on the town and up the hills

The event at the British Library last night was really cool.  I'd met Adam Roberts once, years ago, and hadn't seen China in at least 10 years.  So...whoah.  Sense of emerging blinking into daylight. It was great to meet China's partner, who is an MD and an amateur boxer and looks stunning in heels.  Great to see China, too.  He remains as lovely as ever and as far as I can tell, unruined by fame :-) I also got to meet Erik Davis, who had some interesting things to say about VALIS, and Sam Leith, who chaired the discussion and gently assuaged my fears about public speaking.

The discussion was involving and passed all too quickly, with the audience getting into it enthusiastically and thoughtfully.  I'd have loved to have gone on longer.

I was soooooo gratified when several people came up to me afterward with copies of Lightborn and said, almost verbatim, 'I've never heard of you before but I liked what you said and now I want to read your book.'  I really hope the book will be a good experience for them, and it's a wonderful feeling to be appreciated!

I should get out more.

There was a woman down in front with a tiny baby (who was very good and only cried once, briefly).  It made me realise how far I have come from the days of being physically attached to a tiny person who needed me ALL THE TIME.  It's a poignant sense of change.  I have to say I'm pleased to have a bit of my own self back, but at the same time...where did those ten years go? And, of course, I gravitated to that baby like a magnet.  Down, Trish!  NO MORE!!

But hey!  Mine are not babies anymore.  We all got through the Callow Run today for the first time, and I was so proud of my kids for trying so hard over all those hills.  I can't say it was a run for me, more of a jog-carrying-Sean for most of the time.  But fun.   I've blisters on my feet because I couldn't find Euston Station last night and was racing up and down Euston Road searching in my damned high-heeled sandals.  I used to live in London!  I used to have a library card for the British Library and went there regularly.  What is up with me? 

I was asked to post the little talk I read last night, which I'll do soon.  That's all for now.  Hope everyone is having a good weekend--loved the results of the Aurealis Awards!  Yay, mdep  , for one!!!