FROM WRITER TO READER
Sunday, December 11, 2033
I’ve been recording my feelings daily for nearly 20 years in this column. Since my diagnosis of ADHD this July, I’ve also been writing some ‘as it happens’ notes – some of which I’ve featured in my columns, but most of which I’m saving for review, to describe how I’m feeling, what I’m experiencing, what I’m learning in real-time as opposed to a backward look at a later time. Maybe a book, perhaps a pamphlet …
In any event, this piece is one I wrote one Friday a few weeks ago, and I thought I’d share it with readers today:
Mixed media is a term I’ve come to understand where an artist mixes it up on their canvas or paper – whatever surface they are presenting upon – where they use paints and objects; artists mix up their media so each time they create unique communication from artist to viewer, or in my case, from writer to reader.
Another way I see this term is as images in my head in the morning; the day, like one recently, where I woke remarkably well rested for a Friday morning – watched some mindless TV as I rolled out of bed and made my way through early morning rituals to find myself at this keyboard:
~my medium, I suppose, is toner on paper if I print it – but if I keep it all digital, it’s the font on my screen
~my head’s insides had a different idea, racing ahead with plans of the day, not expecting to see an obituary notice of a friend’s brother, not expecting to see a new listing I wanted to bring to the attention of a distant cousin and his wife (they’re only a mile away, the cousin is one of four sons of my late cousin – we’ve never been close, which is regrettable – and our paths have not crossed in a long time)
~I didn’t expect to see some great press – a story in which a good friend was favourably quoted, so I needed to send him a quick note – but not so fast for that condolence note, which deserves some thought and I’ll write, and phone him later today
~I didn’t expect the overnight emails – we never know what might show up, and one in particular needs attention; it’s from a landlord I’d reached out to on behalf of a tenant/client, something we often do but getting a reply saying he would try to call me today or Monday, that was nice
~and morning writing rituals which, by my rule, should come first before any of those other matters – which was my intention – but I was debating working from home this morning vis-à-vis working from the office, so I expected to have a lighter load, an easier time, and, and, ~ well, you can imagine how quickly an hour or two can be whittled away
~breakfast is not part of this equation – I try to stick with my attempts at intermittent fasting by waiting till 8-8:30 before ingesting food or drink
Mixed media, indeed – then a short walk, a quick shower, and a sprint to the office to do those things where I ‘need to be working/calling/meeting from there’ before returning home for a planned afternoon writing/billing project that needs total focus: I debated ‘staying to work from home to do that project’ with a rationalization that I could go the office and do those things in the afternoon. I realized, of course, that if I actually wanted to make meaningful connections with people today, calling them or sending an email on a Friday afternoon when they are as work-averse/cleaning up as much as they can before the weekend – not a good plan, so I’ll do that shower, do a long walk later this afternoon if time permits (realizing, of course, it isn’t time that permits – it’s me deciding what to do, and acting on it …)
Mixed media, indeed.
And by then, 7:39, my ADHD medication had been on the job for 39 minutes – and my keystroke speed was racing ahead of my mind a bit – or was it missing a train and hopping on the next one?
I’ve had a leisurely Saturday morning, cobbling together what you’ve just read. But, aside from some grammar and punctuation tweaks, it was more about remembering that day – because my perspective on how things are going, how I’m doing in incorporating my understanding of this ADHD, I need to celebrate and chec in on how I’m doing with the medication so I can give quality feedback to my doctor.
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