I was excited to see that Sherlock is back, for another 3 episodes.
So that's tonight's (this weeks?) TV entertainment taken care of. :) I'm looking forward to it!
UPDATE: Great episode! ... Sadly there were several distractions that pulled me out of the story - - well, they were all the same one: his violin playing. The bowing did not match the music being played - almost all the time!
This is Sherlock Holmes people. The violin is kinda important. The fact that it took me out of the story means it didn't work for me...
Please, Stephen, get Benedict a violin-continuity coach?
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Thursday, 24 February 2011
The problem with being ill...
Back at the end of January I caught flu from a very kind person who was doing their best to spread viruses and bacteria to all and sundry.
After 5 days of feeling dead, I finally managed to shake off the temperature, and my brain began working again ... kinda.
But after 3 more weeks of a near constant headache, sinus discomfort, and a very mild temperature - more on than off, ... I've finally had to admit that I am, in actual fact, still not recovered.
BLEURGH!
I've made an appointment to see the doc next week. I don't want to, I can already imagine what he'll say, I feel as though I am totally wasting my time even considering going. But this constant f*cking headache is really grinding me down.
And the problem with feeling like crap is that it tends to lead me to commit rant.
Very unhealthy.
Just because I feel crappy, I shouldn't be taking it out on innocent bystanders [Specially not when they are people I like, and respect, and want to work with.]
I just wish I could get my head properly clear and lose this darned headache!
And yes, this is another rant. *rolls eyes*
The catarrh pastilles have run out. And alcohol is failing to solve the problem (there's a surprise)
I'm off to buy more. Of the anti catarrh pastille thingies.
*reads blurb on old packet* "If symptoms do not go away, talk to your doctor." - - I AM! NEXT WEEK!
D'ARGH!
EDIT: 2nd March 2011
The doctor lived down to my expectations.
After 5 days of feeling dead, I finally managed to shake off the temperature, and my brain began working again ... kinda.
But after 3 more weeks of a near constant headache, sinus discomfort, and a very mild temperature - more on than off, ... I've finally had to admit that I am, in actual fact, still not recovered.
BLEURGH!
I've made an appointment to see the doc next week. I don't want to, I can already imagine what he'll say, I feel as though I am totally wasting my time even considering going. But this constant f*cking headache is really grinding me down.
And the problem with feeling like crap is that it tends to lead me to commit rant.
Very unhealthy.
Just because I feel crappy, I shouldn't be taking it out on innocent bystanders [Specially not when they are people I like, and respect, and want to work with.]
I just wish I could get my head properly clear and lose this darned headache!
And yes, this is another rant. *rolls eyes*
The catarrh pastilles have run out. And alcohol is failing to solve the problem (there's a surprise)
I'm off to buy more. Of the anti catarrh pastille thingies.
*reads blurb on old packet* "If symptoms do not go away, talk to your doctor." - - I AM! NEXT WEEK!
D'ARGH!
EDIT: 2nd March 2011
The doctor lived down to my expectations.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
KILLING CREATIVITY
There are many ways to kill creativity. But one of the most effective I've found so far is negative stress, especially when it is brought on by financial issues.
If your brain is consumed by worries about how you'll pay the electric (so the computer keeps working), never mind the cost of food, it tends to provide real distraction from the essentials: e.g. working out the new shape of the story you're rewriting.
*sigh*
"Suck it up! It's part of the screenwriting journey you wuss!"
Thanks for the pep-talk brain! It really helped. ...
*gnashes teeth* *grumbles* *bashes head into wall repeatedly* *gnashes teeth again*
If your brain is consumed by worries about how you'll pay the electric (so the computer keeps working), never mind the cost of food, it tends to provide real distraction from the essentials: e.g. working out the new shape of the story you're rewriting.
*sigh*
"Suck it up! It's part of the screenwriting journey you wuss!"
Thanks for the pep-talk brain! It really helped. ...
*gnashes teeth* *grumbles* *bashes head into wall repeatedly* *gnashes teeth again*
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
The Fall....
Notes.
Fun, huh? Specially when they conflict and you are getting different takes from different corners of the globe. *rolls eyes*
Now in a screenplay, conflict is a good thing, desirable. Keeps the audience on their toes and glued to the seat. :) Good stuff.
Conflicting story notes, ... keeps the screenwriter on their toes and glued to the seat. ;) *bangs head against wall*
Apparently the immortal (or near as damnit) has to become mortal. Which, generally, you'd think would be easy enough to change? It's one of those dead simple notes ... that CHANGES THE ENTIRE DARNED SCREENPLAY!
Imagine you have a ghost in your story, but the producer doesn't like ghosts (and presumably wants the killer to be easier for the audience to relate to?) and wants it changed to not be a ghost. So your supernatural horror has just become a serial killer horror.
You still have the word horror in there! What on earth is the problem? Hurry up already-o! Chop-chop! New script NOW please!
It's a bit like being asked to turn a vampire story into a werewolf story ... different rules, you see. Different emphasis applies throughout.
Actually vampires and werewolves is not a good example of what I'm on about. One is slinky and hypnotic and rips your throat out, while the other is slinky and hungry and rips your throat out. ... Well, ... nevermind. They are different types of story, you get the gist.
Think aliens verses chuppacapras; one is science fiction, the other is cryptozoology. Different world rules apply in each. (well, they should, if you want the story to be any good)
*sigh*
Maybe I'm overthinking this?
