tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50581260419193036552012-01-27T11:09:38.668-05:00Thoughts. Ideas. Dreams.S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.comBlogger6701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-75926799093976428972012-01-27T11:00:00.001-05:002012-01-27T11:07:36.288-05:00

If you're wondering where I've been all this time, I've been HERE. And that's where I'm staying.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-19152651920350207142011-12-31T21:30:00.000-05:002011-12-31T21:30:00.726-05:00

Have the wind in one's face both going and returning; Oxfordshire. - Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1898-1905Good Bye, An Author's Journey. It was wonderful!

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-13488444772801353772011-12-30T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-30T09:30:02.017-05:00

A short method of teaching. - Joseph Worcester's Dictionary of the English Language, 1881

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-27770763730015466942011-12-29T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-29T09:30:00.690-05:00

A merry. light-hjearted, playful, romping girl; a giddy, silly, thoughtless girl; a wanton, a strumpet. Hence, gigleting, laughing in a foolish manner; trifling behavior. - Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1898-1905Giglot, a female laughing or playing wantonly. - Walter Skeat's Specimens of English Dialects, Westmoreland, 1879"Away with those giglets too, and with the other

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-24453596801232987282011-12-28T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-28T09:30:00.150-05:00

A person who judges by the bulk or size, and overlooks the real merit. - Maurice Weseen's Dictionary of American Slang, 1934

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-68117913063073762962011-12-27T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-27T09:30:00.113-05:00

By the climacteric system, seven years was declared to be the termination of childhood; fourteen the term of puberty; twenty-one of adult age; thirty-five, or five times seven, as the height of physical and bodily strength. At forty-nine the person was said to have reached the height of his mental strength or intellectual powers; at sixty-three, or nine times seven, he was said to have reached

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-83108015180412429352011-12-26T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-26T09:30:00.729-05:00

Error, delusion; deceit; heretic, deceiver [c. 900-1300; related to] Old English dwela, dweola, and dwala, error, heresy, madness. Dwal-kenned, heretical. - Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 187

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-25553689511009564942011-12-25T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-25T09:30:00.349-05:00

It's Christmas Day!MERRY CHRISTMAS!

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-64588599414933340102011-12-24T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-24T09:30:02.432-05:00

The word is used in Yorkshire, and applied especially to dishes make from the viscera of the pig. Christmas was formerly, as now, the principal season for pig-cheer. - T. Lewis' Davies' Supplementary English Glossary, 1881It's Christmas Eve! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-20952203770128030412011-12-23T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-23T09:37:58.969-05:00

But first, SNOW!Now that I've gotten that out of my system, there's much news to impart. Firstly, that this is my last day at work before the Christmas holidays. I shall depart for the rest of the year, and return in January.As I've tried to do in the past year, I shall continue to post the daily Forgotten English words everyday until the end of the year. However, I won't be physically around

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-3529090008074528082011-12-22T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-22T09:35:05.268-05:00

This week and last week were hectic at best. Now with everything more or less settled, I can relax a bit. I'm doing this to day by listening obsessively to The Piano Guys. If you've never heard of them (their vidoe Cello Wars went viral a fortnight ago), here are two of my favourite songs they've released:And my favourite-est ever (sigh):Ahhhh..... I heart them so much. Honestly, it's an

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-60281051224443255942011-12-21T10:15:00.001-05:002011-12-21T10:19:57.008-05:00

You get an emailed solicitation for a one of your manuscripts, only to discover the solicitation is not quite as wonderful as it seems.Last week I received an email from 'new international publishing house JustFiction! Edition' requesting I send in my manuscript for The Great Man.(A clue to other solicitors, The Great Man is the single most precious thing I've written. Sure, I hate it more often

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-4613098433542866882011-12-20T09:45:00.000-05:002011-12-20T09:56:31.680-05:00

I was having a chat last night after J.M-B., her sister K. M-B. and our friend A.L. gathered to put up the Christmas tree.Well, better late than never.A.L. noted that it sounded like I had everything all sorted out, altogether and properly lined up here on this blog. My reaction was pure astonishment.Sorted out? Altogether? Hells no!I'm freaking out!The truth of the matter is, I'm not anywhere

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-48800099795367142572011-12-19T09:45:00.000-05:002011-12-19T09:55:44.677-05:00

There really isn't a plot. There is a plan though. My business plan. I'm currently in the process of fixing up the business plan I wrote Friday to send to the grants people. If I'm very lucky, they'll decide to award me with a small business grant, and then I can buy the equipment and get started.I'm not sure what the turn around time for the grant is, so I might not be prepared to launch in

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-76030611176446195392011-12-16T10:00:00.000-05:002011-12-16T10:09:08.926-05:00

Yesterday was an insanely productive day. The work wasn't writing, but it was related to making my writing a career. That is to say, making my income solely from my writing and artistic ventures. It won't happen overnight, obviously, and I have a tonne of stuff to learn about marketing and so forth, but it will happen eventually. It will.This is completely new territory for me, and it's a

