Nothing to say

I’ve been a bit sparse on updates this month, mainly because there isn’t a hell of a lot new to say.  I hope to make a real push on the novel the next two weeks but you know the story on that.

I’m in the process of studying to finally sit my theory test for my driving so that’s taking up a bit of time at the moment.  I’m 26 by the way, so yeah, people tend to look at me funny when I tell them I can’t drive.  I don’t really understand why.  I’ve always used public transport and never really had a problem with it.  But most people consider learning to drive to be up there with having sex or moving out of home – ie it’s a little weird if you haven’t done it at 26.  But anyway, I’m learning now.  It’d be cool to have my license before I get married I suppose (3 months now).

If you didn’t watch Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle on Monday (BBC2 10pm) then go and watch it right this minute on BBC Iplayer.  Nice to have some clever comedy on television again.  Now just watch for this to get axed after this series while Horne and Corden get 4,000 series and all-day Christmas specials.  Gah.

About bloody time I posted an update

Back from Ireland and back to work this week.  I can’t believe how much I realised I needed a holiday.  It was great to spend nearly whole days just reading.  I read Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear by Dan Gardner and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon.  Both really great books.  The first is a really interesting look at why people are so perceptible to being scared and it’s quite sobering when you read about it.  One of the things that really stuck with me was the fact that if an act of terrorism on the scale of 11/9 (reclaim the date format) took place every month for a year in America, an American is still more likely to be killed in a car crash than by a terrorist.  The second book is just a really well crafted and funny story.  I’m about to start now on The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood.  I also got to see my nephew for the first time.  He didn’t speak to me though which I hope is just indicative of him being three weeks old and not that he doesn’t like me.  But you can never be sure with babies can you?

As for my own writing, it’s no further forward.  I do have a clear idea now of the ending which is good because I need something to work towards.  I also have a few more ideas about the story so it’s at least coming along in my head.  Obviously, that’s of little use if it’s not down on paper but that’s a broken record at this point.  I also have to start thinking about writing my speech for my wedding (101 days) so that will be interesting.  Luckily I have a decent idea what I’m going to say but I will need to get it down as I want it to be great.  Good is not acceptable.  Unless I’m rushed for time in which case it is.

Hippos are cool

Well I’m another year older.  Not sure whether I’m wiser.  Got some books and dvds that should keep me going for a while.  Enjoying being off work.  Definitely think I needed a couple of weeks off.  It’s been great getting up at midday and being able to spend the remainder reading or watching a dvd or whatever.

Off to Ireland this week to see my nephew which should be cool.  I hope he likes me.  I bought him a hippo to try and win him over.  I just hope he’s into hippos.  It’s hard to tell at that age (2 weeks).

The new novel is coming together a bit more in my head and I have an idea that I want to put into practice at some point (possibly tomorrow but if not will have to wait till next week).  Won’t say too much more about it (unless it works) but I’m hoping it will make me a bit more productive.  I’m sure I’ve read of at least one writer using this approach so it’s got to be worth a try.  If I don’t write about it ever again you can presume it didn’t work.