I realized this morning that it has been exactly one year since I started this blog. It has been a really interesting experience and I want to thank my initial "followers" - I think in the beginning there were maybe 6 of us and I was just thrilled that I wasn't talking to myself (though I do that, too!) I always find that word follower so odd; it conjures up images of Jim Jones and Guyana, but is that just me? Wouldn't subscribers have been a better word? But I am always thrilled when anyone chimes in, follower or not!
I have mentioned before that this daily blog has become my version of morning pages from The Artist's Way. When I began writing here one year ago, I was heading into a crossroads year; I was finishing my fourth decade, I felt emotionally and physically exhausted from my work, my family responsibilities (especially the needs of my very frail father) and from the sense that I had "settled" for a career, which though I was good at it, did not make my heart sing.
The writing of this blog rekindled my passion for creating. I thought I was starting a blog that would help me transition my style into my 50s, but it became something almost completely different. Through this blog I have made many friendships and in fact, I consider every person who is kind enough to drop in to this very non-exclusive clubhouse a friend and try very hard to treat them as such. Because of you all, I was able to test ideas and actions that I might not have been so brave to do in my non-virtual life (we do need a new glossary of terms for all this, don't we?) and you have always been enthusiastic and supportive and that helped me be brave!
So wanted to give you all a status update on how the writing is going. I have finished my middle-grade children's novel and am now cold-shopping it to literary agents, which I imagine will take some time. I am currently 5 chapters into my next book which is a Young Adult Fantasy novel. Writing to you all every day, which often makes me feel like a Jane Austen character, helps me keep going with this dream of being a published author and you have become my "work" colleagues.
I do worry at times that I share too much or can be a little dull (really, I do not lead an exciting life), but I guess that is like all conversations - some are more exciting than others! So a heartfelt thank you - your presence here has meant more than you can know!
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But now on to the style question! Barry is throwing a little "do" in my honour tonight. Honestly, this is the last of it all; but this is just friends. Most of them are friends that I see regularly, some of are work colleagues who became friends over the years. We are having a drop-in-bring-what-you-want-to-BBQ-or-your-bathing-suit-or-just-have-a-quick-glass-of-wine right after the workday. Yesterday, it was 33C and sunny - today, of course, it is going to be 20C and rainy. Oh well - people will get to know each other in my little house.
So of course, I need to pick an outfit! And that is where you come in!
Should I wear a dress:
or fancy pants
What do you think?
Don't worry - I will take pictures!!!
Most of today will involve housecleaning (only light vacuuming and straightening - I have learned in life that with 30 people a spotless house is lost within 5 minutes and your floor washing is best left for the morning after though the bathrooms MUST be washed in advance!)
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I went to see World War Z with my son and his girlfriend yesterday. I had just read the book and really liked it. The movie is VERY different; due in large part to the serial and first person narrative stories in the book which would be difficult to film I guess, though I think a documentary style approach might have worked really well. Having said that, it is a good, interesting movie, though significantly less cerebral than the book. I wish Hollywood would give the public more credit. Maybe that is due to the IQ of the filmmakers in Hollywood themselves, but who knows? Having said that, it is a fun, thrilling two hours and a good summer movie!
What are you up to today? Stay Safe out there today and if you see a zombie - be VERY,VERY quiet...
I have mentioned before that this daily blog has become my version of morning pages from The Artist's Way. When I began writing here one year ago, I was heading into a crossroads year; I was finishing my fourth decade, I felt emotionally and physically exhausted from my work, my family responsibilities (especially the needs of my very frail father) and from the sense that I had "settled" for a career, which though I was good at it, did not make my heart sing.
The writing of this blog rekindled my passion for creating. I thought I was starting a blog that would help me transition my style into my 50s, but it became something almost completely different. Through this blog I have made many friendships and in fact, I consider every person who is kind enough to drop in to this very non-exclusive clubhouse a friend and try very hard to treat them as such. Because of you all, I was able to test ideas and actions that I might not have been so brave to do in my non-virtual life (we do need a new glossary of terms for all this, don't we?) and you have always been enthusiastic and supportive and that helped me be brave!
So wanted to give you all a status update on how the writing is going. I have finished my middle-grade children's novel and am now cold-shopping it to literary agents, which I imagine will take some time. I am currently 5 chapters into my next book which is a Young Adult Fantasy novel. Writing to you all every day, which often makes me feel like a Jane Austen character, helps me keep going with this dream of being a published author and you have become my "work" colleagues.
I do worry at times that I share too much or can be a little dull (really, I do not lead an exciting life), but I guess that is like all conversations - some are more exciting than others! So a heartfelt thank you - your presence here has meant more than you can know!
***********************
But now on to the style question! Barry is throwing a little "do" in my honour tonight. Honestly, this is the last of it all; but this is just friends. Most of them are friends that I see regularly, some of are work colleagues who became friends over the years. We are having a drop-in-bring-what-you-want-to-BBQ-or-your-bathing-suit-or-just-have-a-quick-glass-of-wine right after the workday. Yesterday, it was 33C and sunny - today, of course, it is going to be 20C and rainy. Oh well - people will get to know each other in my little house.
So of course, I need to pick an outfit! And that is where you come in!
Should I wear a dress:
or fancy pants
What do you think?
Don't worry - I will take pictures!!!
Most of today will involve housecleaning (only light vacuuming and straightening - I have learned in life that with 30 people a spotless house is lost within 5 minutes and your floor washing is best left for the morning after though the bathrooms MUST be washed in advance!)
***********************
I went to see World War Z with my son and his girlfriend yesterday. I had just read the book and really liked it. The movie is VERY different; due in large part to the serial and first person narrative stories in the book which would be difficult to film I guess, though I think a documentary style approach might have worked really well. Having said that, it is a good, interesting movie, though significantly less cerebral than the book. I wish Hollywood would give the public more credit. Maybe that is due to the IQ of the filmmakers in Hollywood themselves, but who knows? Having said that, it is a fun, thrilling two hours and a good summer movie!
What are you up to today? Stay Safe out there today and if you see a zombie - be VERY,VERY quiet...
