Updates
Your first port
of call for, erm...updates! Log on right here to find new features, news,
gossip and piffly stuff.
If, by the way, yow'm a-wonderin'
where all my 2005 and 2004 updates have disappeared to, just click on either
the '2005 archive' or '2004 archive' link below, and they will appear! Good,
eh?
Wednesday
20 December 2006
Today I got a bit bored and did this cheesy
quiz. I've seen it on MySpace
- folks say I should set up a MySpace account, but I can't really be arsed at
the moment, not in addition to this site. Blogging is only the same as my Update
page here, and I'd only be repeating myself with all the questions about favourites,
etc.
Monday
11 December 2006
OK, I lied to you (sorry folks) - neither Flaw Show
nor its cheesily entitled sequel Flaw Show 2 - The American
Smooth are liable to appear here this side of Crimbo. There is so much
else going on, and I'm afraid my brain just dies at this time of year, so I
figured there to be little point in pushing myself to complete a mediocre story
within two weeks.
I'm hoping my festive rest will have a Heineken effect on my brain (which I
just typed as 'brian' before correcting - my spelling must be up the wall too)
and writing ability, and I shall post these two new 'shorties' ASAP in the new
year. I've completed the first one, but they work as a pair really and I'd prefer
to post them both at once.
I had my final day's annual leave today, which I've used to complete my Christmas
shopping (oh joy) and do some weddingy bits - namely print off some mock-up
invitations and orders of service (OOS, as they're known on confetti.co.uk)
on the proper photo card I purchased for the purpose.
Silly as it sounds, I was actually quite nervous - there is a kind of responsibility
about printing your own wedding stationery, since it's quite a fiddly task and
supposed to set the whole tone for one's big day - but I'm chuffed with the
results. They actually resemble proper, professional, grown-up invitations.
It's a scary thought that we're sending them out in two months!!
In Reality TV Heaven, I'm loving good old Strictly Come Dancing (Mark
& Karen to win!) - though over on 'the other side' boo the sending home
of the brilliant Ben Mills in X Factor (yes, you know I love a bit of
rock). I'm sure we haven't seen or heard the last of him, though (or the lovely
Eton Road, who I seem to be alone in thinking were a fantastic 'alternative'
boyband).
Monday
4 December 2006
It's that time of year again when SAD and stress kick in with a vengeance and
I start to wish I could hibernate until January.
I'm panicking about Christmas shopping, all those materialistic TV ads pressurise
us to spend our life savings on super-duper gifts but my inspiration is running
dry, I'm exceedingly busy at work, embroiled in wedding plans, and hardly seem
to be moving with my writing even though I spend more waking hours than are
healthy on it. Wish I wrote for a living - that would prevent all this business
of having to shoehorn Gap Year into the evenings
and pre-work mornings. I detest winter.
And then I mildly panic when I haven't updated here for a while, feeling I really
ought to take greater advantage of this t'internet tool which I am so lucky
to have at my disposal. Hence this little spot today. Next time I update, I
hope to at least have two new short stories to upload.
What I need is a good, hearty, childish, Matthew Corbett-style "Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's better.
Now on to Wedding News: I tried my dress on again on Saturday - still lovely
- and ordered my shoes and headgear, shall we say (no more details of what shall
be borne on my bonce, in case guests are reading). Doesn't sound very exciting,
but it was for me - LOL.
We have opted not to set up one of those, IMO, rather cheesy and Americanised
things called a Wedding Path - they're a little OTT for us, and of really no
interest to anybody else, so for wedding updates yer'll have to log on here,
I'm afraid.
Tuesday
14 November 2006
Bridesmaid shopping went excellently on Saturday. I've ordered the frocks in
for my green goddesses - and no, they weren't ghastly! I was reassured that
my taste in clobber is OK after all. My notoriously laid-back H2B (to borrow
confetti.co.uk parlance for a moment) and his brother also went suit-hunting
on the same day!! With 7 months still to go - I'm impressed!
Have completed my 'Strictly'-inspired short piece, which I've called Flaw
Show (oh, I love puns, me!) and am in the process of adding it here -
though may wait until I've finished the sequel (wait for it...) Flaw
Show 2 - The American Smooth (so named because my lead character, Vanessa,
adores 80s dance movies, and this is an homage to their corny titles!!) and
upload the two stories together. Ooh, I spoil you, I really do!
'Flaw' was a bit hard going - I don't claim it to be my best ever story (though
guess I shouldn't sell myself short) - and I think I've decided I prefer writing
novels after all. You get so much more attached to and involved with the characters.
Scissor Sisters were awesome at the NIA last night. Camp pop at its very best
- though time does not permit me to add a review here. Apparently that show
holds the record for the highest number of tickets ever sold at that venue.
Not surprised - it was all standing on the floor, and we were rammed in. Jake
Shears and Ana Matronic have to be two of the best frontpeople in the business.
Not sure, though, about the support act, a loud three-piece called Gossip -
fronted by a 'large' screechy woman in leggings!
Monday
6 November 2006
My new short story, set in the cutthroat world of...ballroom dancing, is coming
on (though untitled as yet) and will hopefully appear here shortly. That glorious
programme Strictly Come Dancing continues to provide plenty of inspiration
for the plot. I don't get to update on here much at present because of being
so busily immersed in writing, and we're having a busy November generally.
Excellent bonfire party Saturday night, courtesy of our friends Dave and Sarah.
