Sometimes… I undress myself with my eyes.
It takes so much longer…

Hope you had a great weekend

Jacque

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The Flip Book – or – No Longer a Flip Book Virgin

Well I have recently finished reading my first Flip Book. Initially when I began reading I was a little uncomfortable but I quickly got used to the format and by the end of the book I was smitten.

Perhaps it helps that I was reading one of my favorite authors I am not sure… have you ever read any Jasper Fforde? ‘Shades of Grey’ is the first in his new series – not too sure what the series title is but it should be something colourful.

I ordered the book from ‘Fishpond’ a website much like Amazon but Aussie friendly, free postage and the like. When it arrived it was sooo much smaller than I expected, I couldn’t believe my eyes and the novelty of this tiny book as yet unread was enough of a conversation starter. When I ordered it I had thought the book was a regular sized novel and just opened differently. But NO, this book literally fits into the palm of your hand OR better still into your pocket. The perfect handbag sized novel. My youngest son says the paper inside is Bible paper and I think he could be right it is very thin but surprisingly strong. Because I have been so busy of late and I was so amazed by the size of the book and the novelty of the idea it took me a while to read or for that matter even begin to read the book, so it lived happily in my handbag for about two months. And if you understand the handbag of a busy person you know it may not be the safest place to keep something you don’t want damaged. Anyway not so much as a dog eared page I am happy to report.

The story… ‘Shades of Grey’ well, let me tell you it is Jasper in full flight. If, like me you are a fan of anything colourful you will love it. I am amazed just how many different words there are to describe colour without being repeated. (I don’t mean colour as in Oooh La La either – just colour, you know the kind you paint with). As with other Fforde novels this book is set in England, recognizable and different in a very believable way (if you believe the Cheshire Cat could be a Librarian) and as with other Fforde novels it is really odd. I love the way his mind works… does he plot and plan these novels diligently before he starts or does he just write like the wind and go back to plug wind created holes later??

I highly recommend his novels, flip book version or regular novel – especially the Thursday Next series, in fact I suggest the Thursday Next books be the first Fforde books you read and please read them in order, the ‘Eyre Affair’ first 

Cheers

Jacque

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The big race has been and gone; the country held its collective breath and sighed. What a finish. What would they have done with out cameras – several of them? Can more than one horse win the Melbourne Cup? First and second were lest than a hair width apart and third and fourth weren’t that much different from each other either.

One bet I could win today is there are a couple of horse owners feeling pinched at the post. Amazing. There was no way you could tell which horse had its nose over the line first, or if in fact it was going faster than the other hose declared second. I put the actual photo of the finish with this post – how close is that! Can you imagine being the rider of the horse declared second? I know I would be feeling pretty ripped off.

My usual betting system failed me. I confess to having several methods to pick a winner. All let me down this year.

This year nine of my friends and I met at the local Leagues Club for lunch and the race, next year we may do a bit of a drive and head to Mission Beach for a nice lunch… not that the food wasn’t good where we were today, we just would like some more entertainment. At least a fashion parade or if all else fails some people with poor dress sense that we can pass judgment on. Speaking of dress sense… two of my friends and I happen to own the same dress (coincidence) we decided we would wear this gorgeous little Charlie Brown number and go to the lunch as a trifecta. Well, not mentioning any names (Kylie Farinelli) but one of us turned up in something else entirely…. So two of us, well… we looked like the Bobsy Twins from the 60’s. We tried telling her it doesn’t matter if you look good just make a statement! And that we did.

I wonder what people do if they don’t do the Melbourne Cup – go to work maybe.

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Ok, NaNoWriMo starts today the 1st of November. I have just watched a YouTube video by some NaNo Nuts and am thoroughly and suitably inspired.

But I am worried, I may have a problem achieving my word goal… I have had to set my laptop up in a very weird way; you see both my shoulders are still suffering from the past few months of hard labour and I find it painful to lift my arms. Luckily I paint and draw and cut with both hands (not at the same time) otherwise one of my shoulders would have left home by now. There is a fluid build up (so the chiropractor tells me) in my shoulders from over use and unless my arms are hanging limply by my sides I am in agony… well not agony, that is an exaggeration but hey I’m a writer its what I do. Embellish facts. I know what you’re thinking – sook, well yes, a little. I hope I can manage my 50000 words in the month. It breaks down to 1165 words a day … and look I have already written 187.

My plan for NaNoWriMo this year is to write my blog every day…. Lucky you – I promise not to mention my shoulders again. I am also going to be working on my novel ‘The Clockmaker’ (working title). In my next post I will have an update on what my story is all about – hopefully.

While I am not writing I will be painting, I have to finish three works for ‘UnderArt Gallery’ if ever you are in Cairns drop in for a visit, Spence Street, near the casino and the Louis Vuitton store, there is some gorgeous art work in there for all purse sizes.

Well there it is 297 words, the tip of the iceberg, wish me luck I may need it.

PS. I know I promised not to mention the shoulders again… but now that my laptop is set up like this I am finding typing easy and not painful at all. I may have to paint lying down or some other way. (358 words, counting this one).

Catch you tomorrow

Jacque (362)

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