Tuesday 2 March 2010

Down to earth



Picture the scene: I stagger to work unable to breathe because of my rotten cold. My nose has ballooned to ten times its normal size. My skin is pasty, my head is about to explode and I cannot stop sneezing. Much as I try NOT to be unbeautiful the weather and the virus are against me.

It is Sunday. It has not stopped raining or blowing a gale force wind rendering one’s umbrella useless, rendering one’s waterproof hood useless. There is no heating in the building and already the phones are ringing and we don’t even open for another five minutes.

I’ve had this Sunday job for over a year now. It supplements my full time income and has allowed me a certain kind of financial freedom. However since the Cat’s chemo and surgery, it’s not been enough. That’s why on the 1 Jan 2010 I took the decision to tart my stories to a few competitions in hope. I sent off four stories to four different competitions in total.

It’s been exactly 2 months and still no inkling of any results. Their websites all have the “Competition closed. Judging in process” signs on. Two months. I know there are bloggers who have blogged about the waiting time writers are kept when they submit (see womagwriter & Spellmaker) their submissions so I don’t even put myself in that league.

But still.

Anyway, I’m already feeling and looking rotten so to cheer myself up I tart the 100stories for Haiti to my co-worker Daniel.

Let me introduce you to Daniel. He is one of the most laid-back, most easy-going guys on this planet with a wicked sense of humour to match. When I croak out my hello to him, he greets me with “At least you’re making the effort to sound as bad as you look.”

When I tell him all about my dreams and goals and happiness at having one story published – finally!! – he replies with, “Oh it’s great to know you have one talent outside of work.”

Which strangely enough made me laugh so loud it dislodged whatever blockage I had from my nose.

And that in turn made him laugh.

p.s. he’s pre-ordered the book.

:-)

30 comments:

Kea said...

Why am I imagining Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones' Diary as I'm reading this? Now I have this image of what you look like, which probably is way off base. But I think I'll keep it anyway. :-D

I do hope you feel better very soon--and hear back from the writing competitions. Two months is a long time to wait, in my books.

(((Hugs))) if you need them...and even if you don't!

Susan Fields said...

Funny story - I like this Daniel already. He sounds like he'd make a good character. Feel better soon!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Great story! Sure hope you're feeling better soon. And I hope you get a glimmer of something from the contests you entered-- hope, encouragement, determination to keep going no matter what!

Anonymous said...

awww poor you! If it's any consolation I've got the same symptons as you :o(

Besty luck with your competitions!! :o))

Theresa Milstein said...

The running in the rain with a cold did conjure Bridget Jones for me as well.

I'm sorry that you're burdened with expenses. I hope things turn around soon. As for this book, if it's only available by you, then I'm going to send you money and have you ship me a copy.

Feel better! Hope the rains stops soon, which should help.

Anonymous said...

Daniel sounds cool. Hope you and teh weather get better real soon.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Old Kitty waiting is always the hardest part of anything! Hope you get soem good news soon!

Daniel sounds like a fab coworker --keep him!

Love Meow said...

I love your writing and your sense of humor. You make me laugh. I have so much fun every time I come here :).

Go away cold! Feel better soon.

Plain Jane said...

Kitty, your story was so funny it woke me from my stuporous stare at the computer. I enjoyed it so much I actually logged on to post a comment.
Feel better....call in sick to your full-time job....take a day or two. Just tell them I said it was ok.

fairyhedgehog said...

I hope your cold is starting to clear up. It's a good job you've got a sense of humour.

Hazra said...

Hope you and your weather get better soon! Good luck for your competitions; hang in there, something will turn up.

Ann said...

There is always a silver lining! LOL! Feel better. Hope you hear good news about your competition entries and soon.

Amy & the house of cats said...

That is a great story! We are all hoping you feel better soon! It sucks enough to be sick but to be that sick and at work - you are very brave!

Anonymous said...

Uggh it was *awful* on Sunday wasn't it?! Hope you start feeling better soon - and those judges start pulling their fingers out!

Old Kitty said...

Hi Kim!

Awww thanks!!

Renee Zellweger... she always looks to me as if she's on the verge of crying - it's her eyes!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Susan Fields

Daniel IS a character!

LOL!

Awww thanks for your get well wishes.

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi KarenG

I thoroughly agree! Always hope and lots and lots of determination!!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Niki

Awww you poor thing!!

Vitamin C and night nurse. I swear by them!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein!

Oh I told the guy that created the 100Stories about your problem ordering from the US and apparently that's now been solved. They've re-done the pre-order pay thing.

:-)

anyway - you need tons of hugs too after your horrible day with your roof! big hugs!!!

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi wildcatswoodscats

Thanks! So long as Daniel makes me laugh, he's ok!

LOL!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Pat@Mille Fiori Favoriti

Oh ok - he can stay!

LOL!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Love Meow

Hear! hear! Go away cold!!!

:-)

At least the weather is brightening up a little, yay!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Jane!

Awww well next time I've got a cold I shall definitely call in sick and say you said it was ok!

LOL!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi fairyhedghog

Aww thank you!!

You just have to laugh sometimes really!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Hazra

Awww, I'm hanging in there, Hazra!

I;m so hanging and I ain't letting go!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Ann

I like silver linings! the more silver the better!

:-)

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Amy and the House of Cats

Awww thank you.

I am definitely feeling much better today - I think it was because it was really sunny and lovely outside. Spring! We need spring!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi hampshireflyer

The weird thing was yesterday - the sun was out, the skies were blue.. it was like Sunday never happened...!

LOL!

Take care
x

Theresa Milstein said...

Old Kitty, thanks for checking foe me. I just went to the 100 Stories for Haiti site and saw that it will be available on amazon soon, so I went to Amazon and clicked the button to get notified when it's available.

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

I'm a cat and I think Daniel kinda sorta meant well in his own way...humans are something. Hey, I know your dreams will come true...I can feel it--especially since you write such great aliteration on my blog: paragons, purriness and pumpkin pies...! I
LOVE IT!

Noir