106. Did I say busy?
That was an understatement. Last week was non-stop action from Tuesday at work through the weekend, culminating in a crash Sunday afternoon followed by a Very Quiet Monday. For many more details on that, check out the Quickpost that contains my meandering summary. (yes a summary can so meander. Mine can, anyhow.)
Big happy thing: after last week’s post, several people volunteered as tribute for reading my current WIP’s in alpha mode, so as soon as I have the current scene finished, I’ll set up an email for sharing things as I complete them. Fair warning that’s likely on hold for a week because, welp, it takes energy to get that set up, simple as it is, and I am majorly OUT of energy.
Seriously, last week was A Lot. The main event was the University of Notre Dame Library Council weekend meeting at the Newberry Library in Chicago first and then on campus. There was also a football game the team actually won handily, a thunderstorm, lots of talking and peopling, and I even got to talk about cool things like the differences between academic and commercial publishing at a dinner with the head of the Notre Dame Press. (who is an exceedingly wonderful human and a fantastic editor.) All that plus the preparing for it all, the travel, and the Getting Home chores afterwards. <flops>
This is why I am giving everything I have planned for the next couple of weeks the side-eye of "“I’ll get to that task eventually.”
Random observation: among the many things I learned last weekend: two of the other library council members are also published authors now. One has a memoir out, and the other has edited and written leadership books. (Most of the folks on this council are movers and shakers and influential in the business world and beyond. I am very much an outlier among the alumni, as in so many other areas of life.) It was delightful to see them being excited and proud of their books—as well they should be—and kind of affirms for me that being creative and sharing stories is just a fundamental human trait.
Things I’m dwelling on: the university is kinda in a bubble, infectious diseases-wise, and the buildings all have fabulous HVAC filtration, and so it was a non-mask event. I think I saw five masks on campus the whole time, all on support staff members. So far I seem to have escaped catching anything, despite Indiana being a festering hotbed of disease at the moment.
ANYway. This week I’m working two extra shifts at the library, because life happens, and people need to do things. Always willing to step in where I can because after all, sometimes life happens to me and I need coverage on short notice. Like last week, when I realied at the very last minute that the Council thing started on Wednesday this year, not thursday like every past year for the last 15+ years.
Was it in multiple emails? With reminders showing dates? And agendas? OF COURSE IT WAS! Did it all slide off my brain because routine will outweigh novelty every time in my brain? OF COURSE IT DID. Right up until I was actually looking at the calendar and getting ready to pre-pack for the trip and saw the double-booked Wednesday. Which, at least I noticed it on Monday morning, not actually on Wedndesday? I take my wins where I find them.
This week there’s also training at the library, and discussion of getting our driveway repaved where it was dug up this spring for sewer repairs. A lot of house chores need doing. I’m getting writing done every day so far, and determined to continue that trend. I am thrilled with the progress in achieving routine, but I am still wrestling with prioritizing it in my daily routine. Because of course the reward for any given victory is a new goal.
That’s my system, anyhow. I’m sure I’ll think of something else important to share as soon as I hit publish, but I think that’s good for now.
No wait. One more thing. I shall provide some pictures from last week, since those are worth thousands of words, right?
Clockwise from the top:
Pippin helped me organize my jewelry box, because I had to pick jewelry for Fancy Events.
Notre Dame has a world-class campus. Every quad has something pretty.
The gravel trails around the two lakes are still my favorite walks, though.
The game got lightning-delayed by 90 minutes. Impressive how fast the stadium can clear out.
Some of the “people on campus” views would’ve made good Seurat paintings.
We had a spectacular day for the downtown trip. Of course we gawked at skyscrapers.