Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: Yeah, yeah,
Ok, Jenny's posted four times in a row. And I'm sure she's just waiting to tell me about it.
But I've been busy. Writing and rewriting the end of Agnes while Jenny has been catting around finishing other books.
Ref Agnes: We cut the third POV character, Xavier. Well, not the character, but his POV. So we only have either Agnes’ or Shane’s POV. He had a neat POV and I enjoyed writing him, but as Jenny pointed out, he didn’t have enough arc to support the POV.
Looks like I’ll be going with Jenny to Australia and New Zealand in August 2007. The two countries will never be the same.
We received good news on DON’T LOOK DOWN the other day. The hardcover sold pretty well, considering the collaboration was a new thing. So thank you all.
I'm teaching my retreat now. Which is very tiring because I have to think about seven different books. I've got a couple of whackos from the Atlanta area, Dianna Love Snell and Ann Oortman who tried to get me drunk tonight in the bar, but their plan failed miserably when Lisa said "We must write tonight". So. Nice try. Although I have had some of my retreat groups start drinking heavily-- in the room-- before noon. I have no clue why.
And reference the picture: Jenny said: "Look, she needs help!" And I was ready to leap into action. But, alas, it was a false alarm. Jenny messes with me all the time like that. Living The Dream. LTD. BTW: Jenny hit me again during a video interview in Ohio. Just saying.
Surrey was great. Always wonderful to see Don and Carol McQuinn. And Andy Cohen who used his blackberry or whatever it was in to check what the legal age of consent in Canada was, but I think Jenny's already posted on this. And we had the dancing chicken, which we don't want to get into.
So we're STILL rewriting Agnes. Jenny's cutting the heck out of Act One and now rewriting Act Four which needs work. And work we will.
Right. Yep. On our shield or with it.
102 Comments:
Me first! Congratulations to Me!
Bob said: I'm teaching my retreat now.
I thought Special Forces NEVER retreated!
bznklbno -- Special Forces for "Run away! Run away!"
Yeah Bob's back and ready to leap into action.
On our shield or with it.
LMAO. try with, Bob. you have many more collaborations in your future.
Bob said ... We received good news on DON’T LOOK DOWN the other day. The hardcover sold pretty well, considering the collaboration was a new thing. So thank you all
You're welcome. See, Bob; the CBs are a GOOD THING.
And congrats on getting to go down under. Now Jenny can't hold that over you anymore.
Really looking forward to the day we get to meet Shane and Agnes and Xavier and Two Wheels and the whole gang. Watch out for Arcing Flamingos. Just saying.
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this may be it for the night, so have a great one. my roomie and her "friend" from LA need some alone time, so i'm bunking in another friend's room (she has a single and is gone for the weekend). which means no computer.
dorm life, so fun. :)
Jenny's posted four times in a row now? Really? Was someone counting?
Oh yeah, we were.
Good for you Bob. Keep up the good work. When is your Atlantis series being re-released or was that a hint for us to demand it? I want to read it now that I have been watching Lost, especially after your post on it. Please let us know. We will all race out and buy it. /,D
red vgbyv
Very good. Bob yecced valiantly.
Oh, I forgot about retreat. I remember I was there a year ago. Fun. Scary, but fun. How come we didn't get to get you drunk? We must have been the well-behaved group. Heh.
Goody, you're both going to be in Sydney in August '07. *big grin*
I might be going. Haven't actually booked the flight or anything yet. There isn't much info up on the Aussie site. And, I do have to check my budget, although Mum is trying to twist my arm. Plus there is a family wedding on an aboriginal reserve up in Nhulunbuy near Darwin. Might be able to go there, too.
Wow! That would be so cool to see you guys in my country. Sydney, my old stomping ground. It's a really neat thing for me to go to Aust. conference because I get to meet other Aussie writers, plus write off the trip, and see my family.
I've never been able to sit through an entire workshop of J&B's at National in the U.S. There are other responsibilites, or my appointments with an agent or editor are halfway through their session, and I have to leave.
Funny to think I have to go 12,000 miles to do take their workshop. But, hey, who's complaining?
rg
Woooohooo! the Cherry and the GAM are coming! Yay! :D
gvfckexm (red): use your imagination :D
is blogger being bad? where the heck is everyone? ok, gone till tomorrow late afternoon. Mary, try not to be caught again. i have to wake up really early in the morning. :)
Yay! The Jenny & Bob/Bob & Jenny show comes downunder! New Zealand will never be the same! Now, how am I going to wait so many months...?
(And re Jenny hitting you, Bob -- I totally sympathise with her. You sound just like my boss, and I hit him yesterday in a moment of extreme provocation.)
So glad both you guys are coming!
oxgxeh = the sound my boss made when I hit him
I am smearing the blog line a bit, lol...
Back on 'Oh, Canada, Part 2', Diane said...
Erica - Rupert, as in Lord Rupert Alistair? He's so funny! What kind of dog looks like a Rupert? One of the things I love about GH is how delightful so many of the secondary characters are - they never seem to be caricatures or sketches. And Freddy in Cotillion is so a-typical, his dad is more like a hero - very fun.
Yes, :D that Rupert. I love all the GH books about the Alistairs.
Freddy and the Duke of Avon are my favourite historical romance heroes... Freddy is absolutely classic... that bit about the Elgin Marbles never fails to make me laugh.
As to what kind of dog looks like a Rupert... he is a maltese crossed with a mystery dog, lol, and is the most... portly, of the litter, lol. If your interested, I'll give you a link to photo of him :)
Bewdy mate and bloody bonza!!!!! Streuth, crikey and you little ripper. I'm excited? Can anyone tell ;-)
The Sydney 07 conference is called "A Darling Affair" - being held at Sheraton 4 points on Darling Harbour.
And looks like a few of us lucky CB's are going to be there.
rg - it'd be great to see you again. The website wont have any forms etc up until next year. Email me if you need to know anything more.
Oooh just thought, there's this really cool (pun intended) ice bar at Darling Harbour, wonder whether the GAM and Cherry would be interested. You look a bit like an eskimo but you cant beat the view....rg, you up for it? Who else?
