Wow--that's something

Today I got a comment on this blog from someone I consider a blogging celebrity. I always think of this blog as something only my friends read--although the stats would indicate that if that's true, I've got a lot more friends than I realize. But anyway, I think BA wrote about this over on his blog--didn't you? The first time you get a comment from someone whose blog you admire but who you don't know? Wow. Of course, and I hope this doesn't sound egotistical, but in some circles (very small ones), I guess I sort of am a bit of a blogging celebrity myself, because of the other blog--but that's only in our little professional circle. I do try to make a point of writing on other people's blogs, especially the newbies, just so they know someone's reading and they're not alone. I hope it helps. When you're starting out it really helps to get the encouragement.

Speaking of which--oy! Yes, you all know about the book deal, and you may or may not know that I haven't really done much on it. Bit of a procrastination problem there. But yesterday I got an email from my editor telling me that their British counterpart is now very interested in picking it up as well, so could I please get it done early? Yes, my editor kept assuring me, this is very good news, but . . . crap! Hence, going on "sabbatical" from the other blog. (Like that's going to work. I just wrote a blistering post that should really irritate people. Yah! But I'll wait to throw that up until next week.) And I'm trying to put together another book proposal that's due at the end of the month. That's for an edited volume which is, of course, a huge pain in the ass to line up. Too much stress.

And, yes, the tomatoes and basil keep coming. This may be the last week, but I picked up another ten pounds or so of 'maters at the CSA last Tuesday. More sauce. I really should count how much frozen sauce we have in the freezer. I use the really large yogurt containers to freeze it--we must have ten or so in the freezer. And who knows how many little pesto cubes. You CSA people out there might want to read this post from a foodie blog--I think I found the blog initially while searching for recipes for some of our CSA produce, but here it is, "My Last CSA."

What else has happened? MAH mentioned going to the David Byrne concert--which was, of course, awesome. I posted about that on Facebook--MAH said I should go back and look at what I've posted on Facebook to remind myself of the past few weeks. I should note that even David Byrne hasn't been posting to his blog as often he he did on his last tour.

Things have been pretty low key here in the Boro--shocking, I know. With MAH singing on Tuesday nights (choir practice, not karaoke) and working Wednesday, he's not home as often--which makes me sad. Oh, and we did have to go up to my parents to visit a few weekends ago. Both because I was starting to get the annual fall guilt-vibe and because my mother's old computer had finally died and she bought herself a new machine with Vista. Between the Geek Squad and my brother, most things were working but not everything. She couldn't get access to her old email, including all her old email addresses, which was vexing her--and so, by mother-guilt extension, me. It was easier to go up there and deal with things in person. I didn't actually solve her email problems while we were up there. The solution didn't occur to me until later, so I had to through the agony of walking her through finding the files I needed on her backup and sending them to me. Then I reconstituted her email system on my (non-Vista) computer, then walked through her inbox on the phone and identified which addresses she needed. Now the problem is solved. For now.

Oh, and I've gone to two meetings now of the "ladies' club" that I'm not allowed to talk about. Both within walking distance. I went to the first meeting although I hadn't heard anything from the acquaintance of mine who sponsored me. She wasn't there, but all the older ladies were very kind and friendly. They probably felt sorry for me, since neither one of my "sponsors" was there. Turns out that my acquaintance had had a falling out with the society matron at whose house the first meeting was being held. So she's avoiding the club for a while. I knew the woman who was giving the second talk (on modern Latin American art) (another faculty wife), so I walked over to that one. Again, everyone was very nice, and since I knew the speaker, it was a bit easier. MAH and I agreed that I need to establish that I'm my own person so it's good for me to go on my own.

Movies? None in the theater. From Netflix--"Out of Sight," "The Big Lebowski," "In Bruges," I think that's about it. I saw "Out of Sight" when it first came out--all I remembered was that Clooney looked great and I liked Jennifer Lopez's clothes. After seeing it again, those are still my main impressions. Sorry--I know it's a good film, but that's what stayed with me. I was seeing "The Big Lebowski" for the second time, I think, MAH for the first. I had fuzzy memories of it, and I think on the whole it improved on the second viewing. MAH was unimpressed, I think. Neither of us was particularly keen on "In Bruges"--which had gotten raves on my favorite film podcast. I thought it had moments of brilliance, but I had problems with the story. MAH, was, again, unimpressed. You'd never be able to guess in a million years what two films are now lying in their little sleeves on the front hall table. Go ahead, try. WRONG! "Babette's Feast" and "The Highlander"--neither one of us has seen either of them. I hope you're appreciating the masculine/feminine, high art/commercial contrast there.

I don't know when we'll find time to watch them, though. What with baseball season and football season still active for Philadelphia sports fans. We're so behind on our news shows--John and Steven. We're up to date on "Project Runway" of course (and me on "Top Design"). A very frustrating season. If you're a fan and you didn't read TLo's fantastic post, "We're Having Our Own Damn Reunion Show!" go immediately and read it. As people keep saying in the comments, their blog is getting to be only the only reason to watch the show anymore. God, I love those boys!

If we'd been thinking of you, we'd have gone last Friday to the faculty club "barn dance"--with a real square dance caller. But that's a sacrifice we wouldn't make, even for you, dear readers.