I'd like to say there's light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm afraid to say it out loud. The Universe has a way of taking a swipe at me if I dare express satisfaction with how my life is going.
After 3 weeks, I'm emerging from about my 5th upper respiratory infection since October. This one was bad - had to bow out of singing in a big concert, and even had to forego a long-planned, 10-day vacation in the Four Corners area of the Southwest. I stayed home while my husband and son left without me. I just couldn't contemplate getting on a plane, sick as I was. My nursing-student daughter dropped in on me occasionally to make sure I was getting my daily requirement of screwdrivers - er, orange juice - and chicken soup. And the dogs kept me warm.
I'm beginning to feel human again, and looking forward to spending next week in Houston at the mayhem better known as the annual Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. My paycheck arrived in the mail today, so I will be able to afford my bar tab. Small blessings.
The harsh reality is, the vast majority of writers have to put up with a Day Job in order to afford to pursue their dreams. I'm no exception. I do technical and web content writing on a contract basis, which pays well but the work can be sporadic. This year, I'm fortunate (whispering again so the Universe doesn't hear me) to have found a job that I can do part time from home, leaving me rested and free to write more. There's nothing like an hour-long commute to kill any creative urge you might have! Now my commute is from my bed, to the coffee maker, to the laptop. Shower is optional.
Staying home last week recovering was probably another blessing - it gave me extra time to get my stuff together for RT. Now this week I can relax - mostly - knowing that all I need to do is throw a few more things in the suitcase and I'll be good to go. The last time I was in Houston for an RT, we had tornadoes, which we observed - of course - from the bar. Through huge plate-glass windows. We figured if things got really bad, we could hide behind the bar, where at least we could pour ourselves a last drink before we died. It didn't come to that, fortunately.
This year I'm entering into the spirit of RT and bringing costumes. One for the Vampire Ball, and one for the Faery Ball.
Yes, friends, I'm now the owner of a pair of lime-green faery wings and a tiara. You may now point and laugh. Go ahead, I'll wait.
I'm going as the Housework Faery, and I plan to flit about the party, using a cauldron and a feather duster to sprinkle clean-house dust on the heads of anyone who wishes to come home to a clean house after the convention. Hey, we can all dream.
I also tried my hand at jewelry making, putting together a matching set of earrings and a necklace made with blood-red Swarovski crystals. I'm all thumbs when it comes to fine motor work but they didn't turn out half bad.
My new MySpace page didn't turn out half bad, either! It was pretty aggravating putting it together, but I'm a bit OCD when it comes to solving puzzles. Check it out, and I'd love it if you'd friend me!
17 April 2007
Crud, cash, and crystals - oh MySpace!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
Glad to see you're feeling better and I wish you the best for a good healthy year ahead of you
:)
S.J.
Thanks, SJ, I'm so ready for a little health, for a change. :D
Indeed, I can't wait to get home to write much of the time. My exercise waits while I write. I forget to eat, stay up too late, run to the bathroom when sitting is not longer an option. Writing is that which both masks and reveals all pain and discomfort, converts all experience to art or trash, depending on the reader.
My students often hear me say they are on their own, I have a play to finish.
My family hears me say someone needs to take over the stirfry, I have an essay in my head.
My wife often hears me say, "Hold on. That gives me an idea."
And they do, all of them.
Bless them, all of them.
Hi Adamus! I'm so glad to see you here. :)
Without my family here with me last week, I missed a lot of meals! I'd go to work in the morning, then look up and realize the sun had gone down and I hadn't had lunch or dinner.
Last fall I forgot to take my son to high school orientation because I was working on something. After that I started using an electronic PDA that will beep at me when it's time for me to go somewhere!
Post a Comment