January 1, 2009
Let's just pretend like I didn't forget to post on the very first day of the year, shall we? I'm really writing this on the 1st, or very early on the 2nd. Really.
The first was not a good day for me. I had work to get done and so many things went wrong that I didn't get half done of what I needed to. But, with Mar's help, we finally got things working by the end.
I started a new book, but I haven't gotten very far.
I'm hoping the second will be better.
January 2, 2009
The new Two Year Novel Course is off and running as of today. That was what took a lot of the work last night and put me in such a bad mood. And ill. I was really ill by the time we got it up and going. My writing really took a beating on the first day of the year. I haven't really gotten to it yet today, but I hope to make a little bit of inroads this time.
My plan was to start out with a writing 'bang' this year, but that didn't happen at all! I am only half way to what I wanted for the first day. It was really upsetting me, but better to fall behind at the start of the year than at the end. I'll get better.
January 3, 2009
I did that pictures as part of a larger work. I thought it turned out well, too. I really like it.
I got quite a bit done today, but still not enough. I hope tomorrow to get caught up on writing, too. Let's hope, because this is not a good way to start out the year.
Draw the Line is going pretty well though, even if it is slow. I am getting the feel of it. I hope to really fly soon.
But right now... sleep again!
January 4, 2009
I finally got some work done today, which has put me in a slightly better mood at least! I'm still way behind on too many things, but I almost feel as though there is a chance I could catch up next week. That would be so great!
The new novel is about 3k long -- moving slowly, but very well. The rewrite of Glory has lost about 3k in the first three chapters, so that's really good! And the final edit of Such Gifts as These is moving along at a nice 5 pages per day. I'm pretty much on schedule with everything.
This won't last for long, of course. We should all enjoy this moment of 'zette at peace' while we can.
And Hi Nancy! Thanks for pointing out the problem!
It's late. I want to go sleep now!
January 5, 2009
Somehow I am managing to keep my intended word count up to about 3k a day. This hasn't been easy. I really thought I would be doing better after the first of the year, but things actually started going worse. I'm not sure why.
I need to get my brain focused on something fun again. I think a lot of the problem is that I've been stuck in this house since the first week of November, and really even when Russ was here we didn't go anywhere except to the store, so... I guess it's been since early October. That's just too long.
I fell today and my leg, arm and neck hurt like hell now. I've managed to work through it, but now I'm heading for bed where I intend to read for a while and then sleep for a couple days. Or at least until I can move my leg without grimacing each time.
But hey, the writing is going pretty well. Wish I could get time to do some art... but I'll get there.
January 6, 2009
I got quite a bit of writing done today. I’m behind on a couple things, but over all, it's going pretty well for a change. Not that it will last, but for a day or two... yeah, I could stand to feel like I'm actually getting things done.
My leg hurts. I have a wonderful bruise on my knee. Not really happy with that or the pain, but I don't think it's going to last for long.
I would really like to do some art work tonight since I'm about caught up, but I'm not sure I can get my brain around the idea. I can't get my brain around much of anything, in fact. Okay. Let's just post this so it's done and just decide to do something.
January 7, 2009
My leg is killing me tonight. And I'm tired. I'm going to bed and hope that tomorrow works out better. I didn't get nearly as much done as I hoped, but maybe I'll do better after a nice long sleep.
That's how tired I am. Sleep is all I can write about. Time to head for bed!
January 8, 2009
Yes, another really, really worn out night. I did get a lot of great stuff done today, and I think the work is going to make future work even easier, so I'm happy about that.
Writing is going pretty well.
And you know, it's not so bad to be tired. I don't mind crawling into bed and just going to sleep rather than tossing and turning.
So... night world!
January 9, 2009
So, another late night. But I got a lot of work done, and everything is really looking pretty good. Why don't I trust it?
It snowed today. We probably have about two inches. That's all right -- it was looking pretty dingy before this, so I'm happy -- though I might be less so if I have to go out and shovel tomorrow. We'll see. Maybe I'll just not go out at all. Until spring.
