Major congrats to Charlaine Harris. Seems Alan Ball is helming her Southern Vampire series for HBO.

Article here.

It seems like only yesterday that Charlaine was grousing to a group of us about not being able to sell the first book in the series, even with two other mystery series under her belt. Seems no one “got” the idea of a likable, if offbeat heroine, and not-necessarily ultraevil vampires. Is it horror? Is it fantasy? How can it be a mystery novel? We have no idea how to market it.

Now, some 8 years or so later, the world will be watching the antics of Sookie Stackhouse, Bill the vampire and Erik (OMG, ERIK!! Wonder who’s going to be cast as my favorite character?). I hope Charlaine is laughing all the way to the bank.

In any case – a big w00t!!!!!! and major congrats and hugs to one of my bestest buds!

If you haven’t read the Sookie books, what the heck are you waiting for?

Because today, darthrami is a year older – yet still younger than me. ::g::

A happy happy Natal Day to you, m’dear. May your every wish be granted.

You know the part where they tell you to not sign any legal contracts for at least 24 hours after an operation? (has to do with the sedation and post-op). Well…I didn’t. Not exactly.

What I did do is go on a DVD spending spree online yesterday. Why? Because it seemed like a great idea at the time. Oy.

I didn’t think I was high!

Oh well, in any case. There will be many goodies arriving soon, including the first and second season of The Wire, Eating Out, My Own Private Idaho, Kingdom of Heaven (thanks to a certain person’s lj entry) and the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack (thanks to theamusedone‘s link to the gay.com article). Suggestible…uh, yeah.

My trip – Texas and hospital

I’m home now – everything went very well, according to the doc.

D ran to get me some food. I’m about ready to crash for the night.

Thanks for all the good wishes & vibes!!

I’ll post more later when I’m up to it.

Drugs are good.

Oh, and viggofest, thanks for the links, sweetie! I’m looking forward to reading the stories. ::g::

Hey all – home again, tired and a bit beat.

Just heard from D who is on her way to pick me up to go to surgery.

Procedure is at 1:00 but I have to be at hospital at 11:00. This fasting things is fine, I’m just thirsty as hell. Can’t WAIT until I can have a big glass o’water.

Trip home was uneventful, except for an OMG moment, as we exited the plane in Kansas City I heard the page for “all aboard” for the DC leg of the trip. Thank goodness there were 2 of us and someone at our gate called the other gate. Even so, rushing through the airport is not my idea of a good time.

We got in about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, which, yay. I scarfed a sandwich and bottle of water and then went to bed.

More later after I wake up and feel like posting.

Thanks to everyone sending good wishes/vibes. I’m a bit stressed about this as I’ve never had any type of hospital surgery. Some minor procedures in doc’s office, nothing that required real anesthesia.

Cheers to all. I hope to catch up on LJ later. (yes, I’m probably insane. ::g::)

Hola, all – checking in from the wilds of Texas.

I’m in San Antonio and just finished an extremely successful signing at Remember the Alibi (we’ll just forget about the time snafu, now shan’t we?)*

Signed along with Marcia Talley and Kate Charles. Thanks to my book-pimping sister’s efforts – I sold out, and had to replenish from the extras I’d brought. Whee!! (my sister pre-sold 24 to friends, in-laws, etc.).

My morning signing at Trinity University was a fascinating example of people-watching. Alums of TU do not buy books. They come to the events to see and be seen. I did sell 2 books, though.

Lunch was fab – an excursion to Demo’s – a local family-owned Greek eatery. Dinner is at a friend’s, a gathering of the old crowd. There will be Alaskan salmon, caught by said friend’s SIL/BIL.

In a few, my sis and BIL and I are off to Alien Worlds, a local comics shop, and the used CD store (there are some oop CDs that they might have). Then off for food and frolic.

I jet back to DC tomorrow evening, arriving about 10:30. Then Monday a.m. is my surgery.

I so haven’t caught up on LJ – hopefull, I can do so when I get back.

Catch you all on the flip side!

