Advance Revisionary Copy Giveaway
My wonderful publicist was kind enough to send me a few Advance Revisionary Copies (ARCs). The problem is that they’re sitting on the desk right now, and Sophie the cat thinks the desk is her space, so I’ve got to get rid of them to keep the cat happy. You know how it goes. A few of the ARCs already have homes, but I figured I’d give one away here on the blog.
I asked for contest suggestions on Facebook and got a lot of entertaining ideas, including cover pose tryouts, flash fanfic of the books, and worst thing to create with libriomancy. But then as I was browsing through the news and getting bummed about the state of the world, I decided to go a different route.
The Contest Rules:
For a chance to win an autographed copy of Revisionary, leave a comment with something positive you’ve seen, read, or done lately. It could be:
- An accomplishment by you or a friend/family member that you’re particularly proud of
- Something that made you laugh
- Something that made you feel hopeful
- Or pretty much anything else that made you say, even for a moment, “Hey, sometimes the universe is pretty awesome.”
One entry per person, please. Anyone can enter, regardless of where you live. I’ll pick one winner at random this weekend, and get in touch with you about where to send your book.
What if I Don’t Win?
No problem! The book comes out in less than two months, and you can pre-order your copy through my handy little bookstore at http://www.jimchines.com/bookstore#Revisionary, or at your local bookstore. Alternately, you could put in a request at your local library.
Michael Nichols
December 9, 2015 @ 5:04 pm
I got a crock-pot and an immersion blender and have been making some pretty awesome soups lately.
Christine Martin-Resotko
December 9, 2015 @ 5:06 pm
I’m really proud of how my son has done in school this year. He has Asperger’s and has transitioned to junior high with almost no issues. He is enjoying Spanish and Choir, both classes we never thought he would like.
Carolyn Angelo
December 9, 2015 @ 5:10 pm
After years of being denied his disability benefits (due to an error on the government’s side), my friend finally got the 5,000GBP he was owed by the English government, and can actually get his life back on track. He’s one of the most empathetic, genuine, good-hearted people I know, and I can’t wait to see what he can accomplish now that he’s not worrying about money for a while.
Nicole Small
December 9, 2015 @ 5:11 pm
I’ve recently read a book called We Should All Be Feminists. It’s an excellent essay on how sexism hurts women AND men; and by eliminating it, society will thrive.
Max Cohen
December 9, 2015 @ 5:13 pm
I finished another part to the amigurumi frog I’m making and its almost done and adorable!
Brandy
December 9, 2015 @ 5:13 pm
I just submitted a SQL Term Project that I did NOT think I would be able to finish, which almost did my head in, but through teamwork I did AND I’m writing my final tonight – even though I nearly gave up 2/3 through the course because depression kicked in! So glad to have seen it through to the end! 😀
John Lamberth
December 9, 2015 @ 5:13 pm
I graduated with my Master’s in Library Science seven years ago. In October of this year, I finally got a position as a librarian (running a small junior college library in Texas). Today, I received my official business cards with my name followed by “Librarian.”
Nathan Beittenmiller
December 9, 2015 @ 5:14 pm
I’ve been able to make significant strides in getting both a harassment/inclusion policy and an accessibility policy added to the local writer’s conference. We’ve never had any issues, but everyone agreed with me that we should have something in place to make people more comfortable and to help curb problems in the future. Even though we’re less than 400 attendees, this still feels like a win for me.
Cathy McCaughan
December 9, 2015 @ 5:16 pm
When the person in front of me at the checkout accidentally left the store with a bag of my groceries, the 60something cashier went running out to the parking lot in an attempt to retrieve them. I laughed about how ridiculous it was for hours.
Paige Vest
December 9, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
My boyfriend told me of a human interest piece that touched him and I looked it up to discover that it was about Matthew Jackson. If you haven’t heard his story, check it out here:
https://m.facebook.com/ShareMatthewsLegacy/
I’ve been seeing so many instances of people paying it forward and performing small kindness for strangers and it touches me. It gives me hope in a time when it seems as if hate and intolerance have won the day, time and time again.
