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[Feb. 8th, 2010|07:19 pm] |
I love the XKCD comic today. Very tempted to pin this one up at work.
It has to be said that real lab coats are never as nice as they look on TV, since the have to button right up to the neck and have elasticated cuffs. This is to stop too much skin potentially falling into your PCR when you are, for example, DNA fingerprinting so that the answer for culprit of CrimeOfTheDay isn't you. This happened to someone I used to work with a lot. His boss got quite scathing about it. It also inadvertently stops nasty chemicals getting onto you, but if you work in a lab for any length of time, you start to get the feeling that this is entirely coincidental.
Doctors get fancy white coats that are all tapered at the waist and lovely. And I am jealous. Especially since they only need their's to keep the blood/vomit/insertbodilyfluidhere off. |
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[Feb. 4th, 2010|10:17 pm] |
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Writing-wise I am on a roll! Obviously I need to share this with everyone. Also going for drinkies after work tomorrow. Nothing like a couple of cocktails to help me come up with crazy and unworkable ideas. |
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[Feb. 3rd, 2010|07:46 pm] |
I had meaningful things to say earlier today and now I have forgotten them.
The flat progresses. Hopefully, the bathroom will be finished this weekend and I can have a shower again. It's baths just now. Washing my hair in a bath is vile. The company we bought stuff from has delivered the wrong sink, so we're waiting for the right sink. Previously the deliver the wrong toilet. Needless to say, I will not be recommending them. We do have the best plumber in the world, however.
I have photos of all kinds of things but until I locate the relevant box then they aren't making an appearance on here.
Work has been not too bad. Last week I was about ready to start banging my head on the desk, and after some queries that were truly awesome in their stupidity, I did feel like that today, but at least everything else is ok. The noise level in my little room was reaching volumes I couldn't work at. There were other issues. Mostly with the chief producer of the noise, but she's behaving right now.
I still have not posted my NaNo. That's on my list of things to do this weekend. Off to see Eri tomorrow, which I'm looking forward to. |
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[Jan. 29th, 2010|08:34 pm] |
Today we found out that possibly the reason for the wonkiness of our flat is a doodlebug, which is quite interesting.
Got some surprise deadlines at work, which always makes my day that little bit more interesting and not usually in a good way.
Nice to see Wakefield get an earbashing this week as well. Because you know, it isn't about whether he was right or wrong about the triple vaccine. And whatever your opinion on that is, you should still be behind this. Because it isn't right to take blood from children at a kid's party for a fiver. Because we are not in the Renaissance and it is not ok to open children up to have a poke around and see if you spot anything interesting.
We have this thing called the Helskini declaration, not to mention any number of subsequent laws qualifying it. The HD says you must take informed consent. It is a fundamental right of anyone who choses to take part in research that they understand what is going to happen, what benefits they can expect and if it could be detrimental to them. They have the right to ask any questions that they need to. And it isn't enough for someone to sign something, whoever takes the consent has to be sure that it has been understood. Wakefield appears to see this as troublesome and optional.
So much of this isn't about whether his research was right or wrong, it's about fundemental rights and wrongs of conducting a trial.
Ok, could go on at length about that. Enough.
Bekky wrote a lovely drabble for me. :) It was much appreciated. Also, in writing my drabble for her, I may have spawned a little project. Because I really need another project. :) |
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| Stolen from Bekky. |
[Jan. 20th, 2010|07:12 pm] |
The first TEN people to comment in this post get to request a drabble from me. In return, they have to post this in their journal, regardless of their ability level. If you absolutely can't write, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to offer drawings or icons or something instead.
01;
02;
03;
04;
05;
06;
07;
08;
09;
10;
Ok, and you know, since there are various people reading this, I should explain that a drabble is a short story, traditionally of 100 words. (I think. It's been a while.)
Request whatever you like. Let's face it, there isn't much chance I'm going to fuck it up in 100 words. Or get 10 requests. :) |
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| Goinked from Bekky ages ago, but I've only just got around to having time... |
[Jan. 1st, 2010|10:21 pm] |
Ten Things I Wish I Could Say to Ten Different People (but don't say their name):
1. I'm glad you're still on the wagon. In a manner of speaking.
2. It's pretty black right now. It doesn't look like it will ever get better. I know how that one goes. I hope you give it a chance.
3. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. And thank you.
4. We should talk more.
5. If you'd just shut up for five minutes and listen to everyone around you I think you'd realise you are not doing a good job. And you really aren't all that. Get over yourself.
