a registered blind guide dog owner. This post is about the discrimination I encountered on 27 October when a taxi driver from Station Cars refused to convey me and my guide dog Trigger.

Responsibility for ensuring taxi companies comply with their legal obligations to convey assistance dog owners, accompanied by their working animals rests with the Public Carriage Office, (https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/). I reported the issue on 27 October however I have, to date received no feedback from PCO regarding my complaint other than an automated acknowledgement that it had been received by them. I have chased, several times (including via recorded delivery). However I have yet to receive a response from the PCO.

I have thus far refrained from blogging about the incident in the hope that it could be resolved via the PCO. However given the inordinate amount of time things are taking I have determined to blog about the incident in order to highlight it and the difficulties faced by myself and other assistance dog owners.

I have reproduced below my e-mail to PCO (withholding my address and that of the witnesses to the incident for reasons of privacy).

 

Text Of E-Mail From Kevin Morris To PCO Sent On 27 October 2014

 

“Dear Sir/Madam,

Further to my conversation with (name redacted) of today’s date, I am
writing to complain regarding the failure of Station Cars (vehicle
registration LC63UBM – a Vauxhall Zafira) to convey me and my guide
dog Trigger from my home (address redacted). to (address redacted)

At the time of the incident my guide dog was wearing his distinctive
harness clearly marking him as a working guide dog.
At approximately 7:40 am on Monday 27 October I telephoned Crystal
Cars and requested a car to convey me and my guide dog to (address redacted). The firm advised that the taxi would be with me
for around 8:15 AM.
At about 8:20 am a driver arrived from Station Cars and refused to
convey me and my guide dog. I explained that under the Equalities Act
he was obliged to take guide dogs when accompanied by their owners. He
said that he had not been informed about the presence of the dog and
contacted his office (Station Cars). Station cars backed up the driver
and on me requesting to speak to them (the driver handed over his
mobile) Station Cars repeated that they where not obliged to convey
guide dogs. The firm further confirmed that the booking had been
passed to them by Crystal Cars owing to Crystal Cars not having a
driver available.
My neighbour, (name and address redacted) and her daughter, (name redacted) spoke with the driver and tried to
reason with him. However he remained adamant that he wouldn’t convey
me and my guide dog. (Name redacted) then took the driver’s details as set
out above.
I subsequently contacted Crystal Cars who apologised for the incident
and sent another car which arrived quickly.
To recap. The initial booking was made with Crystal Cars who due to
not having any drivers available passed on the booking to Station
Cars. It was a driver from Station Cars and Station Cars themselves
who refused to convey me and my guide dog. The dog was wearing his
distinctive harness so it was crystal clear that he was a working
guide dog. I would be grateful if you could please investigate the
actions of Station Cars and the driver in question.
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to
contact me.

tours Faithfully

Kevin Morris

 

Nightmare

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The whispering moved closer. Mark’s instinct was to flee but where could he go? The cellar was black as pitch. If he ran Mark would, in all probability run straight into the arms of the loathsome creatures. Even if, by some miracle he evaded them he would in all likelihood run slap bang into a brick wall. However, remaining where he was was not an option as, sooner rather than later the vile things would be on him.

Mark shuddered at the thought of the Dracs, They didn’t kill their prey immediately. Captives where confined in cages, their blood being taken as and when the creatures became hungry. They where the size of an average domestic cat. In a one to one situation a man could (assuming he was able to get hold of a Drac) choke the life out of the detestable creature. However the cellar was crawling with Dracs. Even if he killed a dozen of them their brethren would capture him eventually.

Mark felt the gentlest of touches, rather like being tickled by the whiskers of a domestic cat. He screamed and kicked out in the direction of the contact. The Drac shrieked as it was propelled through the air. There was a splat followed by a shrieking from the Drac’s enraged companions.

Where was the entrance. He had got into this infernal place, surely he could, somehow find the way out?

