Friday, August 14, 2009

Ugg...

End of a long week. Taking vacation and then returning means double the work load. Sure felt like it this week. Very happy to see the end in sight today.

Hopefully a somewhat restful weekend lays ahead.

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Ramble from Marilee

Yay! Marilee dropped in to chat....
Hi,

My brother came into my room at 1 am, last wednesday...??? ( at that hour, it could have been saturday ), and said I needed to come to his room to look at something. I swear I was caught between throwing something at him for getting me out of bed and a true concern. I thought he was going to cry.

I get up and go see what the upset is....

His A/C was not letting the water drip/drain outside, instead, it had been going into the wall and had buckled the 'bead board', discolored ttrim and made a nice wet mess of the rug and padding.

Tell me ....what am I suppose to do at 1 am?

Well, I can tell you.....go outside, with a flashlight and check the A/C.

I told him when he had it put in the window, it HAD TO TILT slightly 'out' so something like this wouldn't happen. As I was looking at the thing, it was as level as it could be.

I told him there was nothing to do at the moment...... the following day HE could call a neighbor of ours that is very handy and see what he could do.

It took a week, $50.00 in new 'bead board' and another $25.00 or $30.00 in paint and adhesive.

He paid our neighbor $100.00 for his work.

My brother has calmed down....until the next upset.

You just have to love 'queens'...a real must' when one is your brother. He bought new towels because he ruined the others trying to soak up the dirty water from wall that had dripped on the floor.

I hope you all have a good week/weekend.

Marilee


Hope y'all are staying cool! Enjoy the updates and give Marilee a shout to thank her for rambling.

Tamara

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sport & Stuff

Well I hope you're having better luck with that meteor shower than I am. If they want to be seen in my little corner of the UK they're going to have to grab a couple of picks and a bloody big shovel and do some serious digging. The sky is hidden behind a wall of cloud about 20m thick and it's raining (again). Ah well, maybe next year.

Watched the football earlier. International friendly between Holland & England. The first half was a bit of a humiliation. We weren't playing that badly but a couple of real howlers in defence left us 2-0 down. It reminded me of that Ruud Gullit saying, "We in Holland play Total Football whereas you English play total b*llocks". A couple of changes in the second half made all the difference and we finished a respectable 2-2. Not a bad game. And of course the new Premiership season starts this Saturday. I'm a happy camper because ESPN have picked up the games that Setanta dropped when it went belly-up and the first game they're showing is my lads. Come on you Gunners!! And to really make me happy they also picked up the Aussie Rules. No sign of the hurling or the Gaelic football yet though. So I'm only very happy and not yet ecstatic.

Apparently, (should I wish to stay up into the wee, small hours), I can also watch some strange ritual where a group of grown men play something resembling of rounders game and fondly believe it's a sport. ESPN seem to have about two-thirds of their schedule devoted to this. It's called MLB. Weird.

This is Ze signing out and waiting for the explosions *g*. Have a good week, goodnight and may your God/s go with you.

Ze

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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Writer's Block

I haz it. Apparently not just for my writing but now for my blathering also. I haven't a clue what to witter on about tonight. I can tell you the weather today was brilliant. Sunshine & 22c. I can tell you my hand hurts because I got it trapped in a cage door at the pet shop. I went to stroke a baby rabbit and the shop assistant crept up behind me and scared the bejesus out of me by saying, completely without warning, "Isn't he cute??" And I jumped about fifteen metres off the ground and the cage door shut on my hand. (It was a big cage - 8 rabbits and 6 guinea-pigs in it.) She laughed so much that I felt like a total twit and I left in a hurry and forget to buy the dog food I'd gone in for in the first place. (I bought two new dog toys that I hadn't intended to though.)

I can also tell you to make sure to look at the night-sky over the next couple of evenings because it's time for the annual Perseid Meteor shower - at least, have a gander if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, I think you're out of luck below the equator.

Apart from that I haven't a thing to say. Enjoy your updates

Ze

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Monday Craze

First day back from vacation and one realizes why they don't take more vacations. Lots to do this week. Feeling lucky to have the job though.

