I've decided to pull the plug on Nanowrimo for this year, although my wordcount is almost 42,000. I finally had the flash of inspiration needed for my carbon essay, that little moment when you go OH! and know where you want to go. I also had a mild breakthrough on my dissertation, and as these two beasties are more important than Nano, it's gotta go!

However, there is definitely some salvageable scenes in what I've written, and once in a while I'll probably pull some of them out and do a bit of work on them. In January, after exams are out of the way, I might do a bit more before the next semester really kicks off. Definitely need to do more prep work if I ever attempt Nano again; I had trouble keeping my characters in line - didn't really know them well enough to pick their choices as opposed to mine. If that makes any sense!

What else... other than working on my carbon essay, I'm off to Muay Thai and then a glaciers lecture. I usually clean house for Sarah from church (she with the infant twins), but I cried off today as I'm still feeling quite flu-ish - that isn't what her household needs! I'm looking forward to training today - last week's session was really good, although it did knacker me doing the swing kicks up and down the gym. I thought I was going collapse. Good fun! Besides that? I think I'm just doing housework...

brotherasmodeus and I had a good weekend - I like having him around for a proper weekend. When he worked, there was no guarantee I wouldn't have something at uni on his day off. Having the two days together is nice!

The cats are well!

35093 / 50000 words. 70% done!

Ho hum. Laundry on, about to do some exercise and then start work on my oceans module's essay, the topic of which is: evaluate whether ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) is a valid analogue for tropical Pacific circulation change during the Quaternary epoch. It's interesting enough. But I'm torn, because the other option was evaluate the role played by the biological pump in driving glacial-interglacial variations in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. And I think I'm more interested in the carbon cycle, but I did the carbon option last year, although it was a slightly different question that focused on the ocean/atmosphere links, rather than the biological pump which is a surface ocean to deep ocean link. Most people seem to be opting for the ENSO question, as the carbon cycle appears quite complex, but I find that once I sat down and worked through it it was quite logical.

And yeah, after writing that, I've just decided to go for the carbon option instead. How's that for impulse!

Nanowrimo is ticking along, but other than the odd weekend day, I won't be doing any burning through beyond the approximately 1400 a day I need to do to complete it. I shall be all about the carbon!

I had a great time at muay thai training yesterday. I started off with simple conditioning of the body parts I strike and block with. For those not in the know, this is rather boring as it involves plenty of striking against a very heavy bag (none of that macho bludgeoning it though - lighter strikes that let you keep going for longer are best!). Booooring, but one of those things a girl has to do. Then just did various combinations to work on my anaerobic conditioning, which is kind of shot. And at the end, when I requested some 'frivolous' kicking - this is just some gleeful swing kicks, John decided to make it into a drill of sorts, where I alternated left and right as we walked up and down the gym. I was gasping by the end, but elated and the endorphins were zipping around like pupas in a zoo!

But despite writing that last paragraph, I'm feeling quite heavy at the moment and my pot belly is feeling particularly squidgy - you know it is bad when Mr Peter starts doing happy paws on your tummy! But I've begun an exercise regime that will require a rather frightening amount of discipline until it becomes a habit... and today's routine is for stomach, waist and core so Mr P's favourite happy paws place is doooomed.

And since I've not posted on the topic recently, things are going delightfully well with brotherasmodeus. I'm really enjoying having him here in the Bijou hovel, and the cats like having a Peepoo - Peter even goes for regular Mantime!

Well, I got my blood tests back. Everything was fine except my cholesterol was back up to 6.7, so... yeah. Diet will need a really strict overhaul to nip that little beast in the bud. Goodbye, red meat. This is sad - Gary makes excellent chilli and bolognese. I eat a lot of chicken already, so will increase my turkey and fish intake. And treats will be right out until my next batch of tests as we find out what my downfalls are. Poo.

I like treats. Yummy, sweet lovely things. Like cake. And puddings. And cupcakes. And all sorts.

In other news, the new Rammstein single was awful and with its hard-core pornographic video, came across as a desperate attempt to be shocking. Truly appalling piece of dross and I've set iTunes so that one doesn't get played. Bah. But the rest of the album is actually quite catchy, if you like it loud, and will be an excellent addition to my gym mix. Sorry, but metal and its friends are best for lifting weights to!

Tomorrow's plan: gym, river lecture, river seminar, module revision.

Nicked from kimbari

Everyone has things they blog about. Everyone has things they don't blog about. Challenge me out of my comfort zone by telling me something I don't blog about, but you'd like to hear about, and I'll write a post about it. Ask for anything: latest movie watched, last book read, political leanings, favorite type of underwear etc. Repost this challenge in your own blog if you want to!