In amongst all my moaning I forgot to give you a Lipton fact.
Did you know he challenged for the America's Cup five times. In fact he is probably remembered more for his sailing challenges than anything else he did - apart from his domination of the tea industry obviously. He may have lost five times but it didn't make him a loser. The American's loved his tenacity. They also loved him and literally clubbed together (those who wanted to donate gave no more than a dollar) and presented him with a Loving Cup to show their appreciation of his attempts. It was engraved "To possibly the world's worst yacht builder, but absolutely the world's most cheerful loser."
Some people might have been a wee bit miffed at having their yacht building skills rubbished at the same time as being called a loser but he was delighted at being honoured. When he died the cup was returned to the New York Yacht Club.
Sorry about that.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Deflated
Yesterday I came home slightly deflated from my Supervision session with David. It wasn't anything he said or did, the meeting was very constructive. It's me. I just always feel down after talking for an hour about my Major Project. This particular meeting has made me realise just how much I still need to do and how little time I have. There is now just 21 days to get the Project and my Critical Self Reflective essay written and polished to MA standard. I can hear the big clock ticking.
My problem is I feel as if I've been working on it for months but it's not doing what I want it to do. I was hoping to have the structure completely sorted by now but after yesterday it's all up in the air again. So today I'm panicking. So much so I can't get started. I know panicking is pointless but I can't help it.
Time for a talk to myself.
Ok here goes.
Come on Anne - You know you'll feel better once you get going.
Write a list. You know how much you like a list.
Work through it and tick stuff off as you go.
Decide what bit you want to focus on.
Get words onto the page and edit it when you're finished.
Calm down.
Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
And breathe in.
I said breathe in.
BREATHE IN.
My problem is I feel as if I've been working on it for months but it's not doing what I want it to do. I was hoping to have the structure completely sorted by now but after yesterday it's all up in the air again. So today I'm panicking. So much so I can't get started. I know panicking is pointless but I can't help it.
Time for a talk to myself.
Ok here goes.
Come on Anne - You know you'll feel better once you get going.
Write a list. You know how much you like a list.
Work through it and tick stuff off as you go.
Decide what bit you want to focus on.
Get words onto the page and edit it when you're finished.
Calm down.
Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
And breathe in.
I said breathe in.
BREATHE IN.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Info
Someone has suggested I should include information on Sir Thomas Lipton in the blog. Thanks Jeff - it's a great idea - I don't know why I hadn't thought of doing it before. After all, it is all about him. So from now on I'll try to astonish you with some of the quirky and interesting stuff Lipton got up to. He was actually quite a guy.
Yesterday I wrote quite a bit - I'm now up to almost 16,000 words. I'm not sure about the quality of them but it all adds to the word count at the moment. There are a few holes to fill in what I've already written so far so I'll try and get some of them plugged today.
I'm going for my 3rd Supervision session tomorrow - only one more to go. This time my meeting's with David (not Sam) - to get another perspective on it. I'll need to sort out what I want to talk to him about. At my last session Sam said the writing was ok (I'd much rather she'd said it was brilliant I'll take ok) but I needed to work on the structure. So that's what I'm doing. Maybe I'll do one of my wee narrative mappy things.
I've already sent him a chapter breakdown - which, of course, I've since worked on and changed a bit. Oh - I get so confused sometimes.
Right. I'm going to get on with it but before I go did you know - Lipton was one of the first businessman to provide his office workers with a typewriters? It was such an unusual looking thing a visitor to his office actually thought his workers were operating sewing machines.
There. I hope you're impressed.
Yesterday I wrote quite a bit - I'm now up to almost 16,000 words. I'm not sure about the quality of them but it all adds to the word count at the moment. There are a few holes to fill in what I've already written so far so I'll try and get some of them plugged today.
I'm going for my 3rd Supervision session tomorrow - only one more to go. This time my meeting's with David (not Sam) - to get another perspective on it. I'll need to sort out what I want to talk to him about. At my last session Sam said the writing was ok (I'd much rather she'd said it was brilliant I'll take ok) but I needed to work on the structure. So that's what I'm doing. Maybe I'll do one of my wee narrative mappy things.
I've already sent him a chapter breakdown - which, of course, I've since worked on and changed a bit. Oh - I get so confused sometimes.
Right. I'm going to get on with it but before I go did you know - Lipton was one of the first businessman to provide his office workers with a typewriters? It was such an unusual looking thing a visitor to his office actually thought his workers were operating sewing machines.
There. I hope you're impressed.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Painkillers
I can't get going today.
