Archive: May 2009
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May 22 09: Putting My Left Foot Forward
I have a gig! I’ve just finished my first week working for the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, doing a writing project that is scheduled to keep me busy until the end of the year. Which is a great thing, especially as copy-editing work at Major Publication is getting harder and harder to come by. But knowing-where-my-rent-check-is-coming-from considerations aside, it’s a great thing to be working for an organization that is engaged in such boots-on-the-ground humanitarianism. It really does help make the world a safer, healthier, happier place for people who need the help — via the sorts of projects that you read about and think, Yes, this is exactly the sort of thing I want the United Nations doing. Science fiction fans believe in better worlds.
So that’s done a great deal to keep my mood buoyant lately. Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out which market to send “Nightbird” to (aka the Stevie Nicks Death Androids Story, although it contains no androids. Or Stevie Nicks, really. Well, sort of). I figure I should strike while the iron is still warmish from the success of Daisy, which I recently found out was brought to a meeting of fiction-read-out-loud afficionados called NYC Storyreading. Having random strangers enjoying my story in public still kind of freaks me out. Even if it was sort of the point. Thank you, random strangers; I am flattered beyond words.
And finally, I do a lot of walking with the new job — from Grand Central to the UN in the mornings, and as often as not from 1st Avenue all the way to the West Side in the evenings, if the weather is good. There is much headphone-listening, and I’ve been reminded once again that the scars of Band Geekitude run deep. I keep catching myself adjusting my stride so that my left foot comes down on the downbeat; the only reason I notice it at all is that sometimes the tempo speeds up and I’m wondering why I’m going so fast….
Anyway, I’m off to the theatre now: a preview of the new Coraline musical, which looks like it’s going to be a blast. And then an overnight in Philly tomorrow with the swimmers. Enjoy your weekend.
May 5 09: Today’s Thing That Is Crazy
Hokey smokes! Some total stranger in — Scotland? Ireland? Suddenly I can’t tell, how embarassing — took my story “Daisy” and produced a free audio version of it, because he liked it. (And because its Creative Commons license encouraged him to do so.)
I am agog. And flattered. Thanks, Ian McMillan!
May 1 09: Who is Better Than Stephen Fry? Nobody.
It’s the first of May, and I’ve been going around the office of Major Publication all day reminding myself over and over not to sing the Jonathan Coulton song out loud; it’s as brilliant and catchy and hilarious as his work is wont to be, but it’s also seriously NSFW. (So if you’ve never heard it before and you’re downloading it now at the office or in front of easily horrified grannies or whatnot be sure to put your headphones on. [And if you enjoy the song, show JoCo some donation love.])
But that’s not why I’m here just now. No, sir. I wanted to direct people’s attention to this letter from Stephen Fry to his 16-year-old self, which I found pretty moving. God knows most of us would love to go back and give a message from the future to our awkward and dopey younger selves, or at least give them big hugs and tell them it’ll be okay. I’m not sure anyone else would be able to do so with such intelligence, humanity, and general awesomeness. It’s also a look at gay history and a meditation on love, which is of paramount importance to all people. It’s good stuff.