tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190147032024-03-07T01:20:54.354-05:00Adventures of an Eclectic MindA place for me.Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-82439436215630018042010-06-30T06:56:00.001-04:002010-06-30T06:56:24.053-04:00My Newest Obsession<p>I have a tendency toward obsession. No, really, I do. And it usually expresses itself with me spending all of my time on whatever is obsessing me at the moment. The result is often that other things (possibly other things that have been an obsessions <em>themselves</em> in the past) become ignored and neglected in their turn. This blog is an example of things that get moved down the priority list, but have been an obsession in the past. Twitter has been a recent casualty also, as have many of the blogs I read thru Google Reader. Farmville (and Facebook in general) is currently enjoying an exemption, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. ;p</p> <p>My current obsession is very insidious as it involves the one and <em>only </em>obsession that I have returned to again and again and <em>again</em> throughout my life. Books! No matter what else has caught my attention over all the many years of my life, reading books has always been in the background. Oh, I might move from reading a couple of books a week down to one of so a month, but I always return to my love of books. Often summer, with its wonderful outside opportunities will distract me, but winter, with it’s long nights and cold outside, will draw me back and increase my word count.</p> <p>One of the drawbacks to loving books is that I have collected many, many, <em>many</em> books over the years. Even though I buy very few hardback books (paperbacks are smaller, easier to carry around, and –<em>bonus</em>- cheaper), storing books has always been an issue. If I enjoyed a book, I tend to hold on to it. Also, if a book is part of a series, I will be hesitant to let it slip thru my hands because many times the newest book in a series will bring about the desire to reread the earlier books, particularly if it has been a long time since the author last graced us with a book in that series. I buy less books when I have access to a good library, which makes my wallet happy, but they are still one of my favorite and most frequent expenses. </p> <p>Every since I first became aware of e-books back in the early 90’s, I thought that they were a wonderful idea. A wonderful idea in theory, but in the execution of the idea…. not so much. To read a book on a computer screen is not an optimal reading experience. While a textbook, or technical manual, would benefit from the ease of searching on the computer, a fiction book would suffer from the inability to easily transport the book and/or the ability to curl up in bed and read about the newest adventures of my favorite characters. Even if you have a laptop, the experience left a lot to be desired. Printed books were still the best way to consume and enjoy fiction.</p> <p>The advent of dedicated e-readers seemed to be a step in the right direction, but they offered their own set of problems. The first readers, which many don’t realize came out waaaaay before the introduction of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T963C/ref=amb_link_353392262_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1GK50C6V2PC41EG355T2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1268266102&pf_rd_i=507846">Amazon Kindle</a> and it’s dedicated bookstore, suffered from a lack of books published for them, a relatively high price, and the fact that most people were just discovering computers and just weren’t tech savvy enough for them yet. They mostly crashed and burned. I waited.</p> <p>Then, Amazon got into the game with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T963C/ref=amb_link_353392262_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1GK50C6V2PC41EG355T2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1268266102&pf_rd_i=507846">Kindle</a>. I looked, I drooled, I coveted…. but I did not buy. While it finally brought e-books to the masses by making them simple to use, easy to buy, affordable, and –using their power as a major distributor—finally getting many, many books available in e-book form from publishers, the price for the reader was prohibitive, and the e-reader itself very proprietary… thus making it difficult to read anything not bought thru Amazon’s very own Kindle store.</p> <p>I watched, I waited, I coveted. </p> <p>Other e-readers entered the market, and competition started bringing the prices into reach. Other companies started adopting something called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB">e-pub</a>, a more universal format that allowed you to buy books from other places and still be able to read them on different platforms. Still… price/availability/ ease of use, not there yet.</p> <p>Then came my 50th birthday and my hubs desire to get me something a bit more pricey than our standard birthday gifts. He made a proclamation. I had until my birthday to look at all of my options (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T963C/ref=amb_link_353392262_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1GK50C6V2PC41EG355T2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1268266102&pf_rd_i=507846">Kindle</a>, <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&categoryId=8198552921644523779">Sony</a>, <a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_koboereaderspecs?ereader=true">Kobo</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cds2Pid=30195">Nook</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/">Ipad</a> and others) and to choose one. That would be my present.</p> <p>I researched online.  I went to stores where I could get a hands on feel for the ones available locally. I read what others said. I researched some more. The decision wasn’t easy. The Sony, Nook and I-pad were available for me to touch, feel, try out. The Kindle wasn’t available locally (although that has changed in the last week –Target now carries them) but has a wonderful following of early adopters, who all seem to love it, including a couple of people I know personally. The Kobo had a great price point, but was only available thru ordering. Each one had it’s good (and bad) points. My final decision came down to ease of use, ability to borrow books in e-format from my local library, and….. superficial, I know, but the way the reader looked and felt.</p> <p>Finally it was my Birthday week and a decision was demanded. I made my choice……. Welcome to my newest obsession:</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="home_screen" border="0" alt="home_screen" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aWUMsjyDsyTLOmY5mxdRp36Bc0rk294v_34ThIcr-S_8b1mhZUa-joVjderY_ubSrEnfMxVVPp-33eW8QrX49dBR0G8trRPv5fQ-evsGrkP2HEvXVIuwcwtHF7-N1RgJkoWw/?imgmax=800" width="529" height="753" /> </p> <p>I have owned it for less than a month and I have already read 4 books borrowed from my local library, 2 books I have downloaded from B&N for free, and I have several books waiting in my TBR list. both in my wish list on the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp">Barnes&Noble e-book store</a> and the one with my local library.</p> <p>I adore my <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?PID=34324&cds2Pid=30195">newest little obsession</a>. It is light (weighing about what a paperback does), it will hold up to 1500 books in it’s built in 2 gig of memory –plus I am able to add memory with a memory card, adding up to 16 gig <strong><em>more</em></strong>. memory. It will display my own pictures (although only in black and white) as screensaver/backgrounds. Because I bought it just before Father’s day, and right before the price drop **sigh**, it came with a $50 gift card toward purchase of books. The price dropped by $50 a few days ago, but I don’t feel too bad since I got the gift card with mine, making the actual cost about the same. It will also play music/podcasts/audio books with it’s built in audio player, and even offers a rudimentary web browser (think cell phone). </p> <p>It feels very like reading a paperback because G also bought me a cover for it to protect it from bumps and scratches that is a very soft leather and opens up and folds around it while reading and makes it about the size, heft, and feel of reading a paperback book. It gives me a choice of 5 font sizes so I can increase or decrease the size of the words based on where I am reading, available light, or other factors. Barnes and Noble offers several free books (about 95,000 –many are books out of copyright, but some are ‘sample’ books from some really good authors they want you to try so if you like them you will buy there other books!) in addition you are able to ‘sample’ any book before buying. If you see a book, but aren’t sure you would like it, you are able to download the first couple of chapters to read for free. I am also able to buy books thru Borders, Sony, and any other outlet that sells with the e-pub or pdf file formats.