The talented Mr. Perry...By Paul Knight

Ben Perry is has big in personality has he is in stature…He stands in at 6ft 8” and weighed in at 22 stone (at the time of our business relationship)…when asked by an irate punter “Just who the hell do you think you are?” Big Ben simply replied “God…because I have the power to separate your head from your shoulders with one smiting blow.” Yes, the Ben Perry Haymaker was an equaliser that when in affect would put the explanation mark on the fact you just got hit by a 22 stone giant.

Although an intimidating sight, with his skin head and devil beard, he was more Gentle Ben than anything else and if any punters who used to visit the Goth and punk club “Slimelights” in the nineties would be able to tell ya, he was a good laugh.

It’s hard for me to take my old partner in crime seriously after witnessing him curl his huge frame under a small oval floor rug, whilst E’ing out of his face, to show the world he was really a turtle. He would stretch his neck, while making a turtle face from his shell (the small oval floor rug) and try to eat imaginary lettuce.

It was all very surreal…but not as bad as when Ben and a small group of friends tried to re-enact the ‘Wizard of Oz’ whilst on LSD. Watching a grown man tuck a chequered tea towel down his pants, while sporting a twine mop on his head, acting like he is stuck in a tornado, screaming “Where’s Toto?” Is an image that is not easily forgotten!

I’ll never forget the first time I worked with Ben, we were positioned in Burger King in Leicester Square, stopping non-customers from using the upstairs toilets. I know that must seem both petty and a waste of our time but despite the jokes and insults…it was one of the roughest gig’s going. When our company (Scorpion Security now trading under the name ‘Silent Security’) first got involved, it was being abused by drug dealers, prostitutes, transients and kiddie fiddlers…it was a family restaurant that was not a safe place to be.

The rent-a-cops that were in there before us never tackled the problem…why would they, they were getting £4.85 an hour. We, on the other hand, were getting 3 times that and were up for a rumble…so after months of fighting, death threats, stabbings and major displays of dominance…Scorpion made an example of all of them and marked their territory with the scent of blood.

Of course, once you have it how you want it…it needs to be maintained, so hence the heavy artillery to keep those who were not paying customers out of the comfy, out of sight upstairs area. Plus anyone who as ever walked through Leicester Square of a night time can testify that there is a huge amount of trouble with the drunk and drugged revellers, Triads and thugs (who can’t enjoy a night out without either mugging someone or getting in to tear-ups), these too needed to be stopped at the door and that is why we were there.

I remember having to stand on the first step just to come to eye level with him, I was a new guy with Scorpion at the time whilst Ben was an established body…but we clicked straight off the bat and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have some absolute cracking memories of Ben (you will need to read the sequel to ‘Coding of a concrete animal’…of course first you will actually need to read ‘Coding of a concrete animal’) and it was a crying shame we fell out of touch…the last I saw of him was when he worked for ‘Autoglass’ in Black horse Rd…if any readers, know him…please get him to contact me through this site.

Thanks for the assist…and stay frosty.

Snap Happy...by Paul Knight

What can I say, you put a few old photo’s up with your profile and the first question that comes up is:

“Where are the pictures of the celeb’s?”

Yes, I rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in music, acting and the world of finance but I was working (and not in a position to take happy snap’s with my clients). Most assignments are under a confidentiality contract (you’d be surprised how many of the famous brigade like their privacy when it comes to things they shouldn’t be doing), some are so controlled by their managers / Agents that they wouldn’t even know they had security let alone pose for photo’s once you were off the clock and the others just didn’t like cameras…what can I say, I’m not a big lover of having my photo taken either. But those I have partaken in hold some good memories and start the telling of some interesting tales.

My two biggest regrets regarding private photo’s are the Great shed fire of ‘87, where every baby photo, family snap shot and boxing pic went up in flames when someone set fire to my folks garden shed when they just moved (ironically off of a very nasty council estate where they had no trouble…except for one major incident but that’s for another blog) into a middle class environment in Chingford. All those little knick-knacks that everyone has (that had yet been unpacked) were stored in there and 19 years of memories went up in a cloud of smoke.

