Gunpowder treason and plot

I follow quite a lot of UK natives on Twitter (*waves to most*) and I would be a terrible liar if I said I wasn't utterly jealous reading all the updates alluding to fireworks and bonfires and festivities. Yesterday was of course November 5th, Guy Fawkes night. I have some very fond memories of November 5th, usually involving the entire street gathering on our front lawn setting off fireworks, having a barbecue, roasting marshmallows and generally being more sociable than people were the rest of the year when everyone kept to themselves behind their high walls and snooty attitudes. Every year my school principal gave the same speech about how it was really not something we should be celebrating and the man was a terrorist and fireworks are dangerous and blah blah whatever. In Primary School it was pretty much the highlight of the year...well, just after Christmas, of course.

Last night as I was trying to manage the rest of the day's word count and so sat staring out at the pitch black night, I couldn't help but dwell on how much I missed celebrating it. It really was one of the defining aspects of my childhood. I don't understand why they don't even mention it here (really, the only time it's ever mentioned is in relation to V for Vendetta and even then hardly anyone acknowledges it on the day) since we are still technically a British colony. Yet in South Africa, with its long, torturous history with the motherland, we did celebrate it. Maybe it was just because they approved of Guy's sentiment. I don't know.

I think next year I'm going to properly celebrate all the holidays no one else really does any justice to. I can go all out for Halloween and do the house up, and then I can have a bonfire on the 5th...perhaps on the beach, so I avoid the risk of starting a ginormous bushfire that destroys half the city.

Anyway, you are hypothetically looking at someone who has handed in their Honours thesis four days before it's due and has therefore entrusted her fate entirely to UTS. As ill-advised as that may seem, I am completely free. I will probably get my results around the same time I receive a response from USYD about my Masters application. Good times.

My only other observation of the day was the sincere wish that the apprentice hairdresser would actually exert some pressure when washing the colour out. She's a lovely girl but the pseudo head massage is one of my favourite parts of getting my hair done and she is just not even trying. Her predecessor was a genius at it so in comparison I feel a little short-changed. Sigh. They've switched brands on my dye too, so it's more red than it was before. It's lovely but I'll have to see how it sticks before I deliver a final judgement.

Finally, though I have said it on many platforms already today, happy birthday Abs! Sam's serenading you at my, um, request *cough*



Now that I have sufficiently rambled, back to NaNoWriMo. Why did I decide to write in third-person? If someone can explain this to me, please do. I'm writing slower than I normally do and I think the p.o.v is the key reason for this. I find it a lot easier to write in first-person, especially since my creative piece (which I ended up naming From a balance beam just so by the by) was in first. In third, everything is constantly verging on going to hell - tense, perspective, everything. I know I am not supposed to worry about any of this stuff and I should just be writing and getting words on paper, but...ugh! It's hard. I've always edited as I went along, even knowing there would be re-drafting happening later on. The interesting bit is using a narrative voice that isn't a direct vechile for the character, so I haven't even tried to make it fit really. It's just there, slightly formal and omniscient, keeping everything together. I've also never attempted anything even vaguely in this genre, so it's...different.

But hey, that's what this is all about right, experimentation and practice.

Music: Lightspeed - Twin Atlantic
Mood: Thirsty

Darling this heart is on fire, and this life is but a dream

We're going to ride like silver on the desolation moonlight

Today's major activity was the binding of my Honours thesis. Four copies of fifty five pages later, it's ready to be handed in. Five days before the due date! That never happens. I refuse to read it again now that it's been bound though since I am sure I will find a mistake I somehow originally missed and then I will want to kill myself. So yes, as the saying goes, let sleeping dogs lie. I am going to try to hand it in tomorrow after my hair appointment.

Other than that, all I've done today is procrastinate and work on NaNaWriMo. I've written almost 3, 000 words. I need another chapter to be back on track with the target amount. Woe. I am fairly sure I'm just rambling about inconsequential nonsense. I drew up a vague chapter outline to prevent any more of that and have an optimistic set of 35. I can drop one here or there as I go along since my average chapters are about 2,200 words give or take.

Meep. I don't know if I can do this. But I'll try anyway.

Dance in my moonlight, my old friend the twilight

Music: Wooderson - The Gaslight Anthem
Mood: Working

I've got soul but I'm not a soldier

On a Sunday morning the whole crowd assembled,
I've done some things that I'm not too proud of...
I've never left you, a deaf ear for longing.
Some hearts are gallows, I'm not here for hangin' around.

