Still not writing much. Mostly because I am spending huge parts of my day grading essays. By the end of the day I am sick to death of the written word in any form. I don’t want to read, write, or do anything more than close my eyes.
This is not an excuse. I’m still thinking about writing: plotting some short story notes, working on the novel in my head, etc. I just don’t write much of it down. This is not, I admit, the best way to work. And I’m already well past my original deadline on the novel. I know I should be writing at least 350 words per day. But I just can’t seem to make them come, and when I try, it’s drivel. And I am not a person who can abide drivel, even my own.
On the violin front, things are better. I’ve actually been practicing for about 30 minutes every day this week; an hour on Wednesday. I’m trying to remind my fingers where the proper positions are on each string, so I’m mostly playing scales for about 20 minutes, then playing easy fiddle tunes for ten minutes or until I get tired of the sound. I’m getting back to where I was when I last played regularly, but I have a long way to go. I’m considering lessons over the summer; need to talk to the wife about it again.
That instrument frustrates me. I liked it better when I was 10, and didn’t really get how many mistakes I made. Now I hear every one, and it’s like a hot wire applied to my nerves. I’m way too hard on myself; I need to constantly remind myself that it’s been 30 years since I played regularly, and I need to build back the calluses and the skills.
24 days left in school; however, that includes the 4 days of Final Exams, so it’s really only 20 days. LOVING THAT. Can’t wait for summer. This summer, I’ve planned two camping trips already; one by myself, and one with my family and two other families that is doubling as a Kayaking Weekend. I’m also going to do at least two more with my daughter and maybe my BFF and his son.
On May 24, I’m doing, with one of my oldest friends, a Sunset Paddle–kayaking on a local lake with a few others, watching the sun set and a full moon rise. Can’t wait, that’s “Event One” of my birthday weekend.
And now I’m rambling, and my first class will start in ten minutes, so I’d best go. More soon.