The last of us

 Sister Act 

I have moved on

Sisters of Evil

The wait is off

Last night, I severed ties with Pamela Olsted, and the person "claiming" to be her sister, after an accident caused by their demand for Apple gif cards, ended with me spending the night in Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

They claimed they would refund my loan, but for the first mention, i suspected it was another scam, until last night, I hoped I would get the money, now I don't care. I am putting this episode behind me, and moving on with my relationship with Svitlana, my friend in Didcot, Oxfordshire, who does care about me

Today is fry day

 My plan for next week

Personal Property

Latino Street Bites

This afternoon, I shall be having lunch at my friend's cafe in Redcliffe, Bristol.

This is something I used to do twice a week, now I do it once a week, usually. The other day out I take is to the Whitchurch Inn, Whitchurch. I have been to both places so regularly, I am considered a regular now.

Some men would consider being regarded by a lady as "her man," as a restriction on their freedom of choice of a lady to have as an intimate friend. I am not one of them, my friend, Svitlana, in Didcot, has made her choice. She considers me, the man she wishes to be with, that suits me as I am a one-lady man, not a player.

Stir Crazy

 TGIF

Chile

Latino Street Bites 

Stir crazy is a prison term for a long-term prisoner, who cannot live without the system. It is also the title of a 1970's Gene Wilder comedy featuring Richard Pryor.

I should stay off my feet for a few days more, to ease the pain in my damaged right ankle, but after three days housebound, I feel like I am going stir crazy, after months of choosing when I wish to go for a walk.

Besides this, I have shopping to do, which cannot be put off more.

The girl from Mexico

Hell Harbour

Lupe Velez

I was a Palooka

I got the Lupe Velez dvd boxset, originally for my late wife, but she passed away before they arrived.

If this is the style of comedy in alll the films, I am going to enjoy the Mexican Spitfire series.

If you enjoy Carole Lombard's slapstick, you shall enjoy these films. They films are filled with the fun of misunderstood meaning from a foreign language, and innuendo. Her arguments, and comments in Spanish are a treat

No Idle boast

 Alan Place - Award Winning

Madeline Milburn Agency

Amazon Prime

Having watched some Harlan Coben, stories and Deadwater Fell on Netflix, I said I can write better stories. That was no idle boast, even though Harlan is a bestseller, I found his stories lacked drama.

Deadwater could have made an intersting film, but a FOUR-HOUR series, no!

David Tennant's acting was abyssmal, the plot could be told in 1 1/2 hours, the best actor was the man playing the police officer.

David was no better in Criminal UK.

It would be ironic, if I did get the opportunity to get a series on TV, for many years, one writer I used to know said she was better than me, and trached Chronicles of Mark Johnson for months online, after it earned an award. The irony is that is the book which may be the basis for the series.

For a while, I toyed with who I would wish to play the characters, at least one of the actors I considered has died in the last 15 years.

How is this for an insult

 Issues of Trust

Sister Act

The Ongoing Scam

The sister of Pamela Olsted, the lady who scammed me, has just insulted me by saying she "trusts me," she TRUSTS me?

I put her in her place, I replied, "I should be the one with trust issues."

I have been honest from the start, which is more than I can say for her. Her comment came after I said "I can't guarantee I can get out tomorrow, it depends on my bad ankle," the sore ankle is the result of going out to buy her Apple gift cards, so she can send me my loan refund, something I doubt will happen

What are my goals?

 A fresh start

Glad all over

The True Path of Romance

My immediate concern is to rid myself of the limpoma on my neck, this is causing me constant pain.

The next step, literally, is to get my right ankle fit to carry some weight so I can walk with less pain that I did this month.

After this, I can concentrate on clearing my overdraft, the cause of which is a scam I was involved in with Pamela Olsted, and a lady "claiming" to be her sister. This will take several months, I was promised a loan refund, but I think that is part of the plot to keep me paying them, that comes to an end this week.

Once the operation on my neck is over, and I can walk easier, I shall arrange a meeting with my friend, Svitlana, in Didcot, hopefully in time for my birthday next month.

