a cat of impossible colour

Wedding snapshots

2012-01-29T14:17:00.004-06:00

Nothing captures the drama and romance of a wedding more than a bad, blurry iPhone picture. Right? Yes, definitely looking forward to seeing the official ones.

Sandhya and Gaurav's wedding!

2012-01-27T08:14:00.005-06:00

Sandhya and Gaurav have been wonderful friends since we arrived in Austin, and both LOML and I are so grateful to have them both in our lives. They got engaged last year, and are getting married tomorrow - so exciting I am lucky enough to be one of Sandhya's attendants (and LOML is one of Gaurav's), and I am so looking forward to being a part of their day. Congratulations to you both!

Last night was the mehendi, hence the henna - isn't it pretty?

The accidental tourists

2012-01-26T07:39:00.001-06:00

Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and words! My grandfather is doing much better.

I meant to post these pictures last week, but Life took over somewhat. LOML and I made an accidental trip to Llano, Texas with a couple of friends - we were intending to go to Fredericksburg, but the weather closed in and we had to divert to avoid the low cloud and rain. We spent about fifteen minutes in Llano airport (where we met a visiting Alaskan bush pilot - very exciting!), and then had to turn right around and come back to Georgetown, because the weather front was moving even faster than we had thought and it was heading straight for us. All in all, very exciting - but some rather green passengers, because of the high winds and bumpy descent into Georgetown! We were very thankful to be back on the ground. I've adjusted to flying in small planes, but there are still some rather hair-raising moments now and then. Luckily, I don't have all that much hair to raise.

Brown paper packages tied up with string

2012-01-25T12:09:00.002-06:00

That bit at the end of Back to the Future when Marty's father gets a box-load of his new novel has always stuck in my mind. I dreamed about the day when I would open my own box full of books, and how it would feel. Well, it feels pretty amazing! And my copies of The White Shadow arrived today. I'm so thrilled to see it in proper bookish form.

The Two Squirrels birthday celebration!

2012-01-24T12:37:00.004-06:00

I can't believe it has been a year already since Vanessa started the Two Squirrels blog, but it has! It has been a year of ups and downs - I hope that the coming months are full of sunshine for both of the squirrels.

To celebrate, Vanessa and Warren are giving away a pink birthday package ...

... and it looks absolutely amazing. To enter, head over to Two Squirrels and leave a comment on the birthday post!

Read the whole Two Squirrels story here: Parts One, Two and Three.

Update

2012-01-23T07:40:00.002-06:00

It has been a rough week - my grandfather is sick (you may remember him from this post, and others) and it has been a very difficult time for him, my grandmother and the rest of the family. We are waiting for some test results - but we're staying positive! I just might be absent for a few more days. Thank you so much for your kind words, everyone, and have a wonderful week.

The first review of The White Shadow ...

2012-01-19T07:36:00.002-06:00

... From Jess Haigh at For Books' Sake! Thank you, Jess.

You can read it here.

Popping in

2012-01-18T13:59:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone!

I might be away from the blog for a few days - there are a few things going on with family and work. But I will be back soon, probably with more unnecessary pictures of the cats. I hope you're having a wonderful week so far.

Someone else's words

2012-01-16T18:26:00.001-06:00

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

(Possibly said by Frank Outlaw, although there's some debate about this)

More gratuitous pictures of the cats

2012-01-14T12:51:00.001-06:00

Duncan Woods: my talented cousin!

2012-01-11T08:47:00.012-06:00

Good morning, everyone! I'd like to introduce you to my cousin - singer/songwriter, Duncan Woods.

Duncan grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, and left when the political troubles started to encroach on his family's life - a couple of years before we left. We spent a lot of time together as children and have always been very close, although we haven't seen each other for a few years now - those damn air fares! I really genuinely love his music, too, and am so proud of him for following his dream so fearlessly and striking out on his own path. I highly recommend downloading his album (details are below): it will make you smile.

When did you first start writing your own songs?

I actually started writing songs with a couple of friends from school when I was about 16. They were largely based around the life and death of a Zebra called "Zebby"; those early days writing ridiculous songs sparked my passion for songwriting which came later at about 18.

What inspires you - particularly when it comes to your lyrics?

Most of my lyrics are inspired by personal experience, and the conflicts of the soul that I experience day to day. I have felt that I can't comment on external issues until I've explored what makes me tick. In this album [Together on the Road] there are only two songs which aren't completely personal to me, but even they are, to an extent, inspired by personal experience. Only recently have I felt comfortable enough to start writing about the things I see happening around me, and subsequently my writing has changed a lot since the recording of my album, so it will be interesting to see how I would answer this question after my next release.

Do you have any heroes or role models in your field? Who are they, and why?

This is a difficult question, as I have so many that have influenced me and inspired me, but the two that spring right to my mind are Bob Marley, and Dallas Green (City and Colour). Bob Marley's message rings really clear with me, and the way that he lived has helped me to find so much meaning in music. Dallas Green is a Canadian singer/songwriter who is only now becoming very recognised. Dallas' songwriting is so true to himself that it helps me to understand myself better, and I think that's where his power as a songwriter lies. I think the hardest thing as a singer/songwriter is transferring your true thoughts and feelings into your music. Both of these artists have helped me to access that side of myself, and that is why they are heroes to me.

Can you describe your journey as a musician for us? What brought you to this point?

Busking and singing out of tune were some of my favourite activities when I was about 15, since then I had no qualms being in the spotlight. Once I was shown a few chords on a guitar it opened up a whole new world to me. I spent hours just playing the same chords over and over again while watching TV, and then it all just kept going from there. When I was in the UK backpacking with some friends I met the producer of the album by chance in a small pub. That is when things all got a bit more serious and I decided to return to the UK to start recording. While all this was happening I had started getting into live cover-gigs at restaurants and pubs. This is where I truly found my feet as a muso and really got the confidence to perform, as I was doing this twice and sometimes three times a week and supporting myself financially with my music. I'm now at a point where I want to expand on my own original songs and really try and explore different cities to get myself heard.

What was it like recording your first album?

Because we had literally unlimited access to the studio at no costs, it had the benefit of not feeling pressured to rush production along for fear of mounting costs, but it also caused the production process to be extremely slow, as we were putting off certain aspects of the process purely because we figured "next week will be better for vocals" or "my hand is sore from rock climbing let's record the guitar tracks tomorrow." Because of the slow process it meant that we were actually rushed to finish and were forced to cut some songs from the album which was disappointing. Aside from that the actual process was great, and working with Richard Dyer was a pleasure. We genuinely had a blast recording. Paired with recording my first album was the experience of living in the UK on my own. At times it was tough but I had the support of my grandparents which was invaluable. The whole process was a huge learning curve but overall it has helped me to realise my passion, and for that I am so grateful.

Duncan's first release: Together on the Road.

How has the response been so far?

The album launch itself was a really great night. Since then I've had some genuinely positive feedback from some unexpected sources which is really encouraging. I've yet to send a bulk order to my producer who has a list of UK fans from his local city of Portsmouth, so it will be interesting to see how it is received in the UK compared to here in Australia.

Where can people purchase your album?

The album is available for download from most of the main online retailers (Amazon, iTunes, Napster, Last.fm, Rhapsody and CDBaby.net) It is also available for download on my Facebook page.

Unfortunately hard copies are not yet available online - these can only be bought at my live gigs. However, if the demand increases then I will certainly be making them available to be posted internationally!

Any live gigs coming up?

I will be performing a 45-minute slot on the internet radio station "Indie Showcase" (which is in partnership with AwesomeRadio.net) on the 15th of January. This will be streamed live to air internationally, and will also be available via podcast on my Facebook page.

Following that, I am planning on booking a string of live shows in Sydney through March, and then in Melbourne during April and May with my band.

