| Locus question |
[Nov. 21st, 2008|09:43 am] |
Sorry I'm not posting much recently -- too much going on! I have a work-related question. As y'all know, I work for a science fiction organization, which means there's (inherently) not a whole lot of money to spread around. We're looking for cheap advice on how to fix a web problem. . . Here's the scenario. We've uploaded our magazine onto a site called issuu.com, and we need a password page so that we can make the magazine accessible only to those who have paid for it (novel concept!:-) I think it's great the magazine will finally be available in PDF format, but we just need that extra piece of information to make this float. Ideas? Recommendations for people to talk to?
Love, the Phran |
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| Steamcon |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|11:37 pm] |
In other steampunky news, I'm on the wait list for the Steamcon vendor list (according to Ariane, I'm high up on the list and she's hunting for extra space.) If it does go through, I will need a clothes rack to hang lovelies up for sale. Anyone know where the portable white rack we used for the Baycon costume swap resides?
Also, I loaned out a few large gears for adornments at the last Baycon, and now find myself in need of them. Anyone? |
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| SF Events Upcoming |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|10:42 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  artistic | ] |
Upcoming SF events I am tempted to attend, ganked from the Borderlands newsletter and SF in SF list:
SF in SF presents a special Steampunk event for LitQuake, with authors Kage Baker, Joe R. Lansdale, and Rudy Rucker, Thursday, October 9th at 7:30 pm at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street. An evening celebrating all aspects of Steampunk - impossibly fantastic adventures you'll never forget. Steampunk is Victorian elegance paired with modern technology: steam-driven robots, souped-up stagecoaches, and space-faring dirigibles, all fueled by gaslight, romance, mad scientists, and oh-so-trim waistcoats. Cash bar, books for sale courtesy of Borderlands, and a good time for all. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the event starts at 8:00 pm. We expect a large turnout for this event, and we'll try to accommodate everyone, but come early to ensure that you get a good seat. More info at http://www.litquake.org/the-festival.
( And More Events ) |
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| In honor of the Parasol Protectorate |
[Sep. 6th, 2008|11:29 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  bemused | ] |
This one's for Foo, via Wired:
"The entourage of the Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has an unusual secret weapon. Her security team defends the head of the government with umbrellas. Not ordinary umbrellas, but unbreakable fighting umbrellas. Watch the video to see the combat-brolly in action, and marvel as Thomas Kurz ("the world's foremost expert on flexibility training") viciously splits a watermelon in two."
All I have to say is damn. Pronounced day-am for emphasis.
Also fond of these: ( lovelies behind cut ) |
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| Sleep Phran updates |
[Aug. 14th, 2008|11:44 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
Not enough time for a proper Worldcon update -- but just a quick note to say that, as usual, Worldcon was amazing. You will have to rely on, hrm, Gail for proper updates at this time, because I'm running around like a mad thing, both during the work day and after. We're on a tight deadline for the magazine, what with all the cons going around. (Which makes cons sound like some sort of communicable disease -- fair enough, I think.)
Good thing I'm one of those insane people that thrives on production deadlines. A background in theater doesn't hurt when it comes to publishing. This feels like tech week for a production. Next thing you know I'll have to dance around in a circle and throw salt over my shoulder to avert disaster, or avoid looking at myself in the mirror in hopes of a better opening night performance, or some such.
Had a great time at Johnlorien's Wednesday 'do as well. The Duchess of Avacados approved the organic avo BLTAs. Sorry for lack of detail, must go to sleep. LOVE to all! |
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| Schtuff |
[Jul. 26th, 2008|05:37 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  pleased | ] |
I'm feeling better these days. . . still a lot going on, some of it estate-related. Much to do. Took time off from work this month to deal with Mom's back taxes (set me back $700 and a few days, but saves the estate thousands, since she owed nothing -- it just had to be proved. Wish she'd done it while she was alive. . . I kept telling her to just let someone do it for her -- but she used to be such a financial masterworker that she couldn't envision allowing someone else to do it.) I also dealt with a lot of other estate-related minutiae. Beginning to feel like a human being again. I now have permission to shred all her old tax records, up to 2004. Anyone feel like a shredding party? I have to go through them and pull out any receipts related to work on the house, but other than that. . .
A few things that make my life more enjoyable, aside from crazy crazy friends:
Ohmigod Steampunk Comic: Yes, it's Girl Genius. It started out with a strangely whiny heroine, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but NOW. . . now, I cannot get enough of it. Start from the beginning and read through, folks.
