Yesterday, upon being informed that I'm working on an OaT story, someone I know actually expressed enthusiasm, excitement, and anticipation. That was flattering.

I know y'all who stop by here love me and you're glad I'm working again, and I value your support and encouragement.

At the same time, there's nothing quite like a squeal of gjrlish enthusiasm from someone who isn't nervously aware that I have her home address to boost the old ego.

I mean, there's something to be said for someone who actually reads in the fandom, right?

Having A Reader already lined up is a nice feeling. I may discuss The Reader in the future, who knows? I may think about her tastes, ponder her preferences, or even reflect on her reactions.

With a little work, I'm sure I could become very annoying on the subject.

In other news...well, nothing. It's 7:36. I'm already at work for some inexplicable reason. I could read my personal e-mail...except that I already did and it doesn't seem like anyone I know was talking last night. I could read the news headlines but, as I say, I'm off that.

In the bad old days, I'd have shrugged and spent the next hour or so writing. These days, as a means of keeping myself on the straight and narrow, work-wise, I've stopped keeping a copy of my story file on my hard drive at work.

I guess I might as well dial for dollars. Maybe I can catch some of our prospective users before they get too busy for the day.

(Buehler keeps calling...I can see it on the phone display. Every time he calls, I'm on the phone already. It's very annoying to have someone who's coming in the office anyhow calling up to ask what's going on before they get here.

I'm aggravated at him anyhow. Most of yesterday was frittered away in a variety of pointless grunt work instead of real work. Things like him writing someone a check five minutes after the postman came through and then agitating me to carry it down to the box on the corner so that it would go out that day. Or having me make a label for a file folder for him. He's not usually this needy, thank goodness.)

(Oh. He finally just left a voicemail. He was trying to tell me he'll be in late.)

(Still. What a lot of fuss.)