Today was the day that summer officially ended in the Gillespie-Johnson Household. Here’s how we decided that. When it got too hot to move (which Siouxsie Sioux said was over 92 Degrees), we moved the big TV and the DirecTV receiver into the bedroom and ran a network cable from the big blue box so that we would work and live in the only room with a window AC unit. Well, tonight, when Keith needed to go to sleep (and, since I don’t sleep at night, we’ve been compromising by me working with one little light on and him trying to sleep through it… some compromise!) we decided to call summer officially over and put the house back the way it was meant to be. I swear, coming back to my little living room setup was such a delight. I had organized the living room prior to doing the BIG work on my book so that I would write the dang thing from the POWER source of the room (according to the Feng Shui octagon). I am happily back in a nice little comfort zone. I’ve never been a big fan of TV or work in the bedroom. Turns out that’s a fundamental principle to Feng Shui! Who knew?!?
I’ve just pulled up a bowl of carrot and celery sticks, a little ranch dip, and some ice water… ah, such a good midnight snack. Yeah, I’ll probably have Oreos after this. Tee hee.
Okay, so, here’s what’s up in my world: scanned a whole bunch of pictures of Keith’s son, Quinn. Here’s the most precious.

He’ll be four in December and should be allowed to come visit us next summer. Hopefully, we’ll be in a house by then. Man, some things are going to have to move quickly in order to see that happen. Fingers crossed!
The book is in galley copy form now. The FINISHED cover is up at my designer’s site and I’m just thrilled! It’s really gorgeous. We met with the author of the book to which I’ll be contributing earlier this week. She’s a delight and a great source of information. Keith will meet with her distributor tomorrow to see if he wants to distribute our book. Meanwhile, I’m trying not to strangle the author of the book I’m editing and most likely publishing. I say most likely because the money behind this guy keeps changing its mind. Whatever. I’ll start editing (resume, really, since I already began) when I get a check.
Anyway, ten galley copies will go out this weekend for advance reviews and such. Still waiting on our Library of Congress number. Very exciting (to me, anyway)!
Keith’s TV show on The Learning Channel wrapped. The wrap party is October 4th, and that’s when they’ll give out the episode schedule for the airdates. I’ll keep you posted so that you can get a load of my fiancé playing a Texas cop. With an accent. And a moustache. Should be a real hoot! Keith’s play opens tomorrow night–and this one he’s actually going to let me see! So, I gotta figure out what to wear tomorrow. I have like one outfit. Grr.
I have five active complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau right now. Effin’ Equifax! They’ve so screwed with my credit rating and they acted illegally to do so. I have proof, so it should be a pretty “easy” win, but dear GAWD, how do you begin to challenge the powers that hold the keys to your credit rating?!? I’m being vewy careful, to say the least. Mercury is in Retrograde for another two weeks, so I’m double and triple checking everything!
Now on to the Blogs!
Trevor: We had Earthlink issues when we switched from dial-up to DSL. Not to discourage you while working on it, but it took months to straighten out the mess. Of course, we did end up with something like five free months of service for the trouble. Woo hoo!
Bryan: What is Amazon’s Gold Box thingy? I saw it up there the last time I shopped, but was afraid to click on it, after reading your post. Is it scary?
Chip: There’s more than ONE Avril song? Hmm. Think I’ll have to go take that quiz. Yes you DO know what those letters mean and where they are! Quit teasing me!! You stop that!!
Courtney: Sounds like you’re working with a good author. I totally agree that grad school is a magnet for the crazies. That’s where I met Psycho Boy (the one and only character in my life to ever have a restraining order placed on him by me). Actually, I met him at the Engine Room… so, nevermind.
The Boy Spoke Ton thing is on the FIRST page I go to, but the page I’m talking about with the frickin’ letters is the one with all our names on the list (with Trevor now on top). I think I’m about to give up and just say it’s Esperanto for “Chip loves Alf” or something. *sigh*
You don’t see the Dave Foley attraction thing? I guess it’s the “funny smart guy” thing. Not sure. Maybe it’s b/c he’s Canadian. Hmm.
I hope Hank is 100% now! Have fun on your trip!
David: Thank you for giving me the origin of “feh,” at least for you. I think it’s kind of like “eh,” but with more disdain. Perhaps? When did I last see you socially? Um… have we met? At the Academy, maybe? And why were you going to address the Blogs, “especially Bonnie’s?” I’m so intrigued! You liked The Rock baby doll photo, right? 😉
Jane: You must be REALLY busy with your boyf!
Shelley: Yay! Yay! Shelley! Yay! I love the idea for a new Blog to go with your new house. That’s awesome! I wish I could make a slipcover myself. I bought one from Surefit.com and let me just say… “sure don’t!” Bleh. I finally took it off and stuffed it under the sofa. The kitties sleep in it now.
Make sure you take a look at California’s renter laws. They are VERY pro-renter. I think you should have NO problem getting your money back, once the landlord knows you’re not just going to shrug and roll over. Also, according to California law, you are entitled to the interest the landlord collected on your deposit for the ENTIRE time you rented! Make sure you get that too, if they’re going to be a pain! Let me know if you need me to look up links for you.
Kahuna Roll sounds delish!! Yum!
Oh, here’s the punchline on Keith’s bike wreck from March: we got the settlement check today. Nothing major. It was for $9500. So much less than we’d been told to expect, by attorneys… but also enough for us not to bother pushing the issue by getting a lawyer at this point. I’m sure the insurance company KNOWS that, and that’s why this was the dollar amount offered (actually, the offer was for $1000 less, but Keith got them to bump it up). His hospital and medical expenses were $6200, so that’s a nice $3300 for pain and suffering. Considering he lost work, had to ride the bus, had to fix up his bike, and basically be in pain for a month and a half, I guess that’s about right. *shrug* Who knows?!? Anyway, wanted to let you know, since you were SO awesome in helping us start the whole process, back in March!
Stephanie H.: School is good! Talk to us about school! That lets me live vicariously. I would ALWAYS be in school if I could afford it.
Stephanie W.: I guess new Buffy=back to Blogging, eh? And not just for you, it seems. Too bad I’ve never seen the show, or I’d have more to talk about.
Tina: Hello Kitty SLIPPERS?!? You must post a photo of them! My friend Faith (who Chip will recall as the chick who starred on two episodes of Star Trek: Voyager, has the Hello Kitty boombox and she loves it! I only have little kitschy Hello Kitty things. No major appliances.
Now… has anyone noticed that Sweet Little Sara is busy posting away down under the “Used to Write” heading? That makes me SO sad! Chip… you bump her up, right now! She even knows the theme song to Felicity. You MUST reward that!
Results of recent quizzes:


Which Rejected Character Are You?


Which Avril Lavigne Song Are You?

Ooh. Charles in Charge is on! G’nite, Bloggers! XXOO
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Bon
Back at Somesuch-Whatnot: “Ewwwwwww… I’m out on that, but I’d trade my roommate for a pig and a John Deere tire.” – Jamie, 24 May 2002