Jake Borrett's Writing Blog: April 2014

News Post: Just A Thank You

Hey everyone! Jake here!

I would like to thank each and every one of you for exploring ‘Jake Borrett’s Writing Blog’. Every comment, share, ‘Like’, ‘Follow’ and visit means a great deal. It is my dream to share my writing with the world and to raise awareness for both Crohn’s disease and Dyspraxia. With your help it has begun. Let it continue.

To thank you I have created ‘Just A Thank You’ video. It may be slightly patchy in places and very embarrassing in others, but I hope it gets the message across. So do please share the page even if you just want to spread my humiliation across the web.

Do look out for so much more content in the near future. In the meantime have a great week.

Thanks everyone!

Stunning YouTube Videos (1): April Edition

Warning: May Contain Adult Content

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the YouTube videos embedded in this article. All rights are reserved to YouTube and the YouTube Artists mentioned on this page.

If I have breached any issues, copyright or otherwise, please do get in contact with me and I will be happy to remove them on your request. Thank you.

Hey everyone! Jake here!

After what seems like a rather scary introduction let us begin.

I thought it would be an interesting idea to try something different on the writing blog. So I have come up with a new feature named ‘Stunning YouTube Videos’. These sets of blog entries will look at videos across the web that have caught my attention over the last month.

So without further delay here is my selection for April.

Video 1: ‘The Public Rape Experiment’ by fouseyTube

Have you heard of the remarkable YouTube Artist called fouseyTube?

To be honest I only discovered his channel over the last few months, but since then I have been a regularly viewer. It is no wonder as he creates outstanding sketches, hilarious pranks and shocking experiments, all to challenge the way we perceive society and to strive for a real change for the benefit of others.

His latest video is all about the taboo subject of rape. It is so delicately created as it blends a powerfully emotive story from a victim with a scenario to see how members of the public would react if they believed someone was being assaulted in a public toilet. Whilst ‘The Public Rape Experiment’ may seem controversial I personally commend Yousef Erakat for having the courage to stand up for a change in our society.

Please do watch and share this video. It will certainly leave an impact on your day.

Video 2: ‘Facebook in Real Life’ by C4LV1N0

Most of you reading this would know what Facebook is. Yes that massive social networking site where you can send messages to people, like pages and literally explore a wilderness of information. Have you ever wondered what Facebook would be like in real life? Well now you can find out thanks to an excellent video by Calvin Sang on his account ‘C4LV1N0’.

I have certainly watched this video many times because it is entertaining, funny and surprisingly creepy in places. Yes those are all the ingredients which work well in a video like this. To be honest I am surprised that this video does not have that many views. So why not have a look?

Video 3: ‘“Choosing happiness” when suffering from depression’ by ThoughtLibrary

According to The World Health Organisation, it is estimated that about 121 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression. It is a mental health issue which is often overlooked but can have such a devastating impact on somebody’s wellbeing.

A new YouTube page called the ThoughtLibrary has been set up to discuss issues which have often been silenced or misunderstood. ‘“Choosing happiness” when suffering from depression’ is an insightful and motivating video that explores what it means to keep a positive outlook when suffering from depression. Please do have a look and see what you think.

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I have to say a massive thank you to all three YouTubers who have created such stunning videos. If you enjoyed them, why not subscribe to their pages?

So could your video be featured next time? Well you have to wait and see on the next edition in May.

Until then, thanks everyone!

What is Dyspraxia? (The Basics)

What is Dyspraxia? (The Basics)

Many of you are probably unaware that I suffer from another chronic and incurable condition called Dyspraxia. Throughout the writing blog I shall be posting many articles about my personal experiences living and coping with this condition.

This entry deals with the basics of the disability so will hopefully start to raise awareness. To help me do this I have drawn up a list of the some of the possible questions that people have asked in the past and may ask in the future, and my attempted responses to them.

Right, here they are.

Question 1: What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a form of Developmental Coordination Disorder which affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It can also have an impact on speech.

Question 2: What are the demographics of Dyspraxia?

This condition can be diagnosed at any stage from childhood to adulthood.

In recent reasons there has been a rise in number of children identified as having the condition. It is suspected that Dyspraxia can affect up to ten percent of the population in varying degrees. So there could be at least one Dyspraxic child in each classroom.

Question 3: What are the symptoms of Dyspraxia?

People suffering from Dyspraxia vary in how their difficulties present themselves. These may change over time depending on the environment and life experiences.

Although the symptoms have some differences in childhood and adulthood they are usually divided into a number of categories.

These include:

› Gross motor coordination skills ‘large movements’ including poor balance, poor hand-eye-coordination, tendency to fall/trip/bump into things and people

› Fine motor coordination skills ‘small movements’ like lack of manual dexterity and poor manipulative skills including using cutlery, handwriting, drawing and playing musical instruments

› Poorly established hand dominance so may use either hand for different tasks at different time

› Speech and language problems such as unable to pronounce certain words

› Eye movements including tracking and poor relocating

› Perception ‘Interpretation of the different senses’ such as lack of awareness of body position, direction, and time/speed/distance/weight

› Learning, thought and memory including poor short term memory and difficulty in planning, organisation and concentration

› Emotion and behaviour like difficulty in listening to people and picking up on non-verbal signals

› Emotions as a result of difficulties experiences for instance stress, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping and emotional outbursts

Please remember I have only listed some of the possible symptoms for each category.

