It’s not totally because of money (well, yes, in a sense, because I do have to pay rent, bills, etc.) but, why I choose to work at the Matrix Group is because well, check out this post from my boss on our official blog site and then this Washington Post article.

We don’t always get to help out in this fashion, but it’s so great when we do.

Hai, internets!! I’m still here, although I’m waaaaay behind on reading for fun. And by reading I mean all values of reading including LJ, blogs, new books, etc.

Work has entered an extremely crazy, yet quite challenging (in a good way) period, requiring me to put in some pretty long days. It’s definitely all for the better as we’ve combined 4 teams into 2 and I (along with the other long-term project manager) have been promoted to Director. We’ve hired a new project manager to be on my team, so once she starts and gets up to speed, things should slow down to normal for me. In the meantime, I’m juggling twice the client load. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and I can assure you, it’s not a train. ::g::

Got hooked on Grey’s Anatomy sometime over the last few weeks and have, as of last night, watched through the end of season 4. (yay for iTunes and DVDs). It’s made up for not having any new TV. At least SGA will start back up in July.

Looking forward to seeing a bunch of you all at Con.txt in a few weeks. It will be the only con I attend this summer, until I go to Bouchercon in the fall. (World Mystery Con). I was hoping to do World Fantasy again, but alas, it’s in Calgary this year and I don’t think I can do two trips to Western Canada in 2 months. (My Vancouver trip is the first week of September).

Spent Memorial Day weekend just lazing about and watching Grey’s Anatomy. Had plans for Sunday, but alas, the sinus headache won, so I ended up just napping a lot. Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weekend (for those that observe it) and I hope to get caught up on LJ at some point in the near future.

No, NOT that kind of ‘ho….sheesh!

Off to San Francisco in the wee hours of the a.m. for a work trip and back on Tuesday.

I’ve watched the Supernatural episode, because it’s highly unlikely I’ll still be awake, since I have to get up at 4:00 a.m. There was lots of squee involved.

AND
casting spoilers below cut

Thing one:
I’ve survived the first part of this week, which was no mean feat. Hormone hell plus work overtaxed stress =/= happy chickwriter. Today wrapped up with a delayed staff meeting, but hey, there was beer. I had a Yeungling lager, because I could. (Was at work at 7:15…srsly not my fun hour.) ETA: 7:15 *a.m.*

Thing the last:
I’m going to be at World Fantasy in November. Anyone else? Want to meet up?

So, end of fiscal year and work and all be of the crazy as we attempt to close out projects and complete work so it can be billed in the right fiscal year.

What this means for me is long days (late nights for the past couple of weeks) and a marathon 12 hour day today.

But…

We did it. We achieved the year end goal and even surpassed it.

What this means to me: BONUS!!!

I don’t know how much yet, but it will be on this next paycheck.

This is a VERY good thing, even though I’m just beat.

I got home and made Lean Cuisine mac & cheese because it’s easy.

Also of the good: my cleaners came today so I have a clean home and clean laundry. Of ALL the things I spend money on, this is my favorite indulgence. It’s good to not stress about housework and laundry. I am not now, nor have I ever been domestically inclined.

I so need a wife. ::g::

Because I SUCK at birthday reminders – happy belated to the_star_fish and happy day to the_shoshanna. I *know* I’ve missed some folks these past couple of weeks. Just know I really was thinking of you!

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!!!!

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)

Back from the biz trip to Boston.

Never did get a chance to hook up with any of my Boston peeps – too many work-related obligations.

Skipped the Pops last night, but my buddy B and I went to Turner Fisheries – one of the hotel restaurants and indulged. Cocktails, lobster, dessert and a cognac.

Got back to my room by 8:30. By 9:30 I was packed and snoozing.

Plane arrived at DCA at noon. Got home to find my clean, yet wet laundry folded in the basket and on my bed. Seems the laundry card didn’t have enough $$ to dry the clothes.

Also came home to the heat on in the apartment (WTF!) and a blast of hot air. Opened the one window and am now cooling off.

Checked work email, yay – nothing major. My team is fantastic!

Am about to pass out from the jet lag. Who’d'a’thunk that a puddlejumper trip could wear a person out?

Plan to catch up on shows sometime later. Still haven’t seen the latest Eureka, Heroes, Studio 60, nor the 2 Veronica Mars. Thank goodness for iTunes and the EyeTV Tuner that recorded what I needed.

Arrived about 4:00 p.m. after an uneventful flight.

Got to the Westin, checked in and located my clients at the Hynes convention center. They’d already pretty much packed up for the day, so JP and I cruised some of the mall shops. Stopped in at Teavana and got a lovely tall cup of lapsang souchong.

Ogled the big gorgeous Bravias at the SonyStyle store.

I was pooped, so never made it to Pandemonium and Chris G’s signing. Instead, I went to dinner at Ginza (great sushi!) with JP and KD (her Boston-based friend). Then saw K’s new townhouse. K drove us around a bit – went through Brookline – waved in the general direction of the town in honor of BLG. Crossed the Charles twice, b/c K forgot we were having dinner first instead of going to his place. Can’t remember where he said his place was. In any case, it’s about 15-20 mins from the Westin.

Back at the hotel now and trying to figure out just where they figure people should plug in their laptops.

There’s one outlet at the little desk – but both those are take – one by the coffeepot, one by the oh-so-necessary lamp. I unplugged the lamp and plugged in my Airport, so I can sit on the luxurious king bed whilst surfing. (no WIFI here – WTF?)

Blanche is at 56% power, so I’m going to have to juice her up during the day tomorrow while I’m on the trade show floor.

Tomorrow is the first day of the trade show – goes until 5, then we’re invited to a special dinner. Not sure where it’s being held, but I bet it’s somewhere fancy.

I bought more clothes the other day. The Avenue was having a massive sale. Got a lovely dark green/gray suit (maybe moss?); a long black blazer and a dark brick red blazer. Also, a pair of black slacks, 4 Henleys and a handful of other things. I ended up saving nearly $100 after all the discounts were taken. I now have a very nice set of grown-up business clothes that are also comfy. (they are pants, not skirts).

I wish that this event wasn’t this weekend, b/c I could be at the fangrrl weekend with the rest of the gang. Alas, ’twas not to be.

Watched BSG last night – no brain left to comment, but enjoyed seeing CKR’s Leoben. He’s just the right mix of creepy and teh hawt.

Shay, Regina – hope your b’day bash is going well! Been thinking of you all today.

ETA: oh SQUEEE – my publisher’s updated the Web site. Scroll down to March 2007 – my book is listed.

Off in the a.m. to Omaha, NE for Mayhem in the Midlands.

Am I ready? Not so much.

Not quite packed. Not quite mentally ready.

Spent all of today in a work-related meeting, then went into my office to read email, etc. only to find that my work laptop had gone kerblooey. (That’s a technical term. ::g::) Basically, won’t boot up anymore. Rich, one of the network admins happened to walk by (on his way home) and I snagged him to take a look.

He’s pretty sure it’s the boot sector, so he’s going to try to backup my email and rebuild the ‘puter while I’m out of town. I guess if it had to happen, this is the best timing ever.

In any case, I’ll be offline for several days. Not taking Blanche with me, because I probably won’t get much writing done while I’m gone. Am taking the 400+ page printout with me to edit so I can work later.

Ta for now.