Agent bites (in a good way)!

I have so much to tell!  An agency I submitted to about 2 weeks ago likes my work, and has read it and wants to represent me.  This agency also has a sister-partnership with a publishing company that publishes about 90% of what the agency submits. I am in the process of researching the publishing company as well as the agency and awaiting a contract from the agent.  The contract can be termintated after 90 days of no sell, or after a year.  Also, I have to get a professional critique of the book (which I have to pay for), and as I read up on this process, I see that this is normal. Once upon a time, agencies did this for you, but now they focus on selling your book and contract out the critiques.  A friend from college's sister is a book editor and I am talking to her about doing the critique, and I will also take a referral from the agency and compare them.

I have put the first 2 chapters of my book online at http://www.worthyofpublishing.com/book.asp?book_ID=11393. Feel free to read it and comment/rate what you read (you have to register to comment/rate). You can also send me comments personally.  I am always open to constructive criticism and am interested in many "eyes" seeing this work and offering their perspectives.

I have been processing all of this information about book 1 that I haven't spent much time on book 2 lately. Also, I'm at a bit of a standstill because I need to do some research about the part of the book I'm on before I can go on.

On a more personal note, I'm getting frustrated that all my hard work in the pool isn't making a dent in me.  As much as I like swimming and I certainly feel different, I feel like I should be making some progress. The only progress made was from all the walking in London last month and honestly, my legs/feet/knees can't take that on a regular basis. I was taking a constant stream of ibuprofen by the end of the week and could still barely walk to the gate at Heathrow when I left. 

I am coming to the conclusion that I'm going to have to just wait until 2014 when I can get health insurance and have gastric bypass or lap band.  Unfortuately, this means 4 more years of being alone and being past the point of hope of ever having a kid (I will be too old then). I guess I'm not meant for that.

Going to small claims court on June 22.  Should be interesting.

Recommended viewing:  http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv/ on Starz Channel.  This is an 8-hour miniseries of the book by Ken Follett.  It's an amazing book and promises to be an amazing series as well!  And of course, it features an impossibly hot monk!