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-58322524841680069382011-12-15T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-15T09:40:03.836-05:00

Yesterday was hell.Such incredible, stupid, unmanageable hell.It was so very hellish that when my flatmate called to find out what was going on, I promptly burst into tears.It's a work matter, not a writing one (Oh, how I long for the day when writing is my work!) , so I'm not going to go into detail here. Needless to say, it was a terrible, terrible, terrible day.Obviously, no writing was done.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-33548018843100035832011-12-14T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-14T09:43:27.472-05:00

Yep. I can kinda feel it looming, that giant Godzilla-monster of change. It's a fairly major change that will, I'm afraid, mean the end of An Author's Journey. Don't fear (or perhaps fear, depending on how you feel about my posts), I'll still have a blog. It will still be found at smcarriere.com.It just won't be this blog here. It'll be part of a slightly larger site - a site with a forum

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-12049338616746990882011-12-13T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-13T09:44:40.235-05:00

Following on from yesterday's post, I'm still at a loss for what else to do. I'm terrible at the whole marketing thing. I'm not comfortable with screaming, 'LOOK AT MY BOOK. BUY IT. IT'S GRAND.'Perhaps the book is spectacular.Perhaps it's utter crap.But that's for the reader to decide. One of my pet peeves is to always be blasted by people telling you that their product is the best thing out

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-701271735417069362011-12-12T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-12T09:30:03.332-05:00

So I've been forced into a lot of thinking this weekend, largely due to a post by my friend and fellow author Gerard de Marigny. He put up a post about Mr. Konrath, the self-publishing sensation, and something he said.We butted heads over the interpretation of Mr. Konrath's advice (I read it as being entirely more sinisterly self-serving that Mr. de Marigny, to his credit, did). It was,

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-61825803116708270622011-12-10T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-10T09:30:02.827-05:00

With anatomists, the muscles of the fingers called lumbricales, from the use they are put to by musicians in playing some instruments. - Nathaniel Bailey's Etymological English Dictionary, 1749From fidicen, a harper. - Richard Hoblyn's Medical Dictionary, 1859Fidicinal, of or pertaining to a player on stringed instruments. - Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1901

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-23588667726123632012011-12-09T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-09T09:30:02.971-05:00

T.G.I.F! That is all that can be said for today.I only managed 1 000 words yesterday. That's alright. Combined with Wednesday's marathon write, I still made enough to reach my end of week target. I'm starting to feel burnt out, I think.It's a good thing, then, that I am taking today off!With nothing more spectacular to say, I'll let you all get on with your days.Have a great weekend!

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-40178807050065023432011-12-08T10:00:00.000-05:002011-12-08T10:08:28.543-05:00

I wrote 5 000 words yesterday.I just wanted to put that down. It makes me smile.Yesterday evening, after my physio appointment, I was treated to dinner by my friend K.R. K.R. is the only person to have bought a physical copy of The Dying God & Other Stories since it came out. Yup, I have a sale of 1.That's all beside the point.The purpose of the dinner, other than to hang out and rant about

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-54885964098141641262011-12-07T10:00:00.001-05:002011-12-07T10:25:41.433-05:00

I've just recently read an article about psychopaths. Turns out, they're everywhere, in higher concentration in the top ranks of muti-national corporations (who is surprised, really?) and they are adept at playing the game. The thing is, all the behaviours I read about in this article I have seen in co-workers in various jobs.They are, it turns out, adept at mimicking normal emotive behaviours,

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-20638071098887817782011-12-06T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-06T14:30:27.141-05:00

I had absolutely no dreams last night or early this morning. I was highly disappointed.I think, however, that it might be because I've started writing again after a short hiatus when I just couldn't seem to write at all. I made my daily 3 000 words for the first time in three days, and I have the next scene all planned out. I should be making it again today. It takes the pressure off some to

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-51708130268549722032011-12-05T09:45:00.001-05:002011-12-05T09:51:06.239-05:00

That strange feeling that something amazing is going to happen is still with me today. I can't understand it, but hey, I like it!On a less happy, but no less strange note, my spate of really odd dreams continues. This time, two friends (T.H. and K.C.), a famous music personality (none other than Lady GaGa. No, seriously), a character from a T.V. show (Prince Charming from the show Once Upon a

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-33121880320160574012011-12-03T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-03T09:30:00.153-05:00

Waxing ripe. - Nathaniel Bailey's Etymological English Dictionary, 1727Approaching maturity. From Latin maturesco, to become ripe. - Daniel Lyons' American Dictionary of the English Language, 1897

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-76621422613619837572011-12-02T09:50:00.000-05:002011-12-02T09:55:51.024-05:00

Good morning!I am in fine spirits this morning. It's weird. I shall tell you why it's weird.Yesterday I got a bit of a shock. Those of you who saw my rant of Facebook already know about it. The cause of the rant went something like this:Part of my job is to make sure that the office never runs out of coffee (God forbid!), sugar, milk, cream, paper towels... you know, things every kitchenette

