Thoughts on 1386

Long Time, No Blogging

2011-01-31T08:38:00.004-05:00

All this house-buying has me in a record-keeping kind of mode. My dear father-in-law suggested that I or Simon should be chronicling the events of late, and since we're both dreadful at keeping a written journal, I thought I might revisit this old place. We'll see how this goes...

1,000th Visitor Gets a Prize!

2009-07-24T10:06:00.003-04:00

No, really--you will.As I don't have time to monitor this page until Visitor #1,000 appears, shoot me an email or leave a comment to see if you're the lucky winner. Those of you who know where I work may want to pay particular attention...

Down the Rabbit Hole

2009-06-22T14:18:00.004-04:00

As a long-time lover of Lewis Carroll's Alice, et al., I was especially excited to see this little tidbit on USA Today's website: First Look: What a Weird "Wonderland" Burton's Made.Admittedly, watching Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory three times in a row on a Boston-to-UK flight a while back took the psychedelic shine off a bit. However, with Burton at the helm, Johnny Depp, Helena

Approaching the Solstice

2009-06-18T09:01:00.004-04:00

There is a ring around the sun this morning. I've seen plenty around the moon over the years, most often followed by long, snowy days. I suppose the ring around the sun heralds the same sort of weather, as we're supposed to get 1" to 2" of rain today. Still, one wonders about such things so close to the Solstice. In Florence, we used to celebrate the Midsummer Solstice along with the Festa di San

Calling All Lurkers!

2009-06-09T14:58:00.005-04:00

So, there are a lot of lurkers* on this blog. You know who you are. The thing is, I'd like to know who you are, too, so leave a comment and say hello!To get you wallflowers thinking, here's a question you can answer:If women were physically larger and stronger than men, would the relationship between the sexes be the same?Use the comment option to answer. No pressure, of course—you can still

Happy Birthday, Babbo!

2009-06-09T08:41:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was my Babbo's ("Daddy" in Florence) birthday. When I called there was no one home, so I can hope that he and my mother were out celebrating. I feel that I still have so much to learn from him and my mother, and I can't wait for this summer when they will make the long drive from Maryland to Orr's Island again. Not a day goes by that I don't wish they lived closer, but sunny Maryland's

Friday Night in Portland

2009-06-06T08:49:00.008-04:00

The First Friday Art Walk is always fun in Portland, especially as the weather gets nicer. Last night wasn't exactly balmy, but it wasn't snowing, so I'm counting my blessings.The cool night didn't keep the people at home, however, and neither did it keep the street performers from sharing the passions with the world. The performances ranged from amusing to fascinating, from (what I called) "the

Could Use a Nap...

2009-06-01T11:50:00.004-04:00

...and it's not even officially summer yet!As always happens to us, the second Memorial Day hits, we're off and running, not to slow down until the middle of January. Simon's last day of school is today, and after he rocks his exit interview the same way he's rocked the program, he's on to a summer of painting, going to Penobscot for boat and building projects, and puttering around the barn with

No Longer Sick of Movie Popcorn, or, I Was Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

2009-05-16T00:00:00.003-04:00

Everyone go see Star Trek. Now. I expected to like, or at least appreciate, the movie, as I'm a Star Trek fan to begin with. I mean, I loved Wolverine simply because it was Hugh Jackman playing my favorite X-Men character ever. Same should be true again, right?But Star Trek? The exact word(s) I spoke to Simon, David, and Ilissa this evening were, "That was fan-fucking-tastic." Sorry Mom and Dad

Party Like It's 1899!

2009-05-13T08:32:00.006-04:00

So, yeah, we all believed that absinthe was horribly, horribly dangerous, but it turns out that it's not. No more dangerous than overindulgence in any spirit is. According to the New York Times' article on the subject, absinthe (as we all know) contains a particular kind of wormwood, artemisia absinthium, once thought to affect the mind (eating of brain cells, and the like). However...It’s

Who Needs the Arts?

2009-05-11T12:33:00.005-04:00

Last night, on our drive home from working on the Bagaduce with Basha and Kevin, Simon and I hashed out an outline for the testimony he will be giving today at the Augusta State House regarding LD 1325, "An Act Regarding Curriculum Requirements and Standards for Awarding a High School Diploma."Educational requirements are always in flux, to be sure. However, Maine is in real danger of stripping

Sick of Movie Popcorn, Revisisted

2009-05-08T11:52:00.002-04:00

Okay, so rereading my last post depressed me. I still love movies. I still love going to movies. I have only once (almost) walked out of a theatre because I was so incensed at what I was watching on the screen.I will see Star Trek, and I will love it. And next time "they" cash in on a legacy, as will happen in 2012 when Ghostbusters III is released, I'll love it then, too. And I will be happy.

