Well, there's only one week left until I leave for my workshop down on the Oregon Coast and I still have the rest of Gardner's latest year's best to get through and one more book. Oh, I also have to get my name off of three of my old short stories before I leave for the workshop. (We have to take three stories without our names on them; one we like, one that doesn't work, and a third and we can't tell anyone which is which or which are ours.) (And if that's not illiteration from hell, I don't know what is!)

I'm starting to feel the excitement, but it's also very difficult leaving Catherine for a couple of weeks. We really are the best of friends and her company is such a part of my life. I've asked The Vanguard to take care of her while I'm gone (see above link) so she's in good hands.

I'm relieved to hear that everyone out on the east coast weathered the hurricane without too much loss. I've gotten used to reading their journals and have to admit some trepidation over the last couple of days. Seems everyone made it okay. We always take weather for granted out here on the West Coast and it's easy to forget how much devestation the planet can unleash on our best laid plans when it sets its (mind?) to it.

I'm going to do my best to keep a journal while at the workshop, though I'm sure I'll be hard pressed with the deadlines and workload, and I'll post them here when I return.

In other words, I had nothing really interesting to say today, but wanted to say it anyway.

Until next time,

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of The Abyss.