6. Conversely to number 5, you are doing a good job and I wish you'd be more confident.
7. I wish I had given you a piece of my mind.
8. You're another one who needs a bit of confidence. Still, you can talk to me. I know you know that :)
9. Be patient. I'll get around to it eventually.
10. Don't really know you at all. Don't think you know what you did for me. But thanks. It made a difference.
Nine Things About Myself:
1. I suck at small talk.
2. I'm quite shy. Sometimes people find this surprising. I don't know why. I seem to be able to bluff not being shy.
3. In spite of the above, I talk like a mad thing when I'm nervous.
4. I like to sing. I weirdly only really discovered this when I was 16. I was traumatised into not singing in public, when, after spending years in the car singing along to things, my mother complimented me on sounding quite nice. I had always believed no one could hear me and this shocked me into relative silence for some time. Yeah, I know. Don't ask me either.
5. For all the I'm quite a perfectionist, I don't like measuring things. Accurately. So while I was not too bad at woodwork, there was always a point at which things would not fit together. I only do approximate carpentry.
6. While doing the above I put a chisel into my hand. I'm not allowed chisels anymore. It's for the best.
7. You know where you do that thing when you're learning about genetics? The bit where you learn about single gene traits like... being able to roll your tongue or not. Whether you have a hitchhikers thumb or not. And whether you have attached ear lobes or detached ear lobes. Well, I have one of each. A fact that went unnoticed by me for 18 years.
8. I really could eat spagetti cabonara for dinner every day and I still wouldn't be sick of it.
9. I hoard. I can't help it. Things might come in useful one day.
Eight Things I Have Learned In The Past Year:
1. What it feels like to be well again. I had forgotten.
2. A new kitchen is not as expensive as I thought.
3. Decorators caulk is really wonderful stuff.
4. I am good at my job. Last year I had forgotten that too.
5. Getting married is stressful although not if you do it in the carribean. Dammit.
6. I can visit people. I do not have to wait for them to come to me.
7. Going on trips is fun and does not need to be expensive. Must remember this.
8. Doing new things can be fun, even for someone as cautious of new people and situations as me.
Seven Things That Cross My Mind A lot:
1. What do I do with storyofthemoment now?
2. If I die in the next minute, is this a decision I'm happy with?
3. Why did I just walk into this room?
4. I'm pretty lucky, all things considered.
5. Argh, I should really eat more vegetables. And do other health like things.
6. Where am I going to put in the new flat?
7. Is my toe actually broken or just being weird?
Six Things I Do Before I Fall Asleep:
1. Set the alarm
2. Put the snail lamp off. Yes, I have a snail lamp. It is a thing of beauty and does not give me nightmares.
3. Hand cream
4. Take an iron tablet if I remember
5. Fix story problems in my head
6. Inevitably lie awake for a long while. I don't fall asleep that easily.
Five People Who Have Changed Me (full name if you know it):
(This is the internet, so no full names)
1. Stephen
2. Sarah
3. Serena
4. A few people whose names I don't know, but have had a bit of an influence
5. Probably myself. I spent a long while looking at myself and then changing what I didn't like. I think I'm probably largely a product of my own influence at this point. As well as other people.
Four Things I'm Wearing:
1. Old painting trousers
2. Old painting jumper (yes, there's clearly a theme)
3. Slippers
4. Hair band
Three Songs That Saved Me:
1. 1000 Oceans - Tori Amos
2. This Woman's Work - Kate Bush
3. You Tell Me - Thea Gilmore
Two Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Finish the bloody EpicWIP. I suppose being completely happy with it would be too much to ask?
2. A little thing, but I'd like a minarette duo patio pear. Then I can stop telling people about it and just point at my cool tree.
One Confession:
1. I have too many books that I haven't read. I think people see the bookshelves and think I have read them all. I do intend to. But then I buy new books that are shiny and get distracted. |
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[Dec. 24th, 2009|12:30 pm] |
Just to say merry christmas. And to point out that our work christmas tree looks like someone went out and shot the teddy bears picnic, before hanging them up on branches as trophies. I'm assuming this is not the look they were aiming for.
Also, choir went very well. I've enjoyed it so much. Here's hoping we can carry on with it in the new year.
Maddie, thank you for the present. It is lovely. Yes, I have opened it because I am bad. Let me know if you haven't got the box of presents yet...
Bekky, your present is here on my desk and will be sent out next week. :) I hope you will like it.