Sick of Movie Popcorn

2009-05-08T08:28:00.004-04:00

Yes, I admit it: I am very suspicious of the new Star Trek movie. I can't quite put my finger on why, other than to say that there have been so many well-envisioned but badly-executed rehashing of old comic book/sci-fi icons these days that, with each one that flashes past, I become more and more jaded (Iron Man being the notable exception).I won't even name some of truly crappy ones. They're

Iowa, Vermont, and....MAINE!

2009-04-21T10:03:00.007-04:00

Yes, it looks like we might be next, folks. God bless the New Englanders' propensity for putting principle aside and doing the right thing. This morning, an open meeting was held in Augusta to discuss LD1020, a bill allowing same-sex marriage in Maine. EqualityMaine (who's just down the street from us) has been spearheading the movement, with great success. Nearly 4,000 people turned out for the

It's Old News By Now...

2009-04-15T08:51:00.003-04:00

...but I thought I'd upload the picture anyway. Also, I'd like to proclaim my undying love and appreciation for Michael, the stylist at Paradiso here in Portland who saved me from this:...and gave me this:The first picture was the result of making a significant style and length change at SuperCuts.Not a good idea.

EBUNE!

2009-04-11T19:03:00.009-04:00

It's been a few days, but I've finally gotten my Ebune Festival pictures up. I think they mostly speak for themselves, but I will say that the procession was one of the most amazing, serene experiences I've had in a long time. In addition to the colors, drums, excitement, and throngs of people, there was a real sense of new beginnings in the air. I'd never taken part in a ritual that ushers in a

Who's on First?

2009-04-05T09:10:00.002-04:00

I saw this on the NYTimes website this morning. Perhaps a new feature for the Monmouth Shakespeare Theatre, Mom and Dad?

Perspective

2009-03-31T19:36:00.001-04:00

A friend on Facebook posted this.I thought I'd share.

The Fat Boy!

2009-03-30T01:21:00.005-04:00

Simon and I took our first official trip up to Orr's Island on Saturday. It's March, and it's still cold, but who cares, 'cause the Fat Boy is open! It was as busy as ever, and, in the dead of summer, one forgets that the heat source for the entire building is the kitchen alone. My hands and nose were cold by the time we left, but I got my burger, and Simon got his Royal Burger Basket and mocha

Whoa...I Mean...Whoa

2009-03-29T10:07:00.005-04:00

Mom and Dad, watch this video. Then let's make a date to go see it. All who loved, I mean loved this book growing up are welcome to come. And yes, a wild rumpus will be had.

On Little Cat Feet

2009-03-28T09:09:00.013-04:00

The fog came in last night. Something to do with the temperature in the air reacting with the piles of snow on the ground. So, it looks like a proper Maine day out there, and Simon and I are taking a drive up to Peace Cottage. Hopefully, I'll have photographic material for the first Summers at Peace Cottage blog that I've started. I set that up about a month ago, but very little can be posted on

40 Degrees and Other Bits of Joy

2009-03-27T07:16:00.007-04:00

Yes, it's above freezing here in Portland, Maine. It's raining, but whatever. Rain is good. Last week I saw snowdrops, and my boss swears that there are pale purple crocuses coming up in her yard, but other than that, Portland is still grey, and wet, and more grey. Even the bricks are grey. But it's my hometown, and I love every bit of it. Last year, I added web-cam screen shots around this time

Peer (or Parent?) Pressure

2009-03-24T08:26:00.006-04:00

So, any of you who know that I write know that I am also terrible about sending out my short stories. I've dabbled in the world of manuscript submission plenty of times, but mostly with the efficacy and accuracy of a potato gun. Of course, potato guns are much-loved in my extended friends-family, so that's something, at least.My reluctance in sending out my stuff is two-fold: 1) the stories are

Readercon! Redux

2009-03-23T12:38:00.004-04:00

Got our Readercon 20 membership confirmations in the mail, and I found out that some awesome Stonecoasters who hadn't been there before will be able to make the trip out this year--whoo-hoo!So, I'll have a full house that week, 'cause the Stonecoast graduation is the following weekend, and we're all hanging out in Portland and then going up to Freeport for the festivities. Not sure if my car can

Hugo Nominations!

2009-03-20T10:10:00.008-04:00

Congratulations to all for their Hugo Award nominations! In particular, I'd like to send best wishes and luck to David Anthony Durham (John W. Campbell Award), Mary Robinette Kowal (Best Short Story), and John Kessel (Best Novelette).We wait with bated breath...Best Novel (639 Ballots) Anathem by Neal Stephenson (Morrow; Atlantic UK) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (

Such a Spaz...

