Tuesday, May 26, 2009

tha mi Sgith


A century ago I stumbled into a tiny shop that held only treasures from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This treasure trove occupied me for ages and when I left I had purchased something that was far too tempting to pass up. An album for a group called “Silly Wizard” large and flat, a vinyl record meant to be played at the audacious speed of 33 1/3. Anyone remember that?

 The song that captured my heart was Hame, Hame, Hame / tha mi Sgith. This translates out to “Home, Home, Home, I am Tired.”

 This has been my song for the last week in the wake of Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference (CCWC). Oh don’t get me wrong. I adore conference. I love meeting new people. How cool is it hearing about their projects, listening to their pitches? How utterly awesome and amazing it was to be on the other side of the table as Padawan Agent.

But by the end…oh I was ready for home.

 In the last week or so I’ve been struggling to get my feet under me again. I had totally underestimated the energy it takes to be faculty. I had never considered that from the moment I entered the building for breakfast until I left for the night, usually 12 – 15 hours later, that I was working. And my appreciation for the editors, authors, and agents who work at these things soared considerably.

 This week I’m finally getting back to work after sleeping a lot more, playing a lot more with the kids, and generally recovering. But much as I love being “hame, in my ain countree” I can’t wait until my next conference, and the chance to do it all over again.

 What about you? Tired after conference or exhilarated and ready to work?

2 comments:

Kala said...

I totally understand the exhaustion that comes with conferences, and I can hardly fathom being faculty! lol Im always utterly wasted away after a con, and it takes lots of normal routine to get me back on my feet again. There is always so much back-ground mental processing that has to be done after cons. Yet, like you, I always look forward to the next one!

Rachel Heston Davis said...

When I came home from Write to Publish last year, I walked into my living room, exhausted and only half-conscious, to discover a boatload of friends there to welcome me home and visit with me. Flattered as I was, all I kept thinking in my head was "Please go away...." :)