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 2006, 2005 and 2004 updates have disappeared to, just click on
'2006 archive,' '2005 archive' or '2004 archive' link below (I'm sure you get
the picture by now), and they will appear! Good, eh?
And
now it's 2007 - my wedding year!!!!
Woo-hooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
That loud enough for you?
Thursday
29 November 2007
Am now over my writer's block and am nearing the conclusion of my RNA short
love story. Without giving too much away, it is set at a wedding and ends with
something of a twist.
I am reasonably proud of my effort, though it feels odd to suddenly be writing
something other than Gap Year after being absorbed
in that for so long. I do enjoy short stories - they come as welcome little
bursts - though on the whole far prefer the commitment and slog of novel-writing.
By the way, our wedding has finally made it into the Confetti website's 'Real
Weddings' section. I completed the online form - and uploaded our piccies -
in July and thought nothing of it, until two days ago when those nice Confetti
folks e-mailed me to let me know that ours was a 'featured wedding.'
You can view our 'wedding story' and a few piccies here:
http://www.confetti.co.uk/article/view/9253-7949-0-Leigh_and_Nathan_s_real_life_wedding_UK_national.do
Saturday
17 November 2007
In quest of inspiration for this RNA short story challenge, I had a ferret last
night through some of my old Bold Writers files back from the brilliant 2002
creative writing course (hello Marianne!) which reignited my thirst for scribbling.
Without wishing to boast, I had in fact forgotten what stunning stuff we churned
out in that group.
It was really very inspiring - and heartening - rereading those little stories,
vignettes and character studies, thinking: I wrote that! Or: I could
write something like that again!
Writing can be the most thankless and isolating hobby in the world, but
a good old wallow in past efforts like that demonstrates how worthwhile all
this thesaurus-throwing (that ought to be an Olympic sport) and writer's block
can be.
Not that I am any the wiser about the subject matter of my forthcoming short
story. The only brief is that it must be a love story between 1,000 and 2,500
words. Beyond that, I've no idea yet!
A week today, I shall be seeing one of my favourite singers, the lovely Michael
Buble, in long-awaited concert at the NEC. And last week I was on the front
row for the brilliant Alan Carr, very possibly the best comedian I have ever
seen live, in Wolverhampton. An early highlight booked for next year is the
Strictly Come Dancing live show at the NEC in February!
I love filling my winters with theatre visits and concerts. I detest this time
of year - the run-up to Christmas never fails to leave me cold in more ways
than one - and an evening in the company of a comedian or singer goes some way
towards alleviating the SAD.
Thursday
15 November 2007
I was beginning to think I'd never see the day, but I have actually FINISHED
the initial draft of Gap Year!! It's been something
of a slog - and that eight-month break I took in the middle of it when I was
stressed up to the gunnels (whatever gunnels are) with wedding planning only
elongated the process.
I'm taking another hiatus from it while I work on a short story for the RNA's
50th anniversary anthology, then I shall edit my sorry manuscript.
Work - as in my day job, the one I'd ideally love to give up to become a full-time
novelist - has been very hectic of late, yet productive. I've been coming home
absolutely bone knackered but at the same time self-righteously satisfied at
having achieved quite a lot!
Saturday
20 October 2007
Have just finished reading Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island -
which I only borrowed from the library on Thursday - the latest in my current
phase of walking and travel books. I'm into walking in a big way, you see, and
have plans to write something similar next year.
I am at long last on the homeward stretch of Gap Year,
and as usual for me at this stage in the novel-writing process am beginning
to plot out my next project. I would really like to pen a fictionalised account
of a long walk - a charity trek or the like. Lands End to John O'Groats, perhaps,
or the Black Country to the seaside.
I want to create a troupe of eccentric characters, and write about the fictitious
landmarks, based on real locations, which they encounter on their epic trip
(which will, of course, turn out to be a journey in every sense of the
word).
Sunday
14 October 2007
Apologies again for my failure to add any updates - besides being a busy bee
working on Gap Year, which is going pretty well,
I have discovered of late the joys of that rather addictive 'social networking
site' that is Facebook. If you're interested in seeing any up to date pictures
of me or the wedding or whatever, I suggest you 'be my friend' on Facebook or
MySpace as I don't tend to stick piccies on here (this is the place for my writing).
