Musings & more….
It is foggy in Vancouver this morning, and the olive trees just outside my kitchen window are covered in spider webs that look like crystal lace. There is some metaphor in this that I probably should be exploring, but I simply found it beautiful to behold.
FYI, you can see the web more clearly if you click the picture.
Martial Arts Instructor: “What is the most important step in self defense?”
Me:”Running away.”
Him: “Close. Confidence.”
Me: “That is the exact opposite of running away.”
Then he told me I had to do push-ups on my knuckles.
Yeah, that didn’t happen.
This morning we had a wicked rainstorm in Vancouver, but, by the time I was walking home from my errands, the sun was burning off the clouds and the air was so, so sweet. The cherry and magnolia trees all along the boulevards are (almost) in full bloom; their heavenly scent triggered even further by the rain.
In the garden my dwarf stella cherry tree is just starting to bloom … I snapped this with my iPhone right before I came inside to – once again – chain myself to the computer.
Now the sun is out and I’m inputing numbers into spreadsheets. Death and taxes, right?
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WIP: taxes – yuck!
On the headphones: “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia
Pen of the day: blue ink bic
Chocolate of the day: fresco 214 (74% single origin Madagascar). I’m attempting to savour the last piece as I write this, damn!
I ran the halloween pumpkins out to the compose between rain showers this morning, and, upon returning to the house, I saw this beauty tucked up underneath the eave of the studio window.
I should have run inside for the SLR, but I was afraid it would start raining again in the time it would take me to get it. I snapped this with my iPhone.
Happy November 1, 2012!!
I discovered this amusing series of photos while walking down West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano on July 28, 2012 – yes, I’ve been remiss in posting it.
An entire block is under construction between Yew and Maple (??) and some brilliant person posted these photos on the plywood wall built between the sidewalk and the site. I’ve included my favourite “Bills” in the photo series above, but there were easily 20+ photos (if memory serves).
Thank you for the laugh, Anonymous Vancouver street artist … a tip of the blog to you!
The sun comes out, trees begin to bloom, and my love affair with Vancouver begins anew. I no longer find myself rushing to and from the house, but rather taking little moments to wander through the garden to see what is new each sunny day.
Today the three-year-old dwarf nectarine tree is in full bloom, so I grabbed this picture right before I holed back up in the office for the remainder of the day.
While walking to Pilates this morning I found this lovely scene in my neighbour’s yard (I believe that is a weeping cherry tree?):
And, on my way home, I couldn’t help but grab a shot of this gorgeous white cherry tree in full bloom. I love the contrast of the almost fluffy blossoms against the rough, stapled wood of the electrical pole.
So with that indulgent morning walk to keep me going while confined to the office, I happily get back to writing.
All shots were taken with an iPhone 4s, and ever so slightly tweaked in photoshop.
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Writing update: just in case you were wondering about upcoming projects, Spirit Binder (Paranormal Fantasy) is currently with the story editor and cover artist. Expected release date is May 15, 2012. The sequel to Spirit Binder, Time Walker, Â (Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy) is currently being drafted, with a fall release in mind. After The Virus should be available in paperback for it’s 1st anniversary in June 2012. YAY!!
When we moved into this house three years ago, I was blessed with my own office (with ocean view!!) and a garden in the backyard. Michael made the office even cooler by building me a gorgeous desk out of 100-year-old reclaimed fir. He made the desk to fit the exact dimensions of the room.
It was beautiful. It was perfect. I loved my desk.
I imagine spreading out index cards and images and brainstorming, and generally occupying the entire, decedent space.
Instead, this is what a typical writing day looks like around there:
That’s me in the far right corner attempting to work on my newest novel. I am pretty much allowed the space of my keyboard, though today I had to  fight for even that much. Not complaining — much — cats do rule the world, at least around here.
I have discovered that the iPhone 4s camera does this interesting thing… when you zoom and shoot over water and underneath an expansive sky (though perhaps the sky/water element isn’t completely necessary, just all my shots have been such) then the resulting picture looks like a watercolour effect has been added. Case in point, the following photograph was taken on our walk along the seawall yesterday (Sunday, Feb 5) in the early afternoon on slightly cloudy day:
I’ve touched up the levels, but haven’t added any effects. Interesting, huh?
