Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cooler


I need to commit to spending 10-15 minutes each day clearing off my desk. I let things accumulate until I “have” time to get to them – only that never happens. So, by dealing with stuff a little bit every day, maybe I can keep myself from feeling overwhelmed. And that’s in addition to filing everything as I print it, so the printer tray doesn’t stack up. Because, eventually, I simply take everything out of the tray and add it to the pile on the desk to file “someday”.

I also need to set aside a day to work on receipts every week, so they don’t accumulate. I have a stack on my desk – usually, I’m pretty good, and it makes doing my taxes oh, so much easier. But if I work on them on X day each week, maybe I can prevent the pile on the desk.

Staying on top of the paperwork is my most difficult challenge. Other people’s methods just don’t work for me, so I have to create my own.

Hop on over to the Dog Blog today and check out my essay on the “My Space” craze.

Someone’s trying to hack into my computer. The warnings keep coming up on the firewall. Thank goodness I upped my protection. But it’s still annoying.

Trying to clear out various email boxes so that they’re clear for the New Year. I’m trying to find a way to copy the files to CD, so I can keep them if I need them, but get them off the computer so I can start 2007 clean. I have a feeling I have to go to Staples and get some more CDs.

I prepared the 2007 folders for the monthly bills, etc., and I set up the Submission Log for 2007. I have to make better use of the tickler files – it’ll be much easier to track things if I actually put a copy of the letter in the file, and then follow up.

Worked on updating the new addresses I collected during the holidays, and can now put into the Rolodex. Forget keeping it on the computer – I need it on the Rolodex, where it doesn’t vanish periodically.

I withdrew the incorrect submission and apologized profusely to the editor. I hope it’s not held against me; if it is, oh, well. At least I didn’t pretend the story was still available when it’s not, and that’s more important.

Work was fine – got everything done; received some more gifts from people who thought I’d be around over the weekend, but I wasn’t.

The rude, hateful, and presumptuous are flocking into the city in preparation for New Year’s, hiring oversized limos, thinking it’s cute and/or cool to stand up through the sun roof and screech. Nobody thinks you’re cool, honey – we all know you’re an idiot. And we also know that ANYONE can hire a limo for an hour. Shoving people into the street in front of cars isn’t funny or cute – it’s assault, and that cop had every right to ticket you, sweet pea, because you could have cost that other kid his life. AND, low rise lime green spandex still makes you look like a hooker, especially if you’re fourteen. Another thing – no toddler in a stroller should be wearing a full-length, REAL fur coat, especially when it’s 54 degrees outside.

Ideas are percolating and swirling for the new year, and I need to figure out how to schedule it all in without making it overwhelming.

Also, I’m “retiring” the volume of paper journal I have on New Year’s Eve – there are still blank pages in it, but I feel I’m getting caught up in old patterns from the past couple of years – fresh journal, fresh start, so that’s what I’ll do. The Yankee brought up on “waste not, want not” hates the thought of leaving blank pages, but . . .in this case, it’s necessary.

I worked on the GDRs for 2007. They scare the hell out of me, and leave me feeling vulnerable. Part of me doesn’t want to post them, yet I also think posting them is an important part of my process.

2006 was a tough, tough year, but, ultimately, seems to end on a more positive note than it started; the year was about determination and surviving it through sheer force of will. I want next year to be much more serene.

Today should be primarily a writing day – I have some things to clear off the decks, and I’m at the theatre tomorrow.

Devon





Need help setting goals for the New Year? Check out questions to help you with your Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions on Wordish Wanderings.