My aim for the blog

 Sisters of Evil 

I have moved on

Getting a refund

My aim is to rid the blog statistics of any mention to Pamela Olsted, and the lady "claiming" to be her sister. Will I be able to do it? I doubt it very much, at the moment, the target is a quarterly deduction, which is plausable.

The best way forward is for me not to put any more links on here to relevant posts after next month

Merhaba Türkiye

 Readers in Turkey

A Thriving Blog

A Thriving Blog

This month, the blog has as many readers in Türkiye as in the UK. Showing the diversity of my posts, and their neutral stance on race, religion, and politics.

The secret to drawing readers is not to preach, once you start to push your beliefs, you drive most people away. This is something Sara Paretsky found, she is a good crime writer, but her characters expound her views constantly. I can vouch for this, I have read some of her work

Will my day come?

 The New Chronicles of Mark Johnson

Madleine Milburn Agency

Alan Place - Editor

You may wonder, what do I mean by the newChronicles of Mark Johnson?

Two years ago, I revisted the story, to see if it needed upgrading, it is 15 years old, even if it never sold. As I have improved my ability as an editor in the years since I wrote the book,  I passed an online editorial course,I saw some inconsitencies which needed correcting, also, I may change the cover.

When I began writing, I was told it would take 10 years to get recognition as a writer. Though I earned several awards, in my early years, I never gained recognition. In the last year, my works have come to the attention of several publishers, who have approacehed me, but the minimum publicity costs are out on my pocket.

In discussion with the Madeleine Milburn Agency

 Why I chose self-publishing

Indie - writer

The Chronicles of Mark Johnson Review

 This week, I have been in discussion with the Madeleine Milburn Agency about the possibility of publishing my award-winning book - The Chronicles of Mark Johnson - certain aspects of my style of writing appeal to the firm, notably I did not write to fill a trend.

They also find the mix of mystery, intrigue, and horror enticing.

I have pointed out, I intended to update the ms as I am a better editor now, than I was 15 years ago, this also appeale to the ladies at the company.

Another appealing aspect is I pointed out, I was planning a series of stories on the theme.

I am expecting my hopes to falter on one point, publication costs

SUNK!!!!!!!!

 Sisters of Evil

The wait is off

Have I missed chatting to Pamela aka Clara?

Yesterday, the lady "claiming" to be the sister of Pamela Olsted who got me involved in her scam last year, sunk herself, with no possibility of regaining creditability in my eyes.

                                                        What happened?

I will take you back a month, then run the sequence of events.

A month ago, she approached me, saying she would pay me £15,000 to cover what I was owed. I pointed out I was only owed £3,000, she said she was happy to pay me in multiples of the sum owed, that seemed hinky to me.

After dropping to my total, via a suggestion of £10,000, she then asked for £20 to complete the bank order, as the order was 90% sent, after I sent the money, she asked for another £20, as the percentage dropped to 65%, this prcocess went on for weeks.

Yesterday, her cover was blown apart, during a chat, I said Pamela had asked me to get her Apple cards in all weathers, that is why my right ankle has swollen so badly, her reply was, who is Pamela?

If I wasn't certain it is a SCAM, after yesterday I am now, there again, from the start I knew it was a scam.

Do I believe I should have had the opportunity to be offered a contract to write?

 Alan Place - Award Winning Author

Being an Award Winner

The year of the Awards

In 2012, I was in contact with several authors across the world, like me, they had earned an award, and we agreed earning an Award, means nothing, unless it is a major award such as the Booker Prize,the Pulitzer Prize, or the Orange Prize.

I think I should have been given my opportunity to shine, but living in the UK was a drawback, I couldn't travel to conventions in the USA. Another drawback is I can't afford publication costs, my writing has shown it gets noticed as I earned two awards in 2011.

The KFC Incident

 A Fast Food Franchise on Tropico

Asda

Eat or heat

An amusing thing happened at our local Asda last week. They sold Walker's KFC crisps. In itself, that is not unusal, what followed was, in my opinion.

