A week in the life....

I have spent the last week wanting to blog but never getting around to it. So, I thought I would share with you what has happened with me in the last week!

I put in my request for tickets to the Commonwealth Games 2014 that are being held in Glasgow, Scotland. I have never been there before and am dragging my mother along with me (as she shares my love of athletics [watching]). I just have to wait until the end of September to see if I got the tickets I asked for, so fingers crossed.

And look at this cute little mascot! It is not until the end of July beginning of August next year so I have quite a wait and will have to get accommodation booked soon.

I haven't been to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before but every year I say I will go (I have been to Edinburgh once before in 1992) and seeing as it starts a few days after my last event at the Commonwealth Games, I figured I would release my mother from captivity and I would take myself to Edinburgh for a few days of the Fringe.

Then I got toothache! It was agony and I just took loads of drugs (I have a dentist phobia due to hideous experiences) and also I had something else weighing on my mind, the day after the toothache started (brought on by grinding my teeth in my sleep as I was stressing over.....) a...

Another phobia I have is of Job Interviews - in actuality I did survive, and I tried not to stress too much, and I tried to be organised. When I arrived I went to the wrong building, then I couldnt work the water machine, then I was taken by surprise by the bin lid, then they had a work experience girl sit in on the interview, then I had an out of body experience whereby I barely recognised myself, then on the final question (my subdued toothache) flared up and I grinned through it - who knows how maniacally! But although I am not sure I was that successful, it has made me feel more positive about future job interviews, although I am slightly concerned that the agency who arranged the interview aren't answering my emails!

Anyway, once the interview was over I began mentally preparing myself for the dentist (thankfully my sister was a star and helped me sort it out and came with me), all I could think of was this...

It wasn't that bad. But I still didn't like it. I have gone full circle as I have another appointment today! I do feel calmer but I have several hours yet.

I was glad to see the end of the week, and with a Bank Holiday Monday to look forward to, I could just chill out.

I chilled on Sunday....I chilled on Monday...my brain berated me for not doing all the things I could/should be doing with my time instead of chilling.

But for the past year I have been suffering from back pain in the night that wakes me up in agony and whilst I had the toothache I didnt have the backache as severely but once the toothache went, it returned! Who knew pain worked in shifts? I saw something somewhere about cutting starch from your diet, as severe as it sounds, twelve months of this is doing me in and so I shall try it and see. September will be starch free month...feel free to join me! haha :)


And I have been feeling guilty for neglecting all the things that I want to be doing but just have lacked any intention of late...sorry if you are one of the things feeling...

Just a few things are....

Blog reading and commenting. I know my own blog has been forgotten this week but I really enjoy reading other peoples blogs and I follow a variety of people. I must try and catch up at least with the reading, the commenting will come next time.

As mentioned on the A to Z meme - I miss reading soooooo much....I need to read something and seeing as it doesn't take me long, I shall read a novel on Sunday afternoon. Feel free to recommend one :)

I have half a blanket crocheted and would like to finish it! 

I have a cross stitch piece just waiting for back stitch!

I have a review that needs to be written!

I know they aren't major issues but they are things that I want to get finished. If that isnt enough I have had added stress from impending unemployment as my temporary contract is coming to an end today, and they cant make up their minds whether they will extend me or not...

...then I had some good news that I might have a job for Monday! But it all depends on when these people make a decision...its all so tiring.... I feel like bursting out into Katy Perry's song Hot'n'Cold.

And finally! my unfinished writing projects are niggling in the back of my mind too - who knew there was any space left? and new ideas are pushing their way in! 

There was a highlight in the middle of the week! I joined a webex session hosted by Angie Richmond (in Canada) along with Miranda Kate and Laura James (authors) and we chatted about writing and stuff. It actually did inspire me to write, only problem being I started a new story! And that was my uneventful week, how was yours? And I am sending you all a virtual hug, if only for my own benefit!

 

 

A to Z Book meme

I wanted to take part but I knew that it would be difficult for me. I have an abysmal memory. I know I spent a lot of my childhood stuck in a book but I also daydreamed a lot, imagining my version of the same story, and when I write I always act everything out in my head. But remembering authors & books that meant a lot to me will be a struggle but I am going to try.

Author you’ve read the most books from:
I think this is probably a tie between Anne Tyler and the writing duo PJ Tracy and maybe Enid Blyton.

Best Sequel Ever:
I don’t think I have ever read a two book series – so can I say the best prequel I ever read was Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys.

Currently Reading:
Several books are sitting on a shelf with bookmarks in and these are mainly non-fiction but I am reading Leon Uris novel Trinity.

Drink of Choice While Reading:
Anything. If the book us un-put-downable then I don’t drink anything, how can I? when I am off on an adventure.

E-reader or Physical Book?
I love physical books, and I never thought I would use an e-reader, but when travelling I like to use my kindle.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:
Adrian Mole – weird geek romantic.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:
Nothing to put here...maybe I will get some recommendations, yes, i shall pilfer books from others A to Z!

Hidden Gem Book:
I don’t know but a hidden gem movie, because the story is one that has been told a million times and has its clichés, but the screen play was well written and the film was very ‘aww’ and that’s Keith.

