Monday, January 2, 2012

Resolutions and Hoops


I shouldn't be here.  My mum is staying, and she can't understand the lure of the computer and the typing of lovely words.  I haven't done any writing at all since just before Christmas, which is unheard of.  What if I've forgotten how to do it?  

I have this horrible feeling that if I don't write every day my creative muscle will grow weak and flabby - I need to exercise it and get it toned up again (a bit like the rest of me).

My New Year's writing resolution is to increase my output in 2012 and to stop worrying about 'the market' so much as it freezes me up, but I've lots of catching up to do already.

Talking of exercise, we've been hula-hooping like mad.  Or trying to.  

It started as a laugh, but I'm getting frustrated now.  Lovely daughter makes it look simple, and can practically read a book at the same time. My mum's got the hang of it and she's nearly 70, but me?  

Let's just say Lovely Daughter's threatened to film me and put the results on You Tube, she finds my efforts so hilarious.   It's like I'm fighting the Invisible Man - badly - while rotating my hips like granny on the dance-floor, as the hoop lies listlessly round my feet.

Tips anyone?

And if you think there's a story in it do let me know.  I haven't got time to be creative - I need to put the kettle on.

26 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

The hula hoop is great exercise! Enjoy your mother's visit. I lost my mom one year ago on New Year's Day, and what I'd give to have her here right now to share a pot of tea.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

What a great way to exercise - love the photo! I haven't tried it since a child (too long ago) but will be getting back to dancing.

I'm sure your muse will be ready and waiting for you - all the best for 2012.

Sherri said...

I could never get the hang of the hula hoop either - though it might be worth giving it another go as I could just rest it on my enormous stomach. If anyone asks me when the baby's due I've decided to take it as a compliment on my youthful looks rather than an insult. When was the last time anyone gave birth to an 8lb mince pie anyway?

As far as the writing muscle goes, worry ye not. Given the metaphorical six-pack you've developed over the years it will take more than a couple of weeks off to damage it. xx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

So funny! I can't imagine that I'd be any better at hula hooping either.

Happy New Year to you x

Kath said...

I thought that was you in the picture, Karen! xx

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

The hula hoop takes me back a few years! Is it back in fashion now? It is definitely good excercise! I'm sure you'll get back to writing loads very soon.

Diane Fordham said...

Sounds like a fun way to exercise. Do let me know if you appear on You Tube, lol. x

Chris Stovell said...

I can't get the hang of it either! I'm inspired to have another go, thanks to your post! After a guest-filled Christmas and New Year, I also need to exercise my writing muscles. I'll think of you!

Anna Scott Graham said...

Oh I know there's a story in all that swooping. Over a cuppa I'm sure it'll appear! Wishing you many words and much peace in 2012!

Amanda said...

I need a little hula-hoop for my creative muscle at the moment :-)

I'll look forward to seeing you on You Tube :-)

Denise said...

I seem to remember that for hula hoops it was all about keeping a steady rhythm and moving a lot quicker than seemed possible at first!

Hope you get some time to write this week. You're well rested creatively, not going flabby!

DAB said...

Hmmmm, isn't hula hooping an Olympic sport? And the gold medal goes to Classy Clarkey from Team GB. Hip, Hip, Horray! ;-)

Creativity needs to be fed methinks.Eat chocolate :) Tommox

Lydia said...

Bother ye not about creativity - it'll come back. I had loads of probs with it this year after Mum died, but it's back, although I too didn't exercise that writing muscle over Christmas/New Year. I'm sure having a break from writing makes you all the more keen. That's my theory anyway (she says tucking into more chocolate - like the feeding idea TF!)
Happy New Year Karen. Hope 2012 brings you whatever you're wishing for! x

Jenny Beattie said...

Our family was hula hooping mad last year. Not so much during the year though... I have never been able to keep the hoop up until last year when I check out some 'how to' vids on YouTube. I know tragic, isn't it? But don't think I haven't asked google what I should do with my life either....

broken biro said...

Good luck getting back into the creative flow! - I'm terrible if I break off for a few days and end up doing anything but writing... erm... like reading blogs *blushes*

Jean said...

Enjoyed your post, Karen. I used to have a big red hula hoop when I was a kid (a long time ago). I got really good at it, though whether or not I could still do it now is a different matter. I didn't know hula hoops were still around. I could do with one now for excercise. I used to be stick-thin but that was once upon a time.