Hope you all have a great week and Tamara and I will be back to chat at you on Thursday.

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

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Sunday, August 09, 2009

Still Alive

Just returned from seeing the Ballard Locks. In all my visits to Seattle I somehow managed to miss it.

As E mentioned, we made it back from the Oregon coast safe and sound. We did manage to keep our tradition of having one fight while on vacation. Fortunately these fights usually don't last long. I hate to have a crappy time on vacation so I try not to let my being really pissed last too long. I'm sure E has a totally different perspective on things, however....

Tamara

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Saturday, August 08, 2009

Another guest ramble...

This one is from phair in response to Joan's ramble last night.
On getting what you pay for...

Decades ago Boston was considered the mandatory pre-Broadway run. Producers wanted to make sure shows could be successful here before they fully financed a run at the BIG time. Remember, if you can make it in New York then you can make it anywhere. At least, that's what the song says.

I'm not sure why they picked Boston. It might be because of its proximity to their ultimate destination. It could be because famous names and flashy staging would not overly impress the Brahmins. I like to think it was because they could test things out on a similar group of people who were a smidgen less jaded than the regular New York theatergoers.

The bottom line was the people of Boston got cheap seats for Broadway quality work. However, the works were not fully cooked. Depending on audience reactions, acts were added, subtracted, multiplied, and/or abandoned. It saved producers money and the embarrassment of failing in New York.

I was lucky enough to catch a couple of shows in their pre-Broadway state. A few were stinkers that nothing could fix. A couple were savaged by critics, revamped dramatically and managed to fly on Broadway. But, one gave me a magical moment which will forever thrill me. The audience became one with the performer and we collectively salvaged a show. Well, maybe not the whole show but at least a piece of it.

Lily Tomlin was getting one of her shows ready for Broadway. I don't even remember which one. She was amazing throughout the entire performance. Frequently, she tore open the fourth wall and spoke directly to us. Then IT happened: pure entertainment.

Toward the end of the show, Lily stopped dead in her tracks. She paused then looked at the audience and said, "We took something out of here last night which wasn't working. I'll be damned if I can remember what I'm suppose to say next. I can only remember what I'm not going to use." Of course, the audience howled with laughter. She commented it might have been the best laugh of the night. Somebody in the audience suggested she use the piece that didn't work and let us decide. That made Lily laugh.

Then Lily did something I had never seen before or since. Lily Tomlin ambled over and sat down on the stage stairs to talk to us. She told us what they took out and why – she was right, it didn't really fit. It must have been five full minutes of Lily being Lily; who was much different from the character she was playing on stage. She asked us what we thought and listened when several people called out thoughtful answers and truly helpful suggestions. She thanked us and then went back up on stage to finish the show.

The play was brilliant. It did fabulous on Broadway. When it came back to Boston post Broadway, I went to see it. It was wonderful but it was different from the show I originally saw. It was polished and gleaming and flawless…and a little less fun than the first time. Oh, it was funny, very funny. But, the show didn't need me or the audience anymore. It was complete and beautiful and perfect. Perfect.

Anybody seeing it would know when to laugh. It didn't need a room filled with other people laughing to make the humor happen. It could be filmed and shown without a laugh track and people would still laugh right when they were supposed to laugh. Which is, what I believed happened to the production.

I think of writing on the internet in much the same way as a pre-Broadway run. Anything can and does happen. Writers are working through the kinks and teasing out knots. Readers supply feedback about what is or isn't working. Some writers experiment with formats, grammar, voice, settings, genre, and many times the experiments cross over the rules of the KING's English. I think that's okay because we ain't got no kings here and can talk how we feel like it 'cause were just plain vulgar - in the most literal definition of the word.

I don't mean this to sound like a push back. Joan is right, E is right, everybody who demands good editing is right. Technically, very right. But, I wonder if the desire to be entertained by a perfect performance cheats all of us out of moments of pure entertainment: absolutely memorable magic.


