It's the seventh day of the October Novel Dare and I'm almost at 1000 words a day. I hope to push out at least a 1000 more tonight after this evenings tutoring session. Since the beginning of this month I've been wearing my "geek key" around my neck whenever I'm awake: it's my talisman and albatross.

I love this challenge. It's combination of support and competition has pushed me to get to it. I'm hoping it establishes a habit.

Also, creeping out of the stone age of dial-up modems to cable. As both Marcel and I are relative computer idiots, it's a big step.

For the novel, I've had to bone up on physics--that's the extent of research needed for my "easy little SF novel"--and it's extensive. I might just keep it limited to mechanics and electricity, but we'll see.

What really excites me is the outline for the whole deal I finally concluded yesterday. (Yay, I get to include alchemy!)

Yoga is keeping the body limber as I become more and more deeply involved with the novel, and Marcel is keeping it nourished (he won't let me get away with "some bread or something"--we had curry last night).

The first 24-hour rain spell (reminding all us Vancouverites what lVancouver weather is really like, with such a resplendant summer we almost forgot) dispersed this morning so I can cycle to the next lesson.

Enough for now.