personal

“If what you seek is strangeness…”

I neglected to mention yesterday that the April 2010 issue of Kaleidotrope was recently reviewed. (I’ve been sending out electronic copies of the July issue, but it’s much too soon for anything to have come of that yet.) It’s a mixed review, with some genuine criticisms, but overall it’s very positive. I think so far it’s my favorite of the three reviews they’ve posted of past issues.

It’s probably a good thing I forgot to mention it yesterday, though, since there’s precious little to write about today. Mostly just your average (albeit still much too hot) Wednesday.

Summer in the city

My father had a doctor’s appointment this evening, so my mother and I picked him up afterward, and then the three of us went to our neighbor’s wake. I didn’t know too many of the people there, beyond recognizing his sons and other family who’d been visiting lately, but it was lovely to see the large turnout, including many of his fellow veterans. After we’d paid our respects, we grabbed a bite to eat at the nearby Azerbaijani restaurant we’ve ordered from often but never actually eaten in.

And that’s about all the excitement I had today. Mostly it was just back to work and skipping a whole bunch of not mandatory (and probably not useful for me) sales meetings.

I am reassured that, though today felt a whole lot like Monday, it was actually Tuesday, and the week is almost half over. At least, that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself until the second half is done with, too.

Though, if this awful heat keeps up — hottest day in NYC since August of 2001, apparently, well around 100°F all day — that could be tougher than advertised.

I plead the 5th (of July)

Today was an awful lot like yesterday, just a winding down of a not-very-long long weekend. We learned this morning that our neighbor across the street, who’s lived there since before I was born, passed away at home yesterday. We’re going to the wake tomorrow evening. He’d been sick for awhile, in good spirits but I think not expected to live a whole lot longer, but it’s still sad.

Otherwise, just getting ready for the return to work. Our summer hours start next week, so this will the last time in awhile where I can oversleep a little and get the 8:15 train in the morning. Not that I would ever do such a thing.

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!

I spent mine working on the Sunday New York Times crossword, watching a little television (old-school Doctor Who and, later, an episode of Wire in the Blood), and joining my friend Maurice for our regular Sunday writing group. So basically just your normal Sunday, but I do like that I don’t have to be at work tomorrow.

July Third

I spent today doing mostly what I expected, although I was surprised to discover the local library was closed all weekend, not just tomorrow and Monday. I have a couple of books on reserve, and I guess I won’t get a chance to pick them up until later in the week, if not next weekend.

So I spent the day reading some Kaleidotrope submissions, and just hanging around the house. I also mowed the front lawn, did a little bit of writing, and watched a cute movie called TiMER, starring Emma Caulfield of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame. She and the movie were both quite good; I’m not sure I loved the ending, but it’s sweet and funny and intelligent, which can be rare qualities in a romantic comedy.

Otherwise, just enjoying the long weekend.