But internally I need to understand the world I'm writing about. It needs to make sense to me - if no one else.
...
The lifecycle of the fruitfly.
Maybe I should research that instead?
(Is lifecycle one word or two? What about fruitfly?)
*goes back to bashing head against wall*
Fun, huh? Specially when they conflict and you are getting different takes from different corners of the globe. *rolls eyes*
Now in a screenplay, conflict is a good thing, desirable. Keeps the audience on their toes and glued to the seat. :) Good stuff.
Conflicting story notes, ... keeps the screenwriter on their toes and glued to the seat. ;) *bangs head against wall*
Apparently the immortal (or near as damnit) has to become mortal. Which, generally, you'd think would be easy enough to change? It's one of those dead simple notes ... that CHANGES THE ENTIRE DARNED SCREENPLAY!
Imagine you have a ghost in your story, but the producer doesn't like ghosts (and presumably wants the killer to be easier for the audience to relate to?) and wants it changed to not be a ghost. So your supernatural horror has just become a serial killer horror.
You still have the word horror in there! What on earth is the problem? Hurry up already-o! Chop-chop! New script NOW please!
It's a bit like being asked to turn a vampire story into a werewolf story ... different rules, you see. Different emphasis applies throughout.
Actually vampires and werewolves is not a good example of what I'm on about. One is slinky and hypnotic and rips your throat out, while the other is slinky and hungry and rips your throat out. ... Well, ... nevermind. They are different types of story, you get the gist.
Think aliens verses chuppacapras; one is science fiction, the other is cryptozoology. Different world rules apply in each. (well, they should, if you want the story to be any good)
*sigh*
Maybe I'm overthinking this?
But internally I need to understand the world I'm writing about. It needs to make sense to me - if no one else.
...
The lifecycle of the fruitfly.
Maybe I should research that instead?
(Is lifecycle one word or two? What about fruitfly?)
*goes back to bashing head against wall*
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Ban the License Fee? No way, sirrah!
I seriously dislike most television adverts.
I remember the halcyon days when they were limited to the time slot after one program and before the next, and maybe one in the middle - or two, perhaps three, if it was a long film.
Those days are sadly gone.
Hence the rise of the DVD in my watching schedule. - The local video rental shops are happy about this too! :)
I've just been invited to join a campaign on facebook to destroy the TV License.
At first glance, most of the people who have joined this petition so far, appear to be fans of the SKY viewing experience - and object to having to pay for channels they claim not to watch, on top of the exorbitant cost of the SKY subscription.
Fair play, I understand where they are coming from.
But some of us can't afford the luxury of SKY.
And some of us, namely me, gnash our teeth at any interruption to the programme on offer. GRR! FREEVIEW ADVERTS! GRR!
Yeah, okay I'm a fossil.
So, I'm sorry 'lets get the uk tv licence abolished', I'm afraid I'm not joining your cause at this time, although I totally understand where your supporters are coming from.
(As I've mentioned before, my particular bugbear is adverts on TV, especially if they are in the middle of a story that you are trying to watch.)
Instead of this petition, why not start a petition to get SKY to offer a License Fee Free channel option?
- a) this would have more chance of success,
- b) it would mean those of us who dislike adverts interrupting our viewing could still do that without having to resort to the expense of buying DVDs of the series we want to watch. (Specially since the BBC charge a veritable fortune for them, in my fossilised opinion.)
I spent several years not paying my license, because I was unable to watch terrestrial (or other) TV in my location.
I used the local DVD/Video rental shops instead.
Channels like Sky are too expensive for many of us to consider as an option.
Having a TV doesn't automatically mean you have to pay for the license fee.
I think if Sky and the other subscription providers offered a service like this, I think they'd be surprised by the popularity. :)
Just a thought, 'lets get the uk tv licence abolished', that you might want to consider?
Eleanor
I remember the halcyon days when they were limited to the time slot after one program and before the next, and maybe one in the middle - or two, perhaps three, if it was a long film.
Those days are sadly gone.
Hence the rise of the DVD in my watching schedule. - The local video rental shops are happy about this too! :)
I've just been invited to join a campaign on facebook to destroy the TV License.
At first glance, most of the people who have joined this petition so far, appear to be fans of the SKY viewing experience - and object to having to pay for channels they claim not to watch, on top of the exorbitant cost of the SKY subscription.
Fair play, I understand where they are coming from.
But some of us can't afford the luxury of SKY.
And some of us, namely me, gnash our teeth at any interruption to the programme on offer. GRR! FREEVIEW ADVERTS! GRR!
Yeah, okay I'm a fossil.
So, I'm sorry 'lets get the uk tv licence abolished', I'm afraid I'm not joining your cause at this time, although I totally understand where your supporters are coming from.
(As I've mentioned before, my particular bugbear is adverts on TV, especially if they are in the middle of a story that you are trying to watch.)
Instead of this petition, why not start a petition to get SKY to offer a License Fee Free channel option?
- a) this would have more chance of success,
- b) it would mean those of us who dislike adverts interrupting our viewing could still do that without having to resort to the expense of buying DVDs of the series we want to watch. (Specially since the BBC charge a veritable fortune for them, in my fossilised opinion.)
I spent several years not paying my license, because I was unable to watch terrestrial (or other) TV in my location.
I used the local DVD/Video rental shops instead.
Channels like Sky are too expensive for many of us to consider as an option.
