Four days to go ...

Life News:

Only 4 days to go now until we finally move to a permanent home, hurrah! I really can't wait. The drip in the ceiling in the rented flat had a bit of a surge yesterday with the torrential rain, but it's calmed down now. Sunshine is indeed our friend, or at the very least dry weather. Still, it does give our collection of buckets a purpose, which has to be a good thing.

Thursday night found us at the local theatre watching an adaptation of Wilkie Collin's The Woman in White. Hmmm, not convinced it's persuaded me to read the book. I appreciate it was originally a serial, but having no fewer than thirty-five scenes in a play doesn't really help the audience connect to anything. Also, the actors were startlingly melodramatic and a couple of times I got an attack of the giggles and felt like I might be heading into the twilight zone. Again. Still, K and I had fun trying to guess the evil baronet's (the most fully rounded person on stage) guilty secret. We thought he might be a Morris Dancer (ah the shame ...!), but in the end it turned out to be nothing more interesting than a marriage certificate problem. Sigh. Also, it did annoy us that the mad Woman in White kept rushing onto stage, telling everyone how much she hated the baronet and would do anything to destroy him, but never got round to telling everyone his secret (which she knew). Ridiculous! If she'd said something at the start, we could easily have cut thirty-two scenes, at least. However, the ice cream in the first interval (of two ...) was very nice - salted caramel. Mmm. Am definitely having that one again.

Have also had a lovely lunch and catch-up with G, my ex-neighbour's daughter, so that was great. And a nice break from houses and moving, etc. Hello, G! Yesterday, K and I visited Waddesdon Manor for the day - fantastic house and well worth a visit (you'll need to book before you go ...), but the gardens are seriously dull. They look like they've been done by someone trained in designing municipal parks - not that there's anything wrong with that, but it just doesn't enhance such a gorgeous house on any level, sadly. Indeed, when we drove through the town nearby, the colour schemes and plantings were almost exactly the same - perhaps the Council does the Manor gardens on the cheap? It wouldn't surprise me.

This afternoon, K and I are off to see The Turn of The Screw at Glyndebourne - which is their last opera of the year, sob. It's a great production and we've seen it before, but honestly it's utterly worth seeing again, multiple times, I think. Haunting and compelling stuff.

Book News:

Gay short story Tommy's Blind Date gained a 4-star review at Goodreads (thanks, Dlee!), which was very pleasing indeed. And the comments thread there also discussed my gay crime novels The Bones of Summer and A Dangerous Man, so that was nice too. Thank you, all.

Here's the next small section from fantasy novel, The Gifting:

It is Johan himself who has proposed this solution to Gathandria's troubles. Even now, he can't quite believe it.

The latest meditation poem is:




Meditation 564
The last thing I want
is a long list of Levites
but that’s exactly
what I get

which just proves the point
that following God
is always
a challenging bet.


The Sunday haiku is:

After this dark rain
the day begins with silence
under brighter skies.


Anne Brooke
The Thoughtful Corner

Books, terror and song

I'm very happy to say that my GLBT erotic short story, The Delaneys and Me now has a hot-off-the-press book cover. As you can see. I'm hugely pleased as it has exactly the right amount of quirkiness and humour that (I hope!) is also in the story. You can read an extract here and it will be published by Amber Allure Press on 18 April 2010. Hurrah!

I've also managed to finish and return the galley proofs for The Hit List so am looking forward to the publication date for that one on 28 February, ie this Sunday. It will come out in eBook first, with the paperback following a few weeks later.

Before that however, I'm equally happy to say that my biblical short story, Dancing with Lions will be published by Untreed Reads Press on 26 February, ie tomorrow! So it's going to be one huge party all weekend, I can tell you!

And I also have some rather nice banners now for How to Eat Fruit, courtesy of Jay at Untreed Reads - thanks, Jay! Aren't they great? Haven't quite worked out how to get them onto the website or how to link them to anything yet, but we're working on it. I am indeed a Banner Virgin ...



and



In the midst of all this excitement, I am pleased also to say that The Bones of Summer received a 4-star rating from Jonathan at Goodreads - thanks, Jonathan!

Meanwhile, at Vulpes Libris I've uploaded my review of Linwood Barclay's thriller, Too Close to Home - he's a great crime author and I can thoroughly recommend his work.

In my other life (yes, I do still have one, just ...) I've been building up the tension by attending a presentation skills course at work yesterday. Which basically meant 2 whole days of feeling sick beforehand, having an enormous headache and not being able to eat properly and then that blessed feeling of relief now I've got the course over with. Yes, as you can tell, I am not a natural at giving presentations, and tend to try to avoid them at all costs. I live in fear that I have nothing of any interest whatsoever to say to anyone and will be found out to be a fraud and utterly inadequate in every sense. Ah well, same old, same old, eh. Anyway, the course itself wasn't too bad and the trainer was incredibly good. I got through my presentation and actually a part of me enjoyed it - more so when it was over, of course. I told them about the house I live in and its rather peculiar history, how we found it, the disasters of moving in and how much we love it now. So it's true what they say - content, and the passion for the content, is all.

