Monday, January 16, 2006

Like my new sub-topics?

Self-aggrandisement

Ooh you know what? It is time for me to try to create my own job! Mainstream applications are getting me nowhere. Since I started writing about my holiday, the signs have increased.

My first ever suggestion came a couple of years ago from Korean friend and former classmate, Sun. When she heard me talking about food, she would tell me I should be a food critic. She should know, as she had been a food writer for a while at home.

Second suggestion came from formerDelightful, who wondered if I had considered writing for a magazine.

Daughter of my Dad's friend said my blog sounds just like when I talk, and dad's friend said I should write a travel article and send it to the papers - not following anyone's pattern, just writing the way I always do.
Then my childhood friend Haruko in Japan said my writing is friendly and warm.

Even Jason jumped on the bandwagon last week asking if I had thought of writing full time. He thinks I have at least one Da Vinci Code or Foucault's Pendulum in me. (Not so sure about that.)

And finally my landlord wants to see some of my writing, since he'd enjoyed reading my thesis so much. He suggested writing a book too, but I said after 4 months of my thesis I was ready to run away from it, much as I still love the subject matter.

Woo!

What to write, what to write??? *eek*

**********

Do they know the weekend is over?


Or are the phones at the Inland Revenue and Job Centre there just for decoration?

Scenario: It rings and the person at the desk jumps, staring at the telephone as if they've never seen one before.

More likely, it rings and they ignore it.

I may have to slog over there, wait for an hour just to make an appointment, and then return another day for the appointment, enduring the people who try to slot themselves in front because they think "it will only take a minute".

**********

Half of me



You see? What a high standard I have been set by this man.

This is where I got my annoying left eyebrow and part of my face.
Aaah but too bad I didn't get the chameleonic blue/grey/green eyes too. I miss his eyes. And his voice. Some say I follow his speech patterns.





Modelling proof. Girls at Mum's office saw it and said she was crazy for not really wanting to go out with him.













Cheeky over the shoulder. I did it once and spooked a friend who had seen this pic.












Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh, loooooooook. There is an identical picture of me at this age, together in one frame, but my Mum has it.

15 comments:

MattJ said...

sorry not been about liv! been a mental week, so just thought I would pop by to say hi! You don't have a da Vinci Code in you, but only because that book is, to quote Stephen fry, 'Loose bowel water of the worst kind'. I'll come back soon and write somehting more constructive!

michelle said...

try it liv! I think you are a great writer

Anonymous said...

I actually must confess to having read the da vinci code. In my defence, I read it during a 6 hour journey to a funeral just after I'd been dumped by the love of my life (up to that point). So, anything was better than not reading as it at least occupied my mind. But it's crap. I cannot be bother to come out with anything even approaching a reasoned critique or intelligent comment. To do that would be akin to seeing a balanced view of the effect of treading in dog shit while wearing sandals. There's nothing good there. The characters are one dimensional, the research is appalling and it's full of the wide eyed innocent abroad hokum that gets SOME folks from the US of A a bad reputation.

So, Olivia, think of having an Umberto Eco or something worthwhile inside you, and not that crap. And, you do have that talent. Channel it and be amazing.

Rant over.

MattJ said...

I've read it too matey, I'm not going to rubbish it without reading it lol! Basically I agree with you, if at the end of the book you really couldn't care whether the characters live or die then the author hasn't done their job. The Fact that he based all his, for want of a better word, 'Research' on a book that has since been rubbished - apparrently by the author himself - ('Holy Grail, Holy Blood' for anyone who is interested).

To be fair, it's not just Americans who believe the foetid pool of misinformation in this book. It was a t the top of the numebr 1 list in most european countries too!

Olivia said...

Ohhh what do I say now?

I rarely pick up the latest bestseller because I find modern writing sounds too self-conscious and also a bit shallow. But I read Dan Brown's books because I had to know what everyone was going on about. I will never read Harry Potter, but I watched the movies so I could be somewhat familiar with the phenomenon.

Sort of an "inform yourself about the opposition" approach.

Anonanon - Encouragement from afar, but I'm glad you think I can be amazing. *At least in ONE area of my life*

Anyway, no Umberto Eco for me, his level feels too unattainable. I'm not going to write a book as I haven't got that one-topic attention span.

