Year’s End

In my life, every year seems to have a different theme. At least, every year since I could grasp the concept of a year having a theme. Sometimes it has been suffering, or joy, or learning patience…
This year’s theme seems to have been moderation. Moderation in effort, so that I could learn to balance [...]

More Narks Than Coppers

I was sitting on the train this morning, looking out the window and pondering why I write fiction, when I was distracted. A man stumbled down the aisle of the carriage, proclaiming, “Tickets! Tickets! Tickets!” I turned, and noticed that all down the carriage people had their wallets in their hands and open before they [...]

A Lazy Christmas

I’m determined not to put too much pressure on myself this christmas. I’m really not sure how well this will go, but I’m trying.
Effort #1? Relax about gifts. And utilise online shopping. This HAS, sadly, meant that I’ve had to ditch my ebay grump and join the other millions of ebayers baying for various collectables. [...]

Musical Monday

Having punished you last Monday with my least favourite Christmas pop tunes, I thought I should make it up by sharing some of my favourites.
Now before I do, let me explain that I have a fascination with music+movement that far exceeds most people’s. I LOVE great choreography, hence Fifth Element is my all-time favourite movie [...]

How To: Quote Someone in WordPress Comments

You know how some blog posts spawn comment-conversations that go on forever? Ever needed to quote part of someone else’s comment so that your reply makes sense, and been stuck on how to do it gracefully?
On WordPress blogs, this is quite easy – and it might work on Blogger blogs too. No promises, though.
So, you [...]

Publishing Renaissance

I found a new blog a couple of days ago, thanks to Cliff Burns. It’s called Publishing Renaissance, and it’s a group blog by indie writers, about indie writing. Well worth subscribing, if the subject matter interests you!

Bored

Thanks Vyvyan. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Musical Monday

You’re probably aware that it’s almost Christmas.
Especially if you don’t CARE.
Carols and pop tunes about snow blaring at you if you dare seek food or shelter.
So this Musical Monday is dedicated to the HORRIBLE, SHITTY christmas songs that I hate. Because they’ve been following me around lately, and I like to share my pain.
[...]

Where?

You might’ve noticed that I haven’t been around much for you.
It’s not you.
It’s me.
No, really.
First, christmas preparation. Umm, not that I’ve been doing much.
Second, work is nuts. Truly nuts. Why the hell do we organise for products to be released just after christmas each year? Just plain wrong.
Third, health. Bloody hell. This should be first [...]

How To: Create an Animated GIF

Step 1: Get hold of a decent graphics program. I’ll use GIMP for this tutorial, so if you’re planning to follow this step by step, download GIMP (this link is for the latest Windows version).
Step 2: Open (in GIMP) one of the images you want to put into the animated GIF. For this tutorial, I’ll [...]