I have to go into the office today. I feel like that’s going to screw up my schedule, and I might have to start getting up earlier or staying up later to do all the things I need to do in a day.
Stupid work. Gets in the way of everything.
Target: 1100 words
Written: 328 words, novella: The MungkThere are certain shows and stories that, for whatever reason, hit me so hard that the endorphin spot in my brain explodes in a shower of “holy shit”.
Lost In Space, the Netflix version, did that for me. I felt like the writers really understand the concept of put your characters in danger and keep them there. The tension was palpable, right from the start. The magnetized aliens, Penny and Dr. Smith in the box, Judy in the water, it goes on and on. Terrifically done.
One of the best series I’ve seen in this new “golden age” of television. Beginning to end. Great characterization, well done weaving all the threads together, good mix of tension, humour and conflict.
I like when a story really sucks me in. Like the way you can feel the Alabama sticky in Jasons Aaron and Latour’s Southern Bastards or the chill vibe of Dazed And Confused. There’s a reason I don’t limit myself to certain genres. It’s all about experience and empathy, and that can be found in stories about elves or stories about football. It can live in a love story or a revenge kick.
Creating closer connections and greater understanding (or at least, having a good time trying) is the whole point of art. Exploration. Understanding. Joy in the thing, even if it’s insanely dark.
As always, the day I decide to up my target is the day I miss it. I hope I’m retired in twenty years so these ever increasing targets don’t grow out of my reach.
Target: 1100 words
Written: 764 words, novella: The MungkFinally caught up from vacation and I can get back to the day to day. Tomorrow, I’ll explore one of my favourite things – either the Tao or Lost In Space.
We’ll see.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 662 words, novella: The MungkI don’t know why, but it strikes me as the name of a very good urban fantasy book, or perhaps just a location, Neverwhere-style. I suspect that it’s probably already been used.
I wonder if the queen of the night market is used? She wore regular kicks.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 848 words, novella: The MungkWe’re getting quite the collection of specialty items. We now have moscow mule cups. You know, the mottled copper ones. They’re quite nice, but as with all specialty items, they have their own storage and cleaning rules. I’m a fan of doing things right, especially when it comes to food and things, because I believe it elevates the meal or the drink (or the proper plumbing or whatever).
The funny thing is that I could give a shit about doing the same with fashion. I don’t understand accessories.
Things that elevate experience are good.
Things that collect stuff are bad.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 247 words, novella: The MungkPhew. Made it through. It’s always tough getting back into the swing of work after a vacation, but at a job you’ve only been at for two weeks, and after a migraine-sleepless night?
I feel like I’m doing all right. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if the bosses agree.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 481 words, novella: The MungkTwo and a half hours of sleep. Damn it. Somehow muddling through, but I think if you’d handed me a gun around 2AM last night, I would not have even hesitated to use it on myself. Migraines are not a common thing for me, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 531 words, novella: The MungkSo, working for the government is a bit unique. Part of it seems to be much the same as any other business. There are internal politics and for all the government’s bluster about fair hiring practices, there seem to be an awful lot of close friends and siblings and “people you know” getting hired.
They love their acronyms as well, which they can’t seem to stop using, even to absolute newbies like myself. But I’m getting it. It’s finally kind of sinking in.
Thank goodness.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 3472 words, novella: The MungkMy youngest niece’s birthday is today. She and her sister have been one of the best parts of my life over the last fifteen to seventeen years and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Happy birthday, kid.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 1740 words, novella: The MungkVacation brain is the worst. I feel like maybe I’ve some kind of brain injury that’s dulled my cognitive abilities. And I’m usually such a smart guy (sarcasm, of course).
Not that I’m necessarily unintelligent, but I found danger in believing in my own intelligence and I understand now how that assumption, that my intelligence would carry me through without doing the work, completely derailed my life for almost two decades.
So, I choose to start from the assumption that I know nothing, even about the things I do. The only thing I believe in is that I have the capacity to learn.
Target: 1000 words
Written: 2552 words, novella: The Mungk