this machine will not communicate

And only 300-some the day before that!  Right now I'm on track to hit 50k on December 11th, I think, which isn't too bad.  I have next week off, though, so I'm looking forward to at least one whole day spent inside, all by myself, a big thermos of coffee and something baked fresh, cats meandering nearby, classical music in the background, and I'll probably knock a huge chunk out.

That, or lounge and watch TV.  Either works, really.

I finally finished one of my big projects this last weekend that has improved my mental health considerably.  We have a very small "linen" closet next to the bathroom, but we don't really have a lot of linens and such, or extra towels, or whatever.  There were some sheet sets and some random fabric, as well as a bunch of assorted bric-a-brac.  I packed stuff up in a plastic tub and took it to the basement, then went through a box of papers and threw most of it away, and cleared out the majority of the closet.  We have no room for food storage in the kitchen, so there was stuff shoved everywhere, stacked on counters, stacked on the baker's rack we have for mason jars and tupperware and appliances; I moved all that food to the linen closet, and arranged it by type, and now everything's put away and accessible, and our kitchen doesn't look like eight grad students share the house anymore.  We also cleaned house and put up the Christmas tree and the Christmas decorations, so it's just lovely.

It really is amazing how much better a clean house makes me feel.  Like I'm just at peace now.

One of the reasons I only wrote 300 or so words on Sunday is that I started writing a John/Delenn fic.  Yay!  I got about 1700 words on it, and am feeling very motivated to having it finished and posted by Thanksgiving.  My goal for December is to edit part one of the novel, and finish my WIPs.  I have two chapters on Metamorphoses, one of which has been sitting at 75% finished for months; a chapter on Alma Mater; probably an epilogue on both of those; and then two or three chapters on Conquest.  I hate that I turned into that fic writer I hated that would start a series and just putter out and never finish.  The endings are there!  They're just in my head!

A lovely evening spent writing, like I imagine everyone else writes.  Normally I'm at Starbucks early in the morning, or at work, or at my parents' house.  But tonight I wrote in my own home, at my own desk.  It's cold outside, and I got all bundled up.  I had a cat either lounging behind me on my bed, or doing his damnedest to worm his way into my lap.  Some decaf chai with horchata, and leftover pumpkin pie.  I wasn't too old-school, though; did a cyber write-in with a friend of mine, the first time I've done that.  Super-effective, very motivating, a lot of fun.

Did a good job chipping away at my deficit.  As long as I stay within shooting distance I don't really have any worries about finishing on time.  Like Spike, I just need one good day.




( Chapter Two: IV )

I had the day off yesterday because I'm working today (I'm at work right now, ugh).  I slept in just a little, then spent the morning working on my freelance job.  Planted some clearance late-season plants outside.  Then my sister and I picked up a friend, we grabbed lunch, and ate out at a park.  It was so ridiculously beautiful outside.  After eating I grabbed my Shuffle and took a brief walk.  A triumphant Muse song came on and I may or may not have pretended I was in a music video.

Then we went to this huge Army surplus store in KC.  I had never been before.  OMGGGG it was amazing.  I could have bought everything, but I kept myself to this splendid hoodie that is like the greatest hoodie ever, and then a cast iron little cauldron thing that I am going to cook everything in.  I had a little mini cast iron skillet, too, but my sister quite accurately pointed out that I already have a mini cast iron skillet and I don't need another one.  But we totally spent more than two hours just browsing through everything.  (There were boots!  And one-man tents!  And duffels!  And enameled cookware!  And knives!  And basically all of the things I love!)

Then I went to a NaNo write-in that was very productive.  Then I bought ice cream.  Then I played Peggle.

Seriously, great day.



( Chapter One: III )

---

( small-water-flat-rocks )

I think I've finally recovered from my trip to Austin.


( About my time at the Austin Film Festival. )