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May 2008

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Mar. 28th, 2008

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[fiction] "Smoke"

Smoke



by Jay Lake


Facing off in the raw, blustery January wind, I grabbed Crater's jacket, one hand on each side of the zipper. He wore the jacket open, like he always did, pushing his jiggling gut out toward the world through some cheap t-shirt. "Fat fucking slob!" I shouted, shaking him, though he was so heavy he barely moved.

As naturally as the running tide smooths a sand castle to a simple hummock, then flat nothingness, he faded into smoke. Crater's eyes widened in surprise even as they became translucent, then fled along with his face in wisps of blue on the wet wind. The jacket collapsed in my hand with the nose-watering odor of burning sage, and there was nothing more.

"Nice move," said the wind. "Good work," whispered the sudden rain. The jacket just stared at me, the empty arms shrugging away a man's passing, as if I were below reproach.

"I didn't mean it," I whispered, cradling the grubby nylon of his jacket to my cheek. "I didn't mean to call you that. Please, you're my friend."

Alone, I stood on the sidewalk and sneezed until I cried, but he never came back to me.

◊ ◊ ◊


© 2008, Joseph E. Lake Jr.

This story was used by Weird Tales to promote their 85th Anniversary party at Norwescon 31 in March of 2008, and as such had its first appearance in a Con flyer.


Creative Commons License


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Mar. 24th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[conventions|personal] Match it for Pratchett Update

As announced before the con, Norwescon, the Northwest Science Fiction Society, [info]lasirenadolce and myself worked with matchitforpratchett.org to do matching fund raising at Norwescon 31. This was in coordination with Pat Cadigan's campaign to match Terry Pratchett's US$1MM donaton to Alzheimer's research.

In the ten days since that challenge, nearly $100,000 has been donated online globally in honor of Terry. Norwescon, Eastercon/Orbital and ICFA were the first conventions that were able to attempt fundraising. Eastercon reportedly raised about $4,000, ICFA raised $1,054 (thanks [info]fjm for the info), while Norwescon members, vendors and pros donated a total of $3,403.70.

People gave what they could - whether it was $1 or $100. A few people emptied all of the change in their pocket every time the walked by the donation box. Many gave multiple times. BASFA heard that we were doing a campaign and sent money up from San Francisco. One vendor gave a percentage of all of their sales from the weekend to the cause. Another vendor gave all of her profits from Terry Pratchett books.

I believe [info]lasirenadolce will be posting some practical tips about the experience, which may be of use to folks considering a similar effort at other conventions. Meanwhile, a few photos of the fundraising... )

As usual, more at the Flickr set

Mar. 22nd, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[personal] Not so sick

Still at Norwescon. Merely ordinarily tired today instead of pathologically tired. Continuously busy all day, no link salad or witticisms.

For those following along with the home game version of "Where's Jay," I'm home Sunday night and off to Omaha first thing Monday.

Y'all play nice.

Mar. 21st, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[personal] Still siiiiick

Drove up to Norwescon yesterday afternoon in a burst of energy. The rooms were way late checking in (do you suppose they'll give us late checkout to make up for it) so instead of a badly needed nap I wound up being antisocial and monochromatic in the bar a while. Did get some writing time in on Green, so I must be feeling somewhat better.

Finally made it to the room, where I took a two hour nap, got up for three hours to make the Opening Ceremonies, the Art Reception and the first 20 minutes of the Small Press Party, then went back to bed for nine hours. Spent much of the night dreaming about Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who is sort of a real life Buckaroo Banzai of the nineteenth century England. I don't know why he's not the hero of a line of adventure stories.

I expect to get in several naps today, and will probably have to ditch the Match Game tonight, but otherwise believe I can be functional. See some, all or none of you here today.
sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[awards] 2008 Hugo Nominations

Congratulations to everyone on the 2008 Hugo ballot! See all of you at Denvention, I hope.

Mar. 19th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[personal] Siiiiiiick

Woke up with scratchy throat. By this afternoon I was headachey, passing out tired and down near room temperature IQ. Very mild cough, mild fever. I slept 3.5 hours, followed by a little bit of time outside in the sunlight with [info]the_child, then watched Hogfather imdb ] with her. (I think it was pretty good, I'll report back after watching it in my right mind sometime.)

Sleep now. And hope like hell I'm well enough to drive to Norwescon tomorrow afternoon.

No writing today. None at all. Crap.

Mar. 18th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[contest] Caption contest voting poll

This is the voting poll for the caption contest here. Commenters were challenged to coin a snappy caption for this charming candid photo of me at the Rainforest Writers Village. )

Forthwith is the voting poll. Usual rules apply, first prize (after the voting poll) will be an ARC of Escapement Amazon ].

I will also invoke judge's discretion and award my last Audible.com gift card to my personal favorite. The card can be used for two Audible titles, including Mainspring Powell's | Amazon | Audible ] or any other title, including Old Man's War, A War of Gifts: An Ender Story or any of the Dune books.

