{"id":3904,"date":"2016-05-07T20:14:52","date_gmt":"2016-05-08T01:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/?p=3904"},"modified":"2016-05-07T20:14:52","modified_gmt":"2016-05-08T01:14:52","slug":"a-kinda-sorta-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/?p=3904","title":{"rendered":"A Kinda Sorta Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sorta.<\/p>\n<p>So the early part of the week was all taken up with life maintenance, and that all just trickled into the rest of the week, pretty much. \u00a0By Wednesday night, I was kinda caught up&#8211;talk for Thursday night done, the bat thing as under control as it could be until Friday&#8211;so I thought, okay, get started on the book.<\/p>\n<p>Except more stuff happened. \u00a0I did manage about 2200 works total, but that&#8217;s for the\u00a0<em>week<\/em>. \u00a0I don&#8217;t even remember what happened Thursday except I started work, got about 1000 words done, which isn&#8217;t too bad for a beginning. \u00a0Beginnings are always hard. \u00a0Then, Thursday night, I did my talk at the Madison Public Library, which was fun and I think people enjoyed themselves. \u00a0I mean, really, who doesn&#8217;t love cats and Kirk&#8217;s chest?<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frcnerdcon%2Fvideos%2Fvb.945594358801836%2F1270332746327994%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3905\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n.jpg\" alt=\"13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13096034_10154130183764664_8684625958032600491_n-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Let me tell you that Wendy Stephens, whom it turns out I&#8217;ve met before at a midwinter ALA event in Chicago two years ago, was just great in terms of intros and getting the crowd going. \u00a0She also asked a FABULOUS question, that got me thinking about a new wrinkle for my book.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2586-e1462668267507.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3906\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2586-e1462668267507-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_2586\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2586-e1462668267507-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2586-e1462668267507-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A lot of fun, and we were at the library until very late. \u00a0Then we all headed out for a celebratory beer where I got to hang with local author, Susan McPhail.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3907\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_2587\" width=\"940\" height=\"705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_2587-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a>And then, you know, it was time to stumble home. \u00a0I didn&#8217;t finally get to bed until after midnight, which is really, really late for me. \u00a0Still, I jolted awake at 6 on Friday because I always get up with the sun. \u00a0The bat-guy came to start work: caulked, then attached a one-way bat valve so the animals (theoretically) can go out but not re-enter. \u00a0(There&#8217;s still a bat or two up there; I&#8217;m hearing them as I type.)<\/p>\n<p>Me, I struggled with work. \u00a0Got that 1200 words in, but they were terrible, and I know they must die.<\/p>\n<p>Today, I was also going to work even though we got home late AGAIN (out with some friends). \u00a0But then the husband wanted to do some fun stuff together so&#8230;nu&#8230;that&#8217;s what we did. \u00a0Went to a local wildlife refuge, walked a few of the trails (which were underwhelming but that&#8217;s the difference between a PARK and a REFUGE; the latter&#8217;s a sanctuary&#8211;meaning people can stay away). \u00a0Saw some cooters sunning themselves on Flint Creek close by the Tennessee River,<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3908\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o\" width=\"940\" height=\"606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o-466x300.jpg 466w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13173246_10208572606408551_3523588828160276468_o.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a>wandered a cypress swamp that wasn&#8217;t terrifically swampy but still interesting,<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_120706-e1462668918136.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3909\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_120706-e1462668918136-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"20160507_120706\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_120706-e1462668918136-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_120706-e1462668918136-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_120706-e1462668918136-768x1365.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\ntook a picture of an itty-bitty orbweaver to send a daughter who thinks that killing a spider means setting the house on fire;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3910\" src=\"http:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"20160507_122231\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/20160507_122231-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>and even saw my first osprey in the wild. \u00a0Sorry, no picture of that; we were in the car, and by the time I realized what I was seeing, it had flown past. \u00a0Didn&#8217;t see many other birds, though, but that&#8217;s okay. \u00a0It was still interesting, though probably only worth coming back to\/for in November or so when the whooping cranes comes down to spent part of their winter here.<\/p>\n<p>Then it was to the gym and then home. \u00a0Tomorrow, we&#8217;ll do the obligatory brunch thing at a funky little place and then maybe I&#8217;ll bake a cake or read or whatever. \u00a0I can&#8217;t decide. \u00a0I feel as if I should work&#8230;but I&#8217;m not sure that taking a bit of a vacation isn&#8217;t also a good thing. \u00a0(Oh, and I heard back from the editor about that novella thingie; he loved it and wants only minor ditzel changes. \u00a0So, yay!)<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t think I remember the last time I consciously did nothing. \u00a0Let me tell you: it&#8217;s quite uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">WRITING OUT LOUD<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">New Novel (started 5\/05)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Day 1: 1000<br \/>\nDay 2: 1200<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Blog Post: 690<\/p>\n<p>***<br \/>\nWhat I&#8217;m Watching:<br \/>\nCaught up on\u00a0<em>The Americans\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<em>The Blacklist<\/em>. \u00a0Continuing with\u00a0<em>Motive.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>***<\/em><br \/>\nWhat I&#8217;m Reading:<br \/>\nAck. \u00a0Nothing. \u00a0I need to find a thumpingly good read somewhere.<br \/>\n***<br \/>\nWhat I&#8217;m Listening to:<br \/>\nI started<em> Extreme Prey\u00a0<\/em>and then made myself stop. I thought I deserved it as a reward after the novella, but I really don&#8217;t and now that I&#8217;ve started the new book, I&#8217;m worried about messing up my head with narration that doesn&#8217;t gibe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sorta. So the early part of the week was all taken up with life maintenance, and that all just trickled into the rest of the week, pretty much. \u00a0By Wednesday night, I was kinda caught up&#8211;talk for Thursday night done,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3904"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3912,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3904\/revisions\/3912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ilsajbick.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}