Also, those with Dyspraxia will not necessary have all of them but will certainly have a number of coordination and perceptual difficulties.

Those with Dyspraxia may have problems associated with manual dexterity and manipulative skills such as pen grip, tying shoelaces and using cutlery.

Question 4: What is the cause of Dyspraxia?

There is no known cause for Dyspraxia. Research however shows that a disruption in the way messages are transmitted from the brain to the body may affect someone to perform movements in an orderly way.

Question 5: How can Dyspraxia be treated?

Dyspraxia is a chronic and incurable condition meaning it cannot be cured.

Nevertheless with the help of healthcare professions and schools coping mechanisms can be put into place. These can help identity the coordination and motor difficulties someone has and find ways to help deal with them. This helps improve self-esteem levels.

I shall be discussing this in greater detail from a personal perspective because the treatment someone gets varies from person to person.

Question 6: Do you have any last remarks?

While Dyspraxia is a long-term incurable condition, with the right support many will go onto confidence to live happy, fulfilling and successful lives.

Question 7: Where can I find more information?

Of course I have only listed the basics that surround Dyspraxia.

You can find more information on the internet and or by talking to specialists who will often provide you with accurate information.

I suggest the following sites:

› Dyspraxia Foundation: http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk which is an amazing charity which helps to support those with Dyspraxia. Please do donate generously.

› The National Health Service which will provide information about the condition.

› For Dyspraxia in Children: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyspraxia-(childhood)/pages/introduction.aspx

› For Dyspraxia in Adults: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyspraxia-in-adults/pages/introduction.aspx

› Life Style Coaching (Updated): http://www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk/articles/dyslexia-coaching.html Although dealing more with Dyslexia, Life Style Coaches provides support and guidance to help manage some of the concerns that Dyspraxia often presents.

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Thank you very much to everyone who has read this article concerning Dyspraxia.

I shall be sharing my personal experience living with this disability in the near future. The aspects which are not covered here will be found later on in the ‘My Life Collection’ section of the blog.

Please do share this entry so many more people are informed about this lifelong condition.

Thanks for the support.

The Voice from the Cornfield

The Voice from the Cornfield

The little boy sat upon the maroon duvet in his bedroom. Then it came. His name broke through the windows and landed upon his eardrum.

“Johnny,” the voice hissed. Each time it became more persuasive and increasingly terrifying.

The little boy, who was cloaked with fear, tried to block out the noise. No such luck.

“Johnny, come play with us,” it continued.

With these words flashing around the room, the little boy acted in the only way he could. He stood up. He walked downstairs. He put on his boots. He went out of the front door. He stopped. He was nervous. He was afraid. He did not want to go. Nevertheless he obeyed.

“Johnny, why won’t you play with us?” it asked.

The little boy responded using his feet. He paced over the path, away from his home, and into the unknown cornfield.

It was not long until the little boy’s shoes crushed the pasture below. With each tread, the more impatient it grew.

“Johnny, come closer, closer, closer,” it beckoned.

Then the howling stopped. So did the little boy. Standing in the centre of the meadow, he looked all around. No one was there.

This was the last time the little boy’s name was whispered. No one knows what happened next.

You Cannot Share Everything

You Cannot Share Everything

Script Key

Name: The character who is talking

[italics]: The stage directions

---: The interruptions in speech

Cast List

The following is the cast list of the speaking parts in my script:

Mr. Rushermore: Divorce Solicitor

Gabi Nylon: Female Party

Stephen Bashington: Male Party

The following depicts the theatre drama script:

Set one morning within an office block specialising in divorce procedures. The dark room is lit up with golden lamps. It is furnished with oak chairs and tables, a book-case, and a filing cabinet at the back. Two vases of flowers stand on a table on opposite sides. One is filled with blooming white lilies, while the other contains withered red roses.

Sitting at the head of the central table is the divorce lawyer, Mr. Rushermore. He is of middle-aged and is dressed formally. On his left is Stephen Bashington, a male in his early thirties, very young looking and wears a tracksuit outfit. On the right is the frustrated Gabi Nylon, in her late thirties and is wearing a smart dress.

Mr. Rushermore is the first to speak.

Mr. Rushermore: Today we move forward in discussing your asset arrangements. We will draw up a list focusing on what each party is entitled to. I ask you both to please act in a civilised manner---

Gabi [interrupts]: Civilised after what he has done to me?

Stephen: Come now, don’t start being angry babe.

Gabi: Babe? Stop calling me that. I’m not your babe.

Mr. Rushermore [tries to regain control]: Please calm yourself Mrs. Nylon and let’s get on with this. I don’t want to make this procedure any harder than it has to be.

Gabi [angrily to Mr. Rushermore]: Did you just call me ‘Mrs. Nylon?’ It’s Miss Nylon.

