Expect a LOT of radio silence in January. Work is looking for all the OT they can squeeze out of us phone monkeys ask us for, and between that, Birka and trying to get Last Rites written (not to mention classes, which start in the middle of January), I'm going to be flat out. So I might vanish for a bit. I'll try and post on weekends.

Bleah. January is a LOUSY month to be a 401k phone rep. At least the money will be good.

Here we go! First, yesterday's - I love this bit. Yes, I'm probably dating myself (I know, shocker, right?) but it makes me laugh every time it comes on the radio.




And today it's Friday - and you know what that means!!! More Nutcracker!




I just received my copy - think I shall watch it tomorrow.

To do Thursday:

- Pick up beard5 for gym
- Write Compare/Contrast Essay
- Write Persuasive Essay
- Birka Merchants Reservations
- Write final Journal entry

Compare/Contrast Essay - comparing the family Christmas traditions of now and the 1950s.
Persuasive Essay - why the new mammogram guidelines will result in more deaths of younger women.

Bleah. So much for a day off. Ah well, I can do most of this in my pjs.

Dinner - panfried salmon with roasted brussel sprouts and blue potatos.

It's a tradition in our house to watch the Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Family Christmas every year. I can't imagine NOT watching them (yes, seen both already this year - Christmas Carol twice!) and am pleased the Pumpkin enjoys them as well.

Here's a bit (okay, not really a CAROL, but a holiday song) about that old skinflint himself - Mr. Scrooge.

My knee hurts. Pushed it too hard - beard5 and I were trying for 5 days at the gym this week, but I'm not going to make it tomorrow. Knee is complaining too loudly.

I really want to run. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is too much to haul around on these knees yet, so I'm going to have to curb my impatience and baby it a bit. Lose some more pounds and strengthen the knees before I try running again.

I will run again. I will.

I swear it.

I really like this carol. It's got the feeling of a traditional carol, even though I know it's not. And since I live in New England, it really speaks to me.

This is a lovely version, from a Children's Choir performing in Machias, Maine. Enjoy.

Today is a traditional carol - the Holly and the Ivy. I like it, even though the lyrics don't really make a lot of sense to me. macfrode theorizes that it's because it's an old pagan carol that may have been Christianized, which makes sense.

Enjoy.

More Straight No Chaser - this time, it's their famous 12 Days of Christmas. I love it. Especially the end.

I'm so buying this CD for Christmas - it's definitely one of my new favorites.

So I'm settling in with my tea and my computer and my stove to do Christmassy stuffs today. The to-do list is as follows:

1. Make chocolate fudge both batches made and hardening
2. Make chocolate popcorn hardening in the freezer!
3. Pack up goodie baskets for argus7hills' coworkers
4. Bake cranberry walnut bread in the oven!
5. Address Christmas cards
6. Write!
7. Birka Merchant Registrations
8. Reload iTunes on computer

Now off to do my advent post and then nuke some chocolate. It's fudge time!

Edit 1: Oh look, snow! Falling from the sky! How fascinating! :P

Seriously. Even a writing one!

Did a lot of good brainstorming tonight (once I beat the headache into submission) and I think I have a lot of the backplot done for Last Rites. My goal for tomorrow is to turn said brainstorming into a workable plot outline, so I can start writing the damn thing. I think I may do a bit more brainstorming as well, but I've got the motivations for the four major characters and (finally!) an idea as to what my antag is doing and why. It's actually pretty cool, and I get to go back to a plot thread that I put into Book 1 (yay, continuity!) and use it. I'm pleased.

I'm also seeing how my process is changing for each book. I'm looking more into the worldbuilding and character aspects and using those to create the story. I think it's getting deeper, which is good. Maybe not so many rewrites this time?

As to whether or not I will actually make my deadline - that's still up in the air. We'll see how much outline I get done tomorrow. I think I'm keeping the beginning I have, though. I like Amy and Derek.

