Once again

Mouse on the loose

2010-06-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, that last post got me a lot of weird "pray to him and he'll send you signs" kind of comments. Needless to say, they have been banished.

In the first part of our current saga, the pit/lab mix brought in a mouse. Wacky. Then she set it free. Wackier.

My husband told me when I got back from Seattle (the Locus Awards and SF Hall of Fame) that Xochi had brought in the mouse, but then it hid behind first one armoire and then the other in our dining room. The next day I saw the mouse poke its head out, tried to get it out from under the furniture, lost it, decided it must have entered the heating system through the nearby grate. The next day I found it trembling in the toilet bowl. THE TOILET BOWL. Thank pete I saw it! I got a couple rags to grab it with and a bag, succeeded in getting it into the bag, and in the rush to get out of doors, it jumped out and ran under the fridge. Sigh.

Tonight, it poked its head out from under the fridge. We chased it out, it ran over my foot (squeal! and I am so not a squealer.), and then under the sink. The hub gets a large piece of cardboard (hm, shield, maybe?) and I get another bag and start digging everything out from under the sink. No mouse, but a small hole where the dishwasher lines go. Sigh again.

I'll keep you posted. This is perhaps not the most entertaining, but the least stress-laden event in my life right now. There were Locus Awards, and will be Readercon shortly. Life is hard with two toddlers and one big old magazine. There are happy bits now and then.

Today

2010-02-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Today I miss Charles, more than most days. I'm going to sign the loan papers to buy a house, my first house, and it's a big deal. I'm going to owe more money than I've ever even thought about earning. Charles was the person in my life who would tell me I'm doing the right thing, that I'll be glad that I did it, and that it will all be all right. I don't have that person anymore; it was Charles, for a long time now. And I really miss him.

Cons this year

2010-02-22T18:52:00.001-08:00

Looking at my schedule for the year, I'm planning on going to:

ICFA, Orlando, March 17-21

Wiscon, Madison WI, May 28-31

Locus Awards, Seattle WA, June 25-27

Readercon, Boston MA, July 6-11

Worldcon, Melbourne AUS, Sept 2-6

World Fantasy Con, Columbus OH, Oct 28-31

Still thinking about Nebs and DragonCon, but haven't decided.

Hope to see you there!

February

2010-01-20T15:06:00.001-08:00

February is just a tough issue, period. So many lists and figures to put together, but we made it through, first time without Charles.

Now I'm looking at the con schedule for the year, and started to get excited about what's in store. Got the Locus Awards contracts in place with the hotel, and ready to sell tickets. Looking forward to going to Wiscon for the first time. The Foundation is set up and coming along finally. It's going to be a better year, this year.

On the home front, Nora the Bold started to crawl and then moved straight on to pulling herself to standing. It's exciting, but the idea of a nine month old baby that can walk is a bit daunting when you consider the language barrier...

Kyra made a big jump and potty trained herself pretty much, and is going to start at a new preschool in the next two weeks. Lots of exciting stuff.

Started going to the gym again recently, first time since taking over at the mag. Hoping I can keep it up. I'm combining it with my reading quota, since I can read on the cardio machines, and I have soooo much to read now.

And not to jinx anything, but some good news coming down the pike...

Sunrise, Sunset

2009-11-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

On my desk today at home, amongst the flotsam, I have a shareholder letter, the Brown trust for which I am co-trustee, the minutes of last year's foundation meeting, and some instructions for placing your child in a preferred school district. It's just kind of snuck up on me, this whole becoming a responsible adult bit. I knew it was happening in bits and pieces all along, but Charles' death has truly hammered it home.

I'm home today taking care of the toddler with flu, which is a worrisome thing. But also reading people's blog posts about WFC and glad I went. I had a great time, though I worked too much and wore myself out. Now I'm working through my own con crud and compulsively taking my daughter's temp every half hour or so. And getting the Recommended List ball rolling finally. A little later than I had hoped, but still within parameters.

Good to see everyone in San Jose. If I get a chance, I'll write a proper post about it...

Not that spring chicken...

2009-10-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Had my first biopsy a few weeks ago. Came back negative. Tarrum tarrah!... I'm still feeling old.

In other news, significant and stressful hurdles have been overcome and tequila will be implemented in celebration. All the same, Friday nights just ain't what they used to be.

Puddle o' cute

2009-09-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Nora getting ready for the Hugos.

At the bar in the Intercontinental with mum.

Happy noises at home

2009-07-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

See, things just have a way of getting better.
Pandora's playing Bret Dennin and Cake.
Ribeye and mac n chz for dinner. All comfort food tonight.
From the other room:
"It's time for a bath. Just bring that with you; you can play with it in the bath. D'you want bubbles?"

Keep on rollin'

2009-07-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

It's feels a bit like my home life came to a grinding halt since Charles died.

I've called dozens of people to tell them about his death. Set up a dinner and a memorial for him, food, invites, beverages, speeches, flowers. I've dealt with lawyers (2) and tax accountants and signed papers and closed accounts for him. I picked up his ashes. I've got an application in with the IRS for the 501(c)3 and am filling out the board. I'm still doing all of my own work and Charles' too, but that can't work for long.

In the morning, I drop Kyra off at daycare and my newborn off at mum's, who's been a rockstar about watching her, and go to work, and then do the reverse at the end of the day. I'm exhausted by 6:30, but don't collapse until 8:30. I miss my girls.

I keep saying that "once we just get past this next issue, it will be easier." Charles always laughed when I said that. But it will get easier; everything does. And soon enough it will seem like normal again.

And then there's Worldcon, which in the end I am so pleased to be going to. Circumstances notwithstanding, of course. I had really regretted not being able to go to Montreal, but it seemed impossible with the newborn. But we're just going to make it work. Mzmelia's totally on board to help out. She just now starting to come back to herself after the trauma of being with z'boss when he died. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like.

Charles

2009-07-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

My boss and my friend, Charles Brown, died on Sunday night, on his flight home from Readercon in MA. I'm writing the editorial in the upcoming issue as editor-in-chief, a promotion that comes at a heavy price. I'll write more about him there, but I'm overcome with thoughts about him, and need to get some of this out.

Working for and being friends with Charles meant taking part in an unending conversation on science fiction, fantasy, horror, the history of fandom, food, jazz, classical music, etc., all of the above interspersed with terrible puns, the occasional shaggy dog story, and jokes you wouldn't tell your mother. He loved to teach, to cook, to share good Scotch and recommendations for music. He had an uncanny sense about people: hated anyone who was fake or overly commercial and was doggedly loyal and protective of those that he loved.

I'm still in shock that he's gone. Despite the fact that he had outlived all expectations and was having health problems, it seemed like he might just last forever out of sheer stubbornness or the need to read one more book or see one more opera. I'm left with the feeling that he might walk in or call me any moment, and we'll take up the right where we left off. I learned from him every time we spoke; the things that he taught me about the SF field, and about life, were immeasurable and constant.

I'm not ready to end the conversation.

Is it Tuesday?

2009-07-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today: Two hours wasted beating back malware. Ugh. Then time with Mum at the craft store. Bought sock doll making book. How terribly maternal. 45 minutes at the dog park to appease the beasts. Clean house, nurse baby, etc. Now on to Mexican food with the hub and Kyra.

Work is on fire, apparently. Trying to field questions from home but feeling guilty about not being there. I'll be back soon enough, but still.

Then there was this, which cheered me up, no end.

Thanks to Issa for taking it! Yes, that is a tiara made of Peeps, specially for Easter.

Chris Roberson & Allison Baker came to town on a quick vacation and stopped by on the Fourth for some bbq. Steven, Kelly, and Mzmelia came over as well. We had 2-, 3-, 4, and 5-year-old girls running around, wreaking havoc, as they will. It was great, and a bonus to get to hang out with C & A outside of the con context. Less booze and exhaustion, more food and relaxation. All good!

More Pics

2009-06-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

oh man, how cute is that?

Baby love.

Missed the Locus Awards ceremony in Seattle, which I spent many hours organizing, and the SF Hall of Fame event . Ah well. From Mzmelia's reports so far, it went smashingly. Had an impressive set of guests, half again as many as the Nebulas did, and still growing! And Seattle is beautiful in June... Next year, for sure!

Will miss Readercon and Worldcon as well. Need the hub to be able to handle both girls before I run off to any good cons. But World Fantasy is in my part of the world, so I'll be there!

Maternity

2009-06-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

My garden smells awesome. The brugmansia is going crazy with blooms, the star jasmine is in its full glory, and I'm wondering if the night jessamine is just too much after all.