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-34031628958731502142011-12-01T09:08:00.003-05:002011-12-01T09:31:14.861-05:00

So.... how are you all doing?I'm well. I didn't write yesterday. At all. I decided to give myself the day to rest, read, watch a T.V. show (during my lunch hour), daydream and other miscellaneous things.You know what I've discovered?Taking a day off when I'm neither worn out nor finished is an incredibly boring, unsatisfying thing to do.So it's back to writing for now. If I finish this book

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-48898927286184274862011-11-30T09:45:00.001-05:002011-11-30T09:54:58.870-05:00

I'm a NaNoWriMo winner! I should be celebrating, right?I'm just not in the mood for celebrations, and I can't figure out why.As it happens, NaNoWriMo has taught me a couple of things. The first is that I can finish half a book in one month. Which means I can finish a whole book in two months. It usually takes me about three because I get worn down, give myself week-long breaks and that sort

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-35695671673469190492011-11-29T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-29T09:32:49.466-05:00

The last two days of NaNoWriMo are upon us, and I'm woefully behind. I should have just 1 000 words to write until I made my target today. Turns out, I have 3 000.Sad face.With the computer here all warmed up and working... more or less... I should be good. I should reach my target today. 'Should' being the operative word.In other news... there really isn't any other news. Things are going

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-87620089575922364522011-11-28T11:15:00.001-05:002011-11-28T11:27:51.365-05:00

Yup, you read that right.Well, this weekend proved wonderful. After all the stress.You see, my most amazing flatmate in the world agreed a couple of weeks ago to drive me down to Montréal to pick up my brother and bring him to Ottawa, where he'll be staying until he gets a job.Naturally, things went bust.We went to see The Muppets Thursday night with friends. Thanks to T.H. for organising it,

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-31233613821198482892011-11-26T09:30:00.001-05:002011-11-26T09:30:01.897-05:00

Because of the book review yesterday, you get yesterday's and today's Forgotten English! Lucky you!I'm off to Montreal to collect my brother. See you all Monday!Drum-Roll PaymentNot to pay at all. No soldier can be arrested for debt when on the march. - Ebenezer Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1898DoggerybawNonsense. - Jabez Good's Glossary of East Lincolnshire, 1900

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-70670626504619087772011-11-25T09:45:00.000-05:002011-11-25T09:48:32.113-05:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 4 of 5 starsI've been hearing a lot about this book, and with the film due out next year I decided that I definitely wanted to read it. Luckily for me, I didn't have to buy it. My recent birthday yielded the best result possible: this book as a gift (incidentally, if ever you want to please me, buy me a good book!).I was, at first, quite terrified

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-83693735776424690612011-11-24T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-24T09:46:47.064-05:00

Hah hah hah! This group cracks me up. LMFAO indeed!Right, so today I'm switching Thursday and Friday around. I shan't be writing a single word today, and will be making up for it tomorrow.If I finish this other project on time. This project is editing for a doctoral candidate. The thesis itself is really quite interesting, so editing is a pleasure.Oh, I should note that my re-entry into

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-58902432635601906192011-11-23T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-23T09:35:46.159-05:00

I think I comment on the first snowfall of every winter every single time. It never gets old. Well, not for me.It worries me that the first snowfall is in November. The end of November no less. My first year in Canada, some ten years ago, the first snow was in September. I remember it clearly because that's when I got frostbite (I was completely unprepared for the snow and got caught with

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-37405623466360866282011-11-22T10:00:00.001-05:002011-11-22T10:15:01.408-05:00

So, I'm headed back to training tonight. Before all of you freak out and decide to lecture me about resting my back etc., do note that I'm only going for Tai Chi. One hour only, twice a week. If it goes well, I'll increase the time. For now, however, it'll just be two hours a week.I have permission from my physiotherapist.And that constitutes the entirety of my exciting news. I'm editing for

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-33890361816197994712011-11-21T10:00:00.000-05:002011-11-21T10:00:06.757-05:00

I want to be anywhere but here at this moment. Anywhere.I slept pretty much all yesterday. I have no right to feel as tired as I do.I also feel guilty for sleeping all yesterday as it meant that none of the housework I planned to do got done. It also meant that I missed my father's play.Though, I did write it down in my calendar as this coming Sunday.I feel miserable about that.In fact, the

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-90249173700362283312011-11-19T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-19T09:30:00.311-05:00

This word is of remote antiquity and refers to an ancient custom of giving arrhoe, or presents, from a man to a woman on their entering into a contract to marry. The present was generally an annulus, or ring, and in reference to the sanctity of the engagement the gift was subsequently called a God's pennie. Though in its primary signification it imported a spousal gift, the lapse of time has

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-22549540665340487742011-11-18T10:00:00.001-05:002011-11-18T10:16:13.014-05:00

Good morning!This post will be necessarily brief (and sorry it's late. Computer is being a dink again). You see, I had planned to take the day off from writing, but I was listening to epic music on my way into work today, specifically Two Steps From Hell, specifically this song:And images and ideas exploded in my head, and I have to get them down before I forget them. Bye then!IsabellineA pale

