Excuses, excuses
July 28th, 2008 at 05:01pm me
I haven’t written in days. I can’t. I’ve tried but I just can’t. It won’t come. I have an idea for an ending but I can’t get it there. I sit down in front of the computer and nothing happens; nothing good anyway. Oh my Bob I suck.
But apparently “Oh my Bob I suck” is not a valid excuse for not writing. So here are some that might be:
I have writer’s block.
I have writer’s cramp.
I’m sleepy.
I’m hungry.
I’m thirsty.
I’m drunk.
My pen ran out of ink.
My computer ran out of electricity.
Dirty Jobs is on TV and I must watch it, um, to study it as research … for my main character … yeah, that’s it. Research.
Telemarketers wanting me to donate to the Fraternal Order of Police called and broke my deep concentration.
My cat had a hairball attack that left me emotionally scarred.
My horoscope said today is not a good day for creativity.
It’s raining.
It’s too hot.
It’s too cold.
I have to take my pet rock for a walk.
Mei spel chek brocke.
What’s your excuse?
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, Writing
109 Comments Add your own
1. RSS | July 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Cleaning house, running errands and packing to be away 6 days. My goal is to write on the plane tomorrow. Something. Anything. Even if it stinks.
Try writing a totally absurd ending Me. That was a suggestion for getting moving again at one workshop I went to.
I might end up going with that tomorrow. A totally absurd scene. Anything to get moving again. But I know what my problem is. When I finish this I have to start seriously shlepping it around again. Risking rejection. But also risking acceptance. Sometimes I think the acceptance is scarier. ‘Cause then you have to do it again with another book.
(((((Btuda))))) Okay. You have used up all your bad karma and are now in line for bright, shiny and happy things to happen. So say I.
BCB Happy Birthday to your DS. Have fun cooking.
Great advice on tomatoes GP. I’ll have to remember it if I ever try planting them again.
Diane sending you virtual chocolate to help with the packing.
2. CMS | July 28th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I’m tired. I’m hungry. My pet rock dragged me beneath a shopping cart.
You can’t read my wip til you finish yours Me.
G-G’s mother is delightful. You can see where our girl got it from. Great genes. We enjoyed their company immensely. Not a single photograph despite my camera’s leap from the purse to the floor. I should checka nd see if it was injured.
3. BCB | July 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Oh ME, oh my. LOL! All of the above. All at the same time. Really. My favourite advice about this comes from Neil Gaiman’s post dated May 9, 2007 (Have I mentioned that I just LOVE that man? Well, I do. Don’t tell anyone.):
I once jokingly said I was going to just kill off all my main characters and be done with it. A NYT bestselling author said she had heard from another very talented writer that that actually works and I should go ahead and do it. Then resurrect them. They’ll be much more cooperative afterward. [I couldn’t make myself be that cruel.]
Or write an ending that you know DOES NOT happen. One that could NEVER happen. You might be surprised at what does happen.
Or change your writing implements. Computer not doing it for you? Write longhand. Dictate a scene into a recorder. Tell it to the dog or the nearest plant.
Explain to someone what your characters are doing in five years. Don’t actually put it in the book, mind you (bad bad bad), but if you can figure out how they got there (the future), you might know what has to happen next. In the book.
Oh, and from the last post. Lori, I thought your comment was as courteous and nice as you always are. (yes, that was MN humour) Since she requested my translation services, for which I have yet to be paid by the way, what Lori meant to say [ahem] is that she will do whatever you all want her to do, AS LONG AS YOU FREAKIN’ WAIT UNTIL AFTER THURSDAY. And further, since you all can not make up your minds any better than cranky two year olds, not even if it means free books and chocolate and cabana boys for life, she will force you to try all the various options until you figure out which one is more onerous and incomprehensible so she can begin to eliminate things for you.
There. Better?
Now my computer seems to be insisting it should run a virus scan and that I am in the way. Pushy machine. Let me just step aside then.
BTW, dinner was amazing. I’m stuffed.
4. McB | July 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Okay, here’s my solution for doing things that I keep putting off. Break
it
down
into
tiny
pieces
that
are
not
so
intimidating.
One piece at a time if necessary. That’s how I got the bedroom closet cleaned. I put a trash bag in front of it and put one thing in there each day. After two weeks I was far enough along to have incentive to finish. Also, I got tired of the damned trash bag being in my way.
So. Go to your computer and put down one word. That’s all you have to do tonight. You can, if you feel the urge, put down two or even finish the sentence. But, and this is important, you only HAVE to put down one word every day. Eventually you’ll have a sentence and then a paragraph and so on. It takes longer, but is less intimidating.
Lori was cranky? These MN people need lessons cuz they clearly don’t know how to do it right.
5. Mary | July 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
If I’m that stumped on something I’m writing, then I tend to go write something else. Unless I’m under the gun, it’s more important to me to keep the daily routine of writing than to push my subconscious into doing something it’s not ready to do. (Sometimes, my muse is Not That Kind of Girl, alas.)
Me? Personal comment, please excuse, but I can completely relate to working insane deadlines at work. Does not lend itself to writing in the off hours. One well-known writer (not so well-known that I can recall his name at the moment) said that it was a bad idea for a writer to have a day job that had anything to do with words. His ideal day job was digging a ditch. He held that writing during the day, any kind of writing, took away verbal energy (my phrase) from the writer’s own work.
Not that I want you to go dig a ditch, but maybe you should go to a movie? Get a massage by some really cute guy? Catch up on your sleep, dare I naggingly suggest it? (So much easier to suggest this sort of thing to someone else.)
6. Mary | July 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Lori was cranky?
Was that when she said I was aw
eful? Oh dear.7. Lori | July 28th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I said I am full of awe. You’re the reason.
8. BCB | July 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
“Writing a novel is like
driving a car at night.
You can see only as far
as your headlights, but
you can make the whole
trip that way.”
– E.L. Doctorow
And Lori wasn’t cranky. Sheesh. Pay attention. She was being nice.
‘night all.