I then treated myself and Lord H by taking him to Opera South in Haslemere to see La Perichole. If you scroll down to the list of altos in the chorus details on that last page, you can see Ruth McLeod (from my office) and Beryl Northam (honorary member of our Student Advice team) in all their glory! Anyway, in spite of having a stomach like a dead sheep from the traumas of the day, it was absolutely fantastic - wonderful opera, wonderful singers, fantastic costumes and a great production all round. The highlight of my week indeed, and I sooo loved Ruth's posh hat.

Anne's website - so well accustomed to bouts of terror and song
The Prayer Seeker's Journal - for those essential moments of quietness

Champagne and Gold

I'm really pleased to say that Pink Champagne and Apple Juice is now available with its brand-new cover at Lulu Books. It should fairly shortly be available at Amazon and other online book stores too, so I'll let you know when that happens.





In the meantime, I'm also very happy to say that Salt and Gold - which is a collection of the first forty of my meditation poems - is now available at Amazon US as well as at Lulu Books. Ideal Christmas presents for all the family indeed ...


I've also finished the final read-through of Thorn in the Flesh, ready for Lulu Books, but I'll worry about that when we're back from our holiday, I think. No point getting over-excited now.

Other news for these last few days is that Lord H and I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful production of Jenufa at Woking last night. It's a veritable plum of an opera, and includes dead babies, domestic violence, murder, love, hate and an incredible scene of forgiveness and hope at the end which gets me every single time I see it. Plus it has the dream role of Laca, the unloved brother who's in love with Jenufa and has this astonishing journey of growth and maturity to take during the performance. He's the man in the photo in the link. He was bloody good in the role, I must say too. Wonderful. Honestly, I could see that opera every single day and there'd always be something gut-punchingly good about it.

The only problem was attempting to get out of the car park in Woking afterwards. They have this new system that means you can prepay so you don't have to queue with a million other opera-goers after the performance to get your ticket stamped. We've done this once before with no problems, but what we hadn't realised is that there are 2 pay bands depending on whether you get there before or after 7pm. It doesn't say anything on the machines about this, dammit, and neither does it give you a choice of payment. So, you've guessed it - we arrived before 7pm, and then at the barriers at 10.30pm the bloody things wouldn't let us out. There were about 12 cars behind us getting angrier and angrier, but nowhere to reverse to as there were no gaps. Groan. Added to this the fact that we were in 2 cars, so once we'd contacted the little man at the end of the Help button and persuaded him to let Lord H out, we then had to go through the whole ruddy rigmarole again in order for me to make my escape. I swear, I was within seconds of being torn limb from limb by angry car parkers. It puts poor Jenufa's problems entirely into perspective, though of course I would have been more than happy to throw a few dead babies into the baying crowds to fend them off, I can tell you ...

Oh, and some lovely person has knocked my driver's side wing mirror console off - though thankfully the glass is still intact, so that's another job to do for after the hols. £100 is what it's going to cost me - hell, I'm in the wrong business for sure. So currently, I have a car with a limp, poor thing. But hey ho and never mind - Lord H and I will be at the Westleton Crown in Suffolk for the next few days, so frankly my dears, right now, I don't give a damn. Bring on the rain and the birds! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Anne

Websites and yet more Maloney

I had great plans today to go into Godalming to wander around the French market and pop into Waterstone's with my book vouchers - but in the end, I really felt too exhausted to bother. Time of the month, you know, dammit.

Still, at least it's meant I've updated my website with the pleasing news that The Bones of Summer was shortlisted in the Writers' Conference Novel competition. Hurrah! Which is lovely but strange - The Gifting was shortlisted last year (and Donna from Piatkus Press, who judged the competition, also asked to see the start of that one - but so far the agent hasn't yet sent it to her ...) and now it's Bones' turn. And that in the face of the fact that Piatkus publish neither fantasy nor gay crime. Most odd. Still, nice to know I'm reaching a readership that ... um ... doesn't really want me. Heck, in publisher terms, I should be used to that though!

I've also updated the Goldenford site with the latest news items, so do pop in and have a read. You can also admire the wonderful photographs in the News section, as well as the new cover art for the upcoming Luther's Ambassadors. My, we do some shit-hot covers here in the Goldenford world, you know. The contents are pretty hot too.

And I have the latest edit of Maloney's Law to do - that is, the final final edit after my final changes have been added in. It all looks wonderful so far, except that on the Acknowledgements page, I see I can't even spell Guildford. Sigh! So far it's the only thing on my final final edit list though, so here's hoping it stays that way. After that's done, Paul and his story will be off to the printers and all I'm waiting for then is actual publication. Hurrah! Honestly, I can't quite credit it's happening - this stage of the game never actually seems real, though I know that when I'm actually holding a copy of the novel I'll be as emotional as ever. I do think that Maloney is turning out to be my favourite child so far. I care about him most of all.

