Category: Train

reading, Train, writing

Reading memories of 2011

Elodie

I hope everybody is having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying quality time with loved ones…The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives blogfest organized by Katy Upperman, Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott and Alison Miller starts tomorrow. I will be participating on Friday (post already scheduled :-))

I have seen in the past days a lot of 2011 lists popping up on the blogosphere which made me think of my 2011 reading year. Are you ready for some flashbacks?

My top 5 reading memories of 2011

1. Fighting to keep my tears in check in the train (and failing) or laughing out loud in the train (and not caring, well not totally caring about others looking at me like I had gone mad)

2. Finally getting some of my historical fiction fix (especially on the very intriguing time of Louis XIV)

3.  Roaming the bookstore, going for an impulsive buy and falling in love with a novel I had never heard of before (for some of them I now almost own all the author´s published books)

4. Relaxing with a cup of tea, a good book and missing my bedtime.

5. Reading so much that my writing has improved (thank you dear published authors out there for making me a better writer :-))

So tell me what are your best reading memories of 2011?

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Train, writing

No more excuses…a scary thought

Elodie

I commute. Every day I spend more than 2 hours in public transportation. I mostly can not write in the train because it is way too crowded. However, this will change and I am facing a “no more excuses” wall.

Let me introduce you to “Commuting just became more productive” aka my new netbookIt´s scary but it´s exhilarating at the same time: I invested in my writing. I will also get monthly tickets a tad more expensive that my current ones but which should secure a seat.  I will at least have 4 more hours a week to actually work on my novel (I cannot totally give up on the reading time ;-)).

I have to admit that it makes me a bit anxious, what if I realize that this extra time does not help cos I just get stuck? But as with anything writing-related, I quiet the little worry voice in my head and just take the plunge!

Observations, Train

Week 42 – Ranting about coughing…

Elodie

No I am not coughing as I am typing this. This post will not be about my writing even though I am very pleased to announce that I almost reached my goal of 300 words per day this week.

However as a commuter I urge my co-commuters to realize some basic facts: we’re in a small place together, we might be pushed against one another, creating more intimacy than what we ever intended, sitting or standing…so if you do cough or sneeze please make sure that it does not reach the other person.

I assure you there are ways to avoid these little accidents…

This was just a little rant as for the past two days I thought about opening an umbrella, carrying a mask or just anything to avoid the little drops coming out of other passengers.

I understand one has to go to work but please, not putting something, anything in front of your mouth when you are coughing/sneezing is just plain wrong.

Observations, Train

Week 39 – Delays, another perk of commuting?

Elodie

Delays are annoying, sure…but let’s try to see the positive side of them.
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It is quite an exercise as I get very annoyed when I leave work somewhat on time but my plans on coming back somewhat early compared to usual is flawed by things out of my power.

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so maybe it is a control thing:
of course coming late to work is not a pleasant feeling especially when one gets up extra early to make sure they do make it to that particular timing but what can one do about it? Leaving earlier does not necessarily mean you will make it earlier, checking the trains’ status does help but only when the statuses are actually updated…

I simply wish I had more control over this type of situation which brings me back to the beginning of my post.
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Delays are annoying, sure…but let’s try to see the positive side of them.

* If you commute with somebody you know, you can chit chat a tad longer
* You can get coffee-to-go
* You can listen to your ipod
* You can use the time to check your emails…
* You can observe people and see how they get annoyed
* You can day dream

Plus let’s face it: being stuck in traffic jam can be more stressful, yes you are in control but control does not mean it’s solving the issue…

Does it mean that I will be less annoyed next time there is delay?

Probably not but when I see the sign “Delay” (here note the emphasis on Delay…not cancellation, it may make me smile…)