The Journal of Michael Merriam

After dropping The Reverend Selena at her new boarding place, we made it to the convention on Thursday, around 3:30pm. The positive was that we did get an ADA room in the short (north) tower, which made getting around easier for the blind man on a lot of programming items. The negative was that, even by then, all of the refrigerators had been checked out (which was annoying, considering that someone at the hotel told me over the phone there were fridges in each room). greykev drove back to his place to retrieve his fridge, but that cost us a good parking space. I was surprised at how packed the hotel was so early in the convention.

I attended the Poor Unpublished Author to Poor Published Author, panel with the two Guests of Honor, Pat Rothfuss and Kelly McCullough. It was a good panel, and both of the GoH were engaging, though I was unsure if I agreed with some of the things Pat Rothfuss said. I got a nice shout-out from Kelly and chatted with dmbaird

( Cut Because This Is a Long Report! )

I've been quiet around here lately. This is partly because I've been swamped by life and partly because I felt like I had nothing constructive to say or important to add to the various conversations swirling around the blogosphere. I saw no sense in adding to the noise and anger which seemed to have drowned out the important discussion. I try to let my actions in life speak for me, imperfect as they may be.

That said, I did read something this week that really resonated with me, right down to the core. yuki_onna is wise indeed about stories.

I am still writing--working on Rija's Tale--which I suspect is the worst novel I have ever written. Of course, given my remarkable inability to assess the quality of my own work, this means it will probably be the first novel I sell!

Rija's Tale


I did have a request for the full manuscript of Last Car to Annwn Station from an agent. I've printed everything (with help from careswen) and will be mailing it off on Monday. While I am excited, I'm also trying to keep that excitement to a reasonable level, since I've already had three requests for a full without an offer of representation.

Beyond that, we are all alive and relatively healthy, which is better than the alternatives.

My friend ken_schneyer has asked that his Minnesota friends post this, concerning a missing young woman here in Minnesota. Click the link, take a good look, and keep your eyes open for this young lady, please.

Information here

More work on the novella done around housework. I think I'm pretty much over my illness.

The D&D game I was running is over (No more DMing for me for awhile). Our next DM is planning to introduce us to D&D 4th Edition, but until he's ready to start, we are filling in the schedule by having board game night this week. So I'm off to enjoy the company of friends, a plethora of board game choices, and a potluck taco bar dinner.

Untitled Weird West Steampunk Novella

I'd like all of you to go over the new LJ of my friend joelarnold. He's a local Twin Cities writer of damned good stuff, having appeared in such places as Chizine, Cemetery Dance, and Weird Tales.

I went bowling Friday night with a bunch of friends. My hand still hurts, but I had a great time. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy bowling.

Saturday careswen and I went on a date day, including lunch, ice cream, and a trip to paint-your-plate. We shall have a new teapot soon.

Today I'm trying to write like the wind, while The Reverend lurks above my head, sleeping the sleep of a cat. Tonight we plan on watching our latest netflix delivery, The Fountain.

Untitled Weird West Steampunk Novella


Back to work.

We had a great time this weekend up at Bay Lake, celebrating akillianna's birthday. We found a faster route up than just taking 169 from the Cities to Garrison. Friday night the group of us (akillianna, bedside_trauma, careswen, glass_eye_01, greykev, pezwitch, williamofoccam, and me) played an 8-hour round of Arkam Horror and ate a half-dozen pizzas we brought up for the occasion and the ice cream cake for akillianna's birthday. After dark we went out on the dock and enjoyed the big bright full moon and lonesome call of the local Loons.

Saturday we ate breakfast (muffins, pastries, and fruits) on the deck, and played games. After a light lunch of cold cut sandwiches, some of the group took the pontoon boat out, while others stayed in the cabin and relaxed. I wrote about 1000 words during this time.

That night we stuffed ourselves silly with fondue. Each family group brought one of the courses (a cheese and bread appetizer course, the main meat and vegetable course, and a chocolate and fruit dessert course). We went back out on the docks to listen to the Loons some more, and to watch the sunset and moon rise over the water. The cabin got a little warm that evening, but we soldiered through and there were cold drinks and games. careswen had a mild migraine, but lost it after taking her medicine and a short nap, allowing her to sit outside and watch the neighbors shoot illegal fireworks over the lake. I crashed a little early because the heat wore me out.

Sunday morning we got up late, had leftover muffins, pastries and fruit for breakfast. The gentlemen played a round of eXtreme Croquet while the ladies cheered. bedside_trauma won in dramatic fashion (yelling "THIS IS SPARTA!" and smashing his croquet ball from deep left field to bounce of williamofoccam's ball and set himself up to win in two easy shots). Afterward, careswen and greykev took the canoe out on the lake. Once they were back, there was lunch and a couple of rounds of Zombie Fluxx before everyone packed up and headed home.

All in all we had a great time and I hope we gave akillianna a fun and happy birthday!

Dark Water Blues

We are back from a fun-filled weekend at Bay Lake with friends. Perhaps there will be a full report tomorrow. Tonight I just want to rest.

I will be staying up at Bay Lake this weekend, celebrating a friend's birthday. I will have no access to the internet or email, and cellphone coverage is spotty at best.

I'll be back on Sunday night or Monday morning. Don't break the intarwebs while I'm away, okay?

I know I've been quieter than usual. I'm locked in a do-or-die struggle with the end of my novel. I know how the novel ends, I'm just not sure of the path. Until I get these last 8k of so words down, I'm going to be a little distracted. I'm pretty sure I've haven't killed enough characters or blown up enough stuff.

I've got everything set to finish the repairs to my walls, I just need to fax the quotes over to All-State tomorrow. The bad news is, I've got the bill for the plumbing (after hours Saturday rates) and while the pipe that broke was only half my responsibility, according to the Home Owners Association rules, I have to try and get the other half from the other owner myself. The HOA will provide arbitration and mediation, but that's all. This after they told me they would pay the bill and then bill me and other owner for our halves. I am…unamused.

Working on reserving a room at a B&B in Stillwater for careswen and I. We need a little getaway. If any of my flist has stayed in Stillwater, your input about a good place to stay would be welcome.

Changed the Reverend's diet on the recommendation of a vet. She seems to be adjusting easily enough.

I did not get the job at the café. I do have an interview tomorrow with a place that sells memorials, monuments, urns, and that sort of thing for a customer service and shipping position.

Now I'm off to do a little writing, sort out my notes concerning all the home repair, and prep for this weekend's trip to Bay Lake. We are staying with friends at a cabin on the lake for a weekend-long birthday party.

Dark Water Blues