Saturday, September 30, 2006

Whew!

I was beginning to think we wouldn't have an update today due to lack of well...updates. Enjoy the two you've got. I must go help move furniture to make room for E's new orange couch....

Tamara

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Friday, September 29, 2006

Another Sunny Day

Thanks to the visiting Okie my city is still covered in sunshine. The unusual hold out of sun I blame entirely on Tamara. I miss my rain, but today it made our experience at the Everett Children's Museum that much better. They have an incredible rooftop play area.

So after hours of fun we are finally home, tired and ready to relax for the night. The weekend lies ahead. One hopefully filled with rest intermingled with some chores.

Enjoy your updates.

Elisa

CSI
  • A Phobia Cure by Ann (Fluff!).

    Original
  • Part 1 of Rose & Thorn by Arkonia (Academy of Bards).

  • Part 5 of Waterfalls, Rainbows and Secrets by J.M. Dragon (The Athenaeum).

    Stargate SG-1
  • Part 23 of Interlude (Conclusion) by Celievamp (Area 52).
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    Thursday, September 28, 2006

    Ramble from Linda

    Lucky us. We've got another ramble from Linda.
    Sense of Humor

    My niece Victoria has a wicked and sometimes weird sense of humor. Vicky age 7, talks very grown up for her age. One reason is because we never talked "baby talk" to her or her sister when they were growing up. So their speech patterns are quite mature.

    For health reasons, I drink bottled water only. These days I drink about 7 to 8 bottles a day. I put the empties in a large trash can in the kitchen. At the end of the week, one of Vicky's chores is to put the bottles in a trash bag and put them in the recyclable bin in front of the house on trash day.

    Unbeknownst to me, Vicky has been counting the bottles each week and writing the numbers down. Yesterday I was in the kitchen when she was doing her chores. I watched her seal up the bag, then write something down on her notepad. Then she went into the walk-in closet where we keep the cleaning supplies and came out with three bags of bottles.

    She sat the three bags with the other one, pulling out her notepad she told me that each bag holds 50 bottles each. For a total of 200 bottles. Vicky then grabbed two bags in each hand. As she carried the bags towards the front door, she threw over her shoulder this statement... "Sissy, we really need to talk about your serious drinking problem."

    I was stunned at first. Then I nearly died laughing my butt over that. I asked her if she knew what that saying really meant. Vicky said she did. She had heard it on one of grandma's soaps. It was meant for beer or whiskey. Vicky said that it was funny when she thought about me and my bottled water. She was just waiting for the day when the numbers hit 200 on her notepad to pull off the joke.

    That kid just slays me sometimes.

    Linda


    It's official. I think Linda's family definitely has the sense of humor gene. Her mom is great, her nieces are funny and Linda is no slouch in the humor department herself. Don't you know that really helps when it's time to get through big family holiday dinners.

    E-mail Linda and thank her for rambling and enjoy those updates.

    Tamara

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    Wednesday, September 27, 2006

    Winding Down

    All the fun of my work week is coming to a close. I actually took the rest of the week off (except for a couple of hours tomorrow morning). I'm sure Tamara had a wonderful time in my office (the picture doesn't lie).

    We'll be taking the opportunity to check out Archie Mcphee's tomorrow. I'm actually even hoping the sun holds out so we can all head to Golden Gardens Park for a picinic and perhaps some kite flying.

    Hope you all have a wonderful evening/day. Enjoy the updates!

    Elisa

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    Tuesday, September 26, 2006

    Tally So Far

    I've finished one book so far on my vacation: Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing. I'm well over halfway finished with Dead Water by Barbara Hambly. Six out of twelve comic book trade paperbacks have been consumed. Two I bought here. I have one more book left and then I can snag some from E. She's got plenty to spare. Even after sending some off to the contest winners. Speaking of contest winners...Cherokee Echols, give us a shout. We need your address or the address of someone near and dear to you who you don't mind being stalked if we should decide to become crazy women.

    Big update tonight. Enjoy it.

    Tamara

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    Monday, September 25, 2006

    Vacation Lite

    Back to work with me and routines for me. However my house guest actually went with me today, how nifty is that?

    Unfortunately she brought the damn sunshine with her, but I will live with that. My rain will return soon I am sure.

