Beeps From B

It's done: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Beat_(novel)

This book summary took me two months to complete, due to RL commitments. I particularly enjoyed the Jurassic Park rip-off...errr...tribute.

I think I'll take a break and start on the next book in the series tomorrow. I'm not too fond of _Proven Guilty_, but it moves along and Dresden picks up an apprentice, who is even more rebellious than he. I think it's cosmic justice. Or, maybe it's the Rule of Three in triplicate?

It was easy to cut soda pop. I just stopped buying it. Then, I stopped going out to eat--not even for a hamburger. That's pretty easy to do, if you're a homebody in the first place.

When things started getting better in April, I continued my cutbacks. Inertia? Now, I have extra money, which is a very odd concept. I've been using it on home maintenance. I consider it to be a preemptive strike on home repairs.

I would say I made out like a bandit, but it was my money in the first place. :)

I love June.

It's month of wonderful weather, many family birthdays, graduations, holidays, and vacations.

It's also time for yard work and home repair before the summer rains start in July. I planted tomatoes and tomatillos for salsa. We used the mint for mojitos as fast as it could grow. That reminds me, I'm out of rum, by gum! I had 8 tons of gravel delivered and covered the front yard in "rose stone." It contrasts nicely with the red lava rock. The dead tree is gone and I had the leaning poplars taken down before they fell down. Now, we have off street parking for three--yes, a space for Eric's car.

I woke up one day and hated everything.
( Read More )

I dressed my cat like Puss N Boots. I laughed at The Pied Piper. Aladdin was very kool. I can eat just one potato chip, but I cannot pick just one fairy tale.

My hometown libraries had a summer reading program. My sisters and I were each given a paper with a loooooooong bookworm. Each time we returned a book to the librarian in the Children's Room, we were each given a sticker. This sticker was a bookworm segment. I put the sticker on my bookworm paper, handed it to the librarian, and she hung it on a bright-colored yarn "clothesline" that was strung around the room. It was alphabetical, so my sisters and I were all "hanging" together. I read every fairy tale book to make mine longer than theirs--Andrew Lang, Folktales from Other Lands series, etc.

By the end of the summer, there were some pretty long bookworms. On Labor Day, the three kids with the longest worms won a framed reading certificate for first, second, or third place. I didn't know the winners.

Looking back, there are some things that I remembered. I guess hanging the worms was supposed to make all of us kiddies want to read. In reality, I didn't care how much total strangers were reading. I was out to beat my sisters. In the end, only 3 awards were given. Today, it's politically-correct for everyone to win something. And, of all the books I read in that summer of '66, the one I remember the best is The Arabian Nights.

At the Theater, Joe noticed that all the movies seem to be sequels: "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," "Terminator," "Friday the 13th," and yet another "Fast and Furious." There were others that I don't remember. I guess if the formulas works, don't change it. However, I must admit, I will probably see the "Night at the Museum" sequel.

The one I'm really eager to see is the next "Harry Potter" movie. Yes, it's a sequel, but that's a given, since it's the serialization of a series of books. One movie per book, and two movies to movies for the final book, so they don't have to cut any of the important bits.

And, I'm waiting for "Iron Man 2." (A.D. 2010)

And, I'm waiting for "Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." (also, 2010)

And, "National Treasure 3."

What sequels are other people waiting to see?

Last night, we had movie vouchers for "New in Town" with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr.

It was a chick flick about Lucy (Renee), an up and coming female exec, who is sent to New Ulm, MN as the hatchetman for the company. Her mission is to lay off half the work force and to make sure the new, automated equipment is installed in time to produce Rocket Bars. But, she is charmed by the people. And, their way of life fills an empty spot in her heart. Then, the Board sends word that the Rocket Bars are a dud, so they are closing the plant. To save the jobs of all her new friends, Lucy must come up with a spectacular product line to save the plant.

It's "Gung Ho" meets "Fargo."

Blanche (Siobhan Fallon) has many of the best lines. It's a fun way to spend an hour and a half, but it will never replace "Kate and Leopold."

