Loriendil's Reveries

(Finally!) Some Pics from England

2008-07-19T19:09:00.000-04:00

I'm finally starting to get film developed from my trip to England last year.

I have lots'n'lots more film to go, but at least this is a start.

I'm not done tweaking descriptions -- as I go through notes and check my guides, I'm liable to add much more detail. And you will notice I am just slightly fond of castles...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28741909@N05/

Bragging on a Friend

2008-07-01T23:48:00.000-04:00

I just have to brag on a friend of mine. We've been writing buddies for years, sharing stories, and critting and proofing each other's work.

She was approached by a new zine starting up, and asked if she had any short fiction. So she dusted off an old piece and submitted it. They not only liked it, but asked for more, so she'll be doing a short series, continuing the storyline began here:

Bitter Chivalry

Congrats, Shannon!

another work story

2008-07-01T22:30:00.004-04:00

Remember I shared a story or two from my experiences working in an electronics store?
Okay. This one is a doozy. I recall it vividly, and although I can't guarantee every word is remembered verbatim, it's doggoned close.

My hands splayed on the glass counter, and I wished I could draw the coolness of it into myself to keep me calm as I watched the irate customer enter the store and approach carrying a store bag. You could almost see the steam coming out her ears.

So much for an uneventful Monday evening.

She dumped the contents of the bag on the counter with malicious glee. Parts scattered across the glass top and I swept them all back into a pile before they tumbled to the floor.

"May I help you?" I asked, smiling my sweetest smile, but inside I was disgusted; she had not even tried to put the telephone back into the box neatly. Thanks, lady, more work for me.

"Yes, you can give me my money back! This phone is no good. I let it charge all weekend, and it still won’t work!"

I did not know, still do not know, how affective my sweet and cheerful attitude is, but I used it anyway. It was better than sighing in resignation at the situation. Or crying. Or running out the back door screaming and tearing my hair.

"Let me just check it out," I said soothingly, smiling apologetically. "Company policy. I have to inspect every return. It’ll only take a minute."

I did not fume aloud that it would have been easier if she had neatly repacked the bloody telephone in the box so I could quickly inventory it. Returns must include the receipt, the original box and packing, and all contents. Returns or exchanges for defective merchandise require that I test the original item purchased, if possible.

"Just give me my money and check the phone later. I’m tired of dealing with you people! You’re a rip off, that’s what you are! I was without a phone all weekend because of this defective piece of junk!"

"I’m sorry, Ma’am. It will only take a moment," I replied calmly, but she continued her barrage. I gritted my teeth as I pawed through pile in front of me.

Then...something caught my eye, jumbled among the wires and accessories—a clear, sealed plastic bag. I held it up. "Ma’am, the phone charges better if you insert the battery."

My newest grandbaby

2008-06-08T16:30:00.002-04:00

Isn't she beautiful?

Frustration in Research

2008-06-04T00:58:00.003-04:00

This isn't a new problem - I've researched the circus for a long time. But now I'm down to the wire; the story is due.

I'm getting into an area I have no knowledge of, and only research to go on. I'm a townie, never been in a circus, and don't know of anyone who's got any experience in that unique world to correct me or tell me what's what.

Having had a daughter in gymnastics, and having been a coach, I do know a bit about acrobatics and equipment. But that's a far cry from understanding the details and specific terminology used. And that's only one tiny bit of the knowledge I need. I am trying to skirt specifics to avoid showing my ignorance of the circus subculture, but I'm sure it will be apparent to anyone who *isn't* a townie.

True, I can allow some leeway - my story is science fiction and takes place hundreds of years in the future. Ah well, I can only do my best...

Sunshine...

2008-05-17T13:14:00.003-04:00

Some warmth is creeping in from several sources. The sunshine outside, the sunshine of friends who haven't grown tired of my inability to just 'get over' my buddy's death, the sunshine of readers telling me they love my book, the sunshine of family, the sunshine getting a 'heavy revvie' and knowing how to finish the one book that's been simmering for so long.

Perhaps spring is finally here after all...

Today

2008-05-12T10:55:00.002-04:00

Eight years ago today, my mother died.

One year ago today, my best buddy died.

