If I could have some "it's nothing"-ma. I had a small bump on my nose removed and they are performing a biopsy on it, and it would just be so much better if it's nothing.

The good news is that I have no other potential signs for skin cancer, which is amazing considering how light-skinned I am and how much I used to burn as a kid. It doesn't seem to be a thing in our family though (light-skinned or skin cancer), so that may be why.

So I've already heard that thing I hoped was nothing turned out to be just that. So I release any -ma sent my we into the ether.

Could I have some ~ma for my aunt, cousins, and mom? My uncle passed away yesterday, quietly in his sleep after a long illness. But, it's always sudden, you know?

SFistas - if everything goes according to plan, the Sox family will be in your area on Dec. 5 for a 20-hour layover. We won't have a car, but should be able to taxi from SFO to meet up. Anyone interested in meeting up for brunch? I'll be in F2F.

One of Groupon's deals this weekend is a $10 upkick on donations to Kiva.org (you pay Groupon $15, Kiva gets $25.)

Groupon: [link]

Kiva: [link]

It runs until Sunday but does say that quantity is limited.

I'm home!

It would be fantastic if I could get some interview~ma for Thursday. I've got an interview for an associate lecturer post at the uni where I'm doing my PhD. It will only be very part-time, but it would be fantastic to have on my CV. Thanks!

Edit: Not Weds - Thurs. It might help if I turned up on the right day.

Requesting help for the animal shelter where I volunteer.

The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com are teaming up for a shelter challenge. Animal shelters that get the most votes in various categories get grants.

Friends of Homeless Animals is currently 2nd in voting among Virginia shelters and 137th overall. However, we seem to be in the running for one of the Dark Horse grants for shelters that have never received a grant before.

You can vote here, one vote per computer per day. We're Friends of Homeless Animals in Merrifield, Virginia. There's an anti-bot system that'll ask you to identify an animal.

Thanks for helping!

I feel mildly cheap and sleazy asking for this particular ~ma in the face of the difficulties so many of my 'fistas are facing and given the really stellar work that Shir is doing with Hollaback Israel, but, you know, I've gotten to a point where I've sort of lost all shame.

Today, as many of you know, is the release day (finally!) for my YA, WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE. I know I don't have to tell y'all what this means to me and I also know I don't have to tell you guys how important sales are to an author, especially that first week sales. Even if you yourself have no interest in the book, if you know someone who might, please pass the word. Or with the holidays coming up, if you have a teen or anyone, really, who might be interested in music or dance or the arts in general or just likes a good story (I'm not saying that just because I think so-- several reviewers seem to think so as well), please be that relative and give the gift of a book.

Words honestly cannot express what you people have meant to me. You've been here through the absolute worst moments I had as a writer, when this book was canceled by its original publisher; you've supported me through all the ensuing crazy, including She Who Will Not Be Named, and I'm so glad you're here to celebrate this day with me.

Love you all.

I got the teaching job! I'm an associate lecturer. Nice. Thank you for the ~ma, you lovely people, which I'm releasing for everyone else needing it.