2009-03-20T09:39:00.003-04:00

So, we got our preview of the April/May 09 issue this morning, and there was my profile of Joe Hill in all its glossy glory. As I've said before, it's not like I haven't seen my name in print, but this is still kind of thrilling. Maybe it's just because he was such a cool guy to talk to. During our chat at Borders, we covered everything from audiobooks to Kelly Link to Stonecoast. And he drew a

Still Life Moving Fast, and Other Bits of Surrealism and Spring

2009-03-20T08:19:00.006-04:00

The first day of Spring is always welcome in Maine. Especially when it dawns at a balmy 25 degrees with 15 degree wind chill. Still, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, and I find myself looking forward to just as many minutes of daylight (approximately) as night.Appropriately, Simon and I are jetting up to Penobscot to work this weekend with my cousin Basha and her darling Kevin. Our

Random thought...

2009-03-18T15:12:00.004-04:00

Okay, I'm psyched (and a little surprised) that WL friended me out of the blue on Facebook.I guess I've got to start sending the new ROF Magazine my stories...when they're up an running again.(I think I have the fabulous Hannah to thank for the hook-up. She is the rockinest rocker that ever rocked.)

Happy Saint...Veder's Day?

2009-03-17T08:04:00.005-04:00

So, I know everyone's going batty for St. Patrick's Day. At least here in Portland. On my way to work, I walk past Brian Boru. Yeah, it's open, yeah there are people there, and yeah I was tempted to stop for their Ulster Fry. But I didn't. I got to work early, instead.I briefly considered going down to RiRa for their Paddy Plunge or Polar Dip or whatever they're calling it (jump into Portland

Good Luck, Simon! Update

2009-03-17T07:14:00.001-04:00

He rocked. But were we really expecting anything less?Day Two today. Equally stunning results anticipated.Go, Simon!

Good Luck, Simon!

2009-03-16T08:38:00.011-04:00

Today is Simon's first day of student teaching at Falmouth Middle School with Dotty Blanchette, art teacher extraordinaire. He's been on edge for two months, and last night he didn't sleep a wink (poor boy!).Let's look at some background...For the past few months, Simon has been preparing all the lesson plans, prototypes (finished versions of the projects to show the kids), assessments,

Evil Editor

2009-03-13T16:03:00.003-04:00

Not sure why, but I'm starting to find Evil Editor's blog (one of my daily reads) strangely comforting. I'm not sure if I can articulate why. Perhaps it's like any volatile, powerful matter: enough of it, and the benefits are broad and wide; too much of it, and you are likely to shrivel up and die. I feel like I learn something new every time I visit, but I have to keep myself from reading too

Go Vote!

2009-03-12T13:17:00.003-04:00

Simon's two t-shirt designs were selected by Threadless.com! Go Simon!They're in the public voting process now, so if they get enough votes, they'll be printed, Simon will get a little bit of cash, and his design on t-shirts available nation-wide!Go vote on them here:http://www.threadless.com/submission/200283/Big_Tunaand here:http://www.threadless.com/submission/200286/What_bad_wolfThanks! Love

Birds and Bees

2009-03-11T08:36:00.007-04:00

So I know this happens to everyone, but I'm amazed...amazed at all the friends who are having babies or who are pregnant. It's certainly a matter of me just never noticing the frequency of childbirth before, as I wasn't necessarily interested in it myself. Now that Simon and I are moving towards that same choice, it seems like all our friends are pregnant, birthing, and rearing. Or adopting. It's

Realms of Fantasy Has Been Saved!!

2009-03-10T18:01:00.007-04:00

I just heard from my friend and classmate at Stonecoast, Hannah, that Realms of Fantasy has been bought by Tir Na Nog Press!! See the full story here.A great deal of outcry went up when news of the closing of the magazine went out earlier this year. Through Hannah's tireless efforts, it seems like someone actually heard us. Countless fans blogged about it, emails from potential buyers flew here

Clawing My Way to the End...

2009-03-10T09:26:00.002-04:00

...of a single chapter! Ugh! The BWWC was a not-too-bad 1,275 words, but it took all my energy to get there. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I wrote all of it in just over an hour, which is brisk pace one way or the other. So, nothing more interesting to report. Although I'm psyched about the newly-discovered portrait of Shakespeare. I know there are a lot of critics and doubters, but who

Fighting Like Hell

2009-03-09T08:49:00.008-04:00

Sometimes, you just gotta. This weekend I fought like hell for a paltry 1,445 words. It's not an indecent number, of course—I just felt like I worked a lot harder for them than I have in the past. Again—sometimes, you just gotta. That's what makes it great—writing is not easy. Writing is a lot of work.So, lots of false starts, lots of blind alleys. I've been working on a story that's loosely

OMG!

2009-03-06T10:07:00.004-05:00

So, weird experience yesterday morning at work. I was proof-reading the book (magazine) before it goes to the printers' (today), when I came across my interview of horror/thriller writer Joe Hill. He and I had a chance to sit down at the Maine Mall Borders last October, just after his reading and book signing of his new-to-paperback short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts. I knew the

BWWC Promised

2009-03-04T08:14:00.004-05:00

Truth is, the BWWC has been ticking up...slooooowly. My characters are talking to me semi-regularly, but they're having to compete with dinners and Pictionary/Scategories/Taboo marathons David and Ilissa's, Rock Band at Tara and Brandon's, and Risk and Tokaji at Heather and Jeff's. I mean, it's awesome that we're spending so much time with the MECA/Starbucks/AF crowd, but my dear Elias is getting

Whoo-hoo!

