Long time, no write

It is when things get to be the most hectic and busy that I should write more. Instead, I write less.

I am reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and the most recent reading discusses what researches have determined makes people an "expert." They have concluded that 10,000 hours (about 10 years) of continually working on a craft is the magic number to make someone an "expert." Strenuous practice makes people better and when you sustain that practice, over time, you become an expert. Now, I'm by no means an expert writer, but the practice thing is so true and I don't want to lose that. It's hard, especially with kids, to take time to yourself to do anything, let alone something as isolated and focused as writing, but I need to do it. Push on. I want to get back to something as close to what I was doing in NYC, writing every single day, even if it was just a couple of sentences. This forum must continue to be my muse.

There have been lots of goings-on over the past couple of weeks. Of biggest note, Steph's dad fell on New Year's Day and fractured his femur. He's been in the hospital in The Woodlands ever since. In fact, Steph is there right now. He's getting excellent care there, but it seems like once they diagnose one thing, another small thing comes up. I know it's frustrating for everyone and he continues to be in a lot of pain, specifically from his leg. It is now put back together; now, he's faced with an entirely new phase of recovery - rehabilitation. Keep their whole family in your thoughts and prayers.

Work has been crazy, after two weeks of vacation and hanging with the family. It's been a rough transition for everyone. I can feel lots of travel coming on through my work during this first part of the year. I don't know how I feel about that.

Today, I am resting with my mom and the kids. I made a day trip to Vegas yesterday to attend CES. Madness. On many levels. My body doesn't know what hit it. Legs and feet ache. Back is tense. Still tired. Hopefully, today (and this weekend) will give me time to recover.