Lilith Saintcrow

First of all, my fellow writer and hot chick Nina Merrill has a new erotica shortie out with Amber Press. It’s called Genie, No Bottle, and it involves a djinn with a blue navel jewel and a love scene with guacamole. What more could a girl ask for?

I went and saw Ghost Rider last night. The theatre was full of teen couples or geeks in their 30s (I belong to the latter group.) At one point I realized, here I am, sitting and knitting during previews, about to watch a movie because I loved the comic book.

Geekdom, thy name is Lili. But not to worry. Chicks who dig comic books are cool.

How was the movie, you ask? Well, it was terrible. Truly terrible. It didn’t even have the tongue-in-cheek humor of some recent Marvel offerings. Nicolas Cage thankfully shaved his chest, though, and he was pretty ripped and buff. As the hunk of pretty boy, though, Wes Bentley took the cake. I wanted more close-ups of him and less petty moralizing. And less of Eva Mendes’s plastic bosom. Bosoms are fine, but patently fake ones are a menace. And Cherie Priest does a great review, so I will leave it to her..

Still, the film was unintentionally hilarious. I took the Sullen Teen with me and we both laughed at the wrong times, while everyone else in the theater was silent. But what is one to do when one male character fixes another with a longing stare and says, “Last night wasn’t a dream.” Pregnant pause. “And it will happen again.”

Snort. Snerk. Snorfle.

I’m glad I went, though. I needed some brain candy to just let me sit and not-think for a while, between all the recent stress. The good news is, I’ve been knocking out words on the new short story and the fifth Valentine book. I actually reread what I had for Valentine yesterday and found, to my surprise, that it was actually pretty good. I’m not in the “loathing-everything-about-this-book” stage anymore. Which is a Very Good Sign.

The bad sign is the insomnia. For some reason I just can’t sleep before 5AM, I just lay in bed and worry. I’m beginning to think sleep is some fabled country for the lucky few. I just end up laying in the dark with my brain worrying at itself like a rat in a cage, finally getting up and being too tired to write, trying to read, and then stumbling back to bed when I hit the point of exhaustion. But I never get enough of sweet, sweet sleep. Heard on the news the other day that you can get symptoms akin to a hangover from lack of slumber.

Somehow this doesn’t surprise me at all. But it does make me think that lots of water, ibuprofen, and a bit of fiber might help with how cruddy I feel this morning. Ugh.

My Friday post is up at the Midnight Hour. It’s about that writing class I took in college–you know, the one that soured me on writing classes forever. Plus, Jim Harrison. And comic books.

The DHM called this morning. Man, he says, I got this one right the first time. I don’t think I need a repeat of this lesson.

Which is shorthand, between us, for the principle that life often throws things at you until you get them right. He and his father are adjusting. The memorial service performed its work for the living, which is the closure of a high-stress passage. Now there is minutiae for the DHM to take care of–making meals, getting his dad’s car in for emissions, laundry, that sort of thing. He excels at it, really; my dear Muffin makes a fine wife. *ducks flung object* Tee hee.

If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t responded, patience please. I can barely keep everyone here fed and clean. The Sullen Teen has been a godsend, running herd on the little ones when I need to fetch milk from the store but don’t feel like piling everyone in the car, bothering me to eat, folding laundry, and just generally being helpful. The Princess is drawing up a storm, since she wants to be an artist “just like” the Teen. The Little Prince has made another quantum leap linguistically, but he’s reverted to his old nudist ways since the temperature outside is above freezing. Fortunately I have a secret weapon–old episodes of Dark Shadows, which the kids are Very Into right now. (Jeff and Jan, thank you so much for letting me borrow.) We pop one of those DVDs in and it’s two hours of solid peace and quiet. The Princess digs Barnabas Collins, and the Little Prince just loves the creepy music.

Man, my kids are going to need therapy someday.

And me? I knocked out two thousand words on a short story two days ago. Yesterday was a pick-through-the-slush-pile day, as I was exhausted and PMS-ing (no, let’s be honest, I was MS-ing) and dealing with some of the more interesting biological consequences of a detox program. No, I will not go into further detail. You can open your eyes now. I’m sure that was more information than you needed.

Sorry about that.

Again, thank you to everyone who has been sending their prayers and good wishes. I don’t know what I would have done this past fortnight if not for my support network. Thank you for taking care of me so I could take care of the DHM. Youse are wonderful guys, as old Philly Joel used to say.

Peace out, Readers. Have yourself a wonderful weekend.

So things have been a little stressful here lately. I’ve decided to put up a list of Things That Get Me Through The Day/Night, because I haven’t been sleeping worth a damn either. God bless the internet and its 24-hour, sweet sweet solace for insomniacs and those in need of enough laughter to make one pee one’s pants.

