Amazing what you can do with about four more or less uninterrupted hours. Got up at 5, wide awake after chilling out last night with Lizzie after Drew zonked out, and we watched the suprisingly funny "Wedding Crashers." Lots of laugh-out-loud bits in there, so long as you keep your expectations low.

This morning, I updated some bits on my Web site (to reflect the Polish sale), critted a fine story by a friend, and then dove into the reworking of chapter eleven of the novel. Got it done, and quite liked it. I also made notes for chapters 12, 13, and 14, and I realize I can't wait to sit down and write those chapters! Nice.

And I fixed up a short story that was rejected as-is by an editor who said he'd take another look at it if I fixed up the problematic opening. Which I did and sent back to him.

And I even had time to read an excerpt of my buddy Greg van Eekhout's kick-ass basketball/fantasy story, "Anywhere There's a Game." Greg, I never knew you were a sports fan, but this story rocks. I want to go back and rework my baseball novel now to try and match the skill and ideas of your story. I'll be looking for a copy of the latest Realms today so I can read the rest of it. Great stuff.

Actually, I think it took reading Greg's story to get me in the right frame of mind to do my own writing and revising. There's something about reading quality fiction that inspires me to attempt to write my own. So I owe you one, GvE.

I even got under the house and with Elizabeth's help (she was a lifesaver today, getting the house in order and watching Drew and giving me a little "Mikey time" after a pretty hectic, dare I say hellish week at work), fixed up the various squeaks in our floor. Another ToDo accomplished. Only have a couple more...

And now we're off to check out the new house, drop off more paperwork at the office there, then head to the mall (ugh!) so Lizzie and the girls can look for dresses for my sis's upcoming wedding in August (yay!). Drew and I are going to hit the bookstore, and maybe wander around and see if we can find some matching Doc Martens... Later!