OMG. OMG. OMG.
Snoopy dancing all over the house.
ksily - keeping silly
Ooh and I ust thought - Agnes'll be out and that will be about 20 books I have to be signed.
I'm gonna need an extra case for all those books.....
Ice bar? What's an ice bar, Dug?
It's a bar totally carved out of ice. You go in after dresisng in all this thermal gear they give you and it's -20 or something and there's all these great ice sculptures and everything from the actual bar and seats and tables and the glass you drink from is made out of ice. And they have these big ice windows that look out onto the harbour where it's all sunny and gorgeous outside.
We went earlier this year and had a blast.
They dont sell beer tho Bob - only spirit based drinks because beer wine etc freezes
cool!
lol
The "land of Oz" will never be the same after next year with She and He visiting.
Batten down the hatches and get prepared.
That Ice Cave Bare sounds "cool".
idnnl...thick green letters
it's delightful never, never land
Should be "Bar"....don't think you want to be bare in it!
Bob wrote: "And we had the dancing chicken" A dancing chicken? Oh my.
Glad you were ready to leap into action. Good to know.
Now, about these ice bars. In Montreal they have an ice hotel! Really, they do. I saw it. Why anyone would want to stay there is beyond me. I'm cold enough hanging out in ice rinks.
FYI - Sabres play tonight...if they win, they will break the record for most consecutive wins to start the season. 11 wins. That is if they win! Go Sabres.
And I will be watching from a sports bar, in Ohio, with DD15 hockey team. I have no been on the road since the weekend before NJ. I have spent every weekened in a hotel since NJ and one week inbetween. I'm kind of tired of the road. Although, this hotel is kind of nice. Cleveland, not my favorite city and it's hailing. And they are calling for snow. Yeah, I know, I'm whinning. Oh well.
Seems like the Aussies took over the blog whilst we slept.
DUG said:Bewdy mate and bloody bonza!!!!! Streuth, crikey and you little ripper. I'm excited? Can anyone tell ;-)"
Which translated means: This is beautiful my friend, a bonanza. It's the truth and words of praise fail me." The "crikey" speaks for itself.
Louis said:
That Ice Cave Bare sounds "cool".
Bare? Cool? I'd say freezing, heh heh. I'm not freezing my bum off for anyone.
I don't drink spirits, (I can barely handle wine or beer) one Margarita and I'm talking my head off and I'm already way too garrulous. But, if I can get a diet coke, I'm in DUG.
I want to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk if the weather permits. Maybe J&B would go for that? Or is Bob afraid of heights? *wink*
That is ... IF I come over. I know, I know ... today I started saving, I didn't buy a Starbucks coffee. *grin*
rg
Wish I could visit Sydney again.
:-)
I was there for a couple of weeks in 1991, and I found it an exciting, dynamic city.
I just got home from a four hour lunch. With Margaret. Yes, our former lurker Margaret. I tell you what, once you get these lurkers to start talking you just can't make them stop. [grin] Well, ok, more than half the time she was listening. Politely. Nicely even -- she's really good at that.
Seriously, we had a great time talking and laughing, and I was a little surprised to find out how much we have in common. Margaret is a lovely lady and I hope we can do it again sometime soon. Maybe she can even teach me how to be nice.
Oh, and she may not tell you all, but she was touched by what Jenny wrote in the copy of DLD that Lori arranged to have autographed for her in Mpls. So thanks, Jenny. She liked the chocolate, too -- well, it was Dove dark from the time travel stash, what's not to like. That stuff has magical properties. Thanks Lori.
Geez. I'm just surrounded by niceness today. This can't be good.
I have to go buy cat food now. Sigh.
bw
Oh, that sneaky BCB got here before I did!
Yes, it's true that we had a four hour lunch, and it's true that I yacked and yacked and yacked. But I did listen just a little, too, now and then.
And yes, I was quite touched, speechless, even, with my copy of DLD. Thanks Jenny and Bob. And Moot. (YES!! Got the Moot stamp!) And the chocolate is my favorite. Thanks, Lori for your thoughtfulness. Thanks, too, to BCB for bringing it to me, that sneaky, snarky BCB.
And I will say this: BCB is a very funny, delightful lady who has very good taste in clothing. (We dressed in the same colors today. One of us should be very frightened.) There's no wonder she's a writer, either, she has the desire and the drive. I'll buy her book.
Hey, BCB--book done yet?
[ducking]
Hi, Margaret! Nice to see you back again. A four hour lunch sounds great. I used to work evenings and spent a lot of my waking hours doing long lunches. Enjoyed them much more than long dinners for some reason.
Poor Xavier! It's a good thing he gets so much action in the verifications, or he might get his feelings hurt.
ibvhmt (red)
I've been very heavily making time. (I wish)
And speaking of Lori (my how she does get around) she has sent me this lovely little etymological puzzle just waiting for the CBs to solve. It involves cultural distinctions and everything.
Where you are, do you use the expression "butt naked" or "buck naked" ... and where the heck did "buck naked" come from anyway?
Lori, I LMAO when I hit the p.o. this morning. Right there in the parking lot too. And you know I needed a little pick up today so it was very timely. No, everyone, put down the shovels. Honestly I think I'm just entering another one of those lovely phases of womanhood. Spent my whole life with people believing I'm younger than I really am, but I can't fool mother nature. Not at the flashing stage yet ... gee its always nice to have something to look forward to, isn't it?
I've decided to 'celebrate' by rereading Fast Women.
LOL LOuis - no bareing in there. Not unless we want frostbite in hard-to-explain places.
rg - sorry, diet coke freezes too. And hey, you guys can climb the bridge, I'll be waiting at the bottom cheering you on. Heights + DUG do NOT mix. Yes, go without a Starbucks all year and put the money that you would have spent towards the airfare. This is going to be real cracker. And I won't be organising it next year so I'll have lots more time to spend as well.
