The Stakes

I see Harry Potter readers everywhere and I'm sad to say I see many of them reading in fear. There's a collective awareness that a potential ending spoiler could happen at any moment. (I haven't read the book, so don't worry, you can read this post).
One Potter reader I know was teased about a potential spoiling and she responded with an uncharacteristically menacing "F*** off!" Another Potter reader around here, when asked, "Do you want to know the ending?" offered the steely reply, "Do you want to die?"
The stakes are high, spoilers. Please be careful. And readers, don't do anything you'll later regret.

The Ticking

Clock's ticking down, quite loudly at this point. I have an outline for the last chapter, and it's decent, but can I pull the trigger and write the sentences that may, allegedly, transform said outline into a concluding chapter? I'm having some serious doubts, my friends, serious doubts. A book I'm reading says that doubt fuels creativity, but I honestly doubt the veracity of that statement. Good pal KR is coming back and I'm going to have to find a new place to work by Thursday. Or maybe he can just go work at a coffee shop somewhere? I need more time. I simply need more time.

The Pig

We're taking care of a guinea pig right now. I used to have one and I didn't like cutting its toenails. Every pet seems to have some odd drawback. I'm thinking of getting a guinea pig for a classroom pet and just ignoring the whole toenail clipping requirement. They're fairly cheerful creatures, pleasant and calm.

The Closer

Husbandman says I'm like Mariano Rivera, the closer for the Yankees and "the greatest closer of all time" or so I've heard tell (from Husbandman). Husb wrote "CLOSE IT OUT!" on my chalkboard today. The problem is I expected an email from someone and I didn't get it so I had to keep checking and not working. And then I had to email a bunch of people every 15 minutes, telling them I hadn't gotten the email yet. The one I had been expecting. I'm being snubbed and I'm finding it a huge distraction. I got a little done, but tomorrow I'm really going to take up the Rivera identity and get down to business.

The Finale

Good news from the heartland. I start writing the final chapter of the diss tomorrow. I'm giving myself one week to get the job done. I know, I know, extensive revisions follow that, but let's cross that bridge when we get there, shall we? There's no reason to jump the gun. Let's just put cash on the barrel.

The Freak

I'm going to stay here in this office until I finish the two pager task of describing why I'm switching gears at the end of the diss and writing in a new format. If I could get this written, I could move onto the flipping last chapter of the diss. But of course I keep noodling around and acting like a freak. I bought some aromatherapy patches that are supposed to help reduce stress. I have one stuck to my chest right now. I give it a sniff every now and again. It's not doing much, to tell you the truth. I hope I can go home tonight and sleep in my own bed. But there's only one way that's going to be possible and I think we both know what that is. If you're unsure, re-read line one of this post.

The Potter

HP5 = quite good. I only read the first book so I tend to have fewer issues with the HP films than members of the reading public who live here with me in this home. Everyone here seemed to like the film and are eagerly waiting for book the 7th to appear soon.
Now the fam is heading north to hear B. Dylan sing and I'm staying at home, working on the stupidhead diss and going to see Ratatouille.

The Pilot

When I got to NY, I walked over to look at some photos at the photo place. I spent some time checking out photos of Amelia Earhart. I knew a little about her because I had read a kid biography with a lit. circle a few years ago. I didn't know though how famous she was. Just accept when I tell you she was extremely famous. So I'm back at College Pal's house in fabulous Murray Hill, Manhattan and I decide to borrow a fictionalized account of Amelia as a kind of follow up experience. Today I wake up to read in our local paper that a new expedition is being organized to find out more about what happened to Amelia after her crash. 3 Amelia sightings/situations in one week. I'm pretty sure it probably means something.

The Trip

NY is fun and that's all there is to it. Now I'm home and wondering how to get rid of fruit flies. Ick. I didn't have this problem when I was in NY. I just walked around, wandered through museums, ate fine foods, and cavorted with pals. I did some work at a literacy conference too but compared to the fruit fly dilemma, that task was a piece of cake. They seem to like to hop into my wine, so I'm leaving a glass of wine out overnight as a trap. I'll let you know how it works out.

The Collection

When I finished chapter 12, I wanted to be done with all obligations for awhile. But that was not to be. I have finished in the nick of time, allowing myself 3 days to work on a talk I'm going to give in another city, far away, very soon. Boy am I bored of going into this office I thought to myself as I walked across the sunny street. After fooling around with email I decided to try to work on the talk, only to discover that I did not bring the folder I needed, the folder with the talk transparencies . I felt more bored than aggravated because for some reason, I lose this folder every time I give this talk. I headed home and as I sat rifling through every file drawer for the 100th time, I thought, "It's so boring to lose this talk again." Finally I found my folder, but a few slides seemed to be missing. Of course. I never put them back correctly after I give the talk. I just shove them back in the folder so I can lose them later. In the midst of all the tedious searching, I received an email from friend Sam, renowned author, who is gathering true stories here. I asked him if he wanted anything boring, but he didn't email back yet. Inspired by Sam, I'm soliciting boredom stories about boredom. Anytime you felt bored or thought you might be getting a little bored, just describe your experience here in the comments section. You've probably been fairly bored reading this blog of late. I don't blame you one bit.

The Decision

Not sure if I should go out and get a latte and a sandwich or continue revising 12. Time is slipping away ridiculously.

I think I'm figuring something out. I'll keep you posted.

Foto Credit: Goodpalmenosky