As I may have mentioned before my boyfriend has a penchant for staring at another man’s lycra clad behind. Last weekend, like many other weekends was rudely interrupted by the pair of them spending Sunday at a cycling event. Do hold your “where’s the harm in that? What an unreasonable girlfriend” until I’ve explained my issue with this. My main concern is not that I don’t get to see him or that I’m concerned by the love of a man’s lycra clad bottom: no I’m more concerned with the fact that this morning I was roused from a rather lovely Saturday night – don’t have to be up in the morning snooze. At six. A.M. Yes that’s correct: SIX A.M on a SUNDAY. For those of you that know me well you will understand what this means. I am a snarly, fire breathing dragon when awoken from my beauty sleep. His cycling buddy made the error of saying something about my looking less than impressed to be awake. I believe my mumbled “good morning” (social niceties, pah!) quite possibly came out more like the guttural snarl one would expect from a very.Hacked. Off. animal.

I didn’t run off to my own bed for further slumber though dear readers because what I saw next had to be observed until the bitter end. Two lycra clad men (I think they think they are ninjas/power rangers) both scratching their heads and detaching various parts of bike turning them every which direction and both trying to be the most expert “NO, I’ve done this before you know, I know what I’m doing”. Nothing like a bit of a Chuckle Brothers re-enactment to make loss of sleep bearable: “to me…to you” between the boot and the back seat, I was desperately hoping one would let go and fall flat on their lycra clad behind.  Eventually they were off after a good deal of pushing and shoving.

So now, would you like to play guess the number of puncture readers?

Q. So, how did you get started in writing?

A. My Dad was passionate about both reading and writing. My Dad was writing and trying to get published while I was growing up. I was working at Thames Television on The Bill as a production assistant. I went and enquired as to what I would need to do to be able to become a producer and the answer I received was “you need to write”. It wasn’t instant success as my first book was never published. I wrote a children’s book that went horribly wrong when it came to being published but was a fantastic learning experience: it was all part of the process of becoming a writer. Sometimes I feel that my best writing almost happens in spite of me rather than because of me. Eventually an agent asked if I would like to meet: so I went and bought myself a hat. I met the agent and then – I took my hat off – and started to write. I usually start with an idea of what the story is going to be and see where it takes me: I like the characters to tell me where they would like to go. I realise I speak about them as if they have their own life which comes across a bit odd.

Q. So what does Susan Lewis like to read?

A. Jodi Picoult, Susan Harwich. I’ll happily purchase a book by what I’ve read in the blurb. My thoughts about the kindle is that you don’t get that same experience: you can’t see a cover or who the author is so I have been known to read something and not know who it is I’ve been reading!  I’ve taken inspiration from the Poisonwood Bible and Sweet Francais. The latter was actually the inspiration for my novel The French Affair.

Q. So how did your family react to your memoirs?

A.  Well, the two main characters – my Mum and Dad- had already passed by then but my brother has chosen not read it at all. I think he would really feel the loss at the end of Just One More Day.

Q. In the second of your memoirs you have written from the male perspective – how hard was this for you?

A. I was fortunate that I got to know my Dad for a lot longer. As Dad wrote so much, an awful lot of what is in the book he really wrote himself: I just adapted it to fit into my writing. Dad did his best to keep us all together at a time when men would have fielded children out to aunts and grandparents. Writing from his perspective made me relive everything that I had put my dad through after Mum died: He really didn’t know what to do with such a hellish teenage girl. In fact, when I asked Steph to read it I actually said “I hope you still like me after reading it”. I am now a supporter of Winston’s Wish as they help support in times of child bereavement: who knows how things would have turned out if they had been around when I lost Mum.

When a member of the audience introduces themselves as a member of Sevenoaks writing group Susan very affably offers to “come along to your writers group sometime, for a chat, if you would like?” She then goes on to display how down to earth she is by saying that as she had gotten older she doesn’t hold ideas and details in her head like she used to. She tells us how she ran a competition on Face book for the winner to get their name used as a character’s name in one of her texts. Susan tells us how she had completely forgotten about this until the winner contacted her: there had been a vital component of the novel missing until this woman got in touch and then her character led the novel along. Susan explains how writing, for her, is much like being a sort of medium as she is taken over by the characters. When Susan wrote in her mother’s “voice” she felt as though her mother had taken hold of her fingers and had written those parts herself.

Steph then gave Susan a much earned break by announcing the start of the raffle and auction. There were some truly outstanding prizes on offer including a Jimmy Choo handbag donated by the author herself, a Chamilia bracelet with a B.C.C charm, a basket of goodies from Maisy K, A photo shoot with Catherine Hill Photography, a set of GHD straighteners and a voucher for a cut and blow dry with Matthew Cross, a one hour full body massage in the comfort of the winner’s own home, a mini car donated by Mini, a Pink Pandora Bracelet and an Amber Necklace. Overall this event raised approximately £3000 for Breast Cancer Care: a hugely successful event – congratulations to all involved!

Susan’s 28th novel No Child of Mine will be released on July 5th.