* Ask a Ninja. I love all of this guy’s work in general, but Episode 27 in particular–do ninjas stand in lines? Hey, man, ninjas are cool.

* I was emailing the Selkie last night and thought of this album, which I had on tape when I was a teenager and just about wore out. God bless the Internet, for I googled some lyrics, found the artist’s web page, and will be the proud owner of a spankin’ new CD in no time at all. It’s all music about Washington State. Canaries in the Mine, the Dandelion Song, and The North Coast in particular are well worth a listen or two. Or twenty, if you’re a socially-conscious teenager about to grow up into a mad writer. Or just about anyone, in fact. The song about Wesley Everest the Wobblie always makes me weep.

* Where would I be without Bam and the Smart Bitches? And Evil Auntie Peril? Much sadder and lonelier, that’s where I’d be.

* Back when I was religion blogging (taking aim at all fanatics equally, thank you, something I really miss) I read The Gods Are Bored, Wildhunt blog, and Bartholomew’s Notes…well, religiously. Especially Bartholomew. He’s one sexy intellectual Brit.

* I have Crab Caution to blame for this one: will it blend? One geek, a blender, and numerous articles. I adore the Dancing Princesses and Golf Club episodes. But really, it’s all good. Any geek who can put two Barbies in a blender without a flinch is my type of geek.

* Finding out Danny Valentine and Japhrimel both have fanlistings was kind of sweet.

* As always, Doug Hoffmann at Balls and Walnuts steps in to save the day. Every day. The little hobbit with an ENT practice is a hot item. Besides, he loves gypsy klezmer punk. He’s hawt.

* Project Gutenberg. What a wonderful, wonderful thing. Along with the Perseus Digital Library and Hungry Frog Greek. But you’d expect no less from a card-carrying member of the American Philological Association. I am such a nerd. BTW, I just got Harry Potter in Latin. It’s going to be fun.

* Last but not least, stuff like Steve Don’t Eat It! makes me aware of just how strange my sense of humor is. Of course, we all knew that.

I must take a moment here and send a shout out to JeanMarie, SJ, and Tree for the lovely sympathy basket they sent. And to all of you who have sent cards, emails, and prayers. Thank you. You have made a difficult time a little less difficult with all your support and love.

Gods bless you. And bless the internet too.

PS: I must mention that the Little Prince’s new music-of-choice is the White Stripes. I put on Elephant the other day, and he immediately started rocking like there was no tomorrow. He keeps asking for their two albums, which I put on the CD player in his and the Sullen Teen’s room. Pretty soon he’s going be singing along with Jack White. Wish me sanity.

The DHM is heading back up to Seattle today, since the memorial service is tomorrow. I’m putting him on the train before noon, so this is necessarily short. Things have been topsy-turvy, but I’m glad he was able to come home for a few nights. It did him a world of good to have little people crawling on him and even a Sullen Teen glad to see him. And of course I fussed–have you eaten anything? My God, you didn’t wash those clothes before you wore them? How’s your blood suger? Sit down, sit down. Rest. Sleep. Eat. No, not all at once.

I am an inveterate fusser, I suppose.

Thank you to everyone who has sent good wishes and positive energy. The outpouring of love and support has just been tremendous. I cannot thank you all personally, as I am trying to keep the entire house from imploding, but you are definitely felt, heard, and appreciated. Thank you.

Everyone is doing well here. School is calming down for the Teen, and the Princess is engaging in a course of study about Egypt and mummies. (Any suggestions you have for YA or picture books are most welcome.) She is dealing with the stress and grief very well, occasionally asking the Big Questions–why did it have to be Oba-san? Do you think she’s happy? Was there any pain? Where is she now? I have rarely been so aware of a child’s complete trust.

The Little Prince is, of course, a free radical. He missed the DHM fiercely but has only the haziest idea of what’s happened. It’s like any business trip for him, with the DHM gone and Mum a little stressed out. But he’s calm and happy, and occasionally cutting little capers to remind us all that life goes on, especially if you are under five and have a wet Pull-Up in the morning.

I’ve also started a fifteen-day detox. I figure it will give me something else to focus on and will help my body rid itself of some of the stress toxins. I’ll keep you updated–but not TOO updated. Some things should remain forever a mystery. *grin*

Happy Monday, dear Readers. I hope you and yours are all safe and well.

I regret to say that the DHM’s Mum passed away Tuesday night. It was a very quiet and painless passing.

We are currently in the process of planning for those things that happen afterward, so blog updating may be very spotty for a while. Life happens between the plans, as the Selkie often reminds me. While I am here, I would like to thank you all for your outpouring of love and support. We have been surrounded by help and love. Thank you all so very much.

Be kind to each other, dear Readers. I’ll be back soon.