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e-book

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свети минаI’ve done some research on the e-book situation and it seems straightforward, except for one thing: the cover.

I know the saying goes ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ but I think we all do, and a rubbish cover will put us off picking a book up. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I hated my book cover, so I’m not too upset that I can’t use it (I may own the copyright to the book, but certainly not the cover). However, it does mean that I need a whole new cover before I set up my e-book.

I have an idea, but I don’t have the skills to make my own cover (I think a graphic artist does it…but not for free). Don’t have the money to pay someone else to do it, so I’m at an impasse (is that the right word – am tired so not sure). When I solve the problem, I’ll let you know.

Finally, I have a new computer that a) works b) is light enough that it will sit on my lap for a little while and c) the screen isn’t too bright. I’m hoping that it is a keeper and it lasts a good while. Realised lately just how much I rely on my computer!

Yay! I'm back, email and all!

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Long time no see?

Fabby Marie has got me back in to my email and, subsequently, my blog. My email account was mostly spam, but I did get an interesting email about my publisher which intrigued me. Evidently, DA is no more. However, I’m told its new incarnation is Callio (correct me if I’m wrong). Allegedly, all DA authors were contacted LAST JULY and told about the switch (I wasn’t contacted)…

On a plus note, although I believe that contractually and legally, I haven’t been bound to DA for many moons, I think that the mere fact I wasn’t contacted and I don’t appear on the Callio files means that I’m free. This leads me to something I’d never considered before: being an e-author! It’s something I’ll be looking in to this week to see if it’s feasible. It made me laugh that, currently, my book is advertised for in excess of £20 on Amazon – not that I’d see any of that, but still!

What’s been happening over the past year? Writing-wise, little – though plenty of ideas are in place. I’ve recently started a Psychology degree to try and keep my mind active – not going well with the ME/CFS making things difficult. Hoping the next module is more interesting than the current one.

My namesake, the legendary Holly dog, sadly passed away in January. She was 12 and I was absolutely devastated. She had a heart attack. We miss her every single day. She was very demanding and we found that we missed this: consequently, a new pup joined us two months or so ago, and she’s very mischevious…and also very demanding.

That’s just a quick recap, as I’m on a borrowed computer (you can find out why on: www.simpsonsays.wordpress.com). Hoping to get back in to my writing when I get a new computer. This one’s far too heavy and bright for me!

I’ll keep you posted with the e-book thing. Have a feeling it’s not as easy as it seems!

Still no email!

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холни масиI know I’m repeating myself, but I still can’t access the email address that the ‘Contact Holly’ messages go to. If you do want to message me, you can find me on both Facebook and Twitter. Why-oh-why is there no ‘forgotten password’ button on my webmail account. Madness!

Asda!

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Was updating my Asda order (on a budget, as usual) and then went to check-out. OMG, I’d won £75 worth of shopping with a Dettol competition and there was an e-voucher waiting for me! I was so pleased, and ordered myself a few treats (Febreze and a Dip Dab) and ordered some alcohol for the rest of my family. Couldn’t believe it, but it went through fine and I only had to pay delivery and a little extra.

This morning, however, Asda just rang (right before my order was due to be delivered) and said they weren’t honouring the vouchers. I could have my shopping IF I paid for it – well, yes, that is usually how it works BUT not if you’ve ordered things you wouldn’t generally buy because you had a VOUCHER! I felt sick and was furious. Then, I remembered my consumer law and checked my card site: they had already taken payment and, therefore, accepted my order. I am now trying to get them to honour it. May not work (as these big comapnies think they can walk all over the consumer) but it’s worth a try. So disappointed, and can’t imagine Dettol will be happy as it will reflect badly on them, too.

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An Evening with…Peter Shilton!

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It’s not a very girly thing to say, but I have several sporting idols who are footballers. Goalkeepers, actually. My absolute favourite player is Peter Shilton, closely followed by David Seaman. Last night, after 20+ years (yes, I’m THAT old) of being a fan, I finally got to meet Peter Shilton at a charity event in aid of the NSPCC.

Have you ever been invited to a fancy dress party and worried that you’d get there and no-one else would be dressed up, or have you ever had a dream that you’ve gone somewhere, naked? Well, last night it was as bad as the former, but not so bad as the latter: hubby told me the event was casual, so I dressed accordingly. I wore jeans and a top (albeit my best, most expensive jeans). However, on our arrival to the venue, I looked out of the car window to see what looked like a scene from a wedding/the races: men in shirts/ties and ladies in their posh frocks! My heart sank and I really didn’t want to get out of the car. Only the fact that I’d been assured I would get to meet THE Peter Shilton stopped me from going home. I got a few ‘looks’ (ladies, you know the ones) as I slunk up the stairway into the venue.