All the Rage winged its way back from the Romantic
Novelists Association critic pretty quickly. Alas, I won't be published this
time around - not exactly a surprise - but I did receive some extremely helpful
and constructive feedback. The RNA are of the view that I do have talent and
should persist (which is obviously better than advising me to give up and take
up flamenco dancing instead).
I don't truly expect to dazzle publishers or agents with my current output -
I feel I am still learning my craft - but to have professional writers reading
and appraising my work is so invaluable. I take all their pointers on board
each time and progress into my next novel, hopefully improving on my previous
effort.
I dearly hope I will be published one day - I don't care if I'm 88 when
it happens, I shall continue writing and persevering towards this ultimate goal.
I am currently feeling all tingly and healthy having just returned from another
'health farm' weekend with Mum at the fabulous Hoar Cross Hall. Amongst other
things, we had a golf lesson, did salsa dancing, pilates and partook in an activity
called 'core and balls' which I wasn't sure quite about.
On a slightly less health conscious note, I am delighted to see the return of
my favourite childhood chocolate bar, the Cadbury's Wispa, to our shelves!!
I went a bit delirious in Spar on Tuesday and came out with ten bars!! Go
on, share the Wispa love...
Wednesday
22 August 2007
Am greatly enjoying my return to 'author' mode. Just two days back into Gap
Year, and I remember exactly why I love writing so much - frustration
and all.
The thrill and sense of achievement when you complete a legible sentence, or
paragraph, or page, or chapter, or whatever; the annoyance when that perfect
adjective just eludes you, and you spend all evening scouring every permutation
in the poor battered thesaurus; the general sense of purpose derived from such
a beloved hobby; even the writer's block (which you always know will
clear itself eventually).
Oh, it's good to see I've still got it!
Monday
20 August 2007
In case you be wondering, this website is still in my maiden name - for the
moment - despite the fact I got wed. I don't have to renew the domain name until
April next year, so at that point will decide whether to become leighmathers.co.uk
or keep my maiden pseudonym for writing purposes!
Anyway, yesterday I revisited my third novel, Gap Year,
for the first time since wedding planning began to monopolise my life in January.
I reread the eight chapters I had managed to write, to refresh the old memory
before I embark on the remaining nine. It was a useful, reassuring exercise
- I was quite surprised by the output I had managed. I'm sure this book won't
be a classic, but neither is it awful. I'm not too appalling a writer then.
So now - as though I've never been away - I am back into a routine of thesaurus-bashing,
tearing-out of hair and frantic finishing of chapters by deadlines. Great -
I love it! I was born to write, and have such a passion for it. I missed it
very much all those months I was embroiled in table plans and drinks packages;
sunflowers and Love Hearts.
I last week parcelled up my brushed-up second effort, All
the Rage, and dispatched it to the Romantic Novelists Association (only
just in time for the deadline this time) as my contribution for this year. I
have no high hopes for this manuscript - as I had none for Classmates
last year - but look forward to receiving some constructive criticism from the
RNA.
Our friend Colin sent us his DVD of the wedding at the weekend - this isn't
our 'official' vid, taken by our friend Michael, which we haven't seen yet but
are told will feature vows, speeches and the whole caboodle. Colin's has a beautifully
edited 'highlights' section set to some of the music we used on the day, plus
the speeches (Nathan couldn't watch his - think I'd feel the same had I 'said
a few words' and then been forced to sit through a recording of them) and a
couple of songs performed by the band at our evening do.
It was such a surprise to get this (to be honest, I hadn't noticed Colin filming!)
and it was magic reliving our special day. I had forgotten quite a bit, due
to being so awhirl at the time. As you might know, I have seen the DVD a few
times already. My mum's speech, though, is a fairly difficult watch - an emotional
moment.
We have also finally ordered the 50 pictures for our official album, which was
none too easy a task as we had 243 awesome shots from which to narrow down our
choice. In the end we grew simply bored of the task! We could have gone on forever
poring over these photos, swapping and changing them, but had reached a point
where enough was enough and we had to just make a decision.
So we can at last 'de-wedding' and get back to life. I have been amazing how
long the whole de-wedding-ing process has taken; I'd had no idea just how much
post-nuptials stuff there would be to sort out.
