I was thinking, I just posted chapter one and really I should have posted the background on the novel first. I wont waste any time, below you will find the back cover of the book, the plot synopsis if you will. I hope you enjoy the ride as this whole thing unfolds...I am currently working on chapter 2 and I am very excited to be taking you on this trip with me.
Away we go......
Embedded deeply in the dark and mysterious underworld of Socio-political activity beats the black heart of the government that most citizens will never know. For Austin McNichol the world was about who got the better of whom, who could outwit the other the fastest and in his opinion there was no one better at the grand game of misdirection then him. Working for an organization that thrived on the deepest secrets of government and political circles, Austin worked the system better than anyone, at least until the day the email came. Following the directions of the email, Austin meets a man whom he has only ever known as “The Phoenix”. “The Phoenix”” hands him a CD and tells him that the contents would either change the world for the better or end the world as we know it now. He is told that he must protect it at all costs. From that moment on, everything Austin had known, the currency of deceit he dealt in, and the tools he routinely executed against others, were now being turned against him. One chance meeting would lead him down a road that would see him fight for his very life. Running would get him nowhere, he had to stand and fight. He had to protect this precious CD from those who ran in the dark shadows.
LiveSTRONG!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
***Dark Shadows Of The Heart -- Chapter 1***
Half asleep and still reeling from the nights dreams, the soothing crooning of Frank Sinatra wafted through the morning haze, gently awakening Austin from his nights slumber. With bleary eyes, Austin turns over, staring at the flashing illuminated 7:30 on the bedside clock. It was time to get out of bed and get the day started.
Reaching across, he concluded Sintara's rendition of "My Way" prematurely. Silence filled the room as he stared at the ceiling imagining the expressions of various peoples faces in the Italian plaster. Smiling, laughing, crying, screaming. It was a game he would play, testing his own imaginative powers like a child laying down in an open field staring up at the passing clouds, imagining images in the white fluffy configurations.
With a slight grunt he rolled out of bed and got to his feet. Making his way to the bathroom, the velvety feel of the carpet soothed his weariness. The ultimate wake up call was only steps away.
Making his way into the bathroom, Austin switched on the light and took a quick glance in the mirror. He was in good shape, and worked very hard to keep himself looking as good as he did. Dark wavy brown hair, chiseled cheek bones, two days of growth stippled his face. His shoulders were powerful, broad, and seemed to be capable of carrying the worries of the world. His chest was defined and broad which made his abs look more imposing still. Indeed, Austin was a picture of good diet and exercise, a specimen worthy of an appearance in any men’s magazine.
Reaching into the shower, he turned on the cold tap and moderated it slightly with hot water. He was a firm believer in taking cool showers. It invigorated him, made him feel alive and ready to face the day. Stepping in, he closed the glass door and let the cool rush of water roll off his neck and down his powerful back.
The coolness of the shower had an almost aphrodisiac effect sending him plummeting into the deep crevices and corners of his innermost mind. Images rolled through his minds eye like a cracked and tattered old black and white film.
He quickly snapped out of it and reached for his favourite soap. The shower and bathroom were quickly filled with the warm and woody scent of musk and cedar. The aroma filled his nostrils sending him spiraling deeper still into memories that gripped him tight enough he swore they would leave marks on his skin. It was the smell of home, the feel of being in his fathers arms, the scent of his dads cologne, and the soft and subtle aroma of a good scotch. He longed to live these memories beyond the theatre of his mind.
Rinsing off, Austin quickly stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in a plump bath sheet and headed back to his room to prepare for his day.
Walking over to his full length mirror, he let the towel unwrap itself and fall to the floor in a wet pile on the carpet. He was not a narcissist but he could not help but admire his form, the tightness of his arms and legs, the smooth almost silky appearance of his chest and abs. Flexing his muscular frame to its full potential, he was a vision of strength and power. Hardened muscles bulged as he flexed each arm. Satisfied, he made his way to his oversized walk in closet.
Austin was not obsessive compulsive, though you could certainly make a good argument that he was based on the almost military order in which his shirts and pants were sorted. First by colour and then by function. He had pants for all occasions ranging from formal to lounging around the house. His shirts were just as well organized.
Taking a quick stock of his attire, Austin chose a tan pair of chinos and a short-sleeve button down shirt in a soft almost pastel blue. He had work to do and it was imperative in his mind, that he dress for the occasion.