</p> <p>Currently I am reading <a href="http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=EBOOK&WRD=bullet+anita+blake+vampire+hunter+series+19&box=bul&pos=0">Bullet</a> by <a href="http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/">Laurell K Hamilton</a>, which I borrowed from the library for free. One of the conveniences of my <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?PID=34324&cds2Pid=30195">Nook</a> is ease of obtaining my next book. Earlier this evening I finished the book I was reading (<a href="http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=EBOOK&WRD=flirt+anita+blake+vampire+hunter+series+18">Flirt</a>, also by Ms Hamilton). I had several options at this point. I have some books already on my reader I haven’t read yet, I could bring up the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp">Barnes & Noble e-store</a> right on my <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?PID=34324&cds2Pid=30195">Nook</a> and search for/buy/ and download a new book using my wi-fi connection (or if a wi-fi connection is not available using the FREE 3G cellular connection built right in) or I could grab my laptop, go online and choose a book from my Library’s e-book selection, download it, and ‘side load’ it on my <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?PID=34324&cds2Pid=30195">Nook</a>. It actually takes longer to type that than to do the  download and move the book over from my laptop :)  I chose to browse my wish list from the library, saw that <a href="http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/bullet.html">Bullet</a> was in and available for download, and decided on that…. all without leaving the comfort of my couch. Yep… obsessed and, quite possibly, in love!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-84069444780117584412010-06-06T02:47:00.001-04:002010-06-06T09:42:31.018-04:00Hello?!?<p>Hello?!? **cough** **cough** **knocks down cob webs and chokes on all of the dust**</p> <p>Wow! It is  dusty in here. I’ve <strong><em>really </em></strong>been neglecting my poor little blog. The bright shininess that is  Facebook drew me in and I was distracted by the new. It’s not that I forgot about AofanEM. It was more I would think “Wow, that would make a good blog post”, and then it was just so much easier to throw up a line or two on Facebook… or even on Twitter… than to actually pull up Live Writer and go thru all the steps of posting. It just seemed like too much trouble. Oh, I could blame Facebook… or Twitter… or even the fact that it was a long, cold Winter, but the truth is I have just been being lazy. I think it is time for me to pull this blog back out, dust it off, maybe even do some remodeling. </p> <p>I wonder if anyone even still has this in their RSS reader? Hello, Beuller… Beuller… How about a roll call? If you are out there and are actually seeing this…. make a comment! How’s that for begging for attention? </p> <p>So, Why now? Why Today? Why? Why? Why? Hmmm.. Well, it’s my 50th birthday (and no, that is not a bid for birthday wishes, I’m actually thinking about not having anymore birthdays.. the whole getting older thing is <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> working for me!) and I was thinking about what I’ve done since this time last year and what I would like to accomplish this year. Kind of like New Year’s Resolutions! Oh wait… I already did that. If you look down one entry you will see that my last entry was about the things I <em>should</em> be doing. That  was ummmm…. 5 months ago? Yeah..So much for good intentions. Did I mention it was a cold, ugly Winter? Oh yeah… I used that excuse. </p> <p>So, Here’s the question. Help me out! Should I just revamp this blog as is and go on from here, or should I scrap it, keep the Blog name and URL and start over as if it was a brand new blog. Delete all of the old entries (except this one), and start from scratch, or just start posting from here and try to just fix some of the things that were\are bugging me. </p> <p>What exactly has been bugging me? Let’s see: I have some broken links to old pictures and things from the AOL debacle. I’m still pulling my blogroll from my –old- RSS reader and not the one I am currently using. My RSS feeds are a whole other issue, they <strong><em>really</em></strong> need to be cleaned out and streamlined. I’m bored with my blog design, but am not sure where I want to go with it, and my ‘labels’ and categories lists are a mess. </p> <p>So… suggestions? Ideas? Complaints? Requests? </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/TAtMMPIiUHI/AAAAAAAAAjg/48rW8Ljw3c8/s1600-h/IMG_0937web%5B33%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0937web" border="0" alt="IMG_0937web" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/TAtGDy0wTSI/AAAAAAAAAjk/HTLP7n31EMc/IMG_0937web_thumb%5B32%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="634" /></a></p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-90337768780807532242010-01-01T21:25:00.000-05:002010-01-02T01:26:22.153-05:00A New Day and A New Year…<p>I don’t have many traditions for New Year’s Day, but I do try to watch the <a href="http://www.tournamentofroses.com/">Rose Parade</a> and at least consider what the New Year will bring and what I would like to work on during the next year from a personal point of view. </p> <p>This year, as per usual for the last few, one of those things I would like to work on is my weight. I am not a lot over weight, maybe 5 to 10 pounds, but I would like to nip this in the bud before I <strong>AM</strong>! Instead of a diet, I am going to try to just get us to eat healthier this year and raise our activity level up….. and obviously I mean for all that to start later on because we spent today eating a lot of junk and watching TV! LOL! I also want to get back into the habit of exercising at least 4 days a week. I’ve really neglected both the eating healthy and the exercise during the Holidays, but it is time to get back on track!</p> <p>My other big ‘plan’ is to try to spend more time working on my photography (and maybe having something to post here… I used to post a lot of my pictures/experiments once upon a time). I have this really nice camera and I don’t do enough with it anymore. I took very few pictures last year, and did even less with them. I need to ‘find my muse’ again. And, I don’t want to just work with my camera, I also want to try to spend a little more time nurturing my artistic side. I’m going to try to do a few more of the memes out there and try to remember how much I actually enjoy getting out there and taking pictures!</p> <p>Nothing world shattering, just a hmmmm, that is the direction I need to be going in. I like that better than Resolutions, because the minute I say a <strong>will </strong>do something it is as if my whole psyche sets out to find a way <strong>not</strong> to do it… </p> <p>What are YOU planning for the New Year?</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-60349958873329833002009-12-31T20:38:00.001-05:002009-12-31T21:02:43.884-05:00And Another Year Bites the Dust!<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Sz1R64qWN1I/AAAAAAAAAjA/zfV-gzhDdEY/s1600-h/DsDesignsCuddleUp%5B4%5D.gif"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DsDesignsCuddleUp" alt="DsDesignsCuddleUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMgMnQZG46yEYp1FwTa3r8GQv4xXCcwTA2adx7JV51ufkoM_wtjQiDiBOWh36S83fxaiQIF2QwTqOjh4FdsITJ3igvWYfd_yRkNBBrwAmYow5GESa3eYBl8Hd7EKdFVNnrujS/?imgmax=800" width="499" height="352" /></a> </p> <p><strong><em>I just wanted to take a few minutes and stop in here to wish all of my Peeps a Happy & Healthy New Year. I hope that 2010 is full of Magic and brings you all the most Wonderful Things and is everything you Hope and Dream it will be!