I'm back

From a fun weekend at the UC Jervis Bay research station. Went away on a post-grad retreat and finished the initial edit of my first creative draft. Also had a whale of a time with other post-grads sharing meals, playing shoot the moon, Articulate and hangman.

These post-grad retreats are actually a fantastic idea. We're able to get away from distractions and just sit down and write! Then we all meet up at the end of the day (just before dinner) and read some of what we've written to the group, with time after for feedback - but only positive feedback, 'cause all the critical stuff can happen later. It's all very touchy-feely and amazingly productive. While I was only editing this time (and so actually reduced the size of my document from 27000 to 25000 words), the last trip I wrote something like 7000 words in 3 days, so they're pretty damn good.

As well as giving us all a chance to write like demons for a few days, they also build a great sense of community in the post-grads. Y'see, almost 2/3rds of Postgraduate students don't complete. A lot of that has to do with brain blow out that can stem from feeling isolated, and that your research doesn't matter or is too obvious/simple/frivolous. I'm writing about zombies, fer crying out loud. But these retreats give lots of positive feedback and through sharing meals and socialising at night, we build up a community and companionship with each other. Sounds like a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap, I know, but it really is awesome. Plus, I get to cook for a crowd and ye'all know how much I hate that. :)

Of course, there's no net there, so I had to leave my Kings Of Chaos alone for a while. I come back and several people have snotted me while I've been away. Very bad for me, and soon to be very bad for them! Muhahahahaha!!

At least, as soon as I've got my strength back... :)

Four things I've learned recently;

1. Pea and ham soup really is as easy as whacking it in a pot and simmering for a few hours.


2. Jodie's knife craft is far superior to mine (could be 'cause she used to work as a caterer).


3. 6 eggs to a pint of milk with added vanilla and nutmeg to taste makes a great bread and butter pudding batter.


4. Don't watch even a little bit of Dog Soldiers if you're sleeping in a thin-walled cabin in the bush.

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"Something's wrong with you."
- Marlin, Finding Nemo