The Silly Season Has Arrived

To all,

Life has been crazy lately... more at work than at home... Which has seen me neglecting my blog.

To those who have been wonderfully following my humble slice of cyberspace and posting comments I cannot state enough apologies for such a crime!

For everyone else I guess this is me popping back up again and saying 'Hi!'

Seeing as Christmas is so close I thought it as good a theme as any (and yes I am horrified when I look back and see that Halloween was the last time I posted).

So what is Christmas now for you? Is it still the holiday filled with childhood wonder? Does it have reverent religious relevance?

I have three beautiful children and some wonderful young nieces and nephews who still enjoy the wonderment of Christmas time. For them there is nothing better than seeing the tree go up with the pretty lights flashing. Every present large or small is a surprise waiting to happen, a glorious gift needing to be unwrapped vigorously, the toy inside played with immediately.

For me this is a time to reflect on those that have passed on, to remember them fondly and miss them deeply. It is also a time to celebrate those who are still with us, friends and family, all loved ones. And for those precious moments it is a time to celebrate the pure joy of belief in love and magic and all things holy.

Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy, hopeful and prosperous New Year...

Thanks to all who have checked out my blog and a BIGGER thanks to those who posted a reply or two!!

Lets see if I can blog more in 2015...

Happy Halloween Everyone

Who knew that an American holiday could be so much fun? I read somewhere that Halloween is the second biggest holiday in the world for spending... Christmas is first of course, but it surprised me to discover that Easter and Mother's Day are surpassed by this crazy night where kids dress up like monsters but are the best behaved ever and random strangers open their doors to you and give you candy. It was so wonderful to see two neighbours joining together to create one of the scariest, fun and heart racing experiences of my life... A great job Murray Bridge... Happy Halloween to everyone!! Embrace it... Enjoy it... I know we did.

Dream a little dream...

 The last couple of days I have been thinking about a holiday... The greatest holiday ever. Partly I have been thinking along these lines due to a mate's message "Where would you go to write if you could go anywhere?"
I would love some sort of Nim's Island set up where I could live off the land but still had a laptop for writing and wi-fi so that I could still submit my stuff (to editor or competitions, etc.)

I have also passed a few books at work that have been along the theme of travel and great places to visit.

All of this has got me wondering where would I go on a dream holiday..?

It would need to be kids friendly and somewhere my gorgeous wife would also enjoy...

One of the greatest educational experiences I have had in my life was when I went traveling overseas. This same (or similar) experience I would most definitely want to share with my kids.

On your greatest dream holiday where would you go..?

The Revenge of the Amateur Animator...

A little while ago I put a short film up on Youtube, a message to my kids that they can dream big and grow up to be anything they want to be (find it here).

I have now put my hat back in the ring and created another short film... a blatant advertisement for South Australian Libraries.

Check it out here and feel free to write comments and pass it on to your friends to have a watch (and a laugh at my terrible, kooky amateur animation).

Let us see if we can get it to go viral!!!

Dynamic Duo

I have stumbled across this great writing competition called the Atlantis short story contest 

It looks like a great opportunity for new writers and also a great challenge.

Over the Father's Day weekend I got together with my brother-in-law and together we produced what I believe is a good chance for winning a prize.

What I love most about this comp though is the promised feedback each entry will receive. It will be so refreshing to submit something and then have it critiqued professionally.

Fingers crossed!! Wish us luck!

Tim the Return... A very short return...

After a few busy weeks I thought I would touch base again with you all...
The month of August has been very busy with me getting ready for the school holiday period (busiest time at work for me) and also lots of reading (still slugging away at Game of Thrones) and night time TV.
I am hoping soon to send off my novel The Eleventh Tome to a publisher that helps new talent and young writers. Wish me luck, I will keep you posted.

A Message to Our Kids

I have finally stepped into the realm of (very very) amateur animation. Please find my first attempt here.

It is a heartfelt (but poorly recorded) message for our kids.

My youngest has seen it a few times now and had plenty of comments to make while I was filming and adding the voice.

I hope you enjoy it...

(VERY) Amateur Animation

A few weekends ago I discovered my old video camera that I took with me on my first overseas trip about twelve years ago. I have been using the camera to record some amateur animation and I am planning on loading to youtube a short film I did for the kids.

