It'll end in chrome.
Jan. 20th, 2008 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
greygirlbeastI swear to fuck (it's not like I can convincingly swear to god), if it just were not for sleep, this whole being alive thing would be at least hundred times more palatable. But, I'll get back to that in a minute or fifteen.
Yesterday, I did 1,003 words on Chapter Two of Joey Lafaye. Which was just enough that I didn't have to feel guilty. I'd have made 1,200, but the snow was a constant source of distraction. I think it went well, the writing. Having already introduced Ignatius and Joey on Thursday, yesterday I introduced Sweet William, who is Ignatius' brother. It's a scene set just north of Philomath on the road to Athens, and I could not help but take a jab at the South. I swore I would refrain in this book from taking the South to task for all its endless wretchedness, because I'm tired of doing that, and it's not like most of the rest of this country doesn't have it's own fair share of rednecks and scuttlefish. But, I went and did it anyway. I think it's a case of resentment. This novel was supposed to be set in Westerly and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, not Georgia. But, here I am, still stuck in Georgia, and it was such a magnificent bitch setting Daughter of Hounds in Rhode Island when I was sitting here in Georgia, I just couldn't put myself through that again. And there really is some scary-ass shit in the boonies southeast of Athens.
As for the snow yesterday, it must have started about noon and kept up almost all the way to dark (just before 7 p.m. CaST). It stayed warm enough that the road only got slushy, and we never lost power. It had actually started melting before the day was over, but at the height of the storm, we must have had at least two inches. Today, there are still patches, but they'll melt away very soon. Anyway, while I was writing, Spooky took some photos (behind the cut):
Close up.
A phone call from Bill Schafer at subpress this morning, and I hope I was coherent. I'd not been out of bed very long, and I was having trouble remembering how my mouth worked. But, among other things, we talked about Tales of Pain and Wonder, and the generation ship on a water planet story that might replace The Dinosaurs of Mars, and the next erotica collection. I made some grim joke about the uncertainty of life after Joey Lafaye. And so it goes.
---
After leaving me alone long enough that I was convinced it would not be back, the latest recurring dream recurred this morning. All the stuff I've mentioned before: the "space balloon," the orange man showing up with a bullet wound, me taking it out of him, the dining "car"/lounge, etc. But something new, as well. And I wish I'd made notes when I woke, because it's getting murky now. Then again, forgetting is better, most likely. I was moving down one of the balloon's narrow corridors, and there was a very pretty woman in furs and some sort of black plastic respirator fitted to her mouth and nose. It muffled her voice. She stopped me, talking about how "these flights are never on time," and slipped a foil triangle into my hand. Then she pushed past me, and I stood there holding the triangle, watching as it slowly unfolded, becoming a sort of rhomboid. In the dream, I understood what it was, and slipped it into an inner pocket of my coat. After holding it, I wanted badly to wash my hands. And then the "scene" shifted, the way dreams shift, and I was in a bombed-out concrete building somewhere, and it was so cold, freezing. Brutally cold. And the woman with the respirator was holding a knife to my throat and talking about "challenge response systems" (which I know is something I got from Bowie's Outside) and the South Korean Ministry of Information and Communication (and I have no idea where that came from). I could taste blood, and there was lightning, now and then. I sincerely wish that the Ambien had not ceased to have the dream dampening effects (or rather, the effect of causing me to forget dreams immediately upon waking) that I experienced with it for so long. Now I have this dreamsickness, and I'm trying to shake it off.
---
Please have a look at the current eBay. Thanks.
I suppose it's time to wrap this up and beg for coffee,
Yesterday, I did 1,003 words on Chapter Two of Joey Lafaye. Which was just enough that I didn't have to feel guilty. I'd have made 1,200, but the snow was a constant source of distraction. I think it went well, the writing. Having already introduced Ignatius and Joey on Thursday, yesterday I introduced Sweet William, who is Ignatius' brother. It's a scene set just north of Philomath on the road to Athens, and I could not help but take a jab at the South. I swore I would refrain in this book from taking the South to task for all its endless wretchedness, because I'm tired of doing that, and it's not like most of the rest of this country doesn't have it's own fair share of rednecks and scuttlefish. But, I went and did it anyway. I think it's a case of resentment. This novel was supposed to be set in Westerly and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, not Georgia. But, here I am, still stuck in Georgia, and it was such a magnificent bitch setting Daughter of Hounds in Rhode Island when I was sitting here in Georgia, I just couldn't put myself through that again. And there really is some scary-ass shit in the boonies southeast of Athens.
As for the snow yesterday, it must have started about noon and kept up almost all the way to dark (just before 7 p.m. CaST). It stayed warm enough that the road only got slushy, and we never lost power. It had actually started melting before the day was over, but at the height of the storm, we must have had at least two inches. Today, there are still patches, but they'll melt away very soon. Anyway, while I was writing, Spooky took some photos (behind the cut):
Close up.
A phone call from Bill Schafer at subpress this morning, and I hope I was coherent. I'd not been out of bed very long, and I was having trouble remembering how my mouth worked. But, among other things, we talked about Tales of Pain and Wonder, and the generation ship on a water planet story that might replace The Dinosaurs of Mars, and the next erotica collection. I made some grim joke about the uncertainty of life after Joey Lafaye. And so it goes.