I just realized I never blogged about the baby being born. Well, needless to say, it happened! Just about the best birth I could have hoped for. Had the hub and a couple of friends -- Hanna, who was an awesome support person (thanks so much for being there!) and Mzmelia, who just made it in time for the big moment! -- there for support. My doc, Jill Foley, MD, was fabulous; and labor was short (4 hours) and for the most part painless (thank you epidural). Then 3, yes that's right one, two, three pushes and the baby was there. Nora Isabel Trombi. My own little Tootsie Pop.

Three days old.

Nora has been a champ thus far. Sleeps for long stretches at night often enough to give me hope of sleeping myself sometime soon! Kyra is, if anything, too affectionate with her. But that's so much nicer than jealous, I can't complain.

We're spending this Saturday morning in the backyard, watering the flowers and eating croissants from the French bakery that moved into the neighborhood recently. Like I said, my garden smells awesome.

Eddy's in the time continuum?

2009-04-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Been hiding out on Facebook. It does take all the fiddly bits of time online up, I have to say. But I like seeing what everyone is doing. I didn't realize how long it has been since I'd posted anything here.

So the maternity bag is packed and in the car. The mini-co-sleeper has been dug out of the garage and is waiting to be set up. My sister keeps going on work trips and has told me she'll give me a list of dates I can have the baby. Ha! Contingency babysitting and dogsitting plans are in place for Kyra and the mutts.

I'm constantly jostled from within by the mini Jane Fonda I am apparently cooking in there. My coworkers marvel at the ripples and bulges my belly displays. Dr. appts a thrice weekly to check on my blood pressure and make sure all is well. All is quiet at the southern border so far.

The urban fantasy issue (May) is at the printer, and Mzmelia has been covering for me diligently at conventions, though I sorely missed going to ICFA and the Nebs. And this summer I'll miss the Locus Awards and Readercon AND Worldcon in Montreal (one of a short list of cities that I have always wanted to visit and haven't made it to yet). But I'm on for the Discworld convention in September, which Z'boss is keen to do -- he's worried about getting to see Terry in the future with both of them curtailng travel. And the WFC is conveniently being held in San Jose, so is any easy one to make it to. Yay! It's my favorite con anyway, so that's something.

Then next year I should be back on a full travel schedule. Might even try to get the whole fam damily out to one, if I can wrangle it.

Dancin' with Mr. Drive-in Movie Theater Speaker

2009-01-28T15:46:00.001-08:00

Facebook has renewed its charms for me, as another social group of mine, the Rabbit Choir/Love Props crew, reassembles online and compares notes after some fifteen(?) years. (Wow, it really has been a long time.) I spend more time enjoying the chatter of the others than actively joining in, though I do check on Facebook more now than I had for a few months. Getting to see pics of and read about Stacie, Tami, SuperDave, Chantelle, Tatiana, Gayle, Bob, etc. is something I didn't imagine happening, and it's very cool. I wish I had a bit more time to join in, but with one baby in the house and another on the way -- and the full-time job at the magazine -- it's just too hard to stay awake...

The February issue just about undid me. We haven't had to work that hard on an issue for a while, and it just wipes you out, 'specially iffen yer preggo, como yo. With sales tax and business tax and plain old income tax riding on the tail of it, along with trying to get this new blog launched for the mag, it's been quite a ride.

I did have a strange and wonderful moment of peace last night, quietly knitting and watching House on Hulu.com while the hub and babe took a bath together. It only lasted a short while, but it was good, and I didn't even fall asleep. ;)

More firings

2009-01-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

"Call me gullible or impressionable, but I'm actually feeling kind of hopeful this week." Following her unexpected firing yesterday, Sara Nelson must be ruing the opening to her last editorial for Publishers Weekly. Nelson is a brilliant editor and strong leader in the industry, and now is the latest victim of the economic downturn: Reed Business Information, PW's parent company, launched a restructuring which includes cutting 7% of staff. Brian Kenney, editor-in-chief of School Library Journal, will replace Nelson.

This is the news brief I would have written if Locus Online covered the general publishing world like it does SF/F. I read her editorials every week, and really enjoyed her wry humor and insight into the industry. Best of luck to her, and to the other orphaned editors out there, including the Realms of Fantasy folks, Juliet Ulman, Liz Scheier, etc.

2008-12-18T15:02:00.000-08:00

YOU'RE HAVING A WHAT?!

(baby girl #2 will arrive mid-May 2009)

World Fantasy in Calgary

2008-11-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

World Fantasy was great, over too quickly, and still exhausting. The con itself was in a perfect hotel. Chris Roberson held court in the lounge, and a steady supply of Aussies and Brits also helped keep things lively in the bar. I never really got to dig in there and join in the random, comical conversations that happen in the bar at a good con -- but that's how it always is for me. A little more work than fun. But the work is good, so...

Had dinner with Guy Gavriel Kay and Garth Nix, a couple of the nicest writers you could meet. Wandered around the city with Garth, Shaun Tan, and Jonathan Strahan, then again with Jen West & Ken Scholes after our interview -- which was a lot of fun by the way, and I hope to see it in the Feb or March issue. Dinner with Chris Schelling was a blast -- the restaurant was just over the top, and our waiter had no idea what to do with us.

Didn't get to hang with John Picacio enough. Or Lou and Chris and Allison. Did wander around happily with Daryl Gregory on Friday night. At least I think it was Friday. Oh yeah, Sarah Palin was in the bar; it was definitely Friday. In the way the certain topics repeat themselves during a convention, I ended up in separate but similar conversations with Marc Gascoigne, Lou Anders, John Silbersack, and Diana Gill about the value of SF that brings back the feelings of books we first read as young SF readers, but without the markers that chase off today's young readers (ie saving up boxtops to send away for the free spacesuit and other novel 50s conventions). I like complex SF as much as the next person, but we need some gateway books to get the new readers interested, and YA ain't gonna do it alone. I didn't get my books from the children's section when I was a kid...

Discussions on urban fantasy with Diana, Ginjer Buchanan, Ellen Datlow, Jennifer Heddle (who for some reason I had never hung out with before, but she's great), Beth Meacham, Liz Scheier, and others left me feeling better equipped for the urban fantasy issue I'm putting together for next year -- to look at what's out there, what's good, what's being confused with para-normal romance, etc.

We had a great interview with Graham Joyce, one of my favorite writers -- despite the fact that he doesn't write SF ;). He is a kick to to hang out with. Especially over some whisky. (No really, if you haven't read something by him go read something now. Anything. My favorites are The Facts of Life, The Limits of Enchantment, Smoking Poppy, The Tooth Fairy, Do the Creepy Thing, and I'm reading How to Make Friends With Demons right now.)

Calgary came with a couple of problems. The bone-dry air and the altitude (it's the "kilometer-high city" -- nothing too extraordinary but I do live at sea level) left me suffering from random headaches. And there was a noticeable smell there. One person told me it was from the cattle ranches outside of town. Someone else said the construction site down the block had hit a sewer line. Didn't really make a difference why, it just stank. Like poop. Inside the hotel. Unfortunate. Especially since I am olfactory enhanced in my secondigravidas state.

I made it back from the con to hit the ground running hard here at the mag. We're getting both the awards writeup and con report in this issue instead of breaking them up, which is a huge amount of work for the shortened Thanksgiving sched. But I just handed off the bulk of the work to production today, and it's gravy from here. Great to see you all there! (Thanks to Mzmelia who let me steal from her photos.)

2008-10-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

It was fun, but boy was it hot.

2008-10-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

In the market in Puerto Vallarta, past the garlic and the dried chiles and just at the bin of overripe mangoes and papayas, there was a smell, really a musk, so disconcerting and memory soaked I had to stop in my tracks to process the experience. I don't even know what the exact memories were, just a full body sort of deja vu, entirely provoked by the smell.

The rest of the trip was mostly unremarkable. Funny how that works. It was nice to be a family hanging out, instead of a family just trying to get all the day-to-day crap done. The hub drank a few too many beers and got a rip-roaring sunburn. I got to play in the ocean with Kyra. We were stunned by how expensive it all was, slapped in the face by the value of the US dollar. I didn't have access to the Internet, so managed to not think about work for several days in a row.

PV is not the Mexico I am in love with, though. Similar, but not the place I used to escape to in my 20s, living in a palapa with a Zapotecan family, reading and swimming and sleeping and beating back my workaholism. I don't really think that Mexico still exists.

2008-08-21T21:36:00.001-07:00

It's been a strange week.

Went to my 20-year high school reunion last weekend. I thought perhaps, that after 20 years, the specific high school experience would be not as important to people as having grown up together; the fact that some of these folks went to school K through 12 with me would mean more than the rest. A lot of them were my good friends until middle school when, alarmingly, appearance became more important than... well than anything else. I was wrong. Several people with whom I had been very good friends as a child just seemed remote and uncomfortable. Maybe it was just them. On the other hand, I was pleased to discover that Craig Ruffolo is just a really nice guy, and Josh and Brenda and Charles, among others, continue to be very cool and I was happy to reconnect with them.

