Nothing outrageous, but it’s a start. I’ve got some tofu in the cupboard which I haven’t worked up the courage to open, yet; one of my cookbooks has an interesting scrambled tofu recipe, but I’m intimidated. Hopefully I’ll feel up to it later this week. Sadly, girl cannot live on cake alone, though there will still be cake. And biscuits. Probably a fair amount of crumble, too. Chuck in some custard whilst you’re at it?

I’m pleased to report that Monsieur Frite survived his recent skirmishes with the veterinarian surgeon, and whilst his stomach gurglings are still under par, he’s doing better every day. Eat that gourmet hay that costs a fiver a bag, young sir, or I will eat it for you. You heard me. That’s if Jaster “hollow legs, empty head, healthy appetite” Rogue doesn’t beat me to it.

It’s almost that time of year again. I can feel it in the air: an anticipation, yearning. Building in me. Buzz buzz buzzing in my head like a fever. It’s…almost…the start…of the first slam of the year…must…sound…the…trumpets…of war… ……… …. V.. V-V-VVV….

VA

AMMO

SSSS

……….

VAMOS RAFAAAAAAAaaaAaAAAaaAAAAAaa@aaaa…!!!!!!

*ahem*

Sorry about that. Just had to get it out.

The Australian Open is about to begin. Who will win? Will Rafael Nadal shrug off 2011′s year-long slump (apart from that glorious Roland Garros win, icu bein King of Clay) and recapture his #1 ranking? Will Novak “Absolute Headcase” Djokovic destroy every living creature unlucky enough to grace the other side of the net? Will that rarely seen mythological creature, Juan Martin del Potro, make a token appearance at a tournament before limping off injured for the rest of the season? Will Andy “No Slams” Murray continue his blistering form and fail to win anything of note the whole year through, sack his coach, and blame it all on his mum? Will Federer wear cardigans emblazoned with his own initials and make his own parents wear baseball caps bearing his sigil? Will Greg “I LOVE TENNIS” Rusedski say something ridiculous during commentary, forcing me to bang my head off the wall in despair? You bet your ass he will. Hot damn. Greg sure knows his stuff.

Tennis. It’s fucking awesome serious business, yo.

It might be cold and wintery outside, but I still feel all warm and fuzzy when I get to read stories like this about everybody’s favourite Spaniard. I’m glad he’s ending the year on such a positive note; 2011 has had its ups and downs for Spanish tennis. Here’s to next year seeing Rafa back where he belongs! See yaaaaaa Novak…

*swoon*

Birmingham’s annual Frankfurt Christmas market is doing a roaring trade, blocking the door to the bookshop on most days, and ensuring it’s a daily battle to get in and out of work. Oh well. At least it’s pretty, right? I went for a walk with Lisa this week to browse the stalls – I can’t buy anything until I get paid, so I’ll have to go around it all again, but it was still a nice way to pass a cold evening. The stalls are the same ones you see every year, and the prices seem to have gone up, but it still retains its novelty value. Not a German in sight, naturally.

Last night was the work Christmas meal. We went to Ming Moon, which was what you expect from a Chinese buffet restaurant. The food was decent and there were a few good laughs to be had, too. I was glad to get back to Naomi’s where we got into our PJ’s and drank tea. Party animals, for sure. This morning we got up early to watch videos online and make multiple cakes.

First came thick, chewy oat flapjacks:

The shortbread failed because we had to make do with cornflour instead of rice flour, but the banana loaf came out lookin’ sublime:

After a twenty-five minute wait in the rain, an hour-long bus journey and a traipse across Wolves in the wet, I made it home, where I lit a few candles, downed a cup of tea, before setting out for my mum’s house, which is where I now sit. I’m enjoying the company of my mad rabbits. The little dears have an advent calendar, how unnecessary is that?

Marley’s worked hard on a new look for the Naplew Productions website. Isn’t it beautiful? You can find the above page there, which gives details about the upcoming production Undulations in March, as well as a fancy author bio for yours truly…complete with obligatory moody author photo. Be sure to visit and appreciate how pretty it all is.