Oh, and last night's opera was great fun, but not the tour de force I was hoping for, I must say. Not enough sexual tension or pizzazz, to my mind. Which surprised me. So, perfectly enjoyable, but not an opera I'll be rushing to see again, I think. Thank goodness for Dr Who though - which was the best I've ever seen. And included Ianto Jones - what more can you want? But ah (spoiler alert!!!!) - who will be the next doctor now???

Today's nice things:

1. The Bones shortlisting
2. Getting the websites updated
3. The final final Maloney edit.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website
Goldenford Publishers

Cakes, diamonds and rain

Feeling terribly blank and somewhat useless today, I must admit, so am taking my double-dose of Vitamin B pills, plus my De-Stress ones and the Evening Primrose Oil. Ye gods, you’d think that would be enough to stop the slide, but who can tell … Must be the shock of having to come into work after a day away. Talking of which, last night’s opera – Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet – was very good. Incredibly lush and romantic and the soprano had a voice to die for. But the set and costumes were all terribly terribly (how very Surrey I’m getting …) black. In fact, everything was black or dark shades of grey. Apart from the big orange balls and the little orange balloons which occasionally appeared. Really I would have liked more colour – certainly at the beginning where everyone’s happy. They are at a party after all. Still, I’m glad we’ve seen it, though it doesn’t have tunes you hum along to on the way home.

Today we’ve got the last meeting of the Mentoring Group, so Carol and I are getting cakes from Starbucks to celebrate our successes. Must remember to go early before the shelves are wiped clean – as it’s Graduation Week this week. And I’m hoping there won’t be too many items to minute, as there shouldn’t be any actions. After all, as we’ve no more meetings, then we won’t be able to follow them up. But hey it’s the University, and anything can happen … UPDATE: something of a cake overload actually. I’d forgotten I’d already ordered cakes via Catering, dammit. Still, the academic contingent can always be relied on to rise to the occasion where food is concerned. We only had four buns left at the end of it all.

I’ve also been researching hotels for a September weekend away, which is cheering me up mightily. Well, it’ll be our fifteenth wedding anniversary on 11 September (sorry, we can’t help the date) and I think that in itself is deserving of a short break. I’ve found a hotel in Hampshire that does La Stone therapy and reflexology – bliss for me but I don’t know if Lord H will be quite so keen … I’ll just have to hope. I also think that this year might well be the year of the eternity ring. I hummed and hahhed (is that right??) about it when Lord H asked if I wanted one when we were ten years old, as back then it just seemed so “old and married” and Next Stop: The Grave. If you see what I mean. As once you have the eternity ring, what other jewellery is there to look forward to?? Lordy, but I know I’m weird. Now, however, I am desperate for diamonds and emeralds in a nice little band. Which will go so well with my nice little diamonds and emerald engagement ring. Hell, perhaps it’s my age, but then again I’ve always been a sucker for emeralds. Sorry, this is getting way too girly, so I will have a lie-down in a darkened room. Someone pass me the smelling salts. And a jewellery brochure.

Tonight, it’s a night in, which I’m glad about, though there’s nothing on TV, dammit. Honestly, sport ruins the schedules so. I’ll have to stare at Hallsfoot’s Battle and see if I can drag anything up from my virtually non-existent pot of inspiration. Mind you, inspiration has only appeared about twice in my writing life, and each time I changed it. I rely a hell of a lot on just typing – at some stage a story of sorts will usually emerge. Blinking and yawning … Hey ho, or then again maybe I’ll just do some sudokus instead.

And I’m not happy with the weather forecast. Yesterday, everything was looking grand for my birthday day out on Saturday – but now it’s all torrential rain and hurricanes till the finale. Curses. No surprises then that I’ve already made inroads into my Emergency Chocolate Supplies. Please send more!... However, it's not all bad: I've finally dragged my way through (kicking and screaming) to the end of Gabriel Garcia Marquez' novel, Of Love and Other Demons. Serious yawn. Who the hell made him a classic writer?? That's several days of my life I won't get back. Still, at least I've actually finished a Marquez novel once in my life. But never again - please!!

Oh, today’s Inner Bitch Calendar tells me that it’s “I’m Good Enough” Day – because your Inner Bitch knows how many days you’ve spent thinking you weren’t … Hell there’s so much ruddy truth in that. Repeat after me (if you’re a girl): I’m good enough; I’m good enough; I’m good enough. There. I suspect I might need a daily dose however.