The picnic on Sunday, however, was much more laid back. Everyone's kids were running around together. Joe Poppas and I geeked out on SF for a good 45 minutes. Made me feel better about the whole thang.

The strangest moment of the entire weekend was when someone I had considered to be my personal tormentor, the overly handsome male peer in high school whose pointed comments about my appearance and intelligence always stung fiercely (WS for those who would know him), who continued his reign of abuse long after the generic cuts of middle school had ended.... well, he came up to me and said he just wanted to say hello before I left the picnic on Sunday. I was floored. Dumbfounded. If I'd had any idea that he would come up to me, I would have had some pithy offhand remark at the ready. But instead, I made polite conversation, and left in a state of shock. I asked Matt if he thought maybe he'd wanted to say he was sorry; Matt said perhaps that was the apology.

Go figure.

Regardless, I'm done with summer. Bring on the snow!

2008-08-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

It was, at least, entertaining in Denver. I'll never forget drinky time.

2008-08-11T14:54:00.001-07:00

Home from Denver and Worldcon.

Fun little fact about the Mile High City: it takes 3 months to acclimate to the altitude, till the nausea and fatigue and general malaise (genius or no) finally relent, due to the extra pint of blood your body creates to port around the necessary oxygen for day-to-day functioning. So going there for 6 days is just long enough to truly experience what high altitude feels like. Not a great place to be hungover. Fortunately I managed to go to bed early the first few nights, not get too saucy the big nights, and by the time Sunday rolled around I was going to bed right after dinner. Makes me feel old, but I'm not suffering quite as much, perhaps, as some of my counterparts.

Got to:

See Daryl Gregory again and do an interview with him. He's fun and smart and writes great stories; go read one now.

Hang out with the other 2/3 of my dastardly trio: Blake Charlton and Paolo Bacigalupi. They are just a hoot, and if I could bottle the fun we have I'd be a millionaire.

Saw Jay Lake who again reminded me how cool he is. Never fails. Talked to: Annalee of I09 about blogging and journalism, who patiently dealt with my barrage of questions; David Louis Edelman; Kim Greyson; John Picacio, still the hardest working artist out there; Lou Anders, who made me feel like I might be on track after all; of course all the off-site Locus folks like Gary Wolfe, Mark Kelly, Jonathan Strahan, Graham Sleight, Beth Gwinn; the Hades of Edge SF, who are a couple of the nicest people you could hope to meet; Irene Gallo; Liz Gorinsky, who once again managed to lead the late-night breakfast charge (yay Liz!); Jeremy Lassen; Chris Roberson & Allison Baker (holla!); Vivian Perry, who came to my rescue with a Hugo Awards ceremony dress loan; hmm, who am I forgetting? A ton of people, I'm sure, but it was great to see everyone.

Of course there were many meetings and interviews and publishing discussions and gossip and panels and I am so tired now. But happy I went.

If I can get my butt in gear I will post photos.

Toodles.

Happy Birthday!

2008-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Kyra turned one in June.

That was fast.

Locus Awards

2008-06-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

The Locus Awards in Seattle were a hit. Bill Gibson's interview with Nancy Pearl was better than I had thought it might be, and the audience was definitely into it. She has her own action figure -- that is very cool. The reception after was small and friendly (except for the errant nutjob who wandered in and had to be escorted out) and gave me a chance to meet some of the folks running Clarion West. I'd never been to the campus at the University in Seattle -- it's beautiful. Made me wish I could go back to school.

Locus Awards ceremony went over without a hitch. Connie, of course, was brilliant as MC, and Duane of University Books said they did all right selling books, which is a good sign. We could probably do one more year at the hotel, then we will be too big for their largest space if the event keeps growing the way it has. On the down side, the SF Hall of Fame ceremony was smaller this year. I know there are a lot of people who think they'll go one of these times, just not this year, but if that keeps up it won't be an event anymore. We'll have to try to drum up more support next year. The SF Museum, on the other hand, seems to be doing very well now and is planning new exhibits for 2009. There is a palpable enthusiasm from the curatorial staff that I haven't seen there since they first opened up.

Feeling blah

2007-09-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

I've been reading my friend netmouse's website, and feeling a bit underwhelmed by my own attempts to get back in shape after a long year of no working out (injury followed by pregnancy followed by having an infant to take care of...). Everyone keep saying, "You just had a baby. Stop worrying about it." But I've got to start worrying about it at some point, or I'll just never get back in shape.

I don't fit into my gi.

Those that know, might be able to imagine how depressing that is. I have to order a larger one through my dojo. Agh.

In other news, my baby is awesome. I know, we all feel that way about our own. But she is.

ooh baby

2007-09-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Kyra at work.

Hangin' out at home.

Hugos

2007-09-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

It's really the whole staff at Locus, and all the hard work and love that goes into the mag that makes it happen.

All Hugos (the physical award) are not created equal, and this one looks especially cool. Imagine that on the ole mantel. Congratulations to everyone who won, especially my friend and co-worker Tim Pratt, who won for his story "Impossible Dreams".

I would have loved to have been able to go to Japan for Worldcon this year, but giving birth to my daughter was certainly the best reason for missing it. She is asleep in my lap as I write this, my little rockstar.

She's been going into work at Locus with me for the past few weeks, with only a couple of rough spots so far. It's great to be back; I really missed it. I think it's actually going to work.

The 2007 Hugo Awards, held at Nippon 2007, the 65th World Science Fiction Convention, on September 1st 2007, are as follows:

Best Novel: Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge [Tor, 2006]
Best Novella: “A Billion Eves” by Robert Reed [Asimov’s Oct/Nov 2006]
Best Novelette: “The Djinn’s Wife” by Ian McDonald [Asimov’s July 2006]
Best Short Story: “Impossible Dreams” by Tim Pratt [Asimov’s July 2006]
Best Related Non-Fiction Book: James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B Sheldon by Julie Phillips [St. Martin’s Press, 2006]
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro. Directed by Guillermo del Toro [Picturehouse]
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who - “Girl in the Fireplace” (2006) Written by Steven Moffat. Directed by Euros Lyn [BBC Wales/BBC1]
Best Editor, Long Form: Patrick Nielsen Hayden
Best Editor, Short Form: Gordon Van Gelder
Best Professional Artist: Donato Giancola
Best Semiprozine: Locus ed. by Charles N. Brown, Kirsten Gong-Wong and Liza Groen Trombi
Best Fanzine: Science-Fiction Five-Yearly ed. by Lee Hoffman, Geri Sullivan, and Randy Byers
Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford
Best Fan Artist: Frank Wu

The winner of the John W. Campbell Award
for Best New Writer is Naomi Novik.

Almost back at the mag...

2007-08-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Feeling like I'm up and running again here, which is great. Signed back on at the dojo, and could finally have my black belt by next year if I really stick to it. I've been back at the mag for two days a week for the past 3 weeks, trying to minimize the mountain of work I have to do to catch up. Everyone there has been great about the baby, and very patient.

I'm just mastering the art of getting out the door with baby, which is hugely liberating, though not always entirely successful.

Wow, Facebook is wacky. Someone invited me on, and then suddenly it seems like everyone is on there, and just newly on there, too. I'm not really into the various networking sites -- I have something minimal up on MySpace; I'm on Tribe but really only for local events. But Facebook seems to be more interactive and social. Still deciding if it's worth the time or not...

So here are some more photos, and a video clip.

Kyra Paige

2007-06-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

Born on the 15th. 7 pounds, 3 ounces. 20.4 inches. She is a marvel and a source of constant entertainment. It's [Kee-rah] by the way.

The birth was quick, and by all the medical-types' accounts a "great" birth, which is not to say that there was not a stretch of pain-filled, contraction-per-minute hours that I can only vaguely remember now. Epidurals are medicine's greatest acheivement, IMO. She came out squawking and purple. Needless to say, she was beautiful from the first moment.

We're settling in as a family here. The hub is working from home, which is a huge help, and I'm still fielding stuff for the mag, having never had time or even the inclination to try to explain Quickbooks and all the financial stuff to other staff members. It's just too complicated and I'd spend more time answering questions than I do just dealing with it. And I like to stay in touch with everything that's going on, especially with the current Post Office drama. Did I mention that the PO fucked things up majorly? They got rid of all of the international economy rates, and did so with out any warning. They also raised the rates for periodicals by about 30%, hammering yet another nail into the coffin of the magazine industry. Bleah.

Until I'm back full time though, Mzmelia is traveling with Z'boss, and they're off to Readercon next week. I'm looking forward to Saratoga Springs, though...

Home

2007-06-19T19:09:00.001-07:00

We made it.

Details to follow.

