Some stuff from my last week in the states for a while. You’ve been real America. Totally real.

For more pictures check out picasa.

My main squeeze, and the reason I’m all the way out here in the dusty plains where no Irishman truly belongs…

It’s Kimberlee.

Love you Kimberlee.

It’s the love of my life Kimberlee! Yay!
She’ll be here with me until the morning of the 7th.
Thanks for coming to visit me Kimberlee, I love that you came over here to meet all my people.

National Novel Writing Month is held over the course of November, and you’ve got 30 days to write a 50,000 word novel.

I entered, with an idea that I’ve had for a while and I reached 50,000 words before midnight on November 30th.

The current title of the novel is

Of Dieselpunks and Detectives

I’m really jazzed about being a novelist and I am stoked that I managed to win my first time out.

What’s even better about all this though is that I have a finished novel. And after my sweetheart and I get done editing it we’re going to try and enter a contest to get a publishing deal. The deadline for that is fast approaching so I’m going to get working on some more editing.

Enjoy these little NaNoWriMo winners badges in the time being. Every time there’s one more book, the world is a little better off.

Excelsior!

Of course you do, if you know me at all I never shut up about her.
Today, the 12th, is our anniversary. On this day last year, we met in person for the first time.
You can go and look if you want, it’s all there in black and white. And colour. For the pictures…

Anyway today, on our anniversary, with the money for my ticket already sent, we bought my plane ticket.

Didn’t I say that I was going back? Didn’t I say that I’d save up and make it happen?
I saved up, I made it happen and I’m on my way.

Also Kimberlee is coming over to visit for New Years. If you’re interested in meeting her, as most of my readers probably are, drop me a comment below.

I love you Kimberlee. Happy Anniversary. We’ll be together soon.

The vote requires no registration, and you can vote once a day until the contest ends.
Every vote counts.

Good Mood Gig from SAM-e

I really miss Kimberlee. A lot.

I flew home today… Hardest thing I ever had to do. I love you Kimberlee.

Click through for trip pictures.

Over Ireland. Totally forgot to take a picture of Dublin airport. No such problems with immigration – Through in 15 seconds.

This is Kimberlee. You may have seen her before. I love her, and it’s very upsetting to leave her. That’s why I’ll be coming back in a few months to see her again. My last day with her hasn’t been anything spectacular, nor has it been thrilling… but it was nice. We had meatloaf for dinner. We made koolaid.

I love you Kimberlee, and I’ll be back in a couple of months.

I’ll be travelling tomorrow, and most likely lasting into Thursday. Keep an eye out for updates mentioning @themadcarpenter on twitter. I’ll try and get someone to update for me. See you all on the other side.

Under the pier at Huntington Beach. The Pacific is cold.

They were selling this in a real store. Next to the Ever clear.

We watched the tide come in to destroy this sandcastle. We witnessed the exact high point in the tide. It swept in, filled the moat then backed away. It was beautiful.

Desert. Nom nom nom.