Walking out of the massive closet that housed his entire wardrobe, Austin made his way into the main part of his room and headed for the hallway. As he strode down the hall he paused only long enough to admire some of the prints that hung on his wall. A lover of nature and all it had to offer, Austin adorned his walls with prints from his two favourite nature artists, Carl Brenders and Robert Bateman. The prints he had chosen were focused on the pure and singular beauty of each subject. His most prized possession being a limited edition signed print by Brenders called, “Spellbound”. The print was a picture of a Lynx showing only its face. For Austin, it was the solemn and powerful imagery of its eyes that had attracted him. This hunting animal up close and personal with a clear and untainted view into the soul of this powerful creature. It was indeed love at first sight and it quicky became his favourite. Continuing down the hall, Austin reached his office.
His office was well appointed. A large mahogany desk sat central to the room well soft wall sconces provided an atmosphere of calm. The walls were painted mossy oak adding an element of earthiness to the room. Austin had selected a high quality Berber carpet for his floor. He liked the smooth and sensuous feel of it under his feet. Making his way to his desk, he tapped the light sensor for the interior lighting and took a seat in his black leather high back executive chair. The chair was custom made for his back and frame alone, and it hugged him perfectly. Reaching across the desk he turned on the computer and plasma monitor. As the system emitted the whirr and hum of life Austin turned on the radio and let the subtle sounds of Bach’s “Air” in C minor fill the room. Austin had taken the gentle sounds of the ocean tide breaking against the rocks and woven it into the musical genius of Bach creating a musical serenade that teased both the auditory and olfactory senses. At once, as if by magic, Austin could smell the briny scent of the ocean and the earthy smell of wet sand. It was sinfully delicious to indulge in such fantasies
“Identify Yourself” chimed the computer
Austin snapped out of his haze and looked at the computer. He had built in a voice recognition system to ward off would be hackers and computer thieves. So smart was the computer that anything other than the mellow tones of Austin’s voice would cause the system to immediately begin an irreversible process of burning the heads of the hard drive, rendering the entire contents useless.
“Austin McNichol” he said
“Standby” prompted the computer as it processed the voice against the pre-recorded version Austin had embedded
“Good Morning Mr. McNichol” said the computer as it completed its boot process
Tapping a button just under the desk, Austin launched the in house security system. A small screen rose slowly from the top of the desk well a small keypad unfolded from the screen. The keypad was of the touch screen variety and required validation before it could be used. Placing his thumb on the keypad reader, the screen blinked and the main menu appeared. From this little console, Austin could control almost every facet of the house, from security, to phones, to lights, to the intercom, anything he wanted. It was all at the press of a button.
As the computer finished booting, Austin accessed the perimeter cameras for the house and watched as he jumped from camera to camera. Each one was located in a strategically selected location to provide maximum security and viewing. No one could move in the house without being spotted and recorded.
All was well with the perimeter and Austin reclined into his chair. Looking up at the computer screen, he said “Computer, access email”
Without missing a beat, the computer accessed the required program and began the process of downloading whatever messages awaited his attention.
Austin preferred voice recognition over manual access because it allowed him to access whatever he needed from most places in the house, or at least wherever there was an access screen from which he could gain control of the computer.
It took only a matter of seconds for the email to arrive but the impact was far quicker, leaning forward in his chair, one piece of mail in particular had caught his attention. Yes, today was going to be unlike any other and the day had only begun.
Reaching across, he concluded Sintara's rendition of "My Way" prematurely. Silence filled the room as he stared at the ceiling imagining the expressions of various peoples faces in the Italian plaster. Smiling, laughing, crying, screaming. It was a game he would play, testing his own imaginative powers like a child laying down in an open field staring up at the passing clouds, imagining images in the white fluffy configurations.
With a slight grunt he rolled out of bed and got to his feet. Making his way to the bathroom, the velvety feel of the carpet soothed his weariness. The ultimate wake up call was only steps away.
Making his way into the bathroom, Austin switched on the light and took a quick glance in the mirror. He was in good shape, and worked very hard to keep himself looking as good as he did. Dark wavy brown hair, chiseled cheek bones, two days of growth stippled his face. His shoulders were powerful, broad, and seemed to be capable of carrying the worries of the world. His chest was defined and broad which made his abs look more imposing still. Indeed, Austin was a picture of good diet and exercise, a specimen worthy of an appearance in any men’s magazine.
Reaching into the shower, he turned on the cold tap and moderated it slightly with hot water. He was a firm believer in taking cool showers. It invigorated him, made him feel alive and ready to face the day. Stepping in, he closed the glass door and let the cool rush of water roll off his neck and down his powerful back.
