Dear Diary . . . day by day

Mail is welcome.

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Wednesday, April 15, 1998

So, this weekend:
Saturday David and I went over to the "House" where Mary Anne, Ian, El, and Cliff live. They had what they called a "Weed and Feed" party, where they handed out garden gloves and had us do yard work in exchange for yummy food (as much as we could scarf down). I know you won't believe this, but I found it very satisfying. We pulled/clipped TONS of vines, turned over the dirt in several flower beds (ground was soft - lots of rain this winter) AND in the walled vegetable garden. The yard is terraced, and there are stone walls and stone lined flower beds, rose trellis, a gazebo, brick patios/walks . . . it was fun to "discover" them by trimming back vines and vines. I have pictures, I'll send them. I even found a wooden gate in the back wall that the residents of the house didn't even know was there (or had forgotten). There was so much work (did I mention that when I got there the women were in the garden and the men - Ian and Cliff- were still in their bathrobes?) that the 6 of us only turned gardens and trimmed up - no time to plant anything! This house was built as a dream house and has 4 bedrooms - Ian and El share the large basement one, so they even have a guest room! All arches and SW architecture . . . I *love* this house!

After working so hard all day, 8 of us (Carol, Jody, Ian, El, Sherman, David, Me and Mary Anne) went hottubbing in Albany. They have this room w/out a ceiling, so you can look at the stars while you soak. There was just enough room for all of us. It's a CA phenomenon- social hottubbing. Very fun, though, and a nice thing to do when you're too tired to go dancing.

Sunday was a High Tea at Thida's house, but I had a terrible headache and was terribly tired from Sat. David took me grocery shopping (I only had cereal at home) and I hung out with my new roomies. They thought I was a nice Indiana girl, and here I am writing erotica! They're both UC Berkeley students; Sharon is in photojournalism and Jorge is a soc/psych major. I like them alot. We're sadly lacking kitchen supplies, and I cringe every time I buy something I know I already have at home!

My phone still isn't working. Ian was supposed to fix it last Thursday, but he didn't get home until 11:30, so we rescheduled until Monday, but then he was really sick, so now he's coming over tonight! I hope he can fix it; he's really good with these sorts of things, so I think he can!

I'm keeping a list of anthology submission deadlines and using them as assignments for myself. Nothing new, yet. I don't have time to write much, which is a pity.

I wrote my favorite college profs to tell them I sold a story. They're all very proud, of course. Michael even suggested that I might be able to get Franklin to buy a copy and even have a display case in their library!!! Can you imagine? New erotica writers - on display at Franklin!!! It was kind of him to say that.

Oh, dear. Yes, I need to spell check my web page, that's for sure. I guess I need to work more on that bio, too. I'm still waiting to see if Holly or Craig are going to send me text for their "pages". I especially want stuff on Craig's band.

My Mom sent me this note about my sister:


>Yesterday, I went to the Poetry Awards ceremony.  Holly won 2nd place!

>I was really proud...she won 45 dollars.  She'll have to  send you a

>copy of her bizaare poem.....it was a dream where her mother was using

>an exacto knife to carve a red ribbon into or onto her head!  I was

>proud!


I laughed out loud at this for quite some time!! What a bizarre dream! Congrats Holly! Franklin never gave us money for poetry, that's fer sure! I *do* want a copy! If you like, I'll throw it up on your page!

Filed my taxes today. Scary, dropping them in a mailbox. Of course, IN was not only the HARDEST to complete, but the only one that wanted money from ME!! CA and Federal gave me almost $300 back! Whoo-hoo!

Oh, I almost forgot. There's a good chance that I may get technical training soon! One of our managers here asked if I'd be interested, and my direct supervisors have been talking about it for a week or so now. Cross your fingers . . . that's $3 more an hour and MUCH nicer people on the phone.

Here's a hint: If anyone on the phone tells you to write a letter for a credit you think you deserve and tells you it's "policy", try calling again and getting a different rep. Sharon was bemoaning having to write a letter, and I told her to call back and be real nice about it and she got the credit, no prob. If, the second time, they STILL won't give it to you, quietly and politely insist on talking to a supervisor. *Don't* let them sign you up for a "callback". Refuse to get off the phone until you talk to a supervisor. Remain calm, explain the situation ad nauseum. Don't give up, keep repeating yourself calmly, explain over and over again. They should eventually give you the credit to get you off the phone.