Today’s nice things:

1. Cakes
2. A night in
3. Looking at hotels – and jewellery!
4. The Inner Bitch calendar advice.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website
Goldenford Publishers

Brunch, battles and song

A day in lieu from work today - hurrah! Though it does mean I have to face the mountain of having to go in on a Thursday, cue future groaning. Ah well, there's two whole days to go before then, so let's not cross that bridge, etc etc ... Anyway, I've had a lovely morning, meeting Jane H (hello, Jane!) in Guildford for brunch at the Slug & Lettuce. There was a scary moment however when I was crossing the road to get to the cafe, and a mad woman in full wedding party get-up starting shouting and swearing at me. Perhaps she's read one of my books? A distinct possibility, I feel ... I think my great sin was in crossing the road when she apparently hadn't been able to, even though there was zilch traffic so her way was clear. Guildford is obviously full of mad women in party frocks and hats today - so I huddled next to the S&L until Jane rescued me. Thank you, Jane! Also, thank you to Jane x3 for (a) buying brunch, (b) a great catch-up and (c) giving me my first birthday present, which I opened early. Shame on me indeed. But a wonderful card (too rude to note here, naturally ...) and the Emergency Chocolate rations will come in very handy. Possibly on Thursday!

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, I've been struggling away with Hallsfoot's Battle and have now reached just over 9000 words. Ye gods already. I've stopped it for now though as I'm in the middle of another Snow-Raven section, and Birdspeak takes time. Sigh. I think a short nap - otherwise known as a "snap" - is called for.

Because tonight, we're off to the opera in Woking to see Romeo & Juliet, which according to our Opera Guide is about 3.5 hours long. So I doubt we'll hit the pillow before midnight. But, ah doomed love - always a moneyspinner. It's what I always say: opera is just like TV soap. But with song.

Today's nice things:

1. Brunch with Jane
2. Writing
3. Opera.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website
Goldenford Publishers

Writers galore, army commissions and a big clear-out

We’ve spent a lot of the day clearing out the office in order to find space for new people to sit. New people, m’dears – what fun! It’s astonishing the rubbish we’ve – well, I’ve – managed to collect over four years. Really, I’m quite ashamed. I’ve also had to move my paper cut-out altar from my cabinets onto the wall – ah, it won’t be the same … Maybe I should colour it in? Might encourage a tad more divine intervention – you never know. Anyway, we all feel cleansed after our big clear-out. And we’re waiting with great anticipation for the recycling man. What fun we have here on campus.

Lord H has also saved the day for Ruth’s first night of her opera tonight – she’s doing the props for Opera South’s version of “The Bohemian Girl” and has suddenly had to come up with a 1914 Army Commission paper. Lord H managed to find something suitable on Google Images and also mocked something of his own up which he sent to us. Fab! The show can go on then … The boss (still in today but still ill, darnit!) was duly impressed with our dedication to our roles. Naturally. Well, I told him it was transformational networking and the University could only benefit from our increased happiness levels. Hmm, not sure that one will work again …

Oh and one of Ruth's old friends turned up for a chat and then announced she was ill too. Damn it, people, I am doomed, I tell you - doomed ... Somebody send me a mask to live in for the next week and I may just survive till launch day ... Lord, I hope so!

This lunchtime, I’ve got the University Writers Group, so I’m hoping people turn up with stuff to look at. I’m kind of winging it in the games area today, but I do have cut-out words for them to choose and take back for homework. So I feel I’ve achieved something. Possibly. UPDATE: actually, it went quite well and we even had one or two more new faces, so that’s looking positive. Hurrah!

Tonight, it’s Guildford Writers – it’ll be nice to see what everyone else is doing as I haven’t been able to go for a while. Goodness me, what a literary day I’m having. I’ve even got something to take along, in spite of being neck-deep in my editing project. It’s the start of a short story about how to eat fruit and a strange man called Jacob. At least that’s what I think it is – I’ll have to see. It's something I started in the lunchtime group anyway, so it’s nice that occasionally the two things link up. Also it feels quite liberating even to be thinking about a short story and doing it just for fun too – it’s a long time since I’ve done either of those. Hmm, food for thought, maybe?

Today’s nice things:

1. The big tidy
2. Army commissions
3. Writers groups

Anne Brooke
Anne's website
Goldenford Publishers

Out with the luvvies

I must say that the Glyndebourne Touring Opera production of "L'elisir d'amore" last night didn't quite have the charm, colour or general pizzazz of the Opera South (Haslemere) production we saw earlier in the year. Nor the acting skills either. But it was a nice night out with some good tunes, and the famous aria at the end was beautifully sung, so a pleasant enough experience. I am thinking of writing to Glyndebourne though to ask why they insist on doing everything in shades of grey - is the costume department trying to tell us something? Really, it's a mystery. I would have thought that something with the punch and life of "L'elisir" is just crying out for reds and oranges, purples and greens, but not last night for sure.

Anyway, to today. Lord H and I have spent the day in the great metropolis (London, for the uninitiated ...). We were much taken by the moving pictures going up the escalator at Charing Cross Station - so modern! In fact, I shrieked out, "Look! Moving pictures! Whatever next?" Which caused (a) much amusement to the hardened Londoners around us, and (b) Lord H to reply (in his best Dorset accent): "Oo-ah, m'dear, these Londoners be strange creatures, you know. All we get in the country to entertain us is an evening's whittling. They be lucky up here for sure ..." Really, it's astonishing we weren't arrested at the Tube barriers.