</em></strong></p> <p>This is a special New Year’s Eve because not only is it the last day of the Year, but it is also a <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091230/ap_on_sc/us_sci_blue_moon">Blue Moon</a>. Blue Moon’s are rare, and to <a href="http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2009/12/27/new-years-eve-brings-lunar-rarity/">have one on New Year’s Eve is incredibly Rare!</a> In addition to the Blue Moon, there will also be a partial lunar eclipse. I’m hoping that these are good omens and means that the coming year will be incredible. After all, good things happen “Once in a Blue Moon”!</p> <p>I am spending a quiet New Year’s Eve at home with the Hubs and the furbabies. This has become tradition for us over the last few years. The desire to get out there and brave all the people celebrating is long past. I am much happier curled up in my PJ’s, eating an assortment of bad for us snacks, and watching TV. At Midnight we will flip the channel over and watch the ball drop in Times Square…. or at least I will, G often doesn’t make it all the way to Midnight anymore. A far cry from when we first met. Our very first New Year’s Eve (The big 2000! We weren’t together, just at the same place/party) was spent in a train yard, setting of fireworks, dancing on the tops of trains (umm… no, that –wasn’t- allowed and there are no pictures, so you have no proof!), drinking and generally carousing till the wee small hours. We would soon be a couple… Now, ten years later, we are boring. LOL! </p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-86439708495261286402009-12-21T00:53:00.001-05:002009-12-21T00:53:49.485-05:00Celebrations of Light and Hope<p></p> <p style="background-color: rgb(0,0,0)" align="left"><span style="color: rgb(192,192,192)"><span style="font-size: 130%"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms"><span style="color: rgb(255,255,153); font-size: 100%">It has become tradition that on Dec 21 I repost this entry from my first year of blogging. It originally appeared on my AOL Journal in 2004. This is the sixth year that I have 'reprinted' it. It still says what I want to remember about this time of year, so I am repeating it again this year. Some of the circumstances have changed... G and I are now married, we lost our beloved D.K., but have opened our hearts to a new kitty this year who is making her ‘big sister’ Morgan’s life interesting, we’ve changed jobs and homes a time or two…. still, although it will be 3 days before Christmas this year due to work and other obligations, we will be making our annual trek to spend a day with my brother and his family. Things change and yet some things remain the same. I hope you enjoy my annual Celebration of Light and Hope. <br /> <br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(192,192,192)"><span style="font-size: 130%"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms"><span style="color: rgb(255,255,153); font-size: 100%"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/Astaryth/xcandle2.gif" float="left" /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: comic sans ms; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-size: 130%"><span style="color: rgb(255,255,255)"> <br /></span></span><span style="font-family: comic sans ms; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-size: 130%"><span style="color: rgb(255,255,255)">Today is the shortest day of the year... and the longest night. It is the first day of Winter. It is the celebration of Yule. It is an acknowledgement of Hope. That Light and Warmth and other good things will always return after the darkness. It is the day that G. and I celebrate as our personal Winter Holiday. In ancient times, this was the festival of the rebirth of the new god and a promise that after today the days would get longer, the nights would get shorter, and warmth and Spring WOULD come. <br /> <br />Yes, secularly we, like so many others, celebrate Christmas. In the United States, Christmas is no longer just a religious holiday. With the gift giving, and Santa, and the decorations... Christmas has become more, and less, than what was originally intended. Everyone takes the pieces and parts of the holiday that works for them. Some embrace the religious parts, and try to ignore how secular it has become... others embrace the secular with it's parties, lights, Santa, and presents and ignore any religious beginnings of the holiday. But, at it's heart, it is still a Winter Holiday.. A celebration of Hope. And every religion/belief system seems to have a celebration of some type that embraces this. <br /> <br />I grew up in the States, and therefore my memories of a Winter Holiday include all of the above. And Christmas itself is as much a melting pot as the United States itself. The Christmas tree is German, and Santa is the culmination of a blend of traditions from many countries. Mistletoe? Druid. Christmas Cards? England. You see what I mean. G. and I will be celebrating with my brother and his family on Christmas Eve at his house. That's the day we all have off together. Christmas Day G. is working so a co-worker can be home with his small children for the all important Santa Claus ritual <g>. <br /> <br />I think what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter who you are, or what your core beliefs are... There is a place in the Winter Holidays for all. But, please, take a moment this season, whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Yule, or Christmas, to remember that the REAL reason for all of these celebrations is to celebrate HOPE in all of its forms</span><span style="color: rgb(255,255,255)">. <br /> <br /></span></span> <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Christmas Candles" src="http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/Astaryth/xcandle1.gif" float="right" /> <span style="color: rgb(192,192,192)"><span style="font-size: 78%"> <br />graphics by <a href="http://www.uselessgraphics.com/">useless graphics </a></span></span></p> <div id="tagsLocation" class="tags">Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Christmas" rel="tag" target="_blank">Christmas</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Celebrations+of+Light+%26Hope" rel="tag" target="_blank">Celebrations of Light &Hope</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Yule" rel="tag" target="_blank">Yule</a></div> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-24718070656196064252009-11-19T09:58:00.001-05:002009-11-19T09:58:29.276-05:00I am a NaBloPoMo Dropout…<p>Le Sigh! I did not manage to post every day in November, so I guess I am a NaBloPoMo failure. But, I have an excuse <strike>don’t I always</strike>! I looked back over the posts I was making and realized that I was posting things I normally wouldn’t just so I would have a post for that day, and I wasn’t happy with that. I would rather post less often and post something <strike>interesting</strike> <strike>not boring</strike> semi-interesting than to post a bunch and not be happy with it. So, I am going back to posting things when they strike my fancy. LOL!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJQHxz3bS2BSkB16d9bQjvGziel8dybOdzidQWN7dLO5HM9427BL5lz15XbjioOwCZHjIaJK0wqlwtoiGMEnokf4ubdUVVE9oEERRIAbDW9t3NpLRYyg0FMV5rXSGy9c7DykG/s1600-h/digitalcat%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="digitalcat" border="0" alt="digitalcat" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SwVdEUbfb8I/AAAAAAAAAi8/EJOPeQF8aNE/digitalcat_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="464" /></a> </p> <p>In the spirit of stuff striking my fancy….. I give you a <a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091118/D9C1NVSO1.html">computer they have taught to think like a cat</a>. Now, at first, I thought “Cool!”. Then I took a moment and <strike>looked at my cat</strike> considered the implications of having a computer that thinks like a cat. Really…. consider it… do you really want a computer who thinks like a cat? My own cat is capricious, does what she wants, does strange things for no apparent reason, and I have seen her tease the dog, just for fun. Oh wait… never mind! My computer –already- acts like a cat at times, doing what it wants instead of what I want it to!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-59252512630719884882009-11-12T23:06:00.000-05:002009-11-13T00:10:42.359-05:00Procrastination… or Just Pure Laziness?