Hi Jen-t You're back. They also have an ice hotel somewhere in lapland or greenland or somewhere up that way too. I dont think I'd want to sleep on a bed carved out of ice. But you can only stay for 30 mins at a time in this bar - they give you a timer to put around your neck!! It's one of 3 or 4 in the world and for something completely different it's definitely worth a go look-see.
mgjruj - my guys just radiant ubout jenny
ZaZa Wrote: Poor Xavier! It's a good thing he gets so much action in the verifications, or he might get his feelings hurt.
That's what I was thinking, too. I was kind of looking forward to getting inside Xavier's head. Really, Bob, wouldn't it have been a whole lot easier to just give him an arc? I mean, if Jenny can arc flamingos... Never mind, what do I know.
And guess what?! Not only did I buy cat food and way more non-cat food than I needed (I was distracted), I found new books, too! The third in the Nora Roberts series (even though I have the first two and haven't even opened them yet), and the new Rachel Gibson (because she makes me laugh and I need that right now), AND there in the #11 spot was an anthology that had the name "Jennifer Crusie" on it.
Did you guys know she wrote books? I thought she just wrote clever blog entries. [grin]
So, you all know what I'll be doing tonight instead of writing. It's a little early for a Christmas story, IMO, but any time is right for a Jenny story.
I'll write tomorrow. Really.
bw
BCB informed us ... The third in the Nora Roberts series (even though I have the first two and haven't even opened them yet), ... AND there in the #11 spot was an anthology that had the name "Jennifer Crusie" on it.
Butbutbut ... Okay I won't ask how you got your hands on two books that are not supposed to be on the shelves yet, just tell me where to send the bail money. As long as its not more than $76.68.
I am sooo jealous.
MCB wrote: Not at the flashing stage yet ...
Um, MCB, isn't that something you should do when you're still young and firm and wrinkle-free? You're waiting for old age? Very daring of you. In that case, I think the phrase you're looking for is: But, naked?
Just saying.
The books were at the grocery store: Harris Teeter. Go buy some cat food.
bw
Okay, first MCB soy is wonderful. You can add it into your diet or take the soy tablets. My children and husband are still alive today because of soy. :)
Next, I want to go to New Zealand. I always have but now I want to meet the Aussie CB's and sit in the ice bar and walk on the bridge and meet RG again. When did I start wanting to go to NZ you ask. Well you don't but tough I'm going to tell you anyway. I've wanted to visit since I read a romance writer named Betty Neels eons ago. And I want to go to OZ too. So my plan is to sell my books and the movie rights for a gazillion dollars between now and then and I'll use the money to bring my DH, 3DSs and moi over. Heck if I get a gadzillion dollars, I can bring all the CB's over.
Would you please stop spitting wine, beer, diet soda etc all over your computer screens? It could happen.
Imagine: J&B arrive to be met by every CB. And that's the caption for the last post.
Glad you were home for a nanosecond JenT. Rooting for the Sabres (Who are they? Ice hockey isn't big in VA. It exists but it isn't big).
Your lunch sounds like it was fun BCB and Margaret.
SDCB so nice to see you posting again.
Just want to say to everyone here, reading the J&B posts, and the comments on everything from age of consent thru stockings and corsets to picture captions and ice bars helps me make it through the week.
The last couple of weeks have been the pits. If I'd had internet Wed, I'd have asked for CBs to send shovels. My landlord is an &*^^%*(()(*&^%U*(*&^^%**((. For a couple of minutes it looked like we would have been moving again this weekend.
A weekend with the dogs has helped. (The kennel where they are staying complimented us when we picked them up Friday. Said they are extremely well-adjusted dogs. Who knew? They never even use leashes for them because they are so food oriented they follow them around if they say "treat" They take after me. Sigh.
Of course, I'm down at the cottage with the dogs and cats and DH is at the rental with the boys so they could do things with their friends. We've spent less than 24 hours awake together in the past month. The house is about 40% done according to the inspector who came Friday. 40% in 7 months. At this rate, DH and I will have to start subtracting time from the years we've been married.
And I haven't been writing. This really depresses me.
Back to lurking. Yeah I know. Posting a billion words at least once a week probably isn't lurking but I'm trying.
Great another excuse not to write. I needed that BCB. I did. If the nearest bookstore or grocery store with books wasn't 45 min away and if I hadn't already had a glass of sherry, I'd run out to buy them.
I'm going to buy them tomorrow but I'm not going to read them to Dec.
Except Hot Toy. It's short. It doesn't count as reading fiction.
It doesn't.
Buck naked (pronounced buck nekkid in polite company) aka bare a$$ed. The 1st time I read/heard butt naked was in "How Stella Got Her Grove Back" and only supposed it got misheard/rearranged/whatever as all expressions evolve. I think I remember only boys could be, not girls; so that supports the buck business of being naked. Doe naked? Anyway, a common remark when I was young, "Boy, get your hine-end back in that bathroom and put your clothes on and stop running around the house buck naked before I get my belt to you."
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Here is one possible explanation of the origin of the term buck naked:
http://ask.yahoo.com/20040927.html
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Let me practice with this hyperlink thing....
buck naked
LOL GP
Christina interesting link
bon cheri bomb said...
MCB wrote: Not at the flashing stage yet ...
Um, MCB, isn't that something you should do when you're still young and firm and wrinkle-free?
*snort* Well I've still got cleavage. And damned good cleavage too. Chance are good they won't look anywhere else.
Thanks oodles for the soy recommendation Robin. As a matter of fact I did browse the 'dietery supplement' aisle today. Got some stuff that's suppose to have soy isoflavors and calcium. And flaxseed (or was it linseed?) anyway its good for omega-3 fatty acids and just this a.m. they were talking about all the good things that can come from getting enough omega-3. Timely, no?
And Robin? I definitely see gazillions in your future.
And, I've got a cat. She'll need food eventually anyway. I could just go get it now. But I feel better alreay - between you guys and watching Nell destroy Gabe's office (on the little cinema screen in my mind) I think I can cope.
Omega 3 FA's are wonderful.
Nell? Gabe? I want to see her destroy his office too.
Thanks for making me smile MCB.
Back to lurking. (Ignore the woman behind the curtain. She's had a glass of sherry and isn't really there.)
