Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 248

1 September 2015 - A BIPOLAR'S JOURNEY AND ITS ORIGIN

A BIPOLAR'S JOURNEYAND ITS ORIGIN
G'day folks,
I am pleased to introduce a good friend of mine who lives in India. Vijay is about to release his well-written book about Bipolar. Here is his guest feature article.


                                    
This love child was conceived fourteen months ago, various threads lead to it over the last three years. Blogging was the first thread. One post on it aroused a lot of  interest and feedback: it was my sharing of my own experience with managing Bipolar Disorder. My Mentor, Puneet Bhatnagar spotted my ability to express myself with conviction. He set up a website which was the genesis of this Book. Born on May 23, 2013, this community website, the first such by an India bipolar, now has a global following and has encouraged many Indians to share their problems openly.
What I noticed was that an overwhelming majority of the site's visitors were from outside India, not a bad thing in itself at all, for pain and compassion know no boundaries. However, was I effectively getting the message across to vast numbers in India who had had no internet access or were hampered by poor network reach? 

I also realised that in my times of greatest turmoil, it was books, not websites which really helped change course of my life. The ability of a well told story in the form of a book to inspire and transform is quite incomparable.

The idea of penning my turnaround story thus firmed up.

Puneet then gave me the critical initial thrust. "Write down a couple of pages on exactly why are you writing this book. This will define your purpose." he said with his understated wisdom.

"Well begun is half done!" they say.
Aha! Let's not forget the middle and conclusion of the task. We creative types get bored easily and also constantly need to be motivated to stay on track. Mid way through the project, I developed cold feet.
'Am I really cut out to be an author? Have I over-reached and am just blogger material?'
Doubts, doubts and more doubts. 



When the cause is for a common good, unbelievably radiant souls step in to inspire, guide and get you back on track. Jennifer Sertl, who is sympathetic to the cause of mental health awareness, is one such angelic being. She has supported me all through in this project, now in marketing it and beyond that in my Mental Health Awareness crusade in India- her inspiring mentoring is a blessing perhaps arranged by the universe. (Well, I actually owe you, Dr. Amit Nagpal, for this synergetic link).

"Let your hand write what your soul wants to say"
 
Jennifer, a woman of incredible intellect and profound insights, has been instrumental in my being a proud author today. For instance at the outset of our coaching series, I expressed to her my hesitation in centering the book on my journey. Wouldn't it be attention hogging? What if I broad-based it to make it community focused rather than in an autobiographical form?
"It is your intention that matters. Consider yourself as a lighthouse for bipolars in your part of the world. Stories inspire, allow your story to do just that."

 If her coaching and mentoring wasn't enough, she has written Book's Foreword- the most beautiful and evocative foreword one could ever wish for! In fact living upto her magic in the body of the book is some challenge!

I doubt without your selfless, active involvement through and after the Book writing, I'd have accomplished anything of note, Soul Sis, Jennifer!

Dr.Amit Nagpal, has been a key instigator behind the scenes: my first published story was through his e-Book. Besides being my Career Coach, he has actively encouraged my social initiative. Being both appreciative and critical, he has raised my standard of creative writing. Most importantly, he has imbibed in me his rare skill of connecting with the hearts of the readers.  



Puneet had uncannily predicted right at the very beginning that the website and book would set me free. Yes, it has indeed been a cathartic journey, from the inception to delivery of the love child! The Book is now available on online bookstores globally.

Be truthful, you might begin believing in yourself
Express your truth, maybe other might buy into it?

Write down your truth
Maybe you might fall in love with it

Keep writing, keep writing
And one fine day you are an author

If you have been truthful,
You might touch people's lives

And maybe, just maybe
Help them discover their truths.

Our journey continues, as we live up to our collective vision of
"Let's Walk Together, with purpose and zest..onward"

Vijay Nallawala is a Personal Branding Coach,  Digital Storyteller and Blogger based in Mumbai. 

"Writers are wired differently and in that respect, I am no different",  he says.


Connect with Vijay on his Blog

Clancy's comment: I have often stated, 'If you are not born with a disability, you will probably pick up one along the way.' It's true. I would highly recommend this book to any of you who may suffer from bipolar, or know someone who does. 

