The hours at this job are longer than I'm used to, and I don't have the spare time there that I did at my other place. So, I have to figure out a new way to blog every day. It won't be easy, and as such, my posts here might be all over the place until I can get all my rabid squirrels turned into ducks and then get them in a row. I will try, however.
Please be patient with me.
So, there's a lot to catch up on, actually, but I'm going to start with what the actual fuck has been going on.
Right, first thing, the Amazing Flatmate is no longer the Amazing Flatmate. Don't get me wrong, there's been no falling out or anything. The Amazing Flatmate was, is and will continue to be the most amazing, wonderful person I've ever known. I love her with all my heart. We're just no longer living together 'cause, you know, she has moved in with a guy who is, by all accounts, worthy of her. I think. I mean, I'm optimistic. It's a fucking high bar, you know?
The finding of a place to live for me and the cat - during a mother-fucking pandemic - took literally all of my energy. Then there was the issue of the actual move, which was another impossible stressor. Once moved, there was the issue of settling into a new living situation with a new person, in a new neighbourhood. That's an ongoing process, but I'd like to give a shout out to my good friends who are now also my downstairs neighbours, T2, for keeping me fed and helping me keep my spirits up as I adjust. I'm not good with change, and their incredible patience and kindness has helped me so much.
Next on the JESUS FUCKING CHRIST WHY list was trying to find a job. With CERB ending and no word from my previous place of employment, I spent literally all day, every day seeking a job. When it did happen, it came so suddenly and unexpectedly that before I could take a breath, I found myself working. I've been there a week and a half. The people are lovely, and there's plenty of work to be doing, so I'm not bored, but the hours are much longer than I'm used to. It doesn't leave a lot of time for the things I used to do in a day, either before the pandemic or during the shit show that followed it. I'm struggling to find the time for daily blogging, for example, let alone writing a whole damned novel. I'm slowly figuring it out, though.
I've recently restarted blogging with Black Gate Magazine, so look forward to that every second Tuesday (the day after on this blog, because you should all be reading Black Gate anyway). As things improve and I get into a routine, I'll be looking to expanding back into my usual things. This blog post is part of that. I hope. I hope to be returning to daily blogging, though I'll have to do it differently than I did before.
Generally, I'm hoping to have the time and energy to write and schedule the blog the night before. Maybe I'll be able to keep it up. Maybe not. I'm hoping more maybe than not.
Once I have that routine down, I'll start adding in my writing. I still plan to work on my novels for at least an hour a day. I hope to be doing that during my lunch breaks at work, since there's no gym anywhere near I can get to. I've not got a laptop anymore, so with work pulling in an actual paycheque, I'm planning on buying one quite soon. Then I'll be good to write. I think.
I hope.
After I get that down, I'll be able to start adding in other things like exercise. As it is, with such long hours at work, and no gym nearby, my lifting will have to take a back seat. So will my running. Once martial arts starts up again (if Ontario could just get its fucking act together regarding Covid), I'll have at least three days a week where I exercise. I really miss lifting, but I simply don't have the time for it as it stands right now, and I can't see getting the time for it, either. Unless work miraculously decides that I don't actually need to be there for nine hours a day... That eight hours will suffice. Le sigh.
As for the work, if I'm honest, it's not the thing I want to be doing the rest of my life. But needs must, and I need financial stability. I'm hoping that something that I applied for a while ago comes my way, which will permit me to work from home and thus give me much more time (bye, bye commute) to do the other things. But, past experience has taught me to hedge my hopes and manage my expectations. In the likely event that I don't get this opportunity, I'm still going to try and create an income stream from my creative endeavours. I'll see where I'm at by the end of a one year period. If I can conceivably make enough money to live by then, perhaps I'll go at it full time, instead of trying to build something in the edges of the time I do have. Meanwhile, the job I'm working now is made pleasant by lovely people, so I'm not upset to be there at all (other than the, you know, dreams not yet a reality stuff that's going on). I miss the company of my cat while I'm there, though. He's asleep behind the computer right now, keeping close to me. It's a great comfort and I want more of that.
So, that's where I'm at currently. I'm hoping that establishing a routine, and gaining some financial stability, will help me get back to where I was creatively and soon I'll be fulfilled again. Knock on wood I can manage it.
As for the rest of the world:
Joe Biden won the American election, but it was too fucking close and I'm really fucking disappointed with white folks. You are all making me look bad by association, and I'm not pleased. Also, who the fuck voted for Mitch McConnell, you rat bastards?
Look, I know I'm Austral-Canadian, and heaven knows we've got our issues up here too, but JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.
That's all I'm going to say about that. I have to go and collect my laundry and meal-prep for the rest of the week.
Ciao!