I have created a Lego Monster, dear readers. This is only made worse by the realisation that my blog category “Lego” and “Addictions” is only getting bigger by the day. As those of you who have read “My Boyfriend is Addicted to Lego Shopping” will know, his new found obsession with Lego started off as a well meaning attempt to put some of the child like sparkle back into Christmas for him. Unfortunately I didn’t really foresee the long term effects of this: not only have I caused my twenty six year old boyfriend to regress back to playing with Lego, but I’ve caused his twenty three and twenty one year old brothers to go the same way. Now I wish to make it clear that I never intended for the two of them to be similarly affected.

Last night, following the incident of the Altercation with the Dustbin, the boyfriend kindly picked me up from work and presented me with a carrier bag full of lovely posh chocolate. My immediate response was to proclaim this to be a reward for being ridiculous and I should continue driving my car as if it were a bumper car at the funfair. Shortly after this I surmised it was in fact a (very well aimed) ruse. A deflection if you will, from what the three had been up to all day. I knew there had been some talk about going shopping while I was at work and visiting the Lego Shop (a.k.a Mecca – not to be confused with Meccano which, apparently, is “TOTALLY different from Legos, duh”).

The three, grown men, had gone and whiled away the hours at the Lego shop. They managed to frighten away any child that so much as glanced at their coveted treasures and, after maiming several children, left the shop with six different Lego sets between them. Yes, SIX. My boyfriend had desired one of these sets for quite some time (having researched all the other possible sets he could add to his ever expanding Lego Collection: “But I am just getting next month’s Lego allowance early”?!?!) and had chosen the biggest one they had in the store: “NO, there are other bigger ones….”

My Dad pointed out to me earlier that it would actually be fairly easy to maintain order in a relationship where my partner had regressed so far as all I needed to do was threaten to take his toys away if he didn’t do as he was told. This was especially appropriate as I had already done this the previous evening when the conversation steered back towards the incident of the Altercation with the Dustbin and I threatened to take away and hide a vital component of his new Lego if he persisted. His response: “Oh no! Don’t take away the battery pack!” Sorry did you just say “battery pack”? Apparently his amazing super duper wow new Lego has a battery pack included: “It doesn’t drive or anything but the windows and doors open”.

As I sighed and looked around for a sane person in the room I found that all had gone silent. It was, in fact, the quietest the house had ever been when they were all in before which seemed eerie. Then I realised that the silence was that perfect silence of concentration. The boys were all sat on the floor with little piles of different coloured Lego all around them trying to construct theirs the fastest.

What have I done?

One of the many hazards of your boyfriend being one of three brothers (as I am sure many of you will relate to) is having to a. do boy talk b. take a considerable amount of stick when you do anything remotely silly. This is incident combined me doing something absolutely absurd, boy talk and taking a considerable amount of stick.

Somehow last night myself and one of the boyfriend’s brothers got onto the highly intelligent topic of “Which would you say was better: Star Wars or Star Trek?” believe it or not I actually did take a few minutes before I gave my answer which I was told was fairly controversial (ooookkkaaayyy) I was then asked which Captain of the space ship in Star Trek I had though was the best again I gave a fairly educated answer (it’s no longer such a well kept secret that I am, secretly, a bit of a geek at heart).

My boyfriend then joined in the conversation by proclaiming Captain Janeway to have been his favourite (the first female captain of the space ship). I was already suspicious as to his choice when this led into reasoning as to why it had taken so long to get a female captain: women drivers. Ah, now I saw where this was going, let me guess she drove the ship into a dustbin in outer space? Some jabber ensued about women being careless drivers and having no sense of direction etcetera: “in the first episode she gets lost, like, hundreds of light years away”. Yes, hilarious, I am sure you will agree dear readers.

I have spent two days taking stick for the fact that, a couple of nights ago; I smashed my own car window. On my own driveway. By driving into our dustbin. As my Father very kindly pointed out to me “that bin has been in the same place for the past four years and no one else has ever bashed it” a fact I am very much aware of, thank you. I didn’t actually think I had broken it at first and I didn’t actually drive into it especially hard but I caught the corner of the bin lid on my rear window, heard a pop, tried to get off of the bin, got stuck and then heard the tinkling. Excellent. No primal screaming or beating of fists or head on steering wheel took place at this stage…Well not much at least.

I described this scenario and the twinkling of little bits of broken glass to my boyfriend when he came round to point and laugh at what I had done. To my own car. He kindly pointed out that I could envisage the tinkling as being a bit like “a fairy sound” (knowing I like fairies and was very distressed about being stupid enough to smash my own car window. On my own driveway. On a dustbin). Oh yes, the sound of tinkling broken bits of my rear window is exactly akin to fairy dust, darling. I was not snarling and did not have steam coming out of my ears at this point.

How many times do you think, readers, I will be subjected to conversations coming back to “dustbin” over the oncoming weeks/months/years?

I'm back again for another fantastic interview.  Where do these people hide in Kent?

This week's special guest on my blog is the wonderfully truthful and exceptionally brave Sian Murphy, 48 from Hoo near Rochester, Medway.

Although the picture is quite clear, Sian would like to reiterate that she is a woman as her name is sometimes confused with Sean.  Don't worry Sian, they will never make that mistake.

