I just received this Christmas card from Ovsanna Arzoumanian, who has a number of lovely art pieces in the Orëska gallery. Enjoy!
Enjoyed early Christmas dinner and am watching a MST3K movie here at my dad's. Got some awesome loot in addition to the laptop. T got me the Lost season 5 DVD set with the Dharma Initiative kit. So awesome. I'll be watching that this weekend. Also got some awesome books from my sisters, an adorable plaid skirt, and some awesome jewelry from the sisters as well.
Dad and I went to see Sherlock Holmes this afternoon. For the most part I liked it, though I'm not sure I like Holmes as a bumbler that he was at times. But I can see in a way wanting to change Holmes a bit--he's not as remote as he was in earlier depictions. I mean, I know Holmes is supposed to be remote, but it's harder for a modern audience to relate to someone so detached. And after working on that tome of Doyle's letters, I don't think he would have objected all that much. The film does assume some familiarity with Holmes, I think, but then he's very ingrained in our psyches. So like I said, for the most part I really enjoyed it.
Except for right near the end. That's where the film broke and burned. In case you're wondering, this is indeed the same theater that we had to evacuate due to fire when we went to see 2012. It was much more amusing during 2012 though, probably because that movie pretty much stunk and the ending was given. I wanted to see what happened after Irene told Holmes who she was working for (and anyone who didn't figure that out right away needs to go read more Doyle).
In other news, the kitteh has to have a tooth pulled Wednesday. She had a cut on her ear and I'd been putting Neosporin on it, but while it wasn't getting worse, it wasn't getting better. So I took her in Wednesday (which was the rescheduled appointment after canceling due to the Snowpocalypse). Her ear had gotten worse since I made the appointment--the ick in her ear looked like the residue from ear mites. While the vet didn't see any mites under the microscope, there was some yeast and bacteria, so she gets to have ear drops. Lily has always had very sensitive ears. She hates them being touched or cleaned. (She's one of those cats who has very waxy ears in general.) She was not pleased when the vet cleaned them out. Squirmy wormy was the phrase used. Then during the general checkup, the vet found a very infected tooth that probably needs to come out. Which explains why she hasn't been eating dry food. The fun part of this is that I have to give her not only eardrops but antibiotics. However, I have thumbs and I'm smarter than she is (generally anyway). The first night, I sat down with her and tried to open her mouth. Struggle ensued of course, then she meowed. Hah! Open mouth right there! In goes the pill and then I hear a gulp as she swallowed the pill (yes, I did have to hold her mouth closed--she's not that awesome). Yesterday she managed to trick me once (it's a twice-a-day thing) and not swallow the pill, but once since Wednesday isn't too bad. And she barely struggled today at all. She may actually be learning. Of course she does know if she's good during things she doesn't like, she gets a treat. If she's bad, nothing. She's taken quite a liking to milk. I can barely have tea or cereal without her jumping at the fridge.
So that's it for now. I'm off till the new year, but I do have some freelance to do. But good freelance: Perez-Reverte and de Lint and a sci-fi novel whose author I forget.
Dad and I went to see Sherlock Holmes this afternoon. For the most part I liked it, though I'm not sure I like Holmes as a bumbler that he was at times. But I can see in a way wanting to change Holmes a bit--he's not as remote as he was in earlier depictions. I mean, I know Holmes is supposed to be remote, but it's harder for a modern audience to relate to someone so detached. And after working on that tome of Doyle's letters, I don't think he would have objected all that much. The film does assume some familiarity with Holmes, I think, but then he's very ingrained in our psyches. So like I said, for the most part I really enjoyed it.
Except for right near the end. That's where the film broke and burned. In case you're wondering, this is indeed the same theater that we had to evacuate due to fire when we went to see 2012. It was much more amusing during 2012 though, probably because that movie pretty much stunk and the ending was given. I wanted to see what happened after Irene told Holmes who she was working for (and anyone who didn't figure that out right away needs to go read more Doyle).
