While running errands tonight, I happened to drive by the house that inspired the story for my novel/thesis. It still looks dark and spooky and moody.
Also realized that three years ago today, I spent an evening outlining the story, and embarked on my first NaNo experience the next day. Amazing how much this novel/thesis has changed since then. On many occasions I put it aside to write other things, but I always came back to it. Now, I'm heading into the final days of fiddling with it before passing it along to beta readers.
Also today, I had a chat with my thesis advisor. I got a mini-lecture/pep talk on how I shouldn't "just sit on the MFA" once I've completed the program. I'm to do a final polish on the manuscript, start sending it out to editors and agents, attend writing conferences (four were suggested), and start the next novel. That's the writing life for you.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
coffee water
My usual mid-morning ritual is to make a strong cup of black tea. Joe-the-office-roomie knows what I'm talking about - you can almost set your watch by the boiling water in my electric tea kettle in the office. Weekends, holidays, and vacation days are no different at home.
While traveling in Australia, I had the luxury of decent morning tea because the hotels provide you with a tea kettle in your room. Not so in the States. While there is a coffee maker in which one could conceivably heat up water, one would not want to drink the result because of all the coffee that has been sent through said coffee maker.
The carafes set out on the buffet tables at conferences aren't any better. While hotel staff at least give thought to the fact that some people might want tea, the carafes of hot water almost certainly held coffee at some point in the past. Unfortunately, you can't tell until you taste the tea and immediately notice the coffee aftertaste.
Room service is no better. Often the pot of tea brought to you also had coffee in it previously. The only exception I've ever encountered was at a hotel in San Francisco (I have to look back in my blogs and journals to find out the name of it) that provided excellent tea and a polite knock at your door as your morning wake-up call, and an even more polite phone call from the front desk about 10 minutes later to make sure your tea had arrived. That is what I call an alarm clock.
I realize US hotels don't care one jot about tea drinkers because most people in this country drink coffee. I also realize Republic of Tea has a traveler's tea kettle that I could buy to take with me that would alleviate my suffering. While I like this concept, the tea kettle will take up room in a suitcase, and given how suitcases are banged around during travel, it has a good chance of being damaged on a trip.
Other than the tea issue and ho-hum food at the hotel, the workshops I attended were worth it. I had the same instructor for two workshops on plain language and patient education, and she really knew her stuff. I also liked her Canadian accent. I took an additional workshop on lab tests. That one was a little over my head, but interesting nonetheless. I also ran into some former co-workers and had an impromptu reunion.
I didn't have a chance to get outside and walk around to see something of Louisville. From my suite window, I did have a bit of a view of the Ohio River and a soon-to-be-retired riverboat that tooted in the evenings.
I even managed to get some more work done on my thesis, both at the hotel and at the airports (there are no direct flights to Louisville from Maryland). I got stuck in a few scenes and didn't get as much written this past week as I would've liked, but progress has been made.
Still, I'm glad to be home. The kitties aren't too mad at me for leaving them, and I have a recovery day before going back to work tomorrow. I think I need more tea.
While traveling in Australia, I had the luxury of decent morning tea because the hotels provide you with a tea kettle in your room. Not so in the States. While there is a coffee maker in which one could conceivably heat up water, one would not want to drink the result because of all the coffee that has been sent through said coffee maker.
The carafes set out on the buffet tables at conferences aren't any better. While hotel staff at least give thought to the fact that some people might want tea, the carafes of hot water almost certainly held coffee at some point in the past. Unfortunately, you can't tell until you taste the tea and immediately notice the coffee aftertaste.
Room service is no better. Often the pot of tea brought to you also had coffee in it previously. The only exception I've ever encountered was at a hotel in San Francisco (I have to look back in my blogs and journals to find out the name of it) that provided excellent tea and a polite knock at your door as your morning wake-up call, and an even more polite phone call from the front desk about 10 minutes later to make sure your tea had arrived. That is what I call an alarm clock.
I realize US hotels don't care one jot about tea drinkers because most people in this country drink coffee. I also realize Republic of Tea has a traveler's tea kettle that I could buy to take with me that would alleviate my suffering. While I like this concept, the tea kettle will take up room in a suitcase, and given how suitcases are banged around during travel, it has a good chance of being damaged on a trip.
