Song of the day: "My Favorite things" by Julie Andrews (In the Sound of Music)I don't even know how it got in my head, but there it was, right in the middle of lifting a rather big rock from the ground. Hah.
Considering that today was a rather average day of: editing; building with rocks; getting rocks, and chores, (except that Clue had to go back to the vet because he was ill again, darn it) I figured today gives the perfect opportunity to share a rather cool article I read in an online science magazine “The Tech Herald” the other day.
Now, to give you some background, this all started out with the controversy around the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) testing where they are trying to locate the illustrious Higgs particle (AKA “The God Particle”), by blasting protons together with speeds nearing that of light.
I know, there’s a technical term for it, but this is my blog, so I’m going to look at it as some nifty special effects where to protons bump together and explode. Hah.
There debates going on, all over the scientific world, about the event-what with there being a one in a million (or so) chance that they create an “earth gobbling” black hole with the experiment-that has caused law-suits and whatnot. Personally, even a one in a million chance would be too big a risk for me, what with this being the only place we can exist for now-just to satisfy a curiosity.
Those for the experiment are saying: what if Columbus had let the risk of falling over the edge of the world stop him?
From some perspectives, it is debatable whether it was a good idea that he discovered “the New World”. Didn’t genocide occur due to that “stroke of genius”? Hah.
Also, the strong followers like to bring forth the argument of Nuclear power having had the same kind of opposition, and that there were zealots then too, who claimed that it would be the end of the world.
Why they think that this is a good example, I don’t understand to be honest. Sure, the power is rather comfortable but I do believe that they’re forgetting all those nifty little side effects like the radiation, pollution, and can anyone say Aaaaaa-bomb.
Ah well, there are lots of these examples that, at the moment, are completely beside the point.
In the end there is very little I can do about it and just figure, what the heck; you’ve got loonies walking all over place doing lots of crazy things. Some idiot could press a red button tomorrow and then a black hole here or there won’t make a difference.
Now, don’t get me wrong; stuff like this doesn’t get me down. It would make no sense if I let it. If I worried about these kinds of things, I might as well worry about being run over by a bus tomorrow. A total waste of time. It is fun to follow the progress a bit, though.
But enough about that, I got distracted again, didn’t I? Okay, here’s the article. Now read it through before drawing a conclusion. Look at it as fun…I know I did.
“The Tech Herald
A spokesperson for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has confirmed the fears of many in the scientific world after revealing that the reason for the sudden closure of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's most expensive physics experiment, was not due to "technical problems" as previously stated, but because its controversial particle collisions have sensationally rendered a "tiny black hole" in the fabric of space.
(Now remember, no conclusions yet. Just read.)
"I can confirm that, yes, the first stages of the experiment resulted in the appearance of a miniscule black hole," said the spokesperson to gathered reporters on Monday. "The black hole is being kept under quarantine and our scientists have been monitoring its progression," he explained.
(Doesn’t it read like an exciting fiction novel? I was thrilled.)
Situated deep underground on the French-Swiss border, the $10 billion USD Large Hadron Collider (LHC) had been opposed by many scientists who warned of the related dangers of the massive particle collision experiment.
The huge, ring-shaped LHC has been designed to give scientists an opportunity to re-create and study the origins of the universe and to end the search for the elusive Higgs Boson or 'God particle'.
(If ya haven’t already, you should look at the multitude of studies about the Higgs particle. ‘Tis fascinating.)
Many had bitterly said the consequences could be as extreme as the Earth being sucked into the black hole the LHC collisions may create as a side effect of the experiment. Others claimed time travellers with more sophisticated technology than ours could make use of the hole to invade the Earth and enslave mankind.
(If only. Imagine what would happen to pesky little disputes here amongst us human.)
The particle physics experiment began with great fanfare on September 10, 2008, only to be mysteriously closed down nine days later. An announcement by CERN blamed mechanical failure between two superconducting magnets, a reason deemed strange at the time by scientists and theorists not involved in the experiment.
After confirming the incredible real reason for the closure of the LHC, the CERN spokesperson went on to placate reporters present by saying that his organization did not, at this stage, see any danger to the Earth's existence.
(I was still on the edge of my seat. Doesn’t it read like a wonderfully exciting sci-fi novel?)
However, when asked by reporters at CERN headquarters how the agency kept a black hole under quarantine, the spokesperson admitted, "With great difficulty ladies and gentlemen, with great difficulty."
The Obama administration's shadowy Special Crisis Operations (SCO) executive, Mr. C. Norris, told Washington reporters at a hastily-arranged news conference that his elite team was monitoring the situation closely and was ready to resolve any emerging crisis once it had “sorted out this global warming business and the current financial mess.”
(And then the grand finish: )
“The staff of The Tech Herald wishes you a happy April 1”
Talk about a let down. For crying out loud! That’s like hanging a carrot in front of a fiction writer and then throwing it into the friggin’ ocean. It’s just mean. Here I was looking forward to interesting (or better yet, fascinating) news reports where we were kept up-to-date on how those “poor” scientists were working their butt off trying to keep the miniscule black hole contained. Yep. All very “Star Trek” images flashing through my head, only to be dashed with that final statement that totally ruined the illusion.
On the other hand, if it were true we might have been up shit creak for a whole of…a second or two. Hah.
But anyways…Clue went through the operations fine, and is back home, thankfully.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Editing and hiking. :-)
Song of the day: “Democracy is coming” by Leonard Cohen. It’s an oldie, really. I grew up with Cohen so those lyrics will probably stick with me ‘till the end of time.
Feeling dreadfully lazy this morning, and more than a little too comfortable, I oversleep a solid forty minutes and take my time stretching and yawning before finally getting out of bed. I know that there were dreams, I was rather enjoying one while dozing, but regretfully the details slip from my mind by the time I go through the morning rituals and make my way down to the house.
The day starts up with pleasant sunshine and fresh air, which makes me hopeful of the intended hike, later today when we bring our bimonthly visitor home. We just might be in time to explore some of the nature preserve located some odd miles out of Marbella; it will be quite a trip to get there, sure, but also worth our while in the end.
First, there are the morning chores, breakfast and the read-through edit. I’m actually looking forward to this read through, now that the hard stuff is over, and as we make our way through the prologue and first chapter we are positively thrilled with the progress that was made during the rewrite. Only some typos and some tiny punctuation issues pop up in those first fifteen pages, so when it’s time to depart I’m in a cheery mood, to say the least.
During the drive, two separate conversations are held-loudly-and the trip is halfway through before we know it. Our guest gets dropped off at home and we (both sisters) head for the preserve. First place we hit is a small and very rustic hotel, located in the center of the preserve. What with the heat, we have a hankering for a cool drink followed up by a rare ice cream. Hah.
There are trees everywhere, and for the first time since living in this particular area of Spain I gaze upon a forest of chestnut trees.
I knew they were around somewhere…in autumn they are considered a treat ‘round here…and now the mystery is solved. It is rather beautiful to behold, after being used to pine woods, or cork oaks. The bright green is a rare thing around these parts that’s a fact.
We have only little time for the hike and considering that it is rather hot-summer’s definitely very near-we don’t actually mind. Some pictures get snapped, one mountain gets climbed and then we’re back in the car starting on our way home. Land inward (due to road constructions we have to swerve away from the sea quite a bit) the air is dry and feels like a hair blower hitting our faces full force. And to imagine that this will only get worse during the summer, hah.