Grab your shovels and start digging. I've lost the cherrybomb belly ring I bought in NJ. No, I was not wearing it at the time thankyouverymuch. I distinctly remember packing it very safely for the drive home. I wonder if Scope exchanged it for Pennsylvania money. I've torn the house apart looking for it. It was so sweet, the ball was black, like a bomb while the bottom was a very pretty cherry.
I don't have the belly ring. I never even saw it. I couldn't exchange it for Pennsylvania money because we were in New Jersey and they didn't have any.
Well, I am going to take the plunge. I am going to do the NaNoWriMo challenge. I wasn't going to do it because I didn't look at the rules etc. until last night and found out that you had to do it from 0 words. I wanted to just continue my WIP. Anyhow, I decided I wouldn't do it and then today something happened that was really weird. Then I came home and had a nap and these voices woke me up to tell me all about the weird thing that happened and I could not write down the information fast enough. Before I knew it I had three pages of plot outline. I think I can do this. At least I am going to try. Wish me luck. Anyone else crazy enough to spend November this way, writing 50,000 words? I hope so. I would like to have someone to commiserate with.
There is one problem. I tried to sign in last night to register and it wouldn't let me in. Zaza how do I register? Help!!!!!
green hmljw
Have Mayer lighten Jenny's writing.
Scope Dope Wrote: Have Mayer lighten Jenny's writing.
Oh, how appropriate.
I just finished Hot Toy. Oh. My. God. The rest of you have to get this book and read it. You just have to, no excuses.
I'm not sure if this is a *spoiler* or not, I don't think it is, but if you're sensitive to this kind of thing, just skip this part, ok?
Not ten pages into it is this:
"...Trudy looked up to see the kind of guy who looked like he'd say "dude" a lot..."
*snort*
and then later the hero says:
"With your shield or on it, cow."
ROTFLMAO.
Ok, so anyone who has ever read a Jenny book knows there is a whole hell of a lot more to it than that, including some of the best dialog (internal and external) ever written. But still.
Jenny? Bob? I'm glad you're having such a good time teasing us.
The ONLY complaint I had about this story was that it was way too short.
Thanks, Jenny.
bw
Robin S. wrote: When did I start wanting to go to NZ you ask. Well you don't but tough I'm going to tell you anyway. I've wanted to visit since I read a romance writer named Betty Neels eons ago.
Are you sure? Betty Neels wrote mostly books set in Holland. It was Essie Summers's Harlequins that made ME long to see New Zealand.
I think the likelier origin for "buck naked" is from the derogatory reference to non-white males as "bucks," including Native Americans (who often wore little more than loincloths) and black slaves (who were often put on the block naked). See here:
http://www.takeourword.com/TOW155/page2.html
djcsim -- Dear Jenny, Cherries should IM Mayer.
Oh, and that cow? It had a great arc.
*snort*
bw
Watched the "Quill Awards" on TV a bit ago (7:00-8:00pm Pacific time) Sadly disapointed...Romance got very, very short shrift on the program.
Nora Roberts won for "Blue Smoke"
Janet Evanovich for "12 Sharp"
However only mention was a 2-3 second slide announcing award. All the rest was for children's books and political type non-fiction.
Maybe I'm just biased towards "Romance"
SDC...take the plunge...even if you can't enter...pub exerpts here for our enjoyment.
bqknikdd...blue
sheesch...they have been terible lately
Congrats on DLD selling well! And LOL about fellow Georgians Dianna & Annie. They're the very best kind of whackos :-)
I hope Agnes does even better for you guys--I know I'm already antsy to buy it the day it's released!
Tanya
Hey, Robin S. it was nice to meet you, too. Are you going to RWA National in Dallas? I'm planning on having a lot more free time time next year as I won't be running for Pres. of my local chapter. Time for me to really concentrate on the writing. But, I have all good faith that you will sell and get movie options and come to Australia. I'll look for you at the bottom of the bridge. *grin*
SDCB ... I'm considering NaNo as I'm about to start the new book. Haven't signed on yet. I'm working on By-Laws that were amended and running electronic meetings, etc. should all be over tomorrow. I'll have a clearer head then and will let you know if I decide to do it.
Thanks for the book news BCB. I could use a good read.
rg
Yep - Betty Neels wrote largely about Dutch doctors and english heroines, so I think you have her muddled up there Robin.
But hey, whatver gets you down under is fine by me. Good luck with those movie rights.
And good luck to all trying for NaNo.
vuqdi - very ugly quinces dispute imagination
ScopeDope asked...
Zaza how do I register? Help!!!!!
Here's the link to the signup page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/register.php
You want to selectg the "I am 13 years of age or oldr..." option and click "Submit."
I was working on a book years ago, most of which got zapped in a hard drive crash. Now, I've got some additional ideas for it, so I'm going to try to do a synop or take a lot of notes, and do my 50k on that.
Who all else is NaNo-ing besides SDCB and me? I know several people have mentioned it.
BUSINESS:
Rather than me trying to track down all the CB blogs/sites, could everyone who has a blog/website, please send me their info for our new home - zlamarr @ gmail . com (no spaces, of course).
euhgk (blue)
sounds like the noise someone might make if grabbed, forcefully, by the throat
Info help, please.
Does anyone know of any authors in the Seattle/Port Townsend area who is into crochet enough to talk about it before a group? The Port Townsend PL is doing knit nights in cooperation with a yarn shop, where authors speak, including about the craft (crochet is preferred, but I suppose they'll need more knitters, too). Debbie Macomber is speaking next.
Thanks!
Double bummer!
1) The sabres lost. Good game, lost in a shoot out, but they lost.
2) I missed the memo that the clocks changed today! WTF? It's being on the road for like a month. I have a lot of respect for Jenny and Bob. Don't know how they do it. I completely forgot and thought I the idiots at the desk forgot my wake up call. So woke DD up and got moving. Got as far as the lobby when I ran into one of the dads who said, "Jen, you're up early considering how late you were up last night." I gave him a funny look and said. "We got a game." He laughes and says. "We set the clocks back last night." I said, "Shit."
I'm usually so up om these things! Traveling for the last month has really done a number on my brain. At least there is no snow this morning. Lets hope it stays that way as I drive home later today.