Poll #1156102 Rainforest Writers caption contest?
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which is your favorite caption for the above photo of me?

View Answers

[info]suricattus: "Do those damn treefrogs ever shut up?"
2 (2.8%)

[info]criada: Vellux!
0 (0.0%)

[info]martyn44: Use the Force, Jay, use the Force!
0 (0.0%)

[info]etcet: "Why did I get a room with a) lismantchev and b) an espresso machine? That caffeine buzz is going to wear off sometime, and I don't know how long the chandelier is going to last with her swinging from it like that."
0 (0.0%)

[info]markbourne: Dude, I LOVE that scene in The Godfather where the guy wakes up with the big Jay Lake head in his bed!
6 (8.5%)

[info]mary919: Ceiling cat tells Jay, "Getz outta teh bed!"
1 (1.4%)

[info]jenntheamazon: "Why do those idea lights have to be so close to my head? I might go blind!"
0 (0.0%)

[info]paulcarp: "Most of my bedtime reading is nonfiction. Why, I must've read the Underwriters Laboratory label 1,000 times."
1 (1.4%)

[info]sheelangig: Chicken Little Slept Here
1 (1.4%)

[info]steve_buchheit: Jay Lake makes entreaties to the Book Fairy while double checking his synopsis is under the pillow before going to sleep.
2 (2.8%)

[info]mtrimm1: God, I weish I was sleeping with Mikal again...
0 (0.0%)

[info]robot_scandal: Jay Lake caught in an embarrassing accidental 'upshade' glance. The perv.
0 (0.0%)

[info]jeffvandermeer: "Note to self: My brain is now so large from doing so many simultaneous projects that I really need a crutch to pull my head up off the pillow in the morning."
0 (0.0%)

Ann VanderMeer: Why oh why did I eat that second helping of head cheese???
0 (0.0%)

[info]garyomaha: My ghu. He *does* sleep with his eyes open.
1 (1.4%)

[info]matthewsrotundo: "Did I leave the iron on?"
3 (4.2%)

[info]lt260: “Oh, great... I write science fiction and the image in the water stain on my ceiling is Ayn Rand?”
2 (2.8%)

[info]iamrazorwing: "Most people get one idea lightbulb at a time. Jay Lake gets two. Except this time."
0 (0.0%)

[info]saveswhat: The breakthrough moment in Jay Lake's creation of the "Lightpunk" subgenre.
6 (8.5%)

[info]ianrandalstrock: If I think at it hard enough, it'll go down... Oh! You meant the light bulb.
2 (2.8%)

[info]makoiyi: If I don't move may be it won't.
0 (0.0%)

[info]threeoutside: Alien Lights Turn Man's Ears into Giant Cauliflowers!
1 (1.4%)

[info]jtdiii: Jay discovers the latest product from Ronco, The Snorer. "Snore On, Snore Off, Snore On, The Snorer!"
0 (0.0%)

[info]saycestsay: Only one? Where's the idea switch?
0 (0.0%)

[info]stillnotbored: Can't sleep...can't show weakness...new writers will eat me...
7 (9.9%)

caryn71: Noticing a large shiny black spider in the lamp just inches from his head, Jay must negotiate his means of escape; throw back covers and jump, or crawl away slowly.
0 (0.0%)

[info]wild_patience: God? Is that you?
1 (1.4%)

[info]joshenglish: Blink on! Blink off! Damn tic!
0 (0.0%)

[info]jeffsoesbe: In the rainforest, ceiling spiders are Very Large.
0 (0.0%)

[info]alasdair1076: One day, when I've finished my Jedi training, I'll be able to turn BOTH lights on with my mind.
7 (9.9%)

[info]pauljessup: Is it still there?
0 (0.0%)

[info]pauljessup: I, Loxor the Lamp god, shall devour you mortal!
0 (0.0%)

[info]pauljessup: Why is robot sex so damned loud?
2 (2.8%)

[info]pauljessup: Can't sleep, lamps will eat me.
10 (14.1%)

[info]twilight2000: "Be vewy vewy qwiet..."
0 (0.0%)

[info]delkytlar: "Maybe rooming on the party floor at FurryCon would be better than rooming under it."
1 (1.4%)

[info]kproche: "Every time I close my eyes it moves closer! Must... not... blink..."
3 (4.2%)

[info]akirlu: "If that thing comes on every time I have an idea it's gonna be a l-o-o-o-o-n-g night!"
2 (2.8%)

[info]jeffsoesbe: "Are you there, Ghu? It's me, Jay."
3 (4.2%)

[info]kehrli: On the second day of Rainforest, there was nothing. Then the Light spake, "Let there be Lake," and there was Lake. And he was good.
7 (9.9%)

Mar. 17th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[conventions|personal] Match It for Pratchett

You’ve probably heard that Terry Pratchett has early onset Alzheimer's. One of our most beloved writers is a very angry and frustrated man. As he’s said:
“personally I’d eat the arse out of a dead mole if it offered a fighting chance”
Terry has put his money where his mouth is, and donated one million dollars to fund Alzheimer's research.
“funding for [Alzheimer’s] research is three per cent of that which goes to find cancer cures”
Pat Cadigan has started a campaign to match it for Pratchett. The goal is to raise another one million dollars for Alzheimer’s research. To help Terry, and the millions of others who battle this disease.
“the number of people with the disease will double within a generation”
Thanks to [info]lasirenadolce, I am teaming up with the Northwest Science Fiction Society to have a matching funds effort at Norwescon this coming weekend to raise $2,000 for Pat's matching funds campaign. (See my previous comments here.)