Currently, Sian runs her own business, Stormchasers, with her husband Mark.  In conjunction with her work at Stormchasers, Sian works with 2 other professional to make up The Ruby Marketers.

If you are wondering exactly what the company is, I will tell you!  The company specialises in helping local business owners who are computer illiterate or did not have the priviledge of using a laptop when they were younger to market their business online.  The range of services they offer is so vast which can start from setting up a Business Blog for a business to setting up social media profiles and as Sian puts it 'Give them the confidence and know-how to start using it.'

If that wasn't already enough, Stormchaser is branching out in another field of their business.

'Another part of my business is run by my husband Mark and he builds starter websites for businesses as part of Stormchasers at AskStormchasers.'

I was intrigued to find out more and did a bit of 'Googling' and came across an interesting article on the following website:

http://leavingthearmedforces.com/stormchasers/

I found a great quote on this website which described Stormchasers as a business that  'Is about leaping forwards into the storm, and coming back out the other side into a brighter and calmer world.'

I think this is a great acknowledgement of Sian and Mark's hard work.

And for any potential new and bright minds that want to begin their own business, take this advice from Sian.  'My tip for setting up in business is to give it time.  Work out how long it will take you to get it all up and running and get work finished - and then double it!'

'Set goals and then plan how you are going to achieve them and don't give up too soon, but be prepared to bend and sway as things change.  Smile, laugh, share and have 1 full day off each week.'

Wise words and I think, sensible advice for new business minds in the making.  Thanks Sian!

Moving on to Kentish matters, Sian likes the diversity of the landscape in Kent.  'We have rolling countryside, inland waterways, estuary shorelines and seaside all within a 70 mile radius.  To top it all off we also have some fascinating industrial areas with some really unexpected hidden treasures.'

Sian particularly like Hoo Church Cemetery.  Before you feel a shiver go down your spine, listen to the reason.  'A bit odd I know but unlike so many graveyards, Hoo is full of life.  Despite the age of many of the gravestones, there are flowers and shiny windmills, some truly wonderful trees to sit under when it's raining and some well placed benches for when the sun is out.  There are often children playing or just hanging out in their hoodies chatting to each other, whilst other villagers walk their dogs.  It's the happiest graveyard I've ever been to!'

Maybe I could have saved this for Halloween but I think it is great to hear something out the ordinary in an ordinary day in our lives.  Plus, I have never heard someone describe a graveyard in detail without using the words 'depressing' and 'upsetting' before.

As you know, my avid readers, as of 2011 I introduced a new question to my blog in which my interviewees tell me a specific fact or snippet of information about our beloved county.  Sian had a really interesting and historical one this week!

'One day I'm going to walk the Saxon Shore Way.' Sian begins. ' The Shore Way follows the line of historic fortifications that defended the Kent coast at the end of the Roman era.  The Shore Way is 160 miles long and starts from Gravesend and goes right the way around to Hasting, East Sussex.'

'There's lots to see along the way from ports, coastline and stunning countryside and of course that sense of history that walking along an ancient footpath - following along in the footstep of goodness know who always amuses me.'

Further to Sian's comments about the Saxon Shore Way, there are also four Roman fort remains, dating from the 4th Century that line the trail.  The only one I am familiar with is the one in Dover.  Kent is very rich in history but it is always great to learn about new things that different Kent residents know from their own experiences.

One of my favourite parts of the blog is eating spots! 

Sian enjoys eating at two pubs in Kent, namely The Ringlestone Inn and The Pier at Upnor, Rochester.  'I like them because the food is good and so is the atmosphere.  We also like to take a little picnic along the shoreline at Hoo every now and then.' 

You can't beat a Ham and Colman's Mustard sandwich, a bag of kettle crisps and a healthy slice of Chocolate Fudge cake! Delicious.

When not working, Sian enjoys cooking and eating meal with the family with a good bottle of wine, which she finds is her 'favourite pastime.'

This is followed by watching a movie whilst nodding off on the sofa.  A pastime of many in Kent I assume.

But there is more!  'When Mark and I are on our own, we enjoy walking and can often be spotted meandering mindlessly around the haunts of Hoo with nowhere in particular to go.'

'I also make rag rugs from old clothes and cloth, mainly for decorative purposes.'

My blog now enters a more serious tone that I believe needs delicate and careful attention as I am writing it.  Normally, I take great delight in listening to my interviewees explaining a humourous story to me about themselves, whether it be of them waking up semi nude on a beach after an initiation ceremony at University or walking into walls for no apparent reason.

Sian tells me a story that she is currently closing in her life at the moment.  One that has me wanting to stand up and applaud her bravery and courage to be able to tell a volunteer bloggist she has never met a very close and personal chapter of her life which I greatly appreciate and hope you find I have describe in a way that is befitting to you.

'2 years ago Mark and I used to have jobs.  I worked in local Government and Mark was a Project Manager.  We were both unhappy with our jobs and spent years talking about leaving and starting our own business.  I'd already trained as an NLP (forgive me if I'm wrong - Neurolinguistic Programming) practitioner and copywriter but unfortunately we didn't plan properly and then in

2009 found ourselves so stressed and miserable that we just decided to hand in our notice and quit.'

