Normally I’d just be coming home from work, but today I took a sick day. Actually, I overslept by half an hour–the second time in two months–but when I woke up, I did feel semi-queasy and overall yucky. So I called my supervisor and told him I wasn’t feeling well. He was okay with it, so I went back to bed at 6:30 AM and didn’t get out of bed till 12:30 PM, when the husband came home for lunch.
I also think that I overslept A) because I stayed up till midnight last night watching the latest Project Runway, but mainly B) because I am sick of my job and just don’t want to go anymore. I just looked at the Help Wanted ads, again, for the third time this week, with no luck.
“Every being has a purpose.” That’s one of the lines in Lady in the Water, the latest M. Night Shyamalan film that is getting extremely poor reviews, but which the husband and I both liked overall. Well, assuming that is true, and my being a…being, I sure wish I would find my purpose.
Right now in my creative writing class, we’re doing short stories. I am SO nervous about this assignment. It is worth 20% of our overall grade. On both poetry and creative non-fiction, I got Bs, and I really want an A on my short story. To prove to myself that I really am an excellent writer, I guess. Though, if I get a B, that will tell me I’m a good writer, and that will be okay too. But I really would like an A! (I place far too much value on my grades, I know. It is the perfectionist syndrome.)
I’m really excited about my story, though. If it goes well, I might even post it here (as a protected entry). I’ve emailed my professor about it, though, because I’m not sure if it’s going in the direction it should be:
- My characters don’t have names. At all. I kind of like the idea that they’re anonymous because I want to focus on the character development and plot anyway. But I’m not sure if all the “he, she, him, and her”s are getting tedious.
- The subject matter–it’s a relationship story, and I’m not sure if it’s a bit too Oprah’s Book Club or chick-lit for this class. I’m nervous that my teacher (a man) won’t really “get” the story.
- Most important is the ending. I’ve got at least three possible endings, two of which aren’t exactly “happy” (I’m thinking of killing off a character). The one “happy” ending isn’t 100% happy, but it might be the most realistic. gah! I need more time to figure out this story, but it is due on Sunday night, so I don’t have any clue what to do with it! Make it work!
I also had a fleeting thought the other day, that if this whole writer thing doesn’t work out, and the whole “I want to open a yarn shop” thing doesn’t work out either, maybe someday I can write for a knitting magazine, or something. Interweave Knits, anyone? I could write about yarn!
As always, I am constantly in need of guidance. (Ironically, my academic advisor at my college is leaving, so I guess I’ll be reassigned to someone new. She is leaving to pursue “new career opportunities.” Good for her, I guess!)
[tags]work, lady in the water, college, writing[/tags]
I think we must be feeling sympathy-sick for each other. I did not go to sleep until… well… um, around 7am this morning? Slept for a few hours, woke up with a migraine and nausea – YUCK. Hope you are feeling better!
I’m really really hoping you are able to find a new job, even just something different for awhile that will help make you a little more interested. Just keep trying, you never know! I always tell my boss the day I met her I saw a halo on her head… who knows what would have happened if she just didn’t decide to come in my store that day and ask if I needed a job!
Hmm about your story… I’m not a writer, so I can’t speak in those specific terms, but in everything else I do, I find just doing what *I* really feel is right and worth doing is probably what I should do. In the end, you are the one that has to live with what you wrote, not your profs…. I mean, sometimes I think it is easier to please other people. But that doesn’t mean that’s the right thing, right? (Is this the headache talking? hehe)
I think writing for a yarn magazine or something along those lines would be perfect for you! Hmmm….
I think the story sounds great. If you want brutally honest feedback, I’m your gal. Feel free to e-mail me at any time!!!
Ooh, also I LOVE Tim Gunn- And I loved the impersonations of him and Andree at Red Lobster that Santino did in Season 2! Freakin’ KILLS me!!!
kc: sympathy sick for sure! I really need to find a job with normal working hours; being a night owl is not conducive to getting up at 5:30 every morning
I am feeling better, thanks! I hope the same for you 
I am so desperate–I even considered applying at the post office because they supposedly get paid well. Can you imagine? Me a postal worker? lol! Thanks for the writing advice. I’m going to see what guidance my prof gives me, and maybe make some adjustments, but ultimately it is my story. I’m not going to change important stuff that feels right to me. 
Annie: thanks for the offer!
I love Tim Gunn too–he is so funny and smart. And as mean as Santino was, I kind of miss him too!
I understand what you’re going through. When I was miserable at my job, I started to get migraine headaches several times a month. A month after I quit….they stopped! I’ve been away from work now for 16 months & although I’m definitely ready to get back to work (and I’ve just started job hunting today), I’m terrified!
If I were a writer, I’d definitely offer to proof your writing, but actually I suck at writing so I probably wouldn’t be the best one to offer constructive help. Sorry:(
Kristie: yeah, it’s always hard to go back to work after such a long absence. But once you get back into it, it’s not so bad! Thanks anyway about the writing
That’s actually a great idea–a knitting writer. Good way to combine your talents and interests. Good luck on the story. I wish you would post it, but I understand, it’s hard to put yourself “out there” to a bunch of strangers. My little sister has taken a lot of creative writing classes and I could use a change of pace from her style of short story.
Bezzie: thanks for the well wishes on my story
I’ve been working on it more tonight, and I just don’t know what to do with it! I might post it…can’t decide! 