Did you get your dose of awesome today?

Friday I had a fabulous birthday. I was joined in festivities by Jim and the Pink Tornado, who showered me with green jewelry and the promise of a subversive crafty kit to arrive in the mail, good friends CMAR and Laura, my nemesis Matt Fucking Wallace (also a child of the 25th), and Jason and Ryn, who came to celebrate the end of the birthday week (Jason’s birthday being last Saturday). Spending my birthday with these fine folks was glorious and a fitting end to my 35th year. I was also deluged with birthday messages on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and email, so thanks to everyone who sent me well-wishes! It meant so much

So I turned 35, which means I’m in a new demographic (proven immediately by Facebook sending me “Are you 35 and overweight?” ads) BUT also means I can run for president. Rawk. I’ll be emailing the Obama campaign today to let him know I’m open to the VP spot.

I’ve been introspective this week, not on a level of “OMG I’m old” but more of looking at my career and how I’m doing and what else I can do to succeed in podcasting and writing. My vacation this coming week was axed (poo), so I have time to focus on my upcoming Playing For Keeps schemes (including the video contest and the Stories of the Third Wave reawakening).

I’m also doing I Should Be Writing #100 live at DragonCon, so I have to make sure I keep up with those eps. I need to record #95 and #96 this weekend. You’ll see why soon enough. The final episodes up to 100 should be pretty interesting. I have some fun plans.

I’m toying with some ideas for short stories that will either be innovative and genre-bending, or really stupid. We’ll see how they turn out.

And yes, I know I haven’t kept up with News from Poughkeepsie. I’m not ready to call it a failure yet, but the daily blog thing needs a reboot of the mind, I think. It should come back online soon.

(And more about last night’s party later)

So are you ready for some awesome?

Paizo is making soap with d20s inside them. They are doing their part to remove the scourge of con funk, and I salute them. There’s only 364 days left till my 36th birthday – better shop now.

Fans of The Takeover will be interested to know (unless you’re one of the many people who have emailed me to let me know already) that there is indeed a place for the loveless zombie to go in search of a mate: Zombie Harmony.

Stacey Cochran, author of The Colorado Sequence, filmed a talk I did at a Raleigh bookstore with PG Holyfield and Elisa Lorello a while ago – and the edited version is up on YouTube.