Well, I have deviated from my original plan by a tad bit but what the hell... that's life! Lol. I'll be starting my Mkeri tales very soon and with it a series of photos from Africa. But first, I think I'm going to have to date myself here in this blog.
Now some of you, may have figured out by now that I am a little long in the tooth. Okay..., not THAT long! Lol. But long enough. This little snippet of my life is one that I will always cherish and is truly a highlight of my glory days.
Back in 1977 we were still in the middle of the cold war. I was an Officer Cadet with the Air Cadet League of Canada awaiting my training to become a 2nd Lieutenant in the Reserves. This was a time in our lives when air raid sirens were mounted high around our city's and tested regularly. Today, they lay in fields as scrape metal. A sad testament to a time when we were afraid. Afraid of nuclear war!
Our squadron was heading to the US. to visit Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana. This base was a Minute-Man missile base! Cool shit for those who were in the military and into those things. Our first line of defense when the Russians send their missiles across the Canadian skies heading towards targets unknown. Here's the rub..., they didn't know where the missiles would be going until 5 minutes before impact. Seriously - let's see you evacuate a city of 500,000 in 5 minutes! Yeah... it ain't happening!
So here we are with our squadron of cadets on this really cool Air Force base. I'm a strapping young officer [actually barely one! Lol - no Officer and a Gentleman for this kid!] and we have arrived!!! Marching our squadron towards the mess hall, I get saluted by non-other than - a Colonel!
Okay... let's step out of this story for a moment. First off you have got to know, that an Officer Cadet is so far below the rank of a full bird, that I barely make his boot heels!
Okay..., let's step back in again. Now back then, I was as an ambitious young lad who really wanted to impress - I'm fast on the draw and nobody can snap a salute faster than me! Well sort of. Hmmm..., I did notice however the dirty look I got? Okay - I was a little too slow but he really shouldn't have been so impatient! Seriously!!! I'm suppose to salute first - didn't he get the memo?
Actually... this behavior by the american officers continued not only that day but the whole weekend! Odd thing about it was, that the american officers wouldn't salute my commanding officer - just me... Okay, so I was in my glory! I admit it! Didn't know what the hell was going on - but who cares! I was living large!!!
Over the weekend we were treated to tours, movies and lectures - man were we blown away! We even were in the practice silo and underground command center for a Minute-Man Missile! Seeing first hand the actual silo with a missile in it, the two command chairs and control panels of the mightiest military hardware of the day! A nuclear ICBM [inter-continental-ballistic] missile! We even got to take turns practicing to turn the twin keys at the exact time to arm the missile after the presidents codes had been entered - which, we got to do! ...and, we even did a launch! Yeah baby! That's what I'm talking about! [patting my shoulder here with a proud puffed up chest]. That's right folks... we were well trained youth WAR MONGERS!!!! LMAO... :) I did mention that this was the training silo, right?? Yeah - not the real MaCoy.
Okay - seriously, it was very cool! On the final afternoon on that Sunday, we were treated to a dance in our honor hosted by the Civil Air Patrol - our american counter-part. As I was informed later, when I walked into the room, the jaws dropped on everyone one of the Air Patrols cadets. One who was engaged with my Warrant-Officer asked him if I was a little too young for holding the rank I did? He responded with "No..., he's about the normal age." he came back with "To be a General??"
I almost died when I found this out! You can't image how all the little pieces fell so fast into place. You talk about a puffy chest now? I was milking it!
You see, an officer cadet has a single thin gold strip on his sleeve and I had two brass maple leafs on my lapels. Not getting any clearer yet? Okay..., let me help you along. An american Brigadier General, has a thin gold strip on his sleeves and a single silver star on each lapel. Get the connection? So now I understood how for that weekend, I commanded salutes from all the officers on that base - even if they did do so with clenched teeth. They took the maple leafs as our version of a star.
...and THAT, is how I was a General for a weekend! Life can throw you some awful funny curves at times but some of those - you really need to get on it and ride it hard while you can!
Trip...
Monday, 27 February 2012
Thursday, 23 February 2012
The Bubble Gum Effect - Trip Williams on Relationships
It's not very often I will speak on such matters of the heart. Especially when I'm trying to explain my views on how life works. There are thousands of experts out there and the websites and blogs are filled with them. Nope - I'm just simply trying to explain MY view on relationships. Oh yeah..., this is the male version.
