Happy birthday to Astolat – long may she write! She’s the one that enticed me into many a fandom, plus, hey a cool person, too.

I’ll celebrate with my Paul Gross icon, apropos of the fact that Mr. Gross is also celebrating his natal day, and for the next few months, we’ll be of an age. Of course, he’s way prettier than I am. ::g::

Also of the fabulous, when I got home tonight, the a/c was on in the building. HALLELUJAH, I have cool air. (I live in a high rise apartment building, and they only turn on the a/c per a specific schedule – has something to do with the way the building HVAC works). No more sweating!

I’ll be at Malice Domestic this weekend, rubbing elbows with some of my most favorite people and on a panel with Charlaine Harris, Lillian Stewart Carl, Carole Nelson Douglas, Shirley Damsgaard and Casey Daniels. (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.)

I’d better start packing!

ETA: panel time is 10:30!! Thanks, beledibabe!

Guess I was too sleepy last night.

Congrats to naominovik‘s hubby Charles who picked up an Edgar for Best Short Story:

“The Home Front” – Death Do Us Part by Charles Ardai (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company)

Just got my Edgar Award announcements:

BEST TELEVISION EPISODE TELEPLAY
Life on Mars – Episode 1, Teleplay by Matthew Graham (BBC America)

The Wire Season 4 picked up an Edgar for Best Television Feature/Mini-Series Teleplay

The Edgar Awards are given by the Mystery Writers of America.

The entire list of nominees and winners

In other news, the book signing at the Olsson’s was very nice – if sparsely attended. Evidently, the store’s only been open since December. Lovely lovely store and great manager. Sadly, my own books were once again *not* there, but I brought my 8 remaining author copies along.

Sold 2 and left 2 there for sale.

Hopefully, this was a store snafu and isn’t a further sign of things to come. That’s now TWO Olsson’s events where they did not have my book.

Le sigh.

Off to bed now so I can actually go to work in the a.m.

As many of you know, a dear friend of mine, Elaine Viets, suffered a stroke recently, right before the tour for her new book, Murder with Reservations. Since she can’t tour, her friends are doing it for her. Learn more at her (and my) publicist’s site.

Why are we doing this? Because Elaine is an amazing woman who’s given loads of time and assistance to the writing community and we want to give back. Plus, hey, it’s a fun series and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

Help show your support by buying a copy of Murder with Reservations or telling your friends.

Thanks for your support!

Local DC area folks – if you’re around Thursday evening, stop by and see me and my 3 buddies at the Olsson’s Books in Crystal City at 7:00 p.m.

We’re reprising our event at the Alexandria Public Library…this time, they *should* have copies of my book.

I’d love to see folks there!!

The review – I got a lovely email today from Sheila Leitzel, Editor in Chief at BookFetish.org – cool name, huh? I admit, I’ve never heard of them before today, but they totally loved my book. This is one of the coolest reviews I’ve ever gotten.

I am floored and so very, very happy.

A wonderful, special and happy happy birthday to lynnmonster

Lynn!!

The darling Lynn of anime, manga and all sorts of fannish goodies and one of the coolest fangrrls ever.

May what’s left of your birthday be FABULOUS!

In honor (or should that be “honour”?) of Shakespeare’s birthday and International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day, I offer you all my first published short story, The Butler Didn’t Do It.

The story garnered an Agatha Award nomination for Best Short Story of 2004.

Learn more about International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day:
The comm: ipstp
More links to shared stories, art, photos, etc.

ETA: I had to link to this: Joe Malozzi’s account of the Death by Chocolate party

OMFG what a FABULOUS concert!!

It’s the last concert of the tour and they were smokin’ hot in all ways. They played two extremely full sets, plus a wee bit extra because they could. As Alan kept saying: it’s Friday and we’re not working tomorrow. (Plus their plane doesn’t leave until 3:45 p.m. – so they can sleep in).

I’m exhausted and exhilarated so wound up that I can’t wind down. Totally had to take a couple of pain pills as pre-emptive medication, as my hands are buzzing from the non-stop clapping; my legs are numb from the standing and dancing in place throughout the show.

I am still so very much in love with these guys.

Thanks so much to starrcat for introducing me to their music.

I need to sleep, but I can’t. I think I’ll troll LJ. ::g::

ETA: OMG, almost forgot. I totally did the fangrrl thing and wore my “Canada Which I Dig” jersey to the concert

The weather is FABULOUS, finally! Although, I’m working and not exactly able to enjoy it. Still, there is sunshine and it’s not cold.

I created a Web site for my professional self – via Google Page Creator. Not because I don’t know how to code, but because I don’t want to have to deal. Google uses a simple interface that makes it easy to make page updates.

I’m working on pointing my domain name there.

I decided to link to my LJ, simply because this is where the more frequent updates and info happen. The site is primarily for static content and info on my appearance schedule.

Unlike many of you, I’ve not yet seen last night’s Supernatural, I’m saving that for Saturday. Still trying to catch up on all my other shows.

Why am I not watching tonight, you may ask?

Tonight, dear friends, is one of my most favorite nights of the year: GREAT BIG SEA concert!!!

I’m going with the darling beledibabe, my co-worker J and her hubby (a former co-worker). We have BRILLIANT seats – 2nd row (or 5th if they use the orchestra pit seating). I’m also wearing my Canada, Which I Dig jersey.

In conclusion.

So I got up earlyish today for my hair appointment. By the time Y, my fabulous hairdresser got to the cut part of color & cut, I’d developed a vicious sinus headache. Ick.

So I came home, watched a funny dark comedy called Keeping Mum (starring Maggie Smith & Rowan Atkinson), took meds, skimmed LJ and then took a nap.

Much better!

This evening, I curled up in the recliner for a dose of Jane Austen (tonight’s feature: Persuasion* with Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds), then decided to browse my RSS feeds before I go lay down again (darn headache is back).

I’m glad I checked Google Reader – I found my book listed in the New Books, First Week of April on the Locus site. Okay, this is WAAAAY cool. I’ve read Locus on and off since about 1979, so I’m totally gobsmacked. Hee!!

Also of the good, heard my friend Elaine Viets is recuperating well, though slowly. The prognosis is quite good. Thanks to all those that sent good thoughts her way.

I think I’m going to spend the rest of the evening reading and happy that good things are happening.