Holiday Rut

A good friend noticed that I haven’t been updating my blog for three days now. Since, as she said, I have one of the most updated sites, not being able to write for at least two days is cause for concern. To my friend, I am very much okay and my life, though unexciting and sometimes trivial, is healthy and, well, livable.

I have been extremely busy lately to find time to rack my brain with anything substantial. Firstly, the UN/PNAC writing project has finally come to a close. I got paid last Monday, after nearly 4 months, with a few thousand extra (pampalubag loob) because they felt guilty about keeping me on the project for so long when the contract only stated a month. I got paid, it’s over, now all is well. I just have to submit the FINAL draft by next week and I’m off the hook.

Oh, I was asked to attend a training of trainors with people from the government next week. I was told finishing the seminar would give me license to conduct talks about migration and HIV. With that, a lightbulb flashed atop my head. Here goes another opportunity. Hee hee

Second, I’m torn between having to write about the Music Clinic and a piece for next week’s theme. I won’t tell you what it’s about just yet, you’ll have to read it on Wednesday. (Sneer) I was thinking, since the second one’s more urgent than the first one, I’ll have to work on that first. I am supposed to interview somebody from Los Banos and I don’t know how we’re going to go about the interview when I’m here in the freaking Metro. If I didn’t have a day job, I would definitely hop on a bus and meet my subject. But, since my job pays my bills, I have to be here and settle for : the Internet and the phone. Drat of all drats!

Third, my mind is chock full of Christmas gift problems. They bother me so much I can barely think straight. So, there’s a Marks and Spencer lotion for my very very very kikay 17-year-old sister, Swan Lake Barbie for my 9-year-old sister, a house decoration or something for my mom, a shirt for my dad, cards for friends and a bottle of wine for my grandparents. The bigger problem lies with where the money will come from. Christmas is supposed to be a season of good! Right now, it’s broke season. Money has taken a holiday from me. Boo hoo!

Fourth, other assignments are looming. One about spending Christmas alone, one about Pinoy urban legends, another about living independently, and one about celebrating the New Year without fireworks (in Davao).

This is the worst part. I haven’t done ANY of number two to four. I am procrastinator extraordinaire! I await my doom.

PS. Jonjon and I are working on a book project din pala. I have to swim through about 700 mini stories compiled from friends over a year and choose the best 50 or so. We’re making a book on dating mishaps and I hope to finish editing by next year. Then we’ll go look for a publisher, a sponsor and people who will support the book. It’s a grand dream I want to make happen before Jon and I develop white hair. So, technically, I won’t be going on vacation.