dusting up

Just dusted my desks, and organized all the computer wires, got out my candles. It's procrastination, but I believe procrastination is necessary to the creative process. (Though it somehow becomes less necessary the nearer you get to a deadline.)

And I took a shower so I'm fresh! and clean!

Ready to write. Right?

reading and such

All I did today was finish the Connie Willis book, then Fernando and I watched a Vicar of Dibley episode, and then When Harry Met Sally.

Here's the review I posted for the Connie Willis books (they go together) Blackout and All Clear:

This is a tough one. The two books were almost unputdownable, but at the same time they were badly in need of an edit. Willis does this thing where she makes characters run around just missing each other, and even though there's usually a symbolic or really good plot reason for it, it's tiresome to read. There's also way too much inner monologue that you have to listen to--the character's same worries, over and over. I got it already. BUT most of the characters I loved and cared about, and it was a good mystery--I wanted to see how it ended. The children characters were the BEST, as were many of the other smaller parts. The end was satisfying and elicited some crying. There were some very beautiful moments. And of course the history was topnotch. But all of the good stuff would have had more impact if there was less of the running around and monologing. Would still recommend to history buffs or those who like really well drawn historical detail in their stories, and to those who like time travel books.

Ahh Connie. I think she was just too close to this subject, loved it too much, to be able to edit properly. And I'll add that there was one main character who I never ended up feeling for at all. But Willis made up for it with the others. And the Hodbin children were The Best. Reminded me of my cats.

Also the covers are beautiful and perfect for the story:

I am now either going to shower, or try Nanoing. And I'm gonna start a romance novel--gotta go pick one out.

2818 words today so far

It's 2:40 AM. I'm not too tired, so I think I'll feed the cats, get some cereal, and push on. I don't like stopping at the end of a scene, cause it's harder to get started again the next time.

42000 + to go

Some comments upon the subject of a Minion

1. Worst Nanowrimo partner ever.

Here is minion sitting on my mousepad, taking pictures of her butt.

 

She was, of course, sucking my finger. Nombly used to just sit nicely to one side, with the occasional nag for a pet or food. Ernie too. Haley and Sherry always went off and did their own thing. No one ever sucked my finger while sitting in the middle of my laptop.

2. Why do cats look extra cute when their arms are crossed?

3. Just how frikking big is this cat going to be? She's got the longest limbs and tail I've ever seen. Cats apparently stop growing between 6 and 9 months, so, anytime now she should grow into her limbs. Or remain a gazelle-a-cat for the rest of her feline career.

Christmas music and other new releases

It's new music Tuesday. I'm more excited by what's coming out this Friday (Nicki Minaj and Kanye West), but I'm très très excited about the Annie Lennox Christmas album. Judging by the previews on iTunes it's -- I'm gonna go for it -- AWESOME! Original but still beautiful! Will let you know once it's been More Listened To.

For those who were McPhee fans back a few Idol years, you might like this. I'm previewing right now and it isn't wowing me. Save your money for Annie is what I say. But I may find one or two singles off it that I'll download. Also, it's a double album, and one album is non-Christmas. It also sounds meh, but then most Am Idol albums are terrible. Having a great voice doesn't mean you'll gave great songs.

 

Groban's done something interesting. He hasn't released a Christmas album, but has released something sort of smoooth and Christmassy-spiritually-ish in time for everyone to buy him as a gift. Seems like a smart idea to me.

Bruce has some sort of songs-not-included-on-early-album album. So if you're missing Original Bruce, Young Bruce, this is for you.

The Lost Fingers have a new album. They do catchy-strum renditions of mostly 80s pop songs, which are entertaining, and especially popular in Quebec. Judging by the preview, "9-5" doesn't sound that great, but "Karma Chameleon" sounds weird enough to have promise.

 L'il Bryan's got a guitar-only live album. Worth checking out. Except that the audience is singing along with him on every song, and they've recorded that, which I suspect would become obnoxious. I think live albums should have, like, One Epic Song in which audience participation is featured. And for the rest, mute the buggers. No one's paying to hear them.

I'm sure the biggest seller will be Rihanna. Blehhhh. I've had Rihanna overload. And even the cover is BORING.  She needs to take a vacation.