Gems and the other stuff

overcast, some cloud bursts, temps 15

Walked half an hour to breakfast over on Greene Ave with a friend - Nancy. As we had breakfast i noticed it was getting very, very dark outside. Then there was a murmur around the restaurant as everyone noticed. And then the heavens opened. Very dramatic. It had been a long time since I'd seen it that dark. It was like a total eclipse. Actually a little frightening.

But then the cloud burst passed and the sun came out. Walked back to the hotel listening to the ipod. Ali in the Jungle. Falling by Alicia Keys, Lux Eterana.

Then got down to writing. Actually took me a while to settle. As always I re-read what I'd done yesterday...and edited and smoothed. the mist-steps are much clearer the next day. Someone asked in a comment if I just sit the whole time or if I get up and walk around. I actually get up quite a bit. Wander. Pour a coffee or soft drink. Meander around.

Yesterday afternoon I put the ipod on the player in the room and pretended I was 'in concert'. used the small umbrella as a microphone. Very satisfying. The concert was a huge success.

Then I went back to writing.

Not too sure about what I wrote today. All these choices affect the structure. But I need to remember I can always go back and change it. This is just the first draft. No one else has read it.

I need to change the name of a character. I realize two fairly prominent characters have similar names. This is one of the many, many reasons no one should ever read one of my first drafts. They make no sense. Characters change names. Some disappear completely. Others appear. things are repeated often two or three times, until I decide in subsequent drafts where they are best left. It's a complete dog's breakfast. Actually, it's a lot like Trudy after she's rolled in skunk poop. Really, nothing much to redeem it.

Except that somewhere in there is something precious.

But the process is scary...I have to let go and acceot that along with the gems there will be smelly stuff. My major pre-occupation with this book is structure and pacing...and when things need to be revealed. But the fact is, that's always the issue. Right now all the characters have been introduced and established...and the job of narrowing, revealing, exposing has begun. But what and when is the issue.

Oh well. No job is easy. And I have to say, any job, no matter how difficult involves sitting in my pajamas and sipping diet coke and eating room service is pretty good.

And really, for the most part I've totally loved writing this book. There are scenes I (a little embarrassing to admit) love. In fact, I found myself crying as I wrote one. I think today's scenes were just complex. But I'm happy with them...just not sure they'll make the final cut.

Will write tomorrow morning - hope to get late check out. And then head off to Burlington, VT to pick the guys up. Sounds like they're having the best time! Went to Sardi's today for lunch. Went to the MoMA. Are shopping now on Fifth Ave. Tonight they're seeing a musical called 'Promise's, Promise's.'

Yesterday they went to dinner at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station and saw the comedy, God of Carnage. Yes, I know, but it's actually a comedy.

Home tomorrow. Then back to Montreal hotel Friday and Sat. There's a big hematology meeting in Montreal and Michael need to go. Some of the people he's writing about will be there. Quite a week for the big guy. And his birthday is Saturday!!

76. Just a kid.

A little dream, with a rose bush and slate roof

sunny, mild, beautiful

Finally - a perfect day. Our last here in Cambridge. We were walking back after a pub lunch yesterday (the pub's just down the street from us - Michael had bangers and mash and I had fish and chips) when we found our next home! It's on this tiny road called Orchard Street, and it's enchanting. We both stopped in our tracks and stared.

Now, as you realize, Cambridge has no shortage of staggeringly beautiful and charming streets. But this was a postcard. It's about 5 minutes walk from the colleges, just off a park called Christ's Piece. The road curves very slightly and the cottages are all in a row, connected. Row houses. Made of stone, with slate roofs. They're all alike. And tiny. Each had a front door with a small metal peaked cover. Each has a mullioned window to the left of the door. Each has a small garden out front...most with tall, fragrant, magnicent rose bushes. And each, at the back, has a modest walled garden.

I'd be surprised if, inside, it had even two bedrooms.

Most had names like Rose Cottage, Orchard Cottage etc.

