The 2nd Dragon*Con all-staff meeting was yesterday whereupon I picked up a new reporter for the Daily Dragon, gabbed with a returning one, and socialized at length with fabu folks such as dire_epiphany, astralfire, sara1221, bevlovesbooks (and her eensy-bebe, Eleanor, who has teeny-tiny toes), and Dean-of-the-camera-but-no-LJ.
A huge hurray goes out to fingerman! Chairman Pat bequeathed upon him the coveted and shiny 15-year anniversary volunteer plaque. *flings confetti* A well earned and well deserved commendation.
Yesterday was a good day. I keep saying this, but I also keep forgetting, so apparently it merits repetition. I need to get out of the house more often. Working from home and flinging hamsters willy-nilly, I forget how much time I spend sequestered in the library, staring at my laptop. Getting out lets me unwind–flagrant introversion notwithstanding–and it also stokes my muse with fresh faces, real settings, and new experiences. I’m more productive after a few hours out and about than if I spent those hours nose-to-the-keyboard. And most importantly, I’m happier.
So yeah, on the heels of that not-so-brilliant insight, and after feeling nauseous, light-headed, groggy-unto-death (I ended up having to take a nap yesterday as well as crashing after dinner), and tremor-ridden–after only a single day on the stuff–I’ve decided on the out-the-window option for the Celexa. Odds are the side effects would pass in a couple weeks, but I need these couple weeks. It will stress me out far more to be laid out by the sleepies or the queasies right now than any possible 6-8 weeks-down-the-road benefit. Scary-nurse-lady teetered my confidence, but I know I’ve got enough of a handle on my moods and emotions to determine when and if I need to be on psychotropics. And I don’t; I may again at some point down the road, but I can deal a-ok right now.
Writing Stuff
*Squee!* I’m on the short list for the Southeastern Science Fiction Award (SESFA) in the Best Short Story of 2005 category! Mega thanks to Jason Sizemore for having the brilliant acumen and stunning good taste to publish “Oranges, Lemons, and Thou Beside Me” in Apex Digest!
But err, I still don’t know what to blog about for my Writer’s Vanity guest blogger spot on Wednesday. Gleep.
Received:
– Contract from Paradox for “The Archer of the Sun and the Lady of the Moon.” Of course, as soon as I start fretting, it shows up. At least that’s one hamster nicely in orbit.
It was good to see you yesterday. Sorry if I seemed weird.
Twas good to see you too. Weird is sort of par for D*C, aint it?
Chris from Paradox is a fellow C-E ’06 student with me.
Really? Neat! Man, this biz is teeny-tiny with the close knit, ain’t it?
That is it. It’s the reason why schmoozing is such an important skill.
Yeah, yeah, I know. But I really don’t have a knack for schmooze. When I try to actively schmooze, I freeze up and become all awkward. So much better if I think of it as “partying with editors”
.
Humpf, you’re charming. We all know that.
And you are an absolute sweetheart
.
Humpf. I’m an asshole.
Supposedly contract in the mail today, hon. One step closer for your froggie.
“Humpf. I’m an asshole.“
I have met assholes, and you, sir, are not an asshole. You are sweet, eminently huggable, and occasionally whip-cracky, but not at all an asshole.
“Supposedly contract in the mail today, hon. One step closer for your froggie.“
*squee!*
I saw you from the other side of the room, looking lovely. I couldn’t hear a damn word you said, though, thanks to the fanboys and girls behind me who couldn’t shut up.
I’m helping Fingerman in the Exhibit Hall this year. Come say hello!
Damn, I’m sorry I missed you! Yeah, there was a lot of *ahem* ambient noise at the meeting. Sometimes these D*C staff meetings are like preschool . . . with ADHD preschoolers pumped up on speed.
I wonder what is is about these newest SSRIs that make then screw up the system so much? Zoloft never did that to me, but Effexor just kicked by ass. Of course, prozac made me manic, so I might just have a seriously unbalanced brain chemistry anyway. Anyway, ugh on the Celexa
Effexor’s also an SNRI, and that’s the part which is widely considered to be the ass-kicking component. Took me forever to get off Effexor and I’d only been on the stuff for a month. Ugh.
*Squee!* I’m on the short list for the Southeastern Science Fiction Award (SESFA) in the Best Short Story of 2005 category! Mega thanks to Jason Sizemore for having the brilliant acumen and stunning good taste to publish “Oranges, Lemons, and Thou Beside Me” in Apex Digest!
I’ll echo the “squee”. Congrats!
That nurse looked uncomprehending of your problems anyway, so you’re probably better off without the Celexa. And glad to hear you’re feeling good!
Thanks, sweetie! I think giving myself permission to rethink my priorities really released some pent-up tension and stress. There’s still tension and stress, but I don’t think I’m at a place that requires chemical intervention . . . well, more chemical intervention than I already have.
Who’s the new fish?
Don’t think you know him. His name’s Brandon; he’s got an English degree with journalism experience. Happy editor dance.
Oh, ho! Well… we’ll have to see how this works out.
*shakes finger* Play nice! Don’t make me get out my crop!
Oh, wait, that’s probably not the greatest inducement to entice good behavior out of you, is it? Erm. How about this: I made some excellent connections at the staff meeting to set you up with some prime interviews. . . . Those ought to keep you out of trouble.
Oh, Editor my Editor! Sweet editor of mine! Have I ever given you reason to doubt my dedication to your cause?
So who ya got for me to talk to, eh?
*pets* Good reporter. Nice reporter.
“So who ya got for me to talk to, eh?“
Nothing’s finalized or even structured properly yet, but . . . hang on, I’ll drop you an email.
Heya, I came across your webpage on the net and liked the samplings of your fiction muchos. I’m definatly asking for some of your work for my birthday, because I am too poor to buy anything at the moment, and luckily it’s my b’day in 11 days ^_^!
I was also quite happy that you had a livejournal, so would you mind adding me? I didn’t know if you would have liked it much if, being a complete stranger, I added you first.
xxx
Welcome and pleased to meet you. I’m always delighted to hear from folks who’ve read (and preferably enjoy) my work. Feel free to add away.
Added! =D
I enjoyed your work loads, so looking forward to my birthday… lol.
Take care and see you around!
xxx