Someone else's words

2012-01-10T02:29:00.001-06:00

"I’d write a first draft that was maybe twice as long as it should be, with a self-indulgent and boring beginning, stupefying descriptions [...] and no ending to speak of. The whole thing would be so long and incoherent and hideous that for the rest of the day I’d obsess about getting creamed by a car before I could write a decent second draft. I’d worry that people would read what I’d written and believe that the accident had really been a suicide, that I had panicked because my talent was waning and my mind was shot." - Anne Lamott

News from Two Squirrels

2012-01-09T06:55:00.000-06:00

From the Two Squirrels blog:

"To all the squirrel lovers out there, we would like to anounce with a heavy heart but at the same time excitement, that we will be closing the pop-up shop at the 'nest' on the 5th of February 2012. And we will open our online store in early March.

It has become increasingly more complicated trading from a residential premises regarding insurance and consents. So if you haven't been to the nest you have until the 5th Feb! Please could you share this post so no one will miss out! Thank you for all your support and we look forward to the Online Squirrels experience!

Vanessa & Warren xx"

And if you've missed it, catch up with the whole Two Squirrels story here: Parts One, Two and Three.

Cardio vs strength

2012-01-08T07:55:00.000-06:00

I have become one of those people who goes to the gym every day. It is bizarre, and I love it. It has actually helped hugely with my work, as well - I have more energy, more clarity and more drive. Who knew? All right, everyone except me knew. But still. It's good.

It has also made me think about writing in terms of exercise. Some days are cardio days, where you power ahead and log big numbers, making steady and measurable progress and going the distance. Some days are strength days; they are hard. They tear at your muscles. They break you down; they hurt; they force you to rebuild, recover and refocus. Writing-wise, this week has been a week of strength training for me. Thank you so much to everyone who sent me words of support and encouragement this week - they helped more than you can know! And I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend.

Stephenville

2012-01-05T19:09:00.001-06:00

On the weekend, LOML and I flew out to Stephenville for barbecue. We're becoming barbecue connoisseurs now ... particularly when it comes to the virtues of moist brisket!

Anjolee review

2012-01-04T16:06:00.002-06:00

I’m not a big jewellery wearer. I have a few necklaces – costume jewellery, mostly – and I wear a lot of brooches and pins, but I’ve never hung over a jewellery case salivating over a diamond bracelet. Owning something expensive and shiny would just make me anxious, I thought. My engagement and wedding rings are stressful enough (although I love them!) and I live in fear of dropping them down a plughole or somehow dematerializing them into the Dungeon Dimensions (I read a lot of Terry Pratchett). And so, in my quest to be a proper grown-up, I jumped at the chance to review a real, grown-up diamond necklace from Anjolee.

It was fun playing with the customizing features on the website and designing a necklace that I wanted, colours and all. And chain length, which I really liked – it bugs me when a pendant sits at just the wrong place. I ended by choosing the round gemstone and diamond pendant, with a garnet at the centre. I wore it out to a New Year’s Day dinner with our friends Theresa and Mike and their new baby, Marshall, and I loved it.

As well as pendants, Anjolee also sells tennis necklaces. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t even know what a tennis necklace was (apart from the fact that they come as bracelets, as well), so I looked it up, and found this:

“The origin of the term “tennis bracelet” harks back to when renowned tennis champ, Chris Evert, lost her diamond bracelet in the middle of a tennis match. The clasp of the George Bedewi designer bracelet simply snapped, causing the expensive piece of jewelry to fall to the ground. Evert turned to the officials and requested that they stop the game until the precious inline diamond bracelet was found – and hence the term “tennis bracelet” was born.”

Did you know that? I didn’t. This sounds like one of those apocryphal stories made up after the fact, but quite a few different sources cite it – it may well be true! I always assumed it had something to do with the interlinked gems looking like a tennis net or the frets of a racket – or perhaps because the flexibility of the design made it possible to wear it while playing sports? Clearly I have thought too much about this. And, clearly, I need to buy a tennis necklace. Just for the story.

Thanks so much for letting me wear one of your diamond necklaces, Anjolee – I felt very sophisticated!

(And took it off very carefully and put it away as soon as I got home, because I don’t trust myself not to lose it).

Christmas!

2012-01-04T07:17:00.000-06:00

Mink hates Christmas. We haven't figured out why, but it's the one day of the year (apart from when he senses he's going to the V-E-T) that he spends completely hidden, squished in behind the water heater. Perhaps he hates the sound of crinkling wrapping paper? Or the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire - not that we do that in our apartment? I think it's the air of general jollity and merriment that offends him. Mink is a complex animal, emotionally, with a dark and tortured soul. Bah, humbug.

Anyway, despite the absence of Mink, we had a wonderful Christmas day - and Mo made up for his lack of festive spirit.

Chuck Wendig: 25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing

2012-01-03T08:30:00.003-06:00

If you read just one article on writing to start your New Year off with a bang, read this one. I love Chuck Wendig, and this is possibly my favourite post that he has written. Some gems:

"Right here is your story. Your manuscript. Your career. So why the fuck are you running in the other direction? Your writing will never chase you — you need to chase your writing. If it’s what you want, then pursue it. This isn’t just true of your overall writing career, either. It’s true of individual components. You want one thing but then constantly work to achieve its opposite. You say you want to write a novel but then go and write a bunch of short stories. You say you’re going to write This script but then try to write That script instead. Pick a thing and work toward that thing."

"Momentum is everything. Cut the brake lines. Careen wildly and unsteadily toward your goal. I hate to bludgeon you about the head and neck with a hammer forged in the volcanic fires of Mount Obvious, but the only way you can finish something is by not stopping."

"The rise of self-publishing has seen a comparative surge forward in quantity. As if we’re all rushing forward to squat out as huge a litter of squalling word-babies as our fragile penmonkey uteruses (uteri?) can handle. Stories are like wine; they need time. So take the time. This isn’t a hot dog eating contest. You’re not being judged on how much you write but rather, how well you do it."

"You don’t get to be a proper storyteller by putting it so far down your list it’s nestled between “Complete the Iditarod (but with squirrels instead of dogs)” and “Two words: Merkin, Macrame.” You want to do this shit, it better be some Top Five Shiznit, son. You know you’re a writer because it’s not just what you do, but rather, it’s who you are. So why deprioritize that thing which forms part of your very identity."

"The mind is the writer’s best weapon. It is equal parts bullwhip, sniper rifle, and stiletto. If you treat your body like it’s the sticky concrete floor in a porno theater (that’s not a spilled milkshake) then all you’re doing is dulling your most powerful weapon. The body fuels the mind. It should be “crap out,” not “crap in.” Stop bloating your body with awfulness. Eat well. Exercise. Elsewise you’ll find your bullwhip’s tied in knots, your stiletto’s so dull it couldn’t cut through a glob of canned pumpkin, and someone left peanut-butter-and-jelly in the barrel of your sniper rifle."

"Writers are often ashamed at who they are and what they do. Other people are out there fighting wars and fixing cars and destroying our country with poisonous loans — and here we are, sitting around in our footy-pajamas, writing about vampires and unicorns, about broken hearts and shattered jaws. A lot of the time we won’t get much respect, but you know what? Fuck that. Take the respect. Writers and storytellers help make this world go around. We’re just as much a part of the societal ecosystem as anybody else. Craft counts. Art matters. Stories are important. Freeze-frame high-five. Now have a beer and a shot of whisky and shove all your shame in a bag and burn it."

Goodbye, 2011!

2012-01-02T05:41:00.001-06:00

I have a bloggy tradition of posting a round-up of the year's major events at the end of the year. Thank you so much for your comments, support and friendship over the past year!

The biggest event of my year - and the biggest event of 2011 for many people - was the devastating Christchurch earthquake in February that killed and injured so many people and caused such a huge amount of damage (and aftershocks). I am so thankful that our family and friends are safe - we were very, very lucky. Christchurch is doing an amazing job of recovering, but there is a very long road ahead. All we can do from over here is support everyone as best we can, both emotionally and financially. You can donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal here.

We started our year in Times Square in New York - it was an amazing experience and a great start to a very exciting 2011!

