Oh hi.<\/p>\n
I’ve been a bit quiet here and in social media lately.<\/p>\n
We’re in the middle of December. \u00a0Where was my triumphant NaNoWriMo victory post? \u00a0Where is all the news and excitement about my writing projects? \u00a0What the hell happened to Brian C. E. Buhl (or, for those of you that like to look at my URL and give me grief, Brianc\u00e8)?<\/p>\n
Well, it’s like this…<\/p>\n
I work in the energy industry. \u00a0I’m not going to bore you with the details, but the energy industry is driven by state and federal incentive programs, which have due dates based on the calendar year. \u00a0That means that as the end of the year approaches, projects that have dallied suddenly become frenetic. \u00a0Everything has to be done immediately, and there is simply too much to do in the amount of time available.<\/p>\n
I’m not going to make this a giant excuse post. \u00a0I’m just going to say that I prioritized the job I’m getting paid to do over the job I’m not getting paid to do. \u00a0Programming work intensified, and I had to cut back in other places.<\/p>\n
It didn’t feel good. \u00a0There was a moment in mid November when I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to make my goal. \u00a0I felt it, and it was cold. \u00a0I became quite surly for a while, there.<\/p>\n
But we’re into December, now. \u00a0Christmas is right over there, approaching like a boulder tumbling down a hill. \u00a0It’ll be upon me, soon. \u00a0I haven’t done any shopping yet. \u00a0I sure hope I get that done.<\/p>\n
In other news, I’m still playing in both the River City Concert Band and the River City Swing Band. \u00a0Like my writing time, my music time has suffered some casualties in this busy work time. \u00a0I had to miss a concert on Sunday, and a practice on Monday, all due to work. \u00a0I have a performance this Friday, and another this Sunday, neither of which I’ll miss. \u00a0If you’re in the Sacramento area and you’re interested in attending, leave a comment and I’ll get you the details.<\/p>\n
It’s not all gloom and doom. \u00a0I’m not an unappreciated wage slave at work. \u00a0They recognize that I’m working really hard and making sacrifices, and they’re supportive. \u00a0I feel appreciated, even though I feel a bit overworked. \u00a0That’s quite a feat, which says something about my employer.<\/p>\n