    Tamara and I have gotten things done around my house as well as spending money. Calling this trip a full vacation may be stretching it. When was the last vacation you awoke at 6 am and went to work to sit in an office all day? Or spent a few hours pulling ivy and garbage out of someone's back yard? Sound like fun? Let me know...I have more painting that will need to get done come June of next year and luckily enough a spare room as well.

    Enough of my ramblin's on to your update, enjoy them.
    Elisa



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    Sunday, September 24, 2006

    My Finicky Nose

    Today my vacation consisted of sneezing...lots of it. I woke up today with a wonderful allergy attack. What was I allergic to? Beats the heck out of me. All I know is I woke up sniffling and it got worse. So bad that after breakfast I took a magic pill and slept for an hour.

    Slept great, woke up and was still having issues so I told E let's go outside and get some of her outdoor chores done. Fortunately chopping at ivy worked up a good sweat and got my blood pumping enough to get my body's natural stuff working. My nose cleared up. And I crashed. For two and a half hours. Can you say slug?

    Oh well. At least I helped with the ivy problem. And I got a killer brisket on which has been cooking all day. Potatos are boiling right now for potato salad. Time to tempt Seattle born and bred E with the wonders of meat once again.

    Tamara

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    Saturday, September 23, 2006

    Vacations Are Expensive

    Okie may not be a tourist in this city anymore, however somehow when she visits I seem to upgrade and spend money. Mind you I enjoy each moment of it, but it's a good thing I have a job to go back to upon her departure. She buys comic books and I buy a couch. Seems fitting doesn't it?

    Each day can bring something new and nifty. The good news is as of today I have accomplished about 90% of my Christmas shopping and that's a good thing.

    Also my humble abode is always happy to have the buddy arrive. I seem to pick it up and tidy it better prior to the arrival and while she is here I usually do some rearrangement and such. I will once again get such things accomplished. It's the busy party life I have that she must enjoy while she is here.

    Pictures do tell the story.

    Elisa

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    Friday, September 22, 2006

    Vacation Continues

    It seems like every time I visit E she ends up spending money. Yesterday it was a few hundred bucks for a bar stool. Who knew tall barstools cost so much? After doing research online she felt lucky getting off as cheap as she did. And the barstool is keen.

    Today...a new leather couch...orange leather. Relax. It's a burnt orange. Very tasteful. I liked it. Hopefully they'll be able to deliver the couch before I leave and I can be one of the first folks to sit on it.

    I think we're done for big expenses. Let's hope so for E's bank account's sake.

    Tamara

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    Thursday, September 21, 2006

    Pheasant McNuggets Contest Winner

    Entry three by Zero was our winner, she will be recieiving "some" books of our choosing. Runners up will also be given a book for their splendid fun stories and those entries were entry six by phair and entry ten by Cherokee Echols.

    Thanks again to everyone. It was grand fun and we will most definitely be thinking of something nifty to do again.

    Until then I am off to enjoy some vacation with my buddy!

    Have a splendid evening,
    Elisa

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    Wednesday, September 20, 2006

    Travelin' Woman

    I'm officially in the land of rain and gray skies. Even though I spent all of my morning traveling it wasn't too onerous. After a few trips to visit E in Seattle I've discovered that taking a United flight through Denver is the way to go. This way I get to avoid the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport and the sometimes not-so-friendly folks at American Airlines. Always a plus.

    So after an incredibly early wake up call (5 am) I spent the next five hours flying and reading only to arrive in Seattle by 10:30 local time. Gotta love those time zones. Almost makes me feel like I didn't use a good chunk of my day traveling.

    Anyway, E and I have been lazy today. Rain will do that to me. Tomorrow we promise to announce the winners of the bad food contest. I brought books to donate to the cause and we're shipping those puppies out this week. Yippee!

    Enjoy the updates!

    Tamara

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    Tuesday, September 19, 2006

    Gathering

    Why does it take company coming for one to finally get to straighting and tidying things into some type of order? I'm actually putting some things away that needed to be put away for months. Deep cleaning is another entire project, but hey it's only Tamara visiting so she'll get over it. Things don't need to be super tidy for the special friends.

    On another note our polls are closed and results are in. Now we need to get some addresses of a few splendid folks who shared their food events with us all and used books will be on their way.

