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Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
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1:59 pm - Halloween Penguin Pics
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| Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
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7:58 pm - Just now...
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| Saturday, November 14th, 2009
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11:22 am - You Can Buy My Book!
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 This is the long-awaited announcement of my first book "Ask Dr. Eldritch Volume #1, Are Aliens Eating My Crackers?" It's a collection of letters from my advice column, with bonus Quick Tips to keep you safe in a dangerous world. You've read them on the web, or in the Newsletter, or seen them posted on circus animals. Now you can have your own hardcopy version, with cover art by Gilead!
To get your copy, you've got several options:
If you live in the Portland area, the Book Launch Party is on Tuesday, December 1, 2009! It will be at the Old Church, 1422 SW 11th, Portland, Oregon, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., in conjunction with the Willamette Writer's Book Faire. I'll be selling and signing books, along with about 20 other local writers. Do all your Holiday Shopping in one place! I expect to do a five-minute reading from the book, but I won't know exactly when during the event that will happen until that evening.
If you're not in Portland, you can purchase the book online at Lulu.com! Individually printed and shipped to you by mute book-printing monks from their monastery in the highest mountains of North Dakota.* If you like the book, be sure to give it a five-star rating!
Want to try before you buy? Download the ebook! The electronic version has less content, but you can read it for free! And, of course, you can share it with your friends and family. Just click this button:
So check it out, and if you like it, buy a copy! Or many copies! As always, thanks for encouraging my behavior!
* No, not really.
current mood:  Rather Happy
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| Friday, November 13th, 2009
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6:31 am - In Other News...
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Hi, Everybody! It's time to fling another quick LJ post into the Ether. Top Headline: I've received the second proof copy of my book! Once approved (and I'm assuming that this is the final round), the book will be available for sale on Lulu.com, and start the process of being listed at other online booksellers. Yay!
I've been pretty quiet lately since the project at BHFT is in the final stage, and it's been consuming much of my attention. Plus, I've been waking up way too early, so by the end of the work day, I'm all tuckered out. The good news is that we've been deploying our changes and they seem to be working fine. If things continue as planned, everything will be in place before Thanksgiving! That would be great.
Remember, Book Launch Party at the Old Church on December 1st!
current mood:  busy
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| Saturday, November 7th, 2009
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10:43 am - Ohmigod, FLASHLIGHTS! Call the POLICE!
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Long-time Readers know that I generally don't create posts that are just links to other things on the Internet, because they're not about me. But I found this police blotter entry so amusing, I just had to. I haven't found the original source, so rather than linking to another site, I'll quote the newspaper's text as shown. From a "Police Blotter" style column:
10:10: p.m.: Suspicious people were reportedly doing something with flashlights by
the side of a North 5th Street in Custer. a deputy checked and found the people were
not suspicious, but merely Canadian. The out-of-towners were enjoying an evening stroll. I do love this bit: They're not suspicious, they're merely Canadians! But the part that simultaneously amuses me and makes me roll my eyes in despair is that there are people out there who cannot differentiate between "suspicious activity" and "other people going for a walk." Or maybe it's that going for a walk is so unusual now that it seems suspicious. Or both.
current mood:  annoyed with the Humans
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| Monday, November 2nd, 2009
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6:24 pm - Halloween Weekend, 2009
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Busy weekend! Walked with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) sanguinity on Friday, worked on the comic, gave blood, visited with snottygrrl, picked up movies at the library, went grocery shopping, found my penguin costume, made a penguin beak for said costume, had dinner with drarwenchicken, BILJ and Hz, and spent a bunch of time on Sunday just recovering from Saturday and the Time Change. Still a bunch of things I didn't get done, but it felt like a very full weekend.
( A Couple Highlights Behind The Cut )
current mood:  bouncy
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| Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
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6:20 am - Ups and Downs
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I've been waking up two hours before my alarm goes off, and not really getting back to sleep. This does not help me maintain my typically perky attitude. I suspect that regular sustained exercise will help. Since I've not been working out at that level for a while, plus being sick, I'm trying to ramp up slowly, and not overdo it (as I have done before). I'm sure another factor in the poor-sleep calculation is stress related to being in the last weeks of the Big Project at BHFT.
The good news is that over last weekend, I applied the final edits to my manuscript, did the layout for the back cover and submitted the finished product for approval for distribution (it has to meet certain formatting requirements)! I've purchased the proof copy, which is already on its way. Soon, very soon, I will have a book on the market!
Now I have to figure out if/when/how there will be a Book Launch celebration...
current mood:  cheerful
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(4 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
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6:26 pm - Improvement
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For Those Keeping Score At Home: I'm doing much better today. I think I made the right choice in staying home yesterday (well, except for a wonderful visit with K___ (which deserves a post of its own, considering that we haven't seen each other in about 20 years, but I'll have to go on about that later)). I went to BHFT this morning with the personal promise that if I lost steam mid-day, I'd give myself permission to come home. Fortunately, I not only lasted a full day, but I felt pretty good doing it. Quite a pleasing turnaround, considering I was flat in bed for four of the past five days.