Zaphod has a cold. I've been giving him medication, and he seems to be doing better. I hope he gets back to being himself soon. Poor guy.
I am looking forward to spring again. I just feel like a lump sitting here in the house this winter. Spring, walk, Really.
And that's it. It's nearly two in the morning, and I really want to get some sleep again!
January 10, 2009
I played with zoo photos for a little while tonight. That was really enjoyable. I've been printing out 8 by 10s of some of them, and wow... nice printer. Lovely pictures. Wish I had a wall for them, but they're still nice in the notebook I put together.
Writing is going well, too. I almost felt, for a few minutes there today, as though I was getting caught up on stuff. Then I looked around and realized I was just kidding myself. It was still a nice feeling for a moment, though.
I finished reading Oedipus the King (Sophocles) today. It ends on a famous line that I didn't know came from that play. I'm not reading these very fast, but I am getting through it all. It's funny to see all the little tags sticking out from the pages, though.
It's late now. I need to get some sleep and get up tomorrow and... start over.
January 12, 2009
I've been in a picture mood for the last few days. Since I can't get anywhere to take them, I've been playing with the zoo photos instead. Having a good time of it, too. They're looking very nice. I've printed off about six of them.
This is part of my attempt this year to branch out slightly, to find new things to do. Playing with graphic stuff of all sort is the best thing since it doesn't require me to go and get anything. I've thought of other crafts and such, but really this seems to be the best idea.
There is supposed to be snow later tonight. I just looked at the radar map for the area and it was completely clear. What snow?
Then I looked at the regional map.
Oh.
That snow. Okay. Yeah, that's heading this way, and it's such a huge line that I can't see how it can miss us at all. Figures. I went out and scooped sidewalks today. Should have just waited a while longer.
Like until spring.
That's it. Nothing more to write about!
January 13, 2009
We had a cold day. It's actually warmer now at 9:30 pm then it was all day. But we are looking at very cold weather tonight. It's a good night not to have to go anywhere, though the cold isn't supposed to hit until about 4 am and go through all day tomorrow. Yuck. -30 wind chills. I may not leave bed. There can't be any good reason to get up in weather like that.
January 14, 2009
I'm sitting here watching the temp drop and drop and drop... and I thought I would get this done early so that I don't have to worry about it later, when I might want to crawl into bed and not come back out until spring.
I'm reading Sophocles' Antigone. Interesting story. I didn't really think that I would enjoy the Greek Plays so well, but so far there have only been a couple that I didn't much like. I'm reading five pages or so a day. It seems to be going well.
The writing is going better, too. I think the two are related. Russ has always said that when I get caught up in one thing, it spreads over to my writing -- especially when it comes to reading or seeing some show that sparks my interest. Once I get excited about one thing, I get excited about a lot of things. He's right.
So off I go to read the rest of my play for the day. Then I'll write the rest of the words I need, and then maybe I'll do some art.
As long as I don't freeze along the way.
January 15, 2009
It's too cold! Just too cold and I've lost the ability to think about anything except that it's TOO COLD!
I hate cold weather.
I'm going to go crawl into bed and sleep until it hits somewhere over 10f. It's supposed to go all the way to 22f tomorrow. Let's hope. Otherwise, there's no telling what I might do.
(Other than that, things are going fine.)
January 16, 2009
It was warmer today. I feel like I have some of my brain back, at least. Cold days and I do not agree at all. It's 15 right now, and that's a bit colder than I like, but still not too bad here in the house. I don't feel like I'm going to freeze sitting here at the desk. I haven't heated water on the stove at all today, and I've even had my little heater on low rather than high.
So, all in all, a better day.
I got writing done. I got work at the site done. I have a ton of other things that need to get done, too, but I'm sort of thinking I'll relax for the rest of the night. Sometimes I just need a bit more rest, and I think this is one of those nights.
So, I'm going to go post this and then go do something... fun. Whatever that might be.
January 17, 2009
It is 35 degrees out! Even the wind chill is up at 23. That's not -23 like it has been for days, either.
I am a happier person.
