the weight has lifted

I turned in an eight-hundred page freelance project on Wednesday. What a relief! With the exception of Memorial Day weekend, I've had solid freelance work since mid-March. Which is crazy. So I'm taking a month off from it. No freelancing until the new Charles de Lint comes in and it's time for me to proofread it, because oh yes, that freelance project is mine. But I need to be a little more choosy about the projects I take. Not that I mind taking projects I don't really enjoy. It's more that I've really ran myself into the ground over the last couple of months, and I need to teach myself to not do that. Taking time out for myself is important. Working on my book is important. Sleeping enough is important.
That's the theme for this summer. Treating myself with respect and doing what I need to do for my own health and happiness. It'll be good. And on that note, although there are only ten days left in June, I do have a to-do list:
- organize my kitchen properly
- make some serious headway in editing my book
- start running regularly again
- read another book or two
Sounds good, doesn't it? I feel like I'm taking it easy on myself, if that's all I've got for June, but that's enough, I think. July's list will be bigger, I'm sure.
Some recent reads:
The Book of Joe, by Jonathan Stropper: This book was so much better than I thought it was going to be! It's about a man who writes a fictionalized expose of his hometown. Several years later his father falls into a coma and he goes home for the first time since high school. And then his life falls apart. The writing is clever, the dialogue is witty, and the relationships between the characters are wholly believable. I definitely recommend this one, and I enjoyed it enough that I'll be on the lookout for his other books.
Wicked Lovely, by Melissa Marr: A great YA urban fantasy about a girl who can see fey folk, and how her life changes when the Summer King decides he wants her for his Queen. Well written; I love YA books with believable teenagers. I put this one right up there with Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, which means very high marks.
Lucky Dog, by Mark Barrowcliffe: I read this one for a book club I'm in. And it was a fun, lighthearted romp, about a man who accidentally acquires a dog and then discovers that the dog talks, but only to him. Hijinks ensue, involving a gambling ring, a dirt real-estate deal, his girlfriend, and his employee. It was fun. Not a keeper, by any means. It had some really nice moments, but it just didn't catch my attention enough.
On the subject of books, on Wednesday night I went to a reading at KGB Bar. As part of the Fantastic Fiction reading series that they host every third Wednesday, they had Terri Windling and her partner Howard Gayton. Interestingly, Terri did not read any fiction. Instead, she read from a nonfiction work-in-progress about fairy tales and folklore. Whenever she came to an actual story, Howard would take over and read aloud in a very droll, British, lovely fashion. Fascinating stuff about the history of certain fairy tales (Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty). And it really reminded me, as Mythic Journeys always does, that this is what's important to me. The act of creation, the sharing and telling of stories. The understanding of where our stories, our fairy tales, our myths, come from and why they are important. I left there feeling rejuvenated as a creative and spiritual person. I find it fascinating that certain people, certain moments, certain works of art can make me feel this way. Can actually change my outlook on things and remind me what's truly important. I just wish I had those reminders more often, because, as we all do, I sometimes lose track of my path, and wander in the woods for a time, feeling more and more lost and alone and uncertain, until one of those moments or people comes along and shows me my path again. That is what we all need to spend more time cultivating. An understanding of our path. Not just where we are going, not just where we have been or where we are now, but the whole arc of our own story, and how our stories fit in with others.
Well. After all that seriousness, I think it's time to go back to my lovely apartment for some clarinet and some writing time. I'll be back here again soon, to post about book progress and whatnot.

A proper ramble

Well. Life has been busy since my last post. New Orleans was beautiful, and humid, and amazing. I really like it there. I would live there. The history of the city is fascinating, the people are friendly, the architecture is lovely. I even enjoyed the humidity. Here's a couple pictures for you:




Gorgeous. If I had the money I would definitely buy an apartment in the French Quarter! The cemetery was really interesting, with all the mausoleums. The swamp tour was great, all cypress trees and shallow water and alligators. I, of course, got really sunburned. But it was so nice to be out of New York for a few days, and to see some of my family. There are these amazing junk shops on Decatur Street, just past the French Market; they have the neatest stuff, and it's just piles and piles of it. I bought a copper footed colander, and a malachite ring. And a partial set of silverware.
June is shaping up to be busy month for me. Three friends have birthdays, so there are a couple different happenings, plus the Renegade Craft Fair is next weekend. And I (of course) have a freelance project, and am trying to edit my own book, and I'm hunting for just the right chair to go with the desk I bought last weekend. So much to do, so little time . . .
Two nights ago I had some people over for a poker game. It was the first time I'd had people over to my apartment, and it was loads of fun. My work spouse won both games! It just means I'll have to host more games, so everyone can try to win their money back from him.
Anyway. There's more to post about (books I've read, bands I've started listening to, summer goals) but I think I'll save it for a day or two. I need to get cracking on my freelance project.