First of all, a big "thank you " for all of your kind messages on my last post about the pregnancy ~ seeing as I am ridiculously hormonal I teared up a wee bit.....
I'm now well into the second trimester (15 weeks & 5 days, as I write this) and I'm starting to feel a bit more like a human being again.
Plus I've got a 'proper' bump now, so I look proper preggers, rather than looking I've been surgically attached to the biscuit tin.
And I may have felt the baby move a few times over the last few days, but I can't be entirely sure. Very exciting all the same ~ I cried the first time I felt something babylike( seriously, what is with the pregnancy hormones and the crying? So far this week I have cried at 'Neighbours', tv adverts for baby stuff (that one with the dad saying 'I promise never to...'), 'Sex and the City: The Movie' (even though I HATED it!) and a comment I received yesterday about what a weird shape I am....
A363 is chugging along nicely (although my sleepyheadedness means that that I'm a bit further behind than I'd like). My first assignment came back with a much better mark than I was expecting, but the writing is still taking a bit of a back seat to eating and sleeping, which currently encompass the bulk of my evenings.
Still, I managed to get TWO submissions sent out in the last two weeks, so feeling pretty smug about that (smug until the rejection slips arrive, natch....)
And we start our house renovations in earnest tomorrow. Dust, mess, dust and more mess ~ hurrah!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Big Reveal........
I know, I know ~ I've been a very bad blogger of late. And a very bad Novel Racer too, in terms of both the WIP and participating in the coffee breaks.
I've also been a useless friend and spouse, in that I've barely socialised for three months, and I've delegated all household tasks to my wonderfully uncomplaining husband.
I have an excuse, though. I'm pregnant: 12 weeks and 5 days, as I write this. And after my miscarriage in January of this year I never thought I'd be lucky enough to pass the 12 week mark. It still hasn't quite sunk in. But I'm pleased, very very pleased.
I've paid for it, though ~ nausea, exhaustion, sore (.) (.)'s & other assorted unpleasant symptoms that I probably shouldn't go into here (those of you who have been pregnant will know what they are, and for those of you who haven't yet experienced it, well I don't want to put you off!)
I'm hoping that the second trimester will see an upsurge in energy levels and blogging, writing and general participation in the real world can resume ~ sadly I missed Tracey Chevalier at my local library last night: it started at 7:30, but I was already fast asleep by 7:20........
I've also been a useless friend and spouse, in that I've barely socialised for three months, and I've delegated all household tasks to my wonderfully uncomplaining husband.
I have an excuse, though. I'm pregnant: 12 weeks and 5 days, as I write this. And after my miscarriage in January of this year I never thought I'd be lucky enough to pass the 12 week mark. It still hasn't quite sunk in. But I'm pleased, very very pleased.
I've paid for it, though ~ nausea, exhaustion, sore (.) (.)'s & other assorted unpleasant symptoms that I probably shouldn't go into here (those of you who have been pregnant will know what they are, and for those of you who haven't yet experienced it, well I don't want to put you off!)
I'm hoping that the second trimester will see an upsurge in energy levels and blogging, writing and general participation in the real world can resume ~ sadly I missed Tracey Chevalier at my local library last night: it started at 7:30, but I was already fast asleep by 7:20........
Friday, September 26, 2008
How does three weeks pass in the blink of an eye?
I could have sworn I last posted about a week ago. Oh, my ageing brain.
Blame it the sudden chill in the air ~ I'm going into hibernation mode....
Still plugging away at the writing stuff ~ novel is a wee bit on the back burner, as a couple of other projects have jumped up out of nowhere and bitten me on the arse, so I'm giving those the attention they're demanding (in between sleeping, which is all I want to do at the minute.)
Still, I'm fearful that I've taken on a bit too much recently~ I'm taking evening classes in Counselling Skills, which I need to do in order to progress to the Counselling Psychology Msc I want to do ~ I hoped a psychology degree would be qualification enough, but noooooooooooooo, I have to take a sub-GCSE level course (their description, not me being elitist!) full of stuff that I already covered in my degree just to get a certificate that confirms that I already know this stuff. And I can't just miss the classes and sit the exam (which I could pass if I took it now ~ I got hold of a sample exam paper and mark scheme, and there was nothing on there that foxed me) because you need 80% attendance record to pass the course. So Thursdays are currently a 13 hour day for me :-(.
Hey, I may well sound like a snobby academic know-it-all, but it's so frustrating (not to mention boring) to sit through three hours of stuff you already know, whilst pretending that you don't already know it so as not to look like a show-off in front of the rest of class, and trying to resist the urge to correct the tutor's atrocious spelling on the board. Still, the other group members are mostly lovely, and it's very interesting to see what happens when you get such a varied mix of people with differing aspirations into a confined space, and one which seems to prompt an awful lot of emotional revelation.
