Potpourri for 500

This past month, my life has been going a dozen different directions, and as a result I am a bit scatter-brained at the moment. So for your reading pleasure, I give you a blog post full of interesting yet unrelated subjects.

1. LDStorymakers 2012 is coming! Soon! Like in just over two weeks.
   
   I've been very fortunate to work behind the scenes this year on the committee, coordinating registration. I dug into skills I learned some twenty-odd years ago and set up a database for organizing this year's attendees. That was a great experience.
   
   I also have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how many of my friends will be there this year. Of course, since it's my fifth(!) conference, it's really only the new people that aren't my friends. Yet.
   
   And I reverted to that childish practice of choosing my workshops based on where my buddies were going. Yeah, we're all so mature...
   



2. And even more exciting, I'm presenting a workshop of my own this year - on both days. It's called Culture, Motivation, Flaws, and a Cat: Four things every great character needs.
   
   It's been a lot of fun to work on this presentation, and things are finally coming together.
   
   
3. I got to do some fun writing research as I went on yet another camp out with my daughter and her Venture Crew. We backpacked in and out, and this time nobody froze. In fact, it was so warm I slept on top of my sleeping bag the whole time.
   
   One of the girls did a presentation on edible vs poisonous flora and fauna. She practiced what she preached by cutting the tail off of a scorpion and eating it. Yes, it tasted like chicken.
   



4. I got to do some not-so-fun writing research when the woman renting a room from us relapsed into a fairly destructive bout of mental illness. The shop vac got many great workouts, both in wet and dry mode.
   
   We also learned the distinction between civil and criminal law, and that the police can offer little more than sympathy when it comes to civil issues. Fortunately, with the support of prayers and legal advice, we were able to resolve the situation before there were any personal injuries.

So as you can see, this has been a very hectic month. But it's been a great month, and I look forward to seeing everyone next month at LDStorymakers!