Okay. Journal from Hell is gone, as is a large weight on my shoulders. Of course, I did ask for another job to do next week, but we need the cash. And I know that the end of March/beginning of April will be full and I won’t be able to copyedit, so I’d rather do a job (or even two) before then, and then take a couple of weeks off.

So now I’ve caught up on bills and assorted paperwork that’s piled up on the desk. I need to start printing out BH for a read-through, which will include making a list of everything and anything that needs changing/adding/deleting/whatnot. I also need to tackle the e-mail In Box, which has become a truly scary sight to behold.

We had a GWW meeting today, and I’ve already handled some of the things I put on a list to do. Go me! I have to ensure the event announcement is e-mailed on Tuesday, and hopefully I’ll get it to some of the surrounding Kingdoms’ newsletters as well.

So, what all has been happening in my life?

Thursday. Most of the day was spent copyediting. In late afternoon I finally heard from Tani, my Styx fan friend who works at KLOS, about the Jim Ladd’s Living Room show that evening. She indeed was allowed to bring guests, and she was also willing to drive me from her house, which made life easier for me (and we had fun on the way). Much panic ensued on my part as I concluded that I had nothing to wear. So I called Sarah. Which helped with the panic, if not with the clothes.

So I went to Tani’s, and we drove to LA, and we hung out with the contest winners at the fish taco bar (I declined food, seeing as I didn’t want fish breath nor the ensuing mess I’d no doubt spill down my cleavage).

Basically, the set-up is that Jim Ladd (yes, _that_ Jim Ladd, for those of you who’ve listened to any classic rock radio in the last 20+ years) sits in his “living room” and interviews artists. This was a listening party for Styx’s new album, Cyclorama (you know, the one that I’ve been boring you about for weeks now). There was a sofa for JY and Tommy (the only band members who were there), an easy chair for Jim, some occasional furniture with candles, and beanbags lined up in front of that for the contest winners. We sat on chairs around the sides, which was fine.

The interview was fun, and there was much laughter as well as some sober reflection as JY talked about the death of his brother and how that related to the song “These Are the Times” (which is a kick-ass rock song and my personal favourite on the album). Billy Bob Thornton called in from Texas to rave about how he’s been a Styx fan for years (he sings a bit on the album, y’see). Tommy commented about the song “Kiss Your Ass Goodbye”, “That Glen Burtnik is one disturbed man.”

Afterwards, they did some signing, and I got a copy of Cyclorama signed for Sarah’s 6-year-old daughter, per Sarah’s request. I even brought a picture of her to show them. Tommy wrote “Fiona Rocks!”, which is going to make Fiona’s little head explode with excitement. Hee hee!

Afterwards, four of us went out for food (because by this time, we were starved), and we sat around talking until 2 a.m. So I didn’t get home until 3 a.m., at which point I spent 45 minutes writing a detailed e-mail to Sarah, and then I read for a bit and fell over with a clunk.

Because I had a 10 a.m. dentist appt. on Friday.

It was for an ultrasound cleaning, for which they numbed my face and cleaned half the teeth. How festive. But it wasn’t a bad experience overall, and the numbness wore off w/in an hour or two. I ran some errands, and then edited my hiney off until Ken came home from Portland (yay!). We had dinner, and then I went off to my first ME dance class, conveniently located at a dance studio w/in walking distance of the house.

It was a dichotomous experience. Overall, I absolutely loved it! I’m bummed I can’t go next week (dinner plans) or to the fourth class (event far north), but oh well. There’s another session in late April/early May, too. It was wonderful exercise; I never got bored or felt like I was “exercising”, even when I was tired and sweaty. I’ve enjoyed ME dance ever since I started learning it about 7 years ago, but I could never find a regular class; I’ve learned from friends and at the occasional event.

On the downside, I was the largest person in the class. Not that everyone was skinny, but I was by far the tallest, and with the weight to go with it. And I have no hips. So I didn’t enjoy looking in the mirror, although I felt great about actually exercising. Also, the teacher rushed a bit—there were only two or three people who were new to ME dance, and I’m sure they had trouble keeping up. She also didn’t talk about isolation, and many of the women didn’t have a handle on that. Anyway. Tons of fun, and there’s talk of starting a regular SCA practise in the area, too.

Okay, the In Box is down to a dull roar, and I’m tired, so I’m off to snuggle with Ken. He went to bed several hours ago because he’s got an obscenely early flight to Portland tomorrow. On the bright side, unless something goes pear-shaped, he’ll be home tomorrow night. So, yay, huzzah, Go Lakers (as adorable wee Julian would say).