Non-Writing Projects Galore

Not a lot of writing going on in Alan's world recently. I had meant to contribute a #fridayflash story last week but the story has gotten sidetracked and I'm struggling with it. Yesterday, though, a new story idea popped into my head while labouring away at my paying job. I know, the amount of focus I demonstrate on my job is commendable. We were at my parent's house, watching The Stone of Destiny (you know, the one where the Scottish college kids steal back the coronation stone from Westminster Abbey) when my dad made a comment about the big, black police cars in the movie. The seed was planted.

Anyway, I've roughed it out on paper and have to type out a first draft today. I'll try to get it together for Friday. My overlords are really cracking the whip again at the moment as it's the last week of the month and a certain quantity of steel must be issued for manufacturing by the end of the month. Or spankings will ensue. I won't go into details...

I have all of next week off. Normally it would be a great time to get some reading and writing done, but there are at least three household projects that I have neglected that require my attention. They all involve some amount of painting. Did I ever mention that I am the son of a painter? Not the 'acyclic on canvas' type of painter...more the latex on drywall sort of painter. When I was 12 my dad started taking me to job sites as a helper during summer breaks. Making the money was good, scraping and taping not so good. That may have been instrumental in my decision not to become a painter. Anyway that's another story. If I don't get some work done on those projects my bride will be annoyed...

...speaking of brides...those of you who follow Cathy Olliffe blog, Life on the Muskoka River, may have noticed the drastic changes she has made. It's all in an effort to help her celebrate her upcoming wedding in 60 days or so. Pop by and have a peek. She's also looking for your bizarre wedding stories and photos. I've got nothing to say to that end. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happens at Twin Peaks Land's Edge!

While I pimping things up...Kat over at Crooked Tales is still looking for your erotic stories for her 'Smutfest 2010' contest. Entries can still be submitted until July 31, 2010 and you can get all of the naughty details here.

And, of course, Michael J. Solender is still seeking submissions to his Dog Days of Summer Contest. Deadline for that is August 15, 2010. You can get all the information here. Hey, it's only 101 words...how bad could it be...?

Yikes! Almost forgot about the ongoing humourous Vampire Commentaries from Katey Taylor. Part 2 deals with Martin (1977), Dracula (1979) and The Hunger (1983) and you can link to that here. Part 3 deals with The Night Stalker (1972), Vampire Hunter D (1985), The Lost Boys (1987) and Near Dark (1987). You can link to those here.