Once at home, the tasks that have been planned these past few weeks, for when summer hits, are set into motion. What with the transferal of the washing machine to the courtyard, the pantry has been fully transformed for storage. For this a large closet was placed inside and a new rack put together.
The old closet misses the top, and since the old shelves that used to stand there, have suffered greatly from a large number of floods during winter, I decide to saw off the damaged part so it will fit on the bare top. Considering the shelving is narrower, I use the remainder of the cut off section to close up the rest of the closet, and nod my approval at the knowledge that a lot will fit now that storage is aplenty.
Bottles of soda, boxes of cleaning detergent and several boxes with a collection of chemical aids, soon fill up the new shelves, creating a rather pretty and organized atmosphere. What with the old door that we transformed into a window recently, the place is finally rat free, while allowing for ventilation through the grilled parts of the window.
That done it is time to head out for more rocks. I know, I already said that we were going to stop with that for a bit, but considering the wall that will need to be made come fall, we need to have many, many more. Due to shifting ground, there is a narrow break forming along the bottom of our enclosed veranda (a big cactus below it died last year, so we think that this is the cause) and to rectify the structural error we decided that some serious fortification. It will be a lot of work, sure, but since it is inevitable-and part of a long forgotten plan-it’s just the way things are; no sense complaining about it.
Anyways, we decide to try a different section of the road under construction this time…it’s ridiculous what they are doing, really. Here we have three tiny little villages, and they go and spend around 15 million Euros on putting down an actual highway between them. And for what? The hundred cars or so that cross there in a year? Nice to see how hard-earned tax money is being use. Hah.
We find a rather good load today, with many places to get more in the near future, so that is definitely good news for us. It takes only about an hour to drive there, load up and return home and after the rocks have been unloaded, we head inside to attempt another quick edit…for the synopsis this time.
This one too, is looking rather good at the moment, and while working on it, rearranging a sentence or two we’re discussing the variety of options that lay ahead. For sending the story to on particular publisher we might chose to go with the title change, making it “Broken” (it’s a romance publishers nonetheless) while with several others we’ll stick with the familiar “Saving Nina” just because that is the title that suits best after all. Hah.
There is a little mishap with Knight II (the elephant in disguise, hah) who decided to start a fight with Koefnoen, one of little brother’s dogs, and bit me in the shoulder instead. Bloody idiot! He’s just so hapless ones he gets excited.
So, with that the day has come to an end. The night is mild and pleasant, and I feel nicely tired. Can’t wait to get some shuteye. Hah.
Feeling dreadfully lazy this morning, and more than a little too comfortable, I oversleep a solid forty minutes and take my time stretching and yawning before finally getting out of bed. I know that there were dreams, I was rather enjoying one while dozing, but regretfully the details slip from my mind by the time I go through the morning rituals and make my way down to the house.
The day starts up with pleasant sunshine and fresh air, which makes me hopeful of the intended hike, later today when we bring our bimonthly visitor home. We just might be in time to explore some of the nature preserve located some odd miles out of Marbella; it will be quite a trip to get there, sure, but also worth our while in the end.
First, there are the morning chores, breakfast and the read-through edit. I’m actually looking forward to this read through, now that the hard stuff is over, and as we make our way through the prologue and first chapter we are positively thrilled with the progress that was made during the rewrite. Only some typos and some tiny punctuation issues pop up in those first fifteen pages, so when it’s time to depart I’m in a cheery mood, to say the least.
During the drive, two separate conversations are held-loudly-and the trip is halfway through before we know it. Our guest gets dropped off at home and we (both sisters) head for the preserve. First place we hit is a small and very rustic hotel, located in the center of the preserve. What with the heat, we have a hankering for a cool drink followed up by a rare ice cream. Hah.
There are trees everywhere, and for the first time since living in this particular area of Spain I gaze upon a forest of chestnut trees.
I knew they were around somewhere…in autumn they are considered a treat ‘round here…and now the mystery is solved. It is rather beautiful to behold, after being used to pine woods, or cork oaks. The bright green is a rare thing around these parts that’s a fact.
We have only little time for the hike and considering that it is rather hot-summer’s definitely very near-we don’t actually mind. Some pictures get snapped, one mountain gets climbed and then we’re back in the car starting on our way home. Land inward (due to road constructions we have to swerve away from the sea quite a bit) the air is dry and feels like a hair blower hitting our faces full force. And to imagine that this will only get worse during the summer, hah.
Once at home, the tasks that have been planned these past few weeks, for when summer hits, are set into motion. What with the transferal of the washing machine to the courtyard, the pantry has been fully transformed for storage. For this a large closet was placed inside and a new rack put together.
The old closet misses the top, and since the old shelves that used to stand there, have suffered greatly from a large number of floods during winter, I decide to saw off the damaged part so it will fit on the bare top. Considering the shelving is narrower, I use the remainder of the cut off section to close up the rest of the closet, and nod my approval at the knowledge that a lot will fit now that storage is aplenty.
Bottles of soda, boxes of cleaning detergent and several boxes with a collection of chemical aids, soon fill up the new shelves, creating a rather pretty and organized atmosphere. What with the old door that we transformed into a window recently, the place is finally rat free, while allowing for ventilation through the grilled parts of the window.
That done it is time to head out for more rocks. I know, I already said that we were going to stop with that for a bit, but considering the wall that will need to be made come fall, we need to have many, many more. Due to shifting ground, there is a narrow break forming along the bottom of our enclosed veranda (a big cactus below it died last year, so we think that this is the cause) and to rectify the structural error we decided that some serious fortification. It will be a lot of work, sure, but since it is inevitable-and part of a long forgotten plan-it’s just the way things are; no sense complaining about it.
Anyways, we decide to try a different section of the road under construction this time…it’s ridiculous what they are doing, really. Here we have three tiny little villages, and they go and spend around 15 million Euros on putting down an actual highway between them. And for what? The hundred cars or so that cross there in a year? Nice to see how hard-earned tax money is being use. Hah.
We find a rather good load today, with many places to get more in the near future, so that is definitely good news for us. It takes only about an hour to drive there, load up and return home and after the rocks have been unloaded, we head inside to attempt another quick edit…for the synopsis this time.
This one too, is looking rather good at the moment, and while working on it, rearranging a sentence or two we’re discussing the variety of options that lay ahead. For sending the story to on particular publisher we might chose to go with the title change, making it “Broken” (it’s a romance publishers nonetheless) while with several others we’ll stick with the familiar “Saving Nina” just because that is the title that suits best after all. Hah.
There is a little mishap with Knight II (the elephant in disguise, hah) who decided to start a fight with Koefnoen, one of little brother’s dogs, and bit me in the shoulder instead. Bloody idiot! He’s just so hapless ones he gets excited.
So, with that the day has come to an end. The night is mild and pleasant, and I feel nicely tired. Can’t wait to get some shuteye. Hah.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Stuff, and a serious question.
Song of the day: “Grace Kelly” by Mika, again. I wonder if my head has depleted its resources, sticking with the songs I actually know. I hate repeats in this sort of thing. Nice song, though. Very up beat, even though it was made out of pure frustration. Hah.
