a miscellany

There are several things I want to talk about today, and (per usual) not a lot of time for me to do it in, thanks to the sheer madness that work has been lately. Ah, well. I suppose I should expect it.
Anyway. First. I know that the struggling economy has really sucker-punched a lot of people over the last year or so. Particularly, I think, people who try to make a living from their art. What really gives me hope is how people respond to their current hardship. Two examples are Cat Valente and Dawn Taylor. Cat has started a serial novel online, and you can donate whatever amount you feel appropriate each week when she posts a new section. Dawn has an etsy shop where you can buy fresh homemade chocolate and marshmallows, and S'mores kits! I love it when people get creative and do whatever they can do with their talents to help themselves. Beyond that, as fellow writers/artists/etc., we all need to do everything we can do to help each other out during rough times like now. So, everyone, go do some reading! Order some chocolate! Save the Artists!
Next, and also on a serious note, I just found out that David Eddings passed away at the beginning of June. This news really saddened me. His Belgariad and Mallorean contributed in a big way to me becoming the avid fantasy reader/writer that I am. I don't remember how I discovered his books, but I do remember that I was only twelve or so when I started with Pawn of Prophecy. I still have my battered mass-market copies of his books. They've been well loved over the years. I, in my turn, have used his books (among others) to turn other people on to epic fantasy. He was a good writer with some interesting ideas and some great characters. I always loved how he didn't leave out the more humane, humbling moments in his books. People want showers. They say the wrong thing sometimes. They doubt themselves. They get hungry. They want. His characters seemed so human to me, even the larger-than-life ones such as Polgara, Belgarath, Garion . . . Not to mention the gods he created. Just . . . good fantasy. And now there won't be any new David Eddings fantasy ever again, and that makes me sad. The up-and-coming generation of fantasy writers have some big shoes to fill. And David, wherever you are, I hope your journey to the Summer Country is a pleasant one.
I have more to say, but since it's time to go, it'll have to wait for another time. Have a good night!

Summer!

Happy summer solstice, everyone! It's rainy and a little on the brisk side today, but I still plan on celebrating summer, hopefully with ritual and a good bottle of wine. And cherries. I hope everyone has a lovely day!

Relaxing Friday

Well, today was perfectly lovely. I had blueberry pancakes for breakfast, with tea. I read for a while, went for a run, worked on my book, did some tidying, worked on a freelance project for a couple hours, and had dinner with my partner-in-crime. And balanced my checkbook. I know that makes it sound busy, but it was really a leisurely, lovely Friday. Oh! And I got my hair cut, too. I haven't done that since October, so it was a real treat. The shampoo boy gave me a divine scalp massage while washing my hair. . . .
Two books to report on:
First, So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson. She read a book a week, for a year, and wrote a book about it. I was really excited to read this one, but was a little let down by the content. I had the impression that she was going to discuss the books she read, but that wasn't the emphasis at all. Instead, she talked about what was happening in her life when she read the books; what led her to choose the books she did; how to deal with it when you don't like your friend's writing; what happens when you don't like a book that someone you're close to recommended; etc. So it was a fun read, but not at all what I expected. Not a keeper for me.
Second: The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner. This is serious historical fiction about a Jewish midwife who is persecuted by a Spanish Inquisitor and saved by a Catholic priest. I really enjoyed it. The characters are strong, the historical background quite interesting, and the writing is good. Well worth reading. This is not for the weak of heart or stomach, however; there are some fairly graphic sex scenes and torture scenes. But the politics, the subterfuge, and the forbidden love are all totally fascinating. This is not a keeper for me, not for any lack in the book, simply because I don't tend to reread works like this. Definitely good!
So that's books twenty-four and twenty-five. Think I can make it to fifty by the end of the year? I don't see why not!
Anyway. It's late; I should get to bed. I'll try to post more in a day or too.