In limbo (whinge warning)

2007-06-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Simply put. Ten days till my due date, full bed rest, so tired of being horizontal, excruciatingly uncomfortable 40% of the time... and waiting.

People keep telling me to enjoy this part, "the easy part." Not only am I not really the kind of person who seeks out "easy" on a regular basis, but who likes "easy" when it's effing uncomfortable? Everything hurts. I can't put weight on my right leg in the evenings without my pelvis separating (click, grind, OW!). Mind you, I am very happy to be having a baby. And I am SO ready to meet her. Blame it on anticipation. But enough complaining already...

I love my friends. Blake texted me in the middle of the night from Wiscon, something along the lines of "Dude!! Getting drunk, miss you!" in what was apparently one of his last sober moments of the con -- ain't that sweet. Hanna, Tracy, Jessie, and my sis have all been keeping me from going crazy by calling and visiting me at home regularly. Soon, soon, she will be here and I will be up again.

Bedrest Buddy

My next con will be WFC in New York in November. I can't wait. The hub has already been told he's on baby duty for the week and will have to take time off for it.

Totally low-tech (no scanner at home) alien-looking ultrasound shots .
Baby cross sections = creepy stuff.

39 wks LMP (37 wks gestation)

Baby weighs 7.25 lbs or 3288 grams. Baby is 19.96 inches or 50.7 cm long.

Lloyd Alexander

2007-05-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

One of the perks working for the magazine is meeting so many authors I would never meet otherwise. I'm usually not intimidated by meeting famous folks and rarely find myself feeling nervous, but last year when I was conscripting people to write essays for the YA issue, I called up Lloyd Alexander to ask him for a piece and found myself completely fluttery before I called. Discovering his Prydain series at age 11 was my entry into genre reading, my transition from my early mainstay of all the mythology and "real ghost" stories I could get my hands on to fantasy, horror, and then the final inevitable plunge into science fiction. When I spoke to him, he was completely charming, though apologetic that he could not write something for me as he had recently taken a spill and broken his leg (or maybe his hip? can't remember). We chatted for about ten minutes, and at the end of the call, I blurted out something about how his books were the reason I love SF today. He was very sweet.

It's a strange thing, when an author who's writing had a strong effect on you passes away, it feels like something irreplacable has been lost.

Primigravidas

2007-05-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Week 36 is Friday. Week 37 is term, my first goal; her lungs will probably be finished developing by then... and maybe they'll induce. Or not. Modern medicine, sheesh.

Lunar Month 10, 36 wks LMP (34 wks gestation)

Baby weighs 5.78 lbs or 2622 grams. Baby is 18.66 inches or 47.4 cm long.

In the meantime, I'm on full bedrest. I had a brief period where I could go to work three hours a day, which was at least something. I now am stuck in bed full time, trying to do some work on my laptop, and finding it a frustrating prospect. It's all because of my blood pressure, which has always been a bit high, but it makes the doctors very nervous now. So I go in three times a week for testing, but all the tests show the baby is doing great. Which is a relief.

I can now watch my belly do the boogaloo all by itself, which is a fascinating event I could stare at for hours. Never boring. Right now Savannah is high in the running for names. Thoughts?

Of course, I didn't finish getting ready to leave work, with new people trained up and all my work done in advance, as I had hoped. But I'm trying to do as much as I can from here. Z'boss keeps calling and checking on me, as does Mzmelia. So I have a lot of support, despite the fact that my mother and sister both are out of the country for the next two weeks ):(|), one in Australia visiting the family, and the other in Spain for work. And both have said they'll be upset if I have her before they're back, like I can cross my legs and hold her there if she decides she's done...

Bedrest, ack.

2007-04-25T12:23:00.001-07:00

33 wks LMP (31 wks gestation)

Baby weighs 4.23 lbs or 1918 grams. Baby is 17.2 inches or 43.7 cm long.

Bad news from doctor. My blood pressure is up, and I'm on bedrest till next week. My workaholism is flaring rapidly, but I'm doing my best to not stress out about the mag. It's actually not the worst time: deadline is over, the next few issues should be business as usual, with any luck, and all I have to get done right away is some billing... I've got four doctor appointments in the next week, though, now, so they can see if I have pre-eclampsia or not. Bleah.

2007-04-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

I had a fantastic baby shower last weekend. Coed, lots of friends, a keg, great food. Can't thank Miss Amie and my sister enough for throwing it. Not to mention the 30-some hand-painted onesies and 590 q-tips I now have... crazy.

My belly feels like it is growing at a ridiculous rate. I can feel her when she's shifting position in there now, not just when she kicks. The bad news is I think she's found my bladder and is playing "make mum run to the bathroom" with it. Still working on the name thing, though we're closing in on a few good candidates.

Went to ICFA and World Horror since I last posted. Both were great: fun, but tiring. Ft. Lauderdale was warm and muggy, but not crazily so. Had some good meetings and ended up with 4 interviews in the can, when we had only scheduled one. Got to hang out with Gary Wolfe and Graham Sleight a bit, had a fantastic lunch with Geoff Ryman (more joke swapping, the repetoire continues to grow), had a wee spot of late night by the pool hanging out with guitar and singing and conversations (my favorite part of ICFA actually). I wonder how Orlando will compare...

WHC was in Toronto, a city I had never visited before, always a plus. I got to a lunch with Guy Kay, hung with John & Traci and Chris & Allison a bit (my favorites to see at cons). I hadn't spent much time with Liz Gorinsky or George Mann before, and am pleased to have done so now. Roberta Lannes is a kick, and I hope she will keep coming to cons. Didn't get to hang out with a few folks I had hoped to spend more time with, but isn't that always the case. Seemed like it was over before it really got going (mostly since my late-night partying days are on hold right now), but I was still exhausted by the time I got on the plane.

Edited 60-some pages of Clute, Straub, and Wolfe down on the plane, eventually to the requisite 25 (with some help from Tim!), a task I wouldn't wish on anyone. Got the horror essays in shape. Did photo layouts for both ICFA and WHC, which is by itself more than we would usually put into a single month. My god, it was a crazy issue. But it's done, and I have no more special issues coming out or travel planned till after the baby arrives. Thanks to everyone that helped us ID folks -- that's always the tricky part. AndI hope everyone enjoys our Look at Horror. We try to keep the dark stuff in the mix, sometimes more difficult depending on what is being published... Last year's issue was light on the articles, this year's is more substantial. Gives us a chance to dig in a little deeper and see what the folks who are on the inside have to say about it.

Belly, by request

2007-03-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

Have received requests for belly updates... I've had about every prenatal test known to mankind, and they've all had good results. It's a girl, and we have about 15 names in the running, so the debate continues. I'm about ready to have a "Name That Baby" contest.

At 28 wks out of 40, I'm starting now to freak out slightly about the whole birth gig. Under strict orders from my doctor not to let anyone tell me birthing horror stories, and other than a certain writer/med student telling me about how smelly newborns, and births in general, are, I've managed to. I've gained about 15 pounds, which combined with my inability to work out earlier this year because of my back & shoulder problems, leaves me feeling like a whale! But a happy whale. Wondering when my belly button will disappear...

Lunar Month 8, 28 wks LMP (26 wks gestation)

Baby weighs 2.22 lbs or 1005 grams. Baby is 14.8 inches or 37.6 cm long

DreamHaven and more...

2007-02-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

We received a note from Greg Ketter that DreamHaven Books was broken into this week, and though insurance will cover what was taken, the robbers wreaked havoc, destroying the office, etc. More about this can be found on Neil Gaiman's blog. This is a hard hit for them, and they are an important part of the community. Please take a moment to look at their online catalog, show some love, and buy something you've been wanting.

On that note, I like a good deal as much as the next person, but I also try to keep in mind that if I don't shop regularly from my local stores like Dark Carnival, Other Change of Hobbit, and Borderlands, they will go away. You can't replace the feeling of going into a brick-and-mortar store chock full of the books you want to read, yet every year we lose more specialty stores, with people shopping from the chains and online mega-retailers in increasing numbers. So in addition to taking the time to show some support for DreamHaven, remember to shop at a local bookseller, as well. Thanks.

Tahoe

2007-02-15T18:37:00.001-08:00

Weekend in the Sierras with Dina, Brian & Hannah, JR, & Amelia -- not much snow, but we went sledding, took a hike by the lake, played liar's dice till the wee hours...

Surprise, surprise.

2007-02-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

I just converted my blog to Google, and a pile of posts came tumbling out asking to be moderated. So to all those whose posts weren't showing up (JP especially, who tried multiple times before giving up entirely) -- sorry! I wasn't deleting you, I didn't have comments set on moderate, and I have no idea why some came through but others didn't. Weird, but I'm a n00b anyway and expect stuff to not work. It seems to be fixed now, at least. And I changed the song I had up from Peachfish. Couldn't stand listening to myself sing flat!

