Monday, August 31, 2009

Joie de Vive2


Michael, over on May Contain Nuts, blogged about the latest contestant on The X Factor. I guess we don't get it here but you can watch Danyl Johnson's performance here. Talk about Joie de Vive. This 27 year old teacher has it and everyone in the crowd caught it from him! Enjoy.

It made me want to get my stuff together and perform just for the pure joy of it. That excitement will still be with me this week as get my amp and mike and stuff rigged up for First Friday Sept 4th. If the weather is nice I'll be singing outside, if it's too hot or raining, I'll be inside at the Book store, Cover to Cover, in Natchez on Main Street. Come on by.

And...

Trust me - check out this wonderfully poignant blog post on Fathers and Sons

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Kayak Bass Fishing with Chad


Favorite Navy Guy called yesterday to tell me his book has been set up on pre-order status, to be released mid-November. It's called simply Kayak Bass Fishing by Chad Hoover.

A year ago, we talked about my writing. He said, I'm going to write a book about kayak fishing. He's been climbing in the ranks of celebrated kayak fishermen for the last several years. No one, you got me?, NO ONE works harder than he does to achieve the goals he sets for himself. So why not a book?

Right after he became an officer in the Navy while working a full time schedule, he held a full time second job, went to school full time to get his bachelors (which he achieved in three years), drew caricatures for private parties and was actively involved in raising his two kids.

He's still in the Navy, still a busy father and an even more successful kayak fisherman, winning tournaments, representing his sponsors, teaching his son to fish, and holding seminars to increase interest in the next green wave of fishing - the ultimate in ecological crafts - kayaks.

Chad's aim is to promote the sport for so many reasons. They are the green way to go, they provide greater stealth, better access, they are inexpensive and a great family activity.

Chad's website Kayak Bass Fishing has forums, interactive GPS and trip planning, a biggest loser challenge where the winner wins a special paddle, and currently a $20,000 fishing challenge. Register for free. I mentioned to him that there was no prostaffer in Louisiana. He said, "You interested?" Hmmm.

Here's an example of fishing with Chad. He belongs on Redneck Adventures TV doncha think?



To order or view the blurb on Chad's book click here.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Redskins Preseason 09




Redskins 7, Patriots 7 and I was cheering, excited when their first drive resulted in a touch down and after the Patriots scored and the Redskins held I thought, okay, the defense isn't doing too bad. Then the Patriots put up 17 unanswered points and the Pats defense ran Campbell straight back to the 5 yd line.

Sheesh, get him out of there. Give the one of the backups a chance. Ooops, okay, there goes Cooley to the 6 yard line. What a play! and then Campbell fakes a Patriot defender out and runs it in for a TD. I still want to see what the new guys can do but then Campbell brings them back to tie and suddenly I'm not going to bed and I want to see Campbell continue. I know. I'm cheap. Whatever works.

It's just that Campbell has to be better than the flash in the pan he was last year.
GOooooo Redskins!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Cool, an Award!

My Award..
Thank you, thank you. I appreciate it, Michael. Though I'm not supposed to -I notice there's been some variation in following the rules - I must plug your blog again. I'm looking forward to checking out the blogs on your site and Bill's.

May Contain Nuts the place for witty, touching, scathing, and often enlightening posts, news-worthy pictures, and insights on fatherhood. 'kay, that one doesn't count as a nominee.

The fine print that came with the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting – or that they don't know.
5. Nominate 7 Kreative Bloggers. (Two of them new to you.)
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

7 things about me...

1. I can shoot the head off a snake.
2. I once sang to actor/singer Kris Kristofferson and boxer, Muhammed Ali at a casual picnic near here when they were filming Freedom Road. Boyfriend whose hero was Ali thought it was a setup so he didn't go. They sent him an autographed note, "Thanks, CFM, we sure enjoyed your girlfriend's singing." LOLOLOL
3. I wanted to be the first woman astronaut or at least an F-14 tomcat pilot.
4. I love sports, especially Football!!
5. My favorite trip was to Scotland. It felt like home.
6. I believe everyone should be treated with respect until they demonstrate they don't deserve it. Then...
7. I lived in a penthouse overlooking the skyline of Atlanta for three months. AWESOME!

My choices for the Kreativ Award.

Watch how it's done in living color at Chickens in the Road. Even if you could care less about farms or cooking, check out writer Suzanne McMinn's Farmhouse Table beautifully photographed 'how-to cook it' on each recipe as well as Suzanne's awesome photographs and videos of her life on the West Virginian farm and her intimate relationships (with chickens, goats, cats, kids) This particular link has pictures of a castle and her scone recipe. She's obviously part farm animal.

Mystery author, Bill Kirton, who's blog I recently discovered. Living, Writing and Other Stuff See that one doesn't count either cause he's already been Kreativvvved.

A couple new ones, both from the UK and very entertaining. Guys, check out this one - Gary Davidson's blog. Then answer this question: Do guys really like that 'look' er, uh, build? (I think I know the answer.)

And The Witty Ways of a Wayward Wife, Funny stuff.


Danielle Baer
is a writer who lives in Texas. She has a busy job but still manages to post a couple times a week, better than I've done lately.

Cadence Denton, my friend and CP, has an entertaining blog. As soon as she finishes her manuscript (next week I'm sure) you'll have to give hers a spin.

DaydreamLily This is one of the most artistic blogs I've seen - by a young woman in Melbourne.

Leah Braemel, blogs about living in a houseful of men and has guest writers once a week..

Now to go contact these KRE ATE iv bloggers.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Great Reads

Looking for some high quality escapism? Try a proven favorite!

