So, it seems that if I have a snow photo ready to post we get clear skies, and if I post a blue sky shot we have a snowstorm. So just let me know when you need good weather and I'll post a blizzard. LOL!
Yay! Got my first set of Darkover books via alibris.com (thanks, Susan). Excellent condition, saved a tree, far less than Kindle versions, and I don't have to keep their batteries charged. These came from Cozy Book Cellar in Bellingham, Mass. That must be just down the road from Catreona, at least compared to here. Should be getting another bundle from a bookstore in Atlanta soon.
My trip to Reno this Friday disappeared; the state Supreme Court refused to hear the argument I had been called to support. [Argument: it makes no sense to convict people of driving under the influence of something that has no physiological or psychological effect whatsoever. In Nevada one can be per se driving under the influence of THC if one has only the inactive metabolite in one's blood--none of the parent drug at all.] The money would have been nice, but the schedule would have been a killer since there are no more direct flights. I would have had to be on my way by 4 AM, and would have returned home about 11 PM. I also decided to return a check an attorney had sent me because there was a potential conflict of interest. The money would have been very nice, but I just couldn't see my way clear to accept it. Well, maybe I will get a trip to Eureka in February! (Not counting on it--the case should settle before trial.)
Too late to really start on a Darkover novel tonight, so I think I will read one or two stories from a Sword and Sorceress anthology I have been working on.
Can't remember, because my mind has turned from a steel trap to a steel sieve, but does anyone here like Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom books? I'm currently rereading The Chessmen of Mars, which stars John Carter's young daughter, Tara of Helium and her dashing suiter. If memory serves, this is the fifth book in the series. It is very exciting and seems to me much better written, or at least more literary and far less pulp fictionish than the earlier books. Tara isn't just an object to be desired and rescued, she has adventures on her own account and acquits herself quite creditably. Of course, she does need to be rescued fairly frequently, but our young and dashing hero gets himself in a tight corner or two as well and needs rescuing himself once or twice. As a liberated woman, I find that quite appealing.
Gee, I don't remember clearly, Cat--but I think I did read one or two of the Barsoom books years ago, and I am left with the general impression that they were pretty good that way for their day.
We have off-and-on light snow here. Not entirely unwelcome, since it helps cover the icy sidewalks before the near-zero temps expected for tomorrow through the weekend. Luckily, my trip to the parade committee meeting last night (along a route where the sidewalks had mostly been cleared of ice) was my last for a while.
I read Under the Moons of Mars, aka A Princess of Mars. My reaction was preety much the same as Alan's: good 1900s pulp action-adventure. But not enough to move subsequent volumes ahead of the thousands of others on my to-be-read list.
Thanks, guys. Yes, the first few are definitely pulp fiction. As I say, The Chessmen of Mars has somewhat more depth of character and plot, while remaining an adventure novel. I must remember to look for more. Don't know why, but I really enjoy them.
In any case, here's something from the inbox that may be of interest:
UnionBook The social network for trade unionists - a LabourStart project. A message to all members of UnionBook
UnionBook is now only 28 people short of having 3,000 members - another milestone for our social network.
Can you help us find the next 28 members?
I realize that 3,000 doesn't exactly make us a threat to Facebook's dominance, but every new member we recruit makes UnionBook more and more useful for all of us.
Please take a moment today to write to your fellow union members and tell them about all the great features UnionBook has to offer - an events calendar, your own personal (or union) blog, status updates (which can also update your accounts on Facebook and Twitter), live chat, groups, mailing lists, discussions, videos, music and much more.
Tell them that when you post something to UnionBook, it might be seen by thousands of trade unionists. But when you post something to Facebook it's seen by your friends only.
And unlike Facebook, we're not around to make money, we don't show any advertising, and we respect your privacy.
With your help, sometime today the 3,000th member of UnionBook will be signed up.
