Finally at the point in vacation where after being away so long from the chaos, almost forgot why a week off of work seemed so urgent. Something about reading as late into the night as I want and waking up at 8AM that smooths over the memories of exhaustion.

Neglecting all but the compulsory chores ( dishes, litter box and vacuuming ) the week thus far has been remarkably relaxing, yet purposeful. There’s two reasons for the sense of productivity, even when to outside appearances, I’m idling about the apartment in a robe well into the afternoon.

Twice a year I review all my investments, and for the first time in two years after reviewing the numbers, I haven’t yearned to stuff everything in a mattress and set the bed on fire. Financial markets are whimsical as a summer storm, so who knows what tomorrow may bring. But thus far this year, it’s been pleasant.

Second and more importantly, been working on the sequel to The Last Track. Based on a wide pool of reviewer feedback, I’m making a few adjustments in the way the story develops. There will be more of some elements and a little less of others. Actually reading or hearing what people honed in on was pretty surprising. The most unexpected compliments were about parts of my writing I had considered the weakest.

Sub plots will be ratcheted down both in number and in detail; I’m definitely sensitive to the fact a lot happens in the pages–though the open ends did resolve at the conclusion. While there’s infinite ways to develop story arc, overall I’m aiming for a slightly more economical approach to secondary plots in general.

And that’s about it at 1:37 AM on Thursday. Ah, vacation.