Twix has become such a disappointment of late. I used to interact with other writers, exchange ideas and learn stuff. Now, it's mostly OnlyFans invites or vicious online slanging matches. When did everyone become so angry? What happened to the "social" part of social media?

I'm hoping 2026 will be a better year. 2025 was OK but job loss screwed it and my writing has evaporated. I'm banking on securing work to recover that writing mood but will be doing something I've never done in 47 years of working - I'll be applying for JSA. Happy New Year.

Today's heart-sinking realisation - I really have lost the memory stick containing all my manuscripts, website templates and old work files. Today's appropriate curse is: "FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

"When the social media bubble bursts." Discuss.

No laptop, so I'm down to using the limited-ability tablet. Current WIP is done but editing? Slowed to a crawl. There's also the matter of nothing in my head as far as a new story is concerned. This is, in fact, a matter of concern. I really hope something comes up soon.

Watching an episode of Celebrity Gogglebox tonight (yes, I know...), we were amused when Claire Buckley, wife of "Inbetweeners" James Buckley, complained about celebrity versions of TV programmes, which "aren't as good as the 'normal' versions..."

This week, I will be taking my first step into the murky world of the small claims court. Am I sh!tting myself? Damn right, I am. The alternative, however, will be a potentislly huge repair to get the van back on the road.

I have just listened to "A Tale Of Two Cities" via @BBCSounds. A stellar cast performing my favourite Dickens novel. An absolute joy to listen to. Give it a whirl. You won't be disappointed.

Has Twix become the preferred gateway to Onlyfans or something? I joined to "meet" other writers. These days, the very occasional likes I receive seem to come mostly from "glamorous ladies" offering specific interactions. Other euphemisms also available.

To ease our worry about Mum's dementia, HMRC has just slapped her with a £1180 tax demand. Her entire pension pays for her care but she has a huge tax bill? What the actual? Phone call tomorrow, I think.

It was Mum's 90th birthday party at the care home today but it was also the worst I think I've seen her. Completely in her own world, she was more interested in eating her cards than anything else. Mum of old would hate this existence. #DementiaSucks

The bad - handing everything back for my last day at work. The compensation - a coffee and muffin at Lakeside @CostaCoffee to make things better, if only temporarily. #NeedAJob

Of course, losing my job means losing my laptop. It also means not having funds to allocate replacing said laptop for a while. I'll be doing my writing on the tablet for the foreseeable future, then. #Bugger (again)

I appear to have gained more porn/OF followers. These people realise how ugly I am, right? Or maybe that's the point.

Day 1 of what is euphemistically called "garden leave" did at least involve a job interview. Seemed to go OK but do we ever really know? The prospective employer holds the one card that can win the game.

While my sister is in theatre, I'm in @CostaCoffee at @ekhuft (William Harvey), picking up on the editing. I could be a while, so may disappear for an hour or so before coming back to take her home.

How to feel sick really quickly - get told by your boss that you can leave now. I had hoped to ba able to book two more weeks. Redundancy sucks.

I'm likely to be too late for Christmas but does anyone know of any indoor fairs coming up in Kent? I'd like to set up a stall to sell my books, so maybe a craft or book fair, possibly in Spring?

Local garden centre on a Sunday, approaching Christmas? WAY too peopley. #GeumpyGit

Just had some excellent proofreading feedback. "The House On The Hill" has had changes made and now I shall resize the pages, ready for uploading. That'll make four books on my bookshelf (plus the "adult" title I co-wrote)