Finally, I have a respite from travel which means time to catch up on sleep, body goals, writing, and my thoughts. Here’s the monthly update on happenings and musings.
SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s blog is inspired by Blu Cantrell’s Breathe, featuring Sean Paul.
DESTIN – PANAMA CITY BEACH
Two weeks ago, I took a weekend trip to Florida for a joint bachelorette/bachelor celebration. Although only 3 days, it was a formative experience in which I had the pleasure of meeting another dimension of my best friend’s social network. It was somewhat surreal meeting people I’ve heard about (and intended to meet) for over a decade. The emerald coast was as beautiful as ever and the weather was a nice mix of rain, sun, and clouds. I probably downed two dozen shots over the course of 2 days but I had plenty of bottled water as well so no toilet bowl confessions for me. But I did have a chance to ride on my first pontoon, visit Crab Island (a sandbar where people socialize in waist deep emerald water and dodge jellyfish), take a tandem bike ride, and stroll on the beach under a full moon.
EARLY CAREER MOTIVATION
Thanks, in part, to my recent travels I’ve felt reinvigorated about work and motivated to think about my career in the short-to-midterm. I’m coming to grips with the fact that very soon I’ll be my own supervisor. I’ll have the “true” independence and flexibility in my teaching and research that I’ve been blabbering about for years. And with independence and some modicum of power comes responsibility. I have to consider the direction of my career, the connections I need to make or maintain, and prioritize my time and energy. There’s a lot of exciting work in the world of planetary science and volcanology and plenty to get involved with over the next 10 years. I need to answer what questions/projects/people interest me. At present, I have a 10,000-foot plan for the next 12 months which includes publication, proposal, teaching, and job goals. But I need to start thinking more about the next 3-5 years and laying the framework for obtaining a permanent position in academia.
FINANCES & WRITING
Nearly 3 years in and I’m loving my 30s. Life doesn’t get easier, but you get wiser. You begin to realize what’s important to you and gain a better understanding for navigating the world. I exist in an exploitive capitalist system, and although that pains me, it does mean that I have to make certain financial decisions to attempt to have a stable future. Recently, I’ve taken even more interest in long-term finances. Now, I’ve been thinking about money for years. I know it’s a taboo and no one is supposed to talk about it but that’s precisely why people are exploited. OK – deep breaths – I’m back. Thinking about finances means evaluating the distribution of your necessary expenses, investments, savings, and discretionary spending. Yeah, this is all a bit technical so I’ll wrap it up. Bottom-line: I’m strategizing on how best to invest, save, and target transient high-interest debts.
Writing is also long-term. And I’m happy to report after a 4-week hiatus due to catastrophic system failure (my laptop crashed and I lost a lot of shit), I’m back to working on my novel daily. I’m still aiming to complete it by the end of the year and I have a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure I meet that deadline. In the world of non-fiction writing news, my third paper was accepted for publication! Kudos to the journal and my reviewers for a speedy turnaround and helpful suggestions and feedback. I’m now working on my fourth (which I’m hoping to submit by the end of the year) and fifth (which I’m hoping to submit by spring next year) manuscripts.
CURRENT SHOWS AND BOOKS
Recently finished: Devils Line; Legends of Galactic Heroes: Die Neue Theses (s3); Ted Lasso (s1)
Currently watching: Great British Baking Show (s13); Ted Lasso (s2); The Aliens
Currently reading: Wine for Dummies
Thank you for reading! My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, October 20th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 