Happy New Year!
Mr. Munro and I had a quiet end to 2007 because he’s on call. We had an alfresco dinner, since we’re currently experiencing hot weather, and after walking the dog, watched Blood Diamond. We’ve had a good run on DVDs lately, and Blood Diamond is one I’d highly recommend, if action movies are your style. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-mercenary turned diamond smuggler, and is set in Sierra Leone. It’s a gritty movie with a stark portrayal of life in a war-torn country. I was really impressed with DiCaprio’s performance and his accent. The support actors also gave excellent performances. The next movie showing at the Munro home theatre is The Bourne Ultimatum. I’ve heard some great things about this movie as well, and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
This year my blog format will be a little more organized. Each week there will be a guest blogger, a post about something from New Zealand, an update as to where I’m at with writing, a Thursday Thirteen post, and a potpourri post about a topic that interests me. It could be anything from books to movies to whales or travel. I’ll be blogging five days a week (unless I’m on holiday or sick!) and taking the weekends off.
My guest bloggers will be a combination of favorite and new-to-me authors so if you’d like to have a guest spot contact me via my website. I’m also considering doing some reader guest spots where I’ll have an interview format. Once again, if you’re a reader who would like to take part, contact me via my website.
I’m looking forward to the new year. It’s started off hot and sunny, which is a cue for me to get out my bike and do some exercise before I head to the writing cave. I was also lucky enough to receive an ARC of Lauren Dane’s Wolf Unbound, which releases from Samhain Publishing today – 1 Jan 2008. As soon as I’ve done my word target for today I’m starting to read. I can’t wait since I adore Lauren’s books.
Related posts:
January 1st, 2008 at 10:10 am · Link
Wishing you a Happy New Year, Shelley, filled with joy and happiness; the comforting warmth of love; good health and wellbeing; the delight of true friendship; and enough of whatever you want and need to fulfill your deepest dreams and desires.
May all your dreams come true in 2008!
From my heart to yours,
–Daisy
January 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am · Link
Thanks, Daisy. All the best to you and your family.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm · Link
Thanks for the book lovin!
And Blood Diamond was a really intense movie, it made me cry in a few parts. Very well done I thought.
January 1st, 2008 at 2:11 pm · Link
Hi Shelley,
Happy New Year to you and Paul.
I’m reading two books by a Scot who emigrated to Australia and worked in the offshore oil industry as a roughneck driller. The first is entitled “Don’t tell mum I work on the oil rigs, she thinks I’m a piano player in a whorehouse” I find them reminiscent of Andy McNabb of “Bravo Two Zero” fame in their writing and they milk every apocryphal tale of the oil industry for laughs while still being the autobiography of a young man with a sense of adventure. They were given to me as a present because the giver knew how long I’d spent in the same industry.
Like many such stories they are locked in a period of time now passed, because of changes in an industry trying for respectability and regulation rather individual achievement, but I had quite a few good chuckles, even if my perspective was necessarily different to his.
Amy
January 1st, 2008 at 2:34 pm · Link
Lauren – no problem! I’m halfway through now and you have another winner. BTW – I had to laugh at your publisher warning
Thanks, Amy! They sound like great books. Loved the title
Happy New year.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm · Link
Hi Shelley,
The book title, like everything else in the two books, is a standard offshore response. I’ve seen it on so many t-shirts that I hardly ever read more than the first two words. They’re an interesting exercise in utilizing the legends of an industry physically and conceptually remote from most people, to provide spice to a reasonably normal oil industry career.
Amy
January 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm · Link
I am excited to see who your guest bloggers are!
January 1st, 2008 at 5:50 pm · Link
Hi Estella – all going well, the first one will be unveiled tomorrow. I didn’t give her much of a warning
January 1st, 2008 at 5:56 pm · Link
You’re more organized than me.
I’m just trying to get a manuscript in order for submission to a print house.
That’s driving me bonkers.
Good goal to have a schedule for posting. I soooo need that. :D
Happy New Years to you too!
January 1st, 2008 at 6:11 pm · Link
Amy – LOL. I must run in the wrong circles because I haven’t seen this on T-shirts before.
Estella – yes, it’s confirmed. My first guest is arriving tomorrow. I hope you’ll have time to visit.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:13 pm · Link
Amy R – I’m starting off with good intentions. All the best with your sub. I’m busy working toward a Jan 10 deadline. I really only came in to check email while the jug was boiling. *slapping hand* Must go back to the cave
January 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm · Link
Welcome to 2008.
So I better get something published this year so I can be a guest blogger.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:52 pm · Link
Gabriele – no, you don’t have to be published at all. Email me
January 1st, 2008 at 11:54 pm · Link
Good plan on the organized part of the blog, I had to do that (so I’d actually blog!) LOL. I’d LOVE to hear more about NZ.
My New Year’s was tame, but enjoyable.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am · Link
Happy 2008, chica! Hope it’s a very prosperous one! :D