Love ya work, Vijay! A book like this takes a lot of courage to write. I am most impressed, and I'm not a man who is easily impressed.

I'm ...

31 August 2015 - WISE TIPS

WISE TIPS
G'day folks,
Welcome to some more wise tips ... And a touch of humour.

























































Clancy's comment: Yep, loved the one about Snap, Crackle and Pop.

I'm ...

30 August 2015 - JACOB RIIS

JACOB RIIS1849-1914
G'day folks,Welcome to the life and times of a photographer, social reformer and writer.  Jacob Riis was a photographer and writer whose book 'How the Other Half Lives' led to a revolution in social reform.

Synopsis

Jacob Riis was born in Denmark in May 1849 and emigrated to the United States in 1870. After a series of odd jobs, he became a police reporter, a job he enhanced with his natural photographic skills. Led by his interest in New York City's tenement life and the harsh conditions people living there endured, he used his camera as a tool to bring about change. With his 1890 book How the Other Half Lives, Riis put those living conditions on display in a package that wasn't to be ignored, and his career as a social reformer was launched.



Early Years

Jacob Riis was born on May 3, 1849, in Ribe, Denmark, and emigrated to the United States in 1870 on a steamship. All he carried with him was $40 and a locket containing a hair from a girl he loved. Upon his arrival in New York City, Riis struggled his way through various jobs—ironworker, farmer, bricklayer, salesman—all jobs that gave him an up-close look at the less prosperous side of the American urban environment.

In 1873, Riis became a police reporter, and he quickly found that his deep dive into New York’s underbelly was just beginning. His beat was the Lower East Side, a neighbourhood riddled with crime and poverty. With a little digging, Riis discovered the depth of the area’s despair well represented in the fact that in certain tenement buildings the infant death rate was 10 percent. 

The Photographer

Riis was moved by what he saw in the neighborhood, and he taught himself basic photography and started taking a camera with him when he hit the streets at night. In a stroke of good timing, flash photography had only recently been invented, and Riis became a pioneer in its use, employing the new technique to capture stark indoor and outdoor night scenes. The images he brought to the public’s eye were full of crowded tenements, dangerous slums and poignant street scene—images of a downtrodden underclass that most readers had only previously read about, at best. 




How the Other Half Lives

Riis’ unflinching photos appeared in books, newspapers and magazines, and before long they were used as tools for social reform. In 1890, Riis’ book of social criticism, How the Other Half Lives, was published, and perusing its pages proved to be an eye-opening experience for the reader.

The book presented statistics about New York’s poverty and contained drawings of the photos from Riis’ unending tour of the city’s worst slums. Riis said that his motivation for presenting such a dark tableau was “that every man’s experience ought to be worth something to the community from which he drew it, no matter what that experience may be.”

  The book was an instant success and had an immediate impact. Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt,intent on improving life in New York, famously say to Riis, “I have read your book, and I have come to help.” Together Riis and Roosevelt walked around New York, with Riis showing the future president the deplorable conditions in which so many people lived. Roosevelt was moved to close the worst of the city’s police lodging houses, which he described as “simply tramp lodging-houses,” and demanded that city officials pass the first significant legislation to improve the state of affairs in immigrant neighborhoods. 



Legacy

Now a legend for his work toward social reform, and for his use of photography to bring previously hidden worlds to light, Riis went on to write many other books, among them(1900), The Battle With the Slum (1902), Children of the Tenements (1903), and autobiography, The Making of an American(1901).

 Riis died on his Massachusetts farm on May 26, 1914.
















Clancy's comment: What an interesting man. I've seen many of his photographs and admire them. I'm sure he was ahead of his time as a photographer and social reformer. Good for him.
I'm ...








R I P 

29 August 2015 - EXPLOSIVE HISTORY

EXPLOSIVE HISTORY
G'day folks,
Here is something very different. 

How often do you fantasize of one day leaving everything behind and moving to a quaint little house nestled somewhere in the countryside? Maybe you see yourself in a scenic villa overlooking the Swiss Alps. If that’s you, then you might want to pay attention or that European villa might end up being much more than you bargained for. 