I didn't sleep well and my arm hurts. I don't know what I've done to it - it just aches.
I should clarify. I broke my arm on 1st of January. (Pause for sniggers) Yes. I was a New Year alcohol related statistic. It took me months to get back to some sort of normality and I have to say it's been brilliant lately. But it's sore today. Maybe I should take a couple of those lovely hard hitting painkillers and several cups of coffee.
So the scene is set. I'm tired and not at my best.
The last thing I needed this morning was to take time out to go into Glasgow Uni library to collect a book I ordered and for no one to be there to hand it over to me. I know it's Fair Monday but surely some people still go to work? And before you all say a collective "Well, you should've phoned them." I did. And the recorded message said they were open. I suppose I should've realised no one was there when I heard the damn recorded message - but like I said - I'm not at my best.
But I'm ready to start now. Well, I was. I've just had an email from a copy editing guy who said he could copy edit my stuff for about £250. Not having employed a copy editor before I have no idea if this is good or bad. Any advice would be welcomed. But the thing that made me smile, or should I say produce a maniacal laugh, was the fact he said he could do it if he had my 20,000 by the end of the week. So whether £250 is good or bad is indifferent because 20,000 words by Friday is not going to happen.
Ok - enough of this negativity. I've got my list of tasks for the day and I'm going to go for it.
Oohh - I think the painkillers and coffee have kicked in.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
P.S. Gold star to anyone who has spotted the Muppet reference.
I didn't sleep well and my arm hurts. I don't know what I've done to it - it just aches.
I should clarify. I broke my arm on 1st of January. (Pause for sniggers) Yes. I was a New Year alcohol related statistic. It took me months to get back to some sort of normality and I have to say it's been brilliant lately. But it's sore today. Maybe I should take a couple of those lovely hard hitting painkillers and several cups of coffee.
So the scene is set. I'm tired and not at my best.
The last thing I needed this morning was to take time out to go into Glasgow Uni library to collect a book I ordered and for no one to be there to hand it over to me. I know it's Fair Monday but surely some people still go to work? And before you all say a collective "Well, you should've phoned them." I did. And the recorded message said they were open. I suppose I should've realised no one was there when I heard the damn recorded message - but like I said - I'm not at my best.
But I'm ready to start now. Well, I was. I've just had an email from a copy editing guy who said he could copy edit my stuff for about £250. Not having employed a copy editor before I have no idea if this is good or bad. Any advice would be welcomed. But the thing that made me smile, or should I say produce a maniacal laugh, was the fact he said he could do it if he had my 20,000 by the end of the week. So whether £250 is good or bad is indifferent because 20,000 words by Friday is not going to happen.
Ok - enough of this negativity. I've got my list of tasks for the day and I'm going to go for it.
Oohh - I think the painkillers and coffee have kicked in.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
P.S. Gold star to anyone who has spotted the Muppet reference.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Lost
Where do I start?
I've been away from the actual writing of the project for so long I don't know where to pick it up again. I'm the eternal re-drafter so I feel all I do is go over the same ground - which is getting me nowhere.
Yesterday all I did was try and get back on an even keel after the holidays. Today I got up early, well quite early, and all I've done so far is boil a kettle and hang a massive washing out.
I meant to say in my last post - I was listening to the Janice Forsyth Show on Radio Scotland yesterday. I hadn't heard the show for a couple of weeks and was wallowing in her familiarity when something struck me, she was being very reminiscent. Then I realised. It was her last show - EVER! I knew it was coming but for some reason I thought it was in August. It actually threw me off balance a bit.
I've been listening since the show started and I have a lot of affection for it. I used to love the Connections Quiz and I'm the proud owner of a wind-up radio. I even won a wooden pen - which I still use - for doing a live review of the Frankie Miller Tribute gig at the Barrowlands. Imagine my delight when a couple of weeks later I received a package in the post. It was a limited edition poster for the event from the producer, Nick, along with a note saying it was lying about the office and he thought I'd like it. It's still on my wall today. A few years later I was able to thank Nick in person when I did some work experience in the office. I was so chuffed when the Connections Quiz I put together appeared on the show. Everyone who worked on the show were extremely nice to me and they worked so hard to maintain its high standard. Saturday mornings will definitely have something lacking from now on. I've always listened to Radio Scotland but next Saturday I think Radio 2 or Radio 4 will get my company.
Of course it will be on quietly in the background as smoke bellows from my keyboard.
Ok - I'm getting on with it now.
Where was I again?