2009-03-03T18:06:00.003-05:00

Just got my Readecon registration confirmation. So excited, I can't sit still. It's going to be a long time until July! Got some emails from fellow Stonecoasters regarding attendance as well. It looks like the usual suspects will be there again.If you haven't heard of Readercon, and you're even mildly interested in well-written speculative fiction, check out the conference's stuff at

Wannabes and Gonnabes

2009-03-02T13:01:00.004-05:00

I stumbled across this list on David's blog this morning. As I said to him, reading this list struck fear into my heart, until I actually added up my "score."I'm happy to report that I am firmly in the "Confident" camp, somewhat to my surprise. The surprise comes from the fact that I have seriously "delusional" tendencies. I believe in both perseverance and talent. I love, love, love getting

Songbirds by the Window

2009-02-27T08:53:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, we had one unusually warm day. I think it got up to 48 degrees. Everything melted, everyone was outside. It was wonderful. The next morning, I arrived at work to hear songbirds roosting by our Managing Editor's window. They've been there ever since, even thorough the ice storms and snowfall that we've had. I mentioned to my co-worker that hearing these birds every morning has a

For the times between work and writing...

2009-02-23T16:28:00.002-05:00

I think this test grossly underestimates Marlowe. Even a year ago, I knew she was trouble.But, standardized testing has never been known to give the whole picture...

BWWC, February 16, 2009

2009-02-17T11:58:00.005-05:00

Got through a marathon writing session last night, and I even had time to chat with both my parents and my mother-in-law!The BWWC from last night is a healthy 4,964 words, making the running total around 11,570. I can't wait for tonight...Write, write, write, stop for a dinner of seared sea scallops with crisped prosciutto over baby spinach, and write, write, write some more.These past few weeks

Sweet...

2009-02-09T00:56:00.002-05:00

Tonight's BWWC? 4,605. God willing, I'll keep this pace, even if it's for only a couple days.Okay. 1 a.m. Going to bed now.

No Time

2009-02-07T19:00:00.003-05:00

Ack! It's been days and days since I've written. But, since my time has been taken up by lots and lots of fiction writing and interactions with actual human beings, I suppose that's not all bad. The blog will forgive me. Between writing Novel 1.5 and rushing from one social engagement to the next (I can't imagine how this is happening!), I've had little time to even think of my Thoughts on 1386 (

The Graveyard Book Redux

2009-01-27T08:34:00.005-05:00

So, as I was monitoring the ALA's live Twitter feed yesterday morning for updates on this year's awards ceremony (their website was totally mobbed, and there was no way I was going to get onto the live webcast), and what should come up for the coveted Newbery Medal, but The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman!Not only is this a spectacular YA book, but Gaiman's reading of it on audio is positively

"Hello, my name is Allison. I am a writer."

2009-01-17T12:44:00.008-05:00

A few months ago my friend and co-worker, MB, told me about a writing group that she belonged to that I should really check out. It wasn't so much of a workshop, as real-time writing support. One didn't prepare anything for class. All writing is done on-site, followed up by reading of the pieces out-loud and then commentary. My first thought was "Uhm, thanks but no." I didn't say this to her, as

Readercon!

2009-01-12T19:33:00.004-05:00

I was kind of afraid that since my former mentor James Patrick Kelly was not going to be the Guest of Honor at Readercon this year, that fewer Stonecoasters would be in attendance. I mean, after the excitement and/or joy of the 19th edition in July 2008, how could 2009 measure up?Sadly, there will be several who either are saving up for other cons or who are (gasp!) graduating who will have to

Stonecoast Therapy

2009-01-09T08:40:00.009-05:00

Okay, so I've been in a really bad mood lately. Nothing specific--just several small things all adding up: Simon's crazy schedule; less-than-healthy diet; the pitfalls of personal therapy through fiction; anxiety over coming back to my Stonecoast writers' group (after a holiday break) without a damn thing written for it; a desire to join a gym but not really having the finances to do it; money;

Chocolate Chip Elvis

2009-01-07T20:14:00.003-05:00

So, pretty much since I could be around a hot oven without making my parents nervous, I've been making chocolate chip cookies. It's one of my hands-down favorite things to do, especially in the Autumn and Spring. At each of these chocolate chip cookie baking events, I'd dig out my parents' old recording of La Traviata and listen to it while baking. The versions varied from the full-scale La Scala

Too Many Martinis (vodka martinis, thank you, dirty with olives)

2008-12-20T10:24:00.005-05:00

Why? Why do I do this? Why, when I know that in about half an hour I'm supposed to get in the car and drive 500 miles to my parents' place in Maryland?After staying 3 hours late at work yesterday clearing my desk (and, it seems, every project I touched all month) so that I could go away for a week and not leave my boss with any messes to deal with, Simon and I went out to dinner with our dear

Let's Melt Some of that Snow...