Well, I have signed up for NaNo--first time for me. Though if I actually get anything written, it will be a miracle.
barkyqz--bark, yee quiet zit.
Zaza - Maybe Jenny can make some suggestions. She's not in Seattle, of course; but she crochets and may be able to suggest some names.
Scope - go for it ... NaNo or bust!
Speaking of turning back clocks ... CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE ALARMS
BCB: So now we know why 'dudes' were on Jenny's mind. *sigh* better see if I've got a Harris Teeter in my area.
mabck: Mayer announces, beautious Cherry knits (well crochets actually, but I didn't have anothere C. Deal with it)
Thank you Tal. It was Essie Summers. Betty Neels was my mom's favorite. I can't believe I did that. (Blushing furiously here) Going to read the rest of the comments.
In the coffee shop this morning the owner let me borrow two books to research George. She said my face was so honest she knew I'd bring them back. So much for my con woman fall back career.
I hope you find your belly ring CMS. Did you have a reason for wearing said ring in late Oct. she asks waggling her honest eyebrows.
SDCB go for it. I think that's fantastic.
I signed up but forgot to read the rules. Sigh. I have a few words already written in the book. Not many but a few so I guess I either have to not participate or write one of my other books.
Okay the anonymous was me.
Crochet - Rosina Lippi, AKA Sara Donati, lives in Bellingham, WA, and does fabric things, maybe crochets. Her book, Queen of Swords, has just hit the bookstores. Historical, 1816ish now, 4th in the Wilderness series. I highly recommend her. Also a contemporary romance a few months ago, Tied To The Tracks.
Tal, your take on buck rings true. Buck naked was a pejorative term at home. And buck was the preferred expression for a young black man.
Louis, Hey! Been missing your comments.
McB, DH is changing the batteries as I speak. Thanks for the reminder. He'd forgotten. Ouch, the noise.
gexio: The native land of the Geckos.
Hey all. I was entertaining my very nice MIL on Sat and now I'm ready to jump back in the posts.
The first time I heard about the Spartan expression "on your sheild or with it" I got annoyed. Who says that to their husband? mmmmpph. Now that I am married I know I would tell Sweet Babou "I don't give a rat's ass about your sheild. Come home". I would have a made a really bad Spartan. Must of been a Celt in my past lives :0)
I think Romance is always underrated as a genre because it is 'popular' and enjoyable. The gods forfend! But Mary Shelly wrote a 'horrid' novel called Frankenstein that seems to have done well and an obscure British author who wrote romance novels, someone named Jane Austen -- you might have heard of her --- is in 'real' lit classes. So pooh-pooh on those who don't embrace romance novels!
Now, I have to report Tweety Bird, who is 19 months old today, can recognize and name 17 letters of the alphabet. I thinks that's pretty nifty myownself. Her favorite letters are 'T' and 'X'. I have no clue why.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled posts.
Kyra - both Tweety and Xavier sart with her favourite letters. I'm just saying.
Missing the CBs wanted to chage the belly ring to feel closer. This means I also lost the cherry one as well. They were in the same bag.
Must go update my blog for Zaza.
I managed to pinch a nerve in my left arm and my left pinky finger has been feeling numb for over a week now. People I have talked to attribute the nerve pinch to all the typing I have had to do lately and the fact that I type on a laptop computer. So I just went to Staples and bought a keyboard and wrist-rest pad. Hopefully that helps. A definite bonus is that the screen is no longer so close to my face--now I don't feel like I am cooking my eyes.
Although it is a UK keyboard set-up, so I may end up with more typos than usual. But at least I know I will be in good company on that front. :)
Christina: I once pinched a nerve in my neck that made my entire left arm numb and tingly. Except I didn't know it was a pinched nerve because I didn't do anything to "hurt" my neck (still don't know how I managed to do it) and thought maybe I was having a stroke. Which of course caused a teeny, tiny panic attack. Which of course made me think it really was a heart thing.
So, one embarrassing trip to the ER and several tests later, they told me it was a pinched nerve. And that my heart and other various body parts were ridiculously healthy and basically to stop wasting their time. No, they didn't say that. They were very nice about it, even if they were somewhat amused to have such a healthy patient. Me? Amusing in the ER? Once they told me I wasn't on death's doorstep, a good time was had by all. You had to be there.
Anyway, it took a long time to get better. So you've got lots of leeway on that whole typo excuse.
bw
I'm dealing with the whole neck, head, nerve thing myself right now. Not fun, but there's no way it's going to get in the way of my blogging. : ) I highly recommend an adjustment by a chiropractor. If you're not comfortable with that, go see a massage therapist. It will make life more bearable. I speak from way too much experience.
How sad is it that I have never had a professional massage.
I may have to check my budget and see what I can do...
I am truly blessed. A friend of mine is massage therapy school and needs subjects. Because hse is studying to be certified, she cannot charge. I'm surprised more people aren't lined up to be her guinea pig. Did I mention she's also helping me with my hero's injuries? I am truly blessed indeed.
By the way, the Spartan saying "Come home with your sheild or on it" is from a Spartan mother to her son.
Or "shield"
Christina said...
How sad is it that I have never had a professional massage
Highly recommended. Not something I can afford very often but there's nothing like it. Only downside is, eventually they stop and make you get off of the table.
I like that saying and what it communicates about honour in battle.
Or I might be mistaken and it just speaks to the value of a good shield.
bw
BCB...
Had the same neck problem years ago...Left arm would go numb. Doctor had me stretch my neck for about 20 minutes a day. Had a sling that fit around chin and back of neck..attached to a thingy that fit on top of a door with 3-4 pounds of water in a bag on a string over a pulley. I'd sit facing a door and read romance for alloted time. Did this about two months and every thing has been "normal" since.
amirnfol...blue
all my intentions, Robert need follow our leader
Geez, Louis, are you trying to kill me? Right now I'm laughing so hard at the visual of me actually trying this, I might just die. I'm glad it worked for you, but if you gave me a neck sling and a thingy and a four-pound bag of water on a string, I'm pretty sure I'd manage to strangle myself.
