Well, what to say? Nothing much has been happening here recently. The kids have been playing too much Playstation Harry Potter games (NOT my doing, I can tell you - and it won't be happening again!!). I'm way behind on my course work but I have managed to clean out a couple of cupboards and made a grim reaper costume for Mr Adam. Just to make a bat costume for Miss Lucy now - for Saturday night! My mum is having a Halloween Party for the family and we are all to dress up for the occasion - kids are sooooo excited but didn't want to wear their usual dress up stuff, so out with the sewing machine. The grim reaper outfit came out okay after I had unpicked one sleeve because I had put it in the wrong way round (it was inevitable - that sort of thing always happens when I'm being extra careful not to make a mistake). He likes it anyway. I've a hospital appointment this afternoon, so Lucy's will have to wait until tomorrow.
We have been on a couple of nice walks, one around Linlithgow Loch which was really nice and we saw loads of wildlife (crested grebes, cormorants, etc etc). The funniest bit was when a very large male swan walked (waddled?) up behind Dave and tapped him on the back with his beak - the look on his face was priceless (Dave, not the swan). But, I must admit that the weather is so much colder it's been keeping me inside a lot more than usual brrrrrr!
The biggest excitement of the week (you can tell I don't get out much)was getting my Student Union card - how cool am I? I feel so young and well, 'studenty' now. If only I could still fit into those faded jeans and hippy top...... Never mind eh, I can get an extra 5% off at Amazon, so it's not all bad!
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Friday, 19 October 2007
What Planet Are You From?
That's strange, cos' I thought women were from Venus....
| You Are From Neptune |
 You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion. You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything. |
Monday, 15 October 2007
B********ocks!
Ballcocks, that is. Apparently we need a new one. For the past week my overflow pipe has been regularly running water out - something to do with the cold water tank in the loft (or 'attic' for those with haunted mansions etc). So every so often I have to turn on a tap to stop the water running out and it should get fixed sometime this week (I hope). Not too disastrous then, just really annoying!
On Saturday I had my first Day School for my Creative Writing course with the Open University (I'm sure I've mentioned it once or twice - lol). It was held at Stirling University which has a beautiful campus - trees, little lakes, wildlife - you can imagine how gorgeous it was at this time of year with the leaves all changing colour. This picture gives some idea (I didn't take it, it was from the internet).
Anyway, I was so nervous I can't tell you. I almost didn't go, but then I thought I had better do the Grown Up thing, so I went. I needn't have worried - everyone was really nice, the tutor was lovely and I think we all had a good day. The worst thing was having to write something quickly and then (worst of all) to read it out and hear people's comments!!!! Can you imagine? Thankfully no one said mine was total pants. I was amazed at what people could come up with in 20 minutes or so - they must have great imaginations. The hardest thing was to think of something constructive to say about peoples work other than 'I liked it' - I just don't feel qualified to comment in any intelligent fashion! I expect that is the sort of thing that, like the writing itself, will take some practice. Apart from the day school, the course is going quite well although I need to get the finger out and increase the amount of writing I am doing on a daily basis (well, to actually write on a daily basis would be a start!). The best thing is that I am enjoying it!
Hmmm, what else have I been up to? I have been working on a sewing project but it's a gift and I can't show it on here - it's coming on reasonably well though. Oh, I know - this is going to make some of you groan but I have to confess - I've almost finished my Christmas Shopping! Yes, I know, sickening isn't it - something is bound to go wrong now - like the year we ate chipolata sausages for Christmas dinner because the pork we were having 'for a change' was off! Oh dear..... fingers crossed then.
On Saturday I had my first Day School for my Creative Writing course with the Open University (I'm sure I've mentioned it once or twice - lol). It was held at Stirling University which has a beautiful campus - trees, little lakes, wildlife - you can imagine how gorgeous it was at this time of year with the leaves all changing colour. This picture gives some idea (I didn't take it, it was from the internet).
Anyway, I was so nervous I can't tell you. I almost didn't go, but then I thought I had better do the Grown Up thing, so I went. I needn't have worried - everyone was really nice, the tutor was lovely and I think we all had a good day. The worst thing was having to write something quickly and then (worst of all) to read it out and hear people's comments!!!! Can you imagine? Thankfully no one said mine was total pants. I was amazed at what people could come up with in 20 minutes or so - they must have great imaginations. The hardest thing was to think of something constructive to say about peoples work other than 'I liked it' - I just don't feel qualified to comment in any intelligent fashion! I expect that is the sort of thing that, like the writing itself, will take some practice. Apart from the day school, the course is going quite well although I need to get the finger out and increase the amount of writing I am doing on a daily basis (well, to actually write on a daily basis would be a start!). The best thing is that I am enjoying it!
Hmmm, what else have I been up to? I have been working on a sewing project but it's a gift and I can't show it on here - it's coming on reasonably well though. Oh, I know - this is going to make some of you groan but I have to confess - I've almost finished my Christmas Shopping! Yes, I know, sickening isn't it - something is bound to go wrong now - like the year we ate chipolata sausages for Christmas dinner because the pork we were having 'for a change' was off! Oh dear..... fingers crossed then.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
For Any Aspiring Writers Out There - Free Advice!
This post is for any of you budding writers out there, for all of you secretly writing the next bestseller in your bedroom, for anyone with any interest in writing at all. And so......
In view of the fact that all bloggers are writers (but not vice versa!), I think you might be interested in a daily post by my good friend David McMahon, based on tips for writers, called 'Telling Write from Wrong' at Authorblog. He would like this to become a central point for writers of any description, any nationality, any age and any interest, to get honest advice from an experienced writer. You can leave your questions as comments - and he will answer them. Here are some questions that you might want to ask David McMahon, and his anticipated answers.
