I had a weird dream about working on a series of kid's books. They were illustrated and I wish I could draw like that. Some of it looked a lot like Brad Guigar's art on Evil, Inc.

One of the books was about a young owl discovering things. It was called, "Nobody Really Likes Liver."

Thanks to all who contributed to help me out with my debts, it is much appreciated. Now I can get some new glasses and pay off some of my credit card debt.

I hate doing this. I ask for money every month to keep BigCloset running and that money goes out for hosting fees, site registration, ISP service, software and hardware purchase and other expenses. This time, I need to ask for some money for me.

Over the last year or so, I have fallen behind on my own bills. I've had home repairs, medical expenses and vet expenses and I'm facing more of the same over the next few months including getting some new glasses plus planning for a one-week vacation in late July. I need some cash to pay down my credit cards and to meet my bills.

Some memorable stories from New Years Past:

Old Acquaintance by Susan Heywood
And Never Brought to Mind by Adonna
New Ears Day by Wanda
The Pusher by Adonna

Do you have any to remember?

Hugs,
Erin

I'm having lots of fun but I'm pooped. :)

I once had a very small cat.
So small I named her Quantum.
She never saw any buttons that
Were so ugly she didn't want'em.

Bob and I are in the BC/SD chatroom. C'mon in! -- Erin

Click here to Chat

Update -- Things are looking good. Server load is nominal and the number of visitors is almost back to normal. :) We'll keep an eye on things and make sure it's all okay but when the DNS has finished propagating in 24 to 48 hours, all should be copacetic. Starting Monday, we have a few more changes to make, like bringing the old site back up as SecondShelf etc.

Hugs,
Erin and Bob

Always read the fine print... especially on wishes!

I've been under the weather lately, sinusitis and an injury to my foot. Both are doing better now, though the medication for my foot makes me a bit queasy.

But it's a great day today, a band at the college is going to perform some of my music. :)

'Twas the jolly crew of the Mary Deare in seventeen sixty-nine...
With a fresh wind on the Bristol Sound first sang ...

"Can I ask something?"

"Ask."

"Why do they call you, 'The Nose?'"

"Don't touch me!"

"I'm gonna show you ... ."

"You're not gonna touch me! Not there!"

February is coming up and what better time could there be for a short story contest?

What's that you say? We haven't announced any winners in the novel-writing contest yet? La-la-la-la! I can't hear you!

Andy's habit of dunking his maple bar had consequences...

I haven't done any writing since Mom got really sick, and me too. But I'm sitting here listening to Tom Petty, Dave Matthews, Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Randy Newman (my iPod is confused, too). Something happened, a song. Imagine this written and performed by one or more of the above guys.

They sent her over from the rest home with a temp they couldn't get down but the doctors at the hospital don't seem too worried and Mom is in good spirits and actually a little less confused than she's been being. I've got a cold so I don't dare get too close and I'm running a temp myself, a mild one. They're giving her antibiotics and intravenous liquids and will keep her for at least a couple of days. I'll go over in the morning to check on her but I think she's going to be fine and back in the convalescent hospital soon.

She fell at the hospital and broke her hip.

My brother and I are looking into long term care and the doctors are running around with their hands over their mouths for fear of saying something we might sue them over, I guess.

It's a good hospital, shit happens.

Hugs,
Joyce (Erin)

No one has commented on the insanely cute picture of a kitty in a jack-o'lantern I decorated the hatbox donation side panel with. I can't understand that. Don't you guys know how hard it is to find a picture like that? A public domain one that I can just use without worrying about it?

Animation script for Belle of the Ball! How cool is that?

http://stardustr.us/belle_of_the_ball_the_movie

- Erin

Little Katie, aka K.T. Leonard, is in the hospital in Florida with a bloodclot in the lungs. They think. Unfortunately, she has medical contraindications for the usual treatment for this condition, blood thinners, and she is in a lot of pain. She's been staying with her pastor lately, she's a Christian, and she would appreciate any prayers anyone might wish to make on her behalf.

Thanks,
Erin

What did he see when he looked inside?

Science has discovered that if you do anything for 10,000 hours, you become an expert at it. :)

Four hours a day would take about seven years to add up to 10,000. I think I became an expert at running BigCloset sometime about three years ago. :)

How many of you have become experts at something without quite realizing it?

- Erin

Jennifer deals with the gunman in the forest and then with some of the consequences before discovering ... well, that would be telling. Read it.

http://stardustr.us/belle_of_the_ball_chapter_twenty_six

- Erin

The latest adventure of Southern Belle by E.E. Nalley is out!

Kevin and Kell by Bill Holbrook is one of the oldest webcomics and ocasionally touches on TG themes as part of its humor. Like this one: Kevin and Kell 2007-08-08.

TopShelf was shutdown for an hour or so this afternoon, so I could cool off. Some people are of the opinion that they should be allowed to set policy here. Doesn't work that way.

Apologies in advance if things don't get done promptly around here, my back is really hurting. :(

Not serious, this happens from time to time, I'm usually okay in a day or so, but I'm probably going to be spending a lot of time out of the house.

Hgs,
Erin

I may have started something.

BC and Stardust (and perhaps now Tor der Traume, in German) are the only open TG sites, I think, where this story could be told in this way. Since I did Urban Renewal, Adonna has begun Blue Moon at Stardust and now Angharad with Easy as Falling off a Bike here: serials told in daily, or almost daily, short episodes. Edeyn's two recent serials may qualify for this category, too. :)

What shall we call this new artform? :)

- Erin