Room; Rooms

Just about to tuck into one of my copies of Room 31.2, which arrived in the mail today. As well as my story "Close to the Bone", it features work by Ingrid Ruthig, Aislinn Hunter and many others. Looking forward to a good, long read.

But who's had time to read lately? Finally have a firm offer on the house here, conditional to the prepurchase inspection they're having tomorrow, which I anticipate will go well. We take possession of the new house on Friday and they take possession of this one September 15th. Which gives us a couple of weeks to move in there. A good thing, too. We're going to need it, I'm sure.

Good times, bad times

Okay, not so much bad as...annoying?...stressful? We had an open house today and had 15 -- 20 groups of people through, and two offers. Both of which fell flat. Ended up getting kicked out of the house three times today. Which is why I'm drinking this very fine organic Paddywhack IPA from Nelson, BC, courtesy of our dear friend Mark.

Of course I'm also celebrating an acceptance from none other than The Antigonish Review. Ah, yes, another market I've been trying to crack for about seven years. The story is "Blue Lake", one that's very near and dear to my heart, that's been almost accepted too many times, that shortlisted in the PRISM contest. It's finally being published!

All that and I made a Superstore run today. That's enough excitement for anyone.

Whelmed?

I'm not actually overwhelmed, not yet. But. Let's just say there's a lot going on. Mostly just the same stuff that was going on before -- house showings, moving preparations. Trying to get a grant application together to be in Edmonton by September 1. A photo shoot is now set for Aug. 31, outside or near the National Hotel, if we can swing it.

Our time on the Island was fabulous, by the way, even if it is starting to seem like a long time ago. I'd almost forgotten about it, actually. The take-away from the trip? Think fast, hippie.