Still Not Enough Rice Pudding

Yesterday, I went off to that there London for a most marvellous press party at the Cittie of Yorke for Newcon Press's 5th birthday party, combined with the launch of the marvellous Liz Williams's new collection, Glass of Shadow. It looks so pretty (it has a rare cover by the fantastic Anne Sudworth, featuring Sooty the cat!) and I can't wait to read it.



EDIT: Should point out, you can order this and many other good books here:
http://newconpress.co.uk/

I am giving myself a break from too many words today, though. I don't have a fuzzy head as such, but I didn't get much sleep and I'm filled with a sort of malaise that has led to me spending most of the day procrastinating and feeling sorry for myself... so I ashamed to say the editing things and comedy writing I should have got round to today have gone the way of the polishing and ironing. Whoops! Meanwhile I have watched my neighbour out of the window as he has been tidying his garden and pegging out his washing - which has now all been rained on. Sometimes, making the effort is a bit redundant. Yay for procrastination!

But yesterday - oh the wonderfulness of socialising with all my friends, being in a pub and being able to just relax and enjoy myself. I hope Ian Whates enjoyed himself as much as we all did.

Meantime, you mght like to know I'm going to be at the Bardic Picnic in Northampton at the end of the month, and they've done these lovely flyers (that don't mention me, but never mind that, I'm going to be there. *Sigh* Just not worthy enough of mention, Donna Scott, off that cloud with you!

I am at home, pink-eyed and wire-brained. Doubtlessly some people who gave me gin last night will raise an eyebrow, but no, it's nothing to do with that.
Since before Newcon, I have been suffering from lack of sleep. Many people in Northampton this weekend were witness to me looking a tad pale and grey-eyed, and threatening to keel over at any given moment. I even had to nick a couple of Lydia's lucozade tablets - that's desperation! Sugar!
Now, this may have been due in part to certain people ringing me up in the middle of the night, and then therewas little opportunity for sleep at the con, but I think theremust be something wrong with me. I seem to have acquired a sore throat too. Now I'm sounding like Jack Dee - moan, moan, moan, moan, moan...
I'm not doing a very good job of catching upwith sleep today either. Guilt, worry, parcels being delivered... that's my Shakespeare stuff arriving. Maybe I'm stressing about tonight as I start uni.

Anyway, the con was great, and if I paid for it with my health, then never mind, I'll just have to be ill.
And how many months have I been travelling to Northampton? And I've only just discovered the Guild Hall was designed by Godwin! Ellen Terry continues to haunt me...
That building is beautiful, and I miss it's colourful decor already. Not even the frogs on the stairs in my house can compensate.
I travelled down on Friday with Gabby and Lydia. I was scarce settled in my hotel room when it was time to head off to the Aroma with Ian Watson, and the GOHs, as well as Mr.Whates and Andy from the snappily abbreviated NSFWG. We met sirboodle there - huzzah! The placewas like a cattle market, and the veggie option food was a bit bland, but never mind. Off to the pub! It absolutely peeed it down, and a certain crazy californian housemate of mine got drownded.
Saturday whizzed by in a blur. I went on a hunt for kazzoos,and got whistles for one of the panels, which was cancelled in the end on Sunday. I spent a fortune on designer sandwiches. What was Irish about them, Idon't know. The panels I went to were great - I especially enjoyed Liz William's interview, and was grateful to Cardinal Cox for rescuing me. I think I'd have been okay, but I was knackered and nervous, not my most alert.I also enjoyed the jester's show. My knees are still skinned though from when my crazy housemate dragged me across the floor to take partin some sword fighting. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of the crowd. The object of my protest was therefore defeated, but I sat back down anyway.
Saturday night we had an Indian before the ceilidh, which was well funny.I'm sure Mr. Whates has taken some most unflattering piccies.
Sunday, I missed a couple of panels trying to find my brother, who came to town for about ten minutes. Shame - it was almost very nearly his first con!
The bed of nails show was very funny - I still can't believe the jester willingly gave Gabby a mallet to hit him with - this was after Gabby had stood on him as well! Brave man.
My train info off the Internet was, almost predictably, incorrect, so we got to spend a bit longer in Northampton talking to strange people. The meal at Oriental Fusion was good though.
If this entry makes little sense, it is because I still haven't recovered