That is exactly the case with these chalets which aren’t chalets at all, but military bunkers in disguise. The photographs all come from artist Christian Schwager who put together a series titled “False Chalets” highlighting the camouflaged military bunkers that remained a military secret until recently.It wasn’t until 2004 that these decades-old military bunkers began to be uncovered. Imagine the surprise of finding out the house you grew up next to was really a weapons armory for the government.

 Most of these bunkers were constructed during WWII as a way to covertly store armaments and shelter for troops passing through. According to Christian, there are around 250 of these well-covered military outposts, and there are even more still waiting to be uncovered.  For his project, Christian visited over 100 of these sites which were scattered throughout the country. In Geneva during WWII, the Swiss government set up a line of defense known as “The Promenthouse Line.” It featured 12 armed fortresses, but disguised among them were these two houses which look more like they came from a Disney movie than from WWII.
    The designers of the homes were held to strict standards so as not to give up the secret that the property was holding. They were required to have the bunker deceive the human eye from a minimum of 20 meters while also using authentic shutters and landscaping. The Swiss government wanted to protect the perceived natural beauty and peacefulness of the country. Would tourists still view them the same if they saw open and running military bunkers in every village? These architectural facades protected not only their troops but the country’s image as a whole.

 To construct the facades, the Swiss government put together a ragtag team of artists and theater set designers to transform concrete shelters into passable homes that would blend in with the country’s gorgeous architecture and natural beauty.    Each of these seemingly simple villas were fortified with seven foot thick concrete walls.Some of them were even stockpiled with grenades.
  After Christian went public with his photographs, the Swiss government embraced their secret military past and began to refurbish some of the sites as popular tourist destinations.

































Clancy's comment:  Mm ... Interesting, eh? You just never know who or what is in the house next door.
I'm ...



  

28 August 2015 - DENNIS STAMEY - Guest Author

DENNIS STAMEY
- Guest Author -
G'day folks,
Today, I offer an interview with a writer from Katy, Texas. 
Welcome, Dennis ...  1.   TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY. I've always wanted to write since a child but never could really express myself

2.   WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?A good friend and co-worker, who has written a couple of self-published novels, encouraged me to try my hand.
3.    WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?  I have a rough outline in my head and start typing away, filling in the blanks as I go along.



4.   WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?It’s an intellectual challenge and gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.
5.   WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
Describing action scenes. Very difficult.
6.   WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?A non-writer. Seriously just a guy trying to earn a living, same as now.
7.   WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
Definitely my novel, “The Devil’s Horror Show.”
8.   WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?A very dark short story.

9.   WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Probably experiences from my past, good and bad.
10.           WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?Horror/fantasy. Some drama.

11.           DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?Just keep writing, hone your craft, don’t worry about anything else at the moment.


12.           DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?No. There’s a million ideas out there. Just look around.
13.           DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
Probably in the morning, but it could be anytime.
14.           DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
My computer. I can’t read my own writing so my writing has to been done on Word.
15.           WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Seeing your ideas becoming animated on paper.
16.           WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?Harlan Ellison. A superb writer of prose, able to write the most absurd fantasy from a gritty perspective. He has the imagination from hell.
17.           WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?That they were drawn into my story from the beginning.
18.           WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?They couldn’t understand the ending of a short story.
19.           WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?Absolutely, especially a lot of stuff from childhood. I was an adventurous child and had many wonderful encounters.
20.           OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Spending time with my family.


21.           DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
No, unfortunately.
22.           DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.Not having to go to work, writing a few hours, watching something interesting on TV, a good meal, then watching my kids play video games before I sleep.
23.           IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?Harlan Ellison. I would learn worlds about the art of writing.
24.           WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?Think about the welfare of not only your people but those of other nations.
25.           WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Just to keep writing.
26.           WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?Look Homeward, Angel; Time and the River; Complete Works of Carl Sandburg; Shatterday; Strange Wine.
27.           DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?To some extent the character Jesse Landry, the protagonist in my novel.
28.           DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?I haven’t dealt with the publishing industry per se, but I’ve heard horror stories.

29.           DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?A few times, but I’d always think, “What if I continued?”
30.           WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
I suppose my novel. It was both fun and frustrating and I was able to use it as a forum to express all my interests, from Westerns to Eastern mysticism.