Thursday
19 July 2007
OK, grab a cuppa – it’s my wedding report!!!
At last I get around to this task. Where do I start?
Well it rained! Torrentially. Put me in mind of that Alanis Morissette song
- "It's like raii-iiaaaii-nnn on your wedding day!" (Though I can't
quite see what's so ironic about that.)
During the week prior to our wedding, the ground floor of our fabulous venue
was completely flooded – resulting in new carpets having to be laid and the
highly professional staff working around the clock to restore normality. My
lovely Mum and some of my friends knew all about this, but didn’t tell me until
the big day in order to minimise my stress levels!! I was very grateful!
Now a heavy downpour was the eventuality I was dreading most – but it’s true
what they say, on the day you don’t care about the weather. It really is useless
getting depressed over something you can do nothing about, and to be surrounded
everyone we loved in one room was enough to banish any despondency.
And everything else went like a dream. Naturally I’d rehearsed my wedding day
over and over in my mind for months beforehand, and I really did have the wedding
of my dreams. Everything worked, everyone had a fantastic time, and it truly
was the most euphoric day of both our lives.
From the moment I walked into that room on my mum’s arm and saw Nath looking
all besotted and happy, my nerves evaporated. I’d been most jittery about saying
the vows, possibly saying the wrong thing (wrong name?!) or tripping in the
aisle and ending up on You’ve Been Framed – but I took my time and made
a conscious effort not to gabble and rush.
It was an incredibly informal, relaxed civil service which reflected our personalities
perfectly. A common comment from our friends and relatives is that we had exactly
the kind of day WE wanted rather than going through the motions with
a ceremony that would simply please our parents. This is exactly what we strove
to achieve, and we are so glad it came across to people.
Our good friend Dave gave a brilliant reading of the “Love is a temporary madness”
passage from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and during the signing of the
register another friend Ben provided the music – a lovely Brian May guitar solo
Last Horizon. People applauded both reading and music – no po-faced sitting
in silence for our guests!
You can have a nose at the official pictures online at http://www.geminiphotography.fsnet.co.uk/
- click on “Recent Weddings” and “Leigh & Nathan.” I adore them all – no idea
how we are going to narrow our choices down to 50 for our album! I have also
made a little slide show of unofficial pics on my MySpace page www.myspace.com/leighrowley.
Our venue – the Mill Hotel in Alveley, Shropshire – has THE most beautiful grounds,
hence my initial disappointment at the rain and consequent possibility that
we wouldn’t get any outdoor photos. But our photographers kindly stayed a little
longer than usual, in order to capture a few shots when the rain abated to a
drizzle.
The speeches were wonderful and paid lovely tribute to us both. My mum (in lieu
of Dad - who passed away 3 years ago) did a fabulous job. Nathan's two brothers
Jez and Nick as best men cracked us up with a few anecdotes from Nathan's naughty
childhood.
We were delighted that Nick and his wife Kristie were able to make it - Kristie
(who had been due to be bridesmaid, but for obvious reasons had to bow out)
was nine months pregnant, and just three days later gave birth to our first
nephew, the gorgeous Samuel!!
Two days later, we jetted off on our mega honeymoon to Mauritius. I will never
forget it, and we have never been so depressed about a holiday coming to an
end. It really must be the closest place on earth to paradise. We had a total
rest, beneath coconut trees on idyllic beaches, but were also on the go a great
deal with activities such as parasailing (probably the scariest thing I've ever
done - apart from get married), waterskiing and kayaking.
So now the experience is all over, and I am actually rather relieved to "de-wedding"
and get back to my life. Having said that, it's a cliche but were I to do it
all over again I wouldn't change one aspect of it.
I am now looking forward to the opportunity of going to someone else’s wedding
and enjoying their turn for the spotlight, not having people saying “You’ll
be next” to us, and – now that I know what a labour of love wedding planning
is – really appreciating the experience!
Monday
18 June 2007
12 days to gooo.....waaarrgghh!!!
I have made a slide show of my favourite piccies from my fantastic hen night
- you can view it on my MySpace page www.myspace.com/leighrowley
- enjoy...
Sunday
17 June 2007
Just got in from my fab hen night - yes, you read that right, I did say "Just
got in" - as in it's 2.00 in the morning and I've just been dropped off
in the wonderful pink limo with my balloons and feather boas and fluffy
'Bride to be' wand, and couldn't wait to log on and write about the experience!!!
