Things are never as simple as they seem, are they?

As you guys may remember, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with "When Danny Met Erica," the video Danny and I shot and produced together. For a few years, Shadow Lane was distributing it for us, but they're no longer distributing other people's material. Same deal with other video companies.

So I thought, OK, since everyone seems to have a Clips4Sale store these days, I might as well join in. I wrote to Tony and asked what I needed, since he had the master DVD. He said he'd break it up into three clips for me and then, if I had a C4S store set up, he'd upload them for me, or send me a disk, whichever I preferred. Very nice of him.

I'd heard setting up the C4S account is quick and easy. Not quite.

First, they require a scanned file of your ID, plus a scan of one of your bills (with your real name and address on it). I still don't have a scanner. I meant to get one -- I've been researching all-in-one printers and had finally narrowed it down to the exact make and model that I want. And it's out of stock everywhere. I called Epson and they said it's back-ordered, and they'll email me when it's in stock. So, still no scanner.

OK, that's an inconvenience, but doable. I just have to go to Fedex/Kinko's and use their scanner. However, there was another requirement. I have to have a minimum of 10 clips to establish a store.

I don't suppose they'll accept 3 instead of 10, huh? Even if I ask real nice? Blech.

So I checked out Spanking Library. I didn't see any minimum requirement there. But they said it's mandatory to give an address where 2257 documentation is available.

OK, I know what 2257 is -- that's the bit where you have to prove all people on camera were over 18. I don't have documentation and papers and photos and all that crap like the studios keep -- it was just a private little thing between Danny and me. He did put the 2257 notice in the video, because that's required. But I have no address to give them. Mine? Sure, I could do that, but what happens if they ask me to produce papers?

So forget them too.

Dammit! All I want to do is sell this film somewhere. It's too good a piece of work to not be available. And it breaks into three perfect clips, since it's comprised of three separate scenes.

Wish I were more savvy about these things. It's rather frustrating.

Oh well. In other news, I got an unexpected reprieve this weekend. John's sister and brother-in-law, for whatever reason, didn't have their annual holiday blow-out party this year. They've done it every year for the past 30 years or more, and I've gone with John every year since I've known him. I've written blog accounts of a couple of them, too. Basically, it's the same scenario each time: tons of people, live music, food I don't like, lots of noise, copious quantities of alcohol and pot, people getting progressively louder and drunker as the night goes on, dancing in a tiny area where there isn't enough room and people crashing into each other and stepping all over each other's feet, and me wishing we could go home. Yes, I know. I'm such a fun party girl.

I think I mentioned this before, but John's bro-in-law once made fun of me in the party invitation, writing, "You'll like this one, Erica -- we've invited several librarians and we'll be playing chamber music." Asshat. What can I say -- I'd much rather spend a few hours with a couple of good friends, a good meal and some champagne. Have a conversation during which I don't have to scream over a racket. I really can be fun in that kind of scenario. Honest. And if you think I'm some uptight librarian type, you lecherous boob, I've got a few websites I can show you.

One more bit of news: Since Late Bloomer came out, I've had a resurgence of sales for What Happens to Naughty Girls? However, I've been informed that it's no longer on sale at Amazon.com. No worries, as it's still very much available from its original site at Lulu. If you click on the picture of the book on the right (just below the picture of Late Bloomer), it'll take you directly to its Lulu page.

And don't forget, y'all -- if you've read LB and you liked it, and you haven't already done so, please drop by the Amazon page and leave a review. I have 15 so far, and every single one helps. Thanks. :-)

Anyway, tomorrow is the last chance before Hanuchristmakwanzadanivus for ST to spank the Scrooge out of me. Let's see if he makes any progress.