a grayish dawning light

This morning on my walk to the subway the light had that weird sharp, flat, bright quality that precedes a good storm. Beautiful, beautiful. The rain really started coming down just as I reached the train. Part of me wished I could stay outside and dance in the spring rain for a while, but the rest of me picked up my feet and walked up the stairs to the subway. Sigh.
I think this morning's shower was leftover from the immense thunderstorm that rolled through sometime in the darkest hours of last night. Around two in the morning, or maybe it was closer to three, I awoke to an immense crash of thunder. It was so loud, I swear I thought the thundercloud had become snared on the roof of the building and sunk to street level. The lightning was so bright it must have struck in the alley just outside the window. It was so bright that I had afterimages glowing on the insides of my eyelids. Which just made the darkness that much darker. My partner-in-crime had been watching Hellboy when I went to sleep last night, so in my half-awake state I was seeing flashes of the movie play out in the darkness between lightning flashes.
It was pretty intense.
And it was a very long night.
Today's been decent. Pretty quiet. I mean, tons of work, but quiet as in no drama, no fuss over anything. Just steadily slogging my way through things. Which is good.
I'm still working on finding a better sense of balance in my life. When I started freelancing again after time off for my wrist, I immediately started doing a lot of it. So I'm behind on my novel. Plus there were a couple of weekends in there that involved going out too much, so I've swung the pendulum back and am now being a bit of a hermit again. Hmmm. There's got to be a middle ground, instead of a steady swing. I guess I just need to keep working at it.
I just read online that Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer are dating. My first reaction was WTF? But then I stopped and thought about it. And the idea seems odd at first, but then if you tilt your head just the right way it all makes sense and becomes a beautiful thing. (How many of us would love to have a partner that crazy talented? I know I would!) (Nothing personal against the one I've got. I'm just saying . . . )
Anyway. One more blog to hit, and then it's time to get ready to go for the evening. I hope everyone is enjoying the stormy weather!

for your amusement

Well, I can't figure out how to make it bigger. Hopefully you can enjoy it as is!

today

This morning, what I really wanted was a leisurely stroll through the farmers' market, followed by a cup of English Breakfast tea and some fresh strawberries at home. An hour or two with a book, some time writing, a long walk in the park, and maybe an episode of Buffy. Instead, I spent all day in my (non-air-conditioned) office, working and daydreaming.
Some days, I do seriously consider self-employment.
Momentarily I'm heading to a friend's place for some work/hang-out time. Then work tomorrow. And then . . . my first summer Friday off! Yes! I'm really looking forward to it. A whole quiet day at home. Of course, I'll spend the majority of it freelancing, but who cares? At least I'll be able to have that cup of tea, and spend some time in the park if I want. (And watch that episode of Buffy!) Can't wait.
My summer is going to be quiet, I think, for the most part. Some beach trips, a weekend or two in Connecticut, that's probably about it. How about you? Anybody out there have some amazign summer plans to share?
Well, I'd best be off. I'll be back here soon, don't worry!

lunch break quickie

I'm having carrots and beets for lunch today. Tasty! And should probably be working while I eat, not writing, but c'est la vie. Two more books on the list:
Piano by James Barron. It follows one Steinway concert grand through the entire process of being made. If you have a mechanical interest in music, then this is a great book. Lots of interesting information. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not keeping it. I don't need to follow that piano through its birthing process again.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. This book is beautiful, and sad, and lyrical, and heartrending. I cried. It's a brilliant love story with a sad yet optimistic ending. If you want to read something that will really tug on your heartstrings, read this. Especially the last hundred pages or so. This is really a book to be read slowly, to be savored. Great language, and amazing characters; it's fascinating to watch their relationships unfold. I don't even know what else to say about this book. Everyone, go out and read it! Audrey just recently signed a contract for her second book. I can't wait to see what it's like. Let me say, though, that this is not an easy read. There is some serious angst, and some difficult times, and a lot of loneliness in this book. It's not for the fainthearted. But for the sheer beauty of the romance, I highly, highly recommend it.
Oh, and just to let you all know, I did buy that art print that was in my list in my previous entry. Nothing else yet, but rest assured, the T-shirt will happen.
One brief thing about the Twilight books, before I get back to work. I was just reading a review of the books online, and came across a passage that says these books "are -- in essence and most particulars -- romance novels, and despite their gothic trappings represent a resurrection of the most old-fashioned incarnation of the genre. They summon a world in which love is passionate, yet (relatively) chaste, girls need be nothing more than fetchingly vulnerable, and masterful men can be depended upon to protect and worship them for it." I found that really interesting. There's been some hubbub about the underlying Mormon principles, and how controlling Edward is, but I'd never thought of this. The reviewer is really saying that they're just written the way romances used to be written, instead of how they're written now. And I think he's right.
And now, several offsets to get through, so I'm off. Ta!