I don't recall going to a 'house' bonfire before - my childhood Guy Fawkes Nights
were always spent at the good old Black Country Museum, and in later years we've
patronised the huge Himley Hall event. It was great fun. We contributed our
old kitchen table - which was broken and which, yes, has been replaced by a
new model - to the fire, as well as a rather kinky Guy who sported a newspaper-stuffed
old jumper and jeans, a balloon head, baseball cap - and red Wonderbra!!
Again, it was my first attempt at Guy-making, and having this object around
the flat was actually quite unnerving. The thing resembled a cross between the
Auto Pilot from Airplane and a member of that Blue Man Gang, or whatever
they're called, who always appear at the Royal Variety doo-dah!! I had visions
of it coming to life in the night like a horror movie dummy and slaughtering
us in our bed. Its newspapery limbs looked scarily realistic in a certain light
- it really was like being in the room with a corpse!
Yesterday was spent less spookily - with Sunday din-dins courtesy of Mum. My
mum celebrates a 'big' birthday soon, so preparations are in progress for that
too!
Tonight I have my final aqua tone class before the leisure centre shuts for
six months of refurbishment. Quite sad really - I've been going for years and
will miss it. Wonder if they'll let us take cakes tonight like the last day
of term?! By the time the place reopens, I shall be nearly married, which is
a scary thought. Hope I won't be 20 stone by then through lack of aqua.
This Saturday will see me bridesmaid shopping with two of my 'girls,' Kristie
and Ros (the two who live in the UK, that is). They haven't actually met each
other yet, so I feel a tiny bit nervous - like I'll be playing Mother on Saturday.
Also, choosing clothes for someone else to wear is a big responsibility - it
isn't exactly something you do a lot. I fell in love with these particular dusky
green dresses when I saw them in a magazine ad several months ago, but I keep
having nightmares that they'll look ghastly 'in the flesh' so to speak!
Wednesday
25 October 2006
How funny the ideas that spring to you in dreams. I dreamed Monday night that
I created these characters The Four Matthews - so nicknamed because they were
four identical young brothers (not quads, but boasting identical hair, styled
like Ashley from X Factor!), the oldest of whom was named Matthew!!!
I'm inspired. Matthew and his frizzy-mopped siblings may yet see the light of
day in a future novel…
I'm still really rocketing on with Gap Year - have
just finished Chapter 5. I continue to be surprised by the characters I find
myself liking more than others, and the scenes I derive the most pleasure from
writing.
For example, knowing - obviously(!) - nothing about business and the mechanics
of running a chain of freezer centres, I imagined I'd struggle with the scenes
set in the Chill Cabinet (yeah, cheesy name), run by Ronnie Poole, my Black
Country entrepreneur character. Yet I'm actually enjoying the office interplay
between Ronnie and his assistant director/son Warwick - and if anything struggle
more with the lovey dialogue between our heroine Emily and her enigmatic boyfriend
Dominic.
The short story I promised recently is likely to appear within the next couple
of weeks, so "keep 'em peeled" for updates!
Saturday
21 October 2006
Today's Wedding News bulletin: Nathan and I purchased our wedding rings from
the Jewellery Quarter today!!!
Ooh, it all seems excitingly real now that we've got these!! No going back now.
I just have visions of being so nervous and shaky on the day that I'll either
drop Nathan's or won't be able to shove it over his knuckle!
Tuesday
17 October 2006
My review of the Shiraz - A Taste of Persia restaurant now appears on 2 websites:
Sugarvine
and Birmingham
Plus. The latter is much easier to read as Sugarvine appear to be
allergic to putting gaps between paragraphs!! Enjoy...
I've just clocked the date and noticed it's Dad's anniversary. Two years today
(two years?!!). You may think I'm heartless for not automatically remembering
that, but frankly I don't choose to dwell on such morbid occasions.
Friday
13 October 2006
Just clocked the date - good job I'm not overly superstitious!
Ooh, shock news about Justin quitting The Darkness. Good job we saw them live
when we did. His reign was fun while it lasted, and I hope he is on the road
to recovery now from his addiction. I guess we may see him on I'm a Celebrity...
in the future!
Doing another Peak District trek tomorrow - this time along the Tissington Trail,
a renowned cycle route. We're promised that this walk is 'only' eight miles
and relatively flat and easy for the area. I hope this mist lifts by then.
I enjoyed an excellent meal at Birmingham's only Persian Restaurant Shiraz
(I'm never actually quite sure whether I can advertise on here) on Wednesday,
of which I've done a review that I hope will soon appear on a couple of local
restaurant review sites.
Wednesday
11 October 2006
Don't faint, but there may shortly be one or two NEW short stories appearing
on this 'ere site!! Yes, I know it may be a shocker as I haven't exactly been
prolific with posting the promised 'fizzling fiction' on here - the novel Gap
Year (which is going very well, by the way) eats my time, and my updates
here thus tend to be confined to these diary contributions. There is only, after
all, so much you can write when you're working full-time (and planning
a wedding).
But I've been reading Birmingham Noir, a superb anthology of short tales
set in this wonderful Second City (a chance borrow from the library - I hadn't
actually heard of it before), and have been inspired to create another short,
snappy, twisty piece! I shall have to decide which threads and settings I won't
be able to fit into my fourth, Robyn-centred but as yet unplotted novel and
then base something around one of them!
Watch this proverbial space...