Is he just trying to publicize his own blog?
No, he’s trying to create a groundswell across the globe to let other writers benefit from his experience in journalism, editing and writing novels. I don't know of any other successful novelist who does this.
What are his technical qualifications?
David has written a bestselling novel. He’s been a writer and editor for 30 years. In 2002 he was one of three finalists in the national Walkley Awards (the Aussie equivalent of a Pulitzer) and in 2005 was shortlisted for a National News Award.
Is he just trying to get us (and others) to link to his blog to improve his Technorati ranking?
No, he’s never tried boosting about his Technorati ranking. And he’s never asked anyone to link to my blog.
Thank you for reading, and good luck on improving your writing skills! I for one need all the help I can get!
In view of the fact that all bloggers are writers (but not vice versa!), I think you might be interested in a daily post by my good friend David McMahon, based on tips for writers, called 'Telling Write from Wrong' at Authorblog. He would like this to become a central point for writers of any description, any nationality, any age and any interest, to get honest advice from an experienced writer. You can leave your questions as comments - and he will answer them. Here are some questions that you might want to ask David McMahon, and his anticipated answers.
Is he just trying to publicize his own blog?
No, he’s trying to create a groundswell across the globe to let other writers benefit from his experience in journalism, editing and writing novels. I don't know of any other successful novelist who does this.
What are his technical qualifications?
David has written a bestselling novel. He’s been a writer and editor for 30 years. In 2002 he was one of three finalists in the national Walkley Awards (the Aussie equivalent of a Pulitzer) and in 2005 was shortlisted for a National News Award.
Is he just trying to get us (and others) to link to his blog to improve his Technorati ranking?
No, he’s never tried boosting about his Technorati ranking. And he’s never asked anyone to link to my blog.
Thank you for reading, and good luck on improving your writing skills! I for one need all the help I can get!
Saturday, 6 October 2007
I'm COOL at last!
At last - I am officially COOL! - (well, according to my kids at least). I've been awarded a Rockin' Blogger Award by the very lovely and talented Viki at Pernickety Hat. Viki's writing is brilliant, you should go and have a look at her blog - you won't be sorry. Thanks Viki.
Just to make you all feel like throwing things at me - I am for once organised with my Christmas cards because I wrote them all out this morning! It must be the first time I've been that organised I think, but this year I was determined to stay In Control of Christmas. I'm off to look at my Christmas cookbooks now....
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Long Time No See
My goodness, I feel as if I've been away for years! I hope you are all well and I'm planning on catching up with all my favourite blogs asap. I've been missing you all :-(
What have I been up to? Well, whether you really want to know or not, I will tell you. I've started my OU studies again you see. I promise not to moan about it this time though, or at least not too much. It's Creative Writing and I've had to do daily writing exercises. This has mainly resulted in meaningless drivel, but never fear because they tell me this is good and sooner or later a little gem of literary marvellousness will appear that I can develop into the next Harry Potter type novel and make millions (well, something along those lines anyway). It's all beyond me. I mean, I have the most awful arguments with myself about where apostrophes do or don't go for goodness sake, what chance have I got of writing anything of any worth - LOL . Still, I have to admit, I'm rather enjoying it :-))
Other than the studies and the housework (who knew it took so long if you actually did it properly?), I have managed to make a couple of things. This little orange item made from handmade felt which was stitched randomly and then made into a bag/pouch with a nice greeny lining (note to self, next time use a lining that matches the outside - much neater!).
And this - made from silk fibres, throwsters waste, fme'd, backed with dyed cotton and made into a little notebook cover/holder. I like the twig closure! These are both long overdue gifts for a very nice lady who helped me with my studies last year. I might even get them posted tomorrow - although isn't there a strike..... grrrrrrr.
Not too much else has been happening here apart from Mr Adam having a whole afternoon of Beaver activities at a local outdoor centre last Saturday (he is a recent convert - dib dib dib and all that). He had an absolute whale of a time and so did we as we hung around to watch him. Lucy and I had a roam round the assault course too - until we were spotted and ran away!
And did you know it was National Poetry Day today? See, I get to know stuff like that now that I'm a Literary Type (guffaw).
What have I been up to? Well, whether you really want to know or not, I will tell you. I've started my OU studies again you see. I promise not to moan about it this time though, or at least not too much. It's Creative Writing and I've had to do daily writing exercises. This has mainly resulted in meaningless drivel, but never fear because they tell me this is good and sooner or later a little gem of literary marvellousness will appear that I can develop into the next Harry Potter type novel and make millions (well, something along those lines anyway). It's all beyond me. I mean, I have the most awful arguments with myself about where apostrophes do or don't go for goodness sake, what chance have I got of writing anything of any worth - LOL . Still, I have to admit, I'm rather enjoying it :-))
Other than the studies and the housework (who knew it took so long if you actually did it properly?), I have managed to make a couple of things. This little orange item made from handmade felt which was stitched randomly and then made into a bag/pouch with a nice greeny lining (note to self, next time use a lining that matches the outside - much neater!).
And this - made from silk fibres, throwsters waste, fme'd, backed with dyed cotton and made into a little notebook cover/holder. I like the twig closure! These are both long overdue gifts for a very nice lady who helped me with my studies last year. I might even get them posted tomorrow - although isn't there a strike..... grrrrrrr.
Not too much else has been happening here apart from Mr Adam having a whole afternoon of Beaver activities at a local outdoor centre last Saturday (he is a recent convert - dib dib dib and all that). He had an absolute whale of a time and so did we as we hung around to watch him. Lucy and I had a roam round the assault course too - until we were spotted and ran away!
And did you know it was National Poetry Day today? See, I get to know stuff like that now that I'm a Literary Type (guffaw).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)