Oh, it was ace. It started at 5.00pm, when the 'limo girls' - led by my lovely
bridesmaids Julie and Ros - came round to the apartment for drinkies and Pringles.
Jules had organised some great, American bridal shower style 'icebreaker' quizzes
- including wedding-related anagrams and 'How much do you know about Leigh?'
quiz.
Then we were off in the limo, for an hour's tour around the backstreets of Brum
- waving me wand at all the passing crowds and stag dos - to our destination,
the Athens Greek restaurant in town. We had champers in the limo, and a DVD
playing cheesy classics from the Spice Girls, Culture Club, Wham and Take That!
It seemed so daft, I just couldn't help giggling the whole way there.
The girls presented me with my 'hen night survival' kit consisting of a ton
of balloons, pink feather boas (yes, boas - plural!), wand, L-plate and
a fab photo album that my sister-in-law Kristie had put together for me featuring
piccies of everybody who attended last night, which was a really touching gift.
Athens was ace. After the moussaka there was belly dancing - in which all the
brides were invited to participate with the professional dancer, on the tables,
and then plate smashing out on the street (and yes, the weather stayed mercifully
dry) and finally a cheesy disco!!
I totally loved the experience. I don't recall laughing so much in ages. I felt
so loved and happy, surrounded by my fab Mum, bridesmaids, family and friends.
The wedding should be awesome!!!
Am now finally about to admit defeat and give in to tiredness and head bed-ward
- but I promise that a hen night slide show will be added to my MySpace shortly...
Saturday
16 June 2007
14 days to gooo.....waaarrgghh!!!
Well tonight's the night - my hen night, that is. Very surreal feeling knowing
this day has come. Hope this ****ing weather cheers up.
Will provide full report later...
Sunday
27 May 2007
34 days to gooo......
Grrr - ****ing Royal Mail (replace asterisks with expletive of choice)!!
Nath and I decided to enter the local fun run (yes, we are mad) which takes
place next Sunday. So we dispatched our entry form and cheque at the end
of March. Two months on, with no sign of any race numbers, sponsor forms
or route maps, and with our cheque ominously uncashed, I phoned the run organisers
on Friday - only to find they never received our application!
The run is now fully subscribed. And somewhere in the ether lurks our undelivered
entry form and cheque. So next Sunday we shall merely spectate at this event
in which we were looking forward to participating! And I am cursing postmen.
It's especially maddening that we took the trouble to enter nice and early.
Still, I guess we could look on the bright side - at least none of our wedding
invitations went astray in the post!
Thursday
17 May 2007
44 days to gooo......
I have - da-da-da-laaaa - finished my amendments to All
the Rage!!!
Yes, having set myself until the end of May, I actually completed the
task yesterday morning! These early morning get-ups (Nath has been starting
at 6.00 all week, and I've got up when he leaves so I can use this excellent
opportunity to crack on with some work) obviously helped.
So now that's done, no more writing for me until after the wedding...
The latest Romantic Novelists Association magazine Romance Matters came
through on Tuesday. I can't help a twinge of jealousy seeing these authors who
have found huge success (feel like slapping one or two of them for their smugness)
- although reading about how their 'never give up' approach eventually paid
off is inspiring to me.
Once the flurry of planning nuptials is behind us, I intend to really push myself
writing-wise. Nath is plugging away with his music, so I shall persevere with
my art also. I am absolutely determined that I shall be published one day -
even if I'm 80 when it happens. My goal is to similarly 'never give up' and
produce a novel every year if I can!
The RNA are producing an anthology to mark their 50th anniversary in 2010 (nothing
like planning ahead, eh?). They want short stories of between 1,000 and 2,500
words. After the wedding, I intend having a go at writing a new piece for this
purpose.
Gotta take every opportunity, haven't I? You never know - could be my big break!
Could be the story that finally brings my work to the attention of someone who
actually considers it publishable!
Monday
14 May 2007
What's wrong with me -
three diary entries on consecutive days (it's normally more like months)!?!
Nothing too earth-shattering really, just wanted to add that I accomplished
a really good day's writing yesterday. After coming on here yesterday to witter
about jelly, I made the decision to crack on with my All
the Rage manuscript and have it finished by the end of May - thus enabling
me to devote June to lovely wedding tasks.
