Summertime blues

Generally, I don't really like the summer. It's too damn hot and muggy, and lately it's been raining a lot. However, I've grown to reluctantly embrace summertime because with the exception of a short period at the very end of the year, it's the only season when I can take significant chunks of time off from my office job.

Lately I've been at the office 3 days a week, leaving me with 4 day weekends--wish I could do that year round. Next week is my last week before taking 19 consecutive days off. That time is crucial to my studio practice. I spend a lot of time anticipating my personal summer "residency" so that I can be prepared from day one when I get into my studio. Those 2+ weeks are coming up real soon, and I'm excited for them, but simultaneously worried that I am not prepared enough to take full advantage. It's time to start really cracking down on the game plan.

Maybe it's a bit early, but I'm beginning to be filled with a sense of dread for the end of the summer. Once the time off is over, I'm back to work full time and it's harder to make it all happen in the studio. The office job gets busier, and I begin my Mandarin classes again. This all happens at the beginning of autumn, which is otherwise my favorite season. But it's sort of a nice challenge to try and keep the summer momentum going into the fall.

I'll be in the studio for the next 3 days...