The Dream job

 We all have a "dream job" of some sort. That one type of employment that pays so well, the work so easy/love to do, the hours and travel necessary are perfect. I know I have several in which I try not to day dream about, because I hate disappointing myself. For many of us, these things never come about, and for some, they work hard to get those jobs, or very near to them.... and yes, it makes us envy them a little.

I was up late last night. The Wife and Middle Son had traveled on the local Light-Rail to the Mercury WNBA game last night, so I needed to pick them up afterwards. That was about 9:40pm and we stopped to bring home shakes for all from Sonic. I messed around a bit on the computer playing Warcraft, then went to bed about 11:30pm and COULD NOT FALL ASLEEP. Around 2am I was ready to just get up and go for as long as I could, but somehow drifted off. Around 5:30am I was awakened quickly - not quite startled to full attentiveness like hearing someone breaking into the house, but close to it. I realized I had a dream - one I was actually remembering.

I plopped my head back down onto my pillows to try to drop back into this dream, as it was like watching a movie, and it was good! I kinda dozed for maybe 10-15 minutes, and awoke again, realizing, I had to write this down. And should I run up to QuikTrip for some soda first, maybe get an ultimate burrito, as well? No, no, no... need to get this idea down. This could be a book. So as I spent the 500 million years getting up out of bed and setting off the snaps, crackles, and pops of the body, then that quick old man shuffle to the bathroom, I am in front of the computer screen, text doc open, making notes.

Oh, I am out of practice. Trying to note all this before it slips from my mind... what is the basic story? who are the characters (protagonist/antagonist)? Where? What When? How???? Things I will need to find a way to research (meaning hours of reading time on the internet I am sure). Is this plot outline even sound like anything that is realistic? Names? Descriptions of places, items used, etc. What is the connection of it all? how does it end - I never saw that in my dream. What would be a good climatic finish, with maybe an opening for additional story(s) - for the publisher of course. Because, this would be written so well, they'll be stabbing each others backs to get it, right?

Dream job - I have a couple I would like. Beer Taster. Book Reviewer (I'm trying this one, but my review writing needs work yet). Video Game Tester (for PC) - I have to specify for PC, because them handsets for XBox/Playstation - they have WAY too many buttons/levers for me to understand.

Either way, I'm about a page, and them some, of notes on this dream/story idea. Every time I sort of re-read through the notes, I get a heartbeat speed-up, like this could be doable. I gotta get up to the QT for some soda - maybe two - and start looking up some of this info and see if the idea is gonna work.

Dream job - being a published, popular writer. I know it just doesn't usually happen with ONE book. But if I wrote that one.... RM is always mentioning I should do it - write a book. Heck, she tells herself that as well. Who knows, maybe one day it will happen.

PeacE

Shall We Try Half-Asleep Writing?

 I just awoke about 15 minutes ago. I've done my morning jaunt to the bathroom, and had the morning cigarette. I've jumped online, as  like to go over and read RM's blog first thing in the mornings. Well, most days when I am up early. She has a better habit than I do, of writing in hers early, that I thought, maybe I should too. I'm just wondering how scattered my thoughts may be, since I am just waking up.

That being said, there isn't much on my mind I want to share today. Enough other people have griped about politics, and it seems many of those I read share many of the same opinions that I have seem to have. Makes me think of a song by Tool called "Aenema" that has the one lyrical line of: "It's a bullshit three-ring circus sideshow of freaks". Yeah, sums it up well.

I just checked my email for any update regarding work. Wow! I had an email in there from this last Project Lead! Basically it says that this last project is not ready to move to the next level, and that they may move us to another smaller (yes it did say smaller) project. Further details would be sent later today. In other words, it looks like I won't be working today.

I remember back nearly a year ago, when I first did a phone interview with this company. She had explained that sometimes there were "a day, sometimes more" between projects, and if I was looking for full-time constantly, that this job would not be the one. I understood that, and still do. I just wish the projects were longer, so the small time between wouldn't be so much "downtime" and be taken as "relax time" between projects. I know, a company can inly do the business that it gets. Still....

So that's about all I have this morning. Guess I will go play some Warcraft since I am not working right away today.

