I want to say thank you to those of you that have purchased my new book “Scribblology” from Amazon. Thank you for the kind words about it too, I’m shocked by the positive comments about it, but glad you liked it.

This week has seen the my latest project reach a wonderful conclusion.

Let’s start at the beginning. Back in early December, I picked up my virtual quill and began to write some more scribbles again; something that I hadn’t really done since I put the finishing touches to my last book, “Behind The Mask”. I also started on a different writing path by telling my life story, which has a working title of “Life Before the Social Media Generation” a project which I’m still only halfway through. I was happy to take a break from it, as it was really emotionally draining to write and it was starting to have an adverse effect on my health.

Having started to scribble again after a break of nearly ten years, I was unsure as to whether I still had the ability to do it. Would I still have anything of relevance to say anymore?

There was one thing I had to write about now and that was that since my first book, I had finally found out I was autistic and had started blogging about it. I had also started doing a podcast covering the same subject. This gave me the idea to write and share a piece of poetry at the beginning of each podcast as a way to test the water, so to speak, and see if I still had it in me.

I started getting feedback from various sources about the new pieces of work I was beginning to put out. Most was very encouraging; some said it was very fierce, even angry; some suggested that I could put my new style to music.

This was just the spark that I needed to get back into the game and begin a brand new project, full of scribbles that I feel are an improvement on my last book. So, over the last few months I’ve been writing about all sorts of subjects and I’ve even got an up and coming spellcaster – D Burton – on board to look at some of my work and remix it with a unique flavour and style, and boy was I impressed with the results.

So after getting the work together and having Mrs Bob proofread and even drop a great scribble herself, we just needed a title for this project. It had a working title of “Through the Mask” but I wasn’t using that as it didn’t feel right, so during a brainstorming session with Mrs Bob, we came up with a name for the book we both agreed was pretty dope: “Scribblology”. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Stay Safe X

#Scribblology #poetry #ActuallyAutistic

The final copy of my new anthology titled Scribblology, has gone to the publishers for a final check through. I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Bob for working so hard to make my scribbles readable and checking everything over, I’ve not been the easiest person to live with of late, but I appreciate everything you’ve done for me baby.

I’m sure that, by now, you’re aware that I put together a fortnightly podcast based on my poetry and autistic subjects. Wait… you’re not!? Well we’ll wait while you pop over to Podbean or iTunes and catch up, Podbean LinkiTunes Link

Now that we’re all caught up, I want to ask you guys for your help. I’d like your suggestions for topics you’d like to hear discussed on the podcast.

You can comment on here: Twitter, Facebook or E Mail me with your ideas and thoughts. Thank you… I appreciate your input.

Stay Safe X

Coming Soon! Mrs Bob is working with me on the final touches of the contents of my next anthology. Stay tuned.

#poetry #poetsofinstagram #AspergersAwareness #Aspergerspoet

The more time i spend on various autism forums and pages on social media, the more I’m noticing a very disturbing trend that is appearing out of the woodwork and from the shadows.  It’s a habit of trying to label various types of individuals on the spectrum in a negative and often rather hurtful way.

Only today did I come across the derogatory terms “Shiny Aspie” and “Aspie supremacist”; both of which were new to me. I had to look them up to see what they meant, and I was both shocked and disgusted to find this:

Shiny Aspie

“Shiny autistic” can also be used to refer to a high-functioning individual who believes that they are being discriminated against and do not need a cure, but believes that low-functioning autistics are all living ‘tragic’ lives and require a cure. In this usage, the term is derogatory, whereas in the other usage it is apparently not.

Aspie Supremacist

Aspie Supremacists get their name from two core beliefs that all Aspie Supremacists seem to subscribe to. The first is that “aspies” or “high functioning autistics” are not disabled, and don’t need to be cured of their Autism. Some apparently take it a step further, claiming that the shining beacon of logic and intelligence that is the aspie brain is superior to the illogical, emotion-clouded neurotypical brain and that aspies are the “next step in human evolution”.

As someone with a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome, I do not agree with either of those terms; nor do they represent me at all. I honestly find this kind of derogatory name-calling and singling-out of certain Autistic individuals because of where they fall on the spectrum to be utterly disgusting and counter-productive. We should be trying to help and support each other; we should be trying to stand together and raise awareness and our voices as one.

Unfortunately, while this childish labelling, name-calling and school yard behaviour continues, we will never have a firm and solid foundation on which to build, and raise some genuine awareness of autism in all its forms.

The thing with working in the pub trade is this:, you will meet some very interesting people, especially if you work in an area that has high tourist trade. It’s one of the things I’ve come to love about being in South Devon.  This week, for example, we had a group of people visiting from Birmingham, which is near where I’m from originally.  A nice bunch down for a few days to attend a family “do”.

