michaeldthomas

How the hell is it 2011 already?!?! Seriously, it feels like we just did that whole Millennium thing. I am not a fan of this whole time-moving-quicker-as-I-get-older thing.

We had a quiet evening last night. Caitlin spent most of the morning crying every 20 minutes due to cramping and soreness. Thankfully, she felt better by the afternoon. Lynne and I "celebrated" New Year's Eve with Chinese food and awful television. At least we were together and not in a hospital. We should have friends stopping by today and tomorrow. That will be nice.

2010 was a phenomenal year for us. Like any year, it had highs and lows.

The bad:

1- My grandfather passed away.
2- Caitlin's hip surgery.
3- My big nonfiction commission was put on indefinite hiatus.
4- I didn't write anything good enough for publication.

The wonderful:

1- Caitlin stayed healthy and had a successful surgery.
2- We continued to have amazing friendships and met some new wonderful people.
3- Chicks Dig Time Lords was a major success for Lynne and Tara, leading to book signings, our first Gallifrey One convention, fanart, fanvids, interviews, convention guest invitations, and fantastic reviews. We even impressed a few famous people who worked on the show. It's been an phenomenal ride.
4- I met all of my writing goals and completed another novel.
5- Lynne and Deb finished Whedonistas.
6- The NIU SF collection grew and Lynne was even interviewed for Locus.
7- Caitlin rocked her communication device and had a smooth transition to a new school.
8- We went on an amazing Make-A-Wish trip.
9- Lynne started two SEEKRIT PROJECTS that will be big deals in the next couple of months.

2010 was a magical year for us. Let's hope 2011 continues this trend.

We couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you for your love and support last year. You made us feel like the richest people in Bedford Falls. :-)

Well, that was a fairly aggravating week. Some of it I have to take to my grave (yes, I know how sausages are made); other things I've been whining about all week.

Okay, now it's time to GET POSITIVE! :-)

1- I've moved the ball out of my court with Caitlin's device and her anti-epileptic meds.
2- I get to send out three short stories in the next couple of weeks to some different markets.
3- I have a Hugo-nominated fanzine editor reminding me that he wants my articles by next week (I'm just tweaking my drafts).
4- I'm going to see an NIU football game today. A friend had an extra ticket and asked me if I wanted to go. :-)
5- I have a draft of a new short story to play with next week.
6- We have wonderful friends coming for a visit in 2 weeks. rarelylynne has been completing home projects like a mad woman in preparation.
7- Those friends will be bringing me new Doctor Who toys.
8- Chicago TARDIS is going to rock.

That's a pretty good list. :-)

We had a weird time at our SF/F Book Club last night. It's a great club. torresroman is an excellent discussion leader, and we like all of the regulars. The book choices are also wonderful.

Our problem is that we now know too many of the authors. I have to work hard to not be "that guy." I don't want to be Pertwee's Doctor, namedropping left and right. This has become difficult. Last night, the club discussed War for the Oaks. I wanted to talk more, but then I realized that I get too defensive about a work when I know and like the author.

There was one moment that a person made the claim that there weren't any female-led bands in the 1980s. bifemmefatale threw Chrissie Hynde and Joan Jett in his face. That made me think of hanging out at the bar a couple of weeks ago with coffeeem. "Back on the Chain Gang" was playing, and Emma said to me, "You know, I still want to be Chrissie Hynde when I grow up." I was going to share the anecdote, and then I stopped myself. How do you do that without sounding like a dick?

I don't feel like I'm more special because I get to hang out and befriend authors. Because of rarelylynne's job, it just sort of happens. I just worry that the other members of the book club might not see it that way.

As most of you know, I serve as rarelylynne's helper at conventions. One of the things I do for her is create lists of attending pros. I am in the process of making a list for this year's Wiscon. If you are an attending pro or know some pros that are attending this year, please let me know in the comments.

Thanks!

This weekend, rarelylynne added three more authors to NIU's SF Archive. For those of you keeping score at home, here is the current official list:
Jack McDevitt
E.E. Knight
Sarah Monette
Donald J. Bingle
Elizabeth Bear
Kage Baker
Kelly McCullough
Tamora Pierce
Tobias Buckell
Caroline Stevermer
David Weber
Sarah Prineas
Catherine Lundoff
Jim C. Hines
Eric Flint
Robert Asprin
Jody Lynn Nye

That's a hell of a list, and that doesn't include the 25 or so other authors who said yes.

I am very proud of my wife's vision.

Ah, it’s Saturday morning. I’m watching Caitlin while rarelylynne goes to Sprawl-Mart to get some staple goods and mulch. She’s still fighting the good fight against the weeds of our backyard perimeter. We are fully expecting her to stumble onto an unknown Amazonian tribe.

I have one last quick hit from WisCon.

Hooray! The NIU SF archives gained three more official authors at WisCon. Tobias Buckell (tobiasbuckell), Caroline Stevermer (1crowdedhour), and Kelly McCullough (kellymccullough) joined Jack McDevitt, Don Bingle, E.E. Knight (eeknight), Kage Baker, Sarah Monette (truepenny), and Elizabeth Bear (matociquala). More authors are coming soon.

This afternoon, I’m back to my novel revisions. Is there a better way to spend a beautiful spring day than in a Panera on a computer? :)

Here is my upcoming week:

1- Watch the Cubs opening day.
2- Attend the ceremony for the new display cases in the NIU Rare Books Room.
3- Give the eulogy for my grandmother at her memorial mass.
4- Watch Caitlin while rarelylynne is gone for a three-day leadership workshop.
5- Finish writing the climax of my novel.
6- Talk about the brilliance of Tim Powers's Last Call at the SF Book Club.
7- Finalize the agenda for The Aicardi Syndrome Family Conference.
8- Get Caitlin to all of her therapies.
9- Attend Odyssey Con in Madison.

I picked a bad week to stop sniffing glue. ;)