I had a most annoying dream. I cannot recall the exact details that led up to the event, but what I do remember is that I was running up the incline, to find my cabin on fire. Well, technically, it was already smoldering and while I was staring at the ravages, I saw the worst thing ever: My laptop had burned with it, and resembled a clump of molten plastic and tiny metal pieces. I stood there, feeling miserable, when I suddenly remembered that everything is backed-up on big brother’s computer…as well as on those of the younger sibs. Now, this realization is odd for me under those circumstances, since usually, when I have these kinds of dreams, I will be so desolated that I can hardly think at all. I definitely see it as a good sign, in light of not feeling out of sorts for the remainder of the day.
When the alarm goes off this morning-I actually wake three minutes before it-I’m feeling remarkably refreshed. The air is cool, the sun is shining, and I fully enjoy it all while I do my stretches and get ready to head for the house.
Trin Trin is being her monstrous self, of course. She just can’t learn to just quietly walk along; instead, she is ferociously attacking the rubber pipe I always carry with me for this very occasion. Better she hangs in the pipe than in my leg. Hah. Like I’ve said many times, the Monster Boxer is insane. I’ve tried everything, but once she gets that look in her eyes, she’s unstoppable.
Once we have gone through the usual morning routines big brother and I settle behind the computer to finish the edit.
Yes, we’ve finished it! At long last!…the rewrite-edit at least, and I am positively thrilled. With a little luck, we’ll be able to actually enjoy the read-through edit now that the hard stuff was dealt with.
We spent another half hour or so going over the query letter and then it is time for us to depart for town. We have an appointment with an insurance broker, and in order to make it, we have to hurry. We arrive right on the dot and go over the particulars of the policy with the agent. It is a simple thing, really; filling in some forms, getting the quote again and then signing the paper I get shoved in my hands.
We’re out of the place in less than and hour to quickly visit the supermarket…if we get a few essentials we might actually make it through to next week without needing to do the massive bimonthly shopping spree. Which would be grand, for all considered. There are so many constructive things to do than waste money on grocery shopping. Hah.
When we return home, fresh veggies and fruit loaded in the back, we spent a few minutes bringing it all inside, and then change into work clothes to tackle some minor outside chores. During the course of the day, the temperatures have risen considerably, and though in the shadows it is rather pleasant, no one is really in the mood to build.
Instead, we cultivate the new terrace, spreading the dirt that was thrown there, watering plants and doing some digging…well, technically little brother did the digging since my wrists are still a bit iffy. (They don’t hurt anymore, but feel a tad…ehm, fragile, if that makes any sense).
Since I’m using the hose anyway, I spend over an hour cleaning the four new stairs that were made over past few months. They look gorgeous, by the way, all sort of flat rocks, their colors ranging from black to bright reds and whites, now clear contrasts since the sand is removed.
I gotta take pictures tomorrow.
That done, I quickly tackle the laundry and do some more cleaning-in the courtyard this time-before heading inside to have a much needed slice of pizza. Cold and a day old it tastes even better, and I thoroughly enjoy it, prior to setting up the computers and starting on a planned search of the net. Though we have continuously researched publishers over the past few months, we want to make sure that none of the set “rules” changed over time.
Pretty certain about which companies qualify to receive a copy of the soon-to-be-fully-finished manuscript, we’re pleased to be up-to-date once again, and then take to re-reading the query letter that is supposed to “sell” the story to complete strangers.
I still don’t get why I have to sell it-I used to think that the story speaks for itself-but I’ll oblige by learning how. Hah. While discussing the intricacies of the publishing world, big brother and I ponder the possibility of changing the title of the manuscript. I’ve read somewhere that even the title can turn an editor/agent off, so it is an option that I’ve always kept open.
Once reaching my cabin, we start to brainstorm, going over all sorts of options, which we’ve brought down to a selection of choices.
If you have time, do read through them and let me know what you think would be a catchy title. Up until now, the working title is: SAVING NINA.
I like it well enough. No matter what this title will always be this book to me, but just in case it doesn’t ring “right” I want to have a back up.
I know, it’s a difficult question to answer; but, if you were looking for a psychological thriller (a bit of romance and humor thrown into the mix), which type of title would likely catch your attention?
1. Broken (the sad note)
2. All of them (romance but deep)
3. Out of bounds (the general note)
4. My turn (the funny note)
5. Unleashed (ominous)
6. Multiplicity (familiar, but fitting)
7. Turn (simple and catchy)
Or if you think of something else that might fit with spies, intrigue, sects, and a multiple personality heroine making life hard for the tracker hero, feel free to throw it in. I’m always open for suggestions.
I had a most annoying dream. I cannot recall the exact details that led up to the event, but what I do remember is that I was running up the incline, to find my cabin on fire. Well, technically, it was already smoldering and while I was staring at the ravages, I saw the worst thing ever: My laptop had burned with it, and resembled a clump of molten plastic and tiny metal pieces. I stood there, feeling miserable, when I suddenly remembered that everything is backed-up on big brother’s computer…as well as on those of the younger sibs. Now, this realization is odd for me under those circumstances, since usually, when I have these kinds of dreams, I will be so desolated that I can hardly think at all. I definitely see it as a good sign, in light of not feeling out of sorts for the remainder of the day.
When the alarm goes off this morning-I actually wake three minutes before it-I’m feeling remarkably refreshed. The air is cool, the sun is shining, and I fully enjoy it all while I do my stretches and get ready to head for the house.
Trin Trin is being her monstrous self, of course. She just can’t learn to just quietly walk along; instead, she is ferociously attacking the rubber pipe I always carry with me for this very occasion. Better she hangs in the pipe than in my leg. Hah. Like I’ve said many times, the Monster Boxer is insane. I’ve tried everything, but once she gets that look in her eyes, she’s unstoppable.
Once we have gone through the usual morning routines big brother and I settle behind the computer to finish the edit.
Yes, we’ve finished it! At long last!…the rewrite-edit at least, and I am positively thrilled. With a little luck, we’ll be able to actually enjoy the read-through edit now that the hard stuff was dealt with.
We spent another half hour or so going over the query letter and then it is time for us to depart for town. We have an appointment with an insurance broker, and in order to make it, we have to hurry. We arrive right on the dot and go over the particulars of the policy with the agent. It is a simple thing, really; filling in some forms, getting the quote again and then signing the paper I get shoved in my hands.
We’re out of the place in less than and hour to quickly visit the supermarket…if we get a few essentials we might actually make it through to next week without needing to do the massive bimonthly shopping spree. Which would be grand, for all considered. There are so many constructive things to do than waste money on grocery shopping. Hah.
When we return home, fresh veggies and fruit loaded in the back, we spent a few minutes bringing it all inside, and then change into work clothes to tackle some minor outside chores. During the course of the day, the temperatures have risen considerably, and though in the shadows it is rather pleasant, no one is really in the mood to build.
Instead, we cultivate the new terrace, spreading the dirt that was thrown there, watering plants and doing some digging…well, technically little brother did the digging since my wrists are still a bit iffy. (They don’t hurt anymore, but feel a tad…ehm, fragile, if that makes any sense).
Since I’m using the hose anyway, I spend over an hour cleaning the four new stairs that were made over past few months. They look gorgeous, by the way, all sort of flat rocks, their colors ranging from black to bright reds and whites, now clear contrasts since the sand is removed.
I gotta take pictures tomorrow.