Having a TV doesn't automatically mean you have to pay for the license fee.
I think if Sky and the other subscription providers offered a service like this, I think they'd be surprised by the popularity. :)
Just a thought, 'lets get the uk tv licence abolished', that you might want to consider?
Eleanor
Saturday, 31 July 2010
D'AAARRGHHH!
BUM! If I do that, all the characters are going to have to wear filter masks all the time, and it'll look pants on film.
Drat, and double drat.
Where's that bl**dy drawing board got to...?
UPDATE:
Or maybe some kind of powered (unnoticable) nose plug/filter....? Hang on a min, I need to go away and think about this. *gnashes teeth*
Blinking stories! GRRRRRRR!!
Drat, and double drat.
Where's that bl**dy drawing board got to...?
UPDATE:
Or maybe some kind of powered (unnoticable) nose plug/filter....? Hang on a min, I need to go away and think about this. *gnashes teeth*
Blinking stories! GRRRRRRR!!
Monday, 26 July 2010
UK Film Council to be axed
UK Film Council is falling under the axe? This is a huge mistake, surely? They are killing off one branch of an industry that stands a chance of getting us through the financial mess we are in by creating investment and, theoretically, profit.
If Tim Bevan thinks it's a bad idea, that's pretty much good enough for me. I suggest that Working Title have their finger on the pulse, so if he ain't happy....
Well anyway, what ever you reckon, in my book it's a bad move.
When they could save 2 billion (yeah, count those zeros) in the NHS per year, every year, by scrapping the Anti-cholesterol campaign - run by a bunch of nutters with no evidence but a theory they think sounds good? [Lower your cholesterol and the evidence suggests that you are wiping out one of your body's main defense systems and raising your chances of death, from all causes!] Well IMO, the powers that be are nuts for backing such madness.
Want to know more? Read: the Great Cholesterol Con, the truth about what really causes heart disease and how to avoid it by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, ISBN: 978-1-84454-610-7.
Or you could read the books on the subject by Dr. Uffe Ravnskov.
Or if you prefer a layman's take, you could read the works of Barry Groves - although you may find his Trick And Treat, Why Healthy Eating Is Making Us Ill a little too full of scientific references and studies, and disturbing information to be the easiest read in the world, Natural Heath and Weight Loss is a much easier ride.
Personally if you like a dark, mildly sick sense of humour with your science, Dr Kendrick's book is very accessible to the layman, and has a tonne of medical facts and references. This dude knows his stuff. Check it out.
Seriously!
We're are all being taken for a huge ride by big industry, who want to sell more statins - You think you suffer from paranoid conspiracy theories, check out the way these guys operate - It ain't paranoia, and it ain't a theory. They are the dudes that fund the flawed studies by organisations like WHO (not the band), that the government take their expert advice from. !? W.T.F.!!!
Sorry. Platform. GRRRRRRRRRR!!! Anyhow, read the books. Check out http://thincs.org/
I'm off to grind my teeth.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
...............
EDIT: 27 Feb 2011
The need to rant some more has raised it's ugly head again, so, just to add to the who cholesterol debate - for passers by who may want to know:
The mortality tables show that low cholesterol is linked to a higher death rate from all causes.
You might want to think about that before tucking into your cholesterol lowering death-spread?
If Tim Bevan thinks it's a bad idea, that's pretty much good enough for me. I suggest that Working Title have their finger on the pulse, so if he ain't happy....
Well anyway, what ever you reckon, in my book it's a bad move.
When they could save 2 billion (yeah, count those zeros) in the NHS per year, every year, by scrapping the Anti-cholesterol campaign - run by a bunch of nutters with no evidence but a theory they think sounds good? [Lower your cholesterol and the evidence suggests that you are wiping out one of your body's main defense systems and raising your chances of death, from all causes!] Well IMO, the powers that be are nuts for backing such madness.
Want to know more? Read: the Great Cholesterol Con, the truth about what really causes heart disease and how to avoid it by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, ISBN: 978-1-84454-610-7.
Or you could read the books on the subject by Dr. Uffe Ravnskov.
Or if you prefer a layman's take, you could read the works of Barry Groves - although you may find his Trick And Treat, Why Healthy Eating Is Making Us Ill a little too full of scientific references and studies, and disturbing information to be the easiest read in the world, Natural Heath and Weight Loss is a much easier ride.
Personally if you like a dark, mildly sick sense of humour with your science, Dr Kendrick's book is very accessible to the layman, and has a tonne of medical facts and references. This dude knows his stuff. Check it out.
Seriously!
We're are all being taken for a huge ride by big industry, who want to sell more statins - You think you suffer from paranoid conspiracy theories, check out the way these guys operate - It ain't paranoia, and it ain't a theory. They are the dudes that fund the flawed studies by organisations like WHO (not the band), that the government take their expert advice from. !? W.T.F.!!!
Sorry. Platform. GRRRRRRRRRR!!! Anyhow, read the books. Check out http://thincs.org/
I'm off to grind my teeth.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
...............
EDIT: 27 Feb 2011
The need to rant some more has raised it's ugly head again, so, just to add to the who cholesterol debate - for passers by who may want to know:
The mortality tables show that low cholesterol is linked to a higher death rate from all causes.
You might want to think about that before tucking into your cholesterol lowering death-spread?
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Chinese/Japanese SPAM?
