Silver Linings Search: November

Hello lovelies!

Over the past year I've been recording all the little moments of good that happen in my month and the year is almost over! There's a real possibility that I'll continue these posts in 2015 - just as long as I remember to update. Here are the good things that happened this month:

• I got to go to a private screening of Interstellar. It was a midnight screening on the day of the release. We all got to go in once the cinema had been locked, all in our onesies and pyjamas, and had such a crazy, awesome time. We had an 80s dance party in the run up to midnight it was brilliant.
• I had an interview for a graduate job and was one of the final two that was considered for the position
• I was called back for a second interview where I feel I seriously impressed the man interviewing me. Fingers crossed!
• My partner and I took a day to just mess around and watch movies with my sister which was fun.
• Driving through the forest with my loved ones singing along to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
• A show I'm in really took shape. I even whipped up a solo in half an hour, two rehearsals before the actual show went to the stage.
• I made an attempt at NaNoWriMo. An attempt.
• I took up a lot of extra hours last month and they paid off this month on pay day. Wow. 
• I also got a bonus from work. I don't get it til next pay day but still, it'll be a nice little extra in my pay packet. Huzzah!
• I was contacted and straight up offered another job. They'd selected me from my skills. I am fortunate enough to be in the position where I was able to respectfully decline as I move to savour my time for other projects. That said, it's great to be considered. 
• One of my close friends came to visit all the way from Leeds. Although it was a quick trip it was good just to see her face and catch up quickly. 
• My partner got a slight promotion at work which will look great on her CV and provide decent job security.
• I've lost a bit of weight - brilliant!
• I got to see my gorgeous partner graduate from university which was a wonderful, truly special moment.
• My partner and I travelled up to Huddersfield for the graduation so I had just under 24 hours in the wonderful town I spent three years in. It was great! We spent time doing typical Huddersfield things from eating and drinking at our old haunts to shopping for silly items. 
• Shopping: I bought some gorgeous things this month from faux fur boots to a new handbag.
• I got to see many friends of mine - old and new! It was a quick trip but it was so good just to see their faces. 
• November: the month of reduced price Halloween goodies!
• My holiday started at the end of the month. From December 30th I have two weeks off work to get stuff done!

So I've been really unsure about what to do about Tunesday/song of the day. Should I keep doing it? Is it really worth doing? It feels like something worth doing but only if I'm creating enough blog content to even things out. That said, I thought of something fun the other day. For every day in December I'm going to do a song of the day but they're all going to be linked to films. Every song will be from a film, featured in a film, about a film etc.
I just thought this would be a really fun thing and hopefully it will give you some contrast to all of the Christmas music out there. I hope you enjoy the songs I've picked.

DIY TIME!

Time to get crafty, blog-ghosts!
So I've done these before through the year, it's a collection of DIY materials. Some are from blog posts or YouTube tutorial videos etc.
Whatever. The idea is to get crafty at home. Let's get to it, shall we?
Here are my picks for the month:

• How to bling out your wardrobe with beaded hangers.
• How to make DIY watercolour paints. Craft something that you can get even more crafty with. Craft-ception. Yes.
• How to make and wrap your own bath bombs
• How to make 100% natural soap
• Wish it was still summer? Why not make your own summer with this cute floral head band?
• How to make gluten free, vegan cupcakes. Yum!
• And if you like that, why not make this rad vegan hair mask?

Recommended Reads

Hello poppets.
It's Wednesday!
It's Wednesday!!
It's Wednesday!!!
Do you know what that means?
It's time for recommended reads!
Yes, poppet, it's that weekly segment where I show a couple of things I've seen online that you might like. That's basically it.
So... Here are my links, I guess:

• This one is cool: Adventures to add to your bucket list! How many of these would YOU actually do? Some look a bit intense.
• Starting a band? Don't have a name? Here is an article on how to name your band.
• Are you a university/college student? Here are ways to survive university/college when you have no money. 
• Another money related one, but this is for my beautiful artists out there. This is an article on how to get a mortgage as a freelance artist. 

Writing Problem #9: Finding Your Writing Space

I've not written up another writer problems post in some time but this is one that has bugged me tonight.

Another writing problem is finding a place for ultimate comfort and creativity. Some peope like to sit at a desk, others curl up in bed. Some people go to local places to find inspiration, others shut the world out whilst they write. Some people surround themselves with the colour blue as it's said to boost creativity. Ultimately, we are all different and every writer has to find their own unique comfort zone.

Personally I have a few comfort zones.
On my living room sofa, specifically on the left hand side of the sofa. Tucked up in bed but only it no one is there. If I am forced to write out of my comfort zone I feel compelled to make one.

What's Your Comfort Zone?
Where is YOUR writing space?

NaNoWriMo is HARD.

