As a special New Year's Day treat...

...I will be posting updates on all four of my story boards.

That's right. From my weary fingers to your eager (I hope!) eyes, four story segments all on the same day.

I must be insane. :)

-August

So here I am...

I'm in Kitimat, having escaped the hell of Canadian Customs and given leave to enter the country. It's been a lovely first week and I have enjoyed every minute. Even when I've been drenched, head to toe, shoveling snow and slush in the freezing rain I've had fun. Honestly, this place just feels good.

Doesn't hurt that a coyote came to visit me on my first day here and ravens have been watching over the house since I arrived. The Stormcrow is definitely aware of my presence in the North; he's not stopped showering me with affection (read: rain, and lots of it).

In truth, I am flattered. Since my acceptance by him during my vision quest, I've felt him in my life each and every day. There are downsides, of course. There's no such thing as a plane ride for me without turbulence and a leaky roof isn't a good thing for me to be under. The rain ~will~ get through.

Still, I am thrilled. Not only is it an honor to be a Child of the Storm, it's a duty. Doing the Crow's work can be tiring but I love it. It's given me a purpose again and a focus for my pagan work. I admit I regret leaving behind Louisville but the work of the DO there was just too forceful for me to compete with alone. Others will deal with them and free that city; Fate obviously wanted me elsewhere.

The question now? Where am I meant to be?

I suppose only time will tell. I just have to stay sharp and not let myself fall back into the dolor of the past two years. Burnout in my work and in my emotional life took its toll.

It's time for me to take it back.

I must be crazy...

I am going to try the Canada trip again.

I can't thank Angie or her folks enough for this; they are willing to spend nearly two thousand dollars just for my company, a bottle of Grand Marnier, and homemade lasagna. I mean, I know my cooking rocks, but wow... :)

Still, I would be lying if I said this wasn't making me apprehensive. After the way I was treated last time, this is a terrifying prospect.

Ah well. If they try to stop me again, I'll bust out some good, old-fashioned dragon's fire on them. That should clear things up.

-A

Three things I hate!

1) Coke in the U.S. is made with corn syrup. *tongue stick out* It just doesn't taste as good as sugar like they use in Canada...

2) Not being paid for my work. I don't expect ANYTHING for free but I damn well do expect companies to hold up to their contracts. Is that too much to ask?

3) Christmas when I have no money. I love to give gifts; that's a lot harder when I can't afford anything. I make do with self-made things but sometimes it's just not the same when I know there's something a loved one wants and I can't get it for them. *pout*

Fear the Dragon Pout.

FEAR it.

Sleep....

It's an alien concept for me.

When I'm not writing, I'm watching the kids.

When I'm not watching the kids, I'm working my tail off.

When I'm not doing either of those things, I'm worried about money.

My life's gotten so complicated, I no longer have the freedom to actually live it.

Strange, eh? Why am I letting these damn greggles push me through so many damned hoops? Have I been among them so long that I'm allowing them to treat me like a human? Or worse, have I started to think of myself as one again? I'd thought I was past that but in recent months, I don't much feel like my true self.

Somewhere, I lost sight of my dreams. At some point, I let my fire dwindle. It hasn't gone out entirely but if I'm to save it, I may have to do something drastic.

Just what that is...

...is anyone's guess.