Things I Should Be Doing

Things have been marvelously busy lately, which makes me feel like a slacker blogger, as I've been spending so much time doing things. But I realize things aren't going to get any less busy for some time now (if ever), so I would do well to include this as one of the things I am Officially Staying On Top Of.

Aside from work, and the library, and dance classes, and reading enough to stay sane, there's all sorts of additional fun things. For one thing, it's been pretty hot out, which means it's even hotter in our apartment. So I've been spending lots of time in coffeehouses. It also makes library time seem even better. Then there's getting ready to move. I've been making all sorts of lists of things to do and take care of and whatnot. I keep thinking I ought to download Evernote again (I had it on my old laptop). Not only to keep track of all the Important Things To Do, but also because I've had a lot of thoughts about writing lately, both about fictiony-type writing, and blogging-writing. I'm even thinking of doing NaNoWriMo again. But then I remind myself that Evernote would just be another technological distraction, to which I am already prone, and that paper lists work just fine. Plus, I can take them with me, since I'm the last person on the planet without a phone that's good for that kind of stuff. One of these days I'll have to go out and get myself a Blackberry. Joining the 21st century in terms of cell phone perks is becoming imminent.

So it is with all this in mind that I rewrite my resume tonight. The job search is also becoming imminent, and in a much more immediate way. So that'll be fun.

Wish me luck.

Making progress

No real update on the books this week. I'm still reading A Confederacy of Dunces and Unweaving the Rainbow. I've actually gotten a lot read of Dunces, because it's been too hot to stay in the apartment, so I've spent an enormous amount of time this week sitting in coffeehouses. Which is good, because it was supposed to go back to the library tomorrow. Depending on how today goes, though, I'll probably have to renew it. But it's almost done, so we'll see.

It was a long week, though. I did that thing I was dreading in the last post, and it went much better than I expected. I gave notice at work this week that the Boy-Creature and I are moving in October, to New Orleans. It's been a long time coming, and I couldn't be more excited. I've been counting down the weeks until I leave work.

Even though we decided this some time ago, it didn't really feel real until this week. Now that I've told my manager, and we're making plans for recruiting and training for someone to take my place, everything feels like it's finally moving forward. It helps that we also got the news this week that we have somewhere to stay when we get down there, until we find jobs and get our own place. And I just can't wait to get down there.

Tough and unavoidable things

It's only Tuesday, and it's already been a really challenging week. And it's not going to get any easier until I do the dreaded thing that has to be done.

I don't have the energy to expand upon that right now. But I will.

Addicted to the busy

Booklove! On time this time. Since I've gotten busier as of late, I've once again become addicted to the feeling of getting things done! Like I used to. It's something I've missed in the last year. Anyone who knew me in high school can tell you, I do very well with a full schedule! Now if I can just get my writing back on track.

Speaking of writing.... Books!

I finished Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and took her back to the library. I'm thinking, though, since I was reading it because of Tim Burton's movie coming out soon, that I should re-read Through the Looking Glass too. I can tell just form the short trailer and the stuff that's come out on the internet that they're pulling from both books for the movie. So I want to get that back in my head, too.

But for now, I'm reading A Confederacy of Dunces. It's one of those books that I've picked up dozens of times, but haven't actually gotten around to reading until now. And it kills me to think how many books I've been meaning to read for so many years. So here's one more off the list! I'm not terribly far in, but it's very funny so far, and I'm excited to get on with it.

I really like saying "Plurk"

It's fun. Say it: plurk.

Plurk plurk plurk.

Anyway. I gotta plurk account. It's over there in the sidebar, in case you don't feel like going over to look at it.

Social networking! Welcome to 2009, Kat!

If you want to get your own, go here.

Hypocrisy! I has it!

Today on the way home from work, I saw a banner for one of those seasonal stores that are only open for Halloween, and I thought, "Ugh! August is barely half over, that's stupid. Which means the Christmas stuff should start up in about two weeks, which is even worse."

And then I came home to find my 2-disc special edition soundtrack from The Nightmare Before Christmas came from Amazon today! Which I bought partly because I love, love, looooooooove that movie, and partly because I'm crazy about Fiona Apple's cover of "Sally's Song." So I'm currently listening to "What's This?" and I have stopped scoffing at Halloween in August.

I had a dream once about being in rehearsals for a ballet of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and I woke up thinking how amazing that would be. All black and white tutus and creepy sets and makeup. In the back of my mind, I still want to start choreographing.

Gravity. She is a harsh mistress.

Some days, I swear I wouldn't make it through the workday without Lime and Violet and Regina Spektor. Most days, though, it's more of a mixed bag of podcasts. Just enough to keep me entertained until it's time to go, in between phone calls.

Today I was listening to one that's come to be one of my favorites, the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe. I was only half listening, between working and talking with my office buddy, but after awhile, it very much caught my attention. They were interviewing Michael Goudeau, this guy who's been a professional juggler and clown for years, and now he also writes for Penn Jillette. I didn't hear why they were interviewing him, but it was fascinating. Like a train wreck. Or, more appropriately, like a sideshow act.

Michael Goudeau juggles chainsaws. And if you're interviewing a juggler who juggles chainsaws, how do you not ask how he ended up juggling chainsaws? He said it was like playing chicken with other jugglers. It starts with flaming torches, and then machetes (for which he bled for three days. I probably would have stopped right there), and then axes. And then running chainsaws. Naturally.

The thing is, I love circuses. I've taken static trapeze classes. I loved those classes, and even thought about auditioning for circuses. I have great respect for the circus. People underestimate the art and dedication that goes into it, and they forget the history that goes back centuries. I will always be fascinated with all that stuff.

But as much as I am fascinated by it, and by Michael Goudeau, by extension, I will never understand the impulse to throw several sharp blades ten feet in the air. Much less a running chainsaw.

The world is full of crazy people. Isn't it fantastic?