January 2018 Life Update; I read 100 books in 2017 BUT I cheated!

Hi readers,

This is my first post of 2018! Happy New Year to you all!

I've been thinking about writing this post since I realised at the start of September 2017 that I wasn't going to reach my goal of reading 100 books in a year. To be honest, it was a lot to ask of myself due to being dyslexic, picky about the books I read and having goal committed issues. I wanted to prove I could do it though but in the end I just put too much pressure on myself and found that it was affecting my reading enjoyment. 

So, I ended up cheating by reading a lot of manga and children's books, plus putting an end date on two books I hadn't finished reading, so that my GoodReads 2017 reading challenge page says 100 books; https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/7287580.

I did it because the idea of not reaching what seemed to me an easy goal was frustrating. Plus, I also realised that if I'd just had a little more time I could have achieved 100 books without having to change the dates. The feeling of being disappointed over this would have made me miserable too and I just wanted to say that I could do it.

Some people would say that a book is a book no matter what and I didn't make it an added goal of only reading a certain type. It doesn't matter what I read but the fact that I did read. That's a good thing in the present world as most people say they don't read because of lack of time. Though, books are so much easier to access then ever before and everyone surely has a few minutes at some point in their day to read.

I recall a news report about a man who read 200 books in 2017, but I can't find the actual report now. It was that story that got me thinking about how much time people spend doing other stuff - sometimes meaningless. I wanted to try and change then, to read more instead of scrolling through social media pages which hadn't changed in hours or just watching re-runs of TV shows. 

A quick Google search comes up with things like this;

http://observer.com/2017/01/the-simple-truth-behind-reading-200-books-a-year/ 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rosie-leizrowice/the-secrets-to-reading-mo_b_14315860.html

I have no plans this year to aim for 200 books! Instead, I'm back to 50, though if I read more then that's good too. Really that's what this post is all about it, it doesn't matter what or how much you read as long as you do so and enjoy it.

Thanks for reading and please check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/

Book Review; Minecraft, The Island by Max Brooks

Hi readers, 

For those of you who don't know I'm a massive Minecraft fan. So, when I saw that a fiction novel set in the Minecraft world was coming out, I knew I had to read it! It was expecting a fantasy style story but instead The Island is half an introduction/guide on playing the game and half a person's experience of playing the game for the first time. I'm feeling torn about liking it and disappointed that it wasn't what I was hoping for. 

The book is aimed at children and written in a simple way which could mean that older teens and adults might lose interest. I liked the easy style though because the previous book I read was long and heavy (that review coming soon!) There wasn't much of a plot though, it basically was; man wakes up on Island, has to survive, learns lots of lessons then decides to leave the Island to discover more about himself. 

The way it comes across though is good, with the man realising how things are different in the Minecraft world and what he needs to do to 'instantly' make things. I also liked how he made friends with the animals, since there was no one else; a cow called Moo, three sheep called Flint, Cloud and Rainy and some chickens. However, when he's translating the mooing of the cow into conversation it did start to bug me. Kids might find that funny though. The fighting scenes were well described and good too and I enjoyed reading about the battles with the zombies, skeletons and creepers, which for any Minecraft players out there you'll get on board with. 

This book feels like the wisdom of life a way which was something that came to me about 50 pages in when I realised how full the pages were getting with like cliche positive quotes; 'Take life in steps,' 'keep going, never give up,' 'books make the world bigger,' even though these are applied to events that happened with the Minecraft world, they can easily be applied to things in the real world. Which then makes me wonder if that's what Minecraft is a metaphor for? Anyway, I can see these positive messages being good for kids. 

Towards the end of the book, the details of crafting and guide like style do move over for a bit more plot which allows the main character to grow and realise what he must do. I like when he finds the abandoned mine and meets and Enderman! They've always been the scariest monsters for me. He manages to overcome all the problems that face him in the mine, even using some techniques I didn't know about! Afterwards, he reflects he was just using the exploring and fighting as an excuse to put off the one thing he needed to do. So, he leaves the Island to try and figure out even more. The book ends with him saying he's leaving it behind as a guide for the next person. 

Overall, I like this book for what it actually is; a novelized guide to playing Minecraft from a player's point of view but I'm still disappointed because I feel it could have been a lot more. Like the Minecraft Story Mode games which I'm slowly getting into. Will there be any more Fiction Minecraft novels? I don't know but it would be interested to read someone else take on the Minecraft world.          