I first spoke of this Bubble Gum Effect at my sons wedding. Not very often a grooms father will stand and try to explain what happened in his sons' life, that created the unlikely event allowing himself to become ensnared by a woman. Yeah - that's right; you heard me! Ensnared!
Don't get me wrong, I think marriage is a beautiful thing when you have just that right partner and I sure don't want to be predisposed to the idea that this young lass is not the right one for my son. However..., like most men,; he did not understand the Bubble Gum Effect and that can lead to a moments indecisiveness and there you have it. Yup - wedding bells!
Before I explain the Bubble Gum Effect, I must first state that as a man, we really want to just enjoy life and continue to have the finer things that is associated with a good living. Yes, women are a part of it but really... to settle down with one? I'm not sold. After all, I was first introduced this phenomenon at a very young young age and I too succumbed to the wiles of a girl and I..., was ensnared. That was fortunately short lived and I have gone on in my life to enjoy a happier and simpler existence. Yup... I'm chewing my bubble-gum!
The Bubble Gum Effect.
When us young men are first venturing out into the world and experiencing life from this new perspective as a hormone charged male supper propagator, we find the candy bowl. That's right... a bowl full of delicious and sweetly wrapped candy know as women. Think of it as Double-Bubble Bubble Gum.
You select this sweet morsel from hundreds of prospective bubble-gums; and, you smell it. Hmmm...... it smells so sweet and delicious! Then you unwrap her. As the fabrics of the wrapper unfold to reveal the mouth watering tasty treat inside, you start to drool. Then comes the first taste - you are overwhelmed! As you chew this incredibly delectable explosion of adventure and delight that cascades across your senses; one may forget that this is only a treat and that one can only savor this for a short time.
That's right - the flavor starts to fade.
Now some men, or rather boys, experience a less than favorable shift in their mood. The flavor is loosing its' hold. You are coming back into that world of reality and realize that YOU as a young proud member of the male species; want more!!! That's right! We want another treat!
Some boys do not recognize the fact that there is a whole bowel full of tasty treats out there waiting for us. No..., some of us are not wise in the world and we become fearful! We must have that pleasure again! So we marry the girl. Fairly easy catch on her part wouldn't you say? Kind of like a black widow. In some respects - very similar. The joys and pleasures experienced are slowly held back - taunting us and guiding us to do your bidding. Then, over time, we loose our man-hood and become lost. Lost to the wiles of that woman and in so become lost to ourselves! Some men are even... when, do I need to say more?? Ewhhh... nasty thought - it makes me shiver just thinking about it.
Now some men, they see that bowl of candy and they know that as the taste fades, there is only one thing left to do. Spit her out! That's right - toss her to the curb and get another one! Yeah baby... that's what I'm talking about! Life is once more good and pure and just the way it's suppose to be! Your Zen has returned!
But as time goes on, you encounter that one woman who has had her bubble-gum spat the ground a time or two or fifty...! She now is wise in your moods and the ways of the gum. Just when you're ready to spit her out - she, DISTRACTS YOU!
As her gum is tossed whimsically to the ground..., she lures you back in and guess what happens? That's right! You step on her gum! Have you ever stepped on gum? Seriously... it's GUM! It sticks to your foot and you can't get it off! So once again, we as men get ensnared; and then the wedding bells chime....
So there you have it ladies. At least one of us males are on to you females and we recognize the fact that life is a bowel of bubble-gum and we, the proud dominant species of this world; become reduced to a little trinket carrying, gum-stuck fool. I may not be popular for spreading this little secret to all the men out there but I feel I owe it to them. You know, as the 'One who has gone before', sort of thing. Yeah, it's a guy thing; but that's the way I see it. Welcome to the world of the Bubble Gum Effect!
Trip...
I first spoke of this Bubble Gum Effect at my sons wedding. Not very often a grooms father will stand and try to explain what happened in his sons' life, that created the unlikely event allowing himself to become ensnared by a woman. Yeah - that's right; you heard me! Ensnared!
Don't get me wrong, I think marriage is a beautiful thing when you have just that right partner and I sure don't want to be predisposed to the idea that this young lass is not the right one for my son. However..., like most men,; he did not understand the Bubble Gum Effect and that can lead to a moments indecisiveness and there you have it. Yup - wedding bells!
Before I explain the Bubble Gum Effect, I must first state that as a man, we really want to just enjoy life and continue to have the finer things that is associated with a good living. Yes, women are a part of it but really... to settle down with one? I'm not sold. After all, I was first introduced this phenomenon at a very young young age and I too succumbed to the wiles of a girl and I..., was ensnared. That was fortunately short lived and I have gone on in my life to enjoy a happier and simpler existence. Yup... I'm chewing my bubble-gum!