Be kind to each other, guys. ♡
Elizabeth Koerber
December 9, 2015 @ 5:22 pm
A good friend of mine is helping care for her mother who has stage IV cancer. It’s hard, stressful, and upsetting. But my friend has stayed positive and never given up. She is so strong and amazing!
LauraElle
December 9, 2015 @ 5:22 pm
I made a commitment recently to use social media to promote to good stuff. I was sick of feeling dragged down by drama and also wanted a way to focus on what’s good and sometimes great about my life.
I do that is by posting Three Happy Things as my evening Facebook status. These happy things run the gamut of small (a hot piroshki on a cold day) to big (turning in my first non-fiction piece to a zine and them publishing the thing). I’ve felt a sea change within myself since I started doing this. I’m more positive, content and the little things don’t get on my nerves.
Will Jones
December 9, 2015 @ 5:25 pm
For the fist time, I made Christmas Cookies, and took them to our local Fire and Police.
Mel
December 9, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
My dad has lung cancer, and he lives in Europe. I’m not in great physical shape either, but I just got back yesterday from spending 10 days there (where I also grew up) with him. I am in a lot of pain from travel and very sad about my dad’s illness, but also very happy that I got to spend time with him, and thankful for the friends and family that helped me make it happen.
As a bonus, I also got to meet a friend I’d only known online before.
Getting a surprise upgrade to business class on the long haul portion of the flight to Europe didn’t hurt either. There were some seriously charming people working together to make my travels as pleasant as possible. For the record, it was 3 flights in each direction.
Life has been a challenge, but sometimes, things really work out. I am grateful for those times.
Wesley Twitchell
December 9, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
After getting my son from the sitters, my wife and I headed home. I felt like taking an alternate route, and got caught in some backed up traffic. As we slowly got closer, we saw a car with hazards going. Managed to get into a nearby parking lot, and went over to see what was going on. Poor lady ran out of gas a few blocks from the station. Luckily she had a friend on the way with gas, but she was stuck with a car full of children in the middle of traffic. Surprisingly, a young man had just found out what happened, and was parking his car to be free to push. Right as we get started, one more gentleman showed, and we got her out of the way and safely into a lot. I am glad that I was able to show my son that people still help out.
Pat Cummings
December 9, 2015 @ 5:27 pm
For the first time this year, I completed my NaNoWriMo novel in November, at just over 90K words. I also printed my previous summer’s manuscript and sent it out to my beta readers.
Amanda Wong
December 9, 2015 @ 5:28 pm
Jennifer McGuire, a card crafter, created a campaign in November called Share Handmade Kindness that was pretty awesome. Thousands of people made cards and gifts to give to friends, family, and strangers. It was such an uplifting experience. 🙂
Pat Cummings
December 9, 2015 @ 5:28 pm
Congrats on becoming a “Secret Master of the Universe”…
Libby Block
December 9, 2015 @ 5:29 pm
Within the past few weeks, my daughter has rescued two lost dogs and bought a meal for a homeless man who was sleeping outside a restaurant where she had eaten. She’s also been tending to four stray turtles who were displaced by all the rain we’ve had this year. I think she’s turning out to be a pretty good kid.
Cheryl
December 9, 2015 @ 5:29 pm
I’m struggling with depression plus other health issues plus a move last year.
Anyway, I set up a fundraiser plus a wish list of things I need but can’t afford right now. I have been blessed with many, many gifts from that list! Everything from test strips (type 2 diabetes) to orthopedic shoes (osteoarthritis in my left foot).
More than the physical gifts, however, has been the emotional support from my friends. It’s helped me become hopeful and strong enough to fight the lies depression tells me. I am overwhelmed by all the goodness. I’m finding my way forward. It feels amazing after several years of darkness!
Shawn Farien
December 9, 2015 @ 5:42 pm
My six year old daughter to me about her classmate: “Daddy, can we buy Rebekah a Christmas gift. She’s been naughty all year and Santa won’t bring her presents. I want her to have one.” Felt like I am teaching her right.