The pictures of Scott's last expedition at the National Portrait Gallery were so cunningly hidden away that they didn't actually appear in the current exhibition information and I had to ask the manager to tell us where they could be seen. Which in a way is bizarrely fitting, I suppose. Not that many of them there either - only one cabinet - but definitely worth a look. Lunch at the NPG cafe was good too.

Afterwards, we trotted off to the Gielgud Theatre to see "Macbeth". But, alas, my second favourite man, the glorious Patrick Stewart, was too ill to perform and we had the understudy instead. Who was, I must say, very strong in the role, but I was still disappointed to miss Patrick. Sigh ... Still, he did come on at the start and apologise, and the poor bloke could hardly speak, his voice was so bad. It's a good production, for sure, and I can thoroughly recommend it. Some excellent touches with the witches and with Macbeth's final moments. Fab! Mind you, it is my favourite play ever, so I have to admit to positive prejudice!

Tonight, we have watched "Strictly Come Dancing", and were thrilled with the professionalism of Letitia's performance, and delighted to see that poor Kate can dance after all. Go, Kate, go!

Today's nice things:

1. Captain Scott, the ultimate icon of doomed courage
2. Macbeth, the most gloriously evil and gloriously human play in the world
3. Kate, the underdog makes good, aha!

Anne Brooke
Anne's website

Balls and song

Hmm, there's a title to conjure with. This morning, I have played golf with Marian for the first time in about six zillion years (I've been away, I've been ill, she's been away, she's been ill, etc etc ...) and we were total rubbish. Understandably. Though the day was lovely and the colours on the trees are surely as near to heaven as we're likely to get this side of the Grim Reaper. Mind you, I was pretty shit-hot with my tee shots, which went straighter and further than they ever go when I play regularly. But the rest of my game was pants. I'm sure the ruddy holes kept moving. Even while I was putting, dammit.

Post-golf, I nipped into Sainsbury's to get lunch and also something for my ankle, which is playing up again today. I am trying bandages, Deep Heat Muscle Rub and prayer. As you do. But in the shop, I found a special ankle and wrist bandage (are they the same shapes??) which is supposed to cure all ills. However, I fear I may not fully understand the instructions, which involve a complex series of cuttings and foldings which is beyond me - so I will have to wait for Lord H to come home so I can do my special eyelash fluttering wimpy wife thing. No, as you're asking, it doesn't really work, no - but Lord H has a noble heart so I hope he'll take pity on me.

Anyway, back at the home front, I have caught up with my downloaded viewing of "Oz and James' Great Wine Adventure", which was even more off-the-wall than usual, with James giving Oz the challenge of finding the right wines to go with a series of classic cars at a show he'd detoured to see. Cue the next tranche of wine labels: a frisky little Riesling, just right with a Morris Minor ... Hell, it could catch on.

For the rest of the day, I have been continuing my edit of Jackie's Tainted Tree. Though, due to post-golf exhaustion, I haven't been going at my usual pace, I fear. Still I'm up to Chapter 13 now, so I'm getting there, Jackie! But I think I might schedule in a quick nap before tonight's outing.

Which will be very exciting, as Lord H and I are off to Woking to see L'elisir d'amore, which is such a fun opera, hell, it's almost a musical - so ideal for Woking really! And it's got good crits and sing-alone tunes, so what more could you want?

Oh, and I must say a belated hello to Kristian, the wild-haired fireman for this month's calendar shot. He's keen on martial arts, travel and wildlife, apparently, and certainly knows what to do with his hose. As it were.

Today's nice things:

1. Golf
2. Editing
3. Opera.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website

Post-opera and a meal out

Yesterday’s opera was fantastic – La Cenerentola at Glyndebourne. The production was great – a hot conductor and a super-hot baritone (two, really – though one was funnier) for Ruth and me, and girly eye-candy for the boys – so what more could one want? We had great fun at the picnic too – our table seemed to be on a slope and every time someone jogged it, all the glasses would fall down. And as I was the one on the lower slope, I have now been christened with champagne and Pimm’s. And a splodge or two of cream as well. Thank goodness that these M&S dresses are so washable – and don’t show the stains. Ruth too managed to get champagne on her hair, but it actually made it more the style she was after so she reckons she might use the same method again. Assuming one can afford it of course …

Anyway, this morning, we have made a minimal start on the washing-up prior to work, but I’ll have to do a job-lot of it this evening. A shame too that we broke one of our champagne glasses – will have to try and replace it at some stage (see below!).

