Things are a-happenin' this week!

I would like to start first by thanking everyone who commented on my IWSG post recently; it was my first IWSG post, and I'm still very new to blogging, but I recieved such a lovely welcome.  I'm starting to just about get the hang on Blogspot and blogging in general (Tumblr still offers a few hiccups!) but I'm getting there, and getting to talk to some very interesting and lovely people in the process!

This week, I am on holiday...usually when I have a week off from work, I treat myself to a little adventure to somewhere such as London (one of my favourite places), however, this month I'm a tad short on the munnies, and also have plenty of creative things to be getting on with.  Catching up on blogging, article writing for EGL Magazine, short-story writing and pretty-picture making is all up there, but one pressing task I have involves finding local printers for wedding stationary I designed for my aunt and uncle.  So I wouldn't be fooled by the pyjamas or long-lie-ins...I have a busy week ahead of me! ;)

Today, I woke up to a lovely surprise; to find my package, containing my copy of the Fear Anthology Volume 2 waiting for me.  There will be bragging posts and photos of me grinning neurotically while brandishing the book to follow; I am so, so pleased to be actually in print, in an actual, paperback book.  My photo is even in it! EEEEE! 

And that's not all.  I have just signed a contract to feature in another anthology (steampunk-horror theme)- and this one I will get paid for!  So you know what that means? I am now a professional writer! As a personal rule, apart from mentioning "I was at work" I never mention my jobs on my social networking accounts and the like (I strongly believe in keeping work and personal life seperate, I refuse to even add current colleagues on Facebook), but I decided this meant updating my employment details on Facebook to state "Artist/Writer"- teehee!

Today, I'm working on printers and article-writing...but tomorrow is also a big day.  I am finally (FINALLY) getting my Black-Rabbit tattoo!  Oh I've only wanted it since I was about 18 or 19, and I've chickened out or just delayed it a million times over.  Its not even been a fear of the pain, so much as my anxiety fuelling my indecision (like with many things in my life).  I had really intended to get it last year, during the Chines Year of the Rabbit (I am a rabbit in many ways!) but I kept forgetting, and then right at the end of the Chinese Year, the tattoo apprenticeship fell through.  Part of me can't really believe I'm doing it, so its a good thing that not only have a paid a deposit that I don't want to lose, but I also have my lovely friend, Alana, egging me on and making sure I can't back out ;) my fiance has already okay'd the use of physical violence to keep me in the studio, but Alana says she'll just sit on me haha! I think I'll be fine, I'm very excited...although I do reckon I'll have a mini-freak out at the last moment when I realise what I've let myself in for! :P

The image at the beginning of this entry is the rabbit I'm having tattooed.  It is the Black Rabbit of Inle (rabbit version of the Grim Reaper) from Watership Down, one of my favourite movies/books (there's a big surprise, eh?), and it'll be going at the top of my back, in the centre.  It has several meanings to me, which I won't go into now (I'll probably do a rambly "look at my awesome tattoo" post tomorrow evening...oh crap...thats right...its TOMORROW!).

Otherwise, I don't have too much planned this week.  I will be seeing a couple of friends (and sharing Halloween candies), but otherwise, for me its just writing, drawing and more of the same.  However, it is kind of nice to have the time set aside for creative work and the such, and as for adventures to London, I have another week off in November ;) I'm also trying to get into a Halloween mood...difficult as I keep looking for Christmas presents for people! D'oh!

It's been a super busy couple of weeks, but another thing I've been very pleased and proud of is the opportunity I had to review my favourite band, The Birthday Massacre's new album "Hide and Seek".  You can read the review on EGL Magazine's site- here is the link:
  http://www.egl-magazine.co.uk/#/the-birthday-massacre-review/4569486787
It's a cracking album, one I'm very excited about (I pre-ordered my copy, its on the way now!), and I also wish the singer, the lovely Chibi, a speedy recovery, as she recently underwent surgery on her vocal chords.

I also finally recieved my copy of Emilie Autumn's album "Fight Like a Girl!" YAY!  I also reviewed this album back in July:
http://www.egl-magazine.co.uk/#/emilie-autumn-review/4566970070

Well, I'm going to wrap this up now...you know, the book is right next to me on the desk...I can't stop staring at it...this is amazing!

Take care for now!