"Don't forget to be the way you are," or, smoke alarms and the cessation thereof

The smoke alarm man has been, hallelujah. The power has been on for a few hours, and thus far there has been nothing but blissful silence. It's like being allowed to breathe out after holding your breath for three days. Interestingly, the smoke alarm man's wife's gynaecologist turned out to be Pedar, so he was suitably helpful and didn't destroy too many things. He has removed the offending alarm and will possibly replace it sometime never. I would not be unduly upset if I never saw it again.

The BT people have also been. They've left behind some plastic bags for us to put the wireless equipment in, so we'll have to disconnect the network tonight, just as I was getting used to it. The only good thing about it is the fact I may possibly be able to persuade Pedar to move my computer back to where it was before. It is currently on my desk, by the door, and I have to actually sit on a chair if I want to type, whereas previously, it was loosely placed on a seventeen-year-old breakfast table next to my bed. Infinitely more comfortable and convenient, as some of you have remarked. Especially as we don't have a DVD player any more, so my computer is the only way we can watch them (Pedar's laptop will play DVDs but the sound quality isn't very good).

These last few days before school starts have been rather strange. This is the first time I've been moved to write in my journal for a while, isn't it? Yesterday was different; I actually had things to say. Today is just general thoughts. Where was I?

Yes. Getting Ready For School, and all that entails. I believe gamesiplay went back to school yesterday, but everyone else is still safe on holiday, and shipperkitten is in the Maldives and cucharita is in the Shetland Islands. I'm here, though, and as stationery shopping has convinced me, there really isn't that long to go until September the fourth. Out of interest, is it just me, or does it get earlier every year? My first day at school was September 15th... 1991. Eeek.

Anyway. I have my nice silver diary, a clear-and-red pencilcase (I've been trying to trim down on the amount of crap I carry round with me, so it only has my silver fountain pen, clear plastic ruler, a pencil, a rubber, a pink pen, a gold pen and a silver pen) and that pretty red Magic Roundabout ringbinder I used in America. The ringbinder still has all of my writing from that time, mostly fannish, and a few other things, such as the newspaper clippings from the Southport Visiter, my Chemistry data book and my exam results. I am in two minds as to whether or not to separate real life from fannish life and take the fic out of the ringbinder. I rather think I'll leave it as it is.

As well as that, I have my uniform, my schoolbag (the Pucca one from Camden Market) and I don't need anything else. I am Prepared.

Except for the tails. Ah, yes, the tails. I should remember to take the money for them next Wednesday.

And that, I believe, is everything. There was going to be fannish musing in this post, but I think it can wait for the next one. I will merely say I have joined hp100 - what took me so long? - and posted some drabbles.

Trainwreckage

Tonight, I planned to finally write Leigh's challengefic. I had an idea that might possibly work, and I figured it'd never be written unless I actually wrote it.

I have got one paragraph in. I've been distracted.

Ever read a fic that is so bad, so nauseatingly, compellingly bad, that you find yourself reading through to the end because you simply have to know what happens? I believe they call it the Trainwreckage Phenomenon, and I've been sucked in.

That concludes the explanation of where I have been all evening.
Thank you, good night.