These are a few of my favourite things…
September 30, 2009
Favourite things about winter that is!
One thing I always loved was going to the library at night and taking home lots of new books. I don’t know why I associate it with winter more since I spent half my childhood at the library, but I guess I just loved it more in winter!
Next. Since it gets dark early, it’s usually dark when I leave work at 5.30pm. So when I leave work I walk to a further away bus stop, because that way I can walk by the Christmas lights in Glasgow. Also I like staying in town late to have a drink at Starbucks. Another thing I love about winter – the Starbucks red cup!
On that note, I also love Beanscene’s winter warmers. Mmm, orange hot chocolate! Also a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows at Costa. Yes I love coffee shops.
Mostly, unlike other people I like that it’s cold and dark in the mornings and at night. I like it being cold so I can wrap up warm (and drink hot chocolate!!) and I like the dark because… I just do. I like wrapping up warm in bed with a hot water bottle too… I really am a little old lady.
Flat hunting lots, me and Michaela have decided just to get somewhere as soon as we can. The quicker we move out the better! Keep your fingers crossed for me 
Cheeky Tuesday in all its glory
September 29, 2009
First things first, I’m an Aries. And I don’t normally pay much attention to horoscopes, but yesterday I heard mine:
- I need to stop living in the past.
- I need to get rid of the bad things in my life
- I have to get a new style.
So, like I said, I never bother with horoscopes but this time I’m going to follow it, since it’s stuff I’d already been thinking of doing. The hard one is the first one. I find it hard to live in the present apparently! As for getting rid of the bad things, I’m already working on it. And the third, I’m sick of half the clothes I own once again.
Although, I have a new pair of pink converse and they’re so cute. £16.99 on Amazon! Hurrah!
Anyway, the living in the past thing… I have to stop thinking about a certain someone who isn’t in my life anymore, and probably won’t ever come back. I don’t need a boyfriend anyway (that’s the last thing I need right now I guess).
I had a lot of stuff to write but to be honest I’m too tired… work sucks. On the plus side I realised today I’d been miscalculating something, and it turns out I can afford a more expensive flat than I thought. I’ve seen some nice ones but Michaela and I need to agree on a place. But I’ve just found a nice place and told her about it, so we’re going to try and arrange a viewing. Woo!
Oooh.. colours
September 28, 2009
Changed the theme, was getting bored of the other one. I liked it, but there were a few problems that were just bothering me. The pages for example… but anyway. Like it? There will be more things, eventually. And I’m still too lazy to finish updating my links… sigh.
And today is a day I’ve waited for for aaages… Simpsons season 12 DVD box set finally released! Yes I’m a big geek. But I’m so excited about it! Love the comic book theme to it too.
Better get going, better get an early night before work 
But tomorrow’s Cheeky Tuesday after all!
And for my next trick…
September 27, 2009
I’m trying to keep my mind focussed – can’t say I’m brilliant at it. I’ve been trying to decide which book to write next. I have notes and drafts on about five books, and as soon as I think “I’ll work on Check, I’m in the mood for fantasy” I change my mind and decide to go for the next collection of poems and stories. But I think I’ve got it now. Next on the book list is The Black Rose, one I started in high school 6 years ago. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that a lot of it needs to change, including the two most important characters. But I have lots of ideas, so will keep you posted.
Also there will be a sequel to Little Vampire one day. Because if you’ve read up to the end, you’ll know why. And maybe even hope for one, if cliffhangers get you that way.
Happy Autumn!
September 25, 2009
Excuse the lack of updates, I’ve just had the week from hell. Work was busy because the other girl in my team was off so I had to keep things going. That wasn’t the problem though. The problem was I haven’t been able to sleep properly for about a week, not even when I’m exhausted. As soon as I lie down I’m wide awake again. And I had to work an extra five hours, which meant getting up a lot earlier and getting home a bit later. Ugh.
