Oh, that's so much! But you have come so far already and I know you will keep going, one step at a time. But I feel the pain of all of those customer "service" calls.
I definitely want to read this Politics of Star Trek book! One would have to look at the content of both to see if they're really retreading the same ground, but I imagine there is much to say on the topic, so I'd tweak the title a little (or give it a snappy subtitle) and launch it out into the world. (Side note, another dear friend is also editing her recently deceased husband's book/lifework...she could badly use a tech-literate copy editor but I've refrained from offering because I suspect I deeply disgree with her late husband's politics.)
All WILL be well, eventually. It's the getting there that's so frustrating. Meanwhile, I'm reaching out (I suddenly have VERY long arms) to hug you, and hug you, and hug you. I admire you greatly for handling so much with such grace. And, when grace is absent, there's nothing like a little mordant humor, is there?
I hate insurance companies! Two years ago, I paid a plumber to install a (brand name-redacted) new faucet and toilet in my upstairs bathroom. The faucet was defective and flooded the bathroom and ruined the hall and bathroom carpets and downstairs ceiling. The insurance company of which I’ve been a customer for 36 years said they would pay if it were an existing faucet but not a new one. So I advise everyone to never replace anything! Sell your damn house and buy a house with a faucet you like that doesn’t drip. (Plumber said not their problem. Name brand faucet company eventually paid for 80% of the work but I had to sign an NDA.)
And all of this mess you described explains your crazy dream. It gets better!
I'm sorry, Jen, and am happy to help with any of the book transport. Also, my understanding of book titles is that it's not illegal for two books to have the same title, but if there's danger of confusing the books, it might be a good idea to change one title slightly.
This is a wonderfully insightful entry- thank you for writing it up as you go. And I am just around the corner, happy to schlep some boxes of books to your driveway with you (or without you, for that matter) if you'd like a hand. Just drop me a line, I'm home all week.
What a journey! And I suspect that the real treasure is NOT the friends you make along the way, but the eventual triumph of a waterproof roof (I really tried to make a pun out of putting the "roof" in "waterproof," but it's just not up to local standards) and a beautiful space in which to work your magic. May it be soon in coming!
I definitely want to read this Politics of Star Trek book! One would have to look at the content of both to see if they're really retreading the same ground, but I imagine there is much to say on the topic, so I'd tweak the title a little (or give it a snappy subtitle) and launch it out into the world. (Side note, another dear friend is also editing her recently deceased husband's book/lifework...she could badly use a tech-literate copy editor but I've refrained from offering because I suspect I deeply disgree with her late husband's politics.)