Reading: THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES, by Charlie Stross
NEARLY PEOPLE, by Conrad Williams
Monday, November 28, 2005
Ole
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.
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.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Turkey and sniffles
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.
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.
Monday, November 14, 2005
World Fantasy
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.
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.
Monday, October 24, 2005
35, already?
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.
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.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Pratfall?
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.
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.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Worldcon 2005, Glasgow
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.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
people I google:
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...
daria cuthbertson, congrats?
lydia bednerik
price bennett
dean arima
josh kirshenbaum
doug mcdonald
alexandre french quinville
michelle bonds
among others...
Friday, June 10, 2005
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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.
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