Friday 14 January 2011

Sleepy Hollow

Not the film – me! I feel all sleepy hollow at the moment. The system, thingy and whatsit from last week are still causing mayhem and mischief. Do you ever picture yourself running flat out at days and yet still you never catch them? That’s exactly how I feel – so much to do both at work and at home – and everything else seems to suffer a bit in-between. January has hit me like a ton of bricks, one way or another. It doesn’t help that this month hides the slow sideways shuffle towards pay-day, either.

But all is well as today I bought three shiny ring binders – one bright red, which is to house the newest print out of the novel; one bright purple, which is to be home to short stories; and one dark and full of secrets, which is to hide What Hasn’t Been Told Yet. I can get very happy with new stationery. It doesn’t take much to make me happy, come to think about it.

I’m sorry if I haven’t got around to your blogs as much as I would like. My computer at home is on its last legs and is butt-achingly slow at doing anything. Even Word seems to give it gyp. I’ve backed up everything, so that is all okay, but it worries me that it will give one last groan and then refuse to start. I can’t really afford a new one so I am hoping something amazing will happen. I’m not sure quite what I expect – computer fairy to give me pressie? Lottery win when forgotten to buy ticket? I guess I shall just have to see.

36 comments:

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I have definitely had days the way you described. But, like you, I seem to have a high happiness quotient. I love office materials, too: Binders, notebooks, notepads, post-its, colored pens. Whenever I purchase one of those items i feel newly inspired. I like the way you've set up your new trio of notebooks. How nice to have a printout of your FINISHED draft!

Good luck with your computer.

Maria Zannini said...

I am so glad you posted! I was kind of getting worried about you and your blog silence. I was going to give you a couple more days before I emailed you.

Sorry January has been a bear, coupled with your computer problems. But it can't last forever, right?

Glad you're okay and not in a ditch somewhere. :-)

Tony Benson said...

Hi Jayne, I'm new here, so I'm dropping by to say hello.

So, what is it about new stationary? I haven't met anyone yet, including myself who doesn't like getting new stationary! Bizarre.

Sorry to hear you're having computer problems - mine gave up today for the final time, so I'm stuck on 'Old Clunky' upstairs until I sort something out. Bah!
Tony

Fran Hill said...

Yep, new stationery solves a lot of problems. My kids used to tell me off for 'fondling' the stationery in shops. Apparently I was embarrassing. Hope the weekend gives you a rest.

Pat Tillett said...

"Real" life has to come first! Everybody says December is the busiest months. I agree with you, it's January! I was just forced to buy a new computer also. I'm glad I did...

Old Kitty said...

Jayne of A Novice Novelist!! Call me crazy (crazy! LOL!) but I am feeling things reading your blog post. What is it that you're not telling that I know is brewing just beneath the surface - something mega secretive and yet ever so exciting that I'm on tenterhooks about to explode like Mt Etna (who I think is spewing lava as I type?!). But seriously!!! Something's up!! I just know it!! My third eye is twitching!!!!!

:-)

Enjoy your fab stationery and I am so with you when I ask myself this question everyday since the new year: isn't January pay day ever gonna happen?!?!?!?!

Take care
x

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Love the idea of a notebook "dark and full of secrets!" You could probably write an entire novel just on that phrase! January is almost over. Hang in there!

Sophia said...

I'm almost at the end of my current notebook and while I have a perfectly serviceable (old) notebook I could move on to I feel the need to do some stationery shopping myself! I love the idea of your three ringbinders to keep things in order. Is a love of stationery and a certain amount of organisation a prerequisite for writers, d'you think?
- Sophia.

Out on the prairie said...

I keep that dark and full of secrets right next to me should something come up I don't want to forget, or use at a later date.I have a variety of notepads to keep track of all other knowledge I need to know more about, or books to survey.You have to have a system, even one only you can decipher.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

You without a means of writing would be tragic. Notebooks are nice but computers are essential! So is the internet! Would terribly miss you if you disappeared due to broken computer! Hope you win the British lottery.

Diane J. said...

I popped over from JC Martin's blog (did you know you're her feature today?).