So, on 1st August 2009 there we were with no salaries, but some rather grand business plans.  On 17th August, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That stopped us in our tracks for a while.'

'It's now 2 years later and whilst I'm still on medication, our business is finally taking off after lots of false starts.  I could write a whole book on false starts but we have learned so much.'

'It sounds odd but whilst it might seem like the worst possible time to get cancer, in fact it was the best and it might even have been a lifesaver.  Had I been diagnosed whilst I was still at work I think I never would have left because of the security around the sick pay.  If I wasn't diagnosed just 2 weeks after we both left our jobs we would have just transferred our hectic lifestyles from jobs to businesses.  It would have been the same except now we wouldn't have been receiving monthly pay cheques!'

'Today we've both learned the lesson that money isn't that important, although of course that is also now our challenge because when you are in business you have to value money to some extent or you don't earn any of the damn stuff!'

'We also say thank you got what we do have instead of moaning about what we don't and we really do have so much.  Today we are working with some fabulous people the universe has sent us the perfect business partners and associates.  Our offices are up at the Innovation Centre and we have the most amazing fun.  It's all the good stuff about being at work in an office such as being around friends and having someone to share your triumphs and challenges, but without all of the grim stuff of having to dance to someone else's tune.'

As upbeat as ever, Sian claims ' We're having a ball!'

Now one of my favourite parts of the blog where my interviewees put the world to rights with their opinions on how to make Kent a better place.

"I would get planners in Medway to either change or introduce a required ratio of concrete to plants and greenery in the large housing development that are springing up around Hoo.  Many of the houses open directly onto the street, there are no gardens to speak of and the roads are so narrow they are like little brick tunnels.'

Sian likes to see 'a bit of green' when she looks out the window and whilst she doesn't live a development house, it still forms part of the landscape.

'Given that these estates have replaced fields, it would seem ecologically important at least to give a cursory nod to keeping some greenery around!'

I totally agree with that point and think that planners and developers should look closely at where they are building and how it will affect the local surrounding for both the locals and the wildlife.

So we come to my random question of the week and this one is a really good one!

If you could become any person in the world for one day, who would you become and why?

'I tried so hard to think of someone who wasn't too obvious but I couldn't, so I plumped for Oprah Winfrey, a bit of a cliche I know.'

'I chose Oprah because I want to know how it feels to be her.  She had a difficult childhood, dealt with racism and has overcome so much to get where she is.  She has such a clear vision about her life, that I want to know how that feels so I can recreate it for myself.

Well, this has been one of my most intense blogs yet, with highs and lows, cheerful quips and serious tones but overall I have enjoyed writing this one very much.  I hope Sian receives the recognition she deserves, not just through this blog but through the business world too.

Sian - my very best wishes for your future and a speedy recovery and I hope your business will continue to bloom!

So that's it for another week folks! (No Looney Tunes pun intended) but check in again soon for my newest interviewee.  Who knows, it could even be you!

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

Well I return with a great interviewee this week, one who was mistaken for a popstar if you can believe it.

But we will get to that later.

This is Matthew Webster, 27 from our very own County Town of Kent, Maidstone!

So Matt is his name and Account Management is his game (Occupation for all those who are not up to date with their rhyming slangs).

As always, I like to find out what my interviewees like about Kent and this is what Matt had to say.

"I like the people, the places and the general atmosphere of Kent."

To expand on what Matt has said, he likes having a game of football with his mates, shortly followed by a cold pint or 10 down the Albion and the elegant banter with other fans about who is the greatest footballing side in England.  We both know it is Manchester United but he lets them stress their point on why the other teams are worthy of competing against United before casually turning to them and singing "He scores goals galore, he scores goals, he scores goals galore, he scores goals, he scores goals galore, he scores goals, Paul Scholes, he scores goals."

A fitting tribute to one of the greatest English Midfielders of modern day football and also a great way of sticking it to the other football fans.

Since the beginning of 2011, I have introduced a new question which is designed to find out what the people of Kent really know about their County and to see if they can inform others in Kent of interesting facts or pieces of information that are not well known.

"Kent is the most populous County in the UK." Matt said "Over 1.6 million people reside in Kent."

I found this to be a very interesting fact as I thought Greater London and the Northern Counties such as Lancashire had bigger populations so thanks Matt.

Matt's favourite eating spot is Buenos Aires in Maidstone which he describes as "The best steak in the county."

In his free time, Matt likes to compete in various sports such as Football, Squash and Tennis.  Equally, he does enjoy going to the Cinema, eating out at a range of eating spots and socialising with his friends.

So the part you have been waiting for, the mistaken identity of a popstar.  I let Matt fill in the rest.

"I was once spotted by a young woman who worked in the Bowling Alley in Maidstone who thought I was Danny from Mcfly.  I played along temporarily before confessing.  It was a long time ago."

Looking at the picture above, I think this woman was either crazy or blind because I see no resemblance.  Sorry Matt!

As always, it is important for me to find out my interviewees thoughts on how to improve the county.