At work, I struggled with the temporary smaller car park the University has just designated – as they’re redoing the other one. Actually parking wasn’t the problem – it was just finding the pedestrian exit afterwards. I ended up pushing my way through a hedge to get to the road – with other, equally confused people following me. Hmm, I may have started a trend and I suspect that hedge ain’t long for this world, missus …

Here at my desk, I’m also struggling on with typing up the Nursery Management Group minutes, and failing to understand what I meant when I wrote them originally. No change there then. Oh and Ruth has kindly donated a marrow from her garden to the Poor of Godalming, so we will be super-healthy all week – thanks, Ruth!

I popped into Guildford at lunchtime to get some essentials (as you do) and also to look for a replacement champagne glass – see above (my, how I love the high life …). Unfortunately Debenhams don’t seem to do Villeroy & Boch any more, so I had to battle my way through the scary House of Fraser hugeness. Equally unfortunately, the V&B woman wasn’t there so couldn’t tell me if “Roma” glasses are still available – so I had to leave a message. However, later she very sweetly rang to tell me they don’t stock them any more, and not even Luxembourg has any. Ah well, nice of her to try. I shall have to go in again later in the week and see if I can start another set. Still, the exercise is doing me good! Bizarrely, I also bumped into Ruth’s husband, Douglas, in town – so expect those vicious rumours to start any day now … It seems he’s coming down with something nasty, poor chap, so here’s hoping we don’t all get it here too. The Curse of Glyndebourne runs deep, you know …

Oh, and here’s a poem. It’s one of those days indeed (is it just me??):

Meditation

Nothing's happening
very slowly indeed;

the day clings to my legs
like treacle

or a difficult cat.
I think I will never

unhook it from the morning
and persuade it

to head just a little faster
towards night.


Tonight, Jane H, Ang and I are out for dinner and a local girly catch-up in Godalming at Prezzo’s which looks very smart, I must say. Jane is kindly picking me up so I can drink (hurrah! – thanks, Jane!), which is extra nice as last night I was the Glyndebourne driver.

Today’s nice things:

1. Writing a poem
2. Marrows
3. Dinner out with the local gals.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website

Lunch and Goldenford

Enjoyed the opera last night, but have to say it wasn’t the best production I’ve seen, and I was very tired, so found it hard to concentrate at all. The sets were nice and the singers were good – but I wasn’t convinced by the band. Not that I’m musical at all (heck, I can’t even read the stuff) but it just sounded off-key here and there to me. I was also a bit disappointed with the spectacle side of it – Ellen Kent operas usually have something exciting happening – eg real golden eagles, white stallions, whole circuses etc. Last night we had a fire eater, some pyrotechnics and a few dainty ballet dancers. Also there was a family in the row below us and along a bit with a young girl who just wouldn’t stop whispering all the way through. Really irritating behaviour. I’m sorry to sound fogey-ish, but I would never have got away with that when I was a gal. Thank goodness we were able to move along a bit after the first interval, and then they left after the second. Hurrah.

This morning, I have finished off the minutes for the Nursery Management Group, distributed the office’s P60s and had a long chat with the Head of Security about TV appearances (he’s done some in his anti-crime capacity) and strange meetings which don’t disappear from the calendar even though I’ve cancelled them. Sigh. My email system is just pants. I am also attempting to recharge my phone ready for my action-packed social weekend (which is becoming wilder by the second!) and I really must get some money out so I can actually eat.

Hmm, my legs are beginning to ache from yesterday’s exercise class too. Hope it stops there – I don’t want to be seized up like a rod over my action-packed weekend … Though I am having trouble actually walking. Groan.

Oh and someone came into the office to be introduced to everyone and find out what we do. We in the Student Care Services Central Team aren’t very good at this – we always look like we’re rabbits caught in the headlights of an oncoming Jag, and have no idea how to answer. I think this is actually my problem – my brain always goes blank if someone asks me what I do. Which can be awkward in meetings when we’re all being introduced round the table. When it comes to me, I find I have absolutely no idea. And am lucky to remember my own name. Now this is beginning to affect Ruth also, who used to be good at this kind of stuff. At least the Dean’s Office (good old Andrea!) can still sound like a professional. Perhaps the disease I appear to be spreading hasn’t caught up with her yet – she’s only been here a year. Anyway, we’ve decided that we need to practise for next time, so are hoping to persuade David to pop out of his office now and again and ask us both what we do. Not sure this will work, but at least we might know what the words should be, even if we can’t form the sentences.

Then lunch with Julia – very civilised indeed. And nice to catch up. Also amusing to watch the poor gal struggling to put a brolly up before dashing back out into our ongoing summer rain. Have you not opened a brolly before, Julia?!? Hope your finger survives, m’dear … I got cash out from the Students’ Union specially for lunch (though Julia bought – thank you!), but when I asked for a transaction slip, the machine gave me one, but with no writing on. Useful. Perhaps I should have asked for the printed version?...

Seem to have broken the blind again at work today. Hmm. I’m a demon with that window pole, I tell you. I will have to confess to Ruth when she returns from her meeting as she’s the only one of us with enough agility and courage to shin up to the top, using only a rubber band and her native wit, and fix it. We hope.

