Richard Strauss

Heard on the radio this morning that it's the anniversary of his death in 1949.  He wrote some of the most beautfiul music espcially for the female voice.  Having tried in a very limited way to sing a couple of songs I know how simple they seem and how difficult to get right.

UN International Day of Peace 21 September 2010

On this day there is a minute for peace to take place in your own time zone at 12noon.

Simon Schama

Spent part of yesterday reading bits of Simon Scama's book, Scribble Scribble.

I've watched some of his television series and read the occasional article in papers.  Reading the book gave me more of a sense of the man.

What I enjoyed the most were the pieces about food, cooking and memories of his childhood and food.

If you have the chance look the book out and read the piece on Ice Cream.

Bizymoms article link

http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice/Article/Writing-for-your-business--how-to-create-effective-headlines-and-sub-headings---whatever-you-re-writing/2441

Social media for writers

Spent a couple of hours yesterday with Caron Lyon of PCM Creative who I've awarded the challenge of co-ordinating my social media efforts and installing a strategy for using it.

I like working with people who really know their stuff and she is full of bright ideas for helping me use all these platforms efficiently.  That's the thing - for me it has to be practical and as easy as possible to do because otherwise I won't do it. 

What I'm looking for are a few places I can go and schedule appropriate text to go across a wide a spectrum of sites as make sense for me.  It's starting to come together and it has to because it's important that I can make it work for me, then I can pass on tips to others.

For more information about Caron and what she can offer go to www.pcmcreative.co.uk/

Women's Day Expo 2010 - Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus; Sat Sep 11, 2010 to Sat Sep 11, 2010

Not involved in organising this but it sounds like a great way to pamper yourself.

A fabulous event celebrating all things to do with women’s health, wellbeing and fitness.
Includes an exhibition, demonstrations, taster therapy sessions and seminars.
Booking Instructions

Register in advance for discounted tickets by e-mail http://www.theinstitute.uk.net/
claire@theinstitute.uk.net
or phone 07980000316

Please provide a phone number, your name and how many tickets you require. £8 Advanced registration until 8th September; £10 on the door; £5 for young adults 14-18yrs. NB: No credit card facilities are available on site so please bring cash to pay on the door, and for shopping. Sorry, this event is unable to cater for children under the age of 14.
Contact: Claire Minshull

Trent Valley Windows Nottingham

This is nothing to do with writing except it's a problem that distracted me over the weekend. 

On Saturday I decided to clean the windows and was going along happily when somehow, and I have no idea how I did it, I managed to lock a window with it open.  Of course then it wouldn't close..

Immediate panic because I couldn't find the key.  And after trying all the other keys, I still couldn't find the key.  The fortunate thing was the window in question was at the top of the house and not immediately apparent from outside that it was open.

Searched the paperwork for the installer and on Tuesday was on the phone to Trent Valley Windows in Nottingham.  A very helpful and tolerant, ie he didn't tell me I should have had the key safe, offered to find something in their stores that might help. 

This morning in the mail, some replacement keys. 

Tried them and relief, they worked. 

What a star John at Trent Valley was.  Left him a voicemail message to say thank you.

And the moral of the story?  Next time I won't give in to my impulse to clean the windows.