Purple Cows and Lists!

This Saturday (June 7) I get to read and sign at a GRAND OPENING!  

And not just any grand opening, but the grand opening of a CHILDREN'S BOOKSTORE!!!  Isn't that just the coolest thing ever?  there used to be a great children's bookstore in Salt Lake, but they sadly closed a few years ago.   

But now Purple Cow Books is opening up on Main Street in Tooele, UT, and they've got fun things planned all day.  There's going to be a cake contest, and they asked if I wanted to help judge!  Boy, do I!  So if you know where Tooele is (and, more importantly, how to pronounce it!), come on by!  I'll be there to read and stuff from 2-3, but there will be tons of things earlier.

Also, while I was at CONduit, I found myself recommending tons of books to people, particularly YA books.  I had actually thought of printing out a list to hand out at one of the panels, but Mr. Only Computer Hooked to Printer was being elderly and slow, and I did not have time.  I have decided to update my Favorites page to have some more comprehensive lists of cool books.  That should hopefully be up in the next day or two.

CONduit and Excuses

So, I have not blogged in forever.  Again.

This last weekend was CONduit, the local sci fi and fantasy convention.  I always have a whale of a time, because I get to run around with people like James Dashner and Julie Wright and L.E. Modesitt Jr., cracking jokes and talking about books.  And movies.  And hey, is that guy over there wearing a bathrobe because he's Arthur from Hitchhiker's Guide, or because he's just too lazy to get dressed?

But it also took a lot out of me, I think I was up until 1 am one of those nights, and on my way home, there were flashing red and blue lights behind me!  ME?!  NO!  Turns out a headlight was out, but for a minute there I was filled with righteous indignation.  I had just passed a speed limit sign, and checked my speedometer.  But there ain't nothin' I can do about a headlight that's gone bust.  Well, except fix it, apparently, then take it to the city building and get someone to sign a paper saying that I was no longer driving a one-eyed car.

This last week, between CONduit and a gig at the West Jordan B&N, I've probably spent more time with Dashner than my own husband.  This has resulted in a lot of teasing, and occasional elbow-jabbing, and such behavior.  After one of the panels at CONduit, someone came up and asked if we were married, or just siblings.  (We are neither.)  Later I heard from someone else that she thought it must be hard for two people who hate each other to have to sit together on a panel!  I laughed for about twenty minutes.

And now I'm back home, doing laundry, and also (GULP) trying to potty train Boy.  He has a wide array of underpants featuring his favorite cartoons.  He has a little special seat and stool for the bathroom.  He has had only one accident all day, early this morning.

I feel like I've been run over by a train!!!!!

I will pay hard cash to anyone who wants to come to my house, take this kid to the bathroom every half hour, and sit with him while he decides whether or not he really needs to go!