Mark was conscious of needle-like fangs puncturing his leg. His fist connected with something warm and soft. The creature groaned in agony attempting to escape. Mark brought his foot crashing down on the skull of the Drac.

The death of another Drac brought a veritable horde of the creatures on him. Desperately Mark clicked on the “close game” icon.

“The programme is not responding”.

Mark reached for the computer’s off switch. His hand was caught in the sharp fangs of a ravenous drac. Mark screamed. With all his strength he attempted to hook his foot around the computer’s cable. If he could get a grip on the wire then Mark could end the nightmare by pulling it out of the socket. The Dracs, as though comprehending his intention, locked both his legs in a vice-like grip. The things piled on top of him forcing Mark off his chair and on to the ground. A sound rather like that of a cat lapping milk could be heard.

 

—

 

Becky found her boyfriend lying on the carpet without a mark on him. He lay entangled in the virtual reality suit. It covered him from head to toe. The garment allowed the user to interact with computer generated worlds and, in effect to become an integral part of whatever game he was playing.

Mark’s face wwore a look of utter detestation and fear. Something about the way in which Mark lay and his expression told Becky that he was beyond help.

Becky reached for the telephone which stood next to the computer monitor. She froze at the sight which greeted her. Cat-like creatures glared at her from the monitor, their sharp fangs seeming to reach out to Becky. Instinctively Becky stepped back to avoid those razor-sharp teeth. Averting her eyes from the screen Becky bent, turned off the power and unplugged the machine. As the power died Becky fancied she heard an angry howling coming from the headset which remained strapped to Mark’s head.

Previously Unseen Letter By Jane Austen Goes On Display At Torquay Museum

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A previously unseen letter by Jane Austen has gone on display at Torquay Museum. The letter contains the first mention of Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. For the article which contains a transcript of the letter please visit the following link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2863601/Previously-unseen-letter-Jane-Austen-writes-Pride-Prejudice-goes-public-display-time.html

Briefcase

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Below is my entry to Tipsy Lit’s December short story writing competition (http://tipsylit.com/2014/12/01/decembers-short-story-contest/).

 

BRIEFCASE

 

 

John Mcmanners was every inch your typical civil servant. Dressed in a conservative grey suit, leather briefcase in hand, he walked along Whitehall in the direction of the Ministry of Defence. Tucked under his left arm John carried a large fluffy toy dog. The animal was golden brown in colour with long floppy ears. A long pink tongue protruded from the animal’s mouth. It looked, for all the world as though the dog was smiling.

“Hey, what a cute dog. Is that a present for your little girl or boy?” a tourist with an American or Canadian accent (John always got confused between the 2) said.

“It’s for my daughter”, John said, smiling at the middle-aged lady.

 

—

 

Keith Robbins instructions where clear,

“An official in the Ministry of Defence will arrive at work between 9:20 and 9:30 am. Grab the briefcase he will be carrying. Go to Wong’s Chinese takeaway in Covent Garden and hand it over to Mr Wong. Is that clear?” the man had said.

“Perfectly”, Keith had said.

Keith had no idea who his employer was or why he wanted the briefcase. He worshipped at the altar of Mammon, so long as he got paid Keith didn’t care whether his employer was Satan himself. Money was money whatever it’s origins.

 

—

 

Keith sat astride the powerful motorbike apparently consulting an A to Z of London. As John came abreast of him Keith said,

“Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Regent Street? This A to Z is useless”.

John paused and turning towards Keith started to speak,

“You need to”,

John swore as Keith yanked the briefcase out of his right hand and rode away at speed.

 

—

 

John entered the office of Mark Colins, the head of the UK’s missile defence programme.

“Do you have those plans of China’s proposed new arms factory?” Mark said.

John placed the large cuddly toy on his boss’s desk. He pulled on the dog’s long pink tongue. It came away in his hand. Rummaging inside the stuffed animal John extracted a computer flash drive,

“There you go” he said handing it over to Mark.

