Timing

I'm starting to feel a little cramped up with all the stuff I have to do before next week.

But rushing around like a mad thing, will not get things done any faster and will only piss me off. And who needs to be bad tempered at this time of year?

It must be seasonal anxiety... or the weather. Sitting at a computer all day when it's hot and humid is not my idea of a fun time; and no, I don't have air conditioning. Santa is mean that way.

There's a definite temptation to cool off at the beach, but it's not going anywhere and the screaming hordes of tourists are about to descend on this peaceful village... oh, and then there are the sharks.

Yeah, I shudder too, but the warnings are out because the water temperature has risen due to La Nina. I ain't stickin' my toe in. They can, if they must chew on a tourist.

Work. I have to get back to work. The promised storms are approaching, but with them, a cool breeze. Another hour or so and I'll have to give the editing away. *sigh* Summer can be such an annoying bitch.

DST, Nano

Winter is officially over and Daylight Savings Time has begun.

I'm not very good at adjusting the internal clock. Messes with the thought processes to be getting up an 'hour' earlier.

Of course, it also means that Summer is moving in and that Nano is nigh. There's nothing like a challenge to shake out the cobwebs.

The characters are busily murmuring at the back of my mind and landscapes are also cropping up along with fights and dialogues. It's as if they're backstage muttering their lines in preparation for the stage; all the last minute stuff.

As an advertisement, it would probably read: Immortal woman seeks vengeance against fiancee and others for human experimentation.

I still haven't decided on an ending... happy or just continuing? I suspect it's all going to depend on how much I can write and how fast I do it. I'm trying to be reasonable and just finish the book, but if previous years are anything to go by, that's not going to work; I can't stand to write the 50k and have a week or two spare. I've got to keep writing. And before you curl your lip at such arrogance, I've been typing for a number of years and have a speed of close to 100wpm: story in my head + fast typing speed = high word count.

Maybe if I don't have a goal, ie 50k, one book, a trilogy, I can just sit, relax and write away. The downside of that will be the work done and it will be a lot.

Last year, the inner ather-lete came up against Scarlett Archer, whose word count kept topping mine grrr. Previous years, I've battled Zette and Maridius; I think it's part of my genetic make-up to have to write more. I failed against Zette, but then, she's the Master wordsmith.

Maybe, I'm looking at Nano as one long Word War and in war, there is only win. In the end though, Nano provides the opportunity to write a book and after all, you can't edit what you haven't written.

Starstruck-lettes

It's been overcast the last couple of nights; actually they've been storms that block the horizon and then evaporate before reaching the coast... so no comet sightings.

Tonight's forecast is clearer. My sister's kids are arriving soon and I hope to show them the comet. It will be exciting for them both; their first comet sightings. One is thirteen, the other is five.

I also think I've sorted the camera problem; it's amazing what you can find in the how-to booklet that came with it!

As for the rest of what I wanted to post, it just made me tired. The arguments about Iraq and extra troops (won't solve the problem), the accusation that Russia has sent anti-missile batteries to Iran (just re-name Russia, Contrary-land) will boost Iran's arrogance and may provoke more confrontations, the pillock, Sheikh Feiz Mohammed and his hate messages (stay in Lebanon, you evil little prick)... all require more effort than I want to expend on a Friday.

So, I'm ignoring it all for the chance at something spectacular in the skies above this wide, drought-stricken land... McNaught's Comet.

Winding up

Halfway through December and things are winding up. Now, you can take that two ways: winding up, as in finishing, or winding up as in getting ready for the big finale.

Finishing up: Solstice preparations and Christmas preparations for those who celebrate the festivities. Prezzies are bought wrapped and under the tree, food is purchased, but some I need to pick up next weekend. Getting through the TBR pile, though I'm doubting I'll finish it all. Never mind, I'll have some to start off the new list. Sweeping out the 'old', too, and trying to be more organised for the New Year; that's not a 'resolution', simply a practicality. For Feng Shui purposes, it's also good luck to have cleared spaces to live, work and sleep in.

Winding up: to celebrate the Solstice next week. Got the fruits and nuts and blessings done. No parties though, this year it's a private celebration for my own good fortunes of friends and family. Preparing for a big edit month in January and website upgrade with more samples of work. Visitors are turning up after the 25th and 1st of January so it will be busy time. I'll also be in the last month of my contract and trying to get as much work done as possible to ease the transition.

Got plenty of party invites, too; all but one I've declined. I don't sing the carols, they're Christian, and I'd rather not explain to the hardline religious types that I'm Pagan, not Christian - I get strange or aggressive looks, as if I'm a filthy heathen witch in need of savin' or burnin'. Nup, it's the other way around, but that's an argument for a later time.

So, one lunch, for the admin staff without the trappings of Yulle; one I'm happy to attend, rather than be required to because my area bought and served the food to the local indigenous community. (Not a word of thanks from those we hosted it for, either, but I understand their motivations even if they, as individuals, don't.)

The week between Christmas and New Year, we have a shut down at work, and I so need the week off. I need to be away from the people and personalities I have to deal with. My equanamity and patience are running dry and I need to recharge before I do or say something that will cause the Karma Fairy to dump all over me. Five days. That's all. Five long days and then I can toast Mother Earth and Father Sky, ask for the Blessings of the new season. Sigh. I have patience yet, and then I can enjoy myself.

Summer Smoke

The land of Oztralya is known for it's harsh weather. This early in the season, it's worse than usual. The ongoing drought, Central Australia's Heat Engine firing up early, the Spring wind season longer than usual have all resulted in a wicked fire season.

Two super fire cells are burning out of control in the Gippsland area of Victoria. That is 650 kilometres away. The ferocity of the fires can be seen from satellites and we, here on the coast of New South Wales, have had some spectacular sunsets with a blood-red sun and haze.




Melbourne, too, has felt the effects with a thick pall over the city. Ninety fire alarms have gone off in office buildings due to the smoke. Then there those who suffer from respiratory illness who are feeling the effects.

To the north, it looks like the Wet season has arrived. Last year, it didn't turn up until mid-January and was fairly weak. This is early arrival is good news. With the heat engine churning away, that moisture is dragged down through central Oz to the lower south-east and results in rain, rain, glorious rain. Of course, it's also accompanied by a lot of dry storms, lightening strikes and more fires for the dust dry forests and grasslands.

Is it a result of global warming? Partially. It's also a part of the El Nino effect and a twenty-thirty year weather cycle which most people are either unaware of, or ignore. You always hear about records. "It hasn't been this dry since..."; "it hasn't been this hot since..."; "we haven't had a fire season like this since..."

What all this means is that we're in for another diabolical season; and like the hurricane seasons of North America, people should get their act and their emergency kits together.

Before evacuation:
Clear the gutters and any debris from around the house;
Make sure you know where your hoses are and that they are in good condition;

If you're staying to defend:
Close all windows and doors;
Fill buckets and bathtubs and soak towels in them;
Have an escape route;
Be aware of the weather conditions and where the fire service is;
Wear protective clothing - it might be hot, but shorts, t-shirt and thongs will not protect you against embers.
When ordered to leave: do so; a house can be rebuilt, people cannot.

Once the fire is gone, make sure you have your kit: a radio, spare batteries, first aid kit, food, small stove, water bottles, blankets, torch, also with spare batteries, toilet paper. If the power goes out, you'll need to be aware of how long it will take to be fixed.

For us a couple of Christmases ago, it was five days, so be prepared, but stay safe.