Eri, you will get the bit of yours I forgot about when we have sushi. You are a mad fool for swimming outside today!
Off now to the parents where I hear the house has been taken over by the sisterling and Ralph, most mentally challenged dog on the planet. |
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[Dec. 16th, 2009|10:46 pm] |
We have a new flat. Finally. I will probably be somewhat quiet for a while as will be painting etc in my spare time. Hope everyone enjoys christmas.
Also, the work christmas tree looks like someone has gone out and massacred the teddy bears picnic and hung them up as trophies on the tree. I'm sure this was not the intention but it is the effect. |
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[Dec. 5th, 2009|09:16 pm] |
Got back from holiday Monday. It's pretty much taken me this long to find the time and energy to write about it, what with all the house buying shenanigans.
Anyway, Thomas Cook fucked up pretty much everything that they could fuck up concerning the flight out. We hadn't booked with them but more or less everyone else had. They decided that what everyone really wanted was to be sat on different rows and that putting an 18 month old by herself was sensible.
Once we were out there, it was lovely. There being St Lucia, because I don't think I've mentioned that. The hotel was beautiful and they were very good about looking after Sar, since it was her wedding, after all. We spent a couple of days just relaxing by the pool and then went out on a boat trip down to the Pitons to see the sulphur pits (active volcano). Then we went for a trip around a plantation and walked around the Botanic gardens. I took many many pictures of flowers which I will have to post here later. There were mineral baths so we soaked in those for while ( like the softest water you can imagine, and lovely and warm!) before heading back to the boat for a sunset cruise and champagne. And banana cake, but I loathe bananas.
Most of the crowd went ziplining in the jungle the next day, but we went on a trip to pigeon island instead and met up with them back at the pool bar. We pent a lot of time in the swimming pool at the bar. Even when the water started to feel a bit cold. The cocktails were very good and we got to be very friendly with the barman who seemed to be amused by us.
The wedding went very well, and was probably the most utterly relaxed wedding I've ever been to. I think I would probably now recommend getting married abroad to everyone as it's so stress free. Sar looked lovely and Nat and I had a lovely time being bridesmaids (although the order of service said we were flowergirls...). We sat in a tent on the beach for dinner and they set up a bonfire and tiki torches. No one was too keen to actually go on to the beach since every time we did we were eaten alive by sandflies.
A few of us went to the market at Castries on Saturday and I bought a few presents.
The weather was amazing so it was a bit of a shock to come back to the rain and to go from 30C to 5C.
It was pretty good to see some people I haven't seen for a long time, and to make new friends. Good food, good company, good weather and good cocktails. Can't ask much more than that! |
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[Nov. 17th, 2009|08:46 pm] |
I have properly given up on NaNo now. I'm deeply disppointed to have to give up my run of three years of wins, but even though I'm over 30,000 words in, I just don't have time to be churning out 2000 words a day. I had to slow down over the weekend because I had hurt my hand and the constant typing wasn't helping it any. I have to type a lot at work, so when I need to rest it, I really can't type at home. That aside, we're off on holiday on Sunday and I have crazy amounts of things to get ready for that, and the house will be ours a week after we get back, so NaNo...? No. Pleased I've done what I've done. Trying to keep doing a little bit because I'd like to tie this story up and there's not too much more to go. It's really not great in places, but there are bits I like, and once it's done I can go back over it and fix some things. Maybe overhaul a few others.
So yes. There we are. I'll post it on the writing blog when I get around to it.
Have made myself a christmas playlist to listen to at work. We sang carols at choir, so obviously I now feel in the christmas mood, albeit a little early. My suggestion that we sing the Coventry Carol was turned down. Which is sad, because it's very pretty, but understandable because it's about dead babies. Not such a fabbie idea since we're supposed to go and sing on hospital wards. It isn't exactly bringing in the christmas cheer...
Which reminds me...
Dear Tori,
You know I love you. It's probably a fairly good bet to say I will buy most things that you release, unless you do something crazy like become completely normal. I can't see an outlandish thing like that ever happening. Although, I am not saying I like everything you've ever done. We need to have words about 'Ireland'. What were you thinking?
But Christmas album? I was sceptical. But it's beautiful. Not too sure about some of the original stuff there (although I do like 'pink and glitter' - the one song that from the title alone, I really was deeply unsure about), but loving the carol mash ups. Much, much love for them. It's very stripped back, but the sounds are gorgeous. Harpsichord, brass band, and a really stunning vocal on 'candle: coventry carol'.