    Thanks again to all of you who entered, voted and read along. It was fun and, who knows, between Okie and I something else may come about.

    Now off to your updates and let us know if you have any problems or questions.

    Enjoy the evening,
    Elisa

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    Monday, September 18, 2006

    Request for Help

    Some of you may have noticed the site has been up and down a lot lately. Our web host recently dealt with server issues but we're still experiencing some problems and they've asked that we let them know when the site is down. Several of you have been very helpful and emailed us when you couldn't get to the site. Dreamhost would like to know when and where these issues occur so if you have trouble connecting, pop an email off to us at updates@uberetc.com or you can post a message to the Uber Etc. Yahoo group. Don't worry about posting to the group and having those messages going out to everyone on the list. They'll only make it to us.

    And finally a little bit of hype. Geonn has announced another LJ fic-a-thon challenge that will encompass the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis femslash fandoms. It's called A Nice & Clean Fic-a-thon. Head over to the rules page for a description of the Fic-a-thon: geonncannon.livejournal.com/856581.html. It sounds fun.

    Enjoy the updates!

    Tamara

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    Sunday, September 17, 2006

    Random Blabbing

    I'm back to the update routine after a busy Saturday. E very kindly took on my day since I was on the run practically all day yesterday. The highlight of the day had to be watching Cal's first soccer game. It was a hoot. Ten little kids running up and down the field in a clump all trying to kick the ball is great fun.

    And boy was it hot. We've been having lovely temps in the 80s (around 27-29C) for the past week and Saturday we hit 92 (33C). It's amazing how little time it takes you to acclimate to the cooler temps. To illustrate how wacky Oklahoma weather is...yesterday we had the air conditioning on due to the sunny, humid 92 degree day. Currently at 4:33 central time it's 67 (19C) and overcast. No AC today needless to say.

    Now to totally change the topic I'll put my two cents worth in regarding E's question. When it comes to reading online fiction I always keep in mind that's it's free. I know the level of editing isn't going to be professional. But you'd be amazed at how much good a decent beta reader will do for your story. Being overwhelmed by spelling, punctuation and grammar errors will make me stop reading a story. However, my biggest pet peeve is reading a story with changing tenses. Nothing sets my teeth on edge more than having the character bounce around in time.

    Okay, that's it for me tonight. Enjoy the update!

    Tamara

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    Saturday, September 16, 2006

    Responses to Question #1

    I would say the question idea was a hit and will most likely return again. We got a higher response rate than we thought. So splendid to all of you! We even got one in the comments section at the end of the post which was wonderful.

    Here were the response so far, my two cents are thrown in at the end as usual.

    To me they matter a LOT. Now I can understand a new writer who does not yet have a beta reader to fix things up for them having mistakes in their work, and if the story itself is good, I try to overlook mistakes I notice. If the writer is OPEN for suggestions, I will offer them, but some writers do not really want constructive feed. It's the little things that annoy me most, such as using 'your' instead of 'you're' when it's needed. Those things just tend to jump out at me...LOL!!!

    Fluffy
    ***

    Yes, grammar and editing matter, at least have enough pride in your work to have it beta read by someone who can spot the obvious stuff. I realize writing is a process, but I do struggle to read what is obviously a rough draft -- once through with a red pencil is an important courtesy to the reader, and I will stop reading something if the mistakes are bad enough to distract me from the story itself.

    Beth
    ***

    I read a lot of online stories just as a break from my day. I load them
    on my Palm and read when I get a extra few minutes. I can overlook
    some editing errors and grammatical issues but in moderation. If I
    have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what was supposed to
    be said then I won't finish a story.

    jolene
    ***

    I read for the fun of it. I don't pay much attention to the grammar and editing unless it is really bad.

    Sam
    ***

    Question #1: When reading stories online does grammer and editing truly matter or do you read this for fluff and the fun of it all?

    Answer: Yes, absolutely it matters. The point of reading, for me, is to enjoy the story. But if I'm constantly trying to ignore the grammar/spelling/etc., I can't concentrate enough on the actual plot. The entire flow of the story is broken and disjointed as my attention is drawn the mistakes rather than to the characters.