I've been away from the actual writing of the project for so long I don't know where to pick it up again. I'm the eternal re-drafter so I feel all I do is go over the same ground - which is getting me nowhere.
Yesterday all I did was try and get back on an even keel after the holidays. Today I got up early, well quite early, and all I've done so far is boil a kettle and hang a massive washing out.
I meant to say in my last post - I was listening to the Janice Forsyth Show on Radio Scotland yesterday. I hadn't heard the show for a couple of weeks and was wallowing in her familiarity when something struck me, she was being very reminiscent. Then I realised. It was her last show - EVER! I knew it was coming but for some reason I thought it was in August. It actually threw me off balance a bit.
I've been listening since the show started and I have a lot of affection for it. I used to love the Connections Quiz and I'm the proud owner of a wind-up radio. I even won a wooden pen - which I still use - for doing a live review of the Frankie Miller Tribute gig at the Barrowlands. Imagine my delight when a couple of weeks later I received a package in the post. It was a limited edition poster for the event from the producer, Nick, along with a note saying it was lying about the office and he thought I'd like it. It's still on my wall today. A few years later I was able to thank Nick in person when I did some work experience in the office. I was so chuffed when the Connections Quiz I put together appeared on the show. Everyone who worked on the show were extremely nice to me and they worked so hard to maintain its high standard. Saturday mornings will definitely have something lacking from now on. I've always listened to Radio Scotland but next Saturday I think Radio 2 or Radio 4 will get my company.
Of course it will be on quietly in the background as smoke bellows from my keyboard.
Ok - I'm getting on with it now.
Where was I again?
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Return
My two week mental regeneration stint in my favourite holiday destination is over - and I had a brilliant time. We all had a brilliant time - all 7 of us. A great big thank you to everyone for making St Ives 2012 as great as all the other times.
The weather was decidedly dodgy but, like I think I've already said, I would forgive St Ives anything. Somehow the place seems to have its own wee micro climate and even in the drizzliest of days the sun manages to struggle through for a couple of hours. I'm not really that bothered about the weather though - my skin doesn't like the sun so the fact that it went into hiding means it actually saved me a small fortune on Factor 50+. As long as I can gaze out to sea for hours and watch the waves I'm happy.
On our first day I spotted Neil Oliver - which was quite nice.
Then we would see him everywhere - on a bus with the wife and weans, passing our window (several times). "Neil" watching became an amusing past time. I even spotted him coming out of the gents on the way to Porthminster. And the last time I saw him he was striding across Porthgwidden beach. I swear it was just like watching an episode of Coast - except he didn't have a camera crew behind him to speak into. I must say - he's quite a striking figure but the telly doesn't do his hair justice. It's just lovely.
Despite being on holiday I still worked. I had to. I was up every morning about 7.30am to try and get a few hours done before the house came to life. I was limited in what I could do because there was no internet access. To get on-line I had to go to the library or drag myself to a beautiful wee teashop which served deliciously relaxing exotic teas (and I mean teas which opened up into a flower) to connect with the world. Sometimes I had to drink two pots. It was hell.
But I feel I didn't get done what I wanted to - so I'm feeling a bit AAAGGGHHHH - how the hell am I going to get this done? - this morning. I'm sure I'm not alone. Everyone on the course has probably felt like that at some point.
What I did get done was a lot of reading and note taking. I also had my Skype meeting with Sam and managed to cobble together something for my next meeting with David which is on Thursday.
I've also worked a lot on the chapter breakdown. At the moment I feel like I'm wandering around without a map - and I have the worst sense of direction - so I if I get that right I think I'll feel a lot better.
Needless to say I didn't get anything written yesterday because we were driving home. The journey took eleven hours - thanks to some well meaning, motorway watching, keyboard happy, namby pamby official who kept flashing up on the gantry " Queues Ahead - 40MPH".
I know there is a great need to be careful etc etc but this started before we reached Birmingham and lasted until well after Liverpool - we were stopping and starting for about three and a half hours and when we got through each queue - there was absolutely no obvious reason for it. When the same official flashed up "End" the cars flowed along beautifully.
I think the road would have been fine if they had just let the drivers drive instead of warning them every five minutes there might be queues. I'm convinced it was actually the motorway watchers who were actually causing the damn queues.
Rant over - anybody got a deliciously relaxing exotic tea handy?
Ok - now it's back to work time. I have no excuse. It's only 2 weeks and 6 days and about 6,500 words until I hand my incredibly polished and perfectly formed work of creative non-fiction.