My first novel, The Cry of the Go-Away Bird, was released, and I went over to the UK to promote it. I did my very first radio interviews and my very first readings, and had a tiny nervous breakdown (not my very first). It was so much fun - and lovely to see our family over there, too. Thank you so much to everyone who bought a copy of the book - I so appreciate it.

I sold my second novel, The White Shadow (I say 'I,' but really it was my amazing agent, Vivien Green of Sheil Land. She is a superhero). The rest of the year was largely given over to revising and editing The White Shadow ready for publication this year! It is so lovely working with the team at Harvill Secker again.

LOML and I visited New Zealand and spent time with our family and friends.

My gorgeous friends Sandhya and Gaurav got engaged! I went to Miami, Florida to celebrate Sandhya's bachelorette weekend.

We experienced our first American Fourth of July - and our first rodeo!

LOML got his private pilot's licence! So proud of him. We have had a wonderful time exploring Texas from the air. In less exciting news, I got my Texas driver's licence, which was a big step for me (but not as cool as flying a plane).

We acquired a tiny Mo. After some initial suspicion, Mink was very pleased with this new development.

And so were we! I can't imagine life without her.

We had an array of overseas visitors and had a fantastic time showing them around Austin! LOML's parents were first (from NZ), then my grandparents (from the UK), two of our cousins from Northern Ireland, and our close friends Christina and Scott (from NZ).

And we welcomed two beautiful babies into the world - our second nephew, Charlie, and Theresa and Mike's beautiful baby, Marshall!

It has been an amazing year, and I am hugely excited to see what 2012 will bring. Happy New Year, everyone!

Other people's words

2011-12-30T08:50:00.000-06:00

"Go to where the silence is and say something." - Amy Goodman.

A great start to the day ...

2011-12-29T09:38:00.002-06:00

... Waking up and hearing that The Cry of the Go-Away Bird was listed as one of the best 100 books of 2011 by The Listener!

THE CRY OF THE GO-AWAY BIRD, by Andrea Eames (Harvill Secker, $37.99). Eames shies away from neither the shortcomings of the whites – including her narrator – nor the actions of the blacks attacking them in this wonderful evocation of early 2000s Zimbabwe through the eyes of a teenage girl living on a farm with her mother and stepfather. What really makes the novel is Eames’s striking descriptive language and acute attention to detail.

Wow! Thank you!

You can see the rest of the list here. I really want to read The Stranger's Child.

The Relaxed Writer's guide to setting New Year's writing goals

2011-12-28T19:34:00.000-06:00

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."- Epictetus

I've been working on some goals for the coming year. I hear this is a fairly common exercise at this time ... they're called resolutions, or something. So, not enormously original of me, but there you go. I found this exercise, from The Relaxed Writer, really helpful - I tend to focus on the negative (what I DON'T want). Not the best mindset, but here you can make it work for you, and achieve something useful. It's a ten-minute exercise, and I really recommend it. Michael Losier calls this exercise "Clarity Through Contrast."

"Here's how it works.

1. Take a sheet of clean paper and draw a vertical line down the middle to create two columns.

2. Label the sheet, "My Writing Life"

3. Fold the page in half.

4. Set a timer for 10 minutes. On the left-hand side, as quickly as you can, list exactly what you DON'T want your writing life to look like in the coming year.

For instance:

I don't want...

"to not have a place to write"
"to struggle to find time for my writing"
"to be so isolated"
"to keep postponing developing story ideas"

5. Keep going until the timer chimes or you've completely exhausted all possibilities. If you feel uncomfortable with all the negative statements you're making, please be patient and stick with me. Emotionally connecting to your goals will help you achieve them. (I see this time and again in my private coaching practice.) The more you can allow yourself to really feel, see and experience what you don't want, the easier you'll be able to connect with what you do want.

Please try not to edit yourself as you do this exercise. Redundancy is fine--even instructive! In this step and the next, pay attention to the themes and variations you lay out on the page. Notice where you concentrate your attention. Notice which topics appear again and again and again in different forms. If you pay close attention, the repetition will show you where you've been stuck.

6. Next, unfold the page. Use each bullet point in the left-hand column as a writing prompt. You're going to discover what you DO want by writing a specific, clear intention for yourself. How? Just rewrite each negative statement in the left-hand column into a positive one.
For instance:

I want...

"to have a dedicated space to write"
"to create a consistent, sustainable writing schedule"
"to refresh my network with new colleagues and writing peers"
"to send X new queries each week"
Voila! You've got marching orders for the new year--a perfect starting point to help you make good decisions and take the steps necessary to clear your internal and external environment of unneeded clutter.

Enjoy the process."

From Marla's website:

Marla Beck coaches mid-career literary and freelance writers to finish their books and create more fulfilling creative and professional writing careers. Check out her free resources for writers here and read The Relaxed Writer here.

As a very un-relaxed writer, I visit it often and find it hugely helpful!

A holiday classic

2011-12-24T15:40:00.003-06:00

I know I've already posted a Christmas message, but I thought I should introduce you to a new family tradition that LOML and I have started - watching the He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special. We saw it for the second time today (at the Cartoon Cereal Party at the Alamo Drafthouse, where we consumed large amounts of sugary cereal and watched '80s and early '90s classics), and it loses none of its lustre the second time around. Seriously. This is life-changing stuff. It's available on Hulu, but I have also embedded the Youtube videos for those of you who can't access it there. Marvel at the dreadful Christmas song, the bizarre character reactions, the really odd choice of voice actors, the scintillating dialogue and the Beast Monster - so good they named it twice.

You're welcome.

(Also, I always mishear the villain's name as Pork Rind).

Merry Christmas, y'all!

2011-12-24T09:35:00.001-06:00

Another bloody earthquake in Christchurch

2011-12-22T20:01:00.002-06:00

Looks like it was a 5.8 this time. We've managed to get hold of most of our family and friends - so far so good - but I know that many people are still waiting to hear. Take care, everyone! We're thinking of you! Please let us know if you read this and you are safe.

The lead-up to Christmas

2011-12-22T13:08:00.000-06:00

Not long now ... and everyone in our household is very excited!

Philippe Starck on Creativity

2011-12-21T13:16:00.002-06:00

I'm sure this article has crossed your radar already - it's definitely worth reading (although there's some dissent in the comments!). Some gems:

"Creativity is almost a mortal sickness. It’s not easy to be happy and creative: With creativity comes great anxiety, great effort, great desire for love. To be creative, you have to be curious, generous, to want to try to understand."

"My inspiration comes from the existence of my life. I try to understand my mistakes. I try to understand why I do that. I try to understand how I can avoid doing that in future."

"If you are truly creative, it’s not possible to stop creating, even for a moment. Even though sometimes I wish I could. It’s a continuous process."

Did anyone else watch that reality show where Starck mentored young British designers?

Titles are hard

2011-12-20T18:13:00.003-06:00

They really are. I am dreadful at choosing a title - it takes me forever to settle on something descriptive and evocative without being cheesy or too vague. These ideas from Daily Writing Tips, posted on 16 December, are a great way to kick-start the process.

"Picking a title can often be the hardest part of a writing project. Sometimes the title just comes to you, but more often than not, you have to put quite a bit of work into finding just the right one. You may even have to sift through several titles before you find one that sits well with you. Here are a few suggestions to try:

1. Mad Libs
Think of a couple adjectives, nouns and verbs that describe your story. Write them all down on a sheet of paper and combine them into different phrases. Sometimes you can pick up on a title that works.

2. Pick a Part
Look for an important turning point in your novel or just focus on the climax. Describe this event on paper. Pick out the words or phrases that stand out to you in your description. Mix and match these words to see what works for you.

3. Live by Example
Pick out novels or short stories that run in the same genre as your project. Study the titles and how they relate to the story as a whole. Then, look at your project as a whole. Think of the theme or overall message of your book. Write down some words that go along with your theme and work them to see if you can find a fitting title.