Other than the tea issue and ho-hum food at the hotel, the workshops I attended were worth it. I had the same instructor for two workshops on plain language and patient education, and she really knew her stuff. I also liked her Canadian accent. I took an additional workshop on lab tests. That one was a little over my head, but interesting nonetheless. I also ran into some former co-workers and had an impromptu reunion.
I didn't have a chance to get outside and walk around to see something of Louisville. From my suite window, I did have a bit of a view of the Ohio River and a soon-to-be-retired riverboat that tooted in the evenings.
I even managed to get some more work done on my thesis, both at the hotel and at the airports (there are no direct flights to Louisville from Maryland). I got stuck in a few scenes and didn't get as much written this past week as I would've liked, but progress has been made.
Still, I'm glad to be home. The kitties aren't too mad at me for leaving them, and I have a recovery day before going back to work tomorrow. I think I need more tea.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
fiber enthusiasm
A box of yarn arrived yesterday - the stuff I bought on sale. Actually, this is box one. Box two is en route. I'm still amazed at how seeing a box of yarn on my doorstep after working all day has such power to delight me. This box had four skeins each of a rich burgundy and a deep navy. The navy is for Jane-the-gardener's shawl. Still trying to decide between the possibilities for the burgundy. I found a lovely fair isle scarf knit pattern, and I was going to incorporate the burgundy into that, and then I realized, after I bought the yarn of course, that the pattern is done on circular needles, so it's a short scarf, lengthwise. I prefer long scarves, and I'm not sure how to modify the pattern so I can knit it on straight needles with the width on the needles and make it as long as I like. I may try to adapt the pattern for crochet, since I wouldn't be limited by a lengthwise pattern. And on the knit side, I'm really liking seed stitch these days (I think there's a way to do it with crochet too). Such a nice change from the usual ribbing pattern.
I couldn't resist. I should've been working on my thesis, or at the very least, one of my many other yarn works-in-progress, but I just had to try a row of the shawl with the navy. "Just to see how it looks," I told myself. "Just a swatch." That's how all addictions start, isn't it?
Speaking of my thesis, I'm finally satisfied with the first chapter. In the various iterations of this novel, I've really struggled with the first chapter and switched things around and back again. And then my advisor made a suggestion, and it worked! Now it has just the right balance of introduction, hints, and establishment of tension and conflict. Finally! Although whether my beta readers will think so is another story...
Back to yarn. A number of posts ago, I mentioned some yarn blogs that I've been following. Perusing those has led to other yarn blogs, which have led to others. It's now my lunchtime ritual to read them while eating. Good for the waistline - reading about yarn and seeing gorgeous yarn pictures (yarn porn!) makes one crave yarn, and craving yarn is better than craving food. Also good for the brain - craving yarn also makes me want to be creative, so it's a natural mood enhancer. And speaking of natural, it's amazing what yarn is made of these days - hemp, soy, bamboo, even corn!
I know you can read about anything on the Internet, but the yarn blogs in particular - it's amazing what people are doing. Not only making scarves, hats, mittens, socks (oh the socks! I've found a pattern for funky thigh-high socks that I'm dying to try), blankets, shawls, sweaters, jewelry, pillows, laptop and ipod cases, and pretty much anything else you can think of, but making, spinning, and dying the yarn itself. I love the fiber community attitude, the yarn swaps, and the resurgence of handmade crafts (what did we ever do before etsy and personal Web sites?). Fiber enthusiasts are legion! Even guys are getting into it.
Fiber enthusiasts also tend to be animal lovers, primarily cat fanciers, although I have seen some dogs and rabbits. The animal pics are just as good as the yarn pics.
The only thing that intimidates me about these blogs is that they're using the fancy, expensive yarn mostly - Koigu, Noro, et al. How do you people afford that stuff? The best I can do is an occasional shopping trip to Joann's with a coupon and/or when they have yarn on sale. Still, I'm seriously coveting some of Regia's Kaffe Fassett yarn.
Now that I've got my own daily craft blog reading list organized, I decided to add to the list on my sidebar. You'll notice it's significantly expanded now, and will likely continue to expand as I find more fun yarn reads. If your yarn blog isn't on here, don' t be offended. I've probably not found it yet.
As for my own yarn endeavors, I get to them when I can. Actually, it's amazing I've been able to do any crocheting or knitting this year while working on my grad degree. I'll be able to post project pictures after the holidays, once the items are given to their intendeds.