They had two boxes of Walker's original chicken flavour, and two of the Zinger flavour. When I reurned on the Friday, the original flavour boxes were empty, while the Zinger boxes were half-full. I can understand why, while the original is delicious, the Zinger tastes as if it could take the enamel off your teeth

Objective 2

 My next objective

Meeting Svitlana

Svitlana's wish

My first objective was to get so many blog posts ahead of the ones about Pamela Olsted, and her sister, that they are not seen on the immediate opening of the weekly statitics. This has been achieved. The second objective will be much harder, I wish to eliminate them from the immediate monthly views.

My main objective is to be free of the financial stress they caused, so I can visit my friend, Svitlana, in Didcot.

Another goal is to be free of the stress, so i can order some shirts from Hollywood Mysteries for my birthday next month.

A Senior Citizen's day out

 Latino Street Bites

Alan Place - Senior Citizen

Whitchurch Inn

In a few minutes, I shall be heading out to Asda, Whitchurch in Bristol, to do my shopping. Before I get back, I will have a pub lunch at the Whitchurch Inn, I am considered a regular there now. The Whitchurch Inn is one of the two treats I have in the week, the other is on a Friday, I visit my friend's cafe, Latino Street Bites, in Redcliffe, for lunch, again while doing my shopping, this time in Bedminster.

Once my finances are settled, I hope to get a railcard, so I can visit my friend in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Bovril or Marmite?

 Coffee

I am teetotal

Energy Drink

My usual hot drink on a cold morning is Coffee, today I am having a cup of Bovril as I am out of milk, and have no money until tonight, owing to a cash shortage caused by recovering from a scam.

This brings me to the old question, which do you prefer Bovril or Marmite?

I can drinkMarmite, butI find it too salty for my taste, I prefer Bovril

Destry rides again

 Marlene Dietrich Selection

Movie Nights

                                              James Stewart

One of my tasks today is locating the box containing the Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart film, Destry rides again. I know it is in the room with me, I had it not long ago

The Thin Man goes home

 About Me

Alan Place

                                                 Yorkshire 

The title of this Thin Man movie, reminds me of the time I returned to Yorkshire, in 1974, the year after my grandfather died.

There is a big difference in our reception though, Nick was able to please his father. The only thing I got praise for was joining the Royal Air Force, the following year. That I think was more so my parents could have their lives back for six years, as I learned later, I wasn't wanted

The Myrna Loy Phallacy

 John Dillinger

The Thin Man 

For decades, there has been a story spread by Hollywood, that John Dillinger was lured to his death, by a lady in a red dress as he entered the Biograph Cinema to see a Myrna Loy film.

It is part fact, but a lot of Hollywood hype.

Facts

He was lured to the cinema to see a film.

The lady was wearing a red dress.

Fiction

The film did NOT feature Myrna Loy, at the time of the shooting she was appearing in The Thin Man series with William Powell

The Desperation of the Labour Party

 Labour brings the UK to its knees

The Labour Party

Christmas under Labour

As a person with a pension, I can't help thinking will Labour repeat what Starmer did, and cut the Winter Heating Payment again?

The term "party" is now a misnomer when you talk about Labour. They are not a group with a similiar opinion, their leader, Andy Burnham, is un-elected, he got his position by the party forcing the sitting MP to stand down, so they could appoint a leader.

In this case, it definitely "The blind leading the blind," I wouldn't be in his place for all the gold in the world. Angela Rayner, the person who lead the revolt against Starmer, thought she'd step in, so she's not happy, and with so many members crossing to Reform UK, they could drop to the third party, not the opposition.

Lost in Translation

 Meeting Svitlana

Family Assistance

A decade of love

Occasionally Svitlana slips into her native Ukrainian, and I have to ask for a translation.

I think our relationship is going to be romantic, with plenty of fun to recall.

If I had doubts, over her love, this weekend has cleared them. Svitlana has been most upset to have missed our daily chat, so am I. Our chats keep me going through the hard times I am having.

My children would be happy if I had another lady in my life, they know no lady can replace their mother, but they know she would wish me to be happy,

A German Autumn

 No Royal Air Force bases in Europe

N.A.T.O.

Royal Air Force

The dark afternoon reminds me of my time serving in Germany, during the late 1970's, when N.A.T.O. was on alert after the arrest of the Red Army Faction.