Right. Time for pudding, more tea, and a much needed night of uninterrupted sleep…I’m going to call for a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I don’t think there’s much to be done about the noise in my head, but I’ll ask anyway. I feel like I should grace them with my presence before Christmas takes over completely.

Today Rafael Nadal won his seventh consecutive Monte-Carlo Master’s title, defeating the lovely David Ferrer 6-4 7-5. He didn’t play anywhere near his best, but that’s okay – it’s the first claycourt event of the year and he’s got time to warm up properly before Roland Garros rolls around. The best part about being a Nadal fan (so many long amazing years of slaying your fave, bb) is knowing he’s still only 24. Many records still to be made and broken before he’s done.

I love tennis. I also love watching Arsene Wenger’s face collapse in on itself when Liverpool are given a penalty in the 100th minute which is subsequently scored. Classic.

This weekend I’ve been enjoying a mixture of recreation and work. I went to see Norwegian Wood with Nat which I was excited about, but it turned out to be a bit of a snooze. It was beautifully shot and the acting wasn’t bad, but maaaannnnn was it bleak. As a result it felt torturously long. We’re talking Return-of-the-King-get-up-out-of-your-seat-and-get-the-blood-pumping-again long, even though in reality it just scratched the 2hr mark. What’s that all about?

Anyway…as well as the ongoing typing up of various things, I’ve also been pulling together some semblance a plan for publishing Revolve and the necessary little bits of promotion. I’ve also decided to expand online in general so that Fight the Sky and any future publications don’t go forgotten. I signed up for an author’s account on GoodReads (which is fast becoming a favourite website of mine – check the new widget I’ve got in the right-hand sidebar!) and have been busy building a profile on there:

I’ve signed up to a couple of other websites as well, but haven’t got around to sorting them out yet. I’ve also made a few adjustments and additions to Fight the Sky’s promotional webpage – you’ll notice the Paypal button in case you want to buy the book direct from yours truly, and a link to a new eBook version available via GoodReads. I haven’t finished Revolve’s page just yet (although you wouldn’t have to be a genius to track it down). I’ll get it linked up when the book is released.

Tomorrow I’m going to work on the Kindle edition of Revolve; the plan is to publish all versions simultaneously, save me worrying about it at a later date. Afterwards I’m going to stuff my face at Chiquito and die a happy lady. If I can squeeze in one of these as well then even better…

Just so I get it out of my system: Gaga’s new album cover is a travesty/lesson in why one should never abuse the lens flare function. I honestly thought she was trolling her own fans when she posted the picture on Facebook. Is it supposed to be ironic? I don’t get it. It looks shite. The only good to come of it is the influx of amazing internet macros (here’s another. And another. Whoever made these is my hero, I swear the internet is man’s crowning achievement). Her song Judas is also a flaming pile of wank. Why isn’t she fun anymore? Why all the pretentious lyrics about religion? Why can’t she just get drunk and have fun partying like she did in 2008? I understand artists wanting to progress but there comes a point when you just end up boring the fuck out of everybody. Classic example of fame going straight to somebody’s head. I miss Fame!Gaga. At least Britney’s still fun even when she’s dead inside.

…guess who’s running on 2.5 hours sleep and has thus far managed to avoid an epic re-enactment of HEAD MEET DESK?

…who else was it gonna be, really? ANYWAY, we are in our supremely sexy zombiefied state to celebrate the victorious Career Grand Slam that has just come the way of our dearly beloved Spaniard:

Rafael “Living Legend (Could Work On His English Though)” Nadal

defeats

Novak “NoDjo” Djokovic

6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2

…I think nine Grand Slam titles (three of which have come in 2010), a Career Grand Slam, a record number of Master’s titles and 42 singles titles in total says it all, really. And to use a much-overused phrase: he’s only 24-years-old! I firmly believe that the sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the first stop of many, so get out there and aim even higher than they told you to school.