"I think the county could have some bigger gigs / festivals.  We have the space for it and I think it could be a big money spinner for the county.  We have a picturesque county so we should utilise it.  I'd certainly go..."

Again this suggestion has come up and I think it is about time that we did start using the facilities available in Kent to cater to the entire population.  Often there are events held that are in the interest of a small majority of people which is a waste of public money and inconsiderate to the rest of the residents in Kent.

And now for my random question of the week: If you could travel to any planet in the Solar System, which one would it be and why?

"I think it would be Jupiter.  I liked the song by Train and it looks cool.  Mysterious."

A good choice!

So another Kentish resident has given me their views and opinions on our county and as always I would like to extend my thanks to Matt, my interviewee, for his time.

I will post again soon so who knows, it could be you next!

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

Read more: http://blogs.kentonline.co.uk/author/Dan+Millen.aspx#ixzz1SJYJTrvX

Well, 2011 has been a busy one and my blog has suffered. I apologise for not keeping up with it but now I am back and so is my next interviewee.

This is Gabriela Margarita Houlgraves or 'Gabby', 34 from Sittingbourne.  Gabby works as a Customer Support Assistant at Maidstone Library.

Our beloved county is the reason I write this blog.  It is the best!

Gabby loves our county to because it is 'so green!'

"This surprises a lot of the people here when I say it.  You all [Kent residents] think it's very, very urbanised, but I just look at the vast fields and meadows.  Always so close and forests everywhere, and think 'Dude, this is the Shire!"

As you can tell from the last part of that quote, Gabby is a Lord of the Rings fan. Everyone needs to have a hobbit!

As part of my 2011 revamp, I have added a question to all my new interviewees which has been instated to find out if the people of Kent have interesting facts or information to share with me.  I always like to learn new things about Kent!

Gabby has selected to inform us about the history of Dover Castle, commissioned to be built by Henry II in the 12th century.

"The tunnels were first dug for the Napoleonic Wars, and then used as a command centre for Operation Dynamo which was the operation set up for rescuing soldiers from Dunkirk.  This is all well known."

This can be found on the English National Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

What was more intriguing was what Gabby relayed next.

"There was also a lower level call 'Dumpy' which was the command centre during the Cold War and it was going to be opened to the public after the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act made it legal to do so.  But English Heritage went under there and found a lot of subsidence and were not as sturdy as the Napoleonic ones and also left in a hurry when the level got decommissioned, so they're not structurally sound. Lovely chalk!"

"And that is why the public won't be allowed down there!"

Gabby feels it is a shame as she would love to go down there and see them.  I would love to see it as well, it sounds fascinating.

We moved on to one of my favourite subjects: FOOD!

Gabby likes to dine at Maggie's cafe on Week Street.  I agree Maggie, whoever she is, does a blinding fried breakfast!

"The wholemeal baguettes and fillings are wonderful, not to mention the salads, the chilli, the cakes and pastries (all home-made) and the staff are the friendliest in town."

Also, Gab enjoys eating at Kitsu, a Tunbridge Wells based place that has, in her words 'The best sushi and teriyaki beef I've ever had."

Equally, Gabby likes an Indian at the Royal Tandoori in Chatham, traditional chips from a chippy in Lenham and her favourite pub is the Ringlestone nr Harrietsham.

We definitely have something in common here!

I always like to be a little bit nosey and find out what my interviewees get up to in their free time.  It feels like I can relate to them if they have something in common with me (in addition to food of course).

"Reading, reading, reading. I can't get enough of books!" Gabby says. "Guess it's lucky I work in a library!"

"I also love visiting English Heritage sites, you see something new every time.  And spending time with family and friends.  Nothing beats a house full of the people you love, all having fun and laughing, sharing life and food & drink."

I think Gabby is a great person, who lives life to the full.  That's the kind of people we need more of in this county to keep up its awesomeness.

This is always my favourite part of the interview: hearing a short story that sums the interviewee up.  I have heard some whoppers since I have been writing this blog - waking up half naked on a beach, buying items such as a bouncy castle on impulse, walking into walls or buying 'Chillis' when you are supposed to buy 'Jelly'.

"I was born in Puerto Rico (in the Caribbean), and I moved to New Orleans to my master's degree.  I still miss New Orleans, every day I'm not there, though I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world but here, in Kent."

That's what I like to hear!

"My first apartment burnt down, soon thereafter, I met Mark (now my husband- he's English, of course), and moved into a lovely shotgun house in New Orleans (For all who are not familiar, it is a narrow, rectangular building)."

"Mark and I got engaged, and i started getting my paperwork for the visa to come here to live and get married. There was a rumour that someone burned down their house near my house to collect the insurance money. The whole block of houses, including mine, burnt down.  I barely had time to grab my cat and laptop and run out of the house.  When I came back to see what was left, almost everything was burnt, except my visa papers and my winter clothes, and a crocheted Afghan my gran had sent me from Puerto Rico."

I want it noted now that Gabby has done fantastically to bounce back from this ordeal where others probably would have rolled over and given up.

"I took that as a sign from God and the Universe that I needed to go with my heart, to Mark and England.  And I didn't look back."