In other news, the kitteh has to have a tooth pulled Wednesday. She had a cut on her ear and I'd been putting Neosporin on it, but while it wasn't getting worse, it wasn't getting better. So I took her in Wednesday (which was the rescheduled appointment after canceling due to the Snowpocalypse). Her ear had gotten worse since I made the appointment--the ick in her ear looked like the residue from ear mites. While the vet didn't see any mites under the microscope, there was some yeast and bacteria, so she gets to have ear drops. Lily has always had very sensitive ears. She hates them being touched or cleaned. (She's one of those cats who has very waxy ears in general.) She was not pleased when the vet cleaned them out. Squirmy wormy was the phrase used. Then during the general checkup, the vet found a very infected tooth that probably needs to come out. Which explains why she hasn't been eating dry food. The fun part of this is that I have to give her not only eardrops but antibiotics. However, I have thumbs and I'm smarter than she is (generally anyway). The first night, I sat down with her and tried to open her mouth. Struggle ensued of course, then she meowed. Hah! Open mouth right there! In goes the pill and then I hear a gulp as she swallowed the pill (yes, I did have to hold her mouth closed--she's not that awesome). Yesterday she managed to trick me once (it's a twice-a-day thing) and not swallow the pill, but once since Wednesday isn't too bad. And she barely struggled today at all. She may actually be learning. Of course she does know if she's good during things she doesn't like, she gets a treat. If she's bad, nothing. She's taken quite a liking to milk. I can barely have tea or cereal without her jumping at the fridge.
So that's it for now. I'm off till the new year, but I do have some freelance to do. But good freelance: Perez-Reverte and de Lint and a sci-fi novel whose author I forget.
Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for health and happiness to all.
- Mood:
cheerful
Yes, Christmas Lobster. My sis sent us six, count 'em, six live lobsters for Christmas.
Turns out my child is not a true carnivore. When faced with deconstructing a lobster, she's a bit squeamish about the guts. So disgusted that by the time she got to the tail, she would not eat it. Her loss my gain.
I ate hers, mine and part of my mom's. I think this is one of the few times in my life I've ever eaten too much lobster.
Thanks Sis!
Turns out my child is not a true carnivore. When faced with deconstructing a lobster, she's a bit squeamish about the guts. So disgusted that by the time she got to the tail, she would not eat it. Her loss my gain.
I ate hers, mine and part of my mom's. I think this is one of the few times in my life I've ever eaten too much lobster.
Thanks Sis!
- Location:Tehachapi
- Mood:
full - Music:Bette Middler covering Rose Mary Cloony
In keeping with hallowed tradition, here is your Christmas eve snippet. I thought I'd better not give away any more of White Road or you won't need to read it at all, so here is a peek at the still untitled Nightrunner 6! Happy Holidays, all!
_______________________
Young lord Selin had made good on his promise. That night they were to meet him at the Drake in the Street of Lights to be introduced to Duke Reltheus and do some gambling. They were preparing to set out when Runcer appeared at their door with a familiar pinched look of disapproval around his eyes and mouth. “That young boy is back, asking for you, my lord,” he told Seregil, sounding pained at having to deliver such distasteful news. "I did tell him you were not available but he refused to leave until he spoke with you, so I put him in the back garden.”
“Thank you. I’ll see to him.” Seregil arched a brow at Alec as they headed downstairs.
They’d found Kepi a few months ago, when the boy had cut Alec’s purse in the Harvest Market. He’d led them a merry chase to get it back, too, right down into the sewers. It wasn’t that there was anything irreplaceable in the purse; the fact that the boy had been able to get that close, and then nearly gotten away intrigued Seregil and since then he’d found occasion to use him as an extra set of eyes and ears in the lower quarters of town. Kepi surfaced periodically with some tidbit, almost always something of use.
The boy was perched on the rain butt, wolfing down a mince tart. Runcer might not approve of him, but the cook had a soft spot for the child and never let him get way with without something in his belly.
Kepi was a true orphan of the streets, and knew neither his parents nor his own age, From the looks of him, he could have been anywhere from ten to a malnourished twelve or thirteen. He was skinny as a stray cat, with a pointed little face and wide blue eyes under a tangle of sandy brown hair. His long tunic—one of some nephew's castoffs that Cook had cut down for him—hung loose on his thin shoulders and his legs and feet were bare and dusty beneath it. He could play the innocent when needed, but in truth he possessed up the craftiness and streak of savagery needed to survive his part of the city. But he was also bright and quick, and utterly devoted to his benefactors.
