Falling Seagulls

Not literally, though that does conjure up a fabulous image in my brain (I'm giggling at myself now).

I had a fall last night. God, I hate falling. Principessa had been playing with an empty Gravy Granules tin and had taken off the plastic lid and left it on the stair lift. I had knocked it off so that I could go downstairs, and it had ended up on the floor in the hall. Well, when it was time to go to bed, I walked to the stair lift, sorted it out so I could sit down, put my foot on the lid, it slid on the floor, and I went over hitting my face on the banister on the way down. I hit the floor so hard that my hips are still hurting today. I had to call Gaz over to help get the inflatichair out and to get me up off the inflatichair once it had fully inflated. Ho hum! Needless to say, I went to bed in a horrible mood.

Now, the seagulls. This morning laughing seagulls woke me up. It has been so long since I heard the cry (or laugh) of a seagull that I thought I had woken up in a horror movie sound effects studio! And my, were those seagulls noisy! Maybe they were falling!

Principessa was in over share mode this morning. She was sat in my bed watching 'Dora' when she turned to me (I was still snoozing), grabbed my face and said, "I need to go for a poop." It was all quite matter-of-fact, so she toddled out of the bedroom and to the toilet. I think she still feels quite proud of herself that she is a big girl and uses the toilet rather than the potty. She makes me laugh!

Kirst and I have decided that it is time we got a degree. I did try, years ago, only to be defeated by condemned halls and depression. Only three exams stopped me from getting a degree in Biomedical Science. Robbed, I was. Anyway, we have decided to sort out a degree in Humanities with English Language with the OU. It's going to take about 5 years, but at least I will finally have a degree.

The chains of consumerism.

So 'Heroes' is being released on DVD. Yay! I say to that. I really loved the show. It allowed me to feel very comic book ungeeky as it was something I hadn't read beforehand, so it was all new to me. Anyway, that's not the point.

I was looking around the sites, seeing where I could buy the complete season for the cheapest price (I have to shop for a bargain!), when I found that the online graphic novels attached to the show have been compiled into a book. I just happened to scroll down the page of one of the sites to find thhis question on the discussion board:

Why would anyone want to buy this? You can easily get the graphic novels online and read them for free, so why pay for it?

To which someone gave the best ever plain and simple reply:

I can't read a PC comic while I'm on the toilet. 'Nuff Said...

Love it!

On becoming ever so slightly obsessive and just a little compulsive.

I've always had my favourite authors. Being a big fan of reading, I think everyone who has an attachment to books will have at least one favourite author. The reading bug bit me when I was 13. I had found a paperback of James Herbert's 'Rats' and from then on all I wanted to do was devour anything he had written.

After my teenage crush on James Herbert, I found David Gemmell and Brian Lumley when I was about 18. Stephen Donaldson made a brief appearance with his 'Thomas Covenant' novels but David Gemmell's 'Druss' and 'Drenai' novels, and Brian Lumley's 'Necroscope' and all the following novels, really lodged themselves into my psyche. I don't know what caused my love of these characters and novels, but I couldn't resist them. I fell completely and fully into their stories.

In my twenties (late, I should add), I discovered Harry Potter - but only after all the kafuffle surrounding the release of the fourth book. I spent a week reading the books, then impatiently waited for the fifth book, which I was terribly disappointed by. Out of all the 'Harry Potter' stories this one was the worst. I stayed with the books until the end, and although there were some unanswered questions left at the conclusion, I very much enjoyed the last book. Enjoy it as I had, 'Prisoner of Azkaban' will remain my favourite, as I was not expecting the twist at the end.

And so we come to my new obsession. It started with 'Stardust'. Yes, you've guessed. My new author love affair is with the writings of Neil Gaiman. I know I've mentioned things in my blog lately regarding Mr. Gaiman, but I find it strange how the fascination with one person's writing can creep up on you.

Like I said, it started with 'Stardust'. I bought it out of interest after hearing about the release of the film. While I enjoyed it as I followed the story, I was unaware of how Mr. Gaiman's style was gently edging its way into my brain. Feeling suitable happy with 'Stardust', I picked up the more substantial 'Neverwhere'. I began reading and soon found myself unable to put the book down. I was champing at the bit (even though I do not slightly resemble a horse) to find out what happened to these characters, completely immersed in the word craft of Mr. Gaiman. Oh, how I felt the grime and slime of the mud and the stench of the ground as Richard fumbled about looking for the boar statuette. I was completely taken in with the inventive use of the names of London Underground stations, and how the characters themselves evolved. I think it is safe to say; I was simply and utterly in awe of the story.