The Bubble Gum Effect.
When us young men are first venturing out into the world and experiencing life from this new perspective as a hormone charged male supper propagator, we find the candy bowl. That's right... a bowl full of delicious and sweetly wrapped candy know as women. Think of it as Double-Bubble Bubble Gum.
You select this sweet morsel from hundreds of prospective bubble-gums; and, you smell it. Hmmm...... it smells so sweet and delicious! Then you unwrap her. As the fabrics of the wrapper unfold to reveal the mouth watering tasty treat inside, you start to drool. Then comes the first taste - you are overwhelmed! As you chew this incredibly delectable explosion of adventure and delight that cascades across your senses; one may forget that this is only a treat and that one can only savor this for a short time.
That's right - the flavor starts to fade.
Now some men, or rather boys, experience a less than favorable shift in their mood. The flavor is loosing its' hold. You are coming back into that world of reality and realize that YOU as a young proud member of the male species; want more!!! That's right! We want another treat!
Some boys do not recognize the fact that there is a whole bowel full of tasty treats out there waiting for us. No..., some of us are not wise in the world and we become fearful! We must have that pleasure again! So we marry the girl. Fairly easy catch on her part wouldn't you say? Kind of like a black widow. In some respects - very similar. The joys and pleasures experienced are slowly held back - taunting us and guiding us to do your bidding. Then, over time, we loose our man-hood and become lost. Lost to the wiles of that woman and in so become lost to ourselves! Some men are even... when, do I need to say more?? Ewhhh... nasty thought - it makes me shiver just thinking about it.
Now some men, they see that bowl of candy and they know that as the taste fades, there is only one thing left to do. Spit her out! That's right - toss her to the curb and get another one! Yeah baby... that's what I'm talking about! Life is once more good and pure and just the way it's suppose to be! Your Zen has returned!
But as time goes on, you encounter that one woman who has had her bubble-gum spat the ground a time or two or fifty...! She now is wise in your moods and the ways of the gum. Just when you're ready to spit her out - she, DISTRACTS YOU!
As her gum is tossed whimsically to the ground..., she lures you back in and guess what happens? That's right! You step on her gum! Have you ever stepped on gum? Seriously... it's GUM! It sticks to your foot and you can't get it off! So once again, we as men get ensnared; and then the wedding bells chime....
So there you have it ladies. At least one of us males are on to you females and we recognize the fact that life is a bowel of bubble-gum and we, the proud dominant species of this world; become reduced to a little trinket carrying, gum-stuck fool. I may not be popular for spreading this little secret to all the men out there but I feel I owe it to them. You know, as the 'One who has gone before', sort of thing. Yeah, it's a guy thing; but that's the way I see it. Welcome to the world of the Bubble Gum Effect!
Trip...
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Reflections - By: Trip Williams
Over the years I find myself quite often reflecting on my past. Some may think this as a whimsical cerebral interlude or even trying to recapture one's glory days; but I think not. It closely resembles what I was eluding to in my previous post on Inspirations. I find inspiration in the reflections on my life! If you look in a shimmering pool of water, the reflection looking back is that of you. This is your immediate life. As you look to the edges, it becomes blurry. This is closely akin to your past. As time goes by, we forget things about where we came from, what we have done and in some cases - who we are. Those are the blurry edges of our lives. But, beneath the water is our memories. Suspended in time, it lingers - waiting. Waiting for you to retrieve them and reflect upon them; and that, is what I do.
At times these memories seem to find their own way home as the thoughts appear in my mind. Some random but most very deep memories filled with emotion. Good and bad. From these, I draw upon for my writing. From these, I find a new world.
Back in 1979, Iran took the american embassy hostage. While people watched from their living rooms, a different world was unfolding around them. A world that no one knew and would have been terrified to have really know. I was in the navy and when this crisis broke, the Canadian fleets pulled into harbor alongside the ammo storage facilities. There we offloaded our practice rounds and with our holds teeming with high explosion warheads, we set sail. We were now on second degree war time standby.
With the entire fleet at sea, American ships hailed us not by radio, but by signal lamp. Everyone was running silent. It was reminiscent of WWII. Demanding to know our identity, lamps flashed through the night as we passed by - patrolling the waters along our borders. Waiting. Waiting for orders.
