Ok. I admit it. Sometimes I can't help watching car crash TV.
Last night I couldn't resist the urge to watch Peter Andre and Katie Price (Jordan)battle it out in their stateside show. And what a disaster it is. In fairness to Peter he comes over as a really nice, caring and genuine man. He's struggling to make a sufficient musical comeback, and from what I heard of his new album he will have every opportunity to do so; it's brilliant! The music was heartfelt, evocative and very, very appealing.
But Katie - oh my. A self-confessed negative person. She would drive me completely crazy if I was married to her. She constantly puts Peter down, she's rude, she's cold and she has not even a drop of humour in her entire (skinny to the point of anorexia) body.
Why did he put up with it we ask ourselves? Perhaps it is because he really loved her - as he said; or maybe poor Peter is a masochist. We may never understand this fascination with such an abusive, controlling personality.
But who cares.
The 'whys' and 'wherefores' don't really matter. What matters is that this kind of television show, AKA 'Celebrity reality' is undeniably fascinating for a lot of people. And why? Because we're human and we can't help enjoying other people's misery. Whether it is because you relate it to your own failing relationships or whether you cringe and say, 'thank God, my life is nothing like that.' The average person can feel superior. One thing's for sure this lifestyle is so far removed from the 'norm' we can't really identify with it.
Katie Price is famous for being famous and having a very big (fake) chest. We know this - so what? One thing we mustn't ever do though is under-estimate her. Ms Price is a hard-headed business woman and she doesn't care who gets burnt in her endless attraction to publicity. Couple that with her obviously fake emotions for all around her and you have a ... As one person put it on my Facebook page 'her eyes are like a corpse' - that equates to 'dead' to me.
There are too many differences between Katie and Peter to ever make their relationship work. The first is that Katie only thinks of her own happiness. When dealing with her son, Harvey, Katie often stated her wishes above his. 'Mummy is walking away... Mummy is leaving ... Mummy needs a kiss' It was all about her. And the emotion she displayed was zilch ...
Andre in opposition to this addresses Harvey's needs. 'Bye Harvey ... see you Harvey ... By using Harvey's name, Peter was not making himself the important person. - It wasn't about Andre - it was about Harvey. Unlike his mother who only thinks of herself.
Furthermore, Peter had an evening of friends, family and important people listening to his new album - do you think Jordan played the supportive wife? Hell no. Predictably she whined about being tired,showed only an emotionless interest in his music and promptly fell asleep as he was talking.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned - but this isn't love to me.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Book Sales through the roof!
Hi All,
Thanks so much for your support! The first edition of Killing Kiss is almost sold out and the publishing house has informed me they are going to do a second edition run.
Pre-orders for Futile Flame have exceeded expectations.
Don't forget that if you want a signed copy then I'll be at Borders, Oxford Street, London on 4th July 2009 from 12pm. And also at Waterstones, Bury, Lancashire on 11th July at 2.30 to 3.30pm.
Or if you want to take this last opportunity to obtain a first edition copy of either book - place your order now at Murky Depths! You can even request that it's signed and personalised to you!
Otherwise - I'll see you at the book store.
Sam x
Thanks so much for your support! The first edition of Killing Kiss is almost sold out and the publishing house has informed me they are going to do a second edition run.
Pre-orders for Futile Flame have exceeded expectations.
Don't forget that if you want a signed copy then I'll be at Borders, Oxford Street, London on 4th July 2009 from 12pm. And also at Waterstones, Bury, Lancashire on 11th July at 2.30 to 3.30pm.
Or if you want to take this last opportunity to obtain a first edition copy of either book - place your order now at Murky Depths! You can even request that it's signed and personalised to you!
Otherwise - I'll see you at the book store.
Sam x
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
BORDERS - Futile Flame Signing
Hi All,
for your information here is the Borders link for the 4th July event.
Hope to see you there!
Sam x
for your information here is the Borders link for the 4th July event.
Hope to see you there!
Sam x
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Futile Flame Launch - Update
I'm absolutely over the moon to announce that The Vampire Gene Series is coming to Borders in Oxford Street, London.
