tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223418232009-07-01T00:30:52.545+01:00Random Wibble from a Textually Loquacious Word FreakMrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.comBlogger352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-55803604589329104482009-06-30T23:46:00.003+01:002009-07-01T00:30:46.209+01:00

This post has been kicking its heels at the back of my head for a while now, and I still don't know what to say.This is the last Boob Pencil post.If I were really cool, that's all I'd say. But I've never been economical with words and sentences and writing stuff down and saying big things with few words rather than small things with millions of words and really I'm a bit of a chatterbox, in case

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-45219690083683298682009-05-14T12:41:00.002+01:002009-05-14T12:55:59.745+01:00

I'm OK, don't worry about me. I'm not sure what Boob Pencil's future is though. I'll probably post something in a few weeks.

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-32847394046122736142009-04-23T09:51:00.003+01:002009-04-23T10:57:57.140+01:00

Boob Pencil is on holiday. It'll come back when I refind my mojo.

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-78956973120145001562009-04-21T11:47:00.008+01:002009-04-23T00:04:38.438+01:00

I've been investigating the possibility of a new career. Supposedly I'm a freelance writer, but I'm not earning very much. I'm OK for now, but unless my income increases, I can't keep going.I thought I'd found the perfect thing, but of course there are no Perfect Answers to life. Which doesn't stop me looking for them, cos I am a Lover of Plans, but really the pot of gold is a myth. This thing

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-36570063773008441302009-04-20T22:50:00.005+01:002009-04-21T01:41:43.885+01:00

I do get annoyed with people who whinge on about being old when they're only 30, or 40, or 50 or even these days 60. You might still have a way to go (witness my grandfather, still going strong at 99), and what a waste if you spend it all complaining about how ancient you are.So my 40th this summer will be a celebration, and all moaning will be banned.I don't think 40 is old. But that's not to

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-88649870469676005962009-04-15T07:30:00.005+01:002009-04-19T00:16:50.128+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showArriving in the studioThe first segment of the first episodeThe second segment of the first episodeThe third segment of the first episodeHow it felt to watch it"Did you enjoy it?" asked the warm-up man.People have been asking me ever since. I'm still not sure what the answer is. It wasn't quantifiable in enjoyment terms. It was intense, fraught. I didn't

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-90779280490823537892009-04-14T11:25:00.005+01:002009-04-15T16:22:14.052+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showArriving in the studioThe first segment of the first episodeThe second segment of the first episodeThe third segment of the first episodeWatching Countdown was weird yesterday. At first there was all the predictable wincing at having to see myself large on a screen. I know there are people who are able to look at photos and film of themselves without

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-1567552781925315742009-04-14T07:30:00.002+01:002009-04-15T16:02:38.471+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showArriving in the studioThe first segment of the first episodeThe second segment of the first episodeAnd finally to the third half.Our first letters selection was as follows:R I E A P D R A S Solutions: I saw PRAISED first. I couldn't see anything else. I felt sure there was something better in there, and I had a suspicion some of my stems might be lurking

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-13426435621167723032009-04-13T11:55:00.003+01:002009-04-15T16:10:54.698+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showArriving in the studioThe first segment of the first episodeWARNING!! CONTAINS SPOILERS!!This post describes the second segment of my appearance on Countdown, which is on telly at 3.25pm today. I'll post descriptions of the first two segments (there are three altogether) before the show airs this afternoon... then I'll do the last one tomorrow. This way

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-16370015211452125092009-04-13T07:30:00.004+01:002009-04-16T11:45:37.270+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showArriving in the studioWARNING!! CONTAINS SPOILERS!!This post describes the first segment of my appearance on Countdown, which is on telly at 3.25pm today. I'll post descriptions of the first two segments (there are three altogether) before the show airs this afternoon... then I'll do the last one tomorrow. This way I won't give the ending away, but for

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-14349215510888873172009-04-09T12:27:00.003+01:002009-04-09T12:47:24.062+01:00

I like to have A Grand Plan. I've nearly always got one on the go. In the latter half of 2008 it was Getting The House Ready For Christmas, which was really just an excuse to tidy the whole house and finally get rid of the vast pile of paperwork in my study. This room doubles as a spare bedroom for guests, and I got particularly anal about making it all beautiful and hospitable - partly so that

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-51302285299573529762009-04-09T01:23:00.005+01:002009-04-09T10:50:53.311+01:00

I've not been feeling very bloggy of late, for various reasons. I've been thinking a lot about my future, and been a bit down about decisions I've had to make, which I may blog at some point, but anyway. Get ready for a splurge of Countdown-related blogging next week. I've written a whole series of posts about the experience, and for maximum dramatic effect have decided to post some of it before

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-76564140452778411912009-04-04T11:50:00.000+01:002009-04-04T11:50:00.290+01:00

