Tuesday 21 December 2010

No Place for Regret

Day Four: Six things you wish you’d never done.

I’m changing this (because I can) to six things I’d love to do but haven’t done yet, because this is not the place for regret.

I’ve wanted to go on a road trip across the United States forever. Almost. I’ve been obsessed with the US since I was about seven. It all began with Elvis and thinking New York was just across the water (as in, where Ireland is).

Learn to swim and have a swimming pool in my house. In fact, the only way I’ll learn to swim is if I build a swimming pool or if they clear the local baths of all spectators.

Dye my hair red. I’ve tried, trust me. But all I ever seem to get is a slight reddish cast, but then I haven’t tried for years and hair dyes appear to have improved. Of course, five minutes after it’s dyed red, I’ll probably decide I want to go back to my usual colour – dark brown.

Lose weight. Okay, I have lost weight only not right now. :P In fact, I once got down to 7 stone 12 lb by eating white food. I’m going to starve myself in 2011 and maybe I’ll eat all pink food. Yay, candy floss. In fact, if you hear mention of my licking chocolate on twitter – please employ some tough love and tell me to put the treat down and move away from the problem.

See one of my books on a shelf in a real brick and mortar store and not just because I’ve taken Strange Men out of my bag and put it there. Though I will resort to that if need be.

Place a short story with Weird Tales, Shimmer, Interzone, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and a ton of other places not yet won.

8 comments:

Fox Lee said...

I like your version : )

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

I agree with Nat. Great stuff, Cate! Just don't try writing and swimming at the same time and you'll be fine. And I'm certain you'll land a book in a brick and mortar store.

Danielle Birch said...

Road trips are the best. A road trip with red hair would be even better.

K M Kelly said...

Much more positive - prefer it. :-)

Katey said...

Yeah screw regrets, I don't believe in them.

It'd be awesome if you did the trip across the US. You have enough friends in odd cities that it wouldn't cost much! (And hey, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago--they're all linked up by very convenient trains!)

We need a good conference to tempt you, clearly!

Cate Gardner said...

Me too, Natalie :D

I wish you'd told me that earlier, Lee. My paper's all soggy.

Amen, Danielle.

Ha! Thanks, Kate.

Katey, I always fancy the one in Ohio. I imagine people would think it odd I was going there instead of New York or Vegas or Florida, and I like people to think I'm odd.

Aaron Polson said...

Regret is for people who learn nothing.

Yay for your version!

If you find yourself in Kansas on that trip (God, why would you?), we have a spare room.

Cate Gardner said...

Which hopefully isn't in the basement ;)