productivity

#AccountaClub Friday, December 7, 2018

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I nearly dated this post 2008, so that says something about this week. 

But, the organizing is going like gangbusters. And here’s the thing: when an area is organized, it’s just so much easier to navigate. I’m talking deep system revamping, space reconsideration. Looking at the things that don’t work and finding ways to make them work.

In some ways, it’s fun.

I decided to look at each issue as a puzzle, and I love puzzles. How can I solve the problem? Can I solve it with something I have on-hand? If not, what do I need?

Earlier I shared the tip on how to fold reusable bags. Paper bags were another problem. So I looked around, saw a large cereal box, sealed the end, cut out the top using a straight-edge and a razor and put the folded bags inside upright. I had some pretty contact paper, so I covered it. Instant paper bag storage that cost me nothing.

A shoe rack I’d bought needed rails screwed to the top wooden shelf, but the holes were not drilled properly. I knew the wood would fit a different shelf I was using for boot storage, so I put that on the top, used some dollar store canvas storage bins below and it looks great. 

As for the rest of the shelf, before I took the wooden piece, I made sure it could be assembled without it, and now I have a separate 2-tiered shelf.

It’s like I have puzzles everywhere. As with any game, some are more fun to solve than others. Unfortunately I can’t skip any of these.

Now the exercise.  Five days, five workouts, but I didn’t do them all live. Again there were technical issues, this time this morning. So that put me behind. I ended up doing an old one of Erika’s, one of the trainers I like who left. I figured out how the back catalog works under “Library,” so I guess that’s another win.

It’s been good for my brain to tackle something completely different. I’m looking forward to utilizing all my new systems. You’ve got to revamp now and then.

How was your week?

Like my political side? Read my opinion pieces here.
Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!
Peruse Montraps Publishing

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Blog Dreams

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So I think I dreamed that I’d written a blog post, or at least had a great topic for one, and it was an easy posting day. Of course now I have no idea what that perfect topic could have been.

I think I need to learn how to type in my sleep.

Especially given I don’t think I slept that well last night. Could have used the time for my benefit, I guess.

Along with the blogging, I had dreams of other timelines and disappearing timelines. My subconscious is nothing if not creative.

I really want another cup of coffee. I had a second one, half-caf yesterday and that might–just might–have had something to do with my not sleeping well. Such a vicious circle.

Additional coffee made, and far too much time spent away from this post as I contemplate my shoe problem. I have many shoes. They need storage.

Pretty sure my dream post didn’t involve shoe storage, but you can’t be completely certain. In a dream, shoe storage can be fascinating.

Shrug.

Not sure why my posts have started to sound like telegrams from 1926, stop. Apparently I’m having staccato ideas, stop.

Anyway, I have many non-writerly things to do, including some major shoe wrangling. I’ll thank me later.

Have a spectacular Tuesday.

  

Like my political side? Read my opinion pieces here.
Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!
Peruse Montraps Publishing

A way editing can be fun. No really. Seriously. Please stop laughing.

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Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid by Johannes Vermeer, National Gallery of Ireland

So a while ago, I had to replace my computer. I was pretty irritated about it, it wasn’t that old, but it had always been a kind of reluctant co-conspirator, not terribly interested in my computer-usage schemes. Even though I got it new, it had a crotchety-ness about it. It groaned and grumbled; it rejected my shenanigans.

We had to part ways.

In replacement, I got one of those 2-in-1 computers (3-in-1? What would the 3 be?) that can function as a tablet. We’re totally besties.

In the morning, as a tented tablet, it streams me my yoga. When I’m writing, it sits up, prim and proper, as though it hadn’t just done the splits. It’s got a much nicer touch than my previous keyboard.

BUT.

Yesterday, I got the best part. The BEST PART. It’s a part so good I had to just yell about it, as you can see. Yesterday I got a stylus.

And suddenly my childhood visions of marking directly into a computer have nearly come true. I don’t think I could write on the screen like a notebook and have it convert to type (though maybe I can, any suggestions? Google would probably know. Google knows all), but while reading though, I can mark a red line through a word and POOF! it vanishes.

IT VANISHES.

I have the benefit of typing on the onscreen keyboard when it’s in tablet mode, so instead of my chicken-scratch handwriting, I can put in something I can actually read later. Mark up a page as I would if I printed it.

You guys know. There’s nothing like marking up a page that’s printed. Except this.