4. Go for the Obscure
Avoid the obvious “The” titles like “The Pink Slipper” or “The Brown Dog.” Look for slight recurring themes or undercurrents in your novel and try naming your novel after those subtle nuances. JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is a genius with titles. The titles, especially the Half-Blood Prince, all highlight under-riding themes that later play a large role in the series as a whole.

5. Appeal to the Higher
Poets usually have a way of weaving words in a beautiful tapestry of art that put prose writers to shame. Read some famous poetry and write down words and phrases that stick out to you. Song lyrics often have the same effect. You can find some powerful titles by mixing, matching and combining words from powerful lyrics.

6. A Writer’s Best Friend
Consult your thesaurus and look up synonyms for commonly occurring words in your novel. Write down as many synonyms as you can to try and get a fresh point of view on an event in your novel. Look up these synonyms in the dictionary to get a better understanding of their meaning. Use different words in context to find a combination that you like.

7. Super Easy Way
Type “title generator” into Google and see what pops up. There are several websites that will either have you type in a couple descriptive words and scramble them for you or they’ll just generate some random titles for a variety of genres. Some, like guywiththecoat.com, just generate extremely random and funny titles. Mostly, these titles are just good for a laugh, like “Pants Ride the Bus,” but you may actually be able to find something that works with your project."

Other people's words

2011-12-19T13:44:00.003-06:00

"Every day I must prove to myself I am a writer. The knowledge goes away in my sleep. What I wrote yesterday was paltry, meagre, so flawed it is barely anything. Or, if it is good, I am no longer the person who could write it. In either case - shame or approval - it is utterly separate from me, that piece of writing, as if a skin formed on it like the skin on pudding when it chills, a thin, rubbery, albumenlike skin separating it from me. I am insufficient again. And every day I must reach down into myself and see if the place that makes writing exists." - Bonnie Friedman, Writing Past Dark.

Two Squirrels and Frankie

2011-12-19T09:48:00.004-06:00

Vanessa and Warren of Two Squirrels were featured in Spaces, a special edition of Frankie magazine, just months before their shop was destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake. I have a copy of Spaces on my coffee table, and it is bittersweet to leaf through and see the gorgeous images of a place that no longer exists. Frankie is still supporting them, though, and has just published an article about Vanessa and Warren's new venture online. You can read it here.

And - more exciting news! Soon, Two Squirrels will be online as well. Good news for those of us who aren't within driving distance of New Zealand!

Follow their blog to stay abreast of these new events.

So many black cats!

2011-12-18T09:28:00.004-06:00

For a moment I wondered what was going on here - Mink managed to clone himself? But it turns out that these cats were auditioning for a Hollywood movie in 1961.

Via the lovely Freelancer's Fashionblog.

Other people's words

2011-12-18T08:44:00.001-06:00

“Don’t forget, a great impression of simplicity can only be achieved by great agony of body and spirit.” - The Red Shoes (1948)

A Very Mullord Christmas

2011-12-15T20:38:00.005-06:00

My best friend, Ally Mullord, writes a hilarious column for New Zealand's 3 News website. In the spirit of the season, I thought I would share her recent articles on preparing for the Christmas holiday. Because who doesn't like to read about butt towels on a Friday morning?

Christmas Gift Guide Part One

"With less than a fortnight until Christmas, chances are all the presents will be bought and wrapped and stuck under the tree - unless you’re like me, in which case you haven’t bought a single present and are definitely in need of last-minute present ideas.

Today we will cover short-notice presents for pretty much anyone, and a few things which might seem like good gift ideas but generally aren’t. Tomorrow: finding the perfect item for that hard-to-buy-for person."

Read more

Part Two: Bird Baths and Butt Towels - Christmas gifts for the person who has everything

"It's hard to find the perfect Christmas present.

It's even harder when the person you're buying for has very broad tastes, already seems to own everything they might need, or is a distant relative you don't know well. Luckily, Part Two of our Christmas Gift Guide will spear-tackle your gift dilemmas."

Read more

Christmas Safety Guide - Decking the Halls with Care

"Christmas is really dangerous. Did you realise how dangerous Christmas is? I did not. For example, every year several people injure themselves on the turkey. Not carving the turkey or cooking the turkey – just on it. “Maude! Call the ambulance, the wing’s stuck in my ear!”

I suppose this is a Christmas safety article."

Read more

Born in the wrong era

2011-12-15T19:08:00.003-06:00

I've posted one of these before ... and here is yet more proof that I need to get back to the 1920s, somehow. (Via Dear Golden).

New dresses at Two Squirrels!

2011-12-14T19:07:00.000-06:00

If you haven't already, you need to head down to Two Squirrels and see what treasures Vanessa has in store at the moment! (There are even a couple from Austin).

Stay tuned to the Two Squirrels blog for details and their holiday hours.

Phew!

2011-12-13T10:37:00.002-06:00

Getting back into a solid routine (after all our overseas guests) and surviving the holiday season mean that I'm on a short hiatus. See you soon!

Gratuitous Mo

2011-12-09T12:08:00.000-06:00

Odds and ends

2011-12-08T06:09:00.001-06:00

Christina and Scott left yesterday, and we miss them already! The house feels a bit empty (despite Mink and Mo's best efforts). We had such a wonderful time, though - here are a few odd pictures from their trip that didn't make it into earlier blog posts.

(And one of Mo for good measure).

Nights out in Austin

2011-12-06T09:05:00.001-06:00

Setting up the Christmas tree (with help from Mo and a terrible camera flash)

2011-12-05T07:38:00.000-06:00

Brenham and Blue Bell

2011-12-04T11:00:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, LOML flew us all to Brenham to visit the '50s-styled airport diner and the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory (yum). The flight was wonderful, both ways, but the ice cream was a definite highlight. No Oompa-Loompas, but a certain Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory feel to the whole thing. Fostered some brand loyalty there, Blue Bell - good job. The spiced pumpkin flavour was my favourite ... it's only available during the holidays, though, so make the most of it while it's here.

Jingle Bell 5k Run for MADD

2011-12-03T17:55:00.004-06:00

Hi y'all!

I meant to write about this earlier - what is it about December and the holiday season in general that evaporates your time? Anyway, LOML and I are running a charity 5k tomorrow morning (Sunday 4 December) in the Domain here in Austin, benefitting Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). It's a cause I have a very strong personal interest in, as my father was killed by a drunk driver, and I'm so glad that we can help support it. Registration opens at 7am ($30 or $25, depending on whether you want to be timed or not), and the run starts at 8:30am outside Starbucks.

So, if you'd like to run, or to come and watch red-faced and puffing Austinites stumble about (that will probably just be me), you are very welcome. If you're not running, you can donate your money or your time to the cause; volunteers simply need to contact Tatum Brown (tatum.brown@madd.org), and you can donate here.

See you there!

Marble Falls: The Walkway of Lights

2011-12-02T06:40:00.001-06:00

The Christmas season has arrived with a resounding chorus of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You (which is blasted through our bedroom window most nights ... those high notes are painful). We started our festivities with a trip to the town of Marble Falls to see their Walkway of Lights along the river. So pretty! Our friends Theresa and Mike invited us and, after exploring the walkway and getting rather cold, we went to the Blue Bonnet Cafe and had the best pies we've ever tasted. Seriously.

The proofs are here!

2011-11-28T07:39:00.001-06:00

The uncorrected proof copies of The White Shadow arrived on Saturday! It's always such an exciting moment to see them in bookish form.

(A couple of people have asked - yes, the cover will change for the final book. You can see the final cover in the left-hand sidebar!)

Clearly this called for a celebratory burger.

Global Giving Challenge

2011-11-27T07:45:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to remind you about the Global Giving Challenge, run by the Zimbabwe Educational Trust, that aims to raise 2,000 pounds in a month to provide 40 Bulawayo orphans with legal help to get them enrolled in schools. Read more here, and find out about the founder of ZET below!

“My name is Vulindlela Mkandla. I grew up in Zimbabwe without my mother, who died when I was eight years old. After this, I helped my maternal grandmother to look after my younger sister and brothers as my father, who was a minister, had to go away for weeks at a time.

