December 1, 2009
I have survived another year of NaNo and did quite better than I expected. Three first drafts done and over 200k total words.
Now I'm facing the end of the year problems -- what do I need to finish before midnight on December 31st? Two outlines and a short story for certain. There's bound to be a little bit more floating around out there. Even so, it's going to be a relatively easy month, I think.
I've been cleaning up the house today. That's been a nice break from the computer. Don't worry; it won't happen too often.
And time to get back to work on things.
December 2, 2009
I am having a horrible time getting back to real work today! I did better yesterday than I have so far today. Not good. I need to get some writing done. And some work for DAZ. I've messed around with a lot of stuff today, but not really gotten very far.
and I better get this posted and get to work on something! I've managed a few notes for In The Shadow of Giants, but not much else today!
December 3, 2009
It snowed today. Not a lot, but steady throughout the day. Lucky that most of it didn't stick yet. Still, it's cold here and I'm already having trouble dealing with it. I get the feeling we're looking at a long winter.
Russ is on Skype now, so I'm going to talk with him for a while and then maybe play with some graphic stuff. I'm playing with the updates for Vision, too -- which reminds me! Must go answer some emails! Ack!
But anyway, winter is here. It's supposed to really snow on Sunday and Monday and not more than about 35F for the rest of the time. I'll be hiding out in my office and under the blankets in bed!
December 4, 2009
It snowed some more, just enough to give a slight white covering to everything. And it's cold. I am not fond of cold. I've mentioned that, right?
Edmond and Zaphod are especially bad about cold. If it drops down below 50f they're little balls of 'hold me I'm cold!' fur. Right now, they're both curled up together on the desk, and neither of them are happy. It's not even that cold in here, but they're convinced it's freezing.
I am mostly working on Vision stuff today. Yes, this early. And trying to get some more articles for it, too. We'll see how that goes!
So now, off to do more of that work, and then get the 2YN stuff posted.
And try to stay warm.
December 5, 2009
I have spent today working on an Excel sheet and making back ups of files to discs. Not a bad way to spend the day, in fact. Kind of peaceful and not a lot going on. I did work on some Vision stuff too, and a little writing -- but not much yet. I need to get back to that soon.
It's supposed to snow tomorrow -- at least last time I looked that's what it said. Yes, it's still there in the forecast. And more next week, including a very windy day on Wednesday. That's going to be miserable.
We'll just not think about now.
Right.
Time for me to get back to work, I think!
December 6, 2009
It's snowing, going to snow, going to snow some more with wind.
My, this just sounds like all kinds of fun for the next few days.
I am having all kinds of trouble concentrating today. My head is just pounding and it's probably weather related. I'm not happy about it. I need my mind back so that I can get some work done.
Other than that -- nothing more to say. I want to get this posted and see if I can get back to work on the short story for a while!
December 7, 2009
I almost forgot to do this. I've mostly been working on the outline and background stuff today, and it just got past me. It's odd. I keep having flashing of scenes for this story, but I still can't quite see the whole of it.
So I'm taking the little HP pocket computer to bed with me and doing a few notes. That's helped before.
By the time I get back up tomorrow, the snow storm should have really hit. I'm sure it will be pretty. That's the best I can say about it.
I'm ready to go sleep now.
December 8, 2009
Yes, the storm did hit, though not as badly as others have gotten hit. I'm not happy with the idea of getting up and scooping it in the morning, but I'll have to face it.
My back already hurts. No, really, it does. I think a nice warm bath might be just want I need tonight.
I have decided that In the Shadow of Giants is not going to be ready by January 1. I'm moving it to the March slot. This is another novel I just don't want to rush. I have a wonderful little YA mystery I can do in January.
Having decided this has already helped. I have slowed down in my research and I'm taking my time to really think this out. It is going to go much better now.
And, you know, the weather is good for it. Lots of snowy, white cold stuff. Research, shoveling the snow in the morning. Right.
December 9, 2009
It has been so cold that I really didn't want to do much of anything today. I was in hibernate mode, but I fought it all day.
And I just blew a fuse in the house, so that the front half of the house is dead. So now I'm in a bad mood. I am going to go to bed and think good thoughts about tomorrow.