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-1552759128478097032011-11-17T10:00:00.000-05:002011-11-17T10:08:47.722-05:00

Running late! Must get to writing! Here's your daily Forgotten English (plus yesterday's which was skipped for the book review):DetrainLeave, or cause to leave, a train. [Like deplane. Why not deboat also?] - Gilbert Tuckers American English, 1921Park the BiscuitTo sit down. In the biscuit, in the buttocks. "[Make one mistake] and you get it in the biscuit." Hot in the biscuit, greatly

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-51165372495833122542011-11-16T09:30:00.001-05:002011-11-16T09:40:18.875-05:00

The Third Magic by Molly CochranMy rating: 4 of 5 starsAlright, I admit that I wasn't expecting much from this book. I stand - well, sit - here corrected.You see, I have a slight tic when it comes to anything to do with the Arthurian Cycle. The problem is that I'm a Celtic Studies student, and I know that the legend has much earlier roots than most people bother to acknowledge.This was not the

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-65005816621262951022011-11-15T09:30:00.001-05:002011-11-15T09:30:07.101-05:00

So yesterday, I was pretty down. I am always down around my birthday. It's just the way it goes. However, I never stay down.Today, in an effort to make up for bumming everyone out yesterday, I'm giving thanks for all the amazing things I have and do in my life.I have a loving family. Thank-you, guys! Love you!I have the world's best flatmate, who makes my favourite cake despite being run off

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-3296890507669776852011-11-14T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-14T09:33:49.448-05:00

...not!The more birthdays I have, the less I find I enjoy them. All they are is a reminder of another year gone with little to show for it.Alright, fine, I've written a lot of books. However, despite three years of trying, I haven't been able to traditionally publish any of them. I might just have exhausted the supply of agents and acquisition editors in North America for The Great Man

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-29149110030704520622011-11-11T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-11T09:37:10.875-05:00

Today is Friday. I'm well set for my NaNoWriMo word count, and so won't be writing today. I'm going to check the stats on Monday. If it averages out, then I'll continue to take Fridays off. If it doesn't, well, I'll write Fridays as well.Luckily, I've managed to keep fairly well on track and so the amount I may be down will be easily made up.I say easily. I actually mean hellishly, but

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-43551452320778930852011-11-10T09:30:00.001-05:002011-11-10T09:30:01.611-05:00

I had a really, really, really shitty day yesterday. I don't want to be here right now. I want to be home, in bed, buried beneath my blankets and enjoying cuddles from a very affectionate kitten.I want my back to be fixed so I can go to training and work out my frustrations.What I don't want to be doing is sitting in the office, facing an entire day of working with the people who made me so

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-85813537269440964952011-11-09T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-09T09:30:00.604-05:00

And on and on and on it goes making life, and blogging, rather tedious.I'm talking about writing of course. There isn't much else going on in my life at the moment. Just writing.I made my daily target yesterday, late in the afternoon. Not nearly as late as Monday, but still, late enough.And, of course, I'll be writing again today.And that is the entirety of my news. Exciting, no?Right, I

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-6240257130045756562011-11-08T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-08T09:35:30.131-05:00

... was simply hellish.It took me literally all day to write my daily target. All day. I finished the last word at 4:48pm - about three minutes after I was supposed to start cleaning up and closing shop for the day.It was the single most sluggish day of writing I've ever experienced. I hated every minute of it. I'm praying that today goes better for me. We'll see, though.Otherwise, things

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-15181813926233909082011-11-07T10:15:00.002-05:002011-11-07T10:26:05.736-05:00

I'm in a mood. To anyone who knows me at all, they know that when I say 'I'm in a mood,' what I mean is, I'm in a bad mood.I'm in a bad mood for a number of reasons. Firstly, this weekend was completely wasted. I remained in bed all weekend, in excruciating agony, thanks in whole to my back. It decided to seize up, apparently.And it was such a beautiful weekend as well.My little brother is

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-22404794183904649282011-11-04T09:30:00.000-04:002011-11-04T09:30:02.142-04:00

ARGH!Yesterday was supposed to be such a happy day. My little brother was supposed to touch down in Montreal yesterday. Today was to be his first morning in Canada.And then he had his travel wallet stolen. In Korea (we think). With no passport, and no money, he was stranded.Threatened with deportation back to Australia, he called the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. They proved to be absolutely,

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-20220826083609419512011-11-03T09:30:00.000-04:002011-11-03T09:30:00.984-04:00

The Power of Myth by Joseph CampbellMy rating: 4 of 5 starsActually 4.5 stars, but it seems half-stars are not available here. In any case:Everyone should read this book.Everyone.I'm at a loss for words to adequately describe this book.And I write. Can you tell?Presented in the format of a transcribed conversation, this book is a must read for anyone who is struggling with the inadequacies of

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-63418956389362582932011-11-02T09:30:00.000-04:002011-11-02T09:39:48.154-04:00