In fact (magpie writer confession!) the group has given me an idea for a fiction project about a collection of people who come together under similar circumstances, and what happens to them as the course progresss. So I do spend a lot of time surreptiously storing lovely shiny nuggets of character detail and dialogue in my notebook. When Confessions from a Counselling Class rockets up the best-seller list you can all remind me that it wasn't a total waste of time :-)
Blame it the sudden chill in the air ~ I'm going into hibernation mode....
Still plugging away at the writing stuff ~ novel is a wee bit on the back burner, as a couple of other projects have jumped up out of nowhere and bitten me on the arse, so I'm giving those the attention they're demanding (in between sleeping, which is all I want to do at the minute.)
Still, I'm fearful that I've taken on a bit too much recently~ I'm taking evening classes in Counselling Skills, which I need to do in order to progress to the Counselling Psychology Msc I want to do ~ I hoped a psychology degree would be qualification enough, but noooooooooooooo, I have to take a sub-GCSE level course (their description, not me being elitist!) full of stuff that I already covered in my degree just to get a certificate that confirms that I already know this stuff. And I can't just miss the classes and sit the exam (which I could pass if I took it now ~ I got hold of a sample exam paper and mark scheme, and there was nothing on there that foxed me) because you need 80% attendance record to pass the course. So Thursdays are currently a 13 hour day for me :-(.
Hey, I may well sound like a snobby academic know-it-all, but it's so frustrating (not to mention boring) to sit through three hours of stuff you already know, whilst pretending that you don't already know it so as not to look like a show-off in front of the rest of class, and trying to resist the urge to correct the tutor's atrocious spelling on the board. Still, the other group members are mostly lovely, and it's very interesting to see what happens when you get such a varied mix of people with differing aspirations into a confined space, and one which seems to prompt an awful lot of emotional revelation.
In fact (magpie writer confession!) the group has given me an idea for a fiction project about a collection of people who come together under similar circumstances, and what happens to them as the course progresss. So I do spend a lot of time surreptiously storing lovely shiny nuggets of character detail and dialogue in my notebook. When Confessions from a Counselling Class rockets up the best-seller list you can all remind me that it wasn't a total waste of time :-)
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
She was as easy as the TV Guide crossword
No, not another personal confession hot on the heels of my intravenous drug using hooker with malaria revelation, but one of the contenders for worst ever analogy.
Personally I think some on them are absolute genius, and I'd be proud to have written them, not least The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t. Says exactly what it needs to say ~ there's beauty in that there efficiency.
Workwise, the novel is still ticking along: I'm adding around 0.5-1% a day, so the progress ain't exactly zippy, but it be progress nonetheless. Of course, progress would be A LOT faster were it not for the curse of The Wire ~ BEST TV SHOW EVAH! Me & hub are rattling through the dvd's at a fair old rate (just about the start series 4 so no spoilers please!) and it's pretty much taken over my life. I even dream about it some nights. I'll be sad to get to the end, but then I'll have the consolation of seeing my friends, doing other stuff, and not announcing my entrance into every room with a McNulty-esque 'What the fuck did I do?' Doesn't go down well with gran as greetings go, that one......
That Calamity Physics book what I was reading is on the back burner at the mo ~ I'm speed reading as much Iain Banks as possible in preparation for seeing him at my local library next Friday ~ tried The Wasp Factory but I couldn't really stomach it, so I'm hoping a quick re-read of Complicity and The Crow Road will stand me in good enough stead during the Q&A, so that I'm not reduced to numpty-like statements such as 'errrr, I like your beard......'.
If you're really strapped for something to do tonight may I suggest that you partake of Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels (bloated , bewigged (ex?) member of eyeliner rockers Poison ~ anyone who can name anything by them other than ubiquitous 'Every Rose has its Thorn' will win themselves a slammin' pair of stretchy spandex skank pants) ~ every night, TMF, 9pm. Televised prostitution at it's very finest, folks.
Personally I think some on them are absolute genius, and I'd be proud to have written them, not least The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t. Says exactly what it needs to say ~ there's beauty in that there efficiency.
Workwise, the novel is still ticking along: I'm adding around 0.5-1% a day, so the progress ain't exactly zippy, but it be progress nonetheless. Of course, progress would be A LOT faster were it not for the curse of The Wire ~ BEST TV SHOW EVAH! Me & hub are rattling through the dvd's at a fair old rate (just about the start series 4 so no spoilers please!) and it's pretty much taken over my life. I even dream about it some nights. I'll be sad to get to the end, but then I'll have the consolation of seeing my friends, doing other stuff, and not announcing my entrance into every room with a McNulty-esque 'What the fuck did I do?' Doesn't go down well with gran as greetings go, that one......
