I should be writing, but instead I’m drooling at notebooks on Etsy.

Isn’t this gorgeous? It’s made by KarleighJae and you should check out her entire shop – every journal she’s created is spectacular.

Maybe I’ll treat myself when I finally finish this damn book.

Sadly, half term is almost over. The kids and I have had a fantastic week together. What with the move and other stresses, this was the first opportunity we’ve had to take time out for a while.

I haven’t always enjoyed the school holidays. I look back at old blog posts written when they were much younger and I can appreciate the difference a few years make. It’s great to be able to do things together that we all enjoy at last.

Fortunately, our common interests weren’t too costly. Other than one trip out bowling at the beginning of the holidays, we’ve been mostly celebrating our inner geeks with console games, films and old tv series. (Oh, and I am now totally addicted to Phineas and Ferb).

I’m sure many parents would be horrified at the screen time we clocked up, but it would be unjustified. With the extra attention and fun, I’ve seen a huge improvement in the boys’ behaviour and we’ve all been more loving and communicative. Conversations over lunch have got quite involved with favourite film moments, game tactics and even deep science discussions!

It strikes me that the media obsession with children’s screen time is skewed because all screen time is not equal. Purposelessly vegging in front of the telly because you’re bored is not the same as watching a film altogether as a family and discussing it. Getting deeply involved in an age-appropriate computer game that has a good narrative, that forces you to think, strategise and seek help from other players is not going to make you a serial killer or turn your brain to mush.

Of course you need balance. Children need to have varied experiences and opportunities (and I should point out that they did also step outside and play with friends this holiday too), but arbitrary time limits make no sense.

Writer

Writing 17 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
I’ve had a chill out week while the kids have been home for half term, so no progress. I have had a few ideas for plot improvements and tweaks, though, so clearly the break has done my subconscious some good!

Reading “The Cats of Seroster” by Robert Westall
Almost finished. It’s a fantastic read – I do love picking up books you’ve read many years before and discovering that they’re still awesome!

Fighter

Chin-ups: 22
Situps: 146
Pushups: 54
Squats: 275
Cardio: 90bpm (resting) / 156bpm (elevated after 1min jumping jacks)

Small signs of progress and feeling more positive about my training this week. Exercise has been sporadic (again, due to half term).

Geek

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs – our half term animated film of choice. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s good wacky fun and bonus – the heroes are geeks!

Chocolatier: Decadence by Design – I’ve played the Mac version in the past, but have just discovered an iPad version and snapped it up. You get to own your own chocolate company, design chocolates, and travel the world for ingredients and adventure. Good fun and nicely ported to iPad too.

“You’re bored with your workout. That’s why you’re here and that’s why I’m here.”

I’ve been doing it so wrong, I see it now…

Although I’m not doing any writing this week, I have still been reading around the web and finding interesting things.

This older post of cathshaffer’s – “Are you a tough enough boss?” had me wincing in recognition as she explores the reality of being your own boss. My personal favourites are:

2. “I want you to ‘warm up’ for your work period with at least an hour of web surfing.”
3. “I heard about someone who has some terribly wrong ideas about religion and science on the internet. Could you please write a 5000 word blog post detailing how very, very wrong he is? We’ll open the shop whenever you’re done.”
[...]
6. “You need to have a drink to stimulate your creativity before you start taking tech support calls.”

The Writers – Stack Exchange website looks an awesome resource for all those in a writing profession. I’ll let them tell you what they’re all about:

Writers – Stack Exchange is for authors, editors, reviewers, bloggers, copywriters, professional and aspiring writers.

If your question is about …

• Non-fiction, technical, or scholarly writing
• Fiction writing
• Copywriting
• Professional blogging
• The publishing and editing process
• A writing critique, properly scoped and framed

and it is not about …

• The strictly interpreted correctness of English grammar or syntax rules (please ask those on English Stack Exchange, instead)

… it is welcome here!

I loved today’s Writing Downhill cartoon over at Jim C. Hines’ site. Personally, I’ll settle for falling with style.

And finally, I think this is possibly the most wonderful piece of public art I’ve ever seen: Platform 9¾ (also don’t you think it’s rather reassuring to note that even JK Rowling occasionally messed up her research?)

“But there’s no sense crying over every mistake.
You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.”

- GLaDOS, ‘Still Alive’

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

So, the kids are off for half term and I’m taking a break from the novel.

I don’t feel guilty. I should do – progress is slow enough without taking every school holiday off as well. I would like to finish this book one day.

However, I’m tired and ready for a holiday of my own. I’m behind on just about everything. I’d prefer to take the opportunity to do fun stuff with the boys rather than constantly feel resentful of interruptions.

It’ll get done when it gets done.

In the meantime, I’ve got some serious playing to do.

Writer

Writing 17 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
I’ve finally beaten scene 17 into submission, for this pass at least. As a result, though, I’ve split it into two separate scenes and total scene count has increased! Still, it feels like progress.

Writing has now been put on hold for a week as the kids are off for half term. Experience tells me that trying to get any writing done while they’re around is an exercise in frustration. Besides, I’ll enjoy the break.

Reading “The Cats of Seroster” by Robert Westall
This was my favourite book as a young teen. I got it out of the library 10 times before finally admitting that this was a ‘to keep’ book and bought my own copy. I have no idea where that copy is now and I fancied reading it again.

I managed to find a second hand copy via Amazon Marketplace, but was a little nervous reading it, in case through adult eyes it wasn’t as good and it’d spoil the memory. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. I am thoroughly enjoying it and was gripped from the very first page.

Fighter

Chin-ups: 21
Situps: 128
Pushups: 50
Squats: 275
Cardio: 90bpm (resting) / 156bpm (elevated after 1min jumping jacks)

Back on track with fitness, but feeling quite negative about the other aspects of training. Hoping it’s just a temporary lack of confidence due to all the other stuff going on and that I can get my focus back soon.

Geek

As a follow up to last week, you can read my guest review of Pocket Legends over at MMORPG Info.

Fully appreciating Etsy for the first time. I’ve been looking for a trinket box to tidily store all the stuff that gets dumped on top of my bedside table and getting sick of the same stuff in every shop. Managed to find a wonderful artist in the UK who is making a personalised design for me – I’ll post a photo when I receive it.

Getting excited about the release of Dragon Age 2 (due in the UK March 11) and the Dragon Age: Redemption webseries starring Felicia Day (due March 8):

Because I know some of you just aren’t sick enough of Minecraft yet.

(Possibly not safe for work or small children due to risque humour and swearing)