So I had these great intentions of finishing up this section and jumping ahead to the midpoint of the book. Didn’t happen, for a variety of reasons (mostly house stuff).
My weird moment of the day: looking up and seeing Winnie, my very plump and fluffy cat, walking along the balcony railing like a trapeze artist. I didn’t want to startle him; I had visions of the cat falling two stories. (This actually happened to another one of my cats. Long gone, poor baby, but not because he fell out of a second story window. In fact, when I rushed downstairs to see if he was a kitty pancake, he streaked into the house, an orange blur. So I know that cats are resilient. I just don’t like testing that.)
***
THE DAY
Still sick, though I slept a little better last night than the night before. Woke up early, around 5, with a tremendous headache and lay there, semicomatose, until the husband stirred. Both of us slept in a bit after the alarm went off, and I might have kept going if I hadn’t forced myself out of bed.
Caffeinated, made my to-do list for the day; knew I’d get interrupted by a contractor coming to look at the deck, so knew I had to churn out words ahead of time. I’d also scheduled to meet up with a friend late this afternoon and so I knew that the timing would be tight.
It was. Finally called the contractor when he was 40 minutes late and he buzzed over. Turned out to be a very decent fellow, nice guy and I enjoyed shooting the breeze with him–but that still put me behind by an hour. So I lost my window to swim (long story short: I had invited my friend over, which meant getting dinner into a crockpot, exercising, and then getting back in time to entertain. Yes, the husband says I always overschedule.). Instead, I ended up starting the crockpot going (sweet potato/chickpea/apple curry) and then zipped out to shop a touch and get to the gym. (What sucks about being here is that the pool is only open for general swim between certain hours, 10-2 or 4:30-7:30. Nothing is all that convenient. I normally exercise around 3 p.m., so swimming gets tough. I’m hoping maybe tomorrow or Saturday, although the hours on Sat. are even worse: 9 am-1 pm.).
Anyway, jetted off the mountain, did my shopping, exercised. Got back here with a half hour to get ready for my friend, who just left and now I’m waiting for the husband.
In between all this, I did manage to write, though.
BUT I did not do my business thing. So I’m thinking that I might do that tonight after I’m done with this.
***
WRITING OUT LOUD
FAR SIDE OF THE MOON:
Day 1: 4326
Day 2: 2085
Day 3: 3011
Day 4: 2652
Dang. Did I get to where I wanted? No. I’m pissed. OTOH, yeah, I was interrupted, and I also think that I slowed down a touch because I’ve got some s’plaining to do, Lucy. I have to explain a story to myself first before I can explain it to you, so I know when I’m doing that; when the story isn’t about what happens next but what the character’s motivations and backstory ought to be. Without those, I don’t KNOW what comes next, even if I’ve written an outline. I told the husband that the section I’m working on now reminded me a lot of a front piece I did for ASHES that I eventually abandoned as unnecessary: as too much tell and not enough show (and, sure enough, I cannibalized that section into various backstories that showed more than told). I may be doing the same here, but since this is the first time I’m thinking and seeing this stuff, I don’t know yet.
Blog Post: 675
***
What I’m watching:
The Art of More (another episode and a half)
Haven’t been tempted to try another episode of Man in the High Castle. Maybe once I’m done with More.
***
What I’m reading:
Abandon by Blake Crouch (promising start has quickly given way to silliness; I don’t care about this woman. Hoping it picks up, or it’s a goner.)
The Lives and Times of an American Cannibal by Harold Schector
***
Notable news item: We’re all talking/writing about the CA shootings. I have engaged in more FB back and forths than I probably should. But, really, enough is enough, folks. I like guns, but even I’m losing patience. There has to be a limit or law. I’m tired of being held hostage by gun owners and the NRA.