The obsession has only grown of late after I purchased a copy of 'The Wolves In The Walls', even though it was intended for Principessa. The only new thing here was the introduction to the art of Dave McKean. At first I was not overly impressed. But then, as the book progressed, I found myself studying each picture. I can't put my finger on what changed in my perception of the artwork, but I began to see the texture and the depth of the work and now I need to buy anything I can find by these two artists (the word artist and the picture artist) to continue this magical feeling. I only hope I can learn from these masters of their crafts and produce anything half as worthy!

I hate being obsessed!

Where, oh where, has my sanity gone?

I think I must have enjoyed Wednesday to Friday las week a bit too much. Principessa came down with a temperature over the weekend so I have kept her at home for the past two days. How I miss those precious few hours that she spends at nursery! I sound really horrible there, but it is the only time I have for myself, and Principessa has progressed from the terrible twos to the totally demanding threes. It's just nice to let someone else deal with her for a few hours! As you can guess, she's better now.

Facebook has been eating up a lot of my time just recently. I will have to remove the wireless card from the laptop if I am to get down to doing some writing and learning some Japanese.


I received an email from a Japanese pen-pal yesterday telling me of her trip to Yakushima and visiting 'Jumonsugi', which is located at the top of a mountain and took her and her friends 12 hours to climb to reach. 'Jumonsugi' is the oldest tree in the world, estimated to be around 7000 years old. Wow! Just imagine what that tree must have seen! Imagine the stories it could tell. I'm going to have get to imagining! It takes my breath away that there are living things on this earth that have been around for that amount of time.

On that note, I shall go and imagine being such a grand tree, with its wealth of stories and memories.

What a week.

Well, Niamh completed her first week at nursery. She was doing brilliantly until Friday, when the teachers tried to take her and the other kids to the school hall to play with all the big toys. Well, Niamh (according to the teachers) was inconsolable. They took her back to the classroom, where she asked, "Are we home now?" Porr little thing. By the time Linds got round to the school to pick her up she was happy as Larry and didn't want to leave. Ah well!

Over the first half of the week I went to school with her, but by Thursday my stomach couldn't take it. There are too many roads on the way to the school, and being leant backwards in the wheelchair really turns my stomach. I am petrified that Gaz is going to lose his grip and I am going to fall backwards. Eugh. Horrible.

It was also Halo 3 release week. Gaz received his copy on Tuesday, so on Wednesday, after dropping Niamh off at shcool, we went back to his ('twas very strange being back in that house after moving out years ago!) and played it for about an hour. Now I have to save up to get an Xbox 360. I quite enjoyed Halo 3, and I really would like to get PGR 3 too. Ho hum!

Ooohh, I saw this yesterday (thanks to the link from Neil Gaiman's blog) and I really want one;
The Great Old Ones are coming!

Next week I'll get back to writing and learning Japanese. I've let both slide a little, well, a lot really. I need to get back to it. I have been putting off the writing for a long time, I've just not had the motivation or the confidence to carry on. I think it is time to bite the bullet and force myself back into these things. Though I don't recommend biting bullets, it's a slightly dangerous pasttime! But no, in all seriousness, it is time to shake these nagging self doubts and get down to business. Wow, that is really assertive! I think I have just shocked myself into action with that!

Happy Birthday to Principessa!

Well, whislt Principessa is off bugging her Nan, I thought I'd post quickly.

'Tis Principessa's 3rd birthday today. Two of her pressies were a giant Shrek and a cuddly giraffe. They were the things she wanted.

We're off to the bookshop again later. Well, it should be sooner, or I may have to have surgery to have my ears reattached. Then it's off to pizza hut for the birthday meal. Principessa is really looking forward to that.

Best be off... A birthday girl wants some attention.

Written by Mum, dictated by Principessa

Burp, The Hospital.

Principessa is banging.
The Hospital.
Principessa has questions.
Principessa is looking for Broken.
He is sitting on the toilet.
He is giving a tea party.
The Hospital is wobbling.
The Hospital has the football.

I really don't know what goes on in her head! Can you tell she's recently visited the hospital?

