I'm absolutely shattered tonight after doing my long commute to the office in Wales. My normal commute is 40 minutes on the bike per day, which is a nice enough work-out and most importantly cheap. This extended version to Wales means I cycle for about 1 1/2 hrs and spend 1 hr on the train in total. And it costs a tenner every day. As you can imagine, it was with some relief that I gave notice today...

Incidentally, yesterday evening it wasn't at all clear if I'd make it to work, because of the interesting weather conditions. It snowed. A whole what- 2 cm?? It was very slippery on the roads to be fair, but the drama that the news were making it out to be down here, it very much wasn't. All trains out of my local stations were running this morning (and on time!) and all main roads were snow free. I got to Wales without issue - on my bloody push bike and all!
Around lunchtime we got caught by a huge snow shower and people started to panic left right and centre. Fair enough, some live in the Welsh Valleys where the roads are crap at the best of times, but they were all very concerned about me shrugging my shoulders and saying that no ten horses could get me out into the driving snow and the wind. It would have been madness to cycle in it and I would only have done it, if there had been no other way at the end of the day.
And what can I say? An hour later the sun was out and by the time I left the office there was barely any snow left. Keep calm and carry on never sounded more sensible...

Should have tried to get some writing done, but am just too dozy. Tomorrow is shaping up to be another long day with yet another trip to Wales, but hopefully I can stay here the rest of the week. That would be very welcome indeed.

I think I've finally found my ideal writing day. It's either a Saturday or a Sunday when I wake up to R coming home from work at 7.00 am. We have a bit of a chat, then she goes to sleep and I get up to have breakfast. While I finish my tea, I get the laptop from the living room and start to write at the kitchen table until R wakes up around lunchtime and we have lunch/breakfast together. Fantastic. If she goes back to work early on in the evening, I may even do some more later, but I can get about 3,000 words done like that and it feels GOOD. Yeah, I had forgotten quite how good.

Thinking about it, it's quite obvious to me now why that works so well.
First and foremost, we don't have wireless internet and I can't do the 'I'll just quickly check this' procrastination spiel. If the laptop is in the kitchen I cannot physically get onto the net, I have to go back into the living room and plug the modem in for that.

Secondly, R is asleep and I don't feel guilty about being an antisocial git staring and cursing at a screen. Bonus: I know she needs to sleep, therefore I can't even wake her if I get bored.

Thirdly, sitting a table (the only table we have in the house, incidentally) puts me into work mode and I think it's better for my posture too. If I have to wrap myself in a blanket because the house is cold, so be it. Sitting on the sofa with the laptop on my knees may be warmer, but it also puts me within range of the internet, which is like putting a pack of cigarettes in front of a recently quit smoker. 'I'll just have one, I can stop at any time'. Yeah right...

So, all in all, it was another good weekend and it would have been flat-out perfect if I could have stopped myself second-guessing everything I wrote. I'll be working on that in time for next weekend... lol

4,400 words so far and I'm still going, though I seem to have ensnared myself slightly. And maybe I'm echoing an earlier episode that this character had too much. She's at someone's mercy and being offered a choice - for the second time in recent history, even though the circumstances are rather different. Same as the other main character at this point in time, incidentally. They're both more reactive than proactive at the moment and I wonder if too much so... we'll see how it reads in the end. If I start to worry about it again, I won't go anywhere with it and I've had enough of that in the last week.

Went out to the Severn Channel and had a good walk along the coastline in between writing bursts. Plenty of wintering gulls, a good few Redshanks, Curlews and Shelducks on the mudflats, as well as Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Robins, Great Tits, Longtailed Tits, Blackbirds and a pipit of some description up in the brambles on the cliff top. Very nice.

There we are. 2008 is over and done with and was it better than 2007? I've just read my recap of that from last year and I think it probably was. Marginally.

We moved to a lovely place and had a great time doing up the garden while the weather was good in April/May. There was more car trouble though when the Megane was written off by a white van man in May -who still hasn't been caught after failing to turn up to his sentencing. The replacement Clio has had two hissy fits since then, both times causing us to miss out on going to the cinema as we had been planning, which makes me wonder if it's got a form of movie-phobia....

I finally got made permanent in September, but have now been offered an even better job far closer to home so will be changing direction once more and hopefully for the last time in a while. R's job has settled down as well, after she had huge problems with it throughout May and June. Jobwise it's all looking a lot less gloomy so far.

