Topher Lydon

Baltimore – 1993 - December 15th The cab of the Chevy S-10 was a symphony of automotive neglect. The truck, a two-toned rust bucket that had seen better decades, rattled and groaned over every imperfection in the asphalt. The steering wheel, wrapped in a cracked leather cover, trembled in Henry’s hands like a nervous animal. The air, thick with the scent of rust, stale coffee, and something that vaguely resembled old cigars, was a stark contrast to the clean,

I've lectured internationally and some of my lectures are still available in video format. One where I am teaching future teachers an important lesson on learning techniques in unlikely places. How a Cambodian grandpa taught me the most important lesson I have ever learned on how to control large groups of children. I will get into that in Cambodian Tales. I will start that after the Summer of Andrews arc. My friend Ryan and I were discussing this project this morning, he has read the next chapter, and is highly amused. He remembers every twist and turn of this hell of a mess to come And it is totally NOT MY FAULT this time.

I think the lead time was more to gauge mental health. Senior was... pragmatic. He's gone now but that man was always about manipulation. I think they also wanted to see how I developed within Human Resources and Recruitment. I mean I did go on to work for the Department of Social Development for Canada just after this, and given what I was doing for the National Arts Center, my second run in Ottawa, career wise was far more successful, and it followed what they were looking for. It was my choice to go into teaching, and I was also a University Recruiter for a very very long time. In a way, I did become the man they wanted, but I ended up with a choice: switch from Academics over the high end recruitment, or accept a promotion to Dean, I went with the one that let me teach. Funny it all started out so simply, and after the end of Ottawa Tales, I will get into the wonderful world of my teaching, but this, this was the point where I started to become the professional me.

This was really the turning point in my career. It was the start of me finding my feet and turning from being a passive passenger to starting to take agency and moving upwards. And I've been on the other side of this over the years. I would have businesses reaching out to me while working for schools, asking me for my best students, looking for their prospects even as early as the first week of university intakes. They are keenly interested in those students, Volkswagen for example, employed directly and almost exclusively from one of the Universities I worked for, and cherry picked the people they wanted for fast tracks. They even went as far as specifically requesting lesson plans be taught for certain students, paying good money for it. Now that was fifteen years ago, now imagine what they can find out. Upper tier recruitment agencies are fascinating, powerful, and are long term players of the game.

Twenty Wil looked handsome in the morning; he always did. Laying there, curled up and watching me under blankets with a grin on his face. Wil had that smirk of his on his face as poor Jimmy had woken up from his light nap. “No…” Jimmy groaned. “Yes!” Wil was like a dog with a bone, and Jimmy knew he was out of excuses. Except, maybe one… He reached out and lightly touched Wil’s bare arm. He earned a smack for his effort; so much for the distraction working twice. He

I'd like to think we're all a bit like Hugo, we won't turn our backs on a crying child. Thomas was 100% right, Hugo knew exactly what he needed to do... AND bonus for Thomas, more Hugo reading to him.

I grew up with an imaginary friend, in many ways he was the constant guide I never had anywhere else. Still occasionally have a chat with him when I am feeling a particular need. You are absolutely right on how it helps with survival in a crisis.

Weaponized Imaginary Friends... random, half-baked idea I woke up with in the middle of the night and had to write. Too good not to.

District of Columbia – 1942 - 8 years old Billy looked at the man in the mirror, his tears slowing to a quiet sniffle. He was a boy who had been told countless times not to talk to strangers, but this man wasn't a stranger. He was a face in the glass, a kindly presence in a world that had suddenly become harsh and unyielding. Billy looked around the room again, at the polished wood floor, the small rug, the

But I don't wannna No, seriously, I wrote the chapter today, it goes live tomorrow. And I get the job done. Also wanted a light hearted chapter after all the doom and gloom

:: sings :: We are the famous five... Julian Anne and Dick, whatzit and Timmy the dog.... LOL Earl Grey... but mainly Yorkshire gold teapot or mug?

Paddington Stare You. Know. The. Answer. speaking of which, What's your all time favourite childhood book?

Depends on the sandwich... I like both. I tend to prefer a baguette with butter over all though. Bestfriend to partner OR lover to partner?

Sweet potatoes are gross. Normal Mash all the way. Gravy or whatever that American stuff is that goes on biscuits? (Has no idea and looks horrified at it)

Wil's latest music project, Wil on the left

she said there is five components to a great outline. 1. character moment - get a good scene at least one, with the characters shining. Being natural, normal, themselves. 2. Challenge them - give them a puzzle to solve, something that shakes them up and gets them to knock their comfortable dust off. 3. Chase - chase them, or have them chase something. Build excitement. 4. Climax - there needs to be passion, a fight, an argument, gun play... storm... some kind of big bang moment. 5. Solve it - have them come to a natural conclusion, solve their problems, resolve their issues, satisfy the audience's investment. Mix them up a bit, shuffle them around, and you have your story. Keep It Simple, and you will get there. Oh and ask the most important three questions: What's the main idea, why is it important, and why should we (the reader) care?

See, Jimmy got his Wil in the end... or always kinda had his Wil all along... or... well you know... That guy still drives me nuts. We may never have been able to make it work in the same place at the same time for long, as i said we drift on the tide. But Wil knows, and I know... Love's more than just what's expected.

Nineteen So, Vampires. What, you don’t think everything was darkness, right? Adjusts his tie, Ryan, Marty, and Jimmy’s long-standing friends would never allow that. Come on, give those wonderful people some credit. We’re approaching the Summer of Andrews… and that… that was a chaotic mess of four very different personalities that shared a name. I am banned from dating Andrews after that summer. If I open my mouth and say that name, I am fairly sure that either Ryan, Ben,

It might be a test for Kate as well as Hugo. Hugo resisted the temptation, and even Thomas our resident Devil incarnate, worries about Hugo's soul. Kate has no such guardian... devil... oh my...

It's a very Tao-ist thing to do.

vs paper cup wins

Yeah but... in this world there's one, it's short, a whole two meters... tucked in back behind the depanneur... you know... it's Hull, there *could* be an emankment in the middle of the city for all the lovely, weird and eccentric Frenchmen there... they put it there just to mess with you Anglais

Hugo doing what Hugo does best, just loving people

"Hello Billy." I never expected two random words at the end of a chapter to... well, you will see