She gave me one of those 'I can't believe it' moments this morning. She had found one of those resistance elastic excercise bands, and was playing Stretch with her Uncle Gaz. She let go of the band and it fired back at Gaz.

"That is deadly," said Gaz.

"Evidently!" Principessa said.

I nearly fell off my chair! I nearly fell over laughing last night too, when Mum told me what she had been saying and doing.

Mum has a massage mat that Principessa likes to play with. She was sitting on it last night when she said;

"It's easy to make them jump."

"What?" Nan asked.

"It's easy to make them jump," Principessa repeated.

Nan then turns round to look at what Principessa is talking about. She had only emptied a packet of crisps on the mat and was happily watching them jump! There is method to her madness, and that is scary!

And here is a story co-written by Principessa.

Once upon a time, there was a deep, dark wood.
In the deep, dark wood there lived Big Niamhy.
One day, Big Niamhy went to the hospital.
She had gone to the hospital because she had hurt her cup of tea.
She stayed at the hospital until teatime, when the doctor came and fixed the handle on her cup of tea.
Big Niamhy was very happy because she could drink her tea without burning her fingers.

If you are a Heroes fan...

And if you haven't seen this already, then check out The Trials of Takezo Kensei.

It's been a horrible few days.

I'm not a big fan of puke, I'm not a fan of puke full stop, but that is what the last few days has been filled with. Principessa started throwing up on Sunday afternoon and didn't stop until 6.30 Monday morning. I was worried she may be dehydrated, and the NHS Direct doctor told me to take her to the hospital. So off we went. Principessa had not been for a wee nearly all day Sunday, so that was also worrying me. We were discharged from the hospital just before 11am, after Principessa peed all over the floor in the obs ward! She's all fine now.

I was in bed all day yesterday. Thank God I wasn't puking. I was feeling so ill all day, I couldn't move. Linds was puking, Mum was feeling yucky, and Principessa was actually amazingly good most of the day. Gaz came down with the tummy bug today. Hopefully we will all be better by Friday, when Principessa turns three.

I finally got my Brian Lumley book. Yay! I haven't started reading it yet, I have other things I am reading. It is sitting there, looking like a piece of chocolate that I am saving as a treat!

Well, have to go. I need to be ready to sign for the delivery of Linds's new bed.

I think my head may just explode!

Principessa and a keyboard.... Not a good combination. The keyboard she has been playing with is one of those old Casio keyboards with a demo tune on. I swear to God she has had it playing constantly for about the last half an hour. It's enough to turn a person into a raving lunatic! Argh!

I tried, once again, to take Principessa to Clarks to have her feet measured. I don't know why, but she has an irrational fear of the foot gauge. She screams so loud it is frightening. It is also very worrying. You can see the looks across peoples faces as they wonder 'What in hell do these people do to this kid?' It's horrible. And while all this is happening I am trying to calm Principessa down, floundering like a kipper, as I sit trapped in the stupid chair. Argh! Again.

Well, I am getting close to finishing my kids story. Problem is, I may have to rethink as I think I may have written myself into a corner that has no exit. Poop! All I have to do now is ask someone to illustrate it for me (I have clear ideas of the pics for it). I just wish I had more support from peeps around me, instead of slightly interested indifference. Ho hum. I'll just have to battle on....

Picture lickin good!

Yesterday, Principessa found one of her little Thomas the Tank Engine aquadraw mats. She asked me for the 'special pen' that you fill with water, then use to scribble on the mat to make the picture appear. I didn't know where it was, so Principessa found a new way of making the picture appear.

Well, what can you say to that!

That's it for today. I've got to go and type up some story stuff and put Dr Who on for Principessa to keep her distracted. (Oh no, Principessa has just told me that the bookshop is falling down to the ground! What are we going to do?)

6 years ago today...

... I was next door, painting the front room white (it was a horrible shade of maroony red) with molotov Rob. We were happily going along, trying to give the horrible anaglypta wallpaper an even covering when my Dad came in and said, "There is no point carrying on, World War 3 is about to start." We turned on the TV and watched the destruction of the Twin Towers. Then we gave Rob a lift home, and all the radio stations were playing depressing music. I remember 'Everybody Hurts' by REM playing, and the streets seemed silent. The music was the only thing that could be heard. It was surreal. It's mad to think that was six years ago, and it's more insane to think of what has happened since.

