Do you ever feel like you have 57 million things to do and can't seem to be able to get any of it done? Or if you do get one thing done, ten more things come to takes its place? That's how I have been feeling this past week. I am working on applying for a couple of grants, have a freelance article due, a have friend coming to visit and appointments galore this week. I could really use another hour in the day.

It is getting cold here. I have to wear socks to bed now. I hate wearing socks to bed. But if I don't wear socks to bed, my feet get cold and then my hands get cold and then my head gets cold, and before you know it, I'm wide awake at 5 a.m. and can't go back to sleep because I'm too cold. I made the mistake this summer of moving my bed under the window and now I am regretting that drafty decision. 

I have been working on improving first lines. I realized that a lot of the first lines I write (especially at the beginning of chapters) are really weak or they all sound the same or they focus too much on the passage of time. I want to write good, active first lines that more the plot forward right from the beginning. Action--that's what I want.

I know my posts have been really sporadic this month, but who would have guessed my last semester of school would keep me so busy. Okay, I really should have guessed my last semester of school would be so busy.

Here are a couple of updates for you:

My friend who was having contractions two weeks ago is no longer having contracts. Nor does she have a new baby yet. Nor are there any signs that the baby will be coming any time soon. The poor girl.

I know I said I wouldn’t write poetry any more, but I am writing poetry again. I know—I know—I’m not really good at it, but I think I am finally starting to enjoy it.

The Sox and the Cubs played in a Cross-Town Classic game today. They might have lost, but it was only by one point. And I have faith that they will win tomorrow and the next day. If they don’t, I think I might just sit down and cry.

My sister sent me this amazing YouTube post of a teacher and poet named Taylor Mali. I might be the last person on earth to know about this guy, but he is great. This isn’t the post she sent me, but it’s my favorite. I’ll leave you with the wisdom and editing of the four-time National Poetry Slam Champion.