In which Winter arrives and the tank is dry

This morning, we arose from our rosy bower to an outside temperature of 16F/-9C and an inside temperature of 61F/16C.  We turned the thermostat up to 69F/21C, Steve started breakfast; I fed Mozart his breakfast; we sat down to eat; finished up; had a second cup of coffee and. . . it was still sorta cool in the house.

Steve looked at the thermostat, which was set on 69F but still reporting the whole-house temp of 61F.  It then dawned on both of us that we hadn't heard the furnace actually come on, so Steve went downstairs to see if we had a malfunction.  The good news?  The furnace appears in good working order, as far as we can tell without it actually, yanno, coming on.  And the reason it hasn't come on is?

We're out of oil.

Completely out of oil.

I'm trying to remember if this has ever happened to us before.  Certainly, it hasn't happened in the 24-or-so years we've been in this house, thanks to the wonders of automatic delivery.

Thinking back, now, I'm not remembering a delivery in. . .a couple months.  Which is what I'll settle with Dead River Company on Monday (oh, joy!  a phone call.), since they've certainly been remembering to bill us every month.  For today, we called the Emergency Number, which isn't easy to find, and have now spoken with Gary the Emergency Delivery Guy, who will be over "directly" to fill us up.

In other news, I have in my inbox this morning not one, not two, but THREE reminders from Various Organizations relating the joyous news that the open renewal period for ACA coverage starts today!  Which is lovely for them.  I?  Have no idea how we're going to figure out next year's health coverage, without having any idea what the final income figure for 2014 is.  We only have to cover Steve through July, when he transfers over to Medicare.  I suppose I can go without, if necessary, and pay the fine, though I really don't like to tempt fate quite that much. . .

Well.

Now to put all that behind me and get the heck to work.

Everybody stay warm.  And healthy.

Lee and Miller PhilCon Schedule

Below is our PhilCon schedule, insofar as it is currently known.  Last minute changes are possible, and should be expected.  If you're attending the convention, always check your pocket program for the Correct Information. Please note that, though the panels are listed as "1 hour" in con time that means "50 minutes."

Hope to see you there!

Lee and Miller PhilCon Schedule

SATURDAY, November 22

8:30 AM In the hotel restaurant  (this item will NOT appear in the pocket program)
Friends of Liad Breakfast
Join the Friends of Liad for breakfast. This is best likened to a family breakfast, where FoL catch up with each other and with Sharon and Steve. Each family member is responsible for placing and paying for their own order.

11:00 AM Consuite (1 hour)
Teddy Bear Tea, All Invited!
Hosts: Lord Black Cat, Toebear, Ur Sid, companions to Steve Miller and Sharon Lee
Many fans travel to conventions with their stuffed companions, companions who are usually cruelly left alone in the room while the fans go to panels and parties. The Teddy Bear Tea is a chance for the plushies to socialize with other travel minions – and for their human companions to socialize with other plushie fans. And eat cookies. Especially eat cookies. Please join us!

NOON in Executive Suite 623 (1 hour)
READING - STEVE MILLER

NOON in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?
Panelists: Sharon Lee (mod), Diane Weinstein, Peter Prellwitz, Meredith Schwartz
What do we mean by believablity in a fantasy or science fiction story? To what extent do stories require our belief? Do characters have to believe the story they are in?

1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
BELIEVABLE RELATIONSHIPS IN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
Panelists: Gregory Frost (mod), Rob Balder, Meredith Schwartz, Anastasia Klimchynskaya, Gail Z. Martin, Sharon Lee
How do you write relationships that don't just replay modern contemporary interactions and standards in fantastic settings?

3:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
DOES SCIENCE FICTION NEED TO LIGHTEN UP?
Panelists: Alex Shvartsman (mod), Brian Thomas, Berakha Lana Guggenheim, Steve Miller, Robert C Roman, Lee Gilliland
Has the genre become too serious and pretentious in recent years? Do too many writers feel they are philosophers and teachers?

4:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A (1 hour)
SHARON LEE AND STEVE MILLER - PRINCIPAL SPEECH

5:00 PM in Autograph Table (1 hour)
AUTOGRAPHS - SHARON LEE AND STEVE MILLER

SUNDAY, November 23

10:00 AM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
SEPARATING THE AUTHOR FROM THE WORK
Panelists: Muriel Hykes (mod), Sharon Lee, Peter Prellwitz, Oz Drummond
Many authors of great works have been lees than great human beings. Some have had racist, anti-semitic or extremist views. Should this color our perception of their work?

NOON in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
CREATING BELIEVABLE ALIENS
Panelists: Steve Miller (mod), Jack McDevitt, Tom Purdom, Lawrence M. Schoen, James L. Cambias
How does a writer create convincing extraterrestrial characters who are not just humans with funny make-up, but are clearly the product of a different environment and evolutionary history? How do you show an alien that can think as well as a man, but differently?

2:00 PM in Executive Suite 623 (1 hour)
READING - SHARON LEE