![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
A busy, lazy few days...
Apr. 13th, 2016 09:04 pmI can't really track the cause, but it seems that all I've been doing since Monday is work and walk around like a zombie (or nap/sleep), and by the time the day draws to a close, I can't be bothered to stick around for a few extra minutes to even do a "check-in" post here on LJ.
This morning, Galina asked if I may be experiencing some kind of "down" reaction to my tied-for-last-place finish in the LJ Idol voting this past Monday, which came as a real surprise to me, because I thought she knew me better. You see, I got used to "rejection"—with respect to my writing, at least—a long time ago (and I put the word in quotes because of the so many different things the word can connote). A corollary of this is my trademark lack of emotional involvement on those occasions when people level criticisms at my translations, and I often think my lack of hysterics and willingness to cooperate constitute my Unique Selling Proposition as a translator.
That said, do I feel bad about "going home" from the latest iteration of LJ Idol?
No, not really.
On the contrary, I am experiencing three rather different positive reactions.
The first is a sense of having, perhaps, learned the rudiments of keeping a story moving, as I've completed fifteen installments of the Feather/Usha story. These weigh in at about 17,000 words so far and frankly, they could do with a "little" judicious clarification and amplification that hopefully, will not stray over into what Ellmore Leonard used to call "stuff people don't read." Will the result be another Harry Potter? I doubt it. But if it turns into a short novel, it'll be something I've never accomplished before.
The second is a small—very small—feeling of relief, knowing there is one less thing on my plate this week, so I can devote myself fully to stuff that pays the bills, i.e., outstanding translation assignments and helping Galina get Natalie's house in order to be rented.
The third has to do with the other side of that coin, i.e., making sure I mentally apply a boot to my butt to not let the Feather/Usha story remain unfinished, as it would all too easy to let it go quiet as other concerns take center stage in my life. I need to find balance.
Today was my second day at a new Crossfit place that opened in Seabrook, offering free classes this week. I have found both days to be hugely humbling experiences. That said, I plan on going again tomorrow.
Cheers...
This morning, Galina asked if I may be experiencing some kind of "down" reaction to my tied-for-last-place finish in the LJ Idol voting this past Monday, which came as a real surprise to me, because I thought she knew me better. You see, I got used to "rejection"—with respect to my writing, at least—a long time ago (and I put the word in quotes because of the so many different things the word can connote). A corollary of this is my trademark lack of emotional involvement on those occasions when people level criticisms at my translations, and I often think my lack of hysterics and willingness to cooperate constitute my Unique Selling Proposition as a translator.
That said, do I feel bad about "going home" from the latest iteration of LJ Idol?
No, not really.
On the contrary, I am experiencing three rather different positive reactions.
The first is a sense of having, perhaps, learned the rudiments of keeping a story moving, as I've completed fifteen installments of the Feather/Usha story. These weigh in at about 17,000 words so far and frankly, they could do with a "little" judicious clarification and amplification that hopefully, will not stray over into what Ellmore Leonard used to call "stuff people don't read." Will the result be another Harry Potter? I doubt it. But if it turns into a short novel, it'll be something I've never accomplished before.
The second is a small—very small—feeling of relief, knowing there is one less thing on my plate this week, so I can devote myself fully to stuff that pays the bills, i.e., outstanding translation assignments and helping Galina get Natalie's house in order to be rented.
The third has to do with the other side of that coin, i.e., making sure I mentally apply a boot to my butt to not let the Feather/Usha story remain unfinished, as it would all too easy to let it go quiet as other concerns take center stage in my life. I need to find balance.
Today was my second day at a new Crossfit place that opened in Seabrook, offering free classes this week. I have found both days to be hugely humbling experiences. That said, I plan on going again tomorrow.
Cheers...