That Calamity Physics book what I was reading is on the back burner at the mo ~ I'm speed reading as much Iain Banks as possible in preparation for seeing him at my local library next Friday ~ tried The Wasp Factory but I couldn't really stomach it, so I'm hoping a quick re-read of Complicity and The Crow Road will stand me in good enough stead during the Q&A, so that I'm not reduced to numpty-like statements such as 'errrr, I like your beard......'.
If you're really strapped for something to do tonight may I suggest that you partake of Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels (bloated , bewigged (ex?) member of eyeliner rockers Poison ~ anyone who can name anything by them other than ubiquitous 'Every Rose has its Thorn' will win themselves a slammin' pair of stretchy spandex skank pants) ~ every night, TMF, 9pm. Televised prostitution at it's very finest, folks.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Intravenous drug-using hooker with malaria
Oooh, I'm so close to 20% I can taste it! I've never got this far with a novel before, so i'm pretty chuffed. Not to mention the pages and pages of long-hand i've yet to type up, which could put me nearer to 35%, I reckon!!
Been MIA for a while ~ I've hit the time when my baby would have been due, and it's been a difficult time for us, especially as we're not yet pregnant again. So, there's been one minor emotional meltdown, and lots of quiet time, while I attempt to surf over this particularly messy few weeks. I'm almost out the other side of things though, so hopefully I'm headed in the right direction.
Scarborough ~ ah, what a dichotomy of a place! Pensioners vs hen parties, Kiss me Quick vs Victoriana. I loved it! Could I have spent a week there? Probably not ~ we had as good as run out of things to do by the time we left (fish & chips, funfair, pirate ship ride around the bay, art gallery, castle, publishers discount bookshop). I reckon a weekend was just about right. Hotel was marvellous ~ if you're ever staying in Scarborough then the Crescent Hotel comes highly recommended by moi.
Currently reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. Enjoying it thus far, but the reviews suggest that it jades after a while. We'll see......
PS: Didn't manage to give blood in the end ~ because I have acupuncture I was required to take a copy of my therapist's certificate to prove that they are registered and therefore I have not contracted some hideous blood disease from allowing some backstreet quack to stick dirty needles in me. But of course they don't tell you this until you get there (Me: Oh, I didn't know I should have brought that with me. Them: That's right, we tend not to tell people). Embarrassingly I had to walk back out IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, clearly having been turned down as unsuitable ~ so there's a room full of people who probably think I'm an intravenous drug-using hooker with malaria. Marvellous.
Been MIA for a while ~ I've hit the time when my baby would have been due, and it's been a difficult time for us, especially as we're not yet pregnant again. So, there's been one minor emotional meltdown, and lots of quiet time, while I attempt to surf over this particularly messy few weeks. I'm almost out the other side of things though, so hopefully I'm headed in the right direction.
Scarborough ~ ah, what a dichotomy of a place! Pensioners vs hen parties, Kiss me Quick vs Victoriana. I loved it! Could I have spent a week there? Probably not ~ we had as good as run out of things to do by the time we left (fish & chips, funfair, pirate ship ride around the bay, art gallery, castle, publishers discount bookshop). I reckon a weekend was just about right. Hotel was marvellous ~ if you're ever staying in Scarborough then the Crescent Hotel comes highly recommended by moi.
Currently reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. Enjoying it thus far, but the reviews suggest that it jades after a while. We'll see......
PS: Didn't manage to give blood in the end ~ because I have acupuncture I was required to take a copy of my therapist's certificate to prove that they are registered and therefore I have not contracted some hideous blood disease from allowing some backstreet quack to stick dirty needles in me. But of course they don't tell you this until you get there (Me: Oh, I didn't know I should have brought that with me. Them: That's right, we tend not to tell people). Embarrassingly I had to walk back out IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, clearly having been turned down as unsuitable ~ so there's a room full of people who probably think I'm an intravenous drug-using hooker with malaria. Marvellous.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Scarborough......
....is where me and husband shall be spending Saturday night. Neither of us have ever been before. Have you? Got any suggestions for lovely things to see / do / eat?
I'm nearly(ish) finished "Over you" ~ should manage to get through the last 80 pages tonight, but I shall be sad to finish it :-( . I'll be curling myself up on the sofa with lots of choc and and reading materials and being deservedly lazy, cos I'm giving blood today for the first time and I'm super-nervous!