31.            HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER? Being widely read, even if I’m not critically acclaimed.
32.           WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?That although life is dark, there can be redemption.

33.           HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
I had the cover of my novel and my book of poetry done by an artist who does book covers. I described my books and he designed an appropriate cover.
34.           WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
To see my novel turned into a successful movie.
35.  WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?Right now just using Linked-in as a forum to generate interest.
36.     ARE YOUR BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED?
Yes.
37.    DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE WORDS.Impatient, neurotic, imaginative, moody, inquisitive.
38.     WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?
Smart phones, arrogant people, hateful people, people with limited imagination. Smart phones are helping to increase more of these aforementioned personality types.
39.    WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? GOOD ONE?
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Good story but rather verbose.
40.     WHAT WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?
Don’t be afraid to express your feelings.
41.    WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE NOW? CARE TO SHARE?Being financially stable.
42.      ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
Sure, read my book. It has a received a very good review and everyone, regardless of whether they like horror fiction, will enjoy it, I promise.


BOOK REVIEW



Clancy's comment: Well done, Dennis. Keep going.I'm ...  



 

27 August 2015 - CREATIVE GARDENS

CREATIVE GARDENS
G'day folks,
Welcome to some very creative gardens. These may give you some inspiring thoughts.















































Clancy's comment: Amazing, eh? Loved the old typewriter. I wonder what it has produced in its lifetime.


I'm ...

26 August 2015 - PRINCE WILLIAM

PRINCE WILLIAM
G'day folks,
Welcome to one of the more popular members of the royal family. Prince William is the eldest son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles of Wales, and is next in line for the British throne after his father.

Synopsis

Prince William is the eldest son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles of Wales and is the next in line to the British throne after his father. He was strongly affected by his parents' divorce in 1996 and his mother's tragic death in 1997 and expressed discomfort at the growing attention he received as he reached adulthood. William served in the Royal Air Force and supports numerous charities. On April 29, 2011, he made international headlines when he married his college sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey. The couple's son Prince George, third in line to the throne, was born on July 22, 2013. Their second child, a daughter, was born on May 2, 2015.




Prince William was born Prince William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor on June 21, 1982, in London, England, the eldest son of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Charles, Prince of Wales. His official title is "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales."
 William attended Mrs. Mynor's Nursery school in West London (1985-87), Wetherby School in Kensington, London (1987-90), and Ludgrove School in Wokingham (1990-95). In 1995, at the urging of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William (nicknamed "Wills") entered Eton College, one of England's most prestigious secondary schools. A serious student with excellent grades, he also excelled in sports at Eton, particularly swimming. With his father and brother, he enjoys outdoor sports including riding, skiing, shooting and fishing.

As he is directly in line to the British throne after his father, Charles, he spends a good deal of time at Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth, who is very concerned with his upbringing and career development.

Affected by both his parents' divorce in 1996 and his mother's tragic death in 1997, the tall and handsome young William publicly stated his dislike for the press, and expressed discomfort with the growing attention he received from love-struck adolescent girls. William gives the impression of being a well-mannered, responsible and mature young man who shows a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the royal family, fully aware of the role he is to play in the future as the King of England.




 Military Service and Philanthropy 
Upon his graduation from Eton, William took a break from his studies to visit South America and Africa. He then attended Scotland's St Andrew's University, where he received a degree in geography in 2005. Following in the footsteps of his younger brother, Prince Harry, William joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a military cadet and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry in December 2006. In 2008, he was appointed to be a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He is now training to be a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force.

Along with his military career, William supports numerous charities, including serving as patron to Centrepoint, an organization for homeless youth, and the Tusk Trust, which is dedicated to the preservation of African wildlife. In 2007, William and his brother Harry hosted a special concert to celebrate their late mother and raise funds for charities that Princess Diana supported during her life as well as charities supported by the princes.



 Kate Middleton 
As the future king of England, William's personal life has been the subject of much media attention. He had been romantically linked to Kate Middleton; the couple met while attending St. Andrew's University. Rumors of a possible engagement swirled around the pair for months, but to the surprise of royal watchers, the couple announced that they were splitting up in April 2007. However, in the time since that announcement, Middleton had attended several public and official events, as well as traveled on vacation with Prince William. Speculation about a wedding engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton continued to swell.

