I would like to take this opportunity to state that I am fully aware that I am surrounded by men who flock to my rescue each time I am in any sort of need, and that I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

MLG, you’re a hero for coming up with that adapter so quickly. My eternal thanks. If it hadn’t suddenly become winter overnight, there would be a short skirt in the near future for you. Let’s put it on credit to be cashed in next spring, shall we?

Well, I’ve had just about enough of Tori Amos’ Boys for Pele today.

I think I’ll go put the soundtrack from Titanic on. Heh.

My optimistic and idealistic goal today was to double my word count. I hardly expect to do it, but I’d like to try.

I don’t know who Emily Horner is, but we seem to be keeping pace with one another word count-wise in Montreal. Like Ceri, I have a sneaky suspicion that my work is severely lacking in the subtlety department, and my insecurity is wailing that Emily is probably writing a tidy, flowing, subtlety-laden manuscript, so that even though our word quantity is approximately equal, hers is likely of higher quality. Fortunately, my insecurity is wrestled down and gagged 99% of the time by a toughened, thesis-experienced editor, who says that if you don’t write it, you can’t make it better. You need an actual draft before you can improve it; you need thoughts down on paper before you can shape them. No one writes perfect prose as a first draft.

So, hats off to you, Emily, and to all the other NaNoWriMos in Montreal. Write on!

Okay. I went out for a walk. I bought offerings. I’m back. I’m okay. I think.

For those who are asking, yes, I have back-ups. I’m paranoid enough to have done that. And yes, I have another computer; gods, I can’t think of anything worse than writing longhand for a few days and then having to transcribe it all.

It’s just not the same.

Fortunately, I am informed by MLG, underground hardware supplier and all-round mental/emotional support guy, that the solution is as easy as taking a trip to Radio Shack. Assuming, that is, that he doesn’t have a spare adapter lying around.

Well, it’s slowed me down, anyway, which ought to make other Montreal NaNo writers happy on a deep, guilty level. I’ve already been informed that my word count has me up for a severe review of my membership in the Friday night writers’ gathering, as I am evidently not a drinker with a writing problem.

More realisations that make me feel sick:

Ceri, didn’t I write about this in chapter August of the Great Canadian Novel? Except fortunately enough for me, the laptop didn’t die while I was actually writing…

Life can stop imitating art any time now, thanks.

Sheer panic!

My laptop won’t recognise the AC power source!

Yes, this is dire, how dare you smirk. I don’t write at my desktop computer; I use my laptop. My desktop is for work-type work, and for e-mail, and internet work. I sit elsewhere in the house to novelise with my up-till-now trusty laptop. Yes, it’s a mental thing. Yes, I know that logically I could write at my desktop. It’s just not the same, though, and there’s so much to distract me here.

Aaaauuuggghh!

The seige is over. Maggie-cat is romping with the kitten.