I've been so lazy on the blog/writing front. No excuses.
I've at least got a new job - Web Administrator for Southern Railway (www.southernrailway.com), which is great. I get to mess around with website.. well, within very strict guidelines.
Ummm, so, yeah. I've got no excuses. I'm just lazy and haven't logged on to Blogger in ages. I really miss reading everyones updates, but its kinda tricky to be reading blogs while I'm at work coz my boss sits right behind me and I cant hear it when he swivels his chair around. He's always catching me out on Hotmail, so I'd better not push it.
I'm still here, though. Still thinking of everyone. Still thinking of writing. Still plotting away. Just had quite a busy personal life and have had quite a few changes, but I'm sure once I'm more settled I'll get back into it.
I'm reading 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin at the moment. Its fcking excellent!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Fast Times
So, I haven't been working for a few weeks coz my temp job came to an end, which is soooo annoying financially, so I thought I'd fast for a few days. Ten days to be exact... and today is the last day.
Its been a very strange week. It feels so odd to wake up and not have to plan meals all day (or all week), and its pretty boring. The first two or three days were a bit agonising in that I had to watch hubs eat delicious food right in front of me!! But, at least he got off his fat arse and cooked for himself, which is one of the surprise side effects of this 'diet' (for lack of a better word).
This 'diet' is actually called the Master Cleanse, and is sometimes also called the Lemonade Diet. Basically all you have is home made lemonade to drink (made from real lemons, no sugar!) and its supposed to clean you out etc. I've developed a bit of a cough but I would say thats understandable if I'm detoxing.
I've been counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds all week, and this morning I had a small handful of berries. I stupidly ate them just after I brushed my teeth so they tasted pretty grose with the toothpaste taste in my mouth, but besides the taste it was a pretty uneventful breakfast. I'm not usually very hungry in the mornings, so its not a huge deal. I daresay by this evening I shall be quite rampant - especially since hubs is having burritos. But I'm not going to be stupid and jump into eating cooked meat for some days yet. I'm starting slow. Fruit first. Then raw veg. Then steamed veg. Then add some fish. Then add other healthy cooked food, and gradually build up to a balanced diet.
I've lost a stone in ten days, but I'd say thats pretty superficial. I dont expect my weight to keep plummeting once I start eating solid food again, but I'm going to keep the portions strictly small and the food strictly healthy so it at least keeps heading in the right direction no matter how slow.
I've got a wedding to go to in less than a month, and the dress I want to wear doesn't fit me. I'm determined to fit into it! I must!!!
On the writing front things have not only taken a back seat, they've pretty much been left by the roadside. I haven't read a blog in about three weeks (and haven't posted), and I haven't even read a book in that time also let alone written anything. But there is a reason... I've got a test coming up.
Its called the 'Life In The UK' test and its for fucking immigrants. I have to pass this stupid bollocks test before I renew my visa in July. So, I've got a half-inch thick book to study and its fucken shite!! I spent six years at university loathing exams and now I've got to do another one! Goddammit!! I vowed never to do another damn exam ever again. I think its multiple choice, though, so that at least is something.
Anyway, must get on with my day and plan my meals for the next few days very carefully, before sticking my nose in the stupid book and learning all the statistics and intricacies of British Life. (Surely Aussies should be exempt! I mean, I worked in a pub when I came over here - isn't that enough?????)
Its been a very strange week. It feels so odd to wake up and not have to plan meals all day (or all week), and its pretty boring. The first two or three days were a bit agonising in that I had to watch hubs eat delicious food right in front of me!! But, at least he got off his fat arse and cooked for himself, which is one of the surprise side effects of this 'diet' (for lack of a better word).
This 'diet' is actually called the Master Cleanse, and is sometimes also called the Lemonade Diet. Basically all you have is home made lemonade to drink (made from real lemons, no sugar!) and its supposed to clean you out etc. I've developed a bit of a cough but I would say thats understandable if I'm detoxing.
I've been counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds all week, and this morning I had a small handful of berries. I stupidly ate them just after I brushed my teeth so they tasted pretty grose with the toothpaste taste in my mouth, but besides the taste it was a pretty uneventful breakfast. I'm not usually very hungry in the mornings, so its not a huge deal. I daresay by this evening I shall be quite rampant - especially since hubs is having burritos. But I'm not going to be stupid and jump into eating cooked meat for some days yet. I'm starting slow. Fruit first. Then raw veg. Then steamed veg. Then add some fish. Then add other healthy cooked food, and gradually build up to a balanced diet.