Well, my start on NaNoWriMo turned out better than I expected, and about as well as I hoped. I managed 3 065 words yesterday, all before lunch. I'm hoping for much the same today.It's a very depressing opening to a book, and so I ended up feeling sad after lunch. Then I watched some very funny comedy shows from Britain, and felt much better.In other, much more interesting news, author friend

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-78710797084674224982011-11-01T09:30:00.000-04:002011-11-01T09:30:39.345-04:00

Today, at the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, is the first of November. It marks a number of firsts, really.The main first is that I will, for the first time ever, be participating in NaNoWriMo. I've decided to make the final book in The Great Man series (inventively titled The Great Man) the project for this month's writing challenge.50 000 words is the goal. That will be the halfway

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-7760451802939244902011-10-31T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-31T09:30:01.816-04:00

Hallowe'en is by far my most favourite time of year. It's generally cold, clear and the number of celebrants keeps me smiling all day long. Also, the fact that it's a survival from an Iron Age tradition makes me supremely happy. Yes, I am a nerd.No one in my office is in costume, but that's alright. I'll live.I'm now back at work after a much needed, if not well deserved, holiday. My

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-60002198374411774412011-10-29T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-29T09:30:01.994-04:00

A species of melancholy characterised by a dislike to society.- Robert Hooper's Compendious Medical Dictionary, 1839.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-43879925677431246012011-10-28T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-28T09:30:02.436-04:00

I'm not entirely sure; not because I woke up in a strange place missing a few organs, but because we didn't really plan this trip to the letter and while I'm pretty sure that, at the time of writing this entry (still Monday evening, people), I'd be in Halifax when you are reading it.Make sense?I'll relate to you all the details when I get back. Which will be... uh... Saturday? No, wait...

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-8180951170093936672011-10-27T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-27T09:30:00.685-04:00

S.M. Carrière is currently away from her blog. Please leave your message at the end of the post, and she'll return it as soon as possible.Thank-you and have a wonderful day.CacographyA bad system of spelling, such as that of current English.- Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1893

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-26324888952216603652011-10-26T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-26T09:30:00.814-04:00

And probably having a good time. I say probably because at the time of writing this entry, I don't know yet. It's very unlikely I'd be having anything but a good time. Still, I don't know for certain, because I'm actually writing this Monday evening.Technology has it's uses, I suppose...We were planning to do a video of our trip, so it'll likely be up some time after we return from the East

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-73839712565690869642011-10-25T09:30:00.001-04:002011-10-25T09:30:03.571-04:00

Good Morning!I am currently en route to Halifx, Nova Scotia this morning. It's a very impromptu road-trip with my flatmate. We decided to do this, well, last night. It is apparently, my extremely early birthday gift.Which is good, though I'm a little nervous about sitting in a car for that long. You see, Sunday afternoon-ish, as my friend K.R. and I were heading to a Jeff Dunham show in

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-17854749619324154832011-10-24T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-24T09:30:01.172-04:00

Midnight Tides by Steven EriksonMy rating: 5 of 5 starsI have just one word to describe this book:Nerd-gasm.Alright, I'm done.In all seriousness, this is another case of my putting aside a book for lack of time, only to pick it up again months later and thenceforth being completely unable to put it down.Mr. Erikson, I am envious of the way you weave words and worlds. I adore the language, the

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-16131338918358169122011-10-22T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-22T09:30:00.754-04:00

Faint, sickly, ailing. A dog is said to be cothy when he is meek and delicate. - Robert Forby's Vocabulary of East Anglia, 1830Coathy, surly; easily provoked; Norfolk. In Hampshire, rotten, applied to sheep. - Francis Grose's Glossary of Provincial and Local Words, 1811

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-5599300168786971942011-10-21T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-21T09:30:03.860-04:00

Hi everyone!How are you?I'm doing pretty well. The crippling fatigue that dragged me down at the end of last week and the beginning of this week has vanished. I'm now simply normal-tired. Whatever that is.Editing is going, but slowly. This is largely due to the book I'm reading. Damn you, Steven Erikson!Starting tonight, I'm on holiday until next Friday. I'll still have a few blog posts

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-1046380265082912272011-10-20T10:00:00.001-04:002011-10-20T10:09:30.508-04:00

They're there. They're terrible. They hold you back, hold you down, knock you out.Doubts.I have them all the time. I might seem confident, and I am, but doubts still plague me. They break me down. Sometimes, something happens that's so severe, I have a mini-meltdown. I cry, I scream into my pillow, I cry more.I'll never make it.I'm not good enough.No one will ever read it.It's crap.I'm

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-80459567428194924972011-10-19T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-19T09:30:01.977-04:00

You know, there's a fair amount of stuff I've given up to do this writing gig.I could've opted to be a government employee, with high pay and benefits and job security. It's what most people living in Ottawa do. My job, from anyone else's perspective (as my father tells me. Often.) is pretty crap. It's dull. It's not in my field. The pay is pretty low. There are no benefits.From a writer's