That done, I quickly tackle the laundry and do some more cleaning-in the courtyard this time-before heading inside to have a much needed slice of pizza. Cold and a day old it tastes even better, and I thoroughly enjoy it, prior to setting up the computers and starting on a planned search of the net. Though we have continuously researched publishers over the past few months, we want to make sure that none of the set “rules” changed over time.
Pretty certain about which companies qualify to receive a copy of the soon-to-be-fully-finished manuscript, we’re pleased to be up-to-date once again, and then take to re-reading the query letter that is supposed to “sell” the story to complete strangers.
I still don’t get why I have to sell it-I used to think that the story speaks for itself-but I’ll oblige by learning how. Hah. While discussing the intricacies of the publishing world, big brother and I ponder the possibility of changing the title of the manuscript. I’ve read somewhere that even the title can turn an editor/agent off, so it is an option that I’ve always kept open.
Once reaching my cabin, we start to brainstorm, going over all sorts of options, which we’ve brought down to a selection of choices.
If you have time, do read through them and let me know what you think would be a catchy title. Up until now, the working title is: SAVING NINA.
I like it well enough. No matter what this title will always be this book to me, but just in case it doesn’t ring “right” I want to have a back up.
I know, it’s a difficult question to answer; but, if you were looking for a psychological thriller (a bit of romance and humor thrown into the mix), which type of title would likely catch your attention?
1. Broken (the sad note)
2. All of them (romance but deep)
3. Out of bounds (the general note)
4. My turn (the funny note)
5. Unleashed (ominous)
6. Multiplicity (familiar, but fitting)
7. Turn (simple and catchy)
Or if you think of something else that might fit with spies, intrigue, sects, and a multiple personality heroine making life hard for the tracker hero, feel free to throw it in. I’m always open for suggestions.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Pizza day!
Song of the day: “Just a little bit” by Maria Mena. I wonder why this particular artist is, as of yesterday, roaming in my head. Great music, sure, but not that incredibly famous that it would stick as well as it does.
I lie in bed for a full fifteen minutes, listening to the alarm go off this morning, wondering how the heck I’m going to get up when I can hardly keep my eyes open, hah.
Luckily, after some serious stretches in the comfortably warm (still fresh) morning sun, I’m doing a lot better and feel up to going down to the house without complaining like an old hag.
After coffee and breakfast (and the usual morning chores like laundry and such) we settle down for another edit and some writing. I need to finish the final scene, a new epilogue, and with that in mind I do finish it while big brother does a quick sum up beside me, listing the details for the sequel that is supposed to be created at some point in the near future.
Unlike the first five novels (two done, one halfway and the last one in the first quarter, and one still in the beginning stages) in the “No Escape from Rising Sun” chronicles, this sequel will be more like a spin off. It will have to do with the theme, but be entirely separate. Does that make any sense?
I got the idea while I was working on the epilogue, in which a particularly skilled assassin is introduced into the main plot. It will be a wonderful challenge to transform the proverbial bad guy into an actual hero. The ideas are running along, steadily forming a rather intriguing story in my head that’s going to be a pleasure to write down, I’m sure. Now, if only we manage to finish the edit so I can get to it…or any of the others for some serious writing.
That done, we settle down for the edit; it’s going at a snail’s pace, but we’re getting there. Another couple of pages gets added and by the time our write-work time is over, we’re pretty confident that by this time tomorrow we will be able to call the rewrite-edit finished. (Finally!)
Rather than following our usual routine, where we would head outside, we make a joined decision to focus on some of the maintenance and cleaning chores in the house instead. Though the weather is be wonderful for a good building session, a quiet day won’t go amiss at this point.
Little sister and I head for the kitchen. While cleaning cabinets and such, I’m going to mostly focus on making a large amount of pizza for dinner, which does require some time…it might not have been one of my smartest ideas, considering that my wrists are still sore and rolling out the dough hurts somewhat fierce, but what the heck.
Big brother gets his tools to do some repairs, and little brother transfers our two old armchairs to the spare storage room, where they’ll be out of the way until we find the time to do some proper repairs. Middle sister, also feeling the cleaning spirit rush through her, decides to tackle the chinchilla cage and the rabbit run.
All in all, everyone is doing his/her thing throughout the hours that pass. Mom is helping with the vegetables for the pizza, and I try to divert my attention between making dough, sauce and grating cheese, while helping little sister with the actual cleaning in the kitchen.
Three hours later, with the pizza ready for consuming, I head on up to our tenant to give her a pie as well and then dig in myself. One of the disadvantages of making about seven feet of pizza (hopefully it will see us through a day or two) is that it is time consuming and that hanging over food and delicious smells all the time, seriously kills the appetite. Hah.
Full after one slice, I really don’t feel like sitting down yet, and clean some more in the kitchen, reorganizing drawers and such before going out into the courtyard to water the plants. I use the sieve on the pool…the wind has been blowing more than a few leaves into the water for the past few days…hose down the large expanse of floor, since I’m using the water anyway, and then hang some more laundry.
After another quick session with the duster and a wet cloth, I consider the workday over and decide to answer a letter to a friend. I was too tired yesterday evening, so before big brother and I start on the edit again, I write her back, trying to lift her spirits a little. Though I try to keep it all light by jokingly comparing her life with a delightful soap opera, it saddens me to see the troubles she faces on a day-to-day basis.
For the remainder of the evening we once again delve into “Saving Nina” and don’t manage to finish…much to my regret. Only half a page to go, and midnight has passed. Now, in the old days I would have continued on, sacrificing sleeping time to the muses, but these days that is quite impossible. There are schedules to keep, and in light of that, completing the rewrite-edit will have to wait until tomorrow. Grrr.
By the time I arrive at my cabin to feed the dogs, I am forced to turn a blind eye to the mess I see in evidence everywhere around me. I would like to tackle that as well…apparently I’m suffering from clean-nytis today, hah…but it will have to be postponed until a different day when the schedule permits.
A nice quiet day? I don’t know. It makes me a little restless, even though I know I needed it. I feel better when we’ve put in a full day’s work on the rock project for some peculiar reason.
I lie in bed for a full fifteen minutes, listening to the alarm go off this morning, wondering how the heck I’m going to get up when I can hardly keep my eyes open, hah.
Luckily, after some serious stretches in the comfortably warm (still fresh) morning sun, I’m doing a lot better and feel up to going down to the house without complaining like an old hag.
After coffee and breakfast (and the usual morning chores like laundry and such) we settle down for another edit and some writing. I need to finish the final scene, a new epilogue, and with that in mind I do finish it while big brother does a quick sum up beside me, listing the details for the sequel that is supposed to be created at some point in the near future.
Unlike the first five novels (two done, one halfway and the last one in the first quarter, and one still in the beginning stages) in the “No Escape from Rising Sun” chronicles, this sequel will be more like a spin off. It will have to do with the theme, but be entirely separate. Does that make any sense?
I got the idea while I was working on the epilogue, in which a particularly skilled assassin is introduced into the main plot. It will be a wonderful challenge to transform the proverbial bad guy into an actual hero. The ideas are running along, steadily forming a rather intriguing story in my head that’s going to be a pleasure to write down, I’m sure. Now, if only we manage to finish the edit so I can get to it…or any of the others for some serious writing.
That done, we settle down for the edit; it’s going at a snail’s pace, but we’re getting there. Another couple of pages gets added and by the time our write-work time is over, we’re pretty confident that by this time tomorrow we will be able to call the rewrite-edit finished. (Finally!)
