I’m right smack in the middle of a dilemma, gang. Comcast Internets (which I current have) is being a massive PITA about getting an order in to transfer my service to my soon-to-be new digs. Long story short: 2 attemps = 2 FAILs. I don’t know why this is so bloody hard.

I’m considering switching to Verizon, but it will be DSL not FIOS (FIOS would be a no-brainer). I know DSL is slower normally and I really have a great, fast connection now (which != fast connection at new place, I know). So I hesitate in making the switch.

Seeing as how my flist and readers are collectively much smarter than I am at these kinds of things, I toss my dilemma in your kindly direction and request your advice, thoughts, comments or just rants about one or t’other.

Won’t you please help me choose?

Thanks in advance and hope your Friday is fabulous!!

I began the Great Declutter project months ago, tired of all the crap I’ve managed to accumulate over the past nearly 10 years here in DC. When I first moved here, I came with me, my ancient computer and whatever I could fit into my 1998 Nissan Sentra. Wasn’t much. Books, of course, and some software. Clothes. But I had to buy new stuff–well, new to me. I spent a lot of time on Craigslist and DC Web Women, trolling for a bed, a desk/table, stuff I could use while figuring out how to live in a 20 x 12 foot studio apartment, with a kitchen more suited to never cooking than actually providing a decent meal.

After 9 years, 2 months and 2 weeks…I’ve decluttered nearly everything that’s redundant, useless or forgotten. Replaced all the crap furniture I’d amassed and have things that *match*. I thought I was done. Then last Friday, while playing around with a new iPhone app (Padmapper), something clicked. An apartment complex near work, on the edge of Del Ray, a very cool, eclectic neighborhood and still in the city of Alexandria had studios for not much more than I pay now. What’s the catch, I wondered. After discussing with a co-worker that was sort of familiar with the place, I went over with her on Monday (yes, yesterday) to take a look. It’s one high-rise that sits on a hill, with a gated entrance (a plus for security), a security door (another plus)  and very friendly staff (contrary to the complaint posts on apartmentratings.com.

Sarah, a lovely cheerful leasing agent showed us a studio on the 11th floor, located at the end of the hallway. Wall-to-wall carpet that looked nearly brand new, amazing view (NO HIGHWAY!), energy-efficient brand new windows (NO NOISE), a regular sized kitchen with FULL SIZED APPLIANCES. The piece de resistance? A pantry. Shelves behind a door where I can store canned goods, and paper towels and STUFF so I can find it again!

Amongst the other fabulous things: a really good sized walk-through closet and a sink with a cabinet (instead of a pedestal sink).  

The building is the same age as the place I currently live in, but it’s been kept up and renovated over the years. There’s a full fitness center, a huge lending library with wall-to-wall wooden shelves filled with books, leather chairs, small workspaces, etc. There’s also a TV lounge, with a giant flat-screen TV, black leather barcaloungers with cupholders. Dudes: it’s all FREE to tenants! There’s even a convenience store in the building with an ATM.

I didn’t waste any time. The place met ALL of my "must have" list and most of my "would like to haves" - they even allow cats!! (don’t have a cat now, but I want to get one soon).

The upshot? I’m moving on April 2. Yes, in 30 days. I filled out the application yesterday. Confirmed that my credit check was okay this afternoon (not that I doubted it); the only thing left is the employment verification and since I know I have the right data, it’s all good.

ACK!! I’ve got to pack!!! I’ve already contacted movers (Gulliver’s Movers – they specialize in apartments) and they’re available on the 2nd. I’ve not moved in nearly 10 years.

This is going to be stressful but FUN!!

Of course, during these next weeks I have to:
Revise an essay (due 3/8)
Finish the short story (due 4/15)
Pack
Do the change of address thing
Figure out where stuff goes
Move
Unpack
Get settled

I can do this, right?

I’ve been meaning to do a post about minimizing–getting rid of the garbage in your life, whether it’s stuff, or habits, or whatever. Then yesterday evening, I saw Wil Wheaton’s tweet that Andrew Koenig’s body had been found. I didn’t know him or his parents, other than having seen his dad on Star Trek, but somehow, his death struck me very hard.

Perhaps it’s the fact that despite his loving family and friends; despite his being in one of the most beautiful cities on this planet, he felt alone and unwilling to continue with life. I got even sadder when reading some of the comments on the various news stories–assholes talking about "dude needed to just man up" and things of that nature. Well, here’s my response:

DEPRESSION CAN KILL.

it’s not an option to "man up" or "get a grip" or any of those other trite and frankly, ignorant, pieces of advice. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. And yes, it can be exacerbated by life triggers, but it’s not something you can just "shake off". I know this because I suffer from depression–which did not get diagnosed until about two years ago. I had no idea that’s what my symptoms meant. Hell, I didn’t even know they were symptoms. It wasn’t until a fabulous (and new to me) gynecologist sat and chatted with me for 45 minutes before my annual exam. She helped me realize that I’d been clinically depressed pretty much all my life. Unfortunately, one of the side-effects/symptoms of menopause and aging can increase the severity of depression, which is how I finally clued in. I’m on regular meds now, monitored by my primary care physician (who is also fabulous). It took two doctors who believe in holistic care (treating the patient, not the symptoms) to finally realize this. I’m fifty-one years old, people. I’m smart, a college grad. I’m a writer. I READ. And I didn’t know. I’m lucky that my depression was much milder in the past–who knows, if life circumstances hadn’t been kind to me, I may have ended up like Andrew Koenig, lost and alone in a sea of friends and family, ending my life because my brain chemistry convinced me that was the only answer.

I hare this with you all because sharing information can help. Too many people don’t talk about this because of the implied stigma.

