An old friend of mine says when you’re stuck, start with 1.
So.
1. I am feeling my age today. Not old, but not 20 either.
2. Age brings experience. Yesterday I put together my course syllabus for Saturday’s Constructing a Novel workshop and I realized that I do, actually and astonishingly, have experience. Which goes back to 1.
3. I am drinking coffee out of a mug large enough to require two handles. Bucket coffee is the best coffee.
4. I have started a tumblr blog having to do solely with my PhD work: reflections, writing, theory, etc. Boring to all but the geeks.
5. Since being made redundant, I have less time than ever before. I have scheduling conflicts happening in March.
6. Hope Powell was really lovely. S got a pic with her, though H seemed befuddled by all the attention. Mmm, sporty lesbo.
7. All our Christmas shopping was done last month. Including joke gifts which serve no purpose.
8. I’m presenting a paper in Belfast in April. Yes, I’m excited.
9. I’m presenting a paper at Notts Uni in June. On my birthday. Semi-excited.
10. I’ve had my 10th short story accepted for publication. Blood and Lipstick by Storm Moon Press will be out in the Spring. It’s time to jump to novel length. Size queen and all that, you know…
11. I am so utterly, beyond grateful for my friends and family, both near and far. The loving, the crazy, the gentle spirits, the toughies. All.
12. Grateful.
13. I still live in my head too much. Sometimes I forget to come out and join the world. I forget how to be social, how to look away when speaking so I don’t freak people out, how to actually see people instead of a blur under my thought projections. I’m working on this.
14. I have nice, big defensive walls. I let few people beyond the surface. But surface friends are good too, right?
15. I miss my spiritual side.
16. And the fact that you’re here. Well, without readers, writing is missing a partner. So thank you for coming here, for reading, for commenting, for interacting, for being part of my cyber-being. I need you and your perspective to broaden my horizon.
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I need that coffee cup.
Also, all of what you said. Yes.
works every time
and beautifully too
and just look at the wave you’ve started
well done and xoxo
indeed.
I listen.
You are entirely welcome. Thank you for having such a great blog. Good luck with those presentations.
Even though my brain doesn’t work right anymore, I’d still like to read your geek tumblr blog.
Hey Leslie! I’d love your comments on it. http://vaoldham.tumblr.com/
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thanks for sharing!
Thank you for writing words & sharing little bits of your life with all of us. You are truly an inspiration to me. All the best wishes & love to you.
aww, thanks Liz. That’s lovely. I love popping over to your blog and seeing the gorgeous pics you put up. Love the recent cherry one.
Hey Sis,
I liked all of your numbered items, but don’t have time to comment on all of them. So I have chosen a few:
#15 – I misread “I miss my spiritual side” as ” I miss my spatula” then saw the word “side” and realized I had misread.
Gotta love a good spatula, can’t make a good egg or pancake without one. But spiritual side…you misplace that and you may not realize it, but your peace of mind and wellbeing can be affected without you realizing it. Like dry rot you don’t notice it until the roof or floor caves in.
#5 – I know what you mean. I got more done when I was employed and had less free time.
#10 – Congratulations. ten stories! I have seen their website and some of their CFS and have been thinking about submitting to them. If only I could find plots to go with my characters.
#14 – RE: Walls. Having some kind of barrier between you and the chaos of the outside world– the forces that pull you in different directions, tie up your time and emotions, the dishonest people — can be a good thing. But if not monitored, they can keep out decent folks and also trap you inside and block your view of the world. Oooh the Lady Shalott just came to mind…shuffle.
Blessings to you and yours
Cheers and happy holidays! .
your little bro
Hey little bro.
15. I love a good spatula, though mine has melted slightly. And you’re right, that’s a roof I don’t want to cave in.
5. totally.
10. thanks.
14. I think my walls have misplaced chinks in them. They let unwanted outside sources in, and they keep me from things that might be good for me. Time to rebuild, I think.
HUGE hugs to you both and I hope you have an amazing holiday season.
Your coffee cup reminds me of Lee Evans.
You sound at peace. I’m glad
lol. I forgot about that part of his show. totally true.
I don’t know about peace, but content, anyway.
1. Lists beget lists.
2. I should be studying for my next actuary exam right now.
3. My coffee is in a small round cup, made by Campbells Pottery. Small cups keep ones drink hot just long enough to finish the cup.
4. I spent yesterday with my spouse, shopping at Boscov’s department stores, encouraging each other to make generous purchases for ourselves. I am certain that the last sentence will not pass the scrutiny of an editor.
5. My other recent technique for avoiding studying is knitting. Yesterday, I gifted one very long and ornately patterned scarf upon one wonderful friend who brings bags of yarn whenever she visits, and delivered a striped ear warmer to my painful yet compassionate electrolysist, who happens to be an avid runner. (Once again, I am happy that there is no chance of an editor reading these sentences. )
6. For Thanksgiving, our wonderful American holiday which is the envy of the world, we cooked for two days, then shared our meal with one old friend and one new friend.
7. We tell each other what we are thankful for every day.
8. Now I am going to study for real. Or maybe knit.
1. they do.
2. studying is overrated.
3. sounds adorable. I use huge cups because I drink so fast if I used a small one I’d never leave the kitchen.
4. that sounds like just the right way to shop. editorial scrutiny is forbidden on this blog.
5. knitting is a skill I admire greatly. Editorial scrutiny passed.
6. nice.
7. that’s awesome. grateful is as grateful does. or something.
8. knit and think about studying.