The other regret was not emptying my attic out when I walked away from my 6 year relationship with my ex-fiancé. There was some fantastic photo’s etc stored up there but when I walked away from the woman I no longer loved I only took the clothes on my back and my border collie…everything else stayed and I would assume went the same way as those artefacts in the Great shed fire of ’87.

After all that, having my photo taken or even being in the background was a no-no, for personal and business reasons…being easily recognised does not make a good impression when trying to keep a low profile whilst looking after someone who also would like to keep a low profile.

Unlike certain celeb’s who need to stand out, a prime example would be the detail the security company I used to work for got assigned with a certain ‘Material Girl’ who insisted on having the biggest looking bodyguards with her whenever she stepped out the door. This approach of course led to the much publicised fracas that was known as the Hyde Park incident. Those who remember this will be able to tell those who don’t…all I can say on it is that it involved the singer, jogging and inflated ego’s. And who was it that got to spend 16 hours a day for 3 weeks looking after her ‘Lucky’ knickers…you guessed it. Who the hell believes that they are that important that they need their underwear guarded? Still a job’s a job.

A great man once told me (and this was repeated to me 2 years later by another great man) “It’s nice to be important but it’s important to be nice.”

As this particular blog is about photo’s…it leads quite nicely into the subject of cameras. We used to work with a bubbly, northern lass by the name of Cheryl, who used to shrill on the door of the Shepherds Bush Empire… ”No Cameras!!!” Sounding like something from the TV show, ‘Open all hours’.

This requirement however, left the front door with a nice box of confiscated cameras…now being the mature, professionals we were, at no time did we take inappropriate photos of our genitalia or other areas of the human anatomy that could embarrass ya in front of your grandparents. No, I can honestly say that no inappropriate photos were taken…they were all appropriate right down to the last one that looked like a long nosed fella that sported a beard and curly eyebrows (you work it out). The camera’s were then returned to their unsuspecting owners until processing was needed (this was before digital camera’s)…all except one. There was one time we didn’t return a certain disposable camera, because the talented Mr. Perry (Big Ben – 6ft 8” and weighed over 22 stone) and myself, snagged a photo with the Cadbury’s Flake girl from the early 90’s, and didn’t want to give it up…so we kept the camera and used up all the film on taking pictures of the team.

So there you have it…the reason why no photo’s of me with my clientele will ever be available for public display…I know it’s a let down (or even a cop out) but that’s the facts, Jack.

Until the next one…stay frosty

Self Preservation...by Paul Knight

Even with all I have seen over the years, I can still be amazed by the slightest thing…the slightest thing in question this time, is how some nasty people with a limited capacity to be able to walk and talk at the same time, let alone throw in the extra addition of chewing gum (who I would have presumed were either dead or had been incarcerated) from back in the day have grasped today’s technology of emailing and blogging or in this case Blog reading. Why amazed, seeing as I used to be one of these Neanderthals and am writing the blogs that the others are reading? Because I was always (well there were a few years in the 90’s where this wasn’t the case) Brain rather than Brawn. It just seemed out of the ordinary to have a few ex-associates contact me through (I’m assuming and hoping) MySpace or Blogger.

I am sure they would be the first to agree that they would have been the last people to even know how to turn a PC on let alone use it to a beneficial level (I hope this is the case because now I know you are reading my blog’s, I wouldn’t want to offend or anything…besides fella’s, you know me, if I ain’t busting balls then I must be dead). So hence the amazement when I got 2 separate emails from 2 fellow face-punchers asking "What’s up?” and “What happened?” Did I see the light and follow the path of Jesus like some of our kind has done, does the love of a good woman really make a difference or am I still pulling scams and this is all an angle? I won’t go into the replies I sent but the basic response was “No” to all of the above. I just woke up one morning and said “Today is the first day of a new life”…no religion, no angles, no alternative reasons…It was just a desire to change.

There is a code amongst the family, firm, underworld (pick your preferred label for the criminal fraternity…whether it is to romanticise or dramatise) that you do not speak outside of school, you don’t grass and you do not drop others in it. Now obviously there are those that despite swearing to uphold this code, squealed, at the first sight of trouble from either the police or opposing fractions, like a fat man camping in Hillbilly country…cue the ‘dwelling banjo’s’.

