Hey, I’ve got so much news I’m bursting. But first, this: The Beautiful Mia made it safely to London and is having a ball. With her permission, I’m going to post some of her missives from England and beyond, so look for those in future posts. Here’s a picture of her dancing with ACLO, a while back. She’s sick of this photo but it’s the only one I have handy just this second. Sorry, chica!
Thank God it’s Friday, and past five o’clock. Woo hoo! Let the weekend begin. The girls are slated to be at their dad’s this weekend but decided to stay home instead. They’ve been working, noses to grindstone, with schoolwork, etc., trying to bring grades up to an acceptable level. Too many distractions, so bye-bye Internet, bye-bye TV, and hello homework.
It sucks to be a teenager. At least, that’s how I remember it.
However, and this qualifies as The Most Awkward Transition Yet, if you’re looking for something fun to do with kids, or if you’re a senior looking for a fun afternoon out, check out Kids Take The Stage’s production of The Wizard of Oz, opening Jan. 12 in Alameda. Lots of cool special effects and hey, everybody knows the show, so you can’t help but sing along to “We’re Off to See the Wizard…” Tickets, etc. available at www.kidstakethestage.com
Also, whilst out and about in Berkeley, Oakland or Alameda, grab a copy of The Music Scene and see what I’ve been crafting with John Blakemore for the past month. We started a revamp of the look, and gave it a hard edit, and next month’s will be even better. I’m here to whip that pub into shape, so read it and weep. Or some such.
As for the list of things I have to do, I can say I’ve been going to the gym, and I can say that I’ve been doing publicity like a regular flack, and I can say that I put the Christmas stuff away, mostly, and I can say that I did research on getting an agent. I am also getting stuff ready for Red Hills, in hopes it will hit the stands by the end of January.
Alas, I am still stuck with tax crap and kidney stones and jury duty, but what is life if not a challenge?
Good Books Department
I just re-read 84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, and it is still the best book around. LOVE it! It’s actually two in one volume, but if you get a chance to read 84, do! I recently finished Mirror Mirror by Gregory McGuire, author of Wicked, and it was delicious. I’ve got Son of a Witch just waiting to be read. Also in progress (next to my bed, forever) are The Jane Austen Book Club, The Memoir Club, and The Pagoda in the Garden. More in progress, at the other house: How the Scots Invented the Modern World (non-fic, like How the Irish Saved Civilization but less lyrical) and Susan Orlean’s My Kind of Place (travel essays).
All that travel writing and I’m itching to be off somewhere.
(Here’s where the Missives from Mia stuff will go…check back soon)
More to tell, but after the weekend. Happy Friday, all.
Advice to Aspiring Writers: Save some for later.