Being in the photographic trade, I went to work in the dark, I worked in a dark room, and went back to the block in the dark, if I was fortunate I saw daylight when I had my dinner. On the weekends, it was so cold and dark, we did nothing.

I can understand why Scandanavia has such a high suicide rate, it was bad enough for a few months, but to live all year in the dark.

The concept of N.A.T.O. was to protect Europe from an attack from Russia, back in the 1960's that was a threat, it hasn't been since the late 80's.

The threat these days is from the Middle East.

The closest base to Europe is in Cyprus. 

N.A,T,O. has always been only the UK and the USA.

Am I your favourite?

 I am popular with Ladies of Charming Talks

I only have eyes for you

You're the one I want

Though my popularity on the Dating App Svitlana and I share is growing, she knows I have no other lady to chat to. From the first online chat we had, we hit it off well. I admit her being in the UK is a big plus, most of the other ladies are either in the USA, or Asia. What drew me to her, is her smile, once we got chatting it was easy to form a relaxing atmosphere, unlike one lady in France, Svitlana is not pushy, or assertive.

I won't deny, there are other ladies in the UK on Charming Talks I find attractive, but Svitlana is the lady I wish to be with

A decade of love

 Granny Sex

Svitlana's wish

Romance in Didcot

As Svitlana and I are in our 70s, it would be expecting too much to envisage our relationship lasting over a decade. That does give us plenty of time to for a strong bond of love. We already have a good beginning, as our online chats are extremely pleasant, and relaxed, if only brief.

We have made a few early plans for how we see our friendship   developing, Svitlana did suggest a sleepover, I would not have made the suggestion, even if I wished to spend the night with her.

The area around Didcot, where she lives, is full of interesting things, not least Wallinford Castle, where Queen Matilda stayed during her fight with King Stephen.

There are several parks, and areas of wildlife, which are nice for a romantic afternoon walk.

A fresh start

 Svitlana's dedication

Romance in Didcot

Glad all over

I am planning to be clear of my overdraft ASAP, I have given up hope that the sister of Pamela Olsted who involved me in one of her scams will refund my loan.

I am forced to make further cutbacks in my household spending, I have few personal needs, other than going to lunch at a friend's cafe in Redcliffe, Bristol.

One week she says she needs £20 to pay bank fees, as the loan is 90% clear, the next week it has dropped to 65%, this has been going on for over a month, and I have ended the payments.

I am hoping to be clear of my overdraft by January. If I can be in the clear, it will make life easier for Svitlana and I.

One of the things I wish to do first is to visit Svitlana in Didcot, we can't plan that until she returns from her trip to see her family in Ukraine. After a couple of day trips, I will consider buying a Senior Railcard, if we get on well in person, I have no doubt we will.

Svitlana did suggest a sleepover at some time, this would make it more pleasant for us, as I won't have to worry about the retrurn trip to Bristol

Suzy

 Cary Grant

Franchot Tone

Franchot Tone Love Triangles

Franchot Tone was involved in two love triangles in real life, this triangle is a Jean Harlow movie featuring Cary Grant. In this film she falls who falls for Franchot, believing he is a Lord, as he's driving a borrowed Rolls Royce, when she finds out he is not a Lord, she decided to stay with him. 

After he is shot, and she goes to jail, she decides to go to France to find the killer, while there she falls for an airman played by Cary Grant

The art of promotion

 A Video Editor

Mature Ladies

An old trick

I have started to add links to images on Twitter, relevant to the threads, to promote my blog. I noticed, other users do this to my blog, so I am doing the same. The practise is working, slowly.

I am also adding relevant links to YouTube videos I watch.

My plan for next week

 Asda

Latino Street Bites

Flavours of Chile

After, hopefully getting a loan refund on Tuesday, which will be the end of a scam I felll for, last November. I can rebuild my life with less stress, however the physical toll of walking to Whitchurch, rather than getting a bus to Bedminster will linger. I had to walk to Whitchurch as the Asda in Bedminster doesn't always have the Apple gift cards.