Thanks for reading and see you next time. 

Please check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/ where I write a short story everyday. 

Book Review: The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith

Hi readers, 

As some of you might remember from my last post, I was gifted this e-book in exchange for a review. Let me first say it's not what I normally read, but I did find the idea behind it interesting. Though I guess it appealed to the writer side of me more then the reader side! I think this is because, and I've noticed this small issue with reading stories on my kindle before, I'm more aware of mistakes and analyzing the work then just purely reading it for pleasure. Perhaps, the long hours spent sitting at a screen proof-reading and editing mine and other people's works is to blame? Still though, I thought I'd give this go as who says no to a free book? 

That aside, of course everyone knows the story of Snow White. The most famous being Disney's version as a lot of fairy tales are known by and with the cliched ending of  'lived happily ever after.' It seems to me there's been a spur in the re-telling of famous fairy tales, what with a lot of movies focusing on upgrading the stories for adult audiences and I guess authors have been doing the same for years. In this case, Meredith has questioned the 'happily ever after' ending and done away with it to write about what did happen to Snow White and Princes Charming.   

I was a little unsure when I first looked at this e-book. The cover image is really nice, but at no point does Snow White sit at a pond, it merely reflects as -ironic as that sounds!- Snow White looking at her past selfs and reflecting upon many life stages. The story opens with Snow White listening to plans of her daughter's coming wedding, but she seems far too distant and lost in her own thoughts. She deeply misses Charming who has died - he was a lot older then her- and she can't get over how lonely she feels. Also, the fact he use to do everything and was always there for her. 

This deep sense of loss comes over really well and I did feel sad for Snow White because she does get so lost in her grieve that she can't escape from it. However, I thought her having a daughter would give her a greater purpose and something to re-focus on, but Snow White seems to have lost interested in her too. I guess because the daughter is getting married and about to also become 'lost' ? (in a sense). I know the story is about Snow White, but for me the daughter takes too much of a back seat and isn't a good supporting character. Though at the end things do get turned around and Snow White does become a mother figure.  

The plot then goes; desperate to have some peace in her busy castle, Snow White goes to the rooms of her wicked step-mother and discovers the magic mirror. There the mirror shows Snow White moments of her past she has buried and how they prove she is a strong woman. We get a re-telling in parts of the original fairy tale by the Grimm brothers, which is far more horror like then the pretty, flowery Disney version! In this context it works very well though and Meredith goes into detail about the abuse and neglected that the child Snow White faced. 

The other moment that stuck with me was the wedding night sex scene. I accidentally, whilst seeing what other people thought briefly about the e-book, read someone's thoughts on this scene and they described it as being rape. That for whatever reason struck me when I reached that part. I didn't see it that way, but I understand why some women might do. It becomes clear that Snow White knows nothing about sex because no one has ever told her anything. Charming, who clearly does know, doesn't take the time to tell her much and just gets on with it. Though, Snow White does seem to enjoy it. There's not much graphic detail of the sex and what I got out of it was the tradition of it and the fact that a heir was needed. 

After having seen and reflected on these hidden events of her past, Snow White sees that she was wrong about herself and she's not an incapable, weak woman. The abuse and lost she suffered has made her stronger and she was able to move on from them before. This allows her to move on from the death of Charming and grew as a queen. Thus, having a happier old age. 

The plot itself does work well and lots of themes do get explored, including death, loss, depression and love. There was enough interest for me to keep reading and I did want to find out about Snow White's time with Prince Charming. However, it is short. When I first started reading, my Kindle told me it was going to take just over two hours and half to read. For most people, that wouldn't be a bother, but for the writer in me I could see areas that could have been expanded upon. Also and as I've said before, I like my stories to have a linear flow and not be so choppy and jumping to flashbacks. I think having a better and more subtle movements into the flashbacks of the past would have improved the narrative structure. 

My second major issue, and this I know is personal to me more then anything else, is the language that Meredith uses. I get he was really trying to capture the settings and time, which came across to me is medieval style and German (true to the original Snow White), but every few words my dyslexic brain would stumble and I'd be like okay I've no idea what that word means, skip it! And it made it hard going for me. Don't get me wrong though, it is nicely written and there is something poetic and old fashioned romantic about the language, but it might take a few pages to get into. 