When I posted this in 2007 I thought it was the end of the series but OH,JOY a new book arrives in November. My girlfriend in Maryland and I use to joke that the Jamie and Claire books were like chocolate. Once you start on them you can't quit and then there you are with two years in between and no way to get your Jamie-fix. Here's your Summer Jamie Fix.


(I know, these were taken from a movie where he dies after making love... get into the spirit here!)

After I'd read the Outlander books (the second time) I discovered the Recorded Books versions, all unabridged, and began listening to them in my car, the kitchen, the bathroom, frankly, anywhere I was awake. (If you've read this series, you know what I'm talking about.)

I'll list them in case you are among the few living off planet that aren't familiar with them - Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, Fiery Cross, and Breathe of Snow and Ashes.

Recorded Books has wonderfully talented narrators who bring something special to the books. Davina Porter is without a doubt the Best. Here is a link to listen to a reading of hers from Fiery Cross. http://www.recordedbooks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=rb.show_narr&narr_id=2364 This may just take you to the Recorded Books site, then click on narrator listing, her name and choose Fiery Cross.

In Dragonfly in Amber - in one scene alone - she reads the part of a Scottish man, a young French man, an English woman, a Scottish girl, a rowdy Scot and an old Scottish man with few teeth. And she pulls it off brilliantly.

I began listening to the sixth book, Breath of Snow and Ashes a month or so ago since I know the seventh book is coming out soon. These books are timeless, each one hooking you into the next. Caution: Don't begin this series unless you're prepared to get hooked. The books are huge, but you'll wish they were longer when you're close to the end of each one. Then you'll scramble to find the next one.

Recorded Books also has an unlimited monthly book rental sorta like Netflix, so there's no excuse for not having read the series. Most larger libraries carry the unabridged version as well.

Please do not waste your time on the unabridged. That's like sitting through the Reader's Digest version of Gone with the Wind. Pullleeeeze.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Murderati



If you haven't visited the blog, Murderati take a look at Allison Brennan's post on MMPs vs. Hardcover. Her latest book, Cutting Edge, was just released. I picked it up yesterday in MMP, BTW.

Brennan is superb at reducing difficult subjects down to the basics and helping other authors apply the concepts to their own writing cnreers. She's becoming widely known for her unselfish generosity and honest opinions of industry issues. After reading this post I understand better the pros and cons of mass market paperbacks vs the author's desire to be in hardback. From all sides, the reader's, the author's and the publisher's.

I was quite irritated when my entire collection of J.D.Robb In Death books suddenly wouldn't fit on the same shelf with the hardcovers the series gravated to, not to mention the expense and length of time I had to wait on a library copy to become available. Personally, I think if an author begins a series in one format they should stick with it. In Roberts' case, the success of the In Death books was proven in the paperback format and fans like me already had about twenty books on their shelf and speaking for myself, I like the paperback format. Hard covers are bigger, heavier, and I can't take them to the tub for fear of drowning my $25 investment or getting the edges wavy from the humidity.


I found Toni Mcgee Causey's blogpost on secondary characters a big help a couple weeks ago and I returned to Murderati again for Allison's post last week on Discovering Your Voice (which in turn led me to buy all three of Toni's Bobbie Faye books).

I guess that's what a good writer's blog should do .

Do you like the hardcover or paperback? Do you buy just your keepers in hardback versions? I currently have three Nora Roberts hardcovers, a Deborah Smith, all of Gabaldon's in paper and hardback, I'm hinting for the Twilight Saga in hardback for Christmas and I'd like to have Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books in hardcover. (But I don't think they are all available in hardback, which doesn't make sense.)

And thennnn there are those weird narrow, thick, tall paperbacks which I hope was part of a failed marketing scheme to push yet another size paperback on us. It was proported to be more comfortable, easier to read, etc.etc. I found them just the opposite and of course they won't fit on the shelf with their companions.

Ok, I'm done with my rant. What do you think?

Friday, August 14, 2009

Are you Ready for Some Football!!!!?



(Truly horrible but it's the right team and then there's the hoggetts...)

Yessssss! I can't believe I've already missed a couple. I've been waiting all YEAR! So far, my teams aren't doing so well. The Skins and Cards lost last night but maybe the Saints will come alive again and win tonight. Go Saints!

Oh and my opinion for what it's worth. Let Vick play. He did the time for his crime. He's either sincere and has changed his attitude or not. I personally couldn't stomach his treatment of the fans and his egotistical attitude in Atlanta but everybody deserves a second chance. Now, aren't you glad you asked.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Rod's latest stunt

The Christian Science Monitor reported yet another outrageous stunt by Rod Blagoyevich. An impersonation of Elvis with the money going to - yeah, right - charity. You don't reckon there's an ulterior motive do you?



We'll see what you think about his performance. This guy is utterly oblivious.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

BBC offerings


Click here to view the video of the Battle of Mons Graupius and how Alba was born. The beginnings of Scotland.

Wow, I love this site. I was looking for maps to use for the workshop I'm taking on Scottish Otherworld - you know, Faeries, Witches - a map to locate both historical and mystical sites. The instructor of our Scottish Lowlands workshop sent a post about the BBC's Scottish history series which is apparently not available in the U.S. Bummer! But I can go to a bookstore coffee shop - something I abhor (yeah, right) and download episodes, walking tours, podcasts. I know what I'm going to be doing most of August and September.

Well, I'm wrong. Since the series last aired in January 09 I can't download episodes. And it doesn't look like the DVD of the series is available. What a disappointment. Still, lots of great information and visual material here including the zoomable Scottish map on the Reformation and Civil War page!

If you know of a good link for an online pronunciation guide to the Scottish language and for names of towns and people, please let me know. Hopefully, this workshop will put the icing on my world building cake.

Update: Annnnd, if you're not from the U.S. you can't view the video. Too bad. I was so looking forward to it. Maybe they'll produce it on DVD.