There was a VIP Reception upstairs before the main event. There he was, the man himself, Shilts! Just as I remembered him, sans curly hair…and a little greyer! As a number of people said, I thought he would be taller. Perhaps it was because he cut such in imposing figure in the goalmouth, or perhaps because when I was little, someone who was 6 ft tall was a giant. For a donation to the NSPCC, we were able to go and get our photos taken. I was a bit starstruck, whereas hubby can talk to anyone, but I knew this was my one opportunity to speak to him. It was great! He shook our hands, and I told him I’d been a fan since the 80s. He asked our names, and was very friendly. We had our photo taken with him and wished him a nice evening. He looked a little surprised, as though no-one had said that to him. Us Geordies ARE a nice bunch, really. I must point out that I was pretty impressed with the mini-photography studio that had been set up for the evening. It was so fast and the quality was good.

Later on, we had to go back to Shilts’ table to have our photo signed. Joe Allon was there, too (he’s very loud, but also funny). Peter asked us where we wanted his signature. Quick as a flash, I said, “Just there,” pointing at my hubby’s face. They all laughed and it made my day (hubby even managed a wry smile). Later on, hubby returned to ask if Shilts would sign a ball for our charity evening in October. Joe was kind enough to ensure this happened, as one of the charities we raise funds for is close to his own heart. We have a lovely photo of the ball being signed.

I was dreading the pie ‘n’ pea supper aspect of the night, as I hate both (and I was so hungry). However, I was pleasantly surprised and subsequently cleared my plate (unfortunately for hubby). Then came the talk. He apologised for the locker-room language (I’ve heard worse in the rap music hubby listens to) before telling us about his incredible career. I was enthralled, and thoroughly entertained, as there was a lot of humour (which I hadn’t expected). I was glad to know he hasn’t forgiven Maradonna for the ‘Hand Of God’ and he certainly seemed bitter about it. As you would! It was nice to hear stories about Sir Bobby, who is a firm favourite in this region, and Joe Allon was a very good compere. It was a great night, except…

There are always people (usually seated near us) who drink too much and get loud. There are always ignorant people who, say, let their phone ring and don’t answer it (very annoying musical ringtone, too). There are always people who will talk over the top of the speakers (grrrrrr). Basically, there will always be attention-seekers and you can’t do anything about them. The person that actually annoyed me was a local singer, who sang as they were doing the food. She was OK (not my kind of music) but she was REALLY put out that people were chatting amongst themselves. She made it incredibly clear by saying things like, “Don’t bother clapping, because I know you aren’t listening,” and, “This song’s about drugs. I wasn’t going to sing it but you aren’t listening.” Well, actually pet, we were and that’s how we know that you came across as very unprofessional. I felt really uncomfortable at that point.

I really enjoyed the football chat but, when I went to the loos, I heard two women (who’d obviously been dragged along by their husbands) plotting to escape to the MetroCentre because they were ‘bored’. I wondered how many times their husbands had had similar conversations after being dragged to the MetroCentre!!!

I had a fantastic night and I would recommend seeing Peter give a talk, if you get the opportunity. Now, I’d better go as hubby tells me there’s some kind of important football match on…

The Sun has got his hat on…

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…and so have I, if I absolutely have to go out. And sunglasses (indoors and out). And factor 1,000 sun cream.

I thought I was one of a small few who hated the hot weather but, as it turns out, I am one of many within my Twitter circle. It’s not just the ME sufferers, either. Lots of people are not happy with the high temperatures this weekend and many, like me, are actually in semi-hibernation! If you could see me now, you’d see I was in my short PJs in the living room, right next to a fan/air purifier. The thick curtains, as well as the blinds, are closed and I’m surrrounded with dogs, all flat out. I have Reverse SAD and get miserable when the summer arrives. Honestly, it’s a real thing!

I reserve the right to complain about the hot weather, as I didn’t have a good moan during the rain or the snow. I’m not one of those people who says, “When’s the summer coming?” I’m one of the people who says, “When’s the summer over?” As you bask in the sun, spare a thought for the pasty, pale few who spend the summer indoors, trying to avoid heatstroke and horrible headaches!

Still have no email access, but you can find me on Facebook, if you want to leave a message. Just look for Holly A Harvey and leave a post on my wall.

Email

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Apologies to anyone who’s emailed me or used the contact form – I’m currently locked out of my email account and there’s nowhere for me to retrieve my details. Very frustrating. Just so you know I’m not ignoring you!

Pats on the back to…

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Tesco in Hexham: my grandma took ill in there yesterday, and the staff were extremely helpful. However, I found it really hard to find an address to email them a ‘thank you’. It’s really, really easy to complain, but people should be encouraged to give positive feedback as well. After a trip to A&E, my grandma is fine. Well done, Tesco.

Discovered Authors: I FINALLY got my full payment from them. I’m delighted to draw a line under this, and I’m assured that I was just one of the few that fell through the cracks (maybe it’s because I’m so thin). And apology would have been nice, but the money I was due is just as welcome!