    Does it have to be absolutely perfect? No. But the more the errors appear, the less readable the story becomes. I have quite sadly given up some very interesting looking stories just because I couldn't concentrate enough on them.
    ***

    This is a wonderful question!

    Grammar counts a great deal to me, and by extension editing. If one or two words are used incorrectly, I just fix them in my head and move on. But when the mistake is continual, and sentence structure is off, I'll stop reading because the poor grammar is too much of a distraction.

    So, my answer is, Yes, grammar and editing really do matter, even when I read for fun. Isn't that what reading is - fun? (g)

    Tracy
    (usually very quiet)
    ***

    It matters. It doesn't have to be perfect, but there is a certain level below which I just won't go.

    Rachel
    ***

    Yes, editing and grammar matter to me, and they should matter to the writer as well. There's nothing worse than going along, reading a pivotal sex scene (or any other scene for that matter) and you're blindsided by wrong word usage: "She shuttered in the throes of her climax". Shuttered? Another one I see a lot is the use of the word 'loose' when it should be 'lose'. If bad editing is rampant in the first chapter of a story, I won't finish it. If it's an author I've read before and liked, I'll give them until the end of the second chapter. After that, 'fageddaboutit'!
    ***

    Just this morning, my GF was reading a story by a fairly well-known author who has written several stories, all very good and well-edited. There are several instances where she used the wrong words and my GF was mentioning that it's very distracting, because every time you come across one, you just sort of shake your head. I wonder if the author didn't review her work closely enough, or didn't take the time to have it beta-read.

    You asked, I answered!
    ~g.
    ***

    In a word YES! I'm a stickler for the correct grammar. Sometimes I won't read a story if the spelling is so bad that a 3rd grader could spot the difference. It takes away from the story for me that is. And one more thing, when a story is being written, and author doesn't seem to know how to split out a paragraph, that drives me bonkers.
    I have to stop reading.

    I know I'm anal (grins)

    Ebb


    So, in general, most of you who took the time to reply thought yes, it did matter. Different levels for many of you, but it was good to know that I'm not alone.

    I personally have a tough time finishing stories that are poorly edited and this includes proper grammer and language usage. Example: lathe usually implying lave, but a very different concept when used incorrectly.

    So thanks to you all for those great responses, they are appreciated. Go ahead and continue to throw your two cents in and we will post those as well. Now off to the updates and don't forget Monday is the last day to vote.

    Elisa

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    Friday, September 15, 2006

    Rain

    I've been lucky enough to awaken two days in a row to the glorious sounds of rain. Even though it seems to halt mid morning, I've enjoyed the pleasure of waking up to it. Oddly enough folks at work seem to be grumpy and do nothing but complain about Fall's wonderful existance and the return of our average weather.

    You know, I do understand the financial and physical limitations with moving. That being said, remember if you have to live in a place you'd rather not, try and take a different perspective on the average. If you live in Florida you'd best find something wonderful about sun and humidity. If you live in Seattle, accept and embrace the grey, rain-filled days. There is beauty that surrounds you wherever you live. It's true and a matter of perspective. Look past your views and you'll see it.

    Make the moments worthy. They do count and they are all we have.

    Now on to something new here. I got a grand email with an idea that I liked a lot. Thanks, Hope, (you'll get a return message soon enough). So let's see who wants to join in and play. No prizes other than karma and appreciation from Okie and myself. We'll run a question by everyone on occasion (schedule what schedule?). I look forward to seeing what kind of responses are received. Email us or use the comments section at the end of each update at the web site, this can be anonymous or not...totally up to you.

    Question #1: When reading stories online does grammer and editing truly matter or do you read this for fluff and the fun of it all? Let us know.

    Now on to your updates. Enjoy!

    Elisa

    P.S. Four days left, so please vote!

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    Thursday, September 14, 2006

    It ain't easy being accident prone.

    Cal has officially outdone Duncan in the injuries at school department. Today I had to pick him up early because he'd been bonked in the head by a swing. A swing that he flung and was whacked by. Yep, he's his own worst enemy. This makes call number three from the health aide btw. I expect many more throughout the year.

    A little bit of hype for you tonight....ralst has come up with the A State of Undress Fic-a-thon. Check out the description and the rules at her lj: ralst.livejournal.com/103754.html.

    Now I'll let you get to reading.

