This Rough Magic

 Apparently November is not only NaNoRiMo, but also NaBloPoMo. Gee, maybe I'll do both. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hah!

 
Hubby has finally created an Official Site -- check out ariberk.com! Lots of pretty pix, links to his books and writing, and surprises. If you're a fan, he'd also appreciate your linking to the site -- good for the Googling, y'know!

More on the topic of the "new" Shakespeare portrait:
Sadly, I have to admit I'm more convinced by Katherine Duncan-Jones' identification of the portrait as Sir Thomas Overbury than by Stanley Wells' argument that it's a "life portrait" of Shakespeare. We'll never know for sure, but Jones makes a very persuasive case. See (and read) for yourself:



That's the "new" portrait on the left, Overbury in the middle,  and the engraving of Shakespeare from the First Folio on the right.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/article5931174.ece

P.S. He's sharing the list with the likes of Nikki Giovanni, David Almond, and Lois Lowry! Fine company indeed.

Excellent news for fantasy fans -- Realms of Fantasy magazine has been purchased and will continue publication! 
See save_rof  for details. Long live print!

  

Stanley Wells, eminent Shakespeare historian, will present evidence tonight that leads him to believe that the "Janssen Portrait" is indeed one painted of Shakespeare a few years before he retired from the stage. Great news if true! Handsome devil, isn't he?

Here's a meme via miep  that we all can handle - short-answer! Fill it out and post your answers in my comments. Instant friendship!
1. Can you cook?
2. What was your dream growing up?
3. What talent do you wish you had?
4. Favorite place?
5. Favorite vegetable?
6. What was the last book you read?
7. What zodiac sign are you ?
8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
9. Worst Habit?
10. Do we know each other outside of lj?
11. What is your favorite sport?
12. Negative or Optimistic attitude?
13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15. Tell me one weird fact about you:
16. Do you have any pets?
17. Do you know how to do the macarena?
18. What time is it where you are now?
19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22. What color eyes do you have?
23. Ever been arrested?
24. Bottle or Draft?
25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?
26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?
27. What 's your favorite bar to hang at?
28. Do you believe in ghosts?
29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30. Do you swear a lot?
31. Biggest pet peeve?
32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33. Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?  

The cutest video I've ever seen that doesn't involve a baby or cats: two Chicago anchors amusing themselves during a commercial break. I want to be their friend, because they are totally awesome!

You can also find a version set to music here.
Thanks to Shakesville blogger Liss!

I was so pleased and honored to become the co-editor (along with hubby) of the "Folkroots" column in our beloved Realms of Fantasy Magazine last Fall. which has featured articles in the past by Terri Windling, Midori Snyder, Ari Berk, and Phil Brucato.

Alas, Realms has announced its imminent demise. Newsstand sales haven't been enough to keep it going, and this wonderful source of new and exciting fantasy fiction and media coverage has just put out its final issue.
If you're a fan, you can help by subscribing, of course. The editors are currently trying to think of ways to keep Realms alive in some incarnation, perhaps online -- and are looking for ideas from readers. Check out the "Save Realms of Fantasy" LiveJournal page at http://community.livejournal.com/save_rof/. 
Facebookers can also join a Save Realms group here:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1021865867116&mbox_pos=0  

 "I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming... suddenly you find - at the age of 50, say - that a whole new life has opened before you."
-- Agatha Christie

It's a great day. A great, great day. My favorite snippet of Obama's inaugural address:

Wish my Mama had gotten to see this in the flesh -- she was a tireless advocate of civil and human rights all her life, and of choosing love and trust over power and wealth. She was so excited about Obama, and I know her spirit is one of many that are blessing this day.
Namaste. Shalom. Hallelujah.

Oh -- and after 10 inaugural balls:

Hubby and I were watching SNL tonight and were stunned by a new Hyundai ad -- apparently they're promising that if you buy a new car, and "lose your income in the next year," you can return your car! 
Is it just me, or this a really bad sign? That an upscale car manufacturer thinks there are enough people -- in the SNL 18-35, educated, professional demographic, mind you -- worried about losing their jobs to make such an ad worthwhile?
Brrrr (and not just from the Michigan cold)!

The youngster still has a slight fever from his cold, so our dinner party tonight is off. Can't say I'm sorry, as my sinuses are vexed as well.
So what to do today --
I could work on my Composition syllabus. Haven't taught it in six years, so I would do well to do some thinking ahead, at least. 
I could bake something tasty and non-nutritious. 
I could read. The sinuses wouldn't be too pleased with that, however, what with their proximity to the eyes and all.
I could watch boy and hubby play Spyro on their new Wii, and probably fall asleep doing so.
Whatever I choose, it definitely needs to be away from the computer.
Later, then.

That I'm unlikely to keep my New Year's resolution to post more frequently on this blog?

Guess whose book won a Parents' Choice 2008 Award recommendation?
That's right: my hubby's!

Proposition 8 in California won't go away without a fight, and lots of folks are joining in, supported by this adorable video from FunnyorDie.com -- a star-studded "Proposition 8: The Musical."
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 I am so thrilled with this lovely, thoughtful review of my hubby's new book!

 

That One is!

 
God bless us, every one. We did it.
He did it.
President-Elect Barack Obama.
I won't get tired of seeing those words any time soon.
Oh, and my son made this as soon as he realized Obama had won:

 Here's the text of the email I just sent to our Election Night guests:

According to the analysis I just read, if they call Virginia for Obama right at 7:00, we can break out the hard stuff right off the bat (we just got a wonderful single malt as a gift). If not, then we may need to pace ourselves. Either way, my sister reports that my brother (who is sharing a hotel room with my dad tonight) plans to "get liquored up and go to bed early" to escape Daddy's gloating. Since bro is, quite literally, a rocket scientist (and a Republican), I take this as a hopeful sign. Also, I just got back from voting and the place is SWARMING with students -- they may be Young Republicans, for all I know, but given the number of piercings, I suspect not. Still, it's AWESOME that they're coming out in numbers that I certainly haven't seen in the 3 general elections here. 

EEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm so hopeful!