My study is a mess, I really need to sort it out. There is just paper everywhere. I swear a tree died in the editing on this uni work. Speaking of, I'm going to try and get it bound first thing in the morning, perhaps I can drop it off at uni and get it over and done with. I can't get in next week and I'm not sure when I'll have time. Sigh.

Got to hang out with Lizzie who returned from her world travels last week. We had lunch at Pancakes and an amble about the city as well as the obligatory Starbucks. It was a good way to spend an otherwise dreary afternoon. A lot of crazies were out again, which makes for good people watching. Case in point, bride and groom showing up at Pancakes. Right then. I also had far too much fun making up the conversation three bike messengers were having as they congregated near our Starbucks table. Slackers! She got me some great gifts too, so definite win there. Yay, giftsies. Yes, I am eight inside.

Meanwhile, can't stop yawning. Bah. Struggling along with NaNo, stupid set-ups. Grumps.

Music: All these things I have done - The Killers
Mood: Rushed

A dream might help you cope

I was just sipping on something sweet
I don't need political process

I got this feeling that they're gonna break down the door
I got this feeling they they're gonna come back for more
See I was thinking that I lost my mind
But it's been getting to me all this time
And it don't stop dragging me down

Silently reflection turns my world to stone
Patiently correction leaves us all alone
And sometimes I'm a travel man
But tonight this engine's failing

Music: Tranquilize - The Killers feat Lou Reed
Mood: Stressed

Toasty warm

It's been a blistering summers day today, fluctuating between 35 and 40 across the city with a hot wind to round it off. I spent a total of 80 minutes on trains in this weather and I can assure you it was not much fun. I donned my bikini the minute I got home and lazed on the deck with sunscreen and iced tea. It lasted all of 45 minutes before I took refuge inside and watched Top Gear instead. There is something addictive about that show, I don't know what it is. I am convinced I can put up a decent lap time in my car though, you should see the way it takes corners. It's brilliant! I have these amazing racing tyres on it with...well I forget the name but as the rubber heats up it actually sticks to the road, so they've got fantastic grip. I know because I throw poor Jack around corners like some sort of possessed person. Slowing down is for people who don't have amazing tires.

Anyway, back on point. I was on aforementioned trains to meet Mandy for our final meeting. I have to say it's been an absolute honour to work with someone who is not only so distinguished, but who also understands the way I work perfectly. I could not have had a better supervisor for my honours project and I hope that our paths cross again in future. Like tomorrow night where I may be attending a reading at the Loft. I'm kind of going to miss this whole editing process, strange as that is. We talked a bit about publication and how to go about it, who'd be most likely to go for my stuff etc, that's definitely my next step. I need to be more pro-active. I write and I write and then it never leaves my hard-drive. This is the life I want, I have to go after it.

I've looked up a few places and gotten a few addresses so that is definitely going to be the main aim for the future. I also realised the UTS Anthology submissions close on 20 November, and I really think I should submit something. So let us just pause and reflect on everything I want to do this month:

- Submit thesis
- Write story for anthology
- NaNoWriMo
- Reel fic challenge

Why am I INSANE?

On another note, I really want to see The Sarah Jane Adventures with Ten in them. It's Ten people! If someone could hook me up, I'd really appreciate it. As far as I know, we don't get it here anymore. It used to be on Nickelodeon but I don't think it lasted very long.

Also, as it turns out, reading stuff about COE still makes me want to kill someone. Who knew? I have been putting off reading my last batch of Torchwood books cause I know that will be it and that's just too depressing to contemplate.

Right, back to the abyss of writing and editing!

Music: Top Gear
Mood: Hot

Blood red sky on the morning tide

Best comment of the day goes to Em: "I watched one and a half episodes of doctor who today, I can totally see why you love it so much." Another potential convert! Huzzah! I sense another marathon in my future, excellent. That never gets old.

Work today was absolutely manic. The fees and codes all changed so I had to update all our files and docs. On top of normal surgery and being interrupted every two seconds by the phone, it was quite headache inducing. I've counterbalanced it with a dinner with the parents and more of that lovely, lovely wine.

Tomorrow, more chaos at work, then meeting with Mandy.

Now I suppose I should try to do some writing...

Music: Big Bang Theory
Mood: Tired

Burning through the sky

I should be sleeping. Why is this such a foreign concept to me?