One late night early into this tense patrol, I was standing watch on the starboard wing as lookout. Flying high above the rolling waves, I scanned the horizons watching for ships and debris in the water that may bring harm to my ship. As we cut through the oceans swells, the moon was full and the air warm. Cascading phosphorus sent shimmering displays of greens and blues splaying across the waves and behind the wake from of our destroyer.
Something caught my eye. Below the horizon something was wrong. Phosphorus trails were lighting up. Raising my binoculars, I focused on twin trails streaming through the waters on an intercept course with my ship. About twelve feet apart and with the left hand one leading the other, I watched intensely. These trails of color were traveling at high speed and unforgiving from their course.
Stepping back from the steel enclosure of the lookout wing I leaned against the open window to the bridge and called for the office of the watch. Pointing at the fast approaching wakes he raised his binoculars to see what had me backed up against the bridge. My mind was racing with only one thought - torpedoes!
Disappearing back in the dim lit bridge, the officer of the watch left me alone - alone to die. To suffer in silence the fiery ball of death I was certain would come. Knowing that my death was immanent and with no place to go, I walked to edge of the wing and watched as the two trails hit their mark. The phosphorus disappeared and as I held my breath, two explosions of water appeared near the bow. They were dolphins! I almost pissed myself! Christ, that scared the shit out of me! I know I laughed when I saw them but with that was a rush of emotions I find hard to explain even to this day. Death did truly come to great me that night and with his arm firmly around my shoulder, he lead me down that path into darkness. I know that bugger was laughing as he left my side. Trust me when I say that I have never watched porpoises or dolphins without thinking of that night.
So what is the point of my tale? Just that from that night, I have built countless tales. Ones of battle, of survival and ones even of romance. Think of the endless opportunities presented to me that night. Stories even yet to be told! Countless stories! These are the things in life that I reflect on. Whether it be from fear or from exhilaration - we can use these events to our advantage. I know I do. I will have to admit though, I have a sweet spot for romance and even out of the depths of terror, a little love can always be shinning through. Ahhww... but alas, that is a tale for yet another day. A tale of the young girl waiting for me back at home port. The one my mind flashed to moments before my death. The one who was not my fiance'e.
Trip...
At times these memories seem to find their own way home as the thoughts appear in my mind. Some random but most very deep memories filled with emotion. Good and bad. From these, I draw upon for my writing. From these, I find a new world.
Back in 1979, Iran took the american embassy hostage. While people watched from their living rooms, a different world was unfolding around them. A world that no one knew and would have been terrified to have really know. I was in the navy and when this crisis broke, the Canadian fleets pulled into harbor alongside the ammo storage facilities. There we offloaded our practice rounds and with our holds teeming with high explosion warheads, we set sail. We were now on second degree war time standby.
With the entire fleet at sea, American ships hailed us not by radio, but by signal lamp. Everyone was running silent. It was reminiscent of WWII. Demanding to know our identity, lamps flashed through the night as we passed by - patrolling the waters along our borders. Waiting. Waiting for orders.
One late night early into this tense patrol, I was standing watch on the starboard wing as lookout. Flying high above the rolling waves, I scanned the horizons watching for ships and debris in the water that may bring harm to my ship. As we cut through the oceans swells, the moon was full and the air warm. Cascading phosphorus sent shimmering displays of greens and blues splaying across the waves and behind the wake from of our destroyer.
Something caught my eye. Below the horizon something was wrong. Phosphorus trails were lighting up. Raising my binoculars, I focused on twin trails streaming through the waters on an intercept course with my ship. About twelve feet apart and with the left hand one leading the other, I watched intensely. These trails of color were traveling at high speed and unforgiving from their course.
Stepping back from the steel enclosure of the lookout wing I leaned against the open window to the bridge and called for the office of the watch. Pointing at the fast approaching wakes he raised his binoculars to see what had me backed up against the bridge. My mind was racing with only one thought - torpedoes!
Disappearing back in the dim lit bridge, the officer of the watch left me alone - alone to die. To suffer in silence the fiery ball of death I was certain would come. Knowing that my death was immanent and with no place to go, I walked to edge of the wing and watched as the two trails hit their mark. The phosphorus disappeared and as I held my breath, two explosions of water appeared near the bow. They were dolphins! I almost pissed myself! Christ, that scared the shit out of me! I know I laughed when I saw them but with that was a rush of emotions I find hard to explain even to this day. Death did truly come to great me that night and with his arm firmly around my shoulder, he lead me down that path into darkness. I know that bugger was laughing as he left my side. Trust me when I say that I have never watched porpoises or dolphins without thinking of that night.
