I’ve never really done writing pages, but I have this theory that if I can get moving in the morning I will be in better shape. And so I’m jogging on a rebounder with my Plantronics Bluetooth headset and Dragon Naturally Speaking on my computer.
If talking to you while rebounding seems like a rather crazy idea, admittedly it is, however I have tried voice recognition and writing before, and it worked fine.
That was not the case yesterday.
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I was at a restaurant with my husband last night and we started talking about social media, specifically the differences between Twitter and Facebook. Something clicked for me, and I thought I’d share what I figured out.
My parents are both retired Foreign Service officers which means that I spent much of my childhood surrounded by reams of fascinating adults. This included other diplomats, company folks stationed in the same country, ex-pats often from Ireland, or any number of other folks who had chosen to live outside their native country, or who were native to the country we were currently in. I learned quite young how to behave among them so I wasn’t sent to bed early, though before that I would hide under the dining room table so I could still listen. (more…)
Alexia Tarabotti, the barely tolerated eccentric, Italian-colored spinster without any prospects no longer exists in the second Alexia Tarabotti novel. Instead, she’s been replaced by Lady Maccon, just as eccentric, just as Italian in appearance, and suddenly a hot property in society. While her change in status offers convenience, it does little to mold Alexia into someone society can bill and coo over, a fact which makes Changeless as much of a delight as Gail’s debut Soulless.
What I’m Reading
I wish I could say I finished something, but things have been very chaotic and I’m loving this huge novel Holly Lisle’s making me read, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Not only is it a good, complicated story, but it’s a book I can share with my oldest son, who read it before me and wants the next couple of books.
I also started a second novel, The Rat Catcher by Kate Rothwell, because it was on my Sony eReader when I was off at an appointment. I’d requested the book when I had time to read it…then life happened, but better late than never. So far it’s a fun historical romance that edges on risque.
Science
Transforming human skin into the ultimate touchscreen: (more…)
As I mentioned a couple posts back, I volunteer at the Nevada Humane Society. It’s a no-kill shelter that is overloaded with cats and dogs of practically every shape and size. We even have various rodents and bunnies.
My Humane Society is running a free adoption deal this weekend (starting Thursday) and it got me thinking about how much people might not know about shelters. So, here are some of my thoughts on the subject (prompted by replies to my notice about the adoption deal).
First of all, while I only know the specifics of my shelter, it’s easy enough to find no-kill shelters no matter where you are. And these shelters, because they keep their doors and hearts open to animals in need, are desperate for help, whether volunteering, donating, or even adopting one of the residents. (more…)
What I’m Reading
* Finished The Cardinal Rule and posted a review: http://margaretfisk.mmfcf.com/blog/?p=934.
* Almost finished with How to Teach Physics to Your Dog.
* Started The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.
I also read an interesting story on Strange Horizons. It doesn’t meet any traditional story standards, but it has a compelling voice and when you get to the end, it’s said something. Go read it yourself and see what you think: Cory’s Father http://www.strangehorizons.com/2010/20100201/cory-f.shtml.
Life
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What I’m Reading:
(Okay, so no mini reviews. This is just what I’m actively reading at the moment.)
* I’m trying to catch up on Strange Horizons (http://strangehorizons.com/) and Beneath Ceaseless Skies (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com). I did read a good story on the TOR website (http://www.tor.com/). The Starship Mechanic by Jay Lake and Ken Scholes is surreal and strange, but in some ways makes more sense than most first contact stories.
* Judge by Karen Traviss – Thought I’d already read this, but it got lost on the shelf. Wonderful sociological SF with philosophical leanings.
* How to Teach Physics to Your Dog by Chad Orzel (http://dogphysics.com/) – Read about this online and thought I’d check it out. So far, so good. Interesting approach.
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Books I’ve Read
I have decided to post the book reviews, even mini-reviews, as separate posts again. I swear this decision has nothing to do with the fact that I’m still 100 pages or so from the end of the novel I’ve been reading this week and barely started with the non-fiction one. That’s no reflection on either book. I just started very late and haven’t had much time to read, though every time I start reading the novel, Magic to the Bone, I have to tear myself away.
There are a couple reasons behind this: (more…)
I’m sure someone has already had this thought because it just makes too much sense, but it dawned on me that finding an agent is a lot like online dating.
First, you sit down at home and make up a list of criteria for what you want or need from the person you’re seeking.
Dating: Cute, smart, likes movies…
Agent search: Covers my genre(s), years in business, philosophy… (more…)
What I’ve Read:
This was a good reading week for me. I finished one book, and started and finished two others.
Dragonfly by Frederic S. Durbin is a modern fairytale adventure written by an author I met at World Fantasy. I picked up the book out of curiosity and in support. There are no regrets. If I had to classify this book, I’d say it’s a little like Nightmare Before Christmas crossed with Narnia, and a good dose of unique elements. A young girl is drawn into a world of vampires, werewolves, and monsters from other dimensions when she ignores the warning of her uncle and a mysterious character named Mothkin. Rather than condemning her for following Mothkin when he goes to prevent the break-in between the two worlds, Mothkin’s attitude is more that if she was there, she was supposed to be. (more…)