Kath McGurl said...

I can do it. I can't tell you how - not because I'm sworn to secrecy or anything, but because I can't explain it. It just happens. Like writing, on a good day!

Good plan to stop fretting about the market, at least when it comes to novels - you have to just write what you want to write and enjoy it.

Anna May said...

Wishing you a great New Year Karen amd happy hooping!
Anna May x

Anna May said...

Wishing you a great New Year Karen amd happy hooping!
Anna May x

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Once upon a time I could hula hoop with the best of them. These day, sadly, I'm so fat it just sort of wedges onto my hips :0(

XX

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,
I don't think they make the hoops as heavy as they used to... That's why they drop down round your ankles. I've nominated you with a versatile blogger award. If you don't want it that's o.k. Just to let you know that I think you're versatile.

Ann said...

I love hula hooping. It is great fun. Think of it like this....your might just become the next best You Tube star!!!

Enjoy your Mum's visit. Look forward to reading more in the New Year and yes I think there is a story here. :)

Karen said...

Karen - I'm hoping I'll soon have abs of steel! I thoroughly enjoyed my mum's visit, and am really sorry about your loss xx

Rosemary - My muse finally put in an appearance thank goodness, and I've been quite productive. I've also mastered the hula-hoop!

Bernadette - That made me laugh (in a nice way!)and thank you for being so lovely about my writing muscle (that sounds wrong.)

I've actually got the hang of hula-hooping now - the secret was buying a bigger, heavier hoop that gave me massive bruising on my hips. Not sure it was worth it.

Debs - I got the hang of it in the end, but the novelty's already wearing off!

Kath - But it is! Okay it's not, but she does look very happy :o)

Pat - I'm not sure it's in fashion, it was my mum who started it all by demanding a hoop for Christmas as part of her new keep-fit routine. She puts us all to shame!

Chris - The secret was a bigger, heavier hoop which is easier to keep up. In case you still fancy it :o)

Anna - I'm determined to write one! A very happy New Year and plenty of cuppas to you too :o)

Amanda - If I ever turn up on You Tube I'll deny it's me! Although I've got the hang of it now so it might not be quite so funny :o)

Denise - It was weird how it suddenly clicked into place once I'd got a bigger hoop (though I'm sure something else clicked out of place!) I was addicted for about a week, but am losing interest now.

Tommo - If it WAS an Olympic sport I could enter now as I'm rather good (if I say so myself.) Had terrible bruising for about a week but, as they say 'no pain, no gain.' On second thoughts, I'd rather not have the pain ...

Lydia - It's true that Real Life can suck away creativity at times. I seem to have got back into the swing of things now though, and hope that you have too. (In fact I know you have, I've just downloaded your e-book :o))

Jenny - We were checking them out on You Tube too, but everyone seemed to do it differently! Now I've cracked it perhaps I should post a 'how-to' video. On the other hand, maybe I won't.

Broken Biro - I actually missed not writing, but have got back into it now ... when I'm not hula-hooping of course :o)

Jean - I remember hula-hooping when I was young, and got so mad that I couldn't do it now! I managed to get the hang of it in the end, but my daughter can do it for half an hour straight without stopping!

womagwriter - I can do it too now! I'm ridiculously pleased with myself. I really don't know what I started doing differently, though I did buy a heavier hoop, which helped.

Am writing and enjoying it again too :o)

Anna May - Thank you, and to you too. Maybe not the hooping ...

Suzanne - That did make me laugh! And I'm sure it's not true. Took me AGES, but I got the hang of it in the end. I just need to learn how to write at the same time now.

Susanjanejones - That's exactly it! I bought a heavier hoop in the end, and got the hang of it almost straight away.

Thank you so much for the award, by the way :o)

Ann - Once I got the hang of it I couldn't stop, but I think I'm getting sick of it now! I'm determined to get a story out of it though :o)

Fionnuala said...

I CANNOT hula hoop and never have been able to... But I am back blogging so pop over and see me... X

Cait O'Connor said...

How's it going? Round and round?

And the writing?

Karen said...

I've had a look for you Fionnuala, but can't find you! What am I doing wrong?

Cait - It is and I am :o)