So what is the point of my tale? Just that from that night, I have built countless tales. Ones of battle, of survival and ones even of romance. Think of the endless opportunities presented to me that night. Stories even yet to be told! Countless stories! These are the things in life that I reflect on. Whether it be from fear or from exhilaration - we can use these events to our advantage. I know I do. I will have to admit though, I have a sweet spot for romance and even out of the depths of terror, a little love can always be shinning through. Ahhww... but alas, that is a tale for yet another day. A tale of the young girl waiting for me back at home port. The one my mind flashed to moments before my death. The one who was not my fiance'e.
Trip...
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Inspirations.by Trip Williams Author
Inspirations. Where do they come from? Have you set ever sat back and wondered, just where your inspiration comes from? Sometimes it can come from the oddest thing! Above is a self portrait of myself and a very dear old friend - Victor. We were on a bike trip out to the coast last year and we stopped beside the road just outside of Hope, British Columbia. That one image has given me countless thoughts about things to write.
In the movie 'Always' with Richard Dreyfus, Holly Hunter and John Goodman, the inspiration for pilots is depicted as the dead fliers who have gone on before you. They become your conscious - your spirit guide. That little nagging voice that tells you when you're doing something right and something wrong! Is it too far from the truth? Who knows? I could beguile you with my own philosophies but that should be left for another time and... maybe another place. By the way, if you have not yet seen that movie, it's a must see!
For me, inspirations come in the smallest of things. A certain look someone has while they quietly muse on some deep thought. A look. The worn sandstone blocks on the corner of an old building. A tear in the eye of a woman as she sits in the car next to you as she glances up and makes eye contact while her man berates her. It's the things in life that catch your eye and sometimes your heart.
In the movie 'Always' with Richard Dreyfus, Holly Hunter and John Goodman, the inspiration for pilots is depicted as the dead fliers who have gone on before you. They become your conscious - your spirit guide. That little nagging voice that tells you when you're doing something right and something wrong! Is it too far from the truth? Who knows? I could beguile you with my own philosophies but that should be left for another time and... maybe another place. By the way, if you have not yet seen that movie, it's a must see!
For me, inspirations come in the smallest of things. A certain look someone has while they quietly muse on some deep thought. A look. The worn sandstone blocks on the corner of an old building. A tear in the eye of a woman as she sits in the car next to you as she glances up and makes eye contact while her man berates her. It's the things in life that catch your eye and sometimes your heart.
I have two favorite memories that I will carry and hold the closest to my very soul until my last breath. Both coincidentally happened in the rain. The first - It was late fall and close to around 10:00pm. A Friday night, and the rain was a steady down-pour. I was called out on an emergency to meet with new clients who were sitting at home freezing - they had no heat. This couple lived in a condominium complex; one of the nicest in town with a Italian styling to the buildings and beautifully manicured grounds. As I rounded the corner, a young woman stood in a trench coat and high heels with an umbrella pulled low. The light streaming down from the Tudor style street lamp cut a swath through the rain casting a shadow over her face. She was waiting for me. As I stepped from my truck, she held the umbrella out for me so I would not get wet. As the umbrella moved away from her face, a beautiful platinum blonde with red lipstick smiled and thanked me for coming. Now I know what your thinking but seriously, that is exactly what and how it happened! In this I have taken no liberties. These folks were from Sweden and their hospitality was second to none. Once inside I could not even begin to do anything for these wonderful people, until they fed me a hot meal. I was seriously blown away! But that scene of her standing in the rain with her umbrella is forever burned into my mind and that image - by far one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
The second scene has a little less impact but was every bit as romantic and breathtaking. It was about the same time of year and late at night when I was traveling home from sisters house. As I came upon my corner, I saw a woman walking her dog. She was also in a trench coat and heels with her umbrella pulled low. Her Shiatsu strolled causally beside her as she continued walking away from me. I remember stopping and shutting down my engine as I rolled down my window and watched her. It was a light rain that night, mixed with a slight bit of fog. The click of her heels on the sidewalk carried in the cool night air and I had to just sit and drink it in. It was breath taking in its simplicity, beauty and surrealism.
It's moments like these that can be the most inspiring for a writer. Weather you're a romance writer or a mystery writer and even a paranormal author; it all adds to the moment. That fracture in time that you can hold and carry with you as you click away at your keyboard and tell your story.