2008-12-18T09:03:00.005-05:00

It's just as cold today as it was yesterday. In the 20s, maybe? At least it's sunny.Oh, yes. I arrived at work today (the next to last day before my 10 days away in not-so-warm Maryland as well as the day of the Christmas party, which I co-organized) to discover that there's no heat in the building. But, now that the old pipes are clanking away again, I have my coffee, and the Christmas party

Just Like Heaven

2008-12-07T11:41:00.004-05:00

This morning we woke up to the world recovered in a soft, snuggly layer of new snow. It hadn't really snowed at all in Portland yet this year, so this is very exciting for everyone. For a city that has the reputation of only partying harder when the snow starts falling, this day, the first snow day, is a big deal. I remember the first winter I moved here, my then-boss Jill telling me that when

Picture of the Day

2008-12-02T13:13:00.005-05:00

Ahhh, life in La Serenissima...This picture says it all, I think. Just in case, however, the full article is linked below.Floodwaters in Venice Begin to RecedeBy RACHEL DONADIO

A Bit of Home on a Rainy Monday Morning...

2008-12-01T11:57:00.007-05:00

This article just made me smile. And homesick. It made me that, too. Florence, Then and NowBy ADAM BEGLEYPublished: November 30, 2008Perhaps the best way to enjoy the capital of Tuscany is to swap your guidebook for a copy of “A Room With a View” — and see this city as E. M. Forster captured it 100 years ago. (read full article...)

My Mixer Has a First Name...

2008-11-26T19:45:00.005-05:00

...It's K-I-T-C-H-E-N-A-I-D. My mixer has a second name, it's A-R-T-I-S-A-N in E-M-P-I-R-E-R-E-D.So, yeah. That's what showed up on my doorstep this afternoon. I actually cursed in front of the FedEx guy. Then apologized profusely. He laughed, which was good. A major, major thank you now to Robin Squibb (Simon's Fairy Godmother) who is about the coolest Fairy Godmother anyone could possibly have

At least somebody's trying...

2008-11-24T08:20:00.003-05:00

As Chris said at dinner last night, we are to remain cautiously optimistic. Of course, he was talking about politics in this country in general, but as I put car manufacturers up there with politicians in terms of sketchiness, I thought his quote was appropriate for this morning's NYTimes.com discovery as well.Interesting stuff. I, as Chris, remain cautiously optimistic. Ford Scion Looks Beyond

Overloaded Social Calendar? Really?

2008-11-23T21:44:00.007-05:00

So, what changed in my life? What shift has afforded me the sudden opportunity for a full social schedule? I mean, my loving man is in school, we have no money, I'm constantly exhausted by my own job in publishing (loving it too, by the way), and still, this past month, I've been inundated with "events" in a way that I hadn't been before. Not since college, anyway. At the risk of being absurdly

Vindication!

2008-11-23T10:05:00.003-05:00

Finally, justification for Simon's and my non-TV-filled life! Now, be sure to read the article carefully—they're not saying that TV makes you unhappy...just that it could.Don't get me wrong—I love watching. Netflix has cursed us with their quick shipping (yay for TV on DVD!). However, that very thing has been a cause of friction in our household. There have been many (too many?) nights when Simon

The Cure for the Common Cold

2008-11-19T08:07:00.004-05:00

I was sick this past weekend (sort of still) with a cold masquerading as the plague.This little morsel of YouTube joy made it all better.Thank you, Simon.

Hit the Ground Running

2008-11-14T20:55:00.007-05:00

Simon's father has always told him that the very second we elect a man to executive office, specifically to the presidency, it is our duty as American citizens to start questioning and challenging the moves that he makes.Lee called last week to see how Simon and I were reacting to President-Elect Obama's victory, and, as soon as he could get a word in edge-wise, he gently reminded me of this

A good day—Like most others, just rainy.

2008-11-14T08:58:00.010-05:00

Why? Not because it's raining (that is, mist>downpour>mist), and not because it finally feels like November in Maine (it could be a little colder, though). Is it because Moby Dick was published today in 1851? Or because the BBC started domestic broadcasting (1922), or because Aaron Copeland was born (1900), sharing a birthday with both Monet and Boutros Boutros-Ghali?Or maybe it's because

The Book of Love a la Keith Olbermann

2008-11-12T17:10:00.007-05:00

This is the second time I've shamelessly lifted posting inspiration from Excuse My Beauty. But do not think I do this out of laziness or lack of interest. I simply know when to defer to someone who is infinitely more eloquent than I.Thank you, Pete, for posting this video. Maybe it will help bolster the numbers out in the streets on Saturday (yes, we're doing it up here, too!)If the rest of you

I would not have thought it: there IS something better than a play!