9. cbpen | July 29th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Sometimes I say I will just write for two minutes and get caught up in something. Sometimes just a paragraph. Sometimes a different project. And sometimes there is absolutely no way to trick my mind into writing. I think I did use up my word brain when I was a proofreader because I started writing a lot after it was over…and I got some sleep.
I do have cleaning block super bad. I can find all kinds of stuff to do instead of that.
OT: I was driving with the kids the other day and we went by a house with a huge new pond. I said (speaking kid speak, I thought) “I’ll bet they had to get a couple of those big digging machines to dig that.” E! said, “Gramsey, those big digging machines are called excavators.” Ok.
10. me | July 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Well CMS, that certainly is incentive.
I thought about adding my insane overtime as one of my excuses, but I didn’t think it was funny. Maybe I should make all my characters drive trucks in Platinum Ice Tricoat with traction control, 8-way power driver’s seat, rear-seat headrest DVD players, head curtain side-impact air bags, heated windshield washer fluid and rearview cameras, then the OT will work to my advantage. Or I’ll take up ditch digging.
My writer’s group has started a new thing to boost creativity. Seems more like forced homework to me; thought I left that behind when I graduated. The guy who appointed himself president called me last night to make me come up with two nouns that everyone has to write at least a paragraph about by Wednesday, which is tomorrow. Put on the spot, I came up with candle and telephone. Wonderful, something else I can’t write.
(No, actually, I’ve got the candle part written, so that’s a start.) And can I just say here that I “hate” the way el presidente uses “quote” marks all over the “e-mail” he sends us! It’s like nails on a “chalkboard.”
11. Marcia in OK | July 29th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Excuses, excuses . . . I have no time for them today . . . I’m too busy answering the blasted phones.
12. GatorPerson | July 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Sometimes when I’m stuck on something and my mind is all dithering circles, I write down each stuck item in a sentence.
Like
I can’t organize my closet because I don’t know what to throw out.
I don’t know whether Good Will will take toasters.
Do I want to keep my high school graduation corsage?
The dithers reduce themselves to far fewer sentences than the circles would imply. So I need to go buy trash bags, storage boxes with lids, and a laundry marker. And call Good Will about toasters.
Trash and Good Will go into separate labeled bags, boxes get labelled “Childhood Books,” “Look at again in 2009.” Things like that.
Then I cross off those resolved dithers on my list and go have a gin and tonic. And chocolate.
13. btuda | July 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Can I use that pet rock excuse?
The job search is making me cross-eyed, so I needed a little break. I imagine I’ll be taking several such breaks to come over here in the upcoming weeks.
Not that that is procrastinating. After all, the job search is very much like sitting down to write.
Here’s one such tip someone gave me when I had a job I didn’t like very much. Set a goal with a reward at the end. For me, the reward consisted of chocolate and a piece of chocolate. Then stick to it. It worked for a while. Then I moved and quit the job. See? It worked for me.
14. McB | July 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Carrot and stick philosophy … heavy on the carrot. Or if you are a CB, heavy on the chocolate.
15. me | July 29th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Earthquake in L.A.! Is everyone OK? OH, where are you?
16. me | July 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Now, that would be a good excuse, er, reason to not write.
17. K.L. | July 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi All,
I didn’t even make it into the last post or comments since there were already over 100, and it made my head hurt. So if I missed anything important, please fill me in.
The weather was backwards this weekend. The really nice days were the travel days, and the lounge around the river days were cloudy and cool. But we had a nice time anyway.
Mom’s doctor said that the problem is that one wire is a bit too long and interfering with her diaphragm which is causing a fluttering feeling. He will go in on Friday and shorten the wire. After a week to make sure it is perfect, he will then go in and do the second proceedure.
I don’t get writer’s block, because I don’t write. That profession is totally nuts. People inhabiting your head, whispering in your ear, then running away and giving you the silent treatment when you try to write down what they are saying. Then when you do get a story finished, you have to basically run naked in public. Or ask for “feedback” . Or just go straight to the torture chamber and get it over with. But I totally appreciate all the pain you inflict upon yourselves, because without that, I would have nothing to read. And that would just be wrong.
18. Lou | July 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Yep - earthquake - 5.8 strong. I’ve ridden through a few of those in the S.F. Bay Area. Except for things falling off shelves and stuff like that, no damage like freeways falling down or anything should be happening. BUT, check in OH, just to make the rest of us happy!
19. Lou | July 29th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Oh - and what K.L. said. I couldn’t have said it better!!
20. McB | July 29th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Anyone heard from CC lately?
21. Lou | July 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Looks like the quake has been downgraded to 5.4 - lasted about 45 seconds. The news says that some water mains broke and there has been minor damage to a couple of runways at the airport and some roads, but electricity is still on and people are continuing with everyday stuff.
22. Lou | July 29th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Susan Andersen’s new book is out today. It’s called Cutting Loose and is the first in a trilogy. She will also be at the RWA and is up for a RITA Award for her book Coming Undone.
I’m a fan…
23. glamour-geek | July 29th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Am I the first CB to do two Whacks in a week and (hopefully) live to tell the tale?
Greetings (however briefly) from Toronto!
Had a wonderful lunch with Scope and CMS and my mother and then a little stroll down the street to browse. Always a good time.
Now must go watch Auntie Mame with my mother. Such a good flick.
Reasons for not writing (on the blog): limited access!
24. RSS | July 29th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Your post worked for me Me. I wrote a bit over 1000 words on the plane and managed to work out how I wanted these next two scenes to go. See, all you have to do is hop on a plane to San Francisco later tonight or tomorrow. You can write on the plane and hang out with us. And if I belonged to a writer’s group that gave me homework that wasn’t related to my own WIP I’d rebel.
Great suggestions everyone. LOL at NG’s quote BCB. And loved what you said K.L. I’ve never seen anyone sum it up better. Running out naked–yep that’s what sending your book out to editors and agents feels like.
McB did I say Congratulations on everything you’ve gotten accomplished at home? If not I meant to. Congratulations. It’s hard to tackle those hot spots. (Says she whose whole house is a hot spot.)
Sending more good job finding jobs out to BTUDA and CBPEN.
