Weebles Wobble ...

... but they don't fall down.

Thanks, Everyone. It's nice to have so many online shrinks to lend me some encouraging words when I have a mini-freakout (and it's free. How can you beat that?!)

I'm happy to announce that I'm feeling much better now. I think I was dealing with a little bit of post-travel fatigue. I re-read my post and realized how complainy (it's a Tracy word) I sounded.  Believe it or not, I wasn't stressed because I felt like I HAD to do all those things and couldn't ... I was feeling stressed because I WANT to do all those things and can't fit them in. Apparently, it has taken me this long to realize I'm not superhuman after all. Dammit!

I'm rather amused at myself. Seems I can handle agent rejection in stride, but I lose my cool when time refuses to bend itself to my will. Go figure.

If any of my buddies are looking for a fun contest to join in on -- admit it, some of you are totally addicted to blog contests and challenges -- Kay is having one over at her blog. It's a short romance scene, but it can be funny or zaney, etc -- which is why I think if the guys that follow my blog were to give it a go, it would be freaking awesome!

I know I've mentioned it before, but if any of you are looking for a great YA series to get into I highly recommend "Vampire Academy", by Richelle Mead.  I just read the 5th book while on my trip, and I can't find enough words to describe how much I love this series. Despite what the title suggests, the main character is NOT a vampire. Richelle has also managed to create a character I whole-heartedly swoon over.  I *heart* Dimitri Belikov!!!!! (Yes, I love him five exclamation points worth. It's that serious.)

Feeling Stressed

I know we all have extremely busy lives, so please don't take this as me selfishly whining and thinking I'm the only one who's struggling... I just need somewhere to vent. That's all.

I am really not doing very well  suck with keeping up on all the balls I'm juggling in my life, at the current moment.

I adore my new job, and I'm very happy with what I'm doing (not to mention the paycheck I'm making). That being said, it isn't my DREAM JOB. That distinction is still reserved for being a full-time author (or Towel Girl in the Orioles locker room -- though I think my chances on the first are better). So while I'm happy with my job - and I realize it's still early & I'm learning to adjust - I'm getting a little concerned with my lack of writing time lately.

Though, I can't blame the new job in its entirety. The Orioles - or more importantly, my season tickets - are taking up a good chunk of my time as well. It's really hard to squeeze any writing whatsoever in between the time I get home from work & have to head out to the ballpark. So the weeks when they are in town I'm getting zero accomplished!!

This past weekend, for instance, I got started on some GREAT revisions on the manuscript I've been shopping around. But that wonderful feeling of  "Wow, I'm making it even better" came to a screeching halt once Monday hit. (I've been praying for a rain-out, but no such luck).

It's not just the physical writing that is suffering right now. It's EVERYTHING about this portion of my life.
- I'm not being a very good blogger buddy to most of the blogs I normally love to read.
- I haven't been to Nathan's blog/MB in so long I'm afraid I've forgotten the way.
- And I haven't even looked at revising my query letter again yet.

Somebody do me a favor and tell me I'll be able to figure it out eventually and not have to drive myself crazy EVERY day. Tell me this is a very normal part of the life we're all trying to accomplish for ourselves. Because right now I'm stressing ... I'm not giving up on anything, mind you ... but I'm stressing. Big. Time.

What's tatters, Precious?

Yeah, my subject title has absolutely nothing to do with my post. I've just been on a "Lord of the Rings" kick lately.

Okay, now that that's out of my system....

I'm back!!!

I feel like I've been away from the blogosphere forever ... and in some ways I probably have been. But I'm back now, and I'm going to make a concerted effort to get back to posting more regularly (now that my training & trip to San Francisco are in the rearview mirror).

It may take me a week to get caught up with everyone, but I'mma do it!! In the meantime, if anyone has something I need to know about (I hate being out of the loop) please, please leave me a comment or drop me an email!

For those who are curious, my trip to California went really well. I found San Francisco quite charming. Would never want to live there, because ... well, I'm lazy and those hills would really start to get on my freaking nerves if I had to walk them every day.

And no earthquakes, yay!

I think I've got the traveling bug though, because now I'm looking for someplace to fly off to for a little vacay. There is a little voice in the back of my mind that is telling me to check on the RWA conference, coming up in Orlando. Not only am I really itching to get out to a writer's conference somewhere, I know for a fact some of my fav authors are going to be there ... and dude, its in Orlando. My old hunting grounds are calling me home.

Then I look at the price tag, and the voice of my old hunting grounds doesn't sound quite so loud anymore. I'm still down with going, but I think I'd need to find 2 or 3 roomies to make it plausible.

Alright, since I don't have anything valuable to say at the moment, I'm going to head off and start catching up on some of my peeps. See how things are going with everyone.

Off the top of my head I can't remember who recommended it (I'm too lazy to go back and look at my comments at the moment), but whoever suggested I check out Meg Cabot's "Queen of Babble" thanks. I've just started, but it is such a light, fun read. I really needed that!