Wednesday, 2 March 2005 Words Written: 0

What a couple of days. Yesterday at work we had a field trip to the local library to look at other encyclopedias, partly to look at design ideas. We also discussed why students would go to an encyclopedia or reference book rather than a regular NF book, and presentation of information (alphabetical, chronological, topical). Interesting stuff. Today’s field trip was to the warehouse in the next building. We got mouse pads. I feel like I’m in grade school.

Actually, I feel like I’m in 1986, because my copy of Bob Geldof’s Deep in the Heart of Nowhere CD arrived and I promptly burned it to iTunes and copied it my iPod. That was my driving music this morning. It took me back in time to when I studied in Britain, as well as law school (“Love Like a Rocket” was one of the songs on my jogging tape).

I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed about life, but it’s not as bad as it was. Last night, again, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I e-mailed my editor to discuss dates for turning the story in; originally he’d said the 7th, but I was trying to get it in early so I had time for edits. He’ll be at the workshops, so we can go over the ms there, and thus I have a little leeway. Which doesn’t mean I can stop working on it, but it did mean I could take last night off. I answered some e-mail—slowly, because I was so tired—and went to bed really early.

I’m still not sleeping well, in part because of my lousy eating habits and the fact that I can’t accept that I can’t eat spicy food anymore. Plus, although I’m eating at my usual time, I’m going to bed earlier, so it’s like eating later in terms of digestive processes. Blah.

Anyway. I’ve read a few of the stories for the workshop, and I can read more in the airport and on the plane when I’m not working on the story. I put a few on the Palm and can read them in bed or during my lunch break at work.

Today at work, my job is to read books. Go into the Book Room (a small conference room across from where I sit) and familiarize myself with books. Dudes, the mythology series is in there, and the cryptozoology encyclopedia. Go on, twist my arm. Plus I have access to all the e-books online, and I’m already browsing the Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. I know I’ll have to start doing real work eventually, but even still, this is a cool place to work. I love making books, no matter where I am in the process (and I’ve been everywhere—writing, editing, designing, print shop work, and book selling). And did I mention that my coworkers are fantastic? We’re a little four-person team, coming up with new ways of making books and new book ideas.

Oh, and on Monday, I got an ABC-CLIO mug filled with candy, a letter opener, and a pin that says “History is Everything”. Why yes, it is, along with love. And Styx. And maybe cheese.

I was so tired last night that I left my purse here at work. I’m not used to carrying both it and my attaché case. I didn’t realize it until this morning when I was getting ready to leave. I was smart enough to grab the checkbook to pay the chiropractor. Then, on the way to chiro, I realized I was almost out of gas. Ken had to meet me at the chiro office and give me cash. Happily, my purse was still at work, unmolested. It has all my ID in it, including, at this very moment, my passport, which I needed for HR when I signed all my work paperwork. So I would have had no ID with a picture, which would have made getting on the plane tomorrow a little awkward. Here’s hoping I don’t forget my purse tonight.

Tonight, I have to pack, transfer files to Afalwen and back up files from Afalwen, etc. My flight isn’t stupidly early, so we can cruise down to LAX. I don’t mind sitting at the airport. I have things to read and write, and it’s better than being late and stressing. I can’t remember if Phaedra arrives before or after I do at PDX, but either way, it’s not a long time between. Yay, I get to reconnect with the other half of my brain!

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Ooh, got my contract for my second Battlecorps story! That one will be up in April. (The one I’m working on now is slated for late March.)

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Mostly packed. My suitcase seems empty. This is disturbing, because it makes me fear I’m forgetting something. I guess I’ll just have to fill it with books from the amazing used bookstore down the hill from the workshop house…

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Currently Reading: workshop stories

Lately Listened To: Bob Geldof, Deep in the Heart of Nowhere; Styx, Cyclorama

Recently Watched: “Joan of Arcadia”