Life is a Banquet

Professor Wavybrains Rides Again

I got the job. Not only did I get the job, but I got the textbooks, the handbook, and the dates for orientation.  I'll be teaching three classes starting the first part of January.  I'm very excited. This is a school that I've wanted to be a part of since landing in Oregon.  Plus, ye gods willing I should still have time to write. 

This job is a double blessing because it's also on a major busline that runs by our house. Why is this a blessing you ask? Shouldn't you be back to driving,  Wavybrains?  You would think so, the three month anniversary of my injury having passed last week. Unfortunately, the x-rays today showed another four weeks of winter--it is healing, but infinitesimally slow.  The torn ligament(s) have not finished reattaching and the bone still has a small gap.  So, I'll be the professor otherwise known as Darth Vader. "Clomp. Clomp. Here's your homework. Clomp. Clomp."

Do any of you have little pre-job interview rituals? Mine include extra-long shower, a new item of make-up and a haircut.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that 4 of my last 5 cuts have been job inspired.  This is one of my favorites and one of the cheapest--$10 at SuperClips. And lo, I look just like my mother. I'm finally old. I never used to look like her :) And no, I can't show you. Clanna's blog shy. 

Before                  

After

Let Me Tell You About My Book

I can only talk about three topics lately: My foot, my money, and my book.

The foot news is d-e-p-r-e-s-s-i-n-g: I went to the Dr IN MY STREET SHOE, ready to be discharged, only to find out that the x-rays were WORSE than three-weeks ago. I'm in a NEW cast (Darth Vader Light) and a new torture device for sleeping (think Sports Medicine meets S&M). And I have FOUR more weeks of this. AND NO DRIVING.

The money situation is worse. Still waiting for payment on some articles. Sending out resumes looking for contract work and teaching jobs. No bites.  Which is fine, really, because even if I had money, I can't drive anywhere to spend it.

Which brings me to my book--the one topic I really want to talk about.  So indulge me, while I tell you about my third baby.

This is by far my favorite WIP to date. I LOVE these characters, this story, the depth and potential here. In the week since it's birth (Chapter One, Line One), here are some of its accomplishments:

POV: 3rd person, deep. Three POV characters. There may be more on the 2nd draft.
Words: 20,000 to date. It's growing at a healthy clip. It should be 1/2 a NaNo by the end of Nov.
Theme song: (Thanks Eli and Lisa for this idea) "You can't always get what you want."
Genre: Undetermined. And this rather exciting for me. I wrote my first WIP knowing it was category. I wrote my YA knowing it was a YA. This WIP is more undefined--and I find that weirdly exciting.
Persons who have read chapter one: Three. This is a major breakthrough for me. I almost never show anything that is not a complete first draft.

So distract me from topics one and two, tell me what you're working on right now: A book, a project, work, christmas prep? Does your work have a theme song? 

This, That, and the Other

This:  I'm now part of a group writing blog.  This feels like a very productive use of blogging time.

That: Dawn has a even better idea for productive blogging. 

The Other:  I finally sent my first query letter for the book.  Someone hold me while I throw up, please. After so many months of not writing, if it took going through the depression, breaking my foot, and loosing my job to get me to the this point, I have to say: it was worth it.  The last few weeks have been nothing short of a godsend.  I feel like a walking poster child for my particular medication, because it is WORKING, but more importantly, so I am.   I have to say, at the risk of sounding like a blogging heritic, that dealing with my internet addiction may be the biggest factor in my new productivity and outlook on life. I'm planning for NaNoWriMo, but I'm taking the writing in slow, manageable chunks right now. I'm also selling some articles which helps with the whole no-job thing.

The Other Other: Freak is struggling right now. I can't go into too much detail here, but Freak is dealing with some health issues that have taken a major toll.  Please think good thoughts for him as he has some upcoming tests and Dr's visits.   

9 books, 6 days

Do I seem absent from the blogging sphere? My good friend from RWA lent me her ENTIRE collection of Suzanne Brockmann's troubleshooter's series.  These books are more addictive than chocolate and have been the perfect medicine for my still-broken-now-with-added fun of more-bed-rest-less-walking foot.  More addictive than Battlestar AND House.  Combined. 

The fact that these books have completely captivated me also marks a huge turning point. I believe I can now say without a doubt that my new medication is working.  W-O-R-K-I-N-G.  For the first time in years, I am able to focus on one thing at a time and to fully enjoy that one thing without a thousand other racing thoughts competing for my attention. This is nothing short of remarkable.  I have always been a reader, but now I feel returned to the reader I used to be.

I am gradually returning to my own writing too.  Brockmann's books have taught me more about POV and character development than any writing workshop and I find myself actually eager for the start of NaNoWriMo which I am gearing up to do again this year.  I am on the verge of sending out my first ever query letter for my completed manuscript which is a huge step forward for me.

My previous post on blog reading really reflects a long standing battle between what I want to do, my depression, and a fierce Internet addiction. Thank you to everyone who shared their tips and methods. I brought many of your suggestions with me to therapy today (commenters on the loose! beware!) as we worked out a plan to limit my computer activities. This means less blog reading/commenting (but still writing my own blog!) as I work to have a healthy relationship with my laptop again. (Laptops are for writing, not for vegging out, silly wavbrains :)) I continue to welcome your comments, emails, and readership. I hope to be able to return the favor later on as I continue to road to recovery from the depression monster. 

If you see us coming . . .

Clanna and I should never be unleashed on the average retail environment at the same time. Clanna arrived on Tuesday.  Having my mom here feels strangely natural, like she's both always and never been here at the same time.  It's also like traveling back in time at light speed to our marathon Wal-mart sprees growing up, to the endless bargain chase we pick up and resume from store to store, year to year.  Being house-bound for the last week, being out in the world again felt slightly overwhelming.  I crashed out at TJ Maxx, scoring only a new collection of brightly colored socks to accent the cast of doom.

Today, though we hit our stride.  We tackled Target like a pair of sniper shooters. We were prepared, we ate beforehand, we made our list, and we were armed with $50 gift card to burn.  Our scores included:

Fabulous Ginormous Striped Towel (destined for craft project): 6 dollars (was $15)
Middle Eastern Inspired PJs to accomodate cast of doom: 12 dollars (Was $25)
Planner for Time Challenged Brother: 2 dollars (was  $7)
Bronze Reading Lamp for my Residency on the couch: 22 dollars (was $90!!!!!!!)
Bones for best doggie in the world: $4 (was $8)
Big cushy socks $5 for 4 pairs (was $9)
Doormat $4 (was $12)
Travel mug $4 (was $9)

The best part though was once we graduated from small teeny hand basket (riding on my lap) to regular cart. Clanna had the brilliant idea that I could rest my legs on the cart, and steer from the chair while she pushed me, saving my arms. We were this train of overflowing cart, wheelchair, and two manic, bargain driven women, narrowly missing small children and bewildered shoppers. The cashier had to contain her laughter at our arrival as we sorted out our purchases.

But, hey, we spaved more than we spent! It was a good day. 

Small Pleasures

One of things that depression robs from my normally optimistic self is the ability to see and appreciate the little joys in life.  I'm thinking I may market broken bones as a depression cure soon.  I will come, bash in a minor bone, or toss you off a garage step--and Walah! Cure.  Oh. Well. Yes, perhaps, just PERHAPS, the medication I started two weeks ago is having a slight effect.  Still, the broken foot is a powerful force in enabling me to appreciate some small pleasures in life: