How can I follow that? "What she said," for one.

We are humbled by the gift, and always thankful for the Buffistas.

Hi everyone. I've been out of contact this last week because I had a breakdown and checked myself into a facility to get some help, and I've been staying at my parents' (no internet connection) the last couple of days. I'm hoping that I'll continue to improve with treatment, get a handle on the depression, and learn to cope better with stress.

The next installment on my series on early sixties movie horror is up at Hilobrow now.

In this one I talk about The Haunting (1963), Val Lewton, Italo Calvino, and quote that cock-teasing bastard, Sir Walter Scott:

"The imagination of the reader is to be excited if possible, without being gratified."

So this is part of what I spent my weekend doing. This is the smooth scholarship competition in my division (Bronze) where I took 1st place.

[link]

I'm moving to Philadelphia within the next three weeks or so. I've taken a part-time job (which is what I was looking for, though not in Philadelphia; who knew?) with a woman who, if I got to pick my mentor, she'd be it. So that worked out, eh? Very excited.

I want to thank the buffistas for being wonderful, thoughtful and generous people.

The surgery fund has been enriched by $500 and an angel among us has offered an interest-fee loan so that I can walk into the hospital knowing that Bartleby will be safe to the extent that I can make him so.

I am deeply, deeply humbled.

Today, I was finally able to send out a fund-raising letter to my at-large community. Given the uncertainty of the surgical outcome, every little bit will still help.

In the letter, I describe my offer for 'the right words' project.

Since Erin has been such a loving and efficient surgery fund fairy, I do not know who individual b.org contributors are. So, retroactively, I'd like to offer the 'in exchange for' option to you.

You can find the blog post about the project here: Helping Bartleby while helping you solve a nagging problem

The webpage about it here: Fundraiser

And, for the CSI inclined among us:Facts about Bartleby's cure

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th. At this point, I do not know how long he will have to be in hospital, but since the recovery will be so, very painful, it may be 2 or 3 days. I have never left him in any facility and the thought of it breaks my heart. But, I must do what is best for him. Full stop.

Again, thank you all so much for your support. If you would like to participate in the 'right words' project, just let me know!

To add to bonny's lovely words, I have of course kept donations anonymous, since that's the usual SOP.

But if anyone wants their name added to a list, I would be happy to create it to send to bonny. I have kept all the emails I have received IRT this.

PSA.

I got some really exciting news today. I co-wrote a play this summer called Zombeo and Juliet (many of you may remember me talking about it and the production we did of it). Well, I thought it was pretty good so I decided to submit it for publication. Turns out, I'm not the only one who thought it was pretty good. Pioneer Drama will be publishing my play very soon!!

Hi all, I'm coming with hat in hand to ask, yet again, for help funding a grant at Donors Choose. My proposal has until end of January, but I'd love any and all help in getting this funded. Half a Life by Darrin Strauss is a beautiful and haunting and relevant memoir that I think my students, even the struggling readers, will love.

Donations of any amount will help (the more donors I have, even at a dollar a donor actually moves me up on the front page). Please help me in getting this funded.

Info is at [link]