Monday is a Monday (Tuesday's a thunder day*)

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

So it's probably still Monday where most of you are, so I'll get this party started by telling you that the title of this post* is a couple of lyric lines from a very well-known (in NZ) song that was a smash hit here a million years ago, called "Outlook for Thursday" by DD Smash. The next line seems about right for Tuesday here: "With a wind that chills you to the bone" even though we're in the midst of summer! I believe we are getting La Niña weather pattern this summer, one of the effects of which is "More north-easterly winds blow towards New Zealand, bringing rain to the northeast of the North Island". The rain hasn't hit us too hard yet, but OH BOY, those north-easterly winds are in full gear! Anything loose outside is getting blown across the garden, and it's just not pleasant to be outside in it. *sigh*

I shouldn't complain because I know how tough things are in places like California with the wild fires destroying so much, and the bitter cold and snow in other parts of the USA, but it's hard not to be disappointed in summer here so far! Anyway, I hope everyone you know is safe and well, and that none of our members and friends here have lost anything or anyone to the vagaries of the weather or fires. *hugs*



Can I please encourage you to vote on the Long Challenge Poll 2025 before this week ends? We currently have what looks like FOUR leading challenges on the poll, which means they will probably be on our list for this year, but we have about SIX others that are tying for 5th place, so it would be good to get some more votes in to spread the tie, and then be able to add two more to our 2025 list! Also, I only have one volunteer to help out by running a challenge so far, so think about whether you can take one on and comment in the post to let me know if you're willing!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered for running some Weekend Challenges in the next six month roster! I have six volunteers, so we should be able to do it between us, but if you want in, it's not too late. Head into this post to add your name as volunteer! This weekend coming is mine, the last one on last year's schedule, so hopefully I will get the new schedule up before next weekend!

Our current long challenge is WIP Push, so don't forget to join in if you think you can finish something off and get some words added to your counter before the end of February! There's no time like the present!

Big Buddies, you should be at about 67% of your goal for January. How are you doing? *cheers and shakes pompoms* I hope you are getting there, or have vastly surpassed your aim! Jump into one of our usual posts for some prompts, by either using the tags or by scrolling back through the last week or so, and add to those words or graphics!

Everything else is trucking along nicely, so it just remains for me to give you a Flash Challenge before I leave: Don't Yawn!. Drop and give me as many words/graphics as you can! Post or link them here so we can all see, then pat yourself on the back for having added to our Jan total!

Now, let's be creative out there! ;-)

Comments

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

A friend didn't want to complain this week because the weather she was experiencing wasn't as cold as some. I told her "Cold is relative." If it's cold to her, she can still complain.

So be disappointed, complain about not getting the summer you were expecting or wanting, but be thankful that you aren't suffering from the worst things weather has to offer.

We're hunkered down here waiting for snow. I'm actually kind of excited. I don't have to deal with constant snow like I did as a kid so I'm looking forward to it.

As for writing, my words are struggling this month, but I'm hoping to get at least 1500 more before the end of the month. It won't put me at my goal, but it'll get me closer.

If I can get my essay for college done, I think that will help my brain block. Meanwhile I'm toodling with some fanfic so I at least get words.

Stay safe from the winds!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to be so slow to reply! My brain has been fried lately.

Thank you for your kind words. It is always hard to deal with your own issues, even if others do have it worse, and I guess we're entitled to be upset, even as we acknowledge it could be worse.

Did the snow get there? I'd be excited too! Where are you, and do you usually get snow? We don't get ANY snow in Auckland - or I should say we've had it TWICE in my lifetime, but it just melted on impact. The last time it was on the ground was about 80 years ago!

I hope you made it to your Jan goal (and your college essay done!) and are now well underway on your Feb goal! ;-)

I am! They did ease off some for a while, but we seem to have them back, if not quite as strong this time! Now I'll just complain about the humidity! LOL!

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

No worries, you see how slow I am to reply!

Exactly. I was absolutely complaining about the snow when I was sitting outside in 25 degree weather, but acknowledging that my friend up North had it worse with 5 degree weather.

We got about an inch which shut everything down for a week. The snow didn't stick around as long, but it continued to ice over each night so we got a nice week of "virtual" days.

I'm in Georgia (the state, not the country) and no in the 12 years I've lived here, this is only the 3rd time we've had snow. But I grew up in New York near Lake Ontario so I grew up with 120+ inches every winter (and not a snow day in sight!)

I didn't make my word goal, but I did get words. And I believe I got my February goal. Now I'm behind because the brain weasels were not kind in March, but I'm doing well this month!

Yes, got my essay done and turned in. Now I'm just waiting to find out if I was accepted into the program. The earliest I'll hear is May 12th so it's going to be a long wait.

LOL I HATE humidity. And don't get me started on "dry heat". There is none of that here and it's just as hot whether the heat is humid or dry. Although at least with dry heat, you aren't dripping with sweat as soon as you walk out the door.

[backrose-17.livejournal.com]

We got hit hard with the cold weather I stayed in as much as I could because I wasn't going out in that extreme cold. I did some not a lot of writing found some WIP to work on including a sequel to a story I have been itching for years to finish. I also re-read some of my favorite fics.

The weather is changing to warmer weather and my migraines were triggered off today but it is supposed to be nice for the rest of the week and next.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

So sorry I didn't reply to this before now!

I hope the cold weather is easing up some for you, but that your migraines aren't any worse!

Yay to working on WIPs! ;-)

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

Weather here is warmer than is normal, and dryer...so I worry about what the next fire season will be like. On the plus side, so far it is looking like the weather will allow me to get to my mom's 80th birthday next month.

Words are coming along decently...more than I expected for January but less than I'd 'like' to have done. I finished all of my trainings and reports, now there is a grant to work on that's due in March. Taxes are done. Should mean I can focus the weekends more on writing (and trying to avoid as much US political news as possible).

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner!

I hope you don't get too affected by the dry weather, and that everyone you know is safe. Those fires are extremely frightening, even from this much distance! Whereabouts is your Mom - do you have far to go?

Yay for words! I hope you get to write as much as you like, and can avoid the scary politics! ;-)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Cold winds during the summer would definitely throw me off my game. As it is, it feels like I'm living in a convection oven when it's windy here during the summer. Anytime your weather is not acting right, you're allowed to complain.

I managed to read over and edit one chapter of my WIP, but that's as far as I've gotten. Hoping to look at chapter 2 during lunch here in half an hour. Cross your fingers.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Sorry it's taken me ages to reply!

I bet the convection oven effect is horrible! They're not really that cold here, just freakin' blowy, so nothing stays put! So annoying. They did die down a bit, but seem to have returned again now, if not quite as strong, thankfully! Thanks - I feel bad complaining when others are having life-changing issues, but it's still annoying where I am!

Did you get back to the WIP? I hope you managed to throw in some words! ;-)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

No biggie. :)

I can deal with some cold, but when the wind starts howling, it's over. Went out on Saturday night, it was in the mid-60's, so I figured I was good with a light jacket. Nope, 15 MPH winds and... yeah, I froze.

Don't feel bad, we're all in our own worlds and have our own issues. And even if they're small, they're still annoying.

I did a little. Need to get back at it though, FAST.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, with you on the howling winds! No... I hate freezing too, so I can imagine how you felt

Thanks!

I'm glad you got some done - you will get through the rest too, I'm sure! I'm sending you all the good writing vibes! ;-)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Right? A breeze is fine, but strong winds are not my thing.

Thanks. Aw, I appreciate that! I just need to get back into a routine.