Monday, November 29, 2010

A working weekend

While some of you probably had a nice long weekend to relax, I spent much of my time working for The Literary Lab.

Living in Southern California, I'm pretty used to warm weather all year round, but I braved the sub-zero temperatures (or at least it felt like that) of Seattle, Washington for The Literary Lab.

I rarely like to talk about writing, but I got into some hot debates over outlining vs. not, reading e-books vs. print books, and the value of having cyborgs in your stories for The Literary Lab.

I even confronted a man who beat up T.C. Boyle (in a dream) for The Literary Lab.

Yes, that's right. I went and visited...Mr. Bailey!

I had a great time meeting Scott real life and in person this weekend. We met in downtown Seattle for crumpets, then toured Volunteer Park, including a climb up some cool water tower and a thorough survey of moss. I got to see Scott and Mighty Reader's beautiful home and meet their cat, Mighty Meower. We talked of writing and rock stars, notebooks and Kindles, Michelle and Michelle*. Mighty Reader, who is an absolute delight, even made us some most excellent raspberry scones and tea.

And, we made an important new decision for TLL. We now have an official alcoholic Literary Lab beverage for those of you who partake in such things. The Moscow Mule from Blackboard Bistro contains vodka, lime juice, and Cock & Bull ginger beer and is served in the coolest faux copper mugs.

Cheers!


*Michelle was very missed this weekend. It's not The Literary Lab without her. My next plans are to encounter her somewhere soon. Watch out, Michelle!

20 comments:

  1. Oh, so you did talk about me? Sigh. I am so desperately and utterly jealous that you two got to meet. Not that we haven't all talked on Skype, but it's not the same thing, and I didn't have the chance to tell you sorry, I don't drink alcohol, do you make a non-alcoholic version of that tasty-looking Literary Lab drink? Haha.

    One day. One day...

    *Sigh again*

    and

    *sniff*

    And Davin, you look fantastic in orange!

    And Scott, you look very, very happy!

    Nice work for the Lit Lab, Davin. Now get over here to the frozen state!

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  2. I spent the weekend decorating the house for Christmas and reading 'The Deathly Hallows' . . . again (3rd time, btw).

    I'm glad to know The Literary Lab has an adult beverage. It's important to have a specified adult beverage.

    S

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  3. Michelle, how could we NOT talk about you? :) You were definitely missed, but yes, one day! We were debating about whether or not the ginger beer part of the Mule was alcoholic. Hopefully it isn't because that's the most important ingredient.

    Scott, you of all people understand the importance of having adult beverages as part of the arsenal. The drink would go great with cashews, our official blog nut.

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  4. We drink ginger beer a lot around here...it's quite potent! And non-alcoholic - at least the brand we buy. :)

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  5. Hey Michelle, did Adam ever tell you about the time he and Cory gave me ginger beer and I had an allergic reaction? Good times! Good times!

    As for meeting in real life, I think all three of you Literary Labbers should meet in Australia. It's warm here, and I know an awesome pizza place. >.>

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  6. Good to know the official LitLab alcoholic beverage has vodka in it. I approve. :)

    Now you'll have to get Michelle to drink one. Let me know how that goes, won't you? *cough*

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  7. Glass Dragon, Australia would be a most excellent meeting ground! I will have to save up for awhile before I can make that trip, though. And, naturally, we'll ask you to organize everything! :P Sorry about the ginger beer. We will put our heads together to come up with an official alternative beverage, or an OAB, as it's more commonly called.

    Simon, we're very good about not pressuring our teammates to do things they don't want to do. You know us. In fact, I'm mildly--no, make that moderately offended by the suggestion.

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  8. Becca: ALLERGIC? That is a sad shame. Maybe Adam can introduce Kickapu, or however you spell it, to Scott and Davin. It's so strong it might as well be alcoholic.

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  9. Domey - whatcha trying to say? Ha! Yes, I'm all about understanding the importance of adult beverages. Ha!

    Oh, and the term 'official blog nut', well, makes me LMAO! I definitely wasn't picturing a cashew! Kidding. : )

    S

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  10. The Moscow Mule is similar to enough other drinks that we should be able to find something that won't trigger Becca's allergies.

    It was swell having Dr. Malasarn in town. Mighty Reader and Mighty Meower miss him already!

    Big D is telling the truth when he says we talked about books and writing. It wasn't all just food and drink and scones and moss. Honest.

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  11. This sounds like a truly fun adventure, Sir Davin. And Michelle is right. You both look like you're having a great time.

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  12. Eric: Davin smiles like that all the time. He's a walking, talking, self-contained sunny day.

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  13. An official drink! I love it! In concept, I mean. I'll be with Michelle, enjoying the vodka-free version with my cashews. Ginger beer sounds like something I need to try.

    I had kind of forgotten that all of you at the Lit Lab didn't know each other in person. You have great online chemistry, anyway.

    Cheers!

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  14. Scott G.F.B., Mighty Meower is so chatty it's hard for me to imagine you could tell if she missed me. Unless you speak cat, or unless Mighty Meower speaks Latin.

    Eric, it was indeed fun! I try not to smile as much as I do, but usually I forget and smile anyway.

    Genie ots, the ginger beer is the key element to the drink. Cock & Bull ginger beer to be specific. It is strange I close I feel to Michelle and Scott even though we hadn't met in person. Scott looked surprisingly like I imagined him to look, right down to the cut of his jeans. On my way home I seriously started to wonder if we had ever met in the past somehow. I bet Michelle will be the same way when I meet her. It's amazing how much we learn from each other through the internet.

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  15. Ah, that picture just makes me happy to be able to see all over again. What a great snapshot.

    Is it evil that I wish I'd been sitting in the booth behind you with my Bionic Woman hearing thing going on? :D I've been told I have the hearing of a Vulcan.

    In fact hmm...I could almost hear you from here...

    ~bru

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  16. Oh, and Domey please don't ever stop smiling on purpose. The world needs more smiles like that one. You look so happy in that moment. It's a beautiful thing.

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  17. Yeah, the more I think about ginger beer with lime in it the more my mouth waters. I must visit. That, and I'm dying to meet Mighty Reader, too. :)

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  18. In Alaska I used to get this ginger beer that was brewed with pineapple in it. Oh man, so good.

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