This may be the start of a run of short films, depending on the time I have and how much fun I am having with my trio of youngsters.

Stay tuned and hopefully I will have my first film up soon.

Not sure of the tags to use... Probably something like "So_Not_Disney"

Once I have it posted I would love for you to comment.

Is the original always the best?

Late last month I caught a few scenes of the Total Recall remake from 2012 starring Colin Farrell and thought that this movie looked pretty good. It had all the action, the strange sci fi elements of the original but looked more appealing. This made me wonder is this remake better than the original film with Arnie as the main man or is this 2012 film just homage to an amazing movie from my past... Also do either films stack up to the Philip K. Dick story 'We Can Remember it For You Wholesale'?

I for one believe that the book is always best. You cannot put all the character's thoughts into a film and most great books would be six hour films (or longer) if every moment remembered fondly was captured from page and revealed on screen. The other cool thing about books is that you the reader are left to imagine each character as the author introduces them... You project your own ideas on how they look, act, sound... The wrong actor can ruin a film for some viewers based purely on the strength of imagination.

Back to my original thought though... Did David Bowie do a better version of The Man Who Sold the World or was it Nirvana? So many examples out there... Is each occurrence to be judged separately or is there one consensus?

Another of my favourite things... Travel

I have recently had a friend return to Oz from India and every time he jets off somewhere new it reminds me of that one time I was able to adventure off to foreign shores.

There is nothing like travelling overseas! Whether it is for work or pleasure or a mixture of both it can be a real thrill to hop onto a plane and leave the safety and security of friends and family. I see travel as the greatest education one can ever get, it is an opportunity to truly see and learn about other countries, other cultures and other people. It is also the ultimate education about yourself. Travel exposes you to new and unusual situations that you must deal with and learn from and all the while you have this great freedom and this eagerness to discover the new and unexplored.

I hope one day soon that I will get to travel again... This time it would be great to have my wonderful wife and beautiful kids along too... A chance to learn even more about ourselves and each other. Until that chance comes along though I will watch enviously (the sky and the web) as planes fly over my head and as gorgeous views from America, Italy, Spain, Ireland, etc. appear in my inbox or on facebook, glad that my mates are discovering a new experience, a new place and even something new about themselves.

Happy travels!!

The Wonderful Chaos of School Term in Winter

The school term has begun again and I am beginning to curse the cool winter mornings.
The holidays have been great with the kids rising early with me so we can eat breakfast together while I get ready for work (a big thanks to my beautiful wife and our amazing friends who have looked after the little ones over the two week holiday break). Now that the older two are back at school and kindy has started another term I am finding less and less that the kids are up with me and happy around the breakfast table... Now I get them out of bed and they find a way to crawl back in.

I am struggling to get up each morning when the radio tells me it is a brisk 3 degrees, so I can sympathize with my kids... almost admiring their determination to gain that extra five minutes of warm snug as a bug feeling that can only be found under the blankets and eiderdown and surrounded by millions of teddy bears. I did say almost... Get up! Get out of bed!! Breakfast time!

Following breakfast is always two of the most frustrating games that parents and kids can ever play... Game one I like to call 'who can get dressed the slowest' and game two is 'what can I leave at home which I desperately need with me at school/kindy'. I wonder if you can guess how these games are played (and who usually wins!)?

I say bring on the weekend and a looooooovely sleep in!!!

Winter V Summer... Why I love winter the most

The greatest argument of all, the battle of the seasons... extreme heat verses extreme cool. Well here is why I love winter the most.

1. My birthday is in July and it is always a great chance to catch up with friends and family, get spoiled by the people I love and who love me, a wonderful reminder that life is awesome.

2. So many bed covers you feel like a bear slumbering until the spring (snuggling with the kids and my gorgeous wife are really nice too).

3. The wild weather, the sound of rain on the roof and windows, the flash of lightning and the BOOM of thunder... Nature at its wildest and craziest.

4. Fine red wine and dark chocolate... It seems to suit winter the best. If you can combine those two pleasures with an open fire roaring away then you have it made.