Spike is kicking regularly, which is comforting. Without that, I have nothing other than my ever-expanding waistline to let me know things are still going well in there.

Things are crazy at The Mag. Trying to get the horror coverage together and the awards ceremony organized, while doing a Forthcoming Books issue and still looking for a replacement for Karlyn, who quit last month. So we're short-staffed and overloaded with work. Eh, business as usual, but it would be nice to have a new person in place to start picking up the slack. We'll get there. We've got a bunch of applicants, but it's such a particular kind of job....

Five Things You Don't Know About Me.

2007-02-01T17:56:00.000-08:00

Memes, memes, the magical fruit...
Abi, stinkbug that she is, memed me. I never do these things, but for her, this once....

And this is harder than you might think, for someone with ZERO sense of privacy. I keep thinking up these morbid confessional tidbits that won't do at all. Ah well, here goes:

1. OH, THE DOMESTICITY
I knit. Not very quickly, and certainly not very well. But I do knit. I know, not exactly mind-blowing, but I'm warming up...

2. THE NICKNAME
My nickname (in my family) is BR. At about the age of three, I announced I wanted to be a football player. To be later modified to aspirations of kangaroo-hood. This was followed by a brief period of wanting to be a bunny rabbit, which unfortunately stuck, and my nickname throughout my childhood (and for a few family members even still today) was BR. You can figure out what it's short for.

3. ZOOM-ZOOM
Okay, more contemporary stuff: Every time I see one of those commercials on the telly with high-performance cars zoom-zoom-zooming along Black Rock salt flats, with their synchronized fishtailing and all that, I feel extremely jealous. I would love to drive like that. Left over from my motorcycling days, maybe. I love the feeling of riding the perfect line, but pushing it fast enough that the tires are just on the edge of tearing off the asphalt.

4. SPIKE
Hmm, this is getting tricky... I can do that same thing that Martin can with his eyes, in fact we compared techniques when I was out visiting in Scotland, but have no pictures of myself doing it.... That's copying, anyway. Let's see.... Oh, my yet-to-be-born baby, now a whole 22-weeks old (in utero) and who will make her grand entrance sometime this June, has been dubbed "Spike" by Gary K. Wolfe, and now is referred to by that name at The Mag. Go figger... Spike....

5. A TUNE
How about a song? I doubt anyone reading this has actually heard my old band, Peachfish. This is our bass player Alex and myself, singing a "bar hall" tune.

Cafe de la Presse © Peachfish 1999

2006-12-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, am I a lame blogger, or what? Despite regular pangs of blog guilt, I still have failed to post anything lately. All those photos I was gonna put up, brilliant witticisms to drop on the unsuspecting masses, groovy links to clever postings by other folks, yeah... that was gonna be great. But after working all day on my computer at The Mag, I just don't find much energy to get back online at home.

I do have an excuse for all that exhaustion though -- I'm pregnant. Wacky, huh? 16 weeks. It's a rollercoaster, but I'm enjoying it. I kind of go from random euphoric moments of bliss to wanting to rip people's heads off for moving too slowly in the grocery store... but I *am* trying to keep all the hormonal swings in check. If I growled at anyone at WFC, accept my heartfelt, pregnant apologies.

I also just stopped fitting into all of my pants in one fell swoop last week, which is a bummer. I've still got six months to go!

So virtual smooches to all my friends; I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday, and have a drink for me on New Year's Eve. Toodles!!

2006-10-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't actually seen the geek chart.

2006-10-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Fave photo of the con.

October has arrived

2006-09-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough year. I caught myself reveling in the cold weather and fog we've had the last couple of days, knowing that it's the season changing, and wanting to move forward. Looking forward to winter, snowboarding, family gatherings. I've been keeping myself busy, looking forward to World Fantasy in Austin, one of the places I always wanted to go to with the band since the music scene supposed to be great there. But we never made it.

Photos are from Mzmelia's & my cablecar adventure in the city.

Reading: THE FACTS OF LIFE, by Graham Joyce
DREAMS OF ENCHANTMENT, by Graham Joyce
THE KEEPER, by Sarah Langan

I flew through DREAMS OF ENCHANTMENT. Really couldn't put it down till it was finished, then I dug out the other ones by Graham I hadn't gotten to. THE FACTS OF LIFE had the same feel, similar characterizations, but different time and place. Both could be called fantasy, or could be read as straight fiction, but the feeling is definitely fantasy for me; that sense that things are always slightly tweaked. I am always impressed at his ability to draw the reader into the families he writes about. An excellent writer, all around. Starting TWOC tonight.

THE KEEPER I read a month ago or so. I hadn't heard much about, and was surprised to enjoy it, having never heard of Langan. Nothing wowee zang-bob new about it, but fun, in that dark way horror can be fun.

Wow

2006-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

I got a Hugo. Wow, again. What a crazy thing. It's for the magazine, but I am sure not going to knock it. It's sitting there on my dining room sideboard in all its chrome-and-navy blue glory. My first time up onstage with such a big crowd in a long time, and I was really nervous.
The convention was fun, but weirdly frenetic. I spent a hilarious evening with Paolo Bacigalupi and Blake Charlton, discussing the various implications of furries and plushies and steatophygia until the wee hours of the morn. The rest of the nights seemed to pass in a blur -- thank you everyone who contributed to my intoxication -- but I met some new folks and got to see some of my favorites.
We had the whole staff there, which was a kick, and a luxury. Mzmelia and Kar did a fabulous job selling subscriptions and the new anthologies, and we may have covered our expenses and then some. Had some good discussions on the future of the field, what science fiction is becoming, what will happen to fantasy when the boom busts (if it does), how horror fits into it all. As always, I wish I could have spent more time, had more one-on-one conversations, etc. I walk away with one phrase recurring in my head: Brook no bullshit. There's a lot of posturing at these things that I find unnecessary. H.E.'s grabbing Connie onstage was reprehensible, and out of respect for her, I drop it there.
All in all, I think it was a success and am trying to figure out how to get to Japan next year.
Photos to follow.
xoLiza
Reading: CELL by Stephen King
UNLUNDUN by China Mieville

more yet

2006-07-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Went with best friends to mountains and played on rope swing at lake. Saw snakes. Miss old times terribly.

JCS

2006-07-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

I'm watching Jesus Christ Superstar. What an experience. This came out in 1973, and my older sister used to listen to the soundtrack album over and over again. She and I would act out the parts, me way too young to understand any of it. I actually have the album, and no turntable to play it on. See my eyes, I can hardly see.

I'm going to Writer's of the Future, in San Diego, I think. First solo mission.

OK, I'm back on the blog track. It's good to be back. This is a picture of me and my mum; I can't describe to you how sharp, no clever, wait maybe... no I can't describe her right. She rocks.

Been avoiding you

2006-05-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, not really you. But I haven't been able to find the time to figure out a profession-appropriate version of my life to relate.

Jonathan Strahan's anthologies fell into our communal lap. So we're publishing them under Locus Press. They're great, and it's a very cool experience. Our friends at various publishers, as well as independents Nightshade and Tachyon, and Eileen Gunn and John Berry, have been giving us their most sage advice. John Picacio is letting us use a couple of images for nothing close to what he's worth these days, and it's just cos he's such a fucking nice guy. Tim Pratt has put to good use his InDesign and graphic design skills, which we don't get to take advantage of as much as we should. They will stand on the work of the authors and editor alone, but we're doing our best to present them as they deserve to be presented. And, of course, it's way to much to be putting on one plate, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach.

On to the Nebula weekend. I love Arizona, I have to say. Heat agrees with me. Not so much the humidity, but heat I can do. Met Harlan Ellison. Hung out with Connie and finally had a real conversation with her daughter Cordelia, an opportunity I will not let slip by again.

Then there was World Horror. Meals at Tommy's Joint with 10+ people. Conversations with Chris Roberson. I was really tired the whole time, though. Becoming more and more fond of Jeremy and Jason of Nightshade. Did not get to spend enough time with John and Tracy. Next time.

That's all I've got for now. My life is too much with me to describe. But there is hope still. And work is good.

Dusk / rain

2006-04-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

Just got John Picacio's artbook COVER STORY and it looks fabulous. He did a really nice job with it. Rush out and get one right away.

Got home around 7pm after dropping off my coworker, and the sun was still up. Gotta love daylight savings. Took my new mp3 player, freshly loaded with CDs I haven't listened to in years, and took the girls for a walk in the rain. It's a beautiful time: dusk, when it's raining. No one is out. The world's mine alone.

Of course half the neighborhood thinks I'm nuts now cos I was singing along with the music. The upside of not having listened to most of my CDs lately is getting to rediscover a bunch of music that has already been screened. By my past self.

