Half term ending today with exams
to come Monday morning – because there’s no better day to have one of what will
feel like an endless number of trails; and I can’t say I have much to show for
all my ‘well-spent’ free time, other than many, many completed series of anime.
Not all the time was wasted – which eases the welling guilt. I have made a good
start into editing my next book, which I hope to approach publishers with soon,
and I’ve taken a few bites out of revision, namely French and Japanese grammar;
once again Spanish fights to get a look-in.
It’s
my father’s 50th next week, and I’ve had to devote a lot of time
into choosing the right gift for him, especially as he’s a modest person who
insists only a card is necessary. I’ll be flying back for the sole purpose of
spending the day with him, (because I’m nice once in a while), I’m sure there
will be plenty I can accomplish while away from my studies for a week too.
On
to business, I must say I’ve fallen out of the loop in reading since I finished
Madam Bovary all those weeks ago, I’ve been buying manga in French and Japanese
to improve my linguistic skills, but I will start on something a little more
challenging in the next few weeks I suppose. I have however, started skimming
through blogs for inspiration such as, probably my favourite poet around, Katy
Evans-Bush at http://baroqueinhackney.com
. After meeting her in Bangor last year (or so) I’ve enjoyed stopping by when I’ve
had the time to keep up to date with her going’s on – which I do more
frequently than watching the news, to put into context how isolated I can be.
Every time I look at an experienced blog though, I see how it’s certainly a
good thing to look to your seniors for advice and example.
Naturally
being on Erasmus has given me the opportunity to do everything I’ve not had
time to do over the last decade, being in full-time education; however as
people tell me, I can’t do ‘everything’ whatever that means, thought I would
agree I can’t do ‘everything’ as well as I’d like, but I could say the same for
French. Research time is on its way as well as exams and martial arts tests; as
it all builds up, this should really be the proverbial kick up the behind I
need to get things moving.
I am proud to say
though, that I have not followed the stereotype of moving to a foreign land to
eat, drink and party, though my sins do cover the first two. I found time to
watch some television last night, something I do not do too often in France,
due to the frustration factor, what I found was I have a taste for late night
TV in France 4, discovering the singer GiedRé, who I imagine no one who reads
me would know about. I found her songs and on stage comedy hilarious, to say
the least, her sense of dark humour was enough to keep me glued to the screen
to the end before watching the French adaption of Pirates of the Caribbean.
The
latest book, which I have the intention of getting my hands on when back in the
UK is Zoë Skoulding’s ‘The Museum of Disappearing Sounds’, which can be bought
at http://www.serenbooks.com/book/the-museum-of-disappearing-sounds/9781781720714
. As anyone who’s familiar with my work and life knows, I adore poetry, it’s
what started me on this journey all those years ago, it’s also the first
literary form that offered me a warm place to curl up and grow into the writer
I am today; I particularly enjoy sound poetry, and those which carry a good rhythm.
This is why this new collection sounds perfect for me. In fact, it’s through
this poet (and lecturer’s) events that I’ve met a lot of international poets,
most of which have really impressed me and inspired me not to give up on
publishing my own collection one day. Though as in ‘Waiting for Godot’:
Vladimir.
You should have been a poet.
Estragon. I was. (Gesture towards his rags.)
Isn’t that obvious?
Yes, I’m a student and a writer,
needless to say money isn’t abundant, but the work sure is.
There
are plenty of other things I’d like to do, like to read and of course write,
but I have to sit down and take my studies and sales seriously at some point. I’ll
be appearing in my local newspaper any day now the ‘Wrexham Leader’, okay it’s
not a big bit of media but I think it suits me well really, the size and scope
being modest but known. I do add in a shameless plea to support this new author
(so I can release my second book) by buying a copy, or spreading the word.
Right
now, it’s gorgeous, at least for the Brits, in the south of France or Lyon, in
between mid and North to some. And the last thing I want to do is stay indoors
and study, but I can at least take comfort that I can tan while I work as I sit
down to a cup of tea and some miso soup.
For this week, that’s me done and I
hope to have another on time update next week, providing I have time. It has been
my pleasure to update you all this week on an inside look at my world and
interests. So until next time, Read, write, live.
My usual hideaways
My book is now available to order
at
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