Rough return to daily grind. Food coma sets in at the usual time. Since coffee is not available for revival, the primary recourse is exercise and water, itself a false remedy. Desperately need caffeine. Might require blood transfusion if blood sugar continues languishing.

The Wife’s cat behaves oddly. First ack attack at 8am. Later, the striped beast demands a ride around the apartment on my shoulder, and multiple head butts. Suffer a traumatic brain injury when cat rams pointy skull into forehead at high velocity.

Orders are strong, with a substantial bump in sales in the Xmas wake. Perhaps everyone returned nonessential gifts and are flush with ducats.

Writing is rough going under such conditions. No word from agent. The trial continues….

New Years Eve is a time of reflection and new beginnings. Every December 31st the Wife and I record a number of goals for the coming annum. Goals break down based on category, be they personal, professional or as a couple. A year later we review, discuss and write new goals.

2004 was rocky on my end. The Wife did well, satisfying four out of five personal goals and every career goal. I flubbed three out of four personal goals. The goal fulfilled: write every day for three hours. Man, I’m so fired.

Lost in the crush of self pity and yearning for a half dozen martinis, the Wife studied my list. She put what happened into perspective. Of the four personal goals, only one goal was under my influence, the writing schedule. The other three depended on the actions of others. Hearing that, made it clear why I 1) I failed and 2) felt bad about missing the target. The endpoint was never mine to hit.

The Wife took one goal and re-framed.

Before : Get a literary agent.
After : Query, contact and work towards securing representation for the Ridge Runner.

Not only is the re-framed goal more accurate, the statement now emphasizes my personal responsibility and influence in the situation.

And so we enter year 2005. Rock on….