New Technology Part 2 - Does it get any easier??

I talked in a recent post about my new smartphone. Well, I'm getting more used to it now, but with one slight problem - I can't answer the damn thing. The instructions tell me to press the black phone icon on the screen and then to flip to the green phone icon which appears. It's very much a case of knowing what you should do in your mind but the hands or rather fingers not getting to grips with it - Scary! I suppose with practice I will improve. It's just that panicky feeling I have when the phone starts to ring and I try almost a finger dance to answer it,usually without success, I might add!

So you would think that I wouldn't have any problems with my new laptop. On that score, you are wrong and for similar reasons. It's the touch-pad. I had used one years ago when I was working and touch-pads were just being installed into equipment. I didn't have any problems with it at the time and didn't anticipate any problems this time.

To start, I found that I was enlarging things when I didn't want to or, because of its sensitivity deleting things or filing them into places I didn't want them to go. Then, at other times, it appears stubbornly immobile and I find that I'm tapping at the borders where it seems less sensitive, or even worse I'm absentmindedly  tapping the space bar.

I am getting used to both pieces of equipment, just wishing it came easier to me.

View from The Eight Bells Jevington

On a happier note, we went to Jevington for a walk last week on a beautiful day filled with sunshine, followed up by a drink at The Eight Bells together with a shared dish of cheesy chips smothered in tomato sauce and a sunbathe. I leave you with the view from the beer garden - it doesn't get much better than that.

Change - Just a Massive Spring Clean!

It is strange how you can go for years, just ticking over; not over happy with how things are style and comfort wise in the house, but relaxed enough to put up with it. Then one small (or maybe, not so small) thing happens, which leads to other things; which leads to yet other things and all of a sudden you feel like you're in the midst of a whirlwind. Change has come into your life and your home like a raging tempest and it will never be the same.

We were suddenly in the position to purchase a new computer. As we had already purchased a smartphone and become aware of WiFi, we decided to go for for a laptop and WiFi printer to go in the study. The computer had previously been in the bedroom, near to a phone point. Moving this equipment really opened up the possibility of sorting out the main bedroom at last, six years after moving into our home in Seaford.

My husband, bless him, turned into Action Man, and commenced preparing the walls for painting - filling holes and removing lumps and bumps. As we had moved the computer etc , it was also deemed an excellent time to get rid of the old filing cabinet and put a new one into the study, giving more space.

My New Study

This of course meant that the files within the filing cabinet  had to be pruned. This was a difficult job for me as I like to keep things from my past - so hard decisions had to be made. Then there were the wardrobes that were there when we moved in. Apart from my clothes, they had also become a hoarding place - so yet more sorting out. In three weeks, Alan must have been taking bags of 'stuff' up to waste site every couple of days, with me feeling ever more miserable as more stuff disappeared.

Now, about a month on, I can see the benefits. We still are waiting for new furniture (more about that another time), but the room looks fresh and clean, with new carpet, the bed in a different position (and both of us sleeping better) and me knowing where most of my paperwork is (at last!).

New Technology - Part 1

As part of our ongoing preparations for our camping expeditions this year, my kind husband suggested that, in order to keep up with emails and Facebook when we go away; that I purchase a smartphone – as long as it did not end up costing us megabucks. If only he had realised that in doing this, we were entering into a world of pain, verging into insanity.

It has been some time since we gave any consideration on getting a new phone. Our last mobile was bought over twelve years ago and has always been for emergencies only. It's never been any problem and it chugs away wherever we need it. I don't even know the number, it's so rare we use it. But I know that technology has moved on. Even when I purchased with my latest computer, which is two years old now, I noticed that  there have been massive changes since the last time I bought one, seven or eight years before.

And two years later, technology has moved again, with there being a significant drop in sale of your traditional computer with a tower hard drive, and more sales of laptops and tablets.

My New Smartphone

It had been the plan initially to obtain a tablet of some sort and I very quickly became very bogged down with what was around and what it was required to do. In the end, reality set in. I realised that the size and weight of the item would need to be considered, if it was to be of major use when we go camping, so a tablet would really not be light enough and space will be limited. I also knew that if it was a phone as well, it would be a good way of killing two birds with one stone. The Motorola Moto G smartphone very quickly established itself as being the best value for money, so I took the plunge and purchased it.

