Eagles Over the Kennebec

So!  Steve and I spent Wedding Anniversary Number 32 in New Brunswick.  Our lodgings were directly on the Miramichi River, and quite pleasant.

It was low-profile anniversary, more relaxicon than worldcon.  We walked, we ate, we napped, we played Scrabble, we listened to music.  Excepting the music, provided by my Little Red Sansa Clip jacked into a speaker-thingy, we were electron-free.  That?  Was splendid.

Our Celebratory Dinner was, of course, salmon, which was to die for.  For dessert, Steve went with pumpkin pie; I had warm apple crisp with ice cream.  Oh, my.  It's been years between apple crisps with ice cream. . .

We had been going to leave Miramichi yesterday and wander home via the river road,  by way of Bathurst, Dalhousie, and other Interesting Sites, staying a night on the road Downeast, if necessary.  That plan changed with the threat of a snowstorm coming up the river, as well as the nor'easter working its way up the USian East Coast.  We left very early in the brilliant morning, and drove home the way we'd gone in, via Route 8, the Way of the Fish*,  and beat the weather home.

The cats were pleased to see us, and participated in a viewing of David Niven's Around the World in 80 Days, which was kind of the Pirates of the Caribbean of its day, in terms of Big Names wanting to play.  Sadly, it was woodenly acted, but, in balance, very pretty to look at.

This morning, it's raining, having snowed and iced overnight. Hopefully, the lines will hold.

On the topic of  travel being broadening, I have been introduced to Miramichi traditional boiled mayonnaise, and donair sauce.  We stopped at Tim Horton's on the road, for coffee and a snack, and I was pleased to have a tea biscuit.  For some reason, Tim's in the US don't offer tea biscuits; they claim that American's don't "understand" them.  And truthfully, I don't claim to "understand" them, myself.  But they are good.

We came home to the information that Baen has scheduled the first of the two Liaden Universe® Constellations for a July 2013 release.  Rough art (note the error:  this is not a novel; it is a collection) here.

Today's plans include running the cat-eating machine and outlining a short story.  Also need to clear off the Mencken Table, so we can finish signing the tip-in sheets for Necessity's Child.

No, I don't know how we stand the unremitting glamor, either.

I hope everyone had a relaxing few days, or, if not, can see a relaxing few days in your near future.

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*The Scenic Roads in Canada (as in Maine, and in New Jersey, too) have graphics assigned to them, in order to make the route easier to find.  Highway 8, the River Route, has a purple fish as its icon.  Similarly, Route 11, the Valley Route, is the Way of the Fiddlehead.

As reported elsewhere, on Friday we made the pilgrimage to Bangor for the Book Festival.  Friday evening we gathered with the other participating authors at the Hammond Street Senior Center for wine and conversation.  We were greeted there by Johnny the Cat, the proprietor, who came out from under a table where he was keeping a Very Close Eye on those gathered, to give Steve a bump and then to flop down and show belly. 

The keynote was given by Richard Russo and Kate Russo.  They described the process of putting together their collaborative project, Interventions.  The project was the publication of four stories, by Richard, and four paintings, by Kate, Richard's daughter.  Their goal was to produce a book that couldn't easily be made into an ebook, that had numerous "moving parts," and which would demonstrate that "book" is a multidimensional experience.  For those interested, the "moving parts" include four individually bound stories in a slipcase.  Each story has the painting relating to it inside, but not bound in; it can be used as  a bookmark, and keeps the art in front of the reader as they move through the story.

The talk was enjoyable and informative, and Richard did me. . .the favor. . .of reminding me of Stevenson's "Windy Nights," which is now stuck in my head. 

Thanks a lot, Richard.

I'll mention that the weatherbeans were calling rain for Friday and Saturday.  We managed to dodge the bullet on Friday, but Saturday more than made up for it.  There were several early downpours, flash flooding, and rivers of muddy water flowing freely down Bangor's hilly streets. 

We sat in the car in the parking lot across from the library for about half-an-hour, waiting for the weather to let up. When it had, a little, we grabbed our bag of goodies and a umbrella, and picked our way across the liquid street.  Even with the umbrella, we were both soaked, so it was good we had some time to dry off before the group signings.

The rain had stopped completely by the time we were due to walk down to the Rock and Art Shop and give our talk, where we had a small, diverse group, including folks who had read our entire oeuvre, and folks who were just getting started.

If you're ever in Bangor, Maine?  Go the Rock and Art Shop.  Really.  And schedule some serious time there.

Steve had started to feel somewhat poorly -- still not done with the cold from hell, apparently -- so we did not stay in Bangor for the last, celebratory event, but opted to get home before it was dark (my night-sight has gone straight to heck).