The coolness of the shower had an almost aphrodisiac effect sending him plummeting into the deep crevices and corners of his innermost mind. Images rolled through his minds eye like a cracked and tattered old black and white film.
He quickly snapped out of it and reached for his favourite soap. The shower and bathroom were quickly filled with the warm and woody scent of musk and cedar. The aroma filled his nostrils sending him spiraling deeper still into memories that gripped him tight enough he swore they would leave marks on his skin. It was the smell of home, the feel of being in his fathers arms, the scent of his dads cologne, and the soft and subtle aroma of a good scotch. He longed to live these memories beyond the theatre of his mind.
Rinsing off, Austin quickly stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in a plump bath sheet and headed back to his room to prepare for his day.
Walking over to his full length mirror, he let the towel unwrap itself and fall to the floor in a wet pile on the carpet. He was not a narcissist but he could not help but admire his form, the tightness of his arms and legs, the smooth almost silky appearance of his chest and abs. Flexing his muscular frame to its full potential, he was a vision of strength and power. Hardened muscles bulged as he flexed each arm. Satisfied, he made his way to his oversized walk in closet.
Austin was not obsessive compulsive, though you could certainly make a good argument that he was based on the almost military order in which his shirts and pants were sorted. First by colour and then by function. He had pants for all occasions ranging from formal to lounging around the house. His shirts were just as well organized.
Taking a quick stock of his attire, Austin chose a tan pair of chinos and a short-sleeve button down shirt in a soft almost pastel blue. He had work to do and it was imperative in his mind, that he dress for the occasion.
Walking out of the massive closet that housed his entire wardrobe, Austin made his way into the main part of his room and headed for the hallway. As he strode down the hall he paused only long enough to admire some of the prints that hung on his wall. A lover of nature and all it had to offer, Austin adorned his walls with prints from his two favourite nature artists, Carl Brenders and Robert Bateman. The prints he had chosen were focused on the pure and singular beauty of each subject. His most prized possession being a limited edition signed print by Brenders called, “Spellbound”. The print was a picture of a Lynx showing only its face. For Austin, it was the solemn and powerful imagery of its eyes that had attracted him. This hunting animal up close and personal with a clear and untainted view into the soul of this powerful creature. It was indeed love at first sight and it quicky became his favourite. Continuing down the hall, Austin reached his office.
His office was well appointed. A large mahogany desk sat central to the room well soft wall sconces provided an atmosphere of calm. The walls were painted mossy oak adding an element of earthiness to the room. Austin had selected a high quality Berber carpet for his floor. He liked the smooth and sensuous feel of it under his feet. Making his way to his desk, he tapped the light sensor for the interior lighting and took a seat in his black leather high back executive chair. The chair was custom made for his back and frame alone, and it hugged him perfectly. Reaching across the desk he turned on the computer and plasma monitor. As the system emitted the whirr and hum of life Austin turned on the radio and let the subtle sounds of Bach’s “Air” in C minor fill the room. Austin had taken the gentle sounds of the ocean tide breaking against the rocks and woven it into the musical genius of Bach creating a musical serenade that teased both the auditory and olfactory senses. At once, as if by magic, Austin could smell the briny scent of the ocean and the earthy smell of wet sand. It was sinfully delicious to indulge in such fantasies
“Identify Yourself” chimed the computer
Austin snapped out of his haze and looked at the computer. He had built in a voice recognition system to ward off would be hackers and computer thieves. So smart was the computer that anything other than the mellow tones of Austin’s voice would cause the system to immediately begin an irreversible process of burning the heads of the hard drive, rendering the entire contents useless.
“Austin McNichol” he said
“Standby” prompted the computer as it processed the voice against the pre-recorded version Austin had embedded
“Good Morning Mr. McNichol” said the computer as it completed its boot process
Tapping a button just under the desk, Austin launched the in house security system. A small screen rose slowly from the top of the desk well a small keypad unfolded from the screen. The keypad was of the touch screen variety and required validation before it could be used. Placing his thumb on the keypad reader, the screen blinked and the main menu appeared. From this little console, Austin could control almost every facet of the house, from security, to phones, to lights, to the intercom, anything he wanted. It was all at the press of a button.
As the computer finished booting, Austin accessed the perimeter cameras for the house and watched as he jumped from camera to camera. Each one was located in a strategically selected location to provide maximum security and viewing. No one could move in the house without being spotted and recorded.