My geeky musical side enjoyed the brief education on the history of carols. I'm not being sarcastic. It really did.
Also, absolute spasms of frickin' DELIGHT over The Light Princess track. I love it.
Actually, Winter's Carol, which is the track from The Light Princess, reminds me of a song that I was possibly thinking of writing, but abandoned. When I say write, I mean just the lyrics, since it was to use in a story. If it was the music side, I might have actually had a chance at getting somewhere.
Anyway, it was for a story and it was supposed to be a song about a personification of winter and one of summer and you know the sort of thing. This track is exactly like that sort of thing. A kind of lovely mythic arc. Anyhow, mine were switched the other way. I had winter as female. I digress. Again.
While the song was sort of mythic, it was actually a caricature of a couple of people and I was going to set the whole thing up so I could have a couple of throw away lines and a joke that I liked. Obviously, I realised that writing a whole bunch of lyrics so I could do a joke was far too much effort. Only I laugh at my jokes anyway. And Bekky sometimes. So I can just do that one in my head and I don't have to write anything. I am not JRR Tolkein. People do not need to stop to sing songs at every opportunity. |
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[Nov. 15th, 2009|01:09 am] |
Seriously contemplating dropping NaNo. Feeling quite disconsolate about the whole thing. Also feel a need to seriously distract myself with books/games so I don't have to think about flying next week. I've been doing pretty well up to now, but I can feel myself starting to get tense about it.
So, back to NaNo. Doing over 2000 words a day is difficult. Well, yes, obviously. I knew that before. But I didn't realise quite how little time it would leave me to do other things. Which is none, by the way. I'm getting burned out doing this and I'm not at all sure how well it's turning out. I would like to finish the story that I've started (although I'm at the point where I won't sweat it if it turns out to be less than 50K). There's still quite a bit to tell though. I'm getting there in a rambling sort of way. *sigh*
In other news work last week sucked, hence why I'm not talking about it.
I also notice Bekky has clocked up a fabulous word count for today, so go Bekky. Obviously my day one novelling sprint has passed on to her. :) |
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| In need of morale boosting... |
[Nov. 8th, 2009|07:38 pm] |
Oh dear god, what has happened to this story? It started off so well. Really. I actually really love lots about the beginning parts, including my digression on the market tax which briefly led the story off into dangerous 'Phantom Menace' territory. (I still love my market tax digression and have no intention of taking it out. Ever. Also loving the Institute that I have created, as someplace for one of my not-yet-introduced characters to work.) However... what the fuck has happened? I mean, really? It's gone Bleurgh. This is a technical writing word for yuck.
It's the bloody travelling. I knew it was going to be a problem. It's this idea that is in soooo many fantasy novels and yes, I'm doing it too, I shouldn't criticise, but it has to be done (sadly) since I can't think of a creative way around it, of collecting people like Pokemon. You know how it goes. You have the Epic Quest. Then you have to gather the right people to take on the Epic Quest. So that's the bit I have trouble with. The added difficulty is that it isn't so much a quest as a diplomatic 'let's all try to agree on something' thing. Which is good because at the moment my characters are apathetic to the point of being comatose.
One, having been dragged out of her native country with next to no explanation, then dumped in a patch of forest and on the verge of being killed by someone (mistaken identity - best not to ask) is practically on the verge of offering him tea. At least she would if she had any fucking tea. Argh.
I need to spice it up. Am tempted to start dropping bombs or something. But no. That's for later. I am BORED. And I am fed up with 'lots of exposition' 'wander around for a while' 'some more exposition'. At least I have condensed this into ten pages. Most fantasy books take four whole novels to do this bit. Oh why did this seem to be a good idea? Why why why? I mean, it's not that I lack drive. I'm doing ok for that so far. I just have no idea what to do next. I need to either do something daring and ambitious - but not the pink rabbits, as fun as that was last year - or just plod on and hope like hell that I'll come out somewhere the other side. |
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| 5690/50000 |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|11:09 pm] |
Hoping to get a little more done before bed, but day one has been a roaring success! Compared to last year (and what I thought would be my 'easy' NaNo year... so very wrong) when at day one I had a grand total of... 112 words. By day two I had amassed nearly 1300 words. A couple of 6000 words days about half way through saved me. It was a tough year.