I worked hard at school. At the end of primary school I came top of my class in the exam, and was accepted at Goromonzi Secondary School, a government-run school for high achievers that allowed me to fulfil my potential.

As a young man I trained as a primary school teacher and worked for the Ministry of Education, and was appointed as Head Teacher, and then District Manager of Church Schools.

Eventually I was offered a place on an Educational Administration course in the UK. However, Ian Smith’s government was campaigning for independence at the time and I was refused study leave. I had to resign to travel to England.

After Zimbabwe achieved its independence in 1980, there was an explosion in the number of children attaining the secondary level of education. But many of these children, particularly those from disadvantaged family backgrounds, were unable to proceed to higher education, regardless of their potential. This inequality, together with a recognition that the new government could only go so far to satisfy the educational needs of its citizens, inspired me to set up ZET.

I believe that every child matters and that much is expected from those to whom much has been given. I believe that not only should we do no harm, and do as we would be done by, but we must do what is right. Children are a nation's future. They need education for a better chance in life, especially in Zimbabwe when there are so many challenges they will face in the future.”

- Vuli Mkandla, November 2011

Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T14:40:00.003-06:00

We got to share Christina and Scott's very first Thanksgiving with them - we celebrated with a feast at McCormick and Schmick's, followed by an epic nap (in my case) and then midnight Black Friday shopping, just to get the full American experience.

I hope you all had a wonderful day!

Happy holidays! (Y'all)

2011-11-23T22:44:00.004-06:00

Our friends, Christina and Scott, are here from New Zealand for a couple of weeks - we're thrilled! We've been sightseeing for the past couple of days, and tomorrow we're celebrating Thanksgiving together. Have a wonderful day, everyone, however you're spending it, and I'll see you soon.

Misspelling at the train station.

Christina and Scott.

Squirrel!

Public Service Announcement.

Fran's Diner.

Our table at Magnolia Cafe.

A note on the wall at Big Top Soda Shop.
Inside Allen's Boots.

Zimbabwe Educational Trust

2011-11-19T08:28:00.005-06:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know about an amazing opportunity to make a difference. From Monday 21st November onwards, the Zimbabwe Educational Trust is running a Global Giving Challenge that aims to raise 2,000 pounds in a month to provide 40 Bulawayo orphans with legal help to get them enrolled in schools.

"Zimbabwe Educational Trust works with local partners in Zimbabwe to raise awareness and provide vulnerable communities with the facilities, funding and support they need to get children into school and out of poverty.

Between 21st November and 21st December we are taking part in a fundraising challenge with GlobalGivingUK. We aim to raise £2,000 in a month, which will pay for 40 orphans in Bulawayo to receive legal help in overcoming barriers to education.

Without a simple thing like a birth certificate, children who have already lost their parents stand to lose a lot more. Birth certificates are needed to enrol at school, enter exams, and access the inheritance and benefits these children need to escape poverty. But getting a birth certificate is not an easy task in a country disrupted by economic collapse and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and where traditional views on women’s rights continue to pose challenges.

For just £30, our team of solicitors can help an orphaned child locate their parental records, gather witnesses, and be given the birth certificate that allows them to live a better life."

It's such a worthwhile effort and will make such a huge and tangible difference. The Global Giving project will be live on Monday - if you are able to donate anything at all, I know it would be so helpful.

Their online shop is also a great place to find unusual Christmas presents, and 20% of what you spend goes directly to Zimbabwe.

Good luck, Diya! (And Tess event)

2011-11-18T08:49:00.006-06:00

Diya in the Marie Claire closet.

Local fashion blogger and UT student, Diya Liu, is one of the finalists competing in the Marie Claire Front Row Challenge for an internship at the magazine. Impressive stuff - to be one of four finalists whittled down from the thousands who applied! (Find out more here.) As part of her assessment, Diya produced and styled a runway show at Mohawk last night. Such a huge undertaking, and she did a wonderful job!

I really hope that Diya wins. Quite apart from the fact that she is a lovely person and a great stylist, it would be wonderful to see someone from outside the world of fashion take on an internship like this (Diya is an engineer). Best of luck!

Cathy and I made the most of our standing-room-only position in the crowd.

Marie Claire style editor, Zanna Roberts, opening the show.

And, if you're free tonight, Tess Designs and Sikara Jewelry are having an exclusive meet-the-designers evening on 2nd Street (complete with local wines and cheeses).

Lunch meeting

2011-11-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

Nothing nicer than a cup of soup on a cold day downtown!

Other people's words

2011-11-16T17:08:00.002-06:00

"If fiction has a main theme, a primary character, an occupation, a methodology, a criterion, a standard, a purpose (is there anything left for fiction to have?), it would be time itself. One basic meaning of narrative, then: to create time where there was none. A fiction writer who tells stories is a maker of time." - Ben Marcus

A paw

2011-11-15T21:25:00.001-06:00

Busy week! Mo wanted to say hello, though.

Here we go again

2011-11-12T10:16:00.003-06:00

I follow a pattern when it comes to writing novels. I power ahead and write pretty much an entire first draft, then re-read it and think, "Ah. That's what I was really trying to say." Then I discard about four-fifths of all the work I have done, completely change direction and re-do the whole thing. The good part - or the irritating part, depending on how I'm feeling that day - is that I couldn't get to this clearer and better point without all those thousands and thousands of words of meandering and preamble. I wish I could, but it doesn't seem to be the way I work.

That is why I have decided to call my first draft a 'discovery' draft from now on. It is much more encouraging.

(And I'm at that point again now).

Bits and bobs

2011-11-10T08:10:00.000-06:00

Our cousins are leaving tomorrow - we're really going to miss them! We've had such a wonderful time showing them around Austin. Still, we have a lot of great memories to enjoy - and a lot of great photos. Here are a few strays from various events of the past couple of weeks ...

Exploring South Congress

2011-11-09T07:42:00.000-06:00

Any excuse to wander around my favourite part of Austin! And even better when I can take overseas visitors along.

'The White Shadow' cover!

2011-11-08T17:14:00.003-06:00

The cover is confirmed! And I love it. I'm so fortunate to have such beautiful cover art (on The Cry of the Go-Away Bird, too) - the designers are amazing.

From the back cover:

'Look after your sister, Tinashe.'

Tinashe is a young Shona boy living in a small village in rural Rhodesia. The guerilla war of the late 1960s haunts the bushlands, but it only infrequently affects his quiet life; school, swimming in the river, playing with the other kids on the kopje. When his younger sister, Hazvinei, is born, Tinashe knows at once that there is something special about her. Their life in the village, once disturbed only by the occasional visits of his successful uncle and city cousin, Abel, now becomes entangled with the dual forces of the Shona spirit world and the political turmoil of the nation. As Tinashe, Hazvinei and Abel grow older, their destinies entangle in ways they never expected. Tinashe is prepared to follow his sister anywhere - but how far can he go to keep her safe when the forces threatening her are so much darker and more sinister than he suspected?

Andrea Eames weaves together folklore and suspense in this compelling tale of a boy struggling to do the right thing in an unpredictable world.

It will be coming out in February next year!

Tess Holiday Collection 2011

2011-11-08T08:25:00.003-06:00

I can't believe it's November. Of course, I couldn't believe it was August, September or October, either - these last few months seem to have crept up on me (and clubbed me over the head and stolen my wallet). Anyway, this means that the holidays are nearly here and Christmas craziness is going to start any day now - if it hasn't already.

Theresa has released the Tess Holiday Collection - ready for all those festive parties - and she has asked three Austin stylists for their ideas on accessorizing the cocktail dresses for different occasions.

Read the full post here.

Austin nights

2011-11-07T21:12:00.000-06:00

We've tried to showcase the best of Austin over the last few nights: a show at Esther's Follies; a sing-along at Pete's Duelling Piano Bar; a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse; and a night of country dancing at The Broken Spoke.

Longhorns vs Texas Tech

2011-11-06T12:19:00.008-06:00

Our very first live football game! I'm sure this is routine to everyone else in the States, but for us it was just like being in the movies. So much fun. The pictures speak for themselves, pretty much.

