Today was my trial-by-fire; my story "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" was critiqued. I was fairly satisified with the critiques; for the most part, they were pretty positive, but they all talked about problems with the story, which I'll own up to. Most of the objections I had already thought of last night in bed, but by then it was too late to do anything but suffer through the session this morning.

I tell you, being on the receiving end really saps your strength. I was exhausted. However, I did get one outstandlingly glowing review, from Greg, a guy who reminds me a lot of my friend Ernie back in North Carolina. Ernie, if you're reading this, you have a twin up here in Michigan, only he's African-American, and ten years younger than you, and...er, never mind.

I am constantly amazed by the level of writing and critiquing here. I was told by Kelly Link before I left that she had heard from a friend of hers on the reading committee that this was one of the most talented groups of writers to apply to Clarion in recent years. Either that or Kelly had read a few, I forget. I apologize for my faulty memory. Anyway, this comment of course stroked my ego so much that it took a week and the jaws of life to fit my head through the door again. But now, being here and reading all the works of my fellow Clarionites, I can certainly believe it. I'm happy to be in such company.

Some fantastic news: my air conditioner was installed today. I got back after lunch and saw it mounted in my window, as well as my room and bathroom cleaned. Though the temperature in East Lansing dropped to about 68 degrees today, so right now, it doesn't seem the best time, but I'm absolutely certain the temps will go back up. Plus, I'm not getting any of the allergens from outside floating about in my room, and I've already noticed a difference.

Tonight was a reading by Pat Wrede at The Archives Book Shop on Grand River, the main drag on the north side of campus. The bookstore (a combination of used and new) was pretty cool; there was an entire section of the store devoted to postcards that had been written and sent all across the country, a snapshot of a particular time in a given person's life, available for $1.25. Lena discovered a book on Salt Lake City (her hometown) that dated back to the 1800s. They had such an obscure collection of books, it seemed out of a dream. Their SF/Fantasy selection was pretty cool as well; I bought Half the Day is Night by Maureen F. McHugh for $11 in hardcover. Halfway through Pat's reading however, my nose started itching like mad and my eyes dried up and itched, all thanks to the store cat, Moe, who was completely oblivious he was causing me such discomfort. The rest of the readings are at The Archives, so I'll have to make sure I take my allergy medicine twice on those days.

Guh. Allergies suck.