weird water update and Arizona musings
Jul. 22nd, 2005 07:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lagilmanYes, the story has been in my mind lately -- there have been bits and pieces written, although I'm not quite sure where they're all going.
Sometimes, the gods give you gifts wants to be the opening line. Or maybe the closing line. We'll see.
Driving around historic Scottsdale this afternoon, and I did what I had told myself not to do -- I looked at the fetishes. For those of you not aware of my particular obsession, stop snickering -- these are carved stone figures originally used to implore the gods/bring good hunting/satisfy other tribal needs. They're usually about the size of your palm, had carved by local (typically Native Indian) artists, not inexepensive, and I blame![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
badgermirlacca totally for getting me started on this oh so dangerous hobby.
Anyway, I looked. And of the ones I looked at, one sat in my hand and told me it was money well spent. A jet bear, all smooth rounded curves and soft lines, like a Reubens idealization of a black bear, with a turquoise magic bundle on its back. And actually, once price discussions were done, within my budget.
edited to add: for an example of the artist's bears, check here. Only mine's a light-absorbing black jet, and so much (I think) nicer. Also, okay, a smidge more expensive. Mine's also signed.
And as I was buying it, I was joking about needing to write a story involving fetishes somehow, to make it (and the book on Zuni fetishes I also bought) a tax deduction. And *ping* about half an hour later the connection between fetishes and the weird water story hit me.
Another strand to weave in, somehow. The story builds.
And, in the meanwhile, I've gottenferragus learning how to pick out the fetishes which speak to you and cut them from the herd... mwah ha ha, another soul for the gathering!
*ahem*
In the meanwhile, we've been out and about all day in the Arizona heat, starting with the zoo, and then doing the aforementioned shopping. Thanks to well-placed misters in several locations, and a lot of water ingested, I'm actually doing fine (hat and sunglasses helping to keep the sunglare headaches away). I couldn't stand this much sunlight on a regular basis, but the heat's not hurting me too badly. Although I do like telling certain people "yeah, it's 110 degrees outside" just to hear their reaction (you know who you are).
Stopped by the Sunday-destination Borders (the Fashion Mall one, I think, yes?) to check it out, and they not only had the flyer we'd given them up front, but my publisher had sent two posters, one of each cover, which they had also used. And another flyer was posted by the SF section.
The chain stores won't do much on their own, no, but it you give them the material, they don't waste it. Lessons to be learned....
And now, off to dinner, and then back to do some work, damn it. Deadlines wait on no vacation, no matter how mini.
Sometimes, the gods give you gifts wants to be the opening line. Or maybe the closing line. We'll see.
Driving around historic Scottsdale this afternoon, and I did what I had told myself not to do -- I looked at the fetishes. For those of you not aware of my particular obsession, stop snickering -- these are carved stone figures originally used to implore the gods/bring good hunting/satisfy other tribal needs. They're usually about the size of your palm, had carved by local (typically Native Indian) artists, not inexepensive, and I blame
badgermirlacca totally for getting me started on this oh so dangerous hobby. Anyway, I looked. And of the ones I looked at, one sat in my hand and told me it was money well spent. A jet bear, all smooth rounded curves and soft lines, like a Reubens idealization of a black bear, with a turquoise magic bundle on its back. And actually, once price discussions were done, within my budget.
edited to add: for an example of the artist's bears, check here. Only mine's a light-absorbing black jet, and so much (I think) nicer. Also, okay, a smidge more expensive. Mine's also signed.
And as I was buying it, I was joking about needing to write a story involving fetishes somehow, to make it (and the book on Zuni fetishes I also bought) a tax deduction. And *ping* about half an hour later the connection between fetishes and the weird water story hit me.
Another strand to weave in, somehow. The story builds.
And, in the meanwhile, I've gotten
ferragus learning how to pick out the fetishes which speak to you and cut them from the herd... mwah ha ha, another soul for the gathering! *ahem*
In the meanwhile, we've been out and about all day in the Arizona heat, starting with the zoo, and then doing the aforementioned shopping. Thanks to well-placed misters in several locations, and a lot of water ingested, I'm actually doing fine (hat and sunglasses helping to keep the sunglare headaches away). I couldn't stand this much sunlight on a regular basis, but the heat's not hurting me too badly. Although I do like telling certain people "yeah, it's 110 degrees outside" just to hear their reaction (you know who you are).
Stopped by the Sunday-destination Borders (the Fashion Mall one, I think, yes?) to check it out, and they not only had the flyer we'd given them up front, but my publisher had sent two posters, one of each cover, which they had also used. And another flyer was posted by the SF section.
The chain stores won't do much on their own, no, but it you give them the material, they don't waste it. Lessons to be learned....
And now, off to dinner, and then back to do some work, damn it. Deadlines wait on no vacation, no matter how mini.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 04:36 am (UTC)It's a very neat place. Laid back, beautiful.
Angela
no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 01:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-24 02:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-24 02:27 pm (UTC)Was fun talking with you yesterday. You made quite an impression on my older son. He's taking notebooks with him today on our trip so he can write.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 06:13 am (UTC)Do you have etchings as well?
DC
no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 06:52 am (UTC)??? :)
-=Jeff=-
no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 12:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-23 01:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-24 02:14 am (UTC)I quit counting when I got up to about fifty in my own collection, and that was QUITE some time back.
Sunglare. Yes. The primary reason why I'm glad I left Las Vegas to come back here--and the primary reason I'm going to be glad I leave here to go East.
Speaking of going East, I'm sorry you couldn't manage to swing by, but I know how these things work. Hope you're having fun, keep drinking water.
And gloryosky! It finally actually rained here tonight! We might have an actual monsoon season after all!
no subject
Date: 2005-07-24 02:22 am (UTC)Yah, I was just about to go out and sit in the pool for a bit when I realized that the wind had picked up and the sky was clouding over. Am sitting on the (overhung) deck as I type this, enjoying the incoming weather. Hot tub would have been nice. Rain's better.