Of This and Other Worlds

What exactly does that mean, anyway? The "returns" thing? Never quite got that. But in any case, I would like to wish a large sparkly "Happy Birthday" to three of my favorite people:

shoebox2, whose snarky wit is paired with generous good nature, and who also possesses a remarkably shrewd critical eye;

lizbee, a dear and loyal friend and savvy bookseller/librarian type-person whose online companionship and encouragement I value more than I can say, and whom I long to meet in person sometime (accursed Antipodes!); and

yahtzee63, a terrific author, a delightful personality, and a fervent lover of pugs -- which is how she came to have a cameo (albeit in dog form) in Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter a.k.a. Knife. She has helped me untangle many a snarled plot premise (including that of Wayfarer when I was hammering together the original outline), so I am greatly indebted to her.

I wish all three of you a wonderful day full of happiness and the company of good friends!

Which being translated from the original Owl is, fond Happy Birthday wishes to the fabulous lydaclunas!

Despite various efforts to control my internet addiction, I recently found that I was still struggling with self-discipline when it came to Getting Stuff Done. The Time Map I did a few months back was a little too vague to be useful, so this past Sunday night I drew myself up a new Daily Schedule, starting when I get up at 6:30 a.m. and ending at 10:30 p.m. when I go to bed.

Most of the items on the Monday-Friday chart are the same every day -- prayer and study, getting the kids off to school, meal prep, family time and so on -- but I also divided up my household chores and assigned myself two tasks a day, the morning one intensive (groceries, bathrooms, vacuuming) and the afternoon one lighter (laundry, garbage/recycling, organization). I made sure to block off 2-3 hours for writing and/or editing each day, as I've been doing for several weeks now, but on this schedule I also set apart three distinct 20-minute blocks for checking e-mail and LJ. That way I know that I do have time to maintain an online presence, but I (hopefully) won't be so tempted to fritter away spare moments clicking around the web when I could be doing something more worthwhile.

After two days, I'm already feeling more relaxed and contented. Instead of struggling to keep track of all the things I have to do and worrying I won't have time to do them all, I just have to look at the schedule to see my responsibilities for the day. It makes everything seem so much more manageable and less daunting. I realize that I really do have enough time, not just for the things I have to do but even for the things I enjoy -- if only I manage my days responsibly instead of just letting them happen. Sure, things are bound to come up that throw off my schedule, but because I do have a schedule then I know exactly what I'm missing, and what things I need to do to catch up.

My plan is to follow the schedule consistently, making adjustments and refinements as needed, for the next three weeks -- I'm told it takes 21 days to form a new habit, which sounds about right to me. I'll let you all know how that goes.

And before I shame myself by forgetting again, a very happy birthday to halseanderson, who is not only a superb author and an inspiring speaker, but knits beautifully and cans a mean tomato. Oh, and runs marathons, too, thereby making the rest of us look like sorry American Idol-watching slackers. Seriously, it's a good thing she's such a lovely person or we might be forced to take drastic measures.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAREST lizbee
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

(Well, it is in Australia, anyway.)

May you have a lovely upcoming year, with lots of good things coming your way, including wonderful fic ideas, lots of thoughtful and encouraging feedback, and general podiatric health.

*blows kisses*

To the wonderful cesario, best doll maker in the universe (and writer of brilliant fic) -- may you enjoy the very best of birthdays, however you may choose to spend it.

Happy birthday to npkedit, author of brilliant Chase genfic!

And also, gacked from penwiper26: the Anonymous Music Meme!

1) Upload a song that represents me to you, or which contains a message you want me to hear.
2) Comment to this thread with the link.
3) All responses must be ANONYMOUS. (FYI, logged-in LJ users can use the "More Options" button at the bottom of the comments box to leave an anonymous comment -- you don't have to log out.)

Entertain me, minions!

Some of my favorite grouchy people were born in early January, it seems. First we have Mary Russell on January 2nd, on no lesser word than that of her author editor Laurie R. King; then Sherlock Holmes on January 6th, a date not explicitly given in canon but nonetheless widely accepted among Holmesians as correct due to Holmes's penchant for quoting Twelfth Night.

We know also that Dr. Gregory House was born in early-to-mid January, and seeing that he shares a house number with Holmes, it doesn't seem much of a stretch to propose January 6th as his birthday as well. And then, of course, J.K. Rowling has informed us that Severus Snape was born on January 9th.

Is it an astrological thing to have brilliant, misanthropic, sarcastic, obsessively driven characters born in January, or is there some other logic behind it?

( HOUSE Casting Spoiler )

Haven't seen the latest episode yet, but I look forward to watching it tonight.

Also, a very happy birthday to risti!

Let the world tremble before me, for I am a mother who has captured her ten week-old baby on video. Don't worry, though, it's only about 20 seconds long:

Of course I talk, I'm Minister for Overseas Development (2 MB, YSI).

The audio is unfortunately marred by the speaker being on in the background (since this clip was taken in the church nursery during a service), but you can hear a couple of Paul's sage observations quite clearly toward the end.

Also, many happy returns to callyperry, a delightful, warm-hearted and generous person who has been a great encouragement to me and whose endless good humour makes her a pleasure to talk to and be with. Thanks for everything, Cally -- and come see us again some time!

Happy birthday, hedda62! I would have wished you a fine day earlier, but I'd been thoroughly convinced that the 26th was tomorrow, and since my husband is curmudgeonly about his birthday and doesn't like to be fussed over, he certainly didn't go out of his way to set me straight...

Anyway, all the best for a successful upcoming year.