I turned in my manuscript for the final time on Monday. By the time I sank into bed that night I had been up for 41 hours, but I didn’t care. I was done. Donedonedonedonedone.
Not that there isn’t plenty I’d still like to fix, some of which I probably will (on first pass pages), but the advance copies being printed for BOOK EXPO! and for reviewers will have my manuscript as it stands. That this inspires only standard nausea and fleeting disappointment—rather than the conviction that no choice remains but to change my name and start a new life in the lesser Antilles—is an immense relief.
The first thing I did on The Day After was fingerpaint. Well, technically I merely assisted, but still, it was glorious. I’d never had the chance before: instead, Simone painted with the nanny, and I’d emerge from my office/hovel to look wistfully at them for a minute before returning to my work.
Now though, weekends have meaning again, and I can work without feeling I am neglecting my baby and build Duplo towers without feeling I am neglecting my work, unless it is between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on one of the three days a week I have designated for toil. I’m even going to start leaving the house, from time to time. Because I can. Because I’m DONE.
I haven’t known what to post because just typing the news didn’t seem like enough, but I couldn’t think of any alternatives. Maybe an entry that explodes in riotous, celebratory horns and noisemakers and spurts of real confetti when you open my page? Is there html for that? < !>? < omfg>? < koolandthegang>?
The best I can do is a video of Simone dancing. Note the modified Robot she does to Ring My Bell. You can’t teach that kind of awesome, friends.
Celebrate from Alexa on Vimeo.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
congrats on being DONE. i can’t wait to read it. and i love simone’s moves, especially the crawling and the bottom-patting.
HOORAY!! CONGRATS!!! EXCESSIVE USE OF CAPS LOCK AND EXCLAMATION POINTS TO CONVEY PARTY ATMOSPHERE..and not umm…Yelling.
This video has, all on its own, rescued my day/week/month from the stinking dunghill.
So glad you’re done, dear. Looking forward to the letterbox clattering with it!
Congratulations! The celebratory dancing is certainly celebratory! I love how she looks like she is following some very specific choreography. And the hand to armpit with the other arm in the air move is interesting… Does it have a name?
Oh my goodness! Congratulations!
I love her moves. She may have just turned my crappy day around. Thanks for that (both of you.)
Congratulations! And that video is so very awesome. I love it. And I love that my toddler has the same moves. ;)
The news alone would have been enough, but the video caps it. Confetti! Party hats all around!
Git’it girl! Simone is a dancng queen. LOVE the hand/arm movement. Very interpretational!
Oh my goodness! Paint her metallic silver and put her on a box in front of Pier 39 in SF – she will end up with a LOT of money in her pail at the end of the day. Kid’s got moves!
Seriously, that was the cutest thing ever and I’m glad she likes good music!
She is absolutely hysterical. Next time I hit the clubs, I’m going to boogie on down so hard that I too sprawl on the floor.
the girl’s got moves. I noticed that her big finale was a move she shares with my 2 year old, the hands way in the back, finger’s splayed. I call it the butterfly.
Congrats to you, and how cute is that dancing? Indeed, it brings new meaning to getting down!
You know, when the lyrics say “do the funky chicken,” it really looks like she’s doing just that. Well done, Simone.
And, of course, well done Alexa!!
Congratulations on being done!
HOORAY!
And Simone rocks. You CAN’T teach that kind of awesome!
Congratulations! And it’s a relief to see the judge has finally had a chance to review the entrants for toddler of the month; April was drawing very close. Of course, given her dance technique, Simone must have been a shoo-in; what style she has!
SUPER DUPER EXPONENTIAL RIOTOUS CONGRATUFUCKINGLATIONS!
Woo-hoo. What an accomplished feeling it must be. Celebrate the achievement.
:)
You and your girl rule. Simple as that.
Congratz! :)
Wait a second…did Simone start with the macarena? Wow, the cuteness is off the charts!
I’ve pre-ordered my copy already to be sent to Oz. And I’ll be letting everyone I know they must BUY YOUR BOOK. Congrats because you have achieved something phenomenal x
More video! More video! Damn, that was cute.
CONGRATULATIONS, even in all! caps! doesn’t seem enough in this situation. But that’s all I’ve got right now. So congratulations it is. From the bottom of my toes…
Congratulations!! I can’t wait to read the book.
Like Kim, my toddler does the arms way back behind her move. I’ve never seen any other kids do it in real life. I had no idea it was an accepted dance move :)
Also…your baby and my baby always have the same clothes. At first I thought it was just a shared love of Target – but she’s got those matryoshka shoes too. I love Livie and Luca (especially when they are on sale).
She’s a dance maniac! I really thought when she got down on the floor she was going to start to breakdance.
And might I add, your home looks awfully clean for someone who just finished a book. :-)
And as for the book… CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!(confetti and 1000 balloons falling from the ceiling –I don’t know the html for that either). Nothing feels better after a big deadline than having to do… nothing. Enjoy.
That isn’t just dancing. That, my friend, is choreography.
Congratulations. On the book and the child genius.
Congrats! The last time I wrote and finished a book, my oldest was younger than two and I remembering feeling EXACTLY as you feel. I just wanted to sit and watch her and build towers out of blocks and fly her like Superman on the bottom of my feet and wallow in her diapery deliciousness.
Enjoy this time. It’s sooo good.
Yay!! You did it!!! Can’t wait to read it. And of course I love love love the dancing :)
Hooray, you’re DONE!! So awesome. I am so happy for you.
Is there anything cuter than a toddler dancing? I love it when Sam does it, too. Something about their delicious chunky bodies and big moves…I love it!
Back when it seemed that Simone couldn’t hear, I composed this long email to you – describing the newest advances in science that really could help her. I went to a great lecture about it and was really hopeful and eager to transfer that hope to you (I’m a scientist working at a major research university). And then, just as I was about to send you that message, the clouds dispersed. She could hear! And boy, is that ever the case. Watching her great moves and hearing her sweet little voice made me just so happy. What a great thing to see. Oh, and congrats on the book, can’t wait to send you my $$.
Love it.
Yaaaaay!! I can’t possibly write an excited-enough message. ::giant hug:: Congratulations on finishing (and omg, Book Expo! Eeeek!)
Also, I wish I lived near enough to offer to baby-sit. What a cutie!
That girl has some wicked cool moves!
Congratulations on the book and welcome back to your life.
Cute dancing.
And congrats on your book! That’s awesome.
Congrats Alexa! Is is possible for we Internet Strangers to love Simone more? This video just made my day and has inspired me to get down….way down…and frighten the poor house cats. Thank you, thank you!
Does Simone talk yet?
Toddler dancing is one of my favorite things! She’s got some cute moves. :-) That brought a smile to my face just when I needed it today.
I may die from the cute. I especially like the armpit-scratch maneuver.