Okay so I’m out in SF for the RWA. We got in to the airport, got our luggage and DH called for the car he’d reserved. That was cheaper for the 5 of us than a shuttle or taxi. The car turned out to be a black stretch limo. I decided it was a portent of things to come.
Dee’s supposed to already be here but I haven’t been able to reach her.
We brought our wireless with us so I’m going to blog about the conference. At least that’s my plan now. I’ll let you know if I actually do it.
25. Mary | July 29th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I suppose borrowing a shovel and going out and hitting my co-worker (or cow-orker) over the head repeatedly would probably not be a good idea in the long term?
Somebody convince me that that would be a bad idea.
At the moment, I’m not seeing any down side to the idea.
26. McB | July 29th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
you whack ‘em, we’ll stack ‘em.
Try texting Dee, best way to get hold of her.
27. GatorPerson | July 29th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Rats! I wish I could turn a phrase like that.
28. eidlhe | July 29th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hey guys! you’ve been busy
Can’t type well atm since i did something to my bloody thumb(the one that I use all the time to hit the spacebar)
haven’t heard from CC but will call her to check in. Will keep you posted!!
Happy b-day to your son BcB!!
had a long day today. Can’t believe that my oldest starts high school in a week!!!! Went to registration today….3 1/2 hours!!
all of you at RWA, have a blast!!!
OH-do check in.
Lou glad nothing major in your area
29. BCB | July 29th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Mary, if I can avoid using physically destructive correctional measures on co-workers, you can. Just don’t ask me to tell you why we should.
RSS, I’m ignoring you. But I hope you have a fantastic time. And please be aware that people cancel their agent/editor appointments with great regularity and if you go hang out in the general vicinity and there is an opening, someone will shove you into it, kicking and screaming . . . Just saying.
KL, that was just– I’m not sure what, but it made me feel humble. It wasn’t until just a couple years ago that I realized not everyone hears conversations in their heads. I wasn’t sure whether to feel more sorry for myself or the ones who were missing out.
Is it really only Tuesday? McB, can you wave that wand and shorten the work week? Without a decrease in pay, of course.
30. McB | July 29th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Aha! RWA is starting. You know what that means? That means that the 3rd Annual Didn’t Go To Nats Party is about to begin. Tomorrow’s menu is Mexican food. To go with the margaritas, of course. The Chipper Spam Monkeys are making a return engagement. With mariachis.
K.L. said it so well already. Rock star, schmock star. I prefer hanging out with writers. And I think anyone that reads as voraciously as this group gets the concept of having conversations in your head. Whether you read or write, it’s all about imagination.
And if the wand worked that way, BCB, all my weekends would be a lot longer.
31. RSS | July 29th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Okay I’m going to post a blog. Don’t rush over because I still have to write it. Just want to say was talking with a couple of first-timers and telling them how someone (BCB) left me a message at my first conference and that getting together with those on-line friends made all the difference in my enjoying the conference and hiding in a corner. Then I told one of them who was talking about hiding in a corner that uh uh, know you know and I’ll drag you out just like some wonderful people (BCB and JenT) did to me.
Everyone keeps asking if I’m going to the Cherry get together. I’m starting to think that maybe I should go to the forum and see if I can still get in. The problem is I think of myself as a Cherry Bomb not a Cherry.
OH is flying in tomorrow. If she doesn’t check in, I’ll check in for her.
Dee is planning to blog about the conference on her book blog. I know that from checking the blog. Still haven’t talked to her.
Mary if you hit them with virtual shovels you get the satisfaction without the arrest.
GG glad you’re having a good visit but jealous that you’ve seen CMS and Scope.
MCB love the “whack ‘em stack ‘em” phrase. I think we need to add it to our title: CBbar and GRILL where everyone knows your name or at least your current alias. Have shovel will travel. You whack ‘em, we’ll stack ‘em. Imagine the federal watch lists we could get on with that.
BCB I’m volunteering or at least volunteered to volunteer, at the editor/agent sessions. And yes there is an ulterior motive in there.
Lou not sure if I’ve read Susan Andersen. I’ll look for her at the signing and buy her newest.
32. Mary | July 29th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
One more day… I can go one more day without justifiably homiciding my cow-orker. sound of teeth grinding together
… wait a minute. What’s that sound? Is it the Chipper Spam Monkeys warming up in the next room? Suddenly everything seems a little brighter. (Well, the cow-orker’s not any brighter, but all else looks better.)
Thursday I’m driving down to the other big do on the SF peninsula, namely my family’s reunion. Luckily I have lots of folding chairs, which makes me very popular. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with the Whack on Friday before the invasion begins.
33. cbpen | July 30th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I just got a message from MY writers’ group that we are all supposed to write about something humorous with food??? That says nothing to moi. Food fights aren’t funny anymore…cliche instead. So what’s so funny about food? I take my food seriously, very seriously…..
You people going to RWA, have fun and if you learn “the secret for writing best sellers” don’t forget to pass it on.
34. RSS | July 30th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Promise that CBPEN (the best selling tips). Why not expound on the seriousness of food tongue in cheek? The fascination with carbs. The fear of fats. The drive to take everything that makes food so enjoyable away so we can be paper cut outs like the scarily thin young woman I saw at the airport today.
Yes Mary you can make it through another day. Because you must because I want to meet you. And though we have money in the bail fund (Loved the postcard BTW) we might not be able to wire it to you in time to spring you on the assault charge.
Posted on my blog Workingonhappilyeverafter@blogspot.com or click on my name above.
35. Mary | July 30th, 2008 at 12:55 am
RSS, m’dear?
If you take out the @ symbol and make it a period, it becomes a clickable link, e.g.
http://Workingonhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com
36. GatorPerson | July 30th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Lessee. Who’s gonna be at the SF Whack? RSS, Dee, Mary, Lou, gg, OH. Anybody else?
Some of us on the east coast are trying for a Whack also on Saturday, even though 2/3’s of us aren’t RWA types.