So I spent my wet Sunday applying myself to the task. It's amazing what I can
accomplish when I sit down (well I wouldn't achieve a lot standing up) and make
myself work - no messin' about.
I get a natural high from days like that. It's brilliant when ideas are buzzing
and my writer's block is gloriously un-bunged. I'm reminded of why I love this
hobby so much.
I work best when I have an incentive too: like, you can have a biscuit (or in
this case a wedding) if you finish all these chapters. If I have no writing
to fiddle with come June, I can be entirely wedding-focused and won't have to
faff around with paragraphs and punctuation in between manicures and appointments
with photographers and the like!
Nathan was practising his guitar in the background, providing the soundtrack
to my thoughts and scribblings, and it was just lovely. We're both frustrated
artists who wish our hobbies were our day jobs. Hence we understand each other,
and each other's need to pursue these interests and maximise life.
We're both individuals who refuse to be anything other than true to ourselves.
Harsh as it sounds, you have to be selfish in life (you only get one
life, and what is the point in living it as one big compromise?) and we certainly
don't exist to please other people.
We want the same things in life; share the same compulsion not to waste said
life by falling into an existence that others may wish us to adopt but which
simply isn't 'us.'
Hence we are soulmates - and hence getting married.
I don't often write yuck stuff like this, but feel the need today, for some
reason.
Sunday
13 May 2007
Yogurt and jelly are the tastes with which I will forever associate the run-up
to this wedding!! I've been told they assist in the growth of nails - and I
am trying to grow mine to give maximum oomph to my French manicure on the day!
So I am making two or three jellies a week, and snacking on raw cubes of it
with my packed lunch at work (the girls think I've gone mad)! I had actually
forgotten how yummy this classic kiddy pudding is. Some evenings I'll be really
indulgent and have jelly and yog together for dessert!
This weather is getting beyond a joke now! We've had a week of showers - with
a further week forecast. Let's hope the sky is getting all the rain out of its
system prior to June. In 48 (edeek!!!) days time, I shall expect sunshine
on demand.
Yesterday's bridesmaid fitting went well, by the way!
Saturday
12 May 2007
7 weeks to gooooo!!!!!!!
And things really are hotting up now in the Mathers/Rowley wedding run-up.
Having loved the last two years of planning, only in these last couple of weeks
has stress really started to kick in. Excited as I am, part of me has had enough
and wants to get back to my life and not be planning a wedding anymore!! These
nuptials are starting to get in the way somewhat!
I think I will really feel excited and thrilled in the last couple of weeks,
once we start having the hen and stag dos. At the moment I'm not quite on that
high.
We've had a little saga over the bridesmaids dresses - namely that until Thursday
(yes, two days ago) they hadn't arrived, which was causing panic since for several
weeks a fitting has been booked for this afternoon!!
The news that these frocks were in - and were the right colour (always a bonus)
- was an unbelievable weight off my stricken mind. In the course of that long
awaited phone call from a certain shop, I literally went from being down and
depressed to almost dancing with relief.
Since I love a challenge, I am writing a novel simultaneous to all this activity.
Well, amending an already written novel, to be precise. I am preparing All
the Rage for submission to the Romantic Novelists Association. I never
thought I'd be able to concentrate as I'm so busy at present, but actually enjoy
the escapism it brings.
Thursday
19 April 2007
Well I've left it rather a long time again, I'm afraid. Been extremely
busy as the wedding plans are truly hotting up now. After two years of planning,
I can't believe that in 12 days time I will be able to say that I am getting
married next month!!!
We now have virtually all our RSVPs in, and I have been turning my attention
of late to some of the fiddlier tasks such as designing a table plan and printing
off name place cards.
On Monday we sorted things out with our registrar. He approved our choices of
music and readings and went through the updated wording of our ceremony. Some
of the sentiments that are going to be expressed by our officiant on the day
will have everyone blarting their eyes out! They are so poetic and beautiful
- I'm sure certain folks who imagine civil weddings to be cold and clinical
are in for a shock! Who needs the Bible anyway?