I can see the headline now:
Woman Dies in Strange Attempt to Stretch Neck,
Rancher Indicted as Accessory
GAM Cowboy sons wonder: What were they thinking?
But I'll keep it in mind if the problem ever returns. Really. Maybe one of your sons would like to come supervise?
bw
Christina - find a good osteopath! Massage alone will not be enough - you probably need some re-alignment.
:-)
Hey all.
Christina: I also recommend a physical therapist. I (lucky me!) have a good friend who is a PT and she has pulled more 'cricks' out of my back, neck adn schoulders than I care to count. But I have also heard wonderful things about chiropracters and massage. Hope you feel better.
BCB: Panic attacks send many, many healthy people to the ER. My dad works ER and he says the they can't tell the difference until the tests are in. They were just happy you weren't really sick, or worse, in there faking just to get drugs. Dad hates those people. They waste time and keep the docs away form real patients.
Bryan: Ya know, I don't feel better knowing it was from a mom. Glad to know the real scoop tho. Must say, as a mother, I would rather have Tweety Bird just come home than come home on a sheild covered in glory. Not that I don't believe in honor and national defense, I would just rather have everyone come back alive. Which is unrealistic but at least its a dream.
CMC: Tweety says the letter z as 'eezzz' instead of 'zeee'. It mucho cute.
kyra wrote: Ya know, I don't feel better knowing it was from a mom.
Yes, but that's precisely what makes it such a powerful statement.
I'm not saying I'd be ready to make that sacrifice either, but you don't have to agree with it or feel the same sentiment in order to recognize and respect it.
bw
Um, didn't mean to say YOU didn't recognize and respect... but that in general, ONE doesn't need to.
bw
Kyra--The Greeks were an honor-based society. One of the worst things you could do is to disgrace your family. This is true both in antiquity and today (but probably more so in the villages and towns rather than say in Athens). I guess it could be compared to Japanese culture. Not that honor is culture-specific, but I think the degree to which it is held in these societies is of note.
I have a cousin who was ostracized from the family for marrying an American woman with a child from a previous relationship. He went expressly against his parents wishes, which were for him to marry a Greek woman. He was only brought back into the fold once he divorced her. This is notable though--my cousin was the only chance for my aunt and uncle to have grandchildren and continue the family name. Despite that, they still cut him off because of the 'shame' that supposedly came with my cousin's marriage. You are supposed to abide by your parents no matter what your age.
This is an issue my sister and I have with our own father as even though we are both almost 30 he still believes that we should follow his dictates, marry whom he wants and pursue the careers that he wants us to. He loves us and wants us to be happy, but he particularly wants us to be EXTREMELY successful. Our achievements are his by proxy and are seen as his by the community back in Greece. This can be said for many cultures, I know, but the degree to which it is important in Greek society makes the difference.
The new Crusie book? What's its title, and who is the main author. I can't find a reference to it.
Neck criks, etc. Yesterday while giving platelets, my Chinese nurse said she is trying something she learned on a visit to China. Clapping! Really stretch arms back then clap once smartly. 30 minutes! Arghhh! Says it seems to reduce blood pressure, realign stuff, give lots of blood flow to the upper body, give the nerve endings a good workout. Don't know if I can clap for that long. Imagine what a doofus people will imagine!
eqiaybq: Yelled while being pulled underwater by a waterhorse (hippopotamus).
GP - Jenny's new story is called "Hot Toy" and its in an anthology called "Santa Baby" with Lori Foster and Carly Phillips. On shelves October 31. Unless you are BCB. I think the character is Trudy.
Christina: Fascinating glimpse into the culture. And not be be glib (well, ok, maybe a little) but what would your dad think about the CB's? He'd probably disown you for being one of us, wouldn't he? CBs: Wreaking havoc worldwide.
GP: Who is the main author, you ask? Bite your tongue, woman. [grin]
Ms. Crusie is the main author and the book is titled Santa Baby. Jenny's story therein is Hot Toy. Lori Foster and Carly Phillips are the other two authors.
bw
MCB: Would you feel better if I took it back and bought it again on Tuesday?
No? Want me to call you and read it to you?
Go ahead and post your phone number here on the blog and I'll do it. Call you, that is, and read to you.
bw
A number of Cherries are doing NaNo, so y'all are welcome to come join us - look under NaNo Groups > Writing Groups and Clubs > Cherries/Cherry NaNo-ers, or just search the forums for Cherries and you should find us.
BCB--As to my father's opinion of the CBs...just trying to explain the concept of a blog to him would be difficult enough. His spoken English is par at best and my Greek is non-existent (his fault, never taught me). Whenever we talk I have to consciously remind myself to use simpler words or he won't understand what the hell I'm saying.
Although he is pretty tolerant in some respects (he owns restaurants and constantly chats up his customers), I am sad to say that he would dismiss the blog as silly American stuff. He doesn't understand the concept of reading for fun; there should be a purpose to it like making money or getting a degree. He can't read English to save his life and I have never known him to pick up a Greek book of any sort.
OK, before I forget, we were talking about a dessert in the spring that I thought sounded yummy that was traditional in the UK (possibly specifically Northern England) for bonfires (I don't recall if it was Guy Fawkes or in general). 'Tis the season NOW, and I want to try it, but I can't look up the recipe because I don't remember the name. It might've started with a b (or not), and I'm pretty sure that it had treacle in it. I'm sure I would ENJOY rereading two or three months of old posts trying to find the recipe, but I'd rather ask and save a couple of hours.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled comments.
I'm glad the DLD hardcover sold well - since most of us bought so many copies that we can't think of anyone left to give a paperback to.
Erica - we love dog pictures! I'm sure your Rupert is adorable.
I have a gift certificate for a massage that a kind friend gave me for my last birthday. I really should get around to scheduling that pretty soon.
And the Spartans were a subgroup of Greek culture that cared about military honor and readiness even more than most (hence their usefulness as a team name and all the connotations of their adjectival form). As Bryan pointed out, it was the Spartan mother who preferred that her son die than return disgraced by desertion (but I'm sure that his honorable living arrival was definitely choice number one) - wives didn't get to comment much. Love between a man and a woman was discouraged as being weakening (if I remember correctly from what I learned as a young person, not long after the demise of the Spartan civilization) - probably because of the very natural reaction Kyra expressed regarding her Sweet Babou.
