1. I haven't used this blog for a few days - mainly because I'm quite behind in my "to do" list. I think it's because I've been out and about a lot lately with school visits. I enjoy them but I'm finding it makes me feel more disorganised at home. I'm hoping for a turnaround in that soon.
2. I have still been getting up on these cold mornings to do my turbo jam exercises which I'm quite proud of.
3. I'm really looking forward to going to Auckland tomorrow for my high school reunion. I'm going with my three sisters.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
High school musical, Skipper, school visit
1. We went to our local high school musical tonight at the insistence of our children who went to a special viewing for local schools yesterday. It was "Back to the 80s and was great fun. It took me back to the days of my own high school musicals. I would have liked to have been one of the chosen few on stage but, in those years, I was less forthright. Instead, I was usually found in the orchestra pit on the end of a clarinet or saxophone - neither of which I could play today. It was good to see our local teens in a happier light than they sometimes portray themselves.
2. One of my book characters turned 5 today. It's exactly 5 years since the first Skipper readers turned up in my letterbox - my version of an anniversary. Happy Birthday, Skipper. He's a mischievous fun-loving border collie dog who helps lots of 5 and 6 year olds in New Zealand learn to read.
3. I visited a nearby school today to talk to the children about my books and writing. They were a bunch of exuberant 6 year olds and we all had a great time together. I love school visits! We worked on a new Skipper story together and I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out in the end.
2. One of my book characters turned 5 today. It's exactly 5 years since the first Skipper readers turned up in my letterbox - my version of an anniversary. Happy Birthday, Skipper. He's a mischievous fun-loving border collie dog who helps lots of 5 and 6 year olds in New Zealand learn to read.
3. I visited a nearby school today to talk to the children about my books and writing. They were a bunch of exuberant 6 year olds and we all had a great time together. I love school visits! We worked on a new Skipper story together and I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out in the end.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Vacuuming, friends, television
1. Anyone familiar with this blog or me personally knows of my aversion to housework. I did manage some long overdue housework today, however, and even surprised myself by vacuuming the van as well. No medals were awarded. I also didn't receive any pocket money. Oh well...
2. I spent some time today with friends who are moving to Auckland. I will be sad to see them go, but wish them all the best finding happiness in the big city.
3. My joke book was mentioned on television several times today. It was wonderful. Sunday morning television for children includes a popular show called What Now? The host, Charlie, read out several of the jokes. And then it was very exciting to see the illustrator of the book, Ross Kinnaird, teaching children from the audience some drawing skills. Ross said a special hello to me at the end of the programme. Thanks, Ross!
2. I spent some time today with friends who are moving to Auckland. I will be sad to see them go, but wish them all the best finding happiness in the big city.
3. My joke book was mentioned on television several times today. It was wonderful. Sunday morning television for children includes a popular show called What Now? The host, Charlie, read out several of the jokes. And then it was very exciting to see the illustrator of the book, Ross Kinnaird, teaching children from the audience some drawing skills. Ross said a special hello to me at the end of the programme. Thanks, Ross!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Blisters, bag, digestion
1. Lesson 1: If you are buying a pair of boots for a special event which may require some walking, practice wearing the boots for a day before the special event. Otherwise, painful blisters may ensue.
2. Lesson 2: If you are borrowing someone's special bag for a special event, check the capacity of the bag before deciding to take it as your only bag for whole time in another city.
3. Lesson 3. If you have any digestive weaknesses, don't expect to feel romantic after a tension filled award ceremony followed by a large banquet style dinner.
Here endeth the lesson. For more uplifting information about the NZ Post Children's Book Awards, see the Writing News section of my wordimperfect blog.
2. Lesson 2: If you are borrowing someone's special bag for a special event, check the capacity of the bag before deciding to take it as your only bag for whole time in another city.
3. Lesson 3. If you have any digestive weaknesses, don't expect to feel romantic after a tension filled award ceremony followed by a large banquet style dinner.
Here endeth the lesson. For more uplifting information about the NZ Post Children's Book Awards, see the Writing News section of my wordimperfect blog.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Awards, dressing up, exercise
1. I'm not sure if I'll have time to update this blog for the next few days, as I'll be going to Wellington for the NZ Post Book Awards ceremony on Wednesday. I hope to update the blog when I return on Thursday. It's the day I've been waiting for since I found out I was a finalist on February 7 so it's been a long wait!
2. I'm looking forward to dressing up for the awards ceremony. I'm taking a few choices with me and will make a final decision once I'm there - taking the weather and my mood into consideration. It's been fun figuring out what looks good together and choosing some new items for the special occasion. Thanks to the friends who have loaned me their special occasion clothing. I really appreciate your help.
3. I've been doing my new turbo jam exercise DVD for a few weeks now and am back to really enjoying the morning workout again after a bit of a break while I was away on the author tour. The hotel rooms didn't have DVD players so I had to find other forms of exercise such as swimming and investigating the hotel gym. Then, when I returned, I found it a bit hard to get back into my normal exercise routine. However, perseverance paid off in the end and this morning I really enjoyed it. It's very exciting for me to be looking forward to exercise - as it's not my normal state!
2. I'm looking forward to dressing up for the awards ceremony. I'm taking a few choices with me and will make a final decision once I'm there - taking the weather and my mood into consideration. It's been fun figuring out what looks good together and choosing some new items for the special occasion. Thanks to the friends who have loaned me their special occasion clothing. I really appreciate your help.