2008-11-11T08:58:00.004-05:00

Last night I spent a very long time on the phone with one of the coolest girls in the world. While I wish that I had a more updated picture than this one from Senior Day at Padua Academy, 1997, it's still one of my all-time favorites.So, I hadn't talked to Kara in several weeks, and she began the conversation by apologizing for her radio silence. "I've been sick," Kara said. "The doctors are

Ahh, the joy...

2008-11-10T13:38:00.010-05:00

Despite having a gourmet dinner at our friends Shane and Jill's place in Roslindale, MA (Oh, may I die by French dessert wine and roast lamb!), and then coming home to make a spectacular Enchiladas Verdes from the July 2008 Cook's Illustrated (Oh, if I don't die by French dessert wine and roast lamb, then let me die by Enchiladas Verdes!), what got me blogging today is a funny, somewhat

If Only They'd Told Me So in the First Place!

2008-11-07T16:41:00.004-05:00

As I'm finding it difficult to put my feelings into words on the subject of Proposition 8 and the 52.5% of California's voters who thought it was a great idea (think: utter bewilderment, severe disappointment, and a sense of loss I feel on behalf of my family and friends—both gay and straight), I will rely on this handy list to cover the points that my twitching, inarticulate mind is trying to

Memorial Day

2008-11-06T08:35:00.006-05:00

I was moved this morning when I read this short piece. No comments. I just wanted to share. Memorial Day by Matt MendelsohnNew York Times, November 5, 2008I used to be a photojournalist. And so Tuesday night, as some 200,000 Chicagoans gathered around a brightly lighted stage under the gaze of the world’s news media, I headed to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, expecting to find a crowd and

A New Day. A New World.

2008-11-05T00:51:00.012-05:00

So, Simon and I went to Rosie's to watch the election results tonight. Of course, any bar in Portland's Old Port would have sufficed. Even though Rosie's is our default setting, every single bar we passed (even the uber-meat-market ones on Fore Street) had the election on their big-screens. And they were packed. On a Tuesday. Everyone was out to share in what would become a defining moment in our

Volare!

2008-11-04T19:56:00.004-05:00

What a great country this is. Am I talking about the U.S. of A.? Nah, not this time. I'm talking about what people believe the U.S. of A. could be. To remind you, we have a musically endowed gondoliere to sing for us!

Ack! Television!

2008-11-04T15:44:00.005-05:00

So, after checking the news feeds, blogs, and campaign websites obsessively for the past 8 hours (and finding nothing, of course, as no one knows a damn thing yet), reading an amusing NYTimes.com article entitled "Election Night Guide (Popcorn Included)," I've realized that I'm not going to be able to do any hanging-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-election-following. I mean, come on—refreshing your web

Election Day!

2008-11-04T07:49:00.007-05:00

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.This morning, I got up before dawn so I could get myself to the polls at the Reiche School on the West End. Everything started at 7 a.m., and I was so convinced that the process was going to take hours, that I even called work to tell them I was going

What Peace There May Be In Silence

2008-11-03T11:32:00.007-05:00

Several years ago, on my first occasion to visit my cousin Basha and her man Kevin in Penobscot, I saw Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata" on a yellowed sheet of paper in their cabin's bathroom. I'd never read anything like it—not in any religious text or any book of poetry. Over the next six+ years, every time I visited them, I would find excuses to wander in and look at it again. I'd repeat it to myself

Because Our Lives Aren't Weird Enough

2008-11-02T22:46:00.004-05:00

This afternoon and evening was supposed to be Halloween recovery time. We lazed about, went for a walk downtown, stopped at Rosie's for a snack, came home to watch some films, and had a nice, long talk with our friends Erik and Heidi (there's nothing like two hours on the phone, is there?).And then, Simon and I went and did it. We watched Caligula. Whoa, dude. I can't say that I regret watching

Best Halloween Ever...

2008-11-02T17:01:00.005-05:00

...and I have NO pictures. Of course, everyone else took pictures, but considering they're undergoing as much recovery as I am, I can understand that the forwarding of said pictures might take a day or two.That being said, I can't remember the last time I had so much fun on Halloween. The celebrations started early, when all of us at work decided to come dressed up. We had a pirate (you have one

Back from the dead...

2008-10-23T08:32:00.004-04:00

...Just in time for Halloween, too!So, the cold that Simon got over Columbus Day, which for him was a couple days of gross sniffling and nose-blowing, he gave to me. Somehow, in transmission, a couple days of gross sniffling and nose-blowing turned into the plague.I went home early on Tuesday, skipped Wednesday altogether, and went home early on Thursday. It was okay, though, because my hard

Why I Love My Job

2008-10-09T09:00:00.003-04:00

Why? Because Neil Gaiman posted a link to my review of his The Graveyard Book on his blog last Tuesday. I'm totally in love with this man.Oh, yeah—and my boss just asked me to interview Joe Hill later on this month. And no, I'm not just excited because he's a certain person's son. I'd never read or listened to any of Hill's work until recently, but I have to say, he's awesome! He has a grace and

Happy Birthday, Simon!

