status

I'm very slowly working my way through the comments from yesterday. I can't let myself think too much about it or consider it deeply while at my desk, but I am trying to get through them all.

Only work is bad - the rest of life is pretty good. I have two new art forms to play with - one is very fun and I seem to be good at it and I haven't done much with the second beyond basic prep work. Since both of these are intended for Hogswatch presents, I can't post pictures or details yet. I decided to get a jump on this year's crafting so that I'm not frazzled in the middle of December. This also means that I should be considering cookies on or near Thanksgiving. Yus.

My pendants from chimera_fancies arrived yesterday. They are beautiful and mysterious and I love them to bits. I'm excited for her Halloween sale.

Speaking of the Best Holiday Ever, I haven't started work on my costume yet. I think I know what I want to be and it shouldn't be too hard to create, but I have to dig through my stash to find the appropriate fabric.

Thriller is coming along well. I think I have the choruses, intro, bridges, and rap done. I have to drill them into my head and learn the verses. Also, I'm supposed to supply an introduction for myself, but have not a clue as to what I should have the announcer say. I'm very, very willing to take suggestions.

Football continues to be a joy and frustration. I love my Cyclones, even when they blow a big lead over high ranked Kansas. I love my Badgers, even though they're having a hard time keeping the team in the game for all four quarters. There's a lot of shouting in our house on Saturdays, which is just another clue that Downwood and I married the right person for us.

I think there's more, but I can't remember it right now. I'm doing what I can to keep the depression at bay - getting more light, more exercise, lots of tea, petting my dog, ets - and that I still have things that I like to do and look forward to is a very good sign. I'm going to turn on Neil Gaiman's live recording of The Graveyard Book and let that be my background sound for the rest of the morning. I read the book right when it came out last week and now am having it read to me. Living in the future is pretty darn cool sometimes.

dude

The first half of chapter 7 of The Graveyard Book was posted today. You can listen to the entire book here. Well, almost the entire book - the last chapter will be posted in two days.

I have to have the sound turned way up in order to clearly hear it, but I think that's more due to my office neighbors having loud speakers and my keyboard being very, very loud than it is to the quality of the recordings. The angle of the video is a little strange in places, but since I'm primarily listening to it, it doesn't really bother me.

I like how Gaiman reads. It sounds natural: not like a performance, but more like just sharing the story. It's fun listening to him read with a Russian or Scottish accent for some of the characters and he does sound effects where appropriate. It takes me way, way back and makes me happy. Even though I could, and did, read the book to myself in a fraction of the time, this way makes the story seem more real.

But the first half of chapter 7? When Gaiman got to the midpoint and clapped the book shut, the entire audience broke into disappointed wailing instead of applause. I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning, when I'll get to hear what happens next.