| Duluth, Here We Come!!! |
[Jul. 25th, 2008|02:44 pm] |
All packed and ready to rock out the door! I'll be sure to post on my big 'girl-cation' trip with Nancy when I return, including book signing and vendor drop-offs (not to mention hot tub soaking and book reading by gorgeous Lake Superior!)
See you on Sunday, LiveJournal!!! |
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| Community |
[Jul. 24th, 2008|04:31 pm] |
Attended our Southeastern Minnesota GIS User Group Meeting in Faribault today, and we had a great attendance, mostly GIS professionals from local governments in our region. The discussion today focused on two types of Geographic Information Systems areas: pictometry and contour (elevation) data. Pictometry is a form of air photography that takes photos of every building in a city or county from multiple views, all at a 45 degree angle. The photos are spatially registered, so in theory you can take measurements of height and slope using the photos. It's a newer technology with lots of potential applications for County assessors and emergency personnel, plus the software is just so stinking cool.
I was reminded (as I usually am) how truly fortunate I feel to be included in such a group of technically gifted professionals. There are times when I think "Wow, I'm one of them, seriously?" But it do understand, and participate, and break ground every day in my own organization. I once observed to my supervisor that it's difficult sometimes being the lone ranger GIS staff in our building, because I always feel as though I'm speaking French in an English world. Well, today I spoke LOTS of French with others who share my peculiar world-view, that of GIS geo-geeks (plus lunch and networking, what could be better?)
Mostly ready for our big trip up to the North Shore this weekend. I signed close to 80 books last night, now all I have to do is get invoices ready and pack. Big Lake, here we come!!! |
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| Northern Lights Books appearance |
[Jul. 22nd, 2008|06:03 pm] |
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My last author event for the summer is happening this Saturday, July 26th, at Northern Lights Books in Canal Park, Duluth. I will be appearing from 1-2 PM to sign copies of 'Leviathan Shore' with my best friend Nancy, who does a great job as my unpaid publicist! So please come and visit me, along with 5,000+ Finns who will all be on hand for FinnFest 2008!! |
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| 'Dark Knight' and week ahead |
[Jul. 21st, 2008|12:15 pm] |
Wanted to post on the movie of the summer, 'Dark Knight', which I saw yesterday with Austin and Grant. First of all, I completely loved it from beginning to end, it moved me in ways I hadn't anticipated, both good and bad. Heath Ledger's performance was phenomenal, everything that had been hyped about his portrayal of the Joker. But there were a few things I wasn't too crazy about:
1. Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. I didn't buy that she was beloved by either man. I was not sad when they killed her off.
2. Too many plot twists. Hey Christopher Nolan, I loved your movie 'The Prestige' and was watching it again last night, and the pacing was very respectful of your audience. I mean, I love to be surprised but not whiplashed by story.
3. I loved how the first movie's version of Gotham was obviously a make-believe metropolis. I have mixed feelings about the fact that this movie was obviously set in Chicago.
4. Christian Bale, please gain some weight. You looked a little like you did in 'The Mechanic', not terribly flattering.
I felt turned inside-out by the entire piece, by it's dark examinations, by the truths it spoke. I'm going back to see it again tomorrow night with Tyler, and I hope I get a little time to absorb everything more. What I want to take away is the seeming effortless technique that Chris Nolan uses to reveal deep and unique character motivations, along with the way he continually raises the stakes to almost the breaking point.
In other news, starting to gear up for my vendor/book signing trip to Duluth next weekend- I have a long list of phone calls to make this noon hour. I'm excited that everyone except for Tyler is out this week, because I definitely need a little peace and rest after this crazy weekend! |
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| Welcome to the Weekend |
[Jul. 18th, 2008|12:43 pm] |
Weekend round-up after late night existential nonsense ;-D
1. Dan's Navy Reserve unit is sponsoring Family Day at the Reserve Center in Minneapolis on Saturday. Food, fun with the boys, and time with other Navy families is in order.
2. Shopping for San Diego. I need new shoes and some comfortable casual clothes for schlepping around the San Diego Convention Center. It's as big as an airport concourse, and I got plain worn out back in 2006.
3. 'Dark Knight' on Sunday afternoon, hopefully with both Austin and Grant. Don't know who will be more delicious- Christian Bale or Heath Ledger. Sounds amazing from all the reviews.
Sleepy today, no surprise there. Will definitely be heading out for a drink downtown with my honey tonight- the next ten days will see us flying in totally different directions!! |
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| Still Riding a Vibe |
[Jul. 17th, 2008|11:47 pm] |
More sleeplessness tonight, I think in response to some of the issues dogging me from yesterday and earlier in the week. Random thoughts kept lifting me into wakefulness, so the remedy, of course, is to come down and blog.
