Various things
I just realised that I haven't done a real post that wasn't fic related in a while so I figured it was time for an update.
I. I'm back in Canada now after a lovely 6-week stint in London. I had a great time aside from the whole employment case disaster. It was great to see all my friends there and it's made me more determined than ever to get back there long term.
II. While I was in London, I participated in Nano. It was great to be able to go to write-ins and events with friends new and old. The highlights were Nanorilla (where we go around London writing in public places inside and out. This year's route included the steps of St. Pauls, the Millenium Bridge, the Tate Modern, and the Globe Court Yard.), and the all night lock - in where we gathered from 12 hours (7pm - 7am) in a local bookshop to write. It was awesome. There were over 60 people crammed into the tiny shop at one point!
III. As for my writing, I did win Nano for the 4th year in a row although this year I went for a less conventional approach and worked on two things, one of which was already in progress. One is an HP fic from Lily's POV basically being a spirit watching over Harry from the moment that she died (incidentally I need a beta for this if anyone is interested), and the other is a Once Upon a Time story that explores what might have happened if Snow had managed to travel through the wardrobe before Emma was born. Both need lots of work still before I can post them but it's exciting to have some new stuff in development.
IV. When I was in London, I finished knitting a sweater I started over FIVE years ago. I've got a bunch of pictures from various stages of the project, including the finished product, so I'll post those when I have the time.
V. The sweater got me into knitting again in a big way, and since returning home I've started working on three "kid" knitting projects for my two nieces, O and E (ages 4 and 8 months) and my nephew, C (age 2). I started the sweater for my nephew on Saturday and last night I finished the hood. Now all that's left are the sleeves and the detailing on the outer edge of the hood. I'll post pictures separately at some point but for now, here's what I'm planning to make (hopefully in time for Christmas). C: White Caps Hooded Sweater.
O: Shades of Summer Dress (She lives in Texas), E: Princess Smocked Cardigan
VI. On call work has picked up since I got back last Thursday. I worked today and will be working for the rest of the week at my old High School. I'll be working as a TA which isn't really what I want to be doing, but it's a lot better than no work at all so I'll take it!
VII. My mum decorates for Christmas in a BIG way and this year is no exception. I came home to decorations EVERYWHERE! (Not an exaggeration - walls, ceiling, bookshelves? Nothing is safe from the Christmas insanity!) She's still working on it, but once she's done I'll take a ton of pictures (and possibly a video) so you can all experience the crazy too. Seriously, it's impressive and terrifying at the same time.
VIII. My mum's internet SUCKS :( It chokes loading a single page of Tumblr which means I haven't been able to really keep up with Tumblr since getting back since I want to throw my laptop against a wall after the 3rd or 4th page (if I even make it that far). Thankfully I've finally discovered the Queue feature which means even when I can't get on as much I can still reblog stuff! So that's happy!
VX. My little brothers are OBSESSED with One Direction. (They're 7 and 9). I brought them back some stuff from England (most of it from the pound shop and a lot of it they haven't seen yet 'cause it's for Christmas gifts) but I gave N one of their CD's for his Birthday (which was the day after I got back) and while they played it, D sighed and said "Harry Styles" in a dreamy voice then fake fainted with a long sigh. It was adorable but also a bit concerning. LOL. My 15 year old brother J has them pegged though, he responded with "One Direction is a stupid name for them, they can't all go in the same direction." Which, given their apparent tendency to fall of the stage or get coordinated movements backwards, cracked me up. (I blame sunsetmog for my knowledge of 1D's coordination failures... She forced me to look at gifs and watch videos)
X. One of the few good things to come out of LJ's recent redesign, is the ability to postdate posts. I've been taking advantage of this with the advent drabbles and it's saved me so much time and grief! I'm now fully posted up until the 17th, at which point I am out of prompts, so if you haven't prompted me yet, GO, DO IT NOW! And if you have, feel free to give me a second prompt. I will give preference to new prompts first, but at this point it looks like I'll have room to do seconds for anyone who wants them so go forth and prompt me!
PS - A friend of mine, baggyk, has been short listed for a writing contest called "America's Next Author". Voting is open until Thursday and she was in 3rd place (top 3 go to the finals) last I looked. So if you're willing and able, please head over and toss a vote her way. Her full name is Kate Baggott.