    Tamara

    p.s. Don't forget to vote for the Pheasant McNuggets Contest entries. I'll be heading to E's home turf of Seattle next week and we're looking forward to packing up books for the winners.

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    Wednesday, September 13, 2006

    Yes, me again

    So another day goes by and we once again find some new reading material for you all. Suggestions here...let us know.

    Our hope is that with all these different sites and words you'll take the opportunity to read something new. Give it a shot.

    Enough of my ramblings, go enjoy yourself.

    Thanks for being here.

    Elisa

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    Tuesday, September 12, 2006

    All Better

    One can hope our ISP issues are behind us...wish us luck. Now on to something much more fun.

    How many days left of voting you ask...a mere 6 days are left. We're hoping a few more of you will take part in this fun as well. Wouldn't it be nice to get at least 10% of you? Yes, so please vote away.

    On another note how are we doing (beyond our ISP issues)? Got suggestions, rambles or ideas? Let's hear them. Please feel free to comment here at the site (at the bottom of each post is a comments link) or email us your thoughts. We like to hear what you all think. This includes good, bad, or anything else you have to say.

    Now go enjoy the updates and please be kind and share your feedback with the writers, they really do care.

    Thanks,
    Elisa


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    Monday, September 11, 2006

    Hope

    For those of us in the US, September 11 is a day of great significance. I like to remember this day but also keep in mind that we're not the only nation to undergo tests such as this. In fact, the US has been incredibly lucky in its ability to be isolated from most of the conflicts that have plagued the world during this modern age.

    I wish I could say I was more proud of my country on this day. I wish I could point to leadership that I had confidence in. Leadership that would strive to hold true to the values my country was founded upon.

    Until the day I can once again say that I'm proud of the way my government represents my country, I vow to continue refusing the attempts to make me afraid. I promise to hold true to the values our country was founded upon. Illegal spying on Americans, torture camps and being held indefinitely without due process are never valuable "tools" in the war against terror. I'll keep hoping that once this administration is gone, my country can benefit from honest leadership that works to fix the mess the last eight years have made.

    Tamara

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    Sunday, September 10, 2006

    Lazy

    Boy am I ever lazy today. I did manage to clear out Duncan's closet and chest of drawers of clothes he can't wear any more. It's something more on-the-ball moms do every year. I get to it maybe every two or three. I now have a huge chest of clothes to store until Cal gets big enough to wear them. Not that it'll stop the Grandmas from buying him clothes. I think the kid ends up with an even bigger wardrobe because of hand-me-downs and bargain hunting Grandmas.

    Now a word of warning to y'all. Tomorrow we've been told by our web space provider that the site could likely be down most of the afternoon. So if you zip on over to the web site and get an error message it's Dreamhost dinking with server issues. We're told after tomorrow things should be hunky-dory. Keep your fingers crossed.

    We'll still do an update but you may not see it on the site. It will be mailed out and posted to the Yahoo group however.

    That's it for me. You've got a nice and varied update tonight. Enjoy it.

    Tamara

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    Saturday, September 09, 2006

    Up and Down

    Well technology bites us sometimes. We come to depend upon it and when it heads south one gets annoyed. Tamara and I are officially there.

    Please accept our apologies if you've been having issues trying to get to our site and failing. Believe us we've had the same issues. Supposedly our ISP will be getting their shit together by Monday, but until then excuse the down times and check back as needed. If we continue to see issues after Monday we'll officially change web hosting services.

    So until then please remember the Yahoo group is always available as a back up for the updates.

    Now get to reading.

    Elisa

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    Friday, September 08, 2006

    Vote...

    ...and read.

    Tamara

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    Thursday, September 07, 2006

    Another evening pops up...

    ...bringing each of you the opportunity to vote in our most dandy of a contest. Let's remember some lucky (or not so lucky) person is going to get some used books from Tamara and myself.

    So please take the time and let us know which bad food story you preferred. You can either email us or post in our lovely Yahoo group poll. Reminder: you do have to be a member of the Uber Etc. Yahoo group to vote in the poll.

    Other than that, have a flawless one.
    Elisa

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    Wednesday, September 06, 2006

    Most Excellent

    Tonight's update is nice and varied. I won't keep you here any longer, get to reading.

    Tamara

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