I'm on the precipice of another big personal transition, a shift in thinking and feeling. I know I write about this fairly often, but I can't think how else to describe the amazing energy flowing into me tonight. I feel as though I'm being pushed through some kind of membrane, that the extraordinary things I need to accomplish must be done wholly outside of any external system or context of relationship. I feel as though the loosening bonds of some things I once held dear are accelerating me in a new direction, one free of doubt or consequence. I can't hold back this person inside; I need to embrace this reality and not fight it any longer.
I reject negativity, fear, and frustration. This is the place of decision and safety; from here I am free to explore what it means to be a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, writer, and coworker. I can create whatever internal reality I choose, much in the same way I create whole worlds in my writing.
Tomorrow I will waken with my feet on the ground, whole and sound in body and spirit. Thank you for listening, LiveJournal. |
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| Writing in Kala |
[Jul. 16th, 2008|06:57 am] |
My muse has shifted again and landed me in my AU world of Kala. For those who haven't read previous posts, I've been in the process of world-building a new science-fantasy series, with the first book of five entitled 'Brethren of Kala'. I write in this universe in fits and starts, but it's strange to me how much I think of that world and its characters. Lately I've been experimenting with a completely different story line set in the future of my original 'Brethren' plot, and it's been yielding some very interesting things. I haven't done intentional free-writing in a very long time, and this feels very organic to me at the moment.
I know what's driving some of this: when I've been hurt I tend to retreat, and right now this other place is offering me emotional refuge. I may even post some passages, though that's pretty scary as well. I've been toying with the idea of posting a chapter once a week from the draft I've been working on.
**Small note: I posted an entry that entailed a little emo naval-gazing and a vow to take a break from LiveJournal, but after giving myself a serious bitch-slap I've decided not to focus on my negative emotions and I deleted the entry.
Stay tuned for postings on my upcoming events, including my Up North book-selling and girl-trip with Nancy and the big sojourn to San Diego and the ESRI Conference.
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| The Breath that Comes After the Storm |
[Jul. 13th, 2008|08:43 am] |
Taking a long, deep breath after the last three days or so, which saw hot humid weather and destructive thunderstorms followed by the blessing of cool, dry winds from the northwest and crisp sunshine over southern Minnesota. I feel like I've run a marathon (which in a way I did), so here's the recap of life since my last post:
1. Gave my 'Mapping the Past' presentation at the Red Wing Collector's Society convention Friday afternoon, when it was so bloody hot I was practically melting. I felt like both presentations went well, but the first one was more fun because there were more Red Wing locals who asked questions and made comments. It's funny how sometimes in an intensive community (like pottery collectors) there's almost a sense of territory and ownership over the body of knowledge relating to their passion, and that anyone who brings in new information is somehow seen as a threat. But I gave away all my printed maps, which was a good thing :)
2. Came home with one of the worst migraine headaches of my life. An hour in bed with towels over the windows and the AC running did seem to help. Didn't really get rid of it until later that night at Eric's house.
3. We carpooled with friends Gordy and Sheila out to the rural home (mansion?) of Eric, one of our Scout leaders, to meet with other parents going on the Lake Superior Hiking trail in a week or so. Took care of business early, then broke out the Rush River beer for something of a wild night (Eric has an honest to goodness wine cellar, where the wives all sat with salsa music and candles and enjoyed the best talk and laughter in months).
4. Spent a beautiful Saturday at the Anderson Center signing and selling book copies of 'Leviathan Shore'. Though sales were very slow, I had a terrific time meeting up with friends and acquaintances from Red Wing and the local arts community. I did make enough money to buy 'Art on a Stick', a pottery creation suitable for my little vegetable patch.
5. This morning I'm planning to do very little, because Dan's parents are coming to visit this afternoon before taking us out to supper. Austin is home today and will be heading back to camp later tonight- I miss him when he's gone, but I know he's working hard and having a great summer.
These are the best of days, LiveJournal. So much of what I dreamed about for my life has come to fruition, and I am so grateful to have this time and the gifts that have been extended to me. |
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| Lord, Are We Busy |
[Jul. 10th, 2008|12:31 pm] |
The next three days promise ultimate insanity, but happy at the same time:
1. On Friday afternoon I'm presenting at the Red Wing Collector's Society Pottery Convention on Mapping the Past & the Pottery Industry. I've been kicking butt these last three weeks or so trying to get all my materials together, and it's so VERY close to being done (my goal is to have no less than 50 Power Point slides, since I have to talk for almost an hour). I'm tempted to subtitle the presentation 'Includes Every Old Photo and Map and Even the Kitchen Sink'.