These are just four great things that come to mind when I think of winter. I argue that the old man image with the wispy white beard is unfair to label on such a wonderful season.

What do you think though? Do you love hitting the beach on a hot hot day and enjoying ice cream while soaking up the sweet sunshine?

Goodbye 34 years...

Such a special day yesterday. My birthday come and gone for another year. It reminds me of just how lucky I am with a family who loves me and does everything in their power to make my day such a special one. My youngest spent all lunchtime telling me she loved me (every five minutes... adorable) while my eight year old son and almost seven year old daughter were so eager to wish me the best day ever. My gorgeous wife, my princess and the love of my life went above and beyond as always to truly make me feel like her prince.

My friends too sent out text messages and other forms of social media to remind me that I was in their thoughts. So much love I hardly had time to respond to them all. Thank you everyone for your kind words and well wishes. To top off a brilliant day I also got a call from my brother and God son who did a happy birthday duet over the phone (got my birthday hug and high five!)

At work there was cake and a card and more well wishes. Thanks guys... A great day even if I was at work.

So I say goodbye to 34 and look forward to what lies ahead. I must say... So far so good!!

Two weeks in June

What a great holiday I have had. Two weeks off in June. Cold but not wet or not too wet anyway. It has been a wonderful time spent with my beautiful wife and my three gorgeous kids. There have been more school and kindy runs than I am used to doing and I have an even greater respect for Heidi (I don't know how you do it all darling girl...)

I loved celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, escaping from the children for a night to enjoy some together time (many thanks to our wonderful friends Larissa and Ben and Maria for making this possible). Dinner and a movie and so much bubbles... what an amazing night.

I finally got out to the front and back yard... weeding... mowing... all the fun jobs. With help from Heidi's mum and dad I was able to cram so many odd jobs that were well overdue into my second week. I must say the house is looking pretty good.

Finally I even managed to get a short story written and submitted... It is a 1,000 word thriller based on James Pattersons' character Alex Cross (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider, etc.) When I know how the voting works I will send out a link and give you a chance to have a read.

Back at work now (hit the ground running) but looking forward to September... But first my main bread and butter the school holiday activities.

Stay tuned...

From the diary of Stephan, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Andrapaal

From the diary of Stephan, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Andrapaal

Year 496, Season Spring, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King

I Stephan from the Northern Road to Nowhere, Knowledge Keeper of our famed capital, the city of Andrapaal do so record these words as truth. The year is 496 since the sylvi released us from the vorsurk dogs. I am honoured to be one who has benefited from their gift of the holy knowledge of literacy.

Today it rained, a fine sun shower that wet my blue robes as they hung drenched from washing, seeking the sun's rays. The pit pat of the light droplets upon my slate roof humoured me. The tune brought to my mind a bard's performance I had attended as a student sage.

This was my sole moment of pleasure this day. As the sun shower passed I left my home and strode towards the palace. I was waylaid by a foreign merchant from the south, could not the man see I had no time to view his patterned clay pots? Three visitors to the city I reminded to visit the hall and record their business. Surely in a kingdom where tradition and communication are equally key the word should have passed from citizen to citizen that each and every visitor needs to record their business?

Then my lessons began. Half a day of young giggling boys in yellow robes, not interested in fact, in fact only interested in themselves and where the power that comes with being a sage can take them in this kingdom. Being a Knowledge Keeper is a great responsibility, we record every moment of our people's lives. Life influences kingdom which in turn improves life.

One yellow robed boy concerns me most though. A young one named Morthos seems to be focused upon our laws, how they are made and how they can be changed. Some of what I have overheard this youngster discuss with his peers can almost be considered manipulation! I have every mind to discuss this boy with Bear-Heart, though I fear the man who is our senior will see no err in what the child says. Troubling, for it is not what the children say, but perhaps how they say it.

Thus ends this entry.

Welcome to Thaerun

To all... This is my first attempt at writing a blog post (diary entry) from the point of view of one of the characters from my novel The Eleventh Tome. It has definitely been a challenge but hopefully I have done a good job. Please tell me what you think.