It arrived very quickly. Opening the packaging, I soon realised that the instructions were quite sparse. The first job was to insert the sim card. This was a nightmare as you have to prise open the back in a certain way. It says something (to me anyway) when you have to look at someone doing the same action on Youtube, to ensure you're not getting it wrong and ripping the phone to pieces.

Once you have done this, for someone who hasn't done this before, you are left hovering on an air of indecision. Who do you register with? How do you get the emails to the phone? We started out with an Orange pay as You Go Top up, when was used up very quickly in the setting up of the phone, so more money was needed. And how do you do that?

For those of you rolling around in hysterical laughter that someone of the mature age that I am does not know these things, please consider, I had not been in a position health-wise to even consider going through this process, quite apart from the money issue.

In the end, through trial and error (because I was initially given wrong information), I managed to set up a plan with Orange and I managed to link in my emails so I could access them on the smartphone. It did make me pause for thought, that when confronted with something new, anything that you do with it can seem frightening; or if that word sounds too strong, try edgy instead.

Now, a couple of weeks on, I love my phone and what I can do with it, even going to a pub which a Wi-Fi hotspot and using it there. I am very pleased with this accomplishment. Maybe it was just as well that we started small and learnt from that, because bigger things were on the horizon.

Jevington Walks

At this time of year and with the particularly bad weather we've been having, I suppose that it's inevitable that my thoughts should turn to the walks that we have had in different parts of East Sussex, at times of the year when the weather has not been as inclement.

St Andrew's Church, Jevington

Jevington is one of those villages that I love to go and walk Jessie, with my husband. It is situated in a valley, not far from Friston Forest and with the South Downs Way running through it.It is popular with walkers, who use it as a stopping point for lunch, with some stopping for a beverage at the Eight Bells pub, on the main road.

The thing I love about it though is the fact that if you want just a short walk (less than an hour), then there are a few alternatives. I suppose that the only problem is that, being in a valley, any walk involves initially at least, walking up a slope (sounds easier than a hill!). And you, of course, can take your time.

There is a small car park that we have used once we get to the village. From there we have the choice of going on the path leading from the car park or across the road. The first one, from the car park itself is visually stunning right from the start, with fields on either side and the countryside opening up the further you walk up. Once you reach the top, you are on the edge of the forest, with a choice of left or right. We once sat on the bench that was there and watched the planes fly over who were part of the Eastbourne Air Show - wonderful sight. We usually go right as we have wanted to circle the village. One day (in a more adventurous mood) we will go left heading eventually to Butcher's Hole in the forest.

Then you have to be careful not to miss the gate that takes you eventually down to the church, touching part of the South Downs Way. In weather such as we have been experiencing, this part of the path would be nearly impossible to traverse. It is deeply rutted and at times incredibly muddy. We did walk there once when there had previously been some rain. Did I say walk? Rather it was a case of slipping and sliding our way, together with jumping from once side of the path to the other in an attempt to avoid the worst muddy bits.

Of course, if you wanted to avoid that experience, you could carry on walking along the path which meets up (eventually) with the Wealdway and which leads to the main road. A right turn will take you back towards the car park, with a pit stop at the pub for a refreshing brew. It does take a little longer, though.

A Field in Jevington at Harvest

The other route takes you across the road from the car park and up a path alongside the tearooms there. This is another part of the South Downs Way, heading towards Eastbourne (but we don't go that far). It differs from the first walk in that, to start with, there is no view, just hedges either side. Just when you think the hill, no, slope, is never going to end; the hedges disappear and the wonderful views of the Downs can be enjoyed. If you're really energetic, you can follow the path right around to a car park before following another path down to the main road and, eventually, the car park. Our usual walk is a little shorter, with a stile being crossed before the hill levels out to take us through fields and down to the main road to the point where the restaurant 'The Hungry Monk' used to be, which was famed for having created banoffee pie.