I do not understand why these people continue to attempt to post comments in foreign languages on moderated blogs?
a) I can not read what you are writing so I am unable to easily tell if the comment has any relevence or value.
b) If I've deleted or rejected all your other comments, what in heaven makes you think I might not do the same to any similar new comments? Especially given that I went off on one when I first started getting foreign comment spam. I know that at least one of you has English capabilities....
GRRRR. Please stop.
If I can't understand your comment I am not going to post it, no matter how relevent you think it might be.
[What's the betting I still have to waste my time weeding through this cr*p!? My procrastination time can be used on far better activities than this. GRRRRRR!!]
a) I can not read what you are writing so I am unable to easily tell if the comment has any relevence or value.
b) If I've deleted or rejected all your other comments, what in heaven makes you think I might not do the same to any similar new comments? Especially given that I went off on one when I first started getting foreign comment spam. I know that at least one of you has English capabilities....
GRRRR. Please stop.
If I can't understand your comment I am not going to post it, no matter how relevent you think it might be.
[What's the betting I still have to waste my time weeding through this cr*p!? My procrastination time can be used on far better activities than this. GRRRRRR!!]
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Darn it all people, I'm trying to procrastinate!
I dunno, you finish your most recent TV screenplay, and are about to embark on the science fiction feature you've been meaning to write for like, ages, but decide you need a little procrastination to get the brain working - as your first cup of coffee of the day has just woken you up enough to remind you that you've got to read through about a zillion pages of story notes that need to be collated, made sense of, and then thrown out, before you even start outlining....
So you get online, check out the interwebs, and discover a dead-zone.
Great.
Thanks, people. Now my options are down to Spider Solitaire, Mahjong, or watching the LOTR trilogy (long version) instead. Unfortunately the latter is a little more procrastination than I had in mind, and the two former are just about boring enough to send me back to sleep.
Grr.
Where's that blinking Sudoku book got to?
So you get online, check out the interwebs, and discover a dead-zone.
Great.
Thanks, people. Now my options are down to Spider Solitaire, Mahjong, or watching the LOTR trilogy (long version) instead. Unfortunately the latter is a little more procrastination than I had in mind, and the two former are just about boring enough to send me back to sleep.
Grr.
Where's that blinking Sudoku book got to?
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
The Mountain Effect
You are flying along in a clear blue sky, humming a little song to yourself, when someone pulls along side in their jet-fighter and says they really like the way you fly. 'And incidentally, don't you like my jet-fighter?'
It's a cool looking jet-fighter. But when you take a good look close to, you realise it has some gaffa tape in a few places. Infact, it's quite a ropy old jet-fighter, but it has potential. There is quite a bit of rust that could do with a good scrape and respray/rebuild.
But small parts of the jet-fighter are quite breath-taking, angles, curves, the sheen and sleek of it. You can see the potential. You like.
If it's rebuilt it could be stunning. - - You say this.
'You wanna help rebuild it?'
Sounds like a plan.
But as you fly along in tandem, making a list of changes that really need to be made, it's becoming quite cloudy, until you can't see where you're flying anymore. And all the while the guy is distracting you with compliments.
"Look, I can't see because of all these clouds, and if I'm gonna work on it we really need to land, so you can sign the rebuild paperwork and I can get on with fixing it." He agrees, but keeps on flying through the clouds.
"Are you gonna land?"
He thinks about this for a good long while. 'Nope. I've decided the jet-fighter is fine the way it is afterall. Bye!' He peels away in a vertical climb.
The clouds part and you are nose to cliff face with a mountain.
SPLAT!
Belatedly you realise that that wasn't cloud, it was all the smoke he was blowing at you.
Darn.
Well, that was educational. Sometimes these things need hammering home.
So, the American re-write is well and truely dead. I suspected this was the case back near the start, but it was such pretty smoke that I allowed myself to get carried away and ignore the many warning signs.
FOOL THAT I AM!
Take heed kinder. If someone says they love you but won't commit, it means they don't love you at all, they just want the chance to use and abuse you.
*narrows eyes*
Goodbye Producer No#2. That was ... interesting.
It's a cool looking jet-fighter. But when you take a good look close to, you realise it has some gaffa tape in a few places. Infact, it's quite a ropy old jet-fighter, but it has potential. There is quite a bit of rust that could do with a good scrape and respray/rebuild.
But small parts of the jet-fighter are quite breath-taking, angles, curves, the sheen and sleek of it. You can see the potential. You like.
If it's rebuilt it could be stunning. - - You say this.
'You wanna help rebuild it?'
Sounds like a plan.
But as you fly along in tandem, making a list of changes that really need to be made, it's becoming quite cloudy, until you can't see where you're flying anymore. And all the while the guy is distracting you with compliments.
"Look, I can't see because of all these clouds, and if I'm gonna work on it we really need to land, so you can sign the rebuild paperwork and I can get on with fixing it." He agrees, but keeps on flying through the clouds.
"Are you gonna land?"
He thinks about this for a good long while. 'Nope. I've decided the jet-fighter is fine the way it is afterall. Bye!' He peels away in a vertical climb.
The clouds part and you are nose to cliff face with a mountain.
SPLAT!
Belatedly you realise that that wasn't cloud, it was all the smoke he was blowing at you.
Darn.
Well, that was educational. Sometimes these things need hammering home.
So, the American re-write is well and truely dead. I suspected this was the case back near the start, but it was such pretty smoke that I allowed myself to get carried away and ignore the many warning signs.