(Well, this one does need a little explanation - it was very windy, and a napkin blew along the stands onto Louise's head).

Mink and Mo

2011-11-04T07:38:00.002-06:00

(This last photo was taken by LOML in the middle of the night, but it captures the "What?" expressions of the kitties).

Other people's words

2011-11-03T06:16:00.002-06:00

"And “backup plan” is code for, “Give up on your dreams,” and everyone I know who put any energy into a backup plan is now living that backup plan instead of their dream. Put all your energy into your dream. That’s the only way it will ever become real."

- Laini Taylor, my personal heroine (read the whole post here).

"Ever since happiness heard your name,
It has been running through the streets
Trying to find you."

-Hafiz

Post-earthquake - Cashel Mall

2011-11-01T12:43:00.005-06:00

Vanessa and Warren from Two Squirrels Vintage visited Christchurch's CBD this weekend to see the sites of their destroyed shops and support the current Cashel Mall Restart programme. It's hard to believe that the city has changed so much in such a short time.

Vanessa visits their former premises - one entirely demolished, the other cordoned off and condemned.

These 'before and after' photographs were doing the rounds via email recently - it is so hard to imagine the once-bustling Cashel Mall, full of shops and cafes, reduced to a flat swathe of dust.

Temporary container stores have opened in Cashel Mall this week in an attempt to boost local retailers affected by the earthquake (and give everyone a much-needed lift!). From a Stuff news article:

Built out of shipping containers, the precinct is home to more than 20 shops and represents a new beginning for Christchurch's quake-ravaged CBD.

An excited mayor Bob Parker told the thousands who gathered yesterday for the official opening of the precinct that it was a "genesis moment".

"This marks the beginning of our city making the most extraordinary comeback," he said.

The central city hasn't been open to the public for very long, but soon bus tours will give Christchurch residents the chance to see their quake-ravaged centre up close. I find it so hard to imagine. When LOML and I went back after the February earthquake the city was still cordoned off, and we could only see the damage from a distance ... and smell the rotting food from the abandoned restaurants. The place was a ghost town. It's so good to see something positive happening there.

Hallowe'en

2011-11-01T12:21:00.003-06:00

It was our cousins' very first Halloween in America, and they were eager to experience everything - so we dressed up and headed over to our best friends Sandhya and Gaurav's place to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. We also ate rather a lot of the candy ourselves, of course.

The Irish contingent

2011-10-31T08:50:00.002-06:00

Our cousins from Northern Ireland are visiting for a couple of weeks, and we're having great fun showing them around!

We even took them to an Irish bar - you know, so they would feel at home. (Just kidding. The last thing they want to do is go to an Irish bar. But we could see one from where we were sitting outside Halcyon on 4th Street.)

I received my copy-editing queries at the end of last week and they are due on Wednesday, so it's head-down, bum-up for me again over the next couple of days. Wish me luck!

Weekend Sale!

2011-10-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm trying to clear some space at home, so to get rid of the vintage sitting in my Etsy store I have created a coupon code to give blog readers 15% off! I only have shipping prices for the US listed, because I'd prefer to ship just within the country (our local post office is dire), but if you really want something and live overseas, just message me on Etsy and I'll see what I can do.

Coupon code: enter IMPOSSIBLECAT on check-out!

So helpful!

2011-10-27T17:33:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Mo.

Texas treasures in Two Squirrels, New Zealand!

2011-10-27T08:24:00.000-05:00

Two Squirrels is already stuffed full of treasure - but now there are a few beautiful things from Austin, too!

I've sent the first package of vintage Texas goodies to Vanessa, and they're in-store now. You can find Two Squirrels on 63 Ashley Street in Rangiora. They are open from Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Tell Vanessa I sent you! (Sort of).

Read the whole Two Squirrels story here: Parts One, Two and Three.

Whew ...

2011-10-26T15:55:00.002-05:00

... what a day. We had a medical scare this morning that landed LOML in the emergency room. We're home now and a bit shaken up, but all is well and he is recovering just fine. Thank you so much to all our Austin friends who supported us today - particularly Sandhya and Gaurav, who were stars, as always. Get well soon, LOML!

For sale in my Etsy shop!

2011-10-25T16:43:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I am gradually adding more vintage pieces to my Etsy store - click here to see them. There are quite a few larger sizes this time, and there are also lots of items priced under $20!

I'm afraid I'm only shipping within the US at the moment, because international shipping here is such a hassle. Sorry!

Thanks for looking, and I hope you're having a lovely week.

Other people's words

2011-10-24T13:19:00.002-05:00

"And I recall an account of Trollope going up to London to pick up a rejected manuscript from a publisher, getting on the train to return home, laying the bulky bundle on his lap face down, and beginning a new book on the back pages of the rejected one." - Anonymous

Some days I need to remember that the work is what matters - that you can't control other people's responses or reactions, circumstance, the weather, your mood ... that, in fact, all you can control is the work, and your own decision to keep going.

Mo again!

2011-10-23T11:56:00.002-05:00

I have a bad cold and am feeling pretty miserable, but I have a willing nap-buddy who makes it all better.

"A kitten on its own is like a tune played with one hand - you need two to make full music." - Jill Wylie

hunt.gather.style pop-up shop event tomorrow!

2011-10-21T09:10:00.006-05:00

Three gorgeous Austin style bloggers (and friends), Sydney, Grechen and Sharon, have come together to create hunt.gather.style - a vintage boutique selling treasures they have collected on their travels and lovingly curated.

Sharon, Grechen and Sydney with Anne Hudson of YNN.

“Our name pretty much says it all,” says Sharon. “We are ‘hunting’ items we love, ‘gathering’ them for the shop and adding in ‘styling’ suggestions for how it will work in our customers’ closets.”

Sydney, Sharon and Grechen present an on-trend collection of vintage pieces, as well as recycling some contemporary pieces from their own wardrobes. All three women are experts at combining vintage with modern items to create unique, fresh looks, and each item in the hunt.gather.style inventory comes with a styling suggestion. The ladies themselves will be on-hand as well to answer your questions!

After a hugely successful pop-up shop event earlier this year, the team has been assembling an even larger and more varied inventory of vintage garments. Once again, exclusive boutique Touch of Sass is providing the space, and, for this 22 October shop date, hunt.gather.style will be partnering with Dress for Success Austin - a charity that provides interview suits and career advice to disadvantaged women – by selling off a rack of clothing to raise money for the organization.

The fall fashion pop-up shop will be an exclusive, one-day-only event, taking place on Saturday, October 22 (tomorrow!) from 1pm to 4pm at Touch of Sass (500 North Lamar, Suite 170, Austin, TX 78703). Get there early to find the best bargains. It’s every Austin woman’s opportunity to invest in stylish, unique and eco-friendly pieces while supporting a charity … and learning some valuable styling tips in the process!

An exotic experience!

2011-10-20T21:49:00.002-05:00

It has been a really hard couple of days. It's lovely to look back at the photos, though, and see how much fun we all (w'all?) had.

Happy cowboy!

Stern cowboy.

For their last lunch in Austin, I took my grandparents to my favourite sushi restaurant. It was only the second time they had ever eaten sushi, but they took to it with their usual aplomb. Perhaps they'll introduce it to their quiet Dorset village?

Exploring Austin

2011-10-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

It's my grandparents' last morning with us, and I am very sad. But instead of dwelling on it, I'm going to post some pictures of our downtown explorations the other day - taking the train down to investigate the Capitol building and walk around central Austin. It has been so lovely having them here.

An epic game of Carcassonne (featuring Mo)

2011-10-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday, Chrissie!

2011-10-18T20:50:00.001-05:00

It was my friend Christina's birthday last week - I was so sorry I missed it (but Austin to New Zealand is a rather long commute!). Happy birthday, dear friend - I can't wait to see you when you visit in November.

Chrissie's birthday at Sweethearts in Christchurch (where LOML and I had our wedding).