Chicago at the Alexandra in Brum was excellent on Saturday - I would
have to say it was actually one of the best musicals I've seen. Jennifer Ellison,
who used to be in Brookside and latterly won that Gordon Ramsay show
Hell's Kitchen, was excellent as Roxie Hart, and the choreography across
the whole show was just amazing. It's a very funny show too, full of satirical
observations on the fickle nature of fame and the media which are as relevant
today as in its 1920s setting!
Have now booked up for another fave musical, Guys & Dolls, starring
Nigel Harman and Bonnie Langford, in Jan 2007.
Got a few more events upcoming in fact:
13 November - Scissor Sisters at NIA
24 November - BBC Good Food Show at NEC
22 December - Jasper Carrott, Lenny Henry, Suzi Quarto, Jethro, Journey South
et al in Jasper's Rock with Laughter show at the NEC
6 January - Guys & Dolls at the Alex
Sunday
1 October 2006
How scary is it that it's October already?? And that we get married 9 months
from yesterday?!!
Enjoyed a great night's dog racing at Wolverhampton's Monmore Green last night
- great fun, and another thing to add to my list of 'new experiences.' The £14
package we went for (I sound like an ad on Beacon Radio) included four bets,
a meal (burger 'n' chips - v. filling, and the chips were hot) and two drinks,
which I thought was fair value. Neither us nor our six mates won a bean between
us, however.
Torrential rain precluded any in-the-park cycling today. Perhaps that's it for
our elongated summer now, and the bikes are set to rust until spring? Still,
we had a jolly good go considering neither of us had taken to the saddle for
at least 16 years, and next year will at least have the luxury of more months
on our newly acquired two wheels.
Next theatre excursion is on Saturday: Chicago at Birmingham's 'Alex.'
Am greatly looking forward to that and equally, I'm afraid to admit, to that
night's telly and the return of my favourite guilty pleasure, Strictly Come
Dancing!! Oh, it's the sole oasis in the desert that is an English autumn
and winter. My bets are on Emma Bunton winning. Wonder how Tarby will fare with
the paso doble and all that, though?
Am currently devouring Graham Norton's autobiography, So Me, and delighting
in his frequently bitchy humour.
With regards to my own scribblings - Gap Year continues
to progress with surprising ease. As can happen to authors, I have decided a
quarter of a way into the story that I like a certain character, a girl called
Robyn, better than my heroine, Emily. I possibly shouldn't be saying this about
the leading lady of whom I am attempting to engage reader sympathy, but she
isn't actually as sympethetic as this Robyn (whose role in the piece is that
of best friend to the said Emily).
I've thus decided (because I can - ha) that Robyn shall be the heroine of my
next, as yet unplotted novel. And I'm sure the lives of my reader(s) and the
world at large are richer for having that knowledge!!
Monday
18 September 2006
My cycling grows - slowly - more self-assured as I get accustomed to the bike,
gear changes, etc.
Went for another epic ride through Sutton Park yesterday - this time managing
to stay on the thing following last Sunday's injuring of what one could politely
call my 'girl's bits.' In negotiating a wooden bridge thing over a dip in the
ground, I misjudged my angle coming off the thing and landed whump, in said
dip!! We hadn't yet got helmets then, and my first panic was about whacking
my head and sustaining brain damage (oh, but how would we be able to tell?)
after only a week's possession of a mountain bike! As it was, I managed to smack
my 'between the legs' bits (come on, this is a family website) on to the frame!!
I'm OK now, though - and we are now proud helmet-wearers!! We do undoubtedly
look a couple of prats in them, but that's better than being dead or brain-damaged.
Right, road safety fans?!
Gap Year is gathering pace. Am now up to Chapter
3 in my polishing and editing stage, and progress is quite pleasing. Wish this
could be the one that makes the publishers leap. Think I've worked far too many
years in my day job - surely it's about time I became a bestselling author?
Forgot to mention next concert on the agenda - Scissor Sisters at the NIA Monday
14 November! Feather boas at the ready.
Saturday
9 September 2006
Have added yet another hobby to my expanding list in the 'Leigh's CV' section
- cycling! This is by virtue of a recent purchase by Nath and myself of two,
er, bikes! Mine is pink and purple - don't ask me the make, I'm afraid I conformed
to a girly stereotype in the shop by admiring its colour and declaring, in true
Andy-from-Little-Britain style: "I want that one!"
I was wobbly on our first go the other night - as I knew I would be, not having
ridden a bike for 16 years. It was hard to believe this was a girl who (aged
11) passed her cycling proficiency with no faults and spent hours winding along
the country lanes of South Staffordshire. Then last night I began to see the
sense in that old cliché about how you never forget how to ride one.
I suddenly got the hang of it, and the pair of us were soon bombing it through
Sutton Park. All great fun.
Thursday
24 August 2006
Am enjoying revisiting Gap Year for the purposes
of editing my rough manuscript and honing it into something (vaguely) readable.
Pre-America, I took an elongated, 'I'm almost on holiday so I can't be arsed
to do any work' break from writing, so getting back into it was a tad hard-going
at first. But now I'm once again thriving on the thrill of the deadline (yes,
I know I sound totally sad) and the thesaurus is back by my side where it belongs.
I know I have a long, long way to go with this novel - but then writing is all
about challenging oneself. I rather lost motivation before the holiday, but
I really shouldn't need motivation to do something I enjoy. I feel so grateful
I have this hobby - I'm certainly never bored.