Tonight, I’m off minuting the Goldenford (http://www.goldenford.co.uk) meeting – if they ever make taking minutes an Olympic sport, I’m going for gold. Heck, I’m sure I’ve said that before, but I’m a sucker for repetition. I’m a sucker for … oh, sorry, getting a bit carried away there.

And after my desperate attempts to get back to writing, I’ve managed to do another 1,000 words or so to The Gifting, which brings me to c118,500 words. It looks like I will reach the magical 120,000 for a fantasy novel after all. Hurrah! And I have a whole new twist idea for the end. Double hurrah. Funny how ideas only ever seem to come, if they come at all, when I’m actually doing the physical act of writing. Never before it.

Today’s nice things:

1. Chatting in the office
2. Lunch with Julia
3. Goldenford.

Anne Brooke
http://www.annebrooke.com
http://www.pinkchampagneandapplejuice.com

Interviews and Aida

Managed to squeeze in the first pass through my HagsHarlotsHeroines (http://www.hagsharlotsheroines.co.uk) interview today, as well as having a good look through later on and sending it to Laura (http://www.myspace.com/lauracwilkinson) for comment. I hope she likes it – or most of it – I’ve tried to be as honest as possible, but am happy to change/add stuff as need be. Anyway, I enjoyed answering the questions – it’s nice to think about why I write what I write sometimes. And, heck, being a self-obsessed egomaniac (is there any other kind?), I could talk about myself forever. Sad to say … Must get on with the darn writing though – I really wish I had a chunk of time to get stuck into the ending of The Gifting, but I’m forced to do it in dribs and drabs at the moment, which is making me very twitchy. Still, once I get the ending bashed out in some form or other, I can go back and edit. A process I do actually enjoy – hurrah!

At work, we’ve had a rather nasty email from a very unhappy person going round the university accusing us of all sorts of dubious and utterly impossible activities – it’s not nice and I really didn’t like having to look at it this morning. Suffice it to say that it’s being dealt with in the most compassionate way possible. Thank goodness. I can do with fewer of those for sure.

Lunchtime found me at my first back exercise class of the season (as I haven’t been able to do the others) – I was rather dreading it, but in the event it was fine, though I took it easier this time. Last time, I ached for aeons afterwards. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen again this week, but we’ll see. This afternoon, I’ve minuted the Nursery Management Group, where we were all rather vague and charming, as our kick-ass chair has left on maternity leave. But we bumbled through somehow, though I did feel a bit guilty as I suspect I should have made sure we knew who was in charge before we began – I’d made assumptions which were proved incorrect! There’s a surprise then … not. Call myself a secretary? Bah, I say! Bah! I’ve also sorted out minutes from other meetings, fiddled around with web stuff and attempted to look like a professional. Not sure I fooled anyone though.

And at home the (German) neighbour has had problems with his email, which Lord H has now sorted. Cue cries of triumph. Bizarre though that my email now has a few spam messages - in German - on it. Spooky, eh ...

Tonight, Lord H and I are off to the opera – Aida in Woking – so am hugely looking forward to that. Opera – soaps with songs. They’re great. I can’t remember what the heck it’s about though as my brain is totally befuddled. As usual. Heck, it’s sooo good to be lifted out of oneself now and again.

Today’s nice things:

1. Interview questions
2. Back class
3. Aida.

Anne Brooke
http://www.annebrooke.com
http://www.pinkchampagneandapplejuice.com
http://www.goldenford.co.uk

Nutrimetics, coffee, tongues and opera

Today I am a lady who does coffee (if not lunch) - hurrah! Spent the morning at Jane H's, catching up on the gossip, talking about "A Dangerous Man" (http://www.flamebooks.com) - she's read it, she really enjoyed it, phew that's a relief, thanks, Jane ..., and sampling the products of Jane's wonderful shit-hot new stylish coffee machine. It was marvellous! And even did decaff, so I'm not quite as on the ceiling as I would be with a caffeine fix. Though as I'm fairly hyper anyway, I sometimes wonder if it makes any difference ... Oh, and I also restocked my essential supplies of Jane's Nutrimetics (http://www.nutrimetics.co.uk) so perhaps I am indeed turning into a designer product junkie. Anyway, I love the stuff, and I even have two new ones to try, so I am a contented cat. Goodness, am I turning in to a Real Woman? No! Surely not ... Whatever would Michael say?

Talking of womanhood though, I actually bought £400 worth of new clothes yesterday!!! Which in Orvis (http://www.orvis.co.uk) language, translates into ... um ... only six items, including two utterly adorable jackets which I just couldn't resist. Bloody hell, what am I saying? Ye gods, I never shop. Or buy clothes. What is happening to me??? I blame it on the Sad Light, which is turning my winter depression into an overwhelming desire to spend. Or perhaps the Government is putting female hormones into the water supply after all, and I am at last getting my fair share of the little buggers? Anyway, Lord H was thrilled as he is constantly bemoaning how cheap a wife I am (or at least I think that's what he's saying ...) and used his credit card to buy the stuff. So I am indeed turning into Surrey Wife in that I am now officially Kept By My Husband. You heard it here first.