FOOL THAT I AM!
Take heed kinder. If someone says they love you but won't commit, it means they don't love you at all, they just want the chance to use and abuse you.
*narrows eyes*
Goodbye Producer No#2. That was ... interesting.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
"I ATE'NT DEAD"*
Well, that was a new experience. And one I hope never to repeat.
My balance is still off slightly, so walking in a straight line doesn't always happen according to plan, and crossing the road is at best a dangerous gamble ... but then, isn't it always?
Much better than I was. I can concentrate for over half an hour now without my brain melting. So writing is back on the agenda. Way hey! :)
When you can't read, or watch TV, or surf the net, and you're just about well enough to not be asleep 24-7, it gets incredibly frustrating. ~ You want to write, but all you can do is the imagination part of it, because pen to paper is as overwhelming as trying to read. - - I don't know how to describe it...?
Overwhelming, is the best description there is for the sensation of being utterly unable to concentrate or focus your attention; it's all too much.
But if you haven't experienced it, that means nothing to you. It's horrid though. Crippling.
After over a week of being asleep, and then 3 days of dreaming about chocolate cake, and then another two days fantasizing about the perfect lamb chop, followed by a day of fantasizing about liver and kidneys cooked to perfection ... and all the while the thought of actually eating makes you very ill ... Eventually your brain gets pissed off and starts tackling the important problems like - how the heck do I fix X in story Y. - - Now all I have to do is remember all the fixes I came up with and get them written up. :)
So now that it's mid bl**dy April, what happened while I was out of it?
...
Well, both my books are now available in print, or in PDF if you prefer. The first one came out at the beginning of February, and then lurgy interrupted me signing off the second one until just before the Labyrinthitis took me out for the count.
I will blog about the process next time - - once my brain is a bit more together. With pictures, and links, and such. HOORAH!
In the mean time, please dont cough near me. LOL.
Laters!
*from Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett
My balance is still off slightly, so walking in a straight line doesn't always happen according to plan, and crossing the road is at best a dangerous gamble ... but then, isn't it always?
Much better than I was. I can concentrate for over half an hour now without my brain melting. So writing is back on the agenda. Way hey! :)
When you can't read, or watch TV, or surf the net, and you're just about well enough to not be asleep 24-7, it gets incredibly frustrating. ~ You want to write, but all you can do is the imagination part of it, because pen to paper is as overwhelming as trying to read. - - I don't know how to describe it...?
Overwhelming, is the best description there is for the sensation of being utterly unable to concentrate or focus your attention; it's all too much.
But if you haven't experienced it, that means nothing to you. It's horrid though. Crippling.
After over a week of being asleep, and then 3 days of dreaming about chocolate cake, and then another two days fantasizing about the perfect lamb chop, followed by a day of fantasizing about liver and kidneys cooked to perfection ... and all the while the thought of actually eating makes you very ill ... Eventually your brain gets pissed off and starts tackling the important problems like - how the heck do I fix X in story Y. - - Now all I have to do is remember all the fixes I came up with and get them written up. :)
So now that it's mid bl**dy April, what happened while I was out of it?
...
Well, both my books are now available in print, or in PDF if you prefer. The first one came out at the beginning of February, and then lurgy interrupted me signing off the second one until just before the Labyrinthitis took me out for the count.
I will blog about the process next time - - once my brain is a bit more together. With pictures, and links, and such. HOORAH!
In the mean time, please dont cough near me. LOL.
Laters!
*from Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett
Monday, 29 March 2010
Not norovirus, but labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis in my case takes the form of a viral infection of the inner ear, which - like most viral infections - has no cure.
It lasts around two weeks ... or maybe much longer.
And means that any movement of the head causes acute world-spin, nausea, vomiting ... and for me, at one point a black out - - When you wake up on your back dry-heaving, you realize that two near death experiences in the last 12 months is a little bit more interesting than is comfortable.
Luckily they do these nifty little pills that taste vile, which you stick under your upper lip, and they stop the vommiting. They do not however stop the nausea and dizziness.
Norovirus would seem to be, by comparison, a walk in the park.
Thanks Fairy God-Cat. ... Laugh it up you b*stard furball!
It lasts around two weeks ... or maybe much longer.
And means that any movement of the head causes acute world-spin, nausea, vomiting ... and for me, at one point a black out - - When you wake up on your back dry-heaving, you realize that two near death experiences in the last 12 months is a little bit more interesting than is comfortable.
Luckily they do these nifty little pills that taste vile, which you stick under your upper lip, and they stop the vommiting. They do not however stop the nausea and dizziness.
Norovirus would seem to be, by comparison, a walk in the park.
Thanks Fairy God-Cat. ... Laugh it up you b*stard furball!
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Possibly norovirus ...
I kid you not.
STOP LAUGHING YOU B*STARDS!
The Fairy God-Cat is taking the piss with this one. Grrr....
STOP LAUGHING YOU B*STARDS!
The Fairy God-Cat is taking the piss with this one. Grrr....
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
What is this, the year of Lurgy?
GRRRR!!!
I don't effing believe it. *gnashing of teeth*
I'm recovering nicely from losing 5 weeks, and decide to accept my friend's invitation to visit beautiful South Devon to get fully pampered and catered too like the proverbial cat who got the cream, and recuperate fully in luxury.
NICE.