In all, we had a great time, largely thanks to the help and patience of Gibran Graham, and Barbara McDade.

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So, after being feted and celebrated, today is about doing the laundry and getting my office straightened up. 

One of the things that's making my office quite so untidy are the piles of galley proofs from books long published.  I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and throw 'em out.  Then I have to decide what to do with the nice Brother laser printer that I took with me to Temp Headquarters so that I didn't have to deconstruct my entire home office in order to take the ink-jet with me.  The Brother is super, but, really, I don't need another printer in this office; I already have two.

Oh!  I should mention that there is a review of the Liaden Universe® Space Regency audiobooks over here.  (Liaden Universe® audiobooks from Audible US and from Audible UK.  This has been your obligatory author self-promotion.)

So!  What did y'all do this weekend?

It rained like a sonofagun all day.  No.  It POURED much of the day, with intermittent moments of mere rain.

Out of the downpour, then, at a Very Early Hour, came the painters.  They painted.  One of the things they painted was the ceiling and wall along the descent to the basement.  For this, since the basement stairs ceiling is a jillion feet high, a scaffolding was erected, including a plank for the painter to stand on while he painted the walls.

Socks, being the safety conscious supervisor that he is, immediately took it upon himself to walk the plank out to the far end, thus proving that it would adequately support a Really Big Guy.  He then marched back down the plank to the hallway, gave the painter, who had been properly waiting the end of inspection, a nice, 'round both ankles hug, and work went forth.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, the boss was ripping the hell out of the wallpaper.  Sigh.  I've hated that wallpaper for years.

Into all this busyness came the electrician, who inspected the (relatively minor) problem of having to move an outlet in the bathroom, and the (rather more complex) problem of the crossed wiring in the bedroom.  He intends to return tomorrow, or perhaps Monday, to do what he does best.

Over on Facebook Lauretta posted this link, which I think is pertinent to the repair situation as it unfolds.

The Claims Officer called to let us know that a check has been sent to the Remediation Guy, covering his costs in full.  Another, very much smaller check, will be in the mail to us tomorrow. 

Late in the day, the auction went over, and the Green Folder is as I type packed up and ready to embark on the journey to its new home, tomorrow.

The inventorying continues.  Found a whole stack of soggy cardboard boxes today.  And this is after things are dry.

So, the glamor.

Regarding the writing life and the recurring topic of why writers drink...I had meant to point to this a couple days ago, but for some reason, I forgot.

Here, read.  I'll wait.

Back?  Was that a good read, or what?

Now, what this is, is that Hachette Publishing is demanding that its authors accept DRM on their ebooks.  What a surprise, right?  But the wrinkle here is?  They're also demanding that Hachette authors demand that any other publisher those authors may publish with ALSO DRM those authors' books.

Which is crazy.  I mean, first of all, what publisher listens to authors in matters of line, sales, and marketing?  Clearly Hachette doesn't, or they'd've dumped DRM some time back.  And?  Who died and left Hachette Emperor of the Publishing Universe?  They're going to force other publishers (by which, in this instance, Hachette chiefly means "Tor") to abide by Hachette's demands -- how, exactly?

But!  Hachette doesn't care.  Their threat is to its authors:  Make this so, or suffer the consequences.  I have spoken; go.

I really don't know what I'd do if I was a Hachette author.  Besides, yanno, lay in a whole lot of wine.  Direct my agent to pull my Hachette titles?  Direct my agent to pull my titles with That Other Publisher?  Go back to college and take a degree in accounting?

Wouldn't it be lovely to sit in a comfortable room, with a cat or two to hand, and a window looking out onto a scene you find inspiring, and just. . .write books, leaving the world and all it's craziness on the far side of the door?

Yeah, that's gonna happen.

G'night.

Lots of excitement here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory today.

First, two boxes of this arrived:

My photography skills being what they are, you can't really see it well -- but! the view screen is actually silvered, and Theo's hand stands out almost in 3D.  Very cool cover!

In other news, Truth triumphed in a small but important way today.  Not, unfortunately, before I had given myself a headache over the whole thing, but triumph is good.  And the filing got done, too.

I don't think I mentioned that, yesterday, Steve interviewed Kevin Collins, the narrator of the Books of Before (Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon, Balance of Trade) as part of a special giveaway Audible has up its sleeve.  Tomorrow, I'll be interviewing Andy Caploe, the narrator of the Agent of Change Sequence, and Steve will be interviewing Eileen Stevens, who narrates the Theo Waitley books.

