How do people do it?

I'm an early bird.  When I say I slept in, it generally means that I woke up at 4:30 am.  That's late. But I also go to sleep when the sun goes down, or shortly thereafter.

Yesterday we had our first meeting with the Writers of the West, and it started at about the time I'm beginning to contemplate beddy-by. Since it was the first meeting and didn't last the full three hours I decided that I should stay up late just to get a feel for it. 

At 4:30 I woke up, looked at the clock and fell back to sleep until 6:20. I jolted out of bed.  Rushed the dog through his walk and scrambled to get ready for work.  This is NOT good.  I'm used to a leisurely morning.  Meander around. Drink coffee.  Enjoy the walk with the dog. Write. Check e-mail.  Exercise with the girl. Some butt on couch time as I watch the news.

Dear gods, I do not know how people do this crazy morning rush on a daily basis.  I'm exhausted.  It can't be lack of sleep.  I got as much or more sleep than I usually get. This is simply awful.  To make matters worse I KNOW that I'm going to go home and crash and so today will be a total waste of a day.

I do have to say kudos to the dog.  When we walk we have our little routes.  Park perimeter, the bog, out and back, out... all these things mean something to Chester and so we don't have to argue over where we are going every day. I realize this sounds crazy, but consider the source ;). 

Today I told Chester, "One block walk buddy.  I'm sorry but that's it." 
The dog got it.  I was so amazed.  In the past when he's been belligerent, he wants to go OUT but I don't have the time and so we have to just do park perimeter or some such thing, I have said, "Knock it off or it will be a one block walk!"  I just never realized that he actually understood what a one block walk was.  It has only ever been used as a threat.  Let me say he is an awesome dog.

Elizabeth Gilbert On Genius

In looking for courage for my daunting task of attending tonights writers group I found this on the Story Wonk Daily.  Awesomeness.

It is a bit 'long', but, in my humble opinion, worth every second.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Gulp

Let me start by saying I am a social (ooo how does one say this so it is PC?).  My usual word for myself will simply not do here.  I have it, I am socially inept.  Going to family functions can be enough to put me over the edge and not because of the family part, ahaha.

I simply suck at people skills. 

I did go to the first Nano get together. It wasn't easy and if it weren't for my husband I wouldn't be able to make that statement.  However, I did go and it was there that I realized my people skills were even worse than I thought.

Sitting about on the couches trying to get to know one another should be easy. Right?
Wrong!!

"So what genre do you write?" a nice gentleman inquires.
"Fantasy," I reply.
"How may years have you done Nano?" he tries again.
"Five"
After several attempts my husband jumped in and started inquiring as to his genre etc.
He saved me that day. 

Now for the GULP part.  During Nano, I said I'd join a writers group if one was organized. This morning when I got the e-mail.  'It's on. Go to the Facebook page and RSVP."  I did what I do. 
Well, what if I didn't see this e-mail?  Can't go if you don't see the e-mail.

However, I decided that if I did not take this opportunity it would never happen. 
So, I accepted.  I only have 38 hours to agonize over it.
I can do this.
Wish me luck.