Monday ~ Virtual Vacation
Fully caffeinated host on duty today!
Newcomers welcome, please introduce yourselves.
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Pull up a chair and a trashy novel
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Please recommend
(and unrecommend the Cafe/Lounge from earlier) |
May the 4’s be with you
Good morning late risers and left coasters!
I’d argue that by my standards being coherent enough to actually type in complete sentences before nine a.m. local time qualifies as early rising, but I’m willing to concede the point to you genuine morning people. Today should be a good day. I got my summer office put up (a second floor screen house overlooking our back yard and the local park), and just as soon as it tops fifty here I’m going to be working out there.
Ooh, I envy you your screen porch! What a great warm weather office.
I spend all winter anticipating the day it’s finally warm enough to get back out there. My most productive writing time is strongly tied to being as much a part of the outdoors as possible.
You know if we ever got this going for a large group, the perfect place to have it would be the Smokies. There are nifty cabins to rent in the town of Townsend (a place that the last time I was there was without any of the tackiness of Gatlinburg or Cherokee) that are back in the forest but which are close together so that we could accommodate just about any size group.
Morning, SN & Kelly!
SN, that cool picture?painting? could inspire a story. Who was sitting in the chair? Where’d they go, leaving that scarf behind? It reminds me of the contest that Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine runs in every issue:
“Mysterious Photograph contest — Submit your 250-word story inspired by an imagination-stirring photograph. The winning story is published in a future issue.”
They print an evocative black and white photo,and you write a story about it, and it gets published. (One of these was the second thing I ever got published.)
If anybody wants to try it–a 250-word complete story is a fun challenge–the magazine is available at most large bookstores.
Sounds like fun. The shortest I’ve ever managed to get a story is 750 words, so it’d definitely be a challenge. Maybe I’ll give it a go once I’ve got the contract book finished.
Way back when, I got paid $25 for my wee story. I don’t know if they still pay that kingly fee.
It wouldn’t surprise me. Quite a few short markets haven’t increased their rates in decades. And, actually, since the story is only 250 words that 25$ is pretty darned good by F&SF lights. In F&SF the line between professional and semi-professional publication for short fiction is five cents a word or more. And an awful lot of F&SF markets don’t pay ten cents even to big name writers. I tend to think of short work these days as a sort of loss leader. I only send to places that pay well over the going rate, editors who helped me get started, or magazines I really would like to crack for resume purposes, and if I’m ever going to try mystery a Hitchcock’s credit would help open a few doors.
Well, then, if you want another door to crack, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Mag has started a lot of us with its “Department of First Stories.” AHMM was my second publication; EQMM was my first. It used to be that you could qualify for the Dept. of First Stories just so long as you had never published a mystery short story. I’m pretty sure that’s still true, but I tried to verify it just now and couldn’t locate the rules either on the website or in a recent copy of the mag, so either you’ll have to check that out, or I’ll do it for you.
Hey SN, I missed Gray’s Anatomy last night…can you fill me in, please? 🙂
The one where the man gets pregnant. And the heart catches on fire during surgery. Sound familiar?
Thanks, olivia! I’m glad I didn’t miss anything.
Why do they keep putting shows on the air and then kill any momentum the show might have by showing repeats every other week? (I’m thinking of Lost, in particular.)
How are you this morning?
People are getting pissed off about Lost having one new episode followed by 5 repeats. I read that they produce fewer episodes because of costs and then have to stretch them waaaay out.
It seems like the writers of Lost don’t even know where it’s going. It seems….Lost.
I don’t know how anyone could ever tell what’s up with Lost, because it has absolutely no continuity between episodes because of all the repeats. Who can remember what happened in the last new episode when there’s a month between them?
I read that the CBs are off school this week. Any plans?
CB the elder is having a friend over this afternoon. I think I’m going to be working mornings most of the week, and we’ll be goofing off in the afternoons, especially later in the week. Probably make a trip to one of our favorite bike paths, with the traditional stop here for a black and white milkshake. Nothing earth-shattering, though.
What a cool looking place to stop for a milkshake.
That sounds like the perfect holiday. Plans are fluid and based on immediacy. 🙂 And Wissahickon Valley Park looks gorgeous.
For details, click thru my ID and read my most recent comment in the Home Repair diary. Hubby finally got the water running at lam. So I am operating on 6 hours sleep, have three friggin’ loads of dishes to do, and need to leave at 1:30pm to pick up my son and his family. I am thinking I’ll bake the quiche tomorrow and we’ll stop by KFC on the way home. I am one worn-out — physically and emotionally — old woman. I wanted to be so relaxed for the grandsons and here I am frantic and frazzled taking a break to smoke a cig and dip into the soothing waters of the Pond.