So, at current rate my graph thingy tells me I'll be done by Nov 9th. Hahaha. How we laugh. |
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| Widget update... Still not working. |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|04:17 pm] |
4567/50,000
I'm zooming along! I'm nearly a tenth of the way there! This is bloody amazing for the first day! I know lots of people like to get a lot under their belt on the first day as padding for when you inevitably fall off the wagon at around Day 5, but I've always been a bit lazy and taken the "It's only day one, even if I do nothing I've still got loads of time - I can totally do this" which is pretty much my attitude to most things (until day before deadline when I become a blur of frantic activity). I'm not known for my time management skills. Yes, I was known for doing my art homework while lined up outside the classroom waiting to go in. It was art. No one cared.
Aaaanyway. Yes. Going well. I can totally do this by 21st Nov. Totally.
I will need reminding of this in approx. 3 days. Erica, I will be eating diner with you around then. May need a pep talk and moral boost. |
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| Progress so far.... I may even get around to sleeping. |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|01:16 am] |
Bugger. None of the wordcount widgets seem to be working just now. I will put his down to the usual Nov 1st outages at NaNoWriMo central.
Anyhow, up to about 2000 words or so. Not bad at all for an hours work. Admittedly, I've had the previous beginning to draw on, since I knew that was pretty much how I wanted to set this one up (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). While it's good going, please remember I only have until the 21st to get to the 50K mark... So I need to be hitting about 2300 ish words a day. Hoping to be able to get ahead a bit tomorrow and give myself a little leeway for the rest of the week... And you know, if all else fails, I can always go and take out all the hyphens from the Nuathan names (low down cheating tricks will undoubtedly be on the agenda in 21 days time) which should boost the word count considerably. They're also very irritating to type. I forget why I decided this would be a good idea... |
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[Oct. 31st, 2009|12:15 am] |
Finally posted all of last year's NaNo novel on the writing journal. It's reminded me of so many things that I need to change/expand on. And so many things that could be more effectively condensed. Anyway, no time for that now, it will have to wait. I've written some more, the last few months. I just haven't got it stitched together right yet so I might have a crack at that in December.
I am sure there was something else but the night has eaten my brain.
Congrats again, Bek. :) |
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[Oct. 28th, 2009|09:25 pm] |
Yes, it rained in Glasgow.
In choir we sang The Lamb for the first time. It is really quite lovely (although really sappy words, thank you William Blake) but an absolute bastard. Not an easy one at all.
I have been poking around the NaNoWriMo forums. My favourite is the character and plot realism one. I like to try and answer questions for people if I can, and it has come in handy for me a time or two in the past. Anyway, I like how occasionally you see things that you just have to hope are for a novel and not a very cunning person asking for real life advice (today's top contenders are 'price of a kidney on the black market' and 'potential murder weapon in a high school science classroom'). Frankly I'm left baffled by the 'what would it be like to be 2000 years old' one. I'm not sure who they're expecting to answer... Pretty sure it's going to be one to make up yourself with a little imagination (Almost tempted to create a new username along the lines of Gilgamesh or something similar and answer.... But that would be mean). |
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[Oct. 21st, 2009|08:29 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Leeds Utd - Amanda Palmer | ] |
I have had this song in my head for about 3 days now. I hate earworms.
I have joined the Christmas choir at work. I wish they did it all year round, since I'm really enjoying it. My breathing is frankly shocking, which is what happens when you neglect it for a couple of years. 44 beat notes did not used to present a problem - that is, I could do it, but would be v glad when it was over - but now 12 beats are presenting me with problems. I need to take up swimming or something. That is supposed to help. Or, you know, I could keep taking sneaking breaths where no one will notice. We are singing Vivaldi's Gloria, which is beautiful (and endlessly used for adverts so everyone knows it), various carols and Tavener's The Lamb, which I don't know and we haven't tried out yet. I like singing the harmony part (as altos inevitably do - there is more to assigning parts in a choir than voice pitch, it irritates me when people think that's all there is to it), there's something pleasing in it. The sopranos can keep the tune - it doesn't present enough of a challenge.
Sat in on a phone call today that made me laugh a lot. I may even get a box of chocolates out of it. Maybe.
I am attempting to make a NaNoWriMo calendar, because this is my idea of planning. Outline? Storyboard? No. I will make a calendar. Because it is productive enough to make me feel orgainsed without actually being hard work. Also, everyone else seems to be doing it this year. That's enough of an excuse.
Off up to Glasgow now for a few days. Where it will rain, because it always does. |
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arian's journal