On November 16, 2010, it was announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged. Prince William had popped the question in October during a holiday in Kenya, using his mother's engagement ring. It was also stated that the couple would live in North Wales, where Prince William is stationed with the Royal Air Force. Middleton is not of royal or aristocratic lineage, which is a break from longtime royal tradition.
 With his marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, the Queen officially conferred her grandson with the title William, Duke of Cambridge, as well as the additional titles Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.



On December 3, 2012, after almost a year of baby rumors and much speculation, St. James Palace officially announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton were pregnant with their first child.

Prince William's child with Middleton will be the Queen's third great-grandchild and will be the third in line, next to Prince Charles and Prince William, to become heir to the throne. 

"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," the official statement confirmed the pregnancy. "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
 In September 2014, the couple announced that Kate Middleton was pregnant with their second child.




Royal Births

Anticipating the arrival of Middleton and Prince William's first born, international media outlets camped out in front of St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington at the beginning of July 2013. St. Mary's was the same hospital where Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and later Prince Harry.

On July 22, 2013, the palace announced Middleton had given birth to a baby boy, weighing in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces, at 4:24 p.m. local time. Two days later, the baby's name was revealed: George Alexander Louis, who will be known as "His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge."

Nearly two months after his son's birth, Prince William announced that he would be leaving the military. He has decided to focus on his royal responsibilities and his charity work. According to BBC News, Prince William will devote much of his energy to wildlife conservation. He explained that "The threats to our natural heritage are extensive, but I believe that this collaboration of the best minds in conservation will provide the impetus for a renewed commitment and action to protect endangered species and habitats for future generations."

While still maintaining his royal duties, Prince William announced in 2014 that he would be taking a position as a pilot for Bond Air Services, an air ambulance company. He started training for the position in 2015. With this new role, Prince William is believed to be the first British royal heir to work in the private sector. His salary will be donated to charity. 

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child on May 2, 2015. The Duchess gave birth to a daughter, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces, at 8:34 a.m. local time at St Mary's Hospital. The baby is the Queen's fifth great-grandchild and the fourth in line to the throne after her brother Prince George.   

Clancy's Comment: What a shame that most public figures, especially politicians, are not as genuine and likeable as this young bloke and his brother, Harry. Both of them are charming young men.
I'm ...

25 August 2015 - WISE ADVICE

WISE ADVICE
G'day folks,
Well, here is some more wise advice from those cute lil owls above. Many of these tips will make you grin.





















































Clancy's comment: Well, I bet some of these put a smile on your dial.


I'm ...

24 August 2015 - TOP REVIEW FOR 'KY!' by Jennifer Douglas

TOP REVIEW FOR 'KY!'ByJENNIFER DOUGLAS
G'day folks,
Well, one of my books has just received a great review from Literary Publicist, Jennifer Douglas. Jennifer reads all of my books, and specialises in self-published authors. Go, Jennifer!


REVIEW
If there is one book you should encourage your child to read this year it should be KY!. If there is one book every adult should read this year it is also KY!. This beautifully written heart warming story of a young Muslim refugee and her journey to find acceptance leaves you with hope in your heart. Hope that all who read this story will find it in their hearts to accept others with open arms. The strength within KY! has the ability to change the thoughts and actions of the next generation of adults, creating a  world of compassion, understanding and cultural acceptance.


From the back of the book:
Rida Khalid is a Muslim refugee from Iran. She is bullied by two girls at school for wearing a hijab ( Muslim headscarf), reading books and wearing glasses, and seeks refuge in an old man’s garden after school. Rida meets an Asian girl at school, Ky, who also loves books, and Rida soon dumps her for a gawky girl, Carmen, who teaches her about fitting in. To be accepted, Rida removes her hijab at school, but she must wear her headscarf whilst competing in the inter-school sports. Her family will attend.
Rida deliberately loses the first race because Carmen says “ Only nerds do well in sports.” The sports master berates Rida for losing the race and points to Ky who’s made an extraordinary effort to get out of hospital to watch her run. Ky is battling leukaemia. Rida wins the next two races and gives her winning ribbons to Ky for good luck.
Rida enters the State Athletics Championships, but two athletics clubs lodge an objection to her hijab. Rida is shocked when a retired Queens Counsel (QC) represents her at the Equal Opportunity Commission. Who is he? Will Rida win the case? Will she run in the State Championship? Will Ky beat leukaemia, and who owns the garden that Rida used as a sanctuary?


