Dark Days

Reading at Risk

Introducing Louie

He's the newest thing in San Diego; the coolest cockapoo this side of the 5 Freeway; the cutest guy in this house (sorry, Bry); and the bees knees. He's a hepcat, except not a cat; cute to boot; and the best decision we've made since getting engaged.

His owner needed to find a good home for him and we feel so lucky to be that home. He travelled two+ hours in the car without so much as a wimper or bark. At home he hung out in the backyard for a while, then eventually came inside. He's currently resting his head on Bry's hand, so I think they're going to be best buds. In fact, I think we're all going to get along quite well.

Water Wimp

74-76-degree water + full wetsuit = a happy swimmer. The Cove was beautiful today! Garibaldi inside, but not much to see further out (except for friends trying to swim through kelp beds--hee, hee). Sadly, no leopard sharks at The Marine Room. My mom came with me and walked around LJ while I swam, taking photos and watching the crowd.

I've been thinking a lot about the "snowball" story I workshopped at Squaw and am preparing to do a big restructuring of the story to give it a story arc. Plot is usually a good thing.

A friend went on a blind date tonight through eHarmony. She is so brave!!!

The People in My Life

My parents arrived in town this evening after fleeing Hurricane Flossie (which my brother Brian deemed a "let down"). They'll be here through the wedding to help plan, coordinate, and keep me sane. I love you guys!

Today is my friend Joe's birthday. Happy birthday!

Patchen, I'm still doing all the positive thinking.

Head Above Water

Today I received my first piece of "fan mail" from a woman who read my story in Summerset Review. What a wonderful surprise to receive in one's email inbox.

I did the Shores swim this evening for the first time in six weeks. And yesterday, I rode the Frog bike course with a fellow entrant, then followed it up with a run. I am back!

I've finished unpacking, washed all the laundry I can, and read my backlog of mail (postal and electronic). I am officially caught up. Tomorrow I begin a new draft of the story I workshopped at Squaw.

Stasis

I am home. And since I've spent nearly six weeks studying the craft of writing, I will rewrite my last statement for dramatic tension.

I.
am.
home.

And I'm not going anywhere for a good long time.

Squaw Valley was incredible. A week of workshops, craft talks, and agent and editor panels, all organized by an amazing group of people who do it for all the right reasons. It really is a community of writers, in every sense of the phrase.

Flux

What an overwhelming week of movement, transitions, departures, reunions, and surprises. A week in New York with Bryan. A surprise bridal shower (graciously thrown by my future mother-in-law and attended by plenty of O'Neill women), a terrible Broadway show (thank goodness for half-price tickets), and art and science museums.

I'm off to Squaw Valley tomorrow morning. No internet access, so I'll have to save up all my Tahoe and writing adventures to recap here later.