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xochitlIt's getting to be that time of year again, when I get all angsty about authoring and Thanksgiving. They both take place in November. The first is NaNoWriMo, which I did for the first time last year, and though it was often like pulling teeth, there was a kind of freedom to it that was enormously refreshing, and rewarding. So, I'm doing it again. I'll be posting updates like I did last year.
Do I know what I'll be writing about yet? Sorta. Not as concrete an idea as I had for last year's venture, but it'll be an interesting exercise for me. I'm thinking of taking an idea I had for a TV series and using this to explore the concept and the people. Think of it as a proto-2-hour-series premiere.
Thanksgiving is going to be nothing short of tidal for me. I can't leave the country while my permatemp (as opposed to bridging) visa is being decided, not that there's enough capital to make it happen. Christmas ain't looking good, either.
It'll be the first time ever that I don't go home for both. I don't like it.
Family/friends over here have said they'll gladly assist with a expat Thanksgiving, which is very kind of them, but I suspect it's party because they get to eat twice the turkey they normally do in the summer. Heh. Christmas I'll be with family, eating barbecued meat of all kinds on a newly built deck (assembled by my aunt-in-law whom I shall name Rosie, as in the Riveter, because I'm quite certain that if left to her own devices she could fabricate and assemble a P38 Mustang in little over a week). Which is novel and new, but there's something very wrong about having to wear a hat and industrial-strength sunscreen on a 90 degree, 3000% humidity Christmas morning.
So, I guess the bottom line is, I miss folks. And as much as I try to deny it, I miss New York, too. Hard. It was a slow and creeping thing. I think the city had exhausted me badly by the time I hit my 13th year there. I really did need a break. But now that I've had time to breathe and laze about, I think of all the things I could be doing with those little wisps of rediscovered courage with all my friends in The City that Never Sleeps.
Speaking of which (tangentially; I'm referring to the courage thing)--I'm working a construction industry research job, which bears remarkable similarities to my law clerking job. Lots of specialized knowledge, lots of database wrangling. But here's the catch: my work involves calling people. A lot. To ask for construction project status.
I hate phones. I hate talking to people on the phone. It's not quite phobia level, but I really do hate just picking up the phone and dialing someone who is not expecting my call. I bridge this into the assumption that they also do not want my call, which will inevitably be true once in a while. But it does--it knots me up inside, I get the willies just picking up the damn phone, because I just know things are going to escalate into unpleasantess and I won't have the right answers because I never do. One of the reasons I accepted the job was because it would force me to get over it.
So far, I'm doing. Not well, just doing. Part of my anxiety comes from being American, which knots me up even worse. I worry that people will instantly have some very ill-intentioned preconceived notions of me the moment I start to speak. I've spoken with some of my co-workers about this (one of them being Aunt RtR), and have been assured that 9 times out of 10 that won't even enter into the exchange, or the other person's mind.
But it is incredibly unsettling.
Anyway. The house continues to shape up; I'm writing now from "the office," the second bedroom now configured with my sister-in-law's desk and a folded-up futon mattress as a makeshift sofa. I just need to get some decent lighting in here, as the overhead light is making my teeth itch. But it is enormously cool to be typing from a desk. My mister brought up the computer and arranged everything nicely on the desk for me today while I was at work (he has a night shift today), so I had a lovely surprise waiting for me. He knows I'm doing NaNoWriMo (and potentially working on a radio play for BBC competition), and wanted to make things as writerly-conducive as possible.
So, that's where things stand. A bit wordy, a bit meandering, but I could be worse. Nine more days before the writing marathon begins. We'll see how things go as the month progresses.
Cheers!
Do I know what I'll be writing about yet? Sorta. Not as concrete an idea as I had for last year's venture, but it'll be an interesting exercise for me. I'm thinking of taking an idea I had for a TV series and using this to explore the concept and the people. Think of it as a proto-2-hour-series premiere.
Thanksgiving is going to be nothing short of tidal for me. I can't leave the country while my permatemp (as opposed to bridging) visa is being decided, not that there's enough capital to make it happen. Christmas ain't looking good, either.
It'll be the first time ever that I don't go home for both. I don't like it.
Family/friends over here have said they'll gladly assist with a expat Thanksgiving, which is very kind of them, but I suspect it's party because they get to eat twice the turkey they normally do in the summer. Heh. Christmas I'll be with family, eating barbecued meat of all kinds on a newly built deck (assembled by my aunt-in-law whom I shall name Rosie, as in the Riveter, because I'm quite certain that if left to her own devices she could fabricate and assemble a P38 Mustang in little over a week). Which is novel and new, but there's something very wrong about having to wear a hat and industrial-strength sunscreen on a 90 degree, 3000% humidity Christmas morning.