3. I've been doing my new turbo jam exercise DVD for a few weeks now and am back to really enjoying the morning workout again after a bit of a break while I was away on the author tour. The hotel rooms didn't have DVD players so I had to find other forms of exercise such as swimming and investigating the hotel gym. Then, when I returned, I found it a bit hard to get back into my normal exercise routine. However, perseverance paid off in the end and this morning I really enjoyed it. It's very exciting for me to be looking forward to exercise - as it's not my normal state!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Touring, hotel cleanliness, good news
1. I'm back! Actually I've been back for a day or two but it takes a while to get back into the swing of things. However, I've finally found time to update this blog. I was away on an author's tour from Sunday to Wednesday in Tauranga and Rotorua. I also went to another area called Otorohanga on Thursday. I had a great time talking to children about my work and taking joke writing workshops. It was pretty tiring though and, although I enjoyed the change of scenery, I was very happy to be home again. Now I'm looking forward to the awards ceremony in Wellington next Wednesday evening.
2. One of the hotels I stayed in while I was in Rotorua had some cleanliness issues. I wish I had spoken to someone straight away and got a different room but I didn't feel assertive enough for some reason. It will be interesting to see if I hear back from the manager about the complaints I've detailed on his survey form. If not, I'll keep trying to gain his attention.
3. I was thrilled to hear last night that David Bain has a chance for freedom. Most of you won't know of him. He's a young man who's been in prison here in NZ for about 12 years for supposedly shooting his whole family. A former All Black, Joe Karam, has written a book about his struggle to help David attain justice. I've read the book, called David and Goliath, and have always believed in David's innocence. Finally the Privy Council in England has said there seems to have been a miscarriage of justice and David may be out on Tuesday. It's a bit more complicated than that, but I'm very very happy for him.
2. One of the hotels I stayed in while I was in Rotorua had some cleanliness issues. I wish I had spoken to someone straight away and got a different room but I didn't feel assertive enough for some reason. It will be interesting to see if I hear back from the manager about the complaints I've detailed on his survey form. If not, I'll keep trying to gain his attention.
3. I was thrilled to hear last night that David Bain has a chance for freedom. Most of you won't know of him. He's a young man who's been in prison here in NZ for about 12 years for supposedly shooting his whole family. A former All Black, Joe Karam, has written a book about his struggle to help David attain justice. I've read the book, called David and Goliath, and have always believed in David's innocence. Finally the Privy Council in England has said there seems to have been a miscarriage of justice and David may be out on Tuesday. It's a bit more complicated than that, but I'm very very happy for him.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Squash, clothing, interview
1. My husband is playing in a masters squash tournament tonight. I'm glad our family is into squash. It's a great game for getting a sweat up.
2. I've been trying to decide what to wear for the big awards ceremony in Wellington on May 16th. My main points of indecision are over the inability to predict the weather that day and the fact that the awards are held from 4pm to 7pm. I've also seen photos of some of the winners from last year and I wouldn't say they were dressed to the nines. So, any ideas? I want to buy something and I've looked around but am still undecided. My friend has offered to loan me something if there's anything in her wardrobe that would work so that's a kind offer and could prove a winner. I'll keep you informed. However, my main priority at the moment is preparing for my author tour. I leave on Sunday. How exciting!
3. Today I was interviewed for a radio programme. It will play on Radio NZ on Sunday some time between 2.30pm and 3pm. If you want to get it via the internet after that, I believe it's available for four weeks on the website. The website is www.radionz.co.nz and the programme I'm going to be on is an Arts on Sunday programme which is in the afternoon. The host is Lynne Freeman. Hope you find it. Let me know!
2. I've been trying to decide what to wear for the big awards ceremony in Wellington on May 16th. My main points of indecision are over the inability to predict the weather that day and the fact that the awards are held from 4pm to 7pm. I've also seen photos of some of the winners from last year and I wouldn't say they were dressed to the nines. So, any ideas? I want to buy something and I've looked around but am still undecided. My friend has offered to loan me something if there's anything in her wardrobe that would work so that's a kind offer and could prove a winner. I'll keep you informed. However, my main priority at the moment is preparing for my author tour. I leave on Sunday. How exciting!
3. Today I was interviewed for a radio programme. It will play on Radio NZ on Sunday some time between 2.30pm and 3pm. If you want to get it via the internet after that, I believe it's available for four weeks on the website. The website is www.radionz.co.nz and the programme I'm going to be on is an Arts on Sunday programme which is in the afternoon. The host is Lynne Freeman. Hope you find it. Let me know!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Furby, hair cut, dancing
1. The "furby gone bad" comment on my word imperfect blog brought to mind something I haven't mentioned here and should. My husband brought home a furby from a garage sale recently. It's first words were "I hate you, I hate you". Now, I'm sure this wasn't the way a furby was designed to behave. I felt sorry for the poor thing. It had obviously been living in a dysfunctional home - particularly since it was sold for a dollar at a garage sale! I said "I love you, I love you" and the furby said "ooooh, nice words" or something similar. It was quite bizarre. Happily, the furby no longer says "I hate you, I hate you". However, if it's awake and there's a loud noise, it has a cute way of reacting and saying "ooh, loud noise" or something like that which I can't exactly recall. I like having a furby in the household.
2. I had my first hair cut in years today. I've been cutting my own fringe for ages and haven't had my long hair trimmed for several years, as far as I can recall. However, $40 later, and my hair is very tidy. I like it a lot. No one has noticed.
3. We've been enjoying our NZ version of Dancing with the Stars. I would love to do ballroom dancing but my husband isn't so keen. So, for now, I'll watch.
2. I had my first hair cut in years today. I've been cutting my own fringe for ages and haven't had my long hair trimmed for several years, as far as I can recall. However, $40 later, and my hair is very tidy. I like it a lot. No one has noticed.
3. We've been enjoying our NZ version of Dancing with the Stars. I would love to do ballroom dancing but my husband isn't so keen. So, for now, I'll watch.
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