Self preservation sets in real fast and suddenly the rules don’t apply and they do whatever they feel needs to be done to escape trouble…loyalty is well sought after commodity and should never be taken for granted…It is a golden rule I have lived by all my life and as a result, have been asked to be involved in a number of dodgy things because other’s knew that I was solid, a diamond geezer who knew how to keep shtum…in total, I could be counted on…but now a little tremor of doubt is setting in with some of my old running buddies regarding what secrets I am giving away in my book. To them I say ‘fear not’…although based on true events - names, places and dates have been changed to protect the guilty who were smart enough not to leave a fingerprint, evidence or witnesses to their involvement. Besides, the story focuses on the fictional character called 'Billy Michaels’ (wink, wink) and his brothers… And no, I am not insulted that they would think that way.

When I decided to walk my current path, I moved address, changed my mobile number and stopped hanging around my old haunts…there was still the odd occasion I would bump into an old face or asked to sort something out for someone…get hold off a “cold elephant and a handful of peanuts” (don’t ya just love street talk) or pass a message on etc…I rarely gave out my new contact details…but somehow, others still knew how to get hold of me if my services were needed…I would like to think it was out of the same loyalty I showed towards them, that my decision to get out of the game was respected and the calls were minimal.

I know that makes me sound like I was some top ranking mafia lieutenant or something (I wasn’t) but that’s the way it was…I was never high profile, I rubbed shoulders with all the big names but made a point of not being remembered…pretty hard I know when you’re 6ft 2” and was tipping the scales at 18 stone but I find that those who love the limelight will die in the limelight…me, I like the idea of growing old enough to be a burden to my kids like they’re a burden to me now…lol.

When asked for 2 words that best describes me…I always use ‘Respected’ and ‘Connected’, it’s the only way I can be summed up and I am happy to live with it. There are big names with even bigger nicknames out there that I have a lot of respect for, “the Guv’nor”, “Chairman of the board”, “the Yellow pages of crime”, “Mean Machine”, “Short, baldy bloke” the list goes on…me, if I had a nickname that best suits me, it would be “the AA” because I always know a man who can. Whatever you wanted I could put you in contact with someone, for a small considerable fee of course…I won’t go in to how far my connections went or what I could get arranged but those who know me can regale you with some amusing stories and confirm just what a few phone calls and a trip to Southampton docks can accomplish.

Anyhow, the need for a bottle of JD, a couple of cigars and a few spare hours to reminisce about the old days are in order to get additional material for the sequel but it seems people are waiting to read the first one before wanting to participate in the next…self preservation again, it’s the name of the game.

Be cool…and stay frosty.

Ranking...by Paul Knight

I first would like to give a shout out to the ‘Cyber Babes’ for all their support and promoting of my novel. You guys not only set the standard in the PSP tagging community but also show what team work is all about. Many Thanks!!!

Since putting the word out I have had this strange curiosity how I am faring in the Google Search Engine results. So I typed in my name ‘Paul Knight’ and hit ‘Search’. My name and book popped up at number 10 on ‘The web’ option out of 23,700,000.

However, type in ‘Paul Knight’ and hit ‘Search’ for just ‘The UK’ option and my name and book pop’s up at number 8 out of 1,710,000. Which can’t be bad.

Type in the title ‘Coding of a concrete animal’ and I’m Number one, a small victory I know but still…it all helps.

But on another note…type in ‘Big Paulie Walnuts’ and I rank NO.3 on the web and numbers 1& 2 on the UK.

At this rate, by the time the book is released, I could rank number 1 in all the searches…

My fifteen minutes of fame is fast approaching (again) – like I have said before, I have lived a whole other life before becoming the law abiding figure that presents these blog’s to you and this time I may have to take advantage of it and make it last a little longer.

The mystery that is me continues…

I know this entry comes across a tad random and a touch egotistical but you gotta ride the wave…to be honest, I am more impressed with myself that I actually finished a project…the last achievement (family not included) I succeeded in was passing my Masters Degree while working on average 11 hours a day for seven years…in a corruptible environment, granted it wasn’t a 2.1 but I did pass. Getting that certificate felt good and gave me a sense of accomplishment for a few brief moments because lord knows I have yet to find how having an MBA as helped my working life or career development. We all know it’s who you know not what you know!

