There’s a movie coming out soon, and it’s got a decent cast and lovely trailers and in general it seems like the sort of thing I might be interested in, in a broad sweeping general sense. Probably not something we’d go out of our way to see in the theater, but we rent $1 DVDs fairly often.

But I just can’t get past the fact that as far as I can tell, it is a story of the dramatic struggle of the man who invented windshield wipers. And it’s called Flash Genius, or something like that. Now, call me crazy, but windshield wipers aren’t exactly blockbuster movie material in my book and, furthermore, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something to clear the rain off a windshield would be a nice thing. I have no idea what in the world might warrant the “Flash” in the title.

Every time I see one of the commercials, I start laughing. Not as hard as I did for the T-Rex in the Meet the Robinsons trailer, but still.

Movie.
Windshield wipers.
Genius.
Flash!

*runs away giggling*

I fell off the Wii wagon a few weeks back. In my own defense, there was that whole manuscript finishing thing I had going, but still. I haven’t exercised regularly in three weeks. Which is a bummer on several levels, among them the fact that all the good I was doing for myself physically has undoubtedly been negated by now. Also, I did notice a marked change in my outlook when I was going even 10 or 15 minutes of exercise every morning. Not only did I think about things more positively and proactively, I actually got more done. So shame on me for falling off the wagon. Never fear, I intend to climb back on. Soon. Really.

I spent a large portion of the weekend reading, which was darn nice. I also got some movies from the library (yay free!) and believe it or not, I spent some time away from the house. Mostly the time it took to go to the library and the farmers market, but outside nonetheless. I cleaned around the house a bit, but not as much as I half hoped.

I’m sick of all the political mail we’re getting, flyers from all the candidates for everything and all the issues and whatnot.

Today there are bills to pay, birthday cards to mail, a trip to be made to the University of Denver library, and Bible study. Also, several things I need to do to get the graduation ball rolling with the Seton Hill administrative offices. I’ve been putting that stuff off until I finished the manuscript, which would be now. That’s about all, but I think it’s enough.

It’s done.

At least, done enough to send to my mentors. Which is pretty darn done.

Whee!

There are no longer essential chunks of manuscript missing from my novel. All the big gaps have been filled, and it feels lovely to be able to say that. There are, of course, several threads that I need to be sure are securely woven throughout the course of the story, but most of those will only require a sentence or two here and there. There’s still plenty of work to do (I do have three whole days before I figure I have to mail this off, and far be it for me to not use all my available time) but things are in pretty good shape.

I’ve put off thinking about the wisdom teeth stuff for now; I made my consult appointment and it’s not until October, which means I’ve got time to think about it later.

I have something of a job interview today. Am excited to see how it goes; updated my resume and need to remember to print off my list of questions about the job, since there are several.

This week is busy – aside from that little deadline thing, I’ve got Bible study tonight, I’m accompanying a friend to the doctor to be there for her stress/heart test, I’m working Thursday (as usual) and have a lunch meeting on Friday. And then Matt will be gone this weekend. Lots to think about, lots to do, but my brain is fried enough that I’m not worried. That is the up side of being on your brain’s last legs. Nothing much bothers you.

The manuscript has become pretty much all-encompassing, except for when I shove it forcibly out of my mind. Most annoying is the fact that I think about it while I’m falling asleep–or rather, while I’m NOT falling asleep because I’m thinking about it. And when I do get to sleep, it’s not good sleep. I’m remembering my dreams, waking up in the night, and feeling extra tired when I wake up, which all point to less than stellar rest.

At least I’ve made progress this morning on the myth/legends that I’ve been putting off for the last few months. I’ve know for some time what the point of the various stories needed to be, their moral or theme or whatever you want to call it. The trouble has been that I didn’t know what happened in each story. Theme without plot isn’t a story. So I’ve got a plot for one of them now, which is great, but for some reason the words aren’t flowing very well. I was going to write the story while all the plot ideas were still fresh (though I brainstormed on paper, so it’s not as if I’ll lose something vital), but at this point I’m thinking I should just move on to the other stories and see if tomorrow is more friendly to putting words on the page.

I made an appointment for a consultation with the dentist who will pull my wisdom teeth, so events have been set in motion for that.

I’m also being a weenie about the potential of moving away from my current day job. The alternative is a very good one, and I’m sure I’ll like it, but I never like giving my notice to quit, especially when I like my coworkers. But the move will be good both for my writing and our finances, so I have to get past the weenie-ness.