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-3426399390824567892011-10-18T09:45:00.000-04:002011-10-18T09:47:42.515-04:00

I feel so guilty editing as I am - printing out a chapter a day and pouring through it with a red pen. So much paper that will one day be nothing but scrap... it's depressing. Still, it needs to be done.As I'm editing, I've really noticed that I absolutely without reservation need a second, third and fourth pair of eyes. I know this by the dirth of red marks on the page. That is to say, there

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-7121277214301656652011-10-17T09:50:00.001-04:002011-10-17T10:01:23.335-04:00

So... how's life?Mine's great. Can't complain. Not really. I've been exhausted and fairly short tempered for the better part of three days now, and I couldn't understand why until last night - I haven't taken my holidays this year yet.Oops. Should get on that.The work for today is much the same as it always is. Edit. I might write some too, as I had a dream last night that related to The

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-9063669894438096062011-10-14T12:30:00.000-04:002011-10-14T12:55:39.579-04:00

So, this blog post is going out in the afternoon... because I've been ill in bed today. That also means I don't have the Forgotten English on my desk before me to relate to you today. But what I do have is the awesomely funny comments my first Beta Reader sent me on the prologue.My Beta Reader is, of course, my flatmate... and she's very flattering about it. Of course, flattery won't make me a

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-73395357877948226242011-10-13T09:30:00.002-04:002011-10-14T12:58:37.623-04:00

Choosing to put a loved one into a nursing home can be very difficult. Most often this “choice” is not so much a choice as a necessity. As we get older, we eventually lose the ability to care for ourselves; this is simply a fact of life. However, despite the negative stigma that can accompany nursing homes, this new living environment can greatly benefit residents. Franklin Institute studies

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-8398360579654482942011-10-12T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-12T09:30:01.522-04:00

Catching up yesterday took all day. Literally. I'm getting on with Ethan Cadfael: The Battle Prince now, but it took me a while to get there yesterday.Slow computers are fun. Not.There isn't really much to report except that I've moved chapters around a little bit, and should be getting stuck into the proper editing today. I'm thinking I might print one chapter out and spend the day editing

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-76522703762066009862011-10-11T11:30:00.000-04:002011-10-11T11:35:17.560-04:00

Despite this computer being slower than a walrus without flippers.... I'm slowly catching up on all the stuff I didn't do this long weekend. Speaking of, fellow Canadians, how was your thanksgiving?Mine was quiet and intimate with my Papa and his friend. It was quite lovely, actually. But I've made a decision:I can't keep not writing.Worst. Sentence. Ever.In any case, I'm starting to crawl

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-77204116399862696532011-10-10T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-10T09:30:02.362-04:00

Stiffly or primly dressed; stiff, formal, prim. - Edward Lloyd's Encyclopaedic Dictionary, 1895Affected, prudish; of the mouth, closed primly, pursed up (Scottish); also primed-up. - Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1909

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-13289591751178752962011-10-08T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-08T09:30:00.583-04:00

A football term used when the ball is fairly caught or kicked beyond bounds. (Harvard University) - Albert Barrèr's Dictionary of Slang, Jargon, and Cant, 1889

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-43563631298265150492011-10-07T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-07T09:43:26.810-04:00

Alright, I am getting back into the groove as of today. Remember way back when I talked about learning French. Then it just kinda... well... faded away.I'm back at it. This time I mean to stick with it. I can do it. I know I can.Other than that, there is nothing new to report.This weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada, so you shan't hear from me on Monday - I'll be in bed dozing happily

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-537904451681725282011-10-06T09:45:00.001-04:002011-10-06T09:55:05.174-04:00

I've been thinking about this one for a while now, and it has me pondering.There's a lot of stuff (technical word) flying around about writing being absolutely correct in the strictest grammatical sense. While I'm not opposed to the use of proper grammar (far from it - I've become a little bit of a grammar Nazi, but there's a limit to that), I greatly wonder if in the pursuit of grammatical

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-16687842111448340702011-10-05T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-05T09:41:35.156-04:00

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeMy rating: 3 of 5 starsIt's rare that I'll pick up a classic simply because it is a classic. Generally, something must draw me in. I actually read this book in anticipation of the latest screen adaptation (starring Colin Firth and Ben Barnes), which had recently been released on DVD. Well, recently by my standards.The problem with reprinted classics is,

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-55579816205428935742011-10-04T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-04T09:34:56.938-04:00

Hi all!You remember way back when I wrote this post? That's right. The one about the silly little list of boycotted authors upon which my name appeared... by a group I hadn't even heard from or of before (how the hell do they know of me anyway?).Well, it seems their shenanigans haven't ceased. In fact, they're getting worse. This supposed group of authors, book lovers and want-to-be authors

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-63726071220033993172011-10-03T11:00:00.001-04:002011-10-03T11:07:11.749-04:00