Nicole
December 9, 2015 @ 5:45 pm
I put a felt tree on my daughter’s door and made felt ornaments for her to stick to it. She was a very excited 3 year old.
Sarah
December 9, 2015 @ 5:45 pm
I live in Kentucky but I saw that Chessiecon in Baltimore was hosting three authors that I love dearly. I kept talking myself out of going – I hate crowds, it’s a nine hour drive, I wouldn’t be able to have any conversation with those people anyway, I’d probably freak out about all the strangers and being alone and end up miserable. But I finally decided that I’d be more regretful if I didn’t at least try. So I baked some lavender cookies, rehearsed a couple of things to say, and went. I had a blast, got signed books by all three wonderful women, heard a number of fascinating panels (including one that recommended a lot of diverse fantasy I hadn’t heard of), and was part of the midnight singing of the Hallelelujah chorus in the hotel.
Jolie Davis
December 9, 2015 @ 5:50 pm
I had a fabulous time designing and then crocheting my Pay It Forward project items for this year; I made scarves and each of them were unique, like the people for whom I made them! It was fun being creative and crafty.
Jennifer Causey
December 9, 2015 @ 5:57 pm
Me and several others from our local pool league put together purse / backpack care packages full of stuff for the local homeless population. Socks, high protein food, handy wipes… That sort of thing.
Thomas McManus
December 9, 2015 @ 6:00 pm
I was able to help a friend out with moving from house to house a couple months ago. Work keeps me busy, but I do my best to add some awesome to everyone’s day inside and outside of work. Everyone deserves an awesome day.
K. Wienhold
December 9, 2015 @ 6:01 pm
I made a turkey risotto last night, finishing up the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers. It turned out tasty.
Dax Allen
December 9, 2015 @ 6:07 pm
The local community theater I am on the Board for paid off our 30-year mortgage! Now we can finally afford to start some much needed repairs. We’re very excited.
Lostshadows
December 9, 2015 @ 6:15 pm
I won NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I didn’t end up with an actual book, but I think I could actually turn the result into an actual coherent story worth reading with a bit of effort. (Step one, figure out the ending.)
John Hughey
December 9, 2015 @ 6:18 pm
I work at a university and I went around campus last night with other staff members to hand out snacks to the students who were up late studying for final exams.
Isabeau
December 9, 2015 @ 6:24 pm
An online friend who was trapped for a long time in a toxic and abusive relationship finally was able to get out and get a place to live away from her abuser, and her joy and delight in everyday freedoms is infectious. Plus she was helped in the move-out process by Muslim immigrants, who showed infinite generosity despite having their own struggles.
Adrian
December 9, 2015 @ 6:25 pm
My students turned in essays that made me very hopeful that hey, maybe I CAN actually teach! But really, all the credit goes to them. I’ve been really pushing them to improve their writing and they have stepped it up and blown me away with their efforts.
Tess Lecuyer
December 9, 2015 @ 6:46 pm
I am on the board of a tiny non-profit that saved a 75 year old Girl Scout Camp from being sold off (Camp Little Notch in Fort Ann, NY) – a bunch of us formed a non-profit and bought it! Now we run an “old school” summer camp for girls and everything we get that does not pay the bills goes into a campership fund to make sure girls who never could afford to spend a week at summer camp can do this! And we give them all the gear, too!
We just got a grant for $4,000 for camperships!
Avilyn
December 9, 2015 @ 6:54 pm
I was able to spend this past Sunday with my 91 yr old grandmother, who had her birthday just before Thanksgiving, and my 65 yr old mother, who had her birthday on Saturday. My 14 yr old cat, who we almost lost to kidney disease last year, has passed the 1 yr survival mark and seems to be her old self again, happily antagoniz … er, playing with her brother. And I get to see my favorite aunt and uncle and cousins the weekend after Christmas. So the year is wrapping up nicely. 🙂
Rachael batty
December 9, 2015 @ 6:57 pm
I used a facebook app that summarized my year using pics. Lots of highs and lots of lows. I am thankful for them all. I think I have finally reached an age where I realise that nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Its all about perspective.
Yu Tsai Su
December 9, 2015 @ 7:03 pm
Something that made me laugh.