Three, in the very middle of the arc, looked abandonned. Derelict.

Michael and I immediately started dreaming of buying one, and doing it up, and living here three months of the year...in our tiny 'Wind in the Willows' cottage.

None was for sale, but we'll keep checking and hoping. And if it's meant to be one day we'll sleep in our home on Orchard Street.

It's nice to dream. In the meantime, reality is pretty damn good. We visited the Milton exhibit at Christ's college again yesterday - Michael hadn't seen it. It's normally closed to the public, except for a couple of hours on Thursday afternoon...but I emailed the head librarian and she let us in.

Wonderful show. Next year Christ's is putting on an exhibition on another famous alumnus - Darwin.

It was raining and cold so we went to the pub for lunch, then came home. Did more editing on the manuscript. It's 267 pages long (single spaces) and I'm at 215 now. Hope to finish by the time the plane lands in Montreal tomorrow night.

Today we headed to the Garden House Hotel for breakfast - without a doubt the worst meal of our stay. It is now a Double Tree hotel. No one brought us coffee - finally had to ask. The linen was filthy. The buffet had rubber eggs and no plates. Customers piled up and waited and waited for plates. Finally some came, without apology. The container with the sign Fresh Orange Juice was empty. When this was pointed out the waiter went and got some more...pouring orange juice from a grocery store tin.

The coffee was watery.

At one stage a man had to ask a waitress to please serve the two elderly women at the table next to him. They'd been waiting forever and trying to catch someone's eye.

I think the waiters were doing their best, they were just woefully understaffed.

When the bill came it was for 27 pounds. 60 dollars.

The one thing this hotel has going for it is a staggering location. Right on the Cam, in the middle of Cambridge. Michael and I went into the back garden and sat at a table (wet and dirty) right beside the river. People punted by. Kayakers paddled. Across the river people bicycled. In the background were the ancient buildings. Behind us was the hotel - blessedly we don't have eyes in the back of our heads, and so didn't need to look at it. The hotel is what Prince Charles might call a carbunckle on the face of this venerable city. Breath-takingly ugly.

But a great location.

Michael did a really wonderful watercolour of the scene and I did more editing. Such fun to sit there with the man I love - him creating a glorious piece of art and me editing my book.

Then we got chilled so packed up and had a hot chocolate across the way at the University Centre. Then, feeling hungry by then, we walked to the Loch Fyne Oyster restaurant for lunch.

Then home. Through the now sunny and warm streets. We took a small detour and stared once again at our beautiful little cottage.

We catch an 11am bus back to Heathrow, then a flight home to Montreal, arriving about 9pm. Almost certainly won't blog tomorrow, but will try to do one on Monday. Wash day.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure!

The Dark Knight

sunny, warm, temps 29

The funeral was this morning at Blessed Sacrement Church in Toronto. Lovely service. What made it extra special is that two of Don's grandchildren, Joanne and Brian did eulogies. Really, the poise of those kids. And what they said was amazing. Painting an image of Don Lingeman - his love of cards and fishing, baseball. How he'd fish with Joanne, and take Brian to baseball games, and they'd buy the peanuts in bags which no one else ever bought.

They had us all laughing, then getting teary-eyed.

I realized, sitting there, that when I'm at a funeral I never think of my own mortality. But I do think about others...about losing people I love. And I get scared and upset. I'm never afraid to go, but I'm almost always afraid of being the one left behind. I'm a big fat coward.

After the service we considered driving home, but it's the beginning of a long weekend so decided to stay. Instead we went to the Dark Knight, the batman movie. Wow, was it ever violent...lost track of the deaths. I love action flicks, and there was a lot to like about this. Heath ledger really is fantastic as the Joker. So sad. And lots of other great performances. But the violence just became a scream that over-powered everything for me.

Nice popcorn, though.

Quiet evening in the hotel - then driving home tomorrow. Probably won't blog tomorrow, but will try for Sunday.

Be well.