Happy New Year!

2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Ox symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. It also represents the triumph of virtue and ethics, as well as the influence of a stable environment.

I'm not sure how much faith to put in the stars; but maybe, if we believe it, we will manifest it. This bodes well.

So, who is the guiding hand here? Is it Fate, or faith in ourselves?

One lump or two?

I've only heard it asked in movies and on TV. I'm not sure it's a real world question.

It's so nice to see someone in the field of SF & F receive honest, sincere recognition for "contributions to literature." And yes, it's down right heartwarming to see SF & F referred to as "literature."

Fifteen years ago, I read "The Colour of Magic." I didn't particularly like it, because it prattled excessively and I didn't appreciate the humor -- or, is that "humour"? A couple months ago, I read "Equal Rites," which I enjoyed. I received "Hogfather" for Christmas, so I will read that before the semester starts.

Which book should I read after the "Hogfather"?

And, what is your favorite Discworld novel?

Name a movie that you've seen multiple times at the theater in 2008: Iron Man.

Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in general: The Day After Tomorrow.

Name the actor(s) who would make you more inclined to see a movie: Jodie Foster, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Eric Bana, Penelope Cruz, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Willis.

Name the actor(s) who would make you less likely to see a movie: Will Smith, Cameron Diaz, Samuel L Jackson, and Steven Segal.

Name a movie that you can quote extensively: Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Eiger Sanction.

Name a movie musical that you know all the lyrics to all the songs: My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.

Name the cheesiest movie you have ever seen: The Lost Continent.

Name one movie that you want to own asap: I cannot pick just one.

Name one movie that you would recommend: Armageddon (1998).

Name a movie that you keep meaning to see, but just haven't gotten around to it: A Quantum of Solace.

Christmas Day was cold, grey and overcast. It was drizmal (drizzling & dismal) with rainy snow all morning. The weather forecast is "slush."

I keep telling myself we need the rain, because we've been in a drought for 8+ years. But, I want my Christmas to be festive, and sunny, and happy -- I'm selfish this way.

What Christmas weather makes the day bright for you?

"1984" has given us a view and vocab to deal with "Big Brother" types of regimes.  And, "Brave New World" has given us a more subtle totalitarian regime.  I think that book's social control drug, "soma," is our society's zoloft.  The brave new world is here.

It came and I went.

I spent most of my time hostessing in the Con Suite. We had a lot of help this year, so it was not an overwhelming task. We were able to bus the tables fairly regularly and keep the food bowls and soda coolers relatively full. We had so much help, I could actually go home around 10 pm and bake more brownies. I was able to relax and get to sleep before midnight. That was a first.

We had four food sponsors, so the con suite was nearly always full of people. During the Mountain Base Rebels' (Star Wars) sub sandwiches sponsorship, a father (and his son) came up to me and said, "This is the BEST con suite I've ever seen, and I've been to a lot of conventions." (GRIN)

I set up the con suite puzzle table. Tanley started it last year. It was very popular. This year, people dropped by to eat, and then sat down to work on the puzzle for a few minutes. Bill donated more puzzles for the cause. After the first one was finished, I put out a second one. I'll save the other donations for next year. This could be the beginning of a tradition.
( More Con Talk )

I remember the Vorlons used to ask people, "Who are you?"

OK Let's see who I am.

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPS - The Idealist

Andrew, the blogger at Very Good Taste, created a food meme:

"Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results."

I didn't do too badly.

I don't need to do a lot of eating, just some calculated eating. I added Navajo ach'ee to the chitterlings entry, to account for our local variation.

Many thanks to my brother for making me eat Pocky on my birthday.

Some things I just won't eat. Why eat fugu, if it might kill me. Jim Butcher is publishing Welcome to the Jungle and Turn Coat, so I have too much to live for. Roadkill? I don't think so. Horse! Only if I were starving to death.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros( Food List )

It was a splendid day today, so I decided to test my divinity. I am Minerva. If goddesshood comes with my own Library, this is a good thing.

