Back Home!

I've returned from the BUFFY HEREAFTER conference in Istanbul. While I posted entries on what was going on during that time over on the class blog (which you can reach here), let me say that the trip was great! I met Buffy scholars (no, that's not an oxymoron) from 7 different countries and had the opportunity to showcase my own work to a critical, yet supportive, audience. Good times. By the way, the symbol to the right of the post is supposed to act as protection against the evil eye. Plus, it's pretty, which I suppose is always a nice thing in the fight of good against evil.

And no, I didn't have to buy a monkey. But there was some sightseeing, which meant a chance let my inner Discount Knight run rampant in the bazaars of Turkey. A highlight had to be haggling over a rosary (yeah, I know - dickering over the price of a holy object is probably not exactly the best thing to do, but I refuse to fight my nature), which included this exchange:

ME: This is pretty. How much?
SELLER: Oh, you have excellent taste. 24.
ME: How much?
SELLER: For you, 18.
ME: 18, huh?
SELLER: Your eyes; so pretty.
ME: Really?
SELLER: Like the ocean when I look into them.
ME: Like the ocean?
SELLER: Yes. 15.
ME: Look a little deeper, call it 12, and we've got a deal.

Hee, hee, hee!

It's good to be home. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during my time so far away.

Bon Voyage and Cheerio!

So in a little while, it's off to the airport with me. Your faithful correspondent is about to become a roving correspondent, as I leave for the BUFFY HEREAFTER conference in Istanbul later today. There's still a list of things to get done, but it'll all happen. As a friend memorably put it last night when I was fretting about how much there was to do and how much I couldn't really plan for, "You've done everything to get ready that you can. Now go and do your best to enjoy the ride. Who knows? Maybe they've just put in a requirement that you have to buy a monkey to enter the country. Do you want to go? (quick nod from me.) Thought so - go buy the monkey!"

It's just that I've never traveled to a place that's offended enough at my country that they just recalled their ambassador. Diplomatically speaking, that's more than just being miffed. It's even beyond being irked.

However, when the lovely and telepathic Spooky was taking her walk through the neighborhood with me this morning, we noticed two majestic wild turkeys posing for us on one of the lawns. Just - there. Maybe that's a sign. Of what, I have no idea.

Maybe I'm going to have to buy a monkey.

Time to quit spinning like a dervish and go watch the professionals.

In the meantime, I hope to post updates and at least a few pictures during the trip. Those will be over at unfetteredbrilliance, the blog I set up for the BUFFY class. Please visit often! Back in a week!

Back and Ready to Rumble!

Well, not in any literal sense. I don't think I've actually "rumbled" in my life and I'm okay keeping it that way. But the feeling is there. I'm back from the quickie vacation, in which I spent far too much time watching old Doctor Who material and marveling at how far the BBC has come (and also marveling at the exaggerated use of the Delsarte technique in early 1960s television. Yes, that was meant to be snarky; it's my blog and I get to do that from time to time). There were also intensive seminars in Advanced Beach Walking and Active Napping 2.

But now I'm back and no longer looking to behave like a Dalek towards those unfortunate enough to be around me. In fact, I think I'm ready for the next few weeks.

Let's see . . . next week the Buffy class begins. The blog for that class is in existence and doing its stretches to be properly limbered up for students. Please check it out if you have a chance. It's basic at this point; I'd love comments.

Also, in slightly less than two weeks, I leave for Istanbul for the Buffy Hereafter conference to present on Whedon's futuristic Slayer, Melaka Fray. Just got the hotel sorted out - my reservation somehow got lost, but one of the conference organizers leapt in to save the day, even offering me the comfort of her home if it turned out there was no room at the inn. I think I'm going to like Turkey . . . a place where they may not know your name, but your fez is familiar. (Rimshot!)

And classes progress and Spooky's looking to lay in her winter supply of pig ears (it IS harvest time after all, although I've tried to explain that it's not really the same thing) and the community theatre group is involved in more projects than you could shake a stick at in the next four weeks. But, with the benefit of a few days away, it all looks like opportunities instead of chores and that's a pleasant change.

No update on the book yet. I'll let you know something when I know something. Which will (hopefully) be soon and optimistic!