- Take great care not to pass the final remnants of my lurgy to my friend and her family? Tick.
- Waited on hand and foot? Tick.
- Lie on the sofa watching the rugby? Tick.
- Do next to nothing at all? Tick.
- Enjoy gentle walks through amazing countryside? Tick.
- Eat myself in to a stupor? Tick.
- Get better and start to feel truly alive again (aside from the ongoing fatigue)? Tick.
- Take great care not to pass the final remnants of my lurgy to my friend and her family? Tick. Tick.
So far, everything is going according to plan.
Then on the last day my friend starts feeling unwell ... Headache and temperature.
And I feel GUILTY AS ALL HELL for giving her plague! - - Except, I didn't.
Got home - everything fine, do the chores, get a bit of writing done, catch up on TV procrastination. Wake up today, still alive, firing on all cylinders, HOORAY! Except, just after 12 noon I start feeling a bit odd.
I now have a headache and a temperature ... the exact same symptoms my friend has. I stop feeling guilty as all hell and reach for the paracetamol.
Grrr....
WILL EVERY ONE PLEASE STOP BEING ILL?!
More importantly, stop giving your vile lurgies to me. I have been more than ill enough in the last 6 months to last me at least 10 years. In fact probably 20.
JUST STOP, OKAY?
The next person who sneezes or coughs near me is gonna get... - Well I'll think of something deeply unpleasant to do to you.
I won't actually do it, I'll just think about doing it. And I'll smile at you while I'm thinking about it.
I may even make notes, and have your imagined fate played out in the next horror nasty I write. Then I'll smile again, because I'm not a very nice person deep down when you get past the layers of socialization and not wanting to go to gaol for mass murder.
So if you are in East Devon, and you sneeze, or cough, and some psycho woman starts smiling at you, and possibly grinding her teeth. It's me, alright? You've been warned.
STOP SPREADING LURGY, YOU HORRIBLE BUNCH OF PLAGUE-CARRYING MARYS!*
GRRRR!!!
[*I am alluding to Typhoid Mary here, obviously.]
[UPDATE: 17 March 2010 - Bliss! This is one of the old school lurgies I remember from the 90's and before, where you have half a day of feeling really crap, followed by just feeling a bit grotty for several days afterwards. Thank f*ck!]
I don't effing believe it. *gnashing of teeth*
I'm recovering nicely from losing 5 weeks, and decide to accept my friend's invitation to visit beautiful South Devon to get fully pampered and catered too like the proverbial cat who got the cream, and recuperate fully in luxury.
NICE.
- Take great care not to pass the final remnants of my lurgy to my friend and her family? Tick.
- Waited on hand and foot? Tick.
- Lie on the sofa watching the rugby? Tick.
- Do next to nothing at all? Tick.
- Enjoy gentle walks through amazing countryside? Tick.
- Eat myself in to a stupor? Tick.
- Get better and start to feel truly alive again (aside from the ongoing fatigue)? Tick.
- Take great care not to pass the final remnants of my lurgy to my friend and her family? Tick. Tick.
So far, everything is going according to plan.
Then on the last day my friend starts feeling unwell ... Headache and temperature.
And I feel GUILTY AS ALL HELL for giving her plague! - - Except, I didn't.
Got home - everything fine, do the chores, get a bit of writing done, catch up on TV procrastination. Wake up today, still alive, firing on all cylinders, HOORAY! Except, just after 12 noon I start feeling a bit odd.
I now have a headache and a temperature ... the exact same symptoms my friend has. I stop feeling guilty as all hell and reach for the paracetamol.
Grrr....
WILL EVERY ONE PLEASE STOP BEING ILL?!
More importantly, stop giving your vile lurgies to me. I have been more than ill enough in the last 6 months to last me at least 10 years. In fact probably 20.
JUST STOP, OKAY?
The next person who sneezes or coughs near me is gonna get... - Well I'll think of something deeply unpleasant to do to you.
I won't actually do it, I'll just think about doing it. And I'll smile at you while I'm thinking about it.
I may even make notes, and have your imagined fate played out in the next horror nasty I write. Then I'll smile again, because I'm not a very nice person deep down when you get past the layers of socialization and not wanting to go to gaol for mass murder.
So if you are in East Devon, and you sneeze, or cough, and some psycho woman starts smiling at you, and possibly grinding her teeth. It's me, alright? You've been warned.
STOP SPREADING LURGY, YOU HORRIBLE BUNCH OF PLAGUE-CARRYING MARYS!*
GRRRR!!!
[*I am alluding to Typhoid Mary here, obviously.]
[UPDATE: 17 March 2010 - Bliss! This is one of the old school lurgies I remember from the 90's and before, where you have half a day of feeling really crap, followed by just feeling a bit grotty for several days afterwards. Thank f*ck!]
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
5 Weeks Lost - A.K.A. PLAGUE
Blech is all I can say... just about... I'm still ill - with plague on top of the ongoing exhaustion and fatigue. (Probably because of them)
End of January I came down with a nasty lurgy, which then morphed into a throat infection, ulcers, the lot. It is quite disgusting, and seems to be affecting my ability to think creatively - or at all. Grump.
This is the 3rd set of different antibiotics that I'm on (don't even ask - all I can say is "Doctors, grrr.").
So that's 5 weeks lost to plague. I'm not happy about it.
