Baby Steps
Back to regular scheduled programming...
It’s toward the end of February which means my paternal leave is done (for now). I will have more time in the future, but my initial 4 weeks of staying home with my son and my wife while she recovers has been a giant learning experience.
Having a baby scared me upon the initial idea of not knowing what I was going to do. I’m a first time parent, but no one really helps you through it besides trivial advice.
Luckily, my wife is more than capable of co-parenting so we naturally got the hang of it early. Routine, love, and understanding from a good pediatrician will help ease the fear out of you.
I did like the routine of feeding, changing, and admiring. Even in the early AM when I was half asleep, maybe even just as much as they baby. I still enjoy it all.
All things considered, I’m still easing back into life.
Work is dreadful just as I left it.
Writing is slower, but that was expected from the start.
Life just seems a little calmer. Mostly because we aren’t bombarded with plans to go see that person and go to some pointless event we don’t really want to go to anymore. The baby is the scapegoat in ways both my wife and I happily deny plans for now.
Oh well. See you when he’s older.
Seriously, this is the year I can really focus and prioritize. Writing will be back in full swing as I have my 3 books planned for the year. Baby time comes with most evenings and weekends. I just have to fit in the gym, normal house responsibilities, and married life accordingly.
I need to downsize what I do and think about and accept some things just don’t matter anymore. I need to use the little time I have to focus and get to where I want to be without distractions.
Seriously thinking about downsizing watch time. I can’t stand the idea of binge watching shows and I’m more of a movie goer anyway. Sadly, I’ll have to wait for streaming in most cases but I’ll survive.
I did get to do some reorganizing while I did have down time. My office is neater and my shelves don’t look as disastrous anymore. I was able to donate a few books I don’t care to keep or revisit and my shelves look so much neater.
My wife got me these book nook kits for Christmas and I was able to place one on my corner shelf. Look how stunning it looks!
My shelves really come to life with this new facelift, lights, and nook. I feel 1000% better working in here even if that’s less often. My space is finally in a place that feels like I can breathe and create accordingly, but I understand it will be a slow journey back to regular scheduled programming.
I am still working on Please Don’t Rewind. I’m hoping for a spring release, so stay tuned. I will have a BIG announcement very soon, I promise! The cover is nearly complete.
Just a small update for now. Next newsletter I’ll dive deeper into what’s coming later this year. I only have one show scheduled so far… LIVING DEAD WEEKEND!
This may be the last time I see the Monroeville Mall, so I will be lively at this show. I will miss this place when it’s gone into the void of corporate greed (Fuck you, Walmart)
Thank you for your patience. My son is teaching me patience more every day.
Happy Reading!
Your Horrific Friend,
Joe
