That is all.
The Sky Is Falling! Well, Sort Of….
Something is falling from the sky, anyway, and it’s strange, and fluffy, and COLD. Holy wow yeah it’s cold. I mean, for here. Not for like…Canada. Or Iceland. But here? Where our winter temps are only below freezing maybe a week out of the whole winter, and we might get snow in late December or early January for twenty minutes? Yeah. This is cold and weird! (But climate change doesn’t exist! Oh no! *sarcasm* *eye roll*)
Here, have some pics. First, the weather forecast.
Next we have a confirmed visual of the accuracy of the above photo:
From my kitchen window:
My back deck:
And then, just because I liked the visual, I went outside (I KNOW!) and took these along my front walkway:
Regular “auto” mode, no flash:
“Night Scene Handheld” mode:
Oh, and I took a crappy little video with my phone of the snow falling. You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinajames/12354855603/in/set-72157640610130285
So, yeah. Bit cold around here. I have my tea (gorgeous tea from Scotland!) and my warm, fuzzy robes, and a new microfleece blankie that’s so utterly wonderful to wrap up in. We’re all warm and cozy here, despite the temps. Even the cats are happy.
Probably because they love my new blankie as much as I do. (Sorry, no pic of that, but trust me, it was cute.)
The Rumor Mill
This is Rumor Control, here are the facts (points if you get the reference):
As of September 2013, I was granted a Release of Rights to both the Stranger Things series and the Destrati anthology from Mundania Press. What this means, in a nutshell, is that my publication contract was cancelled, they agreed to stop publishing/selling my books, and the manuscripts of those books are mine to do with as I wish.
This was a mutually agreed-upon decision – I was not “fired,” nor “asked to leave.” I initiated my RoR (release of rights) in the form of a request, and it was granted by the publisher. Simple as that.
Let’s answer the most often asked questions I get in order, shall we? It’s been over 90 days now (the length of the contract termination agreement), so I can talk a little about what happened.
First: “Where are your books/why can’t I buy them? Etc.”
The books are, officially, nowhere. It’s been 90 days, and after that period no reseller (like Amazon or B&N) has the legal right to sell any new copies they don’t already have in stock. The books are no longer in print. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE NO LONGER COPYRIGHTED OR ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AS A FREE BOOK ANYWHERE. All this means is that Mundania Press no longer holds the rights to print those books. Who does? No one. PERIOD. No one except me, and here’s the fun part –
I HAVE NO INTENTION, NOW OR EVER, OF SELF-PUBLISHING THESE BOOKS. Despite rumors to the contrary (we’ll get to that in a minute), this is not happening. EVER. I do not self-publish. I have no intention of self-publishing. Anyone who knows me or reads this blog knows how I feel about self-publishing, and this is so not going to happen. NO, NOT EVEN THEN. NO. (Narrator: It happened.)
If you missed these books, I’m sorry. I really am. You might be able to find a used copy on Paperbackswap or eBay (a legal, print copy, please, not some bullshit downloadable pirated e-copy so prevalent on that site) or even Amazon, but that’s it. Like any book that goes out of print, them’s the breaks.
Second: “Why/What happened?”
Nothing. Sorry, but that’s the answer. Nothing “happened.” There is no “why.” Publishing is a relationship. Sometimes you want different things. Relationships grow and change, and sometimes it’s not always for the better. As I said above, this was a mutually agreed-upon thing. It’s like a break-up. That’s all. I moved out of my old place. That’s really it. They’re not horrible people. They weren’t mean or bad to me. It was just time for me to go, that’s all. Really. Sorry to disappoint you, but really, that’s it. When you move out, you take your stuff with you, and that’s all that happened. I wanted out of the relationship, they let me leave in peace. No ugliness or angst or anything. So there you have it.
2.5: But WHY? If they weren’t bad or mean to you then WHY?
*sigh* I just said! Things change. We wanted different things, that’s all! Nothing horrible or traumatic, so stop dramatizing! Sheesh!
Third: “So what happens now/what are you going to do?”