<p>I have espoused the wonder that is <a href="http://windowslive.com/Desktop/Writer">LiveWriter</a> before, and probably will do so again. Anyone who is blogging should at least give this <em>FREE</em> program a try. It not only gives you a WYSIWYG interface, it allows you to post to more than one blog with ease and the touch of the mouse, and it makes the handling of links, catagories, pictures, etc simple and requires absolutely zip knowledge of HTML, CSS, or any other acronym. </p> <p>With the above paragraph fresh in your mind, you would think that I would be using the newest version of my favorite program, especially since (as before mentioned) it is <em>free</em>. You would be wrong.</p> <p>I recently turned a returning Blogger on to my very favorite posting miracle and when she had questions, I promptly answered them…. only to have her e-mail back that her version didn’t have a button or some such in the spot I said it was. Turns out that I had an older version of the program on my machine and that the older versions do not check for updates on their own.</p> <p>So…. the moral to this story? If you have (and love) <a href="http://windowslive.com/Desktop/Writer">LiveWriter</a>, you might want to pop over and make sure you have the newest version. The version I have now has a ‘Check for updates’ option under the Help menu. Something that my previous version did not.</p> <p>End of Public Service Announcement – Oh, and if any one from the government wanders across this endorsement, let it be perfectly clear that I receive nothing from Microsoft for endorsing their product… although I am open to any monetary recompense they would like to pass on to me at any time and for any reason……</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-19221415143767211242009-11-11T11:40:00.001-05:002009-11-14T23:20:26.859-05:00Veteran’s Day—2009<p>Have you hugged a Veteran today? </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Svro5LTodII/AAAAAAAAAiM/EXgLFyxOq_Y/s1600-h/09poster_lowres%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="09poster_lowres" border="0" alt="09poster_lowres" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Svro8uxS4EI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/7XGfXs0xAOw/09poster_lowres_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="736" /></a> </p> <p>For this or any previous years official poster <a href="http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp">click here</a>.</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-36866727396307988372009-11-09T13:37:00.000-05:002009-11-11T13:38:09.129-05:00Very Cool Hand Paintings...<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SvsEIutq7tI/AAAAAAAAAiU/EGMl9jE2SJM/s1600-h/hand_painting_art_39%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hand_painting_art_39" border="0" alt="hand_painting_art_39" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SvsEKzSb3oI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Go1JFqmz-hI/hand_painting_art_39_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="484" /></a> <p>I've seen several of these before, including the 4 I have included here. They never cease to fascinate me. The time and artistry that goes into them is amazing. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Click on <a href="http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2009/11/best-hand-painting-art-ever.html">this Link</a> to go and see more….<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hand_painting_art_34" border="0" alt="hand_painting_art_34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenN9WeKneODvgjHlZgbedRZ4WE5OeFBg-cC99Wi43GBFlG6b4LC6301Wsn7fcyEBTXhEep_2tZD2hyphenhyphenQ2-KDIgBTNs8sBQakBO4HoISj-4Tt-ygbK6Rb8MsnYOAB_ly6yWAzUk/?imgmax=800" width="579" height="395" /></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkdNOIp4hso8IM7AmNXzAV4nUfp46RJk0g1cqjbcu9NftPpt79PlVKMzE9mwHQkdYMfSIYAFhxQR3fUjNCAn5h7KBigvTAkBRWex46vScx84adw78fdj50kB7KpsSHOFVP9ob/s1600-h/hand_painting_art_43%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hand_painting_art_43" border="0" alt="hand_painting_art_43" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SvsERVUvaLI/AAAAAAAAAik/_TPuiXYM5bs/hand_painting_art_43_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="395" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa65EmzL1gcAUn4IOLrhMs4PF6-piXL4y6ta-XWtxr98d0IIwe7OA9hXJuJfDtuP5PbUml_80r9Vy2GAqldbluhyPrm7SxEjUiQDWUid0OrT2dsDmUhvfUQoK59BbubyjvB4D/s1600-h/hand_painting_art_33%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hand_painting_art_33" border="0" alt="hand_painting_art_33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKreyZ2bRq6Cf6rtngOrUfihnAaS8mXLrLTPGomGrkVprBwLIhEu3n6MV9dMw1dgIBXJBAduZRweNTKux9Rqf9TmyJmpg229gbeA4uUhgAWP7XPc05g92vLDSG-sFD19lYYx2Q/?imgmax=800" width="579" height="395" /></a></p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-49181836158530887812009-11-08T12:50:00.000-05:002009-11-09T12:53:22.613-05:00Just in Case You were Worried about 12/12/2012<p>I love when the doomsayers and fanatics grab onto a specific date and start predicting the End of the World. Let’s see, there was the Y2K bug. Uhuh.. computers continued to function, more or less, even until today. Then I remember the world was supposed to end on Jan 1, 2000, even without the Y2K bug (which was only going to destroy technology after all), then when that didn’t happen they realized the new Millennium actually started on Jan 1, 2001, so they changed the day… and still the world didn’t end. This is not a new thing, there have been doomsayers for all of human history, and probably before. I can picture an early human, soon after words were invented, “Ugh! World go away if too many people” or some other such nonsense. </p> <p>The current End of the World scenario is based on two very different theories. One being the end of the Mayan Calendar. Uh, No! It is only the end of the current calendar cycle, and the Mayans aren’t happy you are trying to make disaster movies out of it. LOL! The second is the ‘discovery’ of a planet that wanders around and is set to crash into ours. Again… Uh, No!</p> <p>Curious about where these ideas all came from and what the actual scientists have to say about them? Check out <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html">this Link</a> from NASA. I think they may be a little more reliable than the guy standing on the street corner wearing the sandwich board and telling you to sign over all of your worldly goods to him before the world ends and you are considered a sinner!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-24824789480553423372009-11-07T11:33:00.000-05:002009-11-09T11:33:52.212-05:00A Public Service Message for the NaNoWriMo Peeps…<p>I don’t know how many of you out there are doing the NaNoWriMo thing, but I DO know a few of the people who occasionally pass thru here have written a novel or two. Some of you don’t plan to ever publish and only wrote for fun and your own satisfaction. (<a href="http://herethereandeverywhere2ndedition.blogspot.com/">Pat</a>)  But others have written in the hopes to someday publishing. (<a href="http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/">Karen</a>) Still others have probably written things I don’t know about.</p> <p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2009-11-05-book-publishing_N.htm">This link</a> is for you. It’s a link to a <a href="http://www.komando.com/">Kim Komando</a> article in the USA Today on self-publishing. You may already know of all of these places, there may be a few surprises, or you may never have heard of self-publishing at all. Still, I thought it might be a help to someone, so I’m including it here!</p> <p>If anyone actually uses this and publishes something, be sure and let me know so I can pimp you!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-29115078486837823892009-11-06T22:21:00.000-05:002009-11-07T14:24:05.066-05:00I Would Walk 500 Miles<blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/imgonnabe500mileslyrics.html">I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) Lyrics</a> </p> <p>Chorus:</p> <p>But I would walk 500 miles <br />And I would walk 500 more <br />Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles <br />To fall down at your door</p> <p>**preformed by The Proclaimers**</p> </blockquote> </blockquote> <p>I don't know why but when I hear people talking about walking their 10,000 steps it makes me think of this song. If you want the full lyrics, just click on the link.