I, too, am an office supply junkie. Binders, notebooks, and pens oh my! I LOVE your idea with the binders...you must have something up your sleeve with that black binder. I bet it's good, too.

Anyway, love your blog. Sending good thoughts that the computer fairies pay a visit (or try Super Anti Spyware). We had a computer we almost gave up on, my husband spent many days and was ready to wipe out the hard drive and start all over. A techie friend told us to give it a shot and by golly It Lived! And, yes, we have antivirus software and all that crud, but the other program just worked magic.

Cinette said...

It's well documented that writers have an uncommon attachment to office supplies and impliments. Congradulations; you're a writer!

Unknown said...

Oh yes, office supplies. My favourite store is Staples - all that paper, binders, folders, pens. Hey, they even have chocolate bars at the checkout. What more could a girl need? :)

I always think January is a horrid month. Christmas has gone and spring seems a long way off.

Good luck with your computer!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Oh yes.. go the lottery.. that's what I'm waiting for.. hahaha

You know if you dont have much disk space that will slow it down.. you could cleanup unwanted files and then do a defragmentation.. When I was back on pc I found the antivirus slowed me to a slooooow crawl..

Goodluck with it all.. Thanks so much for your kind comments.. really makes my day.. and yes.. the flooding is just so so sad.. although Queensland is bouncing back already... great aussie spirit!!

Have a fab weekend.. ciao xxx Julie

Anonymous said...

Hi Jayne Thanks for getting around to my blog. I kow the feeling I feel i blog non-stop and still miss people. Hope your computer and you get a new lease of life. I get days where I feel I'm wading in treacle physically, emotionally, psychologically whatever tho blogging keeps me sane, I think ;O)

Jemi Fraser said...

I'll send my wishes along for the computer fairy to help you out!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Sorry. I jumbled a sentence. So, I'll try again...!!!

Sorry your computer's so slow! I wouldn't be happy if mine were.

The world IS tilted, as you said on my post. It feels "tilted" at your end too, but if you're like me, you're grateful it isn't devastating as it seems to be for some people. We just plod along, trying to do the best we can!!

Your trio of notebooks makes me think that "little" things like this are cheering. I just spent hours cleaning up my address book. Tossed out the old. Now it's the beginning of my New Life! This cheered me. Plus, I was able to help two of my children this past week who needed help. This sort of thing ALWAYS cheers me up.

I wish a more cheerful week for YOU!

Kenda Turner said...

New binders, and in varied colors--yes! I so relate. Love to look at them on the shelf and know instantly what their purpose is. But a problematic computer is so not fun. Good luck. I hope you don't have to wait long for a good working one.

Thanks for the recent follow over at my place. I look forward to following your journey, too...

The Words Crafter said...

I totally understand about the computer woes; I really hope the computer fairies bestow a brandi new one upon you quickly.

I'm still smiling at the butt achingly slow bit. That was great!

BTW, now I want a dark binder, full of secrets!!! I love binders, pens, pencils, post its, etc. In fact, I may need an intervention!

Happy Frog and I said...

Jayne, I hope everything works out with your computer woes/lottery win. I am just glad you are OK, don't worry about visiting my blog, just take care of you! x

Unknown said...

Sending wishes for your old computer from NZ :)

Hope they get there in time!

Stina said...

A shiny new binder is always fun and inspiring. Even if you just want to hit your computer with it. ;)

D.J.Kirkby said...

Oh I have had a very similar month so far. *wails* *plucks at hair* I adore the description of your binders; lovely indulgences for your precious words.

Talli Roland said...

I hear you! Every since I got home, I seem to be running like mad to get everything done, my mind flitting from one thing to another like a mozzie on speed! Argh...

Maybe I need some new stationery? :)

Plain Jane said...

I feel your broken computer. Mine is also circling the drain, but I haven't backed up my files yet. I am under the impression that as soon as I start the backup it will really die.

Hermana Maw said...

Oooo, I love the idea of a binder for That Which Hasn't Been Written Yet. Such fun.

Good luck with your computer and the lottery. :)

Carolina Mountains said...

Thanks for visiitng - I have DSL and you would never know it - so slow some days.

Hannah said...

