Feelin’ pretty good with myself right now. I just got through a third project that I’d had set myself to for 2009. Finished the hand revisions of my vamp story “Soul of a Hunter”.

So, let’s see. I finished the edits for “Darkness Before the Dawn”, did a short for Samhain which I’m hoping will be part of the space opera anthology they have coming out. I should find out one way the other by the end of the month … which is tomorrow! Hey, how ‘bout that? I also finished the hand edits of “Soul of a Hunter” and just need to plug them into the ‘puter. Still have the third story I’d like to do for Samhain, and I really have to re-read “Dragon Magic” to see why my old editor, Angie, thought the ending was contrived.

2009 is turning into a busy year for me. I’m not complaining and I’m pleased with my writing progress so far.

There’s an urban fantasy that I’m absolutely itching to get started on, but I’ll try to be brave and finish my other obligations first.

I have absolutely no problem with bicyclists on city streets … same thing with joggers. With the nice weather, they’re out in droves — particularly where I work which is near loads of parks.

However … let’s obey the road laws people! I cannot tell you how often I’ve watched a biker and/or jogger blatantly cross against a red light with traffic approaching. Don’t know if they’re stupid, or just assume these people driving in cars that weigh a ton will automatically see them, slam on the brakes and let them go their merry way. Sounds like potential bugs on the windshields to me.

Granted there are a lot of courtesy runners and bikers. They’re careful, they watch the traffic and apparently manage to make it home alive. I’ve been fortunate wherein I’ve been an observer and never had to be one of the drivers slamming on the brakes in order to miss a biker.

I am, however, a shouter … and usually don’t hesitate to yell to someone that a “red light means stop” … which usually earns me either a nasty look or the one finger salute for my troubles.

Gotta say that my observations have made me a more careful driver. Sure I still drive like a bat outta hell, but now I watch for on-coming traffic after I get my green light, I watch for any bikers or joggers and if I’m making a right hand turn, yes … I’ll wait for that jogger to cross in front of me before proceeding … even if he or she isn’t even near the corner. Probably because I suspect the driver behind me might not be so careful in his/her turn.

I guess it all boils down to is — let’s take it easy. Yes, I have an obligation to be careful … but so do those people also using the roads. Whether they be bicycles, joggers or the pedestrian crossing the street. When you go out for a run, getting home in one piece is a huge plus.

Well, here it is Wednesday, and I still have the hair … but I think its getting ready to go. Thinning out for the most part if the accumulation in the hair catcher of the shower is any indication. Usually when the hair loss is imminent, there is a certain tingling feeling on the scalp. Didn’t get that yet. So who knows … maybe it’ll just continue to thin out. If it gets to the point where I look like I have mange, off it goes courtesy of my SIL’s clippers. No foolin’ around.

I gotta admit though, that while washing it and trying to do something with it on Monday, I had a little bit of a breakdown. For some reason losing it this time around is sorta bugging me. Not sure why. It’s never bothered me before. Could be that I’m already feeling a little crappy from the chemo and I just felt a little overwhelmed at the moment. Over it now.

As far as side effects from the Abraxane … some diarrhea and an upset stomach (which I’m handling with peppermint). It was at its worse on Saturday, manageable on Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday … not so bad. My reactions tend to be accumulative so we’ll see what this Thursday and the subsequent weekend brings. This will be my third week on Abraxane and then I get a break for a week before we start the next cycle.

Just gotta keep on hanging in there … And Remember …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”

I’ve gots me a new editor with Samhain Publishing. My previous editor, Angie James, is leaving to take up a position with Quartet. I’ll miss her and am sorry to see her go, but apparently it’s a wonderful opportunity and she’d be foolish to pass it up.

So the best of luck to Angie.

I was given an opportunity to select a new editor to work with and asked about Sasha Knight. I really don’t know any of the others … and actually, haven’t even met Sasha. However, I hear tell that she enjoys romantic space operas (right up my alley) and paranormals.

She now has the short story that I’d submitted for part of the space opera anthology and with luck, she’s gonna love it and select it to be made part of the book. Fingers are crossed. If she doesn’t care for it … what the hell. I’ll just have to submit something that she does like.

I’m looking forward to getting to know Sasha and hopefully we can work well together.

I know … I know, everyone’s favorite. I’m just annoyed right now with one particular physician with my insurance company who seems to feel he/she knows better than my oncologist.

I’m in the midst of being treated with a chemo called Abraxane. Evidently it works rather well in conjunction with another chemo called Avastin which attacks the blood supply to the cancer cells. For whatever reason, when trying to get the okay from the insurance company, Dr. D. managed to hook up with a physician who insists that the combination is unnecessary. Dr. D. asked if this individual (never did find out if it was a man or a woman) was an oncologist and when told he/she wasn’t, he literally said “So why am I talking to you?” and hung up. He immediately began the appeal process. My kinda doctor.

So we’ll see if his appeal works. If it doesn’t … I get to go to bat. I imagine my appeal will begin with words to the effect of “Dear Asshole …” and go downhill from there.