Our county water system tends to fail all the time (pipes running under creeks break with the shifting ground) so I’ve been through this many times. It is so lovely to see what flowing through pipes. Glad it is all fixed.
Only five more days counting today!
And, hey, for those of you who don’t already know — I am extremely proud to announce that I figured out how to use the Robo-Rater! Weeeeeee! (Thanks, Omir!)
the day you are on (makes things go much faster).
Love the graphic! 🙂
Can’t believe you used that image! Thereby hangs a tail…. but off to work! More on the other end of my 15 commute (the only thing I’m going to miss)!
because William Carlos Williams is one of my favorite poets.
The Great Figure
William Carlos Williams
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city.
Me. too!
And here’s why it’s SO SO wierd that you used that Charles Demuth painting! My boss chose it to publicize our next season, so it is on all of our publicity materials! I like the image, but was upset that he wanted to use it without permission. So I pushed that through and now — thanks to me — it is being used with permission from the copyright owner.
So how about the WIERDEST coincidence in the world that you should come up with that image with an X through it!
^^^^^^^^I’m getting goose bumps! ^^^^^^^^^^
Although I love the painting, and I think it was fairly well-handled by the graphic designer who does our publicity, I don’t like the concept behind the season that it supposedly represents. (Severe Aesthetic Discord Alert!) Can’t say anything more without giving too much away….
making itself felt.
But it was a pretty damn good coincidence.
It must be working on a way-down-deep mysterious level! But a good sign, overall, don’t you think? A very good sign!
only to be topped by the simple fact that Friday is your last day in that particular corner of hell.
Oh yes! You can say that again. And boy did we just have some drama here, two co-workers (male) who got into a screaming fight. Scary.
Although … we’ll miss your special hand-crafted 4s. ;o)
5 days ’til Escape Day!
Well, think of it this way. It took me so long to figure out how to use the robo-rater, and I had to be so patient and persistent, that my mehcanically robo-produced 4s, though not hand-crafted, will still have a special charge to them!
Oh, well, the bad news is I can’t get robo-rater to work on my office computer. I did everything and created the bookmark, and then I see the froggie and the stand-by message, but nothing happens even if I wait forever. Something for Omir to think about…. I tried the bookmarklet test, and it worked, so don’t know what the problem is. Unless my computer is just as sick of this place as I am, and just doesn’t feel like cooperating…..
Is it IE (RR doesn’t work w/ IE at the moment). That might be the problem.
Yes, it is IE. Version…. (?) (having looked it up…) 6.0.2900.
But not to worry, I am looking forward to exersizing my 4-midable powers when I get back home to Safari!
Puppy Pic of the Day Pooties later!
A busy week ahead and little time for blogging. All but one tax return done for my clients. Boss has some stuff he needs by late tomorrow. I’ll pop in when I can.
Cheering the marchers across the country today…including SF, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose. Here’s hoping for a dry day…but I don’t think it will stop anyone!
Time for coffee then I’ll drop some 4’s!
Sally (adorable photo!), do you know about Omir’s Magical Robo-Rating Machine that lets us do blanket 4s?
Click here: Omir’s Magic Site:
How’s the prep for you book tour going?
I bought new shoes, so my prep is done. 🙂
I wish you were going to be closer than DC on your tour.
I wish so, too, SN. One of my best writing friends lives just outside of Raleigh, and I do get there every now and then, so one of these days. . .
You have been warned. 🙂
So one of these days I’ll expect you at Quail Ridge Books. 🙂
I love Quail Ridge Books!
And then there’s that nice mystery book store in Indianapolis …
There is, indeed!
But not Toronto. (Did I just type that out loud?) 😉
And we already slammed Montreal.
I could offer some comments on the ugly sprawl of Calgary but given it’s proximty to Banff, Kootenay, Yoho, and Jasper, I’m willing to forgive it a lot.
Are we? 😉
And aren’t we glad.
I’ve never been to Ottawa, and I’d love to see those flowers in RL.
…all the froggies will come north. 🙂
It doesn’t work with I.E. and I can’t change anything here at work. So….my “4 Clicker” gets a workout the old fashioned way!
You and me both. It’s more sincere that way, don’t you think? 🙂
Now you’re getting even worse with the puppy pictures! LOL!
Morning everybody, I thought I’d just stop by and drop a few fours on my way to work. See you all in a few hours!
Sorry everyone! I had another accidental nap. 😛
I’m a crappy host today. Now that I’m up I have to run errands. Carry on.
Forgot my camera for the Friday Rally. Alot of people were there. Some hecklers, too… but was a great turnout. Almost 40 were there.
Dealing with a “profit from misery” type of house buyer. Can tell the dude is a professional investor. He made an “offer” that is HORRID. We said basically, “fuck off”.
Here, but tired. Long weekend.
Hi Cali, Hi DJ.
