I've gone through it before and knew what to expect, but that doesn't necessarily make it any easier.
Back in '00, I packed up my life in Atlanta and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. The only person I knew in my new hometown was my roommate. Since I was looking for work at the time and recuperating from a wreck, to boot, I was home alone a lot with nobody to talk to but the cat. It took time to plant new roots and build a new life, but it happened.
So I was braced for what the move to Indy would entail, but that doesn't make the tough part any less tough. Based on my previous experience, this is the nadir. Not quite two months in the new place, still tidying up loose ends from settling into a new state. Still financially tapped out from the move itself, so getting out of the house isn't happening much. Since I haven't really connected with new friends yet, I'm spending my days talking to the cats...
What I wasn't ready for was the effect on my creativity. I'm supposed to be singing for my supper here, and the songs are just so hard to come up with at the moment. I've got half a dozen great ideas for posts and essays swirling in my head, but it's hard to get them out through my fingertips when all I'm doing is sitting and sulking.
Anyhow, I'd like to thank y'all for bearing with me while I get my... um, bearings. I've got the Last Sunday Smith to review (and since it's the last, it's gotta be special) and then it's back to more military rifles at The Arms Room. Things are slowly churning on the rifle book. There's pieces on topics as various as Mausers and... well, butts to write about here. Also there are plans afoot to revive the dormant Digital Archaeology blog with some fresh content.
Stay tuned...
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Just my two-cents-worth, but take some walks around Broadripple. Man, that neighborhood is like a Whitman's Sampler of curious and wonderful architecture! I bet some of them have some nice gardens, too. I could spent days just scouting the area for the best-looking houses, then spend months just gawking at my favorites.
Tam, your writing is well worth waiting for.
And having lived in four states (IL,OK,MI,TX) I know what it can be like.
I agree with Turk Turon.
You could also stroll up ye olde Monon Trail. It's fun to people watch, you never know what you'll see.
What Joseph said.
Hang in there, Writer Lady.
Chill. Shoot some stuff, that always helps me. And you have some nice state parks nearby- fort harrison, mounds, etc. I have a good time just wandering around state parks in the springtime. Of course, not everyone is an outdoors person.
And we should do a mini-blogmeet in Indy sometime soon- get Nate and some of the other bloggers together, even if it's just a friday night somewhere.
Tam,
I've been there and I know what it's like. If you ever get the urge to chat, fire up your favorite IM client and you'll probably find me online (hey, I'm a computer geek; it's what I *do*).
Tam,
Just remember, things could be worse.
You *could* be stuck in Massachusetts...
;)
Here's hoping the funk clears quick and the muse returns with a vengeance.
Go outside and do something new, even if it's just a walk around the block. And take your time, Tam. You do this for you, remember?
I wish you the best.
word verification: euypms. (Ew...why? PMS?) Heh. I couldn't resist.
Hang in Tam, Spring is about to happen and a walk in the park is free and feels good! We are behind you, we all know about the blog doldrums!
You're always welcome to come cowboy shoot with us down at Thunder Valley or Pleasant Valley. I'll provide the ammo and guns if you don't mind shooting 7.5" .45 Colt Rugers or EMF bisleys. I gots extra rifles and shotguns too. My belts would probably go around you three times, but I'm sure one of our pards (or pardettes) could help out there.
THIS IS SPARTA
You're doing a book on mausers? Is there going to be a chapter on the Argentines?
Just post some photos of you frying eggs in your pajamas. The hit meter will spin and you will get a lot of protein. Both will weather you through this spell.
You still totally rock, Tam.
Don't go to Ft. Ben today.
My dad any boys are over there fishing. Can't have any armed womenfolk out just walking around the kids ya know. :)
TAM: It may be the 'Move', but I think it's this FREAKING weather. I'm having the same problem both with writing and getting equipment ready for 700 acres of spring planting as in "My Get-Up-And-Go got up and Went".
I have Zip ambition.
This weather is NOT typical even for Indiana and it sucks big time.
All The Best,
Frank W. James
Og said: "And we should do a mini-blogmeet in Indy sometime soon- get Nate and some of the other bloggers together, even if it's just a friday night somewhere."
Sounds good to me but Saturdays work better for the wife and I. Eventually we should plan a range trip to Atterbury.
Actually, I'm kinda partial to the Anon suggestion of eggs and pajamas.
1. I find that doing something I hate can get me out of depression, or at least push me toward doing something else. On the other hand...
2. Dress up girly and go car shopping. I guarantee some writeable experiences, and you can whip a Porsche around like Kurt Russell in Used Cars.
3. There's a Rolls Royce plant in I'polis, go watch them make jet engines.
4. Go to the Emergency room for a half hour. Life isn't so bad.
5. Stand on the porch of the C-word Barrel for a half hour. Tons and tons of laughs.
6. Walk past a construction site at lunch time. Everybody likes to see a pretty girl, the pretty girl gets whistled at, endorphins for all.