I think that many readers will easily be able to connect with the character of Snow White and the themes. Haven't we all lost someone and been in love? She is grieving and doubting herself because of that, though at the end she comes out okay. It does feel realistic to life despite the time setting.  

One of the main things I'm taking away from reading this e-book is that you don't actually need a magic mirror to reflect on your past. Though that'd be very useful! You just need some space and time. For me, reflecting has always come easily, I guess years of writing diaries and sub-consciously thinking in my story writing, then my four uni years of having to review my own work and writing book reviews. I always written when I need to reflect on something, often before I talk to someone about it and that just gives me the chance to gather my thoughts and feelings together. This story just reminded me how important it is to reflect back, because no matter how dark your past there is always some good, even if it's only small. Also, don't let your past hold you back!      

Overall, I did enjoy reading this e-book even though I had a few problems with it, but I think that's more personal to me then actual 'issues' with plot, character and language. I'd recommend this to adults who wonder what happened after 'the happily ever after' because it does give a whole new aspect to the Snow White story which makes her more interesting.  

You can find it here on Amazon;  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflections-Queen-Snow-White-ebook/dp/B00FLF4JAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458591579&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Reflections+of+Queen+Snow+White

Thanks for reading and next week I'm returning to a book that past me did read, but present me has no memory of. I wonder what future me is going to think about it? See you next Monday for that. 

            

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Image from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18780192-the-reflections-of-queen-snow-white

Book Review: Millions Of Women Are Waiting To Meet You by Sean Thomas

Hi readers, 

Though I didn't think I was going to do it, here's a book review for you! Firstly, let me say that my mum found this book for sale in a library close to where she was working last week and thought it'd be a laugh. She knew I'd done internet dating in the past - how I met my last two ex-boyfriends and been on some boring dates with a few guys before too- and the fact I'm currently waiting to sign up for it again. I just need to get myself more together and figure out what I want to do for the next few months and years. 

This book is one man's humors memoir about his experiences internet dating and the women he encountered. Sean is asked by the editor of a magazine whom he currently works for to do a piece about internet dating. With all his expenses, including the first few dates, being paid for, he decides to give it a shot and I guess this is the book he ended up writing afterwards! It is also about his past relationships, growing up, his travels, reflections on relationships and women and some psychological stuff. 

I would say that whilst the audience does seem to be middle-aged/older men, women would also find this book useful. It gives some insight into a man's head, but it's not as deep as say Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus and those kind of books. You know those types of books that actually analyse the way and differences between the thoughts and reactions of men and women. This book uses those points more to back up what'd being said. 

The book opens with Sean debating if and how he should propose to his girlfriend. That leads into the whole world of us getting to know him and he being assigned to discover internet dating. To me it felt true to the experience of online dating; the whole looking at profiles and photos, deciding who you like and if you'll match. Then messaging them and waiting ages, but more likely never, to hear back from them and getting messages from random people too. It has changed the way people now meet and date, but as Sean states, it's made it freer. In the past, for me, it's just been so much easier to meet people online. I guess, I might have to write about my experiences in my life up date posts when I decided to give it ago again! 

I really enjoyed the way Sean writes. I guess because he's a journalist and has had novels published, the flow and humor are naturally there. There's one part that's going to stick with me because I was reading it on the bus and I just burst out laughing. He had put his height wrong and made himself one foot nine instead of five foot eleven! I also enjoyed his description of the women's personalities and he does meet some crazy ladies; like the one who stalks him and sends him birthday cards, the one who's living with a bunch of cats and the one who doesn't like soup. Of course, it being a very 'for lads book' there's a heavy focus on women's bodies and sex, but I just overlooked that stuff. 

Actually, I found his past interesting and though it's interwoven between him talking about these relationships, he brings it into make connections between why he thinks like he does. He's also spent a lot of time traveling and just embracing life and though that's not something I can connect to, I could understand his experiences from doing that. I understood his heartbreak a lot more too and that's something I did deeply connect with. 

