| My new story is out in "Analog" |
[19 Jun 2009|07:02am] |
Hello, dear LJers!
After last week's killer deadlines, this turned out to be a fun week. My newest short story "From the Ground Up" just came out in the September 2009 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact. Yippee!
You can find Analog at any bookstore or magazine place such as Newsland. I'm really happy about this-- I've been trying to get into that magazine for years! It just goes to show that it sometimes pays to follow the editors from panel to panel at Worldcon. And it's fun, too. :)
In keeping with my science fiction theme, next week I'm leaving on Thursday to attend the exciting annual Trekfest in the official future birthplace of Captain Kirk, Riverside Iowa! (Really, they asked Gene Roddenberry for permission.) The original Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura will be there to watch the traditional Iowan events such as multiple tractor pulls (because one just isn't enough), the duck race, greased pig contest, and (I kid you not) Cow Chip Bingo. I can't wait!
(You know, looking over their planned events, I think it explains a lot about how Kirk got to be the way he was...) However, I expect to have a brilliant time. I will report with pictures. Cheers!
|
|
| I love the new Star Trek! |
[17 May 2009|01:56pm] |
I'm coming out of my cave to say I love love love the new Star Trek movie. To me, it was a delightful adventure. I loved the way the characters were portrayed in this alternate reality-- changed yet so themselves. It was a deep pleasure that I hope to have again soon... perhaps tonight. :)
Where have I been? Well, I was kidnapped by Guatemalans. They were holding me until I learned to speak a second language, but eventually realized it was a lost cause and released me to my 8-5 job with the commute- which I still have thanks to another 6-month contract extension. So I'm grateful to have work, but it's still a lot of hours away from home every single day, and my fiction writing is practically nonexistent. I really need to figure out how to get back to that for my sanity.
On the plus side, these longer days mean I can be outdoors after work to wind down! I have been enjoying a very rattlesnake and raptor-filled spring. Well, they're certainly around-- perhaps it's more fair to say how much I'm enjoying the wildflowers. Between that and the ST movie, life is good.
Hugs to everyone. I'll try to catch up with your ST comments at least-- but I'm afraid to commit. Way too few hours in the day, and I just run out of time. Hugs!
|
|
| A sad evening |
[18 Mar 2009|09:42pm] |
|
My friend John passed away early Wednesday morning. The end came very quickly-- a fast fall during 48 hours. I'd seen him this weekend to bring him a little dinner and a silly gift. He was perfectly lucid, although sleepy. I got a call at work Tuesday that he was fading fast and might not last the week. I had planned to visit Weds with another friend, and called as usual for my dinner instructions, only to learn from the woman staying there that he had passed quietly in his sleep the night before. ( Read more... )
|
|
| Thank you |
[27 Feb 2009|09:28pm] |
Just a quick note to thank all of you for your support and ideas. I had 2 long days at work, and fly out early for 10 days tomorrow morning. I hope to catch up on LJ while visiting my folks.
Thank you again. You're all very dear. :)
|
|
| Feeling blue |
[25 Feb 2009|10:19pm] |
Hi, dear friends.
I'm feeling blue tonight. Several of you know that I've been helping to take care of a friend of mine who was diagnosed with stomach cancer last July. I was able to spend a lot of time helping out before I got the mandatory on-site job with the commute last December.
Yesterday I learned that John's tumor was growing again, after 2 surgeries and several bouts of chemo. The doctor says they can do more interventions if John likes, but it won't do any good. So John has opted out of any further treatment. His rough life expectancy is two months.
I went to see him tonight, and he seems "peacefully resigned". He said, actually, "If I had a switch, I'd turn it off." He wants to stay home if possible until the end, which I strongly support, particularly after his nasty stay at the nursing home (a way-station between the hospital and home after his last surgery), where he was dreadfully neglected. So many people out of work in this country, and they can't staff a nursing home with enough attendants.
Anyway, I've been a bit fragile and weepy today. I hope to see John at least once a week. He's very tired and doesn't like to talk. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can do when I visit? Reading aloud seems a natural choice-- other ideas?
