In My Mailbox (14) + Thou Shalt Dance

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Happy Caturday! First, a big hello to all my new followers. I got several #FFs on twitter from lovely bloggers which encouraged people to stop by. So now I'm over 100 and thrilled indeed.

I went secondhand book shopping in the CBD this week, hunting for retro novels to feed my new foray into sci-fi.

I bought:

• The Lotus Caves, John Christopher. He's the author of one of my favourite dystopian reads this year, The Death of Grass. This book is one of many he wrote for young adults.
• West of Eden, Harry Harrison. The asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs never hit Earth, and they evolved into bipedals right along with humans. Now it's WAR!!
• The Once and Future King, TH White. A classic Arthurian retelling. I opened to a random page after I bought it and a cat was being dropped into boiling water. Kinda put me off a bit. Has anyone read this that can let me know if it's worth my time?
• Storm Warning, Mercedes Lackey.
• Deenie, Judy Blume. Been on the lookout for this one since that post.
• War of the Worlds, HG Wells. I have seen and heard many adaptations of this so I'm keen to read the book.

From the library:

• Shakespeare, Bill Bryson (talking book). Just finished this one. It was very interesting and Bill Bryson is a wonderful writer. Review shortly.
• Finnikin of the Rock, Melina Marchetta (talking book). I'm constantly lamenting the state of speculative fiction writing in Australia. It's only right I should read this one.
  

In the background you can see my NEW, mostly empty, bookcase. There's another empty shelf up top that you can't see. This is my writing room. It also doubles at the dining room, lounge room, TV room ... we live in a teensy flat. Last night Zapp asked once again why he couldn't leave his chin-up thingy hanging above the door to the kitchen (which is just on the left of the book case). I said, "This is non-negotiable. It's not going to stay there all the time hanging over me like some symbol of masculine oppression. I have to write pretty books for girls in this room!"

Lharmell news: Nothing to report. I've been out on submission in the US for about two weeks now. Book two word count, The Harmings, at 48,400. I estimated it would reach 60k, like Lharmell, but now it's looking more like 75k. I aim to have the first draft done by December 31st, which means no more dance parties til New Year, but ...


Today I'm off to Stereosonic to have a good bloody dance! I'm rather fond of these all-day events, but certain things tend to stick in my craw. So I've put together:

The Ten Commandments for Organisers for the Summer Festival Season

• Thou shalt not oversell thy festival/club event/gig.

• Thou shalt ensure there are enough toilets for the ladies.

• Thou shalt not put the lion’s share of these toilets in the VIP area. The people who actually paid to get in pee too.

• Thou shalt not install taps in the bathrooms too low to refill water bottles. It’s just mean.

• Thou shalt make pass-outs available at a reasonable time.

• Thou shalt sell essentials, like gum and rain ponchos. We can do without bracelets and t-shirts. Just sell gum and ponchos.

• Thou shalt NOT, repeat NOT sell coupons for alcohol, making festival-goers queue twice for their Smirnoff Ice.

• Thou shalt not run out of vodka at two in the afternoon and have only Tooheys Light available for the rest of the night.

• Thou shalt ensure music does not bleed from stage to stage.

• Thou shalt not put the two best acts on the line-up on at the same time.

The Holy Parish of Dance thanks you for your thoughtfulness, obedience to the ten commandments, and cute bar staff.

The sun is shining, it's going to be a perfect 24 degrees and everyone's coming over to mine for pre-dance voddies. Happy Silly Season!