I am rather tired, now. I hope tomorrow is as good, or even better...
current mood:  improving
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| Thursday, October 15th, 2009
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6:23 pm - Flu
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Started feeling a scratchy throat and aching muscles yesterday, followed by a feverish night of odd dreams. The management at BHFT has said that people who are experiencing flu symptoms should stay home, so that decision was pretty easy. Plus, I've had a fever all day, ranging from 100.0° to 101.5°. Still low-grade, but not comfortable. I think it's on the decrease, though. I've been taking my temperature every hour, watching for spikes that might mean an ER trip. Glad to not be working.
I've got plans for this weekend, but I'm not sure what will happen. I have hopes of feeling better tomorrow, but there's no way I'm going to work.
Stay healthy, everyone!
current mood:  sick
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| Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
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5:32 am - Apparently, I'm Posting Weekly Now
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So much going on, and yet, I'm hardly posting anything. (Sorry about that!) For example, last weekend was highly social. On Friday evening I went to The Librarian's house, where she, her roommate A, sanguinity, grrlpup and I worked on our 3 On The 3rd comics (I also drew and inked some potential Vote Incentive comics, too). I didn't actually post any of them, however, as I went on Saturday morning to snottygrrl's new flat. My procrastination had paid off, and I hadn't taken Mr. TV to be recycled yet, so he'll enjoy a semi-retirement providing her with video images (once she gets a digital converter and/or DVD player).
She and I then went to Wordstock. Snottygrrl had specific authors she wished to see, so we heard presentations by Scott Westerfeld, Laini Taylor and Sarah Rees Brennan, each talking about their respective books (and we spoke with Ms. Brennan for a bit, too). I had writer/artist friends I wanted to see, so in between speakers we wandered the exhibit hall, where we met and chatted with David Levine, David Malki !, Aaron Diaz, Dylan Meconis, Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett (and I bough a copy of their new Boilerplate book). Even though I didn't have a book to pitch or sell, I found it all very energizing, and reminded me that I want to be one of the speakers at such events. After that, we were hungry and spacey, so we went to Hoda's for a tasty dinner of kabob an lamb shwarma.
Sunday saw a Family Brunch with BILJ's side of the family. Eight adults and four children. Enjoyable, but you can imagine that after a while, I was Done With Being Around So Many People. So I worked on my new Sekkrit Craft Project until sanguinity called and suggested an afternoon walk. After that, the weekend was over, except for the dinner and TV and sleeping.
So, a good weekend, if one that went by much too fast.
current mood: satisfied
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| Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
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6:01 pm - Another Step!
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Finally sent out the emails to Famous Writers and Artists asking if they'd write blurbs for the back of my book. I've been procrastinating horribly on this; apparently I'm anxious that they'll feel IMPOSED UPON by this request. Not that they haven't all been friendly and gracious when we've met in person. I guess I just worry.
current mood:  accomplished
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| Thursday, October 1st, 2009
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6:44 am - Portlanders: Events to Attend!
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We like to support our friends, and so I'm spreading the news about Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett's book BOILERPLATE: HISTORY'S MECHANICAL MARVEL, which is being released to retail establishments this coming week. If you're in the Portland area, there's some events happening to promote it. I'm thinking about the Powell's reading on Friday, even though it means going into Downtown Portland in the evening (Hey, I do that, sometimes).
October 1, 6:00–9:00 pm
First Thursday reception
PCPA ArtBar, 1111 SW Broadway (at Main St.)
Through the month of November, artwork from Boilerplate is on public display in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts ArtBar. The October 1st reception will feature a book signing, hors d’oeuvres, and libations.
October 2, 7:30 pm
Boilerplate reading and signing
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside
If you can attend only one event, please turn out for our first appearance at Powell’s on Burnside. Our reading will include letters from Boilerplate’s inventor and historical images of the robot. A life-sized Boilerplate image, suitable for photographic opportunities, will also be present.
Saturday, October 10, 1:00-5:00 pm
Wordstock signing (Stumptown pavilion)
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon
If you're unfamiliar with Boilerplate, check him out at www.BoilerplateRobot.com.
current mood: supportive
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| Monday, September 28th, 2009
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5:29 am - What? My Vacation's Over Already?
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| Friday, September 18th, 2009
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8:35 am - Camp!
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I'm off for a weekend of camping with Family & Friends! I've been meaning to post for ages, and I'm sorry I've been so quiet. I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about when I'm back.
Have a great weekend, Everybody!
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| Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
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5:53 pm - Smurf!
