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A Monday that almost appears normal. Which is good, because I spent most of last week recovering from a head cold I picked up on the flight from Guadalajara. Then gave to the Fabulous Publisher Babe™. She’s a little pissed about that.
I had a moment in Mexico. Woke up one morning and a stranger greeted me in the mirror. It happens. Not a lot, but often enough to recognize.
Transition.
Becoming someone else.
Someone new.
A fork in the road taken.
2024 is likely to be full of them, when you think about it. This is the year when I simply ride out the storm as best I can sail it.
At present, I am roughly ¾ of the way through Ollie 3, and hit a wall where I had to put it aside. That was getting my head into the place to go to Mexico.
And I am roughly 13k into Ivette 1 (Gunship Commander), and had to put it aside, because I had to stop and rethink the plot that I had, in light of new ideas that came up while I was in Mexico.
That, and I simply had no enthusiasm for anything by the end of last week. That also happens. Think of it as a kind of hangover from the travel, plus being sick. Plus a bunch of other things.
Had to get up Friday morning hollow. Nothing there at all.
I had written notes for future projects while in Mexico. Took my phone with me for that exact reason.
Friday, I had to reach deep and tap a vein of pure rage.
Those of you who have only known me over the last decade or so have never seen me angry. Not even remotely close. Possibly a bit cross, at worst.
Not like the old days.
Not like when I was a machine fueled by rage.
Woke HIM up Friday to get shit done. He did not disappoint. Probably won’t go back to sleep for a few months, because there are situations upcoming where the willingness to go for someone’s throat with my teeth is suddenly a possibility. Hopefully not a necessity.
Shit’s on the table, though.
Got a guy who desperately needs to be popped in the mouth. Maybe a few times, until he shuts the fuck up. And minds his manners. Personally, I doubt that he’s capable of it, because he’s a malignant narcissist who likes to gaslight people.
Still trying to decide if I should bait him into starting something, so that I have an excuse to put him through a wall. Or a window. Whatever happens to be in the way.
Don’t like him. Don’t respect him. Have to tolerate him for reasons. For now.
Other folks involved have identified me as the nuclear option and refused to take it off the table, so they understand.
In Mexico, I simply projected it outwards like a scent, and NOBODY got that close. I could walk through a crowd and folks would shove others to get out of my way.
So he’s in the back of my mind as I work today.
Started the next Science Officer book. Have been drawing a blank for the longest time on what it should be. Letter “E” for those of you paying attention, but nothing past that.
Woke up in the dead of night in Mexico with the opening, which was good enough to get me into motion. Got 8k on paper right now, and just getting started.
Return of the Pirate Clans that we last saw in 7 and 8. ALL of them. At once. Come for Zakhar and Javier. And everybody else.
Gonna be a mess.
Good thing I’m in a rough mood as I write it.
How’s your Monday?
shade and sweet water,
blaze
West of the Mountains, WA
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