Thanks for listening. Hugs all around, coupled with deep appreciation for my friends.
|
|
| Calling all Canadians |
[22 Feb 2009|12:01pm] |
Hello! I'm just catching up after a week with a cold. When reading through the BBC news, I was amused to read two views of Pres. Obama's visit to Canada, both by Kevin Connolly:
View 1: Anticipation
Canadians appear to like Mr Obama rather more than they like their own politicians - he has scored approval ratings here of nearly 90%.
On the other, reasonable, multilateralist, compromise-loving Canada doesn't really seem to do mania. You imagine the arrival of the Beatles here would have provoked civilised curiosity, and performances by the early Elvis might have prompted polite applause.
View 2: Post Visit
Flying back from Ottawa, where Mr Obama's brief stopover yesterday was treated like a combination of a Beatles Reunion and a papal visit, I couldn't help noticing the enthusiasm (to put it mildly) with which his every word and gesture was applauded.
...The same tone of breathless enthusiasm greeted Mr Obama's use of a single word of French in his news conference - "merci" - which was described as having sent French-Canadian reporters into "giddy delight".
Canada has set the bar pretty high.
So, er, what really happened? Polite applause or Beatlemania? Personally, I was intrigued to see two such different views of Canadians (whom, right or wrong, I always viewed as rather sensible) in such immediate contrast.
In other news, what's new?
|
|
| The best pain book in the entire world |
[30 Jan 2009|07:33am] |
As most of you know, I suffered a serious neck injury in February 2005 through overuse of my computer. My left arm was paralyzed for a while, and even now the muscles down my back on that side remain weak. However, I got most of my functionality back last summer-- and I rejoiced.
Then I started working full-time at this job that requires me to commute 1 to 2 hours per day. Within three weeks, I was back in such serious pain I began to truly despair. I thought I would never be able make my living writing or working a full-time job again-- at least, not without risk of permanent paralysis.
Then my massage therapist recommended the best pain book in the entire world. Those of you who work on the computer for a living (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) shirebound, I'm looking at you) absolutely must get one of the following books. I found all 3 at my local library:
The man:
Pete Egoscue -- former injured marine, current physical therapist, author-- I love this man! His message is so affirming: your body can repair itself, if you learn how your posture and habits are causing it stress, and correct those. The best news is, he's right! Here are some books that could save your life:
1. Pain Free at Your PC: the best pain book in the entire world. I did the exercises in this book for five days and the pain had receded to a mere annoyance level. After two weeks, I was feeling frisky. I've been doing his workouts consistently every morning for 5 weeks from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much time I have. My state of health and wellness continue to improve over time, and I'm even reversing the effects of some long-time injuries.
If you work on a PC for more than four hours a day, you really should do yourself a favor and get this book. The exercises are easy (they're mostly stretches, really), and the payback in your investment is immense. I highly recommend it.
2. Pain Free: His original book. For this one, he takes you through pains in each part of the body, from the feet up through the head. Many of the exercises are similar to those in the PC book, but these are directed toward specific complaints (bad back, painful knees, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.), or exercises peculiar to a certain sport.
3. Pain Free for Women: This book is directed toward women of all ages-- literally. He concentrates on strengthening and rejuvenating the female body from toddler through old age. This book has a lot of nice maintenance programs in it. I look forward to switching to this one after the computer exercises get me completely stable and start becoming a little too familiar. :)
Yes, I know I have the zeal of the newly converted. But it's amazing that someone can take pain that I have been living with for three years, and get it completely under control in two weeks. The catch for me now is that I really cannot miss more than two days. I did that one weekend, and the pain came back on Monday. The exercises quickly tamed it again, but it was a warning that I'll need a little work to get through this stressful time. I'm highly motivated to put that work in-- trust me!
This has been your health bulletin for today. I wish you all health, happiness, and hobbits, in whatever order pleases you best. *hugs*
|
|
| My published short-short is up for 2 more days |
[29 Jan 2009|07:09am] |
How time flies! I've been so busy these last 2 1/2 months, I haven't done half the things I've intended to do. One of the things that was high on my list, and I still failed to do, was notify this community about the short story that I got published in the online magazine Flash Me.
