11.13.2006

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.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've just come here from Courtney's meme, and now I see that the aspirational is the order of the day! And I'm so glad it is. I love thinking and hearing about this sort of thing. I wish you luck in the soul mate search, applaud you for having had that wonderful time to discover you love writing, and join you in the desire to be a better writer. You're fabulous, Ms. Kitten, that much is clear.

Rebecca H. said...

Fun answers! I like hearing bits and pieces of people's lives in these memes.

Yogamum said...

I so hear you on the self-discipline thing. And you're right -- you can't wait until the time is perfect to write. Not if you want to actually write, that is. Learning this lesson myself, the hard way.

Hey, I went to grad school in Tucson for two years in the early 90's! I love the desert outside of town (Tucson itself, not so much).

LK said...

Aw, shucks, Bloglily. I appreciate your kind words. I need luck in the soul mate search!

Dorothy, I agree. Fun...

Yogamum, I agree with you on the desert and Tucson. I really miss the desert, actually. So spiritual.

Sheri, I detect a fellow cable junkie on the loose!

Anonymous said...

I have got to do this meme because I'm so enjoying everyone's answers. Congrats on exercising regularly... I always start a program and do great for the first few weeks and then falter. Sigh.

litlove said...

Lk, I could so use some of that self-discipline myself at the moment as I seem to have no time to write and yet I'm on leave - when will I ever get a better opportunity? Time to be more structured. And well done for sticking to the exercise - that's something else I know I need to do. I don't think you need make a special effort to be a better person. You seem just lovely to me.

LK said...

Thank you, Litlove, that's so sweet.

The writing habits are very difficult. I am not a routine person -- routine feels stifling. One thing I do believe: Baby steps count. Better to start small and keep it up, than go overboard and get discouraged.