Sorry since this is a bit political, but that GIF where Donald Trump gets attacked by a bald eagle during a photo shoot makes me laugh.
MP
December 9, 2015 @ 7:04 pm
This has been a really nice thing to read, from a lot of spiffy people. I don’t wish to be in the running for the contest, because life is good. I just got test results I’d been dreading to hear, there was no cancer; and everything looks pretty sparkly today. Cool giveaway. I appreciate your doing this. Cheers!
Clare
December 9, 2015 @ 7:05 pm
I’m particularly proud of my husband Hamish. His father has been in hospital for the last 10 days and has Alzheimers. Hamish has been doing his showers and shaves and spent 4 nights last week ‘sleeping’ on the window seat in his ward to help him settle at night. He has been so selfless in caring for both his Dad and his Mum both while his Dad has been in hospital and through the transition from the hospital to permanent care (which has happened this morning. So far so good! 🙂 ). And at the same time he’s still been teaching, helping our kids with homework and organising a concert for the community Big Band that he directs, which is raising money for the SPCA over here in New Zealand. In the last 4 years this band, which exists only to raise money for charity and to give young school leavers a place to continue playing, has raised $30,000!!! To say I’m a proud wife would be an understatement 🙂 Also, I’ve been loving the Human’s of New York series of Facebook, sharing stories from Syrian refugees who have been granted refugee status in the US. Heartbreaking stories, but so much hope. It’s my go-to place when I need a reminder that there is still good in the world. As is my dog 🙂
Sally
December 9, 2015 @ 7:06 pm
My VERY reluctant husband was cajoled, nearly forced into making shumai by hand by an expert who’s been making them for decades.
He turned out to be a natural at it, and the only one at the party who didn’t have his corrected by the expert. (Mine were hopeless shapeless blobs)
Edmond Woychowsky
December 9, 2015 @ 7:18 pm
My wife has a full-time job and I’ve been getting home before she does, so I’ve been making her dinner for the last couple of months.
Rebecca Varnum
December 9, 2015 @ 7:36 pm
A local policeman headed to a store on a shoplifting call. When he arrived he discovered the woman had attempted to shoplift basic necessities. Instead of arresting her the police officer purchased those items. The community has since got wind of it and has also stepped in.
Makes me believe people really are good at heart.
Skippy
December 9, 2015 @ 7:54 pm
I got to hear a little old ladies eyes light up when my assistance finally allowed her to do what she wanted with her computer. she got it and she knew if she had more trouble we would hold her hand.
Ben
December 9, 2015 @ 8:09 pm
My son read his first book yesterday!
Trisha
December 9, 2015 @ 8:10 pm
A few years ago my husband got in a car accident a few weeks before Christmas. All of our funds went to purchasing a new car, paying off the insurance companies, and paying fines. We were amazed at the community, coming from no where and giving my family the most amazing Christmas I thought we’d ever have. That was until this year. We are finally fully recovered from that experience, and what do my 5 and 7 year olds want to do? They want to give back what they got from that Christmas long ago. Without any push from me, they have given toys they’ve selected to the Salvation Army, to a local Giving Tree charity, helped stuff the county sherif departments cop cars, and donated their years worth of allowance to another little girl who was asking for money for her Girl Scout troop. I knew that the experience had affected me, but I’m floored by what these two little boys have wanted to do. This is more than I could have asked for on Christmas, kind and caring little gentlemen who value the gift given to them and just want to make others have a blessed Christmas like we did when it was needed.
Diana
December 9, 2015 @ 8:20 pm
I teach at a community college. My students are often inspiring. One of my best students (this semester) is a recovering drug addict who had a child while in her teens, went through years of rehab and is now in college, hoping to go on to graduate school in psychology! She is not only raising her daughter and going to school as a honors student but in her “spare” time she counsels teens at a high school for recovering addicts.
wanderthe5th
December 9, 2015 @ 8:22 pm
Today I passed my certification exam, so I get to keep working at a job I like with my wonderful coworkers! Such a big weight off my shoulders, and now I get to put all that time into writing and drawing. And now that my depression is better managed, I actually *can* do the things I love again. It’s just great.