Listening: 20 Minute Loop

April showers

2006-04-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Wow, the rain is just thumpin' down today. It's been going pretty solidly for a couple weeks now. My plants are happy, but I wish our backyard was put together already so we could use this free watering to establish the garden. Soon. If it ever stops pouring.
The dogs are getting fat and lazy.

Went to a reading by Robert Silverberg and Kim Stanley Robinson with Z'boss and Mzmelia in San Francisco the other night. Talked to Jeremy from Nightshade about typesetting books. Had tapas. All good. Bob's piece was from 1971, with a slightly hypnotic psychedelic rhythm to it which came across really well in the reading.

The wake for my friend Jess was a really sad but special experience. I think it was everything she would have hoped for: friends coming together and drinking, eating, and dancing in her honor. Brought everyone a little closer again.

Of tea and candles I have no fear.
But your glance, without love
to temper its edge,
is a terrible thing.

Gone now

2006-03-23T17:13:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of getting things done, taking care of the piles of untended correspondence and bills, taking the girls to get their shots, getting my license renewed, etc.

Then I got a call. My friend Jess, who has been ill with terminal cancer, passed away today. I've been friends with her and Marvin for what seems like forever. She was a kind, generous, and gentle sort, never demanding your attention but always worth it. I keep seeing flashes of her, at an afternoon party, at my bridal shower, at her wedding, laughing and smiling, or listening intently to someone talk. She was one of the good ones, and even though everyone knew it was coming, it still is a shock and feels outrageously unfair that she should be gone.

And then I received an email that Jane Yolen's husband David also passed away today. I have been checking in on her journal once in a while, and knew that his health was deteriorating. My sympathies to her and her family. From Jane's journal, a Millay quote...

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave,
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

So if you see this today, have a toast (or a kind thought) for Jess and David. The world is a lesser place without them.

Crazy crazy

2006-03-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

I recently emailed a friend, saying that things had been crazy here. I meant crazy busy, but pretty much that same day, everything broke loose. Someone scooped my checking account number and passed $3,200 in checks in two days, essentially wiping me out and then some. And being in Ft. Lauderdale for ICFA didn't help. ICFA was great though. Met some new folks, always fun, and got to spend some time with Peter Straub, Gary Wolfe, Ellen Datlow, and Jim Kelly, among others. Came back to deadline though, and now I'm seriously exhausted.

On the good side, Locus is up for a Hugo, officially announced today, and my name is on the ballot along with Kirsten and Charles. Totally unexpected, but pretty exciting. Maybe the hypertension is worth it after all.

... Come home, toss and turn till the fifth watch.
Two swallows in the rafters hear the long sigh
-Li Shang-yin

Fridays

2006-03-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

Today was kind of crazy. Picking and balancing photos of Octavia Butler, trying to get the last appreciations in (Harlan wrote some 2,200 words), tracking down unpaid invoices, and somehow never got to write a word. It's so glamorous, ain't it?

Speaking of glamour, saw the jet-setting Scott Westerfeld for an afternoon this week. He's a truly pleasant person, unfortunately Justine was wracked with wicked flu and couldn't join us. Someday we'll play that game of poker though. I'm onto MAGIC LESSONS by her, a delightful romp, as Mz. Carolyn would say.

So I'm getting some last bits o' work done, waiting for the hub (who's out drinking with buds and will return at some undetermined time) and having some mescal to cool the stress. Wishing someone would call and say "hey let's go do something crazy" but doubt it will happen. My going-out-all-the-time days have come and gone, and though I'm still rarin' to go and shake the world up, it's hard to find a good cohort these days.

Oop, must go save Roomba, who has been bested by the underneath of our living room chair. Yay for robotic vacuum cleaners, tho.
Toodles.

Been a while

2006-03-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

Been avoiding ye ole blog. All seems like so much blah blah blah right now.

Read:
MAGIC OR MADNESS, by Justine Larbalestier
HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON, by Naomi Novik

Reading:
ACCELERANDO, by Charles Stross (no excuse, just didn't get to it before now)
20th CENTURY GHOSTS, by Joe HIll

Listened to:
BLACK HOUSE, by Stephen King & Peter Straub
various podcasts by Cory Doctorow and Jim Kelly, worth downloading for sure
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, by Jane Austen
BURN, by Jim Kelly

Octavia Butler dying shook me up. She just wasn't that old. And though she hadn't written that much recently, she was one of my favorite writers when I was in my twenties. It's hard, and sad, to imagine that there won't be any more of her stories.

Never let your heart open with the spring flowers: One inch of love is an inch of ashes.
-Li Shang-yin

Today

2006-02-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

Today was a strange day -- I spun out in tiny circles at work, trying to get anything done, chipping away at several projects, but in the end feeling like I did nothing.
One standout moment, I spoke on the phone with Lloyd Alexander to see if he would be interested in contributing a piece to our YA issue in May. He was absolutely lovely, but he turned me down. He just celebrated his 82nd birthday, and he sounds great, but is laid up with a broken leg. I'm usually pretty blase about calling people, I'm all right on the phone in general. But honestly, he was the first genre writer I really read, and still holds a very special place for me. I mean, shit, I'm an editor at Locus, I'm happy, and I never would have come to where I am right now if not for THE BOOK OF THREE. So today on the whole was really pretty good.
Had a good weekend, sailed a race on Sunday, two seconds and a fourth, not too bad considerng it's been so long since I raced a boat last. It's was blowing like stink, too. Really squirrelly winds, all over the place. But I had a great time.
And I'm going to ICFA in March. Which is pretty cool, since I certainly didn't expect it. I do wish my usual con buddies went to ICFA, but I'm sure I'll have fun.
Made myself a steak dinner, nobody but me at home. Photos of Ole v. Roomba to come. Still waiting for promised book.

Snow

2006-01-31T19:21:00.000-08:00

Got away for the weekend with the hub and friends. Sledding on Saturday, snowboarding on Sunday, casino on Sunday night. I won $75 (1,500 nickels, mind you) on a nickel slot. Wahoo! Didn't last very long but it was exciting when it happened. Click on the mountain shot; hub took it.

Triple-shelving woes

2006-01-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

I dream of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves...
If only I was a carpenter.

Of course then I might not need the bookshelves. Damn.

Had a hard week, deadline, yada yada...
MHK cheered me up though.
One of my faves: ..If ever I am in a car crash and awake to find a doctor looking down at me gravely, that's exactly the kind of bad news I want to hear...

John Picacio will be Artist Guest of Honour at WHC 2007 in Toronto, very cool.

2006-01-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

As we roll back around to our February Year in Review issue, I once again find myself dismayed by how many of the stories and books I have not had time to read. I made a good go at trying to read three books a week for a while there, the key being to put a novella or other short work on the list. But somehow my momentum fell away, and the pile of books grows ever larger. There's only so much time between 6pm and sleep to spend reading. I haven't quite gotten to the point where I simply won't feel bad about not finishing a book. But boy is that coming.

And, dammit, I'm still reading RIVER OF GODS. It's a good book. I just can't put in the time to finish it. Argh.

Eureka

2006-01-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

Ole's experiments continue. He's been putting the flower bulbs I was supposed to plant last month in the dog dish. I think he's on to something. Doesn't make an interesting photo though, so here's some others... Xochi & Sasha playing in the front yard.
I am the warmth, the honey-scent
That throats with spice each lily-bud

And in color...

2006-01-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

Still can't get some photos to post. With most of them working, I'm more bemused than annoyed. Can't figure out what variable allows some, but not others. Anyone have a suggestion?

Around the neighborhood

2006-01-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

inspired by Evil Rooster.

One more oldie

2006-01-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

I think this one speaks for itself. It's going to be a photo blitz for a little while.

Talk about a change of mood

2006-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I was frustrated, then not. But this email I just got made my day:

"Hi my name is Tracey and I was listening to my Peachfish cd and thought I would look and see if there was any Peachfish info or revivals going on. Well I happened to type in your name on google and found your page and was wondering cause you sure look like Liza from Peachfish is this is indeed you? If you are from Peachfish I just wanted to say that you were and still are one of my fave bands. I was at your last concert at the Starry Plough in Berkeley and was sad that you guys parted ways. If there is ever a chance you guys ever do a concert again just for kicks, please let me know if this is you."

My band broke up 5 years ago. That's just cool.

Fuming...

2006-01-04T18:29:00.000-08:00

I am festering. Seething. Roiling with frustration. Fah.

I cannot post pictures onto Blogger anymore. It simply will not let me. Multiple futile attempts. Curse them.

Oop. Never mind, hee hee, it seems to be fixed.

