Monthly Archives: September 2011
Back to School & A Change In Schedule
September is here and so is the ball of stress that occupies my chest, surrounding my heart until June. As if working as a teacher in a really cool, on-the-forefront-of-modern-education program isn’t enough, I am also going to school so I can maintain my teaching license. This is even more stressful. So if you don’t hear from me for a bit, that’s one reason. It’s not that I don’t love you, I do. You know that. You take time out of your busy lives to read these posts–well, most of you do. That guy over there–yeah, you–you just came in because you Googled the term “the shining for 13 year old?” and you don’t look like you’re staying. If you are, sit down, have a seat. If not, make room for the woman who Googled “attracted to dark things,” she might like it here.
Anyway, I really do appreciate you who read my blog as well as pony up the cash to buy one of my books (click on the Bibliography link above, the Books section for links on buying them for someone else; remember, Halloween and other gift-giving holidays are around the bend!). In between coursework–reading, writing, interviewing people, observing, crying, swearing, writing, and reading–I’ll be working on editing/revising both the novel and novella I’ve been working on for far too long. I’m dancing as fast as I can.
Also, I opted out of doing a reading at the 100 Thousands Poets for Change reading being held at the Gallery X in New Bedford next Saturday (Sept 24th). Mainly because of the aforementioned work. It also falls on a weekend I have my daughter, and while I’d love for her to have a chance to see me be Bill Gauthier, Writer, it’s just bad timing for me right now. But I still want you to go and check out the other great writers going.
So that’s all for now.
Irene, the Day Job, & Other Assorted Shenanigans
It’s the 3rd of September, a Saturday. My wife is at work and I’m sitting at the kitchen table because my previous office chair–purchased for somewhere between $60 and $70 from Staples back in 2006–shit the bed and the old kitchen chair I’ve been using is fucking me up. I found the chair I want to replace it but…you dig.
My birthday came and went, as referred to in my previous post, and all was well. Irene came and went last weekend and the apartment complex we live in was left unscathed. We lost power for about three hours, but I enjoyed it. Other people I know weren’t so lucky. The day job was held back by one day but began Tuesday. I enjoy teaching, but, man, I miss being home and writing.
The thing with teaching is that for all the rewards (and I find there to be a lot of them), it’s just draining. Emotionally, physically, and creatively. Take that and the shitty chair, and this week was a bust workwise. I began the MediaBio post that was supposed to be put up on Thursday but never finished it. The shock of going from my quiet days of working on the novel or novella or blogs to the frantic pace of what I do (and all the business/paperwork that the first few days of school bring with them) just kick me in the groin. Other than the kids, I’m just happy I teach in a non-traditional program where I have very little homework.
Homework. I begin new classes this coming week so I can keep my day job.
I fully suspect, though, that once I get back in the groove of things, I will easily be able to leap into a writing schedule. I’ll begin forcing myself this week because I need to write something to read at the local 100 Thousand Poets for Change reading I’m taking part in on September 24th.
I heard of this through an area poet and friend-of-friends (and Facebook friend) Maggie Cleveland and saw that not only were poets welcome, but other types of writers and musicians were, as well. I began writing an essay to read for it last week but it fell apart. I think I have a different angle on it, though, so I will try it again.
So there you have it. Life here in Gautham. I hope you’re well. Now, I’m going to go work on something.
Gautham: Bill Gauthier.com 