Rather than following our usual routine, where we would head outside, we make a joined decision to focus on some of the maintenance and cleaning chores in the house instead. Though the weather is be wonderful for a good building session, a quiet day won’t go amiss at this point.
Little sister and I head for the kitchen. While cleaning cabinets and such, I’m going to mostly focus on making a large amount of pizza for dinner, which does require some time…it might not have been one of my smartest ideas, considering that my wrists are still sore and rolling out the dough hurts somewhat fierce, but what the heck.
Big brother gets his tools to do some repairs, and little brother transfers our two old armchairs to the spare storage room, where they’ll be out of the way until we find the time to do some proper repairs. Middle sister, also feeling the cleaning spirit rush through her, decides to tackle the chinchilla cage and the rabbit run.
All in all, everyone is doing his/her thing throughout the hours that pass. Mom is helping with the vegetables for the pizza, and I try to divert my attention between making dough, sauce and grating cheese, while helping little sister with the actual cleaning in the kitchen.
Three hours later, with the pizza ready for consuming, I head on up to our tenant to give her a pie as well and then dig in myself. One of the disadvantages of making about seven feet of pizza (hopefully it will see us through a day or two) is that it is time consuming and that hanging over food and delicious smells all the time, seriously kills the appetite. Hah.
Full after one slice, I really don’t feel like sitting down yet, and clean some more in the kitchen, reorganizing drawers and such before going out into the courtyard to water the plants. I use the sieve on the pool…the wind has been blowing more than a few leaves into the water for the past few days…hose down the large expanse of floor, since I’m using the water anyway, and then hang some more laundry.
After another quick session with the duster and a wet cloth, I consider the workday over and decide to answer a letter to a friend. I was too tired yesterday evening, so before big brother and I start on the edit again, I write her back, trying to lift her spirits a little. Though I try to keep it all light by jokingly comparing her life with a delightful soap opera, it saddens me to see the troubles she faces on a day-to-day basis.
For the remainder of the evening we once again delve into “Saving Nina” and don’t manage to finish…much to my regret. Only half a page to go, and midnight has passed. Now, in the old days I would have continued on, sacrificing sleeping time to the muses, but these days that is quite impossible. There are schedules to keep, and in light of that, completing the rewrite-edit will have to wait until tomorrow. Grrr.
By the time I arrive at my cabin to feed the dogs, I am forced to turn a blind eye to the mess I see in evidence everywhere around me. I would like to tackle that as well…apparently I’m suffering from clean-nytis today, hah…but it will have to be postponed until a different day when the schedule permits.
A nice quiet day? I don’t know. It makes me a little restless, even though I know I needed it. I feel better when we’ve put in a full day’s work on the rock project for some peculiar reason.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bureaucracy: It's a pain! Hah.
Song of the day: “My Lullaby” by Maria Mena. A cute song, just not the most exciting one to have swirling through your head most of the day. Of course, afterwards there was this really annoying kiddie song that took it’s place, so I was wishing that Mena came back.
Okay, early day this morning, and I’ll admit to not liking it in the least to rearrange schedules, just to get it all done. We had to get the car to the obligatory yearly check up and then tackle the motor vehicle dept. to finally find out what the heck is taking them so friggin’ long in sending us our official licenses.
But I’m getting ahead of myself again; a nasty tendency, I know. Do bear with me.
So let’s get back on track. The alarm screeches, disturbing a rather interesting dream about “Prison Break” of all things. A pity too, it was just about to get interesting.
Time to unwrap the bandage, roll out of bed and get going. I go to the house, deposit my bag, have a quick breakfast with coffee. Half an hour later, we’re on our way to the city, making it just in time to the technical inspection…that makes us “fail” (an annoying little man who had a face as if he was looking at something vile) due to the missing third seatbelt of the center seat in the back of the truck. Aaargh.
Apparently, it makes no difference if the backseat of the truck is too small to harbor three people and that the center belt was never used and just annoyed us.
But noooooh, we need to have it put in before we get our certificate. So now we have to make another appointment for when we get the stupid belt from the shop, at which time we get to return (yay) to go through the entire procedure again. We get to spend time and money on fuel so we can shell out another fifty bucks to get something that we’re obligated to get.
Oh my. It amazes me how governments work that way. You pay taxes and then get to pay more for stuff that are not a service supplied, no, they’re an obligation…with opening hours that are so short no self-respecting shop could earn a living with, mind you. I can make money that way. Wouldn’t it be grand I could make it a law that people HAVE to buy my books, or else? Why not charge for air too, while they’re at it. Bloody bureaucracy. They piss me off. They really do.
But anyway, who cares…Afterwards we head for the traffic bureau where we spend a “blissful” hour standing in line and waiting for our number to come up. Yep, they better be grateful for those bulletproof windows ‘cause there were some frustrated people around. Hah
Luckily, the lady we talk with is forthcoming and supplies us with an old model license, because the one that was send in the mail obviously didn’t (and never would) arrive. It’s this scrap of pink paper that gets printed on the spot, they rub on some glue and then stick a picture on in, an voila: Driving license on the spot…and for that I get to shell out my hard earned money.
No matter though. If all goes well, it should tide me over for at least ten years…knock on wood, cross my finger and roll my eyes…so I’m happy with at least one success today.
When we return home and release the pack…apparently they were remarkably quiet during our absence (good dogs)…and then pour ourselves some much needed coffee before setting up the computer.
We only manage a page or so of the epilogue, considering we got way too little sleep, and so, and hour before our usual quitting time, we start on a more active task - if only to prevent exhaustion from getting the better of us.
For the next couple of hours I clean. Fake plants get hosed down and the ceilings and walls are once again rid of the spider webs and dust. Since I’m busy anyway, I also rearrange some electrical wires and a light fixture in the kitchen, finishing up just when we’re supposed to head on outside for another session with the rocks.
The third plant container is added in the hours that follow, along with the last step leading to my porch. It is all starting to come together and we all take a moment to admire the progress made before we return to the house for the meal mom has prepared for dinner.
First, we decide to remove Yama’s stitches. She was the crossbreed that got a hysterectomy a little while back. The slightly scarred skin is looking good, and though it takes us a while to achieve the removal (I’m almost lying on top of her) soon she is walking around the other dogs again, happy as you please.
Once we’ve eaten, and with the approach of dusk, big brother and I go to the car (we need to be fast before it’s too dark) so we can get another load of dirt to fill up the terrace.
It takes us about twenty minutes to fill the back of the truck up, and then we’re back on our way home. Since our tenant needs to go to physical therapy again tomorrow we spend another fifteen minutes unloading the dirt too and then go down to relax a little with an episode from “Bones”.
My wrists are a tad achy from all the activity, and I patiently wait for midnight to arrive (it’ll only take an hour) so I can head for my cabin to retire for the night.
Gawd, I really do need to get some sleep fast.
Okay, early day this morning, and I’ll admit to not liking it in the least to rearrange schedules, just to get it all done. We had to get the car to the obligatory yearly check up and then tackle the motor vehicle dept. to finally find out what the heck is taking them so friggin’ long in sending us our official licenses.
But I’m getting ahead of myself again; a nasty tendency, I know. Do bear with me.
So let’s get back on track. The alarm screeches, disturbing a rather interesting dream about “Prison Break” of all things. A pity too, it was just about to get interesting.
