Words Written: “Memories for Sale”: 1222
Exercise: gentle walking, some

Another private antho invite, this one as part of a rejection (story didn’t work quite right for antho A, here’s why, but really like it, so if you make changes, consider submitting it to antho B). It’s not quite on the theme for antho B, but the back of my brain is already working on ways to change it. Or I may write a whole new story for antho B, because that might work better than trying to force the original story to conform.

Two more stories submitted to a previous antho invite, too.

Tuesday was a glorious, wonderful rainy day. I listened to the patter of the rain while I read, and watched The Uninvited, an Oscar-award-winning ghost movie from 1944. Spoooooky…

Then, that evening, I took part in a set of house blessings—one to close out the old house and make it welcoming for prospective buyers, and the other to bless the new home. Quite lovely, very intense, and it was great to see a bunch of good friends.

Wednesday I was greeted with another sale! The fourth of the four stories written during the January writingfest. “After the Rain” will appear in Travelrotica for Lesbians in August 2006.

And my birthday dress arrived! I wanted a different one, but it was out of stock, so I ordered this one instead, and I adore it! It looks perfect with my waist cincher (and I can wear it one day at the Faerieworlds Festival, too—maybe with my big honkin’ black angel wings, or, if I don’t want to put anyone’s eye out, with just the black halo. ;-) ) Yes, there will be pictures at the birthday party, for those of you who won’t be able to attend.

I don’t much remember Thursday or Friday at this point. Worked, puttered, watched TV, read. Friday I went to the chiro’s because my back/hip was really hurting. It was a little better afterwards, but it’s still hurting pretty bad. My regularly scheduled appt is tomorrow, and I dearly hope the doc can do something, because a bike trip is less fun when one is in pain.

Yesterday, I trotted down to Studio City and met with Tani and Sheri (and Sheri’s husband, Tim, whom I hadn’t met before) at Killer Shrimp (Killer Shrimp! Adore!) to talk about plans for getting Styx their Walk of Fame Star and other related business. Fun stuff, incredible food.

This is going to sound absolutely insane, but…I think I cut too much stuff out of my life. In my attempt to pare down to the essentials so I could focus on writing, I think I pared too far. I need the excitement of other projects. I need to use different parts of my brain—the organization part, the non-fiction-y side. This is a project near and dear to my heart, and one I know I can be a big help with, one that my skills will be hugely useful for.

I recently turned down the offer of a SCA-wide position, for the second time in a row. I’m a little sad about it—it’s another thing that I know I’d be really good at—but I just don’t have the time. It was almost less about the time and more about the deadlines. Four major deadlines/year, and one of them would hit around the time of CCR/Dragon*Con/Boston. I’ll be gone for about 3 weeks, and that’s when the deadline would be. It would be entirely unfair for me to expect everyone else involved to change their schedules to accommodate mine. So. I knew it was the right decision.

Anyway. It’s a fascinating process, reviewing what’s in my life and what needs to be there and what doesn’t. Balance. I seem to spend a lot of time musing on it, and looking for it. But life would be so boring without that wobble factor…!

This afternoon/evening some folks are coming over for chili and possibly gaming. Quite a few people haven’t RSVP’d, so if it’s a small gathering, we’ll probably all just hang out. Or maybe I’ll toss Fluxx or Kill Dr. Lucky on the table, since those are easy enough games that there’s still talking and laughing and whatnot. We’ll see. Right now I think I’ll go start the vat of chili, and maybe get a little writing done. As I was drifting off to sleep last night, a story for an upcoming anthology hit me full force. Setting, character, conflict, everything. Now, to see if I can put into words the impressions and feelings in my head.

<>-<>-<>

I didn’t start the story ‘til after the evening, but it’s going well so far.

It was a very pleasant get-together. I tend to forget that I can do something like this when Ken’s away. I know I can; I just don’t think about it. There were 10 of us total, which was a good number, although it was mellow in terms of gaming. The chili went over well. It was good to socialize—I know that when Ken’s away, I have a bad habit of becoming a recluse, and I’m glad I went ahead and suggested this, even if half the invited people didn’t bother to RSVP.

For anyone who cares: I use Carroll Shelby’s chili kit, which comes in a little brown paper bag. My ex, Andrew, loved to cook and was somewhat obsessive about creating meals from scratch, but he swore by the Carroll Shelby stuff, and I’ve followed suit. I use the full spice packet, the cayenne packet (which gives a bite but isn’t too spicy for folks who might be nervous), and the masa flower packet (I like thick chili). I don’t use the salt packet. I added an onion and a green pepper when I browned the hamburger.* I usually throw in whatever types of beans I have on hand; this time, for the double batch, I used a can of pinto and a can of black. I often use a can of mixed if I remember to plan ahead. I add a fair amount of garlic, a healthy splash of lime juice, and a healthy splash of tequila. I usually serve it over brown rice (which has a strong enough flavor to hold up to the chili), with shredded cheddar, jalapeños, and sour cream for those who want toppings. Friends brought corn muffins, salad, and dessert.

*Meat chunks are better than hamburger, but hamburger is quick and easy and we buy it in bulk from Costco.

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What Have I Done Today to Make My Writing Dream Come True? writing, submissions
Currently Reading: Cat & Mouse, James Patterson
Lately Listened To: various Celtic music; various 80s Brit pop
Recently Watched: Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (now there’s a movie that’s not advertised honestly—and, what's with the complete contradiction of characterization in both main characters?!); Clean Sweep