On the subject of my past and books (a weak link I know), I have just finished reading ‘Meeting the Guv’nor’ by Alan Mortlock. Al is known as the “pirate promoter” because of the stigma that still goes hand in hand with the unlicensed boxing circuit (people fail to understand that it’s called ‘unlicensed’ because it’s not sanctioned by the boxing board and not because it’s illegal). In truth, Alan is a well experienced boxing trainer and promoter who runs the IBA and should be commended for not only turning his life around through Jesus but for also the awesome shows he and his fighters put on…you should make a point to catch one. A few of my friends and family have fought for Alan over the years and none of them have ever said a bad word about him or the way he runs his business.

Anyway, I wanted to read his book because Alan was born and raised in the same neck of the woods I was brought up in, drank and visited the same haunts, all the same night clubs and ran the same snooker / boxing club I used to go to. ‘Hayden’s’ was where I went to spar with some up-and-coming fighters in the nineties, just to stay in shape, and it was there that I got a chance to go a few rounds with Scott Welch, before he went on to win the heavyweight title.

Another young chap (at the time) who used to knock the heavy bag around when I was at Hayden’s was Jamie Mclean, the son of the legendary Lenny Mclean. Jamie has grown to become the spitting image of his old man and I hope he is still living the way Lenny would have wanted him to.

So if you want to know what kind of background I came from, read this book and you’ll get the idea…although I’m 10 years younger than Alan (no offence if you read this), we still moved in the same circles…only I was probably wheeling and dealing with the offspring / younger siblings of the villains he was rubbing shoulders with.

That’s it for this one…stay frosty.

My first review...by Paul Knight

Okay, now I am playing the waiting game…Matador has produced my AI (Advance Information) sheet that goes out to all the major buyers, media and reviewers. This sheet can either grab someone's attention, sending your possible writing career to dizzy heights or get your work sent to the bottom of the bargain basement bin. The decisive moment is coming and the question that haunts any writer will soon get answered…

Is my work any good?

Every author has his loyal followers who are biased and will easily gloss over any flaws when give feedback. However, professional men and women in the industry that make a living from choosing the best authors to make their commission on are a little more disconcerting when giving back criticism…it's a lot like being a stockbroker, you need to believe that this is the right stock to invest in if you expect others to invest in it too.

What is it that as got my hopes up that my work will be seen and recognised as being something to invest in…my very first, professional review…I am well chuffed…

Date: August 23, 2006

From: Jean Wahlborg, Editorial Co-ordinator – Dorrance publishing co.

'Coding of a concrete animal: The Billy Michaels story', written by Paul Knight, is an intriguing submission of original fiction that focuses on the extraordinary life, exploits and adventures of the main character. Born into a family steeped in nefarious deeds and activity, Billy Michaels' fate was cast from the cradle. As a third generation 'East End' villain, Billy's childhood was short, though eventful.

Learning the tricks of his predestined trade from masters in the field, he proved to be quite adept and effective in this endeavour. While his future appeared to be nothing more than a litany of successful and profitable capers, events as he would have anticipated weren't exactly as he expected. From this foundation, the author constructs a riveting saga the embodies many of the same traits often associated with well-known works of a similar literary genre.

Composed in captivating narrative and compelling dialogue, the story flows at a brisk tempo. The plot contains more than a few strategically placed, unexpected twists that should maintain the reader's interest throughout. The characters are well developed and presented in a multi-dimensional fashion revealing the intricacies of their unique personalities and individual agendas. In addition, Mr Knight effectively manages to avoid artificially padding the work with superfluous material and unnecessary characters thereby keeping the focus directed towards the primary storyline. Navigating the plot to a well-conceived and logical conclusion, the author could leave the reader with a sense of time well invested in the reading of this story.

Paul Knight's highly descriptive style of writing combined with a keen attention of detail further enhance's the appeal of this work.

You have got to give it up for that one, haven't you? I mean, that has got to be a motivator for the buyer just as much as it motivates me…

Well anyway, I am keeping this blog brief because I just wanted to share that review with you all and get on with my Friday night plans…

Stay chilled...