2. Friday night we have a parent meeting at one of the Scout troop leader's house for the upcoming High Adventure trip on the Lake Superior Hiking Trail. Afterwards, a bunch of us will head up to the Jimmie at the St. James Hotel for cool beverages on a hot night.
3. Saturday, of course, I'm exhibiting at the Summer Celebration of the Arts.
4. Dan's folks are coming Sunday to celebrate Tyler's 19th birthday a little early this month. I think we're planning to go the National Eagle Center in Wabasha and then out for supper afterward.
A little aside about why I love my job: I've been working with staff at Goodhue County to get a 1938 air photo of the old clay excavation site. Found what I wanted just before lunch, and it is WAY cool (yes, I know I'm geeking out, but deal with it). :D |
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| Summer Celebration of the Arts |
[Jul. 9th, 2008|12:23 pm] |
Come ye, come ye one and all to the Anderson Center's Summer Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, July 12, where yours truly will have a booth and book copies of 'Leviathan Shore' to sell. This is a fabulous event for art-lovers, with all media represented. Food, music, and fun for kids and adults- how can anyone resist?
I will be at my booth from 12-7 PM. Hope to see some folks there!! |
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| Thank you, George Michael |
[Jul. 8th, 2008|08:15 am] |
Thank you, George Michael, for a fabulous experience at the Excel Energy Center. Thank you for inviting me back into your life again, with a mix of 80's and 90's nostalgia and the pulsating beat of your current rave-style music. Thank you for getting me on my feet and dancing like I haven't for years, for not being embarrassed to scream out lyrics to songs I've known for more than twenty years, for the gift of mixing with fans from eight to 80 for one unforgettable night. Thank you for your soaring voice and hot dance moves at the age of 45, for reminding me that aging gracefully is the only game at our age.
Thank you for bringing tears to my eyes and reminding me how much I love my son, Grant, and what a precious gift he is to me. Thank you for your vulnerability, for reminding me that you can live through heartbreak and rejection and still be all right. Thank you most of all for your final encore, 'Freedom 90', and what a powerful anthem this song has become in my life.
Thank you. |
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| Leanne in Retrograde |
[Jul. 7th, 2008|07:37 am] |
(Almost sounds like the title of a novel ::hee::)
Home today and tomorrow, with the George Michael concert tonight and lots of personal time stretched in between. Why am I titling this post 'retro'? Because so much of what I envision for these next two days are like a snapshot of my old life:
1. A large chunk of writing time this morning. I'm deep into 'Blackburn Island' again, having wrestled through some character issues with Nils that were seriously blocking me for months.
2. The big plan tomorrow is to take a day-trip alone up to Stillwater and Taylor's Falls. I haven't been up that way since Jaime and I took a drive in fall 2006 for research on one of her manuscripts. I can't explain what's pulling me so strongly, but I just know that something wonderful and profound is waiting.
3. Time with my boys. Everyone is home today and tomorrow (Austin doesn't have to return to camp until Tuesday PM). I love cooking for them and hanging out watching movies together. And, of course, the concert tonight with Grant!
Summer heat finally swept in this weekend, with beastly humidity. Thank goodness for air conditioning, and a shorter hot season this year. I feel as though we've really settled in for the duration, knowing that 'Back to School' sales at Target are just around the corner. |
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| Fourth, and Beyond |
[Jul. 4th, 2008|08:42 am] |
Happy July 4th, LiveJournal! Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, mainly because there's so little commercialism involved (and what's not to love about grilling and fireworks?) Anyway, today we are traveling to Rochester to spend time with my Mom and Dad and Shelley and Tracy (yes, despite her accident they are still coming). I think a bunch of us are going to see 'Wall-E' this afternoon, something I know that Grant, Tyler, and my Dad are very excited about!
This marks the first day of another mini-vacation for me. Other plans for the next five days:
1. Coffee with Nancy on Saturday AM, followed by shopping in the afternoon.
2. Nothing for Sunday at this point, which actually fills me with a sense of bliss. It's been so long since I've enjoyed unstructured time on a weekend, it will be a real treat!
3. Monday night I'm taking Grant to see George Michael at the Excel Center. I can't even tell you how excited I am, since this is only my second stadium concert experience (the first was Alanis Morisette at the Target Center in 1999). I really love George Michael's music, was a huge fan of his first solo album back in the 80's, but what I'm looking forward to the most is making special memories with Grant that night.
