I’m in a rut. I’ve hit a slump. I’m feeling blah.
However you want to coin it, the dog days of damn heat are here and I’m feeling the wrath this year. It could be from a variety of things:
1. Things are slow at work, leaving me oh-so-antsy.
2. I’m missing my family.
3. It is too hot to do anything outside 15 hours a day. Those other dark hours I happen to usually be asleep. Annoying? Yes. Controllable? No. I need to get over it already and realize June, July and August are my payment to Mother Nature for the other 9 months of sweet weather.
4. I got back my first rejection letter for my novel. I’ve only sent one, making that a 100% rejection level. However, the photocopied letter was addressed, “Dear Author.” That was pretty cool.
5. I want to be curled up on the couch knitting and watching a good, old movie — like the African Queen. Alas, I have yet to purchase a new TV. Yet another thing I need to quit bitching about and do something about.
In my family, you were allowed to complain about something once. Twice and you got a swat for being a whiner. With that in mind, my action plan:
1. Volunteer for more work. Get busy. Busy = happy. Okay, well busy = not bored. It’s an improvement.
2. I’m scheduling a trip to see my brother soon. I’ve got plans to see mis papas soon enough. We’re mustering through this.
3. Get out my cutest bikini, large brimmed hat and buy a new slew of magazines to enjoy the pool this weekend. I’m house sitting (YAY!) and can’t wait to plunk my bootay by the water. Not to mention I also get to play with the pooches. I love animals, and rented ones are even better.
4. I read this article in The New York Times magazine this weekend and thought, “Why don’t I send him a copy of my book? He knows Africa. He loves Mozambique. He’s a published author.” Strangely enough, I found his address online and dropped a letter in the mail Mr. Stark yesterday. We’ll see what happens.
Also, I decided it is foolish to beg someone (read: literary agent) to take a severe percentage of my future earnings to get my book in front of Ms. Winfrey when for a few bucks postage and a manila envelope, I can send her one myself. Again, it is a long shot, but I’m a lucky girl. I believe in good karma. And it can’t hurt. (One day, my future literary agent is going to read this post and smile at my spunk and naivet√©.)
5. I’m going to use my freelance pay this month to buy myself a new tee vee with a dee vee dee player and join the ranks of all you technophiles. So there. Katherine Hepburn, move it. Mr. Bogart’s all mine.
~K
P.S. If all this positive, happy blather doesn’t work, I may just splurge on one of these. I wear white or black about 80% of the time and can’t tell you how much I’ve invested in white T-shirts that are close, but not perfect. This one looks divine.