I just got a lot of work done for the County and decided to do this while I still had the FTP program open. It's not like I think I'm going to have anything more to say later, after all.
I feel as though I'm actually getting things done today. I'm sure that won't last, but I'll take advantage of it while I can. I already have my work done on Draw The Line and some of Glory. I think I might have time to do some art stuff if I get the rest of this done!
So, off I go to maybe have something like a weekend.
Oh, I even updated my Progress page for 2009. About time!
January 18, 2009
I'm doing okay today. Trying to get some work done and have a little fun time... but there are always problems that leap up out of nowhere to try and drive me crazy. It happens all the time. I'm getting used to it.
The new book is going pretty well at 500 words a day. So slow... and yet, it's kind of fun to hold back. I don't know if I'll do that for much longer, though. I get the feeling that at some point I'm going to hit a spot in the story and not want to stop.
Weather was better today. I got some of the snow cleared away. It's still pretty high out front!
That's it. I'm going back to work.
January 19, 2009
I almost forgot to do this tonight. I got caught up in some ideas for Draw the Line and just got lost in thinking about it, to be honest. I'm heading for bed in a couple minutes, though, so I needed to get this written up and posted.
Food delivery tomorrow, and another the next day. Must get to sleep so I'm awake. Not easy when you have this story rushing through your head.
I'll manage.
Night!
January 20, 2009
It's hard not to be optimistic and happy on a day like today. And most people will also be hopeful of a change or two for the better. It won't be overnight, though attitudes have certainly taken a turn for the better. I know there are still the bitter, angry, hateful people out there who watched today's events with glares and anything but prayers of a better future.
But I'm going to hope for the best. I'm going to believe that President Barak Obama represents not so much a change in politics as a change in attitude. I'm going to hope for the best, and for changes that maybe make each day a bit less fearful.
I'm going to look forward to the next four years. That's a change all in itself.
January 21, 2009
Still feeling the euphoria of the day before, though already on the news we're starting to see the little bit of unraveling along the edges. But still, it's a fun day. The weather is nicer, too, so that's helped me get things done here.
January 22, 2009
Twenty-two days into the year so far. I should be at about 66,000 words. Not counting today, I'm just 30 words short of 70,000 so I'm doing fine there. I would like to have read a bit more, but I am still working my way through the Greek Plays, so that's fine. I can't say I've really gotten a lot else done, but I'm still pretty happy overall.
I'm feeling ill today, though. I hope that clears up quickly.
Can't really say there's anything else going on!
January 23, 2009
I wrote a short story in the last 24 hours. That was a wonderful, fun little feeling. I want to write at least one story a month this year. This is, by no means, a great story. But it was fun to do, and I enjoyed just running with an idea and not worrying about anything at all except writing it out. I don't do that very often any more.
It's cold again. I want spring. I really do.
Russ was going to try to come home this weekend. It didn't work. We're really hoping for next weekend instead.
And I'm tried. So, off to bed!
January 24, 2009
I am dead tired today. I can't seem to get much of anything done, and mostly I want to go crawl up somewhere warm and sleep again. I think it's the cold sapping all my energy today. I want it to be warm again.
But it will get there, I guess. I'm just too anxious. Three months in this house, with no where to go, is too much. We think Russ will be home next weekend. I'm not going to dare believe it. Storms will hit there or here. The people he works for will decide that he has to be somewhere on Sunday, rather than Monday. Nothing will go right. I truly believe this because it hasn't gone right yet.
Tonight I did something fun and different -- I catalogued several hundred books over at librarything.com. It's finally put me over the 3k mark. I have a few hundred more to do here, and then a lot more over at Russ's house. I would have been doing those books if I had gotten moved in over there. Ah well. Anyway, it was fun to get these. A lot of Andre Norton in there. Makes me want to revisit my youth and read them all.
Right now, I'm reading Cyteen, though. Well that, and the last plays of Sophocles. And the second volume of the Grolier's Encyclopedia, but that's a little bit on hold while I read Cyteen -- and the new sequel to Cyteen.