I've lost a stone in ten days, but I'd say thats pretty superficial. I dont expect my weight to keep plummeting once I start eating solid food again, but I'm going to keep the portions strictly small and the food strictly healthy so it at least keeps heading in the right direction no matter how slow.
I've got a wedding to go to in less than a month, and the dress I want to wear doesn't fit me. I'm determined to fit into it! I must!!!
On the writing front things have not only taken a back seat, they've pretty much been left by the roadside. I haven't read a blog in about three weeks (and haven't posted), and I haven't even read a book in that time also let alone written anything. But there is a reason... I've got a test coming up.
Its called the 'Life In The UK' test and its for fucking immigrants. I have to pass this stupid bollocks test before I renew my visa in July. So, I've got a half-inch thick book to study and its fucken shite!! I spent six years at university loathing exams and now I've got to do another one! Goddammit!! I vowed never to do another damn exam ever again. I think its multiple choice, though, so that at least is something.
Anyway, must get on with my day and plan my meals for the next few days very carefully, before sticking my nose in the stupid book and learning all the statistics and intricacies of British Life. (Surely Aussies should be exempt! I mean, I worked in a pub when I came over here - isn't that enough?????)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Stupidity at 30
If happiness is buying 10 new books guilt free (for my birthday) then stupidity is that 3 out of those 10 books I already own - so I've had to return them. But that doesn't mean I'm settling at 7 new books - oh no - it just means I can choose 3 other books!
Hooray.
My folks are in town this week (they're Aussies but they live in NY), which is nice. Mummy dearest has bought me a sewing machine so I can now finish hemming my curtains!
I am quite the domestic goddess!
Hooray.
My folks are in town this week (they're Aussies but they live in NY), which is nice. Mummy dearest has bought me a sewing machine so I can now finish hemming my curtains!
I am quite the domestic goddess!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Holy Moly!
116 words
I took this test a few times and improved with each time. I noticed that my typing speed got faster when I read ahead faster. Its a bit odd that the test uses random words rather than full sentences, which was a bit off putting at first, but at least they were easy common words without too many capital letters or apostrophes etc.
I'm smugly chuffed!
I took this test a few times and improved with each time. I noticed that my typing speed got faster when I read ahead faster. Its a bit odd that the test uses random words rather than full sentences, which was a bit off putting at first, but at least they were easy common words without too many capital letters or apostrophes etc.
I'm smugly chuffed!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Horoscope
Your Horoscope for APRIL 16, 2008
Looking forward to more excitement!!!
After the rush of energy over the past few days, Kate, today you may feel a powerful letdown. Not every day can be filled with adventure and excitement. For now, you just need to take care of the routine matters that are a by-product of life on Earth. However, keep in mind that there are many social opportunities coming up, and with the right kind of planning, you can get excitement back into your life.
Looking forward to more excitement!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Nightmares... or Not?
I had the weirdest dream last night. It involved a crocodile, a kitten, and my pants!
But the dream isn't the point. The point I wanted to make was that most of the time you hear about people waking up screaming, or talking in their sleep or whatever, but I woke myself up because I was laughing.
I could feel my body wanting to laugh but because I was so languide, being asleep and all that, I was making this funny choking sound. Hubs thought I was sobbing like a baby, but that didn't stop him from being annoyed that I'd woken him up. When he spoke to me I burst out laughing and tried to sloppily explain that having a crocodile and a kitten in your pants would make him laugh too.
I think I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly after that, and I dont remember any dreams thereafter, but I still have this odd image of the kitten trying to hide from the crocodile and my butt being scratched to death!
Very odd! I wonder if there is a book idea in it. Hehehe.
But the dream isn't the point. The point I wanted to make was that most of the time you hear about people waking up screaming, or talking in their sleep or whatever, but I woke myself up because I was laughing.
I could feel my body wanting to laugh but because I was so languide, being asleep and all that, I was making this funny choking sound. Hubs thought I was sobbing like a baby, but that didn't stop him from being annoyed that I'd woken him up. When he spoke to me I burst out laughing and tried to sloppily explain that having a crocodile and a kitten in your pants would make him laugh too.
