Boy, 2011 was a heck of a roller coaster year

• lots of new book releases
• the loss of my agent & publisher
• my first self-e-pubbed book
• my very first self-narrated audiobook
• weird health issues
• a fabulous nomination from RT Book Reviews
• a hurricane
• an earthquake
• fantastic trips

…did that all happen?

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So tomorrow (Friday) morning at 11, I’m scheduled for a bronchoscopy. Thanks to weirdness in my lungs and the fact that they basically work like crap (results of pulmonary function test), I get to experience a camera being shoved down my throat and into my lungs plus bonus!biopsy.

No, the I most likely do not have lung cancer. The educated guesses from both my rheumatologist & lung specialist is sarcoidosis–which answers a lot of the annoying things I’ve had wrong for several years, including iritis, sinusitis, trouble breathing and a host of fun effects. /sarcasm. (Trust me to get some weird ass disease!)

I’ve never had a chronic illness and this freaks me out a bit. I’ve already had to curtail some activity because of decreased lung function. Turns out, I wasn’t breathless and wheezing from overdoing or just being fat–my lungs really, really don’t work properly because there’s a blockage. Lung doc put me on an albuterol inhaler for a couple of weeks as during the pulmonary function test, I was given albuterol (I felt like someone in a medical TV show, sitting there with the little breathing apparatus!) and after the meds, my lungs opened up. Go figure.

So tomorrow, in order to rule out cancer and other stuff and to confirm the initial suspicion, I go to the Virginia Hospital Center, get dosed with Rohypnol (or whatever drug they are currently using for the so-called “twilight anesthesia“…I just hope there are no sparkly vampires!) and a doctor will shove a camera into my lungs, look around, and take a snippet of tissue.

Whee?

I am just glad I have really good health insurance.

Life continues chez Lima. Busy at the workplace.

I’m excited about the fall season. Glee was most fun last night. I’m looking forward to a bunch of season premieres, including Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife and Amazing Race 19.

Blood Sacrifice got a lovely review from Amberkatze. Amber’s been great, promoting the books and also helping me with the Welsh in my books. She’s totally awesome.

One thing I love about the Intarwebz is the ability to connect with, correspond with and befriend folks from all over the world. Over the years, I’ve made friends from as far away as Australia & New Zealand, from all over the US, Canada and the UK, and even from exotic places like Nepal. I’ve reconnected with family, with friends from high school and college and former coworkers.

Physically (in meat space), I tend to be a hermit (on purpose). In cyberspace, I can enjoy all these lovely friendships. And yes, it’s great to meet folks in RL, too. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of my far-away friends/fans at cons. But cons cost money & time, and the internet is free (okay, well, I pay a connection fee which is worth every penny).

Readers, where are you from/where do you live? If you could choose a place to live, where would that be (money no object).

My dream place would be Vancouver, BC. I fell in love with the city three years ago during my birthday trip. Sadly, I don’t have Canadian residency (though that could be gotten) nor the funds (Vancouver is expensive!). But, I dream on. You never know, it could happen!

I had this goal once–to do a blog post once a week. Obviously, it totally hasn’t happened. ::g::

Summer’s flying by. July 4th came and went with little fanfare, except for the fireworks I could sort of see on the horizon out my window. I spent the long holiday weekend resting, reading (finished THE WHITE ROAD by Lynn Flewelling, the latest in her most excellent Nightrunner series) and writing.

Final revisions done and turned in on my essay for SmartPop’s fall anthology: FILLED WITH GLEE.
Loads of work done on Blood Lines #5, still title-less.

Prepping clothes and travel toiletries for Comic-Con (woot!). Leaving on July 19 and meeting with my sis & BIL in San Diego that afternoon. We’re doing the San Diego Zoo on Tuesday, then spending Wednesday hanging out at the hotel pool until Pro badge pickup at 3:00. Then, it’s CCI craziness.

It’s our first time there, so I’m glad loads of friends are going to be there for support and information. I know the main key is to not try to schedule too much. Totally good with that. I’ve got a panel on Thursday, followed by a signing, then at some point Friday or Saturday, signing at Mysterious Galaxy‘s booth sponsored by my publisher, Pocket Books.

It’ll be a crazy 10 days, but I know I’ll enjoy every insane moment of it.

Hope all my fellow Americans are enjoying our holiday Monday–or what’s left of it!

I was the uncool kid in English class–the one that loved Shakespeare. The plays, the sonnets: I was hooked. Mumblety years later, I’m still hooked. One of the very first apps I got for my iPhone was the Shakespeare app: all his works, ready to read on the phone. I can’t tell you how many editions of his works I’ve gone through, probably dozens.

My favorite play: The Scottish play
My favorite sonnet: Sonnet 18 (what, shaddup, I know everyone knows this one)

I love reading about Mr. S, biographies, essays, fiction books where he’s featured as a character. He’s kind of my not-so-sekrit dead playwright boyfriend. ::g::

He taught me to love language; that comedy and tragedy are part of the same coin; that love can be funny and dreadful; that words had multiple meanings and that 16 century humor isn’t all that removed from contemporary humor. He helped me discover my love of history, my deeply abiding respect and fascination with all things of his era (and that of his Queen).