2008-10-08T21:13:00.003-04:00

Yeah, this is a day late. But, I was making him birthday cake last night, so I get a free pass. I'm also going to step aside and let Pete's touching post for Simon do all the talking. Don't bother with my meandering musings! Go to Excuse My Beauty and read some truly significant, beautiful, heartfelt words. Pete, I think you made your brother cry. As always, well done!Happy Birthday Simon: Some

For Love of My Brothers-in-Law (and Mac)

2008-10-06T17:59:00.005-04:00

This is a precursor to a thank you note for Pete and Brian world-traveling, hard-partying, happy, loving, cheering, exciting, and fantabulous brothers-in-law extraordinaire. Both of them better than Emperor Fabulous. Waaaaaay better. See, they gave Simon and I a new keyboard for our birthdays. And now all I can do is type. But I don't know I'm typing. I can't even hear the tick, tick, tick of

The Graveyard Book

2008-10-01T12:35:00.007-04:00

Neil Gaiman's latest, The Graveyard Book, just came out yesterday, and I submitted my review for the audio version (narrated by Gaiman himself) before the strike of midnight, so it still counts. I've had the advance copy since the middle of the month, but I've been a bad girl. That and my reviewing of the audio version of Brisingr took priority.But, now that Brisingr is also out of the way, I

Fall, Perfect for Cooking

2008-10-01T10:57:00.005-04:00

Part of the reason my favorite season is Fall is because it is the time when I drag out my Le Creuset Dutch Oven and start wandering back to my winter recipes. Stews, soups, roasts, cassoulet, and so on. Why wait until now? Simply put, Marion Verplank's award-winning Savory Beef Stew doesn't really fly in the middle of August.But now, as the leaves turn a bright orange-red (my Le Creuset color of

What a Perfect Day

2008-09-30T17:35:00.009-04:00

The trees outside our window are lovely today. I just thought they deserved some online time. From the studioFrom our kitchen window, with the Portland Museum of Art in the backgroundMarlowe performing her patented Food-to-Bowl Jedi Mind Trick. I gauge her level of concentration by how fast she's twitching her tail. She looks pretty darn focused.

From Wood to Stone, a Followup

2008-09-30T16:59:00.005-04:00

As a followup to my entry about going up to Penobscot to help my cousin Basha with casting her sculpture, I would like to register my profound fascination and irrational disgust with rubber molding agents. Essentially, it's super-cool stuff, and the scraps are a fidgeter's dream, but after the fourth layer (gotta leave room for curing time), at about 10:47 p.m., after listening to every Zeppelin

Lunch Breaks and Mental Breaks

2008-09-30T13:08:00.008-04:00

So for lunch today, I got some creamy tomato soup from the Crooked Mile downstairs from our office. While making my lunch choice, I opted not to get the Turkey Melt special, also called the "Bailout Special" priced at the very reasonable $700 billion dollars.I thought about it. I was tempted, but I decided to go with the $4 bowl of soup that comes with a free frogurt, er...that is, a free

The Word (or one of them) on Brisingr

2008-09-29T12:34:00.003-04:00

So, former mentor and author extraordinaire, David Anthony Durham, has written a great (that is, insightful and interesting) review of Christopher Paolini's latest novel, Brisingr, for the Washington Post.As I am reviewing the audio version for work, I enjoyed David's review thoroughly--and not just because it confirmed many of my own fears/impressions/assessments of the text (although I'm

From Wood to Stone

2008-09-24T20:12:00.010-04:00

This year, like last year and the one before last, I've been spending a great many weekends up in Penobscot with my cousin Basha and her lovin' man Kevin.Some weekends are devoted to tromping through knee-deep snow on a sunny February day, shuffling our slippery way down a frozen stream, walking out to the low tide mark on great, thick piles of cracked ice, and digging in the mud with sticks for

Yay Kelly Link!

2008-09-19T16:12:00.003-04:00

While completing my required weekly reading at my job (which includes Booklist, Fore Word, Library Journal, the New York Times Book Review, EarlyWord.com, and Publishers Weekly), I stumbled upon another article about Kelly Link, her husband Gavin Grant, and Small Beer Press.Kelly teaches at my MFA program, Stonecoast, and was the 2nd reader for my creative thesis (her help was absolutely

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

2008-09-19T09:01:00.007-04:00

From sunup to sundown on this fine morn o' ours, I be referrin' to meself by one name, and by one name only: Black Bess Read.If this be the first time those nubby ears of yorn ha' heard of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, go to their website and unleash your inner buccaneer!Afterwards, go get your Pirate Name!