* ehr, ahem, uhm….I was 30 minutes late. I thought the signing was at 3:00, not 2:00…

I’m off to San Antonio, land o’my college; land o’really great Mexican food. Back late Sunday.

Yeah, it’s 5:17 a.m. – Can I just say I so do not do mornings? Cab’s coming at 5:45.

I’ll be AFK on and off for most of the weekend, so, be good now…or if you can’t be good, be FABULOUS!!

TTFN!

Although, it can be a good thing when the memory cells give up. Because then you get lovely surprise “it shipped” reminders!

I’d pre-ordered a UK series called “Hex” (on a rec from my BIL) – moons ago. It shipped yesterday. I’d utterly forgotten.

My week is flying by – in a too busy to think way. I’m off to the land o’where I went to college on Friday – my plan to San Antonio leaves at 7:00 a.m.

Unlike alg, I am not off to the wilds of Canada to stalk Callum, but will be signing at 2 events – my alumni event on Saturday a.m. and at Remember the Alibi in the afternoon, in the charming company of Marcia Talley and Kate Charles.

At least there will be Mexican food, if I can’t stalk CKR. ::g::

I get back late on Sunday night, and on Monday a.m., D is taking me to outpatient surgery, wherein I will emerge triumphant – or so I hope.

I am blaming all the stupid people tricks of the past 2 days on the full moon. I’ve just decided to ride the wave of WTF and hope this week ends on a good note.

Very funny/strange/humorous small world incident: Over the weekend, I’d succumbed to the cold and spent Saturday watching SG1 episodes from Season 1 (lent to me by bheerfan, thank you kindly). I’m skipping over some, then decide to watch one where blue crystal Jack goes back to SGC and looks up ex-wife and we find out about dead son.

Who should be playing ex-Mrs. O’Neill, but my buddy in crime writing, Harley Jane Kozak. Now, admittedly, I had no freakin’ clue who she was when I first met her, because I’m not a soap opera watcher (or haven’t been since college).

So I write Harley an amusing email, telling her of the coincidence. I get an answer back today – seems she was at child’s school meeting thing, and was sitting next to a guy that looked familiar. She asks: “Do I know you?” He laughs – and tells her she used to be his wife. It was RDA.

Too freakishly funny. I think the universe’s funny bone was tickled over the past week.

On that note, I’m going back to making sure I have my necessities packed because I am anal that way.

…of me, more’s the pity. I’ve been slammed by the cold from hell. Was halfway okay this a.m. – sniffly and a bit congested, but not bad.

Somewhere around 1:00 it slammed me against the wall and not in a good way. I went home freom work early and crashed. Just woke up.

Had my blood drawn first thing this a.m. for pre-surgery. First nurse was nice enough but OMG, if she ever comes near me with a needle again, I’m running. I have two giganto bruises because of her. Second nurse was wonderful and stuck me with no problems.

My EKG was normal and all is copacetic, except for the ColdMonster.

Last night was awesome. We did the Spy Museum thing for our monthly MWA function. beledibabe and I especially enjoyed the Hollywood spies exhibit. Emma Peel’s leather trousers! Sean Connery’s shoes from one of the Bond movies! Badges and other props from Man from U.N.C.L.E.!

Afterwards, a group of us went for dinner at Zola, a rather posh place next door. It was utterly decadently yummy. I started with a lovely crab/corn chowder, followed by scallops and ended with homemade hazelnut ice cream.

Tonight will be rather plebeian. I think I’ll make some soup and pamper myself until I feel better.

…Belgian chocolates from bheerfan.

She’s back from the 3-week mondo trip and brought me choccies!!

I’m staring at the box, trying to not scarf them all up at once. ::g::

Makes up for it being Monday.

On another note, I finally have all my medical stuff squared away.

Wednesday I go in for pre-op bloodwork and EKG.
Thursday, 10/20, I have my pre-op appointment with my doc.
Friday,10/21 I take off for San Antonio for a weekend of family and book signings.
Sunday, 10/23, back home.
Monday, 10/24, surgery.

At some point, I’d like to go see Serenity again.