I guess it fits that we're having a nasty storm today; it feels more fitting than sunshine.

Spring is supposed to be beautiful...

2008-05-07T15:13:00.001-04:00

...so I guess I should try to enjoy it.

It's hard.
Spring will always be a time of sorrow now. But Starsky wouldn't want me to be mourning amid all the flowers we both loved and enjoyed.
So I'll try to remember the fun we had sharing our garden plans although living 600 miles apart. Despite my physical limitations, I must try to keep my garden going, at least as a living memorial to her.

Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck

2008-04-09T13:36:00.002-04:00

Finally, finally!
It's in print!

Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck

With gangsters hot on their heels, a bereaved cowboy and cynical space pirate are forced to work together for their own survival.

Go ahead, buy one! Buy ten! You know you want to!

It's Spring!

2008-04-08T13:09:00.003-04:00

I know it is because I see all the varieties of narcissus, hyacinths, tulips, and grape hyacinths blooming in my front yard. I also see the lilies, irises, and hostas shooting up, and leaves appearing on various other plants and bushes.

I still can't do much outside (not sure that will ever change), but with my daughter's help, I'm hoping we can keep the yard looking nice. I'm glad she's really starting to love gardening...

It Only Took Twenty-some Years....

2008-03-15T19:35:00.002-04:00

You know how your kids always ask what you want as a gift, and you tell them something like 'for you to clean your room,' and they give you a disbelieving look?

(To preface this, I have to share that because of the RA, I can no longer do the cleaning I used to, and if it weren't for my husband, the house would be a disaster. But still, a man's version of clean isn't always what a woman's version of clean is. That said...)

I just got a great gift from my older daughter. She came over today, when she could have been out with friends, or shopping, or doing other fun stuff, and cleaned my whole bathroom (we're talking everything -- scrubbing walls, scouring everything), made banana bread for us, did dishes, and straightened the kitchen.

It's the best gift I've gotten since forever. :)

Things Are....

2008-02-23T17:22:00.003-05:00

....looking up.

Finally, after--what? about ten years?--I have answers to some of my health problems, least. And am on medication giving me back some mobility. I'm starting to feel alive again, although still am missing that arm that got ripped off last May.

I even feel like trying a bit of gardening when the weather dries up a bit...

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T17:51:00.000-05:00

Today was a joy. A salve.
I've been dreading Christmas, dreading this holiday without Starsky.

But today my grandkids were here all day, and the visit was wonderful -- busy but wonderful. The children are happy now, and a joy to be around.
I laughed and enjoyed them -- it's the way it should be.

I pray they continue to heal from the bitterness and anger they had in their lives. My daughter is healing too, now, and becoming more like her old self.

Beyond all my dread, this looks to be a happy Christmas.

new experience

2007-12-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Two posts in one day -- I guess I’m on a roll.

I had a unique experience. I was talking to a person who let me have my feelings. I didn’t get a lecture or be denied what I felt.

She said I was allowed to be angry -- how dare the world continue on with Starsky gone!
She said I was allowed to be depressed and want to hide and not have Christmas without Starsky.

It was strange having my feelings validated (to use the current terminology).

It made me almost think I had the right to grieve.

Strange, that.

Inconceivable

2007-12-21T13:39:00.000-05:00

I tried to log into my phone/cable/internet account today.

The password didn't work. O.O

"Okaaay -- let's try forgotten password," she grumbles, knowing her fingers typed it right and it's the same one she's had for a while now.

New window pops up -- you need to add a secret question. Lips thinning, she chooses a question and answer.

New window pops up -- you need to enter the Security PIN we mailed you.

"Never got a Security PIN in mail or email -- what in the world are they talking about?"

Link says if you need the PIN, click to speak to customer service rep.

*click*

New window pops up -- not a rep at all but a Virtual VIKI who will be able to figure out my problem and help me. Oh joy.
Which of these questions describes your problem. She reads through questions, none fit her problem. But that's okay, she types her question 'what is my Security PIN?' into the box provided.

New window pops up -- this is the information we understand, which of these questions describes your problem?

Jaw clenched, she tries again, rewording question.

New window pops up -- this is the information we understand, which of these questions describes your problem?