So next time you get that lingering scent of perfume in the air or that glance with a smile from someone passing by, or even spot that small piece of history on the corner of a coffee shop building; take a moment for pause and reflection. After all, it is a gift for you. Take in the moment, breath it in, run your hand along the worn rock or a weathered wooden rail. Be a part of it and it will stay with you forever. Life is to be tasted, breathed in and experienced. Let life inspire you. But then again... this is just one man's opinion.
Trip...
The second scene has a little less impact but was every bit as romantic and breathtaking. It was about the same time of year and late at night when I was traveling home from sisters house. As I came upon my corner, I saw a woman walking her dog. She was also in a trench coat and heels with her umbrella pulled low. Her Shiatsu strolled causally beside her as she continued walking away from me. I remember stopping and shutting down my engine as I rolled down my window and watched her. It was a light rain that night, mixed with a slight bit of fog. The click of her heels on the sidewalk carried in the cool night air and I had to just sit and drink it in. It was breath taking in its simplicity, beauty and surrealism.
It's moments like these that can be the most inspiring for a writer. Weather you're a romance writer or a mystery writer and even a paranormal author; it all adds to the moment. That fracture in time that you can hold and carry with you as you click away at your keyboard and tell your story.
So next time you get that lingering scent of perfume in the air or that glance with a smile from someone passing by, or even spot that small piece of history on the corner of a coffee shop building; take a moment for pause and reflection. After all, it is a gift for you. Take in the moment, breath it in, run your hand along the worn rock or a weathered wooden rail. Be a part of it and it will stay with you forever. Life is to be tasted, breathed in and experienced. Let life inspire you. But then again... this is just one man's opinion.
Trip...
Monday, 6 February 2012
Silent Waters...
I am still amazed at how fortunate I feel, to be able to be able to be a part of this amazing stable of talented authors who make up the Bandit Creek Books series. This unique series has become an adventure; only akin to something closer to one of those things in life that is a true turning point. At least in my life! Sounds kind of over the top, but you would have to meet these girls I think, to see the magic that happens when we all get together. Okay... I admit, they are my harem and I do closely protect these beauties but after all, I am their token male! Lol.
So what really is this Bandit Creek thing? Well, to put it bluntly, Bandit Creek Books is a collection of novellas that span the genre horizon with tales from Romance, to mysteries, to paranormal, to gay and lesbian love and of course - thrillers. I don't think there isn't anything that we don't cover in our humble little group. Embedded into the mystical town of Bandit Creek; located in the heart of Missoula Montana, Carla Roma has created - well, the perfect town! If you haven't already stopped by, make sure you do and see what is offered for your enjoyment. So join the crew at www.banditcreekbooks.com and find out why you may not want to miss out.
Right now we are featuring the 30 Days of Secrets. This is an unprecedented look into the secret lives of authors as they tell some of their most intimate and closely guarded secrets. Seriously! I'm not exaggerating! Take a look and you'll see. If you subscribe to the Bandit Creek Gazette, you'll also be able to keep up to date with all the BC events.
So... what is Silent Waters?? Actually, I don't believe I can tell you! Hmmm... Nasty I know, but I think it's because I signed some kind of contract about secrecy. You know, can't spill the beans. Okay... here is something for you to nibble on but don't tell Carla! Silent Waters is a suspense thriller about a man Named Jake McCord who happens to keep finding women - dead ones that is! Wouldn't be so bad if people knew who they were; they might even pay a bit more attention! But of course - as the bodies stack up, so do the stakes.
I have to forewarn you that this July 1st release will be having a 5 Bandit Rating! When you check out our site, you will see that this is for the serious readers who aren't faint of heart. I'm sorry, it's not meant to be a feel good and cuddle by the fire with your lover type of story. I can't wait to share this story with you but alas - we ALL have to wait! Arghhhh.... I'll be posting my cover this Wednesday for you all to see. Oh yeah! Here is something that I can share with you!
Some of you might not know this, but my cover model is a very dear friend of mine. She is my hair stylist and Colleen is in fact the same girl featured in my story and she does work at Bombshell's! Okay... there I go again! Yeah, Bombshells Beauty Bar is a real place and is in this book. This salon is located in Calgary Alberta and it is loaded with a fine collection of real beauties! Then, there is Colleen... Hmmm, she does make a man take pause. I absolutely adore this young lass but, true to her nature, she is a girl that seems to find herself in well, let's say unusual circumstances?
