Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Impatiently waiting with ginger and fantasy novels

Those Braxton Hicks contractions are only happening in the evenings, and still haven't turned into anything more regular or painful. It's not that I like pain, because I don't, but if it isn't painful then it isn't labour. And I am really ready for labour.

My mum came by this morning with large jars of pickled ginger. It was good that she came, since she needed the excuse to get out of the house and get some exercise, but I would have been a lot less annoyed if she'd told me she was coming. When she turned up with her friend and his grandson (neither of whom I know well), it was only 9.30am and I was slobbing around in a dressing gown - not exactly presentable.

I finished the book I was reading, Daughter of the Empire. I normally stay away from fantasy because they tend to be full of unpronuncable names and require a comprehensive glossary at the back, but this one wasn't so bad. It turned out to be all about political intrigue in an exotic Eastern-sounding world where honour is all important, swords are made from hide because of the scarcity of metal and silk is spun by people-sized insectoid aliens. First I had to get over the improbability that a 17-year-old cloistered girl, Mara, could possess sufficient native cunning and deviousness to manipulate powerful, experienced Lords. After that it got enjoyable. I'm now reading the sequel, Servant of the Empire, in which the same girl falls for the charms of a red-haired (and suspiciously English-sounding) barbarian slave called...wait for it...Kevin.

14 comments:

darth said...

..just checkin in on ya :)

i remember the braxton-hicks contractions..(well, not personally)...sounds like you are ready..now its just up to..well, the baby to decide to grace you (and us) with their presence :lol:

i think i read the first feist books-silverthorn maybe? ..i'm re-reading the abhorsen books.

Watson Woodworth said...

Maybe they're saving "Doug" for another adventure down the road.
You picked the right hemisphere for an August birth.

Anonymous said...

Darth: Ummm, I thought "Magician" was the first book...??

Violet: I dunno if pickled ginger will do the trick, what about wasabi, that's hotter...well, if baby hasn't turned up by the end of the week, I'm happy to subject you to my boxed set of Joe 90, Stingray, Star Trek TOG 2nd season, Black Books and/or Sapphire and Steel this weekend.

Your pick! [hee, hee!]

Ali-Belly said...

Sitting here breathless with anticipation, hoping that every hour that passes that you haven't blogged today means you MIGHT be on your way. :)
PS - I don't know your gmail addy. :P Can you remember my work one?

Jon said...

Hope everything is ok..... and what is the pickled ginger for?

Ali-Belly said...

No blog for Wednesday? Does this mean... ??

flying kiwi said...

Wicked, I'm thinking the same. It's almost noon in NZ and still no post...

darth said...

desiree..maybe! :lol: its been a while..i should find those again...


and yeah...could it be??? :waiting:

Kazzer said...

9:30pm and still no blog. ...waiting

Unknown said...

This has to mean you are having your baby! Good luck with everything Violet, can't wait to read your next post

Tara said...

You're off having the baby aren't you? Congratulations!! I’m sending you good vibes!

Unknown said...

When I last saw Violet, the boy said he would post a comment to let us know what was happening... come on, boy!

Violet said...

Everybody - you guessed it...baby is home. Details in the next post.

Wicked - my gmail address is on the sidebar, though I may now have slightly less time to check your code!

Amanda said...

Violet, congratulations! And welcome to the world to the wee one!