Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Mr TR Says...

Working at home every day, it's easy to become oblivious to my surroundings. As such, it's always a quite a treat when Mr TR makes his grand re-entry late-afternoon. Here's a few select utterances from the man himself:

1. Have you noticed how many coffee cups are on your desk? (I have a habit of collecting them.)

2. Did you realise you have the window wide open and it's been raining onto our leather sofa? (Oops. So that's what that dark patch is -- a water stain!)

3. Why is there bread burning in the toaster? (Because our toaster sucks?)

4. You've got chocolate on your face. (Goes without saying.)

5. Maybe it's time to plug in your mobile... it keeps beeping. (I know; I've been ignoring it all day.)

6. You do realise there's a big spider on the wall behind you, right? (Yes. I'm too lazy to kill it.)

What do you ignore when you're writing? Besides the obvious, that is (housework, kids, etc).
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78 comments:

  1. Jessica Bell29 June 2011 at 13:03

    LOLOL! All of the above, AND, I'm afraid to admit, the dog needing to do its business and going to the corner of the balcony and I still don't clean it up until the next day (or three) Ouch! I really really hated admitting that! Your fault!

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  2. Creepy Query Girl29 June 2011 at 13:06

    bwahaha. I'm down to the last few scenes of my current WIP but I gotta say when I was right in the nitty gritty of it, I woke up from a writing induced haze and realized my house was just...ridiculous.

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  3. Unknown29 June 2011 at 13:07

    This is why I love you. You are so super awesome.

    I don't cook or clean while working. It's sad because the house could really use it. Hmm, maybe my husband will do it.... Hehe.

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  4. Paul Anthony Shortt29 June 2011 at 13:09

    It's probably easier to just list the things I don't ignore:

    - Music (the right track for the right scene)
    - The level in my coffee mug or wine glass (as appropriate)

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  5. Sarah Tokeley29 June 2011 at 13:14

    Someone will come in and say 'why isn't the light on?' and I realise that for the past hour I've been squinting at my keyboard, which I can barely see, because it got dark without me noticing.

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  6. Li29 June 2011 at 13:31

    Obviously Mr TR has great powers of observation :)) I ignore gadgetry like phones and things, but insects? Oh no. Everything stops while I wage war with hairspray, shoe, whatever. (Hairspray works great for centipedes - freezes 'em in place so you can kill them and dispose of them at your leisure.)

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  7. Joanne29 June 2011 at 13:35

    What do I ignore? Time! When I'm in serious writing gear, the hands of the clock spin away without notice. I'll look up and wonder where the afternoon went, when it seems like only minutes passed in those hours.

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  8. Christine Danek29 June 2011 at 13:40

    I do the same thing as Sarah. The light will be off and the glow of the screen will be giving me a headache, but I can't get up and turn it on. Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.

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  9. Steven W29 June 2011 at 13:41

    HAHA! What a great post. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. Clair Humphries29 June 2011 at 13:41

    Everything, including the crick in my neck! And chocolate on the face - yes, guilty of that one!

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  11. Anonymous29 June 2011 at 13:48

    Teehee! I'm staring at a drop of dried ketchup on my kitchen table and pretending it is decorative paint.

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  12. Old Kitty29 June 2011 at 13:48

    Time. I only realise it's marched on when the dawn chorus turns into owls hooting.

    Mr TR: have some wine! LOL!

    :-) Take care
    x

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  13. Deniz Bevan29 June 2011 at 13:54

    Ha ha! Yea, I regularly get called on for having my face "stuck in the computer for 16 hours" and I get all defensive, like, nooo, I was reading a research book somewhere in between!

    And that mountain of laundry and that mountain *range* of clean clothes, which I dig through every day to find an outfit for work... But I'm plotting something really important in my head!

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  14. Glynis Peters 29 June 2011 at 14:06

    LOL! Mine is watching the dog hair ball floating around the tiles. I keep one eye in the hope it settles under the sofa until I next get the mop out. We don't have carpets out here so when it's gone it's out of mind. LOL

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  15. Karen Lange29 June 2011 at 14:46

    I ignore the mess on my desk. In general it bothers me, but when focused on a task, I push it aside, dig for what I need and keep writing.

