Various ramblings by the small hobbit

It's time to commit to my new goals, rather than hoping they will simply sit in the ether.  The one thing I do know is that if I write them down then I am much more likely to keep them.  For any new members of my flist, my goals need to be attainable with a bit of effort.  So, without further ado:

Goal No 1 - Continue to write all the things

The emphasis this year is going to be on variety, rather than number of words.  It's very easy for me to slip into certain genre, generally casefic, with some hurt/comfort and a side order of crack.  Which I proved when I took part in B2MEM (a Tolkein based challenge) and still managed to write a casefic called Inspector Durin Mysteries.  Not that there's any problem with writing what you enjoy, but I don't think it will hurt to look at writing some different things, so I may be asking my flist for suggestions.  I'm steadily working towards 100 Fandoms, and still hoping to finish that by the end of this year.  And I've signed up for Exchange of Interest (Person of Interest exchange) again this year.


Goal No 2 - Actually do some artwork

The real disappointment of this past year was how little artwork I did.  Yes, there were plenty of reasons why I didn't do much, but this year there will be no excuses.  I've bought a new drawing pad, so I can do some pictures with pastels.  And I shall try and make a point of using my sketchbook when I go places, and not simply carry it in my bag.


Goal No 3 - Write two progress blog posts each month

This was the hardest to decide on, and I'm not really happy with the wording of the goal, so that may change.  I've been really happy with trying out lots of new things (and several of you have been kind enough to leave positive comments, for which thank you.)  And I don't want to simply look out for more new things just for the sake of the 'new'.  Equally I don't want to not do something because it's different.  But at the same time, I want to keep a record of how my current activities are progressing, because it's good to look back, and realise how much I have done.

So, I've decided every month to write two blog posts.  One will be a summary of progress on current projects - so you don't escape the cross stitch updates ;) - and the other will be on any new things, however minor, that I've done.  This may well include visiting new places, but I shall also include notes of how I'm doing with Goal No 1.

But first the cherry tree, as I drew for SM's birthday card:

( art and craft )

Time for another review of my goals:

Goal No 1 - Write all the things

I'd hit my goal of 150,000 words for the year by the end of November which was pleasing.  Also in November I wrote the first part of my Spooks House Party AU, which I shall continue with next year, along with the Sentinel/Guide AU.  This is a departure, since I've tended not to write long AUs.  I've also been making slow but steady progress working for fan_flashworks  badges.


Goal No 2 - Continue with the art and craft work

Still very little art - I just don't seem to have the time, although I do sketch if we go somewhere suitable.  I've now finished my cross stitch Christmas cards, which I was really pleased with, since that was a new venture for me.  And now I'm sewing an owl from a small kit SM bought me last year.  I suppose I've achieved half a goal, but even that is purely sewing and I had thought of looking wider.  But when time is limited why not just do what you enjoy?


Goal No 3 - Do something new each month

October was Future Learn month, and I've since done another two courses: 'Lancaster Castle and Northern English History', which I found reasonably interesting - some parts more than others; and 'Beyond the Ballot', which was the course which originally introduced me to Future Learn.  Sadly that one wasn't as good as I'd hoped - I really wasn't grabbed by the presentation.  But I've added more courses to my Wishlist, a couple of which I've signed to do in the New Year, so whatever else happens I shall continue to broaden my knowledge.


There are so many things I'd like to do, and I think I've come to the point where I can't do them all and will have to be slightly selective.  But I do still want to be open to new experiences.

How are my goals going?  (In case anyone is confused I set my yearly goals in April, so October is half way).

Goal No 1 - Write all the things

Word count to the end of September was 127,590, which is above where I need to be to reach my annual target for the year (this is a calendar year goal).  fan_flashworks  has introduced some new badges, and I decided to do some work on finishing those I'd already started, so that all helped.  I'm also working on two case fics for story_works  which is bumping the total up.

There's all my usual challenges, plus spook_me  of course.  In addition I'm writing for Multifandom Trope fest, plus a few Harry Potter exchanges, which is something I've not done before.  And today, despite saying I wasn't going to do so, I've signed up for Yuletide - there were sufficient fandoms nominated to appeal.


Goal No 2 - Continue with the art and craft work

I finished my cross stitch at the end of last month, and have done very little since - a couple of quick drawings - I shall post a bit more later this week.  I decided it was sensible to take a break from sewing for a few weeks, but haven't really replaced it with anything.


Goal No 3 - Do something new each month

In August I visited new places in London, and last month was sci-fi/scientific books.  This month's post will be done at the end of this week.

So overall everything is going well.  I'm not really satisfied with the art and craft side, but I am planning on taking my sketch book when we go to Vienna, so hopefully I will do some drawing then.

Yet again this month I've failed to do as much art as I wanted.  We went to Nature In Art where they had an exhibition of wildlife drawings by Gary Hodges and I copied three of them for use in some ficlets.  The notebook I had in my handbag had lines, but it was better than nothing.  I drew a young cayman and a Nile crocodile for Pterodactyl, part of The Further Adventures of Dr John H Watson, my watsons_woes  JWP2018 entry.  And I drew two bottle-nosed dolphins for fan_flashworks  Wave Challenge: Dolphins.  Lastly I did a colour sketch of a bonnet for Mouselet, also for JWP2018, Hats! Hats! Hats!

Meanwhile, I have been making good progress with my cross-stitch, with the excitement of using some pink thread:

One of my goals for this year was to work on my arts and crafts, and to that end I shall be posting a monthly progress report.  This means I can't opt out without feeling bad.  I do realise it's only myself I'm cheating on, but if it works don't knock it.

Firstly, I've begun my cross stitch.  The kit came with 16pt Aida.  That really is too small for me to see to work on, so I bought myself some 14pt.  Here's how it's begun, which I'm pleased about:
( cross stitch )
I've also been doing some drawing in our back garden of a few of the flowers we have:
( flowers )

Just over a week ago, on ushobwri it was suggested in view of all the negative vibes we should all try to shine a little light somewhere.  My contribution was the following poem, please excuse the dodgy metre on the last line:

As hopes are dashed and trampled underfoot
And fears held dormant climb back into mind
As tears are shed and sorrows overwhelm us
It is up to us to show love for humankind
Remember as you shed your tears today
A simple act is all it takes to show
That if the sun shines briefly through the rain
You too will see the glorious rainbow

browngirl has now illustrated the poem, and I encourage you all to take a look.


On Friday the daughter and I met up in London.  I told her to choose which shows she would like to go to and I would make the final decision.  Which is why we went to see Mamma Mia.  Her first choice was Matilda, but I've already seen it.

She enjoyed it a lot, which was good.  I decided I prefer the older style musicals, which in some ways seem to have more of a story to tell.  Lots of upbeat Abba songs, which were fun.  I wasn't too impressed with most of the singers and Sophie, in particular, didn't appeal.  However Tanya (Mazz Murray) and Rosie (Jo Napthine) both made me smile, they seemed to have more about them than the others.