Myself (fatter), Greg, and Mock Violence
This is going to be a busy leading into another busy week. So, I’m working on scheduling my posts for the next two weeks by the end of the weekend. I’m stumped on a week from this Tuesday and beyond.
Why will it be so busy? Friday is the wife’s birthday, so we’re having a gathering. So far, only the crazy man you see above is coming. That’s the infamous Greg and expect a Phi Beta Blog post next Saturday done by the two of us. I’ll make a post later today asking for questions that we can use for comedy. Barring that, we’ll pick a random topic and make a skit. It’ll be Phi Beta Badass (Greg) and Phi Beta Blade (Me) up to our old shenanigans. And by old I mean our brittle old man hips will be in danger. Anyway, Greg arrives Friday afternoon and Saturday is the day of celebration. I won’t be on much beyond doing a little book promotion. After all, if I don’t do it, who will?
The week after is when my parents are going to be away, but I keep hearing a ‘we might not go’ thing right now. If they go then I’m home alone with the toddler on Columbus Day and I only have mornings and early afternoons for the rest of the week after that. So, I’ll need to push on the editing while doing the cooking and cleaning too. My blogging might slip down to quick ‘likes’ and simple comments. Unfortunately, my iPhone never shows me when I get a response to a comment on another person’s blog, which means I might not be responding until the evening. Again, I’ll be using what little time I have for book promotion.
Here’s the to-do list:
- Got all blog posts ready, so I don’t have to worry. I’ll gladly take poem or topic requests since I need to fill Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Not the coming ones, but the ones after.
- Finish hand-editing Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune and begin typing them in.
- Take the wife out to matinee and lunch on Monday because we won’t have a babysitter for her actual birthday. So far it’s Don Jon and Red Robin.
- Remember to pick Greg up at train station. Also remember to take him home, but that will kick in when I realize I’ll have to feed him if he stays.
- Get a cake on the way back from getting Greg.
- Remember to fill out birthday cards for wife.
- Go food shopping for the week we’re on our own.
- Make the Phi Beta Blog Post. Hopefully, people ask some questions.
- Rue the day.
- Try to get into a better mood.
That’s pretty much it. I’ll be a basket case for a while. Probably get worse the closer I get to Halloween because I’m still hoping to debut my third book then. May be cutting it close.
Legends of Windemere 
Sounds like a busy but fun week in many ways. I don’t know about the posts. I have one in mind for Dean’s blog after next weekend. I have been so bogged down with my paperback and Scrivener course that I haven’t given too much attention to my own blog. I like hearing about your toddler…it kind of makes you more human…and I am a grandmother…so I think all kids are cute…the things they do that make us laugh and smile.
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I can see what to do with him. He’s a character, but mostly he imitates the rest of us now. Nothing extremely comical lately. School, Thomas the Train, and sleep for the most part.
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Maybe a little less busy would improve your mood. Or maybe a little more busy—then you won’t have time to have a mood. 🙂
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It might, but I don’t see that happening for a while. I might have better luck next year.
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Move #10 higher up on the list. It makes the rest easier.
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It’s a tough one though. I put it there hoping the other successes could help that one along. I’ve noticed that if I try to consciously improve my mood, it gets worse or someone around here opts to knock me back down.
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Know the feeling. It’s why I decided this weekend to take an active role in ending my anger, with the hope that those around me will join me in the effort. The one day report on my effort: Cloudy with a chance of rain. 🙂
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I’ve attempted that with my misery. A big complaint around here is that I’m negative. Yet, I’ll try to be positive about something and I’m immediately told what could go wrong. It’s a vicious cycle that I don’t understand.
My mood will improve when my friend shows up because we’re always goofing off and being stupid. It’s only for two days, but it should be fun and he hasn’t seen my son (his godson) in a long time.
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Enjoy the visit. We should compare notes on our misery. 😉
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Wouldn’t that make us more miserable? The visit doesn’t start until Friday, but tomorrow is movie and lunch for the wife’s birthday. The following week will hopefully be better though. Parents away in DC (if they still go because the closed museums have them angry) and I get the house to myself for most of the day. Can get a lot of resting and work done in that time.
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Probably, although I understand that misery loves company. Enjoy it all. I have grown incredibly fond of those opportunities when I’m home alone — the peace and quiet, the lack of other people, the silence from the TV rather than the endless cacophony, the opportunity to do what I want without being asked why I’m doing it.
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Sounds magical and nearly fictional when you describe it like that. Really hope they go in their trip now.
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For your sake, I do, too. It’s a shame that the events in D.C. are taking place. You provide a real world example of how it’s impacting people. They should get their planned and paid for vacation. You should get your peace and quiet.