There are very few things in this world that I actually hate. This computer is one of them. Piece of crap contraption!I pressed the power button at 9am. It is now 11am and I'm only getting to writing this post now. That's how long this monster took to load.ARGH!I was seriously debating on beginning The Great Man, the sixth and final instalment of The Great Man series today. But thanks to

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-80641978535502385422011-10-01T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-01T09:30:01.237-04:00

A corrupt reduplication of shall I? - the question of a man hesitating. To stand shill-I-shall-I is to continue hesitating and procrastinating. - Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, 1755

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-42265115744940980792011-09-30T09:30:00.001-04:002011-09-30T09:31:06.693-04:00

Soooo.... how are you?I'm good.Slowly mastering potion-making. I think I ought to have my head read. On the bright side, September officially ends today, and that means I should be getting back to work (on something, I suppose) on Monday. Should be.It's probably going to be The Great Man. Events in the book keep popping into my head. That means three months of hell. No seriously.Here's the

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-79041494292428429852011-09-29T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-29T09:33:25.856-04:00

True story. I was. Yesterday. And you can read about it on Rita's blog here.As for the declaration that I was going to begin writing ahead of schedule. It's not happening. Pottermore.com has sucked me into a world of make-believe and I am currently trying to master the exact science and subtle art that is potion-making.Oh, and spell-casting is horribly tricky as well.When it works, it works

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-75109666922505119142011-09-28T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-28T09:31:23.508-04:00

At least, I think it does.You see, I got my invitation to partake in the Beta version this week, and I was thoroughly excited.Except that high traffic meant that Pottermore wouldn't load... All day... and then all night. I got in in drips and drabs, even managed to get sorted... shortly before midnight (Gryffindor, if you must know).The Beta version was opened to a few to test out and suggest

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-11059797733198376372011-09-27T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-27T09:30:02.439-04:00

I won't be.Turns out, things outside of writing are starting to happen, so I'll be not writing.First on the bill, it's short story judging. I was supposed to do that yesterday, but the computer went berserk at being woken up yesterday and I got close to nothing done.Luckily, these short stories are quite short, so it shouldn't take me long.The rest of the day will be spent exploring Pottermore.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-71376197348692876602011-09-26T10:15:00.001-04:002011-09-26T12:27:02.988-04:00

This weekend was jam-packed.On the 24th, my beautiful eldest sister had her birthday. Without a computer at home, I wasn't able to wish her a happy birthday until today... It also happened to be my dear friend, D.P.'s wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, simple and elegant, with a reverend who had a phenomenal sense of humour and often broke into song, and a intimate reception full of laughter

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-22391112985952162682011-09-23T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-23T09:39:54.236-04:00

Ever feel like there simply aren't enough hours in a day?Yeah.There's just so much I want to do. There's no way I'm going to be able to find the time to do it all. I'm hard-pressed finding time for a short soak in the tub, let alone all the other stuff I want to do.I train in Chinese martial arts. I train in (occasionally) Western martial arts. I am taking violin lessons. I write.I want to

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-83987906058559706502011-09-22T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-22T09:30:02.225-04:00

Hi Jen! Thanks for following.There is absolutely nothing interesting going on right now. The last night in the training week is tonight. I'm so covered in bruises I look like I have some strange skin-eating disease. I haven't written anything in a whole day.And it's fraying on my nerves a little. I might be a little OCD when it comes to writing. But I shall endeavour to give myself the time

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-56202528986723859152011-09-21T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-21T09:37:36.239-04:00

Well, I finished writing Ethan Cadfael: The Battle Prince. Well, the very rough first draft at any rate. As I typed the last sentence, I genuinely felt melancholic. I really didn't want to finish. I had so much fun writing this one.I'll go through now and do a cursory edit, and divide the great big long block of words into chapters of some description, and then I'll file the story away and

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-46737006554486271782011-09-20T09:30:00.001-04:002011-09-20T09:30:29.544-04:00

Yeah... so... I didn't end up writing 3 000 words yesterday. I didn't even manage 1 000. The computer was slow and stressing me out... but that is just an excuse - and a poor one at that.The truth was, I didn't much feel like writing and I think I know the reason why. I don't particularly want this book to end. I've had so much fun writing it - giggles and snickers and in-jokes that precious

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-84780898498540254572011-09-19T10:00:00.000-04:002011-09-19T10:12:35.708-04:00

Well, today, if all goes according to plan and this stupid computer speeds up some, I will have reached my target length for Ethan Cadfael: The Battle Prince. Of course, that doesn't mean the book will be written.I'm almost near the end, but not quite, and then there's the prologue and epilogue's to write. But hey - the extra words give me some paying room when it comes time to edit. Then, I

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-87444022970194150172011-09-16T09:45:00.001-04:002011-09-16T09:47:31.854-04:00

Good morning!Is it a good morning because:a) The first, most difficult week of training is over. It'll only get easier from here,b) I slept really well last night,c) Today is my first ever violin lesson,d) My muscles have ceased to ache quite so much, ore) All of the above.If you answered e), you are correct. Reward yourself with a square of rich dark chocolate and a small glass of port. Trust