If there's one thing that bugged me it was that the flashbacks/reflections of past relationships and the thoughts he has come in-between the 'now' relationships/scene, thus making it very non-linear. I get way he does this because he wants you to read on and because it's making reference to things. I guess if this was a linear memoir it might get a bit boring, but I think it was more to do with the fact that these flashbacks are too long. Not that I forgot where he was and who he was with, but I just thought that in real life you might not have so many flashbacks to past girls all the time whilst you're dating a new girl...or maybe men do that? I don't know.    

Overall, at it's core Millions is a man's reflection on love. I think that if you are interested in internet dating or are currently or maybe just you fancy a laugh at someone's struggles with relationships and to met some interesting characters then it's worth reading. But if you want to figure out why your other half behaves the way they do then go for one of the more psychological aimed books. 

Thanks for reading be sure to check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/

Next week: hopefully another book review! I just got gifted an e-book by the author in exchange for a fair review. Something I've not done before and I'm looking forward to it! See you next Monday for that.        

Image from: http://www.popmatters.com/review/millions-of-women-are-waiting-to-meet-you-by-sean-thomas/

Time To Talk About Mental Health Day

Hi readers, 

I'm doing an extra post this week because today is mental health awareness day and as someone who's suffered through a lot of mental health problems, I thought I'd take sometime to write about it. 

I've had three lots of depression; one which was undiagnosed when was I fifteen -because everyone just thought I was unhappy at school, but on reflection and knowing what I now know it was clearly depression. One for a brief time when I left uni before returning to do my masters - I was upset that I had to close the door on what had been a great three years of my life and I wasn't sure what to do next. And my finally one which was about three/four years back now, when I couldn't get a job and I just wanted to give up on everything. 

That most recent one was longer and more serious then the other two. I had to have pills and counselling. It all came about because after graduating I spent two years trying to get a job. The first year I told myself was like a gap year because I so needed the break and I did get stuff done and I was okay. 

The second year though the job center and my parents were on my back a lot. I must have applied for 200 odd jobs that year and got hardly any interviews. I didn't want to do anything, everyone was putting me down, so why not agree with them? I begin to beat myself up over how worthless and bad I must be. I told myself that there must be something wrong with me. All my friends had jobs and were moving on with their lives and I was just stuck in the gutter. What was the point?

The job center told me I was depressed and I needed to see my doctor. I did and found out I was dangerously depressed and suicidal. It came as a shock to me because I'd not realized how bad my mental health was. I think that it happens to a lot of people, but they just decided to get on with it and keep it hidden. It's a hard topic to talk about and other people who've not had mental health problems can't always understand how and why people who are affect behave the way they do. 

I've always been very talkative and I found that talking to my family and friends as well as the counselling did help. I started doing a lot more volunteering and found that I was getting into all the crafts and sewing at the youth center. I started to sew at home and discovered a liking for it. It became a hobby and it helped a lot of my depression. It give me something to focus on and do, which meant I wasn't thinking about stuff all the time and I had something of a purpose, because I'd then teach the kids how to do it. Then of course, I got a job and things have been pretty stable. 

Well, until last month when I broke up with my boyfriend. I've been boarding on being depressed again. Some of the signs have been there; lack of motivation, being stressed, ill, feeling uninspired and putting myself down that I won't fall in love again. I decided that I just couldn't go backwards and I didn't want to get so depressed again, that's why at the start of February, I picked up the list of stuff I'd wrote down I needed to do at the start of the new year and began thinking and doing some of them. I still have moments - I guess it's going to take some time to get myself right again- but for now I'm doing okay.  

    

My mum directed me to the Time To Change organisation because she thought it'd be good for me to run an activity on mental health with the 8-12 year olds I work with. I know that sounds a little young, but research is showing that a lot of young people are suffering with mental health problems. So, I thought it'd be cool to get the kids to make these folded claw things -that's what I call them! and talk about stuff with them. 

I think that depression, anxiety and stress - both which I've also had bouts of- are the top mental health issues. I think it has something to do with the societies and lifestyles we now all have. But there's also other mental health problems like phobias, grief and panic. A lot of this just goes undiagnosed because people won't go see doctors or talk to people about it because they are embarrassed. Today is the day to change that. And I know it's hard because you don't want people to be mean or misunderstand you etc, but actually the first step of admitting you might have a problem will make you feel better and of course once the ball is rolling it's a lot easier!  

