What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:
A Note of Clarification —
For those new to my weekly check-in, WELCOME! “What’s Up Wenzday” is where I assess my progress, or lack thereof, toward achieving self-improvement. Since one can never achieve Perfection, this is a never-ending project which sometimes feels hopeless, but more often than not provides a safe place to laugh at myself. There is something to be said for perpetually falling on my ass in public. I’m not sure what that “something” is, but I’m sure it’s profound. Or profane. Whatevs.
“What’s Up Wenzday” occurs every… stay with me here… Wednesday.
I always begin my Wenzdays with “A Note of Clarification” — a wordy summary of whatever. Might be on topic, but is equally likely to have nothing to do with anything pertinent. Did I mention I like to break rules? Oh yeah, THAT.
What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:
“Homework” by
I’m a cynical jaded bitch who tends toward Depression with a capital “D”, but my #1 Personal Commandment is “Happy is a Choice.” So here I attempt on a weekly basis to practice activities which will hopefully add more joy to my life, or alternatively pinpoint WTF is my major malfunction. Win-Win either way.
I am actually no longer sticking with the original “Happiness Project” as outlined by Gretchen Rubin, but the title still stands, BECAUSE I FUCK YOU, THAT’S WHY.
Here’s what Julien says about the assignments we’re going to tackle:
“All homework is designed to be easy to do, and the purpose of homework, over time, is to help you live a better life. Homework will provoke you to do things you should probably be better at, but that you don’t normally do.”
“This week there is no homework. We’re only setting it up. But if you want an idea of what HOMEWORK may be like, check out FLINCH, which I wrote last year alongside . It’s free.”
I downloaded the book on my Kindle (since, as Julien points out, it’s free), and I have read the first bit. It’s pretty decent, so I might even finish it. If I (a) finish it in time, and (b) like the activities, I might continue his “Homework” assignments from there. We’ll see.
Let me know if you have already read FLINCH, or plan on doing so, or intend to do the Homework with me. It would be more fun to know I’m not alone.
If you leave me to do this alone, you’re an ass hat. Just thought you should know.
What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:
GOAL / DREAM / TARGET / PLAN ASSESSMENT
I was supposed to start this week, but forgot it’s technically still vacation time, so I kind of said “Fuck it!” Round 1 of the #ROW80 Challenge (A Round of Words in 80 Days) doesn’t officially kick off till next week, so I’m taking it easy till then. I have all year to stress out. Why start early? I mean, my Christmas shit is still strewn across the living room, my new scales aren’t even out of the box yet, and there are a few candies and cookies I need to “get rid of”. Whatevs.
Next week I will begin recording my progress toward my reaching my Dreams / Goals / Targets / Plans:
1. Lose 3-5 pounds this month.
2. Apply and obtain another online job this month.
3. Minimalize and Organize my office this month.
4. Attend the writing critique meet-up and the book club meeting this month.
5. Figure out how to ride a damn elephant!
What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:
My Wippy-Doodle!
Here I update progress on my WIP (Work in Progress), which is tentatively titled GREEN MARKET. I began outlining this story for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this past November, but as soon as I hit 10K of what is anticipated to be a 90K-word manuscript, my characters deviated from the plan and headed out in a new direction. Those assholes left me high and dry, Zeus love their imaginary little hearts.
I re-worked my outline, but it still needs some tweaks. Ideas occur to me in the middle of the day, usually when I’m not at a place where I can get them organized. Then I dream about the ideas at night and they take on a life of their own. So, yeah. I have some more outlining to do, which I’ve vowed to complete by this Sunday (January 6).
I have also vowed to complete my reading and the related exercises of James Scott Bell’s PLOT & STRUCTURE, which has been instrumental in helping me re-plot my course, by the end of January. I am about to begin Chapter 5.
What’s Up Wenzday Point #5:
Bonus Material —
This is the most fun, yet tedious, part of my “What’s Up Wenzday” check-in. My hubz hates it because, as my content manager, he is responsible for all the links and images, and of course this section is loaded. Sometimes I skip the breakdown because I love him JUST.THAT.MUCH. But not today! Sorry, hubz!
MOVIES:
My hubz and I finally saw that new Spiderman flick, which my son said was “pretty sweet”… and we agreed. Glad Santa brought it for Christmas!
BOOKS:
Bedside Table: I’m still working through CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell which I intend to complete before seeing the movie.
Living Room: I recently finished BROKEN PIECES by Rachel Thompson on Kindle, and it was one of the most heartbreaking and yet heartwarming personal narratives I have ever read. It was new ground for Rachel, as she typically writes humor, but definitely worth the road trip as it lent new depth to the places she has already been. Two thumbs up, and you should read it, too.
iPod (audio book): Still (STILL) listening to #4 in Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle: INHERITANCE (FYI, #1 was ERAGON). This book is really great, and epic and whatnot… but goodness is it L.O.N.G.!
With Abbie: My daughter and I need to decide if we want to finish #2 of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: PRINCE CASPIAN: THE RETURN TO NARNIA before moving on to something else. She received a number of books for Christmas we are aching to jump into.
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For those returning to my weekly check-in, HOWDY-DOODLE! And — ZOWIE! — I can’t believe you seriously came back for more! Um… Thank you? Is that the appropriate thing to say to someone who obviously enjoys witnessing my FAILS?
And that’s what’s up Wenzday.
Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.
I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.
And please tell me if you plan to read FLINCH &/or do the Homework with me!