And a curious fact about Lord H (steady people, steady ...): I have known this man for 20 years and been married to him for 13-and-a-half, and yet yesterday evening he walked into the dining room, stuck his tongue out and demonstrated for the first time ever how he could roll it into a U-shape. It was horrible, really horrible. I can see I shall have to book another therapy session pretty damn quick ... In fact, I have never seen anything quite so disturbing before (which I imagine proves what a bizarrely sheltered life I have in fact led) and it also proves beyond shadow of a doubt that I am actually married to an alien. Take me to your strange tongue-rolling people ... No, on second thoughts, don't. Anyway, once I'd stopped screaming and calmed down somewhat, Lord H explained that it's part of the genetics presentation he's preparing for his theology course. Apparently, there are two types of people in the world: those who can roll their tongues into a seriously weird U-shape (dominant gene); and those who can't (recessive gene). All I can say is that, for the first time ever, I am really, really glad I'm not the dominant one. And I can see his presentation is going to be memorable.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have spent the afternoon typing up yesterday's scribblings of "The Gifting" onto the computer - it's slowly, slowly this week, with only 97,600 words in total to show. Oh to get to 98,000 before the Revolution arrives. And Sean from Flame has very kindly contacted me to see if I'm happy with the look of ADM - the answer being a resounding yes! - but lovely of him to ask. I've also had another go at a piece of flash fiction for the Writewords (http://www.writewords.org.uk) Flash Fiction II challenge (the theme being "plughole"!) and have come up with a 50-worder:

Bathtime secrets
Janine watched the water as it swirled down the plughole. When it was finished, she lifted out the matted hairs from its tiny eyes. Dark strands mixed with auburn. Such a shame then that she was blonde. Downstairs, she heard the front door open. ‘Darling, I’m home,’ her husband yelled.

Tonight, Lord H and I are off to see Opera South's performance of Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love" in Haslemere - Ruth from work sings in the chorus, so there's a personal connection, but it's a great opera too. The only problem I'm having (apart from Haslemere's parking hell) is that I hate, hate, hate going out on a Friday (when Lord H and I should be slumping in front of the telly with pizza and icecream - that's what Friday's are for, for goodness sake), and we're not really going to catch up on our usual psychotic-hermit time until Sunday, as we're doing golf & lunch at ours tomorrow. All nice stuff of course, but the amount of social interaction I'm going to have to do with the outside world is already making me twitchy. I think it's time for a calming pill ...

Today's nice things:

1. Jane liking ADM - thanks, Jane!
2. Jane's great coffee machine
3. Opera.

Anne Brooke
http://www.annebrooke.com
http://www.goldenford.co.uk

Wasp city

God, it's a day for the bloody wasps today. Wasn't feeling too great this morning, so had a lie-in and a slow start. Managed to have a bath, thank the Lord, before the first evil beast dive-bombed me at breakfast. Then had to get dressed whilst holding another one at bay - not an easy task, I assure you. Which explains why I look like I've been flung together by a Trinny & Susannah reject right now. The last straw was another one on the attack while I was attempting to put my make up on. I gave up at that point and sat outside the flat on the communal stairs and rang Lord H, asking him to come home for lunch so he could sort it out.

Lord H turned up on his white charger an hour later, which meant at least I could put my shoes on while he stood guard. We found 5 dead bodies, and three more live ones. Curses. He then brown-taped every gap we could find in the walls (it's an old house ...) to try to stop them coming in. We think they might be dropping out of the trapdoor to the flat roof, though it's hard to be sure.

Anyway, I went to lunch with Robin when Lord H left - heck, it was good to be out of the flat - but I am now back, typing this in the dark whilst wearing my coat and fingerless gloves just in case I have to do a runner if another of the stripy demons turns up. Thank goodness I'm away this weekend on retreat in Bristol - Lord H will have to deal with them, or maybe ring our usual wasp man if things get nasty. I sooooooooooooooooooo hate wasps. They're evil bastards.

Tonight, we're out at the Glyndebourne Touring Opera's version of Britten's "The Turn of the Screw". So that might cheer me up. Hmm, maybe not ...

Oh, and I've had some positive and interesting comments from the Writewords (http://www.writewords.org.uk) site on my poem, "Black cloud", which has been uplifting. But, as you can tell, no writing has been done - though I have sent off my monthly poetry submission to the next magazine on my list and tried to drum up some interest in "Maloney's Law". Again. With little success. Ah well.

Today's nice things:

1. Lunch with Robin
2. The opera.

Anne Brooke
http://www.annebrooke.com
http://www.goldenford.co.uk