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FF: Reading on the Road
We spent a lot of time on the road this past weekend, driving up to Conduit, in Utah, so I didn't get as much reading done as I would have liked. Still, audiobooks do help…
At Arches National Monument in Utah
A reminder… The Friday Fragments feature lists of what I've read over the past week. Most of the time I don't include either short fiction or magazine articles.
The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you're interested in a not-at-all-inclusive list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It's just a list with, maybe, a few opinions tossed in.
Recently Completed:
The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones. Jim and I had listened to the first two "Howl" books on our last road trip, so this was our first choice for this trip. Charmain is the sort of protagonist Diana Wynne Jones does very well – annoying yet still sympathetic. And, as those of you who have read my Child of a Rainless Year know, I love stories about weird houses.
In Progress:
Bluefeather Fellini by Max Evans. I didn't bring this one with me, so I'm not much further along.
Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. The Dune panel at Conduit was fun, but the second half of this book is really dragging…
Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. This one also stayed at home, but I've resumed and am having a great deal of fun.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Audiobook. I read this soon after it came out and loved it. I used the trip to seduce Jim. He's completely hooked. We'll definitely make time to finish it this weekend.
Some of Roger Zelazny's poetry. As much as he loved his prose, poetry was Roger's first writerly love. I'll be reading a couple of his at a celebration of his life this weekend in Santa Fe and found myself reading more than my "homework."
That includes the ones he wrote for me – which I won't be reading at the event.
Posted in Friday Fragments | 4 Comments »
TT: Elegant and Ultra Cool
JANE: Well, Alan, we've been chatting about the ripple effect of the "Lord of the Rings" novels. We've talked about Hobbits and Wizards. Now, how about elves?
ALAN: Indeed – how about elves? Elves are fascinating and very important in the unfolding of the stories.
Young Wood Elves (by Jane)
JANE: These days, I'd say that elves are the most popular of the races of Middle Earth. How were they seen during the Summer of Love and the novels' first flush of mass popularity?
ALAN: I'm not sure I know how to answer this. I don't remember any of the races of Middle Earth (other than the hobbits, of course) as being particularly inspirational.
I think the current feelings about elves and dwarves (and even orcs!) derive far more from Peter Jackson's movies than they do from the books.
JANE: I'd have to disagree with that. Elves have been very popular for a long time. A good example comes from role-playing games and fiction derived from them where they are (based on a very informal survey) among the most popular characters.
Elves are cool, beautiful, and get all the advantages of long lives, but never look old. There are all sorts of "flavors" of elves: high elves (like Galadriel and her kin), wood elves (like the ones Bilbo meets in The Hobbit), and even dark elves.
ALAN: I'm not a role-player, so I'm not familiar with dark elves. What are they?
JANE: I'm not sure where they originated, but I first encountered them via AD&D. Dark elves (also called Drow) have night-black skin, silvery hair, and live underground. They practice dark arts (of course) and are often skilled in stealth and assassination. They were originally introduced as antagonists, but they were too popular to stay that way for long.
I gave up on the AD&D gaming system long ago, so my knowledge is limited. However, if what I keep seeing on book covers is any indication, the Dark Elf is alive and more popular than ever.
ALAN: Ah, I see. That would definitely add an extra dimension to the character of an elf.
Down here in Middle Earth itself, elves really have made an indelible impression. I once had an elf on one of my training courses. In "real life" he was a computer system administrator, but he'd volunteered as an extra and he'd been cast as an elf because, damnit, he was an elf. He was tall and slim and beautiful, he had long straight blond hair and there was an undeniable elegance about his body language. He was utterly thrilled about the whole thing, of course and I'm sure that for him it was a life-changing experience.
JANE: That's really neat. How did you find out? Did he come in and introduce himself as an elf?
ALAN: No – I always ask the students to introduce themselves to me and to the rest of the class (it helps to break the ice), and when it was his turn, he just told me about his computer background and why he was in the course. Trying to make conversation, I said, "Gosh, you look just like an elf. You really should be in the Lord of the Rings films." He smiled and told me that actually he was in the movie. He said that if I looked closely and didn't blink, I'd see him as one of the elf warriors who fought at Helm's Deep. Everyone in the class was very impressed!
JANE: He must have been very pleased. At Bubonicon one year, we had two cosplayers who were such magnificent elves it was hard to believe they weren't the real thing. They turned out to be brother and sister – Jacob and Jennifer – from the southern part of New Mexico.
As an aside, Jacob also did a marvelous Jareth from Labyrinth a few years later, and Vash the Stampede (from the anime Trigun, as well). Peter Jackson probably would have cast him in a heartbeat.
