Journeyman

As happens, I'm going to be taking time out from regularly scheduled events, RSN. I'll go to Bangor for a few days next week, where after a day of tests, I expect to have a defibrillator implanted. I can think of more fun things to do, but perhaps not more useful.

So far we have the cat-sitter organized and extra good cat treats in, and recent forecasts make the weather of getting there (an hour plus up the road from here) a non-issue. FWIW, there's WIFI, so between events I'll at least be able to peek in to teh internets. I may be able to post between events, but perhaps not. Oh, no live incision photos from the Droid, I promise!

The short term recovery will mean I'm not to drive for a couple days, power arm wrestling will be right out for a week or four, and I'll have to continue for awhile with the light-duty approach I've been under since the cardiomyopathy was discovered (during my recent hospitalization after AlbaCon). I may also have to oversee some volunteers on the packing and shipping for Skyblaze, which is still in the works. There may be a slight delay -- honestly, of the "factor in stuff happening" part of the book planning, the word "defibrillator" was not considered.

In the longer run, I'll be limbering up my knees and using the treadmill to get in shape for ReNovation, and we'll be working on fine-tuning some of the meds. That's on the recovery side. On the other side of thing, there's more. We have couple of nibbles on con guest spots after Renovation, a possible mini-book tour to-and-from Renovation including a trip on Empire Builder... not to mention the book-writing always on the schedule.

That's what's on the scope here -- tell me what fun and creative stuff you'll be up to between now and the end of WorldCon.

The day lily count for today is 4 -- this is our first of the season from one of Maine's latest breaking day lily pods, I guess. There look to be a lot on the way -- the pods are red for tomorrow and into the weekend, I'm thinking.

If you're going to NASFIC -- more on this in a moment -- watch for the special edition Carousel Tides sampler chapbook. Free while they last, at NASFIC -- I'll try to have some at any Baen function I get to -- and watch for me at the SFWA table ( I should have at least one autograph session there) and probably I'll be at the ASFA party as well. My schedule beyond that is on the knees of the ghods; and since it is our call, we're trying to judge how many of these chapbooks to print.... so see below.  About the only part of the schedule I'm reasonably sure of is the newly announced and likely soon to be filled Reconstruction GoH dinner -- and that I need to be on the road out of Raleigh sometime on Monday, August 9th.  

Now, the more on NASFIC: I did a quick run through of the most recent NASFIC attending member list and it looks like this NASFIC will be the size of many medium to medium-large regional conventions -- assuming a reasonable small last minute (which now means At The Door!) attendance kick since big summer cons usually get such a kick. If you haven't joined but want to, the bet is to make sure you get your hotel reservations in velly velly soon -- and plan to get to the convention  center early when you get to the con so you can get all your paperwork, including that all important pocket program! 

Meanwhile, the glance at the list shows around 20 or 25 people I can pick out as FoL -- that is, folk who have shown up at FoL events before, helped with or come to parties,come to breakfast,  read the chapbooks, comment on the Liad list or blogs, and such.  I do hope to have an FoL breakfast, so we'll be watching for location for that -- given the recent heat in the south it may well be in the Marriott or next door at the Sheraton to keep travel down.  I expect to have connectivity, so this blog or Facebook may be the bet for keeping up ... maybe one of the Liaden facebook pages, too ...

If you haven't made plans to come to Reconstruction, the 10th NASFIC, now is the time. Besides a couple dozen FoL, (and me, of course!), the con will have lots of good programming, a good dealers room, an art show with art auction, a masquerade, and will be an excellent chance to get to see and talk with some of the 100 plus program participants, guest, and panelists.  If you're within a few hours drive or easy travel, this could also be a good first convention for you -- and could convince you to come on out to next year's WorldCon in Reno.

Hope to see you at the NASFIC a half month from now!

We have a new book out ....

wait, we've done that before. No need to jump up and down and cheer and ... we must be dignified and professional about publishing. So I'm told....

Yeah right. if it wasn't still exciting and fun, I don't think we'd still be doing it, you know?

In any case, the fact is that I picked up a small partial run of Double Vision late yesterday afternoon, and during a computer down-time caused by last evening's bands of thunderstorms we managed to sign a good number of them -- so on theory I ought to be getting the first few dozen pre-orders of Double Vision into the mail today, at which point the book really will be out. The cover is striking ... www.srmpublisher.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp

and I'm not sure if I get to run to Augusta to pick up the rest of them today, or not, since we're also working on other stuff -- like seeing if we can pick up Sharon's new-to-her set of wheels. I also today have to do the annual registration on my car and get some other real life thing in gear... and pick up the insurance thing proving coverage in Canada ... if you're driving to Worldcon, you ought to have this.

Well now ... over at rolanni's blog the discussion of possible auction items goes forward. That is, original Lee & Miller novel scripts  and associated material for Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem  and etc ....

Not only would such an auction help us make space, it'd make eating at Worldcon a surer bet.  Visit http://rolanni.livejournal.com/ for details....