NOVEMBER 2023

Wow – November, like October, is SPRINTING!

SONG INSPIRATION

This month’s blog was inspired by Janelle Monet’s “Haute”.

WRITING UPDATE

As promised, I finished my second novel (let’s call it novel 2) about three weeks ago!  After a decade of world building, character development, graduate school delays, and mental blocks, I’ve completed my sci-fi duology.  I still haven’t fully processed my emotions.  Novel 2 hit ~104,500 words.  About 20,000 words too long but that’s why we edit.  I am stoked.  The simple act of writing novel 2 informed its predecessor (novel 1) and highlighted major necessary changes in structure and character motivation.  I can now sculpt my words to match the vision in my head.  In the meantime, I’m taking a little break from my novels.  After completing a large project, one is encouraged to put it aside for a few months.  I’m going to spend the rest of the year editing smaller pieces.  In early 2024, I will begin editing novel 1.  I will also start researching novel 3 which I hope to begin writing in 2025.  Never a dull day for my overactive imagination and incessant need to create worlds and stories and type them into existence.

BURNOUT

Again.  Yup, it’s me – I’m the problem.  I tried my best to be mindful of my time and rest, but I still burned myself out.  I can feel it.  Despite a streak of amazing sleep, I’m still tired when I wake up.  I feel weary.  Papers, grants, advising, talks, conferences, job applications – it’s all very exciting and I crave that to some extent.  Of course, there were weekends I spent on the couch binge watching TV to rest my mind and body, but it wasn’t enough.  I’ve kept up a healthy diet and exercise (when not traveling) which makes me proud, but none of that really matters if I have too much on my plate.  Regardless, it’s been a productive semester in many ways and I’m proud of my accomplishments.  As a result of my brimming burnout, I’m excited to travel home for the holidays and rest in my childhood home.  I will set my away message and minimize time on my laptop.  You heard it here first!

THE QUEST FOR COMMUNITY (AND THE RIGHT JOB)

Nowadays, a recurring theme crops up in conversations with my friends who’re in the early stages of our careers.  The desire for community.  Making time for loved ones.  De-prioritizing work and re-prioritizing the essence of existence.  I’ve been asking myself a simple question lately:  what the hell am I doing?  A smart-ass friend of mine replied “living in a society” but that’s no excuse for a frantic day-to-day existence that is no more than a hurried sprint to the grave.  What’s the point of all this?  I feel that nothing matters if not for love and connection.  I love my job and I love my parents and I love my friends.  I don’t work for the sake of working.  I do it to understand the natural world, inspire/educate the next generation, and – practically – provide a living that allows me to spend more time with the people I love.  HERESY! the Capitalists will scream as they burn me at the stake.  But the reality is that many of us (I’m looking at my fellow Americans especially) are miserable because we’re caught up in the grind and we’ve lost sight of the goal.

CURRENT SHOWS AND BOOKS

Recently finished:  Ahsoka, Bob’s Burgers (s12); The Amazing World of Gumball (s2); Law and Order: SVU (s24); Shadow and Bone (s2); The Way of the Househusband

Currently watching:  Bob’s Burgers (s13); Great British Baking Show (s11 – US); Loki (s2); Sex Education (s4); The Amazing World of Gumball (s3)

Recently finished reading: Dark One: Forgotten

Currently reading: A Modern History of Japan; To Be Taught, If Fortunate

Thank you so much for reading!  My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, December 14^th.  Until next time….