I've written quite a bit, but with hindsight I wish I hadn't bothered with the NaNo, as nothing will come of it. Those in Darkness is coming along though far less fast than I'd wish - it's been a year since I started this rewrite and well... it's nowhere near done. On the other hand I should have more time to devote to it now as I don't have to write job applications every other week and there are no house moves etc planned.

All in all, I'm looking forward to 2009. Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, therefore no posting. Couple of job applications, even an interview and another one to go next week, Christmas shopping (though not much, since most of it was done early), present wrapping, mad cap commuting, some baking and general housekeeping stuff that's been piling up all had to be taken care of first.

Have done nothing on the NaNo project whatsoever and am beginning to think of it like a cheese with one ingredient missing: if I leave it in peace for long enough, it might turn out okay. Most likely though, it'll have turned into a nasty smelly piece of slime and I can dispose of it without feeling too guilty. Yummy.

Which of course means I'm back with Those in Darkness and that was going pretty well last weekend. Nothing got done during the week and I sat down today with the express aim of writing at least a page, but nope, not happening. I had been really motivated, which is never good because in these moods I can never turn my thoughts into exactly what I want them to be so I get frustrated and end up staring at the screen and wondering why I bother. It's much better if I don't sit down buzzing with thoughts and phrases (though it's useful to write key phrases down, sometimes I can build up a situation from the ashes around it...) because then I can't let myself down. I'm tempted to try again later, but apparently I'm invited to the birthday party of one of R's colleagues.

Also managed to pick up my first climbing injury other than bruised shins yesterday, though I have no idea how I did it. I have a huge bruise running from the first joint of my left middle finger down towards my palm and it still feels a little sore and stiff. As I can still type, I can't complain though!

I know, I know, I'm a wuss. Anyway, I'm going to wimp out on the NaNo this time. I have been absolutely bogged down with job application forms and really needed no extra pressure. And boy, how much do I HATE it if a vacancy is advertised for two weeks and then withdrawn after the closing date because they redeploy someone internally? How much time did I just waste there? Huh? Did I hear you say a whole weekend? A whole weekend I could have spent on a different application that I put on the backburner because of this one? Arseholes.
This organisation also insists on paper applications (above mentioned one being the third I wrote for them). I keep telling myself I won't bother again, but they continue to list really good posts and like the sucker I am, I spend days writing in block capitals until my head spins. This one I'm doing now really will be the last. Definitely.

So, NaNo? Not a good idea in these circumstances. Besides, I couldn't resist the siren call that I was getting from Those in Darkness, whenever I had half an hour spare. I haven't done much on that either to be fair, just bits and pieces that came to me randomly.
Two lessons learned there: Don't fall behind and Don't start the NaNo with another project on the go (especially not a project that is determined to suck out your soul if you don't finish it).

I'll see what I'll make of the half-done story now gathering virtual cobwebs on my hard drive. I have a feeling there's something majorly wrong with the plot and I need to rethink it all, before I can even attempt another go. It has some glorious moments, but the mediocrity outweighs those... hmmm. Certainly a problem for another day though.

Oh and the car is at the garage again. Same issue it had in July -something weird going on with the battery. Back then they replaced the alternator and the battery and a week later the battery again, because it appeared to be faulty. Now the battery is absolutely shagged AGAIN and they're not quite sure yet if it's a problem with the electrics in the car or yet another faulty one. Did I say I wasn't having a good week? Bloody hell...

Ok, so it has happened. I've fallen behind and I can't motivate myself enough to try and save the challenge. I can't remember the exact figures, but I'm thinking it's somewhere around 29,000. Only got about 400-500 words on Wednesday and nothing at all on Thursday and at the rate I'm going today will be another zero day, as I'm going climbing tonight. The weekend is reserved for a hugely important job application, so I'll be wiped out from staring at a screen by half three. I think this application might actually lead somwhere, the other five I've sent in the last three weeks seem to have been for nothing. I've stoppped counting how many that makes over the year...

I think there's something fundamentally wrong with the story line, which is why I'm having such trouble with this bit. Some parts of the plot seem to have potential, but I reckon 80% is random, filler rubbish. Yes, I know, I can edit it later, but the way this is going there will be no edits but a complete rewrite. And I'm not sure I want to invest THAT much into this story as it was only ever meant to be some light entertainment for myself. Maybe I shouldn't have turned my back on Those in Darkness for so long. Who knows?

Off to do some more paid work now...