Now, listen up, everybody with driver licenses. Ya gotta renew them sometime. Thankyouverymuch, now the licensers must have your social security number on record. And your soc sec card must have your CURRENT name on it. I LOVE the peacock blue ink I signed mine with sometime in the 1950’s. Peacock blue and little circles over the i’s. So I never got it updated after the name change in the 60’s. And if DH did, he can’t remember where he put it. So today I must go get my soc card updated (boo hoo, I’ll lose my peacock blue), then go over to the driver license place and hope I get the traffic signs right and hope my pic doesn’t look too awful (yes, I’m vain).
I’ll probably be in those lines for the rest of eternity. It looks like rain, and maybe that’ll keep the riff raff home so’s the lines will be shorter. Nah. Never happen.
37. me | July 30th, 2008 at 8:02 am
cbpen: What is it with the writer’s groups encouraging us to write everything but our books? Funny food story, but it’s alread been done:
Bert: You have a banana in your ear.
Ernie: What?
Bert: You have a banana in your ear!
Ernie: What?
Bert: You have a banana in your ear!
Ernie: Sorry, I can’t hear you, i have a banana in my ear.
Chips and salsa on the bar. The mariachi band Chipper Spam Monkeys are about to start their latest hit single: Vamos, Viagra, Vamos.
38. me | July 30th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Oh, and have fun at Nationals!! Wsh I was there. Where are they next year?
39. Theresa | July 30th, 2008 at 8:33 am
So it’s Mexican food today? Woohoo!
Let me just string the pinata up here on the pole. squinting to look at the pinata Is that a camel? Or maybe a llama?
And maybe some sopapillas and flan over here on the bar. And of course chocolate. That’s mexican, right?
—–
BCB - check your email, you have feedback, I finally decided to stop being lame and to take my head out of the sand.
40. Scope Dope CherryBomb | July 30th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’ll bring Nachos because that’s all I know how to make that’s Mexican. Can we have an American day tomorrow or even a Canadian day (if I only knew what that was in food. I’ve been told it is Tim Horton’s Donuts.) i guess it would be pancakes and maple syrup. I’ll cut the limes since Wapak’s DH is very busy with Max too.
Who’s bringing the pole? And of course Louis is in charge of the popcorn because that is one of our traditions. Besides we found his popcorn machine in Portland.
41. glamour-geek | July 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
GP: beau told me that AAA will do most of the stuff you need from the DMV without actually having to stand in line. Don’t know if licenses are included, but the license plate for his new motorcycle was when they sent the original to the wrong address (how’s that for stupid?). You might investigate.
cbpen: write something serious about food that is so good that they don’t care that it’s not funny. So there. Flouting the rules, my specialty. Or twisting them to suit my purposes.
My father’s keyboard is miserably uncomfortable and makes my hands ache, hence you get less from me. That and the fact that I can barely get to the machine because he’s on it most of the time.
42. glamour-geek | July 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
RWA ATTENDEES:
Have made restaurant recommendations on topic-specific blog entry. Incl. that someone make a reservation at one of the two places I suggested in Chinatown.
Also someone needs to decide where we’re meeting (I recommend the conf. hotel) and what time. Give us about 30 minutes to walk from there to the restaurant for our reservation providing everyone’s on time.
That’s all she wrote. Organizing from afar, and very sporadically, so someone else needs to take the reins.
43. eidlhe | July 30th, 2008 at 9:06 am
me-I do believe they are in D.C. next year…I’ve already thought about asking DH if he can put in his request to have to work in D.C those particular days so I have an excuse to just happen to be in the area.
*places seven layer dip and tequila on the bar*
44. jenb | July 30th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Back home and looking forward to getting together with BCB and GP this weekend.
Yes, eidlhe, RWA is in DC next year. So I assume that means a large CB get together.
And 2010 it is in Nashville then 2011 in NewYork City.
Had a wonderful few days with the DS, DIL and Grandkids. While GD and I were playing she brought her phone over to me and said I had a call, I asked who was calling and she looked at me then smiled and said,”the Cherries”.
DS has the Wii and it was the first time I had seen it. Now DH says we must get one. Anything to get off the couch.
How about I bring some flan to the party-always a nice summer dessert.
45. McB | July 30th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I put the fried ice cream in the freezer. And it sounds like the Chipper Spam Monkeys are warming up for their rendition of “Tequila!”
46. Okay, no more miss nice tech writer | July 30th, 2008 at 10:37 am
A masked and anonymous technical writer storms into the bar & grill, bypasses the tequila and the dip, grabs a shovel and marches out again gripping the handle very tightly…
47. McB | July 30th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Uh oh. Sounds like we’d better choose a hiding place.
48. cbpen | July 30th, 2008 at 10:59 am
An unemployed writer spies said masked tech writer, grabs shovel and follows…. Conga line, anyone???
49. K.L. | July 30th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Sounds like we got some stacking to do.
I like Susan Andersen too, so I need to get out and get her new one.
On another note, we have use of our bathtub again. I got fed up with the crappy condition of our bathroom (the only one that has a tub/shower) and hired a contractor to redo the tub area. He got the flooring in, and the tub, but still had to get the tile in. Yesterday he told us that while the shower was not available yet, since he hadn’t finished the tile work, we could take a bath. YAY. Life is much better with the ability to get clean.
The tiles should be finished today, and then they will need 24 hours for the grout to cure. It already looks much better in there. Then we just need to paint.
50. Kay T | July 30th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Me*, me*!!! I am going to the whack on Friday. I left a note on the other post for Lou. I am not sure I have latest emails for the SF Whack, so please post details. (RSS and OH and gg have my email).
I am leaving this afternoon for RWA. Sort of nervous.
51. orangehands | July 30th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
hi all. Just FYI: Going to RWA today, will be back sunday. hope everyone is doing lovely. ((HUGS))
52. theresa | July 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Da da da da da . da . Da da da da da . da . Da da da da da da . Da . Conga!
grabs shovel and follows cbpen
53. GatorPerson | July 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Ahhh, some delightful bureaucrat has at last taken shovels to the DMV here and streamlined it.
