Tiah Beautement's Blog, page 133

There be Danger in Fiction's Lies. . .

I've written a piece on BookSA There be Danger in Fiction's Lies. It examines the mantra 'Stranger than fiction.' Every fiction writer finds herself balancing the tightrope between believability and reality while actually writing a lie - a story that is untrue. But at times fiction seems to be in danger of being the tail wagging the dog. That what society now views as fact is actually a fiction, repeated over and over again because the reality is deemed stranger than fiction. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject, so please do pop over for a read and...

What week is it?

Husband and I discovered that Easter is THIS weekend and not the week after. Which means his birthday is next week. Which also means that we have visitors arriving weekend after next, rather than almost three weeks away. Thankfully the Estate Agent already brought over the bulk of the children's Easter treats. (Her thank you to us for her Easter paycheck I guess). Nor were we planning to go anywhere this year. So the damage of our obliviousness is minimal to next to none. Except the repairs to a certain toilet. Might need to sort that one out a bit...

What day is it?

Last night I said to husband, 'So annoyed you'll only get one day off out of this nonsense when my entire weekend was ruined.' Husband replied, 'The weekend wasn't ruined.' Which, let us be fair, is true. Ruined is, after all, a strong word. But perspective is an interesting thing. Husband's original weekend plans: Gardening, spend time with family and kids. Husband accomplished: Gardening, spent time with family and kids and worked when called in. Husband even has the luxury of working in an environment where showing up to work in shabby gardening gear does not raise a single eyebrow....

You wouldn't believe me if I told you...

I am still alive. In fact, this week is HILARIOUS, except that: A) I'm the one that actually has to live through this comedy. and B) I'm not sure how tactful it would be to tell you all about it. Suffice to say, that despite spending two semesters at UCT in my twenties, being married to a South African (along with being mother to two South Africans and godmother to another two) and now having actually lived in this country for two and half solid years - I still find the whole experience rather perplexing from time to time. It...

Controversy: I liked a book

It is Tuesday. I have not highlighted a book on Tuesday for ages. Some of this is because I went from reading almost exclusive RSA reads, to reading a more worldly range. Then there is the sad fact that many of my recent SA reads have been fine, but nothing more than that, and I couldn't be bothered to mention them on the blog. There was one exception, a book by Susan Mann (One Tounge Singing) which I read around Christmas and consequently only gave quick mention - not due to lack of love, but time. Yes, I have been...

The soon-to-be-previous-owner better not read this blog...

Because his beloved prehistoric water feature has already lost its top layer. Rather glad this sucker is fugly, because we would have to have removed it regardless. Need a cricket / soccer pitch, you see. However, I do feel sorry for the frogs hiding underneath. But we'll get the small pond up and running again soon. Hang in there frogs!

The morning after. . .

What happens when a writer stops writing?

A failed judge

I was asked to judge a children's book competition at our local library yesterday. I said yes. I waited for two hours, feeling very ill and dealing with a highly intimidated Thing 2 (she is improving enormously in such situations, but still - it was a bit much). In the end, Thing 2 was ready to cry she was so hungry and fed up and I never judged a single book. It was not a waste of time. The children became so absorbed by the task they still had more they wanted to do. They decorated their covers. They puzzled...

Term Break, Day 1

Scene: Master bedroom. Mother getting dressed. It is approximately 7:30am. Enter Thing 1 and Thing 2 Thing 2: 'addy says I 'pike the garden. Thing 1: Yes. Then I water the little, little holes. Then the grass will get really green. Mother: Oh, if you wanted it green why didn't you just paint it? Thing 1 frowns: But I'm not allowed to paint in these [clothes]. True. 5 min later…There is screaming in the distance, rapidly coming closer to the master bedroom. Enter Thing 2: I 'pike myself. Throws herself onto the floor and removes shoe. Offers baby toe. No...