Djokovic played the best match I’ve ever seen him play – his semi-final against Federer was out of this world, and I thought he was exceptional against Nadal, too. I like Novak because he’s an absolute headcase and I feel he brings a lot of personality to the tour…and sometimes he lights up the court with his brilliance as a tennis player, too. Hopefully he can carry this kind of game over into 2011 and win his second Slam. The final was actually one of the best tennis matches I’ve watched in recent years…right up there with the Aussie Open 2009 semis & final. Super tense and enjoyable – a five-set score might have done Novak more justice, but my nerves were shredded by the end of it, haha, so I’m glad it didn’t go that far.

Unfortunately the end of this wonderful tournament means the best part of the tennis year is done. There are a few odd titles left to contend, and of course there are the end of year World Tour Finals as well, but with the Slams over and done with it’s mostly just a case of the tide going out, now. Nadal’s had a cracking year – 75% success rate in Slam titles, can’t complain. Even if he’d had a shit year (and at times in 2009 it didn’t feel like it could get much worse for the poor mite!) I’d still be raving about him…oh the joy of biased reporting. Well, you should know what you’re gonna get by now from this website. And there’s nothing else I can say.~

In the words of Victor Meldrew, I can’t believe it! Rafa, I doubted from the beginning. Why on earth did I do that? Never again will I fail to believe. He always pulls it out the bag, doesn’t he? It was by no means a great final, neither man playing their best, but my argument is that Nadal never needed to – Berdych didn’t take his game to the levels he used to dispatch Federer, and various other opponents. Still, I’m happy for Tomas – his first slam final! And who would’ve picked him from that side of the draw, this time two weeks ago?! I certainly didn’t. He’s got a killer smile and a great game. I’m sure he’ll get a slam before long.

This, by the way, is Nadal’s second slam of the year (the second time he’s done the back-to-back French Open/Wimbledon wins) and his eighth of his career. He now joins the elites of the game, and he’s only 24. AMAZING.

In other news, life is extremely busy. The days are still blending. I’m finding driving very difficult, and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m insufferably stubborn, I would have given it up by now. The pay off doesn’t seem worth the stress. I don’t particularly want a car, and I wouldn’t have anywhere to drive it to, anyway. I just want to be able to say I can. I don’t enjoy being crap at things; so, no matter how much money I have to fork out for lessons, I will be able to drive one day.

I’ve got a great idea for a story, but the problem is finding the time to work on it…I’ve requested a typewriter for my birthday, so hopefully that will spur me on. I literally have no excuse then (right now I’m blaming it on the fact that I’m using the computer once or twice a week at the most, so I’m never able to write). I’m going to take my notebook on the train with me tomorrow, and instead of reading a couple of chapters of whichever book throughout the day, I’ll try to write a few paragraphs. Sounds fair.

I’m also considering signing up to the local gym. I find the thought of it terrifying, but I’m absolutely sick of myself and my negative self-attitude, so I might as well do something about it. The way I see it now, I’m well out of my teens and heading into the abyss that is the Real World – I’ve got to get over whatever is holding me back from being who I want to be. So, I can’t find the perfect job? I can’t afford a place of my own? I’m going to be rejected by Warwick? I can’t move to France which is what I so desperately, desperately want? I can’t write all day? Oh boo-fucking-hoo, Sinéad. Tell you what you can do, dearest. You can get off your arse and do some bleeding exercise, instead of moping around hating on yourself.

…the Sports Direct website is entirely unreasonable. I’ll have to look around Birmingham for gym clothes, tomorrow. Oh good.

Time for a shower, a cup of tea, a vague attempt at telling myself I haven’t frittered the day away as usual. I’ve actually achieved enough. I went to town and got bleach for my roots, had a coffee and doughnut for breakfast (WHOLE-HEARTEDLY RECOMMENDED), came home to find Sue had sold a copy of Fight the Sky on my behalf, fretted and then rejoiced over Wimbledon, got the community I moderate sorted, deleted WRAW and Overkill Hair, googled “how to survive the gym” and finally got around to writing in this little white box of mine. It doesn’t sound like a thrilling day, but it was worth it, right?