I had the most surreal dream last night, in which I attended the very grand
wedding of a fictitious school friend named Joss (I don't know and certainly
never went to school with any Josses, so nobody can sue me for this) at the
venue in fact where our own nuptials are taking place. Lovely ceremony, fantastic
food at the reception, joyous bride's speech...all was going wonderfully until
the groom, 'Jonathan' (again someone I don't know), by way of his speech, didn't
actually say anything but merely played a secretly-filmed video of 'Joss' gossiping
with her friend - who was actually Sonia from EastEnders!!!
I don't even watch the show. Anyway, 'Joss' was confiding in 'Sonia' about how
she "didn't really love Jonathan," "didn't really want to marry
him" and "loved someone else" - cue aghast gasps from the horde
of guests!!!
Wonder what all this says about me?? Dream analysts: answers on a postcard please!
Monday
14 August 2006
The dress is ordered!!! Once I'd got my shortlist of two, I tried on both again
over the weekend to refresh my memory and make a final decision. And the verdict
was that my fave remained the one at that nameless department store in Wolverhampton
(not sure what the laws of advertising say that govern websites such as this
- if there are any). So I was measured up there and then ("Suit you Madam!")
and ordered it!! My wedding dress - how surreal does that sound??!!!
Back to work today - boo, hiss - after almost 3 fabulous weeks, my longest period
of annual leave. Feels weird, like the first day at school after the summer
holidays. The suddenly September-esque weather (seems odd following all these
months of humidity) adds to the overall autumnal, new satchel, Clarks shoes,
back-to-school feel.
USA piccies are now online at flickr.com.
You may find them in rather an odd order, as I had trouble filing them into
a 'set' - think you're only allowed a limited number of sets, hence they're
a bit all over the place! Hope they're worth it, though.
Saturday
12 August 2006
Well here we are, back in Blighty following our amazing trip to the USA - and
boy, are we counting our blessings that our homeward flight was on Monday rather
than Thursday, what with the latest terror alert to hit our airports!!
We had a fantastic holiday staying with Jeremy and Julie at their fab home near
Philadelphia, and their wedding was a very grand affair (ours will be rather
more low-key).
We also spent two days in New York - simply the most amazing place I have ever
visited. Nowhere else even comes close. Nowhere else is so crazy, so buzzy,
so, so...big! Now that I've seen the Statue of Liberty, shopped at Macy's, taken
lunch in Central Park on a humid Monday, and viewed early-morning New York City
from the Empire State Building observatory, I feel like a proper, grown up,
seasoned traveller.
We spent some time in Philadelphia too: doing the cheesy touristy thing of 'running
up the Rocky Steps' and sampling a local delicacy known as the Philly Cheese
Steak - yum!
Photos will be online shortly, I shall advise you where and when...
That holiday certainly provided plenty of inspiring material for future novels
- and talking of which, I must crack on with my current one following
this extended hiatus I allowed myself.
Now we're back, attention is of course focused on our own nuptials which are
now - aarrggghhhh - just 10 months away.
I have been dress-hunting this week - my very enjoyable search has narrowed
my choice down to two frocks. Everyone advised me I would "just know when
I'd found The One" - well that didn't prove the case for me! In my case
it was The Three, which I have now managed to narrow down to The Two: one in
a small shop near me, the other in - shall we say - a much larger emporium in
Wolverhampton. Decisions are set to be made this weekend...I'll keep you posted!
No details, though, cuz it's all top secret!!!
Am so glad I booked appointments at those two extra shops, rather than simply
rely on the two Mum and I had originally intended visiting. Had I not given
myself that extra choice, I'd never have gotten to try on one of the stunning
pair now in the running!!
We've also hit an unexpected setback in that we are having to find another photographer,
but - hopefully - this is in hand and we should shortly be fixed up with an
alternative snapper.
Just before I sign off, let me say a quick "Congratulations" to my
oldest friend Debbie (my only mate from nursery and primary school) and her
husband Richard on the birth of their first child, Brendyn Luke Smith, on Monday
7 August!! You're going to make great parents!
Wednesday
19 July 2006
Hope you're not all wilting out there in this heatwave. I love it, and hate
moaning about it, but boy is it draining when you're at work! Particularly when
you work in an office with no air con, just windows that open about half a centimetre
and a fan that churns stale air around.
Still, can't complain - some of us will be on holiday very soon!!! Can't believe
America is but a week away now. Lalala, oohoohooh, hehehe, monkey mannerisms
(you get the picture).
We'll be flying to Philadelphia (via Paris - rather odd detour, but there you
go), at the weekend the girls and boys will separate for hen and stag dos, for
which we are descending on Philly and Baltimore respectively! Then Jez [Nathan's
eldest brother] and Julie's wedding is on 5th August.
In the week betwixt hen/stag and wedding we also plan a trip to marvellous New
York - well we will only be 3 hours away by train, we can't pass up the opportunity!
NY is one of those fantasy places on my (and possibly everyone's) 'Must Go To'
list, so I can't wait.
Talking about weddings (and I need the flimsiest excuse to do so - have you
noticed that yet?)...I'm thinking of booking trying-on appointments at a few
more dress shops. I'm booked in with two at present, but keep feeling paranoid
that I may not have given myself enough choice, may not find my dream dress
on the day I go, and end up:
a) Panicking to book further appointments and possibly running out of time to
get sorted for June (daft as it sounds, I really can't leave it much longer),
or
b) Panic buying something I'm not 100% in love with, just for the sake of getting
a dress on that day.