All was well with the perimeter and Austin reclined into his chair. Looking up at the computer screen, he said “Computer, access email”
Without missing a beat, the computer accessed the required program and began the process of downloading whatever messages awaited his attention.
Austin preferred voice recognition over manual access because it allowed him to access whatever he needed from most places in the house, or at least wherever there was an access screen from which he could gain control of the computer.
It took only a matter of seconds for the email to arrive but the impact was far quicker, leaning forward in his chair, one piece of mail in particular had caught his attention. Yes, today was going to be unlike any other and the day had only begun.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Where's Derry?
Okay so I have been REALLY REALLY bad lately. I have not been on here nearly enough to share with you the comings and goings of my day to day life. That is going to change...right now. I am going back to the daily entry format because this IS important to me and I want to keep this blog alive. Please dont give up on me!
So what has been new? Well, the nice thing is that not a lot has been new. Its actually nice to report that I am living the normal life...well, as normal as you can expect when your dating a guy and living the bi-life. I spend more and more of my weekends in Toronto doing the club scene with Caleb. I am actually becoming quite the club kid and its kind of funny, the transformation I seem to be going through. I feel like a caterpillar that has entered a cocoon and soon I will emerge some new and beautiful butterfly...hmmm, a butterfly, did you know they taste with their feet? Maybe I dont want to be a butterfly after all....let me think on that.
As for Caleb, he is doing well, he is still working, still giving money to my rents to have them hold on to it for him and I think he is honestly looking at maybe going to school and getting himself sorted out. Its funny, in the beginning everyone seemed to think that this guy was going to hurt me, break my heart or make me miserable and yet in him I have found who I really am. I am completely in touch with my inner self and feel more open and outgoing then I have at any other point in my life. I walk with him hand in hand, I kiss him in public and when we hit the gay community in Toronto I get to be more of who I am and I love it. Viva La Vida baby!!
So what else is new in Derry's life? Well, I have finally started to write a book and YES fellow readers, I will post each chapter on the blog for your reading pleasure/displeasure. I have always felt that I had a knack, a talent if you will with the written word and I have finally put finger to keyboard and have started to write my first novel. Chapter 1 is just being proofed and polished as we speak and should be up and online in a few days. What is the title of this page turner you ask? GREAT QUESTION, I have tentatively titled it, Dark Shadows Of The Heart
There is tons I am going to share over the next few entries including some of the more naughty posts I always thought I would avoid but frankly I just dont care anymore. I am who I am, I am what I am, and there is no reason for me not to be who I am and say it out loud. Does that mean I am no longer doing my charity/community work? Um, Hello? its me remember? I am still actively doing things in my community and there is so much to share about that too.
Sooooooo, I have been gone yes, but I am back now and better than ever. The best is yet to come so buckle up because this blog is about to get interesting!
LiveSTRONG!
So what has been new? Well, the nice thing is that not a lot has been new. Its actually nice to report that I am living the normal life...well, as normal as you can expect when your dating a guy and living the bi-life. I spend more and more of my weekends in Toronto doing the club scene with Caleb. I am actually becoming quite the club kid and its kind of funny, the transformation I seem to be going through. I feel like a caterpillar that has entered a cocoon and soon I will emerge some new and beautiful butterfly...hmmm, a butterfly, did you know they taste with their feet? Maybe I dont want to be a butterfly after all....let me think on that.
As for Caleb, he is doing well, he is still working, still giving money to my rents to have them hold on to it for him and I think he is honestly looking at maybe going to school and getting himself sorted out. Its funny, in the beginning everyone seemed to think that this guy was going to hurt me, break my heart or make me miserable and yet in him I have found who I really am. I am completely in touch with my inner self and feel more open and outgoing then I have at any other point in my life. I walk with him hand in hand, I kiss him in public and when we hit the gay community in Toronto I get to be more of who I am and I love it. Viva La Vida baby!!
So what else is new in Derry's life? Well, I have finally started to write a book and YES fellow readers, I will post each chapter on the blog for your reading pleasure/displeasure. I have always felt that I had a knack, a talent if you will with the written word and I have finally put finger to keyboard and have started to write my first novel. Chapter 1 is just being proofed and polished as we speak and should be up and online in a few days. What is the title of this page turner you ask? GREAT QUESTION, I have tentatively titled it, Dark Shadows Of The Heart
There is tons I am going to share over the next few entries including some of the more naughty posts I always thought I would avoid but frankly I just dont care anymore. I am who I am, I am what I am, and there is no reason for me not to be who I am and say it out loud. Does that mean I am no longer doing my charity/community work? Um, Hello? its me remember? I am still actively doing things in my community and there is so much to share about that too.
