I promised you photos, so here they are.

Patsy Cline as in Crazy, that is…and more of the “I’m going insane” kind than the “I’m falling in love kind”.

Of the very, very, VERY good: My author copies of Matters of the Blood arrived!! Yippee!! When L sends me the photos she took of the newly opened box, I will post.

Also of the good: Olsson’s has scheduled a book signing for the 4 of us that were at the Alexandria Public Library last week.

Details:
Olsson’s Crystal City
7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 26, 2007

If you’re in the DC are, please come! I promise there will be books.

Of the crazy-making: Work…that is all. (Consider that I’m still here at 6:46 p.m., which is early for this week. I’m thinking that’s a really big clue).

I succumbed to my other hare o’wildness (this time not a hair) and when I did the online check in for my flight tomorrow, I upgraded to first class. I need the pampering. (Yes, yes, I know it’s only a 1 hour flight, but damn it, I deserve it).

I arrive in Boston at 7:10 p.m. on United Airways. If any of you are around Logan at the time, I’m willing to share a cab to the hotel. Otherwise, I’ll fend for myself. ::g::

I am not yet finished packing.
I am not yet decided if I shall bring Blanche (my laptop).
I have no idea if I’ll be of any help to Nan as co-mod of our SPN panel, since I have been doing nothing but working horrific hours this weekend.
I will, however, bring at least one copy of my book for show & tell.

I am looking forward to seeing old friends I’ve already met in person, meeting old LJ friends that I’ve never yet met in person and making new friends.

FYI, I want giant hugs from those of you that do the big hug thing. Otherwise, I am perfectly content to sit and chat with those of you that don’t.

SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!!!!

This past work week was…let’s just say, fraught. Fraught with a ton of stuff I’d rather not even begin to think about.

In any case, I had to cancel my planned weekend trip, which totally sucked.

Friday night, when I got home after another insane day, I pulled out my very last wild hair and said, “Hair, you’ve been poking at me *all* day. As much as my body wants to just sleep, I think you are right. I must obey.”

So I e-mailed beledibabe and confirmed that she and B were indeed attending the Virginia Festival of the Book’s Crime Wave event the next day. She called me back right away and squeed. Hee!

On Saturday a.m., I dragged my sorry carcass out of bed around 4:00 a.m. so I could be at beledibabe‘s house by 6.

We had a frabjous day!

Got there early, so we started off at the Mudhouse (a local coffee shop) and ran into Laura Lippman, Elaine Viets and Marcia Talley, all friends and fellow authors.

On our way through the Omni hotel to get to the first panel, we ran into Donna Andrews, a great buddy Ann Theis, (a librarian who runs the Overbooked site, a resource for readers) and Ann’s hubby and SIL.

At the historical panel, I managed to surprise Dana Cameron, which was a total blast. I’d told no one I was going, and not 2 days before, she and I had been commiserating via e-mail about how we wouldn’t get to see each other until May at Malice Domestic. I thoroughly enjoyed the look on her face when I went up to her. Got a lovely hug!

E, C’s friend from Richmond, joined us then, and the 4 of us spent the rest of the day at panels, shopping and had a lovely lunch at our favorite place, Hamilton’s.

I didn’t buy much, but snagged a gorgeous purple pashmina from a street vendor.

Today, I’m going to spend resting and catching up on shows.

Next weekend: MJ!!!!!!!!!! I’m so psyched to see all of you guys.

A quick drive by post before I take off for an early bed (I *just* got home from work!)

My lovely editor, Paula Guran just posted this.

I think my luck is turning. I was thinking I might have to work this weekend, but I’m not. Also, when I got home from work today, I had a check in the mail for $250 – totally unexpected reimbursement from a medical bill.

YAY!!!

After a pretty tense night, I’ve decided to cancel my participation in the fangrrl squee weekend at starrcat‘s. At this point, I just want to sleep. It’s been a tough, busy week, capped off by yesterday’s incredibly stressful insanity. I’m praying we don’t have to work this weekend. At any rate, I will be *so* ready to see you all at MJ next weekend!

Woke up very very early this a.m. and filled the first hour of the morning with Supernatural.

My thoughts (spoilery)

(1) There is great news on the stepdad front. The catscan results are back and the cancer is in only one place and quite treatable. They are meeting with the docs on Friday to discuss next steps.

(2) I got my Callum bear!!!! The lovely folks at the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre even included an 8×10 (the same photo thats in the Ebay Auction listing.

(3) I also got my Surfacing ‘zines. Just in time for my NJ trip. w00t!!