"Do I miss my family and friends from the other side of the Atlantic?  Oh yes!"

"Would I change anything? Not really. I only wish I'd met Mark before so we could have stated our life together sooner and that I had the power to teleport so I could visit my gran and my friends as often as I liked."

What a great story with both highs and lows but an overall outcome that is justly deserved.

It is always important to evolve and progress over time. That is true in both people, nature and our much loved county.  Gabby has some interesting suggestions on how to achieve this.

"I think we should have a better public transport network and it should be more realistically priced, so that people are seen to be quite foolish to take their cars out.  

I agree as I walk every where and think they should pump more money into transportation.

"If the buses and trains took us to where we wanted to go, frequently and cheaply enough, I swear people would give up cars quicker than you can say 'petrol'.  This is particularly true for people in rural locations, who are often quite isolated if they don't have a car.  But even between town centres, the service provision seems almost random!"

I think Gabby talks absolute sense and is valid in that our services are at times extortionate and something needs to be done to preserve the environment for the future generations.

And now to the finale.  My random question of the week.

You hear the four minute warning, you know it will only take you 10 seconds to get into a safe place, what would you do with the other 3 minutes and 50 seconds?

"That's a hash one!  Wow. I wasn't expecting that."

I like this reaction as it is meant to be surprising and awkward to answer.  It is my unique thing!

"I am close to Mark and Sebastian (my son) so I can make sure they're safe with me but even if not, the same applies.  Get as many people as I can into the safe place, hold them close and send a prayer up for the rest of my loved ones and the world!"

Sounds depressing but a nice answer and a good way to round off this sensational lady's interview.

Thank you Gabby for your time and I wish you all the best for the future. This interview has been a pleasure!

Well that's all folks for this week, check in again soon to see who will be my next victi... interviewee!

This March blog is all about Guess Who?

An American Woman, namely Jessica Lynn Young, 26 from San Jose, California  USA.

Jessica may be a US citizen and not a Kent resident but she has a very special tie in Maidstone which has made her visit our beautiful county at least twice a year for the last two years.

I am that said special tie (If I do say so myself).

Jess has spent the past 3 months in Maidstone with me and asked if I would interview her.  I know that she is not a citizen of our county but I thought it would be a very interesting twist to see what an outsider would think.  It's good English - American relations as well.

Despite spending the previous two years studying towards her California Teaching Degree, Jess thought that taking time out to reconsider her options was a good idea.  An idea I totally support.  I believe and always will believe that you need to follow what you know is right and do what makes you happy.  That is why I write this blog, it enables me to do something I love.

Although Jess has not ventured out of Maidstone as much as she would like to discover more in our county, she is still extremely complimentary of Kent and it's people.

"I can say that I find Kent a very charming place compared to various areas in America. While my country has its own history and beauty, Kent's history goes much farther back and with that comes a unique feeling and appearance. I adore the old buildings: the churches, the castles and the roads made from cobblestones."

But her appraisal of Kent doesn't stop there and why should it. Kent rocks!

"Of course, there is also the beauty of the countryside and gardens and of course the proximity to London but everyone seems to say that so I don't want to make anyone have to read that again. Although I suppose I just did make everyone read it again." She laughs.

For 2011, I have added a new part to my blog which helps Kent's reputation grow and gives the interviewee a chance to boast about all things Kentish. I want to know as many facts or specific pieces of information that are interesting about the county.

"I don't live here so I think I would benefit more from others telling me facts or information about Kent as opposed to the vice-versa.  Off the top of my head though, I know that Kent is named 'The Garden of England' and I know some of the history surrounding the White Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury.  I also love Leeds Castle and the cool fact the Henry VIII visited there."

She would love to know more about Kent and has specific parts she would like to learn about.

"I would love to learn more about the history of the county but more specifically, I would love to find out why Maidstone is called Maidstone because no one seems to know!"

A very good question.  I will try to find out and post it on the blog as part of my new: Interesting fact about Kent of the week!  Don't worry, it is not replacing the random question of the week.

I try to take Jess to as many nice places for food as I can and of the ones I have taken her to for meals, she prefers our snack spot.

"I am a big fan of the Cornish Kitchen on Week Street, Maidstone. I don't pretend to be a great fan of traditional English food but once I was introduced to pasties, I was immediately hooked.  I am perfectly happy sitting eating a pasty.  They are warm and filling which is good for something that is relatively cheap."

That would be pastry!  It's so good.

When I have time off work, Jess and I like to travel and Jess explained to me what she loved doing in our free time together.

"During my time in England I have been lucky enough to visit London and Old Trafford, Manchester, Hastings, Bath, Cambridge and Stonehenge.  In Kent I have been to Canterbury, Dover, Leeds Castle and Tunbridge Wells.  Outside of England, I have travelled to Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Greece and Egypt.  At home, I have been all over California and other parts of the US."

Lucky lady, her boyfriend must really love her!

"On a more everyday basis, I like to watch movies and go on walks.  Additionally, I like spending time with my family and friends."

Now for a story that sums Jess up, this one is perfect.  Yet at the same time, it was a shared experience with moi that will stay with me until I die.  It was the moment in my life that I have been the most terrified and I think Jess handled herself much better than I did.