My Texas driving test ...

2011-10-17T11:15:00.002-05:00

I passed this morning! Hooray! I had to do both a written exam and a practical, so I was pretty nervous.

Now I will no longer be confusing Texas officials with my international driver's licence and New Zealand ID.

A weekend with my grandparents!

2011-10-16T19:14:00.008-05:00

It's so lovely to have them here. So far, LOML and my grandfather have been up in the Cessna; Nana and I have explored South Congress; and we ventured out on a day trip to Fredericksburg.

LOML and my grandfather plotting their course for Saturday afternoon's flight.

My grandmother and I wandering about South Congress.

Lunch at the Fredericksburg Brewery (with the voucher we won at the Hangar Hotel dance!)

Wandering around Fredericksburg today!

Other people's words

2011-10-14T22:04:00.003-05:00

Austin bats leaving the Congress bridge.

"To be inspired: we know what it means, even how it sometimes feels, but what is it, exactly? Filled suddenly and often helplessly with renewed life and energy, a sense of excitement that can barely be contained; but why some things - a word, a glance, a scene glimpsed from a window, a random memory, a fragrance, a conversational anecdote, a fragment of music, or of a dream - have the power to stimulate us to intense creativity while most others do not, we are unable to say. We all know what it was like to have been inspired, in the past; yet we can't have faith that we will be inspired in the future. Most writers apply themselves doggedly to their work, hoping that inspiration will return.

It can be like striking a damp match again, again, again: hoping a small flame will leap out, before the match breaks."

- from The Faith of a Writer, Joyce Carol Oates. Emphasis mine.

Happy Wednesday!

2011-10-12T18:09:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy and so preoccupied with various thoughts over the last few days that there has been nothing left over for blogging. BUT - I am very excited that my grandparents are flying over from the UK tomorrow to stay with us! I can't wait to see them. It is the first time that they have stayed with me as an adult ... does that make sense? That is, they have stayed with me before, but while I was living in my Mum's house where she makes the rules and takes care of everything. I tend to regress back to my eight-year-old self when I'm with them because, well, they're my grandparents and they practically brought me up when I was little, so it will be interesting to play hostess in a more grown-up capacity. I hope they love Austin as much as we do!

The ideal 1920s lady

2011-10-09T20:57:00.003-05:00

Nice to know that I would have been the ideal body shape in the 1920s. Clearly born into the wrong era.

Images from Valentino Vamp.

I just love these.

It's a miracle!

2011-10-07T15:48:00.001-05:00

I can't believe they're curled up together already. And I also can't believe that Mo can yawn that widely without dislocating something.

Other people's words

2011-10-07T08:12:00.004-05:00

"...  Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before." - Jacob A. Riis

LOML and I in Bath during the book tour for The Cry of the Go-Away Bird. Thanks to Spiritartist for the quote!

An extremely Texan celebration

2011-10-06T22:15:00.005-05:00

LOML's steak at our anniversary dinner tonight was the size of his head.

Mine was a smaller version, but still pretty enormous.
(I'm wearing a 1950s cotton dress, my great-grandmother's beads and a gold and black skunk brooch I found at an estate sale).

We did actually eat some vegetables as well, just in case our mothers travelled through the astral plane to materialise at our table and tell us off for eating steak with no greens.

Our fourth wedding anniversary!

2011-10-06T09:27:00.001-05:00

Be-hatted LOML and I at the vintage-inspired Hangar Hotel USO Ball.

Four years! Together for eight. You have to say that, don't you? This is our second wedding anniversary in Texas - I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. We're going out for dinner tonight to celebrate and to get our teeth stuck into a delicious local steak.

In other news, I am waiting for an editorial letter for The White Shadow that should be coming in the next few days, and I am absolutely bloody terrified. I know I am very lucky to be in a position where I can receive such valuable feedback, but it's always nerve-wracking waiting for it! I have had about half a dozen dreams about it each night - I open my emails and there it is, staring at me, in all sorts of different permutations and with varying degrees of scariness. I can't wait for it to arrive so that I can stop imagining the worst and just get stuck into making the changes I need to make.

Mo' Mo

2011-10-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Now I have a ridiculous number of Mo photos to add to the ridiculous number of Mink photos on my phone. I'm sorry, I'm still suffering from New Kitten Syndrome - I'll stop posting pictures of her soon.

Maybe.

Georgetown Airshow

2011-10-04T08:23:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, LOML and I went to Georgetown (his home airport) to see the airshow. We weren't in time to watch any fly-overs or demonstrations, but we wandered about looking at all the lovingly-maintained (and sometimes lovingly-built, in the case of the kit planes) aircraft, including The Shiniest Cessna in the World. It was lovely to see all the kids enjoying themselves (and getting fingerprints all over The Shiniest Cessna in the World despite the DO NOT TOUCH signs, which was oddly satisfying to watch). I felt that LOML should have had an enormous badge saying Real Pilot. I am so proud of him.

Writing is like weather

2011-10-03T09:12:00.003-05:00

"... Writing is like weather. It has a drama, a form, a force to it that shapes the day. Just as a good rain clears the air, a good writing day clears the psyche." - Julia Cameron

Mo's first afternoon out

2011-10-02T10:50:00.004-05:00

We kept Mo and Mink separate for a week to give Mink a chance to adjust to her scent (he wandered into the spare bedroom and bathroom occasionally, and they touched noses, but they didn't spend any more time together than that). Yesterday was Mo's first full day with the run of the house - and it actually went surprisingly well. She loves Mink, and Mink is tolerating her (although you can see him mentally shouting "Get that darn kid off my lawn!").

The first picture of the two of them (sort of) together.

Having a nap with Mo (excuse my gormless sleeping face. You're lucky there's no drool visible).

Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Soubrette Productions)

2011-09-29T20:00:00.004-05:00

Audrey Johnson as Leaf Coneybear. Image courtesy of Soubrette Productions.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to review the Tony-award-winning musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin) this past weekend. Soubrette is a brand-new production company here in Austin, started by husband-and-wife team, Philip Olson and Julia Lorenz-Olson. This is a great choice of show for their debut – endearing, quirky and hilarious, providing a wonderful opportunity for showing off the talents of a great ensemble cast. Philip Olson directs, and Lorenz-Olson puts in her own gloriously earnest and dorky performance as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre.

We had a glass of wine and some snacks beforehand at East End Wines – there is a great selection of wine on offer, and the Three Little Pigs trailer parked outside provides delicious food. It’s a great place to meet up with friends before the show, as we did! And from there, it was on to the theatre, fully prepared to laugh till our sides ached.

The Three Little Pigs trailer - photo by Adrian Cardwell.

From the official description of the show: “There will plenty of spelling, as well as tap-dancing, sock-puppets, free juice-boxes, and even a cameo appearance from Jesus Christ! Want to really get into the action? There will also be a voluntary audience participation element, in which a select few audience members will receive the chance to compete in the Bee! Victory and eternal glory await!”

I like how they slipped the work ‘voluntary’ in there. I have to say, I was very relieved not to be pulled up on stage (introversion and audience participation don’t go all that well together), but the cast did an amazing job of improvising around those audience members who were. Some of them presented quite a challenge, too, giving correct answers and lingering on-stage longer than intended!

Aaron Glover, who played Chip Tolentino, is a friend of mine – but I can say without bias (or at least while trying very hard to have no bias) that he was my favorite part of the whole show. He has a wonderful voice, showcased in one of the very best songs (watch out for it at the end of intermission), and some hilarious additional cameo roles, too. Brian Losoya as William Barfee was another highlight for me – his angry-but-endearing character has some of the best lines (and the most entertaining dance number). The dry humor of Vice-Principal Panch (Derek Jones) and the beautiful voice of Rona Lisa Peretti (Kylie Baker) were a unifying force throughout the Bee.

The lovely Aaron.

