Sunday 17 October 2010

Hello World

I picked up my new glasses yesterday morning and have spent most of my time since then knee deep in books. Oh books! Glorious books! The weekend hours have so far found me slouched in various places reading, occasionally with a cat, equally slouched. But now I have to emerge and do some writing work, as there is an Exciting Thing afoot.

This is all good as I started the week feeling terribly dejected – one of those Why-Is-My-Life-So-Sucky feelings that were last seen flailing around when aged fifteen. It involved a fair amount of flumping around the house until I forced myself to snap out of it/go to bed early and sulk. But then Exciting Thing popped up and made me smile at everything - despite work challenges, London transport, and woollen jumpers with annoying elbow-length sleeves.

I won’t say anymore about Exciting Thing yet in case it doesn’t go ahead, but it is amazing how a week can turn itself around. However, you do have to keep putting yourself out there in order for things to happen, exciting or not, so today I am polishing a short story in order to submit it to a magazine. I am also polishing off a tin of Roses. It seems one form of polishing cannot take place without the other.

In other exciting news, while out yesterday I bought yet another random plate to add to the various items of ancient crockery lurking under my bed. I don’t know how it happens – I go to the shops on a perfectly straight-forward normal exercise and return with a tea cup. I sleep at night on a bed of saucers, uncomfortably aware that in Narnia sleeping on treasures turns one into a dragon. But that was gold and silver… would 1960s china do the same? Perhaps I will become a ferocious tea maker.

31 comments:

The Words Crafter said...

I have a friend who's collecting single china place settings. She intends to use them as a complete set. I think it's really cool that you collect random pieces. Think of the wonderful table you could set!

I hope the Exciting Thing works out. And I'm glad your week turned around. I hate those Sucky times....

J.B. Chicoine said...

It is amazing how one simple prospect can change one's entire outlook. I do so hope your 'Exciting Thing' comes through for you!

...and, I gotta ask: Why all the dishes under your bed?

Jayne said...

Thank you for Exciting Thing wishes!

The Words Crafter - I like the idea of having a tea party with all the different pieces. :)

jbchicoine - I'm living at my mum's and there is no space in her kitchen, so all my stuff is stored in my bedroom. Or more precisely, under the bed!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad you can see again!
And great attitude about the upcoming week. Yes, it will be awesome.

Kit Courteney said...

I won't say anything about the Exciting Thing (although VERY curious) and shall simply keep all digits crossed.

Don't underestimate flumping.

It can be VERY important.

--- Oh ffs, it's asking me for my Google details... Like I can remember my login...!

Kit Courteney said...

Turns out I could.

Maria Zannini said...

Now I'm giddy with anticipation!

Hope it works out. Tell us soon!

Old Kitty said...

Oh you are so mean (in the nicest way!!) by not telling what the Exciting Thing is!!! Oh do please please please tell!!!!

GOOD LUCK with the EXCITING THING!!

Now I've got the Pointer Sisters jumping around in my head singing "I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it.. lalalallala!!! and I think I like it! Ooooh weeeee!!!" :-)

Take care
x

Nicole said...

Congrats on the glasses! My friend has just been in for cataract surgery on her second eye and there is the possibility she won't need glasses any more - she's been wearing them since she was 10!! So crossing my fingers for her :)

www.damselinadirtydress.com

Jemi Fraser said...

Crossing my fingers for the Exciting Thing to work out even better than you hope! :)

Talli Roland said...

EXCITING THING! EXCITING THING! I want to knnooooooowwwwww! :

Please keep us posted! And keeping all things crossed for you!

Mise said...

Ah, an Exciting Thing! That surely merits a tin of Roses, the modern equivalent of Pooh's honey-pot.

penandpaints said...

Hooray for new glasses.
Good luck with the 'exciting thing'. We all need some of those.
I had a tin of roses last Wednesday afternoon, they lasted until Thursday afternoon. :(

Al said...

Good luck with the exciting thing!

I am at the reading glasses stage. The old arms aren't long enough any more.

Maggie May said...

Hoping the *exciting thing* is to do with a certain book! Lets say no more.

Hope you can display the china somewhere and show it all off rather than sleep over it.

Loved this post.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Isn't it weird how the worst days or weeks can end up being the best, and vice versa? And I love that your collection of tea cups and place settings is under your bed. I sure hope we get to here about the Exciting Thing very soon :)

Julie Musil said...

Now we're curious about the exciting thing. Can't wait to hear about it!

Unknown said...