For now, I'll have to leave you only this little snippet for my Silent Waters release. That is of course, unless I can convince Carla Roma to let me tantalize you all just a bit more. Here's hoping! Be safe friends and most of all, be well and happy. This is not our only kick at the can but why not take the time to enjoy this ride? After all... you picked it!
Trip...
So what really is this Bandit Creek thing? Well, to put it bluntly, Bandit Creek Books is a collection of novellas that span the genre horizon with tales from Romance, to mysteries, to paranormal, to gay and lesbian love and of course - thrillers. I don't think there isn't anything that we don't cover in our humble little group. Embedded into the mystical town of Bandit Creek; located in the heart of Missoula Montana, Carla Roma has created - well, the perfect town! If you haven't already stopped by, make sure you do and see what is offered for your enjoyment. So join the crew at www.banditcreekbooks.com and find out why you may not want to miss out.
Right now we are featuring the 30 Days of Secrets. This is an unprecedented look into the secret lives of authors as they tell some of their most intimate and closely guarded secrets. Seriously! I'm not exaggerating! Take a look and you'll see. If you subscribe to the Bandit Creek Gazette, you'll also be able to keep up to date with all the BC events.
So... what is Silent Waters?? Actually, I don't believe I can tell you! Hmmm... Nasty I know, but I think it's because I signed some kind of contract about secrecy. You know, can't spill the beans. Okay... here is something for you to nibble on but don't tell Carla! Silent Waters is a suspense thriller about a man Named Jake McCord who happens to keep finding women - dead ones that is! Wouldn't be so bad if people knew who they were; they might even pay a bit more attention! But of course - as the bodies stack up, so do the stakes.
I have to forewarn you that this July 1st release will be having a 5 Bandit Rating! When you check out our site, you will see that this is for the serious readers who aren't faint of heart. I'm sorry, it's not meant to be a feel good and cuddle by the fire with your lover type of story. I can't wait to share this story with you but alas - we ALL have to wait! Arghhhh.... I'll be posting my cover this Wednesday for you all to see. Oh yeah! Here is something that I can share with you!
Some of you might not know this, but my cover model is a very dear friend of mine. She is my hair stylist and Colleen is in fact the same girl featured in my story and she does work at Bombshell's! Okay... there I go again! Yeah, Bombshells Beauty Bar is a real place and is in this book. This salon is located in Calgary Alberta and it is loaded with a fine collection of real beauties! Then, there is Colleen... Hmmm, she does make a man take pause. I absolutely adore this young lass but, true to her nature, she is a girl that seems to find herself in well, let's say unusual circumstances?
For now, I'll have to leave you only this little snippet for my Silent Waters release. That is of course, unless I can convince Carla Roma to let me tantalize you all just a bit more. Here's hoping! Be safe friends and most of all, be well and happy. This is not our only kick at the can but why not take the time to enjoy this ride? After all... you picked it!
Trip...
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Trip Williams - The man behind the gun...
So where does one begin with a story about a life? My life! My intro kind of tells a story in the 'readers digest' form about who I am. But maybe it's time to delve into this world and see what we can find? The man behind the gun. Interesting title. I think it will make more sense as we go on. After all, we do put a lot of ourselves into our characters. At least, the one we like the most...
I think that before I begin, I'm going to give you a quick overview of just who I am. So we'll actually start on the next blog session in more detail. But know this going in, I am not a contract killer! Just had to get that one out there! :)
I do believe that when you are writing, you should be writing from the heart and from a place of knowledge. Who hasn't heard that one before! But seriously, I did hear a tale passed along by Mary Balogh at a CaRWA seminar, regarding an author who wrote a story based in London. This writer had no knowledge of the area and had all her facts about streets and buildings completely inaccurate. If you know the area it kind of ruins the story for you - wouldn't you say? Or how about if you get excited about that place and want to see it first hand and then find out it doesn't exist!! Wow... that would be something! Especially if you flew there to see it! Oh, by the way, Mary doesn't approve of me killing off the hero in a romance. Go figure! Lol. I thought that would be a pretty cool twist! Guess not!! What do you think?