Other cast members include Glenn Badgely as Comfort Counselor, Mitch Mahoney; Amy Chang as over-achiever Marcy Park; Olivia Frierson as Olive Ostrovsky; and Audrey Johnson as free spirit Leaf Coneybear (a role usually given to a male actor, in which she excels). Every cast member does a fantastic job, and the chemistry between them all makes for a sparkling show. The only small quibble I have is that the story did seem to slow down in places, particularly during the audience participation and Olive’s solo number, but I did attend on opening night and the cast was just getting into its stride. After seeing this show, I am very excited to see what Soubrette takes on next!

A portion of the proceeds from this production will benefit Tapestry Dance Studios and Center Stage Texas – both these organizations and Soubrette Productions could really use your support.

The show runs from 23 September to 9 October, with performances at 7:30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and an additional matinee performance on Sundays at 3pm, and its venue is the Boyd Vance Theater (1161 Angelina St). The theater is a little difficult to find, as it is part of the George Washington Carver Museum, but it’s a lovely venue for such an intimate production. Tickets cost $15, and student and senior discounts are available. Click here to purchase.

Head along to the show and tell me what you think about it!

P.S. Another of those ubiquitous Austin art-longhorns was grazing on a bucket of crayons outside the theatre. Collect the whole set!

More gratuitous pictures of Mo

2011-09-28T19:00:00.001-05:00

(Yes, those are kitty pyjamas.)

Other People's Words

2011-09-28T08:01:00.001-05:00

"I have a friend who’s an Italian filmmaker of great artistic sensibility. After years of struggling to get his films made, he sent an anguished letter to his hero, the brilliant (and perhaps half-insane) German filmmaker Werner Herzog. My friend complained about how difficult it is these days to be an independent filmmaker, how hard it is to find government arts grants, how the audiences have all been ruined by Hollywood and how the world has lost its taste … etc. Herzog wrote back a personal letter to my friend that essentially ran along these lines: “Quit your complaining. It’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy the films you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. Nobody wants to hear it. Steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.” I repeat those words back to myself whenever I start to feel resentful, entitled, competitive or unappreciated with regard to my writing: “It’s not the world’s fault that you want to be an artist…now get back to work.” Always, at the end of the day, the important thing is only and always that: Get back to work. This is a path for the courageous and the faithful. You must find another reason to work, other than the desire for success or recognition. It must come from another place." - Elizabeth Gilbert

A flying visit* to Fredricksburg

2011-09-27T07:45:00.004-05:00

*(Yes, I'm going to milk this pun for all it is worth).

On Saturday, LOML and I took to the air with our friends Mike and Theresa for a flight to Fredricksburg, Texas ... and lunch in the Hangar Hotel’s Airport Diner.

From the air, we could see the extent of the wildfires and the effects of the drought – the land was scarred with black scabs of burned brush, and many rivers and waterholes were cracked and dry. Even the water levels in the large lakes had dropped dramatically. Despite this, however, the scenery was absolutely beautiful.

When we arrived at the diner, we parked the plane (still slightly surreal to drive a small plane into a parking lot as nonchalantly as if it were a car!) and headed inside for a delicious lunch. The diner is 1930s-styled, with shining chrome and retro fittings, as well as a generous sprinkling of aeronautical-themed knick-knacks. Theresa and I had the Texas Waffle – with our own personal jugs of maple syrup! – and the boys tucked into a burger and Chicken Torpedos. The fries that we shared were just gorgeous, too, with a tasty spice in the fried crust. Absolutely worth a special trip!

We can’t wait for our next field trip to a Texas town – do you have any suggestions for a good place to visit?

A new member of our family!

2011-09-26T13:52:00.001-05:00

Guess what?

On Saturday we welcomed Mo into our home! She is three months old and a rescue kitty from the Austin Humane Society (where I volunteer). My friend Sandhya was fostering her for a couple of weeks and, when I met her, I fell in love. She has settled in very quickly, and Mink has been pretty relaxed about the whole thing so far - we're keeping them separate for a while, but they have been sniffing at each other under the door.

We love you, Mo!

The charity vintage sale!

2011-09-23T10:10:00.010-05:00

Last night was the 2nd Street District's 499 Dresses charity sale, and it was a huge success. I can't wait to find out how much money was raised - hopefully a great deal! (I know I did my part by buying some lovely clothes ... really making a personal sacrifice there, clearly). There were racks of dresses, largely from the '70s and '80s, and a display of special vintage dresses with a provenance and a story behind them on the walls (with little placards describing the story). There was also a parade of wedding dresses spanning the styles of the past few decades - very fitting, as the whole charity began with the sale of one wedding dress!

Apparently this dress's donor still hadn't told her husband about the affair when she donated the dress. I certainly hope she has told him now.

An 'alteration station' was on-hand to fit the dresses, while Laurel of Trophy Boutique, Sydney of My Closet Cravings and Sharon of If Grandma Wore J.Crew were there to style them.

Theresa of Tess Designs and Jeny, the founder of 499 Dresses.

Some beautiful detailing!

I wore a thrifted '50s dress and shoes that became terrifically uncomfortable by the end of the evening - oops.

Wedding dresses through the ages.

The sale!

Sandhya and I fooling around with one of the Austin longhorns sculptures that are currently populating the city.

To find out more about 499 Dresses and what they are trying to achieve, read my earlier post here. You can make a monetary donation towards the cost of finishing the film by visiting the 499 Dresses Project fundraising page - it accepts credit cards or Paypal - and you can also help by getting the word out! Share the link to this blog post with family and friends; follow 499 Dresses on Twitter (@499Dresses); or visit their Facebook page.

A wee reminder ...

2011-09-22T08:54:00.001-05:00

... to come along to the charity vintage dress sale on 2nd Street this afternoon! Hope to see you there.

Squirrels again!

2011-09-20T09:11:00.015-05:00

I was so excited to receive a package in the mail yesterday from my mum and Vanessa of Two Squirrels Vintage (is there anything more thrilling than getting things in the mail? Well, yes, but it's still pretty exciting). I was especially touched that Vanessa sent me this Penny Farthing brooch that her parents gave to her when she was little.

Two Squirrels re-opened a couple of weeks ago (hooray!) and are starting to recover from the rather horrendous year they've had. It is so lovely to see them back where they belong.

Stay updated with the latest news on the Two Squirrels website, or on their Facebook page.

And if you've missed it, catch up with the whole Two Squirrels story here: Parts One, Two and Three.

You're invited: vintage dress sale in the 2nd Street district!

2011-09-19T20:09:00.003-05:00

Supporting a charity? $15 and under? Yes, please.

When: 3 - 8pm, 22 September
Where: 201 2nd Street

To find out more about 499 Dresses and what they are trying to achieve, read my earlier post here. And if you can't make it to the sale, you can make a monetary donation towards the cost of finishing the film by visiting the 499 Dresses Project fundraising page - it accepts credit cards or Paypal. You can also help by getting the word out! Share the link to this blog post with family and friends; follow 499 Dresses on Twitter (@499Dresses); or visit their Facebook page.

A flying visit to Brenham (har har)

2011-09-18T18:15:00.008-05:00

The best puns are the ones that make you cringe and groan simultaneously.

Now that LOML has his pilot's licence, we're determined to explore Texas by plane! Taking day trips to different towns around the state will be a wonderful way to get to know our new home. Yesterday was our first field trip - to the small town of Brenham. I rode in the Cessna for the first time, and it was an exciting ride (lots of clouds and some rain!) that LOML handled beautifully ... it's still a little strange to think that he is actually flying a plane.

Brenham was a lovely little town with some gorgeous historic buildings, and we had lunch in the airport diner. It was so strange seeing small planes parked outside the diner as nonchalantly as if they were a bunch of Ford Fiestas.

Apologies for the large volume of scenery shots, but it was pretty spectacular!

Popping in

2011-09-15T10:43:00.003-05:00

LOML bought an iPad last night to celebrate getting his pilot's licence, and I had fun playing with one of the drawing apps.

Hello!

I am not feeling very well this week, and so I am going to be somewhat absent over the next few days. Thank you so much for all your comments, as always, and I'll see you soon.