I hit a major slump over the last few days. Thursday I got just about 400 words, because R was intent on distracting me and I was more than happy to be distracted. Friday was alright and I got the daily target, but that was probably because I was in work and intent on going climbing in the evening. Had a really good work-out on the climbing walls and thought the weekend could only get better.

Not really.

I had two job apps to finish and another two to get into half-decent shape, the houses needed tidying and I wanted to spend some time with R who was around for a little bit. I was on target on Saturday, but just about, and on Sunday I forced myself to do at least 1,000. I'm still on track because I did pretty well about a week ago, but I'll need to be careful that I don't fall behind. If I do, I know that I won't finish.

Still not sure if the story is a good idea. Maybe I'm just annoyed by the amount of random crap I wrote yesterday to get up to 1,000. We'll see.

Anyway, this is where we are now:

28,062 / 50,000 (56.1%)

I can't make up my mind if I like this story or not. I feel some major cuts coming on, once I start editing this. I think I need to stop tip-toeing around and getting stuck into the major parts of the story, not sticking on random filler parts. I have this feeling some of it is due to me worrying that there won't be 50,000 words in this story. Hm. We'll see if I was right by the end of the month.

Can't bloody wait...

This is how far I came yesterday:

20,177 / 50,000 (40.4%)

I thought I had a title as well, but R laughed her head off and said 'no way' when I asked for her opinion. So back to the drawing board on that piece...

So, after my little blip on Thursday I picked myself back up on Friday and did all my writing for the day (around 1,700 words) in the office because I wanted to go climbing with the boys. Desperate for some quick words I 'cheated' a little and jumped ahead to a scene I'd been longing to write and killed to birds with one stone: I reached my daily goal and began to like the story again.
Climbing on the other hand was incredibly frustrating. The mind was willing, but the flesh was weak. I'm half tempted to pick up R's loose weights and work on my upper body strength.

Saturday I spent in town, being bought Christmas presents by R's mother -bless her! I wrote under the influence of about 3 glasses of wine in the evening, which was an interesting experience, as my typing skills went to hell... but hey, another good day.

Sunday I finished another job application -approx 1,500 words in block capitals BY HAND- which took all morning and then conceded to R that I really should spend some time with her. We watched 'Chasing Amy' which my friend with the most amazing LGBTQ DVD library had burned me ages ago. Interesting movie. I dimly remembered that some people, especially in the lesbian community, didn't particularly like it and I can see why, but I thought it was actually pretty good. And very apt, considering where my story is going... hahaha!
Hit the daily target again in the evening and the total up to day nine is below.

17,182 / 50,000 (34.4%)

Today's results below. I'm ahead of target, which is always good, but I'm not sure the story is worth jackshite. Oh dear - a bad case of internal editoritis, I think.

9,753 / 50,000 (19.5%)

Still on course and still enjoying myself. It's so weird not having to constantly look up stuff that I'm not sure about (like tall ship terminology or some bit of weaponry or other). The only thing I checked the other day was a map of York to remind myself of how I'd get from the station down towards Hull Road. Been a long, long time since I last made that journey.

The userpic is of the Minster in York, taken during my time up there for YLAF.

Total of words -as of yesterday- below.

5,438 / 50,000 (10.9%)

And hell, I can't wait for the American elections to be over -I'm all electioned-out, if there is such a phrase! ;)

Yes, yesterday was a pretty good day. I got one job application sorted and posted -the other one can wait for the moment, as I discovered there was a second, identical post closer to home and the deadline for that is in two weeks time- and I'm on target for the challenge (wordcount below). I'm beginning to miss smoking, especially smoking in train stations, though! lol
I actually wrote some more later on, but it was for Those in Darkness and so doesn't count towards my 50,000. I'd left one of the girls in an interesting place and wanted to make her realise just exactly how interesting it was... hahaha!!

Now off to do some more and make the most of my quiet Sunday, as R is at work.

1,699 / 50,000 (3.4%)

And unfortunately none of it is 'fun' work. I've been desperately trying to find a job that'll not force me to commute to a different country, i.e. Wales, but so far nothing has been forthcoming. I got fantastic feedback of that last interview I went to -the one with the trainers- but somebody else had more experience in the field and got the job. I've been in this situation before and it's immensely frustrating, because there's just nothing I can do about it. They tell me they would've employed me, if it hadn't been for somebody with a few years more experience. What am I meant to do with that? Age more quickly? I don't know...

Anyway, I have two more applications to fill in over the weekend, one of them having to be written by hand. Joy. I have shitty hand writing at the best of times  and having to write page after page after page in block capitals is a sure-fire way of sending me round the twist. Still, I can't not do it, even though I feel immensely dejected after that latest 'no'. Any chance is better than no chance.