Okay, I want to thank phair for sharing such a great story and I do see the point, but I'm not sure I can agree. I think I want to be cheated when it comes to those writing magical moments. But, I will say it again, thank you, phair and please keep calling it as you see it!

Now to your updates, enjoy 'em.

Elisa

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Friday, August 07, 2009

Ramble from Joan

We are home and tired and got lucky as Joan sent us words.
The Tools of the Trade, or Lazy Writers, Frustrated Readers

Hiya Ladies,

Has this happened to you, too? You're in the middle of a story when your reading is interrupted one time too many, and, rolling your eyes, you hit the "Back" button.

Happens to me far too often. The problem is that what throws me from the flow of the story is *within* the story. "Mary, is not at home." WHAT? I see the comma, I expect a clause that will modify the subject, but none comes forth. So I stop and re-read the sentence (instead of following the story), only to realise that quality control has, yet again, failed.

"Their over they're in there car." Forehead hits keyboard, a desperate wail fills the room, and -- yes, "Back".

Not to mention how many authors do not treat their readers to the basic politeness of running a spell checker...

I know it can be hard. I'm a writer (well, 'scribbler') myself, and if there is a mistake I have not made I cannot think of it right now. But let's face it: a writer works with language. Her imagination provides the raw material that has to be brought into shape to be presentable. That includes ripping out parts where your fascination with the subject caused you to ramble. That includes weeding out over-the-board redundancy ("Her deep blue, cerulean eyes had the colour of the Mediterranean sea."), which *can* creep in when you're carried away with enthusiasm for a particular scene. And the very least you can do is not to violate the language you use to transport the story.

Of course, when you proof-read your own story, you tend to see what you *wanted* to say, not necessarily what's actually before your eyes. Personally, I re-read it until I get sick of it, which is not nice, but helps to build a certain distance. If you are lucky enough to have betas, nurture them, praise them, *especially* when they can be a p.i.t.a.

And when your exciting story excites with a really exciting plot, remember that there is a thesaurus to help you come up with exciting alternatives.

Then, when you're finally satisfied, re-run the spell checker. Believe it or not, this short ramble contained two spelling errors. Of course, writing this necessitates another run *which I am not going to comment on*, because... right.

Yes, it's frustrating work. But would you rather frustrate your readers?

Any errors in this ramble will hopefully only make you laugh, not angry.

Joan


Okay this ramble made me laugh and you know what? She is completely RIGHT! Editing is one of my number one I hate this story issues. I also suggest highly anyone writing get a decent editor. Even the crappy speller, editor and writer I am can be saved by Tamara's editing skills. And I also get the advantage of blaming her when something is missed. Perfect, no?

Here be the updates, I need to get moving on the laundry.

Elisa

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Thursday, August 06, 2009

Drizzle

Unlike Ze we are not getting rain, but today for the first day in weeks we did get some drizzle. It was nice even though we were still doing the tourist thing here on the Oregon coast. Today we visited the Newport aquarium and moved north a bit to see Lincoln City and Depoe Bay where we glimpsed a gray whale and a few more sea lions and some beautiful coast line.

Home tomorrow, hence expect another late update.

Now back to it. Enjoy your update.

Elisa

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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Squelch

That's the noise my boots are making in case you were wondering. Not that it's rained today. Nope they're still soaked from the last two weeks of torrential downpours. Now I don't generally mind the rain. I'm used to it. I'm English after all. You can't be English and not be accustomed to rainy weather. I'm not quite as anti-sun as E is but I do like rain. Well, I like the kind of gentle drizzle my (Irish) mam used to call "A soft day". But this?? I'll be getting webbed feet if this keeps up!! And I'm not quite as upset by high temperatures as she is either, I've travelled the world and can cope with temps of 50c and dry or 40c+ and high humidity, but at here home I don't really like it if it gets above 30c. And I prefer below 25c.

The weather we're having now?? Torrential rain and temps of 14c. It's August for pete's sake. August!! It should be sunny and 22 or 23. I got soaked right through to the skin walking to work yesterday. My boots were sodden. OK, that doesn't sound bad, getting soaked walking to work.. But when you consider that at the moment I can leave the house at 7.57 to be at work for 8.00...Daft, I calls it. It's that bloody global warming they're always talking about on Radio Four...

