Six o'clock start to the day, half an hour before my alarm went off. My roommate's driving me to the airport. It's early, but I'm awake. Winthrop wanted a coffee, then started sleeping in the back seat; it'll be cold by the time we arrive. He didn't really want coffee. I've promised him a hot cup of tea when we arrive.

Seven days without @ElectricKeet is an eternity. It's not even a baraka; it's just a very long time. Em wanted to listen to Starcadian to start the trip. HE^RT. #tfnyuu

I don't feel ready. I never do before flights. This one even more than normal. And yet, I know I'm as prepared as I can be, given everything leading up to it. @mawr and Raow were over last night, and I've left plenty of leftovers. This all weighs on what I want to write while I'm there. I did a novel in three days.

Mountain's out this morning, seeing me off. I'll be home soon, with much to show for my time.

https://awoo.space/media/PPH7tjk3gI2CueGMoUU

The music cut out at "entoptic symphony." Hell of a send-off, Emrys. Security was easy, insofar as indignity to personhood can be easy. Can the microwave scanners spot what's left of American decency?

Found a tigrox at the airport. Breakfast at Beecher's. Full flight to Sacramento.
https://awoo.space/media/0jp7SkJLd7dNXYdsP0U

Giant 3-D rabbit. @Momentrabbit, your team, I presume?
https://awoo.space/media/AxrQpzS3DWYAq62sjMg https://awoo.space/media/bRzTJi0cGbgmpL0GqoY

21% battery remaining.

For found by a tigrox this time. Waiting for the third in the carpool to land, but Nighteyes' flight is late. Got Lovetop stuck in my head now. Winthrop was well-behaved on the flight, which was just long enough to get halfway into an Isaac run.

... scratch that; third plane in the ground. We're moving again.

Nighteyes and Ocean are in the front seat, talking about past submissions. I'm so unused to short story stuff; after three novels, I'm more accustomed longer-form work, with all the pitfalls that come with it. I'm out of my element. I have to believe I'm not out of my league.

Now passing "Fugu Lounge: Sushi and Sports Bar."

Welcome to California.

A brief stop at In-n-Out, and we're back on the road. Ninety-six miles to South Lake Tahoe. This is happening. I'm excited, if nervous. Still feeling like I'm a little outclassed. Still going to do this.

Out here, you can see where the sky touches the land. Seven-thousand feet up, it's easy to feel like everything is down from here. This isn't the highest, but it's pretty high. High enough.

https://awoo.space/media/yoa0KFBdouV2568U2VU

We arrived at the retreat hours ago, but we've been busy since we arrived. A brief introduction from Alkani, then several hours of philosophy with John Otter. We ordered pizza, then recorded an episode of Fangs and Fonts.

Tomorrow, the first lecture, the first assignment, and a six-thousand word story to produce, plus up to 12,000 words of reading and critiquing. This is going to be _intense_ if nothing else.

Alkani called it a crucible. I've tempered before. I'm ready.