At long last, the universe smiles

(1) ACADEMIA. So, I have written this 10k sociolinguistics article about language/power
The latest version, the clean version with about 6k of finalized text, was not there. The latest version I had was from December 2010.

I realized I must have saved the latest file exclusively to the USB, since I wrote while I was traveling. The USB was gone.

I keep meticulous backups of my academic work. I back up every day, and I have automatic backup set up by mozy. But in the frantic whirlwind of the academic event I referenced above, it was lost.

I've been so depressed by this that I haven't written an academic word since March 3rd.

You guys! I just found it! It was in the suitcase, which I looked through 100000 times before.

No wonder I was so upset and unable to work. This is a beautiful chunk of text - I am proud of what I've done there - and now I can finally finish it and send it off and BREATHE.
(2) FICTION. I finished revising the epic novelette (now at 14k!), and pending comments from two readers, I will send it off soonish. I feel good about this one.

(3) POETRY. Yet more good news landed in my inbox this morning - I have successfully pitched a specpo reprint anthology to Aqueduct press. More about this soon!