Don't Mention the WriMo in the Room

Yeah ... NaNoWriMo. Do we really have to talk about it today?

Yes, we do, because this blog is how I am keeping myself accountable. More or less.

I cheerfully sailed past the 2k mark yesterday, but really wasn't feeling it today.

On the upside, we did go to a market and I purchased some badly-needed new-to-me shoes, we caught up with the wonderful Coen and the gorgeous Soph, and I bought Dad an overdue birthday present (sorry, Dad).

So: what to do when you drop the NaNoWriMo ball? Pick yourself up, dust off, and get back to writing! ... tomorrow, in my case. The plan for tomorrow is simple: another lovely long swim in the morning, then do 15 minute blocks of the four major tasks which are at the top of my current "To Do" list.

The plan for tonight is even simpler: sit back with a peppermint tea and enjoy some TV before an early night. Now there's a goal I'm sure I'll achieve!

Reviewing Day One of NaNoWriMo

November 1: It's 'go' time.

I started my day with a good dose of exercise. It was the first time I'd been lap swimming in, what? Two years? It was an absolutely beautiful experience. Because we've moved house since my last lap-swim, I was in a new pool, which was outside - good - but only 25m long. I prefer 50m pools because then it's only 20 laps to make up one kilometre. Forty is such a big number! Wow, I've just made a connection in my mind: I made it through those forty laps by mentally chunking them down into four groups of ten; I'll make it through NaNoWriMo by mentally chunking down those 50k into 1k blocks.

As for the writing ... I fell short of the 1,667 ideal which is necessary to make the 50k by doing an even amount of writing in one day. However, life is not linear, and I suspect this writing large chunks is a habit like any other. Yesterday I logged 1,154 which I am happy with, as a first effort.

I have moved all my writing gear out of the livingroom and into the spare room. This is an interesting experiment as the lounge has basically been my 'nest' - office, reading space, relaxation zone - for a couple of months now. However, if I am to spend a few hours a day typing, it really isn't ergonomic. Which reminds me: I need to check this chair/desk is OK ergonomically. [pretend you're listening to 'on hold' music] Well, surprisingly, it is! It doesn't feel quite normal yet, but perhaps that's because, well, my lounge has been my office for so long...

Sayonara for now. Am going foraging with the dearly beloved for food, library books, prescriptions (for me) and a haircut (for him). Wish us happy hunting.

The Day Before NaNoWriMo

Well, this is it - the day before my month-long writing marathon begins. Unless, of course, I get bored or fatigued and drop out after a couple of weeks!

I've been trying to clear my life of as many other distractions as I can, but this has proved difficult. Perhaps this isn't a bad thing: it might be good to have other worthwhile things to do, so I can take a guilt-free break from the writing process.

Am I looking forward to it? Yes! With some trepidation. But "she'll be right" :-)

A Big Decision

After much deliberation I've decided to sign up for NaNoWriMo this year.

For those who wonder what I'm talking about: National Novel Writing Month is an online tool which encourages budding writers to compose 50,000 words during the month of November. There's also a community aspect to the project which I find quite appealing.

I don't know whether I'll make the 50,000 words - I will be quite surprised if I do! - but I need a project for the next little while, and as writing is so good for me, I thought it might be a good time to step up and really have a go at one of the many projects I've had brewing away at the back of my brain.

So, the countdown is on: NaNoWriMo starts in six days, and I have still have some planning to do.

I thought I'd resurrect this blog to keep a record of my "NaNoWriMo journey", because I'm sure it's going to be a very interesting one - definitely more akin to a back route over mountaintops than a smooth ride along a highway.

Wish me luck!

Not-so-Small Mercies

Today I am reminding myself of the not-so-small mercies with which I am endowed:

• I have continuous access to potable water, simply by turning on a tap.
• I will fall asleep tonight having eaten three nutritious meals today (and, I must admit, some not-so-nutritious snacks in between!)
• I can read, carry out arithmetic, and have - so far as I am aware - uncensored access to the internet; in other words, I can access most useful information I need to survive in this world, and have the capacity to work with it.
• I am a white Australian woman living in the 21st century: this makes me one of the luckiest women who has ever lived.
• I am an Australian citizen and can benefit from our wonderful Medicare system.
• I live with an amazingly compassionate, tolerant, loving partner, and I have some wonderful friends and family who care for me deeply.
• I have met more than my fair share of inspirational, caring, creative, out-of-left-field types who have opened my eyes to 'see the unseen'.

You know what? Typing this list has made me appreciate these things all over again.

Do you have any small mercies - or even not-so-small mercies - to celebrate today?

Getting out of bed on the wrong side

Strange how some days you just feel grumpy, and though you check the calendar, be sure to have the usual breakfast, remember to check your top's not inside out before leaving the house - despite these things all being clear, there's no apparent reason for the dysphoria.

So you have to dig deeper for its roots. *sigh* Bloody subconscious mind - can't it ever go on holidays?

I've figured it out (I think). No, I'm not going to share my very personal bad mood triggers with you - let's just say they touch on primary relationships in my life and some pressure points which were tweaked yesterday :) - but I will share my joy at being able to introspect. It is nice to be able to pinpoint some of the "why" and hence be able to figure out "what next?".

It annoys and amazes me in equal measure, that vast, inaccessible part of our mind we cannot access yet which affects us so deeply. It's like having our own personal ocean which we can dip into, dabble in, but never, ever fully comprehend. It's a treasure trove - the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - the scary story which scintillates and excites. It's awesome, in that word's fullness of meaning.

I am so thankful that I'm human.

It's over! (Phew)

Well, Australia finally wrapped up the third Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney today - and I heaved a sigh of relief.

I love test cricket; it's the only spectator sport I really follow. However, there's always a sense of relief at the end of a series of tests: those long days of listening to the radio, visualizing the play (and running to the TV when something exciting happens!), getting a feel for the ebb and flow of a game ... all that exhausting mental activity is past. I love my game, but it does deplete me.

Actually, I have an admission to make. This final test defeated me. I was having a little siesta when Mitchell Johnson edged the last single to take Australia to victory. My husband gave me a ball-by-ball description of the final two overs, though, so I feel all "caught up"; and, naturally, Michael Hussey was feted on the evening news: Mr Cricket has left the pitch for the last time.

So that's it for a little while; Australia are playing a series against the West Indies starting later this month, then in June there will be the always-anticipated Ashes series - but for now, I'll have to try and make do with the "white bread" diet of limited over games.

Who knows? I may even attend my first T20 game. Stranger things have happened.