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-55726677493827751642011-09-15T09:45:00.000-04:002011-09-15T09:47:11.529-04:00

It has become my habit to post the last few lines of whatever I've written that day on my facebook page. On occasion, someone will "like" the post. Yesterday was rather extraordinary and very, very amusing.I've recreated it for you below, typographical errors and all:Cap'n S. M. CarrièreThe angry flash in his eyes became a savage glow. Ethan stepped back, for the first time genuinely afraid.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-50369245303878888112011-09-14T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-14T09:30:04.626-04:00

Owie. Owie. Owie. Owie.Owie.I am so sore in every single part of my body. I ache all over.And it's wonderful! These past two days of training have really helped me calm down and focus. And sleep. That's always a bonus.Writing wise, well, I'm almost there. I just need to keep at it, and I should reach my target on schedule. Go me!And that is all I have to say. I have to limp away now and

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-62375014446742441602011-09-13T09:40:00.000-04:002011-09-13T09:41:51.075-04:00

Last night was the first training session I've had in over two months.I'm SO glad to be back!I had thought that this session would be absolute hell, being the first and all, but I had plenty of energy throughout, and was feeling pretty strong. I'm paying for it today though. My arms ache fiercely, and it's only going to get worse.Tuesday is the hardest night of the week as far as work-outs go.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-13314166819780577152011-09-12T10:15:00.001-04:002011-09-12T10:18:47.820-04:00

And so it is that another summer has flown away. I know that technically, the summer doesn't end for another fortnight, but up past the 49th parallel, the days have cooled and the leaves have already started to turn. The geese sound their melancholic farewells as they fly overhead, seeking warmer climes.I find this time of year strangely invigorating. Autumn is by far my favourite season (not

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-33109682877752516062011-09-10T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-10T09:30:00.737-04:00

One of those sneaks that makes a practice of watching... sweethearts on their nightly walks, and if any impropriety is witnessed, demanding hush-money to keep the matter secret. Yorkshire. - Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1898-1905.

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-83417490239157714892011-09-09T09:45:00.000-04:002011-09-09T09:46:36.251-04:00

Hi all,Today isn't such a good day. It feels a little better than yesterday, but that isn't saying much.Shortly after writing yesterday's post, I received a message that Bran, beloved dog of my good friend P.B. passed away Wednesday night. He was 17.It was a good age for a dog to be, and he was a very happy 17.Last night, I ordered pizza, sat on the couch and spent the evening in tears. Those

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-75704091398743979852011-09-08T10:00:00.000-04:002011-09-08T10:06:29.568-04:00

I managed six hours of sleep last night, so things might be improving.Or not.Yesterday I got a call from my soon-to-be violin teacher. The class I was so looking forward to this Friday has been pushed back a week as she must leave town. I had just rescheduled an event to accommodate the music lesson.This morning was weird. The cat went berserk at about six o'clock this morning. I ignored him

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-50408876127931597072011-09-07T09:45:00.001-04:002011-09-07T09:45:24.531-04:00

I've been reading about, hearing of and experiencing something remarkable. Sleep deprivation. For the past week or so, I've averaged four hours of sleep a night. My flatmate keeps waking up in the middle of the night. Friends have been averaging anywhere between two to five hours of sleep a night. Some get their eight, but it's continually interrupted for no apparent reason.What is going on?

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-71742017945860146182011-09-06T10:00:00.001-04:002011-09-06T10:02:54.803-04:00

Good morning everyone!It is still morning, correct? *checks computer clock.Yup, still morning. Though this computer is so slow it wouldn't surprise me if it was afternoon by the time it decided to load this page.So, the Labour Day long weekend went by much too quickly. In it, I achieved very little. I managed, in one marathon sitting, to finish watching season 2 of Rush (an Australian cop

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-27519519485801808922011-09-04T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-04T09:30:00.930-04:00

Cultivation; improvement; [asin] the manurement of wits. - Joseph Worcester's Dictionary of the English Language, 1881 Manure your heart with diligence, and in it sow good seed. - Zachary Boyd's Zion's Flowers, 1645

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-11635700698339611672011-09-03T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-03T09:30:01.600-04:00

Pertaining to the river Lethe; hence, pertaining to or causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past. - Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1908 Oblivious; [from] Lethe, one of the rivers of hell. From Greek letho, old form of lanthano, to forget. - Daniel Lyons's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1897 Deadly, mortal, pestiferous. - Thomas Blount's Glossographia, 1656

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058126041919303655.post-78446334473174148592011-09-02T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-02T09:30:30.173-04:00

So... I woke up extremely late. Rushed around like a mad woman. Raced out the door... to find that I didn't have my house keys with me. Or my purse. Swearing like a sailor, I broke back into my own house, scared the heck out of the cats, grabbed my purse. Couldn't find my keys. I turned the house upside-down looking for them. Only to find that they were, in fact, in my purse. By this time

S.M. Carrièrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568011755497760300noreply@blogger.com4