4. Tuesday I am sleeping in, and then I have a personal trek in mind, a place I like to visit once a summer. Not sure if I will share my destination, or maybe post on it after the fact, because I feel it pulling me forward along my arc of inner growth.
I'm so happy to be alive and to be with family on this perfect summer day. Something tells me that Dan might be on deployment this time next year, so I want to hold this time together deep within my heart. |
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| Shields of Angels |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|12:23 pm] |
News came today that my sister had a bad accident with her horse, Maggie. I won't go into all the details, but suffice to say that Shelley was bucked off and thinks she hit her head against a metal gate. Maggie also lost her balance and fell right on Shelley. The good news is that Shelley was wearing her helmet, and there were no broken bones. She's bruised and banged up pretty bad, has a sprained joint in her lower back and torn tissue in her rib cage, but otherwise is doing okay, thank God.
What's so scary is the reminder that life is fragile, that everything can change in an instant. If Shelley hadn't worn her helmet, she could have had a concussion or suffered brain damage. Her spinal cord could have snapped and left her paralyzed. Not that I want to dwell on the 'what-if's' or 'what-might-have-beens' but it is so important for every single one of us to be self-aware and make safe choices, always. Loss has a profound impact on everyone in your daily life, especially for the people who love and depend on you. We get this one life, this one chance. Let's all do our best to take great care of ourselves and cross the finish line at the 100-year birthday mark!! |
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| In the Glad, Cool Morning |
[Jul. 1st, 2008|06:53 am] |
Got up early and took a walk in my neighborhood, because it's supposed to be 90 and humid by this afternoon when I normally get out to walk. I always feel rewarded when I throw myself out of bed and hit the sidewalks, because the air is fresh and heavy with the smell of dewy grass, the birds are singing their songs of romance, and there are very few people out and about.
Still feeling very centered and universal. A few reasons why:
1. Found out that my neighbor Dawn is engaged to be married and her fiance is moving in. I met Jake last night and he seems a terrific guy for her.
2. The house in foreclosure across the street was sold and a new young family moved in. They've been cleaning up the yard and landscaping, which was almost jungle-like.
3. The loud, low-class neighbors behind us have switched houses with her brother, and the peace and quiet is phenomenal. Now, the only bad neighbor we have left are the people across the alley, but she's been in deep hiding, disappearing for most of the day, which is fine with me.
4. Received our amended tax return for 2006 (long story) and is was a BIG chunk o' money. We putting it into savings to defer our expenses for San Diego in August.
5. This morning I feel the stirrings of my inner muse returning. I've been so caught up in my promotional events and book sales that I haven't been creating or editing of late. But I'm looking at five days of vacation over the Fourth of July weekend, and yes, there will be writing.
Enjoy this beautiful summer day, LiveJournal. This has truly been one of the best summers I can recall for many years. |
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| Northern Trek |
[Jun. 29th, 2008|08:17 am] |
Yesterday we made what I call one of my 'kamikaze runs' to supply book copies to my up north vendors. The trick now is that I have two locations to deal with: Duluth/North Shore as one, Bayfield WI as the other. Luckily for me I only had one drop-off in Duluth, and then Dan and I drove over to Bayfield to complete the remaining deliveries.
Highlights of the day:
1. Stopping at Fitgers brewery for a growler of Big Boat Oatmeal Stout, and hearing the peal of bagpipes in the parking ramp. A Highland Dance competition was about to start in the Fitgers complex, and this man was lustily piping away in practice.
2. Culver's Butter Burgers for lunch. A real treat!
3. A visit to the Bayfield Library to donate a copy of 'Leviathan Shore'. The building is a jewel-box of an old Carnegie library fashioned from locally quarried brownstone and featuring lovely wooden interior Ionic columns (hey, one of my passions is 19th century architecture!)
4. Sharing bottled juice drinks and homemade fudge together on the Bayfield waterfront as sailboats skimmed the Big Lake near Madeline Island.
