Boarding Pass

I’ve made it over the worst, but the cough and pain in my lungs still linger. Now I will spend the week scrambling to catch up on my classes and my writing.

Yet, upon my return to work on Friday, someone told me I looked majestic and ten years my junior. So, I guess I at least look less ragged than I feel.

Now, as winter creeps in, I can look forward to spending the next solstice surrounded by snow in real winter! And, with the key criteria for travel dealt with, I can at least enjoy a little of my Sunday morning dreaming of all the lesser-known spots I’d like to visit... 

Conquered

Well, it’s been a bit of a rough week. I seem to have caught the cold to end all colds, and even my endless bed rest and liquids are no match. 

So, while my fever looks like it will keep me home for the weekend as well; at least I got my self portrait done for the tea towel fundraiser! 

I'm not a starfish...

Pebbly Beach (My backyard)

It feels like my IRL writing group is focussing on love themes for our next meeting. In my human stories, I focus on relationship dynamics and I am debating which of my stories I should share. During our last meeting, we had discussed reading our work aloud and I think that is why I am struggling. 

It’s hard to take that risk and make oneself vulnerable when you’re in the spotlight. I prefer the shadows with anything heavy and so to read my work feels daunting, especially with a personal piece of creative nonfiction, which is my novel. 

My work is heavy, I think that is the easiest way to describe it. One editor commented on the rich descriptions and vivid detail in my narratives, he was impressed with my use of figurative language. I think I achieved that as a way to distance myself because they are nonfiction. However, it’s very different to send someone pages and discuss them than it is to read my work to an audience.

Pebbly Beach (My backyard)

Perhaps, I will play it safe in the respect that I could share a current piece where I have tried to engage my inner comic and lighter side. It was a work that emerged from prompts stipulating that you needed to incorporate the following words: calico cat, eggshells, mysterious and you needed to either begin or end the piece with the sentence “I laughed as I swiped the blood on my face and smiled.” I am a comedian with my friends so I don’t mind being in the spotlight doing stand up and making everyone laugh in that regard, but to write it is a whole other story, pun intended. So I am hoping I pulled off the comedic element in my written word. 

Anyhow, I have one more day to decide which route I should take; personal disclosure and hoping I can get through reading the opening to my novel, or grab my fictional piece and give the group a lighter side! 

I think I will continue reading the book I thoroughly enjoy that my PhD supervisor recommended for now and sleep on my decision...

 “What do you think? I’m not a starfish or a pepper tree. I’m a living, breathing human being. Of course, I’ve been in love.” 

― Haruki Murakami, Kafka On The Shore

A whole different 80k

Well, I survived the first 80hr work week, and I have added a little more to my plate since I have always had a healthy appetite! I belong to two writing groups that “meet” on a monthly basis. The online group is more fluid and assignment-based (creating a themed story) and the IRL one is also once a month but in person and consists of sharing actual pieces of our written novels. Last week my online group brought this course by Tim Clare to my attention and I thought I would try it since November is just around the corner. I am only into day two so I will give him a chance, but his process differs from mine. As someone that comes from a heavy research background, the off-the-cuff approach of the first two days is not in my comfort zone. However, the time commitment fit with my current schedule. 

Happy writing!

Stepping into September

I woke with the sun and a wet nose pointed in my direction, eagerly awaiting any movement from the body that was me in the bed above her. I was researching escapes and goals the other day and came across quite an inspiring challenge. It may be early for me, but a girl can dream. Besides, a new month of challenges lay ahead and the first morning of daily early 10kms wasn’t as difficult as I’d expected. It is not much when you think of it, but the hour at which I have to rise and be ready to run will provide its own challenge. I don’t think I’ll be able to fit in anything longer given my 14hr work days, but perhaps my mentor will help me work on some longer runs for weekends and holidays. As the days get shorter, I’ll also miss the morning light, but at least we will have fewer chance encounters with the black and white Pepes that have invaded the island over the summer months. These cute little thieves have stolen all my zucchinis I was so looking forward to, but at least they left me my tomatoes... I guess raw green tomatoes are only a treat for me to prepare a new batch of Salsa Verde! Happy September 🎤