I'm woefully behind on NaNoWriMo already, I've just written little over a 1,000 words to ease the guilt of not doing anything during the day. I shall find time for it sooner, I will. I had other things on my mind today. Like the lovely Roze, Em and the latter's other half (as he doesn't believe in twitter or blogging or anything really net-esque I shall refrain from dragging him into the madness even in name haha) dropping by. I took the opportunity to make a proper dinner which is something I've always wanted to do, so it was a full three courses. Well, ok I didn't actually make the dessert, but don't bore me with details! Mum had to supervise the sauce making as well, since I wasn't quite confident I wouldn't muck it up, but in the end I think it went alright. I also used the opportunity to crack open a loooovely bottle of red wine, seriously it's the best red wine I have ever had, it's just perfection. It's from Noon wineries, and it is really just that good.

The entertainment of the evening came in the form of Wii Trivial Pursuit. Oh, the chaos, mayhem and destruction. Roze and I were at our distracting bests, and were both marked as untrustworthy. I'm sorry, we really did think Paul Newman was in Spartacus! Anyhow, it was quite hilarious. Em won, we were all overjoyed. It felt like hours had passed in the face of Sport & Leisure and Science & Nature questions. Ah, good times.

In six hours I'll have to drag myself out of bed and struggle through a full day's work. Good luck to all those with essays due in...oh I don't know, eight hours or so...and to those with upcoming exams! You poor suckers.

Music: Don't stop me now - Queen
Mood: Slight headache...I'm not blaming the wine!

Her hair was raven and her heart was like a tomb

First things first - Happy Halloween!

[credit]

I bough so much candy and there has not been a single trick or treater! This always happens. The minute I don't have anything though, they're lining up down the street. I wish we could all just agree to do Halloween properly. Save everyone some time. I don't get why people don't get into the spirit. It's Halloween, what's not to love about it? It is definitely party central out there tonight though, my neighbours are certainly enjoying themselves. Next year I'm going to make up the house, I don't care. I can hang a skeleton off the balcony or some such.

Right, so as participants well know, tomorrow marks the start of NaNoWriMo, and with my mum helpfully yelling names at me, I finally feel like I have a plan. YAY for creative writing! I've tentatively entitled the piece 'Unbreakable'. Here's my synopsis for any interested parties -

As the only daughter of telecommunication tycoon Maurice Mohana, Ariene appears to have it all - wealth, power, and every possible luxury the 22nd Century can afford. What Ariene wants, however, is adventure; and she always goes after what she wants. When new rumours start circulating about the age-old Adámas Legend, it seems like the perfect challenge for the bored socialite. But Ariene lives her life on a double-edge sword, and in her obsession with the Legend she risks exposing the secret she’s desperately kept for twenty four years.

Until their widgets start working, my progress will be limited to the site. Now forgive me as I become progressively less coherent as the month goes on. It is a lot of words after all. I am just thankful I have such good company in the madness.

Abbi is being pro-active in actually raising money for charity so be sure to donate here and follow her progress.

I've just watched Easy Virtue with mum and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have such questionable taste sometimes. As with books and music though, I just want to enjoy it. Often what critics like make a trip to the dentist seem like fun. I also watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail...run awaaaaaay!

That is the advice I wanted to employ when I had to usher another spider out of the house. Why is my father never at home in these situations? It's his job. I trapped it with an old coffee bottle and my mum took it outside to set it free. Major ew.

Anyway, I suppose I better edit my exegesis so I can focus on starting tomorrow. Eep! I'm totally torn between excitement and having myself committed.

To round off the post, have a few random links:
> 40 Greatest Movie Soundtracks
> 20 Most Recognisable Smells
> The Vampire Craze: An In Depth Analysis Of The Hottest Male Vampires

The comments in the last one amused me: "Robert Pattison's performance is the highlight of an otherwise mediocre movie..." - Hahahaha. Ahem. You’re all on crack. I’d much rather swap 2 out for 17 to be honest, but I can’t fault the choice for number 1.

Music: Great Expectations - The Gaslight Anthem
Mood: Apathetic

Thinking about the straight and narrow

I understand it’s Sanna’s birthday. Considering her enthusiasm for them, I thought this called for another playlist. Happy birthday, hope it is/was good!

> Nothing better (Styrofoam Remix) – The Postal Service
> Piazza, New York Catcher – Belle & Sebastian
> The Luckiest – Ben Folds
> Innocent son – Fleet Foxes
> The Bunker – Beirut
> Fiction – The Lucksmiths
> In the lost and found/The roost – Elliot Smith
> Loyd, I’m ready to be heartbroken – Camera Obscura
> Hospital Bed – Ben Kweller
> Holland, 1945 – Neutral Milk Hotel
> Middle of the hill – Josh Pyke
> No right angles – Ben Lee
> The Twist – Frightened Rabbit
> Firecracker – Voxtrot
> The end and the beginning – Forgive Dudren (feat Brendon Urie and Greta Salpeter)

In other news - Draft done and sent. Sorted. Now just have to fix up exegesis tomorrow.