Actually, perhaps don't answer that, I really don't want to open up a whole
controversial debate. I simply have my atheist views and I'm sticking to them,
we are having a civil wedding because we are not a pair of hypocrites who wish
to stand up in a church, reciting words we don't believe in and don't truly
understand (to me, that is on a par with lying), simply because it's a pretty
building that provides a nice backdrop to photos.
[Climbs down from soapbox.]
Believe it or not, I am actually squeezing in some writing between weddingy
commitments. I am currently brushing up All the Rage
for submission to the RNA in August. I have been through the manuscript identifying
amendments that need to be made - and am currently in the process of making
them.
I never thought I'd be able to concentrate on such a task in my wedding year,
but actually it is providing a very welcome distraction from obsessing about
Love Hearts and table plans! I love the escapism, and it reminds me of precisely
why I took up writing in the first place.
My dear fiancé plays in a St George's Day concert at Symphony Hall on Saturday.
He's playing guitar on an orchestral version of Bohemian Rhapsody - along
with a full orchestra and about 250 singers - in this flag-waving show. I obviously
feel extremely proud of Nathan, and am really looking forward to the event.
It is so different to the sort of concert I normally attend - but then I do
love enjoying new experiences in life.
Sunday
25 March 2007
Last night we went to see a preview showing of the new Mr Bean film, Mr Bean's
Holiday, and have to say were most impressed. We go to the 'flicks' so rarely
nowadays (mainly cuz it's so bleepin' expensive) that when we do make the effort
we like to make an event of it, going cola-bottle and fudge crazy at the pick
'n' mix stand (though that too is as pricey as Peter Kay says in his spot-on
routine).
Anyway, the film...it's perhaps not fashionable to say so, but we do love a
bit of Mr Bean - and we enjoyed this waaay more than his first, 1997 film. That
one had too much narrative, and Bean spoke too much, which wasn't in keeping
with his TV characterisation. This 'Holiday' movie, we felt, was far more true
to the spirit of the TV show. There's more slapstick and silliness and not too
much plot to get in the way. So, if you like that sorta thing, go and see -
it's official release date is Friday.
I am wearing in my wedding shoes today! I had to get those nice fellas at Timpsons
to punch three extra buckle holes in the strap of each, as they are the right
size but did not do up sufficiently tightly around my rather awkward feet (massive
toes but slim ankles). So I'm now having a little wander around the flat in
them, to avoid having the big day blighted by blisters or sore bunions!
In 97 days I become Mrs Nathan Mathers - warrgghgh!! - and I haven't
started practising my new signature yet!!
Friday
23 March 2007
Great news that OMD (the original line-up, Paul Humphreys and all) are touring
again this summer. My pal/bridesmaid/80s partner in crime Ros & I have got our
tickets for Wolves Civic in June!!
My first ever concert was OMD (though not, in that case, the original Paul line-up),
supported by Gary Numan, at the NEC in December 1993 when I was but a lass of
16. It seems kind of strangely fitting and ironic then that I should also go
and see them just before I get married!
This gig is actually 2 nights before my hen do, so we are having it as a kind
of pre-hen night night!!
Wedding plans are gathering serious pace. We are booking appointments left,
right and centre (seeing our registrar in a few weeks to finalise the wording,
music, etc).
Coming home most evenings to find RSVPs (mostly yeses, happily) on the mat,
which is most exciting!
Saturday
10 March 2007
My campaign of
t'internet domination never ends - I have now created my own slide show of some
of my favourite piccies at my latest favourite website www.slide.com
- you can view it by clicking here: http://leighrowley.slide.com
then clicking the Play option!!
Have also added a few newies to my flickr
album!
Friday
9 March 2007
Well for all those of you who wanted a sneaky preview of the piccie on our wedding
invitations - here
it is! I won't spoil any surprises now since we've dished the invites out. The
teddies are Mo - also seen elsewhere on this site - and Soo, of Sooty Show
fame! Daft, us? Never!
Saturday
3 March 2007
No fainting please, but I have finally uploaded my two new short stories – Flaw
Show and Flaw Show 2:
The American Smooth!!!
Though, as the titles imply, one follows on from the other, they differ slightly
in style. Flaw Show is quite silly and frothy,
a not-quite love story set in the sequined world of ballroom dancing.