So rather than pin all my hopes on those two bridal shops, I shall ease the
pressure off myself and book in with one or two more! Ooh, I love talking about
all this stuff! What is it about weddings that turns you into a total bore who
gets excited about the twee-est of things??!
Sunday
16 July 2006
Had an excellent time at Race for Life yesterday. A gloriously hot Sutton Park
was packed with about 3,000 women - most wearing the breast cancer charity's
colour of pink - and there was a wonderful atmosphere; a real 'sisterhood.'
It's funny, but when you sign up for these events you somehow imagine you're
the only one taking part, so it's almost a surprise to arrive and encounter
hordes of others united for a common cause.
For obvious reasons
the cause is dear to my heart, and it was a rather emotional, poignant afternoon
- especially reading the signs so many of the walkers and runners had pinned
to their backs, declaring to the world who they were racing for. Everyone had
a story to tell. There were several signs saying 'My Dad,' 'My Mom' - and, in
the case of one little girl, 'Kylie Minogue.' Fair play to her, though. I've
said it before here, but it's heartbreaking how many lives are touched by cancer.
I completed the 5km (just over 3 miles) with my workmates in 59 and a half minutes
(ooh, I'm so proud to have made it just under the hour!). The distance itself
was a doddle really - I regularly walk similar or greater distances, either
to or from work or during my weekend treks - but it was the sense of 'being
there' and fundraising that gave me such a terrific buzz.
Our prize was a medal and a duffel bag of gifts from the event sponsors: a bag
of pretzels, and one of yogurty fruity flakey things, from Tesco (hey, anything
edible is a prize to me!) and an assortment of mini skincare items from Nivea.
I would love to do Race for Life in 2007 if poss - however, if it's held
on the same weekend as this year, I shall be on honeymoon!
I've done some research into the Fantasy Wedding Dress - and it turns out to
be rather out of my price league (to be precise, it's about double the max I'd
be willing to fork out for a frock I'm going to wear once). So knowing it forms
part of the collection at that shop I'm going to in August wasn't quite such
an omen after all! Oh well. At least it's given me an idea of the kind of design
I'd like - I should be able to find a similar, less pricey version! I won't
fear, The One is out there...
For those of you who are interested in little side details like this, I'm writing
today's diary while listening to the wonderful Michael Bublé, having
popped into town this morning and treated myself (hey, I deserve it!) to his
lovely CD It's Time!
Oh, but that wasn't all I treated myself to! Yes, I must be honest - I'm afraid
to say I once again emptied WH Smith's wedding magazine shelf (for these bridal
glossies are so gloriously addictive) and stocked up on a few items of
summery clobber (for America is but a week and a half away now!!!) from that
great 'fashion on a budget' store H&M!
Friday
14 July 2006
Shouldn't get too excited, but I've fallen in love with a Wedding Dress - or
at least a picture of one! I spotted it in a wedding mag, originally in an ad
for a bridal shop slightly out of my area. But then...quite by chance
I spied same pic in another magazine, advertising one of the shops (won't name
names - secrecy must be maintained about these things) at which I have a dress-trying-on
appointment next month!!!! And couldn't help thinking it an omen...
Now this dress is probably going to be too fantastically expensive for my purse;
either that or I'll try it on and it looks like an old windsock on me - but
it's the first one I've
seen (and I've flicked through many hundreds during these bridal mag-addicted
months) that has really made me go "Oh wow!" Fingers crossed it does
turn out to be The One...
Nathan and I successfully gave notice at the reg office on Tuesday - so, provided
nobody objects to our nuptials within the next 16 days, we're all set for 30
June next year!!!
In other news...I'm partaking in the Race for Life event in Sutton Park tomorrow,
in aid of Cancer Research UK. Eight girls from work are walking (we're no runners)
the 5km course together - let's hope all this walking to and from work has paid
off. It's supposed to be a hot one tomorrow, so we'd best take it steady with
plenty of water. I shall be doing it in memory of my dad (though the actual
'race' is a women-only event) and shall pin my 'I Race for Life for...' sign
to my back with pride.
Monday
10 July 2006
Gap Year is finished!!! Well...sort of. The 'extremely
rough' draft of which I have oft spake is now complete. When we return from
America (only 2 weeks til we're airborne...!!!) I shall commence the necessarily
ruthless editing process. In the meantime, I am currently enjoying being a 'lady
of leisure' as it were - well I would be one if writing were my main occupation.
Nathan and I are 'giving notice' tomorrow - a formality which involves presenting
ourselves and several items of ID at our local registry office in order that
we may be married out of our administrative area. We successfully booked our
registrar - i.e. the one who will conduct the actual ceremony in the area appropriate
to our venue - a week last Friday, and have a fortnight from that date in which
to give notice. Let's hope nobody 'objects' to our nuptials - long-lost bigamous
spouses, that kinda thing!
We had my mum for dinner last night (she was a bit chewy - ho de ho!), which
means we will spend the week polishing off the half-dozen puddings she contributed
to the meal! Ooh, mums - don't you luv 'em! Especially the way they think you
don't eat and cook when they're not there, and it's their duty to 'fatten you
up!' Not like I'm grousing or anything - they were Marks & Sparks 'no ordinary'
desserts, so extremely lush!