Oh, who am I kidding. I’m tired. Congratulations Rafa. The bed calls to me. Five-thirty tomorrow morning calls to me. Eat, sleep, wither, repeat – see you next week for more of the same.

Since last she wrote, Rafael Nadal has won the French Open title, defeating The Swede Who Must Not Be Named in straight sets (6-4 6-2 6-4). As a performance, it was comprehensive and emphatic in its brilliance. I hark on about him because he’s a lovely, professional, respectful young man who is a claycourt killing machine deserving of all his hard-fought glory. Today brings him his fifth Roland Garros championship, his seventh Grand Slam title, his 38th win on the claycourts of Paris, and that coveted return to World Number One. Federer’s pursuit of Agassi’s record shall have to wait for a while longer…sorry, Roger. Congratulations, Rafa.

Bring on the grasscourt season!

Well, I’ve been doing a fair amount of reading this weekend, in the hopes that it will inspire me to get some writing done over the next few days. As we speak I’m having a crack at a fresh idea, and last night I also spent an hour typing up some Icarus-related notes. Whether anything good will come of it is another matter entirely, but it feels good to be trying again.

I’ll have more to say on here when I feel I have the energy to type anything of a decent length and depth. I’m a bit anti-internet at the moment because it requires so much patience. I’m feeling the benefits of spending less time clacking on a keyboard and more time relaxing (though no matter what I do, I still can’t get enough sleep).

RAFAEL “NICE ASS-ETS” NADAL defeats ROGER “THE GOAT” FEDERER

6-4 7-6(5)

to win the Madrid Master’s 1000 2010

So, Rafael, what have you achieved today?

• First player in history to win all three claycourt Master’s titles in the same season.
• Surpasses André Agassi as the player to win the most Master’s titles in their career – Nadal now has 18 of the blessed things, and he’s only 23-years-old.
• In their 21st meeting, Nadal beats Federer for the 14th time.
• He has now won 168 of 174 matches played on clay since 2005.

Living legend, you can look but don’t touch.

Oh, and Federer played well and was very gracious in defeat (although Nadal apologised again – the Swiss maestro must get sick of hearing “Roger I sorry”, no?). Still, I hope someone makes a .gif of that final point and writes ‘FAIL’ across the middle of it.

I meant to write this sooner, but I’ve enjoyed a few blessed days away from the computer, and on the one occasion I did feel inspired to sit here, my neighbourhood suffered multiple powercuts. So yeah. Bottom-line is, the picture above shows you GQ Motherfucker Rafael Nadal holding his sixth successive Monte Carlo Master’s title – that’s a goddamn record, baby. He’s not going to Barcelona this year, which is a shame, but if the rest is what he needs, then I say he gets it! Save those knees for Roland Garros, bb.

Fight the Sky is finished, and is on soft released on Lulu (I’d post a link but I’m lazy and tired, so y’all can either wait ’til next she wrote, or seek it out for yourselves). It’ll be on Google book search soon, as well as on Amazon.com (and all international variants, including .co.uk), all other major online book retailers, etc. etc. My manager has a proof at the  moment and is very kindly going to help me get it stocked at Waterstone’s…Ingrams will also be the international supplier. I’m going to have a go at writing a press release, and also get a page up on here about it, in the near future. Exciting, huh?

I’m looking forward to my weekend off, if I completely ignore the prospect of a driving lesson. I’ve been avoiding doing any writing because my brain feels ready to melt after all that intensive editing (and Simon just informed me via Twitter that there’s an error in the book! Fuck my life!) but I might pick at my creative funny bone for an hour or so in the morning, see if I can’t make small amounts of progress with Nom…

Having another yawnerific “discussion” with Rob via Facebook concerning tennis. He seems bothered by my opinion that today’s Australian Open final was a disappointment. Last year’s was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen (it wasn’t as spectacular as the semi with Verdasco, especially as the final’s fifth set was an exhibition of exhaustion, but it was still fantastic) and this year, whatever way you look at it, doesn’t compare. Of course he brings up my ass-kissing of Nadal, as I predicted he would – I have a favourite player, so what? I don’t even need to bring out the stats and video replays to show you who the better player is, so I won’t. Fact is, Nadal wouldn’t have won today if he had been in the final – in his current form, I would say he’d take a set, at the most. But that’s not the point; Nadal didn’t get to the final, he is injured, he has not been playing his best.

