My tendency to internalize metaphors like that one is probably a telltale of something or other. For most people, "magic realism" is a whimsical literary genre, not a religious preference. Luckily for me, occasional gigs still turn up for members of the First Church of Donald Duck, Scientist. I found a short-term teaching job a couple of weeks ago. So I've been happily busy with that -- instead of combining morosity at unemployment with morosity over the Bush administration.
Last year, I spent a good deal of time producing work-for-hire chapters on a computer training manual/exam guide. The pay wasn't great, but I threw myself into the job, hoping that an author credit on a well-received book might let me pitch more book projects. The project editors were pleased with what I turned in; but the publisher decided to delay printing and wait for a new set of exam standards. I'll probably get to do the whole thing over again next year, if I want to, at the same work-for-hire rate.