Your original suggestion of magazines features feels much better, as it's a bit bloggy. Last night I compiled a list of contacts!

Matt - he did read it, though. Anyway, thanks for the balancing statistics. I'm suprised Anon didn't come up with any.
I had no sympathy for or aversion to any of Brown's characters. He's not a polished writer, blah blah...

I think the hype occurred because the title mentioned da Vinci, it was all about conspiracy and cover-up, and puzzle solving is always an attraction. Plus, a controversy about Christ's divinity is always hot stuff.

I think most intelligent people who read it are glad they did, if only to get the mystery over and done with - but ultimately disappointed that it was not more of a challenge.

Most of the time I found myself shouting at Sophie and the Professor because they couldn't yet see what was to me glaringly obvious.
A bit thick, I ask you...?

MattJ said...

I know what you mean liv, it's allt he controversial Grail theory and the way he palmed it off as indisputable fact and research. To be fair the Harry Potter books I have read and enjoyed. Ok it's not literary giant stuff but as far as getting kids reading I am glad they are. Even as an adult I ended up caring about the characters in some way, so she does do her job. Yes, most of the material is nicked but the key thing here is that it's a childrens nook phenomenon and anything that gets them started is good enough for me. Incidentally, on the subject of childrens literatire Phillip Pullman is outstanding and definitely pallatable for and adult reader.

OK enough about my kids books collection. I think you're right about magazine articles, I think you could work very well and eloquently within that very limited space that you are allowed, putting across the information and your opinion in a very readble manner. So do it. Now.

And tell me what magazines publish you then i can point smugly at the articles when friends and colleagues are about and say stuff like 'She reads my blog y'know?'

Anonymous said...

I have read the Harry Potter books, I even queued for the last one at midnight. I cannot understand your opposition to them. They are charming and gripping even for adults.
As for the stuff being nicked, the familiarity of some of the details is part of the charm, especially as Rowling puts a different spin on them in many ways. Overall Harry's world is lovely, original and inventive and I cannot get enough of it. Just cause it is such a huge success doesn't mean it has to be crap. Some Americans (of my acquaintance) of course object to it cause they think its satanistic. Laughable bigotry in my view.
So while I can understand that Brown's novel can be viewed as shallow and sensation mongering I cannot see how Harry Potter success could ever fall under that same category.

Olivia said...

Matt and Rox - I don't like JK Rowling and would rather not go to her for my myth & legend/sci fi fix. I prefer Pullman and more especially CS Lewis.
.
Be sure I will let everyone know if I get published!

Olivia said...

Anonanon, shame on you! Look what you started, on my blog too :(

This is why I don't start everyone off on politics, ever.

Anonymous said...

I don't know much about Rowling herself, except that she was dirt poor when she started out and of course that she now is multi millionairess. Good for her. But apart from that I only know her books. But hey, each their own.
As for other fantasy, have you tried Terry Pratchett? I have read all his disc-world novels and love them. Funny and often an excellent ironic reflection of our own world. But again not everyone's taste. If you want to try them I'd recommend Small Gods. I started with that one and nearly cracked a rib. It still is among my favourites. But caution, that one might not be for the seriously religious.

Anonymous said...

Well, shame on me then. I did read an excellent book a while back. It's called "The Time Traveller's wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. Not too mentally taxing, but you could definitely write something along those lines if not an Umberto Eco.

Go girl!

Olivia said...

Rox - thanks...I've often wanted to try Pratchett. Time I started borrowing books from my library, eh?

Anonanon - I forgive you. :)

MattJ said...

Small Gods is my favorite pratchett barr non. I read loads when i was a teen, then went off them then went back with a vengeance! lol! they are great reads and clverly put together. I partiularly enjoy the city Watch books and the Death books. if you want to get started with TP I'm sure me and annon can point you in the right direction

Anonymous said...

Mattj I too loooooove the City Watch, my favourite as a series. Vimes is just so cool. And DEATH... well he is just so loveably human isn't he. I also really love the Death of Rats of course hehehe. Am not so fond of Rincewind however. :o)

Olivia said...

Looks as if, between Anon, Matt and Rox, I am in safe hands indeed. :D