I’ve been busy lately. One reason is spending time with Beverley (see my previous post). Reason number 2 is that I’m now working part-time in the Odeon Cinema in Cardiff. It’s not too bad, is paying the bills, and I get free entry to see films, so it’s pretty good for the time being.

Reason number 3 is doing Nanowrimo. I reached 50,000 by November 15th, so was on target, but after a weekend away in North Wales with Bev visiting each other’s families briefly, I’ve slipped a bit behind.

The film of Beowulf is pretty good, decent story and very impressive use of motion capture with CGI, though I think it would have been better to go for something a bit more stylised. If you’re going to do photo-realistic, then go the whole hog, or go for a different style completely.

I’m still busy thinking about my plans for the immediate future, looking for longer-term work and so on. I’ve been looking at the details for CARE’s intern programme, and also at OMF’s short term trips to China next year. Lots to think and pray about.

My sister Becky and her boyfriend Rich got engaged recently. Congratulations, and hooray!

I got lots of Doctor Who stuff for my birthday: a remote controlled Dalek (yay!), a “time-travelling” mug with “time-turning” spoon, Doctor Who playing cards, Dalek bubblebath, Doctor Who “Operation” board game, and a Doctor Who “Decide Your Destiny” book (one of those multiple-choice storyline things with choices like “If you want to leave the TARDIS and explore, turn to page 20; if you want to go back to the safety of the TARDIS, turn to page 32”). Much as it’s appreciated, you can have too much of a good thing, even Doctor Who merchandise, so I’m hoping I won’t get too many Christmas presents that have been chosen solely for the Doctor Who logo emblazoned on them!

The latest Sarah Jane Adventures story, “Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?” was ridiculously good for a CBBC kids show. Which just goes to show how debased our expectations of kid’s TV are, because there’s no reason it shouldn’t be good, but it comes as a surprise when it is. It was up there with much of Doctor Who, and I much prefer it to Torchwood.

Well, I better get on with my novel. Ta ra for now!