As soon as he caught sight of Seregil and Alec he hopped down from the barrel and made them an awkward little bow. “’Evenin’, my lords,” he said, spewing crumbs around a mouthful of tart. “Hope I didn’t disturb you or nuthin’.”
“Not at all, Kepi. What do you have for us?” asked Seregil.
“That actor fellow, Atre the Mycenia? He's a friend of yours, ain't he?"
"How in the world did you know that?"
Kepi just winked and grinned.
"Yes, he's a friend of ours. What of it?"
"Well, he got hisself knifed tonight.”
“Bilairy’s balls! How? Where?” asked Alec.
“Down at the waterfront, back of the Skulpin. It just happened and I come straight up to tell you.”
“The Skulpin?” said Alec. “What was he doing down there?” The tavern was on the edge of the respectable commerce district of the Lower City, a place where Upper City young bloods gravitated to when they wanted a bit of danger. The gambling house catered mostly to traders and sea faring men, but there were plenty of cutpurses, bawds, and footpads about at this time of night, ready to relieve the unwary of their winnings. “Is he alive?”
“He was when I heard about it. I come straight here.”
“Good lad.” Seregil took half a dozen coppers—the only safe coinage for someone like Kepi to be caught with—from his purse and gave them to the boy. "You know the Drake gambling house?"
"In the whore's street, you mean, by the Astellus Circle?"
"That's the one. Go there and ask for Lord Selin. Give him our apologies and tell him we're going to be a bit late. You don't need to say why."
Kepi made him another ill formed bow and Seregil let him out the back gate. The boy took off at a run and was soon out of sight among the evening crowd strolling the grassy common.
Since they were dressed as lords, they took their Aurenfaie horses and galloped down to the Skulpin. There, they found the actor gasping on couch in one of the private gaming rooms. He was dressed only in rough trousers and a loose, blood stained shirt and rather rough looking shoes, and apparent attempt to fit in with his surroundings.
A small crowd of ne’er do wells and doxies were peering in from the doorway, but parted for Alec and Seregil, who had come armed.
A drysian was with Atre, tending to a wound on his belly. The actor was white-faced except for the traces of stage paint here and there on his skin, and looked frightened, but at least he was conscious.
“What happened?” Seregil asked, kneeling down beside him and taking the man’s hand.
“Oh, my lords!” Atre gasped, clinging to Seregil’s hand with both of his, which were sticky with blood. “How did you know?”
“Never mind that. What the hell happened to you?”
“It was a girl,” the young actor whimpered. “She said she was hurt, and when I tried to help her—look what she did!”
“And took your purse, I suppose,” said Alec. It was a common ploy among the girl cutpurses.
“It’s not as bad as all that,” the drysian scoffed as he began to bandage the wound. “Hardly more than a scratch!”
“What are you doing in a place like this alone?” asked Alec.
“Oh, you know—“ Atre was too pale to blush but he looked rather ashamed of himself.
Seregil gave him a knowing look. “Got tired of the pampered nobles and came looking for a bit of rougher fun?”
The actor looked away, saying nothing.
“This is no place for the likes of you,” the drysian scolded. “Stay up on your heights and find your fun there. I have better things to do than patch up you silly thrill seekers.”
“I will, Brother. By the Maker, I will!” Atre mumbled, then looked up imploringly at Seregil. “Please, my lord, don’t leave me here all night!”
“Of course not,” Seregil assured him, and caught Alec rolling his eyes. “Go ask the master of the house to hire us a carriage, will you?”
“If he can get one at this hour.” Alec strode out, calling for the landlord.
The drysian finished with the bandage and straightened up. “There, that should hold your guts in well enough. See that you keep the wound clean and it should be healed right in a week or so, if a bit sore.”
“I have to be on stage tomorrow!”
“I hope you have a good understudy, then.” With that, the drysian nodded to Seregil and took his leave.