Next year will hopefully be a fun year - I need a fun year. I've already informed my boss that I'm not doing any "professional development" next year. I'll be full up from this year (not only a grad degree, but also a medical writing certificate). Next year is cello lessons, massive pleasure reading catch-up, yarn indulgence, and a trip to London in the fall.
I couldn't resist. I should've been working on my thesis, or at the very least, one of my many other yarn works-in-progress, but I just had to try a row of the shawl with the navy. "Just to see how it looks," I told myself. "Just a swatch." That's how all addictions start, isn't it?
Speaking of my thesis, I'm finally satisfied with the first chapter. In the various iterations of this novel, I've really struggled with the first chapter and switched things around and back again. And then my advisor made a suggestion, and it worked! Now it has just the right balance of introduction, hints, and establishment of tension and conflict. Finally! Although whether my beta readers will think so is another story...
Back to yarn. A number of posts ago, I mentioned some yarn blogs that I've been following. Perusing those has led to other yarn blogs, which have led to others. It's now my lunchtime ritual to read them while eating. Good for the waistline - reading about yarn and seeing gorgeous yarn pictures (yarn porn!) makes one crave yarn, and craving yarn is better than craving food. Also good for the brain - craving yarn also makes me want to be creative, so it's a natural mood enhancer. And speaking of natural, it's amazing what yarn is made of these days - hemp, soy, bamboo, even corn!
I know you can read about anything on the Internet, but the yarn blogs in particular - it's amazing what people are doing. Not only making scarves, hats, mittens, socks (oh the socks! I've found a pattern for funky thigh-high socks that I'm dying to try), blankets, shawls, sweaters, jewelry, pillows, laptop and ipod cases, and pretty much anything else you can think of, but making, spinning, and dying the yarn itself. I love the fiber community attitude, the yarn swaps, and the resurgence of handmade crafts (what did we ever do before etsy and personal Web sites?). Fiber enthusiasts are legion! Even guys are getting into it.
Fiber enthusiasts also tend to be animal lovers, primarily cat fanciers, although I have seen some dogs and rabbits. The animal pics are just as good as the yarn pics.
The only thing that intimidates me about these blogs is that they're using the fancy, expensive yarn mostly - Koigu, Noro, et al. How do you people afford that stuff? The best I can do is an occasional shopping trip to Joann's with a coupon and/or when they have yarn on sale. Still, I'm seriously coveting some of Regia's Kaffe Fassett yarn.
Now that I've got my own daily craft blog reading list organized, I decided to add to the list on my sidebar. You'll notice it's significantly expanded now, and will likely continue to expand as I find more fun yarn reads. If your yarn blog isn't on here, don' t be offended. I've probably not found it yet.
As for my own yarn endeavors, I get to them when I can. Actually, it's amazing I've been able to do any crocheting or knitting this year while working on my grad degree. I'll be able to post project pictures after the holidays, once the items are given to their intendeds.
Next year will hopefully be a fun year - I need a fun year. I've already informed my boss that I'm not doing any "professional development" next year. I'll be full up from this year (not only a grad degree, but also a medical writing certificate). Next year is cello lessons, massive pleasure reading catch-up, yarn indulgence, and a trip to London in the fall.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
is it soup yet?
I needed a break. All this writing is making my carpel tunnel act up. Fortunately, I have an acupuncture appointment on Monday.
Anyway, the crock pot chicken soup recipe I mentioned a few posts ago turned out well. If you're used to the Campbell's overly salty chicken soup (ah, childhood), you'll find this quite a change. It's much earthier tasting and far less salty. I halved the amount of chicken and doubled the amount of vegetables. I also cooked it for less time than the recipe called for so the chicken wouldn't dry out.
Today, I made beans and greens soup. I'm not a beet fan, so I used spinach instead, and it worked just fine. I wanted the soup to be chunky, so I didn't puree it to death. Just be careful pureeing hot soup with an immersion blender - flying green drops everywhere. The spices make it smell divine - I may even increase the amounts next time. I might also try using vegetable broth, rather than bouillon, and maybe add some soy milk. Toasted sprouted grain bread with garlic parmesan butter goes great with it.