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The thing is that they can still go to relax and get away. There has to be something else to do even though the museums and memorials are closed. They need the break, so I would say go and bum around.
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Completely agree.
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Besides, museums are boring. 😉
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Depends. I love the ones with dinosaurs.
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My preference is history.
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Still can’t figure out how to help. Anything I can do?
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Nothing I can think of. It’s all situational and too many moods/personalities in the house. At least as far as the mood thing goes. I’m looking forward to my friend showing up and getting the hand-editing stage of book 4 done. The book is a beast because of all the subplots.
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Wow! My advice, have a fab time with your mate, give your wife the best birthday ever and let the rest take care of itself! If the housework doesn’t get done then does that matter in the scheme of things? Really? Try to reduce the stress a little if you can, I agree with the comments above. If you can chill just a bit, then your mood will improve. (I am great at doling out advice, rubbish at following it myself!). I think we are all a bit down at the moment. Chin up and watch Thomas! 🙂
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I’ll do my best. Though, I’ve hinted in a few comments why it typically isn’t possible around here. As for the birthday, being nearly broke means it’ll be cheap. We haven’t done a big birthday or anniversary in years.
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I know, was trying to cheer you up a bit….
Believe me I completely understand how hard it is – I was having this exact conversation with my husband today. You do all the hard work, you put your heart and soul into it and then you get diddly squat in return. I guess we just have to keep believing in ourselves and I can only empathise with how difficult your situation must be. Just know that there are many of us (I know, cos I’ve seen them!) that wholeheartedly support you in your endeavours and if ever you want to just vent… well I am always ventable to. But be warned… I tend to vent back! 🙂
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Thanks and venting is healthy. At least I think so. The alternative is to keep things bottled up where they fester. Doesn’t sound healthy to me. I think it’ll be a while before I’m in a semi-unbreakable mood. So many obstacles and setbacks with everyone around here having their own idea of what I should do with my life. You’d think I was a teenager looking for a college major.
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I can only imagine – although if you went back to college you could meet another Greg! Bonus points for that surely?? Ha ha.
I like venting and I like talking to people. It’s a lonely old life this world of authors. I am lucky that my family are really understanding, but there are still financial pressures that just never go away. I think we are FB friends so we can always have a communal vent if you like. Lol. 🙂
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Doubt it. Greg is a unique individual and the universe isn’t crazy enough to make two of him. Be against nature.
The financial pressures are the worst. I know a lot of people that see money as the only amount of success, which makes it difficult to explain everything else.
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Do you know what, that is so true. So many people measure success by financial means and that is just the worst. Money doesn’t buy happiness. Yes it helps and when you are really struggling it can make you feel low and a failure if you are unable to provide but it in no way is a measure of success. The love of your family is success and that is what matters.
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I think money takes the edge off and can open the way to be happy, but it isn’t the source. It’d be great to live a world where money wasn’t so big a factor in enjoying life.
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Amen to that. But then they say that it is the root of all evil. Crimes are usually only committed for money or passion…
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I’ve gotten into that discussion before. I agree with friends who say that it isn’t money that is the root of all evil. It’s an object with no thoughts of its own. It is the greedy desire for money that is the root. Take away money and there will still be something people would kill and steal for.
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Hmmm, interesting debate. Yes, you are right, money is an inanimate object and hence it is the desire for it rather than the object… but the desire is what corrupts. That is the crime of passion debate as well. And you only have to look at mega rich superstars to know that money doesn’t equal happiness.
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You’re still hot. The t shirt makes you hotter. Me, prejudiced? I no hang out with ugly best friend.
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Think it’s mostly the goofy smile and messed up hair. It was windy.
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Well I love you anyway. Happy birthday Tracy!!!
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I’ll relay the message when Aidan lets her out of the bathroom. I’d step in, but the cackling is adorable.
Love you too, bestie breastie.
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Best of luck, my friend. And happy birthday to your wife!
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Thanks. I’d cross my fingers, but I need to type. Already got the next 2 weeks of posts scheduled, which is great.
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Plenty of time to start typing, so little to actually type 🙂
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Exactly. I’m hoping to negotiate some writing time tomorrow since my wife’s birthday isn’t until Friday. That way I can get the hand edits done. Friday and Saturday will be days of me watching my email explode.
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I’m just returning to town and am playing blog catchup. Seems like you have a very busy week. Hope your wife has a great birthday.
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Thanks. Hope so too. We aren’t planning much beyond friends, pizza, and hanging out.
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Always enjoy reading your to-do lists, especially the little gems like # 4 🙂
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Sadly, this weekend has been defeated. Greg will not be coming due to a family emergency. Maybe another day.
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Oh, bummer 😦 I was looking forward to another moth killer type of story.
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I don’t think we could ever repeat that one. Mostly because we learned our lesson.
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