Finally, I wanted to share this image below about stressing less. There's lots of things you can do when you're feeling stressed or having other mental health problems. Reaching out to people and getting the help and support you need is important and I think remembering these 10 points can also be useful. 

So, I hope that whatever you're doing to do is good and that you've found reading this inspiring enough to either make that first step or help others. Until Monday. Thanks for reading and please check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/

Images from: 

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/timetotalkday-resources

http://www.dailynewsservice.co.uk/mental-health-misconceptions/

http://historiasdeariadne.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/os-piores-12-habitos-para-nossa-saude.html

August Update : What is going on with this blog and me?

     

Yeah, so it's been another while, though only like one book later, since I wrote this. I've been debating if to do a review on 'Salem's Lot or not. I think though, as I found out on Goodreads that writing book reviews feels pretty pointless for bloggers. I mean if you've got a lot of followers who like you writing about books and everything, then that's okay. But for smaller, not well known bloggers, posting books reviews is like sticking up the same colored flag in a field of other flags. It doesn't really get you anywhere and it's not got me anywhere recently. 

I think what brought readers to this blog in the first place was my uni stuff and interesting things that I been doing. Then I decided to write about books and writing in an already over saturated internet world. Then of course I went off and set up another blog for my actual stories and that seemed to be doing a hell of a lot better then this blog ever did. The idea of packing this blog in though doesn't appeal to me and I do like my little corner of the internet even if anyone hardly comes to visit. So, long talk short - I'm not really going to write book reviews on here any more. Of course, there might be the odd one depending on it's level of goodness or badness. But I'll deal with that when I'm in the mood. 

So, what else is going to be on this blog now? Well, I thought about writing more about my life. That does seem to work for other bloggers and I do have a lot to talk about in certain areas - like long term health conditions, learning disabilities, mental illness and life event things. I don't know how interested readers will be in any of that and I know it's nothing new because their are whole blogs dedicated to such things. Still though, blogs to me have always been like personal diaries which are open to the public instead of being private. There's nothing wrong with that if you're okay with it. 

Anyway, so that's the news about this blog and I bet it's another good few months before I come back here to write! But my other blog takes up so much time! I keep trying not to spend the day writing a short story to put up and some days I write up to five different stories, which is actually pretty good. I've not had much time to sort out my novel nor write my new one, or sort out my new book for Amazon Kindle- though in the light of payment changes, I'm still deciding if I do want to self-publish on there anymore. 

Coming into this is my current health problems. I've two long term conditions which I take pills for everyday and go into hospital every eight weeks for IV treatment. My days and nights can be heavily effect by either one or both my conditions on a varied scale. Sometimes, I'm pretty good and other days I can't leave the house and feel so ill that I can't do nothing but stay on the sofa or in bed or in the bathroom. I bring this up because I've been bad for the last three days and not able to do much. I'm feeling better now, but it'll come back soon enough. On top of this my iron level is half what it should be. Being anemic comes along with both conditions and I've to have tablets and lots of high in iron food stuffs. But when it gets as low as it has been, I'm mega tried and have cold/flu like symptoms, thus I don't want to do much and I sleep for like 12-14 hours without really realising because waking up is just too hard for me to do. Still I battle on though, what else are you suppose to do? 

Hopefully, I'll get under control soon. I'll be able to do more writing and stuff too, really it's the only thing holding me back right now, though I keep trying not to let it! Anyway, tomorrow, I'm going to take my driving exam for the second time. I'm nervous because my instructor got a new car and this will be only the second time I've driven it and it feels a lot different to his last one! So, if anything does happen it'll be my lack of confidence in the car then me! I'll get through it at some point and then maybe I'll get a car of my own. 

I'm also doing two extra days at work this week - Wednesday and Thursday because an event is on for young people with additional needs and they need support staff. It'll be a great experience for me, especially as my review of my trail period didn't go so well. I don't want to get into all of that but let's say I've got a lot to improve on and I'm worried I'm not going to be able to do it. I guess everyone gets like that at some point though.

Anyway, that's all for now. Hopefully it won't be long till I'm back!  