Anyway, the crock pot chicken soup recipe I mentioned a few posts ago turned out well. If you're used to the Campbell's overly salty chicken soup (ah, childhood), you'll find this quite a change. It's much earthier tasting and far less salty. I halved the amount of chicken and doubled the amount of vegetables. I also cooked it for less time than the recipe called for so the chicken wouldn't dry out.
Today, I made beans and greens soup. I'm not a beet fan, so I used spinach instead, and it worked just fine. I wanted the soup to be chunky, so I didn't puree it to death. Just be careful pureeing hot soup with an immersion blender - flying green drops everywhere. The spices make it smell divine - I may even increase the amounts next time. I might also try using vegetable broth, rather than bouillon, and maybe add some soy milk. Toasted sprouted grain bread with garlic parmesan butter goes great with it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
blog action day
Today is Blog Action Day. Bloggers around the world are writing about a single topic today. This year's topic is poverty.
I've spent weeks pondering what to write about. And then I saw a little interview last Saturday morning on a craft program (yes, really), and the words appeared like magic.
So first, let's work from the practical definition that poverty is a lack of basic necessities that can affect quality of life. These necessities include food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, clean water, and health care. Furthermore, they can include opportunities to learn, to work, and to live in such a way as to have some dignity and self-worth.
It's not enough to simply give people money. They may not know what to do with it. They may spend it on the wrong things. Most important, they may not use it in a way that creates a self-sustaining cycle that not only gets them out of poverty, but also keeps them out of it.
Enter microloans and microfinance. With normal loans and financing, you have to have something spiffy to show to the lender, who wants to know what's in it for them should they loan you lots of money. Usually, you need some kind of collateral or good credit history or a seemingly no-fail business idea. Microfinance works differently.
Microloans are literally very small loans, sometimes as little as $25, given to people who are unemployed, entrepreneurs who have no money at all, and people who would otherwise not meet the basic criteria to get a regular loan or any kind of credit. In return, the lendee uses that money to start their own business, however small. It might be making pies or jewelry or something to sell at a roadside stand. These people likely will not make millions, but they will make a decent, dignified living and be able to eat regularly and have a place to live.
Microfinance seems like a new buzzword, but it's actually been around for centuries. Jonathan Swift (he of Gulliver's Travels) is sometimes called the Father of Microcredit for helping to establish the Irish Loan Funds in the 1700s to help the poor in Dublin. In the 1800s, the colorful Lysander Spooner encouraged small loans for the poor so they could start their own businesses. Microcredit was also helpful during World War II. Bangladesh made popular use of it starting in the 1970s.
The example I came across last Saturday puts a new twist on the idea. Krochet Kids started with three guys who learned to crochet in high school. They sold their hats to make some money for senior prom (check out the prom photo - hilarious!). In college, they traveled and saw that poverty was far more rampant than they thought. They started selling hats to raise money, and then had an even better idea. They went to Uganda, and taught some of the women there to crochet. These women can now crochet hats, which they send back to the States. The guys sell them, and send the money back to the women, who use it buy more materials and fund basic necessities, both for themselves and for their families and communities. Definitely one of those "teach a man to fish..." examples.
What can you do to fight poverty? You can buy hats from Krochet Kids. You can sell hats for them. You can lend money through kiva.org - even as little as $25. You can join lending teams through Kiva as well. You can teach your skills, crafting or otherwise, to someone less fortunate who may be able to use them to make a living. You can write your own blog post before the day is out.
I said in an earlier post no talking about money on this blog. I've just broken my own rule. I'm not sorry for it.
I've spent weeks pondering what to write about. And then I saw a little interview last Saturday morning on a craft program (yes, really), and the words appeared like magic.
So first, let's work from the practical definition that poverty is a lack of basic necessities that can affect quality of life. These necessities include food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, clean water, and health care. Furthermore, they can include opportunities to learn, to work, and to live in such a way as to have some dignity and self-worth.
It's not enough to simply give people money. They may not know what to do with it. They may spend it on the wrong things. Most important, they may not use it in a way that creates a self-sustaining cycle that not only gets them out of poverty, but also keeps them out of it.
Enter microloans and microfinance. With normal loans and financing, you have to have something spiffy to show to the lender, who wants to know what's in it for them should they loan you lots of money. Usually, you need some kind of collateral or good credit history or a seemingly no-fail business idea. Microfinance works differently.
