No, that’s not my Script Frenzy! wordcount, it’s the number of emails I have yet to wade through (down from about 10K when I started this evening). And no, that doesn’t include SPAM… I’ve already skimmed that folder and deleted it all and still had the 10K of group emails, etc. to sift through. But it’s okay, I’ll get caught up, feel organized again and be able to maybe unsub from some of the lists that I just never read.

In other news, I finally made it to the grocery store after work so no more panic about not having actual food in the house. I admit, I get a bit uneasy when the stock runs low and the necessity of shopping sometimes has that anti-progress effect of not wanting to bite the bullet and shop. And I love shopping, so that should tell you something. It’s that whole concept of being forced to do something rather than just doing it because I want to or because its a comfortable part of the routine. I am a creature of habit and my habits are way off this week–happens every time I travel.

This was not the only such task on the list and I’m slowly working my way through some of those lovely mental roadblocks I like to erect. I swear, if it wasn’t for myself I’d get so very much more done on a regular basis. That’s okay, though, I have this weekend mostly to myself (SF! write-in for 3 hours on Saturday) to tackle projects. I see a large to-do list being written so that I can cross things off with vigor as I complete them. Such a lovely feeling, that.

And in good news I think I’m close to ridding myself of the ennui that descended on Sunday. It’s difficult when you realize that there’s something on your mind, something you need to work through, and said working through might involve being very emo and teary for a bit just to release the pressure built up, but being on a boat with 2000 other people who you’d rather not have that happen in front of prevents you from actually doing so. Such was the case (after my facial of all things) and I had to wait another 36 hours before I finally was back in my own private space and could let go. Not that it’s that easy, no, it took a couple of days to really get there but right now I’m feeling pretty okay about it. Not good, because it’s a tough pill to swallow and all, but okay. The important thing is the improvement, right?

I think yes.

The cruise was incredibly fun, only a few minor complaints overall, and Mom thoroughly enjoyed herself which was the most important thing. She took today off as well and I sort of wish I had as I seem to have a touch of vertigo today stemming, most likely, from the exhaustion of the constant activity of the last several days.

I honestly don’t even know where to begin as far as recapping the trip. I’m sure I have tons of fodder for Random Acts…, just under 200 pictures and a few souvenirs to act as reminders, but for now I’m just sort of in a post-vacation-let-down. All good things must end, right? Back to the grind stone. I’m going to go back to my veg-post on the sofa and makes some notes for the strip and for some articles that I hope to put together into a readable format tomorrow night when I plan to not be so exhausted.

But before I go: Hearty Congratulations go out to Steve and Best Wishes to Izzie on their recent engagement! I’m just so happy for Izzie as she truly deserves to be happy and while I don’t know Steve all that well (yet, I’m sure) I do know that he’s doing a wonderful job of that so far. Time for a manicure, Iz, as everyone is going to be paying a lot of attention to your hand now that it’s spoke for!

Woot!

I have unpacked and repacked my luggage and think I just might be able to get things to work. I really wish I’d been able to get more done before leaving, around the apartment and on the script and on other writing projects, but I’ll have The Book with me while I’m gone and can make notes and plot things out for a fabulous restart come Tuesday when I’m relaxed and rested from vacation. This is the plan!

I have a few goals over the next 5 days:

1. Not to stress about anything. I know for me this is a biggie, but its vacation, everyone is a grown up, and I’ve done all I can to arrange a wonderful weekend for Mom’s 50th. I can do no more than what I’ve done and it’s my vacation, too, so I might as well enjoy it.

2. Talk to strangers, appreciate the differences in random humanity, and think happy thoughts. I’m going to be in the middle of the Gulf, what do I have to be bitter or uncharitable about? Hmm? This does not mean that snark is forbidden. After all, I do plan to come back with some great material for Random Acts…

3. Wear as few constricting clothes as possible. Basically I mean bras. Oh, sure, at dinner certain outfits will require underpinnings (though one dress actually has it built-in) but during the day? Tank tops with built-in shelf-bras will be my friend. No underwires. No pinching. Pure bliss.

4. Actually be IN some pictures. Seriously, I usually end up behind the camera and I would like that to change. Obviously the formal and ship shots I’ll be in, but I will make a point to hand my camera to someone else from time to time so that I can have some proof that I did not spend the entire vacation hiding behind the lens.

Bon Voyage!

And yet, I know I have. The shirts are done and packed, the water bottles are cleaned and drying, the dishwasher is loaded and running, the trash is taken out. And I stayed a bit late at work.

But still…

I haven’t written anything on the Script or any articles this week and have only one night to go before the cruise so that’s probably what’s throwing me off, but I have to admit I’m having a leetle trouble getting my mind to settle and my stomach is off. Am I nervous about the trip? I suppose it’s possible, though unlikely. I’m off to slug on the couch again… oh, yeah, productive…

Well, two if you consider that today is pretty much over and Thursday we leave to catch the boat, but since we don’t board until afternoon, maybe we’re dealing with more like 2 1/2 days. Or we could just cut the fuss and count down hours : 60 hours, 45 minutes or so. Whee!

I decided to repack my one big case into the two smaller ones, which both fit under the carry-on size (one just barely) and everything fits, except the goodie bags (hey, it’s a birthday cruise, we need goodie bags) so there will be my small shoulder-bag as well. I just have to make sure we’re not limited to a number of carryons if we choose to tote our own bags rather than risk a mix-up.

I finished the t-shirt design but I want Mom to go ahead and have a look before I commit iron to cotton and have her unhappy about something. I like the way they turned out, though, at least so far. And I still need to wash out the water bottles and put the names on them and such (oh, hush, this /is/ me and I am the ersatz host of this floating party–I want it to be memorable… for all the /right/ reasons).

I did write some tonight, got to about 4200+ on the screenplay so I’m a couple hundred short of goal but I’ll make it up tomorrow night, I hope. There are only so many hours in a day, and mine seem to be getting shorter and shorted despite the sun staying up longer.