I am SOOO envious that Santa Baby is in stores! I ordered mine from Amazon months ago, but have NOT received any "sent" notice. My hopes were raised last week by a UPS tracking email, but no, it was the chocolate skulls I sent to my sister for Dia de los Muertes. I know, sugar skulls are traditional, but I bet these taste a lot better.
À propos of nothing, I did the carpe diem thing on Friday (no, I don't know why I've suddenly come over all polyglot), and went out and planted some of the (117?) bulbs I bought last spring around the trees in front of my church (which is on a main commercial street). Unfortunately, I can't recall exactly what my plan was when I bought 'em, but I made something up, since it was a pretty afternoon, and planted 'til I had something around every tree, it was starting to sprinkle and getting dark. I still have a bunch of species tulips to put in, plus some winter aconite that I think I intended to put around the sign. I thought we were supposed to have foul weather all this week, but it looks as though it'll be nice, so I might have a couple of chances to get those last 30-40 in. Of course, my Asiatic lily at home has completely croaked for the season and I haven't cut IT back yet, leaving my front yard to look more derelict than usual. Fall - when you're not picking apples, you're planting bulbs, or making treacl-y desserts. A favorite season, but a busy one!
xfhldxip: Xavier's fall housekeeping labors demanded xylophonically independent plants.
exdhbkv: Excised, Xavier drearily headed back, kicking voles.
Thank you to everyone that wished me well on the writing challenge. I am going to go register as soon as I submit this. I have never done anything like this before but I know that I work well to deadline from working at the newspaper so this should be okay. Thanks, zaza for the way to register. Good luck to rg, christina, zaza, and dee too. Hopefully wwe will all get a book out of it.
robin s I think if you havent' written a full chapter but if you have plot outline type words written down then you can still enter the nanowrimo challenge. I have writte a plot outline plus I have written down a couple of lines of dialogue to use. They tell you you can prepare for it. You just can't use your WIP.
I will try to give you a taste Louis once I get going. I am really excited about this.
green vbklx
Vinegar, Bob, kills like Xlax.
ok, serious catch-up:
DUG's ice bar: i remember once at a hotel we were staying at they had a "water bar". it was under this cave thing and you had to swim under stuff to get to it.
rss: hope day gets better
CMS: hope you do find that ring (check under your mother's pillow)
zaza: (ok, i realize i should probably look this up, but i'll ask you first) is NaNo only in November? cause i really want to do this, i work best under deadlines, but i can't do this during a school month.
kyra: tell Tweety Happy Birthday. she just sounds so damn adorable. (and i'm not really a kid person so this is saying something).
christina: i hope however you decide to fix it, it works. sounds extremely painful.
hi bryan and inkgrrl (who i really haven't seen in a long time).
louis: the Quills Awards are on TV? cool. but NR won for Blue Smoke? i didn't find that to be one of her better ones...not just in relation to this, but sometimes i wonder if people really like something or if it's just "oh, it's her, so of course i liked it".
BCB: yeah, return it. it'll make me feel better. :) kidding. i'm just annoyed because even if it did come out early in a place near me, i can't justify reading a book till after my next econ midterm. esp since i'm doing all this Halloween stuff too. (in case anyone is curious, i missed the A by a multiple choice question on the last one. one stinking question.)
scope dope: i want a taste!
good luck on everyone doing the NaNo challenge.
OH--Thanks for the well wishes. It's not painful though, just really annoying. Like when one of your appendages 'falls asleep' but in my case it doesn't want to wake up again.
Christina hope your pinched nerve is better soon.
Thanks for the info SDCB. I went back and read the info on the site but didn't find that.
OH Thank you so much for your good wishes. It helps.
Spent the day walking the ground ala Bob. I bet he never went up to his knees in a hidden ditch of cold water. But I got the picture.
I'm sorry I can't remember who was asking about doing research and asking questions. The advice the CB's gave is so good. Today I went to the island that is the setting for my book. The docent (?sp) at the museum was so very helpful. She's coming in next weekend for me even though the museum is officially closed for the season. And they have a library. Go ask questions if you haven't already.
jnfqzdea Oops. Have to take the dogs out. Too bad.
bon cheri bomb said...
MCB: Want me to call you and read it to you?
Yes. Post your phone number here and I'll call you tomorrow on my lunch hour.
THE BRAVE SPARTAN BOY
AS greedy and disobedient children were viewed at Sparta with the contempt they deserved, all the boys were trained to obey at a word, whatever the order given, and were allowed only the plainest and scantiest food.
Strange to relate, the Spartans also trained their boys to steal. They praised them when they succeeded in [65] doing so without being found out, and punished them only when caught in the act. The reason for this queer custom was this: the people were often engaged in war, and as they had no baggage wagons following their army, and no special officer to furnish food, they had to depend entirely upon the provisions they could get on their way.
Whenever an army came in sight, the people hid not only their wealth, but also their food; and, had not the Spartan soldiers been trained to steal, they would often have suffered much from hunger when they were at war.
To test the courage of the Spartan boys, their teachers never allowed them to have a light, and often sent them out alone in the middle of the night, on errands which they had to do as best they could.
Then, too, once a year all the boys were brought to the Temple of Diana, where their courage was further tried by a severe flogging; and those who stood this whipping without a tear or moan were duly praised. The little Spartan boys were so eager to be thought brave, that it is said that some let themselves be flogged to death rather than complain.
The bravery of one of these boys was so wonderful that you will find it mentioned in nearly every Greek history you read. This little fellow had stolen a live fox, and hidden it in the bosom of his dress, on his way to school.
The imprisoned fox, hoping to escape, began to gnaw a hole in the boy's chest, and to tear his flesh with his sharp claws; but, in spite of the pain, the lad sat still, and let the fox bite him to death.
[66] It was only when he fell lifeless to the floor that the teachers found the fox, and saw how cruelly he had torn the brave little boy to pieces. Ever since then, when boys stand pain bravely and without wincing, they have been called little Spartans, in memory of this lad.