Warm and drab. Most of the ice above the bridge is gone, and the water level's up just a bit. Haven't checked below the bridge, or how the bucket's doing. Soon.
All I want to do these past few days is sleep! I'm blaming it on the weather.
Have to get up early tomorrow because the plumber's coming early to fix some problems with the bathtub and kitchen sink. Hate getting up early, but hate even more waiting all day to get something done.
The sliding side door on my van keeps standing open. It's happened 3 times. Called the dealer and they can't figure it out over the phone of course. It's happened to my BIL with the same model too. It's freaking me out because I KNOW beyond any doubt that I didn't open that particular door AND the van doors are ALWAYS locked. If it happens one more time I'll be taking it in for a thorough examination. Seems to me like stressors always come in clumps, yes?
Susan, does your van's "key" have a button to hold down to open the sliding door? If so, any chance it's been in your pants pocket such that when you bend it sometimes gets pressed?
I'm really enjoying the bucket updates! Keep 'em coming. Fans of the Britcom "As Time Goes By" may remember the episode that mentions a man named Mr. Alfie Two Buckets.
Nope, I've eliminated every possible human error. I keep the keys on a door. Have them in my hand when I'm doing something with the van. Never put them in a pocket or purse, carry them on a lanyard around my neck when I'm shopping etc. After it happened the first time I've been Extra Super Careful about which button I pushed. I'm 100% positive the button for that door *was not pushed*. And I checked and the not-open doors *were* all locked.
May that day be long, loooooooooooong in coming, dear Puddle.
listener, I don't watch As Time Goes By often enough to remember that, though I do enjoy the show when I see it. However, the main characters on the Brit com Keeping up Appearances are Richard and Hyacinth Bucket, which she insists should be pronounced Boo-kay, emphasis on the last syllable. She gets very upset when people call her Mrs. Bucket.
Bucket update: Was still sitting, 5/6th full, contained only by the merest necklace of sparkling ice. Broke it easily with the fresh bucket toss, and during the process of filling my four buckets on the bridge, moved slowly out of its place of confinement further from the bridge, and closer to the center of the river, gathering more water as it nudged out like an overladen steamer or waterlogged hippo. Peace on your journey mr. bucket. As for me? Bath tonight!! Clean skin, hair, bed: heaven!!
Gray and gungey as it's been all day, just as dusk cleared enough around the edges to get a bright band of blue and a soft bank of gold pink clouds both reflected in the river for a few moments. You have to be quick on your feet as well as lucky to catch lovely!
I know what you mean about sleep. I was in bed for 10 hors last night. Even allowing for an hour or two of restless tossing and turning following my trip to the bathroom, it was probably close to 9 hours of real sleep. But I'm about to head for a nap right now.
Penny, at least, will be up early Friday (I'm not strictly needed) because they're finally coming to install the chimney liner that was originally scheduled for early November (when they discovered they only had aluminum liners in stock -- they hadn't thought oe order the stainless steel liner we asked for). They will also be hauling away the old boiler and Penny hopes that for a few dollars more they can be persuaded to take the refrigerator that hasn't worked for a decade.
(Distributed by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2011 Photo Opportunity
Press conference: Saturday, January 22, 2:00 pm Little Owl, 527 N. Dixie Highway Lake Worth, Florida
First Ever Marriage to a Corporation Contemplated by Single, Female, 39.
The Search for a Corporate Husband will Commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the Supreme Court Ruling Re-affirming Corporate Personhood.
One year ago on January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States reaffirmed that corporations have the same constitutional rights as people (Citizens United v FEC). In commemoration of that decision there will commence a national search for the ideal corporate groom for a mere mortal, Ms. Sarah “echo” Steiner. Ms. Steiner has made it clear that she intends to take the Supreme Court at its word and honor her marriage when she finds a suitable candidate.
Members of the press are cordially invited to join the Bride as she formally announces her intention to seek a corporate partner and to unite one heart and one corporate charter in love forever (or not). A press conference will kick off the search for a corporate groom on Saturday, January 22, 2011.