I'm nearly(ish) finished "Over you" ~ should manage to get through the last 80 pages tonight, but I shall be sad to finish it :-( . I'll be curling myself up on the sofa with lots of choc and and reading materials and being deservedly lazy, cos I'm giving blood today for the first time and I'm super-nervous!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bat Husband
Got up early to write this morning, thinking I'd have a good 45 mins to myself before I had to get ready for work. Hubby is not at work today so I assumed he'd be staying in bed, all the better to keep out of my way.
Wrong.
He got up too. Why? Because he was too excited to sleep as today is "a very special day".
Birthday? Wedding Anniversary?
No.
Today is the UK release date for Batman: The Dark Knight. And my husband is obsessed with Batman. Actually, that's not strictly true. He believes that he is Batman, a bit (it would be cruel of me to point out at this juncture that he cannot, in fact, be Batman, as his lack of driving license would debar him from driving the Batmobile).
At least he made me a cup of tea......
Wrong.
He got up too. Why? Because he was too excited to sleep as today is "a very special day".
Birthday? Wedding Anniversary?
No.
Today is the UK release date for Batman: The Dark Knight. And my husband is obsessed with Batman. Actually, that's not strictly true. He believes that he is Batman, a bit (it would be cruel of me to point out at this juncture that he cannot, in fact, be Batman, as his lack of driving license would debar him from driving the Batmobile).
At least he made me a cup of tea......
Friday, July 18, 2008
b's amusing account of her confusion when she first moved up to Newcastle set me thinking about this:
When I first lived in Sheffield I would regularly see buses with "Intake - city centre" on the front.
I surmised that thiswas some sort of 'shopping shuttle', and that for the purposes of speedy service you could get on this bus to the city centre but you couldn't get off (i.e. 'intake' only) . This is not at all logical, because while the bus is stopped to let peopel on it takes no extra time for people to get off, but whatever.....
It was YEARS before it was brought to my attention that there is an area of Sheffield called "Intake", from whence said bus originated......
When I first lived in Sheffield I would regularly see buses with "Intake - city centre" on the front.
I surmised that thiswas some sort of 'shopping shuttle', and that for the purposes of speedy service you could get on this bus to the city centre but you couldn't get off (i.e. 'intake' only) . This is not at all logical, because while the bus is stopped to let peopel on it takes no extra time for people to get off, but whatever.....
It was YEARS before it was brought to my attention that there is an area of Sheffield called "Intake", from whence said bus originated......
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
And didn't the bride look lovely....
.....Oooh, she really really did. I promptly burst into tears as soon as I saw her, then had to recompose myself super-quickly as I was up first with my reading, which (phew!) I managed to do very very well (if I do say so myself!) and received many a compliment for it. I'm thinking of it as useful experience for when I am a famous author and have to do loads and loads of public appearances....
Also saw loads of friends that I haven't seen for YONKS! (ten years, in some cases), made some lovely new friends, and made a tit of myself on the dancefloor: I'd been drinking since early afternoon, and was convinced that I had some foxy moves. I, in fact, had no moves. Or balance. Or co-ordination......
Aw, ain't weddings brill?
In other news, I managed precisely nil writing over the weekend, as pre-wedding jitters put paid to that on saturday morning, and the DAY LONG hangover made Sunday a total write-off.
I will be good this week, though, promise!
Also saw loads of friends that I haven't seen for YONKS! (ten years, in some cases), made some lovely new friends, and made a tit of myself on the dancefloor: I'd been drinking since early afternoon, and was convinced that I had some foxy moves. I, in fact, had no moves. Or balance. Or co-ordination......
Aw, ain't weddings brill?
In other news, I managed precisely nil writing over the weekend, as pre-wedding jitters put paid to that on saturday morning, and the DAY LONG hangover made Sunday a total write-off.
I will be good this week, though, promise!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Here comes the bride!
Shoes that look pretty but inflict blisters the like of which (wo)man has never known before? Check!
Paul Durcan poem for my ceremony reading (five copies thereof, in case four get lost en route)? Check!
‘Bird of paradise meets Danny La Rue’ style fascinator that I had specially made but am now having serious doubts about as it may be a bit too “Vegas showgirl”? Check!
Tummy holdy-in pants for when I make my fourth trip to the buffet table? Check!
My best friend in the whole wide world gets married on Saturday, and I’m already an over-emotional nervous wreck. I’m excited, yet a little sad that by Sunday it will all be over and I won’t have it all to look forward to. And I’m terrified ~ I’m up first for the ceremony readings and I’m so scared that I’ll get it wrong or trip over my dress on the way to the lectern or suddenly start speaking in tongues….