I think I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly after that, and I dont remember any dreams thereafter, but I still have this odd image of the kitten trying to hide from the crocodile and my butt being scratched to death!
Very odd! I wonder if there is a book idea in it. Hehehe.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Thud & Mayhem
It was going so well...
I've got a lot of my book organised in my head (so, really, if its only in my head then its not really a 'book', but I shall call it a book nonetheless and I will feel no shame that not a word has yet been written!), I can almost see the first chapter and can hear how it will sound if read aloud...
Then THUD!
Migraine.
A sleepless Sunday night and a tummy ache (well what can I really expect from eating chips & burgers two nights in a row!) lead me to take Monday off work - which I'm paid hourly at coz I'm a temp - which depressed me even more since if I'm not at work then I'm not earning. The only thing keeping me going through Monday and Tuesday (back at work and dead tired, head dully throbbing) was the waiting waiting waiting to hear the verdict on my interview at Penguin.
Went to the pub Tuesday night and against all good common sense I had three pints of Doom Bar (lovely bitter), and happily trotted home to find an evilly cold and disconnected email in my inbox.
I'd been expecting a phone call from at least one of the girls who interviewed me, but the email was from a strangely named HR employee. The friendly 'thanks' at the beginning was enough to let me know that they'd stupidly passed on hiring me.
Bugger.
Ah well. After 2.5 years, three stints of work experience, and over 60 applications to Penguin I'd say it was about time I was interviewed. Someone once told me that persistence is the key... I suppose I'm being persistent eh. Hehehe. I'm not sure why I've set my sights on Penguin - maybe its because its got a cute name and an even cuter little logo - but since I haven't got any other work-related goals (obviously other than being a writer of fabulous novels) then I figured I may as well set my sights on SOMETHING! It certainly beats the crappy secretary job I'm doing now!
So, until I can get my ideas down onto paper succinctly and get published and make enough money to quit my day job then I may as well keep trying to break into the publishing industry, coz at least I'll be surrounded by books which is definitely not a bad place to be. A damn sight better than working in a shit job in an industry I care so little about it makes me strain my eyes from rolling them so much!
Three more job applications pending for Penguin - but now I have someone's email address in HR, so I'm going to chase them up directly!!!
Mwah ha ha ha haaaa... I shall snag that elusive job - I shall be victorious!!!!
If only I could shake this lingering migraine...
I've got a lot of my book organised in my head (so, really, if its only in my head then its not really a 'book', but I shall call it a book nonetheless and I will feel no shame that not a word has yet been written!), I can almost see the first chapter and can hear how it will sound if read aloud...
Then THUD!
Migraine.
A sleepless Sunday night and a tummy ache (well what can I really expect from eating chips & burgers two nights in a row!) lead me to take Monday off work - which I'm paid hourly at coz I'm a temp - which depressed me even more since if I'm not at work then I'm not earning. The only thing keeping me going through Monday and Tuesday (back at work and dead tired, head dully throbbing) was the waiting waiting waiting to hear the verdict on my interview at Penguin.
Went to the pub Tuesday night and against all good common sense I had three pints of Doom Bar (lovely bitter), and happily trotted home to find an evilly cold and disconnected email in my inbox.
I'd been expecting a phone call from at least one of the girls who interviewed me, but the email was from a strangely named HR employee. The friendly 'thanks' at the beginning was enough to let me know that they'd stupidly passed on hiring me.
Bugger.
Ah well. After 2.5 years, three stints of work experience, and over 60 applications to Penguin I'd say it was about time I was interviewed. Someone once told me that persistence is the key... I suppose I'm being persistent eh. Hehehe. I'm not sure why I've set my sights on Penguin - maybe its because its got a cute name and an even cuter little logo - but since I haven't got any other work-related goals (obviously other than being a writer of fabulous novels) then I figured I may as well set my sights on SOMETHING! It certainly beats the crappy secretary job I'm doing now!
So, until I can get my ideas down onto paper succinctly and get published and make enough money to quit my day job then I may as well keep trying to break into the publishing industry, coz at least I'll be surrounded by books which is definitely not a bad place to be. A damn sight better than working in a shit job in an industry I care so little about it makes me strain my eyes from rolling them so much!
Three more job applications pending for Penguin - but now I have someone's email address in HR, so I'm going to chase them up directly!!!
