Something a little more like a proper update.

I’m feeling distraught. Try as I might, my work doesn’t seem to get itself done. I’ve gone to great lengths; even tried putting it in a bucket of water and chanting that Tanuki charm, hoping to see it grow into completion, but nothing’s changed. And I’m feeling frustrated. And it’s so hot today I’m already making it an excuse for not properly doing work.

I think, right now, what I really need is a hilltop somewhere in New Zealand, one that hugs the coast, where it’s cool with ocean breeze and warm with gentle sun, and a computer that functions with Internet despite being miles away from the nearest power source. I’ll finish off my work and even write you a novel. Or a short story anthology. Whichever you prefer.

So. Period: it’s too hot, my work won’t finish itself, and I prefer to fill the remaining time with dreams of the impossible. Ah.

Ah, yes, speaking of novels, this is what I got from the MPH Warehouse Sales that happened last week;

And the books, from bottom to top:

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris - RM10 and hardcover.

Abarat by Clive Barker - RM10 with glossy pages and Van Gogh like illustrations occupying several of the pages.

The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S Lewis), in a whole tome, and only RM15.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - introduced and found by Pauline, and only costing RM5 because it is water-damaged, but still very readable.

The Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen) - RM19 each. I think it’s slightly cheaper than getting the complete box-set.

The Sandman: Book of Dreams, Edited by Neil Gaiman and Ed Kramer - an anthology of Sandman stories by several authors. RM20.

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett - I’ve always wanted it, never knew it was written by Pratchett, and now that I have it I can proudly say I only got it for RM20.

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon - This is a compulsory must-have, because I really enjoyed Curious Incident. RM20.

And, last but not least, Sun Tzu’s Art of War, bought for the father and brother. RM20.

The total tally of money spent: RM177.

Which means that I’m so broke now I’ll be eating Roti Canai for weeks to come.

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On another novel related topic, I think it’s proper to point out that Nanowrimo starts on Saturday.

And being a participant, it’s only natural that I ask people to join, because it’s fun and if you’re dedicated enough, it’s also frustratingly blissful.

Sign up at: www.nanowrimo.org

And you can find out all about it there, if you don’t know anything about it.

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Ok. After a whole entire year of doing nothing but growing roots into this chair here, I’ve finally (oh dear Heavens, finally) managed to play a game of badminton.

It was fun. I ended up pulling both my calf muscles and one at my left foot (which was a curious sensation; it didn’t quite hurt but my toes kept bending backwards and it impeded walking, so I had to waddle to the car and stretch for a bit). This means I need a couple more sessions, preferably enough to last me my entire lifetime, even during my wheelchair days (count: 20 more years).

And my play-mates are still a bunch of wackos.

And Michelle’s tennis swings still scare the intestines outta me.

Oh, and Mekz is surprisingly fine at badminton. I say surprising, because somewhere some time I heard (whether from herself, or from other people) that she won’t play sports for nuts. Mich managed to get her to come along, and she’s a fine player.

Well, hopefully, another game this Thursday will materialise.

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