I'm Back

So ... my sister got married. That's us in the photo. Mostly this will be a post of photos. This is where we were:

And this is the building where we had the dance (inside):

I'm not going to go a whole lot more into the wedding, because my family, and my personal, life aren't really the point of this blog.

More to the point of this blog, I met up with a bunch of awesome writers and bloggers on Sunday night at the Cambridge Common Restaurant. Here's the proof:

This is all of us, including my daughter, Middle Grade Madi, who is a HUGE fan of Anna Staniszewski. Anna brought Madi some awesome swag, and we're all looking forward to her next book!

And all of us without my kid, for privacy purposes.

Madi with one of her favorite authors!

Anna, trying her damndest to be as funny as me.

Heather Kelly and I, which reminds how sad I was Jon Arntson (no link, because he's re-focusing) couldn't come.

Me and Kristen Wixted. Woot! I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even know Kristen lived in the area, until she commented on Sarah's blog, but I'm so glad she came, because she's just as cool as she looks.

Sarah Fine and I. This is a terrible photo. Just look at the next one instead.

Yes. This one. Sarah was the writer I looked forward to meeting most. Not for any weird reasons you might be considering. Mainly, because she has a book coming out soon that looks like it's right up my alley, but also because we correspond a lot, I've looked up to her for a few years, and it's very exciting to see someone you've known since (almost) the beginning, achieving their dreams.

Other than all that nonsense, it was a wonderful trip (in spite of one travel day of horror), and I'm extremely happy for both my family, and for all my writer friends who have great news occurring in their careers. I'll get on some queries tomorrow, but for now, I need to write.

Boozy

I'm taking a blogging hiatus today, because I've got some writing related obligations, so here's something for you, my lovelies:



I don't know why he's drinking beer when he's singing about wine (in the music video version, which for some reason doesn't have the great dub verse), but at far as I'm concerned, as long as it gets you drunk, it's all good.

Have a wonderful day, friends.

Great News!

So guess what? Human Resources, after checking with the Department of Labor, has determined that the ridiculous schedule my job had me working was illegal! I know. Crazy, right?

I mean I know the schedule was cruel and unusual punishment, myself, but I had no idea such things were illegal in this society. I can't say I'm the least bit upset. So the great news is that I'm back to my regular 9 to 5, which is actually 6 to 3, but I'm going to be able to be a real blogger again, not to mention a writer and critique partner. You might think I would have gotten more done with more time off, but you'd be wrong.

I've never been much of a morning person, or anything like that, but I definitely am more productive when I'm up in the morning, with a plan of action, and out of the house where the urge to just chill is too great.

So there you have it. I can finally read your blogs again!

Also, more good news: since I joined a gym a month ago I've lost 15 pounds. I still have a beer-muscle the size of the Hindu-Kush, but I'm working on it, and things are going well so far.

Thanks for all your support through the rough times, but I'm glad to be back.

Things That Make me Say Hellz Yeah: Part Something

I'm going to be critiquing a friend's novel today. Well, okay, continuing to critique, since obviously I can't do the whole thing in a day. I'll also be writing, so I'm just going to leave you with this video.

I love this song. I don't quite know why. Yes, I discovered it through a beer commercial. No, I don't care.



It's pop, I know, but it's Scandinavian pop, which makes it a lot more fun. And weird. Mette Lindberg and Lars Iversen are Danes. Which means they're not quite as cool as Dutch or Swedes, but still much cooler than Americans.

Things I Love: Part Two

Grolsch is my favorite beer. Probably my very favorite beverage.

Technically, my favorite beer is Grolsch Premium Lager, which strangely enough, is actually a Pilsner, but is marketed as a Lager in the United States, probably because most Americans know shite about beer. Grolsch is a Dutch brewery which crafts several other types of beer, but the one that comes in the big green beugel is my favorite.

Bottles of this type use a swing-top cap, eliminating the need for an opener. It can also be resealed, for times when you're busy playing Wii, driving a tractor, breakdancing, or floating down the lazy river in an inner tube.

Grolsch is the second largest brewery in the Netherlands, after Heineken, and annually produces over 3.2 million hectoliters, which is a lot of beer. Apparently the Vegetarian Society named Grolsch Blond, Grolsch Premium Lager and Grolsch Premium Weizen as suitable for vegetarians. Grolsch won in the "Best Vegetarian Wine or Beer" category in the 2003 Vegetarian Society Awards.

I had no idea that other beers used meat, or other animal byproducts, and I just learned that this morning, which really grosses me out, and makes me like Grolsch even more.

What do you guys think? Do you like meat in your beer? Or just with it? I happen to love chicken wings with a beer, but I don't dip the meat in the beer.

Otherwise, what's your favorite beverage?