What about His Holiness The Great And Revered Messiah Andrew “Very Angry All The Time” Murray? He is on form, he has played some great tennis this tournament, and as the media have not failed to point out in recent days, this was his best chance of his entire career thus far of winning a slam final. And he didn’t do it. I’m sure he’ll have another chance. Despite my firm belief that Roger Federer is a cyborg sent from outer space, he must surely show signs of aging at some point within the next ten years, thus causing his dominance to fade. I think Muzza’s real chance comes then, which would be sad in a way…if, to finally win a slam, he has to wait for the world’s best to diminish, it’s not a great reflection on him as a player looking to create a legacy. The great thing about Rafa and Roger’s inimitable rivalry is that, no matter who is playing better at which time on what surface in whichever country, they have both beaten each other in the big events when it really counts, and they have so much more respect for each other because of that simple fact.

Still, the comments keep things interesting, I suppose. I relish differences in opinion, it’s what life is all about. It’s futile to argue such things, but as it’s my profile I posted it on, nobody has to read it, and if they should want to comment, then I will always reply. Common courtesy, y’know?

Anyway, Nadal’s knees are playing up again (and I do worry about him, but I’m confident that if he doesn’t stress and takes his time, he’ll still be able to play at the top level for a few years yet) and has been ruled out for the next four weeks. I have not rooted for anybody else over the last six years of my life, so I’m at a loss, and I’m trying to think who I cheered on when the knees ruled him out last year…oh, of course, The Back-Up Spaniards. These include Fernando “Double Fault” Verdasco, Felicity Lopez and David “Can’t String Two Wins Together” Ferrer. It will be interesting to see which of the top players get off to a good start. Federer’s a given, but I’d like to see Djokovic do well. I think the tour needs a bit of crazy; he isn’t criminally boring like some of the others are. He’s a headcase, but I like it.

Anyway, on ONTD Tennis there was a guy love thread. Some of the shared photos were too cute not to share:

IT’S GUY LOVE

THAT’S ALL IT IS

IT’S GUY LOVE

HE’S MINE, I’M HIS

NOTHIN’ GAY ABOUT IT IN OUR EYES

IT’S GUY LOVE

BETWEEN TWO GUYS

And with that, let’s hope 2010 is a good one for tennis. I expect Delpot will steal another slam, and if Cilic improves on his confidence, then from what we’ve seen so far, we could have a few different faces cropping up in finals, which would be nice.

Right, well, enough of that. Today is my designated writing day. I have to finish typing up my Snodgrass notes (it’s best if you don’t ask) and make a start on the next chapter of Nom…although it’s a beasty one.  We’ll see what happens. I will also see to my toothache & headache combination, and hopefully get some reading done. All in a Sunday’s work.

Dear Rafa’s knees,
I must confess,
your behaviour brings me
much distress,

This poor young man
did all he could
to battle past
the horrid Muzz,

and yet you
hold him back again!
Why can’t you be
more of a friend?

The boy did try
his very best,
but could not get past
that leg-long pest!

It’s time, I feel,
you went away.
Rafa needs knees
that want to play,

and as you’re not
up to the task,
there’s just one question
left to ask:

Will you leave quietly,
without fuss?
Or must I drag you,
tied and trussed?

I’ve tired of you,
dear Rafa’s knees;
you bring him pain
when there’s no need,

Without you,
he would do just fine;
more first serves in,
balls down the line,

more first pumps,
‘VAMOS!’, Toni cheers!
Rafa plays on
all through the years,

The next slam final
he’s sure to win,
with the old knees out
and a new pair in.

So now, dear knees,
it’s down to you,
I expect you’ll be gone
in a day or two,

We’ll take care of him,
our Spanish friend,
and at Melbourne next year,
he’ll reach a happier end.