My short stories have not taken the literary world by storm as of yet, but now that I've got going, my half.com store seems to have some legs. I've sold three books--yay! Some, like the grant writing textbooks, will definitely make me pocket money. Others, like my Richard Russo paperback that just sold for 80 cents...I'm not so sure. Half.com takes 15%, so that's about 70 cents. The real profit margin I think, is that it might only cost me a $2.50 to send it, but the shipping reimbursement is $3.50. So really, it all comes down to packaging. I was amazed yesterday at Office Depot to see that padded mailers, dependent on size, are slightly more or less than a buck a piece. I'm thinking Saran Wrap and plastic bags inside an unpadded envelope is appropriate for an 80 cent book...but what if my buyer thinks I'm tacky?
Oh the stresses of being an entrepeneur!
In any case, I'm my own book shelf space--that is, if I could quit filling it up by ordering more books from half.com...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Macrame Barf-Bags Deemed Stylish but Impractical
Got back to Tallahassee last night. Largely uneventful flights, except for the toddler who barfed in the seat in front of me during the Indy to Atlanta leg. The barf poured between the seats. Most landed on the floor, narrowly missing my sandal-clad feet, but a good portion landed on my purse.
My seat-mate was a nice computer nerd from Atlanta with whom I’d been having a pleasant discussion about Neil Stephenson novels. “Wow,” he said now, taking a whiff, “bleu cheese!”
I tried cleaning with baby wipes, but found the majority of curd-like vomit quickly took refuge in the holes between the coarse weave.
Fortunately we were soon landing. In Atlanta I transferred my belongings into a plastic bag, and forced the purse into a sealable zip-lock. Today I soaked and scrubbed, and just put it out on the clothesline…I’m hoping we have a thunderstorm tonight.
My seat-mate was a nice computer nerd from Atlanta with whom I’d been having a pleasant discussion about Neil Stephenson novels. “Wow,” he said now, taking a whiff, “bleu cheese!”
I tried cleaning with baby wipes, but found the majority of curd-like vomit quickly took refuge in the holes between the coarse weave.
Fortunately we were soon landing. In Atlanta I transferred my belongings into a plastic bag, and forced the purse into a sealable zip-lock. Today I soaked and scrubbed, and just put it out on the clothesline…I’m hoping we have a thunderstorm tonight.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Back Home Again, in Indiana
Hanging with the family in Terra Hautia (Terre Haute, my home town). Went to my friend Christa's wedding in my college town of Bloomington this past weekend and saw some old friends.
Why can't I connect my blog to Google Reader?
Why can't I connect my blog to Google Reader?
Monday, August 06, 2007
Graduation
Paul graduated from the Film School this past weekend...I would attach a picture, except that true to form, I ran home to get the camera, arriving minutes after the grand entrance, to find that the camera was completely uncharged...so, only a very small and shadowy picture on my phone! There were no caps and gowns however, so you can close your eyes and imagine Paul shaking hands with some dude you don't know, and you pretty much have the picture!
Graduation was followed by the "premier" of this years thesis films, and then a swanky party at the sound stages where many people complimented him on his Director of Photography work on his friend's film "Goodbye Pluto."
I am very proud of Paul. He got what he came for--a great education. Two years ago he knew nothing about film-making, and today he can compete with many professionals in terms of his skills.
But it also feels like coming off a show..theatre or film. You get a good product, but the cost is emotionally high--the result of interpersonal conflicts and a sometimes seemingly unfair rewards system. The party line, offered by the most successful alumni and the dean of the film school, is that all the bruises will fade within a year or two and there will be nothing but fond memories and a supportive group of friends buoying each other up in the badlands of L.A.
Having spent some time on a few sets myself, I can't corroborate the warm fuzzy feelings from many of my own experience...it's a little more complicated...and has more to do with becoming a little inured to the pain, and able to spout an enlightened philosophy that you sometimes even believe.
But I'm willing to hope they are right.
Graduation was followed by the "premier" of this years thesis films, and then a swanky party at the sound stages where many people complimented him on his Director of Photography work on his friend's film "Goodbye Pluto."
I am very proud of Paul. He got what he came for--a great education. Two years ago he knew nothing about film-making, and today he can compete with many professionals in terms of his skills.
But it also feels like coming off a show..theatre or film. You get a good product, but the cost is emotionally high--the result of interpersonal conflicts and a sometimes seemingly unfair rewards system. The party line, offered by the most successful alumni and the dean of the film school, is that all the bruises will fade within a year or two and there will be nothing but fond memories and a supportive group of friends buoying each other up in the badlands of L.A.
Having spent some time on a few sets myself, I can't corroborate the warm fuzzy feelings from many of my own experience...it's a little more complicated...and has more to do with becoming a little inured to the pain, and able to spout an enlightened philosophy that you sometimes even believe.
But I'm willing to hope they are right.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Will I Ever Again Be a Faithful Blogger?
It's hard to say, strange how the urge to write waxes and wanes...mostly the latter lately.
In recent days I have...
Been on several morning walks around our house-sit neighborhood. Nice and residential, bordering a golf course..but NO SIDEWALKS-bar the red brick paths that seem to lead from the curbside to each front door. Everyone who walks must walk in the street. Racist? Classist? Just incredibly bad planning? I might also mention the complete dearth of bicycle paths in this entire city...the capital I might remind you. It makes me both angry and embarrassed.
Picked Paul up from the airport, he's back from L.A. :)
Completed the second draft of my screenplay. My teacher was exceptionally complimentary. She say three more drafts and I might be done! Although encouraged by accolades, my enthusiasm is at low ebb--the "only three more drafts" comment was not as comforting to me as I believe it was intended to be.
Recruited the requisite number of faculty (3) for my thesis committee, at least until spring, when one person will go one sabbatical and have to be replaced.
In recent days I have not...
Yet payed the rent (no late fee until the 10th).
Shopped for a dress to wear to Paul's graduation festivities this weekend, and my friend Christa's wedding in Indiana on the 12th.
Started reading Harry Potter. I am trying to hold off somewhat so that I can have it for my plane trip to Indy on the 9th, but I'm thinking I might just read a little before then...a dangerous line of thought.
In recent days I have...
Been on several morning walks around our house-sit neighborhood. Nice and residential, bordering a golf course..but NO SIDEWALKS-bar the red brick paths that seem to lead from the curbside to each front door. Everyone who walks must walk in the street. Racist? Classist? Just incredibly bad planning? I might also mention the complete dearth of bicycle paths in this entire city...the capital I might remind you. It makes me both angry and embarrassed.
Picked Paul up from the airport, he's back from L.A. :)
Completed the second draft of my screenplay. My teacher was exceptionally complimentary. She say three more drafts and I might be done! Although encouraged by accolades, my enthusiasm is at low ebb--the "only three more drafts" comment was not as comforting to me as I believe it was intended to be.
Recruited the requisite number of faculty (3) for my thesis committee, at least until spring, when one person will go one sabbatical and have to be replaced.
In recent days I have not...
Yet payed the rent (no late fee until the 10th).
Shopped for a dress to wear to Paul's graduation festivities this weekend, and my friend Christa's wedding in Indiana on the 12th.
Started reading Harry Potter. I am trying to hold off somewhat so that I can have it for my plane trip to Indy on the 9th, but I'm thinking I might just read a little before then...a dangerous line of thought.
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