</p> <p>That seems like a lot of steps... 10,000. <em>And</em>, you are supposed to do them every day. Supposedly if you do that you <em>will </em>lose weight. Just by walking. That sounded like a great (read easy & cheap) idea to me, so I checked out a <a href="http://www.thewalkingsite.com/index.html">couple</a> of <a href="http://www.the-fitness-walking-guide.com/10000-steps-a-day.html">sites</a> to see what they had to say. The first thing they recommend is that you get a <a href="http://www.the-fitness-walking-guide.com/pedometer-walking.html">pedometer</a> (you can get a very inexpensive one almost anywhere) and track how many steps you take in a day. </p> <p>O.k.... easy enough. A quick trip and about $10 later I was in business. I clipped that little guy to my pocket and proceeded about my day. I was ready to find out just how few steps I actually took in a day and then I would know how many more I needed to add to reach the 10,000 step goal and to combat and hopefully get rid of that 7-10 pounds the <strike>evil</strike> scale says I've picked up recently. </p> <p>Phhhhtt! I checked it after doing my morning chores and I already had over 5000 steps! I don't even wear the silly thing when I am in the house, and I've done more than 10,000 steps on every day I've worn it. Sigh! So maybe I'll have to do something waaaaay more drastic, like give up <strike>chocolate</strike> food to keep from getting fat.</p> <p>Seriously though, the good thing about choosing walking as your exercise is that it is cheap, easy to do, requires practically no equipment other than a pair of comfortable shoes and a little bit of time. I'm working on adding about 2000 more steps to my day starting tomorrow by going for a walk in the evenings. I'll let you know if it actually helps. LOL!</p> <p> <br /></p> <p><font color="#b22222"> </font></p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-1194659495128371692009-11-05T23:20:00.001-05:002009-11-05T23:20:31.173-05:00No Brainer...<p>Tonight's entry is a no brainer. I was wondering what I would do for an entry tonight when I realized that I was about to finish <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Extras-Uglies-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1416951172">Extras</a> by <a href="http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/">Scott Westerfeld</a>. This is the fourth, and currently last, book of the <a href="http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/?page_id=1148">Uglies series</a>. I have enjoyed these books so much that I am actively seeking out the other things Scott has written, including his newest steam punk novel, Leviathan.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgRo3vWeprT4bNV3oLnac5HsWH-CEjzcASgBq0wREKXRftA1NS3rSDtI-duK8DRNTZHauiEzsS_RfWb3qUcjxCQPfIv13sXp_FMCLI9e5oVXr4gOY3iB1uE2pNzzmBcVYAniD/s1600-h/Extras%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Extras" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SvOkCuT_7RI/AAAAAAAAAhw/xNWSRMR5BEg/Extras_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>The first 3 books of this series followed Tally Youngblood as she discovers that her society, based on Uglies (unaltered children under 16) and Pretties (people over 16 who have had surgery to make them 'pretty'), has a major flaw or two in it. We followed Tally from a young 'tricky' Ugly, through her discovery of what a Pretty really is after surgery, and finally as a Special as she discovers the scary flaws behind her world and watch as she tries, in her own way, to make it better, and in the process changes her world completely. </p> <p>The Fourth book, Extras, opens with a new set of characters, in a world that has been altered almost overnight. Each citystate is trying to find it's own way of dealing with the changes, and we enter the world of Aya. In her society, it's all about being famous, and Aya thinks that, if she can only raise herself up into the top face rank and quit being an Extra, she will finally be happy. The first half of the book is all about Aya chasing a story and finding more than she bargained for. Just as Aya becomes the famous story Kicker that she has always dreamed of, it all starts to go terribly wrong. </p> <p>The second part of the book finds Aya discovering that the world is not always as it seems, and maybe, just maybe, there is more to the world than having a high face rank. With the appearance of one of the most famous 'Faces' in Aya's world, Tally Youngblood, Aya finds herself caught up in what she thinks is an effort to save the world, but turns out to not be quite what she thought it was.</p> <p>I enjoyed all four books in this series and would recommend them to anyone, young or old. I'm also hoping that this won't be Scott's last foray into this fascinating world. If I had a teenager on my holiday list, this set of books would definitely make a great present.  </p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-28455564520746200522009-11-04T23:43:00.001-05:002009-11-04T23:43:24.889-05:00Procrastination...<p>Today is the 4th of November. It has been 4 days since Halloween, and I <em>still</em> haven't managed to 'decorate' around here for the next holiday. I did, at least, manage to get the Halloween stuff gone and throw my everyday (i.e. boring) template back up here. Now, what does all of that have to do with the word Procrastination? Follow me here and you <em>shall</em> be enlightened.</p> <ul> <li>Because I always want something unique, I can't just go out and find a Template. <em>Oh no</em>! I have to create something.... And, since I am going to need something for Christmas also, let's make both templates at once. Since this seems like it will take some work, I manage to keep finding something else to do and put it off for another day.</li> <li>What better place to procrastinate than... The Internet! Why Yes, I do have a FaceBook account. And someone whom I care about sent me a 'gift'. To accept the gift I had to start a Farmville account. This has led me down the rabbit hole of planting/harvesting/gifting that is the Farmville <strike>addiction</strike>  experience. </li> <li>Which led to one of my Farmville neighbors sending me a Yoville invite. The rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper.</li> <li>And then there are the Blogs.... Oh the blogs. You people have so much to say and your lives are <strike>not boring like mine</strike> interesting and your views enlightening and must be read as soon as you post.</li> <li>Also, let's not forget about making Blog posts. Sitting and looking at a blank screen and trying to come up with an idea cause it <em>is </em>NaBloPoMo.</li> <li>And e-mail... and RSS news feeds... and...</li> </ul> <p>Yep, I can find a hundred things to do that don't involve accomplishing anything at all. But, I did at least manage to get this post up before Midnight.</p> <p>Oh, and if any of you are on FaceBook.... I could use 2 more neighbors in Farmville and a couple of people for my crew in YoVille........</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-65293105006447961272009-11-03T23:54:00.001-05:002009-11-04T00:03:30.218-05:00Random Cool Photo Thingy...<p>I found this really cool thing over at the <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/greenguide/infinite-photograph">National Geographic site</a>. It will take a little while to load, but be patient. Once it is loaded the fun can begin. Keep clicking on the 'yellow square' in the picture. This is one of those panoramic pictures made up of smaller pictures that together make one, but it is huge. Each time you click on a picture there are more inside of it. The site probably explains it better than I ever could:</p> <blockquote> <p>What makes up our world? Dive into this photo-mosaic portrait of the Earth to see it through the eyes of users like you. It's made up of hundreds of photos of the natural world, each submitted by users to My Shot. (<a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/infinite-photograph/earth">Submit a photo</a>) Move the yellow square over an area you would like to explore, click, and go. Double-click on an image to see more information about it. Keep clicking—and diving deeper into the Infinite Photograph—to get a truly boundless picture of Earth.