Yes, I've had those days! I love buying new supplies for writing, don't you? So much fun.

Rose said...

I also like new officey things when I'm feeling a bit snowed under. I like notebooks to write lists, usually of things I don't get round to doing but the listing helps

I too have a very old computer, I've just got an external hard in the hope that taking some music off it will help it to a little faster and feel a little happier

Tanya Reimer said...

New binders are way too cool! (Only other writers get that- my husband thinks I'm nuts to get that excited about them- did you see the mini ones at Staples? OMG! I have no idea what to use them for but I must have them.)
I love your blog and awarded you the Sylish Blogger Award. You can pick it up at tanyareimer.blogspot.com

Jayne said...

Elizabeth Varadan – I do absolutely love shopping for stationary. I don’t do it much as consider it a bit of a luxury at present, but if I can somehow justify it in my mind then off I go! It is fab to have a print out of the finished draft – still got some minor revisions to do though.

Maria – Aw you are such a sweetheart. Thank you for worrying about me! I nearly always find January a bit of a mission, but I can see the glimmer of pay-day ahead now, so things are looking brighter.

Tony – Hello, and welcome! It sounds like my computer is a relation of ‘Old Clunky’ so I totally sympathise.

Fran – I have been known to stroke those furry pencil cases, on occasion.

Pat – It is totally January! I find it such a hard month to be buoyant about – it’s such a mood-sapper for some reason.

Old Kitty – You and your amazing third eye! Heehee. :)

Jayne said...

Trish and Rob – It sounds like the sort of thing hidden under cobwebs, doesn’t it?!

Sophia – Definitely! Although sometimes I think my organisation borders on procrastination – all the organising in the world doesn’t hide the fact I actually have to sit here and write.

Out on the prairie – I carry a notebook around with me just in case that happens, I live in fear of not having a notebook at the time I need it!

KarenG – Aw thank you honey! The thing with wanting to win is I have to remember to take part. I guess that works with most things in life!

Diane J – Hello, and welcome! And yes, there may be a few things up my sleeve with the black binder… Always good to have some things to puzzle and ponder! And thanks for the tip, will give it a go. I do have a usual antivirus thingy but will try anything in case it gives the poor old thing a new lease of life.

Cinette – Hee! Love it!

Shirley – A stationary shop with chocolate at the till? My they don’t miss a trick, do they?!

Jayne said...

Julie – Thanks for the reminder to defrag! I’ll try it and see what happens.

Madeleine – I really miss blogging and commenting when for some reason real life intrudes. It is such a lovely support network and I like to be part of it when I can.

Jemi – Thank you! Come on computer fairy!

Ann – Very true. I think sometimes everything can seem tilted but there is so much to be grateful for, as you say. And thank you for sharing what made you cheerful – it made me cheerful just to read it!

Kenda – I can’t wait for the office I will have someday – all ordered, colourful, neat – and with a working computer!

The Words Crafter – Dark binders full of whispered secrets are the best binders to have! Just knowing it sits there waiting makes me quietly happy.

Happy Frog – I really must remember to play the lottery! It’ll work out – I have a full-back plan so I can work around the Big Bad computer, and the full-back seems okay for now, touch wood!

Wendy – Hee! They did!

Jayne said...

Stina – Exactly! Binders are also very aerodynamic.

D.J. Kirby – January is no fun at all! *joins with wailing*

Talli – A mozzie on speed – oh yes, that is exactly it!

Plain Jane – Oh no – but quick, back up your files! It might not die but at least your files will be protected. I once didn’t back up when I knew my computer was on its last legs and it suddenly flomped out with no warning and it was an absolute bugger to try and get the files off again. So please, for me, back them up today!

LeishaMaw – Thank you!

Carolina Mountains – A slow internet is the worst, as you know it really should be quick!

Hannah – I love new supplies as long as I remember to actually write in them, and not just pat them every once in a while.

Rose – I am a great believer in lists, and am also thinking of getting an external hard drive (called My Book, I think) to take off some music. I think the music collection might be the thing that is actually killing it.

Jayne said...

Tanya – Ooo thank you! How lovely – will pop over to your blog. :)