(4) Tonight is my book signing/event at the Alexandria Public Library.

(5) At Mayhem in the Midlands, I will have the great pleasure of interviewing the Toastmaster, Nancy Pickard, a woman whom I adore and respect greatly.

(6) On Friday, I’m winging my way to NJ to visit with starrcat and the DS gang.

(7) In one week and one day, MJ!!!!!

So yesterday, in the midst of two hours of crazy!insane work type stuff, I get an IM from oldcharliebrown, chief editor at Wildside. Mostly chit-chat, until the really really cool thing about orders for Matters of the Blood.

Him: Borders took 1200 copies.
Me: WOW
Him: Barnes and Noble took 900 copies.
Me:

::chickwriter grins wildly::

Holy crap, all – I’m going to be in the chain stores!

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my lovely indies, especially Mysterious Galaxy and Mystery Loves Company. Both stores have been wonderful supporters. But try as they may, they can’t deal in those kinds of numbers. I’m still in a bit of shock.

On Wednesday, I’m at the Alexandria Public Library with 3 other local authors. Olsson’s ( another fine indie) ordered a case of my book (36). What’s left over after the signing will be my author copies, so I’m dying to see it finally.

If you’re in the area, feel free to stop by. It’s a free event and I promise I won’t force you to buy anything. ::g::

The weather has cleared up (thankfully!) but unfortunately, we didn’t get to go to Paula Poundstone last night. Weather was much too risky, plus after the work insanity, I had a splitting sinus headache. Although, the news about the book went a long way to alleviate that.

Of the amusing: In my mail last night, I got a promo postcard for a new book: Whips of the West. Tracey, I swear, it’s not what you think…no, really, I am so not lying. Evidently, since Chesapeake Crimes II, which I co-edited, is published by this press, I’m on the mailing list.

I’m going to have to keep this postcard.

In conclusion: 2 weeks until MJ!!!! 1 week until DS fannish weekend!!!!!

I may be home with a massive sinus headache, but the gods they are good to me.

Sean, chief editor of Wildside Press has posted my final book cover on his blog.

I spent the greater part of the weekend fighting off some sort of sinus something. It won and I am home from work with the headache that would not quit, but I don’t care, because my book cover is fab and, if the printing gods are good, I shall have copies in my hot little hands next week for my event at the Alexandria Public Library.

Now, back to bed.

The first episode of Blood Ties, the series based on the Tanya Huff books airs in the US on Lifetime on Sunday night (opposite Dresden Files, which makes no sense, b/c duh, same audience!)

That said, iTunes has the first episode (which is part 1 of 2, evidently) available for free download. Which I did. I *had* to watch this last night, after watching BSG (which, OMG) and Dresden (enjoyed).

Of all the on-air series right now, this one means such a great deal to me. Blood Price (the first book in the series) was my entry into the world of urban fantasy/vampires that weren’t evil, etc. This and subsequent books I discovered are the reason I write what I do.

My reaction to the show: I loved it. No ifs, ands, buts.

About halfway through watching the episode – I had this utterly fannish squeeful epiphany: this year, there will be THREE series on the air by THREE of my most favorite genre authors. In order of premier: Jim Butcher, Tanya Huff and in the fall on HBO, Charlaine Harris (of whom two I know personally). I cannot tell you what a total THRILL this was to realize. I must say I did let a small squeal of joy escape. ::g::

I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts for those of you that watch the show. theamusedone, this absolutely means you. ::g::

Clicky for some other thoughts – not spoilers, per se (I give away no plot info); but dealing with casting, treatment, etc.

I’m regaining a bit of the fannish squee, what with MJ coming up in a few weeks, plus a visit to my DS fangrrls the weekend before, there is much fannishness and lovely camaraderie ahead for moi.

Totally of the fannish goodness – Look what I just won on eBay…and by won, I mean “determined to outbid everyone”. I so had to have this.* I’m all giddy with delight.

(Nan, I was soo going to get you the J2 one, but alas, got too rich for my blood, too soon).

Also of fannish squee, I just finished reading the ARC of Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger. Kent kindly sent me the advance reading copy b/c a couple of years ago at a charity auction (I *do* gravitate to those, don’t I?), I bought a character name in the book. Not only is my character in here, but she’s integral to the storyline. Thunder Bay will be out in July. It’s part of a fabulous mystery series that I fell in love with some years ago.

Sadly, the weather is springless; a cold front dropping the temps into the low twenties and brining a chill wind with it. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to snow. Ah well.

In conclusion: HEROES!!! OMG, such love for that show.

Psst, there are more bears listed now.