Your result for The Mythological Goddess Test...

Minerva

A few days ago, I finished the wikipedia entry for Fool Moon. I started on a plot summary for Grave Peril, but then I decided I should post a review for completeness sake.

The Dresden Files: Fool Moon:
Kim Delaney is paying for a steak dinner at McAnally's tavern. All Dresden had to do was tell her how to complete and empower a magical triple circle. Dresden withholds the esoteric information, so Kim won’t be executed by the White Council wardens. Kim thinks he’s patronizing her, so she leaves in a huff.

Police detective Karrin Murphy asks Dresden to consult on a homicide—a series of them. One clue is a wolven paw print. The other is a piece of glass with the wolf's blood. A blood tracking spell leads him to the lair of a gang of teenage werewolves and their pack leader, Tera West.

Surviving that meeting, Dresden writes a complete guide to werewolves for Murphy. There are four kinds of werewolves: hexenwolves, werewolves, lycanthropes, and loup-garou. At the station, Dresden gets a tip that the Streetwolves biker gang might know something about the murders. It’s a set up. The Streetwolves are lycanthropes. Dresden has a new set of enemies that want him dead.
( More Werewolves )

I finished the books. I've been mulling them over. They're fun to think about. Now, Joe is reading them.

The Dresden Files: Storm Front:

"You’re a wizard, Harry." Oops! Wrong wizard! This is the first book about yet another orphaned wizard. Harry Dresden is a wizard in Chicago. He’s in the book: "Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment."

The book opens in Harry's office. It’s been a slow couple of weeks. Business is dead. Harry gets a phone call from a woman, asking him to find her husband. Since Harry's broke and about to be evicted, he takes her case. After he hangs up, Lieutenant Karrin Murphy calls with a job--pronto! She's the director of Special Investigations for the Chicago Police Department. When it rains, it pours.

Harry takes the police consulting job, too. Sure, he gets the odd lost item and paranormal investigation gigs, but his meat and potatoes comes from consulting for the police on bizarre, supernatural crimes. At the crime scene Harry finds a couple murdered during an act of passion. Their hearts had exploded out of their chests. Was it great sex or black magic?
( Read more... )

Pat and Elizabeth had these on their LJ sites, so I thought, "Why not?"

It left out that I like fruit, especially bananas. Although, after 37,500 rpm in a Vitamix, you can't actually distinguish between the banana and the blueberries. "Secrets": okay, I can keep secrets. "Share my sorrows and happiness"; that would be this blog. "Betrayers"? What betrayers? "Confidence"; nope. "Determination": usually. "Sweet and easy-going"; sure, I haven't hit menopause. "Little self-control and care-free attitude"; Beatrixal the hedonist? Not! "Great fun and exciting"; sure, and I have Stargate: Continuum, too.

Lets101.com - More Quizzes

Yesterday, I bought "Stargate SG-1: Continuum"!

We watched it after dinner. It was 90+ minutes of lively fun. Yes, it's full of the old Stargate magic. As you can guess from the title, there is a great deal of time travel. Writer/Producer Brad Wright promised more of these stand-alone Stargate SG-1 direct-to-DVD movies. And, he reserves the right to bring back characters, who died in the TV series. I like this "what if?" approach. It means I can look forward to more Stargate fun in this time and space continuum. So, Dr Who better keep looking over his left shoulder.

This year, it seems like so many SF&F people have died. It's like the Twilight Zone. Don S. Davis / General Hammond passed away the day after Jack Speer did. "Stargate SG-1: Continuum" is his last Stargate. However, his last movie will be "Far Cry." The imdb description reads like typical SciFi channel monster flick filmed in British Columbia. I think I'll skip his last movie and just remember him as SG-1's General Hammond.

"Continuum" starts out in low key: it's another day at Stargate Command. Then, as characters began to disappear, it's pretty obvious that someone is messing with the time-space continuum. Since the Doctor is in the middle of a regeneration, SG-1 is on its own.

Spoilers:
( Read more... )