But now it’s time to get back to the writing. And the thinking about the writing. And the finishing. Ta ta.

Have I really not posted since Tuesday? I blame Matt. And, you know, the manuscript. But mostly Matt.

See, he got his wisdom teeth out on Wednesday morning. Yes, yes, he’s a little old to be getting wisdom teeth pulled out. And no, things aren’t going badly–no excessive swelling, no bruising, no infection–but there is at least the usual amount of pain, discomfort, boredom, and malcontent about eating soft foods. Though I must say I make a mean batch of instant pudding, and I’m getting good at peanut butter banana chocolate milkshakes.

Unfortunately, it’s my turn to have my wisdom teeth out in a few weeks. And yes, I do have an excuse for being this old without having them out. Even now, mine are only partially exposed, which means I don’t even remember them coming in. For a while, I’m pretty sure I remember thinking I just didn’t have any. But they’re there, partially exposed, and apparently in danger of collecting plaque and other bad things to have collecting in my mouth, and there’s a risk of infection if I just leave them, and I’m sure I’m telling you all more than you wanted to know.

At any rate, I already knew I was going to be a total wuss about my whole wisdom-teeth-removal-recovery, but now I’m even more apprehensive. See, since mine aren’t exposed, are in fact mostly covered by my gums, I think I’m very likely going to need stitches. I have never, ever had stitches before, especially not in my mouth. If I have stitches, I’ll also have to have them removed. I am not excited about any aspect of the possibility of stitches. In my mouth.

And then there’s the fact that I have chronic problems with my jaw, and I’m afraid that having them put me to sleep and prop my mouth open as wide as it will go for an hour will end up with me being entirely unable to move my jaw, much less chew anything for days (not that I’ll be chewing much anyway, of course). And then there’s the fact that, you know, when I actually open my mouth all the way I have to do this sideways pop thing to get it to close again. I can just imagine them trying to close my mouth while I’m still sedated, unable to do it because it’s locked open. Fabulous.

Matt tells me this is why I’ll have a consult appointment before we schedule the surgery, and that I shouldn’t worry, but I don’t feel anxious. I’m not worried. I’m just realistic, and the reality is that it’s really going to stink. A lot. And it’s going to hurt. A lot.

So now that you all know why I don’t want to get my wisdom teeth out, I should probably mention that the novel is coming along. My percentage meter method of gauging progress is entirely unhelpful at this point, so I’ll just say that I’ve written two scenes, fixed another scene and a half, and still have to fix/finish half a scene and then write two or three legends. Myths. Stories that form the structure upon which an entire culture builds their worldview. You know, the little details are always best to save until last. Oy.

But really, things are going well. Honest.

Three scenes need to be finished/rewritten. Three scenes need to be written in the first place (I’ve known about them for quite some time). I need to go through my To Do list one more time and stick in bits and pieces here and there to make everything consistent and multi-dimensional. I need to read through the last half of the book aloud, and go through the entire thing one more time for typos and spelling errors.

And that, my friends, is all that needs to happen before I can mail this thing off. It might even be done early. I’m not even kidding.

And just in case you were wondering: yes, I am wearing my dancing pants. And I’m utilizing their innate tendency toward dancing as I celebrate how very, very close I am.

Life has been busy lately, but not distressingly so. Matt’s starting in on his third week of classes, and is right on schedule with moderate panic about being inept with the language he has to learn this term. I’m working consistently on the manuscript AND have managed to do the laundry on time three weeks in a row. A miracle, I know.

Shiloh just got a new bone. A big one! With knuckles! Chicken flavored! Even though it’s plastic! She makes nice sideshow entertainment as I clean the apartment, alternating between Very Serious Chewing and Tossing The Bone To See If It Flies (so far, no luck), followed by a Pounce! or two. Clearly, the height of entertainment for everyone involved.

The fall theme I chose doesn’t let me display the links to my website pages other than the blog, which is problematic. I’ll see what I can come up with to fix it in a suitably autumnal fashion.

Also, for those of you who are keeping track, I’ve revised through 76% of the manuscript. You know, except for the bits I still have to write. There are some of those. But woohoo more than 3/4 of the way done! (Sorta.) Woohoo!

Since I’m thinking of autumnal things, I decided it was about time to change the blog theme, so enjoy the pretty fall design!