ALAN: I'm sure he would! He never misses a good opportunity like that.
JANE: To be honest, though, while I visually liked Peter Jackson's elves very, very much, I did not care for how they were presented otherwise. Emotionally, they were more Vulcans than elves. I re-read the books after seeing the movies and confirmed that Tolkien's elves – even the High Elves – were fond of song and dance, of picnics and teasing. The ethereal creatures who floated through the movies demonstrated none of those personality traits.
ALAN: Perhaps Peter Jackson was feeding off popular culture as well as off the books. From what you said before about role-playing games, there's obviously been a lot of thought put in to the way elves are supposed to look and behave. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Jackson had tapped into this. He always seems to have his finger firmly on the pulse of the various sub-cultures that we collectively refer to as fandom. And he's a big fan himself, of course.
JANE: I hadn't thought of that, but I bet you're right. I could see fans blending Vulcans and elves without even being conscious of it.
ALAN: In terms of defining the character of the elves in the popular imagination, I think that the archetypal elf is Legolas. And Orlando Bloom, the actor who played him in the movies, gave a definitive performance. When The Return of the King premiered in Wellington, the whole city went mad. There was a huge parade through the city with the cast and crew of the movie having pride of place. Orlando Bloom was particularly prominent, waving enthusiastically to everyone and obviously having the time of his life. A stunningly beautiful elf lady in the crowd was spotted holding up a sign that said "De-Bloom Me Orlando!"
JANE: Oh… That's made me laugh…
Y'know, it's funny you'd say that Legolas is the "archetypal" elf. He's certainly the most prominent elf in the novels – being the only elf in the Fellowship. However, if I've got my facts straight, he's not a High Elf, he's a Wood Elf, son of the hard-drinking, avidly partying elf king who locks up the Dwarves in The Hobbit. Do I have that right?
ALAN: Yes you do – Thranduil is the ruler of the Wood Elves in Mirkwood and Legolas is his son. Thranduil sent Legolas to represent the Wood Elves at the Council of Elrond as a result of which Legolas found himself a member of the Fellowship that set out to destroy the One Ring.
JANE: If so, the snooty High Elves would be very disturbed that you see Legolas as "archetypal," since they'd probably see him as a roistering "country cousin," son of a king or not.
ALAN: You are probably right – but in both the books and the movies we see more of Legolas than we do of any other elf, and it is that prominence that made me think of him as archetypal. There's something cold and distant about the High Elves. We never really come to know Elrond or Galadriel in the same way that we know Legolas.
JANE: We don't – either in the books or the movies – although I will restate that they are far less cold and distant in the books. And there must be something good about them, since Bilbo retires among them, and Sam – who is the most sensible character in all the Lord of the Rings – is very taken with them.
We've given elves a lot of attention. I can hear someone hammering at the door, demanding his people be given a fair share. So, next time, how about Dwarves?
Posted in Thursday Tangents | 10 Comments »
Avoid or Anticipate?: The Problem of Series
Hi, Folks… I just got in from Utah yesterday, and my animals and garden are hollering for attention. (Jim is not hollering, because he went with me.) I'll wait to write about our trip for next week.
Three of My Series
Meanwhile, here's something I wrote in advance. It's an update of a piece of the same title that I wrote for Tor.com in 2008.
Over the years I've been writing, I've noticed a funny thing. I've had close on twenty-five novels published since late 1994 when my first novel, Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls, came out. During that time, no one has ever come up to me and heartily thanked me for writing a stand-alone novel.
Seriously. You'd think someone would have done so, given the lack of respect that series, especially fantasy series, get. But no one ever has.
Although people tend to think of me as a "series writer," I've actually written quite a lot of stand-alone fiction, both long and short. There have been plenty of opportunities for people to praise me for writing just that one novel. However, usually the response is the opposite. When I say, "No. I don't have any plans to write a sequel to Child of a Rainless Year" (or whichever book is under discussion), I immediately hear why I need to write more about those people and that place.
By contrast, while I've never been praised for writing a stand-alone, I've had a lot of requests for sequels – and not only to novels, but to short fiction as well. When I finished the Wolf Series (which starts with Through Wolf's Eyes and ends with Wolf's Blood) I had copious e-mails asking if I was really, really done. Now, eight years later, not a month has gone by without a request for more about Firekeeper, Blind Seer, Derian, and all the rest.
Some kind folks even pointed out minor elements I had left open. I felt genuine appreciation that these numerous someones could put that much energy into picking apart something I'd written. However, I also pointed out that, short of blowing up the world and turning out the lights, there is no way to absolutely, categorically end a series.