Happy Holiday

2005-12-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

Xmas was good. Woke up early to get to the family house and catch the nieces and nephews in gift-receiving frenzy. Brekkies w/Mum, sister, and family. Then went home to make pies and desserts for dinner while nipping on red wine. Cold, drizzly weather makes being domestic particularly satisfying. Went back up to the house for dinner with the whole fam-damily, including Dad and Grandpa and the extended in-law set. I made a disk of old family photos of Mum's that I scanned for my sibs, and will post a few golden oldies. Hope everyone is having a good holiday.

Reading: SANDMAN: FABLES & REFLECTIONS by Neil Gaiman

'70s
Is it any wonder I am who I am growing up with those curtains?

A bit nippy

2005-12-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

The weather has really turned here. It's gray, cold, and windy. Good Christmas weather. We got the January issue in with the Canadian stuff, the WFC reports and photos, and a long obit for Bob Sheckley, who never recovered from his last surgery. Sad stuff, that, but we did our best to give him a good send off.

Went out to the Borderlands Books holiday potluck on Friday. Had a great time. A fantastic, commiserating conversation with Jeremy Lassen about night terrors, which he has, too. I've actually never met anyone with such a similar version of them.

Now that it is raining steadily, we discovered that our enthusiastic landscaping disturbed an underground network of gopher tunnels. All the water that is running downhill underground toward our house is now bubbling up to the surface in our backyard. There was a small waterfall tumbling gently into our mudbox this morning. Joy.

So these guys stole a two-ton, $5.2 million bronze statue with a crane and a flat-bed truck in London. "Three men are being sought, having been captured on security cameras." That's ambitious.

Things I miss

2005-12-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

There are things that, as an American, I miss. As a first-generation American, I might miss them a little bit more, because I almost had them. Singing in pubs. God, that's cool. I want to sing in a pub. With a bunch of drunk locals. We just don't do that. It would be really good for us as a nation if we got drunk and sang together more. We're just too big. There's no getting around it. Too many people, too much space.

2005-12-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

Blogger is apparently determined to prevent me from posting this photo. You can't stop a girl when she's determined. Ballet at age 11.

Take a stand, man, it's good for the soul

2005-12-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

After a long day of dealing with digital images, looking for news, dealing with the financials of the magazine, and almost doing ballet (see previous post), I stumbled onto Ted Chiang's statement on SF v. F in terms of science and magic on WithBoots and Hal Duncan's considered response. Plus debate with Cheryl at Emcit. Thank the gods for JV and his evil monkey.

In the end, I think Hal sums it up best.

Doesn't look like the sugar-plum fairy to me

2005-12-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

Tonight I got as close as I've been in eight years to going to a ballet class. Wacky.

Too much information: I danced pretty much as soon as I could walk. At the age of two or three I informed my family that my signal of waving my index finger in front of my face while blinking rapidly meant, "Be quiet and sit down. I'm going to dance now." (That's a family favorite to tell when company's over.) I studied ballet from the age of six, danced with the San Francisco Ballet School till the age of sixteen when I ripped the cartilage in the metatarsal joint of my right big toe, effectively ended my career. I could pretty much do anything except for ballet, the one thing I really felt called to. A three-or-so year depression followed, the launching of my goth persona, and the beginnings of a budding vocalist career. Follow restaurant jobs, some stucco work, university, bands, motorcycles, Mexico, adventure...

Despite misgivings, I started doing modern dance in my twenties. I spent several years in Santa Cruz dancing sometimes twice daily and was the principal dancer in a small modern company, while completing my degree in Lit and playing in an alt-rock band in San Francisco. Recognizing the pending vulnerability of doing dance again seriously, (for better or worse) I decided to concentrate on my music, moved back to the Bay Area where my band was based, and gave up on dance entirely. It's very hard to do something you've dedicated your life to previously as a hobby or sport.

The band imploded after six years, despite moderate fame, a CD, some touring, etc. Two years of just and only work (bartending, managing restaurant) and pondering grad school. Despondent feelings of dumbing down. Cue job opening at Locus.

So here I am, thirty-five, magazine editor, completely out of shape and considering going to a beginning adult ballet class at Berkeley Ballet Theater. Could only find one ballet shoe. Stymied. Fah. So I'm having another tequila, and figuring out where to buy new ballet shoes. Try and stop me.

Will post ridiculous photo of self doing ballet at awkward age of eleven.

O Christmas Tree

2005-12-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Went out and got me a Christmas tree today. It's cool. I can't remember the last time I had one. Alan Beatts and I were talking on the phone the other day and he confessed his fondness for Christmas. Have to say, I suffer from the same. The smell of the tree in the living room, the lights, the fire in the fireplace on chilly nights -- it's all really lovely.

Even better, today is the first day in two weeks that I haven't been sick. For Pete's sake, that's just not fair. But it's over and I'm ready to go back to having a life past work and sleep. Most of my day has been spent color balancing digital photos for the World Fantasy spread. I have about 35 to go, it takes about 10-15 minutes each. Hooboy. I'll confess the tequila makes the work a little less painful -- my apologies in advance to anyone who turns out more chartreuse than intended, but it's Sunday, I'm finally not sniffling anymore and celebration was in order. It's not all bad -- going through photos of what was a really enjoyable weekend. I don't usually get to hang out and meet people at cons. Too much work to do. But Madison was different.

Mum is home from visiting the family in Australia. My sister and I talk on the phone once or twice a day when she's not around. She's really the anchor of our family. Even at 35 (:0) I feel a bit adrift when she's out of reach like that.

Still reeling about the Sci Fiction news. It's such a knock to short fiction to have that visible and well paying a venue taken away from the field.

It's not all that bad, really

2005-12-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I had a great day on Friday.

The effervescent Laurel Winter is in town. I took her to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach, which were wonderful for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being the weather turned and it was beautiful. A much-needed distraction from my workload.

My feline scientist continues his series of experiments, the most recent of which involves lugging around an antique glass doorknob. I haven't quite derived the process he is using or his desired results, but expect enlightenment soon.

Totally engrossed in THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES.

NEARLY PEOPLE's ending knocked me for a loop so I plan on reading the last 30 pages again.

Started RIVER OF GODS by Ian McDonald. I've enjoyed his previous works and am looking forward to this one, so well recommended.

And the liquid amber trees are running red now -- fanfuckingtastic. Will post photo, though effect does not translate.

Oh Joy, A Day Off

2005-12-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

Being the (mostly) dutiful wiff I am, I climbed out of bed at 6:45am to make coffee and join the hub in the shower. Usually I make breakfast, too, but beg off that duty when I don't have to go to work. So I climbed back into bed to have a wee sleep-in, only to be roused by hub's hubbub in the kitchen. In my bleary half-awake state I had neglected to put the pot in position in the coffee machine -- very bad idea. Fortunately for me, the machine is at least one tick brighter than I am, and turned itself off. So I amended the sitch, decided I really needed to go back to bed and start the day over in a half hour or so.

The cats, lovely though they are, are engaged in some kind of ongoing sport tourney which sounds like a rugby match as they fly through the rooms, and one of the goals (which have varying locations throughout the house) was apparently next to my head on the pillow this morning. So I gave up and got dressed. The rest of my morning, and probably some of the afternoon, will be spent in my old music studio at the Vulcan warehouse helping my ex-bandmate, who now lives in France, sort through the belongings she has in storage there, connected to her on Skype (she's in Toulouse). We'll have to see if it works or not, but I'm hopeful. Then on to editing the WFC report, and choosing photos for the spread.

It's pouring down rain. Depressing. I haven't blogged about our epic landscaping project in the backyard, but will when it's closer to done. Suffice to say, we dug a big square hole about 15 x 20 feet (and 2 ft. deep), which is now filling with rainwater and making a large mudbox right outside our kitchen door. And we have two 50-some pound dogs that are left out when no one is home (or else Sasha, the catahoula, gets in to trouble - books are a favorite chewtoy, among other things). DIY is slow and cumbersome sometimes, so despite our best efforts, we did not beat the rainy season.

Trombis

2005-11-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

Reading: THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES, by Charlie Stross
NEARLY PEOPLE, by Conrad Williams

Ole

2005-11-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Ole's experiments in the dogs' water dish continue. Various cat toys, a dollar bill, receipts, plant cuttings -- apparently anything smaller than a tennis ball is fair game. These are in queue: the toy mouse has already been in and out, and the plant is waiting.

Turkey and sniffles

2005-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

Had an early Thanksgiving the Saturday before the real thing, at Z'boss's house with Michael & Linda Moorcock. They're a hoot. Good fun was had by all.
Then spent a leisurely Sunday escorting Deb Biancotti and Trevor Stafford with Mz'melia around San Francisco's Mission District. Did a wee bookstore jaunt, visited Alan and Jeremy at Borderlands, caught a reading, hung out drinking beer with Cheryl Morgan, and then had a fantabulous Mexican dinner replete with margaritas. Finished up at Zeitgeist for a last drink and then made our way back to the East Bay. Thankful they didn't want to see all the typical tourist stuff; we had a great time, and I've probably done the Alcatraz tour a dozen times in my life with visiting relatives.
Ended up catching the bug that Trevor had. Damn. Spent the whole weekend alternating between Theraflu (yetch) and tea, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, in a sea of crumpled tissues. Still feeling murky, heavily dosed up with Day- or Nyquil, depending on the time of day.