A friend of mine is organising this for the May Day bank holiday, which looks good:The small print at the bottom gives the following info:Contact mayday2009 AT btinternet DOT com.___

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-55395976511041251772009-04-02T12:14:00.005+01:002009-04-02T12:29:19.898+01:00

I jotted this list down by the side of the bed the other day. It was a Saturday, I was hoping to have a lie-in.6.15am Baby wakes up. Feed baby.6.25am Back in bed. Kept awake by random thoughts of feminism.6.30am Ally is snoring.6.35am The 6-yr-old gets up. It's too early. We tell him to go back to bed.6.40am I can hear the 6-yr-old crying. Oh no, it's all right, he's singing.6.45am Ally is

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-6858800010572056702009-03-30T07:31:00.001+01:002009-03-30T07:31:00.999+01:00

That bra strap had its own way in the end.___

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-58089073235119093622009-03-28T01:40:00.002Z2009-03-28T01:40:42.929Z

Yay. Just finished the second draft of my third novel.Tired now. Going to bed.___

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-51397352464798977172009-03-27T10:26:00.003Z2009-03-27T10:42:21.894Z

I found the ringworm cream! And the eye drops.They were in a drawer to the left of the fridge. At the same height as the compartment in the fridge door.I was getting so convinced that somebody was sneaking in and stealing our medicine. Ally thought it was a ridiculous idea. What would a thief want with half-used medicines? Why steal one at a time? How likely was it that they would happen to have

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-28802019440987865172009-03-26T21:10:00.002Z2009-03-26T21:10:57.215Z

... and now the eye drops have gone missing, from the same bit of the fridge.Ally thinks I'm insane, but I reckon there's a medicine thief on the loose.___

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-24928945838422319262009-03-26T10:25:00.003Z2009-03-27T10:43:29.578Z

My son has ringworm (and conjunctivitis, but that's another matter), and it's proving a right bugger to get rid of. I keep having to get hold of more cream cos they never give me enough, and I spent a bloody hour yesterday in doctors' waiting rooms and chemists trying to get more of the stuff. Then later, when I needed it... it had disappeared. I remember taking it out of my handbag, taking it

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-27221010375845008322009-03-23T00:41:00.002Z2009-03-23T00:43:12.310Z

A 6-yr-old I know:"There are lots of brown people in America cos there are lots of rock stars there, and brown people like to be cool.""Life is much more funner now I know how to read."Watching a video. The message warning people against copyright theft comes on. At the end, the voiceover says: "Thanks for listening.""But I wasn't listening!" says the 6-yr-old.___

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-24264865726798516242009-03-16T07:37:00.000Z2009-03-16T07:37:01.073Z

I had an appointment with a cardiologist this week, about a weird fluttery thing my heart has been doing of late.She confirmed what my GP told me: It's fine, it's an ectopic beat, it's normal, we all have them, but for some people they're more pronounced. I don't even have to lose weight (well I do, but it's not related to this fluttery heart thing). It feels really disconcerting but it's no big

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-7670219500664434312009-03-14T16:42:00.001Z2009-03-14T16:43:51.239Z

When I was a kid, I was a brilliant speller. I rarely spelt things wrong.And ever since then I have maintained a smug "I'm really good at spelling"aura.I never question this. I just assume I'm good at spelling. And when I spellthings wrong, it's just an aberration. One of those logically bankruptexception-that-proves-the-rule moments. But it's been happening withincreasing frequency recently,

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-17945781640172623942009-03-11T10:15:00.004Z2009-03-11T10:22:40.503Z

I like this.And on a minor tangent... which do you prefer: "Writer's Block", or "Writers' Block?" Unusually, it seems to be a case where either possible placement of the apostrophe is grammatically correct; they just have slightly different meanings. Are we talking about the block which belongs to the writer (each writer, any writer) (as in Housemaid's Knee) or that which belongs to all writers?

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-4575363705022085362009-03-10T11:37:00.001Z2009-03-10T11:39:11.003Z

I think we need an arse kicking service. Oh all right then, I need an arse-kicking service.It would be a special place on the internet, which you would go to when your arse needed kicking. Or more specifically, when you were having one of those drifting-around-the-internet-aimlessly-rather-than-doing-any-work days. You would visit this special place, and... what? What would happen? Maybe you

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22341823.post-7126779842592653492009-03-09T07:23:00.014Z2009-04-22T14:00:02.492+01:00

Countdown Catch-Up:Preparation for the showWhen I arrived at the studio, the first person I saw was fellow blogger Mike (Troubled Diva). He was one of the six people who were coming to watch from the audience. The others were another (anonymous) blogger and her boyfriend, an ex colleague of mine, and my old friend Dev and her girlfriend. Dev took me under her wing when I was 17 and came out as a

Mrs Boob Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104570334290554437mrs.gordon@gmail.com6