April's Update

Hi readers,

So much for keeping up with my plan! Life has gotten in the way basically and writing stories, going to work, doing things for work, reading books and having a social life has all taken up most of my time. Plus, I've had days were I've just not wanted to write or days when I feeling down or stressed about things. I know everyone has those days, but sometimes I know its my depression still lingering. I know I should be happier and not worrying so much about things, but I can't help it. I've always been quick to worry and known to panic.

So what's been happening? Well, I've now finished my teaching course and will soon get my results back. Which equals one less problem and a new qualification! At the minute, I'm really struggling with my driving lessons. Though I did better today. I'm due to take my test at the end of the month, but right now I'm not sure if I will be taking it or even passing it. I just seem to have a great problem judging the distance of things, parallel parking and unmarked lined roundabouts. I hope it'll come together in the next few weeks. I've been having lessons a year now and though I've made a lot of progress, its this final part that seems to be taken awhile. Of course, I knew it was going to take awhile, but it just seems I've reached a stage where I just can't get pass it. I guess it'll come with more practice, Though learning how to stay calm would also benefit me. 

I'm still working at the youth center, though its only one day a week. I'm not sure if I will get more hours, but I stay hopeful. I do keep thinking that I should look for another part time job, but right now I'm still happy about taking a break from that. Job hunting can still be hard even when you already have one. 

I've been doing lots of writing, but not been achieving much with it, though my blog is still gaining followers and likes. I want to try and put together an anthology of some of the stories to be published on kindle. Not sure if anyone will buy it, but at least I'm still trying. I've also seen a few publishers where I can submit stuff too and I really need to be getting on with doing that. I also need to be getting back into working on a novel either writing or editing it, because I've not done that in a few months. I think I'll have a go at working on my latest one tonight and try to get another chapter sorted. It's the one I've been publishing on my blog, but stopped after I felt that people weren't that interested in it. I need to keep trying though. 

Finally, I do want to write some book reviews about the last few novels I've read. I really want to share my thoughts on The Handmaid's Tale, Sand and The Book Thief. I will set sometime aside to that. I also want to keep doing this 'updates' on this blog because at least I can try to keep it alive and because it does give me a place to reflected on things without having to be too deep or boring. 

That's it for now. Feel free to check out some of the other posts on here or my other blog for my short stories which is linked below.        

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Urban Exploring

(Hotel del Salto, Bogotá, Colombia)

Hi readers,

I thought today I'd write about a new hobby of mine. I'm not sure why or how I've got into it, but I do understand some of the appeal of it. Hopefully some of you might find this interesting and/or inspiring. So let me tell you about Urban Exploring.

Some of you might know or be some what aware of the term already. For those of you that don't know, Urban Exploring or UE is the exploration of man-made buildings or structures that have been abandoned. These places are interesting because you can learn a lot about decay and nature. As well as the history of the place, the people that were involved and/or lived there and how something works. Mainly photographers and researches class it as their hobby. However, other people like artists, writers, ghost hunters may find these places fascinating and/or useful.

Of course to get access to some of these places means trespassing and running the risk of getting caught. There are also other dangers like falling materials and unsafe flooring, to be aware of. From doing some research into the habits of Urban Explorers, I have learnt that most of the time the explorer will try and find an easy access point, such as an open doorway or broken fence. They will also leave the place as undisturbed as possible, only taking photographs and jotting down useful notes to either accompany these images or to do further research later. This is the difference between UE and mindless vandalism.

I guess I am what would be called an 'armchair urban explorer.' This is because I don't go out and explore these places myself as I use the Internet to look at other peoples explorations and research. This isn't because there are no abandoned places near were I live, its just that I feel that I don't need to experience these places myself- though I've wondered what it would be like! I do like taking photos, but I'm far from being a professional and I enjoy doing research, but I'm no historian, I just like looking at the fascinating images that people have manged to capture and learning something about the places they visited.

As I said at the start I'm not sure what first got me into UE, but I do know that the above photo- Hotel del Salto- was one of the images that drew me in. I remember reading the buzzfeed artical  

The 33 Most Beautiful Abandoned Places In The World (linked at the end) and I believe that's when my arm chair urban exploring begin. Since then it seems I've become hooked and eager to look at more places. 

(Abandoned type writer, unknown)

The main reason why I've gotten into this hobby is because it appeals to the writer inside of me. All of these abandoned places have their own stories to tell about the lives of the people that lived/came there and how they came to be 'forgotten'. Some even seem to be the perfect setting for horror/thriller stories and others are a perfect fit for dystopian/ science fiction stories. I feel the urge to use these places or else to create fictional (with some factual) stories about them. 