“Oh, Calieus will love this!” the young actor groaned. “He hangs around like a carrion crow, just waiting for something like this to happen.”
“It’s his job, isn’t it? And I really don’t think you can blame this on your understudy,” Seregil chuckled, washing his hands with the water left in the pitcher the healer had used. “Honestly, if you’d wanted to come some place like this, you should have asked Alec and me. We’d have come with you.”
“Sometimes I think your lover doesn’t like me.”
“He doesn’t like you flirting with me, as you very well know. Behave yourself tonight or he’ll put you out in the street.”
_______________________
Young lord Selin had made good on his promise. That night they were to meet him at the Drake in the Street of Lights to be introduced to Duke Reltheus and do some gambling. They were preparing to set out when Runcer appeared at their door with a familiar pinched look of disapproval around his eyes and mouth. “That young boy is back, asking for you, my lord,” he told Seregil, sounding pained at having to deliver such distasteful news. "I did tell him you were not available but he refused to leave until he spoke with you, so I put him in the back garden.”
“Thank you. I’ll see to him.” Seregil arched a brow at Alec as they headed downstairs.
They’d found Kepi a few months ago, when the boy had cut Alec’s purse in the Harvest Market. He’d led them a merry chase to get it back, too, right down into the sewers. It wasn’t that there was anything irreplaceable in the purse; the fact that the boy had been able to get that close, and then nearly gotten away intrigued Seregil and since then he’d found occasion to use him as an extra set of eyes and ears in the lower quarters of town. Kepi surfaced periodically with some tidbit, almost always something of use.
The boy was perched on the rain butt, wolfing down a mince tart. Runcer might not approve of him, but the cook had a soft spot for the child and never let him get way with without something in his belly.
Kepi was a true orphan of the streets, and knew neither his parents nor his own age, From the looks of him, he could have been anywhere from ten to a malnourished twelve or thirteen. He was skinny as a stray cat, with a pointed little face and wide blue eyes under a tangle of sandy brown hair. His long tunic—one of some nephew's castoffs that Cook had cut down for him—hung loose on his thin shoulders and his legs and feet were bare and dusty beneath it. He could play the innocent when needed, but in truth he possessed up the craftiness and streak of savagery needed to survive his part of the city. But he was also bright and quick, and utterly devoted to his benefactors.
As soon as he caught sight of Seregil and Alec he hopped down from the barrel and made them an awkward little bow. “’Evenin’, my lords,” he said, spewing crumbs around a mouthful of tart. “Hope I didn’t disturb you or nuthin’.”
“Not at all, Kepi. What do you have for us?” asked Seregil.
“That actor fellow, Atre the Mycenia? He's a friend of yours, ain't he?"
"How in the world did you know that?"
Kepi just winked and grinned.
"Yes, he's a friend of ours. What of it?"
"Well, he got hisself knifed tonight.”
“Bilairy’s balls! How? Where?” asked Alec.
“Down at the waterfront, back of the Skulpin. It just happened and I come straight up to tell you.”
“The Skulpin?” said Alec. “What was he doing down there?” The tavern was on the edge of the respectable commerce district of the Lower City, a place where Upper City young bloods gravitated to when they wanted a bit of danger. The gambling house catered mostly to traders and sea faring men, but there were plenty of cutpurses, bawds, and footpads about at this time of night, ready to relieve the unwary of their winnings. “Is he alive?”
“He was when I heard about it. I come straight here.”
“Good lad.” Seregil took half a dozen coppers—the only safe coinage for someone like Kepi to be caught with—from his purse and gave them to the boy. "You know the Drake gambling house?"
"In the whore's street, you mean, by the Astellus Circle?"
"That's the one. Go there and ask for Lord Selin. Give him our apologies and tell him we're going to be a bit late. You don't need to say why."
Kepi made him another ill formed bow and Seregil let him out the back gate. The boy took off at a run and was soon out of sight among the evening crowd strolling the grassy common.
Since they were dressed as lords, they took their Aurenfaie horses and galloped down to the Skulpin. There, they found the actor gasping on couch in one of the private gaming rooms. He was dressed only in rough trousers and a loose, blood stained shirt and rather rough looking shoes, and apparent attempt to fit in with his surroundings.