But enough of that. The hospital appointment went as expected yesterday. Apart from being stuck there longer than expected. So, nothing new to report. I had to bribe Principessa with a trip to the bookshop so that she would behave while we waited.

At the bookshop, Principessa decided that what she needed was some flashcards. Good for her. I also bought a Neil Gaiman kids story - 'The Wolves In The Walls' ('tis very good) - and an updated Aesop's Fables (good bedtime reading for Principessa).

I thought I'd try to get an early night, but to no avail. Just as I started dropping off, a story that had been percolating in my brain finally decided it was ready. So I had to get up and write it, or risk losing it with myriad other stories and poems to the wicked far, far away land of Sieved Words and Phantom Musings.

Well, I'm off to finish said story and try to attempt calming Principessa down. Grandand has just left for the shops without her. Oh, joy!

Such a Nerd....

Me, that is. A comic book nerd. Okay, so I was watching Smallville last night, as I do, because I quite like it. Clark was off trying to save the boneless bags of folk in an accident in Seattle after they had been attacked by some strange alien blokie who liked to eat bone marrow. Near the end of the episode, a mysterious stranger turns up and kills the strange Maybe-I-Should-Just-Eat-Pal-Dogfood-As-That-Is-Made-With-Marrowfat alien, and Clark sees the silhouette of the new stranger. Then the stranger blinks with his little red LED lightbulb eyes. "Ohhh, is that the Martian Manhunter?" I say to Dad, though I know he doesn't know what I am talking about. To answer my own question I have been having a look on Smallville sites and have finally found out that I am right! So, like I say, "Comic book nerd, I am!"

Must go now. Need to get sorted out so I can go to the NRU for my six month check, bloody stupid illness.

Out of print.

That's something I hate. When books go out of print. Over the last few months, I have been trying to get hold of a good copy of Brian Lumley's 'Compleat Crow'. I tried to get a copy from Ebay, but was outbid, tried to get a copy from Abebooks, but no luck. Now finally, I have managed to get a copy. WOOOOHOOOOOO! Now I'm really looking forward to reading it.

I've mostly been reading Neil Gaiman stuff lately. I did something I promised myself I wouldn't do; read 'Stardust'. I wanted to see the film first. Ah well. If they do not manage to get everything from the book into the film, I will be really disappointed. I think 'Stardust' is one of the shortest books I have ever read (around 180 pages). I also read 'Neverwhere', a much more substantial book. That I really enjoyed. If you get a chance to read it, do. It's a very interesting concept for a story.

There has been a lot of crap happening here, but I am not going to go into it. It is not my story, it is my cousins, but it is affecting the whole family. I am very worried for both of them.

Time to get back to Principessa and her new interest; playing the keyboard. (My head hurts.)

Writers' blogs and J-rock

Not long ago, I was reading an article on a website for one of the authors whose books I enjoy reading. The article was regarding the writing of a blog if you are an aspiring writer. For something as simple as a blog, to have such strong feelings about such a small part of the internet struck me as quite insane. But, as I read further, there seemed to be some words of wisdom hidden in the prose. Take a look for yourself: 'Vampires of the internet' . I think this is quite a selfish standpoint to have, for I very much enjoy reading the blogs of other authors who can share their knowledge and experiences with us lesser mortals.

I must admit, I have been blogging more than writing recently. My brain is not geared to write at the moment. So, for all the writing I am doing, I am not actually writing anything. Sometimes I feel quite frustrated by this, but I just haven't the motivation to carry on with some of the stories I have on the go. There are too many other ideas, some I feel could make really good stories, others which are only part ideas - a character or a scene - jostling for postion in my priorities. I don't think I'm ever going to finish anything, the way I am going now.

Anyway, time for tea. I will finish by sending you to look at the 'Will it blend?' page and the link for one of my favourite J-rock bands, Triceratops.

Oooooh, shoes.

I have indulged in buying some shoes. It's not often I buy shoes, I'm not one of those 'I really must have a million pairs of shoes' type of people. I am really happy with my purchases:

Rocket Dogs.

Vans.

I think it's safe to say I have been spending a bit lately. I'll have to stop, it's getting close to the buying of Chrsitmas pressies time of year. Argh! I've usually started by now, but I have no clue what to buy people this year. And God knows what I'm getting for Principessa, she has too many toys as it is. And the Charlie and Lola books and DVDs are teaching her bad habits. She is getting very mouthy and answering back a lot lately. And, oh woe is me, the 'I am not tired and I will not go to bed' Charlie and Lola book has been more a bane than a help. Silly me.