Music: No right angles - Ben Lee
Mood: Sleepy

Watch the carnival lights explode

Man, what a bizarre day.

This morning I was verging on homicidal rage. So fucking annoyed. Really. It all started with the first patient in taking well over an hour, thereby pushing all other appointments back an hour. By 9.30 the place was packed, fuller than I have ever seen it, I ran out of chairs for crying out loud. People kept getting pissed at me, as if I had some magical control over the process. I tried to move some appointments to save people from having to wait, but they just got annoyed at me. I was all fine, come in at your appointed time then and sit here for an hour. I don't care. The other annoying thing is people who come in and ask "Is there a wait?" Hmm. No, I just keep all these people here to brighten up the place. Of course there's a wait, there's a line out the damn door! We had a medical to do as well, so I had to try and sort him out and ugh. Just a nightmare. The entire week has been like this, complete madness and chaos. Not only are we booked out but people are taking forever in their consults. I don't know what's going on, but I hope it stops soon. It's crazy.

By the time I managed to get out of there, I was so exhausted and without a will to live, I couldn't be bothered going into the city and doing my shopping, so I went home and had lunch instead. Got Abs birthday present sorted, so hopefully that will arrive on time. Though I have some anxiety about the ordering/delivery system employed, so fingers crossed it all works out.

It was only a short break as I had to head to the Cross to meet Mandy. I got there early (I seem to be early for everything except work) only to find her already there having lunch, husband and dogs in tow. We went through my creative piece, which she's made a few notations on and which I should really be editing right now since I said I'd have it ready for her tomorrow. I've learnt that editing is never done, it appears that there is no such thing as a final draft you're actually happy with. My theory on the other hand seems to be fine. She thought it was fine, everyone else who has read the exegesis (*tips hat to my amazing friends*) thought it was fine. I thought it was terrible, but clearly I have no idea what I'm doing and am just preparing myself for the worst out of habit. Writing theory after midnight is clearly a win. Mandy actually asked me why I sent it to her at such an odd time, haha.

Anyway, that was really the minor point of the afternoon, it takes all of ten minutes to go through my stuff. She makes really excellent notes on the drafts she gives to me, and it's always very clear what she thinks needs work. I really can't stress enough how lucky I've been to have her as a supervisor. She has, in short, been absolutely brilliant. I thought this would be our last meeting, but she's willing to give it one final proof before submission, so I'm meeting her on Tuesday. So it is at this point that I find myself sitting in a bistro in Kings Cross with two of the most prominent writers in this country, just talking about life, writing, theory and UTS. Like I'm not just some deluded punk kid, which I suppose is how I see myself. When I left I actually started panicking a little bit as the AVPD kicked in. I suppose I was terrified in retrospect. Best way to go about things I suppose. So yes, quite surreal, but fantastic. I cannot believe that this is actually my life. That this is what I want from my life. I wish I knew how to get it for keeps, how to make it happen. But I just have to persevere.

I also spoke to Mandy about Masters and whether I should accept the UTS offer or just wait for USYD. She agreed with me that variety may be good, especially since I've studied under most of the writers at UTS. Get new perspectives and such. So waiting for Sydney now. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, I best start on this creative draft. Get it out of the way before NaNoWriMo starts. I have moved from excitement to apprehension on that front. Story, what story? I think mine suffers from multiple personality disorder, I'm going for noir-ish mystery/adventure/sci-fi. I'm sure that will work *cough*

Oh, I'm trialing Bigpond Movies, which is essentially Quickflix/Netflix, my first two dvds arrived today. They make it so easy! Also since I've added my dvd collection to my profile, they're getting the recommendations pretty much spot on. I was impressed.

It's officially eight years since I first stepped onto Australian soil. That's right, I've now been a Sydney-sider for eight mostly wonderful years, have had many adventures and made brilliant friends and had a life I wouldn't trade for the world. I can't believe it's only been eight, it feels longer.

Conclusion, life is strange.

So before we turn to ghosts on the mist on the sand,
or fall in line for more conducive plans,
See, I never took a shot to the higher minds,
but I can hold the soft waltz down.

Music: Say I won't (recognize) - The Gaslight Anthem
Mood: Weird