For some reason though, I've been having trouble writing and capturing the ideas and images I've had. It seems that as of yet my mind can't find a place for these abandoned places to fit in. I guess that's why I keep returning to look at my favorite photos and to discover more. My imagination is sparked by the images and though I might feel like writing, I seem unable to place what I see into words. I'm hopefully that one day I shall be able to write something though as there are a lot of stories here. 

I've always been a very visual person and this reflects in my writing. I like to go into a lot of detail describing things. Also, I've find that photographs and drawings/printings inspire me. This is because I can see the image and can use it as a starting point for describing. Or else I can take the image and use that to create a story. I guess using the above image of the abandoned type writer would be a good example. For me it rises so many questions; In what kind of building is this? Why was it abandoned? Who owned the type writer and where did they go to? What was the last thing it wrote? What's going to happen to it now?

It's the answering of these questions that leads me into writing. In real life, I might not be able to find the answers, but in the world of fiction I can do and that allows me to give my interpretation of the photograph. It also opens the door to me writing my thoughts, feelings and reflections through my characters. This is a really good way to actually start writing and it can led many places. I'm sure its been used as a writing exercise in many creative writing sessions. I just about remember a poetry session where we had to look at images from the Berlin Wall and describe it in a poem.

I probably could go into a lot more detail about how and why UE gets my creative mind going and its usefulness in writing, but I'm going to move on and look at other aspects. 

(Nara Dreamland, Japan)

Following on from the start of my interested in UE, I became fixated on abandoned theme parks. I'm really not sure why these of all the kinds of abandoned places attracted my attention so much, but they just did. I think that one thing that really gets me is that the rides and mainly the roller coasters have just been left and nature has been allowed to claim them back. Though I know that this is seen inside buildings too, I think that theme parks being outside just get taken over much better. 

There are many abandoned theme parks across the world, but there is one that draw me in more then the others and that's Nara Dreamland. It's really popular with explorers and has a detailed history. For me, it has some of the best photographs too. There is just something about nature taking over wooden and metal roller coasters and creating interesting images. When I see these photographs I see the beauty in the scenery and can imagine how quiet the place has become.

I think that's one of the reason why people do urban exploring. They can see the beauty in these places, that other people can't see. They also like to re-live the memories of the place and experience the calm and quiet that has none taken over. I guess these places are sort of like pockets on the world where people no longer go and Mother Nature can show what the world was once like before we came. Of course the other way to look at it is; what the world will be like if there became no humans. Though, I've never liked to think of it as that. 

Back to the theme parks, There are a few more famous abandoned ones and also water parks. Wikipedia has a long list of them! So, as well as Nara I've also been drawn too; Six Flags New Orleans, Speepark Berlin, Sports World Japan, Gulliver’s Kingdom Japan, Takakanonuma Greenland Japan, and Chippewa Park Thunder Bay Ontario. Each of these places has their own story to tell and as well as the images, I'm drawn to these stories. 

I think it would be interesting to actually walk through one of these places and experience for myself what its actually like there. They must be so different now without all the people wondering around and enjoying the rides. The voices and screams must seem like a distant memory, as well as the mingling of smells. These once over-crowd, loud, happy places have now fallen silent of humans forever.   

(Pripyat City, Ukraine)

One of the most famous abandoned places, that most people are aware of is Pripyat. This whole city was abandoned when a nuclear accident happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in April 1986. Due to everyone having to leave suddenly a lot of personal things still remain and in most places it looks like the people could return any minute to continue with there lives. However, other photos show that the city is now laying in ruins and is still uninhabitable. The most iconic images of Pripyat are those of the abandoned fun fair/theme park, which was due to open in May.   

Pripyat isn't the only abandoned city/town though. There are others like Hashima Island and Tomioka Fukushima in Japan, Kolmonskop, Namibia in Africa,Varosha, in northern Cyprus, Pyramiden in Russia and Detroit, Bodie, Seattle Underground,  in the USA. All these places have been abandoned for one reason or another and the haunting images they now create really do have that World's End feel to them. 