This morning I'm functioning well enough brain-wise, but if other good days are anything to go by I'll be lucky if I still feel this way in 3 hours time.
Well, I'd better go put pen to paper while I'm feeling halfway alive.
February. (derisive) Hah!
Fricking bl**dy March already.
Grrr.
Anyone know a good snake-oil curative? I'm willing to try anything* at this stage.
[*well, okay, not anything, but most things - if it has a chance in Hades of clearing this vile pestilence.]
End of January I came down with a nasty lurgy, which then morphed into a throat infection, ulcers, the lot. It is quite disgusting, and seems to be affecting my ability to think creatively - or at all. Grump.
This is the 3rd set of different antibiotics that I'm on (don't even ask - all I can say is "Doctors, grrr.").
So that's 5 weeks lost to plague. I'm not happy about it.
This morning I'm functioning well enough brain-wise, but if other good days are anything to go by I'll be lucky if I still feel this way in 3 hours time.
Well, I'd better go put pen to paper while I'm feeling halfway alive.
February. (derisive) Hah!
Fricking bl**dy March already.
Grrr.
Anyone know a good snake-oil curative? I'm willing to try anything* at this stage.
[*well, okay, not anything, but most things - if it has a chance in Hades of clearing this vile pestilence.]
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Impatience.
As a writer, you will be feted and courted and asked to achieve the impossible ... the person asking this will promise various things.
The question is, if they then delay implementing those promises
(for example providing a contract for work they want you to do by such and such a date, on a deferred payment basis - - and then don't even send you the draft version of that contract for discussion / haggling / wrangling over until well after the date they really, really, really needed the script by - How long are you supposed to wait? Are you supposed to wait? At what stage are you allowed to disembowel them?)
... do you:
A) Throw a fit, then write the screenplay anyway, and then refuse to hand over the finished document until the contract is finalized, signed, and delivered?
B) Throw a fit and refuse to put pen to paper until they come forth with the contract - even though this will mean definitely missing the deadline?
C) Roll over and wipe yourself off, hand them the script without the contract in place, and then go and cry behind the rock you normally hide under?
D) None of the above.
E) GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*sigh*
I'll just go put pen to paper then.
Any grinding of teeth, or swearing, you hear over the next few weeks will be me. After that, if you hear a large explosion (as of a bomb, or a fire, or high velocity ammunition being fired) - It wasn't me! ... You are such a lovely, supportive person. Will you be my alibi? Pretty please?
*grinding of teeth* *muttering punctuated by prolific swearing*
Where's the alcohol?
UPDATE: 26 November 2009, I've just emailed the producer the soft version of the riot act. We'll see what happens. He may have a completely legitimate excuse?
... Yeah.
UPDATE: 29 November 2009. Hmm. Apparently the project is not a priority, he'll get back to me about contracts next year.
Well, that's that one shelved for now, then.
(If you're keeping score, the answer was option B.)
It's good to get these things clarified. I shall concentrate on one of my other projects instead.
*gentle simmer*
... and moving on.
The question is, if they then delay implementing those promises
(for example providing a contract for work they want you to do by such and such a date, on a deferred payment basis - - and then don't even send you the draft version of that contract for discussion / haggling / wrangling over until well after the date they really, really, really needed the script by - How long are you supposed to wait? Are you supposed to wait? At what stage are you allowed to disembowel them?)
... do you:
A) Throw a fit, then write the screenplay anyway, and then refuse to hand over the finished document until the contract is finalized, signed, and delivered?
B) Throw a fit and refuse to put pen to paper until they come forth with the contract - even though this will mean definitely missing the deadline?
C) Roll over and wipe yourself off, hand them the script without the contract in place, and then go and cry behind the rock you normally hide under?
D) None of the above.
E) GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*sigh*
I'll just go put pen to paper then.
Any grinding of teeth, or swearing, you hear over the next few weeks will be me. After that, if you hear a large explosion (as of a bomb, or a fire, or high velocity ammunition being fired) - It wasn't me! ... You are such a lovely, supportive person. Will you be my alibi? Pretty please?
*grinding of teeth* *muttering punctuated by prolific swearing*
Where's the alcohol?
UPDATE: 26 November 2009, I've just emailed the producer the soft version of the riot act. We'll see what happens. He may have a completely legitimate excuse?
... Yeah.
UPDATE: 29 November 2009. Hmm. Apparently the project is not a priority, he'll get back to me about contracts next year.
Well, that's that one shelved for now, then.
(If you're keeping score, the answer was option B.)
It's good to get these things clarified. I shall concentrate on one of my other projects instead.
*gentle simmer*
... and moving on.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Sad bast*rd.
I'm talking about me.
How many years has it been since I first saw the Welsh Whore and fell head-over-heels at first sight? Longer than I like to admit, 1994 ... when was that? Been a while.
And I haven't clapped eyes on him since 1998.
And now, I hear he's out and about again - - and my obession has switched itself from dull glow to fire on the hearth. Luckily it's not back up to full roar, but I guess that's only a matter of seeing his ugly mug again.
*SIGH*
Bollocks. I'm supposed to be writing and recouperating, not pining for someone I can never have. GRRR!!!
'Scuse my language, but FUCK!
What else has happened this month?
Oh yes, Producer No#1 is making encouraging noises about The Grim (A.K.A. The Legend of the Beast) again. :)
So, in the last few weeks:
* 2 books (full swing),
* the American Collaboration Rewrite (full swing),
* The Grim (peering at me from the darkest jungle),
* and the Welsh Whore is hogging all my thoughts.
