ROW80 Round 5 - 16th Update

No new paintings this week, but I have been doing more writing on my main WiP, which makes me happy. I think the enthusiasm for the other Shiny New Idea that was bugging me might be dying off, or at least waning slightly. I am glad about this, because it's one of those stories that, even though you enjoy/feel the need to write it, you know it isn't particularly good. I still hadn't even come up with a plot, so without that, it was only a matter of time before I ran out of steam. I'm not discarding it entirely - just putting it away in case some of it can be salvaged in the future - but for now it seems that story idea has run its course. I spent some time rereading what I had for Dark and Silent Waters while listening to the playlist I put together for that story, and slowly the ideas have started percolating again. So far I've probably only done around 500 words a day, but I feel like I'm starting to get back into the right mindset for it again (I also finished two chapters that just needed one small scene, but those are for later in the story; still need to finish the first few chapters). Does anyone else have certain songs/music types that help them get into writing mode?

On the exercise front I've been doing okay. I've taken His Judgemental Lordship for a walk every day this week except Wednesday - just around the block, along part of the railway line and back - to give us both some fresh air. Walking doesn't seem to do my knees too much harm unless I'm doing it for more than an hour. Unfortunately my knee has been playing up a bit lately (not the one I dislocated last year by walking, the other one, which I've dislocated 5+ times at karate over the years. Yeah, I really need to sign up for bionic legs or something). I'm hoping that with a bit more exercise and strengthening activity I can hold it off doing anything horrible, but I've been getting that achy, wobbly feeling in it I always get right before it craps itself.

Haven't been swimming but I have been using the exercise bike, which is funny because for some reason Rex is terrified/infuriated by the WHIRRRRRR! noise it makes and he runs around in circles yowling at me the whole time I'm using it. The other day, I realised how unfit I really am, not just in terms of physical strength but also my cardiac system. I had to run a few blocks to catch a train because I was running late (only just made it), and while I would have done that without breaking a sweat a few years ago, by the time I staggered onto the train I was gasping and wheezing like a beached whale. My knees will probably prevent me from becoming as fit as I used to be, but I need to become far fitter than I am now, that's for sure (though I know some people who get winded walking from their armchair to the fridge and back, which makes me feel better about myself).

No, Judgemental Dog, you will not distract me with your charm!

See how other ROW80ers are faring here.