World Fantasy

2005-11-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

It's taken me forever to get back to this blog on World Fantasy.
I had a fabulous time.

Z'boss, Jonathan, and I flew into Chicago on Wednesday, rented a van, and drove to Madison. It was just a long slow sunset most of the drive, and gorgeous countryside. The first night we met up with Garth Nix and a few of the Aussie contingent for dinner. Garth is an endlessly nice guy. He hosted many late nights in his suite with the Locus crowd and others, and always had good wine and Armagnac at the ready. Thursday, my birthday, started our heavy schedule of interviews and meetings, but we got away for an Thai lunch with Graham Joyce, whose accent the waitress couldn't understand, which led to me having giggle fits as he tried over and over to get her to understand him. That night the Aussies threw their party in one of the con suites. Jonathan, Mz'melia, and Gary got a cake for me for my 35th, and the whole room sang "Happy Birthday". It took a large glass of wine to get past the keen desire to disappear into the wallpaper, but I was happy that my birthday hadn't come and gone unnoticed. Bonus birthday card sporting naked rollerskaters and signed by many friends.

Got to see a bit of Gary Wolfe interviewing Peter Straub. Other than that, no programming for me, too many meetings/interviews. Would have like to have seen some readings. The Locus Foundation had its board meeting, which I attended to take the minutes as I had last year, but then was voted onto the board -- that was a shocker. It makes sense, and I feel honored, but it wasn't something I expected.

The weekend flew by. The dealers' room was small, but packed. Meetings were successful; as always, there is so much information to take in. Everyone has different priorities and goals, and while we all want the field to expand and shine, there are so many different theories on how to achieve that. The parties felt more social than last year; having one party floor makes the whole thing one big shindig. Got to hang out with Jay Lake; the Night Shade boys -- Jason and Jeremy (love my Night Shade posse shirt!); John, Lou, Chris & Allison; Kelly & Gavin. Met the talented Conrad Williams, Paolo Bacigalupi, Ebear, some new authors (one of whom is practically my neighbor); the list goes on.

I really didn't have any idea what Madison would be like. It's a funny mix of college town and capitol, suits in the day and tipsy students at night. The capitol building is full of gilded carved balustrades, painted ceilings, and marble columns; I stole away for a half hour with a con buddy to climb up into the rotunda and out onto its balcony. From there you can see the whole city and the two lakes on either side of it. Friday night late ended in one of those memorable late-night conversations, watching the water hyacinth float on Lake Mendota, till the cold sunk in deep and we had to bolt shivering back to the hotel.

One of the highlights of the weekend was friend John Picacio winning the award for Best Artist at the banquet on Sunday. Truly proud of him and pleased that he is being recognized for the talent that he is. Needless to say, there was much whooping and hollering when his name was announced as the winner.

And then the con was over. The last day was spent, as Mz'melia put it so memorably, "somewhere between dumb and falling down," due to exhaustion. Driving back to Chicago, we saw a "Cheese gifts * Fireworks * Gas" sign, and had to stop. Picked up some cheese curds for the hub (who hails from a teeny town outside of Green Bay). Happy to be home, but looking forward to next year already.

35, already?

2005-10-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

Reading: PRETTIES, by Scott Westerfeld
THE HIDDEN FAMILY, by Charles Stross

My 35th birthday will be during World Fantasy. It could be really fun, or a total non-event, we'll have to see. The hub is a wee bit bent that I won't be around, but he's learning that these things are important to me. Very excited that John Picacio is up for the award -- keeping fingers crossed. Wish I could make the IHG, but too many plans already.
My cat Ole has taken up experimenting with the water dish -- so far he has put an empty TP roll, his collar, and a cork in, just to see what happens. Wacky.

Scott's YAs are entertaining-- it's refreshing to see some YA SF instead of just fantasy. The market is SO saturated with magic and fluff, we really needed some SF. And they are a zippy read that can be done in one session, which I really appreciate with all the stuff I have been trying to get to.
Finally got to start THE HIDDEN FAMILY. I really enjoy Charlie's writing style, but dread cliff hangers on principle. Addendum: Just finished it and was happy that it resolved several of the plot points, even though there is a third following.

2005-10-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Reading: LIGHT, by M. John Harrison
UGLIES, by Scott Westerfeld

Heading toward a crazy weekend. Building up to WFC. So many meetings, and so many people I want to see.
Why haven't I read Mike Harrison before? He's got a whipchain sort of style that works for me; flung me into the plot at full speed.

Pratfall?

2005-10-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Reading: Adventure: Vol. 1, Chris Roberson, ed.
Glass Soup, by Jonathan Carroll

Well, it's been an interesting few weeks. Z'boss took a spill picking up Terry Pratchett at his hotel, and though we had a good visit, he was out of commission for two weeks in a wheelchair -- not an easy time for anyone. But he's back in action now.
Neil Gaiman came by, the day he hit the NY Times & PW lists at number one. He's pretty smooth, that one, especially in the spotlight. He read his book THE DAY I SWAPPED MY DAD FOR TWO GOLDFISH to our youngest minion, age five, and ended up with the whole staff gathered around listening.

Enjoying ADVENTURE. Some of the stories have a familiar feel, like a lost, favorite hat put on again. It's an interesting mix.
GLASS SOUP is like revisiting my early twenties when I read everything I could find by Milan Kundera -- loss in some shade runs through every bit of the story, even with the sort of wry humor he uses. And it's slightly cold, a little analytical, but I care what happens to the characters. Read OUTSIDE THE DOG MUSEUM recently as well, but must get to WHITE APPLES, even if it's the wrong order.

Oh, the pain...

2005-09-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

One more thing...
Z'boss has taken a spill and sprained his knee. Sympathy welcome.

Mmmm, more photos from Glasgow

2005-09-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Worldcon 2005, Glasgow

2005-09-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the Worldcon in Glasgow, Scotland. Still reeling from jetlag.
Things I learned:
1. Scottish food is different. That's me being diplomatic, if you didn't catch the tone. Haggis tastes like sausage, but looks like hamster droppings. And customer service is a creature they haven't heard of.
2. Whiskey can be drunk at all times of day there. I approve.
3. Edinburgh is a beautiful city and the Scottish are a friendly people by nature, though sometimes impossible to understand, common language or no.
4. Glasgow feels a bit like LA -- the saying being, "There is no there, there."
5. Folks in the UK take programming more seriously than I have experienced in the States. Every panel I attended was packed, and attendees were attentive and engaged.

I had a great time. Met some UK editors, publishers, and agents. Had great discussions about the state of SF and where it may be headed. Saw Lou, Chris, and John, three of my favorite con cohorts, but did not get to spend enough time with Alan, Jude, or Graham. Same to be said for Justine & Scott, also con buddies. Met China and his sidekick Jesse, and was pleasantly surprised to find out he's exquisitely friendly. Went to a few serious panels analyzing SF; John Clute and Gary Wolfe in turn agreed and disagreed in an entertaining conversation which held over an extra half hour.

Best of all, I got to meet up with someone I had not seen for 15 years. My friend Abi and I together had written the first chapters to what was going to be our epic fantasy novel in ninth grade. We were good friends, and close, but it wasn't so apparent till I came to stay at her house in Edinburgh, the weekend before the Con. We practically still finish each other's sentences. We thoroughly creeped out her hub who at one point said, "Stop it, you're freaking me out." Both of us, however, fled, more than moved, past high school, and in the process abandoned all previous friendships. I didn't actually realize how nice it is to have someone who went through those sort of formative times with you. Who understands something more integral than just what you do for a living and what you got your degree in. I couldn't have asked for a better time with her and her family, and was thoroughly impressed by where she has taken herself in life.

people I google:

2005-09-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

I wonder what they are up to, where they have ended up...

daria cuthbertson, congrats?
lydia bednerik
price bennett
dean arima
josh kirshenbaum
doug mcdonald
alexandre french quinville
michelle bonds
among others...

2005-06-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

Me
So, the update on me -- I am an editor at a magazine covering science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I am married, have two dogs, two cats, and am currently a brown belt in Shao-lin Kenpo Karate. I am not playing music anymore, though I still have a soundtrack going in my head 24/7. If you know me from before, contact me -- I love to find out what people are up to. That's why I've posted this blog.

Here I am. Yes, it's me.

2005-06-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well, that's how the song goes, anyway. One must begin somewhere.