“Identifying the sources of money for the Taliban has been one of the most elusive goals for the United States since Sept. 11, 2001, but the task is central to the American war effort in Afghanistan, and to fighting militancy in Pakistan. But American officials have had limited success.”
“We want to focus on where the money really comes from,” Mr. Holbrooke said. “I will be adding a member of the Treasury Department to my staff within two weeks so we can focus more heavily on this area.”
The brand spanking new BLAZE AUTHOR BLOG is launching tomorrow! Here’s the link
The very first blog will be by Brenda Chin, Blaze Senior Editor, and she’s starting off with a HUGE CONTEST! You can win the Entire First Quarter’s Blaze Books! (Now you see the reason for all the !!!)
So click on over starting tomorrow, April 1, 2009, bookmark the site, and keep coming back. Someone new will be blogging every day.
I’m going to be popping in on the 19th of every month, just in case you were interested. :)
Went to Vegas for 24 hours. Ate amazing dim sum, saw my sister and niece for the first time in years, so that was lovely. Shopped at Trader Joe’s, which is a huge treat. Celebrated my birthday with my friend Debbi. Came home the night before the inauguration, all excited to watch the swearing in on TV while I surfed the net on my laptop. Woke up yesterday with no internet! Argh! It came back around 4:30, but I missed it during the day. I would have tweeted my happiness, my tears, my excitement. I’m fired up, all righty.
Today it’s back to work, which is good because the book is going well. Thank goodness. It has taken me such a long time to get back here. All in all, a lovely few days and life feels bright and fine. How about that? There were so many days that I lost to sadness, and even though the sorrow comes, it isn’t crippling and it’s accompanied by joyful memories.
I hope whoever drops by is also feeling good and filled with hope. :)
Edit: AMAZING pictures my nephew Rami took of the Obamas! (click to embiggen)
As you’ve probably seen, my generous, wonderful online friends have come together to help me during a particularly trying time. Alison Kent, HelenKay Dimon, Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler have worked their butts off to gather together an astonishing group of writers, editors and agents to hold an auction to help me winnow down some of the medical bills that somehow won’t disappear on their own. For this, I am more grateful and touched than I could ever say.
It was Alison’s idea, bless her heart. She and I have been friends for so many, many years (and she still likes me!) and with all she had on her own plate, she still managed to do this selfless thing. HelenKay, Larissa and Stephanie are all online friends who blow me away with their kindness and willingness to reach out to a fellow writer.
As for the folks who are donating time and goods and services, you are each and every one in my heart. Hell, everyone involved, including my lovely readers who are bidding, thank you. A special note to my editor Birgit Davis-Todd and editor Brenda Chin, who are not just partners in work, but good friends, thank you for generously offering a complete manuscript critique. I’m boggled.
Okay, I’m tearing up again. For the billionth time.
It’s almost election day! It can’t come soon enough. Honestly, I’m exhausted and I can’t imagine what it’s like for those running. I’m still bewildered by why anyone would want to be President. Better them than me. I can barely rustle up the energy to pay my bills.
I’m working, slowly, but seeing as how I’m learning how to write again, it’s frustrating. My brain is not cooperating well and needs a stern talking to. But a friend is coming up tomorrow so there’s going to be plot group, and that’s always helpful.
I’ve been watching old Doctor Who vids, trying hard to wrap my head around Tennant leaving after 2009. ::sigh:: I don’t understand why I don’t rule the universe in matters of television. I would keep my favorites locked in basements for ages, although I would provide nice games for them to play when they weren’t making episodes. And also pudding.
It’s going to snow tomorrow and I’m not ready. I lost the summer so it feels weird that there would be winter now.
Also, a very lovely pick-me-up from Malle Vallik, who is the director of digital content & interactivity at Harlequin, who wrote in her blog about MS. MATCH: “Great read! Really intelligent characters and incredibly romantic. One of my favorite category novels ever! ”
Here’s hoping everyone has a nice voting day - remember to bring a book!