But the week’s over! And there are reasons to be happy… welcome to autumn! I know I’m a few days late, but still. I love it – even being cold in the morning. In fact, especially being cold in the morning. I’d rather wrap up against the cold than suffer through the heat, thank you. Plus I have a spiffy new red mac from New Look and it’s good to have the excuse to wear it. Yesterday morning I got into Glasgow at about 7.30am and the sky was absolutely beautiful. I meant to take a photo but I forgot my camera. Sigh.
And I’m currently listening to Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2, hosted by Ken Bruce who is basically a legend. On the show are the Swing Cats, a jazz quartet from Glasgow who are absolutely amazing and exactly my kind of ladies. I’ve just discovered them tonight, so I’m a little excited. They just played two of my all-time favourite songs: “Oh Johnny” by the Andrews Sisters and “Everybody Wants to Be A Cat” from the Aristocats! No one can beat that in my view. Their website doesn’t seem to be working, which is annoying… I wanted to post a link. Boo. They have a page here on Freak Music anyway. Looking at the sample set list, I’d kill to go see them. That’s how good they are!
So, what’s been happening lately? I would like to tell you all to go and see Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. Michaela (my Cineworld Unlimited card buddy!) and I have now seen it twice. Okay, I haven’t read the book – I didn’t even know it was based on a book. But I laughed through the whole thing, and comedy in animation these days doesn’t make me laugh out loud that much. So that was the first reason to fall in love with it. Second was the animation – very well done, I thought. People keep saying the fact that 3D films are more popular means that they put less thought into the film and more into what they can make stick out of the screen and poke you in the eye. Not in this film. There were one or two moments of intense 3D (sit in the front row and get seasick when the water comes out of the giant sardine bowl) but it didn’t feel like the film was an excuse to showcase their 3D tricks. It was more like 3D was the cherry on top… Plus, have these people seen the trailer for Pixar’s Up? I saw the trailer in 3D and I couldn’t help but think, at the close up of the old man’s face, how much detail they’re putting into the humans now that would have been near impossible years ago. (Up is out here on 9th October and I can’t freaking wait! Come on Pete Dockter!!). But yes, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is a must see. With the voice talent of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, MR T!, Neil Patrick Harris (Steve!) and the hilarious writing and directing of Phil Lord and Chris Miller you won’t be disappointed. “Come on – we’ve got some diem to carpe!” (and to Michaela – meet me in the forest!)
Oh and in more animation news – I almost died when the trailer for Toy Story 3D came on. Michaela had to tell me to actually breathe. That’s on next Friday at Cineworld, and should be interesting! I’ll be the geek in the front row salivating. See you there
Little Vampire – officially on Amazon!
September 17, 2009
Well, I’m back. I didn’t actually go anywhere, but I couldn’t be bothered trying to update using wii internet. However today my beautiful new pink Dell inspiron laptop arrived and here I am! So excited I might pass out.
Anyway, the point is Little Vampire is now up for sale on Amazon. On the UK site here and the US site here.
It says temporarily out of stock, but only because it is made to order. You can buy it anyway
I’d very much appreciate it if anyone would give it a read. This is a very very big deal for me! Eleven years in the making, my book is finally out there for everyone to see…
Edit: unrelated, but I should mention I feel fantastic despite being far too tired for words. Update to come on new things!
Astounding!
September 10, 2009
This shampoo genuinely works. It actually does what it says it does. To some people this may not be a big deal, to me it’s a revelation!! I like my hair to be big and I style it that way, but as the day goes on it gets limper and limper. I tried this shampoo last night (I’ve been using other aussie shampoos for years, I’d just never tried this one) and today when I woke up, my hair still looked the way it had looked when I’d dried it. And now, after a long day of work, it still looks the same. I’m in love!