If you suffer from depression or a loved one does, please do your best to seek help, if you haven’t already. This is an illness-it’s not just a "mood" or a phase. It can be a silent and deadly illness.

I am still sad about Andrew Koenig’s death and how much his family and friends must be hurting. I hope he’s found peace.

Many of these great links are thanks to AfterElton.com blogs:

Wherein I say LOL and you say, I did laugh merrily in an out loud fashion

Sam Adama’s tats have history…plus bonus!pics!

Gorgeous fairy tale art

  doth speaketh the truth: writers, don’t fuck it up!

Agatha Awards noms announced (special woo-hoo to my buddy-in-crime Dana Cameron for her short story nom!)

It’s ABOVE FREEZING and SUNNY!!

ETA: Congrats to the above-mentioned   for her Nebula nom!! Loads of great authors on the nom list. Go check it out.

Happy Friday, y’all!

I’m excited to introduce a new blog, Hooked on Heroines, a new group blog debuting this week. Who are we?

• Linda Robertson, author of the Persephone Alcmedi series from Pocket/Juno books
• Laura Bickle, author of the Lantern series from Pocket/Juno; and her alter ego, Alayna Williams, author of the Delphic Oracle series from Pocket/Juno
• and moi, Maria Lima, author of Blood Lines series from Pocket/Juno Books.

We’ll be blogging about books, writing, heroines, and anything that catches our eye. To start, Linda Robertson is blogging about Mythic Heroines. Please drop by and say hello!

While   gleefully posts about her bookstore display (also starring   and  ), I have the utmost pleasure to announce that I will have a bookstore display from April 13 – 26, 2010 in Barnes & Noble stores, featuring a special vampires & werewolves promo with my books and Carole Nelson Douglas’ books.

w00t!!

Seriously, this is so bloody cool, I can’t even begin to tell you. Seanan started a dino dance party, I think we need a real Texas bbq with all the fixins. (Does bbq chicken tenders count? Because that’s what I’m having for dinner.) Damn I miss Rudy’s.

Emerging from the snowpocalypes and snowmaggedons–finally! Though it’s overcast today, I’m okay with that, because it’s not snowing. ::g::

Woke up early and focused on my essay for SmartPop. Finished and emailed it off. Yippee!! Two days before due date.

Next in line, a short story, which I’ve mostly outlined thanks to a clue bat from the muse a couple of weeks ago. Today, however, I’m going to chill for the rest of the day. I’m reading   ‘s ROSEMARY AND RUE and loving it!! Hopefully, I’ll catch up on some of my shows. Still waiting for iTunes to load the opening ceremonies of the Olympics so I can watch that. Perhaps there may even be a nap. ::g::

…Mother Nature said, "Let there be sun."
And there was sun.
And the people rejoiced, for lo! the snowpocalypse/snowmaggedon/snoverkill had now ended.
And they praised the sun and shouted "Hallelujah" for the snow shall melt and our transport shall be freed once more!
And soon shall the shackles be thrown off the buses and trains, so that we may travel.
And then shall the leaders return to the snow filled land and speak wisely
And then the temperatures shall surely rise and this, too, shall pass into memory
And we shall be sweating and humid and cranky

But boy, howdy, until then – SUN!!!!!

From Snoverkill

Got really windy last night and is still that way. Snow blowing sideways and falling faster than I’ve ever seen it. Lost power in a blip around 9:15ish. Luckily, it came right back and ::crosses fingers:: I still have power and Internets.

I’ve updated the snOMG album:

snOMG!

Looks like we got about 16" total so far with more on the way. I’m VERY glad I’m safe, warm and cozy in my apartment. Hope those of you in the pat of the storm are equally comfy!

The buzz yesterday all over the office went somewhat like this: snow, snow?, Snow?, snOMG! EEEEK!! As the National Weather Service and the various area city leaders posted updates, sent emails, posted to Facebook, the forecast went from "hmm, heap big snow" to "HOLY CRAP WE’RE GETTING ELEVNTYMILLION FEET!"*

City government announced closings around noonish. Schools by 5 p.m. Area businesses prepared for The Worst. During my lunchtime run to Harris Teeter for bagels and snacks, I saw the beginnings of the locust horde forming–people with carts groaning under the load. Of course, it didn’t help that this Sunday there’s some sort of feetball game**. Reports abound from later-in-the-evening shoppers who arrived to find barren shelves. I get it, I do. This is the South, though in NoVA/DC/lower MD, it’s not quite as obvious. We’re not used to this much snow, especially since it’s the 2nd storm within the last couple of weeks, and expected to break records. Still, 3 days of being stuck at home? NOT the end of the world, folks.

I’m off work today, as I am all Fridays, so am looking on in amusement. I woke up at 7, deciding to chronicle the snOMG as it happens:

From snOMG!

7:00 a.m. – all quiet on the eastern front

Today, I’ll be working on my essay for A Taste of True Blood (SmartPop Books), also plan to do some relaxation – watch shows, DVDs, read, because, my pretties, I. AM. DONE. — with revisions to Blood Heat (from my editor’s notes). Emailed it to her and Mr. Agent Weds. night. whee!!  92, 647 words later. I harken back to when I started writing the book and despaired of ever getting to this point. Of the good, as I was reviewing the notes and working on the revisions, the muse hit me with the clue bat and I now have the main arc of Book 5 sussed. Now I can write the synopsis. whew!

My story for Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 now has a plot. I knew I wanted to set it in San Antionio, using some of the myths/legends of the area. Thanks to some nifty books (Spirits of San Antonio and South Texas and The History and Mystery of the Menger Hotel) I now have a decent direction. Yay!

Of the amusing: The top song on my birthday was…

Why yes, I am an old fart–and happy to be here.