From the diary of Sebastian, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Merchant's Castle:

Year 495, Season Summer, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King

I Sebastian Greyhawke, Knowledge Keeper of the city Merchant's Castle do so record these words as truth. The year is 495 since we have been released as a people by the sylvi and given the written word to record our lives. The season is summer and the day was warm. The perfect weather for such a special day.

The highlight of this day has been the arrival of an envoy from Andrapaal. I was lucky enough to meet them at the gates to our fine city. Our great Chief Sage Bear-Heart has come to speak with me on matters associated with the sylvi border. It is not often that the chief of sages will leave the heart of the kingdom, the fine and fair city of Andrapaal and take the Path of Truth beyond the Vale of History. To traverse to the very western border, an eleven day journey is quite a feat for a man of Edward's age. He is a rare one though, strong in stature from his time as a holy warrior, a celebrated Truth Keeper, but then a wise and studious one who undertook a challenging task to become a student sage. Still we are all amazed at how Bear-Heart now wears the blue robes of Knowledge Keeper, the head of our kind.The Chief Sage had naught but kind words to say about our relationship with the strange forest dwelling sylvi. I look forward to escorting the old man beyond our kingdom to meet with our allies and the people who are our peaceful neighbours.

Thus ends this entry.

The Eleventh Tome

I wrote a novel!! Yay me... Just taking a moment to share...
I am now on the hunt for a publisher and then the yay and the me will be so much bigger.
I thought that over the next few posts I would write some short stories that introduced the world that my story is set in and some of the characters.
Sorry to those of you who are not fans of fantasy...
For those of you who are I hope you enjoy.
Even if you think that fantasy is not your choice of cuppa please have a look and share your thoughts.
Stay tuned...

I see the sea

A wonderful Saturday spent with friends and family. The river was alive with the sound of fun as so many local families came down to the farmer's market. AC Care Communities for Children did a great job with extra large toys, a face painter, petting zoo... So many things to do for kids and for the mums and dads to do with them. Delicious breads, cheeses, fresh fruit and veg... The farmer's market is a great place to spend a Saturday morning.

Sunday has been a busy one for us this weekend too... Victor Harbor was overcast and the sea was a stirring green and grey. My wife's mum and dad were so welcoming as always and it was so relaxing to catch up with them for lunch.

There is a little park in Victor where hardly anyone goes. Pa and I took the kidlets down there this afternoon and I enjoyed seeing my son fly on the swings while I pushed miss 4 as high as she could possibly go. It was a fun filled competition between siblings and dad. While all this went on Pa and our other little one kicked the footy around.

On the subject of football it was great to meet Tom Lynch on Saturday. He was down at our local Toyota store where they held an open day. Tom was so great interacting with the kids and the guys from our local radio station. Tom was happy to pose for photos and signed a ball for pretty much every kid there on the day. He was very patient and came across as a very easy going guy.

A jam packed weekend, wonderfully family focused... Happy National Families Week!!

Floorboy

This is an idea for a story that children's author Michael Wagner (checkout the Undys family if you have boys 7 to 9 years) has inspired me to write after I met with him at the Campbelltown library. I am considering entering it into the 2016 Wakefield Press unpublished manuscripts competition. Please tell me what you think...

Floor Boy

Tony nursed his half drunk glass of beer, listening to the unending tune of the poker machines. It was getting cool in the front bar of the Leigh's hotel, a bit after seven-thirty in the early weeks of June. An open fire roared in the dining room, more beer and a schnitzel tea beckoning the young man to return warmth to his bones. The beer was consumed in one gulp and Tony handed the empty glass back.
"Another?" asked the guy behind the bar, to which Tony shook his head and patted his stomach.
The barman nodded and turned his attention to the next drinker, Tony was already forgotten.

The dining area was half full, the tables nearest to the fire place taken up by families. Tony ordered another glass of pale ale and a schnitzel, beef with parmigiana sauce, taking his glass over to a table for two. The constant sound of poker machines could still be heard over the hubbub of the diners and the crying of toddlers hungry for their tea. Quietly Tony sipped, enjoying his drink while he waited for his own meal. From where he sat the young man could see the salad bar.
'Not tonight,' he thought to himself, 'Crispy hot chips and a shnitty will do me nicely.'
The food soon arrived, a flattened and crumbed piece of veal that spilled over both edges of the plate. That was one of the many things that Tony loved about Leigh's, the meals were large but not too costly.