Carousel Sun proceeds at a stately pace.  One of Kate's immediate problems, of course, is to find a replacement for the carousel horse that's gone missing.  Which means she's going to have to come up with something that's different, in style and in age, from the rest of the animals on the carousel.  It struck me that this is a dilemma that many of the restored carousels must have -- if all the animals from the old, say, PTC* machine haven't been recovered, or cannot be restored, they may have to fill in with Dentzel animals, or even new-made animals.  So, what you'll have is mixed carousels -- all vintage, but not necessarily original to that particular machine.  That's an odd thing to think about, that. . .mixing of styles and kinds.  It had used to be, of course, that each company's machines were recognizable.  That's not necessarily so, anymore.

Well.  I suppose we're lucky that there are any old wooden carousels at all, not to mention people who are willing to keep them.

And on that note, I believe I'll go find some aspirin and a coon cat.

Everybody have a good night.

Progress on Carousel Sun
17,275/100,000  OR 17.27% complete

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*PTC = Philadelphia Toboggan Company

Just a short check-in, then, instead of a more extended blog post.

I had a lovely chat with the narrator of the Books of Before; we said words back and forth to each other and it was fun.

Then, I baked bread.  This was not really an. . .optimum day to bake bread, but -- needs must, and washed the dishes.

Work on Carousel Sun goes forth, but slowly.  This is because I have to keep fact-checking -- something I never have to do with the Liaden books -- and continuity checking -- Liaden books require a lot more continuity checking, there being a lot more Liaden books than Archers Beach books, but -- jeez.  I want to be flying and I need to take baby steps.

Well.  Progress is progress.  She said firmly.

Progress on Carousel Sun
3,942/100,000 OR 3.94% complete

​Not just things you'd expect, like manual typewriters and button-hooks, Turkey carpets, pickle barrels, ancient weathervanes, skeleton keys, glass insulators from telephone poles, and yellowed china bowls painted with pink flowers.

I have signed my name 600 times today.  I am not pleased about this, and expect to be less pleased tomorrow when my right hand takes its revenge.

Also?  It's raining, and I have a headache.

Bitch, bitch, bitch, right?

Well, not entirely.

My rocket ship night-light-emergency-light-flashlight arrived in today's mail.  It's Very Cool.  Here, judge for yourself:

I adore the little space guy waving out of his porthole.

Over on Facebook, someone suggested that the Tree-and-Dragon be affixed to (the non-space-guy) side of the rocket.  It just so happens that I have some Tree-and-Dragon stickers of an appropriate size left over from WorldCon.  Hmmm...

For those interested, I now have a Pinterest account -- here.  Feel free to follow, repin, and all like that.

Now, I'm going to go pour myself a glass of wine, and stare moodily at the to-do list.

I hope your day went as planned.

The rest of the day is shaping up this way:

1. Throw Dragon Ship proofs into FedEx box
2. Check mail
3. Go to physical therapy
4. Pick Socks up from hospital, Bast willing
5. Make fixes to “Landed Alien” and send to Madame the Editor
6. Prep for talk with first narrator, scheduled for tomorrow, noonish

Um…lunch. Gotta schedule lunch in there, somewhere.

I’ll see y’all later.

So, today.

Early, I went to the gym for the first time since I tumbled down the hill and did in my ankle, and noodled out a new, low-ankle-stress workout with Justin, who seems to be expecting that things like therapy and follow-up visits and other niceties never mentioned by my physician ought to be happening. Guess I have a phone call to make tomorrow. In the meantime, as Tricia Bray predicted — recumbent bike for the win! Also some upper-body work that’s all pretty much what I’d been doing before the fall.

After gym, I hit the post office, the banks, and the grocery store, came home and sat on the couch for an hour with my foot elevated. Icing also happened, and Mozart was pleased. (Begin Explanatory Note: Not, you understand, because Mozart is a particular fan of ice per se. But he does know that if I have an ice bag on my ankle, I’m rendered immobile for a Specific Amount of Time. The lap-sitting opportunity presented by this is what pleases Mozart. End Explanatory Note)

After lunch, I dove head-first into the excitement of changing various accounts to reflect the fact that Bank of America sent me a new credit card, or more accurately, assigned me a new credit card number, because the one I’d had for, oh, nine years I guess, has been compromised. What fun.

That done, and as always a sucker for adrenaline, I then paid bills, and tinked around on korval.com

For those who are still with me, and who are of an archival turn of mind — would you mind going here and looking at the list of conventions at which we’ve been GoHs and Special Guests. I think I may be missing a few, and it’s not outside of the realm of possibility that I have misremembered that we were GoHs at SuchACon when in fact we were plain-vanilla panelists.

Thanks much.

Now, I’m for doing the dishes and getting some lunch. Steve caught a cold at Boskone, so I’ll see if I can get him early to bed. . .

Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.