A small crowd of ne’er do wells and doxies were peering in from the doorway, but parted for Alec and Seregil, who had come armed.
A drysian was with Atre, tending to a wound on his belly. The actor was white-faced except for the traces of stage paint here and there on his skin, and looked frightened, but at least he was conscious.
“What happened?” Seregil asked, kneeling down beside him and taking the man’s hand.
“Oh, my lords!” Atre gasped, clinging to Seregil’s hand with both of his, which were sticky with blood. “How did you know?”
“Never mind that. What the hell happened to you?”
“It was a girl,” the young actor whimpered. “She said she was hurt, and when I tried to help her—look what she did!”
“And took your purse, I suppose,” said Alec. It was a common ploy among the girl cutpurses.
“It’s not as bad as all that,” the drysian scoffed as he began to bandage the wound. “Hardly more than a scratch!”
“What are you doing in a place like this alone?” asked Alec.
“Oh, you know—“ Atre was too pale to blush but he looked rather ashamed of himself.
Seregil gave him a knowing look. “Got tired of the pampered nobles and came looking for a bit of rougher fun?”
The actor looked away, saying nothing.
“This is no place for the likes of you,” the drysian scolded. “Stay up on your heights and find your fun there. I have better things to do than patch up you silly thrill seekers.”
“I will, Brother. By the Maker, I will!” Atre mumbled, then looked up imploringly at Seregil. “Please, my lord, don’t leave me here all night!”
“Of course not,” Seregil assured him, and caught Alec rolling his eyes. “Go ask the master of the house to hire us a carriage, will you?”
“If he can get one at this hour.” Alec strode out, calling for the landlord.
The drysian finished with the bandage and straightened up. “There, that should hold your guts in well enough. See that you keep the wound clean and it should be healed right in a week or so, if a bit sore.”
“I have to be on stage tomorrow!”
“I hope you have a good understudy, then.” With that, the drysian nodded to Seregil and took his leave.
“Oh, Calieus will love this!” the young actor groaned. “He hangs around like a carrion crow, just waiting for something like this to happen.”
“It’s his job, isn’t it? And I really don’t think you can blame this on your understudy,” Seregil chuckled, washing his hands with the water left in the pitcher the healer had used. “Honestly, if you’d wanted to come some place like this, you should have asked Alec and me. We’d have come with you.”
“Sometimes I think your lover doesn’t like me.”
“He doesn’t like you flirting with me, as you very well know. Behave yourself tonight or he’ll put you out in the street.”
- Mood:Jolly
Be safe everyone, and hopefully you still have electric.
(I do, but I am taking precautions that I might not tomorrow.)
(I do, but I am taking precautions that I might not tomorrow.)
- Mood:
calm
- Mood:
happy
Christmas post.
Wish everyone a wonderful christmas and all.
I'm still struggling for last minute gifts, gosh I was late this year. Still need to find about ... oh. most of my christmas presents.
Still I managed most of the cards, and... well. I'm happy by most of the illustrations I did. Didn't have time to save anything though. so, I have nothing to show.
On planet tv.
I'm watching -finally- the Doctor Who series, as a french, I could say that David Tennant could have come buy his bacon everyday at the shop, and he would have been quite not harrassed by me, not anymore though. heh. Now I know who he is. Well, I think he would have a good laugh if he knew that I thought he was an australian singer or something when I heard people talk about him. And, I don't know what I was expecting when I was hearing the name of 'Doctor Who' but I swear I had never in a million years, expected a show like this. I actually thought that the doctor was some kind of vilain and bad bad man, and certainly not a time lord! So I'm glad, I'm very happy because the tvshows are so different from what I had imagined and that it's actually a great show.
I still haven't set my mind on which doctor I prefer though. Chris or David? now that's just an impossible question to answer. I must say I have a soft spot for Chris, but I also am impressed with Tennant. He's fucking brilliant. Actually much more brilliant than Eccleston, Tennant is giving himself completely to the role, gosh, I wish I could see him in a theatre play. You british are lucky.