December 10, 2009
I have warmth again. I also realized I screwed up badly and didn't get some important work done. I'm pounding away at it now, but I fear it's just going to be late.
Sigh.
So, back to work. Almost 1 am. I think I'm going to have to drop a note to them and say it will be late on Friday this time.
December 11, 2009
I really don't think I need to say anything more. The birds were funny today.
December 12, 2009
At the moment, I am fighting with a new idea that just popped into my head for a novel. Maybe a novel series. Do I really need a new novel or novel series? Eeek. But there it is, gnawing away at my brain and trying to take my focus from other things.
Not that it's hard because my focus hasn't been on other things very much anyway. Maybe this is why. Maybe there was a story already starting to settle in there and it was already blocking other work. I might as well let it come out and play, right?
I think I'll just go take some notes now....
December 13, 2009
I'm still playing with the new story idea. I know the basics of my main character and a lot about his work and the problems that face his world. I even have one scene set up. I think I'm going to like it. I need to work out the tech side, but mostly it's looking pretty good.
And that's my big news for the day. I really don't have anything else going on. I'm going to get this posted and take care of a few more things before I just call it a night!
December 14, 2009
Here we are, basically half way through the month already. This is going quickly. Too quickly, I suspect. We'll see how I do for the rest of it, but I'm starting to look around and get that -- ummm... you need to finish stuff -- feeling.
I have put up the sign up for the latest 2YN class. I almost didn't do it this year. Worn down, really. But that was an attitude problem about nearly everything. I'm happy that I have it up.
And now I have to start getting things ready to go for it. It won't be too hard, really.
But one more thing to add to the list!
December 15, 2009
It's cold. It's miserable. It's going to be a very LONG winter.
Can I have spring now?
Or at least a warm office where my fingers aren't freezing?
Ugh.
I did get some work done today, though! So all is not completely lost.
December 16, 2009
Ugh. Can I just leave it at that and move on?
There is nothing going on here. I did finish a short story today. Russ and I have been watching shows each night -- him in New York State, me here -- and talking about them afterwards. We accidentally got two copies of the second half of the first season of Mod Squad, so when he's in a hotel, we try to watch a show. Then we talk about it on Skype. It's fun.
And that's about all the fun I can think of right now. I am in an increasingly bad mood and trying to fight it.
Just get me past the holidays. I'll be better afterwards again.
December 17, 2009
Newsletter done. That's good. I hope to get a couple more things finished up tonight, too. But right now. just get this posted and move on -- because I really, truly have nothing to say. It's been a long, dull day. Warmer than it had been, at least. I have a cold. I don't want a cold, but there it is.
Russ may be home on the 26th for a few days. I hope so! That would be so nice!
But right now... time to get back to work on other things!
December 18, 2009
It's been another long day of work, work, work -- but I think I've gotten a few things done and moving in the right direction for 2010. I just need to make it through a few more days of 2009. There are times when I think this is looking pretty dire, though. (grin)
Too much to do, too little time.
But I think Russ and I have a plan for next year, so we'll see how it goes. I'm really going to have to work to get the stuff ready, though. But that's not a surprise -- I seem to have a lot of stuff like that going on.
Tomorrow is Vision work -- lots and lots of Vision work, I think. I still have some contracts and payments to get out.
But right now... bed. I'm pretty tired!
Russ should be home in a week on the day after Christmas. Let's hope it goes well. This time of year... but we'll, see. I need to think good thoughts.
And sleep.
December 19, 2009
I did a lot of cleaning, cataloging and generally odd stuff today, besides working on the In the Shadow of Giants outline and stuff for Vision. A good amount of work done all around.
So, I'm going to crawl off into bed. Tomorrow I finish up a couple other things and the last bits on the Newsletter.
All in all, it's going pretty well.
I don't trust it.
December 20, 2009
Not a whole lot to say again tonight. I'll be happy when the holidays are past so I can stop feeling like I'm missing out on something. Once they're past, I'll be fine.
I did do a lot of library cleaning today. It looks much better in there, but still quite a ways left to go!
Russ should be home next week by this time. I sure hope the weather is good for us, and that other things go well. I'm looking forward to seeing him again!