Using language she really wouldn't want her daughter to hear, she tries again, rereading options carefully and again, rewording the question.

New window pops up -- this is the information we understand, which of these questions describes your problem?

She closes windows and goes to Contact Us page. She scrolls past the online help -- GAH NO! -- and finds (AH HA!) a phone number! YES!!

She dials phone number.
Choose one for English. bangs the 1 key

Listens with complete astonishment to an advert that lasts about a half a minute for ordering some football game stuff that she has no interest in and is making her blood pressure rise to red eyeball level.

Finally, options menu starts.
Choose two for billing. bangs the 2 key

If this is a current customer, press one. bangs the 1 key

Choose from these options: One for cable, two for internet, three for phone.
Silent astonishment and confusion floods brain -- no option for ALL THREE? Hello?

Refusing to choose between invalid choices, she remains silent and is thanked, then sent to another menu.

Choose one for English. bangs the 1 key

Choose two for billing. bangs the 2 key

If this is a current customer, press one. bangs the 1 key

Please hold, your call is very important to us. *musak inserted*

Finally --

"Good afternoon, my name is (name of nice person having to put up with customers irritated to point of going postal withheld), how many I help you?"

Nice person #1 put me on hold and eventually I got to nice person #2.

Nice person #2 explained that the phone/cable/internet company recently beefed up security and so many people's passwords were destroyed. (*grrrr under breath*)

Nice person #2 helped me and got me into my account -- thank you nice person!

sigh

2007-12-05T13:48:00.001-05:00

I feel destroyed...

Slow Simmer

2007-08-28T13:52:00.000-04:00

Well, this is an interesting development. We put issues of Ray Gun Revival on Scribd.com to increase visibility and readership. It's our right as copyright holders according to contract (thought I'd add that, you'll see why in a minute).

SFWA has decided to bury their nose in our business (I'm sure it's nothing personal, they're just anal this way) and have filed a copyright violation against some of our issues (not all of them, though, hello, if you're going to butt your nose into something, why not all the way, SFWA!), forcing Scribd to take them down while we counter-file.

SFWA needs get their creaky dinosaur bones moving and catch up to 21st Century publishing and copyright issues!

We aren't the only ones who feel this way either. SF author John Scalzi (if you haven't read his books yet, shame on you!) was a write-in candidate for President of SFWA.

Addendum: my fellow Overlord at RGR has a more detailed post on his blog:
SFWA Issues Misguided Takedowns at Scribd

My simmer is turning into a boil...

RGR made SCI FI Weekly!

2007-08-18T10:01:00.000-04:00

Lookee what I just found out (thanks to a RGR regular who went above and beyond):

RGR: SCI FI Weekly's Site of the Week

Ray Gun Revival was site of the week back in June -- and we didn't know about it! We'll have to catch up for lost time by bragging about it now. *grin*

Sweet...

Back from England

2007-08-13T10:50:00.000-04:00

Just a quick overview for now of the two-week England trip for those who have asked. I'll probably post bits and pieces over the next couple of weeks as I think of things.

We stayed in Redcar the first week, a lovely, little fishing town and went to the Lakes District, York, Whitby, and a little, not-well-known place called The Forbidden Corner, which is a place every Myst fan should visit:
The Forbidden Corner
Forbidden Corner

The second week we stayed in London. We went to Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Warwick Castle (I saw a real trebuchet!!!), the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, took a cruise on the Thames, saw London Bridge (the new one, the old one is in Arizona of all places), the Tower Bridge, walked over the Wibbly-Wobbly Bridge Over The River Thames (the Millennium Bridge), saw St. Paul's Cathedral (that excited my daughter because that's where they filmed the "Feed the Birds" part of Mary Poppins), and just saw tons of sights in London while walking, such as Trafalgar Square (she climbed on one of the lions), Piccadilly Circus, St. James Park, and Hyde Park. She also got to ride an omnibus, taxi (grrr -- the service to take us to Heathrow didn't show up and I had to get a taxi at a cost of £60!), and tube (subway).

Best of all, I got to meet My Physicist in person! w00t!!
I also got lots'n'lots of scathingly brilliant ideas for stories and descriptions! Heh.