Which leads me to the second part of this post. Of course the job apps will take precedence (how could they not?) but I'll try the Nanowrimo challenge anyway. I'll do it as I've always done it - just me and my excel spreadsheet. Anything else would probably distract me more than it needs to. The project hasn't got a name yet, but it's set in York and features archaeologists. And no, it's not going to be autobiographical! lol

...until I can leave work today. I'm having one of these days when I'm already far too deeply immersed in holiday mode to get anything done -am well excited about YLAF and York in general tomorrow! We've been utter muppets and missed the advance sales deadline, so will have to get the more expensive tickets at the door and hope that they don't sell out this year (which I believe they never have).
I probably won't get around to updating this blog again until after we're back, but I'll see I get a report online as soon as afterwards! Woo-hoo! 

I've just been to a job interview wearing a suit and trainers. Grey suede trainers, but trainers nonetheless.

God have mercy.

*headsdesk*

Spent a gorgeous day out on the Somerset Levels yesterday at Grey Lake RSPB reserve. There's something incredibly majestic about wide open spaces there, only bordered by the Mendips in the distance, especially under a cloudless blue October sky. Highlight of the day was watching a crow mob a sparrowhawk, chasing it right across my view from right to left and back again. I think I also spotted one of the harriers that were seen on the reserve earlier, but it was a little to far off to be certain. Apart from that lots of teal, a couple of buzzards, mute swans, blue tits and possibly a whinchat/stonechat. And peace and quiet. Gorgeous.

We stopped at Glastonbury, hippie capital of Britain, on the way home and I picked up a copy of Karin Kallmaker's In Every Port for a quid in the odds and ends box of a second hand bookstore, which I thought was a rather good bargain! 

Friday was spent climbing with the guys and I can suddenly feel every muscle in my left hand side. The 6A+ route was a little too much, but I was dead impressed by getting up the 6A and only coming off once! 

Now off to watch R do the Marines Commando Challenge down in Exeter. Should be interesting...

Reason has prevailed, there will be no camping or sleeping in the car during YLAF. R has booked a B&B yesterday at what appears to be a rather reasonable rate for York at short notice (£180 for three nights) so everyone's happy! It seems very odd going to stay in a hotel in a city I know so well and lived in for so long, but I'm sure I'll get over it...

We haven't got tickets for the festival itself yet, because we can't decide whether we want to leave early enough on Friday to see some of the panels then, or whether we'll spend Friday catching up with friends, but we'll definitely be there on Saturday -hopefully not too hungover! 

Off to do some more work on Those in Darkness. I wrote loads yesterday at work, but I've kinda gotten a little tangled and need to shut up the internal editor who keeps saying 'Hang on, hang on, where were we? Is that right? Should we be saying this now?'. The scene didn't quite come out as I had intended and so a couple of things are maybe a tad confused, but I reckon as long as I can get it down on paper now, it can be edited properly when I'm done.

And it will get done.

It will.

Fingers crossed.

The sun is shining and it's a crisp, golden October morning here even though the forecast had been for heavy showers and assorted nastiness! How nice is that? Yes, I am easily pleased these days....

Also on the exciting front, I may have the plot together for that lesfic story that's been bugging me for ages. Had to cut out two scenes I'd have loved to use because I just like them so much, but once I decided to drop them the plot flowed a lot easier. Kill your darlings? Maybe. I think that's going to be my NaNoWriMo project. I might even finish that if R will let me! lol

Spent more time working on Those in Darkness at work, which is not very ethical of me but nevermind. Do you know how difficult it is to look occupied for the remaining 6.5 hrs when you've finished with all your work after an hour? Don't get me started... the workload will pick up again in the next weeks so I may end up writing in the evenings again, but at the moment it suits me very well.

YLAF is also drawing nearer and I've been looking at places to stay. There are lots of people I want to visit up North, but I don't think I can ask any of them to put me and R up for three nights whilst we go and see the others and visit the festival itself. May have to be the youth hostel after all. If only we still had the Renault Megane, I'd consider sleeping in that. I don't think the Clio will lend itself to such escapades. One of my mates who helps out at YLAF suggested staying at a campsite but a) that'll be freezing at the end of October because we only have a tent and no campervan and b) it's out in the middle of nowhere. I'm seriously in awe of all the people who contacted her and asked for info on campsites around York. I wish I was that tough! lol