I am really enjoying Cyteen, though. I haven't read it since it was brand new. This is an absolutely enthralling book.
In fact... I think I'll go read for a while before I go to bed!
January 25, 2009
So, another day done. Got things done. Didn't get other things done. Just want to sit around and read Cyteen until I'm done with it. Should probably do it and get over it. Otherwise, it's going to drag there at my mind, trying to pull me back into the story.
I love good books.
Writing is going well. I hope to be a little ahead when Russ gets home... if he gets home next weekend. I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's already looking like Saturday instead of Friday night. He'll have to leave Monday morning.
I really am tired of living like this.
But I have a good book. I need to get my work done and read some.
January 26, 2009
A long day. I got some things done, but not nearly enough. That's usual, I guess! At least with my life.
I can't believe that we're really close to the end of January already. I have done all right so far, though I'm a bit behind on a couple projects. Nothing too much to worry about. I am seriously considering just taking a week off of everything that I absolutely don't have to do and de-stressing for a bit. Things aren't as bad as they have been, but I have noticed that small things are setting me off again. Time to sit back, relax, play with art, write what I want and not worry about every small detail of stuff.
Sounds like a good plan to me.
We had a little snow last night. Just enough to need to scoop it up -- not too bad -- and it did make things look a bit pretty too. We also had a very strange bit of snow this afternoon. It seemed to be forming straight out of the air since we had few clouds. It wasn't coming down from the trees. It was really very pretty, but I couldn't get a picture of it -- just couldn't get the camera settings right for it.
And that's it. Time to be done for the night... and go read more of Cyteen!
January 27, 2009
It's cold again! We're down to -3... but we are far luckier than a lot of other places right now. No ice storm, for which I am happy.
It still looks as though Russ will come home this weekend. Probably not until Saturday, but that's still better than not at all!
But... cold. Need to go get somewhere warm. Usually my office is good, but not tonight. I got my work done. I'm going to go spend time with Cyteen. (grin)
January 28, 2009
I've not been well today. I took some medication for a cold early on, and it just hit me badly. I've been kind of wobbly all day, and tired. So I'm going to bed early and hope that I can sleep my way through this.
Otherwise, things are fine. Hope that the cold doesn't get worse, though. It would be my luck to be miserable this weekend.
January 29, 2009
It is looking less likely that Russ will be home this weekend after all. We'll have to wait and see, but my general idea is that it's not going to happen. I'm not terribly surprised, of course.
We'll see.
I'm over half way through Cyteen. I like it far better this time around than I did the first time I read it. There's so much depth to this story -- so much going on that it can twist your brain up trying to figure out the points where you think 'this is important' and try to figure out how it all fits together. The book is 680 pages long. I'm reading my original hardbound (signed) edition... and I'm mostly reading it in the bathtub, which means holding it in my right hand. It's a heavy book; my arm is sore.
But I am so glad I decided to read it before I begin Regenesis.
And that's it. It's after 3. I'm going to bed.
January 30, 1009
No, Russ isn't coming home this weekend. I hoped all the way up to the last moment.
Now I'm just going to go read for awhile and forget about everything. I got a bunch of work done. I don't need to worry about anything else.
January 31, 2009
Long day. Got things done. Not in any better of a mood than yesterday, over all, but after a while you just have to give up and give in to the inevitable -- which is obviously that I should not look forward to anything. This last year has shown me that it's just too disappointing -- time with Russ (even if he gets here, something will go wrong), holidays, going somewhere -- it's just wise to stay neutral, I think. Maybe something good will happen anyway.
I did finish reading Cyteen today. I think when I first read it, twenty years ago, I didn't have quite the maturity I do now. A lot of it made far more sense, and had a far deeper resonance this time. I also saw a great deal of Wave With a Shore (another Cherryh novel) philosophy in it. It's an amazing work.
I didn't mean to, but I picked up the sequel, Regenesis, and began reading it and I'm about 30 pages into it. I had to stop and get other things done. And now it's 4 am and I'm still trying to get caught up from reading both books today.
But it was good and fascinating to read.