Jes
December 9, 2015 @ 8:31 pm
A client of our veterinary clinic was killed by an intentional hit and run this fall. He had quite a large outstanding balance that his parents were not able to pay off. Several other clients all chipped in (some with donations of a couple hundred dollars) and paid it off. When another client heard about it, she said she was sorry she was too late to pay his off, and donated $600 to the animal rescue instead.
Shay VanZwoll
December 9, 2015 @ 8:48 pm
I started my own business at the beginning of 2015 and it is growing successfully. This makes me so happy, that I’m able to do something that I love! It’s not a replacement for my day job yet, but I’m getting there!
james brink
December 9, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
I just read a post on facebook which leads me to believe there will be a 4th magic ex libris. Thats pretty awesome.
Steve D
December 9, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
I took my 8 year old daughter grocery shopping this weekend to help stuff the police cars with food in Grand Ledge (and as it turned out, Dimondale, too). She was thrilled and proud that she carried the bags all by herself over to the policemen.
Mariann A
December 9, 2015 @ 8:57 pm
Just saw a glorious sunset and I’m baking my annual quieche for dinner 🙂
Carina
December 9, 2015 @ 9:28 pm
I got to see W. Kamau Bell record his comedy special in Brooklyn!
Megan
December 9, 2015 @ 9:34 pm
I’ve been reading through Humans of New York’s series on the Syrian refugees that have been granted access to the the US, and my heart bleeds for these people, but I’m thrilled that they are finally going to make it someplace safe. A couple of the refugees mention that they will be coming to Michigan, and it filled my heart with joy to read hundreds of responses from Mittenfolk welcoming the refugees with open arms! I’m again reminded what a wonderful state we live in, and how warm, loving and inviting the people are.
CyberLizard
December 9, 2015 @ 9:45 pm
My son got a superior at Thespian competition and got voted the Judges Pick, aka best in show!
Jaime
December 9, 2015 @ 9:49 pm
When I was picking my 3 year old from daycare yesterday, I told her we were going to the library. She gasped and hugged me with a big old grin in her face. Bookworm in the making!
Eppu
December 9, 2015 @ 9:52 pm
My husband finished two chapter drafts on a non-fic book (yay!) and I copyread them with comments for him. Moving right along!
Laura Wenham
December 9, 2015 @ 10:10 pm
Hi! I was at Chessiecon too. It was a great con-glad you decided to go!
Maggie Gordon
December 9, 2015 @ 10:28 pm
Maggie Gordon
I saw a tumblr post about a dad whose little girl asked him if he had ever heard of Pokemon, and he pulled out his binder of Pokemon cards from when he was a kid and bonded with his child. It made me so happy to see that my generation is now in the position of passing on some of our favourite things to those younger than us, and also what a cool way to connect with your kid!
My school also offered exam puppy time again this year. That was also a very smile-inducing occurrence 🙂
(Not two entries, just two really happy things smushed together cause why not pass on the cheer!)
Kyle Mills
December 9, 2015 @ 11:18 pm
The other night the family was in the living room and a show on TV said something about free pizza. So, I asked Hazel (my sever-year-old) if she liked free pizza.
She replied with “Well, I do like pizza, and since I never have to pay for it its always free for me.”
That’s my girl.
My family is great.
Arielle
December 9, 2015 @ 11:28 pm
The last 2 weeks have been emotionally rough for my family due to health concerns of my step father. But that has really brought everyone together, to help one another. Even my bosses at work have offered to help me in anyway they can. This is the first job I have had that has ever been this understanding of the need for time off to help my family. My boyfriend has even stepped up and been there for my mother to help her out when i can’t be. Makes me love him even more than I already did. Another glimmer of hope/happiness for my family in this time has been the birth of my new nephew. When we are worried about all that can go wrong with my step dad, it’s good to have a reminder that no matter what happens with my step dad- we get to look forward to the next generation growing up and seeing the people they will become.
Pam Rudd
December 9, 2015 @ 11:49 pm
A group of my coworkers were making jokes about Muslims, and I called them on it.