6. Just mess with people. Go to the grocery store and stand in the legume department. When someone comes near, say "What kind of beans for the Ricin again? Are you sure they can't find it in an autopsy?"
7. Shop.
8. Look at porn.
9. And if you're BTT, call me on the Crickaphone.
'Tisn't Kurt Russell, but it's hilarious.
I second all the people who suggest free things to do.
I also suggest the public library.
Lots of books for free - if not always the newest ones. Reading is great way to stoke the creative fires.
They also tend to have both reading and writing groups (even if they aren't always of the highest quality). And free is good when finances are tight.\
Best of luck.
tam, my two cents turned into a nickel and got a little wordy as usual, so if interested it is here...
http://poetnthepawnbroker.blogspot.com/
thanks for what you do here, but relax and enjoy dinner on me tonight...jtc
The first Friday I could probably do anything would be May 23. After that I'm looking at July.
Saturdays are hosed months in advance. I have no idea how I'm going to get the yard in shape this spring.
Tam, shoot me an email and I'll give you contact info. Maybe we can meet up during the week. Sally and I have at least one date night a week and we often have a friend or two join us.
She may be a liberal and scared spitless of guns, but Sally likes most people in general regardless of their politics and/or armament :) (Hell, she married me....)
Yup. Understood.
Lifes like that and you know how to deal with it.
Sometimes the muse has to go take a nap for a while, and the days get long and lonely. Happens.
But..... you know what will happen
eventually.
Drop me a line some time.... via the blog or Lin or smoke signal. We'll plan a day to play next time
I'm out that way. Nothing like gun smoke to clear the mind.
I'm partial to the smell of IMR myself..... :-) And..... I have a stray can or two of 8x57 wanting shot up.
It is tough getting started in a new place and meeting new friends, especially ones aligned with your values that make you happy to be around. Hang in there and I will send you a better note of encouragement (too long for here) to the A O L account you listed. Hope it helps.
Immerse yourself in making detailed plans for a big trip -- say, Boomershoot 2009?
That'd be a fun drive on a motorcycle, I would think.
If it helps, I far prefer the rifle posts anyway.
Smith collecting isn't my thing.
(Not that it's bad. Just doesn't interest me to any great extent... then again, my .357 is a Rossi and my next revolver is almost certain to be a Taurus.)
I hadn't noticed a drop off in quality. The snark is still there.
"and... well, butts to write about"
Oh never mind. You probably mean rifle butts. And I go and get my hopes all up......
Take care of yourself.
Rick
Whenever I get the weltschmerz, I like to do something scary to snap me out of it. As Jeff Cooper was fond of saying, danger, not variety, is the spice of life. For me, it used to be driving fast (before everybody and his brother had a cell phone...), but in my old age, I realize that scary + dangerous and stupid is not really a good combo. Scary + depressing (Wal-Mart run) is also right out.
Start slow. Turn the lights off and watch "The Shining," or maybe "Alien." Work your way up to skydiving next. Then there's always marriage...
My only advice is to pick yourself up, get out and go get engaged in life. Indy probably has malls (gag) and parks (great) and stuff like that. Get out and interact with society.
Find a gun range, shoot some.
Look for a job, get the cash flow going the right way and meet some folks at work.
My family has moved a lot and change is good, but hard at times.
Good luck and we are here for you.
How about a couple of free tickets? Free stuff does it.
I have an extra ticket to the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum (Friday afternoon) and
Guns, Gear & Outfitter Show at the NRA convention? You're welcome to them.
Of course, since we get press passes this may be moot, but just in case...
Tam,
We've got an Appleseed Shoot coming up in Freedom, IN on the 19th and 20th. Oleg got out to the TN shoot last weekend and seemed to enjoy himself.
http://olegvolk.livejournal.com/408038.html
Only about an hour away and a brick of .22 will be cheap entertainment.
Let me know if you want details.
hawkhavn
Best wishes getting out of the slump. We know you'll be back soon with your snark!
Tam, head to the range. You'll meet some new people there. There's even one near you looking for part-time and full-time range personnel. Best wishes. You'll get your writing mojo back soon enough. I sure enjoy your work and am looking forward to the book.
http://www.atterburyshootingrange.com/employment.html
I moved to Texas from California. It was tough, and despite seeing the kids more, and actually living in AMERICA, I got depressed.
I found out that I felt the same way later, when I moved back to California.
I hate moving. I like your writing. Have any Colts about which to write? When I get stale, I try something different. Your mileage may vary.
Your mother was going to send you a card to pick up your spirtits, but your senior-citizen parents cannot find your new address or phone number. Please send it to them, again.
Roles have reversed--now you need to take care of us.
dad
You can't expect to make a major move and be instantly productive.
Set small goals at first, that would be my advice.
I know the feeling. No really, I know the feeling. Best of luck. hope yours is shorter than mine has been.
Hey,
Just discovered your blog. What brought you to Indy?
I live in Boone County. Come on out and shoot some rabbits. They're plentiful here.
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