The fun thing about the site I'm working on now?? It's social housing produced jointly by the city council & a housing association. The company's name?? Mi-Space. I love the look on people's faces when I say I sub-contract to Mi-Space.

Ok - not a lot to read tonight but enjoy it anyway. See you next week. Same daft time, same daft channel. Goodnight and may your God/s go with you.

Ze

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Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Hype from Geonn

Hi from Soggy England. Tonight there's a hype from Geonn Cannon for you...

    E invited me to offer a ramble. Don't blame her, she knows not what she's done. But hey, you know me, never one to turn down the opportunity to promote myself and my novels! A few weeks ago was the release of my third novel (!), "World on Fire," which follows Firefighter Alexandra Crawford as she tackles two dangerous events: an arsonist who seems to be targeting firefighters, and Rachel Tom, a doctor who is in danger of stealing Alex's heart. While trying to keep herself and her coworkers safe, Alex opens herself up to the possibility of a relationship with Rachel.

    This book seems like a bit of a departure for me, if you're not paying attention. My novels "On the Air" and "Gemini" both included very obvious connections: The restaurant in one is mentioned in the other, a character from the first makes an off-screen cameo in the second, and they both take place on the same island. "World on Fire" takes place in a completely different town (although it is the same state), so it may seem unrelated at first. However, a closer look - and a complete read of the novel - will reveal that it is definitely, firmly, in the Squire's Isle universe (and you may have to re-read "On the Air" to fully discover how the books tie in. Hint: The events in "World on Fire" take place before the events of "On the Air").

    The next few books I have coming out - The first three Claire Lance novels and "The Following Sea" - only have slight connections to Squire's Isle, but never fear. I love the island, and I know I'll be revisiting it many, many times in many novels and short stories. I love the idea of a community, a world I created that people love to visit. As long as readers are willing to go there, I'm more than happy to write about it. Even if a novel seems completely separate from the world of Squire's Isle, trust me, there are connections (except for Riley Parra... that's a complete alternate universe, IMO. If you, the reader, can find connections between the two, more power to you. :D).

    I think I've abused the ramble invitation enough for now, so I'll leave you with a typical boilerplate book pimp: "World on Fire," "Gemini," and "On the Air" are on bookshelves now, check out Amazon.com or SCP Books, or your favorite online retailer (I would recommend SCP, but they've been out of stock of "Gemini" for a while (I can't tell if that's a good sign or a bad one ;-D) and they have yet to put up a listing for "World on Fire." So I would understand if maybe you'll want to wait for them to make it available. Or maybe if you want to contact them and demand they keep Geonn Cannon in stock! But not, you know, in an obnoxious way. :D)

    One more thing, before I go... thanks to everyone who voted for my story, Crisitunity, in the Academy of Bards Vacation Challenge. My second place win means the world to me, and I'm honored to have finally won an Academy award (wordplay! Hah hah hah!).

    Geonn


OK folks. Let him know what you think. I'm for bed now. Catch up with you all tomorrow.

Ze

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Monday, August 03, 2009

Day One

Vacation is going well. Today we wandered the Newport waterfront area where we saw many cheesy gift shops and attractions. Now we're back at the hotel for a rest, then who knows what we'll do later. We're being lazy and not pushing ourselves. I like vacations with no major schedules to follow. Enjoy the updates.

Tamara

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Sunday, August 02, 2009

Long Drive

Perhaps more words later. Vacation has begun with a very long drive. Hence we are all tired. We need to head out to find some dinner and purchase food for our room.

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

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Saturday, August 01, 2009

Bah!

Packing for the trip is almost done. We've managed to get all of our luggage to fit in the back of the van which means we don't have to use the top of the van carrier. I'm happy about that for the sake of my gas mileage. Other than that I'm grumpy because I still have many little things to get done and words for this update just won't come. I'll shut up now and let you read.

Tamara

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