I'm not sure if this belongs here, exactly, but since it's more personal, I'm putting it here, instead of Press. Some of you may remember that my husband, J, is in the Army. He's leaving again for a very dangerous and sandy country (although their destination is still classified, which is really dumb if you ask me. Where else would they be going?) He will be leaving in the next few weeks and will be gone for a year.

I've created an LJ to keep his friends and family aware of what he's up to and to give me a place to vent about the experience. I'm planning on not being very specific (with names, etc.) on the LJ because I don't want any of the Army public affairs people reading it and causing him trouble (likely but not very scary) or some terrorist getting ahold of him and it (not likely, but very scary).

Anyway, if anyone wants to check it out, it is mygijoe on LJ.

Not sure where this should go, but....

MASSACHUSETTS Buffistae!

I'm arranging a live "Q&A talk to the author" event with the Shrewsbury Public Library; apparently, their mystery reading group is doing Weaver.

I would love, love, LOVE for some local buddies to take part, but I don't know how far you all are from Shewsbury. The date/time would be 7 October, 3 pm eastern time.

Can the Mass locals talk to me?

Fuck.

My nephew's Guard unit is being deployed to Iraq as of January. I knew it would probably happen eventually, but still...fuck.

OK, now I'm really going dark. The computer is going into a box momentarily, and who knows when I'll see it again.

Take care, everybody!

Asking for industrial strength jobma.

I'm in the middle of the interviewing/testing process to have a temp gig through April that will consist of me driving to a chain of auto parts store locations, installing new computers, and training the counter staff in their use. (A company vehicle, cell phone and credt card, even.)

I have passed a phone interview, faxed forms, FedExed personality test and background check so far. F2F or phone job interviews are next week, followed by [if hired] training that might take place in Raleigh, NC.

As many crossed fingers and toes as possible, thank you.

I will be semi-dark for the next week as I go to St. Louis to visit my folks.

Received an email today from the Office Formerly Known As My Employer:

We are in a position to offer you employment in our Melbourne office in our asset consulting team.

Details to follow in a week or two.

A while back I asked for jobma for Mom and she got the job!! Everything has gone much smoother than she anticipated!

Well, despite the lumpectomy, it looks like they didn't get all the cancer, so Mom's going for the double mastectomy. She's determined not to get chemo or radiation because it would just "drag it out". I'm not sure what to think. She feels she's had a full life and just wants things to go if they're going to go, and I'm not sure I blame her. But at the same time, other than the cancer, she's still doing very well for her age - she still drives (even at night, though she doesn't like to); her living situation is very stable. I guess I'd just like to ask for a general "what's right"-ma, because I really don't know at this point.

Hurrican Ivan hasn't finished wreaking havoc on us yet. Any spare minimal-high floodwater~ma is gratefully appreciated. The Susquehanna River, which is immediately behind our restaurant, is expected to crest tomorrow evening between 23 and 25 feet which is significantly above flood level. The basement is emptied, all non-essential electricity has been shut off and our fingers are crossed. We could see a few inches in the restaurant proper, and if officials lower a dam upstream (it's developed significant cracks) it could be much more. A total loss is possible if that happens. Scared doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.

I'm ready for 2004 to be over. Enough is enough.