In Jess' words "This story shows how unlucky yet comical events seem to follow me around.  In 2009, I went to Yosemite National Park with my boyfriend.  We stayed in a tent cabin which is basically a simple, wooden frame covered in a canvas.  Reviews on a website said that bears were frequent visitors to the camp site but that information really didn't bother me because I had seen bears before."

I pretended not too be either but I was bricking it.

"Our first night we almost walked straight into an approaching bear." As the bloggist, I would like to correct my girlfriend by saying she was walking obliviously into a bear as I pulled her away.

"We were told to keep anything scented in our bear proof locker [a green steel box that is used to store all food, scented items and anything a bear may want]. We had to put everything in there down to my cherry chapstick."

I kiss a girl and I liked it!  Couldn't resist.

"I am very well organised and I was sure nothing with a scent would be left in our tent cabin.  Our last night turned out very differently than expected.  I was fast asleep in the early hours of the morning when I woke to the sound of something plastic crunching outside.  I thought nothing of it then heard something brush against the canvas starting to tear it."   

"I convinced myself that it was just someone out late walking by our tent cabin but then it happened... a loud grunting noise and I immediately knew that it was a bear.  I started poking my boyfriend and told him there was a bear outside just before it got even worse.  The wooden frame supporting the edge of the cabin began to break open under force and the canvas ripped louder than previously."

"The bear was breaking into our tent cabin!  I have never been so scared in my entire life.  Despite him being scared, my boyfriend is a quick thinker and grabbed our flashlight with a siren on it." 

Note to all Yosemite Campers - A siren or loud noise will scare a bear away

"We stood in our tent cabin in fear and I frantically looked around for a reason why a bear would want to get in.  I knew everything was locked away in the locker.  Then I saw it... the day before I had bought a magazine from the general store and guess what was in the magazine - a perfume sample!  I couldn't believe it."

"I know that was the reason but i'm mystified why the people working at the general store did not warn us about perfume samples possibly attracting bears."

"I think what was more terrifying was that the ranger told us that the bear was waiting outside when we ran out to their office after the attack in the middle of the night.  By morning, we saw the damage which was a huge hole.  It was frightening at the time but when I think back on it, I find it a very funny story to tell people." 

"I will never live down that it was my fault that the bear tried to kill us and this is probably just another reason why I have been nicknamed 'The Jinx'."

Hearing the story again... I just can't bear it!

Besides praising Kent, Jess can see like everyone where there is room for improvement.

"While I love Maidstone, I am used to living in a big city.  I think Maidstone would benefit more from shops staying open late as The Mall closes early here.  People could have time to come home from work then go out shopping late if they wanted to.  Maidstone could use more ethnic restaurants aside from Chinese and Indian.  This would create a wider variety of food options.  Options such as Persian, Japanese, Vietnamese and especially Mexican food, my favourite!  I really think people in Kent would come to appreciate and enjoy this food."

Since visiting America, I have been fortunate enough to try to these foods and I must say, I would love to have them here with us in Kent!

Jess had expressed herself for long enough so I thought I would relieve her quickly and ask my random question of the week:

If money was not an issue, what would be your ideal purchase and why?

"My ideal purchase would be my own private jet with an unlimited and free supply of fuel."

Oh god think of the Ozone Layer Jess, although she does have good reasons!

"It is very difficult to be in a long distance relationship and very expensive too.  Buying plane tickets constantly is very costly so it would be lovely to be able to hop on my own jet whenever I wanted to fly back and forth between California and England.  Just think how great it would be to hop on a jet anytime I wanted and to be with this great bloggist [Sorry, could not resist] within 10 hours.  It would also be nice to be able to fly family and friends back and forth so no one is ever missed."

A very nice purchase Jess but my ideal purchase would be a green card.  Much cheaper than a jet and we could be together all the time!

I would like to give a very special thank you to my wonderful and supportive girlfriend this week for assisting me with another Kent blog.  She always gives me positive opinions on my work and without her, I would not have a reason for pursuing my dream of becoming a respected writer.

2011 is going to be a great year so I hope you can share it with me by becoming my next interviewee.

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

In light of the recent ‘Richard Keys and Andy Gray’ sexism row in the media, it has inspired me to write a blog.

Sky Chief’s are speaking out today calling it ‘totally unacceptable’ and ‘against everything Sky Sports stands for’ However, Sky TV broadcasts dozens of soft porn channels every night with young girls writhing about onscreen. Surely the comments that were made, were just a bit of stereotypical banter?

Personally, as a young woman, I think that Richard and Andy shouldn’t have been punished. I’m sure if you were to ask their wives, they aren’t sitting at home every night asking to be waited on ‘because you are my wife and as a woman it is your duty!’

Does the UK no longer have a sense of humour?

I can understand if the comments were said directly to Sian Massey... for example: ‘You do not know the offside rule, you shouldn’t be here’... and even then, this may be punishable for ‘offensive behaviour’ but should definitely not be seen as Sexism. The fact that Sexism still exists as a form of insult is beyond me.

