greygirlbeast: (chi6)
[personal profile] greygirlbeast
I think I may have finished the Bradbury intro yesterday. I've got to read over it again this afternoon to see if my opinion has changed. I have always found writing these sorts of things to be about the most difficult, nerve-wracking sort of writing that I'm ever asked to do. And, in this case, when I've been asked to write about an author of such stature and one who has had such an enormous impact on my own writing...what the frell do you say? I've tried to relax and say what first comes to mind, what seems most honest and direct. But there's this nagging voice, telling me I will only ever have one chance to do this, and this is me saying thank-you, and Bradbury's gonna read it, and in some ways it's one of the most important pieces that I'll ever write, and so it has to be right. So, the second-guessing and self-doubt takes over, and, well, there you go. Yesterday, I asked Neil to please read it for me when I think I'm done, and he said he would. That will, hopefully, put some of my worries to rest. Or confirm them. Either way, it's better than having no opinion but my own.

In the summer, Spooky and I usually walk in the evening. But this morning I needed to move, so we went out about ten o'clock. It was overcast, and there was still dew on the grass, not too hot, but definitely muggy. In the park, we talked with a homeless man about trees. There was a mini-bulldozer sort of thing parked on Moreland, and I threatened to hotwire it and take out some of the condos and townhouses that have sprung up hereabouts like great pastel fungi, housing for all these gentrification assholes who think they want to live in the city, but expect it to made over in the image of the suburbs, just for their convenience. I told Spooky that if I called it a publicity stunt, I could take the ensuing bail and legal expenses as tax deductions. She said not no way, not no how, and herded me back to the house. A damned unreasonable woman is Spooky.

But at least she can cook. After the writing was done yesterday, we headed to Whole Foods to get the week's groceries, and she made pasta with fresh basil and red peppers for dinner, accompanied by a very delicious organic Syrah, of which I drank too much. Too tipsy for anything but a nap and then a couple of Big Dumb Action Films, we ended up watching Die Harder With A Vengeance (1995) and Predator 2 (1990), back to back on FMC. The former holds up far better than the latter, perhaps because it was a better movie to start with. It's just fun, watching Willis and Jackson do what they do. And besides, you get a double-dose of sexy with Jeremy Irons and Sam Phillips. I was disappointed that Predator 2 is so horridly dated, weighed down by a wardrobe that looks fresh from a 1988 music video, even though the film is set in 1997. The creature effects are still pretty cool, but Bill Paxton will always annoy the hell out of me, and one should never follow Samuel Jackson with Danny Glover. It's like drinking Bass and then switching over to Sterling after an hour or so. Anyway, that was yesterday. Oh, and this (behind the cut), because some people have no better manners than to take somewhat out-of-focus photos of a slightly liquored-up nixar and her cat who are both trying to take a post-supper nap:





I think Spooky's gonna work on the Barker's clothing today. If I have to write, she has to make dolls. It's only fair. And let's not forget that over at Amazon.com you can get Daughter of Hounds with Alabaster for a paltry $27.70. The platypus says it's a steal, and who am I to argue with a monotreme?

Date: 2006-09-03 04:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] matociquala.livejournal.com
Arguing with monotremes only ends in tears.

And you are making me sleepy.

Date: 2006-09-03 05:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] greygirlbeast.livejournal.com
Arguing with monotremes only ends in tears.

Very well said.

Date: 2006-09-03 04:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tactileson.livejournal.com
That's a really beautiful picture of both you and the cat.

Date: 2006-09-03 05:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] robyn-ma.livejournal.com
You have now allowed yourself to be...cute...in public.

Owl says you should offer this as a desktop-wallpaper-size photo because 'that's just a fuckin' awesome picture.' I concur.

Date: 2006-09-03 05:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] greygirlbeast.livejournal.com
You have now allowed yourself to be...cute...in public.

Verily, I am doomed.


Owl says you should offer this as a desktop-wallpaper-size photo because 'that's just a fuckin' awesome picture.' I concur.


Sadly, it is out of focus. Of course, that's about the way I felt at the time.

Nice icon.

Date: 2006-09-03 05:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] robyn-ma.livejournal.com
'Nice icon.'

Thank you.

Owl is currently so amped up playing Flat Out that she's standing in the middle of the living room and issuing forth obscenities at regular intervals. I don't know what to do with this information. Neither, likely, do you.

As regards the Bradbury intro, I have every confidence that it will do him and you justice. Not long after you announced you were doing the intro, I found an elderly British paperback copy of it. This is a Sign. It indicates your intro will be received as fine work and perhaps bring more eyes to your other fine work. This is true because I say it is true.

Date: 2006-09-03 06:26 pm (UTC)
ext_4772: (Default)
From: [identity profile] chris-walsh.livejournal.com
Verily, I am doomed.

Make that YAY! verily.

Nice moment, with you and Hubero. Wtih such a photogenic cat, moments like that will be chornicled photographically again. And maybe again. And maybe yet again (hint hint, [livejournal.com profile] humglum)...

Date: 2006-09-03 05:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fwcleve.livejournal.com
I'm not usually fond of Siamese -- but that DOES look like a proper cat.

Congratulations.

--cleve

Date: 2006-09-03 07:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dantree.livejournal.com
It looks as though the cat has been there all along, and not just a few days.

Date: 2006-09-03 07:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blubeagle.livejournal.com
I agree. Hubero looks like he's always been in your lives.

Date: 2006-09-03 08:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] humglum.livejournal.com


He is amazing. When I asked the adoption coordinator about him ny e-mail, she said he was very calm and oblivious to the 60+ other cats in the shelter (it's free roaming for the healthy ones), and could only imagine how well he'd adjust to being the only cat.
For most of the day, when not sleeping or needing "alone time", he's followed one or the other of us around like a puppy. I came back from the store and he followed me from room to room, finally settling next to me to bathe while I worked out the pattern for The Barker's clothing. He purrs like crazy, but barely ever lets out a mew.

Date: 2006-09-03 10:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blubeagle.livejournal.com
Wow. He is amazing! I love your stories of your cats, Spooky. Looking forward to hearing about Huberto.

The prince of his own domain. He's settled in well. Barely a mew? You have a great cat!

I have a cat story of my own, I'd like to share, because it broke my heart that I couldn't bring Miss Cappucino home...in a way, I envy you...the full story is in my journal and good luck with him:

A few weeks ago, I had a kitten in my arms that I was dying to take home, but couldn't because of reprobate dogs. This kitten, she cuddled in my arms for quite a while and her foster mom said that she hasn't ever responded to anyone like that before.

It broke my heart that I couldn't get her, but I am thrilled that you and Cait got Huberto. What a great name. How did you come up with this name?

Date: 2006-09-04 06:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wishlish.livejournal.com
Die Hard With A Vengeance is a damn fun movie. I saw it in a cinema cafe many years ago, where you could eat a burger and fries while watching a flick. God, I miss that place.

Has ANYONE got a copy of Alabaster from Sub yet? Sniff. I can't abide the thought of my copy circulating through the mail.

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Caitlín R. Kiernan

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