Always end up feeling nice and weddingy when Mum comes over, as we inevitably
discuss the fast approaching nuptials (355 days to go, according to confetti.co.uk)
and she usually brings me a bridal mag or two over which to pore. This time
she brought me the latest edition of Wedding
Connections, a local glossy which actually features two weddings
at our venue. Rather exciting, that - love seeing these couples' photographs
and hearing their recommendations of 'our' place.
Thursday
29 June 2006
Next stage in the grand wedding planning: booking the registrar tomorrow!! Ooh,
getting all nervous about that now! Even though we'll be booking at the earliest
opportunity - 1 year to the day (can't believe we've already reached our -1
anniversary!!) - I'm still freakily paranoid that I'll get on the phone only
to find all the registrars in our borough are fully booked for that day because
cheeky brides have jumped the queue!! Aarrgh!
Will let you know how I get on.
Going camping in deepest Gloucestershire with mates at the weekend - really
looking forward to it as weather is predicted to be scorchio!
I've become rather laid back as far as novel-writing is concerned. I have almost
the whole of Gap Year drafted out now, in an extremely
rough format, but don't intend tweaking and polishing the scrappy manuscript
until we return from America in a few weeks. Am just enjoying the easy, good-natured
summer vibe!
Tuesday
20 June 2006
Ooh, not long now 'til Am-er-i-ca (starts doing West Side Story-style
flamenco routine on desk) - where we are jetting for Nathan's oldest brother
Jez's wedding to the lovely Julie (one of my 3 future bridesmaids) in Philadelphia!!!
Nath and I are hoping to grab a few days in New York too, while we're over there.
Can't wait. Am loving this current wedding-y phase in my life!
My current phase of walking to and from work is going really well too. This
thrice-a-week journey adds an extra 15 miles a week to my walking quota, and
I have to say I'm already noticing a difference. Ooh, I sound like one of those
annoying women in those 'friendly bacteria' adverts (I'll start singing the
stupid 'Mmm Danone' jingle in a minute!!).
Gap Year is going OK. I am employing my usual,
rather bizarre novel-writing method but which has worked with my previous two
efforts, whereby I race to get a rough - a VERY rough - manuscript written,
then spend a good few months rereading and tinkering to brush it into readable
shape.
Meanwhile, you can get a little taster by delving into my 4 readable - thus
far - chapters of Gap Year on www.greatwriting.co.uk
or www.spoiledink.com!!
Wednesday
14 June 2006
Saturday's yomp across Derbyshire was brilliant. A scorcher and a half - though
not as unbearably stifling as you might imagine, as the Peak District has some
glorious open areas with pleasant breezes.
If you're wondering where Robin's photos from the previous walk (which I posted
here under Wednesday's entry) have disappeared to, I've set up a Flickr account,
an online photo album type thing, for ease of reference. So, if you're interested,
you can now view those shots - plus some from this latest trek, and a few of
my other, past piccies - here.
As part of this fitness drive, I've actually started walking the 2.5 miles to
work too - weather permitting. The weather isn't forecast to permit today, unfortunately,
so I shall be car-bound! Getting rained on is OK at weekends, but doesn't seem
worth it somehow when one's destination is only the office!
In Wedding News today: Nath & I have stumbled upon a beautiful reading for
our ceremony. We've been searching for something appropriate for a while, but
all the verses we'd come across before were either silly, Pam Ayres-esque 'ditties'
or so mushily romantic (and really not 'us') that we'd have had our guests vomiting
over the registrar!!
Now this piece - about which I will say nothing other than it's an extract from
a novel upon which a film was based - is the first thing we've read that has
made us go: 'Oooh, that's gorgeous!!' Fingers crossed the registrar will approve
it.
I'm not going to print it here, of course - partly due to fear of copyright
infringement and partly in case any potential guests log on here and it spoils
the surprise!!
Wednesday
7 June 2006
Saturday's temperature is to be a promised 27 degrees C - so what am I doing
in this heat?? A 10-mile trek across the Peak District is what! Least it makes
a change from the hail and squalls through which I've battled on my previous
two walks with this particular group, Peak Hostellers. They do monthly walks
in the area, and Nathan and I occasionally join in - when we're free - although
he will be watching the footie in a pub somewhere this time.
And I can think of no place I'd rather be when there's wall to wall footie
on the telly than up a hill in the middle of nowhere!!
I am passionate about walking - I just find that after working in an office
all week, and being dependent on other people to a large extent, there is something
incredibly freeing about being at the mercy of only nature.
I have developed a real love for the wild and beautiful Peak District area too,
since becoming a part-time Peak Hosteller. This week, we will be mostly...in
and on the outskirts of a village called Monyash. If you happen to live in that
area (a long shot, I know!) and witness a bunch of rucksacked folks trooping
by, do give us a wave (or you might prefer to hide)!!
Sunday
4 June 2006
Oops, another few weeks have elapsed sans an update here! A thousand
"sorry"s as usual - what else can I say but I just don't know where
the time goes.
Anyway, enough of apologies - latest news from Wedding Central is that I've
booked my hen night limo!!!! On 16 June next year - 2 weeks before the wedding
- myself and 7 mates will be piling into a white stretch limousine, which will
take us on an hour's tour of delightful Birmingham, dropping us off at a Greek
eatery for a spot of plate-smashing and belly-dancing, and later collecting
and delivering home my no doubt 'worse for wear' little posse!!
Yeah, it's as tacky as it gets, but it's fun and cheesy and, most importantly,
totally me!!
