Bits and bobs

I've passed the 20,000 word mark! Which means that I'm still 5,000 words behind my initial plan and things are only sort of starting to happen in my story, but I don't care. Me so proud.

I forgot to write something about last weekend I found amusing. I went to Japan Day at the Museum of Civilizations with punkieg and kimchii and there were different demonstrations of Japanese arts. One of them was ikebana, with a man who is apparently a well-known figure in that milieu doing an extremely large arrangement on the stage, for all to see. That would have been quite sufficient, only there was a lady at the mic, explaining (in both official languages, no less!) what the hell he was doing. It was interesting at first, but then she wouldn't shut up! It was just as inane as sports commentary. I mean, can you imagine that kind of play-by-play on the Home & Garden Network?

First Commentator: Well, you know, Bob, Mr. Matsushita has seen some tough stems before, but these ones take the cake!
Second Commentator: You're right, Bill. Let's see how he approaches them.
F. C.: He seems to be going for a subtle approach, not too much twisting yet.
*pause*
S. C.: Oh my God, he's going for the chrysanthemums!

I stayed home from work today. When I woke up this morning, not only was the whole right side of my throat swollen, so that it hurt to swallow, but I totally sounded like a toad. A really sick toad with a crappy throat.