Oh, oh! I can feel it. Here it comes.
AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!
The weather was decidedly dodgy but, like I think I've already said, I would forgive St Ives anything. Somehow the place seems to have its own wee micro climate and even in the drizzliest of days the sun manages to struggle through for a couple of hours. I'm not really that bothered about the weather though - my skin doesn't like the sun so the fact that it went into hiding means it actually saved me a small fortune on Factor 50+. As long as I can gaze out to sea for hours and watch the waves I'm happy.
On our first day I spotted Neil Oliver - which was quite nice.
Then we would see him everywhere - on a bus with the wife and weans, passing our window (several times). "Neil" watching became an amusing past time. I even spotted him coming out of the gents on the way to Porthminster. And the last time I saw him he was striding across Porthgwidden beach. I swear it was just like watching an episode of Coast - except he didn't have a camera crew behind him to speak into. I must say - he's quite a striking figure but the telly doesn't do his hair justice. It's just lovely.
Despite being on holiday I still worked. I had to. I was up every morning about 7.30am to try and get a few hours done before the house came to life. I was limited in what I could do because there was no internet access. To get on-line I had to go to the library or drag myself to a beautiful wee teashop which served deliciously relaxing exotic teas (and I mean teas which opened up into a flower) to connect with the world. Sometimes I had to drink two pots. It was hell.
But I feel I didn't get done what I wanted to - so I'm feeling a bit AAAGGGHHHH - how the hell am I going to get this done? - this morning. I'm sure I'm not alone. Everyone on the course has probably felt like that at some point.
What I did get done was a lot of reading and note taking. I also had my Skype meeting with Sam and managed to cobble together something for my next meeting with David which is on Thursday.
I've also worked a lot on the chapter breakdown. At the moment I feel like I'm wandering around without a map - and I have the worst sense of direction - so I if I get that right I think I'll feel a lot better.
Needless to say I didn't get anything written yesterday because we were driving home. The journey took eleven hours - thanks to some well meaning, motorway watching, keyboard happy, namby pamby official who kept flashing up on the gantry " Queues Ahead - 40MPH".
I know there is a great need to be careful etc etc but this started before we reached Birmingham and lasted until well after Liverpool - we were stopping and starting for about three and a half hours and when we got through each queue - there was absolutely no obvious reason for it. When the same official flashed up "End" the cars flowed along beautifully.
I think the road would have been fine if they had just let the drivers drive instead of warning them every five minutes there might be queues. I'm convinced it was actually the motorway watchers who were actually causing the damn queues.
Rant over - anybody got a deliciously relaxing exotic tea handy?
Ok - now it's back to work time. I have no excuse. It's only 2 weeks and 6 days and about 6,500 words until I hand my incredibly polished and perfectly formed work of creative non-fiction.
Oh, oh! I can feel it. Here it comes.
AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!
Friday, 6 July 2012
Break
I realise I haven't been keeping up with the blog. Sorry!
I really didn't mean to slip so far behind but I don't have internet access where I am. It's actually been quite good but I had to find somewhere to log on because I had a Skype meeting with Sam this morning. It was my second Supervision session and I couldn't miss it. It went quite well but I've obviously got a long way to go and a short time to do it.
In the absence of Google I've been doing a lot of reading and taking notes - and getting up at the crack of jack to do it. I'm not joking - I'm up before the seagulls. Did someone mention holiday? I'm still getting the odd bit of writing done - I'm up to about 14,000 words - but after this mornings meeting that migh go down a bit. Well, it might go down a lot.
I'll update when I get home and fully back into writing mode.
For now - it's back to St Ives, rain, sun, a bit of drizzle and cloud.
But, hey - it's St Ives. The place can do no wrong in my eyes.
I really didn't mean to slip so far behind but I don't have internet access where I am. It's actually been quite good but I had to find somewhere to log on because I had a Skype meeting with Sam this morning. It was my second Supervision session and I couldn't miss it. It went quite well but I've obviously got a long way to go and a short time to do it.
In the absence of Google I've been doing a lot of reading and taking notes - and getting up at the crack of jack to do it. I'm not joking - I'm up before the seagulls. Did someone mention holiday? I'm still getting the odd bit of writing done - I'm up to about 14,000 words - but after this mornings meeting that migh go down a bit. Well, it might go down a lot.
I'll update when I get home and fully back into writing mode.
For now - it's back to St Ives, rain, sun, a bit of drizzle and cloud.
But, hey - it's St Ives. The place can do no wrong in my eyes.
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