Went first to the soc sec building. What, no cars? Moved. Of course I had checked the phone book that arrived YESTERDAY, to make sure they hadn’t. Looking bad. Half hour drive later (they moved 3 WEEKS ago) they assured me my soc sec # was in the system and the DMV could see it, too, and I would receive a new card in a couple of weeks. But (bless her heart. Really!) she gave me a printout that said good things, and said not to show it unless I was hassled, and definitely not show them my peacock blue version. Moving on to the DMV. Wow! I’ve cussed them for decades in their bureaucratic dumb inefficiencies. In and out in 20 minutes instead of 3 hours with the 1st license pic ever that I’m smiling with my new improved teefies showing. Too bad the pounds of fat acquired in the last few years show, too. Said to the lady, “But you didn’t remove the pounds.” Said she, “Yes, but then you would be way too thin.” Love ‘em. Love the beaurocrat that changed them.
Tra la. A good day that could have been sooo bad.
54. Lou | July 30th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I’m commenting on the SF post and here also, hoping that Kay T gets this message:
Ya know what, Kay? I don’t know any places either. It’s been about 25 years since I moved out of the Bay Area, and although I worked in SF for a while, I never did eat out over there much (I lived in Berkeley). Of all of us, gg knows the area the best.
And now I live in Sacramento. So, I hesitate to organize. Perhaps once everyone gets to RWA, some decisions can be made??
55. McB | July 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
GP at 53: what is the world coming to when you can’t even gripe about the DMV?
And watch how you swing those shovels people. Innocent bystanders here.
56. Lou | July 30th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
GP darlin’ - what pounds?? You are slim and lovely just as you are. Glad your day went sooo well!!!!
Here in California, a person can make an appointment with the DMV. If one does that, one gets in and out very quickly. No appointment - major wait!! Also, a lot of stuff can now be done online here. Saves a lot of time. Once in a while the beaurocrats make a good decision…
57. K.L. | July 30th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
That shudder you all felt wasn’t an earthquake in California. It was me finding out that my DS 17 has passed the test to get his permit, and will now start driving with a parent in the passenger seat.
I know, most often this happens at 15 or 16, but we delayed him. It was a good delay, but it is over. I hate this part. I don’t want him driving. It is too scary for me*. Probably her too.
If I show up, babbling incoherently, you’ll know I’ve been helping my son learn to drive. -shudder-
58. BCB | July 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Geez. Who tracked all this sand in here? Theresa, was that you? [Thanks for the email, I’ll look at it as soon as I decompress from work. Might be a while. Grrrr.]
Mary? You want to check in so we know whether you need us for anything?
KayT you’ll be fine — just be yourself and everyone will love you. Hope you all made a dinner reservation. Though I suspect you could just hang out in the lobby and eat pretzels and you’d have just as good a time. CBs are like that.
KL, I hate to tell you this, but you just have to accept that your kid is going to run into something during the first six months he’s driving on his own. Really. You just have to hope that no one gets hurt. It’s tough. Very tough. Unfortunately, you can’t keep them wrapped up in cotton batting forever. They get moldy after a while.
Off to read RSS’ account of RWA.
59. K.L. | July 30th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Our DD 20 has already had 3 rear-enders. I am hopeful that someday she actually learns to pay attention until the car comes to a COMPLETE stop. Its a concept.
Our son is just on the immature side, so we needed him to grow up more before we allowed him to control 4,000 lbs of moving death. But he is just shy of turning 18, so at that point we would have had no say. At least this way, we get him into driver’s ed, and get some education into him.
I guess it is just more scary since we have already been through this once, and have no protective illusions left.
60. glamour-geek | July 30th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Lou, Kay T, someone, MAKE A RESERVATION. Weekend evening in SF? Might not be able to get one if you wait too long, esp. for our large-ish group. I have no idea how many we are, but more than 2.
I am in transit tomorrow and probably not online til Friday afternoon, earliest, so it’s possible I won’t make it just cuz I won’t know the plans in time. I’ll be offline from basically now til Friday p.m.
It’s been so nice to see my parents, even though my father’s been ailing with a cold the whole time. Sorry he doesn’t feel better, but nice to see both of them none the less.
61. GatorPerson | July 30th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Remember RSS has a date with her DH Sat. evening. Aniv, I think I remember.
62. Okay, no more miss nice tech writer | July 30th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Well, if GG doesn’t show, we’ll just have to Gossip About Her. (Huh. That’ll show ‘er.)
And boy have I got stories to
make uptell. Did you hear the one about the Tongan prince who fell for her as he was walking past, simply because she batted her eyelashes at him? No? Well let me tell you…63. Okay, no more miss nice tech writer | July 30th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
… and that, my friends, is how our own Glamour Geek refused the chance to become a Tongan princess.
Huh? Whaddya mean you dozed off in the middle of that story? Well honestly, if you’re not going to bother to listen to the least little thing I say, then I don’t know why I bother really, people these days, I don’t know what the world is coming to…
64. cbpen | July 31st, 2008 at 12:26 am
I got a great post card with a pink flamingo or seven and teasing offers of the most wonderful fantasy job….
65. RSS | July 31st, 2008 at 2:16 am
Hey, I’ll make the reservation and we can meet at the hotel in the lobby but I don’t know what time those of you driving in will get here. Tell me and I’ll make the reservation. Put that in the topic only section too.
Glad to see the party is in full swing. I especially like the shovel conga line. Mary’s cow-worker with run for cover when he/she sees you all coming. Dee and I didn’t realize we were going with the theme when we chose a Coastal Mexican restaurant for dinner tonight.
Posted some pictures and info about authors I met and books I bought at the literacy signing.
I really love San Francisco.
66. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 8:26 am
Okay, who smacked the pinata and left a mess all over the floor?
Today’s menu is Italian. I’ve got lasagne in the oven and have the makings ready for a pitcher of sangria.
67. Theresa | July 31st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Mmmmm, Italian. Maybe some nice spicy ravioli? Oooh and Tiramisu!
68. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 8:59 am
gotta be tiramisu!
69. Mary | July 31st, 2008 at 9:16 am
Sorry. I’ll clean up that Pinata-mess on the floor. Last night, by candlelight, Mr. Pinata started looking a bit like my cow-orker. Must have been all that tequila
70. K.L. | July 31st, 2008 at 10:47 am
Since I survived the trip home from the DMV after my DS 17 got his permit, I’ll be happy to help clean up the mess. You’ll all be happy to know he only cut off one car, tried to sideswipe a bicyclist and only sped twice. Please pass me something alcolholic.
