Happy Mondays...

Work in progress...

Happy Monday!
Okay, so maybe not - but wasn't the weekend great?  Well, sorry to brag but mine was - not in a particularly flashy way, but in a rather smugly satisfactory way.
First, there's the writing.  On Saturday I finished the first draft of my second novel.  Yes, you read that correctly.  FINISHED.  And I admit without shame that I did a little jig once I'd hit the save button.
But that's not all:  I have made an appointment to meet with a professional editor who has agreed to look at novel number one.  This is somewhat terrifying (what if she says it's shit?) but really rather exciting...
And then, my dear friends, we have my other creative pursuits.  I have started a new painting AND am planning to record a podcast with mate and stand-up comedian Chris.  You see, after a rather heated (and alcohol-fuelled) debate about the advice given to women on dating by supposed experts, I thought it would make a rather amusing discussion - as well as future blog (watch this space!).  And Chris, I know you read this blog, so there's no getting out of it now:  We've gone public.

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Hackney - the definition of shabby chic

Then, of course, I have to say something about my little flat (come on, it's been a  least a  week since I last did...)  Whilst the flaky paint situation continues to flout my attempts to decorate the kitchen (I suspect it hadn't been treated with much TLC by the last owner), everything else is coming together - it was only half an hour ago I received an email confirming that my service charge had finally been sorted after a two month battle.  And, to top it off, the more time I spend in the area, the more I like it.  Yesterday I headed back down to Hackney for a swim in the London Fields Lido and a mooch along Broadway Market - a lovely morning topped off with a walk along an achingly cool bit of canal.  Yep, I admit it, East London has got me hooked.
Funnily enough, my happily hectic weekend has left me rather tired, even if in a  rather satisfactory way.  And, what with all the warm weather and paint fumes in this flat (oil + emulsion = interesting concoction), I think I may have to love you and leave you so I can head off to my pit.  Or rather, my lovely boudoir in the making.  As soon as I get that bloody kitchen finished...

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