The bride-to-be is marvel of tranquillity, which, come to think of it, I was at this stage before my wedding last year. Maybe the bride is always the calm eye of the storm, and it’s everyone else who absorbs the anxiety on her behalf?
I’ll report back after the weekend (i.e. how many times I cried, how long before I whipped my blistery shoes off and chucked them in the Tyne, etc!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Novel is on a bit of a standby at the moment as I’ve been struck, out of the blue, by an extremely powerful short story that descended and has taken me over completely. I’ve been working on it everyday, and it’s more like taking down dictation than anything else ~ for the first time ever I understand what writers mean when they say that a story choose a writer and not the other way around. The voice, the plot, everything is all ‘there’. It’s a very exhilarating experience, and all going to plan there’s a few comps I’ve got in mind for it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Acupuncture tomorrow, and frick do I need it?! I’ve been a bitch on wheels today and have bitten off the heads of anyone who crossed my path, and then spent all evening feeling bad about it and getting weepy. I think a giant glass of vino might be needed…..
Friday, July 04, 2008
Culture overload!
Oh my word, how has another week flown past??
Am buzzing with excitement as I've booked my ticket to see Kate Atkinson at the Durham Book Festival, and so I've pre-ordered this. Can't wait to read it.
As well as that I've booked for the ''Writing a Synopsis' workshop with Debbie Taylor (former Mslexia editor), which is apparently for "novelists preferably with a novel close to completion" which is a massive incentive to keep steaming ahead with the WIP so that I'm not sat at the back like the naughty girl who didn't do her homework.
But wait, there's more!
I've also booked for Iain Banks at my local library in September, as well as an evening with Tracy Chevalier in November (a veritable bargain at £3 a pop!)
So many writers flocking northwards ~ long may it continue!
PS: Go Rafa!!!!
Am buzzing with excitement as I've booked my ticket to see Kate Atkinson at the Durham Book Festival, and so I've pre-ordered this. Can't wait to read it.
As well as that I've booked for the ''Writing a Synopsis' workshop with Debbie Taylor (former Mslexia editor), which is apparently for "novelists preferably with a novel close to completion" which is a massive incentive to keep steaming ahead with the WIP so that I'm not sat at the back like the naughty girl who didn't do her homework.
But wait, there's more!
I've also booked for Iain Banks at my local library in September, as well as an evening with Tracy Chevalier in November (a veritable bargain at £3 a pop!)
So many writers flocking northwards ~ long may it continue!
PS: Go Rafa!!!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
A post with no title as I am totally lacking in inspiration......
Ascot ~ I've never really 'got' it. And this has done little to convince me that it isn't a just a bunch of sozzled toffs and wannabes trying too hard to have 'fun' . There's a woman wearing a bathroom for a hat. (Now there's a sentence you don't get to type every single day). And a pork pie hat that is, you know, an actual pork pie. Oh, the wit.........
yeah, ok, I'm bitchy today ~ it's that very special lady' time for me, and whilst I tend not to suffer much from PMT (disclaimer: to verify the accuracy of this statement please consult my husband. His response may differ a jot) I am suffering a great deal from Lack of Being Pregnant. I'm less than 2 months away from what would have been my due date, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to face the fact that I'm unlikely to be pregnant again by the time August rolls around. Last night I threw myself the mother of all pity parties: a good cry, a giant glass of wine, a Mars chocolate muffin and 'The best of Echo & the Bunnymen'. Do I know how to rock it, or what?
Anyhoo, I'm getting on with typing up the longhand drafts of the WIP during my lunch-hour at work, as the chappy who sits next to me is off on holiday and therefore no-one can see my screen (why is it that what's on someone elses screen always seems so fascinating? I HATE people looking at what I'm typing ~ it's like the evil little critic who perches on my shoulder made flesh!). And it's Friday which means its the weekend (oh joy), & I have acupuncture tonight, which is bound to make me feel better (thought I doubt listening to me wail "WHY?? WHY?? WHY?? Why am i not pregnant yet??????" for half an hour is going to be the finest possible start to acupuncture lady's weekend).
yeah, ok, I'm bitchy today ~ it's that very special lady' time for me, and whilst I tend not to suffer much from PMT (disclaimer: to verify the accuracy of this statement please consult my husband. His response may differ a jot) I am suffering a great deal from Lack of Being Pregnant. I'm less than 2 months away from what would have been my due date, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to face the fact that I'm unlikely to be pregnant again by the time August rolls around. Last night I threw myself the mother of all pity parties: a good cry, a giant glass of wine, a Mars chocolate muffin and 'The best of Echo & the Bunnymen'. Do I know how to rock it, or what?
