It’s a public holiday today here in Perth. Who even knows why. I think it was the Queen’s Birthday holiday, though it’s now WA Day or something? Meh. Either way, I don’t have to go in to work today, so it’s just a juggle of who gets to make breakfast, what we’re going to do as a family activity, if I can get washing done, and editing commitments.

Yesterday was a lovely and very enjoyable celebration for mum’s birthday. She’s 76, and still the most vital and energetic of people, despite enough challenges to knock most of us into a spin. So lucky to have her be part of my life still.

Been discombobulated by circumstance, these past few months. I’m delighted to have two new books out from Solaris (Reach for Infinity and Best of the Year 8), but am also fairly happy to have some downtime between projects. The next book, Fearsome Magics, is due out in October, but it’s basically complete. I don’t have another book to work on until Best of the Year 9 next January, which is both nice and scary. Lots to read, though, and I’m considering some projects.

I’m reading a bit, but not as much as I should. Dipped into Kameron Hurley’s The Mirror Empire, which Miss 12 wants to read, and Nick Harkaway’s Tigerman, but haven’t really committed yet. There are a handful of books coming out later in the year I’m excited about and can’t wait to see, but nothing I have to hand yet.

Not listening to any new music at the moment due to medical issues, but have watched a movie or two. Don Jon was sweeter than expected, and Ender’s Game we turned off half way through. So it goes.

I am actively, or semi-actively, planning the final details for the Loncon/Paris/Normandy trip with Miss 12. Lots to look forward to. We need to pick up a French phrase book, decide if we’re driving in France, and save lots of money quickly. It should all be pretty awesome.

More soon.  Or soon-ish. Oh, and no Coode St next week.  Hiatus!

Today is the 215th anniversary of the birth of the great British paleontologist Mary Anning, whose contribution to science was so great that the Royal Society named her as one of the ten British women who have most influenced the history of science.

Anning’s contribution to science was based on the fossils she collected in and around Lyme Regis and was either overlooked during her lifetime or acknowledgement for her discoveries were simply stolen by others.  She should be much more famous than she is.

Recently Karen Joy Fowler wrote a wonderful piece about Anning , “The Science of Herself“, which I recommend strongly.