And now I have Principessa sat on my knee, vying for space with the laptop.

"Can we go to the bookshop, Mums?" she asks.

"Not today, babe," I say.

"Can we go to Boots, Mums?"

Something tell you she wants to go shopping?

Stupid Sky

Again, not much has been happening. The tennis and athletics are being watched, and lots of “Why aren’t they showing the Tim Henman/Andy Murray (delete where applicable) matches? I’m sure people are more interested in them than other matches,” has been said. The reply to which; “That’s Sky’s fault. They can make money from it as they have the rights to the matches.” I know it’s true, but none-the-less… Harrumph!

But, yay! At least Tim Henman proved me wrong. I was utterly convinced he would be out in the first round as his record against Dmitry Tursunov has not been brilliant. But lo and behold, Tim gave all us none-believes the bird and won the match. Woohoo, go Tiger! I don’t hold out much hope for him against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga though. That young’un is fearless in his tennis.

The perils of Ebay and the loving of Lobo comics have cost me £16. It has been 13 years since I spent that amount of money on Lobo comics all in one go. Ah well, it’s nice to splurge out on something you don’t need once in a while. I usually spend money on things Principessa doesn’t need.

Coffee shop muse

It’s been a quiet few days, really. Spent some time with my friend Kayte, twas nice. We took Principessa to the bookshop, and Auntie Lindsay came along too. After browsing the books, we trundled up in the lift to Starbucks. Principessa gets very upset if we don’t go for a drink. After all, looking at books is thirsty work!

Well, we found a table, ordered out stuff, got ourselves settled, and then I spent the whole time watching a bloke at another table. No, I wasn’t perving! All I can say is JK Rowling and creative writing courses have a lot to answer for! There he was, his drinks (three of them, in varying colours) all lined up alongside his laptop. He was trying to be inconspicuous but he was so obvious as he looked around, his gaze lingering on a person here, a person there. I was so tempted to roll over to him and ask him what he was writing about. Maybe I should have. Well, more power to him. I know I couldn’t concentrate doing something like that in Starbucks, the music is just slightly too loud.

Principessa is doing a lot of drawing and scribbling lately. She was sat at her table yesterday with her Uncle Gaz perched on the second seat (that looked crazy!) having scribbling races. Then, as she always does, she starts asking for specific pictures to be drawn. Yesterday it was volcanoes. So, Uncle Gaz draws a volcano, telling Principessa what he is drawing.

“And that is your pyroclastic flow,” says Uncle Gaz. “Can you say ‘pyroclastic flow’?”

“Pirate-clastic flow,” says Principessa.

Genius!

I have fallen foul of the perils of Ebay. Okay, so I bought some clothes for Principessa, but I also found myself browsing and bidding on a load of Lobo comics. I loves the Lobo comics! I couldn’t help myself. They were there, and the titles needed replacing in my collection as the originals had been pinched. So yay, but oh so naughty!

Transformers. Robots in Disguise.

All I can say is, wow! I went to see Transformers last night with Laura, Jules and Gaz. I was knocked out of my chair. It was fantastic. The animation was amazing. I think I could sit there for hours watching the film over and notice new things each time. I am really glad it was a good film. Too many of the films I have been to see over the last few months have disappointed me. (With the exception of Harry Potter 5, though the ending did seem a bit rushed. It was better than the book, I thought.)

I also saw a trailer for Stardust. That, too, looks fantastic. I will have to go and see it at some point. I’ve not read the book, so hopefully I will be happy with the film. I was so looking forward to Eragon a few months ago after reading the book, but was sorely disappointed. I think Laura got sick with me at that film I was shaking my head and tutting so much throughout it. I was so angry that a book I had thoroughly enjoyed reading had been carved up so much that the only things the book and the film had in common were the names of the characters and the dragon. Not good. It was as if the producers had read the book and said, “This is a great story. Here you are (the screenwriters), make it into a film.” The screenwriters then took the book, ripped a handful of pages out of the book and said, “This’ll do. We don’t need the heart of the story. What do we need consistency of story for?” Idiots.

Ah well, enough of my ranting.