I started this month with the good and honest intention of taking part in NaNoWriMo. Sadly my work hours went up which has impacted my writing greatly. I've not really had the time to write and when I have I've really struggled with creativity. I just sit at the computer not knowing what to write. I'm going to try and write in December - hopefully the fact I've got about two weeks booked off will help. I've worked on a few projects this month but I want to just get one novel done and out of the way. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record...

Another book from Anne Rice - or should I say A.N Roquelaure?

How does she do it?

Does this woman never stop? As Anne Rice is still on her book tour to promote the newly released Prince Lestat, Anne Rice has made another announcement. It looks like she has finished yet another book! Anne Rice announced today that a new erotica tale from her Beauty series is set for future release. Rice wrote the Sleeping Beauty trilogy under the name A.N Roquelaure and the new book in the series, Beauty's Kingdom, should be hitting book shelves in April 2015. Anne is really outdoing herself at the moment with book after book coming out. The books have had a bit of an erotic Renaissance in the wake of the new 50 Shades of Grey movie and with erotica becoming more popular and accessible this seems like a great move for Roquelaure. My, my... things are about to get steamy!

Recommended Reads!

Hello my sweet lovelies!

It's Wednesday which means it's time for recommended reads. Recommended reads is a weekly segment that I put together with a few cool things from around the internet. I put them together to give you cool things to look at and experience.

Here are my picks of the week:

• Here's one that caffeine fiends will love! It's an article about why coffee is good for you packed with facts and statistics. 
• Ever wanted to know how old you are in days? In hours? In dog years? This website will tell you EXACTLY how old you are.
• 8 Things Only People With Anxiety Will Understand
• Fancy trying vegetarianism? Are you a vegetarian looking for more protein? Here is a little collection of high protein veggie recipes. 
• And of course, the quiz we're all desperate to take, which high school clique do you belong in? 

If I Get It...

Last week I was interviewed for a great job that I have all of the qualifications for. I made it through the first and second interview rounds and then I got a call. The recruiter said I impressed them, but so did one other candidate. The recruiter wanted to take the weekend to think about it and would then pick one of us and let us know this week. My nerves are shredded right now because I might get the call today. I have a 50/50 chance of getting this job. Mainly, to keep my mind off of the waiting, I've decided to write a little pro and con list of getting the job.

Pro:

• It's a graduate job so career wise it's a real step up.
• Better pay
• I'd have more pride in what I do. 
• Sociable hours/more hours
• I'd get weekends off!
• This is a graduate job - my degree would actually be valued
• New start, new job, new people. 
• Decent career progression and the chance to really branch out and do something new. 
• I'd end the day feeling like I was somehow doing more with my life
• The office is in such a beautiful location! Even walking up to the interview was a calming little trip

Con:

• I won't see my current work buddies as much
• None of the perks from my current job (except when my current work buddies hook me up <3)
• I won't have the same amount of flexibility when it comes to taking time off.
• I probably wouldn't be able to dye my hair blue

That's about it though. I'm trying to keep my mind off it because in the next hour or so I should find out whether or not the job is mine and I am very, very anxious right now. This job would mean a more stable schedule for me with free evenings and weekends. I'd finally have a job that I could really be proud of. When talking to friends about what I do I'd have a better response. I'm so very anxious right now. This could be a turn of the tide...

NaNoWriMo Update

So we're almost half way through NaNoWriMi. Where did the time go?

NaNoWriMo is as difficult as ever. Now that I'm about half way to my word count I feel the brick wall rising before me. I'm sort of scared of not finishing a novel this year. Or ever. I have so many ideas and so little time.

Even if I get past the 50,000 word mark I'll be happy. Even if it isn't finished it's the right sort of length and that's half the struggle.

Interstellar: Full Of Stars, Not Much Shine.

So far this film has been like Marmite in terms of reviews: you love it or you hate it. Actually, no, there are also the people who didn't keep up enough to understand it and you'd forgive them for that. It's a fast paced and almost overly complicated film. Motives aren't always clear and decisions aren't always understood. This film is Gravity meets Inception but with a fast, messily delivered plot thrown against awesome backdrops. Since the film has only just been released I'll try to keep my review spoiler free.

This film is long, almost three hours long, and in truth I found myself almost falling asleep whilst the film was on. It just felt a bit messy as if some assembly was still required. A lot wasn't explained as to what was happening on Earth. Are all the animals dead? Is that an obliterated food source if we can only live on corn? If the animals are gone, what impact has that had on our ecosystem? Once Cooper leaves am I to honestly believe that the world survives for decades on corn alone? I had far too many questions. There are moments when the film is grand and challenging - that scene with the mountainous waves were jaw droppingly good. Sadly the rest of the film does not follow suit.
Of course this was a visually stunning film, but the rest left me wanting. Then, of course, the ending is far too convenient to be believed. The characters are underdeveloped. Overall this was a real flop for me.