I will be in store on Saturday 4th July 2009 to sign copies of Killing Kiss and the newly born Futile Flame from 12 - 4pm.
So, if you can't make the BFS Launch on Friday 3rd July, or even if you're planning on staying in London overnight, then please come and join me at Borders. It will be great to see anyone who can make it along.
The nearest Tube to the bookstore is Oxford Street.
Sam x
I will be in store on Saturday 4th July 2009 to sign copies of Killing Kiss and the newly born Futile Flame from 12 - 4pm.
So, if you can't make the BFS Launch on Friday 3rd July, or even if you're planning on staying in London overnight, then please come and join me at Borders. It will be great to see anyone who can make it along.
The nearest Tube to the bookstore is Oxford Street.
Sam x
Monday, 1 June 2009
Futile Flame London Launch
Futile Flame (Book 2 of The Vampire Gene Series) will be launching on Friday July 3rd 2009 at the BFS Open Night.
The House of Murky Depths will be launching Futile Flame and I will be there to sign any copies.
The evening will begin at 7.30pm for a discussion and signing with Torchwood Writers followed by Futile Flame's launch at 8.30pm.
Don't panic if you don't already have Killing Kiss (Book 1) as these will also be on sale.
For full details of the event click here British Fantasy Society .
Otherwise, turn up at The George, Fleet Street, London at around 7pm for a fun night.
See you there.
Sam x
The House of Murky Depths will be launching Futile Flame and I will be there to sign any copies.
The evening will begin at 7.30pm for a discussion and signing with Torchwood Writers followed by Futile Flame's launch at 8.30pm.
Don't panic if you don't already have Killing Kiss (Book 1) as these will also be on sale.
For full details of the event click here British Fantasy Society .
Otherwise, turn up at The George, Fleet Street, London at around 7pm for a fun night.
See you there.
Sam x
Monday, 25 May 2009
The Dream
The dream
Was of flying and sometimes
Of crumbling teeth, falling
Like tumbling towers;
A world destroyed.
Freud would have a field day ...
I dreamed of home.
The time before adulthood –
It was time to grow up.
My adult mind remembers the lack
Of responsibility
Yet it still cries out for freedom ...
Now I fly again in dreams:
A supernatural with lead wings,
The enemy almost reaching up
High enough with grabbing claws
As I swoop away.
The old adage that signifies a need to run ...
Children in a classroom,
Not doing what they should
This, at least, I can equate to reality.
The day job. Life.
Fear of losing control.
It’s all so obvious I’m stressed ...
And so, the dream makes my
Perplexed and anxious mind
Create stories, bizarre and confused.
This, to relieve the
strain of thinking.
Or so we are told ...
By
Sam Stone
Was of flying and sometimes
Of crumbling teeth, falling
Like tumbling towers;
A world destroyed.
Freud would have a field day ...
I dreamed of home.
The time before adulthood –
It was time to grow up.
My adult mind remembers the lack
Of responsibility
Yet it still cries out for freedom ...
Now I fly again in dreams:
A supernatural with lead wings,
The enemy almost reaching up
High enough with grabbing claws
As I swoop away.
The old adage that signifies a need to run ...
Children in a classroom,
Not doing what they should
This, at least, I can equate to reality.
The day job. Life.
Fear of losing control.
It’s all so obvious I’m stressed ...
And so, the dream makes my
Perplexed and anxious mind
Create stories, bizarre and confused.
This, to relieve the
strain of thinking.
Or so we are told ...
By
Sam Stone
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Star Trek
Yesterday I went to see the new Star Trek film.
Well, this is the deal ... killer special effects but that didn't necessarily mean that this would be a good film. What it did mean though was that an incredibly well written script was supported by a huge budget. The effect was electric.
