It’s March already. How did that happen? How’s the year going? So far, much like the last few. Busy, sometimes interesting, and busy. I don’t know that I have a favorite book or story of 2011 yet, though I did greatly enjoy an as-yet-unpublished Garth Nix space opera novel that I got a peek at (the second time I’ve been fortunate enough to read a book of his in manuscript), the opening quarter of China Mieville’s Embassytown, and the opening half of Michael Swanwick’s Dancing with Bears. I know I’m forgetting something else, but the probably says something about it.

I do seem to be flitting from thing to thing, though, seemingly unable to commit, which is frustrating. I have a stack of anthologies here, some edited by dear friends, that I’ve dipped into but haven’t read enough of yet to really comment upon. I think my album of the year so far is The Tallest Man on Earth’s The Wild Hunt (and my thanks to James to the recommendation), with the very REM-like new Decemberists album a runner-up. I’ve also watched a lot of Fringe, How I Met Your Mother, and Castle. So the year goes.

It was an odd, discombobulated weekend, really.  Other than plans for Friday and Saturday evening, we’d not really worked out what we’d be doing across the three day weekend, figuring as usual that we’d wing it. I intended to get work done, and I did get some of it dealt with, but still have so much to do.

We started early on Friday afternoon getting the girls ready for the evening. Toula was coming over to hang out with the girls, which meant Marianne and I could head over to Kings Park to see Tim Minchin.  It was a fabulous night. The weather was perfect, and we got a decent spot on the lawn near the Pioneer Womens Memorial.  We sat and chatted – I swear we’ve almost forgotten how — then Minchin started and was hilarious, provocative, and interesting. There was an intermission, during which they played Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing on the big screens, and before you know it we were being kicked out for the long walk back to the car to with “White Wine in the Sun” ringing in our ears. Just wonderful.

Saturday started slowly.  There was breakfast and shopping and stuff. I did paperwork while Sophie had a friend over on a play date.  Then mum came over to watch How to Train Your Dragon with the girls, and we set off for dinner at The George with Margo, Lev, Sophie and James. It really was a remarkably enjoyable evening, and if the restaurant never really exceeded adequate, it didn’t seem to affect the evening. We left late — jetlag finally wearing out our visitors — but were delighted we’d had the chance to see everyone.

Sunday was supposed to be my big work day. I’d recorded the podcast with Gary on Saturday, so lots of other stuff to focus on. However, a plan was hatched. We’d all go swimming (Jessica had a lesson, but free swims were on offer), then pick up Keira, grab dim sum, and then head off to the Hyde Park Community Festival. Swimming went well, we picked up Keira (a brief sojourn during which Sophie fell in love with KJs cat), and then headed out for lunch where disaster struck. A careless waiter set an open pot of fresh Chinese tea down on a chopstick, and it overbalanced, soaking Marianne and Sophie in boiling hot Chinese tea.  Both were in shock and both got quite nasty scalds, though not enough to see them headed to doctors. Copious cold water, aloe and other stuff seems to have seen them both right, but it did end the day abruptly.  We had a quiet family movie night together during which we watched a mediocre Barbie film, then bed.

Monday. Definitely work on Monday. That was the plan. I was up at 6.00am and plugged my way through email and a few other issues. The projects on hand are progressing well, though I wish a few other things were coming together a bit better. Post work session we headed off to Hyde Park for wandering, lunch and fun. A mostly decent time was had by all. Got home in time for a bit of r’n’r before Sophie’s drama class.  Tongight: either more Castle or Abercrombie’s The Heroes on Lev’s recommendation. Tomorrow? Back to the office.

Oh, and I continue to dip my toes into the idea of getting back into vinyl for music. Hmm,

I am terrible at linking to reviews or pointing things out when I should, but there’s a really nice review of The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume 5 over at Tor.com from Brit Mandelo.  I’m delighted with it.

Yesterday was, as Shaun himself said, a bit surreal.  As everyone knows, he and the team who worked on his short film The Lost Thing, won the Academy Award for best animated short film of the year.  I can’t speak for anyone else, but I was literally shaking when I watched his acceptance speech at work yesterday. It was stunning, unbelievable, amazing and everything else that everyone has said.  Inari looked stunning, he was poised and classy.  The only thing it wasn’t was surprising.

I first saw Shaun’s art when he asked if we were looking for artists for Eidolon back in about 1992. He went on to be our art editor for most of the ’90s, and we stayed friends. I’d visit him in Farnley Street and see the work he was doing, and like everyone else, followed his books. I remember seeing the initial work done for The Lost Thing, uncolored and untextured tests he showed me in hotel rooms at different World Fantasy Conventions around the US and if, at any time since I first met him you’d said he would one day hold up an Oscar, I don’t think I’d have been surprised.  A lot of hard work, an enormous talent, and above all an incredible personal vision all lead to what happened in LA yesterday. It wasn’t really surprising at all. Wonderful, yes. Definitely.  And to think, he’s still only 37. I wonder what he’ll do in the next 10 or 15 years. I can’t wait to see. Congratulations, my friend! Well deserved.