PeacE

Trying To Get The Timing Down

I have finally come to the conclusion that there is no hope of me writing any kind of a novel at this time in my life. For the past couple years I have tried at different times to see what comes up, and it just doesn't work. Of course, that doesn't surprise any of you, as you read my posts, and it is easy to see it probably is not material that would do well in a book. Short stories is one thing, and those are so few and far between for me that I am just putting that dream away for a few years. Maybe then I will dust it off and see what happens.

In the meantime, I might as well just stick with something I feel I do well - bitch about everything. Well, I know there are a few other things I do well (get your head out of the gutter, because I didn't mean that). Since I am an avid reader, it would be nice to do something with that skill. I suppose I can try to start doing book reviews. If I am able to write a review, giving the appearance of a professional writer, who knows, it could lead to a paying gig. It sort of would be nice to be able to read some literary works before they are printed for the public. Though, I am sure it is likely that there will be many that suck, and few that are golden treasures, all from my viewpoint that is.

I spent a couple hours or so reading up from random websites about how to become a good book reviewer, who to contact, how to write them, etc. Maybe that is a bit more than I can do. Obviously, if I had started this idea 5 years ago, I wouldn't be where I am now. But that's moot. I think I shall start it up, and just take it easy getting it going. Start a blog that is dedicated to reviews, looks professional, write some good pieces. Of course, that is all my opinion. Who knows what will happen.

In the meantime, I still need to find a job. Heading out this afternoon to check a couple places and do the application process.

PeacE

Craft Idea: Building Rock Cairns

Friday has finally arrived, and surprisingly, the boys are still alive. Mostly I think it is because I am too lazy to want to dig a hole in the sun-baked hard desert soil, and the idea of carrying who knows how many rocks to make a cairn is even more effort. I could be like some of the drug cartels out here, and just drive to the west side of the valley and dump the body on some empty stretch of road. Nah. My house is the first one they would come to when the ID the body...if I left enough evidence anyways. All in all getting to be too much work to even enjoy the thought of killing the boys - even when they are fighting among each other.

The mood to write has been bothering me more of late. I thought the other day I had slipped into the fugue that I like, and tried to hash out some stuff. Looking back over it later, it was crap. I mean, crap worse than my usual stuff. I guess I can't just whip out some really short story like I used to be able to do. I guess now I need to outline a form, work in character development, and pray for some sort of plot that can go somewhere. Kind of makes me want to give up just even writing anything. But I am sure I shall persevere.

Tomorrow is the 100th birthday celebration of one of the ladies that attends the church the Wife goes to. She is a family friend of Rev. Mom from back before I moved out here. She had 3 sisters, 2 of which have passed away since then. We called all of them "Aunt ****" as did so many of the younger generations. I have no idea if we are going or not. I am not sure I can tolerate being around the crowd I expect to be there.

Well, I guess I should enjoy this quiet time while the boys are still asleep. I still have the day to change my mind about the craft idea....

PeacE

Too Old to be Doing This

I realized this morning, I am not able to do things I once did in my youth. In this particular instance, I am talking about being out late at night and drinking. Last night was our pool league, and as usual, we hung around having 'a couple' more after the games were over. When I next realized the time, it was near midnight, so I headed home. This morning at 6:30'ish, the Wife wakes me to drive the oldest to school, and I just couldn't get moving. I was able to get up and take him, then once I returned home, went straight back to bed. Yeah, going to the gym was not an option today. Needless to say, by 10am, I was feeling much better, and able to face the world.

And it is a cool one at that. Yesterday brought the temperature down to the low-mid 50's, and showers throughout the day. In fact, the eastern part of the Valley got snow, as did all the mountains around here. The Daughter sent a phone picture of the snow Tucson got as well. I personally did not see any snow falling, but that was because I was inside where it was warmer than the outside. Of course, the snow didn't stick around long, as the temps are supposed to be climbing back up to be mid-70's by next week. Weird weather for AZ.

I have been feeling conceited the past couple days. I had met up with one of my buddies, and through the course of our multi-directional conversation(s), we got to talking about his daughter, who is a new YA genre author. My friend mentioned he thought I should write a few novels, and that he thinks they would be good as he had read some of my short stories and enjoyed them. Makes me feel like Tolkien, or some other author that is so well-known for writing an epic work of literature. But now makes me wonder: could I do that? Would I be able to create a story long enough for a novel? Then the thoughts of self-doubt come along, and problem after problem forecasting, the what-if's, and the fear of failing. Yeah. Not so smug about myself now. Shrug. Oh well, Life goes on.

PeacE