That's less than $1 per attendee.

We'll have signage and flyers around the convention directing people to donate at the NWSFS table in the registration area, and we'll be asking the pros to mention the drive in their panels if they feel comfortable doing so. As Pratchett said:
“I’d like a chance to die like my father did — of Cancer, at 86”

My thanks to Michael Ormes, the Northwest Science Fiction Society, and [info]lasirenadolce.



Mar. 11th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[videos] From Sitka spruces to the space shuttle

Sunday morning I started in the temperate rainforest on the Olympic peninsula. Tonight I wound up on the banks of the Indian River in Florida watching the space shuttle launch. I've haven't been to bed the last two nights. I have been wide awake 37 out of the last 41 hours. I have a meeting in 3-1/2 hours. Life is good.

Meanwhile, here's part of what I saw:



Some impressions later. Sleep now, for a little while. Remember, here at this blog we go insane so you don't have to.

ETA: Full report with some photos and second video here.

Mar. 9th, 2008

sanguine-pooh, tech-x4449_lamp, writing-retro_spaceship, flowers-green_leaves, sanguine-st_helens, graffiti-smiling, tech-generator, writing-Nippon_badge, child-paper_dad, tech-dirigible, pissed-skull_funky, jay-redwoods, writing-smiling_stone, signs-grammar_crisis_room, graffiti-bikes, jay-laughing, jay-lego, jay-selfish_attention_whore, cats-ripley, graffiti-funky_eyes, writing-genre, jay-windblown, flowers-berries, child-laughing, graffiti-cheetohs, jay-southpark, wry-NKPR_guitar, jay-author_boy, flowers-puffy, graffiti-growler_face, jay-dramatic, jay-street_300, politics-rifleman, signs-do_not_lick, food-wensleydale_cheese, wry-taillight, cancer_tumor, sanguine-poseidon, signs-drifting_log, politics-sideways_flag, jay-eye, tech-Comet_crosshair, sanguine-pelican, jay-viking, sanguine-mossy_wall, sanguine-hydrant, flowers-little_pink, sanguine-pontiac, funny-do_not_hump, funny-buddahomer, jay-Adrienne, signs-flammable, travel-running_man, Jay - Mighty, signs-five_dollar, signs-never_give_up, graffiti-panda, religion-belief_bw, funny-samples_photo, signs-drain, tech-turbine, signs-grocerys, signs-next_services, funny-samples_image, sanguine-spiral_stairs, pissed-truck, child-smiling_close, sanguine-rc, signs-octopus_hole, politics-report, wry-slab_viewing, signs-curb_wheels, tech-sythnoscope, graffiti-reading_time, politics-upsidedown_flag, jay-suit, sanguine-tractor, graffiti-shirley_you_jest, jay-1976, sanguine-pipe, flowers-alien_plant, sanguine-mushroom, signs-no_meat_parking, signs-gibbon_pit, food-knot_roll, jay-preaching_with_ken, signs-no_skating, signs-rock-o-plane, writing-Trial_of_Flowers, child-gnome, sanguine-moonrise, signs-falling_objects, travel-jet_engine, jay-chef, writing-bookshelf, flowers-sunflower, jay-electrode, writing-flying_car, sanguine-zen, flowers_wasp, writing-bookmobile, signs-closed_after_dark, graffiti-fishbones, signs-savage_plants, wry-darth_tater, child-drawn_face, sanguine-birds_wake, child-smiling, signs-hygiene, writing-leopard_cow, food-ribs, signs-active_garages, wry-iredale, signs-too_nervous, pissed-satan, signs-bagdad, graffiti-lake_chalk, sanguine-corn, sanguine-tads, writing-Mainspring, writing-stained_glass_book, signs-worms, pissed-skeleton, signs-hot, jay-headset, child-acorn, flowers-lily, writing-Escapement, signs-life_preservers, child-campbell, signs-caution_bees, child-graffito, food-peking_duck, graffiti-robot_brick, sanguine-Japanese_fire_truck, jay-negative, child-birthday, jay-road, sanguine-smokestack, happy-niece, signs-human_powered, child_michaelmas

[conventions] Rapping in the Rainforest

Big party last night. Big head today. A Jay Lake story was read. (No podcast.) [info]jimvanpelt said to me at one point, "You look like Pippi Longstocking after a ten-year meth binge."

Home for dinner with [info]the_child and my parents this afternoon, off to Orlando this evening on the red-eye. Cheese blogging to come.

Mar. 7th, 2008