This is Your Brain On Plans

This is a rather accurate depiction of my brain this evening.

I've spent a large portion of my day reading books about publishing and scanning blogs written by the Juggernauts of the written word. I have decided: I need to conquer this writing business. Well, I have to get an eye exam to make sure those pesky retinas are not trying to detach themselves -- but THEN, I will write.

(Truth be told, sitting and writing this now is causing a great deal of pain in my face. See? I will suffer for art, I must be the rugged, tortured, REAL deal.)

So yes -- some weird crush of ideas has taken over. Actually, maybe that is what's causing the eye strain. All those ideas are trying to leak out onto my keyboard but those silly pupils won't open wide enough to let 'em flow through and -- alright, this is making me feel gross. I will stop.

Ideas.

I have at least two new blog ideas. Did I mention I am writing on two right now? Well, one is on hiatus while The Advocate is orchestrating the Olympics in Vancouver. The other blog is here (and queer!)

I have a writing contest to enter for the end of this month. I have the story planned out, I just have to take the time to write and edit it. The word limit is 2,500 words -- pfft. I scoff at that. I have the sense this story will easily surpass that count, so I need to harness the brutal, internal revisionist for this project.

I have various writing goals that Ladies in Writing will hold me accountable for this year.

I have an exhausting amount of planning to wrestle over the next few months. I am prepping for some recklessness to start in September. I know, it sounds a touch oxymoronic. I am anal-retentive, there have to be SOME plans in place otherwise I will be left breathing into a paper bag.

Umm.... so, I am quite all over the place. OH! And I need to network. I find networking to be rather stressful at times. And by "at times," I mean ALL the time. I need to take a page from the revised edition of Ship Sharp's Book -- that lady is takin' no prisoners and I am in the greatest awe possible. In fact, I think she should start a blog just so she can tell the world how fabulous she is. I mean, The Advocate and I do the regular bloggin' rounds, so, I think Ship Sharp's gotta get in on the ground floor of that.

Alright, I need to call it quits for the evening -- my eyes are shrieking and pleading for me to give it a rest or at least put some sunglasses on to cut the glare of... everything.

Confound you, immunity.

One Week Later...

Ungh... where has all the health gone?

Current status:

• Crippling sinus headache
• Massive pressure behind the eyes
• Fluid in the ears

Serious, what the heck is happening to this ol' body of mine? Could it be the countless hours spent at a computer screen? Hmm, doubtful -- I was doing more time at the computer during the summer and did not have issues.

Do I have eye infections? Hmm, also doubtful -- there's no pinkness there. Definite swollen sensation, but it could be more a result of the sinus pressure.

I'm calculating the chances I have to visit the clinic and snag some antibiotics. My current doctor tends to give ineffective solutions.

Actual conversation:

Doctor: Well, why not take a hot shower and use the steam to clear your sinuses?

Miz Moffatt: Umm... well, I'm living off Advil at this point. I don't think the shower is helping at all --

Doctor: Right, so try a hot shower.

Miz Moffatt: But, I DO take hot showers--

Doctor: And the steam will help it.

I wish my last doctor didn't retire. He tended to help find solutions.

So, random doctor at the clinic it is. And perhaps a visit to the eye doctor is called for.

And certainly more posts to come this week.

An Early Start to the Long Weekend

..... Though, the early start was not entirely desired, if you can imagine it.

I started feeling a little off on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, I was trying to ignore my body's pleas for medical attention. 

By Thursday, I had to admit I had a bladder infection.

WHOO! YEAH!

Headed over to the clinic, got some wicked, 3-day strength pills and set to the task of getting better. However, I woke up this morning feeling rather feverish and still quite off (hey, I was only one pill into my prescription, I think it's understandable), so I called in sick.

My dilemma: A close friend of mine is hosting a veggie-friendly barbeque this evening that I've been looking forward to for a number of weeks. I haven't hung out with the crowd in about two weeks and want to see them for updates. I mean, think about it:

• The Sister got engaged
• I came out (which will in turn make me out to my group of friends)
• My current contract/job is coming to an end in the near future
• I randomly came down with a bladder infection that has taken me out of commission for the majority of this week.

.... There's a great deal goin' down during this August-September stretch, no doubt. Even if I can only spend a short while with the Crew, it'll be time well spent.

Well, it's decided then -- I'll take my drugged-up self downstairs to start ironing a shirt! HUZZAH FOR LONG(ER) WEEKENDS!