Although I really hate Christmas displays and marketing going up before Thanksgiving day (tune in this coming Friday if you want to know how much I hate it), my behind-the-scenes preparations have already started. I’ve ordered some presents already, bought Grace’s ticket to visit me over the last two weeks of the year, and have already set up for my annual Yuletide special (details on Friday). All this despite the fact that I’m really still in a more Halloweenish mood, as evidenced by this recent selfie taken while I was very high and looking quite witchy. That may have something to do with a lot of difficult personal stuff I’ve been dealing with lately, or the rereading of a number of my stories while compiling The Forms of Things Unknown, or even binge-watching Doctor Who with Lorelei Rivers. As many of you probably realize, binge-watching TV shows is not my usual style. But I’d never seen any of the post-revival episodes until now (though the classic series is one of my favorites), and I’d like to catch up. Plus Lorelei is a major fan, and she is extremely persuasive (not that it actually takes a lot of arm-twisting to get me to cuddle on a sofa for hours with a beautiful young woman). Anyway, I’m also starting to put together the sketchy outlines of my January tour down the West Coast, and it looks like I may (not certain yet) head down to Florida in March. So keep your eyes on these diary columns and be sure to let me know ASAP if you want a date while I’m passing through your city.