So that's it. The year is almost over. I need to get moving on a few things!
December 21, 2009
The news I have been dreading has hit. There is going to be a huge storm over the next few days. I kept hoping for a nice quiet holiday weekend, but that's not going to happen. And that means Russ might not make it home on Saturday. Maybe Sunday instead, which isn't so bad, but still... he couldn't make it home for Christmas because he couldn't get a flight. So I'm annoyed about every day we miss, since we have so few together.
Not in the best of moods tonight....
December 22, 2009
The weather isn't looking any better. Sigh.
You know what happens when I'm in a bad mood? I clean house.
Maybe I need to be in a bad mood more often. It's amazing what a difference It can make.
This is the current Winter Storm Warning:
.A Once In A
Quarter Century Storm Will Move Onto The Plains
Wednesday And Wrap Up And Intensify Into Thursday. A Large Area Of
Mainly Snow... Heavy At Times... Will Lift North Into The Tri State Area
Wednesday Afternoon Into Wednesday Evening. By Thursday Morning The Wind
Will Become More Northerly And Increase With Gusts Of 30 To 40 Mph
Likely. With A Widespread 10 To 20 Inches Of Snow... Significant Blowing
And Drifting Will Occur On Thursday Into Friday.
The problem is that Russ, trying to fly out on Saturday, will be getting the storm on the East Coast.
Blah. Well, we'll see what happens!
December 23, 2009
No the weather is not looking any better. I'm trying to ignore it. I don't think that's going to work for long, though. it's really turning bad out there.
I'm just going to go to bed and pretend like it's all fine. I sure hope people don't have a lot of trouble with this. I hate to see people's plans ruined for the weather.
Thinking good thoughts
December 24, 2009
Thank you, Nancy, for the wonderful treats! They made my day! And some of them may survive long enough for Russ to have some too! (grin)
Why yes, we do have snow. Lots and lots and lots of snow. And cold. And wind. And we're going to have it all through Christmas Day and into Saturday. I feel sorry for all the people who have had to drop their plans for the holidays.
I'm just hanging out in the house. I'm not even going to scoop snow until it stops snowing. I think that'll be about March, right?
I'm just heading for bed now.
Hope everyone has a happy holiday!
December 25, 2009
Yes, a lot of snow. And it's still snowing tonight. I have a massive drift in front of the house. Russ says he'll scoop it out when he gets home. We're still hoping for tomorrow, but...
Well, we'll see. The wind has died down tonight, at least., though I think it's supposed to kick back up again. Here are pictures from the last few days:
http://www.zettesworld.com/storm122309.htm
Hope everyone had a nice holiday despite the weather!
December 26, 2009
Russ is about two hours from home. The roads aren't as bad as he feared they would be, but he did get stuck in traffic because of one accident. He's past that, and we can hope that he can make it in about two hours. Yay!
And he'll be home for a week! That's going to be so much fun!
So, off I go to get some more stuff done before he gets here.
Yay!
December 27, 2009
Russ is home and we're having a nice time. Yay! It's good to have him here for a few days.
He's already fixed my computer, too. This is so nice!
Off I go... no time to spend here!
December 28, 2009
Having a good time. Finally saw the Star Trek movie -- that was more fun than I expected.
But that's about all to report for today. It's nearly midnight and I'm just dead on my feet. I'm going to go to bed early!
December 29, 2009
It's white. Russ is here. It's cold
Pretty much the same thing as the last few days.
(grin)
December 30, 2009
I am just running out of time. Eek. Lots to get done over the next couple days, and I don't want to do any of it. Bad attitude for the end of the year and the near start of another one.
But we'll get there.
December 31, 2009
Russ and I made a quick, late afternoon trip to De Soto and back. That was really a lot of fun. It was lovely there today. And it was nice and warm in the car. It was a cold day out there.
Russ and I are about to have our lovely little New Year's Eve celebration -- what we have done for years (when Russ is here). We sit down with cheese and crackers and we each alternate picking a show to watch. I know, it doesn't sound all that great -- but we have a huge video collection and it's a lot of fun.
So, time to go get read for it!
Have fun, everyone. See you next year!