Mwah ha ha ha haaaa... I shall snag that elusive job - I shall be victorious!!!!
If only I could shake this lingering migraine...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Anthology Builder
THIS could be good. Although the submission guidelines 'request' that material be previously published I'm thinking I might try my luck and enter a few of my whimsical little stories and see how they go.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Google Docs
Just been playing around with Google Docs. I'd never heard of it before and thought it might be a good tool for writing when I'm not at home. Previously I'd just write in a Word document then email it to myself when I was done for the day, but that added up to sometimes multiple word docs all over the place, and was generally a pain in the arse. Especially if I was using Jerry as well which has to be uploaded into a word document.
I can also publish to my blog from Google Docs. How cool is that?! It would be handy if in my next job I am unable to access blogs... but I dont post very often anyway so I think I'm just stalling on the writing front by testing out groovy new tech stuff.
Procrastination is my middle name!
I can also publish to my blog from Google Docs. How cool is that?! It would be handy if in my next job I am unable to access blogs... but I dont post very often anyway so I think I'm just stalling on the writing front by testing out groovy new tech stuff.
Procrastination is my middle name!
I Should Be A What...?
You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer |
 Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from. And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics... Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world! |
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Countryside
So, I've chosen the boots I want, and the jacket I want (not the ones I was previously thinking about. I decided on one of the mens jackets)... now all I have to do is convince Mum that she wants to buy them for me.
I've succeeded with the boots - mainly because they dont sell the ones I want in the UK, only in the US, and also because they're actually quite cheap... but the jacket is a lot more pricey and may need more some kind of bribe in order to succeed in persuading her. Though, Mum is a lover of quality and these are damn fine quality jackets.
Fingers crossed. Hehehhee.
Still aint done a scrap of writing. I'm so lazy.
I've succeeded with the boots - mainly because they dont sell the ones I want in the UK, only in the US, and also because they're actually quite cheap... but the jacket is a lot more pricey and may need more some kind of bribe in order to succeed in persuading her. Though, Mum is a lover of quality and these are damn fine quality jackets.
Fingers crossed. Hehehhee.
Still aint done a scrap of writing. I'm so lazy.
Friday, March 07, 2008
New Jacket
I've been viewing the Barbour website almost daily for a week now, trying to decide which jacket to buy.
I've narrowed it down to the Flyweight Wax Utility or Amelia jacket, I think. But I just dont know. I've tried on a few at lunchtimes (there is a Barbour shop just around the corner from where I work - so handy!), but they dont have the entire range.
I'm going to have to go to Harrods tomorrow.
Yay. I haven't been to Harrods since I was 9! Yikes, thats 1987... 21 years ago, when me and my family were living in the UK for a year (and when I first fell in love with England and started feeling like it was home).
And, yes, from above you can deduce that I am hitting the big 3-0 this year. In five weeks. OMG. Five weeks.
Actually, its less than that. 4.5 weeks. April 11th. 30. Years. Old.
Its freaking me out, man. Totally.
So, anyway... back to the new jacket - must keep myself occupied. Going shopping tomorrow. Should be fun. Should be. (and expensive!)
I've narrowed it down to the Flyweight Wax Utility or Amelia jacket, I think. But I just dont know. I've tried on a few at lunchtimes (there is a Barbour shop just around the corner from where I work - so handy!), but they dont have the entire range.
I'm going to have to go to Harrods tomorrow.
Yay. I haven't been to Harrods since I was 9! Yikes, thats 1987... 21 years ago, when me and my family were living in the UK for a year (and when I first fell in love with England and started feeling like it was home).
And, yes, from above you can deduce that I am hitting the big 3-0 this year. In five weeks. OMG. Five weeks.
Actually, its less than that. 4.5 weeks. April 11th. 30. Years. Old.
Its freaking me out, man. Totally.
So, anyway... back to the new jacket - must keep myself occupied. Going shopping tomorrow. Should be fun. Should be. (and expensive!)
Be Adventurous!
I really like this post from over at Bookends. I think that the three points that Angie rose are excellent, and are what can make or break a book.
I dont think I could put it much better than she did, so I wont try, but I know that after a couple of glasses of JD & Coke I find that my fear (ie the side of me that makes me say "oh my god, did I just write that?!") diminishes and I start being more adventurous and seeing the potential of where my story could go.