Patti L
December 10, 2015 @ 12:31 am
Found this video and kickstarter today: http://theoatmeal.com/blog/where_matt
Rachael Kfare
December 10, 2015 @ 1:53 am
I’ve started trying my hardest to appreciate people for who they are and not who they aren’t. I’ve made a lot of progress and it’s finally showing. I still need a lot of work, but I’m seeing results. It’s made me see things more positively all around and I’ve never been so thankful for the amazing people I have in my life.
Beth aka Scifibookcat
December 10, 2015 @ 3:25 am
Last November I hit a very scary health milestone and it finally pushed me into changing how I thought about food and making some changes in my diet. As a result I’ve lost 85 pounds and finally feel hope that I will eventually reach a healthy weight and not gain it back.
Scott McGovern
December 10, 2015 @ 4:34 am
I am a leather artist. Coincidentally, I make leather books as my art. Every Saturday or so I sell my work at a local art fair in Jacksonville Florida. It was there that I met a woman admiring my work but was obviously distressed that the prices of my work were beyond her budget. I asked if she was looking for a gift or something for herself and she told me she wanted a journal for a young girl struggling with depression and a very difficult home life. Her story touched me and I have no doubt of her sincerity. I’ve read that keeping a journal can be a powerful form therapy and I have always hoped my work inspired or helped people even in some small way. I handed her the journal she was admiring and said its no charge. I don’t know this girl and probably never will but I truly hope my art can reach her and help her.
Marie
December 10, 2015 @ 5:51 am
Our great dane pup has learned that waking someone is a better thing than leaving us a present.
Andy M
December 10, 2015 @ 9:22 am
My toddler is learning to talk. He is significantly behind developmentally and it has been hard. Seeing him learn and grow has made each and every day worth it.
Karoline
December 10, 2015 @ 9:59 am
Oh what an awesome contest! I can’t wait to read the entries.
(Which is totally an awesome thing and technically *could* be my entry, but that feels like cheating.)
Maybe I need more tea, but honestly, I’m having trouble thinking of anything beyond finding out that audible is having a 50% off sale. (And I nabbed Ursula Vernon’s Seventh Bride in a heartbeat.) As an avid reader, one of my favorite parts of living in the future is that sales on books (books usually) EXIST now. I have bought so many books I’ve been wanting or just otherwise look incredibly cool over the last month thanks to holiday sales.
My book brain feels like a dragon with its hoard on the night after thanksgiving dinner – fat and happy and sated and gleefully surrounded by treasure.
SherryH
December 10, 2015 @ 9:59 am
It’s been a rough December, but there’s been a lot of good in it, too.
I’ve really come into my own on social media this year. Started a blog, reconnected with extended family on FaceBook, and stirred my long-dormant Twitter account into renewed life.
If you want something to make you laugh, Twitter can be really good for that. (Why aren’t I following you on Twitter? I need to find your handle!)
Also, for a really good laugh, have a viral video made a few years ago by the sailors of the HMS Ocean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZcGz4vmJc
Unfortunately, it’s a visual, so I can’t enjoy it the same way any more, but I crack a smile at the memory every time I hear the song.
Uli
December 10, 2015 @ 10:07 am
I live in Munich, Germany and these news made me feel hopeful in the last couple of weeks:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-munichs-citizens-welcome-refugees-with-open-arms-10490455.html
Hundreds of volunteers still work day and night to somehow handle all of the refugees which keep coming to us.
James
December 10, 2015 @ 10:34 am
In the past few days at work, I’ve assisted no less that 3 older ladies who’ve fallen over in the store, getting two of them electric carts to get up front and one get back to steady on her walker.
Half-expecting to get accused of pushing them over in the first place, given the random nature and timing of the accidents.
Mara Lynn Johnstone
December 10, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Over 28,000 teddy bears were donated to charity at a hockey game! New world record, and a fun video when they were all thrown onto the ice after the first goal. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/brodiebrazilCSN/videos/vb.78093331782/10153096297831783/?type=2&theater
Pam Adams
December 10, 2015 @ 10:43 am
The Toys for Tots donation box in our college advising center is overflowing with toys- we had to request a second box.
mattw
December 10, 2015 @ 10:54 am
As a Cub Scout leader, it’s always rewarding to see the kids having a good time at meetings. We’ve also managed to fill a few donation buckets with food for the local food pantry this season.