</p> </blockquote> <p>Go <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/greenguide/infinite-photograph">there</a> now! Explore! What are you still doing here?!?</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-81578831656402396442009-11-02T22:43:00.001-05:002009-11-02T22:43:08.747-05:00Found: Missing Blogger<p>When we all moved over here to Blogger when AOL kicked us out, some people got lost, or went missing, or didn't make the move, or sometimes they just had a lot going on in their lives and haven't been around for a while. It's sad, but we lost quite a few of our friends due to differing circumstances. </p> <p>Today I have good news. One of our little lost Sheep has returned to the Blogging fold. I know I don't have a huge bunch of people who read here, but if you remember <a href="http://breathingspace-ambradream.blogspot.com/">Stacy</a>, drop on over to <a href="http://breathingspace-ambradream.blogspot.com/">her place</a> and welcome her back!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-50777011821889474722009-11-01T19:44:00.001-05:002009-11-01T19:44:42.966-05:00November is a Busy Month<p>For the last few years I have considered October and Halloween/Samhain to be the kick-off for the Holiday Season. From October till the beginning of January we seem to be busy, busy, busy!</p> <p>Today I began the process of morphing our yard/house from the Halloween theme to a more Thanksgiving one. Several of the elements are kept, some things taken down (like the ghost and the spider lights), while other things are left in place or moved (my fall leaf garlands, pumpkin bells). This seems to be a little tougher this year. I don't know what it is like in your part of the country, but here the stores seem to have gone right from Halloween decor to Christmas! I only found a little tiny corner of Thanksgiving things when I went looking. Sigh! </p> <p>Besides gearing up for the Holidays, November is also a busy month because of two month long events that many in our blogging community will be taking part in. They are <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> (National Novel Writing Month) and <a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/">NaBloPoMo</a> (National Blog Posting Month). </p> <p>The one most of our community will be taking part in is, of course, NaBloPoMo. Since I rarely manage to make more than a couple of entries a month, I did not join over at the <a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/">website</a>. I do, however, plan to take a stab at it. I'm betting I'll be lucky to make it a week! Still, if you want to give it a shot, click on the link and head over there. Even though I don't see myself making it a whole month, I am looking forward to reading everyone else's efforts.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo,</a> on the other hand, is for those of you out there who think you may have a novel in you. This writing exercise actually came first and the Blogging one was created later. I know a couple of writers who are going to give it a go, and I thought I would give them a couple of links that might help them along. It seems that <a href="http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/">Justine Larbalestier</a> (How to Ditch Your Fairy, Liar, and more) and <a href="http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/">Scott Westerfeld</a> (The Uglies Series, Leviathon, and more) are going to be taking turns giving out tips. Here is what Justine has to say:</p> <blockquote> <p>Tomorrow is the first day of <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">National Novel Writing Month</a>. Although I’ve never taken part in it and probably never will,<sup><a href="http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/10/31/tips-for-nanowrimo/#footnote_0_6623">1</a></sup> I think it’s an awesome way for beginning writers to learn the art of the first draft. I know many pro writers who also use the month to help them slay their deadlines. Nothing like knowing you have comrades-in-arms in your writing struggles.</p> <p>Scott and me decided that we’ll spend the month offering tips. Scott’s tips will be over on <a href="http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog">his blog</a> and will appear on the odd numbered days of November, mine will be here on the even days. Though as I’m still deep in <i>Liar</i> promotion, I can’t guarantee my tips will be 100% true. Who knows? Maybe Micah will take over for a few of them?</p> </blockquote> <p>While I am not going to be doing NaNoWriMo any more than I will be doing NaBloPoMo, I am still going to be following these tips. Both of these people are writers I respect and I think anything they have to say would be enlightening to anyone who writes!</p> <p>Oh, and this totally counts as my first day blog post!</p> <p>How do <em>YOU</em> plan to spend the month of November?</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-59619118265176255452009-10-31T23:57:00.001-04:002009-10-31T23:57:03.875-04:00R.I.P. IV --book #6<p align="center"><a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="rip4banner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Su0HBSeHZQI/AAAAAAAAAhc/SOfXPJIMdWA/rip4banner%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="603" /></a> </p> <p>This is my final <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132">R.I.P. IV Challenge</a> book. I finished it on Friday, but we've had a busy weekend, so I'm just finally getting around to this.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.catherinejinks.com/default.asp?PageID=166"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="YA reformed vampire us big" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_LnahZLr7VgZf6yac5gW3-dWt3JCxOx1QHJmEBSBVhRipovesHoSB2ilsv-O9erSrAFpZ_rCDqu9S760Kb5hlZlnRcZ_KgZFqfgMheiDIJA9XotZKJ3VYncM2mHyzF_-53Lw/?imgmax=800" width="239" height="366" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.catherinejinks.com/default.asp?PageID=166">The Reformed Vampire Support Group</a> by <a href="http://www.catherinejinks.com/">Catherine Jinks</a> was a definite change of pace. It takes the whole idea of the sexy, powerful, romantic vampire and turns it on it's head. What if vampirism was more of a disease... a debilitating disease? And, what if you and your fellow vampires were trying to not suck human blood, you know, so no one would stake you? There are other problems to, such as how would you earn a living? What do you eat?</p> <p>Catherine Jinks takes the idea of the hero in spite of themselves and runs with it. Nina, the heroine of the book, is a vampire. She was bitten in 1973 when she was 15, but because she still looks 15 she still lives at home with her Mom.  She is also the author of a popular book about a kickass...... vampiress. She often wishes her life was more like the books she writes, instead of the boring (slightly sickly) one she has. When one of her fellow support group members is killed, she sets out to try to find out who did it, and to prove that vampires are not useless. </p> <p>I enjoyed this book. It was a little different than the usual vampire book. For instance, how does one go about 'fanging' a Guinea pig? What do you do when your newest pal turns out to be a werewolf? How do you dispose of all of those little Guinea pig bodies....And, how exactly did a priest get involved in all of this? If you like the absurd, you will get a kick out of this book, and you will find yourself cheering Nina and her friend Dave on. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the absurd</p> <p>So, that brings my total books for this Challenge up to 6. I'm already looking forward to doing this again next year!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-34934137236367129252009-10-29T22:41:00.001-04:002009-10-29T22:41:13.753-04:00R.I.P. IV -- Book #5<p align="center"><a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="rip4banner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SupSPiDVkVI/AAAAAAAAAhU/4y8oOfpsp8Y/rip4banner%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="603" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Having completed the Perils of <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132">R.I.P. IV</a> with time to spare, I was hoping to finish the last book I was reading before the deadline, and I did. However, when I went to put it away (and, incidentally pick up my next book to start from the never ending TBR pile), I realized that I missed doing a review on one of the books I had intentionally gotten to read with this Challenge in mind. But, I guess, better late than never!