Skippity skip skip skipping like a skipping thing to poke my head back in after more than a week away and several days of recovery to offer hugs, commiserations, and thwacks upside the head with Bertha the Big Black Baseball Bat to those what needs 'em.

Also, not knowing how many of y'all might check in GWW, while I was in NY, STARS won 1st place, YA- English language at the International Latino Book Awards. To say I was boggled would be putting it mildly. And it was really cool because my mom was there to see it. She might drive me batshit, but you know, at the same time, she's really proud and it was nice for her to finally see me in author mode and succeeding in such spectacular fashion.

Oh, Barb! Congratulations! Some good news is just what we need around here.

Barb, that's so wonderful! Congrats!

So I'm on an iPhone and too lazy to go find a laptop with a real keyboard, but the short version is that on top of the Tino situation at work, I met with a lawyer today about the car accident back in March, and he says it almost definitely will go to small claims court and we may not get it all back (plus there will be his fee). So there's that.

I have a meeting with Tino tomorrow. His emails are suspiciously cheerful, and he says he doubts the meeting will take long. We shall see. I will go armed with the CA gov info Java found for me. My intent is to stick to my guns that this is an illegal fee but, once he has conceded the point, offer to donate $300 to the school as an act of good faith.

On a sad note, I've been really disappointed with the utter lack of support from the current division directors. I'm glad the the new US director (who is transitioning right now) at least responded to my email and met with me briefly so I at least know she will be responsive next year.

Hi. Quick announcement: I'm going dark until I'll finish some papers, a test (and my BA). Shouldn't take too long (about a month and a half, maybe two), but in the meanwhile - June's schedule just doesn't want me to go out and play.

You're in my thoughts, and ~mas, and schemes on how to get my ass to the U.S. sometime this September/October.

That's terrific, Barb--congratulations!

I'm sorry, Pix.

Schooling~ma to you, Shir. I'll look forward to seeing your pixels in July/August.

So sorry, Pix. Wishing you all the best with the Tino situation, the car insurance, and stress in general.

Congrats, Barb! So awesome!

Good luck, Shir.

I have Frankie this weekend, while smonster's at the beach with her parents. Yay!

Ooh, have a Frankie-filled weekend, amyth! And smonster, I hope you have a lovely time with your folks at the beach.

Shir, best of luck and ~ma to you with this last push for your BA. Survive, and hang onto as much of your sanity as you can, so you can come back to us when it's done.

{{{{{Pix}}}}}

Note to self: Remember you have to go in to work two hours earlier than usual. 2pm. Remember 2pm. That means getting in the shower at 1:30.

I remember hoping one day gay would be normal. The future is turning out to be pretty awesome.

Yup.

And Laga, me too. And I was all like, where's the sassy badass I know and love? But in other ways, I like the books much better. Sookie and Bill aren't as fucking annoying as they are on the show.

CONGRATS AGAIN, BARB. So excited for you to be recognized for the very excellent story you wrote. I never burbled at you about it on email like I planned, but for now suffice to say that as a former band geek, athlete, and dancer, it hit me on many different levels and I LOVED IT. And while doing my big book purge, I held on to it, and most of the books I kept were childhood books.

amyth, when I got back to my house I actually had a moment of sadness when I realized Frankie wasn't going to greet me at the door. My baby! So glad he's coming with me to NOLA right away. Thanks for keeping him this weekend. Also, I went to the Weave and saw Lou B! And said goodbye to Al, that was sweet. Big hugs all around. We had such a long and storied working relationship. ::sniff::

Windsparrow! TWO O'CLOCK. Don't forget.

Okay, I've got someone picking up my couch, so I need to vacuum that and clear things away for moving it out. And finish packing for the beach, and take a shower, and pack some other things if I can. Oy.

I accidentally bought three bottles of nail polish at the drug store. Two were on sale for a buck each, and one was just the perfect glittery green that will be awesome for Mardi Gras.

Thank you so much, guys-- after everything that book went through on its road to publication, I'm so happy to see it getting a little love, not the least of which is something like this:

I never burbled at you about it on email like I planned, but for now suffice to say that as a former band geek, athlete, and dancer, it hit me on many different levels and I LOVED IT.

smonster, when I get to NOLA (and I will get there, I will, my precioussssssessss) I'm a) gonna hug you stupid and b) buy you the biggest, gaudiest drink I can find in the Quarter. Then I'll hug you some more. Because that is just about the best comment I can receive on the book.

Pix, I'm so freakin' sorry about the Tino situation at work and the Evil Car Accident/Insurance Fiasco. Universe needs to back the hell offa my Bitches.

But oh, Pix-- guess what? As a result of winning at the Latino Book Awards, it looks like there s a good chance I may be invited to speak at the Latino Book Festival in early October, which is held on the campus of CSULA. I can come early or stay a day late can hang with you!