Anyhoo, I'm getting on with typing up the longhand drafts of the WIP during my lunch-hour at work, as the chappy who sits next to me is off on holiday and therefore no-one can see my screen (why is it that what's on someone elses screen always seems so fascinating? I HATE people looking at what I'm typing ~ it's like the evil little critic who perches on my shoulder made flesh!). And it's Friday which means its the weekend (oh joy), & I have acupuncture tonight, which is bound to make me feel better (thought I doubt listening to me wail "WHY?? WHY?? WHY?? Why am i not pregnant yet??????" for half an hour is going to be the finest possible start to acupuncture lady's weekend).
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Buy this book!
Not least cos I'm in it.
What a lovely surprise ~ I'd pretty much forgotten all about it, got back from my counselling session this morning feeling a little bit drained and fragile, so this was a fantastic boost!
You can buy the book here. £6 from each copy (£10 from each download version) goes to Warchild, a network of independent organisations, working across the world to help children affected by war.
I've ordered my copy, and i can't wait to read the other contributions.
Congrats also to fellow racers Debs, Helen, Jen, Leigh and Zinnia, who are all in there too.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
I promised myself....
.... that I'd put myself on a cash-fast this month i.e. no more impulse buying of books to be added to the TBR pile, I'd bring my lunch into work instead of buying over-priced sandwiches, I'd eat all the food in the freeezer before I went out & did another shop.
And my big reward at the end of all of this frugality would be a lovely new laptop, to replace the one which spluttered to a halt about six months ago.
I've been good, very very good. Eating up all the odds and ends has resulted in some very unconventional (by which I barely edible) meals, and my postman no longer has a hernia from delivering many a weighty tome to me.
I ummed and aaahhed about the laptop, to be honest ~ do I really need it, or do I just want it? (my matra of the last few weeks). I decided I really did need it ~ I am filling up notebooks at a healthy pace, and I need to start typing up before it becomes unmanageable.
And then last night I was offered a FREE LAPTOP by my unbelieveably kind brother!
Which means, of course, that I have fallen off the save-a-holic wagon in a BIG way, and just filled my Amazon basket with many many goodies. Sorry, Mr Postie.......
And my big reward at the end of all of this frugality would be a lovely new laptop, to replace the one which spluttered to a halt about six months ago.
I've been good, very very good. Eating up all the odds and ends has resulted in some very unconventional (by which I barely edible) meals, and my postman no longer has a hernia from delivering many a weighty tome to me.
I ummed and aaahhed about the laptop, to be honest ~ do I really need it, or do I just want it? (my matra of the last few weeks). I decided I really did need it ~ I am filling up notebooks at a healthy pace, and I need to start typing up before it becomes unmanageable.
And then last night I was offered a FREE LAPTOP by my unbelieveably kind brother!
Which means, of course, that I have fallen off the save-a-holic wagon in a BIG way, and just filled my Amazon basket with many many goodies. Sorry, Mr Postie.......
Friday, May 23, 2008
Early bird
Having been shamed by the fact that I have slacked off a mere three days into my new running schedule (and Jen's 7am running!) I forced myself out of bed super early today, breakfasted on chocolate and Berrocca, and headed out for a pre-work run.
I am not, and fear I never will be, a morning person. It didn't go well....
On the plus side I've downloaded 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' onto my MP3 player ~ so i may not be a bouncing morning workout babe, but at least I got meself a bit of culture en route.
I am not, and fear I never will be, a morning person. It didn't go well....
On the plus side I've downloaded 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' onto my MP3 player ~ so i may not be a bouncing morning workout babe, but at least I got meself a bit of culture en route.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Don't you just hate it when.....
.....you dream a great solution to something that's been niggling you. You know you did, and the dream is crystal clear in every element EXCEPT the blooming thing you wanted the solution to?
I've been trying to do some automatic writing, to blow away a few of the cobwebs. My writing seems a little turgid, recently, and I thought a few blasts at an unself-cosncious writing style might help. Problem is, I can't seem to shut up the nit-picking voice that stalls me and tries to correct what I'm writing every ten seconds.
And then last night I cracked it ~ in a dream. I wrote reams and reams of dazzling stuff, and all because I'd found a way to slip straight into the 'zone'.
I woke up, thrilled ~ until I discovered that the most crucial bit of the dream ~ the 'how to' ~ was missing from my brain.
Anyone got any tips for successful automatic writing?
I've been trying to do some automatic writing, to blow away a few of the cobwebs. My writing seems a little turgid, recently, and I thought a few blasts at an unself-cosncious writing style might help. Problem is, I can't seem to shut up the nit-picking voice that stalls me and tries to correct what I'm writing every ten seconds.