Royal Mail: after lots of to-ing and fro-ing, I finally got a message to say that they would be paying compensation for the item that they lost. It’s a shame that I’ve had to jump through so many hoops, but I’m glad that they’ve recognised that there was a problem and have tried to rectify it.

International ME/CFS Awareness Day 2010

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Bad timing, but I feel we’d have the same amount of coverage whether our government had changed or remained the same.

Despite looking through the news on Yahoo, there’s no mention of the Day, although Burglars’ Diets were discussed. Madness! We deserve a mention, and we deserve a mention without use of the term ‘Yuppie Flu’. We deserve to be taken seriously, instead of a condition that has destroyed lives constantly being treated in a flippant manner, due to ignorance (and I don’t mean that in a horrible way). I know that I, and many other sufferers, feel neglected. Little research is being undertaken, little funding is given our way and, it seems, that the ME/CFS charities out there are doing us a disservice by not publicising days such as today. Surely if anyone should be standing up for us, it should be the charities!

Back to flippancy: I follow @Jason_Manford on Twitter, and he made an off-the-cuff comment asking what that illness was where people were always tired, because he thought he had it. One of his followers replied with the comment ‘lazyitis’. That tends to be the unspoken opinion about us, that we are lazy. I know a LOT of ME/CFS sufferers and none of them lazy. Imagine feeling tired, exhausted, lethargic with aching joints, headaches, muscle pain, and still trying to do what everyone expects of you. Imagine the strain of trying to appear ‘normal’ on the rare occasions that you feel able to socialise, and knowing that you will pay for the effort you make, in terms of not being able to function properly, but not knowing how long that will last. Imagine feeling so fatigued that holding a conversation or even sitting up is difficult. It’s not a joke or like being ‘a bit tired’, is it? That said, I do have a sense of humour and can laugh at myself (Steve Coogan even mentioned ME/CFS in his Alan Partridge show, and it was funny). If I couldn’t see humour in my situation, I would’ve gone insane by now!

Personally, I had a pretty good life in between relapses. I’ve had some good careers (trainee biomedical scientist, administrator, local government, trainee Counsellor – gone), some great hobbies (kickboxing, gym, socialising – gone), some great friends (or so I thought – gone), an income (gone) and fun (still try and have fun, but it no longer involves the activities I used to enjoy). You could not call me lazy (although you could, and I’d probably be too knackered to do anything about it!)

It’s important for sufferers to remember that a diagnosis of ME/CFS is not the end of life, just life as you know it. You are as valuable as you were before, but you need to adapt to the person you are with ME, rather than hanging on to who you were. I’ve done some pretty amazing stuff that I probably wouldn’t have done when I was well and I’ve met some amazing, inspiring people. I’ve seen the worst in people, but I’ve also seen the best. I still hope I’ll get better, but I’ll still get on with things as they are and will cherish every single ‘good day’ or even ‘good hour’ that I have.

Does this seem fair (part two)?

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Ooh, I’m simmering with anger and am also quite upset. @RoyalMail (twitter name) should be ashamed of themselves.

I foolishly thought the intervention of @RoyalMail Twitter Team would mean this farce would get sorted out. However, after email tennis with them, I ended up feeling worse. Each reply I sent was responded to by a different person (some ore helpful than others). They said that, without the sender’s address (which I don’t have) they won’t consider my claim (although I did have the proof of postage, detailing where and when the item was posted). They emailed the sender, who didn’t respond – not my fault and why would she care, to be honest, as she got her payment. People have better things to do than help others, I guess. Why won’t they compensate me? Well, one person implied that we could both be requesting compensation – I pointed out that the sender didn’t need compensated: I upheld my part of the contract (unlike @RoyalMail). I also pointed out that they had all the details from the proof of posting, so would have had it on record, had the sender tried to claim. They didn’t want to hear logic.

They asked me to call them (despite me pointing out many times that I can’t do telephone calls when my ME/CFS’s bad) so they said they’d call me that day (last Friday) when hubby was home. They didn’t. Hubby tried to call them. Went through lots of menus (on his lunch hour) to hear the dreaded “we’re busy, call again later” message. Lunch hour wasted. They finally left a message on the answerphone saying someone would discuss ‘payment’ with us. WooHoo! At last, we thought, so hubby rang them last night. Person dealing with it wasn’t in, but hubby got same old story from person he spoke to. Back to square one, but he was told someone would ring him today.

Today? Still wasn’t the person who was supposed to be dealing with our claim, and was not interested in paying us. What really, really upset me was that they implied AGAIN that I was trying to scam them! This is despite me providing emails, receipts, etc. So, if you ever send anything through the post via @RoyalMail, you must be able to quantify it and, apparently, receipts just aren’t good enough. Talk about adding insult to injury. Don’t worry, I won’t let this rest, as it’s so wrong that they can behave like this. Hubby asked if they contacted Police when things repeatedly go missing – their response? They deal with it internally. Yes, by trying to blame the customers! Rant done, for now.