Yes, we won against the Phallus Scars last night 🙂 Whoot
Thought of you when I heard the news about the Ottawa murders.Then saw you had a diary on it. Creepy case that one is going to be.
How ya doing? Why’d you guys lose Saturday night?? I lost a point in the pool cuz’ of that… I was jumping on my couch for several games Saturday LOL
… climbing the standings. It’s looking pretty good! 🙂
The Sens are riddled w/ injuries. They’re missing the top three d-men all at once: Chara, Redden and Phillips, plus d-man Volchenkov was out for a couple as well. Hasek is out and the b/u Emery played 21 staight and was pulled finally for the b/u-b/u. And there was hints that Emery was having problems w/ his hip. Not a good way to go into the p-offs.
Your patience will pay off in the longrun, even though it’s a major pain in the butt right now.
Butt Massage!!!
Loved your diary last Friday.
Do you need a butt massage, or are you offering one?
Is there something wrong with the site or is it my computer. All the advertisements are on top and everything else is on the bottom. I have to scrool down 3/4 of the way down to find comments.
Still recovering from the hockey game last night — great game but exhausting.
At least I’m off cooking duties today — we’re having my belated birthday dinner at the in-laws tonight. (Sally — I hope to come across the white port in my travels today and take a bottle with me; they would definitely appreciate it!) Trying to get moving otherwise, but it’s a slow process…
Have a great day, folks…
Happy belated birthday, Cali!
I was losing my ever-loving mind during that game 🙂 What a funfest that was for a Shark’s fan 🙂 Damn, I wish I had known you were going to the game. I love knowing there are friends in the tank : )
Virtual chocolate and …
balloons for you!
Happy Happy Belated Birthday Cali.
Did you get your tape and mouse?
Dos anybody else have weird formatting issues with the front page? I have to scroll down past the ads to find the stories…it’s weird.
I am having the same issue. Booman?
Could only get back to this page by bringing up the “history” link — and now all the menu boxes are at the bottom of this page while I’m composing my comment, and there’s a bunch of dead white space above the “post comment” box.
In Firefox 1.5.0.1 for Mac, but sounds like it’s a universal issue…are we being hacked by Karl Rove this morning???
Mine just started working right again. We’ll see what happens.
That was quite odd…
Yes I do. I was reading about SN and Janets butt massage and then poof.
Mine was weird too. I think it was just the suggestion of butt massages.
I’m not even going to go near that one.
Good idea, too. Because good butt massages don’t result in “droolage”, they can create fartage.
Whoa – that is not an attractive image.
Are you saying this isn’t attractive?
That one’s anorexic relative to some of our local sumo-wrestler want-a-be-s
Please tell me that’s photo-shopped…please
Peace
Must be. Because with a butt like that – they would have cankles not slim ankles.
I don’t really know if it was photoshoped. I was looking around for big butts and found this one. And don’t ask me why I was looking for them. 😉
That’s so weird!!!!
Same problem for me too.
Hey.. anyone else having R2-D2 sounds on their phone?? Cell and house?? Sometimes it’s so loud you have to hang up.
FUCK YOU BUSH AND ALL YOUR AMERICAN HATING REGIME WARPIGS.
I have to take a brief break from work to enjoy the your your brain waves speeding past me as they go from weird formatting of web pages to the sounds of cell phone freaking out to Bush and his warpigs (but please stop insulting pigs — some of us are very found of the book Charlotte’s Web).
You even have a fancy way of saying you fucked up. I am not worthy.
the advantages of being on (and being kicked off) your high school newspaper.
Yes but Andi you have a gift. You can tell people to go to hell in half a sentence and they end up thanking you for it.
I think that only works if I use yiddish.
Yiddish works for me.
Sadly (happily?) my yiddish is almost entirely limited to insults, complaints, and profanities. When I was a kid if my parents “Ssh, the kinder” that was my signal to start listening.
Actually I don’t know where I picked up the few Yiddish words I know, but I know they probably are good words.
Oops, Sorry for the brainwave splash 🙂
Psst we love Charlotte’s web, too.
Someone called them “Wartards” but that sounded too close to the other “r” word for our family.
I meant it when I said I was enjoying it.
Let’s call them war-nits for the nasty, crawling, little vermin that they are.
No, but I keep hearing that stupid AOL guy saying “you’ve got mail!” even when I don’t! I think my speakers are haunted.
I decided to freak out my Nephew and his wife to be. On the RSVP card they have the number of guest you’ll be bringing. I put 52. My Nephew will either have a heart attack or call me. I’m waiting to see which one.
Maybe you should really bring 52. Put the word out here I’m sure you’ll get some takers.
I feel lucky I’m getting invited. He knows how much I can eat when I put my mind to it. None of those little finger sandwiches for me.
ROFLMAO~~~~~
Afternoon cafe open.