Goal Post: My First Holiday Break from the Other Side

So, I have next week off, which is both cool and weird.  I don’t enter it with the student mentality of ‘no more school!’.  I’m a T.A. and I’ve only been one since November, so I kind of have a ‘now what?’ thinking going on.  Not that I don’t have any plans, but it feels more like I want to relax than have fun.  It’s been a roller coaster week too with only some of it shareable, so I guess that’s factoring in.  I know I’m run down a bit when I nail a 7 hour night of sleep instead of my usual 4-5.  Can’t say I’m upset about that.

Like I said before, I can’t really talk about a lot of what happened this week.  One part is because I feel it’s wrong to speak about any specific student items.  I’m having fun and working hard.  Got to help out at the middle school too, which was a blast.  The week ended with an international cultural festival too, which was awesome.  Dancing, music, and fashion from around the world.  There was food too, but I got caught up in some things and missed it.  Oops.  I’ll remember for next year.  I’m trying to figure out if I can still put in for my Florida teaching license even though it’s been 10 years since I finished all of the requirements.  This might give me the ability to substitute for teachers instead of just T.A.’s.  I really want to be more helpful and getting a Masters will take some time, so I’m wondering if what I did in the past can shorten the wait time.  Kind of want those 2 years of hard work to pay off too.

The other part of me not being able to talk is an ongoing personal issue.  Yeah, I don’t feel comfortable going further than that.

I do plan on editing War of Nytefall: Rivalry this weekend and week.  I’ve already done the first 6 of 17 chapters, which helps me meet the goal of getting it ready for others to read.  Best part is that I get to do this at my new desk, which I’ve barely used because I’ve either been working or resting.  The hardest part about this editing job is that my mind is still not fully into writing mode.  Waiting for my life to settle isn’t an option, so I’m going to attempt a shock effect.  This will be the second time doing it since the chaos started and I can get into it after a page or two.  My real worry is when it comes time to write something new.  I might start with an Ichabod Brooks short story, which I could feasibly begin during this break.  Things are settling enough that I can work a bit on some nights.  Still, my author mojo got pretty badly crushed a few months ago and it’s taking longer than I would like to recover.

Then again, this weekend’s adventures might help there.  So much excitement.  I mean, you can’t imagine what I’m going to . . . I’m taking this afternoon to do an online defensive driving course.  Okay, it’s not exciting, but it has to be done.  This one includes quizzes and an occasional voice biometric test to make sure I’m still me.  Praying a telemarketer doesn’t call in the middle of me doing one of those because I could be sent back to the beginning.  Still, I finally get this out of the way and clear a path for tomorrow, which is a day in NYC.  One of my closest friends is having a rough time too, so we’re getting together to raise each other’s spirits and be a couple of chuckling idiots.  No real plan beyond wandering, having some food, and just talking.  Been a really long time since we got a day like this and I’m looking forward to it.  So, I won’t be replying to social media stuff that quickly since I don’t want to be rude.

Not that my blog and social media sites have been very busy.  Part of it is that I don’t have the time to be highly active since I’m up at 5 am to get the notifications checked and then on the exercise bike.  Need to lose weight and it’s a slow process that’s working a bit.  I’m usually pretty tired at night and taking care of other things too.  I feel bad that I’m not as social as I used to be here.  Part of it is that I feel like I’m leaping through reblogs or have nothing to say.  You can tell that my replies have gotten shorter because I’m distracted by life and feeling a little distant from humanity at times.  Not sure what’s set off this mild drawing back, but it’s probably hurt me a bit.  I still look around for anything I can do to help promote, but money and time tend to be issues.  Why does it feel like indie authordom is now more of a rich man’s game than the ragtag group of artists it was years ago?  Maybe I just wasn’t aware before.

That’s pretty much it for this pre-Christmas post.  I’m Jewish, but I know I have to give a nod to the holiday.  It’ll be tomorrow though since today I’m just going to state my goals and get back to the excitement of . . . laundry.  Why did the kid version of me think adulthood would be fun and exciting?

Goals:

  1. Edit War of Nytefall: Rivalry
  2. Defensive Driving course
  3. Fun Sunday!!!!!
  4. Possibly start writing an Ichabod Brooks short story.
  5. Continue biking and eating better.  Snacking is the enemy!
  6. Need a haircut and eye exam.
  7. Watch more of ‘Black Butler’ or ‘Seven Deadly Sins’.
  8. Finish reading ‘Rave Master’ since all of the volumes are due back in early January.  Just 9 to go . . . Uh oh.

Random Plug: War of Nytefall: Loyalty! Grab it for $2.99!

About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
This entry was posted in Goal Posts and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

19 Responses to Goal Post: My First Holiday Break from the Other Side

  1. I say take all the time you need. Merry Christmas, as you celebrate it. 🙂

    Like

  2. Glad things are going well with the job. Good luck with the editing and such… Take all the time you need to sort that, and writing. If you need to just rest, rest!

    Part of it is that indie books used to be all people could get for their fancy eReaders, and now, with so many people having eReaders of one kind or another so that they don’t seem so fancy any more, traditional publishers are making eBooks too, so we have to compete with their marketing. Try not to let it get to you. Just do what you can, be around doing the social media stuff when you can, and try to feel good about the fact you’re doing the best you can.

    Like

    • I’m aiming for an April release. Don’t like being inactive for so long. Rest seems to only give me a temporary respite because things build up. So I think I need to find ways to be more active.

      Good point on ebooks now being indie and traditional publishing. It’s not that different than the old days of paper then. Everyone is in the same pool now.

      Like

  3. Glad you are getting away for a day on Sunday. Sounds like a good way to vent a little. Hope you week is peaceful.

    Like

  4. C.E.Robinson says:

    Charles, happy break time. Try to relax and enjoy it! You have some important goals to consider in 2019. Good thoughts that all will go well with your decisions. A teaching certificate would take you further! Happy Holidays to you & family! 📚🎶📚Christine

    Like

  5. L. Marie says:

    Defensive driving? Wow. Hope that’s over with for you.
    Have a great Sunday, Charles. Hoping for the best for you.

    Like

  6. Enjoy your break. I don’t get one, but I am off Christmas Day. Have a good time with your friend.

    Like

  7. Jennie says:

    Sounds like a good week ahead, Charles. Merry Christmas to you!

    Like

  8. I’m on winter break, too. Isn’t it great? Hope you continue getting more sleep. That makes everything easier.

    Oh — if they give you the option, make sure you set your paychecks to withhold some now and pay it out during the summer. That way you won’t have to look for a summer job as well.

    Like

Leave a comment