I'm published in the October 31, 2008 issue, available here: http://www.wingedhalo.com/flashme.html
My story is the third one down: "The Silent". It's a 550-word dark fantasy tale. This story has been near and dear to my heart for a long time. I'm so glad it finally found a home in print. :)
Just to add one happiness on top of another, I recently got a request from a sweet man named Sergio, asking if he could translate the story into Portuguese for one of his blogs. I was thrilled, and the publisher was happy to grant him the electronic rights. (The chief editor at Flash Me, Jennifer Dawson, is really very nice.)
This is only the second time I'll have the honor of seeing one of my works translated into another language. Mona (belegcuthalion) was first to make my day that way, when she was kind enough to translate Wormtongue into German for her site: http://www.cuthalionsbogen.de
Huge hugs to you again!
The new issue of Flash Me will go on sale January 31, 2009. I'm sure back issues of the October issue will still be available, but I thought I'd better get this notice out quick, just in case.
I hope everyone is having a delightful week! I'll talk to you soon-- that's a promise!
|
|
| An apology |
[04 Jan 2009|10:00pm] |
Hello, dear LJ friends!
I'm sorry I've been so absent lately. The good news is that I'm mostly over the hump. My second job is winding to a close, so now I'll have holidays and weekends to myself, rather than rushing off to work on job #2 as soon as job #1 is done.
I'd like to thank all you dear people who sent me cards and messages over the holidays. The truth is, I didn't really have a holiday this year-- all the time I wasn't working at job #1 (the office job where I can't get personal email, grr) I was working on this multimedia magazine, either the science article or the paste-up. But the mag will go live this coming weekend, we think. I'll make a proper announcement, as I'm proud of it! My short story is featured in the teaser, so I'm very excited about that.
Anyway, I just wanted to apologize for being such an unresponsive lout. Thanks for continuing to communicate anyway. I hope I'll get caught up by month's end! In the mean time, please accept my best wishes for a wonderful 2009. 2008 was a dicey year, at least for me. But I feel that some good changes are in the wind. It's exciting times.
Hugs and happiness all around. Cheers!
|
|
| State of the Mariole address |
[23 Dec 2008|07:26am] |
Hello, me lovelies!
It's been a long time since an update, so I thought I would catch you up with the state of Mariole.
But first, I'd like to thank all the wonderful people who sent me holiday cards and messages. It has been deeply appreciated, and I'm embarrassed I haven't responded in a timely manner. Don't worry, I hope to reciprocate over the holidays, so you should see my belated thanks by the new year. :)
As for life in general, basically, things are going well. I went from having no job to having two jobs, so my days have been long with very little time left over for anything but mandatory life duties and not quite enough sleep. For details on the gritty excitement, read on! ( Read more... )
|
|
| So the lady they hired just before me got fired |
[02 Dec 2008|09:00pm] |
The stunning news at my job today is that the lady who was hired two months before me was just fired. It appears she ran afoul of a manager in another dept, as her skills appeared sound and my team seemed sad to lose her. Rather unnerving. My new boss reassures me the project funding is stable, but I do feel rather vulnerable. Assuming I can keep from ticking off any managers, I may be able to keep my new job-- but perhaps it's premature to stop looking at the want ads yet.
In other news, and of no interest to anyone, here are my results for the http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx ( Belief quiz results )
|
|
| The update you really don't need to hear |
[30 Nov 2008|03:46pm] |
But you get one anyway! So far, so good with the new job. It does indeed strike me as blazingly dull, but I'm willing to put up with that to keep a roof over my head. My coworkers are nice and the facility is the typical, dull office building, with worn carpet and stale coffee smells hanging over everything. My diet is already suffering, as I used to nibble healthy snacks out of my fridge ongoingly, whereas I don't have the same flexibility there. Perhaps I should just bring a bag of groceries in to work and graze there as I used to at home!