Time to unwrap the bandage, roll out of bed and get going. I go to the house, deposit my bag, have a quick breakfast with coffee. Half an hour later, we’re on our way to the city, making it just in time to the technical inspection…that makes us “fail” (an annoying little man who had a face as if he was looking at something vile) due to the missing third seatbelt of the center seat in the back of the truck. Aaargh.
Apparently, it makes no difference if the backseat of the truck is too small to harbor three people and that the center belt was never used and just annoyed us.
But noooooh, we need to have it put in before we get our certificate. So now we have to make another appointment for when we get the stupid belt from the shop, at which time we get to return (yay) to go through the entire procedure again. We get to spend time and money on fuel so we can shell out another fifty bucks to get something that we’re obligated to get.
Oh my. It amazes me how governments work that way. You pay taxes and then get to pay more for stuff that are not a service supplied, no, they’re an obligation…with opening hours that are so short no self-respecting shop could earn a living with, mind you. I can make money that way. Wouldn’t it be grand I could make it a law that people HAVE to buy my books, or else? Why not charge for air too, while they’re at it. Bloody bureaucracy. They piss me off. They really do.
But anyway, who cares…Afterwards we head for the traffic bureau where we spend a “blissful” hour standing in line and waiting for our number to come up. Yep, they better be grateful for those bulletproof windows ‘cause there were some frustrated people around. Hah
Luckily, the lady we talk with is forthcoming and supplies us with an old model license, because the one that was send in the mail obviously didn’t (and never would) arrive. It’s this scrap of pink paper that gets printed on the spot, they rub on some glue and then stick a picture on in, an voila: Driving license on the spot…and for that I get to shell out my hard earned money.
No matter though. If all goes well, it should tide me over for at least ten years…knock on wood, cross my finger and roll my eyes…so I’m happy with at least one success today.
When we return home and release the pack…apparently they were remarkably quiet during our absence (good dogs)…and then pour ourselves some much needed coffee before setting up the computer.
We only manage a page or so of the epilogue, considering we got way too little sleep, and so, and hour before our usual quitting time, we start on a more active task - if only to prevent exhaustion from getting the better of us.
For the next couple of hours I clean. Fake plants get hosed down and the ceilings and walls are once again rid of the spider webs and dust. Since I’m busy anyway, I also rearrange some electrical wires and a light fixture in the kitchen, finishing up just when we’re supposed to head on outside for another session with the rocks.
The third plant container is added in the hours that follow, along with the last step leading to my porch. It is all starting to come together and we all take a moment to admire the progress made before we return to the house for the meal mom has prepared for dinner.
First, we decide to remove Yama’s stitches. She was the crossbreed that got a hysterectomy a little while back. The slightly scarred skin is looking good, and though it takes us a while to achieve the removal (I’m almost lying on top of her) soon she is walking around the other dogs again, happy as you please.
Once we’ve eaten, and with the approach of dusk, big brother and I go to the car (we need to be fast before it’s too dark) so we can get another load of dirt to fill up the terrace.
It takes us about twenty minutes to fill the back of the truck up, and then we’re back on our way home. Since our tenant needs to go to physical therapy again tomorrow we spend another fifteen minutes unloading the dirt too and then go down to relax a little with an episode from “Bones”.
My wrists are a tad achy from all the activity, and I patiently wait for midnight to arrive (it’ll only take an hour) so I can head for my cabin to retire for the night.
Gawd, I really do need to get some sleep fast.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Semi-rest day. Yay!
Song of the day: “La principe valiente” by Amistades Peligrosas. Gawd, I haven’t heard the song in years...at least not deliberately...so I wonder how I managed to even remember the (Spanish) lyrics, let alone the melody. There were a few other songs, a brave attempt on my part to “change the tune” so to speak, but LPV was definitely the main theme.
I’m a tad late this morning. I just couldn’t open my eyes during wake-up time and ended up snoozing an extra ten minutes. Ah, well, no harm done, I supposed. I remove the wrappings and test my wrists. Since they’re reasonably well, I leave the wrappings off and get out of bed.
Dreadfully stiff and with my eyes at half-stock (I hate it when that happens) I do a few stretches prior to getting dressed for the day, and then head on out the cabin into the bright, but fresh morning air. Beautiful weather again; sunny but cool, just like the younger sibs like it. Hah.
After breakfast and the usual morning chores, sincerely hoping that my eyes will open appropriately, we start on the edit. Again it goes slowly, but steadily, going through a couple of pages in the hours that pass, and during which we get distracted a lot.
We stumble a little on a particular phrasing here, a wrong punctuation mark there, but other than that, it’s not going too bad when the time arrives for us to head on out.
Since little sister and I are both having some discomfort in our wrists…definitely overdid the lifting part these past few weeks, hah…we tackle the car for a good washing.
Tomorrow we need to take the car to the city for it’s official check up with the traffic bureau of the county. Our “permiso de circulacion” needs to be renewed, and for that the tedious chore of heading over the there and probably wait there for hours on end (aargh) for our turn is jotted down in our mental day planner. I am not looking forward to it, that’s a fact, but what needs to be done has to be done in the end.
So, we wash the car, remove the tattered and torn coverings from the seats (can’t give a bad impression after all) and replace it with a new set that we bought on sale six months, or so, ago. It’s a rather heavy task, twisting and turning into all sorts of shapes while we attempts to attach the coverings to the seats, but in the end, with the car gleaming, the dashboard cleaned and the “new” seats, the truck is looking mighty nifty.
While little sister and I did the car, the other sibs emptied yesterday’s dirt load from the back of the truck, and then went off to different ventures while we finished up the cleaning.
Once we’re done, it is time to change clothes, bring the dogs inside and get ready for the run we planned to take today. Though some exercise won’t go amiss, the ol’ bod is complaining somewhat fierce as I dress in my workout clothes, slip into my sneakers and then head up to the car where little sister is already waiting.
At last, the three younger sibs have come to a point in their lives where they want to learn how to drive - not so much getting a license, but just “knowing” how to handle a car without driving into a ditch. This is why we decided that, since we head out onto narrow dirt roads in deserted areas for our running anyway, we might as well take the opportunity to start with lessons.
While little brother had his turn during the last run, little sister takes hers today. It is quite charming to see her excitement (little sister always literally glows when she enjoys something) when we finally reach the dirt road and we change places so she can settle behind the wheel.
Basically, this is the first time that she’s driving our wonderfully clean truck, so there are a few hiccups at the start…the lower gear does make it a lot easier on her…but once she gets a hang of it she is carefully touring towards the small parking area where we stop to go for our run.
The run goes well, taking less than an hour, and afterwards we’re all standing around the car going through the cool-down stretches and other exercises that will keep joints and muscles flexible. Since we need to turn the car anyway, little sister gets to drive almost four miles in total and she is delighted by the time we return to the house with her very first driving lesson behind her.
I’m actually quite relieved that little sister is doing the driving on the bumpy road. Every jerk and bump is bothering my wrist, so if I were holding the wheel I’d be sure to be in some serious pain. Ah yes, I’m learning to see the positive side of things these days, hah. Upon reaching the main road, little sister and I exchange places again and I drive home…on the smooth and bump-less blacktop, thankfully.
Mom has dinner waiting for us, so after washing up and greeting the dogs we heartily dig in. Excellent meal: Curried zucchini, green beans with coconut shavings and basmati rice. It always reminds me of my childhood for some reason.