The same thing I always do – write. Just because I’m not currently with a publisher doesn’t mean I’ve given up, or that I won’t have one in the future. Just because you break up with someone doesn’t mean you stop dating! You learn from your relationship issues and find another one! Right now, I’m in between relationships, and I’ve admittedly taken some time to adjust to being single (so to speak – metaphorically – I’m still happily married to He Who Enables My Crazy; don’t get any ideas) again (helllooooo, Scotland!), but it’s a new year and I’m back on the horse.
That’s really the thing, too, people. You don’t give up if things don’t go your way. (And guess what…things in this business aren’t always going to go your way.)
Fourth: “I love the Stranger Things series! Will it be back? Are you going to self-publish?”
*death glare* Read the fucking blog, for fuck’s sake.
Scotland Stuff
I’m still recovering from my trip (yes, it was THAT awesome, people!); i.e. I’m still sorting out crap that accumulated over the weeks I was away. I’ve gotten my inbox down to fifty-something emails, so that’s something. Snail mail is mostly dealt with. I still have a lot to take care of (STOP STARING AT ME WITH THOSE ACCUSING TOWELS, LAUNDRY!), but it’s slowly getting sorted.
I did get some pics resized and posted, so click here for those – have a ball. Live vicariously.
Now there’s something about food being discussed. I should go see what that’s about…
I Have Returned
The land of kilts and pipes was amazing, and I’m very glad to be home. I’ll have more later, but here’s the short version:
– Jetlag is a bitch
– I have lots of pictures, some of which I’ll share eventually
– I have lots of email to catch up on
– I have lots of snail mail to sort through
– I have lots of phone calls to return and people to visit
– I ruptured my left eardrum on the flight home, so that’s been fun to deal with
My animals are all alive and well. We had a house/pet-sitter stay with them, and despite their various issues and medications, didn’t have any problems or make her crazy.
Mostly I’m tired, grouchy, and have a lot to do, so things are going to be slow for awhile until I catch up on everything that piled up while I was away. Three weeks is a long time to be away from home, and a lot of things offline need to be sorted out before I can get to the online stuff, so my presence will still be spotty for awhile. I hope to have everything back on track by the end of the month.
Jetlag suuuuuuuuuuuucks….
Dina’s Holiday Rant 2013
I’m starting to (yet again) see posts in various places about “keep Christ in Christmas” and “Jesus is the reason for the season,” so it’s clearly time once again for Dina’s Holiday Rant. It wouldn’t be Sithmas if I didn’t rant about the holiday season, now would it? I’m a little late ranting this year, as I’ve been a little busy with other things. But, better late than never, right?
This was originally written/posted December 5, 2009 on my Livejournal. It’s still applicable, so I decided to dust it off, shamelessly copy and paste, and update it to post again. This is apparently going to be an annual thing, this rant.
Read at your peril. Feel free to repost/forward with credit to me as the author. [Read more…]
Sithmastime Is Here!
Well, almost.
Close enough, anyway!
I thought I’d share a something with you before next week comes and bashes us over the head with a roll of wrapping paper. (‘Cause that’s gonna happen…it’s comin’ right for us!)
Here. Have my mother’s fudge recipe! I posted it a few years ago (2009? Seriously? Wow…), but I thought you might like it again, seeing as how I just made a couple batches over the weekend. Mostly I just wanted to taunt you with holiday cookery. And what do you know? There’s still time for you to make a batch or two yourself before Sithmas arrives!
This recipe was given to my mother sometime before I was born, and if I’m not mistaken, it comes from Good Housekeeping magazine circa 1970-something. No matter when or where it came from, it’s been altered by this family member and that, and passed down to me. I make it yearly, and I’m warning you now – a little dab’ll do ya!
Without further ado, I give you:
Mom’s Fudge
You will need:
1 buttered cake pan (I like the 9″x13″ size)
1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or whatever – butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips)
7 ½ oz marshmallow crème (1 small jar or ½ large jar)
1 can (12 oz) EVAPORATED milk (*NOT* condensed!!)