I love my new clothes and I have learned to do my hair adequately. The hardest part is being physically in an office for 9 hours a day. I need to find an abandoned conference room where I can flop on the floor and do my neck exercises. I've been there 3 days; surely it's time to start expanding upon my "weird" reputation.
I know at least half of you are ready to murder me, because you've had office jobs all along, but I'm still adjusting from 8 years of primarily working at home, and it's a shock to pathetic me. I really hope my health doesn't suffer. I have vast stores of wimpitude that are challenged by this.
New item:
I'm working on a article about solar thermal. Has anyone implemented any straight solar thermal concentrator-type projects in their home? I'm not looking for photovoltaics-- solar panels-- but for plain old low-tech mirrors and heat concentration. The idea is to help people implement scalable energy-generation in their own homes using common materials, and perhaps even store enough to take a home off the grid. I'm just starting the research, so please chime in if you have sources or experience for solar thermal. Thanks!
|
|
| My rainbow |
[29 Nov 2008|05:41pm] |
I think I took this quiz too fast... but I like my colors!
Your rainbow is intensely shaded green, indigo, and orange. What is says about you: You are a proud person. You appreciate a challenge. Others are amazed at how you don't give up. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality. Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com. |
|
| Haircut! |
[21 Nov 2008|08:35pm] |
Hello, me hearties!
Below are some astonishingly bad photos of my new haircut. I had my friend take some, but they were almost all blurred, so I did the best I could in the mirror.
 ( Ta da! )
|
|
| Has the world gone crazy? |
[12 Nov 2008|11:05pm] |
Hi, all. Thank you for your kind remarks and sharing your personal stories about employment in these trying times. Here's another trying thing:
I'm irritated! As part of my lengthy application, the recruiter wants me to authorize a "consumer report" to verify "information about your personal and credit characteristics, character, general reputation, and lifestyle." More info here:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/credit/bus08.shtm
Why do they need to pry into my personal affairs, my "lifestyle", for crying out loud? What the hell does this have to do with a tech writing job?
It's bad enough they do a drug test. That's none of their business, either. If I'm impaired on the job, fire me!
I'm really grinding my teeth over this intrusiveness. Is it common? I feel I have to do it to get the job, but it really has my knickers in a twist. Comments?
( First reaction to your comments )
|
|
| Thanks to the kindness of friends... |
[11 Nov 2008|11:49pm] |
I have a job.
Finally, at last, unless something screws up, I will once again have employment.
Thanks to all the people who so kindly saw me through this anxiety-producing year. In January, my main client outsourced all their writing to India, and I haven't been able to find steady work since. ( More )
|
|
| Finally! |
[07 Nov 2008|01:19pm] |
Hello, friends! I have surfaced at last from my post-election physical exhaustion and mental euphoria. What a glorious renewal for America and ourselves!
( election day activities )
|
|
| Here comes the judge! |
[03 Nov 2008|08:48am] |
Hello, dear friends.
I'm sorry I've been so busy that I've let LJ fall off my routine. In just half an hour, I leave for my new post as election judge! Details below the cut: ( Trouble me not with judges )
This has been an exciting and challenging year for me in so many ways, but one of my chief joys has been working to get a truly inspiring leader (as well as competent support for him) elected to public office. I've been canvassing once or twice a week and phone-calling every Thursday. It's really interesting to talk to people all across the political spectrum, because I can genuinely appreciate where people are coming from. (I also get the opportunity to correct some misconceptions.) The truth is, people's real-life decisions can't be reduced to soundbites. I feel as if I know my fellow Americans much better as a result of this work.
I also just want to say how proud I am of my state of Colorado. According to one site, 68% of all people who voted in 2004 have already cast their ballots in 2008! We still have lots of new voters this cycle (or would if our partisan Secretary of State Mike Coffman would stop illegally purging voters from Colorado's rolls after the deadline in defiance of court order), but 68% of our regular voters voting early--!!! What a tremendous turnout. I'm so proud of us. I hope the jerks like Coffman who poison the process for all of us go down in a huge landslide of America crying "Enough!"
Best wishes to us all on Tuesday. Love,
Mariole
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
|
|
|
|