With dinner behind us, big brother and I resume the edit and add another two pages, ending the last chapter with gleeful pleasure…for us, anyway. Only the epilogue to go, along with the new scene, and then the re-write edit will actually be completely and irrevocably, DONE! Yes, yes…Yay!
Sure, it will need a read-through edit still, and probably another read-through after that, but the hard work will be over. Phew. I can hardly encompass it when I think about it; maybe I’ll have better luck tomorrow. Hah.
I’ve a feeling that I’m missing something, and event that I wanted to write down for today, but for the life I can’t remember what it was. It’s so frustrating. It’s like trying to think of a word and it’s on the tip of your tongue, you just can’t figure out what it is. Darn it!
Lemme think. I wrote about the edit, the car washing, the run, little sister’s first driving lesson…nope. I’m coming up blank. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? Ah well, maybe I’ll have remembered by this time tomorrow…I wonder if I’ll be able to state that the epilogue of “Saving Nina” is done then too. That sure would be something. I’m still trying to think of a way to celebrate.
So, with that bit of pleasant news the evening comes to an end, and with it today’s blog.
I’m a tad late this morning. I just couldn’t open my eyes during wake-up time and ended up snoozing an extra ten minutes. Ah, well, no harm done, I supposed. I remove the wrappings and test my wrists. Since they’re reasonably well, I leave the wrappings off and get out of bed.
Dreadfully stiff and with my eyes at half-stock (I hate it when that happens) I do a few stretches prior to getting dressed for the day, and then head on out the cabin into the bright, but fresh morning air. Beautiful weather again; sunny but cool, just like the younger sibs like it. Hah.
After breakfast and the usual morning chores, sincerely hoping that my eyes will open appropriately, we start on the edit. Again it goes slowly, but steadily, going through a couple of pages in the hours that pass, and during which we get distracted a lot.
We stumble a little on a particular phrasing here, a wrong punctuation mark there, but other than that, it’s not going too bad when the time arrives for us to head on out.
Since little sister and I are both having some discomfort in our wrists…definitely overdid the lifting part these past few weeks, hah…we tackle the car for a good washing.
Tomorrow we need to take the car to the city for it’s official check up with the traffic bureau of the county. Our “permiso de circulacion” needs to be renewed, and for that the tedious chore of heading over the there and probably wait there for hours on end (aargh) for our turn is jotted down in our mental day planner. I am not looking forward to it, that’s a fact, but what needs to be done has to be done in the end.
So, we wash the car, remove the tattered and torn coverings from the seats (can’t give a bad impression after all) and replace it with a new set that we bought on sale six months, or so, ago. It’s a rather heavy task, twisting and turning into all sorts of shapes while we attempts to attach the coverings to the seats, but in the end, with the car gleaming, the dashboard cleaned and the “new” seats, the truck is looking mighty nifty.
While little sister and I did the car, the other sibs emptied yesterday’s dirt load from the back of the truck, and then went off to different ventures while we finished up the cleaning.
Once we’re done, it is time to change clothes, bring the dogs inside and get ready for the run we planned to take today. Though some exercise won’t go amiss, the ol’ bod is complaining somewhat fierce as I dress in my workout clothes, slip into my sneakers and then head up to the car where little sister is already waiting.
At last, the three younger sibs have come to a point in their lives where they want to learn how to drive - not so much getting a license, but just “knowing” how to handle a car without driving into a ditch. This is why we decided that, since we head out onto narrow dirt roads in deserted areas for our running anyway, we might as well take the opportunity to start with lessons.
While little brother had his turn during the last run, little sister takes hers today. It is quite charming to see her excitement (little sister always literally glows when she enjoys something) when we finally reach the dirt road and we change places so she can settle behind the wheel.
Basically, this is the first time that she’s driving our wonderfully clean truck, so there are a few hiccups at the start…the lower gear does make it a lot easier on her…but once she gets a hang of it she is carefully touring towards the small parking area where we stop to go for our run.
The run goes well, taking less than an hour, and afterwards we’re all standing around the car going through the cool-down stretches and other exercises that will keep joints and muscles flexible. Since we need to turn the car anyway, little sister gets to drive almost four miles in total and she is delighted by the time we return to the house with her very first driving lesson behind her.
I’m actually quite relieved that little sister is doing the driving on the bumpy road. Every jerk and bump is bothering my wrist, so if I were holding the wheel I’d be sure to be in some serious pain. Ah yes, I’m learning to see the positive side of things these days, hah. Upon reaching the main road, little sister and I exchange places again and I drive home…on the smooth and bump-less blacktop, thankfully.
Mom has dinner waiting for us, so after washing up and greeting the dogs we heartily dig in. Excellent meal: Curried zucchini, green beans with coconut shavings and basmati rice. It always reminds me of my childhood for some reason.
With dinner behind us, big brother and I resume the edit and add another two pages, ending the last chapter with gleeful pleasure…for us, anyway. Only the epilogue to go, along with the new scene, and then the re-write edit will actually be completely and irrevocably, DONE! Yes, yes…Yay!
Sure, it will need a read-through edit still, and probably another read-through after that, but the hard work will be over. Phew. I can hardly encompass it when I think about it; maybe I’ll have better luck tomorrow. Hah.
I’ve a feeling that I’m missing something, and event that I wanted to write down for today, but for the life I can’t remember what it was. It’s so frustrating. It’s like trying to think of a word and it’s on the tip of your tongue, you just can’t figure out what it is. Darn it!
Lemme think. I wrote about the edit, the car washing, the run, little sister’s first driving lesson…nope. I’m coming up blank. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? Ah well, maybe I’ll have remembered by this time tomorrow…I wonder if I’ll be able to state that the epilogue of “Saving Nina” is done then too. That sure would be something. I’m still trying to think of a way to celebrate.
So, with that bit of pleasant news the evening comes to an end, and with it today’s blog.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Oops.
Song of the day: “Walk on by” by Bryan Adams. A marvelous song, so it’s a good one to have in my head if I have to have one. Hah.
I actually manage to sleep seven hours this night. There were turbulent dreams, but the details faded too fast for me to remember them when I wake up. A pity really, especially since a good dream would have been a nice little thing to share today.
Feeling a little lethargic when I wake, I take the time to do some serious stretching, because, let’s face it, I feel like an old woman this morning, hah. It takes a while for the ol’ engine to get going, and when I get down to the house, the dogs make a racket in their enthusiasm to storm inside. Nothing unusual there, of course, it just struck me.
Since big brother is already there, we have to take care that a fight doesn’t ensue between his pack and mine. Knight II and Fortuyn (a pointer) really don’t like each other, and considering that Tallis (a crossbreed) is scared as heck for Knight II too…well, caution is advisable in that case.
Once my bag has been deposited on the table, it’s time to start on the morning chores. Laundry gets dealt with, followed by a bit of cleaning, and next thing I know big brother and I are once again working on the edit. We don’t get much done during the course of today’s work, but we do add another page or two with a lot of effort.
It is a complicated scene, and though the original version isn’t bad, to be comprehensive, a lot of the sentences need to be rearranged until it makes sense to a reader, rather than me (the writer, duh). It’s frustrating as hell, especially to recreate an image that is already so clear in my head. It is like making a perfect photograph, the composition just so that is only in focus for me. So, to recreate that, in order for someone else to see it the way I do, is like having to set up the entire scene in the same way and then taking the shot from an entirely different angle.
