Stress

[cjsmith]

Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Deer in headlights. Mind running in frantic little circles. Failing to do even the simplest useful thing.

I hate this.

Deep breath. Time to list what I've done right today:
- Remembered to bring a bunch of crap in to work (stuff that's been waiting to come in for days).
- Made sure to talk to architect about New Feature that landed on my plate last night.
- Went to bookstore and to library at lunch to look for reference book to help with New Feature. (Didn't find a copy at either place, though.)
- Even got LUNCH at lunch.
- Wrote list of things-we've-tested for meeting. Wasn't needed, but I wrote it & was ready.
- Found some old demo code that will help build New Feature.
- Figured out a workaround that fixes a key test application we need. (For days it has been crashing immediately upon start.)
- Failed to take ANYBODY'S head off. Didn't even bring an axe to work.

That may be about it.

Comments

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

(nod) When I was thinking of classes, I was thinking more of group performance things, like orchestra or chorus, than individual instruction. But it sounds like you may be in a similar position to myself. My singing skills, for instance, are good enough to be semi-professional, but not really quite fully professional, so I get very unsatisfied with the things I can do that don't require more time than I can give to them. It can be frustrating.

With regard to baking, simplykimberly took a class on cake decorating, and my friend foxglove999 did Culinary school. I'm pretty sure that some of the culinary places will let folks audit classes. I could imagine it being worthwhile to study how to make fancy french pastries or something. Yum!

But of course all that takes time and energy, so back to square one. ;^P

Favorite authors, lessee... I'm on a Marion Zimmer Bradley kick right now, re-reading old favorites and a few I missed over the years. Other favorites include Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey (have you read the one she co-authored with her son, or the one he wrote alone?), Charles de Lint (if I'm up for "urban fantasy"; it can be a bit depressing and too realistic sometimes), Terry Pratchett, Andre Norton (her old stuff mostly), Ursula LeGuin (though she can take more energy than I've had recently), some Piers Anthony (though I can't read more than one or two of those at a go; they get too repetitive), Jacqueline Carey, Ray Bradbury (bordering on too much horror for me on occasion), Sharon Green's "Blending" Series, Ellen Kushner, many others.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

A class on fancy French pastries would be stunningly wonderful. Mmmmmm! Next time I'm out of a job! (I really should save up all these "next time I'm out of a job" ideas.)

Piers Anthony drives me bananas but the rest of those sound great. I have read very little Jacqueline Carey or Sharon Green. Ever read Katharine Kerr's "Deverry" series? I'm working my way through that one again, and I adore it. What a rich tapestry of story-threads!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've read some of the Deverry series and really liked it. I think I got to about book 5 or 6, and then I fell out of touch with the gal I was borrowing them from. Thanks for reminding me of it. I should look for it at the library.

And yeah, I get it about Piers Anthony. I can only read so much, and only certain series. I like the first few books of Xanth, for instance.

The Kushiel series is really tasty; highly worth the read. I haven't read anything other than the Blending series by Greene, and I've heard some of her other stuff is not as good.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh THAT'S right, Kushiel == Jacqueline Carey! Yes, I liked those books. (I have read only the first three. I hear there is now at least one more.)

One "guilty pleasure" of mine is young adult fantasy. It's not as rich or deep, but it's just as creative and whimsical. I wonder how much of Lackey's work would count as being aimed at young adults. Tamora Pierce is good in this genre. I'll read any of hers I can get my hands on.

I'll have to go look for Blending. Thanks!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Young adult: Yeah, LOTS of Lackey's work counts there. Have you read any of Diana Wynn Jones' work? I read a bunch of her stuff earlier this year and loved it. Dogsbody and Witch Week are two titles.

I have the new Kushiel book. It appears to be part one in a series about Prince Imriel, Phaedre's fosterling. Very tasty. Want more. Would consider loaning it to you if we could figure out an easy transfer. :^)

And have you read any of the Ghatti's Tale books? If not, you should. Telepathic cat species. Think Lackey, but cats. Yummy. I also recommend "The Wild Road," a singleton fantasy cat book. I wish there were more.

Don't think I've read any Tamora Pierce yet. Will go look at that. :^)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Nope, don't think I've read Diana Wynn Jones. Yes, definitely the Ghatti's Tale ones. Isn't "The Golden Cat" a sequel to "The Wild Road"? I bet you'd like that one. Also "Tailchaser's Song" by Tad Williams.

I am so glad we got into this conversation! :-)

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, I haven't yet read "Tailchaser's Song." I should put that on my must read list. :^) I like Tad Williams. I think you're right about "The Golden Cat," but I think it's still on my Amazon list, and I've never actually read it. Not sure. I might have gobbled that one up too, and am just wishing there were many more. :^)

More excellent YA: "Wise Child" and "Juniper" by Monica Furlong. Apparently also concluded in "Colman" which I've not yet read. "Colman" is co-authored by Karen Cushman, whose books "Midwife's Apprentice" and "Catherine, Called Birdy" are also EXCELLENT. More books by both authors on Amazon, and I'm sure the others are equally good.