Women put men down... and Men put women down. Sian Massey has probably said to her friends that ‘Andy gray is a chubby, balding old fart who doesn’t know a thing about ironing’  Does that mean she would be sacked for being sexist in implying that men cant iron?

The fact it was OFF AIR and between two friends, I can’t help but think there is more to it.

A lot of people will disagree with me, and I’m eager to hear people’s thoughts but surely this was a bit of banter and not intended to offend. I work in an office full of men... God forbid if Sky was running our company, we would have no staff left!

We are living in the 21^st century... where women earn equal salaries, go back to work after childbirth, have house-husbands, play football and hold some of the most powerful positions in the country.  Surely we don’t have to carry on fighting for our independence when we have proven our equality.

 I’ve heard a few people comparing Sexism to Racism which I think is very unfair too. Racism is still a very active problem and should be punishable but my view is that sexism is an opinion and everyone is entitled to one. How many times have you mocked your other half’s cooking? How many times have you compared your intelligence to theirs? How many times has a man questioned your motorbike knowledge? Everyone is different... we all have different talents and abilities, to put these into just two categories (Men vs. Women) is wrong.

It’s too easy for comments to be shoved on top of the Sexism pile. Men will always say things to put us down, its part of our history. Women have fought for years to get equal rights! – The fact is their boss is probably a woman who is three times as powerful as they are.

After speaking to a few people, I was slightly nervous about writing this blog but then thought....

Sod it. I’m entitled to my opinion as a WOMAN so I’ll put it out there....

Sky TV eat your heart out! 

So … it’s New Year.  Stating the obvious I know, but some of you may still be in a Advocat fugued state.  I’m only slightly more ‘with it’ because I was sick over Christmas and couldn’t partake in any alcohol rel ated shenanigans.  Not that I’m bitter.  (*hooks IV drip up to the Crème de Menthe.*)

I’m not the sort of person who makes New Year’s Resolutions.  I realised quite early on in life that I had the willpower and attention span of a toddler and so there became no point in making resolutions I’d only break the following week.  If I lasted that long.  Therefore, big props go to anyone who can be bothered.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have goals.  Oh no!  For example, I’ve been vodka-free for seven days now (see above) … I just choose to set goals during the year when I’ve run out of bigger dress sizes or when I’m ill.  See … I can be really focused when I want.

What I like to do in the New Year though (overdosing on Quality Street aside,) is try new things out.  My degree was so time consuming, I’ve spent the last four years pouring any spare time and energy I had into studying – so now that chapter is closed I find myself in an enviable position – choice!  Very dangerous …

Here are the three new things I’m going to at least try this year:

1. Write a Book

I had to chuckle to myself when I read that one back.  Yeah Kate, write a book!  No problem!  You’ve got a spare 25 minutes free next Thursday – do it then. So, let me qualify this one slightly.  Part of my degree was Creative Writing and we were encouraged to try our hand at writing different genres (who knew I could write such rude stories!)   Another project I worked on was writing the beginning to a children’s book and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  So, three years on, I’m revisiting it.  The main theme is there, the characters are basic, but created.  Oh, and I even have a bit of a plot going on.  It needs a whole lot of work.  A whole lot.  But I’m up for the challenge.  It's based on a place I spent a lot of my childhood in in Rainham, and it's now somewhere I take my son to - I wanted to bring this place to life and what better way!

2. Go Dancing Again

I haven’t danced properly in years (I don’t think doing Salsa feet under the café table counts,) but I did take Salsa lessons eight years ago (tis how I met ‘Im Indoors,) and I’ve taken many a streetdance class (that reminds me, I still need to blog about my Pineapple experience!) so I’ve been on the lookout for something new to try.  Poledancing is out – don’t think I could lift my bodyweight 2″ off the ground if I’m honest – so, cue Zumba!  Not sure what it is really – and quite frankly, don’t care – it looks fun!  I’ve been to Notting Hill Carnival plenty of times and every year I try to look like I fit in, and end up doing some hyrbrid Samba/Bogle/Salsa move.  People usually think I’m having a fit and back away slowly.  All the same, the energy and enthusiasm is there – just need a little technique to go with it. I've done my research and there are Zumba classes popping up all over Medway so watch out - I'm on my way!

3. Get Fit

This isn’t a ‘New Year/New You’ kinda thing.  This has been a work in progress for a looooooong time.  For the last few months especially, I’ve made slow but steady progress – my main intention, to remain uninjured.  I don’t ask for much.  I’ve progressed from walking (I know – check me out!) to jogging and interval training around the streets of Rainham.  I’m back to boxing, which I love, and I do believe there is slightly less wobble to my bingo wings these days.

I’m only mentioning three new challenges here – more chance of fulfilling at least one of them – but that’s not to say more won’t be added to the list.  There is also this scary idea that keeps popping into my head about doing a Triathlon.  Yes, yes, I know … stop LOL’ing you lot – I’m being serious!  Oh and who knows what colour my hair will end up come Springtime!  

So this time next year Rodney, I doubt I’m going to be a millionaire, or a thin, best-selling author/Zumba Queen!  But I will be richer for at least trying new things.

Happy New Year!