CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

So, a lot has happened in the last few weeks, and I'm now in the middle of some pretty heavy exam prep. The short version? I now have a lot more time to spend with the family and to write and study. My son became ill, and recovered, but he gave us a fright. I also have four assessments/exams starting in four days' time. Which brings me to NaNoWriMo... I know, crazy, right? Why put myself under the pressure of writing 50,000 words in what will be around 15 days, when I'm under enough pressure already? Because I don't have to start until after exams, because I don't have to succeed, because I wanted to have a reason to focus on one project while I got back into the swing of writing, because I write to relax, because I'll need a break from spring cleaning and gardening, and because 3,500 words a day isn't that much, when there's little else on. So, no pressure at all. Anyway, that's it in a nutshell. I'll post more on the 13th or 14th of Novembe

This great pied cormorant was sunning itself on a riverbank on a cold spring morning in Canberra. It wasn't overly fond of the camera, but it waited until I stopped taking photos before flying away. I've seen him frequenting the local lake, so I'll try for some clearer shots as we come into summer. You can find out more about great pied cormorants from the following sites: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Phalacrocorax-varius ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_pied_cormorant ; http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/bird-profile/pied-cormorant ; http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3677 .