They will be doing the grout work on my bathroom tile today, so tomorrow we can seal it up. After that, I’ll actually be able to take a shower again. Yay. I went to Fred Meyer, and did some bathroom accessory shopping. That is fun shopping. I got towels, a bath mat, and a new shower curtain. The down side was that there was only one bath towel left in that style. They checked other stores, and there were more at the store near where my DD20 lives. So I called her and told her to pick up 3 of them. These are nice towels, but a promotional thing, where when they are out, they are out.
71. me | July 31st, 2008 at 11:09 am
One platter of antipasto, coming up! And a large glass of Pino Grigio for KL.
72. GatorPerson | July 31st, 2008 at 11:12 am
What? You didn’t ask DS 17 to drive to DD20 and pick them up?
I soooo don’t envy you the next few months/years/decades as he actually learns to drive.
Tiramisu. LOVE it. When I first heard the name I thought it was yet one more of those sushi thingies.
73. eidlhe | July 31st, 2008 at 11:35 am
So, when is that lasagne going to be ready…I’m hungry!!!
*passes K.L a glass of Limoncello* (in keeping with our Italian theme) Just be ready to return the favor in a couple years K.L.
RSS-sounds like you’re having a blast!
74. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Lasagne is on the counter, folks. Also garlic bread. Help yourself.
75. K.L. | July 31st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I’m drinking my lunch, but thanks for the food. Maybe I’ll just nibble on the garlic bread inbetween sips.
76. Lou | July 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
K.L. - you can use the garlic bread to coat your stomach…
77. Theresa | July 31st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Mmmm, garlic bread.
78. cc | July 31st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I live
dad’s last round of radiation is today and his last chemo is next monday- will do a pet scan in 6-8 weeks to determine where we are at
the museum had a small theft of the contents of our donation box - I’m getting tired of this, it’s the third time in 9 months- I’m taking suggestions for new box designs
I have been working odd hours and we’ve been having record setting heat so I’m not near the computer at home much
Chinook says hi
79. Scope Dope CherryBomb | July 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
OOPS! Mcb I just made lasagna and garlic bread too as that dish is one of my specialties. I sometimes use four cheeses. Cottage, Parmesan, Ricotta and Mozzarella, which I did today. Four loaves of garlic bread should do us. For tomorrow I am making my world famous Cabbage Rolls and cheese bread.
KL-I just went bathroom fixture shopping. Bought a tub surround, a sink and taps. They should all be in and pretty when we come home from our trip to ….Da-Da-Da-Dah—Kentucky. My childhood wish come true.
Hope all is well with everyone. BTW Happy anniversary tomorrow RSS.
Louis you are going to have to get off the porch tomorrow so we can pressure wash it. Sorry. The rocker will be in the living room. See you there.
80. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Scope - no problem on the dup lasagne … mine is veggie. Did I not mention that earlier? And now I think it’s time to cut the tiramisu. And then this evening we have specialty coffee drinks. K.L. is manning the espresso machine ‘cuz she’s good with coffee makers.
81. Lou | July 31st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
cc - Good to know you live!! Hope your Dad is tolerating his treatments as well as can be expected.
The barn where I board my horse has a metal box fastened securely on the wall for board checks. It has a slot at the top to put the checks in with a front that unlocks with a key. I wonder if something like that would do??
82. BCB | July 31st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
CC, maybe you could put a tarantula in there? Good to hear your dad will be done for a while. Wishing for all good news from the scan.
The lasagne was delicious, thank you! No coffee for me tonight, but perhaps if there are any additives . . . if I can stay awake that long. Fell asleep on the couch last night. My DS came home and said, mom, you should wake up and go to bed.
It’s about to storm here. I think. Unless it goes around us again. Lately rain seems to have a real talent for disappearing just as it gets to us.
83. BCB | July 31st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Scope, I have to ask. You’ve wanted to go to Kentucky since you were a child? WHY? Does this have anything to do with wanting a pony? Because I think you can get their liquor at most stores — you don’t have to actually go there.
I’m sure it’s a perfectly lovely place, but I’m just not sure why anyone would have a burning desire to go to Kentucky.
84. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
BCB said … No coffee for me tonight, but perhaps if there are any additives .
; ) that’s what makes them “specialty.” And do you want whipped cream on top of that? Of course you do. Never say know to whipped cream, that’s my motto.
85. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Or no, either.
86. K.L. | July 31st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m real good with the additives. And I’m real good with the espresso machine. However, things could get iffy after I’ve already imbibed more than a couple. I tend to sit in the corner and giggle. So if you want me to man the machine, I better get some food into me and lay off the drinks for a while.
87. BCB | July 31st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
KL, I think it would be good for you to sit in the corner and giggle for a while.
And NO I do not want whipped cream. Yuck. Just a shot of additive or two.
I just spent an hour on the phone with the phone company. Changing my phone service and cancelling a phone line that WAS used for a fax but the fax is no longer around. I had to talk to five different people. And call back once. [sigh] They kept trying to give me whipped cream. “But ma’am, this is a much better package, lots of extras.” “How much does it cost?” “It’s only $10 more each month. If you ordered those services separately . . . ” I explained again, patiently, “No. I don’t want extra services. I won’t use them.” They wouldn’t give up. “But it’s our most popular package.” WTH? Are we all speaking English? “NO.”
I was nice. Really I was. But my patience is hanging by its last thread.
KL, my glass seems to be empty here. No, don’t get up, just tell me where you put the– ah, there it is.
88. Mary | July 31st, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Frappacino!*
[whine]
I had to go into work today … on my vacation… to finish a project because of the kerfuffle the cow-orker caused. I’m /finally/ getting on the road to San Francisco… I’ll make it by dinner… tomorrow… but I just wanted to whine a bit first.
[/whine]
*Hey, it’s a work-safe word. I’ve started using it when I’m irked.