Microloans are literally very small loans, sometimes as little as $25, given to people who are unemployed, entrepreneurs who have no money at all, and people who would otherwise not meet the basic criteria to get a regular loan or any kind of credit. In return, the lendee uses that money to start their own business, however small. It might be making pies or jewelry or something to sell at a roadside stand. These people likely will not make millions, but they will make a decent, dignified living and be able to eat regularly and have a place to live.
Microfinance seems like a new buzzword, but it's actually been around for centuries. Jonathan Swift (he of Gulliver's Travels) is sometimes called the Father of Microcredit for helping to establish the Irish Loan Funds in the 1700s to help the poor in Dublin. In the 1800s, the colorful Lysander Spooner encouraged small loans for the poor so they could start their own businesses. Microcredit was also helpful during World War II. Bangladesh made popular use of it starting in the 1970s.
The example I came across last Saturday puts a new twist on the idea. Krochet Kids started with three guys who learned to crochet in high school. They sold their hats to make some money for senior prom (check out the prom photo - hilarious!). In college, they traveled and saw that poverty was far more rampant than they thought. They started selling hats to raise money, and then had an even better idea. They went to Uganda, and taught some of the women there to crochet. These women can now crochet hats, which they send back to the States. The guys sell them, and send the money back to the women, who use it buy more materials and fund basic necessities, both for themselves and for their families and communities. Definitely one of those "teach a man to fish..." examples.
What can you do to fight poverty? You can buy hats from Krochet Kids. You can sell hats for them. You can lend money through kiva.org - even as little as $25. You can join lending teams through Kiva as well. You can teach your skills, crafting or otherwise, to someone less fortunate who may be able to use them to make a living. You can write your own blog post before the day is out.
I said in an earlier post no talking about money on this blog. I've just broken my own rule. I'm not sorry for it.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
stuck for a title...
...both for this blog entry and for my thesis. I found a verse in a poem by Oscar Wilde that rather neatly sums up my novel's storyline, but somehow, Souls' House just doesn't have that ring I'm looking for in a book title. Still, here's the verse, from "Apologia":
Is it thy will – Love that I love so well –
That my Soul’s House should be a tortured spot
Wherein, like evil paramours, must dwell
The quenchless flame, the worm that dieth not?
Love you, Oscar! Wish I were as clever as you with titles (and words in general). Send me ideas from the ether, k?
I had another chat with my advisor yesterday. He reviewed my latest draft. He said it showed more confidence and direction. He suggested I play around with dialogue to create more tension - be elliptical, show the difference between what characters say and what they're really thinking and feeling. I have to turn in another draft at the end of the month. I've lost count of the number of drafts I've done of this thing. Shameful. (the number of drafts, that is; not that I've lost count of them)
And the timing of the next draft neatly segues into a manuscript swap with Joe-the-office-roomie, who has written a science fiction novel. I love sci fi. My dad got me into it as a kid. I used to watch old Doctor Who episodes with him. Love the TARDIS! Often I couldn't quite follow the tech speak, and the vampires and snakes and spiders creeped me out, but who cares? It was father-daughter bonding and the one night of the week I was allowed to stay up late.
I have a time-travel/paradox idea for a novel, and it involves Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a heroine who is doing her level best to absorb the situation and not lose her mind. The plot needs to simmer a bit more though. I don't have it all worked out yet. Is there such a thing as sci fi chick lit? I have two children's novels to finish writing first though.
Do you see a pattern here? Not only am I not monogamous with my yarn projects, I also cheat on my writing projects. It all started when I developed the habit of reading several books at once. I grew up in the era when multi-tasking was the thing, and look what it's done to us - attention spans the length of a Q-tip, possibly even just the width.
Right. Time to fire up the cauldron that is my slow-cooker and get chicken soup going, and then back to thesis.
Is it thy will – Love that I love so well –
That my Soul’s House should be a tortured spot
Wherein, like evil paramours, must dwell
The quenchless flame, the worm that dieth not?
Love you, Oscar! Wish I were as clever as you with titles (and words in general). Send me ideas from the ether, k?
I had another chat with my advisor yesterday. He reviewed my latest draft. He said it showed more confidence and direction. He suggested I play around with dialogue to create more tension - be elliptical, show the difference between what characters say and what they're really thinking and feeling. I have to turn in another draft at the end of the month. I've lost count of the number of drafts I've done of this thing. Shameful. (the number of drafts, that is; not that I've lost count of them)
And the timing of the next draft neatly segues into a manuscript swap with Joe-the-office-roomie, who has written a science fiction novel. I love sci fi. My dad got me into it as a kid. I used to watch old Doctor Who episodes with him. Love the TARDIS! Often I couldn't quite follow the tech speak, and the vampires and snakes and spiders creeped me out, but who cares? It was father-daughter bonding and the one night of the week I was allowed to stay up late.