Its sequel is frothy-ish but more of a travelogue, based heavily on my experiences
of the two wonderful weeks I spent in the USA last summer for my soon-to-be
brother-in-law’s wedding – although Conrad, Jay, Vanessa and Carol are entirely
fictitious and I have changed the names of any characters who might be based
on real folks.
Enjoyyyyy…… (and let me know what you think)!
So at last those two 'shorties' are complete, and my next task is to brush up
the already completed (in summer 2005 - as you may remember if you by some chance
regularly follow this thing) All the Rage for submission
to the RNA! Good job the deadline for new manuscripts is not until the end of
August, as I'm not sure how much I'll accomplish pre-wedding, but I shall do
my best.
In other news...I've just returned from a long day's shop at Brum's Bull Ring,
spending the gift cards and vouchers I received from wonderful friends/family
for my birthday. I'm far from a spendthrift these days - I certainly seldom
buy clothes - but when I do have occasion to hit those malls (and have what
amounts to free money in my pocket) I can be a proper little Becky Bloomwood.
I'm glad to report a successful time was had today.
Sunday
18 February 2007
Well I'm the big 3-oh tomorrow - say it quietly, though. I truthfully don't
feel it - in fact I feel younger and more positive inside than I did at 18 (but
then I was a somewhat depressive teenager).
Tomorrow morning shall be spent at the hairdressers, having a pre-wedding hair
trial which will involve my (no doubt soon to be grey) locks being teased into
an approximation of my Big Day style. Then my mum and I shall be 'two ladies'
who lunch (my shout, Mum, if you're reading this!) - and in the evening Nath
and I will be partaking of a meal in a classy local eatery (we can do
classy when we want).
My main celebration, though, is next Saturday, when I'm having 20 or so friends
and rellies round to my mum's house (as our apartment is not really party-accommodating)
for a little do and prelude to the wedding.
Saturday
3 February 2007
I'm feeling very weddingy at the moment - as I do quite a lot at present of
course. This morning I accompanied my mum to try on her mother of the bride
outfit. She'll be in 'light cappuccino' - though the colour really looks more
pewtery/silver - and she looked so stunning I just wanted to share this (sorry
if it's a bit boring)! She also bought a necklace and earrings to accompany
the dress and jacket.
Incidentally, as I write I'm working my way through the Sooty Show/Sooty
& Co clips on the wonderful YouTube site (which I can enjoy in all its glory
now that we have progressed into the Broadband age)!!! Yes, I shall be 30 in
precisely 16 days time, but feel about eight!!
Tuesday
30 January 2007
On Friday I attended the funeral of a friend and very talented writer (and photographer
and painter too, as I learned that day) who passed away tragically young (58)
at the start of the year.
It was a beautiful service – moving, of course (I did sob when it was mentioned
how much the writing group meant to John, and how he was never to complete the
novel he began penning), but very uplifting and affectionate.
He lived a full life and had such a positive outlook – clearly shared by his
delightful family, who I met for the first time. Odd as it sounds, for me there
is nothing like a funeral for inspiring me and spurring me on to maximise my
own life and opportunities.
RIP John Came.
Tuesday
23 January 2007
I am endeavouring to keep my promise not to neglect this site, despite enjoying
life over on MySpace. In just over a week on there, I can't believe how many
celebrity cyberfriends I've made (if they really are who they say they are!)
- David Walliams, Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua, Cat Deeley, Anton and Lilia off
Strictly Come Dancing, the Scissor Sisters and, to top them all, Fozzie
Bear!!!
I have to admit not making much progress on the writing front of late - in fact,
I haven't written a word this year, because I have literally done nothing but
wedding stuff.
The way things are going, to be honest, I doubt I'll do any more work on Gap
Year this side of the wedding on 30 June. I plan submitting my second
novel All the Rage to the Romantic Novelists Association
this year (they allow you to submit one manuscript a year), and think the only
writing I'll do prior to June is tidying that up - and hopefully finding time
to complete that long-promised American Smooth
duo of short stories for here. I had originally intended inflicting Gap
Year on the RNA this year, but it won't be finished.
Planning our nuptials is becoming a full-time job - but then again I should
make the most of this wedding planning and enjoy it while it lasts - I've got
the rest of my life to write.