---
After leaving me alone long enough that I was convinced it would not be back, the latest recurring dream recurred this morning. All the stuff I've mentioned before: the "space balloon," the orange man showing up with a bullet wound, me taking it out of him, the dining "car"/lounge, etc. But something new, as well. And I wish I'd made notes when I woke, because it's getting murky now. Then again, forgetting is better, most likely. I was moving down one of the balloon's narrow corridors, and there was a very pretty woman in furs and some sort of black plastic respirator fitted to her mouth and nose. It muffled her voice. She stopped me, talking about how "these flights are never on time," and slipped a foil triangle into my hand. Then she pushed past me, and I stood there holding the triangle, watching as it slowly unfolded, becoming a sort of rhomboid. In the dream, I understood what it was, and slipped it into an inner pocket of my coat. After holding it, I wanted badly to wash my hands. And then the "scene" shifted, the way dreams shift, and I was in a bombed-out concrete building somewhere, and it was so cold, freezing. Brutally cold. And the woman with the respirator was holding a knife to my throat and talking about "challenge response systems" (which I know is something I got from Bowie's Outside) and the South Korean Ministry of Information and Communication (and I have no idea where that came from). I could taste blood, and there was lightning, now and then. I sincerely wish that the Ambien had not ceased to have the dream dampening effects (or rather, the effect of causing me to forget dreams immediately upon waking) that I experienced with it for so long. Now I have this dreamsickness, and I'm trying to shake it off.
---
Please have a look at the current eBay. Thanks.
I suppose it's time to wrap this up and beg for coffee,
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Southeast of Athens
Date: 2008-01-20 06:37 pm (UTC)I'm glad Joey LaFaye is moving along. Thanks for sharing your progress with us.
I can't wait for TOPAW - I checked last week and confirmed my order is still active.
I purposely did not read your post on Cloverfield until I saw it yesterday. I put some notes over at my blog, but I echo your sentiments about the excellence of the film. Beyond the wonderful entertainment value, I believe Cloverfield is very, very important to our time and culture in a way that parallels what the 50's and 60's monster movies meant to post-WWII Japan and the atomic age US.
Finally, I mourn the distress that the dream gives you. I know one sleep spell, but nothing to eliminate dreams.
Re: Southeast of Athens
Date: 2008-01-20 06:58 pm (UTC)I know one sleep spell, but nothing to eliminate dreams.
It is fascinating how little defence has been devised against dreams.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 07:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 08:25 pm (UTC)Gorgeous pictures... I was thinking we may not see any snow this winter, so I'm really glad we've had glimpses, even if short ones.
Yeah, I suppose this winter must be something of an oddity for you and Curse, after Salem.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-21 05:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 08:04 pm (UTC)I cannot wait to read Joey Lafaye. It snagged my interest from the very first time you mentioned it, and it has not let go yet.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 08:26 pm (UTC)Gorgeous pictures... I was thinking we may not see any snow this winter, so I'm really glad we've had glimpses, even if short ones.
Thank you for saying so. It's going to be a hard birth.
Re: Dinosaurs of Mars
Date: 2008-01-20 09:14 pm (UTC)This sounds like such a cool story! But does this mean that you do not plan on returning to The Dinosaurs of Mars? I was *so* looking forward to that story (and the artwork you posted was dreamy), but if it's not what you need to write, I do understand. Sounds like 2008 will be a good year for you and subpress :D
Re: Dinosaurs of Mars
Date: 2008-01-20 09:23 pm (UTC)But does this mean that you do not plan on returning to The Dinosaurs of Mars?
Honestly, I don't know. I think, sadly, that I may have shelved The Dinosaurs of Mars indefinitely.
Re: Dinosaurs of Mars
Date: 2008-01-20 09:32 pm (UTC)Hmm. Perhaps you could include what was written as a chapbook or in Sirenia Digest? Pretty please? But honestly, if it's something you don't want to have read, if you aren't pleased with it, then that's totally understandable. I'll just look forward to whatever sf novella you write. :)
Any idea on what you'll be calling the next erotica collection (or when it's going to be published)? The previous two titles were pretty bad-ass. ;)
Re: Dinosaurs of Mars
Date: 2008-01-20 10:13 pm (UTC)Hmm. Perhaps you could include what was written as a chapbook or in Sirenia Digest? Pretty please?
Maybe. We shall see.
Any idea on what you'll be calling the next erotica collection (or when it's going to be published)? The previous two titles were pretty bad-ass. ;)
No idea yet. Gotta talk to the platypus.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 11:10 pm (UTC)However, my feelings regarding dreams are opposite from yours - I have a hard time getting out of bed because 90% of the time, I just want to go back to them.
(although, I just woke up from what seemed like hours arguing with Aer Lingus about how I'm sorry I missed yesterday's flight to Ireland, and they needed to put me on todays. ?)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-20 11:30 pm (UTC)That last photo (the close up) is stunning. (waving at Spooky)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-21 12:13 am (UTC)With all the talk (and photos) of snow, the body just looks so cold.
Trust me. It was.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-21 04:45 am (UTC)http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/206
Some nice footage of bioluminescent deep-sea animals, and then some of cephalopods.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-21 03:47 pm (UTC)Or induce them?
(and I do hope they are just dreams and not nightmares)
I read once, a long time ago, in an interview with painter John Bolton, that he would induce dreams and nightmares by eating bananas a cheese before bed. I've done just that and found that it actually works! Years later, I found out why... there are chemicals present in cheese and bananas, that when combined, produce a slight amount of the drug DMT.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-21 03:56 pm (UTC)Or induce them?
Yes. And yes.
(and I do hope they are just dreams and not nightmares)
I actually have a lot of trouble distinguishing between nightmares and the other sort of dreams. My dreams are so extremely vivid (without enhancement), and I never know that I'm dreaming until after the fact, that the shock of waking and discovering that none of it was "real" effectively renders all my dreams nightmarish. Hope that made sense, because I've been out of bed maybe five minutes...