i’m going to let you in on a little secret: i’ve been hard at work on a lot of things lately, not all of them profitable, but top of the list is [drumroll please…] a whole new blog.

not as a replacement for this one, but as a more commercial venture (i.e. i’d like to make some money at it one day) and of a much less personal nature.

but still funny, weird and interesting, of course. (what do i mean, ’still’?)

if you’re curious, clicky here to find out more.

look at hillary! she’s thinking, “just one little nudge off the podium and this race is MINE, little boy.”

hee.

i’m researching australian visas because i might just HAVE to go before this rain DOES ME IN, and there’s a few different options to choose from.

all the different explanations on the aussie government’s website say at the top:

this one is for you if…

but i haven’t found the one that finishes that sentence:

you’re struggling to feel positive, PMS-ing like no-one’s business and worried that you’ll never feel happy again.

i’ll keep looking.

for some reason i just can’t seem to get into reading lately. i’ve only finished three books this year - and i started one of those in 2007. i know that’s not bad, but it’s way less than usual, and i have piles of started-but-not-finished books that are interesting enough but i haven’t been able to focus on.

maybe it’s because i’m going through a lot of inner changes that are TIRING, and i’m thinking a lot about BIG LIFE STUFF.

or maybe it’s because i’m writing a lot more, including a book.

yes!

not for commission or anything (yet…) just my own fulfillment and eventual publication (*crosses fingers*). i’ve been doodling bits and bobs for a while now but this year i’m committing to spending at least 20 mins a week (baby steps) on it. if you’ve been watching my sidebar like a hawk you’ll see i’m closing in on 17,000 words (of about 80K or so). not bad, but still a lot more to do! (it’s not a novel, if you were wondering…)

anyhoo, i may not have been reading much, but i did read this, and it’s fan-tastic, uplifting, inspiring and reminded me why i love to write [all those rejections, yay! i kid. mostly]. 

i also have a whole pile’o christmas/birthday books to enjoy, and some more to buy with a lovely amazon voucher (thanks jas!)

and i realised i never filled you in on my new york book-buying adventures: what i bought, and why… so buckle up and let’s get going!

at the airport, i picked up picklehead by rohan caldappa, because i thought his autobiography of a one year old was hi-larious. this is more personal and actually autobiographical, but i’m sure will be just as funny. i hope.

my BIG book buying spree was at the strand, a landmark new york store (thanks keris for the top tip!) which i just AD-ORED. the basement is filled with bargains: unwanted, often perfect-condition review copies, many of them hardback (oops). i got:

» more…

here’s an interesting article about the guy i would have chosen for prez, and keris alerted me to this video of ann coulter, fascist fearmonger and darling of the neo-cons, showing hillary clinton some lurve. is she right - could (republican) john mccain really be to the right [doh, i mean left] of hills? alarming.

super tuesday should be interesting.

i know you’re an intelligent bunch who like words and reading and book learnin’, so i’m picking your brains for a new project i’m (very very slowly) putting together… (all being well).

do you have any favourite language/word-related sites, blogs or podcasts to recommend? anything to do with how we use words and language (including slang, writing and non-verbal communication) welcome. i have a few ideas, but would like more resources, so if you can think of any, please let me have them! (self-promoters OK).