May 30, 2006

FUNKY

Peggy said she thought it would be even more interesting seeing the text of my book in Japanese … well, guess what arrived in the post box today? Yep, three copies of the Japanese edition of THE SHEIK WHO LOVED ME. And what a thrill!!

Silly me had forgotten that Japanese works are read from right to left, so I had a spastic moment trying to figure out which end of my book was up or down. Duh. But it really is the funkiest thing to see. ( I know, I know, I’m easy to please :) ) Can’t even figure out which characters denote my name. Thought I’d share a glimpse with you guys.

The top photo is of my title page (on the left, ladies :)). And below is a page of text.

On the running front? Well, it was walking for one hour today. I appear to have incurred some tissue damage around my ankle during my Sunday mileage (probably from leaping awkwardly at  bear noises in bush :)) And now I am in pain … icing the ankle and taking it a little easier … and hoping it will mend real soon.

My Path: Lost Lake

My Beat: Black Hawk and the White Winged Dove - Emmylou Harris

Bear sightings: Two … big and brown

And, yeah!!!! Copy edits are GONE. Tomorrow morning I crack open the AAs.

May 29, 2006

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

Bear Busters!!! (You gotta imagine the music ;))

In reality, you call 905BEAR …. if you want to see the local C.O. (conservation officer) show up in his uniform with guns, that is :). DH took this photo in his workplace parking lot this morning. The bruin was going from car to car checking for goodies. Once DH had snapped this guy, he tried to chase him off — you don’t want to encourage the bears to become habituated to this kind of take-out — but the bear dropped to all fours, turned to face him, and made distinctive popping noises with his jaw …. translation: Leave me alone, buddy, I’m eating. And that’s when C.O. Chris was called in. He chased the guy off with some high-velocity rubber.

And this bruin below … he’s mastering the art of opening bear-proof garbage bins. Where there’s a will there’s a way

MONDAY MILESTONES

Since my computer crash I’ve been remiss in my Monday Milestones feature — but it’s back!

This Monday I’d like to mention my Vancouver writing buddy and NEXT author, Kate Austin. I’m just blown away by this lady’s productivity. In just over a year she has sold nine — yep NINE – books. And in addition to being awesome company, she’s blessed by the Cover Gods. Take a look: 

Aren’t they just gorgeous? For anyone who is going to be in the Ottawa region come late September this year, Kate will be sharing plotting tips and giving a workshop on Writing For Harlequin – How To Break In And Stay In – as part of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association’s Sweet or Spicy conference slated for September 23-24.

Another buddy who deserves a mention today is Toni Anderson who has just revamped her website. She’s looking for guinea pigs to test links from different browsers

May 28, 2006

There’s a bear in them shadows

Truly.

I went on a 20 kilometer run and saw two today. One was this guy, a good size with a deep black and glossy coat. They other was a skittish little one with a scarred nose and frosted tips to his fur. I’m guessing it was a ‘he’ from his size and the fact he was alone. And because he’d been a tad abused. Mums usually kick the males out of their territory earlier, and they are forced to forge their way into the world and do battle with the big guys for a slice of their own real estate.

Today was one of those tempestuous days with thick gray cloud skudding over the skies and wind whipping up white-capped waves on the lake. It was tough to kick myself out the door to do my Sunday mileage, but once I was out, it was no longer just a run. It was plain experiencing the joy of living … from the pain of sore muscles, the mental challenge in keeping going, the moody beauty of the skies, the spitting rain and slices of warm sunshine, the swift swollen rivers … and these two elemental creatures … and seeing a bear in the wild ALWAYS makes my heart thud

Tonight it’s back to those copy edits. The fact that most of my favorite TV shows have wrapped up for the season helps!

May 27, 2006

WINNERS ALL

Number 114 in the transition area before her swim event in the Whistler Kids of Steel Triathlon. And this is the only photo I’m allowed to show you. (I don’t want my face on your blog, mum …. if that’s okay?  — sure it’s okay, kiddo :))

My baby did fabulously, placing fourth in her category amongst competitors from Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton to West Vancouver, Surrey and Seattle. But more than anything it was about the spirit. And fun. And the sheer energy and flat-out determination these kids exuded was infectious.

Guess that’s why I felt so tired by the time I got to my copy edits??

Okay … I will show you one other photo. I got so swept up in all the adrenaline and excitement, I managed to get a photo of …. my feet!

Someone needs to remind me I once did this sort of thing for a living, quite successfully, I might add.

May 26, 2006

HEAD DOWN

I’m going to have my head down over the weekend. Got one set of copy edits to finish as another set of author alterations (AAs or galleys) comes in through the door. Meanwhile, I see the books in question are already listed for pre-sale on Amazon. Should I be nervous??

Also got my “other life” knocking. Plus dd#2 does her first triathlon at the crack of dawn tomorrow and we’ll be there cheering her on — wish her luck :). We’re going to top the event off with a celebratory brunch with friends

And a quick update on the mysterious vehicle in my ditch (see photo in one of the posts below). The Mounties can’t find the driver. Apparently the owner “lent” his SUV to someone who “lent” it to someone, who “lent” it to someone else whose name he can’t recall …yeah, I’m not kidding … and that “someone” apparently went drinking in the bars …. get the picture? Guess it pays to run — sometimes.

But no running for me today. Friday = Rest Day. Did one hour and 16 minutes yesterday, and my path is pictured above.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all south of  the 49th :)