Productivity
If there's one thing that unemployment is really good for, it's productivity. (I am, of course, ignoring the bad things it causes -- like stress, the shutting down of one's brain, money woes, an urge to drink heavily, and so on.) Since my lay-off from my previous employer nearly two months ago, I have spent a great deal of time actually getting back into my writing -- both from an actual emotional investment in the process and the actual creation of work. Granted, there's been a bit of a dent in my productivity since I brought the new TV home, but I anticipated that.
At first, I dreaded going back to work. Specifically, I dreaded the lost time.
Trade-Offs
So there's something about being unemployed that's good. Don't get me wrong -- mostly, it sucks. I'm stressed about money, I've got bills to pay, and I'm boooooored. That said, however, I seem to be making a TON of progress on various projects that have been piling up. For example:
- Making headway on a font that I've been plugging away at the idea for since before I got married
- Got the DLOH site back up and running
- have started writing again -- working on a novel and two short stories
- Was home to put out the TV when it caught fire
- Have done thorough cleaning and organization of apartment
- Had time to experiment with cooking
All in all, not a bad run. Other than the money worries, stress, and boredom.
Writing, Biking, Life, Fonts
So I've figured out the markets I'll be submitting these two new stories to -- the first one I started is going to start the Grand Tour of Rejection at Strange Horizons, and the second will start the journey at F&SF. I will have to do the smart thing and create a spreadsheet to track all my rejections, and I'm okay with that, because as a project manager, I'm a big fan of spreadsheets.
I'm hoping to have my rough drafts done by bedtime on Monday the 14th. Revisions and clean-up on the weekend of the 19th and 20th, and in the mail on the 21st.
Hrmm…
...so an item of note: old TVs can catch fire spontaneously, even when powered-off and such. For once, I am grateful to be unemployed, as I was actually home when the debacle occurred. Fortunately, I unplugged the beast before it got too out-of-hand, and was pretty able to keep it from spreading beyond the innards of the TV.
This is frustrating, but at the same time, it's a good thing -- it's one less distraction from the job hunt. And I'd planned on buying a new set after getting back to work. So I should be good.
Beyond that, not a lot to report. Writing is going well. Job hunt hasn't been too bad. Worried that I might be coming down with pneumonia, though. That would be sucktastic.
Recovery?
The Off-Season Plague seems to have vanished. By yesterday evening, all my symptoms except the swollen glands were gone. Today, those seem to have departed as well. This is a good thing. I'll definitely be taking a spin on the stationary trainer for about 30 minutes today...but that has to wait until after I get some errands done. I need to go get some champagne for tonight, a new shirt-and-tie to wear to a job interview on Wednesday, and must follow-up on some email/SMS messages today.
So yeah. Hoping I can resume training shortly.
Merry Christmas
It's the "most wonderful time of the year" again, and wow. I'm just not there. I did hear Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis" on the radio the other day, and that put a smile on my face. And Eric Cartman singing "Swiss Colony Beef Log" still cracks me up to no end.
Currently Reading
The Constitution
Tag Cloud
Flickr
More...
Support
Wishlists
Lifestream
-
Checked in at Knight Cap Bar & Lounge
-
-
Trio of girls covering "ABC" by the Jackson Five. They are fucking NAILING it. Michael Jackson lives! [fontosaurus]
-
-
Checked in at Northeast Palace
-
I'm at McDonald's - NE (1100 University Ave NE, Minneapolis). http://4sq.com/7fT8JH [fontosaurus]
-
Checked in at McDonald's - NE
-
Checked in at Lens Crafters
-
I'm at Mall of America (Mall of America, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington) w/ 4 others. http://4sq.com/4z906f [fontosaurus]
-
Checked in at Mall of America