I have a time-travel/paradox idea for a novel, and it involves Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a heroine who is doing her level best to absorb the situation and not lose her mind. The plot needs to simmer a bit more though. I don't have it all worked out yet. Is there such a thing as sci fi chick lit? I have two children's novels to finish writing first though.
Do you see a pattern here? Not only am I not monogamous with my yarn projects, I also cheat on my writing projects. It all started when I developed the habit of reading several books at once. I grew up in the era when multi-tasking was the thing, and look what it's done to us - attention spans the length of a Q-tip, possibly even just the width.
Right. Time to fire up the cauldron that is my slow-cooker and get chicken soup going, and then back to thesis.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
good stuff only
Right. There will be no, I repeat, NO discussion about money, economy, stock market, etc on this blog. Talk. About. Overload. There are a scarily large number of articles online, on TV, and on the radio dissecting the minutiae of the issue, which is ironic because it makes people more scared, which might make them go and do more stupid things with whatever money they have left.
Now that we've got that out of the way...
BBC4 is broadcasting a radio version of Douglas Adams' Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. Their radio version of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency was quite good, so glad to hear a second series. Peter Davison is in it. He played the pig that wants to be eaten in the BBC TV version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
This is the crochet version of cakewrecks.com, and explains why crochet has such a bad rep. Check out the lace gun holders.
Speaking of crochet, I've managed to do a bit every day - like maybe a row or a round here and there. I've got several projects going at once as usual (and that's not counting the knitting projects). I came across a wonderful description of this not-unusual phenomenon - it's referred to as "not being monogamous" with just one project. (Jeez. What does that say about me and relationships, then?)
A list:
This is just for the ladies. mon.thly.info helps you keep track of your cycle. It does all the math for you. The site is pretty. There's a lot of pink. There are stats. It e-mails you to remind you when Aunt Flo is due (I have a friend who refers to her monthly visitor as Brenda). It was designed by a woman. It's free. Try it.
Bach's second wife may have helped compose some of his most famous works, including the cello suites that I so love and want to learn to play. Go Anna!
Bram Stoker's great grand nephew is writing a sequel to Dracula, based on his famous ancestor's notes. Interesting name, Dacre.
Stephen Fry is a Friend of Jane. I hope they show his new documentary in the States.
Found a slow cooker recipe for chicken soup. I'm going to try it this weekend.
The cats want cuddling, and I need some tea. Good night.
Now that we've got that out of the way...
BBC4 is broadcasting a radio version of Douglas Adams' Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. Their radio version of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency was quite good, so glad to hear a second series. Peter Davison is in it. He played the pig that wants to be eaten in the BBC TV version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
This is the crochet version of cakewrecks.com, and explains why crochet has such a bad rep. Check out the lace gun holders.
Speaking of crochet, I've managed to do a bit every day - like maybe a row or a round here and there. I've got several projects going at once as usual (and that's not counting the knitting projects). I came across a wonderful description of this not-unusual phenomenon - it's referred to as "not being monogamous" with just one project. (Jeez. What does that say about me and relationships, then?)
A list:
- The yarn I got for Jane-the-gardener's shawl isn't quite working out. It's too fuzzy, so you can't see the pattern very well. I've ordered some different yarn (on sale!) and will try again. But what to do with the yarn I've got now?
- Most of the squares for Angel-the-art-teacher's blanket are done (hi Angel!). I'm hoping to finish them while I'm in Kentucky for a conference later this month, and then start sewing them together.
- Em asked for a sweater for Belle the yorkie, and I found a pattern that I think will work. Just got to find the right yarn - soft but durable. (Hi Em! Hi Belle!)
- Joe-the-office-roomie (hi!), I need your daughter's head measurement. Don't ask. Just measure.
This is just for the ladies. mon.thly.info helps you keep track of your cycle. It does all the math for you. The site is pretty. There's a lot of pink. There are stats. It e-mails you to remind you when Aunt Flo is due (I have a friend who refers to her monthly visitor as Brenda). It was designed by a woman. It's free. Try it.
Bach's second wife may have helped compose some of his most famous works, including the cello suites that I so love and want to learn to play. Go Anna!
Bram Stoker's great grand nephew is writing a sequel to Dracula, based on his famous ancestor's notes. Interesting name, Dacre.
Stephen Fry is a Friend of Jane. I hope they show his new documentary in the States.
Found a slow cooker recipe for chicken soup. I'm going to try it this weekend.
The cats want cuddling, and I need some tea. Good night.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
grave matters
I had a free credit from Audible.com, so I downloaded Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book, which was released on Tuesday. (On the book tour, he'll be reading a chapter a stop, which will then be posted here to listen to.)
I listened to the audiobook while working on thesis revisions. It's got a kooky, comically dark atmosphere that reminds me of Roald Dahl and Edward Gorey, and oddly enough, the Addams family. I can totally see Tim Burton making a film of this story about ghosts who adopt a boy and give him the Freedom of the Graveyard. The Danse Macabre as performed on bango and cello is a nice touch.
It's done two things for my thesis. First, Neil Gaiman mentioned several times in his blog about how hard it was to write this book - it took him 25 years of stops and starts. I've had bits and pieces of my novel in my head for nearly 10, and only three years ago was able to put the majority of it down on paper. I don't feel so bad about that now (granted, he wrote a ton of other things in those 25 years, but let me have my moment of relief, okay?).
Second, it reminded me of something I had forgotten about the house I visited with my friend (I'm using her grandparents' house as the model for the interior scenes of my novel). One afternoon, we were bored, so my friend suggested a ramble. As I recall, she wouldn't tell me exactly where we were going. We walked down dirt paths and up hills, through dense trees and brush, and we finally emerged into a clearing...which turned out to be a forgotten graveyard. Unless you knew where you were going, you'd never find it. My friend called it "the pioneer cemetary." The dates on the headstones were quite old, some from the 1800s. Some of the headstones had sunk so low, you could barely see the tops of them in the tall grass and weeds. It was incredibly sunny and peaceful in that clearing, not one speck of the gloom one usually associates with graveyards.
It occurred to me that I've nothing in my story about where some of my characters are buried. Now I know where to put them, although how to get them there will be a challenge...
I fell asleep last night listening to the audiobook and dreamed of children running around headstones and hiding in hills that are really burial mounds and stone bowls with holes in the bottom that still magically fill with water and can be moved by cats, and my grandfather was sitting on a fallen tree looking on, amused.
I listened to the audiobook while working on thesis revisions. It's got a kooky, comically dark atmosphere that reminds me of Roald Dahl and Edward Gorey, and oddly enough, the Addams family. I can totally see Tim Burton making a film of this story about ghosts who adopt a boy and give him the Freedom of the Graveyard. The Danse Macabre as performed on bango and cello is a nice touch.
It's done two things for my thesis. First, Neil Gaiman mentioned several times in his blog about how hard it was to write this book - it took him 25 years of stops and starts. I've had bits and pieces of my novel in my head for nearly 10, and only three years ago was able to put the majority of it down on paper. I don't feel so bad about that now (granted, he wrote a ton of other things in those 25 years, but let me have my moment of relief, okay?).
Second, it reminded me of something I had forgotten about the house I visited with my friend (I'm using her grandparents' house as the model for the interior scenes of my novel). One afternoon, we were bored, so my friend suggested a ramble. As I recall, she wouldn't tell me exactly where we were going. We walked down dirt paths and up hills, through dense trees and brush, and we finally emerged into a clearing...which turned out to be a forgotten graveyard. Unless you knew where you were going, you'd never find it. My friend called it "the pioneer cemetary." The dates on the headstones were quite old, some from the 1800s. Some of the headstones had sunk so low, you could barely see the tops of them in the tall grass and weeds. It was incredibly sunny and peaceful in that clearing, not one speck of the gloom one usually associates with graveyards.
It occurred to me that I've nothing in my story about where some of my characters are buried. Now I know where to put them, although how to get them there will be a challenge...
I fell asleep last night listening to the audiobook and dreamed of children running around headstones and hiding in hills that are really burial mounds and stone bowls with holes in the bottom that still magically fill with water and can be moved by cats, and my grandfather was sitting on a fallen tree looking on, amused.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)