Mr. Rushermore: Until your assets are in order and the divorce papers are signed, Mrs. Nylon is your official title.

Gabi [raises her voice]: Let’s get on with it then.

Mr. Rushermore: Right, Miss Nylon, can you please tell me what you want from this session particularly focusing on what assets you desire from your marriage to Mr. Bashington.

Gabi: I want everything that’s due to me, the house, the car, the money---

Stephen [interrupts]: Hold on now babe. You can’t go around taking what isn’t yours. The last time I looked it was mine.

Gabi: Fat chance! For what you did to Rachel and me I demand all that you have.

Stephen [grins and winks at Gabi]: Oh babe, don’t make stuff up. [Points at Mr. Rushermore.] The solicitor here wants to hear the truth. Anyway, how is my fault the ladies can’t resist me? [Annoys Gabi by flexing his arm.] How is it my fault babe?

[At this point, Gabi attempts to hit Stephen, who is constantly winking at her, but Mr. Rushermore pulls her away.]

Mr. Rushermore: Miss Nylon, please---

Gabi: [interrupts and directly talking to Mr. Rushermore] Get off me! [Sits down again.] Can’t you see? Can’t you see what this shark is like? [Talking to Stephen.] What a vile creature you are Stephen.

Stephen: What are you saying babe? Do you want the fridge-freezer? If so you can have it. [Winks at Gabi.]

Gabi: Gosh that’s not what I’m saying. And another thing, stop calling me babe. [Begins mimicking Stephen’s voice.] Babe, babe, fucking babe. [Raises her voice.] I want a divorce and all you have so you can suffer like me.

Mr. Rushermore: What do you have to say Mr. Bashington?

[Stephen gets up from his seat and begins pacing around the room. He walks over to the two vases of flowers. He crushes what is left of the withered red roses, and then starts stroking the white lilies.]

Stephen: [To Mr. Rushermore] Thank you. I have to say firstly that she is a liar. [To Gabi.] Babe, how can you really say that I betrayed your trust? It’s not like you’re perfect or anything.

[Stephen moves away from the flowers and then begins to walk towards Gabi.]

Stephen: How can you say that babe, for all that I have done for you?

[Stephen reaches Gabi. He begins strokes her hair and continues talking whilst Mr. Rushermore and Gabi look on nervously wondering what Stephen will do next.]

Stephen: It’s clear that you’re unstable babe. The only thing that could possibly love you is your smooth hair.

[Stephen laughs whilst caressing her hair.]

Stephen: Just because you want the house, the car, and the dosh, doesn’t mean you are going to get it babe.

[Stephen stops stroking Gabi and sits back down on his chair.]

Mr. Rushermore [shocked]: Umm I will ask you again Mr. Bashington. What do you want?

Stephen: For her to feel pain. If that means not signing the divorce papers and carrying on sleeping with whomever I like, then that’s what I’ll do. [Laughs directly at Gabi.]

Gabi: See! See! See! He’s admitted it sir. Can’t you stop him?

Mr. Rushermore [hesitantly] Err Mr. Bashington can’t you see that Miss Nylon here is distraught? I am not on anyone’s side here but it’s quite clear you are only acting in this way and frankly not allowing me to draw up the divorce settlement just out of spite?

[Stephen gets up from his chair and starts walking towards the exit. He stops at the blooming white lilies, breaks off a petal, and puts it in his pocket.]

Stephen: [Points to Mr. Rushermore.] Even though sir we have only really just met, it seems like you have known me all my life. [Directly talking to Gabi.] Babe, how could you not see this coming? I know you still have feelings for me but I have none left for you. If you think I am going to allow you to touch any one my possessions, you are mistaken. Remember these words babe. My behaviour is all down to you. I hope you have fun dying alone.

[Stephen exists.]

[Mr. Rushermore and Gabi remain seated and look baffled. Mr. Rushermore seems to be more concerned about not being able to draw up the asset list than of Gabi’s feeling. He does not notice that she is crying.]

Mr. Rushermore: Don’t you worry Miss Nylon we will get this all sorted. One thing I know is that our solicitors do their job properly and you will get the assets you are entitled to.

Gabi [crying]: What’s the point? It’s pretty clear that pig won’t change his mind. Never mind the assets. I just hope one day a woman chokes him with their own hair.

Flying Solo

Flying Solo

I always wanted a kite. Not for its aesthetic beauty or its ability to fly. No, but for its freedom.

I would go to tranquil jade parks, by day and by night, in order to search for my bounty. At times when the pelting rain shrouded the darkening green no tender salvation was in sight. Without my companion I felt alone and worse of all trapped.

This altered on bright and windy days. Ruby and sapphire jewels would float majestically in the sky. Oh how lucky kites are. No malevolent burden is placed on their conscience, only the feathered touch of liberation. I deserved the same.

Children would play with them for hours in the glittering sun. Their smiles and laughter were poison to me. Each of the vindictive creatures disallowed me to join in their amusement. I would walk away. Whilst the wind scorched my face, I prayed that I would find a kite another day.

I always wanted a kite because it possessed freedom. Sadly, I never obtained either.