There have been rumors circulating that a number of potential corporate grooms are already in the running (including green corporate persons). Once a suitor has been found, the Bride and her future corporate husband will announce their plans to marry in a public ceremony.
"The court's ruling has opened the door to the union of corporate and human persons in ways that were never imagined before," said the Bride. "But, frankly, I'm wondering who's going to be on top on the wedding night."
“If corporations are persons, then let us celebrate the end of discrimination against them by permitting them to marry just like everyone else … well, almost everyone else,” says Carla Christianson of Move to Amend Florida.
But Suki DeJong of the Palm Beach County Green Party has expressed concern for the inevitable consequences of the Supreme Court's ruling. "There just aren't enough corporations to go around," said DeJong. "Sure, it's okay for Ms. Steiner, but what about the rest of us? I'd like to marry one myself. On the other hand, those things can live forever. They're not like real people."
The bride will be given away by Florida Move to Amend (http://www.movetoamend.org). Her bridesmaids will be members of the Palm Beach County Green Party and Progressive Democrats of America, Florida.
Has Move to Amend incorporated? Maybe it wouild be a suitable husband? Althouigh I wouldn't expect that husband to have a particularly long life. In fact, contrary to corporations living forever, they tend to have shorter lives than natural people.
Dr. Dean is at the helm!
ReplyDeleteSo, it seems that if I have a snow photo ready to post we get clear skies, and if I post a blue sky shot we have a snowstorm. So just let me know when you need good weather and I'll post a blizzard. LOL!
Yay! Got my first set of Darkover books via alibris.com (thanks, Susan). Excellent condition, saved a tree, far less than Kindle versions, and I don't have to keep their batteries charged. These came from Cozy Book Cellar in Bellingham, Mass. That must be just down the road from Catreona, at least compared to here. Should be getting another bundle from a bookstore in Atlanta soon.
ReplyDeleteMy trip to Reno this Friday disappeared; the state Supreme Court refused to hear the argument I had been called to support. [Argument: it makes no sense to convict people of driving under the influence of something that has no physiological or psychological effect whatsoever. In Nevada one can be per se driving under the influence of THC if one has only the inactive metabolite in one's blood--none of the parent drug at all.] The money would have been nice, but the schedule would have been a killer since there are no more direct flights. I would have had to be on my way by 4 AM, and would have returned home about 11 PM. I also decided to return a check an attorney had sent me because there was a potential conflict of interest. The money would have been very nice, but I just couldn't see my way clear to accept it. Well, maybe I will get a trip to Eureka in February! (Not counting on it--the case should settle before trial.)
Too late to really start on a Darkover novel tonight, so I think I will read one or two stories from a Sword and Sorceress anthology I have been working on.
TTFN
Alan, you're a good man. Very Dean.
ReplyDeletelistener, excellent news about Hubby's work!
Can't remember, because my mind has turned from a steel trap to a steel sieve, but does anyone here like Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom books? I'm currently rereading The Chessmen of Mars, which stars John Carter's young daughter, Tara of Helium and her dashing suiter. If memory serves, this is the fifth book in the series. It is very exciting and seems to me much better written, or at least more literary and far less pulp fictionish than the earlier books. Tara isn't just an object to be desired and rescued, she has adventures on her own account and acquits herself quite creditably. Of course, she does need to be rescued fairly frequently, but our young and dashing hero gets himself in a tight corner or two as well and needs rescuing himself once or twice. As a liberated woman, I find that quite appealing.
Gee, I don't remember clearly, Cat--but I think I did read one or two of the Barsoom books years ago, and I am left with the general impression that they were pretty good that way for their day.
ReplyDeleteWe have off-and-on light snow here. Not entirely unwelcome, since it helps cover the icy sidewalks before the near-zero temps expected for tomorrow through the weekend. Luckily, my trip to the parade committee meeting last night (along a route where the sidewalks had mostly been cleared of ice) was my last for a while.
