I suppose it’s true that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I weren’t busy; it’s usually the pleasant state of having a head full of stories and ideas that I am trying to make manifest. But I had a couple of things of a more serious nature — or at least a less fun one — and it’s amazing how suddenly “busy” can mean “too busy to do the things I want to be doing.”
My own fault: I am learning to say no.
All the time in Texas where I worked feverishly to get out of Texas left an anxiety that I have gradually tamed, as my skill at Plants vs. Zombies demonstrates. It’s a balance between having options (i.e. showing expertise and knowledge) and having fun. I realise that ‘fun’ is associated in many minds with ‘frivolous’ but I think it’s just part of having a good life. And isn’t that what an unstructured time like a sabbatical is meant to be for?
Oh, yes — research and writing. It is happening. I hope to have good news on the masculinities & medieval film project soon, and I have some new proposals going off soon. But this summer is also fun writing and even a slight delay of a few days (mostly because I was dragging my feet complaining) had me champing at the bit to get back to my created worlds.
That and my publishers 😉
Finland bound on Wednesday, but always thinking about Alice — and now my current favourite Alice, an Alice who gets things done:
K. A. Laity 
I learned a great lesson from my grandfather —
‘Find a *job* you like and you’ll never *work* again.’
My problem is finding a job that pays enough to cover the mortgage and food 😉
Nice work if you can get it — I have a job that I mostly enjoy that gives me a fair amount of freedom. Can’t complain much 🙂
I’m still looking for that great paying job. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy what I’m doing and live to learn on water and dirt.
Not bad dirt there in Ireland 😉 though I know you’d rather be elsewhere.
I do prefer warmer dirt. Plus there’s a boy child back home who is sadly lacking in auntie smooches. 😉