We thought 2021 would be low-key. Isn't that cute? Instead, there have been some major ups and downs that distracted me from my goals. On the other hand, I also got some great news about my day job--the pandemic proved that we do not need a central office to function, which means my permanent telework … Continue reading January Wrap-Up & February Goals
December Wrap-Up & January Goals
Hey, we did it! If you're reading this, we survived the train wreck that was 2020. I sincerely hope that your loved ones fared as well, and that we all do much better in 2021. I'm keeping expectations low and assuming that I'm in for another year doing a lot of reading and playing video … Continue reading December Wrap-Up & January Goals
Holiday Letter 2020
December 2020 Dear Family & Friends, Hanna, Erik, and the three cats have successfully managed to stay healthy throughout the shenanigans brought by 2020. We are fortunate that both of our jobs ensured continued employment, and while Erik continues to work in-person on his military base, Hanna has been working full-time from home since March. … Continue reading Holiday Letter 2020
November Wrap-Up & December Goals
I swung into November, literally, by attending an amazing sword technique workshop hosted by the Highlander himself, Adrian Paul, on Halloween. If the Sword Experience comes to your area, I can't recommend it enough. I learned a lot, and what I was already familiar with was a lovely refresher. I look forward to incorporating those … Continue reading November Wrap-Up & December Goals
October Wrap-Up & November Goals
In line to vote with the spouse: Civic duty 2020 complete! Based on the dreary, rainy weather outside my office, I suppose fall has officially arrived. Cloudy days call for a second cup of coffee, especially since I have started getting up when the spouse leaves for work to spend some time with Ring Fit … Continue reading October Wrap-Up & November Goals
September Wrap-Up & October Goals
New nerd swag for the laptop!* Another month of this crazy year has come and gone. The spouse and I escaped to Atlanta for a week, to socially distance with friends who also work from home. It was absolutely lovely and reminded me how much I miss conventions this year. The TARDIS drove and charged … Continue reading September Wrap-Up & October Goals
August Wrap-Up & September Goals
This month slipped away from me pretty fast, like the rest of this summer has, since time has basically ceased to have all meaning. I'm still working from home full-time, I'm still doing a lot of reading, and I've done some solid work on book 7 that I'm pleased with. All travel plans through the … Continue reading August Wrap-Up & September Goals
July Wrap-Up & August Goals
Steel Victory 2.0 Now Available! Buy links and other info The revised edition of the first Steel Empires novel includes: Author’s preferred text for Steel Victory.Foreword by award-winning author and editor Lee Murray.“The Reluctant Master”: A previously unpublished story featuring Victory and Mikelos in the early days of Limani.“Limani: A Brief History”: An excerpt from a … Continue reading July Wrap-Up & August Goals
May Wrap-Up & June Goals
Time has ceased to have any meaning. Or is it just me? This was supposed to go out yesterday, but I had a bit of a weekend and losing myself in romance novels seemed a healthier option. But I'm here now, to entertain you with all of my exploits! /checks notes Apparently there is still … Continue reading May Wrap-Up & June Goals
Con Report: Virtual Balticon 54
Last weekend, I did my hair, put on clothing that had nothing to do with working out, and attended (virtual) Balticon 54! I participated in four excellent and informative panels from the comfort of my own office with appropriate feline supervision. Perks to a virtual convention: Sleeping in my own bed, eating decent meals, not … Continue reading Con Report: Virtual Balticon 54
April Wrap-Up & May Goals
OG Torialanthas (Night Elf Marksmanship Hunter) & Syri (ghost leopard) /looks around Wow, it's been a month. So, nothing's really changed around here. I'm still working from home. I'm still reading a lot and playing too much World of Warcraft. Despite my introvert tendencies, I've now missed two conferences, and I miss hanging out with … Continue reading April Wrap-Up & May Goals
Cleveland ConCoction 2020 Cancelled
Based on guidance I received from my employer last week, I had already (with great sadness) withdrawn from attending this year's Cleveland ConCoction. Later that same day, the announcement came out that the convention was being cancelled. I know this is a stressful and scary time for everyone, for a variety of reasons. I'm lucky … Continue reading Cleveland ConCoction 2020 Cancelled
February Wrap-Up & March Goals
Happy Leap Year! If January 2020 lasted about a millions years, February 2020 only took about 5 minutes. My month has been full of useful and not-so-useful productivity (yeah, I started playing World of Warcraft again), but it was also filled with good books and lovely times with friends, so what more can a girl … Continue reading February Wrap-Up & March Goals
Con Report: Farpoint 2020
I attended my third year at Farpoint in Baltimore, Maryland, this past weekend and had an absolute blast spending time with friends and being a panelist on some of my favorite topics. I wish I'd been able to hang out more in the evening with people, but I commuted from home this year and had … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2020
January Wrap-Up & February Goals
This year is off to an EXCELLENT start, if I do say so myself. I got lots of reading done. I got lots of editing done. I played a lot of video games. And I'm thrilled with my health progress. I know I said I wasn't travelling anywhere, but I managed to sneak away to … Continue reading January Wrap-Up & February Goals
Con Report: Starbase Indy 2019
Looking for the full slide set for my "Alternate History: Creating Stories by Changing the Past" presentation? See below! Usually I try to have my convention reports posted on the Wednesday after the con, but this month I had the crazy idea that I could do two events in a row. So because I traveled … Continue reading Con Report: Starbase Indy 2019
November Wrap-Up & December Goals
I hope everyone had a fabulous month full of NaNoWriMo and/or delicious food. I'm in the midst of traveling (3 airplanes, 2 conferences, 2 cities), so cross your fingers that the ridiculous cold I had 2 weeks ago doesn't return with a vengeance. Ironically, because of the traveling and the cold, I did not have … Continue reading November Wrap-Up & December Goals
The Sorting Hat comes to Limani!
I had some time on my hands the other day (translation: I was procrastinating on other projects), so I added a new page to the Worldbuilding section of my website! Most fantasy fans in the world can immediately answer the question, "What house are you?" and I'm certainly no exception. As a fun characterization exercise, … Continue reading The Sorting Hat comes to Limani!
October Wrap-Up & November Goals
Happy half-price candy day! I had to go into the office yesterday, so my costume was really simple. What did you dress up as? It was a fast month, as always, but I got a lot accomplished and I'm gearing up for my version of NaNoWriMo. Instead of writing 50,000 words this month, I'm going … Continue reading October Wrap-Up & November Goals
Con Report: Capclave 2019
Note: If you are here to find a copy of my alternate history presentation, see below! I spent a lovely weekend in Rockville, Maryland, as part of Capclave 2019! Highlights included being on panels with both guests of honor (Robert Sawyer and Martha Wells) and giving my alternate history presentation to a small but participatory … Continue reading Con Report: Capclave 2019