Makes me wish I was walking there at the moment, as we have sunshine this afternoon.

New Year, New Attitude

I know that I'm not on my own at the moment when I look back over the past year and weigh things up. Was it a good year? What could I have done better? What do I want for next year? Inevitably, the passage of time from one year to the next is bound to lead to some reflection and a longing to do better in this next brand new year. It has the feeling of something as yet untouched and with it, the wish to keep it looking as good as possible. But how long, I wonder before the first row or raised voice, bad mood or laziness?

2013 was for me a good year, when things started to come together and we actually started different activities without worrying whether it was going to be too much for me. It is reassuring to find that providing my chronic fatigue symptoms are managed and we plan our activities, much more can be done.

It was also the year when I became involved with the parish magazine for our church. As compiler, I get to set out the items that are going to be in an issue and work with one of the church warden on the editing. I have learned how to use a desktop program this year because of this and have found that my mind relishes having new things to do. It is not without its challenges and it does suck up time, but it has been hugely enjoyable.

We have also been camping, with the strong probability that we will do more next year. That has been great fun and with our new bell tent, we are both hoping for great adventures. And I have a new folding bike, which has allowed me to go off and practise more cycling.

When I think about what I could have done better, my thoughts turn to organising my time. At the moment, I know I'm not perfect in this area. I would like to write more, but can never find the time to do it. And I think I should really appreciate that just buying books about a subject doesn't make me an expert! You have to write to get better about it, a fact that I really appreciated when I did the NaNoWriMo challenge.

Next year will be a good year when what has been started this year in my writing and in various other activities will be built on. More than anything I want to enjoy my life and the experiences that I encounter.

I wish you all a Magnificent 2014 - make it a year to remember.

Christmas Past and Present

As the days roll past that take us to Christmas Day, it seems this year that my mind has been on past Christmas's, and how they were spent. As a child, Christmas was all excitement, where the thoughts of presents and what they might be outweighed everything else.

One year, when I was three, I can remember my twin and myself getting up very, very early on Christmas Day. It was very dark and we managed to switch on the light so we could open the presents which we had found at the bottom of the bed. Suddenly, the bedroom door bursts open and there in the doorway is our father and he is not looking very happy. We were sent back to bed with stinging legs and told not to get up until it was light. And yet, although we both had a cry, I can't remember it spoiling Christmas. I think we knew we shouldn't be up but at three what can you do when there are all those delicious parcels waiting for you?

Another year, when my younger brother was still a toddler, he had been given a blow up snowman with a weighted bottom as a present (like a punch bag). Not a brave toddler, he cried ferociously when it was moved around prompting his naughty sisters to move it around even more.

As we grew older, Christmas presents seemed to be more about things that were needed - a best frock, a guitar (we joined a guitar group at 12), shoes and slippers, hankies together with the inevitable selection boxes(which seemed larger then than they do now).

Going into my teens, what I remember most is the food. There was masses of it. A huge turkey with all the trimmings, bacon rolls chipolata sausages, stuffing roast parsnips, and potatoes, sprout, cabbage, peas and carrots - the list appeared to be endless. And for after, my Nan's Christmas pudding. It was paler than the usual Christmas puddings and was the only one I used to eat and enjoy, especially as there were glacé cherries inside. It did seem that we no sooner finished dinner than it was time for tea - fruit salad and Christmas cake. Then later in the evening, bubble and squeak with cold meat. The following was cold meat again but with chips and all kinds of pickles.

I think Christmas's really changed for me when I left my first husband. The first one was pretty miserable, spent with my Mum in the residential home she ran, with her saying if I became upset, 'You've made your bed - now lie in it.' I think it was a time of realising that Christmas wasn't just about presents, food and watching television but about friendship and families and what you put into that special day.

Now, married to a wonderful man, who doesn't like Christmas, having been a butcher for most of his adult life and had to work so hard right up to Christmas Eve, Christmas is more about companionship, knowing that if I see something I like during the year, then I can buy it (so it's Christmas all year round!). It's also about seeing family that we don't see as often as we would like, but making the most of it anyway.

