Catching Up

Image: Paul Friel

Okay, where to begin is the big question. To say I’m glad to see the back of this week is an understatement, but purely because it means I can get back to the computer and back to work. I’ve had little opportunity to keep up with my emails and blog reading, and I’ve struggled to do much of anything except work – which isn’t bad – and play, but I feel I’ve been missing out elsewhere.

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past couple of days looking back on the year that has been and developing my Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions for 2009. I’m making a few changes and adding a couple of fresh aspects to my plan. I’m also slimming it down dramatically so I can focus much more on the areas I want to concentrate on. But more on that later.

I’ve been very busy with freelance work. I’ve completed, invoiced and been paid for a new batch of articles, and also completed the first draft of an editing assignment for the telephone client I spoke to the other week. I completed an overhaul of a website for one of my regular clients with some new professional pictures taken by my wife. The feedback has been excellent so far. And I’ve begun work on the sound bites and poem recording for my Madness poem.

I’ve received two short story rejections and also submitted two pieces to new markets. Today alone, I pitched for seven freelance gigs.

My office has been given a thorough tidy and clean in anticipation of the advent of 2009, and our Christmas tree also stands proudly in the living room, but still without its lights on.

Socially, I was out in Glasgow on Thursday for the Lads’ Christmas Night Out; very drunk and very good fun. We visited a lot of the pubs we used to frequent as early twenty-something’s (the ones that were still there, that is) and had a meal in a small Italian on Argyle Street. I forget the name but their pizzas were jolly nice.

I was off work on Friday, which is just as well since I was shattered, and over the weekend I enjoyed an Indian takeaway on Saturday and a couple of films.

Most of my Christmas presents have been purchased and arrived, but I’ve still to do my cards – that’s for tomorrow and Tuesday.

The end of the year is closing in and there is much to do so I’m away to get on. This promises to be another busy week, but hopefully it shouldn’t be as hectic as the last seven days.

Anyway – good to be back and a normal blogging pattern should begin once again.