Sooooooo, I have been gone yes, but I am back now and better than ever. The best is yet to come so buckle up because this blog is about to get interesting!
LiveSTRONG!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
No Air...No Air!
To be so close to someone that you swear that they are the air you breathe is an experience I never thought I would truly come to know or understand and yet as my relationship with Caleb deepens and grows I have come to know that feeling.
Don't get me wrong, I do have a life outside of him and we have our own separate interests and things that we like to do but when I am with him I just feel as though something in me is completed. I have talked to him about how he makes me feel and he feels the exact same way. Its something that just cant be described and yet I continue to try and find words that put it all in perspective.
One of the things that Caleb has done for me is open my eyes to the whole other world that exists in the gay community. On any given weekend you will now find us in downtown Toronto, at one club or another dancing and partying the night away with perfect strangers who strangely dont feel like strangers at all. It takes adjusting for sure, especially when some guy you dont even know puts his arms around you and runs his hands up and down your chest and such but yet remains completely respectful. Its not all that uncommon for the club to get so hot that you end up taking off a shirt or something and that just adds to the whole environment. I guess you could argue that I have become intoxicated by the lifestyle but I dont care...I love it plain and simple and I love it even more when Caleb is right there with me, moving himself to the rhythm of the sounds coming from the dance floor, beads of sweat sliding down his chest as he puts his arms up to me and pulls me in a little closer well some of the other people on the floor watch us. Its like another world, as if time and space have divided to allow the few hours we spend in this state of total and complete release to occur. Its in these moments that I wonder how I ever lived without him. He has opened me up to all of these new and exciting things and I just cant get enough of it.
When the night ends we end up walking out into the night air and even though its hot outside it feels cool in comparison to the heat of the club. The cool air rushes over me and its like a euphoria. I feel as though I am a totally different person from the one who drive down just hours earlier. In some respects I think I like the person I am coming out of the club more than the one who sits at home during the week, making out with his boyfriend, having wicked sex, and living for the next weekend adventure.
Caleb is the air that I breathe and I dont know how I would breathe without him...I use to think this was a problem but he feels the same way and that just makes me feel so much better.
Amazing how the deaf cancer riddled kid goes to being the hearing abled cancer free party monster in Toronto. I think I am finally living!
I chose the song "No Air" by Jordin Sparks for this entry because it just fits...
LiveSTRONG
Don't get me wrong, I do have a life outside of him and we have our own separate interests and things that we like to do but when I am with him I just feel as though something in me is completed. I have talked to him about how he makes me feel and he feels the exact same way. Its something that just cant be described and yet I continue to try and find words that put it all in perspective.
One of the things that Caleb has done for me is open my eyes to the whole other world that exists in the gay community. On any given weekend you will now find us in downtown Toronto, at one club or another dancing and partying the night away with perfect strangers who strangely dont feel like strangers at all. It takes adjusting for sure, especially when some guy you dont even know puts his arms around you and runs his hands up and down your chest and such but yet remains completely respectful. Its not all that uncommon for the club to get so hot that you end up taking off a shirt or something and that just adds to the whole environment. I guess you could argue that I have become intoxicated by the lifestyle but I dont care...I love it plain and simple and I love it even more when Caleb is right there with me, moving himself to the rhythm of the sounds coming from the dance floor, beads of sweat sliding down his chest as he puts his arms up to me and pulls me in a little closer well some of the other people on the floor watch us. Its like another world, as if time and space have divided to allow the few hours we spend in this state of total and complete release to occur. Its in these moments that I wonder how I ever lived without him. He has opened me up to all of these new and exciting things and I just cant get enough of it.
When the night ends we end up walking out into the night air and even though its hot outside it feels cool in comparison to the heat of the club. The cool air rushes over me and its like a euphoria. I feel as though I am a totally different person from the one who drive down just hours earlier. In some respects I think I like the person I am coming out of the club more than the one who sits at home during the week, making out with his boyfriend, having wicked sex, and living for the next weekend adventure.
Caleb is the air that I breathe and I dont know how I would breathe without him...I use to think this was a problem but he feels the same way and that just makes me feel so much better.
Amazing how the deaf cancer riddled kid goes to being the hearing abled cancer free party monster in Toronto. I think I am finally living!
I chose the song "No Air" by Jordin Sparks for this entry because it just fits...
LiveSTRONG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
