Tomorrow I leave for Dallas on business – the day job will take care of itself, but this is a writing opportunity not to be missed. In that spirit I have carefully packed:

• 4 Uniball pens
• Pages 36 – 100 of Ice Rider
• New composition book
• Notecards for NaNovel 2004
• Prewriting journal for NaNovel 2005
• Latest issue of New Scientist
• Latest issue of Locus
• August SFFW newsletter
• Paperback copy of Neverwhere

That should do the job. I'm committed. No television viewing, no non-corporate-mandated socializing – just writing. A lot of it.

I was going to take my laptop, but then decided that I didn't need the extra seven pounds. I can live without the internet for two days, and I think writing longhand might do me good. The only thing I'll miss is music. It's one full day of travel (critiquing and reading time,) two nights in a hotel (writing time,) and then a full evening of travel again. I intend to make the most of it.