What I can say for Interstellar is that the marketing and advertising has been excellent. They really mastered the art of creating a hype by keeping things under wraps. Secrets aren't easily kept in Hollywood but they did so well  in not giving much away in the adverts or releasing too many details in advance. Many films would do well to take note of this. I'd definitely like to see more films marketed like this where details are withheld for as long as possible to keep the experience fresh.

Recommended Reads

Hello darlings!
It's Wednesday once more!
You know what that means, yes?
It's time for recommended reads, the weekly segment where I recommend some stuff I've seen around the internet lately for your amusement.
Here are my picks for the week:

• Looking for unique baby names? Then check out this blog of unique baby names. 
• Looking for nice jewellery as a Christmas present or perhaps a little something for yourself? Check out Steam Retro - they're one of my favourites.
• Here's some tips on how to save money to travel 
• Ever wanted to visit Westeros? Well, here's the next best thing. Here's the info on some of the popular filming locations!

Silver Lining Search: October

Hello my little pumpkins!
So, if you frequent this blog then you'll know what the silver lining search is. If not, I shall tell you. Basically, since the start of the year, I've been collecting and recording happy memories. In writing them down I remind myself of all the good from that month. It's far too easy to focus on the bad things so in doing this I am actively searching for the silver lining in a cloud. It's an exercise in positive thinking.
Alrighty, here are my happy moments for the month:

• I joined a gym! For the first time in my life I am a member of a gym and I immediately began using it. I'm already feeling the benefits. By this time next year I want to have a healthy heart and a slender frame. 
• Also the people at the gym were so nice that they gave me a discount because I work in the same building. They also gave me two weeks for free because they're awesome.
• THEN, to make things even better... My partner joined the gym with me and managed to get a discount through me which is cool. I didn't know until one day, as I was getting changed after a swim, I heard her call out my name. I was all, "How are you in here? You're not a member," and then she whipped out her membership card. Awh yeah. We're gonna swim together.
• I started my Christmas shopping. God, am I organised or what? Some of the presents are wrapped and labelled already.
• I bought some new Halloween pots and my mother gave me some adorable house plants to put in them. It really brightens up the room. They are so cute.
• I had a bunch of money left over just before pay day so I figured I'd take myself out shopping. I bought myself a few bits from skirts to snoods. It was rather nice just treating myself to a few bits and really making a day of it. 
• I've really gotten into gardening lately and the shop where I buy my seeds had a 75% off sale so I bought enough veggie and flower seeds to last me the until 2016 for just £2.50! Oh, it's the little things...
• I bought some really nice books.
• I got cuddles from some lovely cats. They often stop for cuddles on my way to work. One day kitty cuddles will make me late to work, I swear...
• When some major plans folded I saw friends and a community come together to keep things running at short notice which was really nice and rather inspiring.
• The other day I was a guest at a wonderful dinner party. Who doesn't love fine wine, good food and a spot of fun conversation? 
• I saw a lot of great movies such as The Maze Runner and Gone Girl.
• I helped to take care of a dog who is the same breed and similar age to the dog I had and lost earlier this year. Weirdly enough this dog even has the same name: Hamish. It was bitter-sweet but it was kinda nice, almost like closure. Also, I got plenty of puppy cuddles.
• I started really cleaning through some of my stuff to make more room and to de-clutter my life. I can confirm that it has been rather therapeutic. 
• I made plans for a new poetry collection.
• I made some real progress at work and apparently such progress is being noticed.
• I have been asked to co-write a novel with someone. Although this is something I said I'd never be able to do I am looking forward to the possibility.
• Someone wants to turn one of my short stories into a short film and is willing to let me write the screen play. AWESOME.
• My Dad made pumpkin curry which is officially delicious and we'll have to make it again next year.
• Halloween. Yes, that gets a bullet point just for existing. 

NaNoWriMo Has Begun!

Okay gang, time for round 2...

I tried to do the whole NaNoWriMo thing last year and just didn't manage to do it. I made some real progress but didn't finish the novel. But here I am this year and I'm going to give it another shot. My partner is hoping to take part too. It'll be nice to have a writing buddy. Hopefully I'll have my first novel done by the end of the year.

Pray for me, guys?

Hello November!

Wow. Hello blog-fiends.

I am so sorry for being so quiet over October. I'd like to say that it was all down to lots of spooky, Halloween related fun but the truth is I was at work non stop. I mean, this is my first day off in ages. I just worked seven days in a row, the shortest shift was about 7hrs 15mins. It has been tough. This is the first moment of rest I've really had and now that it's November there are bigger fish to fry: NaNoWriMo.

I'd hoped to do so many things over October on this blog that I've failed to do as I simply never have the time. For that I can only apologise. I know I've taken a bit of a step back from this blog as of late but hopefully I'll get into it a bit more from now on. Rollin' on...