Archive for November, 2010

On being ok.

Posted by ON in Dear Diary

I think i’ve been doing that thing i do. You know, the one where i present as being fine when, well, i’m not all that fine.

It’s been a hard couple of days, i’m not going to get into it. There’s work to do and words to write, so… back to work.

But i will say i did push myself to reach out to folks, and i’m reminded again how amazing the the people around me are and, when i actually ask for help, i get it. S and J have been particularly awesome. <3

I already see myself coming out of it.

Grá

.

Oh yeah, an update:

I promised myself that i’d keep up with this thing. Sheesh.

I have a few articles on writing bouncing around in my head. I’ll write those soon. I should probably repost the ones i’ve been writing for Shimmer. I just started digging out my recording setup and hope to be making music again soon.

One of the big things is i’m super excited about redesigning this site … and generally dragging my feet on, you know, doing it. Be it’ll be cool: I’ll have a section of my publications’ covers and images of my awards, some free fiction and a music section. But, yeah, that’s all on the back-burner at the moment while i stitch my life back together after traveling for nine months.

So, the check-in:

Life is unstable, but generally pretty good. I’m finally starting to feel settled in Eugene again. I rejoined the co-op i helped get off the ground. I was nervous at first, but am really happy with the folks and the house (and my room and my new bed.)

Look at it, just look at it!

People:

Things with J are … a little off. We obviously still love each other, but being in the same town all the time is definitely taking adjustment. S and i are doing as well as we can. She seems to be adjusting pretty well in Turkey. L&D are having a baby! N is rushing to finish her latest novel!

I keep feeling like everyone is doing more (and more interesting) things than me. Obviously i want to let this go, but i also just want to get off my ass.

As always, writing:

My main focus these days is getting back into consistent writing and submitting, which is hard with the new 40-hour a week job. (and still reading for Shimmer and my various art and music plans)

… Oh yeah, the job:

It’s great. Great people, interesting work, fun office and … and, well, it’s been a long time since i worked 40-hours a week (for money at least.) It’s taking some time to get my head around carving out writing time (and exercise, and friends, and fun, and and and … )

So, yeah, still more to do, more to plan and implement, but i’m getting by … and feeling a little more excited everyday.

You wanna know the weird thing? I find myself more and more wanting to become a sort of ascetic. I really just want to exercise and eat well and work for money and make an INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF ART, mostly writing, but definitely music and physical things too ….

… don’t get me wrong, i’m only talking for the next six months or so. I’m much too much of a hedonist to maintain asceticism, but i really really really want to produce a body of work and rekindle the buzz that was forming around my stuff a year ago.

Anyway, i gots plans. Watch this spot for more ridiculous and outrageous claims.

As always, RAWR! ONWARD!

OryCon! Many panels! Mostly on one day! Also, come hear me read!

Hey ya’all,

I’ll be a panelist and doing a signing and a reading at OryCon 32

I’m super packed crazy busy on Saturday, but have nothing on Friday and only one panel on Sunday. If you want to grab a meal or something, let me know!

Saturday:

12:00:pm to 1:00:pm (Jefferson/Adams room) – Writers of the Future panel with Ken Scholes, Aimee C. Amodio, K. C. Ball, Alex Black, and (this year’s winner) Lael Salaets

(between 1 and 2, i’ll be running a critique group.)

2:00:pm to 3:00:pm (Jefferson/Adams room) – Theme, what is it? with Jessica Reisman, Sara A. Mueller, Mary Rosenblum and Bill Johnson

3:00:pm to 3:30:pm (Broad/Weidler room) – Autograph session. Come get your obscure magazine or anthology signed by me! (note: it’d be best if one of my stories is in said anthiology, but i’ll work with you.)

4:00:pm to 5:00:pm (Roosevelt room) – Revision: Path to better writing or slog into mud? with Steve Perry, Jessica Reisman, and Lori Ann White

6:30:pm to 7:00:pm (Lincoln room) – Come hear me read! It’ll be awesome! There will be cookies!

Sunday:

12:00:pm to 1:00:pm (Hamilton) – What is Magical Realism? Can someone explain it to us? with Craig Laurance Gidney, Bruce Taylor and Blythe Ayne