ALNM: Chapter 2, 3, 3a, and synopsis edits and additions

Busy, busy weekend so no time to sit at the computer much. Today is going well, though. I’m working through the chapters Sarah worked on, doing a final polish. I’m going to call her in a bit and discuss the synopsis; I’d like to get that mailed in the next day or so. I’m a bit behind on e-mail, but nothing that a few hours of work can’t fix.

Got two rejections today, from Weird Tales and scifi.com. I got a rejection on Saturday, too, I think. So I’ll have to do another story-mailing session this week. I also want to work on one of the stories I wrote at the last OCW workshop, that’s been sitting and languishing.

Ken and I just cleaned the kitchen and living room so they’re back to their pre-party state, except for the addition of a colourful spray of carnations, which was one of my gifts. We have windows and doors open and fans circling, airing out the house. The birds are chirping, the sun is sunny, my Lady Grey tea is hot.

I figured out how to get my Palm to work with iSync, so now I have a functional Palm again, as opposed to an expensive alarm clock. Hurrah!

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Talked to Sarah. I have some work to do on the synopsis and then I’ll send it to her; she’s working ahead on the next few chapters per our discussion. I’m thrilled at how well we’re writing and working together. Not necessarily surprised, although we’re both stubborn at times. We get along so well—read each other’s minds, frequently—that it all comes together.

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So, this past weekend. Saturday morning/early afternoon was spent in frantic housecleaning. I should learn never to sit on the kitchen floor, because only then am I aware at just how icky the cabinet fronts have gotten. Ken picked up party food at Costco (ham/Swiss tortilla roll-ups and a big veggie platter) and vacuumed and moved the loom out of the living room so we had more space. Dennis showed up more than an hour early, so I put him to work, too. [eg] I was still getting ready when the first people showed up, but not by much. I wore a long teal green velvet and net skirt that I’ve had for years but rarely wear because not a lot goes with it; I paired it with my black lace top and it looked fantastic. I didn’t bother with shoes… Such a little bohemian I am.

The party was a blast! Even though only about half of the people I invited were able to come, we had a real houseful for a while. Of course, it was the only day that was overcast, so not many people went outside, and it wasn’t good for swimming. Some people didn’t stay very long, which kind of surprised me, but there you go. There were several waves of people, and this time the final folks didn’t leave until after midnight, so I didn’t feel as ancient as last year when everyone was gone by 11:45 p.m.

The highlight was once again my birthday dance by Kelly/Kelebek. She gave me the option of a modern, cabaret-style dance instead of a period dance, and I took that option! She looked stunning, and her dance was funny and sexy at the same time. Yum. Happy birthday to me. And I got a promissory for yet another dance (this has become her yearly present to me).

One of Cat’s presents to me was to take tons of party pictures as well as movies of Kelebek’s dancing, and eventually I’ll post some. It’s a good thing she took pictures, because I took one, or maybe two, and then put down the camera…

Another particularly cool gift was from Meg & Matt: I now have my own action figure! (Anwyn, they’re giving you a run for your money!) She’s wearing a leather jacket and—this is so amazing—a Styx “Grand Illusion” t-shirt. Yes, they screened a tiny t-shirt. She’s also holding Styx tickets. She’s got a sword, and extra hands (?) (these all came with the original doll), and Meg even made her garb (a purple houppelande). Serger, hot tub, motorcycle all sold separately.

I’ve learned a couple of things: 1. Don’t start the party so early. I do this so people who can’t stay late can come early, but too many people left _really_ early. 2. Don’t say “bring a munchie to share”, say “bring a _dish_ to share”, because we ran out of real food very quickly, and had to order pizza at the end for the last few people.

Muirenn spent the night, and woke up early and cleaned. I was in shock when I stumbled into the living room. Just stood there, blinking in confusion. The three of us hung out for a few hours (Cat had left early for Ventura), and we ordered pizza again when lunchtime rolled around.

Eventually she wandered home, and we showered, &tc., and headed to Ken’s dad’s for Easter dinner. Alas, I _still_ had a headache, and was very tired, so it wasn’t the most pleasant of afternoons for me. I don’t know Ken’s dad’s wife’s family, and I could have been more sociable if I hadn’t felt poorly. Anita cooked a lovely meal, but it was good to get home afterwards and just sort of fall over. I did a little computer work, and watched the latest installment of “Kingdom Hospital”, and went to bed early (for me, anyway). Ken wasn’t feeling well, either; it’s a cold, allergies, or possibly both. He seems a bit better today, although still sniffly and without a lot of energy.

Easter Sunday is also Eostre’s Day—the day our sweet Turkish Princess in Exile showed up, filthy and soaking wet and with a broken leg. Ken insists she knew where she was going when she chose our car to hide under, five years ago. She gets more sweet and loving every day, and we’re the lucky ones.

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Max and his daughter Christine brought us dinner tonight as thanks for the help we’ve been giving them with costuming. A Peruvian-style dish of meat and rice and spices—very tasty—and a dessert of blueberries and custard and croissants. Sewing night was small, just the two of them and three other people. Most folks didn’t have the enthusiasm to sew, so we hung out while Christine worked on her cotehardie. She tried on my old velvet-and-white-rabbit-fur sideless surcoat over the cotehardie, and it went so well that I gave her the surcoat. It hasn’t fit me for years, and I can always make myself a new one. She was thrilled, which was a warm fuzzy thing for me.

I didn’t get as much done today as I’d hoped/planned, but I’m really pleased at the writing progress. I’m off to watch “Angel” now.