Um. You have lost a job and your wedding is a few weeks away --two of the most stressful life experiences a person can have.

Hell yeah. When I got laid off, I didn't start looking for a job for eight months or so. You're allowed to catch your breath.

Back from urgent care. Got a shot of Toradol in my bottom. Head still hurts, but it should start feeling better soon. Then I really wanted mashed potatoes, so for expediency's sake, we went to the lovely Northside KFC/Taco Bell combo. And I have mashed potatoes.

Um. You have lost a job and your wedding is a few weeks away --two of the most stressful life experiences a person can have.

Hell yeah. When I got laid off, I didn't start looking for a job for eight months or so. You're allowed to catch your breath.

Yes, but I'm very hard on myself because I'm afraid people will think I'm slacking. Or maybe I'm secretly afraid I'm a slacker.

I got the editing test from one of the services that edits academic papers for publication. Based on my resume, they, of course, sent me a pharmacology paper to edit.

You guys, it's beyond my knowledge base. Seriously. It is doctorate-level shit. I am out of my depth with this one. I'll still do the test, and give it my best, but I read it and just went O_o. Granted, my head is exploding, but...yeah. It's above my knowledge base, I think. We'll see.

You are officially not slacking. Refer any naysayers to me.

I'm glad you went to the UC; here's hoping the head powers down quickly!

My bottom HURTS where they gave me the shot! It didn't hurt when I got it, but damn if it doesn't hurt now. My butt is a delicate flower.

Slide some ice from your hoo-ha to your, um, delicate flower...

STEPH. You are not a slacker. I understand your fears and the brain raccoons that are telling you this, but YOU. ARE. NOT. Give yourself some space and time to completely veg out, because you need to.

My butt is a delicate flower.

Something you need to work into your vows, maybe?

Slide some ice from your hoo-ha to your, um, delicate flower...

That sounds like a line from Steph's next editorial test.

I hope the shot helps your head soon, Steph.

Laura and Bonny, I'm sorry your days have been so stressful.

And in a completely separate post: I need a pep talk or something. I have a little over 3 weeks of earning a paycheck while not having any day job responsibilities. This is a gift of time that I need to be using to finish the novel, and I know it. I am just having a little bit of a problem actually, oh, sitting down and writing. Because stage fright and Self-Esteem Demons and if it isn't good and doesn't sell OMG I'm letting everyone down. (Hi, I have baggage.)

You guys, it's beyond my knowledge base. Seriously. It is doctorate-level shit. I am out of my depth with this one. I'll still do the test, and give it my best, but I read it and just went O_o. Granted, my head is exploding, but...yeah. It's above my knowledge base, I think. We'll see.

Steph, your head is exploding. Try taking a look at it once the migraine has calmed down.

And Jilli, go write! I am trying to remind myself to write whenever I have time, even if I can only sketch out a scene. Better to get it out of my head and onto the page.