Made it! February 27, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Exeter, Fanfiction, Writing.add a comment
I just polished my Jix anni story and sent it off to be edited. Then I added the word count into my running list. (Like Misty, I like spreadsheets. I know; it’s sick.) Anyway, I unofficially crossed the 20K mark. Now, all of these stories and story parts aren’t posted. But they’re all close enough to completion that they could be finished/polished in a pinch if my muses completely went on strike. And once my team’s group story is posted and my anni story goes up, I’ll have more than 15K posted for the year. Not bad, since my Jixaversary isn’t until Oct. 1. 
No, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop writing. In fact, I expect to do some in March while I’m on two training trips, since I generally have time to kill in the evening and morning. Tonight I’m going to transfer all my files to my desktop, print them, three-hole punch them and start rewriting, revising and finishing them. That includes Deadline, which has sat for far too long. Once I print everything out, I’m going to update my writing goals for 2006.
For now, here’s the list:
- Finish rewriting Deadline and start sending to publishers
- Finish River
- Add at least two stories in Tiger’s Heart
- Revise my NaNo IE stories and finish the first phase of the universe
- Start Silent Night
Work panic February 27, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Work madness.add a comment
The advantage of having VPN access to work is knowing what I’m missing. That’s also the drawback. It seems our copy desk is in a full-blown panic about the massive project and our ability to get everything done. Sounds like if I were in there today, I’d be catching flak from multiple angles; I think I’m glad I’m off. But the discussion went off e-mail at some point, so I don’t know what all is going on now and likely won’t until I go in tomorrow.
Aleta tagged me February 27, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Quiz Time.1 comment so far
Four jobs you have ever had in your life:
- Receptionist (?)
- Cashier
- Reporter
- Editor
Four places you have lived:
- Massachusetts
- Virginia
- Missouri
- (sorry, don’t have a fourth)
Four tv shows you love to watch:
- The West Wing
- Grey’s Anatomy (I’ve even got WG hooked on it and there’s not a ball in sight)
- $40 a Day
- Law and Order SVU
Four places you have been on vacation:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- California
Four websites you visit daily:
- Romenesko
- IRE/NICAR
- Pandagon
- Washington Monthly
Four of your favourite foods:
- Peaches
- Mashed potatoes
- Spaghetti Ferguson
- Raspberry chocolate-chip cookies
Four places you’d rather be right now:
- The county
- Choir rehearsal
- Ireland
- Visiting my family
Four bloggers you are tagging: (OK, so some of you might get tagged twice)
- Meg
- Jayne
- Mal
- Kyrie
I’m back February 25, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Arts and Crafts, Fun Times, Work madness.add a comment
OK, I can now type reasonably well again, so expect posting to pick up. For now, here’s a brief update on various things:
* My finger is ugly, but healing. (The reason for the bandages was also a source of much amusement in the building this week. Glad I could help, guys.)
* Our IT guy got Open Office running on my laptop, so I’m looking forward to playing around with the DB program, as well as having a spreadsheet and full word processor again. Now to get comfortable enough with it so we can install it on work computers for reporters to use the DB program. (Microsoft doesn’t make Access for the Mac, and there are limited options for relational DB programs on this platform.)
* SE had a 102 fever yesterday, but insisted on coming in and covering the Regional semifinals (in a suit, no less). It looked like he had strep yesterday, but his throat’s fine today, much to everyone’s relief. Strep sweeping through the newsroom would just suck. His fever’s gone and he feels better, but sounds lousy.
* My personal work hell should basically be over tomorrow. I have corrections to make now that CE has proofed it, and I’m waiting until tomorrow night to come in and work on them.
* We have a new (old) reporter this week. The cops reporter when I got here has returned as a city reporter. It feels like a pressure valve has been released in the newsroom.
* So far this week we’ve had a plane crash on a highway and a house engulfed in flames 25 feet high. We’re hoping tonight is a bit quieter.
* Yes, this is heavily work-centric. I haven’t done much else the last week. Knitting was out because of my finger, and work sucked up most of the rest of my time.
* I did take my iPod with me on a walk in the park. I need to set up some playlists based on the speed of the music so I can have fast and slow options. All those years of marching band mean I tend to adjust my pace unconsciously to reflect the music.
* We worked on a gospel piece in choir this week and I’ve had it running through my head ever since. Cool song, and much fun to sing.
Writing posts February 19, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Admin, Writing.1 comment so far
Since I’ve been doing little writing lately, I figured I’d take Chip Scanlan’s advice and use my blog to get back in the habit. In case any of it turns out halfway decently, I’ll password it to protect future publication rights. Password is the full name of a certain red-head. 
I also need to get back in the groove editing and rewriting my NaNo stuff so I have something to post next month for Jix. I’ve got several possibilities – anybody have any requests? Let me know in comments. Also, I’m going to need an editor who likes Irish Eyes for several stories this year. Any volunteers? Again, let me know in comments.
Freak accident February 19, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Health, Uncategorized.2 comments
Excuse my typos for the next few days – I have a gash along the nail of my right index finger that’s wrapped in gauze, and thus that finger is too clunky to type with.
Why, you might ask? My alarm clock bit me.
To be more precise, the spring for the winding mechanism sprung, whipping the key-shaped knob around with great force. Unfortunately, my finger was right next to it at the time as I twisted the time knob.
(Pause for everyone to stop laughing)
It looks kind of weird, but doesn’t seem to be infected, so I’ve managed to avoid the hospital thus far. *crosses fingers* Right now it’s wrapped so some air can get in because the skin was getting that weird white color it gets when it’s wrapped up too long. I’ll probably change the gauze pad again before bed and see how it looks there.
New toy February 17, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
My newest toy is attached to my laptop via a USB cable as it downloads my music collection: it’s a black 4G iPod nano.
(And this sounds so dumb, but it’s soooo cute!)
I used the portion of my tax refund I allotted for “fun money” to buy it, and it arrived this afternoon. Now I can listen to my music while I work this weekend without dragging my laptop around!
We won! February 17, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Uncategorized.add a comment
Of course, I don’t know yet what we won for, but we got 17 awards in the annual press association contest. Using the list of people who did win as a tool, I figured two out through process of elimination, and knocked several out of the running. EE was laughing at me and my living logic puzzles. He knows what won and how it placed, but is sworn to secrecy. He’s enjoying watching me try and figure it out, though.
Oh, and the two we did win for? I was a part of both. One was the big project I did last year with sports, which I had hoped would win something. The other was a spot news story that I played a small reporting role in.
Protected: Stealing from Aleta February 17, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Health.Enter your password to view comments
Protected: Smack him upside the head February 14, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Work madness.Enter your password to view comments
