Convention convention convention

Yesterday was the final 2006 Dragon*Con Director’s Meeting, which means the convention’s right around the bend. Eek! So much to do, so little time.

Socializing, networking, and base-touching was had, and I got to coo over dire_epiphany‘s new Sony VAIO UX180p micro computer. It’s so bitty! When fosteronfilm and I were looking at ultra-portables, I gazed longingly at this model, but I really need a fully touch-typeable keyboard to write on. But the UX model has two cameras and a touch screen, its keyboard glows blue, and it’s a full-feature XP machine that fits in the palm of your hand!

Sony makes the coolest toys.

The convention fed us, as per usual, and I really shouldn’t have eaten a whole piece of lemon cake/torte with dinner. I felt queasy afterward on the ride home. Once upon a time I could eat multiple pieces of cake and not feel ill. Those days have passed. Blerg.

In other convention transpirings, I got a note from the Mobicon folks. They’re in the process of updating their website for 2007 and asked me for a bio and picture. I used my default headshot, but I wonder if I should have sent them this one instead:

Yep, the depicted bosom on the interim 2007 Frolicon postcard is mine! Not every gal can boast that their torso has been featured on a postcard .

Actually, I had no idea they were going to use this picture until the grapevine enlightened me. Hee! The photo was taken by fritzling during an impromptu shoot at the convention (as in, “hey, I’ve got a full photography set-up in my room, can I take some pictures of y’all?”–to our roving band of party-goers), not as anything formal or planned. He does impressive work, Fritz does, especially since I recall being tipsy and flushed during this shoot, and he’s managed to make my skin look all glowy and luminous instead of blotchy. The icon in this post is another picture taken by fritzling that same night. I was wearing my wings, and I like how the fall of my hair makes my ears seem a smidgen pointy.

   

Writing Stuff
I was hoping to get another story written before Dragon*Con, as my muse tends to get a bit shell-shocked right afterward. Plus, I’ve committed to writing three for various anthologies before the end of the year. But I don’t think that’s going to happen now. I shall just have to nose-to-keyboard afterward and crank them out post-convention. I did start one story on Friday, but I don’t see that I’ll have time to do any more writing until after D*C is over. The Dragon*Con hamster has bulked up to vasty-huge proportions and is now so massive I can’t see hefting even one small, skinny hamster alongside it.

And lingtm tagged me! Okay, okay, it’s a fun meme, and it’s sort of writing-related. Ergo:

1. One book that changed your life.

The Higher Taste solidified my stance on animal welfare, and I realized I needed to change how I lived in order to be consistent with my beliefs. I was already leaning in that direction, but the book gave me the final shove I needed to become a life-long vegetarian (but not a Hare Krishna).

2. One book you have read more than once?

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. This is probably the book that hooked me on science fiction. Before I read it, I was almost exclusively a fantasy reader.

3. One book you would want on a desert island?

I’m taking an, err, page out of Samantha’s list. Definitely The Ultimate Survival Guide by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman. I mean, it’s fully illustrated.

4. One book that made you laugh?

The Black Unicorn/Red Unicorn/Gold Unicorn YA trilogy by Tanith Lee. Yeah, I’m cheating; that’s three books. But I don’t need no stinking rules!

5. One book that made you cry?

The Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee. I cry every single time I read it. I love this book, the characters, the beauty of the prose, the story. One of my favs.

6. One book you wish had been written?

The Big Book of Editorial Smiting: You Can Hit People Over the Head with this Heavy, Pointy Book if They Don’t Use the Serial Comma.

7. One book you wish had never been written?

I think I’m going to have to cheat again, because I can’t think of anything. Sure there are some really bad books out there, but wishing something unwritten is like wishing someone dead. It seems a bit harsh and excessive.

8. One book you are currently reading?

Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by blackholly. I thought this was going to be a sequel to Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale, but it’s not. Nevertheless, I love Holly’s urban fantasy world and stylings.

9. One book you have been meaning to read?

1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies. dude_the loaned it to me months ago, and I’m very interested in the subject matter, but it keeps getting pushed down my “things to read” list. I need a dedicated set of eyes and brain-storage space just to catch up on my reading.

10. Now tag five people.

reddherring1955, keesa_renee, basletum, pabba, and yukinooruoni, you’re it! And whoever else wants to play, of course.

Received:
– Interview answers from my CRICKET editor, Debby Vetter, for my Writing for Young Readers column. September’s installment will rawketh, ye verily.
– 9-day personal “didn’t quite grab me” from Escape Pod on a reprint, with an “As always, please keep trying us” so I don’t feel totally reviled and despised.

Stephen also mentioned that Pseudopod premiered to much fanfare last Friday, including a mention on BoingBoing! Sweet! Very excited about “Returning My Sister’s Face” forthcoming there.