The back blurb of KY! does not do it justice. In only 95 pages Clancy Tucker says so much. Within Rida he has created a young girl who is an inspiration and a great role model for children worldwide. Finding yourself in a new country would not be easy but Rida takes it all in her stride. From the detention centre to integration into Australian society, Rida embraces life and learning using Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River to drive her forward. 
KY! is a book that needs to become part of every school curriculum. The topical issues covered are those which are raw within society. With terrorism becoming the ‘norm’ within our news, and the Muslim culture and their right to wear a hijab continuing to be an issue of debate, KY! opens discussion in a non threatening and heart warming manner. KY! by Clancy Tucker does not judge it educates. 
Then their are the other topics within. When Rida finds Ky has leukaemia her compassion and care for her new friend, who she really hardly knows, is heartwarming. Rida sets about to learn as much about her friends disease as she can. She writes to her friend and visits her in hospital whenever she can. She uses positive words to share love and healing, creating a bond that will last a lifetime. Acceptance of who we are and others as individuals runs through Rida, leaving a message that the reader will carry with them throughout life. Poetry runs through my blood. For myself it is a  little piece of Australian history that often gets forgotten. Clancy Tucker has won my heart with his use of  The Man from Snowy River by Banjo Patterson. He has managed to interweave it into a children’s novel with ease and grace. It touched my heart to see a piece of bush poetry, a piece of Australian history, used in such a beautiful story full of  mateship and compassion; the Australian way of life. 
On an educational level KY! opens the door for discussion and further learning that will only enrich the life of children. KY! opens a whole new literary world. After reading KY! children will only want to know more about the Muslim and Asian cultures, they will want to know more about leukaemia, they will think twice before they bully and react to those who bully on a new level. Most of all they will find belief in themselves and love and compassion for all around them.
As a writer Clancy Tucker continues to grow in strength. When I pick up a Clancy Tucker novel I can be sure of one thing, that the housework will be forgotten and that the emotions will be flowing. Thank you Clancy Tuckerfor enriching the literary world. 


ISBN: 978-1-646-93226-2
Available as a signed paperback with matching bookmark and as an e-book from
 http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au/
 www.clancytucker.com.au

Jennifer Douglas
www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 



Clancy's comment: Well, there ya go. I must say that this is probably the best review I've ever read - for any book! It is brilliantly written, and it sums the book up well. All of my books cover 'issues', and this book is no exception. Why do I include 'issues'? Simple. As a young adult author, I want to contribute something to the lives and thought processes of my young readers; not just entertain them. And, for issues like bullying, provide them with a few subtle tips on how do deal with bullies. I did lots of research before I wrote this book, wanting to cover all aspects of modern bullying. Back in my day, someone bullied you physically. Now, kids use social media as well.Having said that, a good friend of mine read this book recently and said, 'Man, Clancy, you sure picked a main character with lots of characteristics that make her different from her peers.' Correct! I did, and did that for a reason. Rida, the main character, wears glasses, loves reading, wears a Muslim hijab, and is the only Muslim kid in her school. Mm ... That would sure make you stand out, eh? And, there is KY. She is Asian, has spiky hair, wears glasses, loves reading books and is very sick.
Folks, I reckon this is a good book for any kid over 6. It is also important for parents. It might just highlight why your child or grandchild has changed - maybe quiet, sulky, withdrawn etc. Think about it. Any kid being bullied generally keeps that to themselves for fear of retribution.

 Thanks for listening. Thank you, Jennifer Douglas for a top review.




Oh, by the way, check out this video review for 'Pa Joe's Place', also produced by Jennifer Douglas:

PA JOE'S PLACE


 An author can't ask for much better, eh? Love ya work, Jennifer! So, folks, every one of my books has a purpose - to inspire you the reader! Grab a copy of these books and be inspired.

I'm ...