Suspense is the ability to be in two places at once - or maybe three - the time before, the now and the what may be very soon. Have fun.

Kittie Howard said...

I can feel your excitement, have toes and fingers crossed your Exciting Thing works out.

Keep collecting that china (I love pretties)...why not have a virtual dinner and have us all over??

Jenny Beattie said...

I look forward to hearing about Exciting Thing in due course. I shall keep my fingers crossed that it goes ahead...

Please can we see your china collection?

flwrjane said...

Well I've been reading and reading to catch up and finally discovered where I know you from! You're the Jayne who won the beautiful necklace from Mise. I'm the plain Jane who didn't.

But putting this aside, I'm delighted to meet you and will eagerly await news of the Exciting Thing.

jane

Rachna Chhabria said...

I will praying that the Exciting Thing works out for you. Ah...so you too are a compulsive shopper. Well, we do have a lot of similarities.

http://rachnachhabria.blogspot.com/2010/10/tlc-for-supporting-characters.html

Happy Frog and I said...

I'm so glad you are back in the good place where you belong and not the sucky place. I also hope the Exciting Work does come to fruition. You are so right that you need to keep putting yourself out there to get the opportunity for good things to happen. You have also reminded me I need to read some more books and get some more glasses!

Joanna St. James said...

This someone ever tell you its against the law to tease writers with the word "exciting thing"? my imagination is all over the place now :P but congratulations and share soon

Melody said...

Ah, so secretive! :) Can't wait to hear what's up.

Jayne said...

Alex – Especially your week with the upcoming book launch – woohoo!

Kit – Flumping is essential sometimes. And that did make me chuckle, glad you remembered your log in!

Maria – It’s not directly about the novel, but I am still VERY happy if it goes ahead.

Old Kitty – I’m sorry! I’ll tell if it happens. I don’t want to say yet in case I jinx it. It’s not about the novel though, but thank you for the good luck wishes – now I have the Pointer Sisters jumping in my head too!

Nicole – Crossing my fingers for your friend as well!

Jemi – Thank you!

Talli – Heeeeeeee! I will definitely let you know the minute I think it will go ahead.

Jayne said...

Mise - Absolutely – my tin of Roses is Pooh’s honey-pot. Like him I would seek it out anywhere. I am a menace as a guest at Christmas.

Pen and Paints – That is exactly how long mine seem to last, that is, all the good sweets. The rest just swirl around in desperation until I eat them as well.

Al – Thank you! And my arms too.

Maggie May – Ah, I wish it was! But no, the Exciting Thing doesn’t directly concern my novel. Indirectly it may help, but that is a bit of a long shot, I think. Thank you so much though! So nice to know people are rooting for me (and it!).

KarenG – I need a kitchen! And then all my little tea cups can see the light of day. Here’s hoping the Exciting Thing goes ahead.

Julie – I will let you know as soon as it definitely happens.

Elaine – Ooo very wise, and very true!

Jayne said...

Kittie – Aw thank you! You would be most welcome for a virtual dinner any time. I will lay out the best china!

Jenny – Thank you! And yes, I really should try and photo it... will have a bash. (Considers whether the word ‘bash’ and ‘china’ should be in the same sentence.)

Flwrjane – Yes - I was the lucky lass who won the beautiful necklace from Mise! Delighted to meet you too!

Rachna – Thank you, that is so nice of you. And yes, we probably do!

Happy Frog – Aw it’s nice to think I belong in the happy place, and yes, am hopeful that the Exciting Thing does actually happen, especially now I have tantalised everyone with it! Oops.

Joanna – Sorry! Keep that imagination soaring though. :)

Melody – Hee! Will share as soon as I think it will go ahead.

Fran Hill said...

I'm the kind of person who WISHES she collected china! How weird is that? I always look at it longingly in second-hand shops, but because I just don't know where I'd put it, I don't buy any.

Deborah said...

Hey, I am a new follower 'cause I saw that you are also an old china collector. I just love them, but not enough to put under my bed. I have a designated cupboard. I also collect tea pots. I don't know why I collect these things ... it has only been in the last 10 years or so.

I am also a novice writer, and attending university, taking classes in Creative Writing.

Good luck with the Exciting Thing, whatever it/he/she may be.

Jayne said...

Fran - Be like me - buy it anyway and shove it under the bed. Failing that, the shed seems to be another likely option.

Imvubu2003 - Hello and welcome! A designated cupboard certainly sounds a better idea than under the bed. One day! And ten years - gosh! You must have a wonderful collection by now. Good luck with the Creative Writing classes!