I have to concentrate on writing.
Someone send me an "anti-love potion"? Please?
[UPDATE 21st November 2009: Thank you for the anti-love potion. :) Greatly appreciated!] *evil laughter*
How many years has it been since I first saw the Welsh Whore and fell head-over-heels at first sight? Longer than I like to admit, 1994 ... when was that? Been a while.
And I haven't clapped eyes on him since 1998.
And now, I hear he's out and about again - - and my obession has switched itself from dull glow to fire on the hearth. Luckily it's not back up to full roar, but I guess that's only a matter of seeing his ugly mug again.
*SIGH*
Bollocks. I'm supposed to be writing and recouperating, not pining for someone I can never have. GRRR!!!
'Scuse my language, but FUCK!
What else has happened this month?
Oh yes, Producer No#1 is making encouraging noises about The Grim (A.K.A. The Legend of the Beast) again. :)
So, in the last few weeks:
* 2 books (full swing),
* the American Collaboration Rewrite (full swing),
* The Grim (peering at me from the darkest jungle),
* and the Welsh Whore is hogging all my thoughts.
I have to concentrate on writing.
Someone send me an "anti-love potion"? Please?
[UPDATE 21st November 2009: Thank you for the anti-love potion. :) Greatly appreciated!] *evil laughter*
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Blinking vandals!!!
rduht [http://www.blogger.com/profile/01217890924368000924] has left linkspam all over my previous posts. ... Well okay, on one post. But I ain't happy.
Anyone know how to delete this shit?
It's worse than bl**dy seagulls crapping all over the place.
**********************************************************************************
[UPDATE]
It's okay, after I calmed down a bit I worked out how to stick his/her/its spam-covered behind permanently in the round file.
Sorted.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Anyone know how to delete this shit?
It's worse than bl**dy seagulls crapping all over the place.
**********************************************************************************
[UPDATE]
It's okay, after I calmed down a bit I worked out how to stick his/her/its spam-covered behind permanently in the round file.
Sorted.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Mountain or mole hill?
At what point do we stop worrying?
I suspect never. Afterall each rewrite brings something new, more polished, to the table.
Okay, so you've found your producer, they like it, they want to make it. They give you notes. You tweek accordingly. They appear happy. It's good. They vanish off to locate funding.
Which gives you time to think....
And on reflection you know the story can be better.
If you rip half the story out and start all over again, potentially the next version will knock your - and everyone elses - socks off. ... Or it might not.
The producer is happy with what is there. And there's no guarantee that the new version actually will be better. You might wind up destroying the certain something that attracted them to that particular story in the first place.
Bit of a tight rope to walk.
So you don't. You leave it. And you worry.
You really don't need to.
Either the film will be made, or lets face it - smoke and mirrors - won't be made. It's out of your hands.
Powerless.
All writers are control freaks. Let's face it, crafting a story - influencing your characters lives ... feels pretty close to being a divinity. Even if only in the world you've created.
Being powerless over the fate of your story => fear => worry.
We all go through that fire, that torment. Part of being a writer.
I think once the producer has said yes, they like it, they want to make it, ... I think you are allowed to stop worrying and move onto the next project. Relax, have an hour or two off, and then dive into the next story.
Fires of creation burn better and hotter than the cool fire of torment.
Have at it, says I. On to the next inferno! :)
I suspect never. Afterall each rewrite brings something new, more polished, to the table.
Okay, so you've found your producer, they like it, they want to make it. They give you notes. You tweek accordingly. They appear happy. It's good. They vanish off to locate funding.
Which gives you time to think....
And on reflection you know the story can be better.
If you rip half the story out and start all over again, potentially the next version will knock your - and everyone elses - socks off. ... Or it might not.
The producer is happy with what is there. And there's no guarantee that the new version actually will be better. You might wind up destroying the certain something that attracted them to that particular story in the first place.
Bit of a tight rope to walk.
So you don't. You leave it. And you worry.
You really don't need to.
Either the film will be made, or lets face it - smoke and mirrors - won't be made. It's out of your hands.
Powerless.
All writers are control freaks. Let's face it, crafting a story - influencing your characters lives ... feels pretty close to being a divinity. Even if only in the world you've created.
Being powerless over the fate of your story => fear => worry.
We all go through that fire, that torment. Part of being a writer.
I think once the producer has said yes, they like it, they want to make it, ... I think you are allowed to stop worrying and move onto the next project. Relax, have an hour or two off, and then dive into the next story.
Fires of creation burn better and hotter than the cool fire of torment.
Have at it, says I. On to the next inferno! :)
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Dead in the trenches...
;) Okay, so I ain't dead - but I may as well be for the amount of life that's speeding past full throttle while I waste my time on day to day crap.
Sooner I can reduce the hours I spend on the day job the better. - - Which means I need to be earning money from my writing so that I can afford to do that.
Which means I need to get the F*** on with it.
...
Apply bum to seat.
Start typing.
Keep typing.
*narrows eyes*
Right.
I'll do some more of that then.
Sooner I can reduce the hours I spend on the day job the better. - - Which means I need to be earning money from my writing so that I can afford to do that.
Which means I need to get the F*** on with it.
...
Apply bum to seat.
Start typing.
Keep typing.
*narrows eyes*
Right.
I'll do some more of that then.
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