"The Billionaire's Butler", a novel by Andrew Arthur Williams

It's hard to believe we're beginning the fourth year of this blog! Where does time go for Pete's sake?

To begin this year I'm so happy to announce the publication of a new book entitled The Billionaire's Butler - Mystery, Murder and Romance in the Wacky World of the Super Rich!

It's based on many of the events I've been telling you about for the past few years, plus it fills in all the gaps about the true-life dramas we've been dealing with here for so long - not the least being that now we're all under suspicion for attempted murder!


Overall, it's an insider's up-close point of view as to how the super rich really live and conduct themselves on a daily basis, good, bad or otherwise. And the observations are not so much about the family I'm currently with but all the rich and famous I've crossed paths with in this somewhat odd career.

Here's what's being said about the book so far:

"--Williams' insights into the lives of the wealthy and those who serve them intrigues"--Kirkus Reviews

"--Shocking, comical, and full of delicious gossip, this unique tell-all is sure to enlighten as well as entertain." - The Createspace Team.

The book's available in both paperback and on Kindle. I sincerely hope you'll read it and more than that, I hope you get a few laughs! It's the only reason I wrote it.

Here's the link to The Billionaire's Butler on Amazon Books.

As always, thanks for stopping by this evening.

Andrew

Gossip in the World of the Rich!

You know, I'm beginning to love our new Pope Francis, as many of us are whether we're Catholic or not. He's a breath of fresh air and gives real hope to the poor and suffering, not to mention a modernized although carefully-nuanced vision for the church.

But out of the blue last month, just a couple of weeks before Christmas, Pope Francis made a statement that came down hard on gossip! Oops! As you can see this admonishment cuts way to close to home. What am I to do? Shut down the blog?

I'm assuming this is based on number nine of the Big Ten - that business about "not bearing false witness against thy neighbor". But honestly, if Moses could have known how dreadful our neighbors are in this part of town he might have left some loopholes in this one.

Taking it all into consideration I do have a few thoughts on the subject I'd like to share. First and foremost is the simple fact that the biggest gossip mill on the face of this entire planet is within the Vatican itself, and everybody knows it! So give me a break.

Second, because of this castigation there could be a massive loss of work for newspapers, tabloids, magazines, films, TV shows, news programs, gossip columnists, bloggers and paparazzi. (i.e. How many employees and freelancers are employed by People Magazine?) 

Third, gossip is one of many tried-and-true forms of social bonding. It's the '"Us against them'" factor and how we sometimes distinguish ourselves into groups and cliques.

And last, what might be thought of as gossip to some might be considered urgent information to others - especially in the world of the super rich where gossip can be vital. Not just about fashion, jewelry, what's in, what's out, who's on top and who's on bottom - but there's big money at stake in their relationships. (e.g. Would it be wise to invest with someone whose wife at the moment is suing him for half his fortune?) I believe it was Sir Francis Bacon who first said "Knowledge is power". And power is something rich people love for sure.

Having said all that, I'm not really certain if I've made a convincing argument to either you or the Vatican this evening, and I may have to address this again with St. Peter someday when I'm knocking on the gates. If he does let me in, I certainly hope that none of our neighbors will be up there. Although I can't imagine for a minute that they would be.

Thanks for dropping in this evening.

Andrew

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit! Happy New Year 2014!

I'm desperately trying to be the very first one tonight to say Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit on this first day of the New Year - which means, of course, good luck for the entire new year to come!

I have a feeling that other Rabbitteers are trying to do the same thing right now and may very well crash the web!

In any case, I just wanted to say Happy New Year this early morning hour, with all best wishes for whatever is ahead of us in the coming new year!

If you have a moment today, I hope you can listen to a rendition of Auld Lang Syne by a band in Hong Kong, complete with bagpipes of all things. It's so amazing and fun, and just goes to show how bound up we are as nations and cultures.

Here's a link to the PLA band, accompanied by the Hong Kong Police band, on YouTube.

Happy New Year - and Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!

Andrew