1 stick of butter or margarine (I like butter best.)
4 ½ cups sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup nuts if desired (walnuts are best)
Instructions:
Combine sugar, milk, & butter in large pot. While stirring constantly, bring to a FULL, BUBBLING boil.
BOIL for 8 minutes, stirring constantly,. (This is important, or your candy won’t set.)
(Are you getting the STIR CONSTANTLY part? Good.)
Remove from heat after 8 minutes.
Stir in chips, marshmallow crème, & vanilla (nuts as well if you’re using them).
Stir well, then pour into buttered pan.
Cool and cut into SMALL squares (believe me, it will be plenty!).
Makes 5 lbs.
There you go! Mom’s Fudge recipe. Pass it on!
That’s all I have for you today. Enjoy!
UPDATE: FOUND! SIGNAL BOOST: Missing Person – SARAH ELIZABETH LAUZON
UPDATE: She’s found, and is all right. Thanks for the help, all!
Hey, all (especially British Columbia folks!),
THIS GIRL IS MISSING – SARAH ELIZABETH LAUZON.
I don’t often do this, but I’m asking you all to share the living hell out of this post. This girl needs to be found. One of her parents is a good friend of mine, and is very, very worried about their daughter.
Please boost this signal and let’s get this girl found. Facebook, G+, Tumblr, Twitter, go outside, wave your arms around, jump up and down, whatever you have to to get this noticed. It would be very much appreciated.
Thanks for the help! Let’s do this!
The Holiday Card Post 2013
(I’m totally recycling last year’s post with some minor alterations.)
I admit the holiday spirit just isn’t strong with me this year (no real reason, it just hasn’t hit me like it normally does yet), hence this later-than-usual card post, but I’ll try to muster up some enthusiasm. *ahem*
SITHMAS IS COMING! SITHMAS IS COMING!
Despite this year’s lack of Sithmas cheer, I really do love the holidays. Halloween used to be my favorite holiday until I came out of my Goth closet and could dress how I wanted to every day of the year and not care about being seen as a freak (for the record, I was 25), but now Christmas is my favorite.
Thanksgiving (which is tomorrow this year…I told you this post was late!), however, is not to be overlooked. I mean, a foodie like me ignore a holiday that’s all about FOOD? PIE? LOTS AND LOTS OF PIE?! (Not to mention leftover pie! Speaking of…I’ll be baking some here in a bit and may have to sample them for edibility before bed…just to make sure they’re fit for consumption.)
Anyway, what was I writing about? I mean, before my stomach started doing the writing? Oh, yeah! The holiday spirit!
Okay, here’s the deal: I’m making my holiday card list.
As I said above, I’m a little late this year, as it’s going to be Thanksgiving here in a few hours. Despite the tardiness, I should have enough time to get them out before Sithmas if I, as my teachers used to say, properly apply myself.
In order to get things done on time, I’m going to have to set a deadline for you all (like I do every year!). If you want to be on my holiday card list, post a comment on this post on my website by Saturday, December 7th (don’t worry, these will be screened!) or e-mail dina [at] dinajames [dot] com with your snail mail addy, and I’ll send you a holiday card. If you got a card from me last year, you’re still on my list, but if you’ve moved, don’t want one, or otherwise changed your address, let me know! I keep the list for subsequent use year to year, but will remind you all yearly to send me any updates. I realize people move about and change names and such.
If you’ve won something from me or I’ve otherwise sent you something in the last year, your name has likely been added to the card list. If you want a card, let me know, because I usually have them printed up in small batches and need to know how many to order.
If you’re feeling in the holiday spirit yourself and would like to return the favor, here’s my address (it’s changed from last year, so for those who keep lists, update me!):
Dina James
5 N Hwy 101 #360
Warrenton, OR 97146
USA
Happy Sithmas!
Special Guest Interview – Zara Lain
Warning: The following interview contains strong language that’s definitely NSFW. You should probably read it, though, given that there’s shiny things in it for you. [Read more…]
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