I have now finished gluing the wedding invitations, we have booked our Mauritian
paradise honeymoon and set up an account with Trailfinders for our guests to
contribute towards it. I've also e-mailed hen night invitations to my posse
of 'girls' (if you are wise, by the way, you'll avoid Birmingham city centre
on 16th June).
Tuesday
16 January 2007
Well I've done it...set up a MySpace page, that is. You can now read more about
me on www.myspace.com/leighrowley
- don't say I don't spoil you.
I shall still mainly update this diary rather than the MySpace blog - I'm really
taking advantage of the free advertising facility to draw MySpace users' attention
to this site and my scribblings.
I've been getting into the old health and fitness lark of late. Did a spinning
class last night, and spent the weekend at wonderful Hoar
Cross Hall with Mum for our annual detox/pamper. We love it there
- it's become something of a home from home.
We learned a bit of salsa, did pilates, spinning (oh, how we love those exercise
bikes), toning tables, aqua aerobics...and I was told by my masseuse that I
'have a lot of tension' - now there's a surprise seeing as I'm five months away
from a wedding!!
I haven't written a word of my novel - or any other story for that matter -
this year, as wedding plans have entirely taken over (I used to thinks folks
exaggerated when they said that would happen). I've finished printing the daytime
invitations - 'just' the evening ones to do now. And actually posting these
invitations, and seeing the registrar, and sorting out the music, and finalising
things with the florist....
By the way, I've given my Links
page a bit of an overhaul - some of the websites had become obsolete, and I've
added one or two newies.
Wednesday
10 January 2007
Loving nostalgic telly in general, and being a bit anal (don't say "Ooh-err"),
I am greatly enjoying the digital channel ftn's current craze for repeating
retro game shows: a double bill of the wonderful Bullseye ("Iiiiiin
one!!!") followed by a Krypton Factor double bill of a weekend -
and The Crystal Maze (remember that?) of a weeknight!! Oh, how I love
our Freeview box!
Monday
8 January 2007
This weekend, I have been mostly...printing wedding invitation inserts!!! Woo!!
Well it's exciting to me, and makes the whole thing seem so much more real -
like I'm no longer playing at 'fantasy invitation design' but reeling off communication
on posh paper which is going to be read by our nearest and dearest.
Once the invites are out, I'll upload a picture of my unique, homemade design
here - wouldn't want to do it yet and spoil the surprise for our guests now,
would I?
I've also - although I previously said I wasn't keen on this idea - been considering
setting up a MySpace
page, purely as a form of free advertising to let more people know of this
site's existence. I probably wouldn't blog like mad on it, since that would
only duplicate what I can so easily say on here once or twice a week - but since
it's free to set up, perhaps there's no harm in it acting as a link to Leigh's
Bostin' Yarns.
Will let you know as and when it's done.
I saw another great show at the weekend - Guys & Dolls at the Alex
in Brum (oh, and sorry but here's a note to Alex management: employ more efficient
cleaning staff - my friend had chewing gum all over her chair!). The place was
full of disappointed women, owing to the absence of its billed star, Nigel Harman,
and his replacement by understudy Stephen Webb (who did a good job). I heard
one old dear in the toilets pining "Ooh, Oi'm gutted, Oi am," which
was quite amusing!
Not being an EastEnders fan, I wasn't gutted, I wasn't. G&D
is one of my favourite musicals, Bonnie Langford and Joe McGann - the two other
'names' in it - were excellent, and the choreography was amazing. Have to say
this production didn't blow me away as Chicago - at the same theatre
- did in October, though.
Thursday
4 January 2007
Well Happy New Year to all you lovely folk(s) (I'm never quite sure if anyone
is reading this thing, but if they are I am grateful). Trust you *all* had an
enjoyable Christmas. Ours was the usual fest of overeating, drinking, etc, as
a consequence of which the desperate detox diet has now begun in earnest.
You may not have been able to access the site for a couple of weeks (if you've
tried, that is) as we're in the process of switching to Broadband, and to Talk
Talk as our t'internet provider, so had to re-upload everything, and what with
Christmas going on we weren't able to do that speedily in one go. But, hey,
I'm back now.
I will be adding my new stories very soon - update as and when.
And yes, we are now on the slippery slope without skis, zooming in the direction
of The Wedding. I truly cannot believe how quickly this "I'm getting married
this year" moment has come around. It's all rather terrifying and
emotional.
