The world is a weird place, my friends. One baby step forward that may -- will -- vanish in the two giant steps back. Or not.

Today I sold one book. One. One all for two days of sitting in the dealer's room.

Then again, I talked to someone who claims to make films and is interested in my script for "Shepherds". He got my e-mail address. So take as you will.

And after wondering if people I've known literally half my life would even notice if I dropped off the face of the earth, the one I thought couldn't stand the sight of me complimented me on a story I wrote years ago and said she wants to illustrate it. Take that as you will. It could all turn out as smoke and mirrors tomorrow in the daylight.

A lot of things are smoke and mirrors in my life. All hope is. And I live on hope.

There will always be another sunrise, always another con, and the next person may be able to hand me the world on a plate.

One more day of ChattaCon. A lot of people wait till Sundays to spend any real money. So we'll see.