One thing I am looking forward to is having lunch twice a week in my friend's cafe, in the undercroft of St. Mary's Church in Redcliffe. I was such a regular, when I didn't turn up for weeks, I was missed.

The great relief, other than not having to keep walking to Whitchurch for an Apple card, is if I get the money back, I can chat to my friend, Svitlana for longer periods

TGIF

 Svitlana's wish

Depression

Svitlana's dedication

As the weekend nears, and I will be out of touch with my friend Svitlana, until Monday evening. The reason for this is a result of a scam i got trapped into by a lady known as Pamela Olsted who lives in Pennsylvania, USA.

Without Svitlana's dedication to our friendship online turning into a relationship, I don't think I could have stood the stress. It will be months, before I consider myself less of a poor relative in our friendship, Svitlana doesn't view me this way

After October I may leave the Dating App

 Meeting Svitlana

Charming Talks

Meeting in Didcot

As I hope to meet my friend,Svitlana, hopefully by my birthday in October. If I can get her to add WhatsApp to her phone, I would leave the app we are using now, Charming Talks. 

My departure will upset some of the ladies as they see me as attractive, and try to tempt me for a chat, but I only stay on the site because Svitlana is there.

We had a laugh last night, I told Svitlana "some of the ladies call me a heartbreaker for not replying," her reply was they must think you have a girlfriend by now."

The Joker

 The Fool

I was one of the best writers

Alan Place - Award Winning Author

Years ago, when I was an award- winning writer, I was told by many people, I was one of the best writers on a site based in Germany, and my opinions were valued.

The "elite" considered my a fool, and often poked fun, and tried to ridicule my writing, I played the part for several months, then I dropped the mask. I reminded them that in Shakespeare, the fool is the person telling the truth, as few people believe him.

That year, 2011, I went on to prove my value as a writer, I beat the leader of the pack in three writing contests, including one which a friend of hers hacked into for her.

I did think of going to the site, and gloating, but changed my mind, that isn't my way, besides she'd done the job for me, she invited her friends to see her beat me in public, only to lose the respect of her friends

The Way Ahead

 Would I re-marry?

Moving on

Family Assistance

Months before Pamela Olsted contacted me, and drove me into debt. I had a family discussion over how they thought of me having a new lady in my life. If they had been against the idea, that would have been the final decision, however, the children are in favour of me having another lady in my life. They said "mam would wish you to be happy, so do we."

At the time, I had no plan to meet another lady, it was a question of "if," not "I will." I made it clear, nobody could replace thier mother, my new lady, Svitlana, is her own person, we are forming our relationship based on how we fell about each other. I had no plan to re-marry, but Svitlana did mention the idea

Lost in Space

 Sex with a Granny

Alan Place - Lover

Grandfather I'd like to F##K

Over the last two months, since I added my profile to two mature dating apps, I have had many ladies, both young, and mature, asking to meet me. Some ladies have offered to have sex with me.

I have formed a relationship with a lady who lives in Didcot, Oxfordshire, and though I will be out of touch over the weekend, she knows I am not ignoring her, other ladies.

I am a one-lady man, and Svitlana is that lady to me.

The Night of the Hunter

 Why do I enjoy Film Noir?

Robert Mitchum

The Docklands Murders

The eBook above is available from my Amazon Author  page.

Usually, I avoid films with Shelley Winters in, but The Night of the Hunter also has Robert Mitchum, one of my favourite actors in, so I shall see what it is like. I am pleased it is on Amazon Prime, the dvd I bought from eBay didn't load.

I was asked, who would I choose to play me in a movie, without thinking I said, Robert Mitchum, and the person who asked agreed with me

The Mystery of Marlene Dietrich

 The Marlene Dietrich Selection 

Was she bi-sexual?

Is there an age for beauty?

 The myster I have with Marlene Dietrich this time is what did I do with a film from a 6-dvd collection featuring her?

The movie is Destry Rides Again, with James Stewart.