5. Arriving home exhausted but triumphant after twelve hours total time on the road.
I get to take a breather over the July 4th holiday weekend, then move ahead with my appearances at the Anderson Center on the 12th and Northern Lights Books on the 26th. Looking forward to some major down-time today and a chance to reconnect with my boys while everyone is home this weekend. |
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| Party Photos!! |
[Jun. 26th, 2008|08:34 pm] |
Link here to see a portion of my photo gallery from the June 18th Publication Party at the Anderson Center for the Arts:
http://www.squarehousepublishing.com/Publication_Party.html
In other news, feeling a lot more anchored today, which is probably a good thing. Only one more day to the weekend (woot!!) |
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| Dream Into Being |
[Jun. 25th, 2008|12:47 pm] |
I crossed a major psychological barrier today, and now I feel as though I'm propelled forward in time, confident in my own skin, certain of my direction. Fair to say, I have not felt such extraordinary energy and blessing since just before Dan's deployment, when I was attending the ESRI Conference keynote session. The emotion in the convention center that morning was something akin to a religious experience, and I remember in vivid detail a profound sense of unity with all the world and mankind (no, seriously). Where I'm at today is different, but equally shattering.
I wish I could describe all the reasons for this personal apogee, but for the moment it's just too big to write into words. Help me to hold on, LiveJournal- I need you to keep my feet planted to the ground. |
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| Night Watch |
[Jun. 24th, 2008|01:54 am] |
Sleeplessness haunts me tonight, so why not post at 2 AM instead?
I was reading a post today on writing and story ideas, and found it pretty interesting. I confess that I don't spend any time these days reading books on process or following authors' online postings, mainly because I've gotten pretty comfortable with my own writing style and genesis of ideas. I've been writing as an adult since 1999, nine years, with a long trail of blood, sweat and tears in my wake.
There was a time when I bought any book on writing and publishing I could get my hands on, because I was convinced that somewhere out there I'd find 'the answer'. I know there are fabulous undiscovered resources, and that the experience of best-selling authors is not to be sneered at. But God help me if I let those voices inside my head, because for me that would feel inauthentic and not my true voice.
So, story ideas: frankly, this has never been an issue for me. In fact, I suffer from 'new plot-itis'- I stumble across new ideas and wham, I'm off and plotting, envisioning place and characters, thinking of names, action, pivotal scenes, etc. In the early years, when I was desperate for a contract and editor, I'd chase those hares, imagine that they would somehow provide the magic key to opening certain doors. But process for me these days is more like marriage and less like dating- a long-term commitment with highly satisfying results.
One aspect of my stories is that of materials redemption, of integrating long-existing plots and characters into new prose. My earliest attempts at fiction came under the guise of Star Wars fanfic, nothing I ever actually posted but spooled out in reams on an ancient laptop. I still love the tertiary plots and characters created within that framework, and I draw on that vast pool as I'm working on world-building for my 'Brethren of Kala' series. Not that I want to simply paste recycled George Lucas creations into some flimsy excuse for an alternative universe. But they are with me, always, waiting to shimmer to life in the pages of my writing.
I have whole manuscripts that will never be published, not even self-published, thousands of words that lie fallow in untended fields. Are those a waste, neglected, hastened to an undeserved death? I can't know for certain, and I suspect that one day in the distant future they may yield some marvelous sort of delayed harvest. I can't think of those things right now. I have to take care of whatever business lies in front of me for this day.
I wish I could open the canvas of my thoughts and inspirations to other aspiring writers, help them to understand the extent of their own creativity. But my muse is so deep and so integral to self, I don't know if it will ever be truly possible. |
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| Onward |
[Jun. 22nd, 2008|08:41 am] |
Now that the 'Big Events' week is over for 'Leviathan Shore', it's time to take a breather and look ahead, map out the landscape of where I want to go next with many things in my life:
1. First off, I need to literally take care of some housekeeping. I used to be so meticulous when the boys were little and I was home full-time. Sad to say, there's definitely more dust and dirt in my home than I ever used to tolerate.
2. I will be shipping out copies of 'Leviathan Shore' tomorrow and then making follow-up phone calls to my old and new vendors. Servicing accounts on both the North Shore and in Bayfield will definitely be challenging, but I'm excited to make new contacts.
3. Getting reorganized at work. My focus has been drifting of late, and I know that it's my responsibility to keep things on track for myself.
4. Taking a good hard look at some of my personal relationships. I've had tensions of late with a few people, and I think some of that is due to the fact that I've changed so much since the beginning of the year. Good changes for me, hard-won, but not easy for those who expect you to always stay the same person.
5. Setting achievable goals with my health. I'm still getting out to walk every day, and I had been doing better with my eating (until vacation, of course). I don't want to slide backward, especially when the weather turns really hot and humid later this summer.
Nothing like making things easy for myself, right?? ::winks::
**On a small personal note, I talked with my mom on the phone this morning, and she was full of praise for how improved my prose is in 'LS' compared to 'Keeper's Daughter'. I really respect her opinion, and know that she wouldn't be sharing it if she didn't absolutely mean what she said. |
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