With five beers under his belt, a great meal devoured and a final scotch Tony stumbled out onto Railway terrace. His usual choice then was to head up Sixth street and onto Bridge street to try his luck at the Bridgeport. A few of the girls behind the bar therEwingew him and sometimes he could sweet talk cheaper drinks from them, not very often though and not that night. Instead the young man headed down the dim dark street ironically named Railway towards the train station. Just before he got there he took a left up Second street. His dad's place was the third house along and the key was under the mat. As the Town Hall clock chimed that it was eleven o'clock Tony flopped onto the couch in the lounge and pulled a blanket over him.
"That you, Tony!" called out the voice of his mum.
"Yeah mum!" Tony called back.
"Night then," said mum and soon there came the sound of soft snores.
'No more drinks for me tonight,' thought Tony.
The young man had an early morning planned.
Tomorrow he started a new job at T and R, the local meat works.
Tomorrow was Tony's first day as floor boy.

Easter... A time of happiness and a time of sorrow

Easter... Whether it is a time of great religious relevance, a brilliant four day week end or the best pay packet of the year there is no denying that there is something about Easter that is worth celebrating.

For me Easter this year has been an interesting time, highest highs and lowest lows. I am happy to have a beautiful new niece to share the wonderment of the season (fun... family... chocolate). Throw in the three youngsters that are my own little ones, nieces and nephews of various ages... This all equates to some very happy faces with chocolate smudges on lips and cheeks as eggs, rabbits and the occasional bilby are consumed and enjoyed.

On the flip side my heart goes out to a mate who has just lost someone special in his life. I know what it is like to have lost a parent, and how their absence is so acutely felt at special times of year. Cherish your loved ones, young and old and have the best Easter ever...

These are a few of my Favourite Things

To all you wonderful people who are sending me feedback and commenting on my posts...

Thank you!

Your support is one of my all time fav things.

I thought I would take the time here to just list a few of my favourite authors, musicians/bands... My influences I suppose you could say... And also what ever other stuff that just pops into my head.

Here goes...

I have love love loved the zany and thought provoking creativity of Sir Terry Pratchett ever since my uncle and aunt gave me a copy of The Colour of Magic for my thirteenth birthday.

Tad Williams has written a brilliant fantasy series called Memory, Sorrow and Thorn that has opened my eyes to the fact that a troll does not always need to be a troll and an elf can be so much more than just an elf.

Thanks to James for introducing me to Tool and Radiohead as well as some of the greatest classical composers I have ever heard. Thanks to Aaron and Hicksy for reminding me just how great the bands I love can be.

Markus Zusak your capture of the Holocaust haunts me... I must get to the end of that book...

James Patterson and Matthew Reilly you have seemingly perfected the art of the fast paced novel.

So many influences and so little time...

I need to note just how epic I am finding the writing of George R. R. Martin...

Finally my amazing family, my beautiful wife and wonderful children... My friends who are family and my family who are friends... You all influence my and inspire me in everything you do.

Thank you

The Highs and Lows of Sunday

What a day Sunday can be...

This morning has been great...!

Pancakes (yum) a sleep in (yay) and then a trip to the local bike track.

It was great to see our youngest tearing around the track after her brother and sister, so confident on her new set of wheels.

But then we get home and the dreaded three corner jacks have claimed the front tyre and there goes anymore bike track trips for a little while...

And when you leave two little girls on their own with paint and glitter for a whole afternoon...

Let's just say that I am amazed only our outdoor table coped a painting (and a glittering).

To finish it all off I spot a nasty note in the school diary while reading with the kids before the bed.

Not happy daddy!!

But now there is a lovely plate of yummy cheese and crackers just in reach.

Sunday... I love you... Honestly...

Morning - 9/10

Afternoon - 6/10

Night - 8/10

The World of Tim

Hi,

I'm Tim Law.

Happy husband and father of three wonderful children (most of the time).

This is my first blog where I hope to share funny things that happen to me, short stories that I write and hopefully news of a great novel I have written.

Please stay tuned for more from my world.

Thanks,

Tim