I guess it most be pretty surreal and eerie to wonder around such cities and towns. I also think that's its such a shame and a big loss though. Granted some places can never be reclaimed back, but those that could would allow homeless people and those that needed it to start a new life. I think this thought about some of the wonderful houses/manors/castles/hotels that have also been abandoned. The images of them decaying away might be interesting, but to see these buildings back to their form selves would be- for me any- a lot more fascinating.   

(Lee Plaza Hotel, Detroit, USA.)

Another city I've become interested in studying is Detroit in the American State of Michigan. This image from the hotel was amongst the first that caught my attention. I was fascinated by the piano and left in wonder as to why it had been abandoned. I then found out that this seemed to be a thing with most old and large buildings and that lots of pianos had been left to rot. I guess its because they are too heavy and big to move, so they just get left behind. Though I have to admit that pianos do add to the atmosphere, its still a shame that they've been left. 

I should point out that Detroit isn't fully abandoned, more that its a city in decline. There are large areas of abandon buildings mixed in with small pockets of inhabited areas. However, it seems that most of the abandoned public buildings and houses have almost been completely taken over by the decay and nature. This does make for some interesting images and you do really get the sense of an abandoned city. 

There is actually a group of abandoned places that creep me out and these are the hospitals, asylums, orphanages and other such buildings. (Beside from libraries and schools, I'm okay with them.) I think its due to knowing what want on and possible what happened in such places. I think just seeing equipment left laying around and the records of people, just makes my skin crawl. However, I still have some interested in these places and you do have to wondered what secrets they are hiding.   

(Paris apartment time capsule)

One thing I really enjoy about these abandoned buildings is finding places like the above. These time capsule abandoned homes have remind untouched for years with personal effects being left to lay. Most of the time they don't even show that much decay. Once again for me, the interested lays in the questions, answers and stories that come out of these images. I was keen to find out about this apartment when I first saw the photo of the dresser. 

There is actually a lot of information about the apartment out there and its' history. The woman who lived here left just before the outbreak of the Second World War and went to live somewhere safer. She took only what she needed and then just left everything else. For some reason she never returned and no one knew about the apartment until 70 years later when she died. Her relatives going though her things found out about the apartment and went to investigate. Thus they found a time capsule of pre-WWII items, including some rare and expensive paintings.  

(The Royal House, Japan)

Lastly, I want to share with you one of my favorite abandoned time capsule places. This house in Japan is known as the Royal House and they have tried to keep the location quiet so that its' not vandalized. Though I've recently read that this has now happened and the house has fallen into more decay. I was drawn to this place because of the photos of abandoned treasures and personal items, but then I discovered that people had actually done research into the house and the family that it belonged to. 

The house and family have a really interesting history and it was nice to see it being brought back to live. I was sad to learn that the house had been abandoned because all the family members had died and there'd been no one to take on the place. It has become something of a shrine or memorial to the family, I guess. I would so recommended that you read about this house and I've linked the website below. 

Thanks for reading this post, I know its been a long one, but hopefully you can understand why it had to be. I hope also that my passion for these abandoned places has come across and that I've got more people interested in Urban Exploring -even if its only from your chair!

                                                   (The Royal House, Japan)

Images from;

http://underthemountainbunker.com/2012/08/11/abandoned-places-saturday-the-hotel-del-salto-tequendama-falls-columbia-river/
http://bizarrebeyondbelief.com/2012/10/29/andre-govia-photographs-of-abandoned-spaces/
http://iplacesblog.com/2013/06/01/nara-dreamland-japan/
http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/the-33-most-beautiful-abandoned-places-in-the-world
http://www.roughguides.com/gallery/abandoned-places/#/2
http://homes.yahoo.com/news/art-filled-paris-flat-left-untouched-since-world-201500692.html
http://www.haikyo.org/abandoned/houses/the-royal-house/
http://gakuran.com/the-royal-house-haikyo/


My Pinterest board;

http://pinterest.com/hails9/abandon-places-urban-exploring/

Interesting Websites;

http://www.abandoned-places.com/
http://www.forbidden-places.net/explo1.php#.Uhn-9ZLVAlN
http://www.messynessychic.com/
http://weburbanist.com/category/architecture/abandonments/
http://www.haikyo.org/
http://www.abandonedplaygrounds.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandoned_theme_parks
http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com