Randomness

I've been so wrapped up with my other blog that I've not had given Lizzy's Musings a thought in absolute ages. And I apologise, specifically to my sister, Elize - I know she visits often, because she told me so. We don't get to chat much as she's forever running around like a superhero doing her saving the world thing, so she checks in on LM to see how things are.

So, this is an update to let her know a few snippets.

Our holiday to Santori fell foul to the travel company, XL, going bust. This sucked ass, big time - apologies, Miss Jamie for bad language use - and so we had to make do with a local holiday here in an un-sunny UK. We ended up going to Wales, to Pembrokeshire which has some fantastically beautiful coastal areas. Shopping is non-existent and I did my best to honour Elize on payday by trying to spend of my hard earned cash. Sadly this came to naught - there were no shops. At all. Not even in St Davids. Again, with the sucking of ass. We did however find some good pubs to have lunch and dinner in. Mark made me pay to make up for not being able to spend money on fripperies such as books and jewellery.

The following week, still on holiday, but at home this time around, I got to meet up with Alison Goodman and her publicist, Madline Toy for breakfast, to discuss Alison's newest book - The Two Pearls of Wisdom. It was amazing, not just meeting Alison but being considered important enough to be "expensed" on the publisher's entertainment budget. How cool is that? I've worked up the interview and will hopefully be posting it shortly, once I get the go-ahead from Alison and Madeline. Alison came as a shock to me, having had this image in mymind of a slightly dowdy writer-ly person lounging about in trackie bottoms and tee, whilst writing, but it turns out that not only was she flamboyant, pretty, charming, funny, articulate and stylish but genuinely good people at heart. I think we could have sat there and chatted for the entire day.

My other coup, was the chance to meet up with my lovely publicity girls from Little Brown who look after the Piatkus, Orbit, Sphere imprints. We met at Wahaca for lunch, talked books, authors, writing, reading, what's hot, what's not, food - the list is endless! I had a blast and felt hugely honoured when they hauled out the newest catalogue and a few other treasures which they had brought with them.

I also got to meet up with some of my ex-work colleagues from my old company and I was so happy to see them - I knew I missed them, but to be honest, I had no idea HOW much I had missed them. Listening to them regale me with nightmarish stories of what is currently happening at my old place of work, had me thanking my lucky stars that I was made redundant a while ago. It's given me a headstart on getting my life in order and a new job under my belt - I feel so heartsore for the people in the City who have lost their jobs. I know the rest of the country dislike the fat cat bankers and wotnot, but the thing is: the fatcats are not the only ones who lost their jobs - there are the other "norms" who lost their livelihoods too - the secretaries, post-room working, admin staff, IT consultants. This has a knock-on effect on the local economy - several sarnie places, eateries and coffee shops, including dry cleaning places, hairdressers, and other small concerns - all of these had to close because of this, which means that these people in the service industry lost their jobs, which means that they can't afford to pay their bills in turn - it is a big viscious circle and I would like to say to those people coming down on the people working in London and in the City specifically - stuff you all - this tiny square mile has kept this country running through so much trouble and contribute in excess of 6% of the nation's growth and wealth on its own. What's happening isn't just affecting the bigwigs, its affecting everyone in ever widening circles and instead of relishing the trauma these people are in, think about helping out instead.

Ahem. Where did that come from? Clambers off soap-box.

La-la-la - innocent singing to detract from the verbal outrage above.

It was my nephew's birthday on the 10th of October. I miss him so much. He would have been 33 this year had his life not been stupidly cut short by a pointless act of rebellion and misguided delusions of coolness. I lit a candle to him on the day and sent my sister a text telling her I miss her. Her and her hubby were having a tough time of it too.

This weekend past, the 17th, Mark and I got to go on our competition trip we had won through XFM Radio to Bruges and we had a blast. He drank loads of beer, I soaked up the sunshine and the atmosphere and am keen to write something dripping with elves, goblins and trolls. There is something about that small compact city that just ... I don't know, gets under your skin and makes you want to write. Or is that just me?

I love autumn, it makes me want to nest. I have been fortunate, having received quite a stack of books from various publishers, so I know my evenings will be well spent.

Right, that's enough of me for now. Slightly maudlin, for which I apologise, slightly feisty and fighty, for which I do not apologise.

Catch you on the flip-side.