One thing is certain though. I want a tardis poster, a huuuge one to hang on my wall.
Aside from the good doctor, I've been watching Merlin and Torchwood, Torchwood because I wanted to know what it was, and to see Captain Jack in his own show, but the more I'm watching it, the less interested I am. I don't know where the show is going and so far, the only alien they managed to capture is the one from episode one, plus there's a deep sexual stream going on in Torchwood that I'm not sure to like. I might finish season one, for the sake of finishing it but if it isn't going anywhere seriously, then I'll drop it. Funny how a spin off could be so screwed when the original show it was taken from was so good.
Bookwise, I haven't read anything in ... months? I can't even remember what was the last book I finished. I know the last one I picked up was 'everything's eventual' by Stephen King, but I even haven't finished it. Shameful.
Hope people won't offer me books for christmas. oh. Just remembered I have ordered 'The Gypsy' by Robin Hobb and Steven Burst (brust?). but I won't have it yet, shipping and all, you know, that's sometimes taking weeks.
on the real life plan, well, I'm still working at the shop. Been working last sunday although we didn't have much customers except just an hour before closing (as usual) heh. So I might now have about 3 more weeks to go before the end of the contract and the bosses didn't even wanted to talk to me about next year. I'm still set on my decision not to renew the contract, even if that's a bit risky. mmm. oh well.
We also had lots of snow, but it's all washed out now, all gone. and it's raining, raining, raining... raining. the bright side is that it's warm, much warmer than last week when it snowed. we're about 2 above zero degrees.
anyway. woouuh. 5.20am. time to go get some sleep. night night and merry christmas everyone!!! :D
Wish everyone a wonderful christmas and all.
I'm still struggling for last minute gifts, gosh I was late this year. Still need to find about ... oh. most of my christmas presents.
Still I managed most of the cards, and... well. I'm happy by most of the illustrations I did. Didn't have time to save anything though. so, I have nothing to show.
On planet tv.
I'm watching -finally- the Doctor Who series, as a french, I could say that David Tennant could have come buy his bacon everyday at the shop, and he would have been quite not harrassed by me, not anymore though. heh. Now I know who he is. Well, I think he would have a good laugh if he knew that I thought he was an australian singer or something when I heard people talk about him. And, I don't know what I was expecting when I was hearing the name of 'Doctor Who' but I swear I had never in a million years, expected a show like this. I actually thought that the doctor was some kind of vilain and bad bad man, and certainly not a time lord! So I'm glad, I'm very happy because the tvshows are so different from what I had imagined and that it's actually a great show.
I still haven't set my mind on which doctor I prefer though. Chris or David? now that's just an impossible question to answer. I must say I have a soft spot for Chris, but I also am impressed with Tennant. He's fucking brilliant. Actually much more brilliant than Eccleston, Tennant is giving himself completely to the role, gosh, I wish I could see him in a theatre play. You british are lucky.
One thing is certain though. I want a tardis poster, a huuuge one to hang on my wall.
Aside from the good doctor, I've been watching Merlin and Torchwood, Torchwood because I wanted to know what it was, and to see Captain Jack in his own show, but the more I'm watching it, the less interested I am. I don't know where the show is going and so far, the only alien they managed to capture is the one from episode one, plus there's a deep sexual stream going on in Torchwood that I'm not sure to like. I might finish season one, for the sake of finishing it but if it isn't going anywhere seriously, then I'll drop it. Funny how a spin off could be so screwed when the original show it was taken from was so good.
Bookwise, I haven't read anything in ... months? I can't even remember what was the last book I finished. I know the last one I picked up was 'everything's eventual' by Stephen King, but I even haven't finished it. Shameful.
Hope people won't offer me books for christmas. oh. Just remembered I have ordered 'The Gypsy' by Robin Hobb and Steven Burst (brust?). but I won't have it yet, shipping and all, you know, that's sometimes taking weeks.
on the real life plan, well, I'm still working at the shop. Been working last sunday although we didn't have much customers except just an hour before closing (as usual) heh. So I might now have about 3 more weeks to go before the end of the contract and the bosses didn't even wanted to talk to me about next year. I'm still set on my decision not to renew the contract, even if that's a bit risky. mmm. oh well.
