Writers' Rooms

Mark Haddon's study

I just had to share this fabulous site from the Guardian Newspaper showing Writers' Rooms. A lovely reminder that we don't need a grand oak desk, or a room designed within an inch of it's life to be creative.

I call my study "the office". As I look around at the moment it has a fabulous newish built-in storage unit teamed artistically with an ironing table, huge pile of un-ironed clothes, an old Officeworks student desk and an untidy pile of soon to be overdue bills. My view, however, is excellent and makes up for my office's lack of designer cred.

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEENIE!

Books, The Parent Race and YAY Holidays.

I still can't believe what can be achieved when I don't blog all the time. Not monumental life-changing things, just everyday things which usually get put on the "do-sometime-else pile".


I finished reading Carpentaria by Alexis Wright on Wednesday night. It's 520 pages long and written in the voice of a male Australian Aboriginal elder. It is also written in an indigenous storytelling style blending astonishingly frank depictions of life in the Australian Gulf Country with magic realism.

I apologise to all those potential readers who I may have put off reading the book while I was trudging through at the 250page mark - please continue reading, as the last 270 pages are just reward for the difficulties of the first 250. In fact I am re-reading the book - the first 250 pages now appear light, funny and well paced with my head in the 'right place' and my mind used to the language and feel that it could become a great classic of Australian literature.

Yesterday our school held the annual K-2 sports carnival. The day consists of each child competing in a flat race, a novelty race and group novelty relays. Ribbons are handed out generously and there can often be more than one "first" ribbon given out in a race depending on how excited the parent judges get.

There is no such generosity in the parent races however. Oh no, this is a HIGHLY COMPETIVE event for which I am sure some parents train hard. After last year's debacle when I made the mistake of wearing jeans and Birkenstocks and came 4th in my heat - this year I made sure I wore runners so as to be better prepared. And came second last in a field of about 8. At least I think I came second last. When I asked Padawan Learner whether mummy came last he said "no mummy, you just didn't some last, just". I have mentally noted all the fast mums and will make sure I am not in their heat next year...


Who loves school holidays? ME! Today was the last day of school for two weeks. YAY. I know after a while you wish the kids were back at school and you have peace and quiet again, but I can't wait because I HATE making school lunches. I am looking forward to waking up knowing I don't HAVE to be anywhere soon, I don't have to make school lunches, there is no homework to cajole the kids into doing and no after school activities to rush to and from.

We are not going anywhere. The kids have Swimvac for half-an-hour a day in the first week and KelpieBlossom has ballet workshop for an hour a day in the second week. A couple of playdates planned but that's it. Aaaah.

In preparation for the holidays, and for breaking out the skirts and brand new Birkenstocks (the new red & white paisley ones), I have de-forested the legs, had a facial (!) and painted my toenails red (to match the Birks). Now I am all ready and just need to find a sunny spot in the garden with a cup of tea (or glass of wine after 5pm) and read my books.

A Week in Pictures (and a few words)

While I am officially on a "blogging holiday" I couldn't resist sharing these photos with you.

Our Wisteria is now blooming.

I took loads of photos of these Rainbow Lorikeets playing in our Jacaranda Tree.

And on Fairlie's orders I present my TBR pile. March is half-finished, Theft by Peter Carey is my Melbourne bookgroup's November choice, How Language Works is a bedside table staple (sad, I know), Carpentaria is my current read and I have to admit it is a bit of a trudge. The top book is my "blogbook". I put blog ideas in there whenever they come to me.

It's amazing what I can achieve when I unleash myself from the computer. This week I've tackled loads of things that have been languishing on my "to do" list for ages.

• My office is tidy,
• The filing is UP TO DATE, as is the ironing, as is the washing.
• I've finally got council permission to remove a Camphour Laurel from the corner of our property.
  I tried watching trashy tv. Didn't work.
• I've ordered a new desk (ULTRA sleek with white Starfire glass top).
• Also ordered an outdoor setting.
• Did I mention my blogging holiday was also EXPENSIVE?
• I've bought birthday presents for the next 3 birthdays.
  I've been TRYING to read Carpentaria.
• I've updated my computer stuff, deleted un-used programs and generally tidied up my electronic act.

BUT

(close eyes if you are squeamish)

My thumb also had a fight with my kitchen knife while I was chopping vegetables on Wed night. And the knife won. Really gross. No, I mean REALLY gross.

Anyway, back to my blogging holiday until I can't resist any longer.

Byee

Maintenance

New note: labels done, back online my feed reader didn't ping madly so hopefully yours didn't either.

Dear Readers (all five of you),

Tonight is maintenance night. Yep I'm finally getting around to fixing up my labels and other blah and so as to not send your feed readers mad with re-pinged old posts I'm going to go offline for a few hours.

See you soon.


M

Wisteria: the before shot

In our neighbourhood the Wisteria are budding and ready to bloom.