Writerly musings

So I tanked NaNo again - started off fast, but then fell off. When I'm working on something, it gets to a certain size and I start to have trouble wrangling it. I don't know how novelists do it. The longest projects I've ever finished were a couple of spec scripts for one-hour dramas, and those are only about sixty pages each.

I've decided that since I'm having this problem, my plans have changed back to working on short stories, both for contests and submissions, as well as to eventually self-publish them as a collection. I'll work on dealing with full-length projects later on. I need to stop beating myself up about this stuff, and finishing a lot of stories will help.

So...good news and bad news on the Sophie front

The good news: Vet confirmed that I didn't crush Sophie's little paw with my mighty bulk. And she's now up to date on all her shots.

The bad news: She has dental issues. One of her canines (top left) was lost somewhere between her last visit and this one. It's just gone. In addition, she also appears to have a cavity or some such issue with one of her back teeth. The last couple of years during her checkups the vet has noted she has some tartar build up, but they don't like to do dental work on cats unless absolutely necessary because they have to be put under and it's kind of dangerous for them. Today I was told that the time has come for Sophie's teeth issues to be dealt with. So two weeks from today, she's going back to the vet for a day of dental work. I'm sure she'll be fine, plus I'd rather deal with this now rather than later, when it could be even worse.

Bonus points for the estimate: Depending on how many teeth have to be extracted (one or two) the damage is going to be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,300. On the other hand, she's never been sick a day in her life, so other than checkups I haven't had to spend a lot of money on her, not to mention she's worth every penny.

Also, as much as Sophie hates being there, I really love our vet. This was waiting for us in the exam room today:

So sweet, VCA Marina Animal Hospital

Sophie crisis averted

This morning Sophie got underfoot in the kitchen, I didn't see her, and the result was that I stepped on one of her paws, eliciting a painful, heart-wrenching shriek. I kept an eye on her and for a while she seemed okay, then I watched her walk across the living room and one front foot seemed bent in a really weird, unnatural way. There was no visible injury, but she was walking on it oddly.

She didn't seem to be in any pain or distress, but that one foot looked really off. I figured we were in for a trip to the vet, so I took a shower and got dressed. But by then she seemed to be walking normally. I was still on the fence until she jumped up on and off the counter in the bathroom without any problem. It was a relief, because my guilt factor was rocketing off the charts when I thought I'd hurt her. As the day went on, she was active and obviously fine.

She's also due for a couple of shots, so I went ahead and booked an appointment for her tomorrow. They'll check her foot too, but I think she's okay. It's a huge relief, because for a while there I thought I'd really done some damage.

She's a very important member of the family.

NOW it's official! Fall really is here!

This is just hilarious. If this place was in my neighborhood they'd totally get my business:

H/T to dloesch on Instagram.

Fireplace weather!!! (FINALLY)

We finally got some weather appropriate for this time of year, along with some much needed rain. Southern California really sweltered this year. Maybe there is something to the global warming crap. Or maybe Southern California just really sweltered this year.

In honor of the wind, rain and cooler temperatures we got today, I busted out my slippers for the first time in months. See ya, flip flops.

I also cranked up the fireplace for the first time in months. And this made Sophie a very, very happy kitty. Partly because she loves the fireplace like a fat kid loves cake, and partly because she's blissfully unaware that she's going back to the vet soon to get a couple of shots that she's due for. Shhhhh, don't tell her!

Sophie welcomes winter with open...paws.

NaNoWriMo - it's what's for November

National Novel Writing Month is upon us again! And I'm going to attempt it again! And probably fail miserably, just like every other time I've done it!

Here's a pretty accurate assessment of NaNo, not to mention a really accurate look at how creatively writers procrastinate: How Not to Win NaNoWriMo.

I also found this online the other day. Again, a very accurate take on NaNo. Tip of the hat to hermiejr157 over at Deviant Art.

Click to see it in all its gigantic glory!