I'll have some kidless time with my wife since the kids are going to be divided amongst grandparents Saturday. Driving will take a chunk out of that though. I'm also going to fix my car's glovebox so it isn't hanging open all the time. Cleaning, kidcare, and writing will probably take up the rest of the time.

I am back to my shutin ways this weekend.

What are people doing this weekend?

Nothing tonight, but maybe I can play some Dominion with my neighbor(s).

Tomorrow, I have rehearsal—please come see DeathPlay!—but then nothing much, maybe do my taxes or something.

Sunday is load-in and then OSCARS!

Going rollerskating after work today--first time back on the rink in a long time. Then a weekend of cleaning, gardening, Pilates class and, finally, to a friend's for the Oscars. After entertaining my mom for 10 days, I am looking forward to some slounging.

Huh. I complained. I didn't see that coming.

I am back to my shutin ways this weekend.

I think I am too, after my haircut at least.

Clearly I need to come down to LA more often, so we both make it out of the house.

Tomorrow, I need to do the errands I skipped today, and then a par-tay. Sunday, nothing until Sunday Family Dinner.

Publishing can move remarkably quickly when it wants to or feels it needs to. The rest of the time, my mother could outrun it. The arrogance of some of the so-called professionals, both agents and editors, is absolutely maddening. I fired an agent for taking seven weeks to get back to me on a proposal when she promised two weeks. (There were other reasons, but that was a biggie.)

What it comes down to is what you're willing to put up with. I'm exceedingly patient, up to a point and I don't rely on writing as my family's primary source of income, so I can afford to be patient. I hate with a mad passion, however, seeing deals being made left and right, for stories in niches and genres where mine could fit and feeling as if people who should be advocating on my behalf aren't doing their job. (Another agent gone for that reason.)

So yeah, taking control where you can is a biggie. I'm not sure I could've made that same choice, Allyson, but I definitely understand where you're coming from and I'm glad you feel better for having made it.

In my totally uninformed opinion, summer doesn't sound very far away. You should do what's best for you, but that doesn't seem like a long time for the slow turning wheels of business.

Oh, no. If they decided to buy it, release schedules are up to them. If they reject, then I can go the Lulu POD route and market it myself this summer. Maybe I can sell a thousand copies. I am internetty. I can try, anyway.

If I fail, at least it's on me. But if I know by April that it isn't going to sell, then I have time to get my ducks in a row and have it in my hands in July.

Timelies all!

There's an open sing with the folklore society tonight. Other than that, no social plans.