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  16. Carol Kilgore29 June 2011 at 15:06

    I'm so laughing. Light. I don't know it's dark until Live-In Handyman enters and turns on the light. Aren't we a sad lot!

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  17. JAScribbles29 June 2011 at 15:06

    My appearance - I stay in my PJs for most of the day. The neighborhood kids are used to it and no longer ask if I'm sick. :-)

    ~ Jenna

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  18. Patricia JL29 June 2011 at 15:17

    I don't have coffee cups piling up but I do have Mt Dew cans and Life Water bottles. Oh and jewelry I made that I haven't gotten around to putting away yet, that gets moved from spot to spot depending on where I set my laptop.

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  19. Pauline Barclay29 June 2011 at 15:25

    Giggling...love them. So what do I miss when writing, I guess time, I get so absorbed and then have a nervous breakdown when I look at the clock! xx

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  20. Ben29 June 2011 at 15:30

    Mr. TR is the most awesome blogger husband ever. You guys should have your own sitcom

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  21. Bossy Betty29 June 2011 at 15:37

    Personal Hygiene goes right out the window. Really, I think I write better when I smell bad.

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  22. Neurotic Workaholic29 June 2011 at 15:42

    I can't ignore spiders, because they totally freak me out to the point that I always start shrieking and running around when I see one. When I'm writing, I do ignore housework, especially dusting. I hate it because it takes forever to get it done, but then I end up sneezing from all the dust if I don't do it.

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  23. Alleged Author29 June 2011 at 16:03

    HA at the spider. I could never not kill a spider near me. Maybe I should start writing horror. :P

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  24. Suze29 June 2011 at 16:22

    This was adorable. It makes me look forward to reading 'The Hating Game!' Can't wait to get it in the post.

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  25. Carol Riggs29 June 2011 at 16:34

    Cute, very cute. But more power to ya if you can ignore a spider! I would be like freaking all over the place. My powers of absorption aren't as intense as yours, apparently. LOL

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  26. Unknown29 June 2011 at 16:47

    My laziness (I mean, uh, desire to save more time for writing)actually helps me to prevent ingnoring some things, such as my tea mug. I use the same one all day and rinse it out every time I finish a drink so that I don't have to wash a dozen of them at the end of the day. As for spiders, I'm too repulsed by them not to kill them at first sight. Hate them! But when it comes to things I do ignore, it's the obvious - general cleaning sometimes gets put off too long when I'm really into my WIP. And I don't brush my dog every day like I should.

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  27. Anonymous29 June 2011 at 16:53

    I do the coffee cup collection thing too... I also often forget to eat unless reminded.
    Sadly, I also tend to ignore pretty much anything anyone says to me while I'm writing, even though it may appear as if I'm listening.
    That's how I'm always in the dark about events and commitments that I've allegedly agreed to.
    The kids are also learning how to use this to their advantage by asking for stuff that they're not supposed to have.

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  28. Nik Perring29 June 2011 at 16:54

    Me? Oh, life, family, relationships, fresh air, the gym, food. And, err, life again ;)

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  29. Heather29 June 2011 at 17:10

    LOL! I do the same thing with coffee cups, and my phone. The spider would be dead or relocated though. That I cannot ignore.

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  30. In My Own Write29 June 2011 at 17:20

    This is such a great post!! I agree with Paul - the list of what I *don't* ignore is easier to compile. :)

    Loved reading this, Talli. Looking forward to the next one.

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  31. Jacqueline Howett29 June 2011 at 17:31

    Lately I have been using paper plates so as not to wash up. Thanks for the good laugh and the amazing honesty!

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  32. ~Sia McKye~29 June 2011 at 17:35

    Did you know there is actually another world and 2700 square feet on the other side of my office door? I somehow manage to forget that.

    My Cocker Spaniel now knows how to sing and dance? Especially when she has to go to the bathroom. Poor Jax.

    My cats know how to do a crowd scene? Yep, right on my desk and in front of my monitor screen when they want food.

    What's for dinner? Dinner? Whadda ya mean it's dinner time? Thank god for microwaves and the defrost setting.

    The window thing? yep, been there done that with several windows. sigh.

