Thurs. May 16, 2024: The Unexpected, Both Positive and Not So Much
image courtesy of (Joenomias) Menno de Jong via pixabay.comThursday, May 16, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Rainy and warm
You can read the latest on the garden over at Gratitude and Growth.
There’s a post up on Ink-Dipped Advice on advertorials tilting perspective.
Today’s LEGERDEMAIN episode:
Episode 190: The King Leads the Challenger
King Cordahan has a proposition for his aspiring usurper.
I was sad to learn about the death of Alice Munro. Both she and Mavis Gallant have had a huge impact on my writing life.
I wrote and submitted the book review. I did this week’s episode videos for the serials and got them uploaded and scheduled. A little late, but better than never.
I read and commented on revisions of two of a friend’s short plays. I submitted a script to a call.
I heard from two theatres who have submission calls to which I’d like to submit, but I was afraid certain restraints would make it impossible. They both encouraged me to submit, and said we’d work things out. One needs a good bit of prep; it’s more of a proposal for work than the work itself. The other is already complete and just needs a pithy cover letter.
I’m tempted to start a small side business called “Pithy Cover Letters.”
I had a productive morning, although, for some reason, I felt like I hadn’t gotten anything done.
Because I didn’t write any new material. Specifically, because I didn’t work on LEGERDEMAIN. I’m really struggling to get it finished. I can’t leave it to trail off. That’s insulting to my readers.
I turned around the small coverage and was dispirited by the end of it due to the dearth of work this pay period.
But I did force myself to sit down and draft two episodes of Legerdemain in the afternoon. I think I’m about six episodes from the end or so. If I can just force myself to sit down and spit them out, I can get it done, then revise, polish, upload, schedule, and BE DONE.
I wound up an important plot point, I’m about to wind up another, which I think can be done in 2 episodes or so, then one more plot point, then resolution and breath. It would be great if I could finish this weekend, since next week is very busy, and I’d love to get it done before Memorial Day. We will see how it all shakes out.
I started revisions on STRANGERS IN THE SNOW. I need to find my notes for the revisions. It’s holding together better than I remembered. Part of the decision in the revision is whether to add an additional antagonist into the piece fairly early, rather than having him mostly off the page later on, which would then mean adding/restructuring some scenes that I kind of like.
Headed out to tarot circle, making a stop at Wild Oats on the way. Tarot was good. My friend installed the new sideview mirror – which cracked when it was snapped in. So I have to order a new one, which I did – and it will be here sometime between next Tuesday and the middle of July. Um. . .last week it only took four days?
Came home to the ambulance bills for the two ambulance rides my mom took when she had her stroke. One from the house one mile up the street to the hospital, and the other from the hospital to the hospital in Pittsfield. Total was nearly $6K. Insurance paid part of it, but I’m on the hook for more than expected.
This also means the hospital bills should show up any day now.
Just when I felt good about getting a little ahead. . .
I’ll figure it out.
It means we can’t call an ambulance in an emergency. At the same time, I didn’t have a choice; she’d lost her motor skills, and I couldn’t get her to the car to drive her the one mile up the street.
Gosh, I’d really like to live in a country that had actual health care instead of death encouragement.
The $5 reward from Rakuten made me dissolve into slightly hysterical laughter, because really, what else could I do? And I am grateful for the $5.
I sat on the porch with a glass of wine instead.
Got some good news, which surprised me. On July 20 – only 2 days after I get back from my play in NYC – I am the featured artist at the Farmer’s Market! I’m doing a prompt-based writing practice for the 4 hours of the market, set up in 10-minute sprints with breaks. Anyone who participates can keep the notebook in which they work. The local chamber pays for supplies, and they pay me a small artist fee. I whipped up the proposal fast, and promptly forgot about it, never thinking I would be one of the chosen artists! I think it will be fun.
July’s looking very busy, between financial workshops and my play in NYC and Resident Maker in the Market, the end of the Capacity Building Cohort, and the collaborative poem. So I better put my head down and work hard to earn money in June!
Which means I better get a lot of pitches out the next couple of weeks, so that there’s work/income in June. Since there’s kind of another lull in the script coverage work. Again. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful not to have the pressure on me this week, but it also worries me.
I could not sleep last night. I ended up getting up to deal with some admin, and wound up sending some information to a friend. Finally got to sleep. Charlotte tricked Tessa off the bed, so Charlotte slept on it last night, and we were both restless.
Up early this morning. I want to get the LEGERDEMAIN episodes edited and scheduled before meditation.
I still haven’t figured out what to wear to the event this afternoon. . .
One thing at a time, right? Hopefully the rain will clear out, or I’ll wear my Wellington boots with whatever dress I finally decide to don. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. If we’re stomping around for a half, three quarters of a mile on unpaved paths in the rain, I am wearing my Wellies.
Have a good one.