Important Moment in your Reading Life:
Being old enough to go to the library on my own. I pretty much went every week at least once until the children’s library had no new books that I hadn’t read.

Just Finished:
Everyone Elses Girl by Megan Crane.

Kinds of Books You Won't Read:
I am open to reading any genre, but one I struggle to keep an interest in are historical epic sagas, like Peter Ackroyd, or George R R Martin or Ken Follett.

Longest Book You’ve Read:
I’ve no idea.

Major book hangover because of:
I’m not sure what is meant by this, but a book that has stayed in my mind for many years after reading it has to be William Horwood’s , Skallagrigg which I read around 1995.

Number of Bookcases You Own:
One, and its small and there are boxes of books next to it, I don’t have many books as I tend to pass them on in some way. But I am getting another bookshelf sooon.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
I am not sure that I have read a book more than once! Maybe Mr Pinkwhistles Party by Enid Blyton.

Preferred Place To Read:
Horizontally anywhere.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
Firstly…all the feels? What an annoying expression! If you mean a book that had a quote that moved me emotionally then…erm…I can’t think of one. I am sure there were many moments.

Reading Regret:
That I stopped for a while, that I haven’t read enough, that I don’t have enough time to do everything I want to including reading more.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):
I have not ready the latest PJ Tracy book in the monkeewrench series so that one.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
Skallagrigg by William Horwood (as mentioned earlier)

The Collector by John Fowles

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Unapologetic Fangirl For:
The Walking Dead Graphic Novels
Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:
--none--
Worst Bookish Habit:
Folding pages over, using them as coasters for mugs of tea, please don’t hate me!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson – I have read almost all his books too.

Your latest book purchase:
The Dangling Man by Saul Bellow – I have read a page so far, not the best progress.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):
Love in the time of cholera by Garcia Gael Marquez – I read this alongside The Lacuna, I watched the film and I read Frida Kahlo biography. It kept me up late but it was great because both books combined made me feel inspired to know more about the political climate at that time.

#Monday Mixer - I WOZ ERE

I have been having a crisis of confidence (as is the case with writers I guess) this past week for a multitude of reasons.  So in true TSK show fashion I am going to work through it by writing about it BUT contrary to my usual poetic release I am using a seven prompt (over-achiever category) story for this week’s Monday Mixer.

The need to garner peers approval, audience approval and self-approval was distracting. Writing challenges seemed to be a way of gathering swank – did that make him a swanker? He wasn’t entirely sure. A story here, a tale there, an occasional poem bordering on mawkish drivel, all courtesy of his daily prompt; draconian self-flagellation.  

A slurry of words slinked across the page in a defeatist attempt to warrant acceptance, but slurry it was. Sportive storylines neatly hiding traumatised characters amongst a haze of repetitive synonyms only served to entertain the author but left readers reaching for the virtual remote. Could the author posit one of life’s tragedies as a consolation?  Unlikely. 

Writing through hoops (or is it loops, bands, circles, rings, rounds, girdles?), building crystal empires that shatter at the feeblest touch and jumping headlong into imagined flames, earning cinder mark scars, an indelible imprint in his mind. I WOZ ERE.

 Feedback/Comments welcome :)

EDIT: Results are in!

Kate for her story I Woz Ere. I found this an especially delightful entry since Kate has had some exceptionally poor luck with past entries into the Mixer. I consider it an admirable tribute to her will that she has chosen to learn and grow from the experience rather than becoming especially bitter. As one who writes a LOT of flash fiction and submits a great many things for consideration to various venues, I can appreciate the frustration, doubt and self-flaggelation that are all part and parcel of the writer's trade and how deftly Kate describes it. I enjoyed the laundry list of synonyms as I often struggle to find the right word myself. Congrats on a job most excellently done!

I breathe...

I was inspired today to write this poem...

Source

 I breathe

Whilst I wait I breathe

I hear sounds I never did

I see sights I never knew

I no longer touch I cling

I savour every morsel

I love completely and all at once

I laugh loudest

I never cry I only sob

Wretched am I

The wait ends I breathe my last

 

#VisDare - indifferent

I didnt take part in #VisDare last week but when I saw this weeks image;

I couldnt help myself! I was inspired to write the following;

"Ok, STOP!, I said left not right…this is going to be near on impossible! We’ve practiced so many times, we really must get it right. People will be passing soon and we don’t want a reason for them not to give us their change now do we?"

"Sorry, I’ve got it now…1,2,3, turn left and forward 1,2,3..step left, step right, spin and 1,2,3…"

"Yes, better…I know we are all trying our best but why don’t we have a break for a minute?"

"What a great idea! A nice slice of cake and cup of tea will be just the trick."

"Cake?! We’ll never get this routine sorted stuffed full with cake and tea."

"Oh! maybe you’re right; I just thought it would be nice."

"This time let’s use the music…but no singing Mary its distracting"

"I can’t help myself, whenever Gene Kelly starts singing, I just want to join in."

...the prompt word was indifferent but please don't be and show your support for next months (September 27th) 'Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning' in support of Macmillan (Cancer Support). I shall be eating cake and drinking coffee and encouraging anyone and everyone to do the same for this great charity!