Remodeling Report

The painters have finished their part of the puzzle, and have departed, cash in hand.

The deck arrived in safe mode last night — decking, stairs (with bannisters!), and a rudimentary rail.  Today, the guys are working on putting in the balusters, setting up the supports for the roof, and fixing the. . .untidiness that came from ripping the old deck out of the vinyl siding.  There was a brief, bright rumor suggesting that the roof would also be done this weekend, but…alas.

Tomorrow morning, Steve and I will go see the floor guy.  Might be we can get the new floors in next week or the week after.  Still looking at Thanksgiving for the Makeover to be complete.

This part of the makeover to be complete.

Rolanni Does Exercise

As reported elsewhere, I survived my first visit to the gym.  In about an hour, I walked two miles, and did what are probably pretty minor exercise sets on various bits of equipment with names like Ab Builder, Chest Press, Lateral Pull Down, Leg Press, and my hands-down favorite, the V-Crunch.

While I’m pretty sure that I’m going to regret all this virtue tomorrow, I hope to have forgotten the aftermath by Monday, so that I can go in for Session Two.

State of the Cats

Mozart is in his hammock in the living room, Ignoring the deck crew.  Scrabble is in the rocker in my room, ditto.

Potential Tragedies

It would appear that, in all the excitement, I have misplaced the Calendar that Rules.  This is potentially very tragic, indeed, but I can’t seem to work up a screaming fit of panic about it.  Somebody take care of that for me, ‘k?

Discovered Awesomenesses

A postcard addressed to Steve Miller of the Owings Mills Millers, date-stamped Portland ORE 3 Apr 1988:  Dear Steve & Sharon — Bravo! Bravi! I look forward to Reading You!!  Cheers from Ursula — which had fallen behind a bookshelf, and was rescued by the Magic of Remodeling.

Deliveries Delivered

Steve’s canvas shirt from Cabela’s and my awesome Clearance Sale denim-lined-with-fleece shirt (honest to Ghu, $20?  I shoulda bought two.) have arrived and have been found Satisfactory.

DVDs:  The Last Starfighter (25th Anniversary Edition!) , Short Circuit (because, yanno, Number Five is alive!)

Deliveries Outstanding

“Off the Grid,” Abney Park’s newest CD.

Tasks in Process

The laundry has grown teeth and a tail.  Steve waded in and began with the slaying this morning.    He also made us a tasty spaghetti dinner.  Mmmmm, spaghetti.

Lee and Miller Upcoming Appearances

We’ll be giving a talk at Bowdoin College on Thursday, November 17, and! (because we’re insane) we agreed to participate in a Maine Writers Group Booksigning at Longfellow Bookstore in the Old Port on November 25, aka Black Friday.

Writers Doing Crazy Things

What’re y’all looking at me for?

With 9 days to go! C.E. Murphy’s Kickstarter Campaign to fund the writing of the Walker Papers novella “No Dominion,” has $11,799 in pledges.  Not too bad for an original $4,000 goal, eh?  But wait!  She’s just $201 shy of a bonus level that would put a limited, signed trade paper edition of “No Dominion” plus the bonus companion stories triggered by previous bonus levels.  Go over and take a look, why not?

As many of you know, the third book in Laura Anne Gilman’s Vineart War series came out just last month.  (If you haven’t read these, you really should — Flesh and Fire, Weight of Stone, The Shattered Vine.)  However, Laura Anne found, as authors often do, that there are more stories in the universe than there was room for, in the novels.  And there’s one very compelling, very important, story that she’d really like to tell you.  “From Whence You Came” is the name of the proposed novella.  If you want to know more, you want to go here.

Musicians Doing Ditto

Frenchy and the Punk’s BIG Music Project, to produce two CDs of their work, surpassed the $4,590 goal.  But!  They only asked for half the cost of producing the CDs.  The whole cost would be $9,180, and they’re a slim $450 from funding the whole project.  Their campaign goes over on Monday, November 7, so you need to act quick if you want to be a patron of this fine duo.

Writing in Process

Dragon Ship, sequel to Ghost Ship
Necessity’s Child, sequel to nothing, a Tree-and-Surebleak story
“The Space at Tinsori Light,” short story destined for Splinter Universe

Writing Waiting in the Wings

Trade Secret, sequel to Balance of Trade
An as-yet-untitled-short-story for the Baen website in July

What was on that 3.5 inch disk, anyway?

The Mystery Disk described earlier this week proves to contain what is probably a Very Early Draft of Carpe Diem.  There are chapters that never got used, and some chapters which didn’t get used in Carpe Diem, but did, in Plan B.

. . .I think that’s caught everybody up.

What’s happening in your neck of the woods?

Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.