If this seems like very advance booking, welcome to the unreal world of weddings,
where diary dates are made centuries ahead! The limo company had bookings as
far ahead as 2009 so I had to get in quick if I wanted my cheesy ride (could
have phrased that better but hey, I love a good double entendre)!!
Friday
12 May 2006
"It's the novel of the century - we must publish now!!!!"
...is alas NOT what the Romantic Novelists Association had to say about my Classmates
manuscript! They did, however, offer me an extremely useful and constructive
critique. I was amazed too how speedily their very intricate report came winging
back to me, having anticipated waiting months.
I clearly have an awful lot to work on - as I knew I would - but their comments
were encouraging and certainly not along the "Go stick your head in the
oven - you'll never make a writer" lines.
If I can rather vainly pick out the high points: they praised my 'lovely flashes
of humour,' good use of dialogue and the 'sympathetic heroine' I created in
Zoe.
Among other things, though, I need to 'show not tell' a good deal more - a concept
with which I've become very familiar in the three years since I penned Classmates,
which was after all my first and very raw effort at a novel. I also need to
work on making Karl a more sympathetic and, er, heroic hero.
Anyway, if you wish to read Classmates and
add your two penn'orth (or whatever the expression is), you can do so
on this very accessible site: www.greatwriting.co.uk
Gap Year gathers pace - what you might call
'leisurely' pace, but pace nonetheless. I'm currently embroiled in Chapter 3
- which is the fourth chapter, if you count the Prologue(!) though it isn't
always easy finding time to write in this present weather, when walks in the
park are a much preferable pastime. I do love this time of year.
Sunday
23 April 2006
"St George's Day, old boy!" - as the Major from Fawlty Towers
would say!
Had pleasure of seeing another great show yesterday - Miss Saigon at
Birmingham Hippodrome. Great songs and choreography - though I have to say it
wasn't quite up there with my favourite shows, Jesus Christ Superstar
or that great weepie Les Mis. Not quite sure what it was - I mean, how
do you explain why some shows get hairs on the back of your neck standing to
attention and others, er, don't? I really enjoyed it, just didn't connect so
passionately with it somehow.
Oh well, any live theatre is still a terrific experience to me.
I've also started making my first round of dress-trying-on appointments at bridal
shops, for August. I'm going to be like a little girl in Mummy's dressing up
box - can't wait!!
Am determined, however, NOT to mutate into a Bridezilla, the sort of unbearable
diva who throws hissy strops if the favours aren't right or the confetti doesn't
match the napkins, and whom no man would desire to wed. A sense of perspective
is what's needed; I must at all times remain grounded and keep in mind what
this day is about. Love and commitment - not keeping up with the Beckhams.
Wednesday
19 April 2006
I know I haven't always been brilliant about updating on here (a situation I
must try and rectify - I have this toy after all, I oughta use it), so if anyone
wishes to read more of my pieces - some not featured on this site - do log on
to www.greatwriting.co.uk
or www.spoiledink.com
to which I have become an avid contributor!
Monday
2 April 2006
Thought I'd best pay another visit here, seeing how I'm supposed to be webmistress
an' all. I've had a touch of the old writer's block of late (and don't believe
these super duper scribblers who claim such a condition doesn't exist), which
has meant progress on the novel has gone frustratingly slow at times. It's not
that I don't want to write, the passion and inspiration are there - it's
just that I haven't always found it easy to translate them into great writing.
My first novel Classmates is currently winging
its way (for want of a better cliché) to the Romantic Novelists Association's
New Writers Scheme, which offers a critique service for unpublished texts. I
am hoping for some constructive advice, and thus further motivation to crack
on with Gap Year. The aim is to complete that one
by early next year in order to submit it to the RNA next year. I just wish I
felt more motivated. I've got everything behind me - it's a matter of making
myself buckle down.
Friday
17 March 2006
Ooops - haven't added anything for a while! Again. That doesn't mean I haven't
been writing, though - far from it. In fact, that's the reason I haven't visited
here of late - I've been too immersed in my writing.
Chapter 2 of the novel gathers pace daily - and I've fallen in love with
a fantastic website I recently discovered, www.spoiledink.com,
to which I've added a few pieces (see if you can seek them out). They encourage
contributors to criticise one another's work - and return the favour to those
who have offered critiques on their pieces! It's a brilliant site, I
would recommend it to any fellow aspiring scribes, especially those eager for
feedback.
I have also joined the Romantic
Novelists Association so hope to get more assistance with my scrappy
manuscripts there.
In other news...we're
off to a wedding tomorrow - for a change! This time Nathan's cousin Simon is
marrying the lovely Jhane in Birmingham. I hope this current inclement weather
turns more appropriately springlike for them. Personally, I've had enough of
winter, I feel it's well outstayed its welcome.
Monday
20 February 2006
Greetings!
And so another birthday
has been and gone - I spent this one (last night) in the company of my favourite
band The Darkness! Well, I can't pretend it was just their company (sadly)
- there were about 6,000-odd other fans there too, but I thought it was pretty
ace of Justin and the lads to choose my 29th (I'm not ashamed to admit it!)
birthday as the date of their NEC catsuit- and pyrotechnic-fest!!! Jolly considerate.
I'm afraid I can't promise a full review this time, as my novel is well boggin'
me down, to use a slight Vicky Pollard-ism, and I don't seem to have much energy
for other writing stuff at present (what with wedding planning an' all - there
are only so many hours in the day). Darkness fans (Darklings) will have
to make do with a bit of nostalgia, in the shape of my December 2004 review.