So thank you again, FM Chatters, for putting up with my blatherings again. You guys rock!

There is only one true version of this song, done by the original Catwoman herself, the great Eartha Kitt.




Although Kelly Pickler does a very good version too. But really, I prefer the original.

Catching up again.

Thursday's carol is a double from Celtic Women - because I love these performers.





And the dance of the snowflakes from the Nutcracker, for Friday.

There might even be a real writing post later! With, like, content! I know, shocking, huh?

I do apologize for the lack of real content - I've been super busy, and tired. I think I'm fighting off a cold that really, really wants to take up residence in my head. It hasn't gained much of a foothold, but I'm not taking any chances. It's been so busy here!

OT at work, too, which cuts down the writing time/me time even more. I don't even get my studio day this week! *sniff* So sad...

But even while working, I have writing ideas that are starting to percolate. I'm having some real issues with characters and this third book - once I figure it out, I promise I'll do a writing post. Luckily, there were some great folks in FM Chat that helped me out with some really good advice, especially mer_blackwood. I'm still doing the prewriting stuff, but the book will be MUCH stronger when I do get it down.

I've also got some glimmers of my Christmas present for you guys - I think it might be a part of the larger Olympus book. Yes, I think Olympus is going to be an actual book - I've got some plot, and it's gaining steam. And it's FUN. Of course, now it needs a title (and the MC's name needs to change, because I've already got an Abby/Jack story), but I finally get to use Jack Frost as a hero in a book that ISN'T noncanon! And this Jack is...well, he's sexy, but he's not the Jacks I've written before. I like this Jack. I think you guys will like him too.

Oh, and I'm doing my Christmas cards tonight. So if you wanted one, be on the lookout early next week!

macfrode and time_testudinem - I suck. I totally didn't put anything out for this Friday. *headdesk*

I'm sorry. Do you think we still have time to do it?

Yeah, it's snowing. So today, I thought I'd give you one of my all-time favorite carols. I have, no kidding, 6 different versions of this song on my iPod, and I'm looking at adding a few more (you can never have too many versions!). This one, however, is my favorite: Leanne Womack and Harry Connick Jr, singing a very snazzy version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

Because it's just one of those days.

Okay, had to do this. I love this carol (so does beard5!), but this video frankly creeps me out. If my house ever started doing this, well...I'd move. :P

Enjoy the Waitresses - beware the spooky house lights.

Yeah, I missed some this weekend. *sigh* I'm sorry. Catching up today.

Firstly, for Saturday, I give you Dido. I love this song.




For Sunday, we go old-school again. Bing, in one of the best holiday movies EVER.

I'll post today's later - gotta head back to work.

Someone on Twitter just asked about 3 goals for next year (the hashtag is #3goals, if you want to chime in there), and it got me thinking. My first answer was "Writing, promoting and FINALLY learning to podcast." But then I changed it.

My goals for next year are simple:

1. Write
2. Rediscover myself, my family and my relationship with my goddess
3. Slowing down

I do want to podcast. I'm working on promoting. But those aren't the important things.

I'm going to rediscover writing letters. To my sibs, my niece and my grandparents. There's something wonderful about getting a real letter in the mail - I want the Pumpkin to know that joy. And to be able to look back years from now and know me.

What about you guys? What are your goals for next year?

Today's is Friday, and I thought for Fridays, I'd do something a wee bit different. One thing that was a firm tradition in our household growing up, and that was that we HAD to sit down, as a family (okay, Mom and the girls usually, although Glenn didn't complain TOO much) and watch The Nutcracker with Baryshnikov and Kirkland, first on PBS, then on our VHS player. So for the Fridays in December, I'm going to share some of my favorite scenes from this lovely, lovely ballet. (And yes, I would watch Baryshnikov tie his shoelaces. Or wake across a street. The man can MOVE.)

Today is the pas de deux from the beginning of the ballet, right after Clara kills the Mouse King.




*sigh* I'll be in my bunk.