In order that the boys should be taught to behave well under all circumstances, they were never allowed to speak except when spoken to, and then their answers were expected to be as short and exact as possible.
This style of speaking, where much was said in few words, was so usual in the whole country of Laconia, that it is still known as the laconic style.
To train them in this mode of speech, the elders daily made the boys pass an oral examination, asking them any questions they could think of. The boys had to answer promptly, briefly, and carefully; and if they failed to do so, it was considered a great disgrace.
These daily questionings were meant to sharpen their wits, strengthen their memories, and teach them how to think and decide quickly and correctly.
The Spartan youths were further taught to treat all their elders with the greatest respect; and it must have been a pretty sight to see all these manly fellows respectfully saluting all the old people they met, and even stopping their play to make way for them when they came on the street.
To strengthen their muscles, the boys were also carefully trained in gymnastics. They could handle weapons, throw heavy weights, wrestle, run with great speed, swim, jump, and ride, and were experts in all exercises which tended to make them strong, active, and well.
rjkkzfih -- Really, Jenny, killer kangaroos zapping felons isn't heroic.
tal: great stuff. i remember some of it from studying Spartans in class (for about a week), but there was new stuff too.
talpianna it is so good to have you back teaching us all this. I have missed your helpful wisdom.
I have decided to let you in on the plot for my NaNoWriMo challenge.
A man and his brother have a $10,000 bet that the hero cannot ask a woman to dinner and have her accept,while he is wearing a clown costume and making balloon animals at the Grand Opening of his brother's pet store. Both men have jobs but are independently wealthy and make bets all the time, but do not usually involve another person, with the winner's money going to a charity. Sam, the hero, gives Stacy, the heroine, a special balloon that indicates to his brother Ray that he has accepted the challenge and this is the woman he wants to ask. It gets more involved from there. Tune in in November....
Honest Jenny it is not Bet Me. Although I told you my personal story was a lot like Bet Me I only got $6, not $10,000 either, so neither this story nor Bet Me is my story. But I loved what you wrote in the book anyway. /,D
Lori and Orangehands check your email and No is also an acceptable answer.
green pvhxfoe
Personally verbose, help Xavier 2 finally orate essays.
McB said..."And speaking of Lori (my how she does get around)"
McB, you have no idea just how true that statement is. Really. :)
As for the rest. My brain is scrambled from recent travels, but I want to wish people: "good luck!" & "get better!" & "welcome back!" & the like.
SDCB: I'm going.
hey lori!
scope dope: wait, "my story". as in, this is how you met DH? details, details! i like it though. must be a charming guy to get a girl to agree. or she has that kind of humor. or on her side there's a...ummm, when you say Nov for more details you mean wednesday, right?
Not how I met DH but how I agreed to go out with him alone.Four of us were supposed to go to a hockey game 40 miles away with him driving. The other three girls knew I didn't like him so they each bet me $2 (C'mon that was a lot of money in 1962) or should I say dared me to go with him alone. I always took a dare so I took the bet. And it went on from there. I didn't get home until 4 a.m. and had to work at 8 a.m. The car broke down, we had the guy I really liked drunk in the back seat and they lost the game. I was their only fan and the only girl in a military club full of men. I danced all night but only once with DH. I had a good time but not necessarily with him. When the other girls heard all that happened they paid up. And that is the story. Oh and I married him five months later.
green owjncpk
Our writer Jenny needs critque partners, Killer.
SDCB, so glad you are going to tell "your story" or at least a fictionalized version of it. *grin* I'm so proud of you.
I almost signed on for NaNo yesterday and then my 94 yr old ex M-I-L called and she wants me to visit her in New York. The only time I can really do that is right after my monthly meeting in L.A. so looks like I might be heading up there mid November. Dang. But heck she's 94 and we've been friends for years, even though I've been divorced for fifteen. I figure NaNo will be around next year and for years after.
rg
Trying to catch up here. Christina, I have just gotten over a pinched nerve problem. That contraption Louis mentioned really does work. However, I did one better. My chiropractor has a traction device that is much easier. it fits behind your neck while you lay down. There is a hand pump like on a blood pressure cuff. You just pump up the traction till you take the pressure off your neck. 15 minutes a day, and my arm was back to normal in 2 weeks. Amazing.
scope dope: :)
K.I...
Glad it worked for you!
wuopimd..red
words usually open pinched intelligent minds delightfully
gatorperson, thanks! I passed that along to the relevant individuals. Since this is a recurring thing, though, continuing suggestions will, I am sure, be welcome.
Jenny, if you are reading this and know of someone who lives in that area or will be there for a conference, please do let me know.
Louis said...
Had a sling that fit around chin and back of neck..attached to a thingy that fit on top of a door with 3-4 pounds of water in a bag on a string over a pulley.
Oooh, I had one of those after a neck injury. It set my TMJ off something fierce, so, I had to stop. Dentists hate those things because they tend to force your jaw, hence your bite, out of alignment. My dentist threatened to put out a hit on the orthopedist who prescribed it. /:+)
inkgrrl said...
look under NaNo Groups > Writing Groups and Clubs > Cherries/Cherry NaNo-ers, or just search the forums for Cherries and you should find us.
I didn't find it that way, but I did notice a "snarkfest" group. /;+) Is that the stealth name? /;+) Ah, found it with the search. http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=5783&forum=171&post_id=91638#forumpost91638
orangehands said...
zaza: (ok, i realize i should probably look this up, but i'll ask you first) is NaNo only in November? cause i really want to do this, i work best under deadlines, but i can't do this during a school month.
Yep, that's it. But that doesn't mean we can't to a CB NaNo at another time. Bob knows, we have enough writers on here. Who knows, we might even coer...um...entice some of our non-writers to participate. After all, when it started, it was a bunch of friends who just did it for a fun challenge.
bpvaghv (blue)
Bob pranced very actively, going holiday vectoring. (I couldn't think of a better v-word)
rhbdg (blue)
robin has big dog games
oooo, i like that idea zaza. during a summer month. :)
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