And then last night I cracked it ~ in a dream. I wrote reams and reams of dazzling stuff, and all because I'd found a way to slip straight into the 'zone'.
I woke up, thrilled ~ until I discovered that the most crucial bit of the dream ~ the 'how to' ~ was missing from my brain.
Anyone got any tips for successful automatic writing?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Gulp!
I've just submitted ~ for the first time EVER ~ a piece to Mslexia. Under my real name.
I feel a bit sick, actually. But also rather proud of my bravery. Have utterly no belief that it will make it in, but I'm getting back on the submission horsey and starting to send stuff off, as I feel like I've done naff all in writing terms recently. Thats not strictly true, but I've been nowhere near focussed of late, and I need to get back into it.
It's been chaotic, the last few weeks.
The play wot I was in is done and dusted ~ thank Christ. Not a happy experience, overall, for lots & lots of reasons. Audiences loved it, mind you, but the rehearsal process was the most aggravating I've ever endured. I'll blog about it in more details when I've got a bit more perspective on that!
In other news, I've embarked upon a course of acupuncture, for stress relief, primarily, and I may well be addicted.
And I've started counselling, with regard to the miscarriage, as things were
getting harder, not easier, as time went on, and that ain't helping anyone or anything.
I've realised that I don't blog ~ or write ~ enough because I feel like I should have loads to say in order to make it worthwhile. And then I never get round to it.
So from now on snippets are the way forward for me.
Bite by bite.....
I feel a bit sick, actually. But also rather proud of my bravery. Have utterly no belief that it will make it in, but I'm getting back on the submission horsey and starting to send stuff off, as I feel like I've done naff all in writing terms recently. Thats not strictly true, but I've been nowhere near focussed of late, and I need to get back into it.
It's been chaotic, the last few weeks.
The play wot I was in is done and dusted ~ thank Christ. Not a happy experience, overall, for lots & lots of reasons. Audiences loved it, mind you, but the rehearsal process was the most aggravating I've ever endured. I'll blog about it in more details when I've got a bit more perspective on that!
In other news, I've embarked upon a course of acupuncture, for stress relief, primarily, and I may well be addicted.
And I've started counselling, with regard to the miscarriage, as things were
getting harder, not easier, as time went on, and that ain't helping anyone or anything.
I've realised that I don't blog ~ or write ~ enough because I feel like I should have loads to say in order to make it worthwhile. And then I never get round to it.
So from now on snippets are the way forward for me.
Bite by bite.....
Friday, April 04, 2008
Normal service.....
....will be resumed soon, i hope.
It's been an odd time for me, recently. The crappy happenings of a few months back have started to hit hard. Silly me, I assumed that once the initial crying and bleeding was over with it would be onwards and upwards. I am lucky in one respect, as i have had little experience of grief in my life. However this meant that I was blissfully unaware that grief is a sneaky little bastard. It lurks beneath the surface until you think you've got your head above water, and then it grabs you by the ankle, pulling you down before you've had a chance to grab your breath. So these last few months have been like wading through mud.
And yet, whilst part of me is emotionally sapped, I'm doing great in other areas ~ I made the long-list (although not the short-list) of a short story competition that i had forgotten I had entered, which was an unexpected boost.
And I'm writing a lot. The novel is a bit of a fluffy duvet, which I can wrap myself up in and be far far removed from all the cacky mundanity. I have got almost an entire notebook of longhand to type up, and I've added a few new characters. Really pleased with how its going.
Also, I'm back on stage, which is another extremely fluffy duvet to wardoff all the nasty reality. Short version: husband is a professional actor, and we met through the theatre. I used to be involved in a lot of productions both on and back-stage. And, if I may be so bold as to blow my own trumpet, I wasn't too shabby an actress. And then allsorts got in the way ~ working full time & doing a part-time degree, writing, planning the wedding, moving house and so on ~ and so in the last fours years I've only taken one part on stage. And then out of the blue I got offered a part in a new play. A big part. And of the other adults cast, I'm the only non-professional, which I'm taking to be quite a compliment. And it's great. There really is nothing like being someone else for a while to literally take you out of yourself.
So, a mixed bag, this last few months: some bits are up, some bits are down, and I'm just in the middle trying to make some sense of it all.
And I still can't shake the feeling that there's something amazing on the horizon....... :-)
It's been an odd time for me, recently. The crappy happenings of a few months back have started to hit hard. Silly me, I assumed that once the initial crying and bleeding was over with it would be onwards and upwards. I am lucky in one respect, as i have had little experience of grief in my life. However this meant that I was blissfully unaware that grief is a sneaky little bastard. It lurks beneath the surface until you think you've got your head above water, and then it grabs you by the ankle, pulling you down before you've had a chance to grab your breath. So these last few months have been like wading through mud.