Suffice to say, though, they were absolutely excellent once again. I do so love
a bit of camp and showmanship, and emerged from the arena post-concert with
a huge dopey grin on my face. In fact, everything I praised in my 2004 review
could pretty much apply here too. Not that I mean the shows were samey, just
that all the features that made 2004 such a wow of a night were present and
correct this time too. Except they've got a new bass player. And we had brilliant
seats this time (stuck at the back before).
Yesterday was also the 1st anniversary of my engagement to Nathan, which is
incredible to think. We've been making the most of exchanging Fiancé/Fiancée
Valentine cards - before we start hitting Clintons Cards' Husband/Wife section
as of 2008!!
Thursday
9 February 2006
Here I am, having worked my guts out on Chapter 2 - and you know how you writers
get those days when you slave away
on a piece then read it back and your efforts appear to have produced a mere
paragraph? It's a bit dispiriting - but then I suppose I am self-critical. It
just feels like I've been working on Chapter 2 for years.
I've not been feeling too well either (my hypochondriac readers may enjoy this
section; those with a squeamish aversion to sick folks may wish to look away
now) - I'm the latest victim to the flu/tummy (for want of a better euphemism)
bug that has hit most of the girls at my work, as well as closing several schools
in the area. The office has been rather empty this week (and so has my stomach,
but I won't elaborate). I'm all achy and listless. Worst of all, I'm off my
food - my second great passion in life, after writing.
Sunday
29 January 2006
Latest news from Planet Wedding:florist and cake
people are booked!!
Cake is a stunning affair comprising 3 layers: chocolate, Madeira sponge and
carrot cake! Rather unusual, but then we are - and fruit cake is so dull
and passe! We spent yesterday afternoon tasting samples of it and poring over
some amazing designs in the Dudley studio of these
people (hey, it's my site - I can advertise if I want to!!).
Flowers comprise...not sure what yet as we don't have to make a decision until
year, and as we aren't exactly what you'd call experts on the subject of flora
and fauna we don't really have a clue other than we want blooms that co-ordinate
with our yellow and green theme!
Saft as it sounds, though, it's actually quite difficult to visualise in midwinter
what flowers, colours, designs, etc, are likely to suit a wedding in late June.
It's as though after weeks acclimatised to the cold, and what Peter Kay would
call "that awful fine rain that soaks yer to t'skin," you kind of
forget that it is ever summer in this country.
I am so happy with our progress thus far. Now we have our main people on board
- photographer, florist, cake-maker and DJ - we can sit back and relax until
at least summer. I am really glad we booked our nuptials so early (aside from
the fact of simply having to, as our venue is a sought-after hotel with a monster
waiting list) as I am loving the slow build-up to the event, and the luxury
of being able to book things piecemeal and gradually.
Thursday
26 January 2006
Oops, has it really been a fortnight since I last logged in? Well things have
been busy busy busy - as ever - on Planet Leigh. Wedding arrangements are gathering
pace. We have thus far booked our photographer and DJ (so at least we have sound
and pictures - most important) and this weekend we have meetings with potential
florists and cake-makers.
It's all terribly exciting - though slightly surreal. I mean, how often in life
do you find yourself planning an event so far in advance? I know (and if I had
a quid for every time someone said this to me...) it will "be here before
I know it," but it still seems a tad odd to have to think in so much detail
about what kind of table decorations and photo albums we are likely to want
in 17 months time (or - gulp - 520 days, according to confetti.co.uk)!!
Still, we're doing very well, as that old geezer used to say in Are You Being
Served. Our aim is to get these main suppliers booked by the end of Jan,
then sit back for a while - until the summer at least, when it'll be time to
start DRESS-HUNTING!!!!! Oh yes, be prepared for the Bridezilla in me to come
flouncing out!!
In other news...Gap Year is going well. I am really knuckling down and
making myself do it, despite all the other flurry in my life at present. The
approach is working - no faffing about, no time-wasting, just good solid writing.
Bold Writers is progressing productively too. We had our latest meeting last
night - when we mapped out our latest "round robin" story (our third
- our previous two told the story of a house,
and a Mafia family saga). This one centres around a disparate bunch of folks
who meet on a residential cookery course! Life is never dull.
Thursday
12 January 2006
Greetings fellow lovers of writing and t'internet! Well I'm back - I think -
into the swing of writing again, after a hectic Christmas when I barely had
time to sit down let alone pick up a pen. Novel Number 3 - still entitled Gap
Year until a better title leaps out at me - is in progress. I am re-editing
the already drafted Chapter 1 - in between booking appointments with cake-makers,
photographers and florists!! Oh yes, my other project, the wedding planning,
is under serious way an' all. Aarrgghgh!!
Sorry for the current brevity of these messages - I will add a lengthier update
soon, I promise...
Monday
2 January 2006
Happy Nooooo Year to all my delightful readers!! Hope 2006 brings you many joys.
I can now say that I am getting married NEXT YEAR, which is ever so slightly
petrifying. Worse still, I can also state that I am (whisper it) 30 next year
- well, unless I start lying about my age...
I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine has been madly hectic, so
much so that I am now returning to work for a rest. We attended the first of
the many family weddings we have to look forward to in the next couple of years:
Nathan's brother Nick married the lovely Kristie in a romantic snowy ceremony
in York on 30 December.
Anyway, must get ready for aforementioned work - will write more when the mood
is upon me throughout the year...