I haven't thrown it out, it is misplaced by a mixed-up pensioner, I kow it will turn up soon. I had the film in my hand last week, so I know it is in the house

Katie Price

 Lee Andrews

The New Age of Alan

The Overdraft Trap

I am in the same situation almost as Katie Price, we are both victims of a scam. Ironically, the began around the same time, nine months ago. I was approached by a lady "claiming" to live in Bristol, UK, who said she wished to have a relationship with me. She only wanted a relationship with my acount, I ended the friendship, if it was one, in June, 2026. Since then, a lady "claiming to be her sisiter, said she would pay the debt. I was wary of the second lady from the off, while it would have been fine to pay the £3,000 I am owed, she offered to pay £15,000 for my kindness, this is why I think it is a scam, as well as the fact, she keeps asking for £20 to pay bank charges, one week the debt is 90% paid, a few days later it drops to 65%, then goes back, only to repeat the run.

Unlike Lee Andrews, these ladies didn't lure me in with the promise of a false crypto account worth millions of pounds, neither did they offer marriage.

My new age will begin once I can clear my overdraft, then I can begin a true relationship, with my friend, Svitlana, who lives in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Svitlana did ask, genuiely, if I was interestd in a second marriage? A situation for me, which is awkward due to family issues. If it wasn't for family matters, I would consider the matter

Sisters of Evil

A lot of Claims

The difference 

Pamela Olsted

The Ongoing Scam 

If you get approached by either of these, do NOT engage them in a chat, report them, and block them, they are SCAMMERS.

Pamela "claimed" to live in Bristol, she claimed to want to meet me, and form a lasting relationship. She claimed her other sister had died from Covid, knowing my wife had. She kept saying she was going to pay me back, all those are lies.

The young "lady" claims to be her sister, and was willing to repay Pamela's debt to me. She said she only needed £20 to send the money, as the guide showed 90% complete, a few days later, it said 65%, and she asked for another £20, the reason I sent the money is I can't afford to let £3,000 slide, but the time has come for me to accept what I had thought this month, it is no moe than another scam

Just my luck

 Meeting in Didcot

My lady friend in Oxfordshire

Svitlana

It wouldn't suprise me if the release of the stress I have been under for the most of the last year causes a mental breakdown. The only good thing about the last 10 months, is being able to chat online with my friend, Svitlana, in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Without the help of Svitlana, I am certain, I would have hit a deep depression, so deep I doubt I would have recovered.

Now things are beginning to look a little brighter 🤞. I am hoping our chats can become more than only a quick hello

All in the Family

 I have moved on

My lady friend in Oxfordshire

Svitlana

To show how evil Pamela Olsted is, she "claimed" her sister died of Covid, knowing my wife died from the illness only a year before. She could be telling the truth, but as she had been telling me lies for months, I take it with a large dose of salt, in hindsight. She also "claimed" her daughter Ellah was ill, to gain sympathy. At the time, I had serious doubts about that, she said Ellah was 8, while it is not impossible for a lady in her late 40's to have a child, it is highly unlikely, as there are a lot of medical risks involved. The latest development is a lady "claiming" to be Pamela's younger sister told me she is in hospital in Bristol, again, I take that with a dose of salt. Knowing I live in Bristol, it is easy to find a hospital here.

I am very pleased I met Svitlana (above), on the site SoulmateMeets, we have moved to Charming Talks for our online chat now. Our chats are very different to those I thought I had with Pamela.

Southern Comfort

 Deliverance

White Line Fever

Louisiana

 Shortly after Deliverance with Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight came out, noticing the sales potential, diector Walter Hill made the film Southern Comfort, the film is about a group of Louisiana state troopers on an exercise in the swamp lands, who get hunted by the locals.

The film fetured Powers Boothe, Fred Ward, and Keith Carradine, but despite its premise, like White Line Fever, it sank into the area where only film buffs know about it. Keith Carradine, later appeared in the film The Long Riders, almong with his brothers Robert, and David, the Keach brothers, and two other sets of btothers, all playing real-life brothers from Mid-west USA. That film was about the James - Younger gang, and the killing of Jesse James, talk about All in the family, you had three sets of brothers playing three sets of brothers. Of the brothers, only David Carradine ( Cole Younger), and Stacy Keach (Frank James) made a name for themselves. I enjoyed Stacy Keach in the the series The new Mike Hammer, years before he notorious for his drug bust