Even when you get to the age of forty there are some events and situations that still have the ability to shock... more about that later...
My week has been one of coffees, catchups, a plethora of 'u.r.l's' and many, many hours editing. For the first time this week - I realised how lucky I was to grow up in a world without the internet... not because I would not have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED to have had it while growing up ... I just think that my generation (and those before) are people who embrace technology more readily than the marketers, politicians and communities think they do. The reason we do is because we see the full potential in it's power - as oppose to people who do not even know a world without this AMAZING resource.
In terms of '209 A Story' and the life of writing - this week has been quite exciting. I finished the edits of another chapter and also received a text confirming my new email address... (steven@209astory.com). Everything involving the launch of the novel is timed by a thing called 'milestones' - it is quite exceptional and I now see why people employ specialists to organise things...
The life of a writer is quite isolating due to the nature of the business at hand. On top of this, the adventurous world(s) in which we roam are real to us - well... at least during the time we are writing ... So, one is pretty much a person who is living the life of a recluse. (perhaps this is why I am writing my blog at 5am on Sunday morning!!!!) - (No ... there's another reason for that ... you'll find out one day! ... ;-) )
With this in mind, and the fact that I have been sick of late - it was time for me to catch up with friends I have not seen for ages. Like most people, I feel incredibly lucky to have such wonderful support regarding '209 A Story' - however the cost comes in the form of stretching friendships to almost breaking points. People whom I would once see with regularity, I never appear to have time to catch up... unless it is something organised at least three months in advance... at this point - I follow a simple Idom - the squeakiest wheel gets the oil! (http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/)
This is how it works... the people who complain the most about me not being 'available' any more - well they get the first invitation... tee hee!
I always invite them via sms and always suggest a place to meet with a designated time... I only ever do coffee - as opposed to a full on dinner... (unless it is a very special reason!) - See, with coffee - it can be during the day and if I know I am meeting someone - I always arrive about three hours before and spend the entire time writing... (nothing like a deadline!)
Ok - here's my week...
Monday - Had a hot chocolate at San Churro (http://www.sanchurro.com/) (YUM YUM YUM -buddahbacci is the one to order! ONLY ORDER ONE NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU THINK YOU WANT ANOTHER!)
Wednesday - breakfast at Cafe Domain on Domain Road
Thursday (OH THURSDAY!!!!)...
During the day I caught the #16 tram to St Kilda where I had lunch at Big Mouth. (http://www.bigmouthstkilda.com.au/) and made a new friend with the fellow who was sitting on the next table to me - he was from London, his name is Jonathan and he really had a crush on the waitress!!! It was quite sweet. (no shock value here!) ... As people do these days - we just swapped... not mobile phone numbers ... but names ... 'I'll add you! (if you do not know what this means - you need to get up into the new millennium as the world is moving on far quicker than you can EVER POSSIBLY IMAGINE... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q
.... The day I was leaving my B&B in San Francisco I happened to meet the person who was taking my room. (http://grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp)... His name was Colin and he was at the beginning of a two month, round-the-world journey... the very same day when I was homeward bound. We hit it off immediately as my tiredness was and equal match to his levels of enthusiasm - we swapped email addresses (old hat now) and said we would meet up when he arrived in Melbourne. During the week I received an email to say that he was heading back to the United States and I knew if I did not catch up with him this week - I would not see him until sometime next year...
We caught up for coffee then went out for dinner a 'Mamacas' (http://www.mamacas.com.au/). It was pleasant and we laughed much about that rainy day in San Francisco and plans for his visit to Canada - for a family wedding -in a couple of weeks. Following the meal, Colin called it a night and I decided to continue on. A friend has recently opened a new bar in South Yarra and I decided to pop in and have a look. We are getting to the shock aspect... (http://www.we-relax.com/stressful-situations/how-to-handle-someone-with-survivors-shock.htm)...
I have no problem with going out by myself - I was 17 years old when I headed off to boarding school in England - and I can tell you once you have achieved that - heading out to a night club, bar or movie on your own is EASY!!! (http://www.twyfordschool.com/)
This is where I met the 3R's and ended up dancing until 7am... (not with the 3 R's I might add at this point) - I reason I meet these people (1 girl 2 guys) was due to one of them accidentally picking up my drink (http://landingpage2.smirnoff.com/flash/?Lang=en-au&Brandd=SO&RefUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww3.smirnoff.com%2fTemplates%2fRedirectToURLTemplate.aspx%3fNRMODE%3dPublished%26NRNODEGUID%3d%257b13AD6946-1812-448B-950B-B23BD1976E16%257d%26NRORIGINALURL%3d%252f%26NRCACHEHINT%3dGuest)
... I was on the phone to my friend Helen in Queensland at the time - and following the phone call - I struck up a conversation with the 3R's (Rita, Robert & Richard) -hmmmm - they were most interesting - Rita was from Israel, Robert from Slovenia and Richard from New York... here comes the shock value - they were in town to attend a party on Friday night - (yes... this is not a problem) ... an invitation ONLY party (The coin does still not drop with Steven at this point)... a party where the two male R's are first timers and going to 'observe only' she advised with a roll of the 'r' and a knowing smile... (I was completely lost and I just asked what she was taking about...) - well... they were going to a an Invite Only Medival Bondage Party... oh la la... 'La Douleur Exquise' (http://www.tv.com/sex-and-the-city/la-douleur-exquise!/episode/26623/summary.html)
Unsure why this shocked me for I believe people can do whatever they chose once they are a consenting adult... and as long as it is with other consenting adults... good luck to them - perhaps the rest of us are just too inhibited? However... I find that pain is not something I desire - when I have a headache I am sure it is a tumour - I almost pass out if I stub my toe ... I just don't do pain.
Regardless, as a writer you cannot and SHOULD NOT - be closed off to anyone who enters your life... it is from people such as the 3R's that I learn so much about individuals... and it does help with my characters... 9http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/jun98/lazy2.htm)
Anyhooooo, I declined an invite to attend the 'Medieval' event in Richmond (CAN YOU IMAGINE???) and danced off into the night with the other 60 or so people who were out on a Thursday Night. I ended up walking home with a smile on my face while watching people on the #72 tram - on their way to work. Some did not look happy and it got me to thinking how incredibly fortunate I am! (http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/)
I needed coffee from Starbucks (http://www.startbucks.com.au/) by lunch time on Friday - and I do believe that I did not make the 7pm news of the ABC (http://www.abc.net.au/) ... zzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Saturday - I made my way to Federation Square (http://www.federationsquare.com.au/) for a book launch during the amazingly wonderful event called the Melbourne Writer's Festival (http://www.mwf.com.au/2008/content/mwf_2008_home.asp?) Their play on words for the 2008 Festival is quite clever - 'THINK INSIDE THE SQUARE.' John Marsden (http://www.johnmarsden.com.au/home.html) launched the new Writer's Market Place - which is truly a must for any writer. And I observed lots of other writers who have the same look in their eyes - PLEASE PUBLISH ME!
I finally got back to gym last night and am very pleased I did so - because I slept incredibly well - which enabled me to get up at silly o'clock and finish my blog (http://www.209astory.blogspot.com/)
Hope you all have a good week and thanks for you email ... I am feeling much better now...
Cheers
Steven
Sorry - gotta go I am off too ... (http://www.brunetti.com.au/)!