They came in for a few nights and I got talking to the blokes in the group. I know… “Steady Bob! That’s social interaction!”  Anyway, we really got on, as we had several shared interests, and this, mixed with the usual locals whose lives I get to watch unfold like some weird, unrehearsed soap opera, and people who live nearby just popping in as they’ve never been before always makes for a very unique and interesting workplace.  It’s always different and most of the time it’s enjoyable. Then you get what I lovingly refer to as the ‘instant asshole’ (just add alcohol). We don’t very often get them in here, but when one local person complained to a friend about the choice of wines available, and added “He’s got mental problems” while glancing at me… wrongly thinking that I couldn’t hear. I got quite upset. I’m pretty high functioning and most people don’t realise I’m Aspie, but this person knows that I’m Aspie and still said this. Who are they to say something like that??

After this I didn’t leave the bar area and got my waitstaff to deal with them. This was OK until one of the group snapped at me as they expected the bottle of wine they’d come and paid for at the bar to be taken to the table. I’m on my own in a busy bar and the wait staff hadn’t had a chance to take it over… the person had paid, held the bottle and placed it on the bar before returning to their table…  Together with several other snide comments from the table, I was pretty cross, because I had done nothing but be pleasant, and do my job to the best of my ability.

I find at this point that it’s generally best for me to focus and to just concentrate on the other customers who are pleasant, including those who regularly eat and drink with us through the quiet times. These are the customers that keep us going with their support, and we love them for it. This helps me to stay calm and avoid any kind of meltdown situation that might occur if I didn’t.

The following day we had a a busy lunch service which went off without any issues, so after making sure all the jobs were done, and the place looked clean, tidy and ready for the afternoon, I went back home for just over an hour’s relaxation with Mrs Bob before the evening session began.  The evening was a nice session as, after a busy early evening, I was left with a few tables in for the Sunday dinner and some good conversations with the guests, before going through my routines to close the pub down for the week. While I was doing this, I thought about the fun and games that had gone on over the weekend, and how I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth.  As I locked the door on my place of work and said goodnight, I was happy it was done, but excited for the week ahead and what that might hold.

Stay Safe X

Well things are certainly hitting full speed in this household lately.  I’m now very busy with my writing, podcast, work and my social life. Yes surprisingly I have a social life. I have managed to write a good chunk of work for my next anthology over the last few weeks, and I think it’s some of my best work yet.  Even my test subject, Mrs Bob, (who has to read all my shit once I’ve vomited it from my brain on to some virtual paper), has said the same, which is very promising. I’m hoping that, at this rate, I’ll  have my second book ready and out for sale on Amazon, hopefully by the end of this year all being well.  It’s even got a title now, thanks in part to my wife’s genius, and I’m feeling very positive about it.

The big news this year, and the thing that I’m really surprised by most of all, is my “Ramblings of Bob Christian” podcast. I started it after some of the people who followed me on Twitter voted overwhelmingly in support of the crazy idea. This was a big step for me, as I’m not keen on public speaking at all. I never read my work in public, as I’m too socially awkward and suffer with dyslexia as well, but I decided to record a single podcast, just as a show that, if nothing else, I abide by the results of an online poll!

Well, I was blown away by the love and support from people that listened and their feedback. As a result, I’ve kept going with the podcasts and it gives me a chance to read some of my new scribbles, and discuss areas of autism that are close to my heart.  I want to raise  awareness of autism and share how I see life. The hardest part about this sometimes gruelling schedule for me, is fitting all this stuff in and being a bar monkey to boot.

I’ve also started to look at entering some poetry competitions this year. So, all in all, it looks like 2018 is  fast becoming a great year for me and the whole idea that I started off all those years ago seems to be growing suddenly from a tiny seed I first planted in 2005.

It’s fantastic how life can change and turn around for the better with a little bit of self-belief and the support of those loved ones close to you who completely believe in you.

Thank You

Stay Safe X

There has been an exciting, recent development in the Christian household!

While on a roadtrip to the beach with Mrs Bob, I happened to press “play” on the car stereo.  I’d forgotten I had one of Eminem’s albums in there, but as I went to turn it off, as I was sure Mrs Bob wouldn’t want to listen to some angry white rapper spitting lyrics at an astonishing rate of knots, she stopped me.  Surprisingly, she likes Eminem!  According to her, there is a distinct pattern to his flow and style that was apparently transferable to my scribbles. I couldn’t see this myself, but I said that I was happy for her to prove me wrong.  So, I set her a challenge that she could take any one of my scribbles and apply this formula to it.  I’d then consider showcasing her “scribble-remix” to you guys, and see what you think.

Mrs Bob has looked over my work and the challenge has been accepted, so soon I’ll be able to share her remix with you.  Until then, will the real Mrs Bob please stand up?  My wife likes Eminem…… who knew?