Just a couple of photos of our spooky pumpkin from Halloween. I was out cycling whilst the pumpkin was being created so don’t know if there was a story behind it or not, but it looks as though Morgan was enjoying himself and the end result was really good....
and look where it can lead
The launch of Coven of One took place a couple of days ago in Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. It’s taken me this long to find some words to describe the event.
First we met Minx and Debi in the afternoon in Chapter’s café. We waited inside for them to arrive, scrutinising every woman who came in, looking for clues. We needn’t have worried: they arrived with a swoosh of magic - the air tinkled with shiny silver stars and sparkled with a purple haze. Both Minx and Debi are forces of nature and if you’re in the same room as them you’ll know about it.
We met later in the Media Point room, the woodwork, appropriately, painted in purple. Kate is a natural at this author lark. Charming and confident and genuinely loving meeting people. I think she picked up...
Let it go on record that I hate Halloween.
It's something about it - the ASBO kids running around the estate blackmailing you into giving you treats (that line courtesy nicked from a poem by Sarah), the fact that all the way through university you were forced to go out and spend money on shit you throw away November 1st. The fact it signals the beginning of "Lets give over as much money as possible to consumerist crap", with masks, face paint and god knows what else selling like hot cakes.
A lot can be said for the costumes - in my day it was generally "Witches", "Vampires" and "Frankensteins" going around. Today it's scream masks (lazy fuckers), Pirates (why?) or whatever is popular on the telly. I give a damn about this non-entity of a holiday that's only one place up on the "Cliff...
After much consideration, discussion and changing of minds, this year Kev and I decided to try a Frank pumpkin. Frank, of course, being the big scary rabbit from Donnie Darko. Easier said than done because he doesn't exactly have a face that reduces easily to shades of light and dark. We also had problems with an overripe pumpkin which managed to be both squishier and thicker-walled than we would have liked. The carving was a wee bit rushed, and lack of good pumpkin carving tools does sort of limit one's finesse, but still... it's a jack o'lantern. We will have to refine this design for next year. And get some better cutting implements.
Frank, the Donnie Darko Jack O' Lantern
technorati tags:hallowe'en, frank, donnie darko, jack o...
I finally managed to do some training today - a 14 mile ride down to Forte's Ice cream parlour and back around SA1. The wind made it a hard workout, but I was just glad to be out and about after the past few days of inactivity.
Considering it's Halloween, we've had a very quiet night thus far - not that I'm complaining of course. But every Halloween I can't help but remember one very eventful evening I had as a student in Pontypridd - thanks mainly to my housemates at the time.
We (5 of us) were sharing a house not too far from a pub called 'The Forest' (no doubt ex-Ponty students will have fond memories of the place) and rather than be on the receiving end of trick-or-treaters, it was decided that we'd go on the offense instead. So when some local kids called round in true...
One more day - the launch of coven of One at Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff is almost upon us
don’t forget 7pm Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff tomorrow - Halloween
I wonder if Wee Shu Min will be there? I hope not after all I’ve heard about her. But then again if she wants to come to the most exciting booklaunch of the year then who am I to stop her?
So, Wee Shu Min or anyone else, come along this Halloween tomorrow - there’s some wine beer and bhajees in it for you...
Halloween is coming and so is Dorcas Fleming Whoo - Hoo
Book launch and Blogmoot Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff on Halloween
More details here......
It's been a somewhat iffy day out on the road today, having experienced two very close shaves whilst driving my car (to and from work) or to be more precise with people almost crashing into my car.
The first instance - on the filter lane by the Liberty Stadium - was with Mr. White van man whom was obviously more interested in the conversation on his mobile phone than me being on the inside lane. Thankfully the horn on my Toyota Corolla is of the rather loud variety and combined with the "Look where you are f*%king going" gesture with my hands, ensured that I didn't require any body work to my motor beloved (but ageing) motor.
Tangle number two - whilst crossing White Rock bridge over the river Tawe - was with a lovely yellow Nissan Modus (you know the one, "Test drive a Nissan Modus for...
I hit the road at lunchtime again today, but this time by foot. It was the first time I've been running since the July 13th and as you'd expect I could tell from the way I felt afterwards that it had been a while! Anyway, the 20 minute run around Swansea Marina - including the Trafalgar Birdge and Sainsburys was a nice change and hopefully will now feature more in my lunchtime training sessions.
DDWT Junior had to go to the doctors today as he's got a really barking cough. As is the norm nowadays he was given Amoxicillin - or banana medicine as we refer to it at home (which ultimately means he takes it without a fuss!). With Mrs DDWT showing the symptoms, no doubt it'll only be a matter of time before I get it.
So just to cheer the troops up at home I bought some flowers for Mrs DDWT...