YouTube makeup tutorials:
The Effin' Prada Look
Xsparkage
Jjacks48
SarahVictor
ABoyWearingMakeup
Panacea81
I have gained about 30 pounds of depression weight, which is kickin' my ass. Other than that, things are going well. . . |
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| Locus table at Baycon |
[May. 21st, 2008|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | pleased | ] |
All right, folks - there will be a Locus table at Baycon, in the dealer's room! Please plan to stop by, and if you've been waiting to subscribe, now is the time. It's $60 for a year periodicals rate, $68 first class, $34 for six issues. You can see the full price list online. You can also pick up some pretty cool advance reading copies and/or galleys at our table, and I think we'll be bringing back issues. If you're missing a particular one that you want, or see an interview with your favorite author on this page that you don't have, now's the time to request it. Please tell all your friends! RJ and caprine, if you see this, can you post this news to your journals? I'll be womaning the table from 10:00AM to, I think, 2:00PM (I need to confirm that end time) on Saturday.
Love you all, can't wait to see you! |
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| The Mad Science of Corsetry |
[Mar. 9th, 2008|08:53 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  obsessed | ] |
In other news, I have become obsessed with etsy.com. Etsy etsy etsy! To etsy. It is now a verb. I've set up an etsy treasury (they're hard to get and remain on the site only briefly -- this one will vanish tomorrow AM). The theme is: Steampunk Corsets. Please to visit and check out the amazing artists. |
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| Burying mi madre |
[Mar. 9th, 2008|08:52 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Hope, by Regenerator, on Disease | ] |
The sick, I haz it.
Flu (contracted b/c Mom not around to nag me to get flu shots.)
In the meantime, a pic from the scattering ceremony earlier in February (click for bigger version):
Me, Foo, my sister K. Taken by Colin, K's husband. It was a small ceremony, just the four of us. (Any more and we would have had to pay a great deal more for space on the boat, and we wanted to keep it small anyway.) As it was, we shared the Neptune Society's beautiful Naiad, an itty-bitty yacht, with another cremation, um. . . party? Because this is San Francisco, this party (which is what NS called us — "will the first party please come aboard, now?") was headed by a tall, distinguished, white-haired man whose gay lover had passed on. They had quite a few more people than we did, and also more ceremony and pomp — they even had bagpipes. (Bemused, I was. There I was, the deck pitching beneath my feet, which were shod in dancing slippers, as no high heels were allowed for fear of people being pitched overboard. . . and suddenly there were bagpipes, in the middle of San Francisco bay. Who knew.)
As befitted Mom, the "ceremony" was informal, somewhat silly. I cried the whole time, from the moment they plopped the bag of ashes down in my lap till the moment we landed again.
But I did feel better afterward — my memory of the awful moments leading up to her death is now somewhat obscured in a golden haze of San Francisco dust — and the most beautiful place in the world, my favorite place in the world, my home — the Marin Headlands. No better place for Mom. We always talked about scattering her there, and it feels like exactly where she belongs.
That's where I want to go, too, especially if I can also be cast adrift offshore from the gay nudie beach, which was just such a huge plus, despite the fact the beach was empty:-(. But seriously, such a beautiful place — terns, loons (of course, very appropriate), and so many seals. I had no idea how many seals spent their time swimming around SF bay. It was a beautiful day, clear, with just enough haze in the air that you could see the rays of sun when they were split by obstructions. I think my favorite visual of the day was the shadow of the Golden Gate bridge, which was actually visible in the air. A day of many shadows, but fortunately Foo was there, and K flew out from Texas to be there. We stopped at Yank Sing afterward for the best dim sum ever and then Foo drove me home. Sis and spouse headed back to TX.
( more behind lj-cut ) |
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| Mom |
[Jan. 29th, 2008|01:13 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  astounded | ] |
My mother passed away around 8:35 PM on Jan 7, 2007. Have no words. |
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| post haste |
[Dec. 31st, 2007|12:51 am] |
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My brains. Are made. Of goo. |
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| she returns |
[Aug. 22nd, 2007|11:08 pm] |
I'm alive, and I have an internet connection! Both good things. Back from the connectivity hiatus I've been forced to endure. . . settling in to my new condo, with the help of her Willowness. Just too tired to comment further. . . but I'm alive, and happy. Love you all!
the Phran |
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| feed the stalker |
[Jul. 24th, 2007|11:05 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | sleepy | ] |
I have been informed that I am not writing enough to keep my official stalker happy. In an effort to remedy the shocking situation. . .
So, I am officially making the final move into my new digs on August 4th and 5th. I have been ferrying things to and fro in the available free time, which is minimal. I love my little condo! Things I need to do (indulge me in my listing):
Bolt my new bookshelves to the wall (anyone have experience with this?). Manage to schedule a steam-cleaning. Craigslist two light fixtures. Does the granite countertop need to be sealed? Figure out a way to seal the base of the exterior storage. Low pri: install screen door. Cost?
On this end: Craigslist enormous hoopskirt ($50-$75), large adjustable dressmaker's dummy ($100), couch ($100), coffee table ($50), TV ($75??). I've already listed some other items. Will housing association accept donation of a large treadmill? That way I'd still have access to it. I want to keep it (damn thing cost me 1,600 bucks. Never occurred to me I'd move into a place too small to contain it.) Maybe I should re-measure the interior, consider options before getting rid of it.