And yet, whilst part of me is emotionally sapped, I'm doing great in other areas ~ I made the long-list (although not the short-list) of a short story competition that i had forgotten I had entered, which was an unexpected boost.
And I'm writing a lot. The novel is a bit of a fluffy duvet, which I can wrap myself up in and be far far removed from all the cacky mundanity. I have got almost an entire notebook of longhand to type up, and I've added a few new characters. Really pleased with how its going.
Also, I'm back on stage, which is another extremely fluffy duvet to wardoff all the nasty reality. Short version: husband is a professional actor, and we met through the theatre. I used to be involved in a lot of productions both on and back-stage. And, if I may be so bold as to blow my own trumpet, I wasn't too shabby an actress. And then allsorts got in the way ~ working full time & doing a part-time degree, writing, planning the wedding, moving house and so on ~ and so in the last fours years I've only taken one part on stage. And then out of the blue I got offered a part in a new play. A big part. And of the other adults cast, I'm the only non-professional, which I'm taking to be quite a compliment. And it's great. There really is nothing like being someone else for a while to literally take you out of yourself.
So, a mixed bag, this last few months: some bits are up, some bits are down, and I'm just in the middle trying to make some sense of it all.
And I still can't shake the feeling that there's something amazing on the horizon....... :-)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Freezing, but smiling
Hell, I know I'm pretty far north, but where is Spring, please? I am sick of being cold....and there's snow forecast for the Easter weekend.
So, in an attempt to cheer meself up I have shamelessly nicked Caroline's idea of a post about 34 things that make her smile. And so, in no particular order, we have:
1. home made soup
2. little round chocolates in bags (Maltesers, Revels, minstrels, et al)
3. my morning cup of strong tea, in my pint mug
4. waking up early
5. sticking on my running shoes and going for a challenging run…
6. …especially in my local park
7. puppies.
8. daffodils ~ such happy, happy faces
9. putting kitchen scraps into the wormery
10. pyjamas ~ I would wear nothing else, if possible... but people tend to point and laugh at you in the supermarket
11. the glass of wine on a Friday evening which signals the official start of the weekend….
12. ….to be sipped from one of my beeyootiful crystal glasses (engagement present from Grandma)
13. my husband
14. the crispy bits of cheese you get around the edge of a lasagne
15. a long hot bath
16. camomile and peppermint tea
17. being so absorbed by a book that you live it, breath it, dream about it
18. and deciding what to read next, after that one’s finished
19. my best friend
20. steak, with grilled onions and mushrooms
21. opening the curtains to see that the carpet of crocuses in my front garden is in full bloom
22. Seinfeld
23. making a ‘to do’ list….
24. … and then crossing things off it
25. unexpected compliments (giving and receiving them)
26. music, of (almost) any variety
27. detective novels
28. CSI Vegas and NY ~ but NOT Miami!
29. money in the bank
30. feather pillows and duvet
31. a new notebook
32. Waterman fountain pens
33. coincidence and synchronicity
34. rice pudding
So, what makes you smile?
So, in an attempt to cheer meself up I have shamelessly nicked Caroline's idea of a post about 34 things that make her smile. And so, in no particular order, we have:
1. home made soup
2. little round chocolates in bags (Maltesers, Revels, minstrels, et al)
3. my morning cup of strong tea, in my pint mug
4. waking up early
5. sticking on my running shoes and going for a challenging run…
6. …especially in my local park
7. puppies.
8. daffodils ~ such happy, happy faces
9. putting kitchen scraps into the wormery
10. pyjamas ~ I would wear nothing else, if possible... but people tend to point and laugh at you in the supermarket
11. the glass of wine on a Friday evening which signals the official start of the weekend….
12. ….to be sipped from one of my beeyootiful crystal glasses (engagement present from Grandma)
13. my husband
14. the crispy bits of cheese you get around the edge of a lasagne
15. a long hot bath
16. camomile and peppermint tea
17. being so absorbed by a book that you live it, breath it, dream about it
18. and deciding what to read next, after that one’s finished
19. my best friend
20. steak, with grilled onions and mushrooms
21. opening the curtains to see that the carpet of crocuses in my front garden is in full bloom
22. Seinfeld
23. making a ‘to do’ list….
24. … and then crossing things off it
25. unexpected compliments (giving and receiving them)
26. music, of (almost) any variety
27. detective novels
28. CSI Vegas and NY ~ but NOT Miami!
29. money in the bank
30. feather pillows and duvet
31. a new notebook
32. Waterman fountain pens
33. coincidence and synchronicity
34. rice pudding
So, what makes you smile?
