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I haven't made a post since the 9th of June. It isn't that I haven't been around--twitter and email have just been where I've been hanging out, when I have felt up to it. Mostly, this is because I have been sick with the most horrible cold I have ever had in my life. I don't get sick that often, but when I do, I fall like a dead trunk. A dead tree trunk struck by lightening.
A week ago Friday night, my little English Springer Spaniel, Claire, died unexpectedly.
She was getting on in years, but was only 12, so seeing her rapid decline (we're talking about 3 hours total here) was shocking. She died before I could get dressed to take her to the ER--it happened that fast, with me, my son, and my two huskies there with her. It has been (as it always is) interesting to see how the change in pack dynamics influences how the huskies behave. Maddox? Not so much, but Shelby has been wildly affectionate and silly. Is she glad Claire is gone? Maybe? She had spats with Claire, but that hadn't happened in ages. She woo'd at Claire alot that last hour--so strange, but that's Shelby.
In any case, the two are fine, I am finally almost entirely recovered. Finally.
Work has been nuts--we're still several people short, the admin we wanted took another job, I still miss Jeremy and Cody like crazy beans, the stupid stupid idiots. It is so quiet, and we are very busy. I am working on a project that is a wee bit boring (researching 38 crossings in Seattle, WA), but watching shows helps.
But Kevin, Chris, Juan and I are enjoying soccer talk, as we're all into it. Watching Italy vs. New Zealand. I had Italy 2-0, but NZ came out with a lucky(?) goal in the first seven minutes. I like this commentator, who is Scottish--he just has no patience with Italy's dramatics. Every time one falls to the ground he expresses his disgust. LOL. Nick got bored and is taking a nap. LOL. This has been a fun match to watch. Or maybe I just like the Scottish commentator?
Current reads: WARBREAKER by Brandon Sanderson, the writer who is finishing the Robert Jordan series. It is well, well done, with a lead character that has some of the best dialogue I've read in ages, and a magic system that I find entrancing.
FEED: A Zombie book by Mira Grant. I don't usually do zombie books, but this one is engrossing.
I cried to itunes about losing the GRRM audiobooks I paid so much for when my computer was stolen, and they let me redownload the first one. Not all of them, just the first. :*( But relistening to it after all these years is interesting. I hope he finishes the series, sigh. I hate the thought of not knowing what happens to all those characters.
There is so much that GRRM does in his writing that I really like--the multiple POV is something I enjoy working with, and what I am doing with AF. I think I need a new title for it though (was Altered Fates, which sounds more like science fiction than fantasy). So I will think about that.
Embracing the fantasy again has been amazing. I've pulled it apart, literally. Taken three POV's out (10 was a wee bit!), and a fourth POV has been moved from one male character to a female's character. I have taken out a huge thread as a result, but it was not a good thread, and detracted from what should be the main story. That is where I was going wrong so many years ago--I just couldn't see it. I do now. Time and finally being able to divorce myself from the bitterness surrounding this story has made it all fresh and new again, and you can bet I will not ever ever let anyone else destroy what is a good thing. Critique partners can be great, but when you land with one who has her own agenda, and let that near-destroy you, well... That's what happened to this book. And me. Stupid, huh. Absolutely it was.
Now my task is to go through what I have, smooth it out, and then take each character's thread and make each one as solid as possible. And make some other major decisions, but am feeling good about it, and I finally have several people I trust to bounce things off of. That is SWEET.
Yawn--I am feeling kind of sleepy, too. But I need to get a hair cut today! I just realized it is Sunday though--will have to wait until this afternoon. LOL.
A week ago Friday night, my little English Springer Spaniel, Claire, died unexpectedly.
She was getting on in years, but was only 12, so seeing her rapid decline (we're talking about 3 hours total here) was shocking. She died before I could get dressed to take her to the ER--it happened that fast, with me, my son, and my two huskies there with her. It has been (as it always is) interesting to see how the change in pack dynamics influences how the huskies behave. Maddox? Not so much, but Shelby has been wildly affectionate and silly. Is she glad Claire is gone? Maybe? She had spats with Claire, but that hadn't happened in ages. She woo'd at Claire alot that last hour--so strange, but that's Shelby.
In any case, the two are fine, I am finally almost entirely recovered. Finally.
Work has been nuts--we're still several people short, the admin we wanted took another job, I still miss Jeremy and Cody like crazy beans, the stupid stupid idiots. It is so quiet, and we are very busy. I am working on a project that is a wee bit boring (researching 38 crossings in Seattle, WA), but watching shows helps.
But Kevin, Chris, Juan and I are enjoying soccer talk, as we're all into it. Watching Italy vs. New Zealand. I had Italy 2-0, but NZ came out with a lucky(?) goal in the first seven minutes. I like this commentator, who is Scottish--he just has no patience with Italy's dramatics. Every time one falls to the ground he expresses his disgust. LOL. Nick got bored and is taking a nap. LOL. This has been a fun match to watch. Or maybe I just like the Scottish commentator?
Current reads: WARBREAKER by Brandon Sanderson, the writer who is finishing the Robert Jordan series. It is well, well done, with a lead character that has some of the best dialogue I've read in ages, and a magic system that I find entrancing.
FEED: A Zombie book by Mira Grant. I don't usually do zombie books, but this one is engrossing.
I cried to itunes about losing the GRRM audiobooks I paid so much for when my computer was stolen, and they let me redownload the first one. Not all of them, just the first. :*( But relistening to it after all these years is interesting. I hope he finishes the series, sigh. I hate the thought of not knowing what happens to all those characters.
There is so much that GRRM does in his writing that I really like--the multiple POV is something I enjoy working with, and what I am doing with AF. I think I need a new title for it though (was Altered Fates, which sounds more like science fiction than fantasy). So I will think about that.
Embracing the fantasy again has been amazing. I've pulled it apart, literally. Taken three POV's out (10 was a wee bit!), and a fourth POV has been moved from one male character to a female's character. I have taken out a huge thread as a result, but it was not a good thread, and detracted from what should be the main story. That is where I was going wrong so many years ago--I just couldn't see it. I do now. Time and finally being able to divorce myself from the bitterness surrounding this story has made it all fresh and new again, and you can bet I will not ever ever let anyone else destroy what is a good thing. Critique partners can be great, but when you land with one who has her own agenda, and let that near-destroy you, well... That's what happened to this book. And me. Stupid, huh. Absolutely it was.
Now my task is to go through what I have, smooth it out, and then take each character's thread and make each one as solid as possible. And make some other major decisions, but am feeling good about it, and I finally have several people I trust to bounce things off of. That is SWEET.
Yawn--I am feeling kind of sleepy, too. But I need to get a hair cut today! I just realized it is Sunday though--will have to wait until this afternoon. LOL.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-06-22 12:16 am (UTC)Thanks babe--she was a good one, for sure. I miss her most when I am cooking! She was my floor cleaner. :*(
(no subject)
Date: 2010-06-22 11:02 pm (UTC)Being at mom and dad's house, Lucy doesn't get to help much with the cooking...or the eating. She sits by me at the table and pouts all through dinner. She is winning them over slowly but surely though. I've seen them both hand her a snack more than once.
Not sure why my reply was anonymous, I thought I was logged in when I sent it.