Composing in limbo

[aadler]

6:45PM Central Afghan Time

I found a cure for lack of writing inspiration: boredom. Massive boredom.

The power outage I reported a few days ago, thinking it was a passing phenomenon? Nope. They’ve been turning off the power every day during breakfast, leaving it off until early suppertime. Theoretically it’s because a new system of lines is being installed, with different generators to power them, which makes sense. But it means that the MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) area, where we have Internet connection, is down twelve hours a day; there are no lights in our quarters (and no A/C); even the office, which retains lights, gets uncomfortably warm.

Plus, our replacements have now taken over all our duties. We spent a couple of days showing them what we did and how we did it, then gave them a couple of days to do the job with us following and prompting them, then monitored them for a few days more, and now that’s it. I’ve signed over my pistol, my Palm Pilot (the one I was issued, not the one I brought with me), and my room; I’ve completed the last of all the things I was supposed to do for the handoff. Now it’s their baby, I’m back in the B-hut, and I spend all day long bored out of my skull.

I was also coming down sick for awhile, but I got over that. So today, body back in tune and absolutely nothing to do, I carried in a folding chair, sat down with a clipboard, and turned out 1,000-odd words on a story I’ll be calling “Learning Curve”.

As of yet, I’m still not entirely sure how the story will go, but past experience tells me I have enough to start in and discover it as I proceed. This one shouldn’t be very long — there’s just not that much to it — but I’m ready to discover a surprise waiting for me in there somewhere. (Again, voice of experience.) With maybe three weeks remaining in Afghanistan, a steady 1,000 words a day will definitely allow me to finish my ninth story before time for me to leave.

Ganked from bellatemple, I tried the following quiz, with the following results:

English Genius

You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 100% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables.
How you compared to other people your age and gender:

	You scored higher than 52% on Beginner
	You scored higher than 31% on Intermediate
	You scored higher than 59% on Advanced
	You scored higher than 92% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Am I surprised? Not at all. I may abuse the language occasionally, but I know it thoroughly.

Comments

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Sorry you're bored (well, no I'm not since it got you writing :)) but at least the hand off went well. No A/C sounds positively criminal.

Can I say I'm jealous of your assurance in your writing? I'm never sure that what I'm putting down will turn into something or be fit only for the trash bin.

[aadler]

Sorry you’re bored (well, no I’m not since it got you writing :)) but at least the handoff went well. No A/C sounds positively criminal.

As I mentioned in previous posts, combat hardships. You can be sure that the guys in World War II never had to deal with Internet cutoffs and Third World DVDs, and I doubt that many of them had to face not knowing when they’d lose their air conditioning.

Can I say I’m jealous of your assurance in your writing? I’m never sure that what I’m putting down will turn into something or be fit only for the trash bin.

Believe me, I know I’m lucky. But I started writing when I was ten years old, and only in 1999 (with my entry into Buffyfic) began finding a consistent writing groove. I paid my dues, and I’m happy to collect.

Besides, I write plenty of stuff that never sees the light of day. That’s what rewrites are for.

[vastid87.livejournal.com]

I ganked this quiz from you, and I don't think that I did too badly for your age and gender (standards are even lower for mine).

[aadler]

The sad thing is, when standards are raised, people rise to meet them. It does no one a favor to expect less of them, but the powers-that-be in our country keep doing it.

At least you’re managing okay. Stay at it.

Evil Genius

[vastid87.livejournal.com]

You know, every time when I initially glance at the heading of your quiz I always see Evil Genius (instead of English Genius). I'm not sure why that is. Probably due to the fact that I know you, and recognize that you very easily could be an Evil Genius.

Luckily for the world, however, you choose to direct your intelligence to Buffy fan-fiction (This has attributed to some outstanding fan-fiction in that genre, and prevented you from realizing your full potential to dominate us all).