ReplyDeleteI read Under the Moons of Mars, aka A Princess of Mars. My reaction was preety much the same as Alan's: good 1900s pulp action-adventure. But not enough to move subsequent volumes ahead of the thousands of others on my to-be-read list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. Yes, the first few are definitely pulp fiction. As I say, The Chessmen of Mars has somewhat more depth of character and plot, while remaining an adventure novel. I must remember to look for more. Don't know why, but I really enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, here's something from the inbox that may be of interest:
UnionBook
The social network for trade unionists - a LabourStart project.
A message to all members of UnionBook
UnionBook is now only 28 people short of having 3,000 members - another milestone for our social network.
Can you help us find the next 28 members?
I realize that 3,000 doesn't exactly make us a threat to Facebook's dominance, but every new member we recruit makes UnionBook more and more useful for all of us.
Please take a moment today to write to your fellow union members and tell them about all the great features UnionBook has to offer - an events calendar, your own personal (or union) blog, status updates (which can also update your accounts on Facebook and Twitter), live chat, groups, mailing lists, discussions, videos, music and much more.
Tell them that when you post something to UnionBook, it might be seen by thousands of trade unionists. But when you post something to Facebook it's seen by your friends only.
And unlike Facebook, we're not around to make money, we don't show any advertising, and we respect your privacy.
With your help, sometime today the 3,000th member of UnionBook will be signed up.
Thanks very much!
Eric Lee
Visit UnionBook at: http://www.unionbook.org/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
Warm and drab. Most of the ice above the bridge is gone, and the water level's up just a bit. Haven't checked below the bridge, or how the bucket's doing. Soon.
ReplyDeleteAll I want to do these past few days is sleep! I'm blaming it on the weather.
ReplyDeleteHave to get up early tomorrow because the plumber's coming early to fix some problems with the bathtub and kitchen sink. Hate getting up early, but hate even more waiting all day to get something done.
The sliding side door on my van keeps standing open. It's happened 3 times. Called the dealer and they can't figure it out over the phone of course. It's happened to my BIL with the same model too. It's freaking me out because I KNOW beyond any doubt that I didn't open that particular door AND the van doors are ALWAYS locked. If it happens one more time I'll be taking it in for a thorough examination. Seems to me like stressors always come in clumps, yes?
And reminds me of the saying in regard to bigger things being easier to deal with than the little nit-picky things:
ReplyDelete"You can sit on a mountain more easily than on a tack."
Depends on how pointy that mountain is. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSusan, does your van's "key" have a button to hold down to open the sliding door? If so, any chance it's been in your pants pocket such that when you bend it sometimes gets pressed?
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying the bucket updates! Keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteFans of the Britcom "As Time Goes By" may remember the episode that mentions a man named
Mr. Alfie Two Buckets.
Will keep em coming. So long as I don't kick it. The bucket, that is.
ReplyDeleteNope, I've eliminated every possible human error. I keep the keys on a door. Have them in my hand when I'm doing something with the van. Never put them in a pocket or purse, carry them on a lanyard around my neck when I'm shopping etc. After it happened the first time I've been Extra Super Careful about which button I pushed. I'm 100% positive the button for that door *was not pushed*. And I checked and the not-open doors *were* all locked.
ReplyDelete8)
ReplyDeleteMay that day be long, loooooooooooong in coming, dear Puddle.
listener, I don't watch As Time Goes By often enough to remember that, though I do enjoy the show when I see it. However, the main characters on the Brit com Keeping up Appearances are Richard and Hyacinth Bucket, which she insists should be pronounced Boo-kay, emphasis on the last syllable. She gets very upset when people call her Mrs. Bucket.
Yes, they do. But, Susan, that door problem sounds dangerous. You should take the van in now.