PLC
December 10, 2015 @ 11:15 am
I have officially lost 25lbs since the summer. Even better, I still managed to make small but measurable progress over Thanksgiving, so I have hope of getting through Christmas without losing too much momentum, as I still need to lose more weight. I found an exercise bike that I like, and I’ve actually been using it regularly, so I think I’ll be able to exercise through the winter, which has been an issue before due to cold-induced asthma. Also, I found the perfect Netflix accompaniment to riding the bike: martial arts movies. I have to have subtitles on anyway because of the noise of the bike (but I find it distracting using subtitles for English language stuff), and I can’t slack off on the bike if I’m watching a training montage with Jet Li doing one-handed pushups.
Dot
December 10, 2015 @ 11:28 am
Last summer New York City blocked off a couple of streets outside Madison Square Garden and Penn Station for three months. My daughter was part of the design group that created the temporary public space. She was the lighting designer. NYC embraced it and loved it. So did I when I got to visit. There was a Silent Rave going on, something I’ve never seen before and people chatting at cafe tables or looking at the large cultures as they strolled around. It was fabulous! What a neat idea. It is gone now but the New Yorkers liked it so much that they are talking about making it a permanent part of their city. I’ve very proud my daughter was a part of it.
Jenny
December 10, 2015 @ 12:11 pm
My six-year-old has been struggling with learning to read this year–more with her own frustration than anything, but she’s been discouraged and reluctant. But the other day she came home from school and mentioned that she had read her library book on the way home, and then asked, “Can I pack a book in my backpack to read on the bus tomorrow?”
Greg M.
December 10, 2015 @ 12:47 pm
My writing partner Robby and I finished a new, industry-ready draft of our half-hour animated pilot ALIEN VISAS at the end of November, and that felt great. Robby’s an awesome collaborator, and it felt great to get the draft to this stage.
Sarah
December 10, 2015 @ 1:48 pm
It was rather surreal since it was 36 hours of fun bookended on either side by nine hours of non-stop (other than for gasoline) cross country driving. But I am super glad that I went.
Jenna Bird
December 10, 2015 @ 2:26 pm
I have had the opportunity to help my friend’s two pre/teen kids with their homework lately. This has covered topics from St. Augustine’s views on the inherent nature of people to the post-colonial impacts in the country of Togo. I haven’t had to “tell” them anything, but been able to ask them questions… and been amazed at their answers. They are thinking, feeling tiny persons well on their way to becoming thinking, feeling big persons. It feels great to encourage them to continue on that path and to see them have initiative toward it, too.
Also, they love to borrow books from me, which tickles me to no end. (Currently on loan: a huge anthology of American short stories and the last book from A Series of Unfortunate Events.)
Marcia Minsky
December 10, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
Picture it, November 26th, Thanksgiving day. We are at the LAX Marriott hotel setting up Loscon 42. It is a beehive of excitement and anticipation. Jim C Hines is really coming to be our Writer guest of Honor (we’re all acting like true fan girls and boys). Jim arrives Friday, and it’s a whirl wind of activities for the entire weekend. There’s only one “problem”. “Someone” forgot to get In-‘n-Out burgers for the Guests of Honor.
The highlight of the weekend for those who were in the Q & A with Jim, was when Talia, Snow, and Danielle walked into the room. Should have had my camera ready, because the look on Jim’s face was priceless. I have it on good authority that there was a young Danielle at another convention, but to have all three together. WOW!!!
Jim on behalf of Loscon 42, the guests, members, committee, staff, and Chairs, thank you for the best Thanksgiving.
Sarah S.
December 10, 2015 @ 3:35 pm
My husband and I adopted a 12-year-old half-blind cat from a local shelter. He’s a scraggly black cat who purrs like a chainsaw and we love him so much already.
