Sometimes staying drunk doesn't work

"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." ~Ray Bradbury


I love the above quote. I have it printed out next to my desk in my library. I have it tagged as a favorite quote on FaceBook, I have seriously contemplated adding it as a tag line on my electronic signature.

Alas, sometimes it just don’t work.

Sometimes, there simply is no way to stay so immersed in the world of writing that the arrows and rocks of the real world don’t drag you under. This is one of those weeks.

For those of you out there who don’t know, I work at SDSU (financial aid), and this is hell week. Ok, maybe not a recognized, official hell week- but it’s the week prior to the intent to enroll for all new students, the students from this year are just now realizing they’ve run out of money, and all of them are determined to take summer classes. In other words, it’s a wee bit of a mad house and I leave work each day feeling like I’ve gone thirty rounds with a trained fighter, but really was only conscious for the first ten.

My writing is pretty much on standby through Friday. Now, one would think that my writing could pull me away from the mentally thrashed edge. Except, I’m currently too damaged to do anything when I get home. The best I can muster is capture bits and pieces of scenes and snippets that bounce to the surface of my beleaguered brain from time to time. There have been a few of those, furiously scribbled down before they fade away. They aren’t much, but they are acting like a lifeline to my sanity this week. They are hope- but they aren't enough to stay drunk on.

There is a light at the end though. I have a half of Friday and the week-end all to myself for my own writer retreat at home. I'll be locking myself up, not answering the phone, just focusing on getting as drunk as possible on my writing.