Barely kicking...

Well, I managed to run my eyeballs over 4600 words of highly marginal translation, the kind of stuff that seriously tempts me to junk it and just retranslate it. Doing so would, on the one hand, relieve me of the torture of having to look at such sorry drivel, but on the other, I'd still be working at the editing rate, which is significantly less than what is paid for translation.

Currently, I think the Scotsman in me - who recoils mightily at the thought of translating at editing rates - is prevailing over any other false ethnic stereotypical impulses that may be firing through my synapses in a futile attempt to get the assignment over with at any cost.

As I've almost certainly mentioned before, editing translations is much more demanding than simply writing the translation in the first place, but there's nothing to be done about that except to refuse editing assignments!

* * *I gave some thought to heading over to the coffee shop this morning to play some chess, but was hesitant because of all the stuff on my plate. I went anyway but played only one game, during which I insistently kept handing my opponent the initiative until he finally stopped handing it back and beat me. I think I learned something, which is a plus.

* * *In other news, I've also knocked off another 1000 words of the translation item due Monday morning. In yet other news, there's been no response yet from a client who sent me a file and an inquiry yesterday.

* * *Finally, I am slowly coming to the realization that I'm going to have some kind of learning curve just to read my 2009 Maury catalog of French stamps, not to mention actually using it to catalog stamps. The French words will offer a pleasant challenge, and don't particularly bother me; the symbols, on the other hand, will be daunting, methinks.

* * *So, in the final analysis, where does that put me, vis à vis my self-deluded self-imposed schedule for today? Well, if you don't count what I had hoped would be an answer from that client...

   - Expect NTP from client re: incoming assignment;
        if (NTP == true) { put_wheels_in_motion; } else { reset_wheels; fuggetaboutit; }
   - Edit 5000 words
   - Translate 1000 words
   - Do some LJ Idol scribbling, if I am still conscious.

* * *I have done no scribbling, but I've done some thinking about a subject for my as-yet-unwritten "End of My Rope" essay, where I've come to understand that people don't want to read a kvetch about work, at least not unless it comes with some "redeeming social value" (e.g., it's funny).

Wow, but it's late, and I'm tired. Tomorrow looks to be a repeat of today, so I better get some rest.

Cheers...