I’m just hoping it isn’t that old new-shampoo feeling that fades after about five washes… we shall see.
http://www.aussiehaircare.co.uk/products/3-minute-miracle-reconstructor.php
Randomly inspired
September 8, 2009
Just a very quick update (my copy of Rufus Wainwright’s “Milwaukee At Last!!!” CD/DVD finally arrived and I must go watch it immediately). I don’t have much news except that today I had a random burst of inspiration for one of the books I’ve been working on (and admittedly getting bored of and shoving aside for a while) for about five years now. It was a moment kind of like in Stranger Than Fiction where Emma Thompson’s character sees the apple rolling along the road and realises exactly how to kill Harold Crick. By the way, if you haven’t seen it, I recommend it. Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Will Ferrell – what more could you want?!
So I’ve written a few notes and I will make some attempt at being vaguely organised.
But I am still thinking about Little Vampire. I know lots of people will love it, I just need to get more people to read it. That’s the difficulty – promoting it. But I’ll figure it out. Mostly people are waiting for it to be sold on Amazon, since it’ll be cheaper delivery to the UK. But never mind.
So I’m off to enjoy Rufus and a milkybar. I’m still hopelessly addicted to white chocolate.
Oh, and apparently my laptop is on it’s way. Soon enough I will have full internet access, rather than limited crappy slow Opera Wii-internet.
You’d better be singing the Floral Dance with me!
September 7, 2009
So as usual, I got on the bus around 7.45 and listened to Radio 2 on my phone. Anyone who knows me well will know I listen to Radio 2 near enough all the time – I love it, and everyone on it! So imagine my shock at 8.05AM when Sir Terry Wogan announced he would be “turning into Chris Evans”. At the end of the year, he will be standing down from his show “Wake Up To Wogan”. This thought left me feeling blue for the day, as I know it did with his 8 million other listeners. I listen to Wogan every day, even if I’m on holiday, and he never fails to make me laugh. The chat with the underlings, the messages from Togs and of course the famous ‘Janet and John’ stories which make me have to cover my face on the bus so people don’t see my giggling and think I’m a lunatic. Sir Terry has been a radio broadcaster since 1972, with a gap when he left to do his TV talk show. No one could ever take his place, and he will be sorely missed.
Don’t get me wrong, though – I adore Chris Evans too! Chris and the drivetime team cheer me up after each day at work the same way Wogan and his lot cheer me up before work.
Plus, Wogan isn’t leaving Radio 2 for good! He still has Proms in the Park ‘09 to host and he will be doing a weekend show, in front of a live audience. Plus he’s currently recording songs for Bandaged 2 for Children in Need, inluding another Christmas song with Aled Jones. ‘Little Drummer Boy’ was brilliant, I’m betting this one will do just as well.
I may technically be young, but I’m a Tog at heart! I will keep up the tradition of yelling “EAT SOMETHING!” at Girls Aloud, correcting people who say “I was sat…” (you were SITTING!) and will have to go have a lie down in a darkened room when I hear Ella Fitzgerald. Oh – and I will tell people I can eat whatever I want first thing in the morning! (A tradition I’m sure Chris and the gang will keep up – or at least, Chris and Johnny will! Will they still get Nige in to cook on a Thursday, I wonder?)
So, as much as I wish he’d stay, I think he’s doing the right thing. Quit while you’re ahead. He’s leaving on his own terms, at the height of his popularity. A wise move, really. And congratulations and good luck to Chris Evans – I know he’ll be great, even if the Togmeister is a tough act to follow!
Reasons not to drink #1
September 6, 2009
So, you’re out drinking. You’re having fun, everything is fine – and then, unwillingly, you start to think of this one thing. A thing that’s in your mind every day, but lurking near the back. And now, fuelled by alcohol maybe, it rears its ugly head and you can’t ignore it any longer. But who do you talk to? Everyone is sick to death of you talking about it, and no one can really help. There is no one left to talk to. So what do you do? You keep on drinking.
In good news: I ordered a laptop the other night. It’s a Dell Inspiron – and of course, it’s pink. And with a matching pink cordless mouse. I can’t wait for it to come!