I. I'm back in Canada now after a lovely 6-week stint in London. I had a great time aside from the whole employment case disaster. It was great to see all my friends there and it's made me more determined than ever to get back there long term.
II. While I was in London, I participated in Nano. It was great to be able to go to write-ins and events with friends new and old. The highlights were Nanorilla (where we go around London writing in public places inside and out. This year's route included the steps of St. Pauls, the Millenium Bridge, the Tate Modern, and the Globe Court Yard.), and the all night lock - in where we gathered from 12 hours (7pm - 7am) in a local bookshop to write. It was awesome. There were over 60 people crammed into the tiny shop at one point!
III. As for my writing, I did win Nano for the 4th year in a row although this year I went for a less conventional approach and worked on two things, one of which was already in progress. One is an HP fic from Lily's POV basically being a spirit watching over Harry from the moment that she died (incidentally I need a beta for this if anyone is interested), and the other is a Once Upon a Time story that explores what might have happened if Snow had managed to travel through the wardrobe before Emma was born. Both need lots of work still before I can post them but it's exciting to have some new stuff in development.
IV. When I was in London, I finished knitting a sweater I started over FIVE years ago. I've got a bunch of pictures from various stages of the project, including the finished product, so I'll post those when I have the time.
V. The sweater got me into knitting again in a big way, and since returning home I've started working on three "kid" knitting projects for my two nieces, O and E (ages 4 and 8 months) and my nephew, C (age 2). I started the sweater for my nephew on Saturday and last night I finished the hood. Now all that's left are the sleeves and the detailing on the outer edge of the hood. I'll post pictures separately at some point but for now, here's what I'm planning to make (hopefully in time for Christmas). C: White Caps Hooded Sweater.
O: Shades of Summer Dress (She lives in Texas), E: Princess Smocked Cardigan
VI. On call work has picked up since I got back last Thursday. I worked today and will be working for the rest of the week at my old High School. I'll be working as a TA which isn't really what I want to be doing, but it's a lot better than no work at all so I'll take it!
VII. My mum decorates for Christmas in a BIG way and this year is no exception. I came home to decorations EVERYWHERE! (Not an exaggeration - walls, ceiling, bookshelves? Nothing is safe from the Christmas insanity!) She's still working on it, but once she's done I'll take a ton of pictures (and possibly a video) so you can all experience the crazy too. Seriously, it's impressive and terrifying at the same time.
VIII. My mum's internet SUCKS :( It chokes loading a single page of Tumblr which means I haven't been able to really keep up with Tumblr since getting back since I want to throw my laptop against a wall after the 3rd or 4th page (if I even make it that far). Thankfully I've finally discovered the Queue feature which means even when I can't get on as much I can still reblog stuff! So that's happy!
VX. My little brothers are OBSESSED with One Direction. (They're 7 and 9). I brought them back some stuff from England (most of it from the pound shop and a lot of it they haven't seen yet 'cause it's for Christmas gifts) but I gave N one of their CD's for his Birthday (which was the day after I got back) and while they played it, D sighed and said "Harry Styles" in a dreamy voice then fake fainted with a long sigh. It was adorable but also a bit concerning. LOL. My 15 year old brother J has them pegged though, he responded with "One Direction is a stupid name for them, they can't all go in the same direction." Which, given their apparent tendency to fall of the stage or get coordinated movements backwards, cracked me up. (I blame sunsetmog for my knowledge of 1D's coordination failures... She forced me to look at gifs and watch videos)
X. One of the few good things to come out of LJ's recent redesign, is the ability to postdate posts. I've been taking advantage of this with the advent drabbles and it's saved me so much time and grief! I'm now fully posted up until the 17th, at which point I am out of prompts, so if you haven't prompted me yet, GO, DO IT NOW! And if you have, feel free to give me a second prompt. I will give preference to new prompts first, but at this point it looks like I'll have room to do seconds for anyone who wants them so go forth and prompt me!
PS - A friend of mine, baggyk, has been short listed for a writing contest called "America's Next Author". Voting is open until Thursday and she was in 3rd place (top 3 go to the finals) last I looked. So if you're willing and able, please head over and toss a vote her way. Her full name is Kate Baggott.