Tuesday

 

Project: Bodie's Book

Today, I've been working on a few things. For some reason, some of my programs haven't been working correctly, so I spent quite a lot of the day fixing these. Mostly good now.

I could now convert a copy of my fifth and final assignment as an 'article' for Bodie and I added the above artwork which was drawn by Bodie himself.

I'm now into the sixth and final module of my course, and it looks really difficult, but I'll give it a go.

World Creativity Day 2024

 

https://worldcreativityday.com/en

Get creative with the 'National Centre for Writing'.

https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/

I'm chuffed. I've just completed and submitted my fifth and final assignment; 1,500 words on Bodie Best. Bodie is a 19-year-old non-binary person with a variety of complex psychiatric needs including autism.

It's been a challenging, yet interesting project. Due to my disability, I couldn't easily travel down to Dorset to interview Bodie (apart from which Bodie can't cope with 'face-to-face' with people that he's never met before). We kept in touch, and carried out interviews, by telephone, messenger, and email.

I'm delighted with the outcome. Much of the work was done while I was suffering from the side-effects of a change in my medication, but nevertheless, I'm absolutely delighted with the outcome!

Gay Authors Workshop

 

The Gay Authors Workshop was founded in 1978 and is an association of LGBT+ creative writers – poets, dramatists, essayists, fiction, and non-fiction writers.

The aim is to support writers by providing opportunities for them to meet, read, discuss, and develop their work.

https://paradisepress.org.uk/pp-gaw.html

A few days ago, I set up a website dedicated to my unpublished fiction, non-fiction, and poetry at www.dannydog.co.uk . One of the fictional LGBT+ stories is 'Under the Night' which you can read here: http://www.richardhill.co.uk/ddog/underthenight.pdf . One is an LGBT+ poem entitled 'Outing' and can be found here: http://www.richardhill.co.uk/ddog/theouting.pdf . And a final LGBT+ poem, 'That's how it is' at http://www.richardhill.co.uk/ddog/thatshowitis.pdf I hope that you enjoy reading them.

Friday 19th

MP's are debating the 'Animal Welfare' bill today, in particular the theft of dogs (and cats). In anticipation and in advance of this, I wrote and published a feature in 'Dogs Today' magazine.  The story is of 'Wayne May/,  who has reunited over 2,000 stolen dogs with their owners. Title: 'Until the day I die'. http://richardhill.co.uk/waynemay.pdf

My good friend Mark Starkey, a web developer from High Wycombe, kindly edited the 'Non-fiction' page on www.dannydog.co.uk so that the lists are in two columns. Check it out. at http://www.richardhill.co.uk/ddog/nonfiction.html

Wednesday 17th

I've been studying for, and writing the fifth and final assignment for my course. 1,500 words on a topic of our choosing. I'm writing about 'Bodie Best', a 19-year-old non-binary person with autism and a variety of complex psychiatric conditions. The deadline is 5th May. I'm halfway through the fifth module of six.

I'm at the end of my three-year contract with Motability so it's time to get a new car. These last three years, I've had a Kia Picanto which I've been very pleased with, so this time I'm going for the same.

I'd be lost without a car, and on the benefits I receive, I couldn't afford it. Deposit, insurance, breakdown, recovery, servicing, etc. Altogether, I just wouldn't be able to cope. That's where Motability comes in. For a mobility portion of my PIP (Personal Independence Payment) Motability pays for everything. All I have to pay for is petrol. It's a lifesaver. According to the Motability Salesperson at Kia Slough, I'll be getting the car in mid-May. I can't wait!

Here are some links that may be of interest:-

• Kia (Citygate) Slough: - https://www.kia.com/uk/dealers/citygateslough/
• Motability: https://www.motability.co.uk/
• Motability Scheme (Citizens Advice): https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/#h-motability-scheme

Hope this helps.

Tuesday 16th

I spent the morning adding to and editing my manuscript 'Bodie Best' (pictured above with his hampster 'Arnie'). I've added a couple of paragraphs with more of the 'positive' aspects of autism which Bodie supplied, and which before I had very little knowledge.

I spent the early part of the afternoon, trawling through websites belonging to various opticians in and around Slough. I finally chose Specsavers at 194-196 High Street for appointments for me and Simon in a few days.

I'm spending the afternoon just 'chillin' out and watching s**t television and having a nap.

Desiderata - my favourite poem/prayer

Desiderata

Max Ehrmann

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann © 1927