CRIME ON MY MIND

A can opener kind of day!

You know what the day's going to be like when you make a grab for the machine, plug it in, take out the espresso beans and discover it's the can opener, not the coffee grinder, that's sitting ready to go. Ughhhh....

Then the egg yolk squirts across your hand (don't ask), and you suddenly remember that trip to the bank. Except, there aren't enough hours in this day to fit it in. What's a gal to do?

Time for some basic time management, I'd say.

But it's really not my fault. I was all geared up, mentally and appointment-wise, to attend the Lyndhurst Turkey Fair on Sat., Sept. 22. Except it's on Sat. Sept. 15. You got it -- tomorrow. And I just found out last week. Too late to change some plans but possible to squeeze other things in, if I forget lunch and have dinner on the fly.

And what about writing? It's one of those day, unfortunately. Life interfers and although I like to think of myself as a writer, today I'm an anything-but kind of person. Do you ever have those kinds of days?

But back to Lyndhurst, which I'm programming into my GPS since it's been a couple of years since I've done the turkey thing. It's a day long celebration in the village. The main street is lined with craft stalls, food stalls, vegetable stalls, and folks selling everything imaginable. It snakes along one side street and on another you'll find some cool classic cars, their owners proudly buffing up hoods. And, there's always and Elvis impersonation going on, gracing the green sprawling lawns of a charming older house.

And speaking of turkeys...that's the food of the day from the church ladies with their hot turkey lunches, to the diners and stands with their turkey burgers. You won't go hungry, that's for sure.

I'm actually going in order to do a signing and hopefully, sell some books. It's not all shopportunities for me. I'll be joined by Vicki Delany and Violette Malan, plus a handful of local authors, in the back room of the public library. This is also part of the annual event.

So, if you're looking for a great drive out into the country and some good old-fashioned, small town charm...see you in Lyndhurst, Ontario.

I may have to put that time management onto another day in my agenda.

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012;
available now for pre-order
www.erikachase.com

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Time mangament...what's that?

Only one more day left in February...and that's a gift this year, being a Leap Year. I for one, can certainly make good use of that extra day. It's like turning the clocks back one hour in the fall. One more hour a day -- whoee!

When did life become so hectic? Can't answer that one but each day I hope to gain control again, to set some order to my agenda and become more productive to boot.
So I use lists. The days I don't, I fall behind. It's not like I'm a slave to the list because I often don't even consult it. In fact, I often can't find it which is to say, tidying my desk is always at the top of the list.

It's the act of writing things down that allows me the perception I'm once again in control of the hours. Often, that action also makes the tasks take hold in my memory and I follow through merrily. Who cares if I've skipped #1 and can't find the list anywhere.

Today, being the day before the final day in February, means one more day to make any RRSP contributions for the past year. The fact that I can't remember if I did it when I received my notice of assessment is not a surprise. This happens every year. I need to make a quick call to my financial advisor and all will be dealt with. But it shouldn't come down to this last minute scurrying each and every year.
I should have a master list for the year and address these annual issues as they arise. Of course I should.

And, I should, being aware that when I'm feeling the pressures of finishing a book, realize that's the time the edits from the previous book will arrive in my email mailbox. And they then become the priority.

But that's also the time that more promotional tasks for the earlier book kick in -- like planning the launch, setting up signings, preparing for panels and workshops.

I know all this...right? So why is it the second to last day in February and I'm in a tizzy? I should write that down on my list...item #2 -- get into tizzy mode. Then I can deal with it by losing the list.

Besides, I always work better to deadline. Or so I like saying.

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime
www.erikachase.com