What’s on the iPod: Walk of Life by Dire Straits How was the weekend? We spent ours at my parents’ house in western PA amid plenty of relatives and lots of laughs. Holidays are usually a time when I feel a bit melancholic about times and people past, but this holiday was memory-making. We had…
Month: December 2013
Reasons to Love This Writing Job
What’s on the iPod: Corazon by Santana As I sit here the day before Christmas awaiting Santa (according to Google, he’s just delivered gifts to good little writers in Kyoto), I think about all the reasons why this job fits. Why do you and I get up every morning, grab our caffeine, and head to…
What You Did Right This Year
What I’m reading: Swimming with Crocodiles by Will Chaffey What’s on the iPod: Trash Tongue Talker by Jack White The appliances are in. We spent Tuesday entertaining delivery people and installers. After that, we rested for two days. Today, we plan for cabinets. I’m actually getting used to the process; it’s a routine now. That…
Finding Your Writing Voice
What’s on the iPod: Backyard Skulls by Frightened Rabbit Today is the day I’ve been waiting for since late June. Today my six-burner, dual-fuel, shiny-as-hell Wolf range appears in my kitchen and will take up residence for the next few decades. It may sound very un-feministic of me to be so excited about an appliance,…
Tribute
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” — Nelson Mandela Asimbonanga [We have not seen him] Asimbonanga [we have not seen him]Asimbonang’ uMandela thina [we have not seen Mandela]Laph’ekhona [in the place where he is]Laph’ehleli khona [in the place where he…
The “How Do I Start?” Writing Question
What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers Once again, snow arrived in Valley Forge. I knew the minute I said we rarely get snow that we would be hit with it. Murphy’s Law, isn’t it? But I love the white stuff, so bring it on. Right now, the view outside this study window…
Snowfall and Demand’s Fall
What’s on the iPod: nessun dorma by Luciano Pavarotti Snow. Glorious, gorgeous snow fell yesterday in the middle of my two-mile walk. The sound of snow sliding through the trees, hitting the leaves on the ground and making it all sound like paper shuffling was just so calming. Would have been nicer had there not…
The Good, The Bad, and The Freelancer
What’s on the iPod: Crazy Love by Poco Yesterday was one of those days where I sat down with a list of things I wanted to accomplish only to have everyone else’s crap get in the way. I’m not talking client work — no, client work I will always, always make room for. I’m talking…
Monthly Assessment: November 2013
What’s on the iPod: Burn by Usher I thought December would be quiet, but it’s turning out a bit busier than expected. I met with a new client last week and I have to get some ideas out to another client by Friday. Even if the work doesn’t arrive in December, it will be there…
Trial, Error, and How It Applies to Writing
What’s on the iPod: Things We Lost in the Fire by Bastille I vote we have more four-day weekends. I got more accomplished and then did little to nothing in a way that was utterly refreshing. Thanksgiving was spent at the stepson’s fiancee’s home, and we were treated to a great meal followed by a…