89. Andi | July 31st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Sand? Limoncello? Conga lines? What is going on here? I’m bleary and dehydrated, and DONE, I say DONE with baseball!!! for at least 2 or 3 monthes! OK not including team tryouts this Sunday and next Sunday and then the 16 & 17 but after that… done. Really. Probably. Aidy finished 3rd out of 32 teams in the regional Little League World Series held in hell, I mean, Southaven, MS. That is a 3 shower-a-day place. I’ve never sweated so much in my entire life. yech.
Have toooooo much fun in SF everybody! We went to Teatre Zinzano one night and it was GREAT! Funny and pretty good food. Just if you have free night.
Must run, football has started. And we are having weird ominous sky, so I should probably be sure the Juan has Aidy.
90. McB | July 31st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I vote we skip the coffee, double the additives and then we can all sit around giggling.
CC - thanks for checking in. We’re thinking of you and your dad.
Andi it’s good to see you again. It’s a psychic group. Just when I start thinking someone hasn’t been around lately up they pop.
Mary, if you aren’t driving until tomorrow you can drink tonight. *pours the denied ms M a large sangria*
91. GatorPerson | July 31st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I’ve put some nice music on sung by Andrea Bocelli. He does have such a lovely tenor. Not too good for the conga line, but good stuff. Figured you all would pass on the Vivaldi and the Scarlatti. Or hit me.
Can I have a 3rd serving of tiramisu? There’s plenty, isn’t there? It goes so very well with my gin and tonics. Been to the dentist; so soft foods tonight only. I’ll take all the whipped cream that BCB doesn’t want.
Andi, I’ve never sweated so much as in San Antonio. And you said you loved the place.
92. BCB | July 31st, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I seem to remember playing some Vivaldi on the violin way back when I thought that was a good thing to do. And I’ve been vaccinated against scarlatti.
I’m sure you all are sick to death of hearing about my DD’s travels, but in keeping with our internationally themed party I thought I’d let you know I stole some pictures of Cusco from her blog and put them on mine. She hasn’t posted pictures of the Machu Picchu trek yet. I’ll steal a few of those too, once she does. Gives me something to do and keeps me out of trouble.
93. Scope Dope CherryBomb | July 31st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I’ll listen to the Vivaldi GP and the Bocelli then for them that don’t like it we can play some Josh Groban and Micheal Buble. Of course the topper will be my collection of Barry Manilow. I know EVERYONE loves Barry. Stop hitting me Mcb you and your magic wand are not getting anywhere near my BM collection.
Let’s see must take cabbage out of the freezer to make my cabbage rolls. Get the hamburger and other ingredients then put it all together with my secret spices.
I’ll have a Vandermint special coffee please. (That’s coffee with lots of Vandermint Liqeur).I like whipped cream too with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Yum! Oops spilled a little whipped cream on the floor and the couch. Oh well, the couch will never be noticed.
94. Scope Dope CherryBomb | July 31st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Bcb-Hi. I have seen many photos and moving pictures of Kentucky and I have always loved the rolling green hills filled with beautiful horses. That is what I want to see. I have been advised by a friend who has been to Louisville to go to the Horse Museum and if we travel down some country roads we will find horse farms that have tours. That would be wonderful.
BTW this was all started by Wapak meeting us in Cincinnati which was actually Northern Kentucky. I got all excited that I was in Kentucky finally. Just may seem silly I guess but I have had that dream since I was little and now it is finally going to come true. I want to see a lot of the places on the way too and see the houses. We are going to take our time and not stick to any schedule so we can do that. I am really excited about this.
Cary would understand. Maybe they’ll move a horse farm into the middle of town for me like they did with Mount Hood.
95. Lori | July 31st, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Glad the party is still going, but My. Whole. Body. Hurts.
Can’t even muster the effort to lift a fork to my mouth, so I’m going to pass out somewhere over there… or here, as I might not make it there.
No additives necessary.
96. RSS | July 31st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Hope party went well, though based on lori ready for passing out I’m assuming somewhat fun
RWA is so much fun. Just came back from dinner with RSS and about to go to another thingie (that’s special RWA talk right there). Had the best workshop with Ellen Randhel (sp?) right before dinner. Everybody is extremely nice and wonderful. I’ll give a detailed report when I get back to LA. Dee and Kay T say hi (I’m assuming; they’re spending some time with Cherries). Anyway, take care and see ya all soon.
-OH
(P.S. RSS will probably be on soon).
97. RSS | August 1st, 2008 at 1:20 am
And here she is.
CC you and your dad are in my thoughts and prayers. Adding my thanks for you keeping us updated.
K.L. Glad your bathroom is almost done. I bet it and the accessaries will look beautiful. I feel your fear with your son driving. And I’ve still got one to go. Pass me some of the additives too. Don’t need the coffee. It might keep me awake.
Boy the food you are having sounds yummy.
Scope I’m so glad you are getting to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tell us all about it when you get back okay?
(((Lori))) What happened? Are you sick or injured? Take care of yourself please.
Andi glad baseball is finally ending and that your son did so well. Sometimes being a sports mom sucks doesn’t it. I always thought the seasons should be a couple of weeks shorter.
BCB I can’t hear enough about your daughters trip It is a major deal and since I’ll never do it I love enjoying it vicariously.
Linda Howard talked at the Pro Retreat today and I posted her words of wisdom. Really enjoyed and am motivated by her talk.
Had a great dinner with OH. So much fun talking with her. K. T. and I sat and watched people for a while. I’m thoroughly enjoying the conference. But man oh man I hope I can sleep tonight. I’m so tired.
Tomorrow I have to be at the editor/agent appts to volunteer. I’ll be there ’til eleven then off to workshops.
So whose making their plans to come to Washington D.C. next year?
98. McB | August 1st, 2008 at 10:13 am
Where is everyone this morning? Sleeping off special additive hangovers?
99. K.L. | August 1st, 2008 at 11:33 am
I’m here. The area experienced traffic hell today, so there was extra stuff to fight through to get to work. A diesel truck overturned and spilled diesel in one location, and a truck dumped its load of sheetrock in another location and they both closed the road. Add several major accidents because the roads were oily and it rained, and well, traffic hell.
I got pics of my bathroom, and will try to get them onto my site today. Now I must go over to RSS’s blog and read words of wisdom by Linda Howard.