You can circle to highlight. That’s all I’ve learned so far; I’m sure there’s a guide to the editing symbols it will accept. It’s definitely helping as I work through my #MAYkingItWork goals. Only wish I’d done it earlier.

Wow, I’ve gushed a long post. That’s how cool it is. See? I told you.

Editing and fun in the same sentence. Who’da thunk it.

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

#MAYkingItWork Friday Update Post

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Well, fellow MAYkers, I’m going to be honest with you. Super, super honest with you. I’m MAYkingItAppearOnMyComputer, but not so much MAYkingItWork.

Ugh.

As we know, the point of this challenge isn’t so much the challenge, but still, I was hoping it would help to propel me, at least a tad. This week, not so much.

I did get a flash fiction story done with a nice little nudge from Breaker of Things and his prompt with Debs at Fiction Can Be Fun, and it got me thinking about prompt exercises and how useful they can be. A concert pianist practices scales; we writers (those among us this month who are working on our writing) should be practicing our writing exercises. So I’m going to keep that in mind, that maybe a warm-up will help. Who knows.

But we’re locked in a three-way battle of wills, me and my manuscripts. There’s always next week, right?

How’s it going everyone?

#MAYkingItWork Blog Links:

Donna B. McNicol

The Spectacled Bean

 

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

#MAYKingItWork has a logo!

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Here’s the link if you want the logo: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcj0gjlXkAIBshn.jpg

So check it out, fellow MAYkers and MAYkers to be (you can jump in at any time, we’re not fussy)! We have a new logo courtesy of Donna B. McNicol! And isn’t it beautiful?

Doesn’t it just MAYke you want to jump into your chosen May task?

What’s that, hypothetical reader? Do I plan to cool it with the May-not-quite-puns?

I wouldn’t MAYke a bet on it.

If you would like to grab the lovely logo for yourself, you can right-click on the image or you can just copy the link in the caption. I have no doubt you can MAYkItWork.

Now I’ve stumbled into a stylistic question. Is it MAYke or MAYk? Let me know what you think.

Off we venture into a brand-new week of addressing what nags us, and I wish everyone the best of luck. Though how can we not have it with this beautiful logo?

Wondering what this is all about? It’s super simple. Pick something you need to get done and promise to MAYkItWork in May! You can let us know what you’re doing in the comments, or blog about it and come here and leave a link. On Fridays, we’ll chat about how it’s going for everyone.

It’s like a support group challenge, heavy on the support, light on the challenge. Want to vent before Friday? Better yet, doing so well you need to tell the world? Well, you’re welcome at any time!

Thanks again to Donna, and happy goal-reaching!

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

#MAYkingItWork Friday: Declaration Day

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OK, friends who have decided to take something languishing and make it work during this month, today’s the day you say it loud and say it, if you’re like me, a little hesitantly. Just kidding!

Today we declare what nagging bit of unfinished work we’re going to dust off and attack. But in a nice way. No pressure; this is the gentlest of challenges. As co-host Breaker of Things said, it’s more of a getting-back-on-the-computer-or-sewing-machine-or-whatever support group. Well, he didn’t say it exactly that way, but there’s nothing pedantic about #MAYkingItWork.

Unless you want it to be.

What’s that, hypothetical and non-hypothetical readers alike? I haven’t declared anything so far?

How very astute.

OK for the month of May, I will set my sights on finishing the first draft of the Aunty Ida book that’s been lying around (and we all know Aunty Ida hates lying around) and finish this round of edits on a completed stand-alone novel.

Your turn! Feel free to discuss in the comments, or blog about it and leave a link. Happy MAYkingItWork!

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

 

Priorities

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So far today, aside from the bare minimum of crawling out of bed, brushing my teeth and getting dressed, I have: done some yoga; made some phone calls, including to a friend to wish her happy birthday (Happy Birthday, Lady, in case you see this); made breakfast while simultaneously discovering first with horror, then with a not-so-bad shrug that I bought chocolate-flavored coffee rather than coffee-flavored coffee; taken out the trash; paid some bills and other fun and assorted bits required to maintain the status quo. I have not, however, until this instant moment in which we find ourselves, written my blog post. Or anything else, for that matter.

Priorities.

They’re funny, funny things. They’re shape-shifters. They morph and grow and jostle for position, and sometimes they give themselves more weight, more heft, than we do.

That’s another P word. Procrastination.