That's the short version. There's lots of catching up to do at home, so more later...

RGR Issue 26

2007-07-16T23:01:00.001-04:00

Ray Gun Revival Issue #26 has blasted off!

Fast Hands by Robert Mancebo
Fiction
All Captain Priest has to extricate himself from trouble is a big gun and fast hands.

Spineless by Brandon Barr
Fiction
A timid entomology professor is sent to a space station to deal with an emergency situation.

The Adventures of the Sky Pirate: "Aloft!" by Johne Cook
Serial Fiction
Can Cooper Flynn and his newly assembled crew retake their ship?

Memory Wipe, Chapter Thirteen: "Evils of the Desert" by Sean T.M. Stiennon
Serial Fiction
Takeda and his companions arrive at Nihil's colony only to discover all the inhabitants have been slaughtered and devoured by deadly predators.

CMOS, colons, and Tor

2007-06-21T23:34:00.000-04:00

Did you know that Tor Publishing does not follow the Chicago Manual of Style's rule for capitalization after a colon? (CMOS 6.64)

Yes, I kid you not! I was floored! They actually capitalize the first word after a colon! I am shocked! Completely shocked!
*shakes head and walks away muttering about what this world is coming to*

RGR Issue 23

2007-06-02T22:57:00.000-04:00

Ray Gun Revival Issue #23 has achieved orbit!

Can Giraffes Change their Spots? by Jenny Schwartz
Fiction
When giraffes around the globe change colors, two scientists are confused, and the enterprising aliens responsible are horrified.

The Old New Ensign by M. D. Jackson
Fiction
What happens when a lowly soldier tries to better himself and catches the eye of the mad-as-a-hatter fleet admiral?

Deuces Wild: "In the Lap of the Gods, part six" by L. S. King
Serial Fiction
Stuck in the capital city during an enemy attack, Tristan wonders if Slap is still alive.

The Eight Arms of Death by John M. Whalen
Fiction
Jack Brand journeys to Nemuria, a city at the bottom of the Tulon Inland Sea, where he meets a doomed race of people.

Good-bye, Starsky....

2007-05-12T18:04:00.000-04:00

http://loriendil.com/Starsky/

RGR Issue 21

2007-05-02T12:39:00.001-04:00

Ray Gun Revival Issue #21 has landed!

Murder Beneath by Alice M. Roelke
Fiction
People say the Delans can tell you your future, and never get it wrong. But does that mean you should trust them?

Beyond the Flesh by A.M. Stickel
Fiction
The Plague Wars begin with an unjustly executed convict. His scientist sister tries to solve the puzzle of his death and thwart the plague, but she must pay the ultimate price.

The Case of the Spurious Spacemen by MN Schnecke
Fiction
Cows from space are kidnapping most of the gangsters in the city—and all of the victims are insured against alien abduction! But when the crime fighter Red Eye learns that his archenemies, the Nose and the Leer have escaped from prison, things take on an even more sinister turn.
Deuces Wild: "In the Lap of the Gods, part five" by L. S. King
Serial Fiction
When we last left our heroes, Tristan was trapped in the self-destructing palace of the dead Eridani emperor. Slap was in the temple and the late emperor’s cousin had pulled a needlegun on him. Things go downhill from there...

RGR Issue 20

2007-04-16T22:41:00.001-04:00

Ray Gun Revival Issue #20 is ready to blast off!

Final Exam by Edward McKeown
Fiction
New Mexico desert, 1950s: boy meets monster in a battle to save earth.

Jasper Squad: Choices by Paul Christian Glenn
Serial Fiction
The crew of the Jasper are on the run from their own government, and they don’t know why. But can these people really trust each other with their lives?

The Adventures of the Sky Pirate: "Cliffhanger" by Johne Cook
Serial Fiction
This episode starts and ends with a cliff, has espionage, counter-espionage, a love triangle, and the birth of an entirely new scientific principle.

Memory Wipe, Chapter Ten: "Descent" by Sean T.M. Stiennon
Serial Fiction
Takeda and his companions arrive in orbit around Nihil only to find that someone else is there ahead of them—the alien assassin Lashiir, out for their blood.