Thank the gods, I'm done with revising. It was another grueling writing weekend, with me trying to revise all my previous assignments to turn into my professor by today. And even though I probably won't even be using the first chapter in its current form anymore, I revised it anyway for hopeful use as a short story, maybe with different characters. I took a few breaks yesterday to talk with my sister on the phone, read a little more in Kavalier and Clay, and watch the season finale of Alias (holy crap, did anyone else see this?), but got everything done and emailed at 11:53 last night. I am so glad this is done. It's been stressing me out and keeping up at night for the past two weeks. I can breathe again. Most likely, I won't even look at the outline or any part of the novel again until I get back from Singapore (which, btw, is doing much better). Jason needs a break, though he is taking a blank journal with him on the plane in case any ideas pop up.

Somehow in all that, I managed to get out for a bit on Saturday. I went to the Greg Bear reading that afternoon at Quail Ridge, where he didn't actually read, but talked about spontaneous evolution and the Science Fiction Experience in Seattle. The SFE will be located in the Experience Music Project, and will be the world's first interactive encyclopedic sf museum. He signed my copies of Blood Music and Slant, and I got to shake hands. Very nice and entertaining guy. I got to see fellow writers Andreas Black and his lovely wife there and talk a little shop beforehand.

That night I saw Drumline with Jamie at the $1.50 theatre, which would have been much better if the sound system hadn't been so screwy. But it was a pretty good movie, if a little predictable. Band geeks and DCI afficianados would enjoy it especially. Really impressive drumming.

And I think the dog situation in my apartment complex is finally under control. This girl who lives one apt over and one up has three medium-sized dogs (which I don't think is even allowed) that she was keeping on her porch/patio/deck, who would bark at anyone or anything that passed by. I think they were even barking at the wind blowing the trees around. It was getting ridiculous. And the barking would reverberate throughout my side of the complex, producing echoes and amplification. They actually woke me up yesterday morning. I'd called a couple times down to the main office to complain, but nothing had been done yet. So when they started up again yesterday afternoon while I was trying to get all my writing done, I'd had enough. I called the office again, and actually got a person this time, and told her that if they weren't going to do anything about it, I was going to call the cops. Shortly after that, the barking stopped, and I haven't heard any since. I hope it stays that way.

I also, somehow, amazingly, rewrote the first thousand words of my novel this weekend. I took a walk around the apt complex Saturday afternoon to clear my head and think about the story. Sometimes I do my best thinking when I'm on these walks; it really helps to get out of the apartment sometimes. I came up with a much better hook, and a good character flaw for my hero. It's a strong opening, and works much better.

This week looks fairly boring. I'm going to take it easy after the big crunch these past two weeks, lounge around on my couch, watch some tv, finish up Kavalier and Clay (I'm over halfway through), relax. I'd like to see X-Men 2 this week or next weekend; I've heard mixed reviews, but I'm a pretty diehard fan, so I'll definitely still go. I'll also be getting ready for the big trip overseas. Only eleven days left! Woo!

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Now Reading:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

Stories Out to Publishers:
11

Books Read This Year:
18

Novel Word Count:
9200