Googling

Ever Google yourself? I did this morning because I was searching for an article, profile actually, I wrote that was translated into Polish I wanted to show a friend. I found more than I expected--much more.

I found out there are a few notable scientists and literary characters who share my nom de plume. I found out that I had won honorable mention in a contest with one of my stories, Daytona Summer. I found out some of my work has been republished without my permission or notice. I found lots and lots of links to stories and articles and essays I've written. But the most surprising bit of all, besides the contest, was finding out that I have been quoted in a book in the very first paragraph. I was called a biographer.

Granted, I have written lots of profiles, but I've never been called a biographer. This is also the first time a book has even openly referred to me or to my work even though I know some books have taken their inspiration from articles I have written.

If this is the tip of the iceberg that's going to hit my life this year, it's a bloody big one.

I was contacted last night by an Indian publisher (in India of course) about publishing some of my work, a couple of novels in fact. I was also given some information about a Canadian publisher who is interested as well. Pretty good. An American writer who will be published internationally before I'm published here in the States. Being translated into six different languages is one thing, but a novelist read by millions of Indians and translated into Bengali is pretty interesting. I guess this newborn year has lots of surprises in store for me. I love surprises, don't you?

I'll shut up now.

The power of the people...and the BLOG

If you want a look at what blogging has become and where it just might go in the future check out the Free Republic reporting of a Time magazine article about the phenomenon of blogging and what it has done to Dan Rather's news career.

However, in one quote in the article, ham radio has been relegated, spuriously, to an "...embarrassing hobby...", which it most certainly is not and has never been.

Most of you know that I have been studying to pass the exams for my ham radio operator's license. In the course of that study I have learned more about electronics and history and people than I ever thought possible, opening a whole new vista for me of ideas and science that was denied me because I'm a girl. My family had strange and archaic ideas about what a girl should and shouldn't be interested in and I have never been mainstream or typical of that mind set. I'm still not.

For instance, how about a quick look at one ham operator's point of view or a closer look at an Indian ham operator's point of view at the heart of the tsunami devastation. And don't forget, the ham operator in question is a housewife.

Talk about your "...embarrassing hobb[ies]..."

That is all. Disperse