We also had lots of snow, but it's all washed out now, all gone. and it's raining, raining, raining... raining. the bright side is that it's warm, much warmer than last week when it snowed. we're about 2 above zero degrees.
anyway. woouuh. 5.20am. time to go get some sleep. night night and merry christmas everyone!!! :D
- Location:home
- Music:tom jones 'sex bomb'
SUICIDE KINGS is out in hardcover (see below) and BUSTED FLUSH has been released in mass market. Meanwhile, I've delivered the additional content -- three new stories -- for the first volume of this storied series, WILD CARDS itself, which Tor will be reissuing later in the year. Since the first volume was historical in nature, telling the story of the wild card from 1946 to 1985, adding some original material to cover some of the "lost years" seemed like a natural.
The three new tales:
-- "Captain Cathode and the Secret Ace," by Michael Cassutt,
-- "Powers," by David D. Levine,
-- "Ghost Girl Takes Manhattan," by Carrie Vaughn.
No publication date yet. You'll know when I do.
As for FORT FREAK, the twenty-first volume in the series that WILD CARDS began, first drafts are all in, I've given the usual editorial note, and the writers are all off revising. This one looks to be a lot of fun. The Class of 2009 is doing some great work, and the old-timers ain't half bad either.
On other fronts, Gardner Dozois and I are very close to delivering our original cross-genre anthology STAR-CROSSED LOVERS, to Pocket Books. We're waiting for some minor revisions from one writer. Once those are in hand, the book will be delivered. Only it's not STAR-CROSSED LOVERS any longer. Pocket's sales force did not like that title, so the anthology has now been rechristened SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH. Got a great line up of writers for that one, including Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, M.L.N. Hanover, Peter S. Beagle, Marjorie Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, Robin Hobb, Neil Gaiman, and many more.
Everybody's talking about AVATAR, which I haven't seen yet... but I have been going to movies. While the crowds queue up for Cameron, I've been catching up on some of the other films now in release. I enjoyed THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and liked INVICTUS as well, but the one that really impressed me was ME AND ORSON WELLES. The guy who plays Welles should get an Oscar nomination for that performance.
As usual, I am way behind on my Xmas shopping.
Where does the time go?
The three new tales:
-- "Captain Cathode and the Secret Ace," by Michael Cassutt,
-- "Powers," by David D. Levine,
-- "Ghost Girl Takes Manhattan," by Carrie Vaughn.
No publication date yet. You'll know when I do.
As for FORT FREAK, the twenty-first volume in the series that WILD CARDS began, first drafts are all in, I've given the usual editorial note, and the writers are all off revising. This one looks to be a lot of fun. The Class of 2009 is doing some great work, and the old-timers ain't half bad either.
On other fronts, Gardner Dozois and I are very close to delivering our original cross-genre anthology STAR-CROSSED LOVERS, to Pocket Books. We're waiting for some minor revisions from one writer. Once those are in hand, the book will be delivered. Only it's not STAR-CROSSED LOVERS any longer. Pocket's sales force did not like that title, so the anthology has now been rechristened SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH. Got a great line up of writers for that one, including Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, M.L.N. Hanover, Peter S. Beagle, Marjorie Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, Robin Hobb, Neil Gaiman, and many more.
Everybody's talking about AVATAR, which I haven't seen yet... but I have been going to movies. While the crowds queue up for Cameron, I've been catching up on some of the other films now in release. I enjoyed THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and liked INVICTUS as well, but the one that really impressed me was ME AND ORSON WELLES. The guy who plays Welles should get an Oscar nomination for that performance.
As usual, I am way behind on my Xmas shopping.
Where does the time go?
- Mood:
busy
Today was the official publication day for the latest Wild Cards book, SUICIDE KINGS.
Run, don't walk, to your favorite bookstore and getcha copy now. And hell, while you're there, get copies for all your friends as well. All you Xmas shopping in one swell foop.
Run, don't walk, to your favorite bookstore and getcha copy now. And hell, while you're there, get copies for all your friends as well. All you Xmas shopping in one swell foop.