Which can go away because we’re not talking to it today. That’s right. We can talk about procrastination later.

I’ve come to believe that 90% of writing is placing yourself in front of your mechanism and winning the staring contest with the blinking cursor, which still seems to win an unsettling amount of the time, given that it’s blinking. You’ve got to sit down.

And we’re back at priorities. They can come from inside. They can be external, like the garbage can that has reached its limit and inconveniently does not come equipped with a self-emptying function even if it is the 21st century. Wherever they come from, whatever they may be, you have to leave room for the priorities that really matter to you.

Because those are the ones we tend to let slide.

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

 

OK

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[CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

I really didn’t want to do OK for O. I wanted something lofty, like “open,” or “opportunity” “ornithological.” Get it? Lofty? Because birds? They fly?

OK, you’re right, crash and burn. Not that birds burn when they crash.

Ugh.

OK, back on track. Which is why it’s OK today.

I often (huh, another O word lurking right there in the open) find myself saying “OK” to myself, sometimes aloud, sometimes inside this cavernous head-space of mine. For me it can be a segue, a shortcut for “time to get on with it.” Settle in and settle down.

OK.

Of course (oh the philosophizing I could have done with “of.” And “oh.” Oh O), that’s not all there is to OK. OK can be reassurance; OK can be mediocre. OK can be simply OK.

We so often want more than OK, better than OK, more exciting than OK, more perfect than OK. For some of us, and I’m not naming any names but one can probably be found at the upper left of this blog, learning to live with OK is a process. For that person who shall remain nameless, yoga is so helpful in this endeavor. There’s no perfection in yoga; you shake, you wobble, you try and trying is all you need to do.

First drafts are never more than OK. And that’s OK.

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

 

Groggy

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A Galapagos tortoise. I’m so groggy I didn’t even think to write about my trip to the Galapagos for G. I think he looks just as groggy.

The only possible word for me today. Groggy. Nope, not hung over, unless one can be hung over on all-you-can-eat sushi, which, in that case then, yes.

I went to bed late and woke up at a time I decided wasn’t anywhere near appropriate and fell back asleep. And when I woke up again, my clock said 1-0-colon-0-0.

What?

I checked all available purveyors of time. Yep. 10:00. TEN AM. With vague memories of Brad Pitt in my dreams (Brad Pitt?! Why Brad Pitt? Definitely not my cup of Hollywood Celebrity. I’m more of a Nathan Fillion/Mario van Peebles/Eric Balfour/Brad James/Men Who Appear to Enjoy the Sci-Fi in which They Appear kinda gal) I leapt out of bed, but much more slowly than that and yes, spell check, I do mean the past participle of “leap.”

Ah, see? That’s the coffee kicking in. I do have some brain cells up there after all.

So I’m slogging through the day thus far, a day, according to the time, which is now past noon. Past noon. Past NOON.

Hopefully the grogginess will dissipate, leaving me bright-eyed and refreshed.

Yeah, I don’t think so either.

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.

 

 

The little green men made me not do it

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By User:Crobard~commonswiki (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Some days you just have to do the laundry of life, there’s no getting around it. Sometimes that laundry is actual laundry; other times they’re the unglamorous slog through paperwork or forms or other such must-dos that have you checking the date and wondering if they can be put off.

Putting them off never helps. Not that I know from experience or anything. Also I don’t miss deadlines. Not ever, not unless the aliens are at my window and making demands. And even then I’d ask if I could bring my computer and whether they have wifi.

Deadlines are sacred.

Always.

But of course I digress. Why? Because thinking up procrastination-inducing aliens is far more interesting than talking about paperwork. For obvious reasons.

So I’ll share with you an anti-procrastination trick I’ve let you in on before: I give myself a choice between two tasks I don’t want to do but need to be done. Suddenly one of them is incredibly appealing.

Or there’s my favorite, the timer. It probably works for me because I give deadlines such weight; even setting one to myself (this has to be done by Friday, for example) works.

But you may not be a deadline person, and if you watch them sail past with a shrug and wave, it probably won’t work for you.

Whatever your method, the laundry of life is waiting. And if you’ll excuse me, there seems to be an alien politely tapping at my window.

Check out my recaps of the hit new show “All My Traitors.” Recap of episode 2, “Lock Him Up” is available now!

Check out  my full-length novels: 

Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   

Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 

 Her Cousin Much Removed

 The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.

And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!

Peruse Montraps Publishing.