It's a Writing Thing

So yesterday, in the midst of two hours of crazy!insane work type stuff, I get an IM from oldcharliebrown, chief editor at Wildside. Mostly chit-chat, until the really really cool thing about orders for Matters of the Blood.


Him: Borders took 1200 copies.
Me: WOW
Him: Barnes and Noble took 900 copies.
Me: :-D

::chickwriter grins wildly::

Holy crap, all - I'm going to be in the chain stores!

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my lovely indies, especially Mysterious Galaxy and Mystery Loves Company. Both stores have been wonderful supporters. But try as they may, they can't deal in those kinds of numbers. I'm still in a bit of shock.

On Wednesday, I'm at the Alexandria Public Library with 3 other local authors. Olsson's ( another fine indie) ordered a case of my book (36). What's left over after the signing will be my author copies, so I'm dying to see it finally.

If you're in the area, feel free to stop by. It's a free event and I promise I won't force you to buy anything. ::g::

The weather has cleared up (thankfully!) but unfortunately, we didn't get to go to Paula Poundstone last night. Weather was much too risky, plus after the work insanity, I had a splitting sinus headache. Although, the news about the book went a long way to alleviate that.

Of the amusing: In my mail last night, I got a promo postcard for a new book: Whips of the West. Tracey, I swear, it's not what you think...no, really, I am so not lying. Evidently, since Chesapeake Crimes II, which I co-edited, is published by this press, I'm on the mailing list.

I'm going to have to keep this postcard.

In conclusion: 2 weeks until MJ!!!! 1 week until DS fannish weekend!!!!!

Because I am ten sorts of insane, I actually drove to the office this a.m., even though everyone else is either working from home or coming in late.

No, it's not really from some bizarre sense of OMGWORK! - but, truthfully, I'm taking Friday off to be with my writing peeps and doing a mini-retreat, plus Monday is a holiday for my team (we alternate MLK and Pres Day); so I really really really want this four-day weekend. If I'd shirked today, or worked from home, there are several things that wouldn't get done and I might not feel comfortable taking Friday off.

Responsibility can surely suck. But hey, that's who I am and how I do things. Has nothing to do with age, because I've pretty much always been this way. I blame it on oldest child syndrome.

Many many years ago, back in the early 80s, I was in charge of payroll/HR for a company in Richardson (yes, Nan, Texas, home of Jensen Ackles). One particular horrific day, we had a massive ice/snow storm in Dallas. You all think the DC area is nuts when it gets snow/ice, imagine Texans - with big trucks and big attitudes, and really no clue on how to drive in the weather. I didn't know if the office was going to be closed or what, but since it was payroll processing day, I felt it was necessary to at least TRY to get there. Plus, it was totally a straight shot, just about a mile and a half up a main road.

I got into my tiny Honda and boy, howdy, I *made* it...after at least a half hour of white-knuckled driving and prayers to the PTBs. My efforts went to waste, though, because no one else showed up and I had no building key.

Le sigh.

You'd think I'd have learned my lesson.

In any case, I'm at work. The office is officially opening late, but hey, I can get stuff done.

I'm in t-shirt sleeves, because the temps here today are in the mid-to-high 60s. OTOH, my folks in San Antonio are suffering from a cold front, which dropped their temps to below freezing. Jeebus!

I'm at work, because we're staggering our winter holidays - with half the company here today, and the other half on President's Day. It's fairly unstressful, because many of our clients are not working. I like it like this. :)

In a bit, I go to get an MRI on my left shoulder. It's been paining me for quite some time and I finally went to the doc about a week and a half ago. I did the Xray fine, but when I tried the regular closed MRI, I absolutely lost it. Evidently, I'm extremely claustrophobic. My appointment is with an open MRI place near Shirlington. Wish me luck. :)

Rome: wasn't built in a day, and OMG it's making me have to go get HBO again. I was going to keep my cable service at minimum digital, but noooo, only takes one episode of Rome and the subsequent fannish squee to make me want to order it again*. Seems like Comcast ordering department is taking the holiday, so I won't be able to upgrade until tomorrow. Thank goodness for On-Demand. I did, however, order the DVD set for Season 1.

Miscellaneous:
Article re: James Purefoy getting naked

Slings & Arrows Article








* Of course, re-ordering HBO has absolutely nothing to do with astolat writing Vince/Eric...nope, not at all...