    You know? I really need wine after going through my office door after a long day of writing. It helps with the shock.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  33. HelenMWalters29 June 2011 at 17:35

    I *try* to ignore the cats. But it really isn't easy!

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  34. Alex J. Cavanaugh29 June 2011 at 17:38

    Those are funny! My wife would probably say I ignore her.

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  35. Empty Nest Insider29 June 2011 at 17:46

    I like everything but the spider part. I would be too nervous with a creature lurking behind me! It's so easy to become oblivious to the outside world when you're on a roll. Sorry about your couch. Julie

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  36. Bob Sanchez29 June 2011 at 17:46

    Great question! My trouble is that I don't ignore much of anything, consequently getting too little writing done.

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  37. Emily R. King29 June 2011 at 17:49

    I have chocolate on my face, too...sadly, it' s 9:30 am. Ha! Oh, and I killed the spider. Can't stand them.
    Fun post!

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  38. RHYTHM AND RHYME29 June 2011 at 17:49

    This made me smile, I too , being home all day don't realise when things need doing.
    Loved the read.
    Yvonne,.

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  39. Brigid O'Connor29 June 2011 at 18:35

    Great fun, Talli.
    I have sacrificed a lot of pots to the literary world - burnt pasta, again, anyone?

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  40. LR29 June 2011 at 18:42

    I wish I could say I ignore food, but unfortunately it's not true.

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  41. Unknown29 June 2011 at 18:45

    So funny :) Now I am forgetting that I am watching my daughters dog and she needs to be walked, oops, a little late again......Bad Doggie sitter!

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  42. Anonymous29 June 2011 at 18:52

    ROFL!
    I tend not to eat and visiting the bathroom becomes a desperate situation. LOL!

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  43. Nicole Zoltack29 June 2011 at 19:09

    lol Cute post!

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  44. Bethany Elizabeth29 June 2011 at 19:39

    lol, I try to keep my life in focus when I'm writing, but I admit schoolwork is usually the first to go. Who needs grades when I'm about to write the kissing scene? I mean, really. :)

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  45. Christa Desir29 June 2011 at 20:00

    Funny. I never thought this would happen but I've actually skipped meals while writing. For shame.

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  46. Meredith29 June 2011 at 20:07

    Haha, this is why I kind of love living on my own. No one can see how lazy I am about everything else when I'm writing!

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  47. Pat Tillett29 June 2011 at 20:27

    That was pretty funny!
    I try to ignore everything, but nobody around here will let me.

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  48. Len Lambert29 June 2011 at 21:01

    LOL! Love this, hahaha! I ignore the dishes, the laundry and the cups all over the livingroom, haha!

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  49. Rosalind Adam29 June 2011 at 22:22

    I'm still struggling to get used to having Mr A round the house all day long now he's had an enforced early retirement. It has change my whole routine and I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on any writing because he keeps making me cups of tea and expecting me to sit and drink it with him! Men!!

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  50. Laura S.29 June 2011 at 22:41

    LoL!!! Talli! These are too funny. You're right about the chocolate. That's so me too!

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  51. Lani Wendt Young29 June 2011 at 23:35

    See Im the opposite - when Im writing...I clean up the house first. and keep getting up to do insanely IMPORTANT things like...fold laundry, straighten that bookshelf,rearrange that filing cabinet...But what I do let go to the dogs..is ME. My eyebrows grow ( in a freakishly frightening way), forget nice nails, mundane things like brushing my hair or actually getting out of my pyjamas...well, I become the writer slob of the century. But the house is sparkling!

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  52. William Kendall29 June 2011 at 23:59

    Tell us, how many cups are there?

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  53. Liz P30 June 2011 at 00:17

    I do get a bit absent-minded myself. Cup collection is a big one - mugs, glasses, soda cans. Sometimes I'll be good and clean up right away, other times I just let them pile up until I run out of space (which believe me happens pretty quick on my little desk).

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  54. MTeacress30 June 2011 at 01:45

    Hi Talli :)

    I love collecting phrases I find amusing, and since these have to do directly with you, they're even funnier. Reminds me about my daughter - she recently dropped her cell phone in water and lost all of the phrases she'd collected while eavesdropping. Isn't that sad? I was going to use some in my wip. *sigh*

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  55. Joyce30 June 2011 at 02:06

    Mt. Never-rest aka the laundry. Sometimes it just needs to be ignored.

