Yesterday was my 39th birthday. I had a quiet meal with family.
I usually love celebrating my birthday, but this year I was bothered by intrusive thoughts.
Thoughts like:
I spent the day combatting and challenging these thoughts. It was exhausting. I know these thoughts were triggered by my birthday.
So here’s hoping, my 40th birthday will be better.
Write soon,
Antony
My Royal Navy Friend has been rebranded to Funny Emails To My Friend:
This is because, despite the positive reviews, people aren’t attracted to The Royal Navy Friend title or cover. Here are some reviews for The Royal Navy Friend:
So my new title, Funny Emails To My Friend is available to buy from me here and on Amazon here.
Write soon,
Antony
Here are 10 books I’ve read that have stayed with me:
10) Mum Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid? By Elizabeth Burton-Phillips
This is a book written by the mother of two twin drug addicts. Elizabeth Burton-Phillips takes us on an emotional journey, as she describes what drugs did to her family.
9) The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett
Sabine looses her gay husband, but is about to find out hidden family secrets. This beautifully written novel is fantastic and the characters have stayed close to my heart.
8) Born This Way by Paul Vitagliano
This book shares childhood stories and photos about growing up gay, mostly in the USA. What was great about this book, is how life affirming it is at making you feel less alone as a gay man.
7) In His Secret Life by Mel Bossa
This is a wonderfully written gay love story set over decades, with if I remember correctly an eventual happy ending. It was so great to read of a gay couple where love triumphed.
6) a million little pieces by James Frey
This book is another about drug and alcohol addiction and how Frey turned his life around. Well written.
5) Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig
This is an upbeat book about mental health and gives you plenty of reasons to stay alive. A brilliant, easy read by Matt Haig.
3) A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowden
This is the true and uplifting story of a street cat named Bob that helped his human (Bowen) recover from drug addiction. A truly heart warming and easy to read book.
2) The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind by Barbara K. Lipska
Imagine, if you will, starting to lose your mind. This is the story of a Neuroscientist who felt like she was losing her mind due to a brain tumor. This story stayed with me and is wonderfully well written.
1) Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
We all know the story of Anne Frank and her family. But reading her experiences in her own words really resonated with me.
Write soon,
Antony
My two zombie novels:
Most of us have asked ourselves how we would survive a zombie apocalypse. Here’s my survival plan:
1. People
Other people are going to be the key to your survival. You can’t do everything yourself. We all need help sometimes.
As well as loved ones, I’d recruit a Doctor/Nurse, a Weapons Expert, a Logistics Professional, a Farmer and plenty of people who can take care of themselves and others in a fight.
2. Weapons
In the UK guns are a rarity, plus they have the problem of needing ammunition. Much better to go for a weapon such as baseball bat, cricket bat, crowbar, or something similar. Bow and arrows are great for taking out zombies at a distance, but no good in close quarters.
3. Food, Water/Drinks, Petrol & Other Resources
A good supply of food, water/drinks, petrol and other items (to both use and trade) are essential. I’d probably loot a stocked heavy goods vehicle that was originally destined for a supermarket. I’d focus on tins and other ambient goods. I’d also collect medications/medical supplies at every given opportunity.
4. Medications
As a Type 1 Diabetic I’d need to find insulin regularly. This would be the biggest risk, more than the zombies. Without insulin, I would die. In the long term, I’d probably have to learn how to extract insulin from pigs and other animals, like they used to do for diabetics years ago.
I’d set up my base near several sources of food, water/drinks, petrol stations, pharmacies, etc.
5. Base/Place
I’d set up a base behind tall brick walls. I’m unsure if I’d go for a city, town or rural location. A rural location would mean less zombies, but also less resources. I’d make sure it was defendable, not just from zombies but from other people.
If The Walking Dead and the many zombie films I’ve watched have taught me anything, they’ve taught me: Sometimes it’s the living that are the danger and not the undead.
How would you survive a zombie apocalypse? Leave a comment below.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you’d love my two zombie apocalypse books. See the Z-Virus Series page for more information.
Blog soon,
Antony
Antony Simpson - Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.
Author of eight books.
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