June 2009 Archives

I ended up calling in sick today after a virus took over my throat. Due to the nature of my work, I can do a lot of it at home, but I decided that taking it easy and getting some sleep was more important.

Of course I ended up writing. A simple idea wormed its way into my head — simple, but perfectly shaped to fill a hole in my story. It prodded me out of bed and to the computer and told me in no uncertain terms to work on the current piece.

"I'm sick!" I protested.

It mattered not to the story-monster. So here I am, chugging out words and mucous.

--the current contents of my refrigerator. It's usually a traditional bachelor fridge, with just the booze, but I apparently need to thaw my books slowly to be sure of having killed any silverfish infestation.

(Story ideas are kind of like that. You throw them in the freezer — that is, a computer file — and forget about 'em, then one day bring one out and let it sit where the gray cells can warm up to it gradually.)

Meanwhile: It will be no surprise to you that I am known in the office as a bookworm. My well-meaning manager brought in a nice, thick compilation of his favorite author's works for me to read during my typing breaks. Naturally I feel some pressure to do this, which means that there really is no chance of getting in a few snippets here and there during the workday. Unless — naw, sneaking a notepad into the bathroom is really weird. Who knows what people will think you're taking notes on.

I'm lucky to have access to the Northern California Digital Library, but I wish I knew who their selector was, or how to suggest titles. It's easy for me to overspend on ebooks (since I don't actually have to get my wallet out), and it would be lovely to be able to check out books I'm curious about but don't want to actually commit to buying. Most of these that I want are from small presses; the popular books available from the digital library are ones I could go get bound copies of (although being able to download audio books is nice).

With cunning timing — Wave 1 of my books is currently in the freezer to get rid of a silverfish infestation — one of my friends who works for Google Books suggested I just scan all my books and stop whining about lack of bookshelf space. Lots of opportunities for digital editions here!

There are times when I remember why I like sweet romances. I just came back from a very chill date with a guy I hooked up with a while ago, and it was super nice. You can get a delicious thrill without sexual tension, just making someone laugh.

Despite a joking list of prerequisites for a potential husband (I love the smell of coffee, but can't stand the taste, so for example he would have to be a coffee drinker so I could get my aroma kick without being wasteful), there are very few definitive traits I demand from a guy. But a deep, pleasant voice — the kind that rubs your spine — is on the "bonus points" list.

Sometimes I think English is particularly sparse in vocabulary to describe anything but the visual.