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  56. Lisa30 June 2011 at 02:57

    lol. I ignore my bras that are strewn all over the bedroom, living room, kitchen . . . garden

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  57. Unknown30 June 2011 at 04:09

    I return the coffee cups to the sink so my butt doesn't go stagnant in my desk chair. Or else, I'd probably never leave it.
    Funny post, Talli!

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  58. Unknown30 June 2011 at 04:36

    LMAO This is great! It's a good thing the bathroom is downstairs or else I'd never leave my chair during writing time. And I, too have let collections build up on my desk like cans, cups and chocolate wrappers.

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  59. RaShelle Workman30 June 2011 at 05:20

    LOL. Talli those are awesome comments. Made me giggle. Except the spider. Gave me eew chills.

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  60. Madeline Ash30 June 2011 at 06:10

    Brilliant, Talli :) You clearly love your work, to not at least re-locate the spider! Overall, I tend not to notice how I look. I scramble out of bed, flop into the chair, and that's the end of reality...until my dear heart walks in, gives me a kiss, then asks if I'd like him to brush my hair. Hmph. Yes, but don't even suggest changing me out of my trackies...

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  61. Lacey Devlin30 June 2011 at 08:55

    LOL! Just keep on eye on that spider though...

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  62. Dean Crawford30 June 2011 at 10:00

    I ignore absolutely everything - not my fault, but have to wear earphones and listen to music to avoid being distracted by my better looking half, our daughter, the three cats.....

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  63. Ann30 June 2011 at 10:35

    I enjoyed that. Very Funny. Husband likes to state the obvious...You aren't dressed yet???

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  64. Anita Davison30 June 2011 at 10:55

    I empathise - my daughter walked in one day at 6.00pm and announced-'Now there's a woman who's been sitting on her arse for 12 hours' [I was still in my pj's - but the chapter got written]

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  65. Words A Day30 June 2011 at 12:17

    My lads usual comment is - I've been trying to ring you for hours, where's your mobile? (I dont know, it just goes on walkabout...) and some times I ignore nature calling and sit their typing with a scrunched up face and crossed legs...T.M.I.?:)!!

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  66. Jules30 June 2011 at 12:21

    ROFL, Mr. TR has a way with the obvious doesn't he?! I procrastinate so much anyway, writing cause no real surprises. :D
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  67. Anonymous30 June 2011 at 14:09

    There are days when I forget to comb my hair. That's when it gets really bad. :-)

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  68. Julie Flanders30 June 2011 at 17:16

    LOL, I love the chocolate on the face! Such a funny post, thanks for the smiles!

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  69. Olga30 June 2011 at 17:51

    How I love when there's someone rational in the family. But it's always difficult to decide how to answer their questions, because the answers don't fit logically.

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  70. LindyLouMac30 June 2011 at 18:08

    It is good to be back at last catching up with your blogging activities and knowing you will raise a smile, thanks Talli.

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  71. Golden Eagle30 June 2011 at 19:09

    LOL. The spider thing happened to me recently--I was writing away on the computer, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a cobweb spider creeping up the wall. But really, getting up to squash it when there's a really important scene going on? No way!

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  72. notesfromnadir30 June 2011 at 20:59

    Chocolate? Where did that come from?

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  73. notesfromnadir30 June 2011 at 21:01

    If you visit this place let us know!

    http://www.artisanduchocolat.com

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  74. Connie Arnold30 June 2011 at 21:19

    It's sure easy to ignore things when writing, but I could never ignore a spider on the wall behind me!

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  75. alexia1 July 2011 at 03:57

    Haha! I get like that, too. Except the spider part - I am terrified of them and must kill them immediately :)

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  76. Anonymous1 July 2011 at 06:57

    I am struggling for room on my desk to place my coffee cup at the moment LOL

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  77. Tonya Kappes1 July 2011 at 13:10

    Peeing!!!

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  78. Sangu Mandanna1 July 2011 at 22:16

    Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! LOVE Mr TR!

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Coffee and wine for all!

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