Heck of a lot for a man nearly 400 years dead. Dude still rocks.

In other news:

1. Don’t forget to enter the Pocket display giveaway (open through the end of the month!). Take a pic of the display, buy any one of the books displayed and e-me a copy of the receipt with date of purchase and book title cleared readable and you’ll win your choice of any of my books.

2. In the Hunt Contest: Since there were only 2 entrants and both of them had right answers, the winners are:

zita_h  and beledibabe 

Please e-me with your name & snail mail address and I shall mail you a copy of the book. 

3. Malice Domestic – I’ll be there next weekend, Friday & Saturday. Hope to see some of you all there!

4. Still busy with a bunch of writing projects, so I’m posting less often than I want to. If you’re really wondering what I’ve been up to, I tend to post more often on Twitter or Facebook. Hoping to have a new Web site up soon. My amazing web maven has been swamped–yay for her.

And last but not least…
Over the past few months, I’ve been so busy, I’ve not taken time for my usual salon visit. The result? My hair grew fast & furious, so when I went in today, I decided to keep the longer length and just add fun, funky highlights.

Et voila!

From La Lima

What it looked like the last time I got a new do:

From La Lima

Happy Weekend, all!

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 am not sitting at my brand new gorgeous shiny desk from the Container Store. Nor am I organizing said desk as I planned. Nor am I struggling to assemble it (1 tabletop + 4 legs). Why? Because my shiny new white melamine desktop + legs are REAL furniture and require things like, oh, power tools and other things I do not own…like a 2nd person.

DIY!FAIL, people!

Yes, I do have a very nice toolbox with a hammer, screwdrivers (both Phillips head and flat), a glue gun, and all sorts of handy little wrenches. But this desk? Requires that I actually DRILL STARTER HOLES! I do not own a drill. In my world, furniture comes with this little allen wrench thingie and with that and a couple of screwdrivers, you’re all set.

Evidently, the furniture from the Container Store is REAL(tm) furniture that actually makes you do a Bob Vila routine before you can actually *use* said furniture.

I’m not really upset at myself, but I am a wee bit perturbed that nowhere on the shopping pages for said desktop did it state that one needed power tools to assemble. That was a bit of Container Store Fail.

At this point, I have the following choices:

1. Call the Container Store’s 800 number and schedule a home install (minimum $180–more than I paid for said desktop/legs).
2. Hope my buddy JG, who is coming in the morning to take the old Rubbermaid shelves away got my email begging for power tools and some assistance.
3. Chuck caution to the winds, go visit Lowes or Home Despot (spelling intended) and BUY a power drill with a 1/8" drill bit that I will use a grand total of…ONCE.
4. SOB mercilessly until I get rescued………Nah.

I *could* have gotten a similar furniture item from IKEA–you know, the place that has the furniture that assembles with the above-mentioned allen wrench. Why didn’t I? Well, there was this little problem called: the desk combo I wanted was not available for purchase online, so that meant a trip to the store in Woodbridge, just so I could buy a piece of furniture that they then would have to deliver to my home anyway. Because you know NONE of this would fit in my teeny car.

Oh, and to add injury to insult? The cool paper towel holder I ordered was packed in with the desk legs and arrived all broken.

le sigh.

Cuban I may be, but fellow countryman Bob Vila would totally disown me. (Hell, my parents just might. They build things, like wee bridges in their backyard and install their own kitchen sinks. I can’t even freaking put 4 legs on a tabletop).

I think I’ll go drown my sorrows in a good book and try to ignore the absolute STY my apartment resembles at this point (when you live in a studio – you can’t hide the clutter–which, was why I bought the damned furniture in the first place).

Thanks to my readers, I’ve been voted one of the top mystery blogs by the Daily Reviewer.

So, thanks readers and please keep on coming back!! ::g::

On the writing front news, Book 4 is coming along nicely, and thanks to

birki_lib

(my sister) I’ll be able to visit a high school football stadium while I’m in Texas this weekend. it’s been a LONG time since I was in one and watching FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS may be helpful in remembering, but I still need the sight, scent, feel of the place.

Today, I’m running errands in the morning (Post Office, pharm) so I can pack for my trip later this afternoon. Leaving first thing Thursday a.m. (Yes, I pack in advance…I am a Virgo!!)

Tomorrow night, a visit to the Apple store to introduce my buddy V to the wonders of the Mac, and then dinner and catch up. The rest of the time today and tomorrow will be spent with Keira and the gang in Rio Seco, trying to figure out why….

Well, I can’t tell you all EXACTLY what’s up, that would be a spoiler!!

Top mystery novels blogs

 And let us know you’re ok.

Especially if you ride Red Line. I’d like to know you made it home okay before/after crash.