 

—

 

In Wong’s Chinese takeaway, Mr Wong looked in disbelief at the contents of the briefcase: today’s Daily Telegraph, a Marks and Spencer ready meal and a rolled up umbrella. He swore violently. It would, he knew be impossible to recover the plans from the Ministry of Defence. Heads, including his would role over this fiasco.

Do Not Distract

8 Replies

As a guide dog owner I am very happy for people to make a fuss of my 4 legged friend, Trigger when he is not working. He is a wonderful dog and deserves to be fussed and played with as all work and no play makes Jack (sorry Trigger) a dull boy.

When working however it is imperative that Trigger and other assistance dogs are not disturbed. Distracting a guide dog can lead to me or another guide dog owner becoming intimately acquainted with a lamp post or the back of a number 7 bus, a fate which I am, you may be surprised to learn somewhat anxious to avoid!

The problem which I and other guide dog owners have is that many people see a cuddly dog and their immediate reaction is to call out to the animal or reach out and stroke it. I have lost count of the number of occasions on which I have politely had to request people not to distract Trigger when working due to the obvious dangers which can flow from doing so. Most people understand my explanation. However a minority either lack (for whatever reason) the ability to comprehend or, quite simply don’t care. One gentleman in my locality always greets Trigger when he is working and will often stroke him. I have explained, until I am blue in the face why he should not do this. However he still persists. What is one to do in such a situation, grin and bare it? Perhaps I should dress Trigger up to resemble the Hound of the Baskervilles. Would that act as a deterrent do you think?!

As I said above, I am very happy for Trigger to receive attention when he is not working. I do, however wish that the gentleman in my area would desist from distracting my (working) guide dog.

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Words Are My Pleasure – Guest Post By Teresa Karlinski

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Below is a repost of Teresa Karlinski’s article which originally appeared here on 1 December. The piece is being reposted due to formatting issues with the original, (down to me, not Teresa). Many thanks to Teresa for the below article.

 

Kevin

 

 

Thank you, Kevin, for this opportunity to guest post. I believe I have an interesting, short and sweet, offering for you.

Words are my Pleasure

Tess (Teresa) Karlinski

http://letscutthecrap.wordpress.com/

Time: Where does it go? Most days it’s a race to keep up. It doesn’t wait, and slips away like water through your clenched fingers.

Reading: Don’t we all love it? Is there ever enough time to get our fill? I need a daily fix—at least a small one or I’m grouchy.

Life messes with our plans and schedules, doesn’t it? Instead of a novel, I’ll grab anything, even a cereal box to read words. Ha, you’ve done it too, I see.

Have you heard about the latest rage: anthologies—you know, books of single-themed stories by a number of different authors? Palpable-Imaginings has many variations on its theme, including mystery, fantasy, adventure, survival, nightmares and more. If, like me, you like assortment (no, not chocolates) or want to fill in those short pauses in life with an engaging story, check it out.

In this compilation, Palpable Imaginings, eight writers offer 17 stories. Start anywhere: the first story, the middle one or the last.

Variety in small doses works for me. What about you? If you’d like to take a look, have a peek here. (available in print copy only)

 

http://russtowne.com/ of A Grateful Man blog compiled the stories for this collection. The eight contributors are:

  1. Russ Towne
  2. William Barrett Burton
  3. Vern McGeorge
  4. Christine Fitchtner
  5. Brad Latham Fort
  6. Teresa Karlinski
  7. Sandy Lardinois
  8. Scott Schroeder

 

Thank you, Kevin, for the invitation to visit here. The pleasure is all mine.

 

An Act Of Mercy Remains Free To Download For 1 Day Only

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The free promotion of my collection of short stories, An Act Of Mercy ends today (1 December). To download An Act Of Mercy free please visit http://www.amazon.com/act-mercy-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00EHS74CS/ref=asap_B00CEECWHY_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417418604&sr=1-4. If you read any of my books please do consider leaving a review.

 

Many thanks,

 

Kevin

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