Gift cards & birthdays

I'm suffering from a bit of a blip in life right now. I haven't written anything on the "Tayce" series in quite a while and I want to, especially since my life has been so hectic lately and writing really helps, but I just haven't been able to sit down and make myself do it. I haven't gotten my query letter ready for literary agents for Book 1, nor have I finished the final edits on Book 1. To make matters worse, my birthday is coming up and I'm in the introspective phase -- specifically, "Where the heck do I want my life to go in the next few years?" What can I say? I like to know what path I'm walking, what my eventual destination is going to be, so I can take as many detours as I want.

My sleep cycle is also messed up due to a few days of sickness and a night of partying last weekend. Hence why I'm still up despite needing to wake up for work in less than 6 hours. But, to keep my mind from all that, I've been getting books for my Nook like crazy and reading whenever I have a free moment. A book I've been waiting for an entire year (or has it been a year and a half?) to come out is finally out and I used a B&N gift card I've been hoarding to buy it: Children of Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus, Book 2). (I would have included an Amazon book cover link, but it isn't working for some reason)

I really loved the first book by Sara Creasy, Song of Scarabaeus. It had an awesome climactic scene. So, I was really excited when I realized the next one is out and immediately plunked down the money and had it delivered to my Nook. I tend to hoard gift cards because I hate buying things with them that I'll hate -- it seems like such a waste of essentially "free money." I know, neurotic, but who said I was normal?

Finally, I've been listening to Audioslave a lot lately -- I got through phases -- and I am in love with their song "Be Yourself." :love:

I hate being sick

I caught a pretty bad cold or something, which usually doesn't happen to me. But every few years I catch something bad and it takes me a while to get over it. I think I may have bronchitis. Unfortunately, I'm in a new town and it's tough to get new recommendations for doctors and stuff. A co-worker of mine suggested the Urgent Care; I may go there tomorrow to get my lungs checked out, but I'll really have to find a general doctor to call my own. Before, I went to the university health center. It's funny how "growing up" has all these little things you have to be able to do, like figure out a doctor for yourself.

Oh yes, my birthday is a week away, so I've been thinking about "growing up" a lot. This April puts to close a pretty stressful year in my life. I get introspective when I've survived a stressful year.

In other news, here's a Scandinavian band that I'm currently enjoying. While the lyrics are generally safe for work, there is the F-word in there. Be warned.