From my faith point of view, it is a reminder that God came to earth in the form of a vulnerable baby, who would grow up to do amazing things, then die and live again, so that we may have this wonderful connection with Him.

Wishing all of you a Joyful Christmas and a peaceful 2014.

Eight Things I've Learnt About Working on the NaNoWriMo Challenge

I feel I must start with my apologies as I commence this post. It has been some weeks since I have written, largely due to the subject I want to deal with today, namely National Novel in a Month 2013. My time has been taken up in the preparation for this challenge and then in the work on it.

This challenge first started in the United States 13 years ago, (which is where the word in the title National comes in) the object being for each contestant to attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days, those 30 days being the month of November.

I have tried for the past 2 years to reach this magic total and failed miserably. Both years failures were for a perfectly good reason - as someone with chronic fatigue syndrome, there are times when it is not a good idea to push yourself. Nevertheless, it left me with this urge to succeed one day in this challenge.

This year, I succeeded, much to my joy. The whole process was a novel experience and I learnt lots. Please see my little list below for more detail. Recently I have read articles showing scepticism that typing so intensively over 30 days can produce anything useful. To them I say I now have something I can edit and decide for myself it's usefulness, whether to send it to a publisher or not. But that wasn't the reason it was done. Like climbing Everest, I did it because it was there.

1.  I can Write!
This first thing was a biggie for me. As the days went on, to actually realise that I can sit down on a day to day basis and type something, whether it was 400 words or 2,000. It gave me great confidence, which still buzzes on today, a week after finishing the challenge.

2.  It is possible to write most days, if not every day.
Even though I did have other things to do, as we all have, I discovered that wanting to do this challenge made me look for the times in my day when I could type. Even 15 minutes was enough to write a few words. I didn't have to sit there for hours each day (although the last few days did become a bit frantic).

3.  I can be disciplined.
Again, this was a realisation that I can plan things into my day, if I really want to do it.

4.  It feels good to write.
I did not find the experience tiring, but incredibly enjoyable. The sheer effort of putting pen to paper allowed me to focus and to concentrate for however long I had and to just write.

5.  You can only learn about what you need to concentrate on like descriptions of characters and places, by having something written to look over in the first place.
What I am trying to say is you can't edit anything unless you have written something first. Additionally, you can only appreciate what you need to do to your characters and the various description only if there is something on paper or screen for you to peruse first. Before this I had spent a long time about thinking what I would like to write, but not putting fingers to the keyboard. It is quite a good feeling to find you now have something to work on.

6.  It is possible to get yourself inch by inch to a goal.
This was mentioned a little in point 2, but really you can only appreciate what writing 50,000 words feels like, when you actually do it. 50,000 words amounts to 1,667 words approximately every day. So every day you needed to pace yourself to ensure you were on track. As you get closer to your goal, you begin to realise that this can be done in any avenue of your life and is very thought provoking.

7.  Preparation is so important.
This is where I came unstuck in the two past years. This year I had some idea as to what I wanted to write about. As a new writer of fiction, I didn't completely appreciate what kind of planning I needed to do. I soon realised as the days went on where my planning had been faulty. But I had planned something, even if it was a bit loose. And it did keep me going and next time, I will be better prepared.

8.  You need your buddies.
What I also hadn't had before was support, mainly because I had thought that telling people would make them think I was totally mad. This year, I had the support of my husband and the creative writing support group on Facebook, who also have a special month long NaNoWriMo group. It was brilliant to have that much support. My husband was fantastic, making sure I didn't overdo things, but also being very encouraging. I think he could see it was important for me to do this.
The support group were amazing. I did have one occasion where I deleted a whole chapter and a bit from my work and people were very sympathetic. But they kept you going and were supportive every step of the way. They also rejoiced with you when you completed the task. As I have said, amazing.

What next? The recommendation is that you leave it for a month and then start the editing process. That is what I intend to do. What I also want to do is to look at the other projects that I have started over the past year or so and see if I can bring those to fruition. Ultimately, what this challenge has done is made me keen to write more and better. You can't have a better outcome than that.