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Graveyard+Book/"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="TheGraveyardBook" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVrBh59HWZhurpvz99HzpvfAvs9oBbfO6cSDdAFupkTs4XMchpSG-rC1_9bTaUmk_H1XA1Tkf5VTLAA5n01rCVL798A3H8Z6BaSKE4AsVmvPHPGiwkZhUvVgUQJB3nBWjOznG/?imgmax=800" width="338" height="504" /></a> </p> <p>I had been meaning to read this book for some  time, but like with many books, it kept getting pushed back for one reason or another. The <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132">R.I.P. challenge</a> was the perfect excuse to pull it out and get it read.</p> <p><a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Graveyard+Book/">The Graveyard Book</a> by <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/">Neil Gaiman</a>. This is the story of Bod. Bod is a pretty normal little boy except for one thing.... he lives in a graveyard! Some pretty scary circumstances bring about this unusual living arrangement, and because of that I wouldn't recommend this book for a young child or one who is easily scared. However, for the older child, young adult (or young at heart older reader!), this book offers many delights.</p> <p>Bod comes to the Graveyard as a toddler and is taken in by the residents to be raised under their protection. He has a set of ghost parents, and several of other denizens of the Graveyard become his friends, teachers, and social outlet. He also has a guardian who can come and go from the Graveyard (thus providing sustenance and other things that the ghosts cannot provide the child) and although we are never told exactly what kind of creature Silas is, we are given plenty of hints to make an accurate guess.</p> <p>Bod has many adventures growing up and meets many creatures, including ghouls, werewolves, dead witches and even a little girl. But, the mystery of how he came to the Graveyard and why hangs ever present until the exciting finally when we find out exactly who Jack is. </p> <p>I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it. I have added it to my list of books to be sure to pass along to my Grandson when he is old enough for it.</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-38855089172419026582009-10-26T23:44:00.001-04:002009-10-26T23:44:59.848-04:00R.I.P. IV -- Book #4<p>Book #4 completes <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132">Peril the First</a> and I am still 5 days from the deadline! Go Me! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="rip4first" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SuZsrn8BclI/AAAAAAAAAhM/tHjSyR9S6NM/rip4first%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="164" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Peril the First:</strong></p> <p>Read <em>Four</em> books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.</p> </blockquote> <p>I obtained <a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/aMOTOW.htm">Men of the Otherworld</a> by <a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com">Kelley Armstrong</a> from my local library and just couldn't wait to dive in. I have enjoyed all of Ms. Armstrong's books in the Women of the Otherworld Series and was looking forward to learning a little more back story on the men  in the series!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/aMOTOW.htm"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="MenoftheOtherworld" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SuZst4sT6dI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/cwel3N6oAWU/MenoftheOtherworld%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="391" /></a> </p> <p>This book is actually a collection of short stories, some from Ms. Armstrong's <a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com">website,</a> along with a new story. It did not disappoint. If you have ever wondered about the reasons behind Jeremy's coming to power in the American (Werewolf)Pack, his uncanny knack for knowing his 'family' is in danger, or how Clay came to be his ward.... even an insight into Jeremy's past and his relationship with his own father and grandfather, this is the book for you. I absolutely enjoyed learning about Clay's early 'taming' and why he is so protective of Jeremy. </p> <p>The first three stories in the book give you details and background from the time before Elena and the first book in the Otherworld series (Bitten). The fourth story is a new story and is narrated by Jeremy and is a story giving you a little more insight into his relationship with Jaime Vargas. All in all a very enjoyable romp. </p> <p>I don't usually enjoy short stories. I tend to like to get to know the characters better than can usually be accomplished in such a short space. These stories are the type that I usually consider exceptions to that rule. Short stories about characters in a book or series of books that I already enjoy. Short little nips of stories, that are great for giving you a little extra insight into those characters you already like, but aren't quite enough for a whole book. </p> <p>My recommendation is that, if you already like this series, you will definitely enjoy getting to know these men of the American Pack a little better. </p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-26718663227059886522009-10-21T10:28:00.001-04:002009-10-21T10:28:39.254-04:00The Prime Meridian is 125 Years Old this week...<p>Why am I bringing this up? Because I love odd things... and because I believe anyone who reads here probably does too! </p> <p>This week marks the 125 anniversary of a meeting of 41 delegates from 25 different nations to decide just where 0°,0' would be. They gathered in Washington D.C to decide just where time and space should be measured.  Why and how did Greenwich win out over places like Washington, Paris and Berlin? It seems 72% of the world's shipping already used sea charts that used Greenwich as the Prime Meridian... Still, it was a drawn out and difficult summit that finally decided with a vote of 22 to one with San Domingo against it, and France and Brazil actually abstaining from the vote. </p> <p>Why was this an important thing? Up until then, time was often based on the passage of the sun across the sky and anyone could decide what time it was in a certain place. Many countries and sometimes even individual towns would set their own arbitrary times. With the advent of things like railways, factories and widespread communications networks, it became important for a standard global time to be set so everyone would know what time it was both where they were and anyplace else. </p> <p>O.K.... I admit it, I am a Geek and the oddest things fascinate me. However, if you want to see more about this and other related things, I recommend looking <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8266883.stm">here</a> on BBC News, and also <a href="http://wwp.millennium-dome.com/info/conference.htm">here</a>, and, of course, Wikipedia also has an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Meridian">article</a>.  </p> <p>You may now thank me for filling your head full of another piece of trivia you probably didn't need. Bwahahaha!</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-40504991239615093912009-10-10T19:20:00.002-04:002009-10-14T20:40:24.036-04:00R.I.P. IV -- Book #3<p>Completing Book #3 puts me halfway thru Peril the First.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="rip4first" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHjWB-uNJdatGe7MXFaAwh41irpqserPiZ76Q8RWW_8RrbNuVQH9uciJu5ZscBNN5tCnq_yBJJrn2ytpN6Vm0NsPxPnirfLgkCYfzwVOFmOoQBSjYd5pB0WwvGoVhOzVNQcpw/?imgmax=800" border="0" width="579" height="164" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Peril the First:</strong></p> <p>Read <em>Four</em> books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.