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I really tried to go to work this morning. But I was just too, too tired. I spent the day sleeping, reading Pratchett and watching TV.
Apparently my Project Manager has been out sick too. With any luck, I'll get back to work tomorrow, and things won't be horrible.
current mood: sick but mostly tired
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| Sunday, August 30th, 2009
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6:59 pm - Doing Better, But Still Not Well
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In case you're wondering, I prefer weekends when I do not feel sick. That probably goes without saying, but I'm not quite up for more insightful observations today.
I felt restless and unsatisfied for much of the day. Too dragged out to want to do anything. Didn't feel like working on the comic, or reading, or even watching more TV (I know!) Watched multiple movies this weekend; "Coraline," "The Illusionist," "Paul Blart; Mall Cop" (yeah, it's not very good, but oh_that_jocelyn was a background extra for a day of shooting, although I didn't see her in the movie),"The TV Set," "Live Free Or Die Hard" (which as soon as I started it, I realized that I'd seen it before, although it's not very good so that explains why I couldn't be bothered to remember that I'd seen it).
I even tried to watch "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus", which I'd taped from the annoyingly-named SYFY channel, because it has Deborah Gibson (yes, THAT Deborah Gibson) in it, and it's also about a huge shark and a mammoth octopus. Honestly, I could feel my intelligence slipping away while I watched. It's as if someone tried to write a movie about the military fighting giant marine life without knowing anything about the military or marine life. I considered giving examples of how egregious it is, but I don't have the strength (okay, just one: The shark (supposedly a Megalodon, although all evidence is that they grew to about 60 feet, and this one is maybe 800 – 1,000 feet long (the scale kinda changes from scene to scene)) jumps from the ocean and BITES A PASSENGER JET FROM THE SKY. Seriously. Yes, the plane was preparing to land, but the excessive WTF-ness of that scene left me dazed for several minutes.)
Afterward, I read some Terry Pratchett, and that helped.
I don't know if I'm going to go to Big Happy Fun Time tomorrow. When I'm lying in bed watching TV, I think I'm doing pretty well. But when I have to get up and perform complex activities, my brain rebels and I realize just how crappy I'm feeling.
I'm sure if I call in and explain that I watched "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus," they'll understand.
current mood: sickish
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| Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
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6:28 pm - A Good Saturday
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I felt funny today. I've been afraid lately that I'd never feel that way again. But today, the ideas started coming, and quickly formed into scripts for six comics. Well, they took a while to polish, but the total time was about what it had been taking me to grind out one moderately-humorous one a month ago, so I am nothing but pleased.
I assembled one comic, went for a walk with drarwenchicken and Hz, and talked with oh_that_jocelyn on the phone. My goal is to assemble TWO comics tomorrow. We'll see how that goes...
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
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6:32 pm - ...Just Not That Interesting
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Last weekend was lots of fun! I spent much of Friday with snottygrrl; tasty Thai food for lunch, then out to Multnomah Falls, where there were a surprising number of tourists on a drizzly weekday. Then Dude Night! Sunday saw the Hawthorne Street Fair; also with snottygrrl, BA and thrihyrne. Then a walk with grrlpup and sanguinity to the Woodstock Library and back.
Since then: Work, mostly. I'm finding little mental capacity for writing comic scripts or other creative endeavors, despite having LOTS more Free Time. I did work up some ideas for comic books and a movie while washing dishes on Sunday morning. I suspect the meds are suppressing some of that, and some of it is just laziness. Would it help if I point out that I'm really enjoying my break from the comic?
I hadn't thought through that this would be a particularly busy stretch at Big Happy Fun Time, but it is. One cluster of programs got bumped up in the schedule, so we're trying to deploy them by the end of the month. And carry on the other analysis + design + testing + documentation + organization tasks that have to be happening now, too. Typically, my job doesn't leave me BrainFried™ by the end of a day, but over the last couple weeks, it's been more and more like that.
So I really don't have much of interest to report, but I realized that I hadn't posted for a while, and since I'm not updating the comic, some of you might start to wonder. So, Current Status: Still Alive
current mood: muted
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| Monday, August 3rd, 2009
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9:30 pm - August 3 on the 3rd!
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Okay, this is backdated, but I posted it! Yay, me!
current mood: belatedly accomplished
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| Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
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5:13 pm - Milestone
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You know how I've been talking about sending queries to publishers about my book of columns for ages? Last Fall, I went through the Writer's Guide and listed the ten publishers who published humor books similar enough to mine, and would accept unagented queries. Well, I finally got my act together, and sent out the first three inquiries (two by post, one email). The other publishers want a proposal packet, which will need a little more work to prepare.
So, now I can say I'm actually trying to sell this book.
Let the waiting for Rejection Letters begin!
current mood: accomplished
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thoughtful
