A Personal Update from Eddie

Dearest Friends and Family;

I know I have been rather incommunicado as of late.. I apologize. Really, I'm not sure why I haven't written.  There has been lots going on in my life, but there is always lots going on.  I have had adequate access to the Internet, logging on almost every day.  Mostly, I seem to have been going through an introspective period.  I spend hours thinking about the person I want to be, rather than just being the person I want to be. So... new leaf time!

I started a new temporary job this week.  I am working for the Scottish Arts Council as a Drama Administrator.  It looks to be a really good job and VERY interesting.

My young adult novel is progressing nicely (I write a minimum of 200 words each morning - which is not alot daily, but it adds up!) and I have learned alot about Pirates and how they talk thanks to the wonderful Pirate Primer that was a gift from Aric and Stacia.

I have spent alot of time with our good friend John Wilson this summer.  First helping with a big event in July for the Edinburgh San Diego Twin Cities Association. We also spent a delightful day at the National Archives researching his family.  We found an older half-brother he had never known, and the names of his two older half sisters on his Mother's side.  We just have a few loose ends from this research to fit into his book.  I also spent time just providing support and love as he had to take the decision to put down his beloved dog Jazz. John truly has been a dear, dear friend to me here in Scotland and I value the times I get to spend with him.

I have job hunted.  Nearly 100 CV's sent for a total of 6 interviews so far. *Sigh* I hate job hunting.  I don't like talking about myself.  I know, I know some of you are clutching your chests in disbelief.  What I mean is I don't like talking about myself when I'm not allowed to turn it into a story.  I find it very difficult to be serious about myself so invariably end up sounding too boastful or too self depreciating.  The older I get, the more difficulty I have with this.  I'd far rather be funny, and able to exaggerate at will in order to entertain!  Hopefully the job at SAC will turn permanent and I won't have to face this dreaded job hunt again for awhile.

I am studying TV writing - not to write for TV, but to help in the writing of the Opera Libretto. I have watched the complete seasons of Desperate Housewives, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bones, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Firefly and am currently buried in West Wing.  I watch for pacing, plotting, themes, and dialog.  I am noticing many similarities in the shows I like/think work well.  These are the techniques I will be stealing to help make our libretto snappy, modern and fun.

I have been reading.  LOTS! Mostly young adult novels.  I highly recommend the Ugly series by Scott Westerfeld. I also really enjoyed American Gods and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman.

I permed my hair.  Here in Scotland the humid weather wreaks havoc on my half-wavy hair resulting in endless frizz.  Perming it has helped.  I can still blow dry it straight, but most of the time I wear it curly.  Chip really likes it so that is the most important.

We are still keeping students.  But this year has been strange because we have only had three students so far.  A Frenchman for 2 weeks, then a Spanish girl that stayed for 6 months, and now a Japanese man who has stayed for 6 weeks.  With Gretta and Yuzo it has been nice to really get to know them but I kinda miss the variety of experience we had the past two summers.  Not that I am complaining... the students go a long way to paying our rent and we have met some lovely people!  We will keep hosting students for as long as we live in Edinburgh I think.

My sister's German exchange daughter Inga and her boyfriend Benedikt have been here for the past week.  They are both studying to be doctors.  We have had a really lovely visit and Chip and I hope we can get to Leipzig to visit them soon - maybe during the Christmas Holidays this year.

Clarice has moved into a flat literally just around the corner.  She has a fascinating flatmate from Finland, and is currently looking for two more (one will be a French girl who is moving in next week).  They are hoping to make it a truly international flat.  She is doing really well and enjoying her jobs as Tour Guide, Drama Coach, Singing Teacher and Dance Tutor.  Yes, she is still an overachiever, but we love her!

Life is good.  Chip and I continue to work towards the day we can write for a living, but in the meantime we write to write.  We will have much to share when we visit California at the end of the month.

I don't say it often enough, but I love you all and think of you every day! Be well and give each other hugs from me!

Love,
Eddie

Comments

[Callee]

Oooooh! A personal update :) I like those ;-)

Can't wait to see you all, even if is like we're two ships passing in the night!

[the Other Heather]

YAY!! You are alive! It's good to hear from you :) And I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well :)

[MC SC In Da Haus]

Good to hear from you my dear...being way too long...and especially with that other hairy highland cow hogging the blog as he does.....jeese!..
;)

[MC SC In Da Haus]

Now if only that H lady from Prunedale would write something....sigh...

[Heather]

Clearly MC SC hasn't checked my blog this morning! :)

[Rob]

I think this is how pirates speak these days....

Not so much about keeping the Code as keeping the tanks.

I'm sure there's a gap in the market for a REAL pirate yarn.