</p> </blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/breakingdawn.html"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="BreakDawn" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/StEWrclUZvI/AAAAAAAAAhI/nk87snGdan4/BreakDawn%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" align="left" border="0" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>For Book number 3, I chose (Or the library chose, I had requested several books. This was the first to arrive.) to read the fourth and final book in the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn. While I have enjoyed this series, and think <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html">Stephenie Meyer</a> did a good job, I do not find myself quite as crazy about it as some people are. It was a good series and I am glad I read it, and I would even recommend it to certain people, who I know would enjoy it.... but it is not my absolute favorite Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and it is not my favorite book by Ms. Meyer. I happened to pick up <a href="http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/2009/09/surprisingly-good-read.html">The Host</a> not long ago, and I think it edged these books out just slightly as the book by Ms. Meyer that I would recommend.</p> <p>This book finds Bella making a compromise with her Edward. She agrees to marry him, and he agrees to fulfil her wish of joining his family. Bella doesn't feel she will be missing anything by leaving her human life behind to join the Cullen Family as a full Vampiric member. She realizes she will miss her family, and that some things won't quite feel the same to her. Still, she has one wish that she wants fulfilled before she 'turns', and Edwards agreement to this causes the central problem in this book. Seems that while Vampire woman can't get pregnant, Vampire Men, on the other hand, do still have active little swimmers!</p> <p>In addition to the Cullen family, including my very favorite Alice, we get Jacob Black back. I have to say that I actually would have rooted for Jacob if I hadn't known from book #1 that he would only get to be the third wheel. Still, he and Alice are my favorite characters... which is sad since they are both secondary ones. While the book ends with the very predictable 'happy' ending, it does have you wondering a little there in the middle. </p> <p>Bottom line. If you liked the other books, go ahead and read this one for closure. If you were already getting a little tired of the characters... then you may not want to bother. This is not a series where you can just jump in anywhere. If you are going to read them. Start with Twilight and read them in order. I'm not sorry I read these. They were good, light fun, but I don't see me giving them a second read.</p>Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-86397480175423639012009-10-07T23:55:00.001-04:002009-10-07T23:55:51.478-04:00Zombie Chicken Award<p>This is such a perfect award for the month of October... I mean, <em>Zombie Chickens</em>! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Ss1iu-fSifI/AAAAAAAAAg0/uO9-5ai3A4s/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Ss1ixP7axhI/AAAAAAAAAg4/FwVQkk87hwc/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="162" height="128" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Gayla has moved her blog over to <a href="http://unfussyliving.blogspot.com/">Unfussy Living</a>, and she passed this super cool, seems made for October, award on to me. The description of this award is as follows:</p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><big>"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken--    excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all."</big></p> </blockquote> <p align="left">So let me see who should I pass this on to? I definitely don't want 'the wrath of the zombie chickens', but still, this award must be passed on to people who will appreciate Zombies in general and Zombie Chickens in particular. On the other hand, I'm betting that anyone who follows my silly blog would probably appreciate Zombies Chickens just 'cause. Anyway, I pick these 5 for my <strike>victims</strike> recipients.</p> <p align="left">Rebecca at <a href="http://www.provocationofmind.com/">Provocation of Mine(d)</a> </p> <p align="left">MissHeather at <a href="http://www.singingwithmyheart.com/">Singing With My Heart</a></p> <p align="left">Indigo at <a href="http://shatteredprose.blogspot.com/">Shattered Prose</a></p> <p align="left">Rachel at <a href="http://rachelnstuff.blogspot.com/">Life 'N Stuff</a></p> <p align="left">and finally Dan at <a href="http://slapinions.blogspot.com/">Slapinions</a></p> <p align="left">If you don't already read these people, you should. <em>I</em> would definitely wade thru the Zombie Apocalypse to be able to read whatever they have written.</p> <p align="left"></p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-25240286907128544572009-10-07T20:38:00.001-04:002009-10-07T20:47:15.420-04:00Wordless Wednesday<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Ss02hTvKLFI/AAAAAAAAAgs/LA1t4LoCLaE/s1600-h/IMG_0647-forblog%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0647-forblog" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/Ss02j8-D60I/AAAAAAAAAgw/-wRUob46zgE/IMG_0647-forblog_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="387" /></a></p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19014703.post-88491871947370913902009-10-03T23:05:00.001-04:002009-10-03T23:07:15.954-04:00R.I.P. IV -- Book #2<p>Having completed Peril the Third with my first book, I have now completed Peril the second with this one.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1132"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="rip4second" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SsgQ5-ZCOBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/IAWyfyfHarY/rip4second%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="164" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Peril the Second:</strong></p> <p>Read <em>Two</em> books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.</p> </blockquote> <p>For my second book, I chose <a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/aLWTD.htm">Living with the Dead</a> by Kelley Armstrong. This is the 9th book in her Women of the Otherworld series. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/aLWTD.htm"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="LivingwithDead" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dfVOY_elY6s/SsgQ-x3LaJI/AAAAAAAAAfk/FndCY9QHt4Y/LivingwithDead%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="479" /></a> </p> <p>One of the reasons I really like this series is that it doesn't just follow any one character from book to book. Rather, Ms. Armstrong has chosen to create a wonderful world for her characters to inhabit, then with each book gives us a story centered around one (or a group) of characters. A character who is a the main character in one book will show up in the next as a minor character. Often you will see an event from a previous book only this time thru the eyes of a different character. This tends to keep the stories and world fresh. </p> <p>This book, while good, wasn't quite as sharp as some of the others in the series. It tells a story while also exploring love-- what it means to find it, and to lose it. If you have read any of the other books in the series, you will be thrilled to find Hope Adams (the half-demon) and her boyfriend Karl (werewolf AND jewel thief) are in this up to their eyeballs. </p> <p>The story is about Hope's friend, Robyn. Robyn is a regular human and has no idea that the 'Otherworld' exists, but she is about to find out! A PR rep for a 'celebutante' named Portia Kane, who is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect for the murder. In clearing her name we will get to meet a Necromancer (someone who can see/speak with the dead), who doesn't know that is what he is (he just thinks he has this odd family 'gift'), Robyn's dead husband, a whole clan of clairvoyants, and a psychopath. </p> <p>While I am glad to have read this book, I would not recommend it as a starting point for this series. While for the most part this series does not require you to read them in a certain order and allows you to just jump into whichever book you pick up, this book is not one of those. You do need a little background from the other books for it to really work. If the books sound interesting, I would recommend starting with either Bitten or Dime Store Magic. However, be warned, once you dip into these books you will want to read them all to find out what happens to your favorite characters.</p> Astarythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02477586487296992808noreply@blogger.com1