Writerly Mode

Last night, I left the television off. I lit some candles, put some George Winston on the stereo (his "Autumn" CD, for the curious), and proceeded to spend over an hour writing. I had a sleepy puppy curled up next to me.

I didn't work on either of the two books that I have on the back burner. I didn't work on an article or a blog post for my other blog.

I just wrote up a review of Cassandra and Jane. But I took my time. I wrote very carefully and thoughtfully. And it was a longer review than I usually write. I felt accomplished when I went to bed.

It was nice.

***

Heavy winds and pouring rain woke me up periodically during the night. Thankfully, Reece slept. She got me up around 3:30 to go out, but came stepped back inside as soon as she saw what the weather was like. And that was the only time she got me up. Good thing, because when I do sleep, I sleep deeply...at least the past couple nights. I'm always disoriented when I get up.

(no subject)

Want to know where to get great bargains on wine right now?

Rite Aid.

No, I'm not kidding.

Teresa and I stopped at Rite Aid on our lunch break this afternoon (no particular reason for going...we felt stifled in the break room and just needed to get out of the office). She was getting cookies and soda. I happened to pass by the wine aisle.

And I noticed that they had a great selection of wine that was very inexpensive.

I picked up 2 bottles of Snoqualmie Riesling for $4.99 per bottle. I can get it the nearby liquor store for that same price, but this saved me the trip. They have some other wines too that I want to try that are pretty cheap. I may have to go back and pick up the Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer. The holidays are nearly upon us...I need to stock up.

Which also means that I need to pop into World Market to see if Electric Reindeer Zinfandel is back. I love that wine, and it's only available around the holidays.

Speaking of wine...the Castle Bridge Winery in Kent is sponsoring a wine/cheese tasting, make your own bottle of wine, make your own candle event in conjunction with Waxen Art. This is the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I'm thinking Kathy and I need to go.

Know where else we need to go? The Nutcracker. There are 3 local productions that I'm aware of: Pacific Northwest Ballet (downtown Seattle), Evergreen City Ballet (Renton) and Tacoma City Ballet. Teresa, who knows a thing or two on this subject (being a former ballet dancer and her daughter danced for the Tacoma City Ballet) told me that I should go to Tacoma's performance. She said they recreated the costumes from the 1909 production, so it's a very old fashioned, traditional performance. Sounds awesome. Plus it's less expensive than the one in Seattle.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, I'm hoping Lance and I will go to Leavenworth (a city in the Cascade mountains made to look like Bavaria) for their Christkindlmarkt. I'm sure it's not nearly as awesome as the authentic German Christmas markets, but friends who have been in Europe tell me that it's a nice substitute...Leavenworth is Bavaria-light, and really helps you when you're missing Germany.

Now...I guess I better see if I can log into my online class.

(no subject)

I'm not done with my first online lesson yet, but I finished the reading. I posted an introduction on the discussion board. I seem to be the only person in the local area who is taking the course.

Tomorrow I will take a look at the supplemental materials and possibly take the first quiz.

The assignment for this lesson is to briefly describe the best and most creative technical document I've ever seen. I have to give that some thought.

I am starting to realize that I have *some* technical writing experience. The Germany Survival Guide that I helped research/compile/write is basically an instruction manual on how to live in Germany, how to act in certain situations, what phone numbers to call in emergencies, etc.

I guess I never thought of that as a technical document. Also, I write things at work that could be considered as such, particularly when I have to write out instructions to clients for various things.

Quick and interesting fact:

Geoffrey Chaucer is the first known technical writer for his "A Treatise on the Astrolabe." But this was before the term "technical writer" was ever used.

Ooooh...wait! I have now thought of the most interesting technical document I've ever read. That late 17th century midwifery book that I read for my exam! Oooh...what's it called? *thinks* I mean, it's an instruction manual.

YES! YES! Here it is!

I have to remember to post about that tomorrow.