Is it just me (and probably Paige, from Karma) who thinks this: the new advert on TV for Oasis drinks is really scary. The one I’m talking about is where the man is at the Hoppings (I’ve said Hoppings, but am suddenly wondering if this is a local word for travelling fair, or a universal word) is at a side show and is spraying water in to a clown’s head. Into its open mouth, actually. Then you see this poor man later, in bed, in a darkened bedroom. He opens his eyes to see…the clown! In his room! I think it then squirts water in to his mouth, but by that time, I’ve usually either hid behind a pillow or changed channel (if the remote isn’t down the side of the sofa or under the dog, where it usually is).

There is actually a thread running on Yahoo Answers calling for the advert to be banned on the grounds that: clowns are freaky and should be banned and someone nearly ‘cacked it’. I find clowns very, very, and let me stress this, very, unnerving and I don’t know one person (unless you correct me) that finds them funny…

Hello! No gallivanting for me this weekend - I have dedicatedly spent this afternoon getting the Blog up-to-date on my website. So, from now on, posts will be posted at blog.com and then transferred to my own site(always good to have a back up). I have also trimmed down the gallery at www.hollyaharvey.co.uk I’d intended to update this but can’t find the cord thingy that attaches my digi camera to the computer (I sound like such a technical whizz…thingy indeed).

Aside from making a stew this weekend, I have started the first chapter of another story, for ‘fun’…but it isn’t writing itself like Karma did. Maybe I don’t know enough about the characters yet - I think I’m going to have fun getting to know the ‘drag queen’ (I would welcome suggestions for his/her stage name…) Have also spent some time in front of the TV watching the likes of Ugly Betty, Saturday Kitchen and Grease is the Word (maybe I shouldn’t admit to that???) Watched a great film last night called The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman in it. It isn’t usually my kind of film, but is the first of its type to have me guessing all the way through and STILL getting it wrong!!! I even managed to stay awake through the entire 126 minutes (considering 96 of those minutes were after my bedtime…)

Returning to topic, I have still heard nothing from the local paper regarding an article I was asked, by M.E. NorthEast, to contribute to (did email Jennifer to let her know it wasn’t my fault, and that I did call the journalist); surprisingly, I’ve heard nothing with regard to the book event in Blaydon meant to be taking place in early June (haven’t seen any publicity for it yet, either). I have nothing more related to book-promotion in the pipeline at the moment (I was offered a spot on a radio show, by a nice gentleman, but had to decline as I would have been WAY out of my depth, intellectually speaking- was kind of him to consider me though). I’m not feeling as sad about it as I was last week, you’ll be pleased to hear!

Hello - was actually out of the house for a few hours this morning, and it has made me feel a bit better (not physically, of course, but definitely mentally). Think my lack of activity made me focus on the bad side of life, instead of looking at the positives. Still not sure about book number two…maybe I don’t have another book in me anyway!

Today, I’m feeling a little more content. The Wii I won several months ago has finally arrived (husband is pleased), as has a present I ordered ages ago for my grandma’s birthday. My bank has decided to refund the charges I incurred in 2001 and I’m waiting to hear if there’s going to be another addition to my doggy-family. And I found a bar of chocolate in my cupboard - if that’s not a reason to be happy, I don’t know what is! Oh, and I’ve been offered a Reiki healing session next week from a lady who’s studying it - I’m both nervous and excited about it in equal portions.

And Karma? My sister works for a news group and is trying to generate some interest - unfortunately I’m not local enough for most of them to take an interest, but she’s still working on it. Bless! I have a few emails to follow up on, but am trying to be a little more realistic in my expectations from now on.

Hope you all have a great Bank Holiday weekend - I was one of the few people who was delighted to hear that the weather was likely to be cold and rainy!

Another miserable post, but I feel I’m allowed to wallow in self-pity for a little while. Why? Finally found out how many books I have sold and feel as though the previous post I made was spot-on!

If anything, it has made me question the decision to try writing another book if all my efforts are worth so little. Guess it was just a fluke, but I can’t help but wonder if some printed reviews may have made a difference (good or bad, it gets the book out there).

So, what should I be now? Been a writer, so what about singer (I’m neither Sonny nor Cher, and couldn’t hold a tune with both hands) or perhaps an artist (I don’t even draw the curtains)? Off to drown my sorrows in a chamomile bath…