23 August 2015 - FLOODING IN HOI AN

FLOODING IN HOI AN G'day folks,
Welcome to a feature, courtesy of one of the very best travel companies online - Travelfish.org. This article relates to Hoi An in Vietnam.


Hoi An floods. From late October until mid-December, Central Vietnam is wet, very wet, and some areas of Hoi An’s old town are literally underwater. Oh, and there are typhoons as well. Welcome to high season in Hoi An. 
Here’s some advice your travel agent won’t give you: pack your wellies and if you have concerns about spending your days swanning around town in a day-glo body-condom, you might want to bring your raincoat too. 
Hoi An sits on low ground surrounded by waterways and mountain ranges, and then there’s a tidal influence as the main river meets the sea. Tides as we all know are influenced by the moon, so as the tourists flood here during October and November for the full moon festivities, so do the high tides — and if you are thinking a little rain never harmed anyone, then you most certainly have not witnessed the speed of Hoi An’s burst riverbanks flowing through the old town.


Having said that, if you are prepared, Hoi An is still one of the most incredible experiences you will have on your travels — whatever time of the year you stroll through the labyrinthine alleys of the old town, it feels like you are pulled back to an era long forgotten (I say the alleys, as these tend to be the silent, atmospheric parts of town where you will not be subjected to friendly cries of, ‘Buy something!’). During the floods you get to see something that in the Western world is becoming rather thin on the ground: the most inspiring sense of community as the town folk come together to help those affected and then again for the massive clean-up.
If you plan to be in town during the wet season, the best thing you can do is book yourself into a hotel out of the flood path (see above map), which means those romantic riverside retreats are strictly no-go areas. The best options for backpackers are Ly Thuong Kiet Street, for flashpackers it’s Hai Bai Trung Street, and those with more cash still should head to the beach.

If none of those options float your boat — ahem — then we have a flood map that you can check out before you check in. If you rare heading here during the full moon in October or November, for your own safety please check the weather a few days before you arrive — if there’s a typhoon heading this way, then you might want to stay where you are until it has passed. Foreca.comhas the most accurate weather report for Hoi An from my experience.



 As with everything Vietnamese, there are some unusual ways to predict a bad flood season. The talk is that 2012 is going to be one of them; the natter is it’s something to do with the shoots on the bamboo, but in all likelihood it’s more to do with the hydroelectric dams being built along the rivers near the old Ho Chi Minh trail— the second one of these has problems, so Hoi An will too.

Up until last year, it was possible to take a boat through the old town when the floods came, but the government has now banned tourists from jumping into sampan boats powered by 70-year-old plus women due to safety issues. The reason for this is a good one, and you should bear it in mind if you are going to try and slip past the police — if electrical wires fall into the water, you are going to fry.



 Do be wary of booking cooking classes ahead and getting tailoring done if there is talk of imminent flooding as businesses do close down and it is difficult to get a refund if you have to leave for onward travel before the floods subside (if this does happen, try to get your hotel to help with communications).

Travel in and out of Hoi An is not affected unless there is a typhoon. If you are travelling north, phone your next hotel before you leave to be on the safe side, especially if your next destination is Hue,which tends to flood at the same time. If the constant rain is getting you down, go south — Mui Ne is baking — or far north — Sapa is at its most beautiful. The constant rain is a Central Vietnam thing.



 And if your hotel floods… at worst you might have to move rooms or hotels (try not to stay on the ground floor). They all have generators, so you should still have power, but you might lose WiFi. It’s quite easy to imagine the worst as the flood waters usually hit during the night, but before you book a flight to safety, do jump on the first boat out of receptionas you’re never more than a few hundred metres from dry land and the waters subside almost as quickly as they arrive.
A final bit of flood advice? You know those reviews about musty hotels? Check the dates, it takes a good two to three months to dry out a hotel. 

TRAVELFISH.ORG

Clancy's comment: I've been in places where the rain did not fall from the sky. No, it was thrown from the sky. The noise of monsoonal rains on a roof is deafening, but I've always loved it. At least you can still wear t-shirts and shorts, and you will be dry in no time. Thank you Travelfish.org. So, folks, if you want to know anything about travel in South East Asia, check out Travelfish.org. I highly recommend it.
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