An aspirational meme

Litlove devised a new meme, which saves me from having to devise anything on this Monday, the beginning of the last week before a vacation. This was tough for me, but overall, a very good reflection as we near the end of 2006. Thanks, Litlove!


What part of the past would you bring back if you possibly could?

The second summer in graduate school. I had enough money to live on and enough time to write. Every morning I woke at 6 a.m. and got in a morning run before the desert grew too hot (I was living in Tucson), ate breakfast and got behind the desk of my apartment (with a palm tree outside the window) and wrote solidly until 4 or 5. Sometimes I’d get so absorbed in my writing, I’d forget to get up to eat or go to the bathroom. It was during this time I truly knew that this was what I was meant to do.


What character trait would you alter if you could?

Fear of commitment.


Which skill would you like to have the time and energy to really work on?

My writing. And being a better human being.


Are you money poor, love poor, time poor or freedom poor?

My pessimistic self wants to say “all of the above.” But I would say “love poor,” because I lack a soul mate in my life.


What element of your partner’s character would you alter if you could?

See above.


What three things are you going to do next year that you’ve been meaning to do for ages but never got around to?

Finish a first draft of a novel!!!!!!! Actually, this involves establishing good work habits, which I am struggling to do.

Date someone for more than three weeks. (This depends on the cooperation of a complete and total stranger, so I’ll be winging it.)

Reading at least two of the classics I listed in my 10/23 post.



If your fairy godmother gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?

Peace and contentment. Continued good health for me, my family and friends. Three more wishes.


What one thing would you change about your living conditions?

I’d like to get my own little place, something that feels permanent.


How could the quality of your free time be improved?

Get rid of cable TV. (Oh, god, no, anything but that!)

Truly I need to add some structure to my daily life and develop strong work habits. When you are single, it is so easy to slip into a nonroutine routine. And all of us can say we don’t have enough time or energy for things. One writer friend of mine (who is now a successfully published author) would literally hang up the telephone and say, “I’ve got to go now. It’s time for me to write.” She would stick to a schedule, no matter what.

I also have an artist friend who recently retired, and would have had much more difficulty adjusting if it weren’t for the fact that she’s developed daily drawing habits that she can now fall back on.

It’s finally gotten through my thick skull that I can’t wait until the time is perfect to write – I have to make the best of where I am. And even if you do happen to have time, you may not be able to use that time wisely, if you haven’t developed good work habits,


What change have you made to your life recently that you’re most proud of?

I actually joined a gym last year and now exercise regularly.