100. K.L. | August 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Ok, pics are up, so you can click on my name and see the upgrade. I didn’t get any “before” pics, but that would just be torture anyway.
101. glamour-geek | August 1st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Back from Toronto, jetlagged, and hoping to stay up late enough to have dinner with the RWA CBs tonight.
Our friend who was 102 died yesterday. I can’t work up much sorrow for the passing of someone with a long life who was well loved by 3 children, 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and tons of friends and relatives, but I know the family (incl. me*) feels a loss. She was a fixture and a whippersnapper to the end (she was supposed to die 2 weeks ago. She was on her own schedule!
). I can only hope people can say the same of all of us when our turn comes. “Well loved by many with a long, fulfilling life.”
102. cbpen | August 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
GG: a friendly acquaintance of ours died recently after living an amazing life. She was only 87 :> but she had been a WASP during WWII and was still flying. She was in T om Bro kaw’s book. She was in an air race just last month…the same one my bro’s girlfriend was in. She died in her sleep at an air show. Her kids said it was the way she would’ve planned it…only sooner. Her name is Mar garet Ring en berg (spaces added to foil google).
I am feeling the pain of the sports thing…my son had school and his wife had work soooo Gramsey got to take the boys to football. It’s just too darn hot for that with pads and helmets. I am not a football person.
{{{CC}}}
BCB: love hearing about your DD’s trip. That is one on my list.
SF CBs: Have a great mini Whack-A-Do.
RSS: Thanks for the updates on RWA
103. BCB | August 1st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
What is it about me that makes everyone I meet want to tell me their entire life story? Or their medical history? Every single person I’ve talked to today has done this. Some of this stuff I wouldn’t even tell a casual friend. And they are complete strangers. One woman just got done telling me about her 42 yo son who is paralyzed (and the entire story of how he got that way) and he recently hurt his foot but couldn’t feel it and it got infected and his skin split open from being so swollen and then she described the discharge. In great detail. And the treatment. GAH! I don’t want to know this stuff.
What is wrong with me? How can I make them stop?
104. McB | August 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
It’s that Minnesota nice thing. You do it so well. Even managed to fool those state troopers Nebraska. They never knew what hit ‘em. And BTW did I ever tell you about my lumbego or the heartbrearing bout of psoriasis I went through? No? Get comfortable.
105. BCB | August 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Oh just stop.
Here, apparently the Today Show did a piece this morning about romance novels and had some live footage from the RWA convention:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/
Go the the middle section where they have the videos and scroll through until you find the one about romance novels. It was okay. Not as cliched and slanted as some I’ve seen. Had bits of an interview with NR.
I have to go try to talk to some more people now.
106. Diane (TT) | August 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Hi, everyone - it’s been horribly hot here, but…
I finished my Walk Across Illinois!
I’ve been visiting preserves and nature trails, and Fermilab, and I finished this morning. Of my life’s major goals, it is probably not even on the list, but it felt like a good thing to aim for this year, in my quest to not get any more unfit than I am.
CC - Continuing best wishes for your dad! I hope he has super-excellent PET scans.
KL - my sympathies - it’s difficult to develop driving judgement. My sister’s son is almost ready to get to that, and he is NOT very aware of his surroundings. I hope all young people learn their lessons with a minimum of expense, physical harm and parental distress!
BCB - yep, it’s the nice. Gotta work on that.
I need to buy the Susan Andersen book - I’m a big fan! A friend recommended Faye Kellerman to me - for some reason, I’d never gotten around to reading them, but the way she described them (without the author’s name - I looked up the characters’ names on Stop! You’re Killing Me!, a very handy reference site for mysteries. I have now read four, and still have several to go!
On a similar title note, Tara Janzen’s Loose and Easy is due out 26-August; those are fun, too, in a different way.
I missed both the Mexican and the Italian? Bummer! What is tonight’s theme? We could go with “American” as Scope suggested, which leaves open just about everything. I’ll make mint juleps, to keep Scope in the mood.
I’m glad to hear from the RWA attendees! Lori, I’m sorry you hurt - what acts were you in the carnival? I’ll bet you walked the tightrope and the tension is what’s making you hurt!
Mary, you’re awe-inspiring, putting up with the bestial colleagues.
Andi - yes, MS in summer SUCKS! The only reasonable thing to do is to move very slowly and stay in the A/C as much as possible. A strategy that, by the nature of your event, you and your family were probably unable to put into practice.
I may have to cook dinner tonight. So I may have to turn on my own A/C. Darn. Or, wait, I have an idea - a microwave strategy has occurred to me. I am seriously going to get that Deep Covered Baker once I get to OH, so that I can nuke food better. Rats, I was gonna order some stuff today, but don’t want to use my credit card on a public computer. It’ll have to wait until Monday…
107. Diane (TT) | August 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Obviously I forgot to close a COUPLE of things! My apologies. If anyone wants to go in and close the bolding after the Walk Across Illinois and the red after “Stop, You’re Killing me”, that would make for a less frightening comment. My apologies for shouting and bleeding all over your field of view…
108. GatorPerson | August 1st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
OK, people, we’re over 100 here. I am supposed to post, but I don’t wanna until Sunday, after the Saturday mini Whack in NC. So somebody step up to the plate for me for a couple of days, please.
Just back from the latest Batman movie. Heath Ledger did a fine job, quite possibly Oscar material. His character was the only one that had any character development. Otherwise the movie wasn’t very good for me*. Lots of explosions and car crashes and rapelling and silly makeup. Batman really, really needed to blow his nose. Whenever a character was making a VERY IMPORTANT POINT the music swelled so that the words were drowned out.
Hmmm. Can you tell I didn’t like it much?
109. McB | August 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Hey, TT. Congrats on finishing your walk.
Okay, we’ll go American for the weekend. That means Bar-b-que! And fortunately the weather is fabulous (as it so often is here at the B&G, ever notice that?) so we can cook out. Got the grills going. Somebody want to volunteer to shuck the corn?
Janzen - I know I’ve read and enjoyed something of hers before, but the title escapes me. Might have to check that out.
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