The Plot
Opening up immediately into action, we quickly learn that the USS Kelvin is in danger from a Romulan ship. On board is a brilliantly cast and likeable captain played by Faran Tahir and his second in command is George Kirk - soon to be father of James T Kirk. The Romulan Captain, Nero (Eric Bana), is on a vengence mission and looking for Spock. He rapidly disables the Kelvin, murders the captain and leaves George Kirk in charge. Kirk begins a rapid evacuation and then the worst happens. The Romulans fire again and the autopilot is damaged. Kirk realises he has to sacrifice his life in order to save the crew, his wife and his unborn child.
We were less than ten minutes in, and - I admit - I cried my eyes out as George Kirk died soon after his wife gave birth. And that is saying something. I really don't cry easily at films. But what the director had achieved here, in conjunction with the writer, was an incredibily believable and likeable crew, which was also extremely well cast. All credit must go to them. They established the characters so well and so quickly, you'd have to be inhuman not to be emotionally engaged.
From then on, it was one long thrill after another. The plot was never sacrificed for action (which often happens with modern films). I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. It blew me away so much that I didn't even mind the obvious paradox of both Spocks being in the same time and place later on.
Fans of the original Star Trek series (like myself) will love the humour and use of the typical character taglines all the way through. Sulu gets to fence, Scottie gets to say 'Dilithium' and Spock gets a 'Live long and prosper'.
Cast
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
I would never have thought in a million years that I'd actually accept anyone else as Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Chekov and Zulu ... never mind Simon Pegg as Scotty! That really was a surprise (and he lived the part too!)
Zachary Quinto (Heroes' villian, Sylar) was so completely Spock that I completely forgot he used to laser people's brains out in Heroes.
Chris Pine as Kirk? Oh yes! It certainly worked for me.
And the rest of the cast gelled so perfectly that I didn't even think about the original crew until later. Of course it was really great to see Scotty 'beam' people up and tell us that he 'cannie' get more out of the engines, when we all knew he would. But even that element of predictability was great.
Overall - 10/10 from me. An absolutely amazing and entertaining film.
Well, this is the deal ... killer special effects but that didn't necessarily mean that this would be a good film. What it did mean though was that an incredibly well written script was supported by a huge budget. The effect was electric.
The Plot
Opening up immediately into action, we quickly learn that the USS Kelvin is in danger from a Romulan ship. On board is a brilliantly cast and likeable captain played by Faran Tahir and his second in command is George Kirk - soon to be father of James T Kirk. The Romulan Captain, Nero (Eric Bana), is on a vengence mission and looking for Spock. He rapidly disables the Kelvin, murders the captain and leaves George Kirk in charge. Kirk begins a rapid evacuation and then the worst happens. The Romulans fire again and the autopilot is damaged. Kirk realises he has to sacrifice his life in order to save the crew, his wife and his unborn child.
We were less than ten minutes in, and - I admit - I cried my eyes out as George Kirk died soon after his wife gave birth. And that is saying something. I really don't cry easily at films. But what the director had achieved here, in conjunction with the writer, was an incredibily believable and likeable crew, which was also extremely well cast. All credit must go to them. They established the characters so well and so quickly, you'd have to be inhuman not to be emotionally engaged.
From then on, it was one long thrill after another. The plot was never sacrificed for action (which often happens with modern films). I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. It blew me away so much that I didn't even mind the obvious paradox of both Spocks being in the same time and place later on.
Fans of the original Star Trek series (like myself) will love the humour and use of the typical character taglines all the way through. Sulu gets to fence, Scottie gets to say 'Dilithium' and Spock gets a 'Live long and prosper'.
Cast
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
I would never have thought in a million years that I'd actually accept anyone else as Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Chekov and Zulu ... never mind Simon Pegg as Scotty! That really was a surprise (and he lived the part too!)
Zachary Quinto (Heroes' villian, Sylar) was so completely Spock that I completely forgot he used to laser people's brains out in Heroes.
Chris Pine as Kirk? Oh yes! It certainly worked for me.
And the rest of the cast gelled so perfectly that I didn't even think about the original crew until later. Of course it was really great to see Scotty 'beam' people up and tell us that he 'cannie' get more out of the engines, when we all knew he would. But even that element of predictability was great.
Overall - 10/10 from me. An absolutely amazing and entertaining film.
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