Friday, March 11th, 2011
It’s been four days since I inked the last NeverNever comic strip. I think it’s settling in now, that whole not sacrificing time for someone else’s project thing. Instead, there is the satisfaction of a promise kept, or work well done, and looking forward to hours reclaimed. It’s a quiet sort of joy that is manifesting itself in many ways.
I’m beginning to sleep better and, when I sleep deeply, the weird dreams have returned. I’ve missed them a lot. Who else can claim to have knit via satellite with Stephen Colbert and had it feel so very, very real? And I can tell you, in my mind, that guy can Fair Isle knit like no body’s business, but his decisions to add beads to the sweater and the colors he chooses for them are a bit questionable. Ah, well. To each their own, I suppose.
I find that my emotional bandwidth is less burdened now. I can put up with things that would have caused me to ruminate bitterly for a couple of hours. I can deal with them in a way that I can only describe as emotionally intelligent akido. I can smooth situations over as they arise. I can deal with challenges with a bit more calmness again. It’s a very good feeling.
Now some things do flip me for a loop, like today when I went to the DMV to change my last name, my political party*, and also to renew my permit. The appointment I’d made online didn’t show on today’s docket and I had neglected to bring a printout of the appointment confirmation. The DMV lady was kind. Seeing that I was otherwise prepared, she sorted things out, handing me a number and a form to fill in (perhaps my deflated look at the Walk-Ins line caused her to take some pity as well…). I filled it out shakily** and then waited. Momentary elation that the glasses prescribed by my new eye doctor allow me to read the regular eye chart now, was squelched by their not being able to accept my cheque card***. Frustrated, but not defeated, I asked Phil if he had any cash. He had $28, I had $3, and the bill was $31! Now I’m thoroughly wound up. Just in time to have my picture taken! Which… I tend to not like having done, but it was the least of my worries today. After that, I took the written test (again). I got only 2 wrong. One of which because I’d forgotten my reading glasses and read it wrong. The other because another person’s experience in an accident influenced my answer. In the end, I walked out with a permit that bears a decent picture and my new last name. It took me awhile to settle down, but well enough in time for some of that Emotionally Intelligent Akido at home.
Now to get my car fixed. *chuckle*
The rest of the day is for puttering. Artwork is assembled for presentation at the gallery tomorrow and the paperwork they’ll need is printed out. Holding off on buying that plane ticket to fly back from Atlanta on the 23rd, just in case the gallery and its mandatory March 26th art-drop and meeting, tell me to go pound sand and I can go to to Orlando. I’m 99% sure that the Orlando event is canned for me.****
I’m sad about it as there were a good number of people I’ve been trying to make time for and connect with, but being accepted into this show is too big a deal to pass up. I’ll just have to hope such things work out better at Anthrocon and put that unused travel money towards the professional society memberships I’ve been putting off and artists’ & writers’ conferences. *****
I’ve got a peaceful feeling. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year. It’s shaping up nicely so far.
I hope yours is, too.
___________________
*Formerly Libertarian. The party keeps using that word. I don’t think it means what they think it means.
**The DMV causes me an inexplicable panic. It must be more Fear of Screwing Up Official Paperwork, like with business licenses and taxes.
***I really must have my bank replace that with a debit card.
****That’s something like 3 years running that I’ve tried to go to this event, it its various locations, and had to cancel for one reason or another. I guess March is just weird.
***** Nothing special. Just felt like making this a 5 star post.
Tags: Thoughts