Happy New Year!
Okay, I have a confession to make. For me the most exciting part of the new year isn’t the parties or the champagne or the drunken snogging at midnight. . . nope, for me it’s all about a new calendar. A shiny, blank cube or wall hanging just waiting for me to fill it up with all the awesome stuff I’m going to do this year.
The only thing that compares to this thrill is the new notebooks you get at the beginning of a school year. Sigh . . .
This year I have three calendars to help me keep track of where my kids are supposed to be, birthdays, anniversaries, and the very important book deadlines.
First, in my home office where I write I have my fave calendar – the 2013 New York City Firefighter Calendar. (I know – I have half naked men on my writing wall – shocker). This is essential to my well-being because it not only keeps me on track with my book-related stuff but it also serves as drool-worthy inspiration for those times when I get stuck creatively.
At my EDJ, I have to keep the naked men down to a minimum (you have no idea how difficult this is for me) and I have two calendars in my little cell office.
On my desk sits the Urban Dictionary calendar which gives me a word per day 
of modern, urban slang. This is a lifesaver – I’m 43 and not really down with the lingo, so it keeps my vocabulary fresh (or hilarious depending on who you talk to in my office). Take this word from December 28th:
“Deligious: A food or beverage that is so delicious that ingesting it is akin to a religious experience.”
I can totally slip that into casual conversation and sound hip and cool. ; )
And, then I have my favorite calendar hanging on my wall – the monthly Demotivator Calendar from Despair.com. Designed to mock those motivational posters with eagles soaring and teams working together (Ugh) you can can choose a pre-made version or customized one like I did. They have tons of images to choose from and this calendar feeds my sick, cynical sense of humor. Perfect.
So, how do you keep track of your days? On your phone? The free calendar from your bank? Post-it notes? Let me know!
Robin
About Robin Covington
I am now looking for that firefighter’s calendar – I need it — perhaps a couple — the office can fend for itself!
[Reply]
Robin Covington Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Go for it! I got mine at Amazon.
[Reply]
When I was little, my grandmother would always get me a calendar for christmas. I though it was a pretty lame gift since I didn’t really have any control over what was planned or my schedule so why would a ten year old need a wall calendar… But now- I wish someone would give me a calendar
Especially one like the firefighters… Really.. Anyone? One of my favorite desk calendars was a Far Side one I bought my brother many many years ago. Now you have me wanting to search for desk calendars for writers… Love the urban dictionary one. Oy- one more thing for my desk!
[Reply]
Robin Covington Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
That is cool. I give one to my hubby every year. Good tradition!
[Reply]
Robin:
There really is something wonderful about that fresh, new calendar, wide open with possibilities. (And when half-naked men sit above those empty pages, even better!!)
Addison
[Reply]
Robin Covington Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I know! All that possibility laid out before you for a whole twelve months . . .
[Reply]
I’m such a dork I have two calendars in the same place. I’ve got a desk “Mom’s Family Planner” because each day gets 2 squares– Mom and then next to it is Family. So I can keep track of how much time I spend on all my writing tasks (in case I ever get audited I can prove I do actually write) and deadlines on one side and the kids stuff on the other and still be able to see them together. Then I keep electronic sticky notes with my daily to do list on my computer screen. I know, way too organized and still no hot men since my kids rummage through the desk calendar.
[Reply]