Today is the incomparable blue_fjords's birthday. Let me tell you a little bit about Blue. And yeah I know her real name, but to me she will ALWAYS be Blue.

I have yet to meet her in person, but it is more a matter of 'when' not 'if' that will happen. She is one of the kindest, funniest people I know - her current Costa Rica posts are a great example, as she insists on being silly in giving all the animals names of her favorite tv characters. So there is Dean and Cas and Arthur and Eames and... she had me going there for a minute, thinking they were really named that. Dork C.

Anyway! She is also very generous! She has been my go-to beta for a long time on my original stuff, and when I write, I think "I wonder if Blue will like this?" She is my First Reader and I love her for her patience and putting up with my frantic inundations of 'wait! FORGET THAT CHAPTER! READ THIS ONE!' (and sometimes doing that 3-4 times with the same chapter). She is priceless! She is even in my newest book currently being gone over at my publisher (along with Mander). I just had to do it!

What else is wonderful about Blue? She works for animals! She is one of those people who gives and gives to the worlds of endangered wildlife, and when she talks about the things they have accomplished - like the successful reintroduction of the gorgeous Scarlet Macaw into the wild - well, she just glows with pride. She also was one of those amazing, selfless people who worked so hard after Katrina to help all the lost and bewildered dogs and cats, reuniting dozens of them with their grateful families, and finding homes for those who they could not reunite. I am in awe.

And to top everything off - she makes THE BEST vegan Red Velvet cupcakes IN THE WORLD! And tons of other flavors too, running a side business in her spare time, selling cupcakes and now dog treats on the weekends. She is amazing! She has inundated me with cupcakes over the last few years, and there are none better. Made with Blue love! I miss her tons though because she is always cooking, but that's what happens when you run a business on your own.

What else? There are lots of other things! Like her adoration and love of family, her sense of humor, uh, and plus she is just darn CUTE.

And so, cheers to Blue, you awesome, wonderful person, on your birthday. I adore you, you are an awesome friend, and I feel very lucky to have you in my life.

Carolyn

Guess I've been busy, as I haven't posted once since October 1st. Shame on me! So, what's been going on? Not much other than trying to recover from the horrible experience of my boss, my beloved boss of the last decade, getting fired(!!!) and how that has changed everything I feel about this job. A huge, huge disappointment. Huge. HUGE.

Am listening to podfic alot lately...right now am listening to an amazingly marvelous one called Student Prince (a Merlin AU). It is so well-written and imaginative, I am just simply thoroughly enjoying the fire out of it. Been reading a bit of Merlin fanfic too and beta'ing it... OMG which reminds me, like Toy Story? Merlin? then dash straight away to misswinterhill's lj and read her take on a Merlinized Toy Story world. Absolutely LOVE this story to bitty bits! It is adorable, touching, made me cry darn it...and showcases why I love Jenny's writing so much. I should move this paragraph to the top. There. Much better.

Other things...getting ready for Nano, beta'ing fics for Nick, Jenny and Blue, reading more (current read is The Iron Duke and yes it is romance, gasp, but it is also damn clever steampunk which is why I am reading it). I cleaned out my books and have a stack of 19 books over there I must read before I can buy anything else, which means I have to avoid going to the bookstore on Friday nights after writer's group because my dear friends are always trying to make me buy yet another book. They all read at ten times the speed of light. I swear I have never seen such voracious readers! I'm on page 233 of 378 and that has taken me a week. Oh well, at least I am savoring it and enjoying it longer this way, right?

Nano is going to be a blast. I'll be participating lots more this year because I actually know people now and won't find it as easy to talk myself out of going to things. I've got two projects for Nano: finish the ms I'm working on now (have about 30k to go) and start the next one which will be my "Project for 2011" project (fantasy, full-on, man). I will also be starting another loose-id book...I have the idea loosely-formed in my head. It will be fun, I think. With aliens! LOL. I think. Yeah.

Other things...if anyone has a secret for convincing a body to BUDGE past a certain weight, lay it on me. I am so firmly thoroughly ridiculously stuck at this weight and want just 10 lbs. more to GO AWAY NAO but it WON'T. We have a gorgeous track at work and now that it is cooler I'm going to start hitting that after work. That may be all I need as I don't know how I can possibly eat any healthier. But talk about infuriating--grr. LOL.

Hmmm... guess that is it for now. Reading, writing, nanoing, podficcing, beta'ing, working, dieting, any other -ings? Worrying! Daughter graduates in May and is intent on heading out of here and hopefully working for Teachers for America for two years, somewhere in Anywhere USA. She really wants to go to San Francisco, or the East Coast, 'anywhere but Topeka!' lol. I vote for Nashville as I am smitten by that city, but we'll see. Sigh...not sure I am ready for this, but this is what life is all about, right? Doesn't mean I have to like it...

Being in a really fun and fabulous writing group that inspires, encourages, and leaves one energized and excited.

Just sayin'.

C, the Happy Camper :)