- Mood: chipper
Four men's socks in one week may not sound like a lot, but it is. Men's feet are huge! Thousands and thousands of tiny little stitches in fingering weight. My right thumb and forefinger are wrapped in band aids but the two pairs are done and under the tree.
I did get an early Christmas present out of the job, though, which made the task much easier, an Ott light. http://www.ott-lite.com/p-71-taskli
When you get all done with it, it's just a pair of socks, and I wonder if non-knitter recipients ever really "get" what goes into such a gift, but knitters knit for the love of it, and those they knit for.
I did get an early Christmas present out of the job, though, which made the task much easier, an Ott light. http://www.ott-lite.com/p-71-taskli
When you get all done with it, it's just a pair of socks, and I wonder if non-knitter recipients ever really "get" what goes into such a gift, but knitters knit for the love of it, and those they knit for.
- Mood:accomplished
A review of one of my favorite Yunnan teas, from one of my favorite vendors.
http://www.teaviews.com/2009/12/21/revi
http://www.teaviews.com/2009/12/21/revi
Well, that was fun. If only every game was like this...
(Maybe it is, if you're a Colts fan).
These were the Giants I remember. The swarming aggressive D, the sacks, the knockdowns, the hurries, the interceptions, runners tackled at the line of scrimmage. And on offense, long time-consuming drives ending in touchdowns. Eli looked terrific, spreading the ball around. Nicks, Smith, Manningham, and Boss all had big catches, and even Derek Hagan scored a touchdown. The running game was back, especially when Ahmad Bradshaw had the ball. The O line opened gaping holes, and the D line was so relentless that our wafer-thin secondary was never threatened.
Yeah, these were the real G-Men.
I have no idea who those clowns in the Redskins uniforms were.
That fake field goal the Skins tried at the end of the first half had to be one of the most bizarre plays I've ever seen. Watching Steve Young talk about it in the postgame was hilarious.
I do feel sorry for Jim Zorn, whose postgame press conference was... well, obviously, no one ever taught the guy Coachspeak. Poor guy is not long for D.C.
But it was a great win.
Now we need two more like it, coupled with a Cowboys loss.
(Or a Packers loss, maybe... but while I know the G-Men have the tiebreaker over Dallas, no one has ever mentioned who wins a tie between New York and Green Bay).
Next week, the Panthers. Who beat the Vikings yesterday. Let's hope the real G-Men show up.
(Maybe it is, if you're a Colts fan).
These were the Giants I remember. The swarming aggressive D, the sacks, the knockdowns, the hurries, the interceptions, runners tackled at the line of scrimmage. And on offense, long time-consuming drives ending in touchdowns. Eli looked terrific, spreading the ball around. Nicks, Smith, Manningham, and Boss all had big catches, and even Derek Hagan scored a touchdown. The running game was back, especially when Ahmad Bradshaw had the ball. The O line opened gaping holes, and the D line was so relentless that our wafer-thin secondary was never threatened.
Yeah, these were the real G-Men.
I have no idea who those clowns in the Redskins uniforms were.
That fake field goal the Skins tried at the end of the first half had to be one of the most bizarre plays I've ever seen. Watching Steve Young talk about it in the postgame was hilarious.
I do feel sorry for Jim Zorn, whose postgame press conference was... well, obviously, no one ever taught the guy Coachspeak. Poor guy is not long for D.C.
But it was a great win.
Now we need two more like it, coupled with a Cowboys loss.
(Or a Packers loss, maybe... but while I know the G-Men have the tiebreaker over Dallas, no one has ever mentioned who wins a tie between New York and Green Bay).
Next week, the Panthers. Who beat the Vikings yesterday. Let's hope the real G-Men show up.
- Mood: happy
Madly trying to finish a few knitting projects, I've been in front of the TV a lot. Yesterday I got to "see" (half watch half knit) Pixar's "Ratatouille" again. I adore Pixar's work, not just for the amazing visuals, but for their exceptional story telling. Here's one of my favorite quotes ever, which happens to come from that movie.
Anton Ego: "In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends."
Anton Ego: "In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends."
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