SHELL SHOCK: the diary of Tommy Atkins by Neil Blower

Author:Neil Blower
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military, fiction, shell shock, PTSD, Iraq, Combat Stress, FireStep, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Army, Life, Discharge, Mental Health, Mental Welfare, Mental Illness, soldier, war
ISBN: 9781908487155
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2011
Published: 2011-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

June

Dear Diary,

Just got back in from training. God, I’m out of shape. Getting better every day, though. The run’s in a couple of weeks and I’ve nearly got the money. I’ve been going for runs round the wood near us. It’s good. I’ve been enjoying it, but what is it with these people who think their professional athletes, with all the gear and stuff. Why do they feel the need to run around in tight vests and lycra leggings? What’s wrong with a normal t-shirt and shorts? Who do they think they are? Linford-bloody-Christie? No. With an iPod strapped to their arm and a Hi Vis vest and the cool trainers that some men’s magazine told them to buy? No mate, it’s not a fashion show - no amount of cool stuff will stop you breathing out of your arse and sweating your knackers off. ‘Cos that’s what training is. It’s there to get you fit. Not get you a shag.

The gym is worse though. My God, I got a month’s membership; what a bunch of tossers.

I was doing some weights and there was this guy, a big fucker, stood in front of the mirror lifting weights and checking out his muscles.

Oh yeah, I’m a real man, check me out, I look like a lobster, but hey the ladies dig it.

No mate, no. Go have a protein shake and some more steroids. Wanker.

And why is it when you go to the gym it’s like some bloody competition? I warmed up on the running machine and this fool came on the machine next to me and straight away went for a sprint. I clocked him checking out what level I was on, so I just stayed doing my own thing, nice and gentle, with the flash next to me. He lasted about five minutes.

The changing room is the worst bit. I know we are all blokes and it’s nothing none us have never seen before but Jesus, put it away mate, stop leaning over the bench, I do not want to know what you had for breakfast, thanks.

The pensioners are the worst, they do not give a fuck, one of them stood there, one leg on the bench, letting his dongle flap about like a rusty turd, just talking to his mate cool as you like.

So anyway, that’s what I’ve been up to. Me and Shell haven’t been getting on at all, she’s turned into a right moody cow. Always nagging me about the housework and shit. Er, priorities, darling. But no.

Dear Diary,

Been on days today, got some of the people in the office to sponsor me. They’ve been really generous: Graham gave me fifty quid, which set the standard and I’m almost there.

I went out for a fag and got a load of money. Wankers. There were a bunch of them chatting shit about something and then one of the girls came out as well, have they never seen a girl before, ogling her and checking her out, I bet she felt really uncomfortable.

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