So my point is, Being accurate is sooo important. Not only in locations but actual things being done. Example: In that great movie with Vin Deisel, 'The Fast and The Furious', Vin has a scene where he is berating Brian O'Connor [Paul Walker] about his driving and he says that Brian is 'Granny shifting' instead of double clutching while he is racing. Okay - not exact verbatim but you get my drift [oh that is funny - if you watch the series that is :-)], anyhow, double clutching in a race is sooooo slowwww! Never done. Granny shifting is a single push of the clutch and a shift. For me, that simple comment was distracting and took something from the show - credibility! Okay, I got over it really fast. After all, it's a flipp'n incredible movie! Just saying... No different than the countless times I hear in a movie someone say 'hard to port' and then they turn right to starboard. Say what!?!? Don't they know that port is left?? As an ex-navy man, that gets under your skin like a bad case of the... yeah okay, never mind! Accuracy folks. it's a beautiful thing. That little dozy was in the movie Titanic. If you watch close [I may even have the command backwards - same effect] but I'm pretty sure you'll see them drive right into that big 'ol iceberg!
Okay, enough about that. Hell, you might have thought I was on a rant for a sec! Didn't figure on that one did ya?
So, where does Trip get all his experience from? Life folks - simply life. I have always tried my best to truthfully seek out every adventure and every form of education that I could. Not school stuff but life skills. As a youngster, I was always incredibly active. To the point that even as a teenager, I had no time for girls. If I wasn't involved in track, I was playing football. On weeknights I was playing my guitar, building models, attending Air Cadets and reading. Weekends was for camping, fishing, hiking and so on. I would rebuild small engines and airguns for friends, go skiing and snow shoeing in the winter months as well as teach friends and very cute girls how to ski. But... being busy was not always that great. Teaching cute girls to ski was amazing but I lacked the social skills to launch any assaults on that unknown gender. Yup.. I was pathetic in that category!!
At age 12, I had my first job. I mean a real one! I don't count the paper route [had one] as a real job - that's just me. My father owned a seismic company so during the spring break and summer months, I carried a survey rod up and down cut-lines and roads of Alberta. In my late teenage life, I became an Air Force reserve officer before entering the Navy as a weapons technician on a destroyer. Among all of this, I learned how to fly gliders and small planes, took up scuba diving, rock climbing, was an expert marksman, kayaked and canoed, took wilderness survival training and well..., the list goes on. I was very active. But alas... no girls.... :( But yet... I had mad skills!!!!
Alright, I need to make a point here... That thing with girls? THAT was then! If you know what I mean? LMAO. One thing you will find out about me - I know how to laugh at myself. Nothing better in life. I think it keeps you from taking yourself too seriously.
So on that note my friends... I bid you all a goodnight and look forward to chatting with you soon. Hope you liked it. Have a great night and remember - Play safe... accidents cause people! Sorry... I had to do that!
Cheers,
Trip...
Welcome to my blog!
Welcome everyone to the brand new blog of Trip Williams! I guess that would be me. :-) I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I should, or may want to, blog about. After all, this is really a conversation between you and me. That said, I think that I will be starting off with letting you folks learn a little about me!
So often, I hear people saying that you need to keep your life quiet - don't say anything about who you are. For me, I would rather that we get to know each other just a little bit. Even though this is a little one sided, I sure don't mind sharing some of my life with you. I figure it this way; if you get to know me better, you will understand my writing just a titch bit more and maybe, just maybe..., relate a bit to what I'm saying. Sound fair enough?
I plan to be blogging about twice a week and yeah, I won't always be boring you with the minuscule things that I find hilarious, but you may not. I'll be doing guest blogs, posts from things that I feel are interesting and so forth. I will try my best to NOT bore you or get engaged in any religion or politics. Even though I can be very politically motivated and yes... quite opinionated at times. But THAT is just me being me!
So, welcome aboard and I hope you drop by, leave comments and have a good time!
Cheers!
Trip...
So often, I hear people saying that you need to keep your life quiet - don't say anything about who you are. For me, I would rather that we get to know each other just a little bit. Even though this is a little one sided, I sure don't mind sharing some of my life with you. I figure it this way; if you get to know me better, you will understand my writing just a titch bit more and maybe, just maybe..., relate a bit to what I'm saying. Sound fair enough?
I plan to be blogging about twice a week and yeah, I won't always be boring you with the minuscule things that I find hilarious, but you may not. I'll be doing guest blogs, posts from things that I feel are interesting and so forth. I will try my best to NOT bore you or get engaged in any religion or politics. Even though I can be very politically motivated and yes... quite opinionated at times. But THAT is just me being me!
So, welcome aboard and I hope you drop by, leave comments and have a good time!
Cheers!
Trip...
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