Lower priority:
Metropolis display figure will have to go to ebay. Dozens of smaller things.
Much to do! Amazing how much stuff I have. Anyone with time to burn this weekend should know I'd love company and extra hands for packing this weekend or anytime after work on weekdays (which is 6:30PM for me.) I'm looking forward to cutting my commute by 95%. It's currently from 45 mins to an hour each way depending on traffic. Usually shorter in the morning, longer at night. It's taking a lot out of me -- I arrive home tired.
signing off |
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| Locus Seeks Summer Intern |
[Jun. 26th, 2007|07:18 pm] |
All right kids -- alert alert! I need all my networking skills to help locate a suitable person for the following position:
Locus Magazine, the leading monthly trade journal covering science fiction, fantasy, and horror, seeks an enthusiastic science fiction reader for a part-time unpaid internship, 15-20 hours a week for the summer semester – college credit and $500 stipend available. Tasks will include running errands (must be comfortable driving a minivan), general office work (mailing, filing, faxing), some personal assistant duties, customer service, occasional proofreading, etc. You will have the opportunity to become familiar with aspects of magazine publishing and small-business administration. The position is well suited to a recent graduate or current college student interested in journalism and literature.
Requirements:
Driver’s license and good driving record
Good phone manner
Ability to follow through with tasks under stress
Basic knowledge of Word and Excel
Familiarity with the science fiction genre
Photoshop, Quickbooks, and InDesign skills a plus
To apply, please email a resume and a cover letter describing your interest in science fiction to locus@locusmag.com. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. Summer, fall, and winter internships available; college credit is possible through Peralta. This is an unpaid position, though a $500 stipend is available. Hard work will be rewarded with insider knowledge and occasional meals. Job location is in the hills of Oakland, California; applicants are recommended to have their own transportation.
All right? PLEASE forward this to all appropriate local venues. . . I know many of you (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) rmjwell, caprine?) have vast networks of con attendees and fans to call upon. We're definitely looking to hire soon. The sooner the better! It's a great position for the right person. . . |
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| condoization? |
[Jun. 17th, 2007|08:32 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  busy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | "Dreamer" by Antonio Carlos Jobim | ] |
So what's going on in the life of the Phran. . . aside from the Pirate Festival, which I attended mainly to say "bon voyage" to Jewel and Gleepith? I am moving. . . there is terror. Yes, I am moving to the East Bay. . . into a small, beautiful condo. . . assuming that escrow closes and all is well. I am packing up my life, which is no small feat, given the amount of art supplies, books, and costuming I've managed to cram into my 1,000 square foot apartment, and which I now intend to cram into a 650 square foot condo (which feels much larger, admittedly, and includes a patio with storage, making my square footage closer to 750 -- but not all of it can be piled high with stuff!)
This means that I am frantically sorting through my possessions. The acceptance of a mortgage loan means that, for the first time in my life, I will really be cutting it close financially (for the good cause of ultimate financial security), so I intend to sell many things I've been holding onto on Craigslist. . . and beyond (said in Professor Trelawny tones). I have a 21-day escrow and gave a 30 day notice to my current property management service, meaning that I will be moving July 14th and 15th, or possibly July 21st and 22nd. Which weekend would be better for people in terms of showing up to help? I'm thinking of hiring a moving company for the heavy things, but would love help packing or unpacking and settling in. . . and there will be free stuff!
Speaking of which, the seller of the condo is offering most items of furniture that are currently in the rooms as a package deal with the apartment. I've accepted many of them, with the intent of using them or passing them on to friends. (Wicker folding chair, anyone?) However, some of them are too big for me to accept unless I can be assured friends will pick them up and use them on or before the moving date -- to whit:
( pictures behind lj-cut )
What else is going on? I processed a Locus subscription for Patricia McKillip on Friday. What a thrill to receive mail from one of my favorite authors, even if is IS just a subscription renewal. . hehehe. . . fangirl paradise.
OH I also need to borrow a digital camera from someone local, if at all possible. |
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| pronation |
[Jun. 4th, 2007|10:23 pm] |
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Today I was very accident-prone. Or possibly just prone. Or should have been prone. |
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| potential |
[Jun. 3rd, 2007|12:27 am] |
Anyone interested in an expedition to the Palace of Fine Arts? rmjwell has a great idea to reprise our steampunk costumes in a setting more amenable to their proper display. . . Possibly the 21rst or 28th of July?
Links of the day:
Reminds me of the Shrimp on a Treadmill: Steam-powered Centipede Robot
I'm also quite fond of the Steam-powered Spider Robot (I love the slight eerie whistling sound it makes.)
And the only thing that might be cooler:
Robot Jellyfish |
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