Still here

[vilakins]

I haven't posted for a while, mainly because of a lack of anything interesting to say. I do have a new (to me) hard drive, a server-grade one this time, plus the files that were newer than the last backup (which was last month due to the disk problems), so that's good. The weather's been so hot though that I've been feeling too lacking in energy to do much more than in front of the portable air conditioner and read or knit or indeed both. This is apparently the hottest February on record and the constant high (70% plus) humidity apparently adds three degrees to how it feels. Today, however, is cooler which is a pleasant change. I went out and bought salady stuff because I've decided it was time to improve my eating habits. And now, at almost bedtime, I'm feeling hungry. Stupid body.

I can't even do the WIP folder challenge because I don't actually have any WIPs. I do have some story ideas I should tackle and bring down with my arms around their knees rather than just think about them. I'm a slack fan.

Comments

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

The heat does do it, doesn't it? We've been luckier this year, only a few scorchers instead of the usual blisterring February.

Sending lots of cool karma...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind if it was dry heat. I've been in 48C in Israel and quite happy about it, though I did need a siesta like everyone else. But today's much better; I hope that lasts a few days.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

I, too, am WIP-less. Watching other people do that meme is making me feel kind of strange. Like I should going looking through my files to see where the WIPs have gotten to or something, because if everybody else has that many, surely I ought to have some. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I don't work that way anyway. I only ever have one or two going at once. I am thinking about starting one of the big AUs. but that will mean plot. There's also the final part of Lynx but all I really have is a decisive battle and I think I need more than that.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

Glad you're back on your own computer. Pity the weather is keeping you away from it.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

At least I don't think it will melt in this room now I have that portable aircon unit. I suppose I've just been feeling too blah to do anything much.

[nautile26.livejournal.com]

Yay for new hard drive! (and for not losing your files.)

Our summer has been so very odd this year. Not as hot as usual, but so humid. I hate that; it just saps your energy.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It really does!

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Dear antipodes, we would use a small box of your heat here. Chilly, chilly, windy windy, freezy freezy. 18°C here in the house, woolen socks on my feet. It is Tygr´s catflap, it is old and the insulation is bad, it allows that cold cold air inside because the wind is blowing against it!!!!
Typically, Tygr himself is sleeping on and armchair:-)
Good, so your computer is safe, great!!!!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't like the sticky humidity which makes it hard to do anything and even to sleep. Even places that usually have dry heat have been hit with humidity.

We had problems with the wind blowing in through the cat door. We have one now that only opens if one of our micro-chipped cats is outside it, but before that we got a simple one with little magnets that kept it closed against anything but a strong wind but was easy for a cat to push open. Maybe you can find one like that.

Lucky, loved, and war Tygr! Jasmin is curled up in a dormouse ball on the top of the couch beside me, like in this photo (http://pics.livejournal.com/vilakins/pic/002a6wf6/g3). :-) Ashley's probably in the garden; she loves the outdoors.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Lovely lovely cuddly Jasmine!!!
Yes, we have the same cat door with a magnet. I discovered a new one but oh, the price was unreal, especially now (we will have to give all for the debts).
As for your miserable weather - I mentioned only a small bag of it, just a sample to feel the warmth...mmmmmmm......:-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Yet I envy you your snow. Our winters are long, dark, wet, grey, and without any bright popular festivals like northern ones.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

You have no WIPs because you're efficient--I always have WIPs but if I'm going to sit and explain them, I might as well be working on them :)

Right now I hate the cold--but if I had your kind of heat I'd be complaining about that!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I should have a WIP though. I am far too lazy and apathetic.

I don't mind heat or cold as long as it's dry, but it's always humid here, even in winter. I loved the climates of Israel and Germany when I lived there.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

My boatload of WIPs are a product of dithering :D I have three right now that are around 10,000 words. I mean you'd think I'd get my act together!

Yeah, humidity is horribly uncomfortable; we'll have periods of it but it doesn't go on and on. We're finally getting some meltoff--in a few days we'll see the ground and maybe some snowdrops.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

10,000 words is really good going! How close are they to being completed?

[elmey.livejournal.com]

One is just about done--I'm reworking a section I'm not quite happy with. The second is about two thirds done and the third is stalled because I lack the technical skill to do what I want to do, so it may be stalled forever.
When I don't have a deadline I just keep revising... and revising... and revising...

During picowrimo I got the impression that you work very efficiently once you have the time/energy to work on a story. You actually finished yours :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'll always meet a challenge or a deadline. But when I have neither, I tend to procrastinate.

I usually read and revise what I wrote previously before I add more, then do a final print-out and edit.

What are your technical problems? Can you fudge with technobabble? :-)

[looks at your icon] BTW have you seen Hustle? It's a fun series and has Robert Vaughan as a con man, and of course David McCallum is in NCIS.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Hustle though azdak recommended it, and though I adore Ducky and Abby, the rest of NCIS leaves me cold. Picky picky :)

By technical problem I meant writing problem. Most of the action (and it's more psychological than physical action) takes place at a big party; and the way I'm moving the various characters around and manipulating what they see and how they're being perceived is clumsy at best. If I had a camera I'd know how to move it, how deep the focus should be now, what detail I want to highlight, etc. but getting that restless moving effect with words is beyond me right now. It's OK though, I think I learned something working on it.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I love Ducky and Abby, though I have to look away during most of Ducky's scenes; ugh. Gibbs has grown on me and I like Ziva despite her past. I've only just finished season 4 though; about to start 5.

You see through a camera like I do! I know how hard it is to transcribe that, and without giving far too much visual detail. :-) Hmm. Could you put each person's bit in two or three columns, overlapping if they take place at the same time?

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

Glad you have your own computer back.
I hope it cools down for you. I'm not looking forward to our upcoming summer months - we've had a really nice and cold (and snowy) winter and I've enjoyed it even though most people have hated it.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I would love it! And did, when I was living in Germany: crisp cold and DRY AIR! Others hated it too, but when you're used to dark, wet, and grey winters without any popular festivals to look forward to, snow, dry air, and the lead-up to Christmas (the wonderful Christkindl markets) were just so much fun. I suppose snow is still fun to you too. :-) What are winters like in Hawaii? Wet and miserable like ours?

The last few days have been cooler; more like usual summer days, and I like those if they're not too sticky.

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

Snow is very much still fun for me. :o) Winter in Hawai'i is the rainy season and probably very similar to your winters; high surf, winds, and days of rain - although the amount depends on which island you live on and the direction of the trade winds. Kaua'i is considered the rainiest of the islands. Flooding (especially on the north shore), and mud, as most of our roads are dirt roads, are quite common. We still have days of sunshine, but definitely not as many as during the summer and south parts of Kaua'i are always sunnier than the north.

I like cool and dry summers, too.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It does sound like our winters, though I'd bet yours are a lot warmer. Our winter temps range from 12C to 15C (54 - 59F).

I do like that icon.

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

Our temps don't fluctuate very much - in winter it's usually in the mid 70's (around 25C). Summer is in the mid 80's (29C).

Thank you. :o)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Our summers sound more alike anyway. And of course both will be humid around the coasts like where I am. :-P

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear you have a new hard drive. :)

I'm glad it's cooled down a bit lately... this summer has been one of the hottest ever IMHO.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Well, new to me! And it's good to have a hardware expert in the house.

I am soooo glad we have aircon in one room and a portable unit in this one. Even then the portable often can't cope by late afternoon. Today is actually OK. I hold off as long as I can before turning anything on and I haven't yet. Of course it gets really bad upstairs; I can feel the temperature changing when every stair. :-P