Luckily, in the end, the scene does come out in the right way however, so it is well worth the frustration after all. Eight more pages to go in the rewrite-edit so soon we’ll be done, yay!
Oh yeah. I'm also adding a new scene in the epilogue, for some reason. Interesting. It's an excellent start for the third book.
The day is remarkably clouded, so the temperatures are low enough to actually wear jeans and a flannel shirt. With that plus in mind, we’re all pretty exited about starting today’s work outside in the occasional sunshine and cool breeze. It makes work a lot easier.
For the project, we have to move a pile of rocks that has been stored on top of the wall, and the new terrace it creates, away, so that we can soon start filling it up with dirt and rubble and create an even surface. It takes the four of us almost an hour to move it from one place to the next, at which time little sister and I start on the second plant container that will be attached to the first (created the day before yesterday).
What with the heavy work these past few days, my wrists have been hurting somewhat fierce throughout the day, and since they only get worse, I decide to just shovel cement and let little sister do the difficult part of the job, rather than aggravate the injuries with, bulky, large and heavy weights.
We manage the second plant container just fine within the time allotted for today’s task, and when we’re done, we head into the house to have a quick dinner of the meal mom prepared for us. Red beets, fried with rice and cheese, an all time favorite for the entire family. Once stuffed, we quickly head on out to get a new load of rocks from our usual spot.
While working there, we do realize that we have gotten so many rocks in the past few weeks that the supply is actually dwindling down so much that there isn’t even enough in one spot to get a proper load. What are the chances, really, of depleting a supply beside several miles of road that is under construction…in a rocky area no less?
It sure means that we have been a tad enthusiastic. Hah.
By the time we return my wrists are hurting so much that, rather than help unload, I decide to carry down the supply of dog food that was delivered today. While big brother and grandpa take the rocks out, I go up and down the mountain, making a nice pile of forty-pound bags that make up a solid 640 pounds in total. Yep, the training stuff these past few months are definitely paying off. Heck, my knees didn’t even protest.
Once that’s done we depart again, this time carrying a couple of shovels to we can head to a place where large piles of dirt have been dumped during the construction of the road, and spend an hour transferring about 2000 pounds of dirt into the back of the truck. I do admit to being a tad…ehm, empty by the end of that, so I’m more than happy that midnight is only a couple more hours away.
We watch a recorded episode of “NCIS” and then I head up to my cabin. I need an Ibuprofen and decide to wrap up my wrists with Arnica. With a little luck they’ll be a lot better by this time tomorrow…presuming I don’t screw up by carrying something that’s too heavy before they have the chance to recover. Hah.
What with the wrapped up wrists and my somewhat giddy mood (I tend to get giddy when I’m tired, I don’t know why) the conversation with big brother about grammar, soon goes into the ridiculous, so we wrap up for the evening and try to aim for an early night.
It sure feels like a good day, even with the wrapped up wrists. It makes for an interesting typing experience. Hah.
I actually manage to sleep seven hours this night. There were turbulent dreams, but the details faded too fast for me to remember them when I wake up. A pity really, especially since a good dream would have been a nice little thing to share today.
Feeling a little lethargic when I wake, I take the time to do some serious stretching, because, let’s face it, I feel like an old woman this morning, hah. It takes a while for the ol’ engine to get going, and when I get down to the house, the dogs make a racket in their enthusiasm to storm inside. Nothing unusual there, of course, it just struck me.
Since big brother is already there, we have to take care that a fight doesn’t ensue between his pack and mine. Knight II and Fortuyn (a pointer) really don’t like each other, and considering that Tallis (a crossbreed) is scared as heck for Knight II too…well, caution is advisable in that case.
Once my bag has been deposited on the table, it’s time to start on the morning chores. Laundry gets dealt with, followed by a bit of cleaning, and next thing I know big brother and I are once again working on the edit. We don’t get much done during the course of today’s work, but we do add another page or two with a lot of effort.
It is a complicated scene, and though the original version isn’t bad, to be comprehensive, a lot of the sentences need to be rearranged until it makes sense to a reader, rather than me (the writer, duh). It’s frustrating as hell, especially to recreate an image that is already so clear in my head. It is like making a perfect photograph, the composition just so that is only in focus for me. So, to recreate that, in order for someone else to see it the way I do, is like having to set up the entire scene in the same way and then taking the shot from an entirely different angle.
Luckily, in the end, the scene does come out in the right way however, so it is well worth the frustration after all. Eight more pages to go in the rewrite-edit so soon we’ll be done, yay!
Oh yeah. I'm also adding a new scene in the epilogue, for some reason. Interesting. It's an excellent start for the third book.
The day is remarkably clouded, so the temperatures are low enough to actually wear jeans and a flannel shirt. With that plus in mind, we’re all pretty exited about starting today’s work outside in the occasional sunshine and cool breeze. It makes work a lot easier.
For the project, we have to move a pile of rocks that has been stored on top of the wall, and the new terrace it creates, away, so that we can soon start filling it up with dirt and rubble and create an even surface. It takes the four of us almost an hour to move it from one place to the next, at which time little sister and I start on the second plant container that will be attached to the first (created the day before yesterday).
What with the heavy work these past few days, my wrists have been hurting somewhat fierce throughout the day, and since they only get worse, I decide to just shovel cement and let little sister do the difficult part of the job, rather than aggravate the injuries with, bulky, large and heavy weights.
We manage the second plant container just fine within the time allotted for today’s task, and when we’re done, we head into the house to have a quick dinner of the meal mom prepared for us. Red beets, fried with rice and cheese, an all time favorite for the entire family. Once stuffed, we quickly head on out to get a new load of rocks from our usual spot.
While working there, we do realize that we have gotten so many rocks in the past few weeks that the supply is actually dwindling down so much that there isn’t even enough in one spot to get a proper load. What are the chances, really, of depleting a supply beside several miles of road that is under construction…in a rocky area no less?
It sure means that we have been a tad enthusiastic. Hah.
By the time we return my wrists are hurting so much that, rather than help unload, I decide to carry down the supply of dog food that was delivered today. While big brother and grandpa take the rocks out, I go up and down the mountain, making a nice pile of forty-pound bags that make up a solid 640 pounds in total. Yep, the training stuff these past few months are definitely paying off. Heck, my knees didn’t even protest.
Once that’s done we depart again, this time carrying a couple of shovels to we can head to a place where large piles of dirt have been dumped during the construction of the road, and spend an hour transferring about 2000 pounds of dirt into the back of the truck. I do admit to being a tad…ehm, empty by the end of that, so I’m more than happy that midnight is only a couple more hours away.
We watch a recorded episode of “NCIS” and then I head up to my cabin. I need an Ibuprofen and decide to wrap up my wrists with Arnica. With a little luck they’ll be a lot better by this time tomorrow…presuming I don’t screw up by carrying something that’s too heavy before they have the chance to recover. Hah.
What with the wrapped up wrists and my somewhat giddy mood (I tend to get giddy when I’m tired, I don’t know why) the conversation with big brother about grammar, soon goes into the ridiculous, so we wrap up for the evening and try to aim for an early night.
It sure feels like a good day, even with the wrapped up wrists. It makes for an interesting typing experience. Hah.
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