So, I guess the bottom line is, I miss folks. And as much as I try to deny it, I miss New York, too. Hard. It was a slow and creeping thing. I think the city had exhausted me badly by the time I hit my 13th year there. I really did need a break. But now that I've had time to breathe and laze about, I think of all the things I could be doing with those little wisps of rediscovered courage with all my friends in The City that Never Sleeps.
Speaking of which (tangentially; I'm referring to the courage thing)--I'm working a construction industry research job, which bears remarkable similarities to my law clerking job. Lots of specialized knowledge, lots of database wrangling. But here's the catch: my work involves calling people. A lot. To ask for construction project status.
I hate phones. I hate talking to people on the phone. It's not quite phobia level, but I really do hate just picking up the phone and dialing someone who is not expecting my call. I bridge this into the assumption that they also do not want my call, which will inevitably be true once in a while. But it does--it knots me up inside, I get the willies just picking up the damn phone, because I just know things are going to escalate into unpleasantess and I won't have the right answers because I never do. One of the reasons I accepted the job was because it would force me to get over it.
So far, I'm doing. Not well, just doing. Part of my anxiety comes from being American, which knots me up even worse. I worry that people will instantly have some very ill-intentioned preconceived notions of me the moment I start to speak. I've spoken with some of my co-workers about this (one of them being Aunt RtR), and have been assured that 9 times out of 10 that won't even enter into the exchange, or the other person's mind.
But it is incredibly unsettling.
Anyway. The house continues to shape up; I'm writing now from "the office," the second bedroom now configured with my sister-in-law's desk and a folded-up futon mattress as a makeshift sofa. I just need to get some decent lighting in here, as the overhead light is making my teeth itch. But it is enormously cool to be typing from a desk. My mister brought up the computer and arranged everything nicely on the desk for me today while I was at work (he has a night shift today), so I had a lovely surprise waiting for me. He knows I'm doing NaNoWriMo (and potentially working on a radio play for BBC competition), and wanted to make things as writerly-conducive as possible.
So, that's where things stand. A bit wordy, a bit meandering, but I could be worse. Nine more days before the writing marathon begins. We'll see how things go as the month progresses.
Cheers!
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-22 11:22 am (UTC)Good luck with NaNoWriMo.
I know it is not New York, but if you can wing it at some stage, come down to Melbourne. Its a fun city!
You know, my family still does the whole hot Christmas dinner. I know in Qld it isn't a common thing to do, but over in the West it is reasonably normal... Even if it means turning the aircon on full blast...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-22 01:09 pm (UTC)Second, 3000% humidity? What are you, rock candy? [That's an obscure joke about supersaturated liquids, for those playing at home.] :)
I say enjoy the holidays as much as you can. Again, sure, it's not the same. But it's still nice.
And go you for confronting the phone thing! I know (read here, am married to) someone else with that same hang-up (Ha! Two funnies--sort of--in one reply! I iz a Comedian!). You'll do fine. For the record, I hate talking on the phone too, but I can do it without a problem.
That's great about the office. Your mister is very cool. Hear that, meng? :)
The NaNoWriMo idea sounds good. You could always try to sell the finished piece as a novel or short story or whatever first and then develop it into a movie.
And what's this about "potentially working on a radio play for BBC competition"? Uh-uh, sister. You're doing it. I'm going to bully you mercilessly about it. And you're going to do the same for me.
:)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-22 01:49 pm (UTC)Since this is how it is right now, take it by the horns: do up a whole huge expat Thanksgiving just the way you want it. It's one of the most tradition laden holidays... take what you love, discard the rest, and create a whole new tradition.
Outside of all the food I think I would need to buy/download a copy of the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special, find a way to watch the Macy's parade (maybe NBC has it available online?) and play "Alice's Restaurant" at noon.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-22 04:52 pm (UTC)I understand the wanting to see family! I know I am not as far away or restricted legally, but cost has made it impossible for my sister to meet Art yet - and he is almost three! But I find that keeping up with family and friends online when they are far away helps to soften the blow. Sure, there will always be homesick days - I still sometimes wake up and want to go wander around on campus in my hometown, and then I remind myself that I am in New york. LOL.
Anyway, as my husband (who seems to be in a silly mood today!) mentioned, I get serious phone anxiety. I am extremely good at working on phones and talking to people - I managed to negotiate better rates and smaller bills for our old place of employment - but I hate it, and I feel something akin to stage fright the whole time I am doing it, and I want to barf...but the thing is, nobody ever notices this, and I used to get so much praise for my excellent phone skillz. I have called you when you were working before, and you have an excellent phone voice, are very articulate, and always sound like you are totally omniscient. You rock! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-22 10:32 pm (UTC)