Thomas Hewlett
December 10, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
1. The scones I made for my wife
2. Celebrating five years clean
3. Justin Trudeau
4. Watching my friend explain Star Wars to his little girl and the expression on her face
5. Neko Case singing to her dog
Katherine C.
December 10, 2015 @ 5:05 pm
Something that made me laugh: I went with friends to see the Moscow Ballet touring company perform The Nutcracker on Monday night. There was a little boy, I’m guessing about age 4, maybe 5, sitting next to me with his mom. He was enthralled with the performance, and was really getting into it, but when it got to the battle between the Nutcracker and the mice and a costume change to tights, he asked in the kind of scandalized tone only a young child can produce, “Are they showing their butts?!” He was appalled and it was endearingly funny.
Ken Marable
December 10, 2015 @ 9:10 pm
Few things:
Saw the most beautiful sunrise and sunset both today.
Yesterday I turned 42, so I have a year to be the answer to everything.
Rewatching the Star Wats trilogy with my kids and they are getting geek-giddy with me which is wonderful.
This comment thread – I wish there were Lke buttons! 🙂
Sylvia
December 10, 2015 @ 9:28 pm
My daughter decided to start baking bread – and we haven’t bought bread in two years. She just turned… fifteen. She started baking when she was 13, and now she is teaching other people to bake bread!
Celestine Day
December 10, 2015 @ 9:38 pm
So, yesterday before my History of Modern Psych final, one of my fellow students was stressing out because he’d missed a final; he thought it was on Thursday, but it was on Tuesday. He missed it because the date was printed incorrectly on the syllabus, and he’d missed the class in which the professor explained the mistake. In fact, he’s been missing a lot of classes lately. Why? Because he works at Wal-Mart, and Wal-Mart told him that he had to work more hours or be fired. They scheduled him during class time, and told him to show up, or be fired.
The entire class who was in ear shot immediately turned around and started giving him suggestions. The first of which was, of course, “get a new job!” And suggestions for where he could look, and all kinds of statements of support. None of the people in the class know him very well, but hearing about his troubles, everyone wanted to try to help.
It’s small, but it did restore my faith in humanity for a little while.
Gordon
December 12, 2015 @ 9:17 am
Several of my top counted blessings are for my mother’s primary caretaker. Her care, support and concern for Mom are nothing short of amazing. Not to mention her great personality and terrific attitude. An absolutely wonderful person.
Moll
December 12, 2015 @ 12:05 pm
I recently saw a squirrel eating an ice cream cone, and it was adorable. I wish I had gotten a photo.
I also got the chance to catch up on some missed sleep and reading, which is nice.
Laura
December 12, 2015 @ 12:20 pm
I spent the morning taking dictation from my 4.5 year old son as he drew pictures to illustrate the story he was telling to make a photo book of one of his wonderfully creative stories as a holiday present.
Sehvrin
December 13, 2015 @ 6:05 am
I was on a LARP yesterday based on the graphic novel Fables. It was fun and it is amazing how much time and work people lay down for free to make an amazing experience for other people. Because in Sweden most of these kinds of events is made by nonprofit organisations. The fee we participants payed (about 25 USD) only covered food, location and other practicalities, not the organizers hard work.
The organizers of the LARP had also done a lot of work with the casting and had tried to cast people as roles they ordinary don’t identified as. As a result we had males that played female coded roles (for example one of the stepsisters) and females that played male coded role (for example me, who played the Huntsman) and also nonbinary people and nonbinary roles and probably more that I missed. And the best of all was that this didn’t feel weird at all. Nobody made any remarks (except for commenting how great the interpretation of the character was). This made me hopeful for the future, because even if it was just in a story-verse it shows that it is not impossible to ignore such things as gender and only look to the person.
Mary B
December 14, 2015 @ 5:15 pm
I applied for a job yesterday and was offered an interview for it today! That was crazy fast but I’m pleased to work I did on my CV actually made something happen.
Alice Mac
December 19, 2015 @ 10:25 pm
My first reply to you. It has been heartwarming to read all of these experiences.
What a gift you have to ask that question. 🙂