I also think its quite important not to stick with the first few ideas you come up with and actually push yourself to the limit of your creativity. I mean, really, if the best ideas could be had so quickly and easily then why is it that most (all?) authors say writing a good book is actually quite difficult?! I've read some of the crap I've come up with at the drop of a hat, and to be honest it was utter crap. I may have had the seeds of some good ideas planted in there, but they definitely didn't flourish.
Putting in surprises is a good point, though I think it could backfire. In one book I read by Robin Hobb, right near the end she put in a surprise - it was a new race of people called the Peksies (or something like that) that she used to create conflict to keep Fitz from getting back to Buckkeep in time to see the Fool before he leaves possibly forever, and not only did it annoy me that she left the book on a cliff hanger like that, but it annoyed me that before then I'd never heard of the Peksies.
Perhaps thats not the right example for putting a 'surprise' in your story. Perhaps its just the smaller 'surprises' that Angie was meaning, ie like the dog talking back to the protag. But anyway, good or bad they will definitely make the writing more adventurous.
And I love a good adventure!
I dont think I could put it much better than she did, so I wont try, but I know that after a couple of glasses of JD & Coke I find that my fear (ie the side of me that makes me say "oh my god, did I just write that?!") diminishes and I start being more adventurous and seeing the potential of where my story could go.
I also think its quite important not to stick with the first few ideas you come up with and actually push yourself to the limit of your creativity. I mean, really, if the best ideas could be had so quickly and easily then why is it that most (all?) authors say writing a good book is actually quite difficult?! I've read some of the crap I've come up with at the drop of a hat, and to be honest it was utter crap. I may have had the seeds of some good ideas planted in there, but they definitely didn't flourish.
Putting in surprises is a good point, though I think it could backfire. In one book I read by Robin Hobb, right near the end she put in a surprise - it was a new race of people called the Peksies (or something like that) that she used to create conflict to keep Fitz from getting back to Buckkeep in time to see the Fool before he leaves possibly forever, and not only did it annoy me that she left the book on a cliff hanger like that, but it annoyed me that before then I'd never heard of the Peksies.
Perhaps thats not the right example for putting a 'surprise' in your story. Perhaps its just the smaller 'surprises' that Angie was meaning, ie like the dog talking back to the protag. But anyway, good or bad they will definitely make the writing more adventurous.
And I love a good adventure!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Exiting Dystopia
Went for a two hour walk with the hubs last night, through the paths in the forests and fields around where he grew up.
It was absolutely lovely.
And its the best way to cure a migraine!
We're going to make it a regular thing (which will be good for my ever-expanding waist), so I've been spending all my time looking for maps of paths and walks throughout the Kent countryside.
We've got friends who have got a landrover, so we've been out with them a few times down some pretty obscure and muddy lanes, which has been fun, but sometimes you just need to walk.
Its free, too. And we sooo dont need to be spending money!
The prize at the end of each walk is a quick stop for a quiet drink in one of the many marvelous country pubs in the region. We went to the Crown in Knockholt last night. A very quiet pub, but I love the decor.
I'm hoping that these nighttime wanderings will get my brain plotting some more coz I'm seriously lagging on the writing front. Not only that, it hasn't even been occupying my thoughts as much as it usually does. I normally cant stop thinking about the stories I want to write. They're all dormant at the moment, though.
Out for lunch now.. looking for a new jacket!
It was absolutely lovely.
And its the best way to cure a migraine!
We're going to make it a regular thing (which will be good for my ever-expanding waist), so I've been spending all my time looking for maps of paths and walks throughout the Kent countryside.
We've got friends who have got a landrover, so we've been out with them a few times down some pretty obscure and muddy lanes, which has been fun, but sometimes you just need to walk.
Its free, too. And we sooo dont need to be spending money!
The prize at the end of each walk is a quick stop for a quiet drink in one of the many marvelous country pubs in the region. We went to the Crown in Knockholt last night. A very quiet pub, but I love the decor.
I'm hoping that these nighttime wanderings will get my brain plotting some more coz I'm seriously lagging on the writing front. Not only that, it hasn't even been occupying my thoughts as much as it usually does. I normally cant stop thinking about the stories I want to write. They're all dormant at the moment, though.
Out for lunch now.. looking for a new jacket!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
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