The Trap Rebaited

2008-09-18T15:18:00.006-04:00

As a former participator in this culture, I found this article of particular interest: "You Just Can't Kill It" by Cintra Wilson.It brought back both memories of hunting through resale shops for bits of black chiffon, but also reminded me of that ugly wincing feeling I experienced whenever other Goth kids tried to pull off their look with a fraction of the effort that is necessary. Ah, well. At

The Diet of Worms, or How Rome Still Does Our Thinking For Us

2008-09-17T13:48:00.010-04:00

According to the New York Times, a majority of Catholic Americans, who once followed the Democratic party based on the principles of helping those in need, the immorality of war, and so on, are now pretty damn excited about the McCain and Palin ticket. In an article published today, entitled "Abortion Issue Again Dividing Catholic Votes," David Kirkpatrick interviews several Pennsylvania

I'll have my hot dogs now, Mom....Skinned, please!

2008-09-16T13:56:00.004-04:00

As a finicky eater myself, now married to a man who demanded that this hot dogs be skinned before consuming them, this New York Times article was particularly enjoyable to me.Children really do absorb everything they see, and how we behave around them is of vital importance. The section on dieting I found particularly interesting, as well as the idea of encouraging the child to take part in the

Oh, If I Could Only Remember the Words to My School Song...

2008-09-16T09:43:00.005-04:00

I don't think they ever taught it to us, now that I think of it. That being said, my congratulations and happy support go out to my alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College, for hosting both Barack Obama and John McCain earlier this month. 15,000 people came to Buchanan Park (which makes up the south-westerly corner of the campus) on September 4th to see Obama speak. 7,000 made it to the Alumni

Pomegranate Moon

2008-09-16T08:40:00.005-04:00

It was a full moon last night, and Simon and I celebrated with red meat, red wine, and red fruit.Grilled steaks drizzled in Claudio's olive oil. Creamy mashed potatoes (we can't help ourselves!). Red wine and cool water. For dessert, we lingered over Italian figs and pomegranates. It was a bit of a memory trip for me, as I can remember eating figs off trees in the hills surrounding Florence and

See My Vest!

2008-09-11T11:53:00.006-04:00

It was 52 degrees when I left for work this morning, probably cooler out of town. Perfect vest weather, as Simon pointed out on his way to our overstuffed closet. And indeed it is. Most of the rest of the Eastern Seaboard is enjoying warmer, more temperate weather, but here in Maine, we can hear the footfalls of Autumn on our front step. It's really kind of nice, actually, as it speaks to a

It Keeps the Blood Warm

2008-09-09T14:41:00.003-04:00

No, it's not laudanum, and this is not Interview With the Vampire. However, the following two blogs that I just discovered do indeed keep my blood at the boiling point and, honestly, sometimes make me wish that I had a handy vial of laudanum present. Mostly for the perpetrators, but sometimes for myself. Enjoy...or hate...or whatever. The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks: Misinterpreting

Homecoming Weekend

2008-09-07T19:42:00.015-04:00

Perhaps ours wasn't a "home"coming, per se, as we'd never really left Portland this summer for any more than the time-splitting between Spring Street and Peace Cottage. But, there's a definite resettling that comes for everyone who lives in Maine post-Labor Day. An "Autumning," perhaps. Whatever it is, it has the qualities of hard-core, maternal nesting, where you have to get everything back to

Kate and Miles

2008-09-05T17:01:00.019-04:00

Here are some highlights from Kate and Miles's fabulous wedding that took place on August 16, 2008 on Orr's Island. Absolutely everyone was there, and the McGowens and Wings pulled it off with grace and style. Are any of us surprised?I can't quite describe the calm that I felt at seeing my oldest friend in the world get married. There was excitement and elation, to be sure. But a wonderful sense

Really?

2008-09-05T17:00:00.001-04:00

So, I'm assigning audiobooks to a reviewer, and across my desk comes The Man in The High Castle by Philip K. Dick, narrated by Tom Weiner (who also read Heinlein's The Cat Who Walks Through Walls--very well done). What stopped me was the publisher's blurb on the back, which reads: "This Hugo Award-winning novel is the work that first established Philip K. Dick as an innovator in science fiction,

I'm so far behind....

2008-09-02T17:01:00.007-04:00

Even though I just came off another great weekend on Orr's Island, I'd promised to get these pics up of the weekend of August 22 through 24. Jillian Hess and Jason Rancotore, a former classmate of Simon's, came to stay with us in Portland for a whole, fun-filled, game-playing, beer-drinking, haute cuisine-eating, barn-dwelling week.So, naturally, Simon and I dragged them up to Orr's Island for

So It Begins...

2008-08-28T08:57:00.003-04:00

I love summer, I love family, but I'm so done with summer. We have one big push before the end—before everyone goes home, before the tourists leave, the students' families say their tearful goodbyes, before my poor mother stops running a B&B out of Peace Cottage and gets to enjoy one, maybe two nights of late-summer quiet with my dad before packing it all up and heading south.This summer was a