Category: projects

In my first real, grown-up office job my boss was a man who knew a lot about computers, hardware and software. He understood them as far as they can be understood, but he was no mere techy. He had the soul of an artist and, in another life, would probably have been hanging out with… Continue reading User Error

There are times when I miss  living in a small country. In a small country, where everyone (until the past decade or so) watched the same four channels on TV, things happen that are truly nationwide. On November 11, pretty much everyone is wearing a poppy (although increasingly debating about what colour and whether newsreaders… Continue reading Red Nose Day

Normal Heights Originally uploaded by jwordsmith. My friend Carol lives in the height of normality. See?

I’ve only scratched the surface of Language Is A Virus but it seems like a promising site: the kind that might inspire you to write, rather than burgling your time like so many writers’ advice sites (fascinating but not helping with the actual writing of your own work…) I used their Writers Block “Cut Up”… Continue reading Language Is A Virus

Thanks to Carol for this link: Here’s a post of someone who turned their old TV stand into a play kitchen for their kids. Recycling, AND reduction (no new plastic, no new packaging), money-saving. It’s warms the hippy corners of my heart.

I have just finished neglecting my family and going without sleep to read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. I knew nothing of him or this book before starting it (beyond the fact that there was a board game based on it). Now I know I”ll read it again some day (possibly soon).… Continue reading The Pillars of The Earth

I love this entry from Neil Gaiman’s blog about the new book he’s just started. It gives me all kinds of hope and illustrates elegantly how I feel about writing when it’s going well.

[ posted this story about her daughter’s close encounter with a Creme Egg, which prompted me to flash-back to my childhood. Here’s the story:] When I was about three years old, my cool bachelor uncle came to visit. He drove up in his convertible Triumph and was immediately the coolest thing on our street (and… Continue reading How Do You Eat Yours?

This is why I’m not doing any paid work these days.

I just spent two hours at a birthday party with The Big Boy. Actually, I spent the time separated from him by a wall and a window while some very capable gym people kept the children busy and fed them cake. I spent my time talking to his best friend’s dad and a couple of… Continue reading Definitely an Introvert