ReplyDeleteBucket update: Was still sitting, 5/6th full, contained only by the merest necklace of sparkling ice. Broke it easily with the fresh bucket toss, and during the process of filling my four buckets on the bridge, moved slowly out of its place of confinement further from the bridge, and closer to the center of the river, gathering more water as it nudged out like an overladen steamer or waterlogged hippo. Peace on your journey mr. bucket. As for me? Bath tonight!! Clean skin, hair, bed: heaven!!
ReplyDeleteGray and gungey as it's been all day, just as dusk cleared enough around the edges to get a bright band of blue and a soft bank of gold pink clouds both reflected in the river for a few moments. You have to be quick on your feet as well as lucky to catch lovely!
Mmmm... Love your descriptions.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about sleep. I was in bed for 10 hors last night. Even allowing for an hour or two of restless tossing and turning following my trip to the bathroom, it was probably close to 9 hours of real sleep. But I'm about to head for a nap right now.
ReplyDeletePenny, at least, will be up early Friday (I'm not strictly needed) because they're finally coming to install the chimney liner that was originally scheduled for early November (when they discovered they only had aluminum liners in stock -- they hadn't thought oe order the stainless steel liner we asked for). They will also be hauling away the old boiler and Penny hopes that for a few dollars more they can be persuaded to take the refrigerator that hasn't worked for a decade.
Ah, Cat, thank you for loving them: keeps me trying to catch it all! ♥
ReplyDeleteAt 5:53 p.m. Eastern Time today, the House moved to repeal health insurance reform.
ReplyDelete:-(
(Distributed by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
ReplyDeleteFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2011
Photo Opportunity
Press conference:
Saturday, January 22, 2:00 pm
Little Owl, 527 N. Dixie Highway
Lake Worth, Florida
First Ever Marriage to a Corporation Contemplated by Single, Female, 39.
The Search for a Corporate Husband will Commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the
Supreme Court Ruling Re-affirming Corporate Personhood.
One year ago on January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States
reaffirmed that corporations have the same constitutional rights as people
(Citizens United v FEC). In commemoration of that decision there will
commence a national search for the ideal corporate groom for a mere mortal,
Ms. Sarah “echo” Steiner. Ms. Steiner has made it clear that she intends to
take the Supreme Court at its word and honor her marriage when she finds a
suitable candidate.
Members of the press are cordially invited to join the Bride as she formally
announces her intention to seek a corporate partner and to unite one heart and
one corporate charter in love forever (or not). A press conference will kick
off the search for a corporate groom on Saturday, January 22, 2011.
There have been rumors circulating that a number of potential corporate grooms
are already in the running (including green corporate persons). Once a suitor
has been found, the Bride and her future corporate husband will announce their
plans to marry in a public ceremony.
"The court's ruling has opened the door to the union of corporate and human
persons in ways that were never imagined before," said the Bride. "But,
frankly, I'm wondering who's going to be on top on the wedding night."
“If corporations are persons, then let us celebrate the end of discrimination
against them by permitting them to marry just like everyone else … well,
almost everyone else,” says Carla Christianson of Move to Amend Florida.
But Suki DeJong of the Palm Beach County Green Party has expressed concern for
the inevitable consequences of the Supreme Court's ruling. "There just aren't
enough corporations to go around," said DeJong. "Sure, it's okay for Ms.
Steiner, but what about the rest of us? I'd like to marry one myself. On the
other hand, those things can live forever. They're not like real people."
The bride will be given away by Florida Move to Amend
(http://www.movetoamend.org). Her bridesmaids will be members of the Palm
Beach County Green Party and Progressive Democrats of America, Florida.
END
Guest is Alan in CA...
ReplyDeleteHas Move to Amend incorporated? Maybe it wouild be a suitable husband? Althouigh I wouldn't expect that husband to have a particularly long life. In fact, contrary to corporations living forever, they tend to have shorter lives than natural people.
ReplyDelete