So it seems that readers like Fantasy and SF series. Yet, apparently, the fastest way to fall from grace is to write one. Reviewers sniff. Books in series seem to have a lower shot at award nominations. Later books in a series seem not to get reviewed as often – although I think this last is changing.
Why, then, are Fantasy and SF series the girl everyone wants to date, but no one wants to take home to mother?
Here a few thoughts on why, followed by my own approach to avoiding these pitfalls.
Fantasy and SF series are too often an excuse for writing one novel that spans several volumes. Unlike Mysteries or Thrillers, which have a set goal, Fantasy and SF series can go on and on without closure.
Why did this become acceptable? Partly because, when more complex Fantasy and SF stories began to be told, the market simply wasn't ready for Fat Books. Lord of the Rings is one story. So are the first five Chronicles of Amber (and the second set, too). But in the age of the skinny paperback these complex stories had to be split up, and readers became conditioned to the "weak middle book," lots of repetition, and all the other things that can make series weak.
Another problem is the time lag between books in a series. I know that I almost didn't read the second Chronicles of Amber because I'd noted a five year lapse between the copyright dates of volume four and five of the first set. When an excited friend called me to tell me that there was more Amber, my reply was "I'll wait." (Then because of a camping trip, I didn't wait, but that's neither here nor there).
Then there are the books that become a series, but were never intended to be such. Some of these work out very well. Others read like what they are – an attempt to capitalize on an unexpected success, but showing that the author really lacks the fire and organization to make subsequent books live up to that first golden one.
I was very aware of these pitfalls when I started the Firekeeper Saga (aka the Wolf Books) – which was my first project I planned as a series.
(Aside: Changer was not planned to have a sequel. I was open to the possibility, even had ideas in mind, but it was not sold as part of a series. By contrast, the Firekeeper Saga was conceived and purchased as a series.)
To deal with the first part of the problem, I decided to take one of my favorite mystery series: Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novels as a model. In each of these novels, Peter has a problem to solve: a body in a bathtub or whatever. While he solves that, he also must deal with personal challenges: unresolved romantic attachments, post-traumatic stress disorder, his relationship with his immediate family. By the end of the novel, we know who the body in the bathtub was, but the personal problems may or may not be resolved.
I like this approach. Although my novels aren't murder mysteries, I try to pose myself a question at the start of each one, a problem that will be resolved by the end. This isn't always easy, and I don't think I quite managed with the end of Wolf Hunting but, overall, I'm happy with what I did.
I tried the same tactic with the "Breaking the Wall" series and my new "Artemis Awakening" series. In both cases, I was somewhat handicapped by the fact that Powers Beyond My Control insisted that the novels be shorter than the Firekeeper books. For the "Breaking the Wall" books, I managed by giving the problem a tighter focus. However, for the even shorter "Artemis Awakening" books, I had no choice but to make some serious changes in my previous series format.
One change I made was limiting myself to two point-of-view characters for Artemis Awakening. (By contrast, Through Wolf's Eyes had at least three major and several lesser.) Another change was that I had to leave one major plot element – a certain door – unresolved.
For those of you who have read Artemis Awakening, I promise you'll get the answer to where that door leads in Artemis Invaded.
On the author's side of the equation, the problem of delay between volumes is solved by applying fingers to keyboard and tail bone to chair. And working – hard.
However, the author is not in sole control of when a book will come out. Even if she turns her manuscript in on time, scheduling is in the hands of Someone Else.
As an aside: I've talked to several self-published authors. Although they have somewhat more control over scheduling, wild cards (health problems, complications over some element in producing the book itself) can mess up even the best intentions. In fact, since most self-publishing operations narrow down to one person, a problem with that one person can lead to more, not fewer delays…
Most of my work has been traditionally published. Although release dates have varied, I will say this: I've missed one deadline. That was when my father died. Even then, I was only six weeks late turning in the manuscript. I really try not to disappoint my readers.
So… How do you feel about series? Avoid or anticipate?
Also, any questions about the complexities of writing series? I've had a request from a "ghost" reader of these Wanderings that I talk more about how I approach it… I'd love to include your questions, too.
Posted in Random Wanderings, Writing | 11 Comments »
FF: No Real Theme. Sorry!
This week my reading has been all over the place…
Another Stark Landscape
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. I really enjoyed this. Christopher's growing realization as to who he is and what consequences are doesn't automatically make him a "nice child." The transformation is a lot more subtle and a lot more interesting.
The Hunt for the Big Bad Wolf by E.M. Tippets. The third book of Tippets' series which began with Someone Else's Fairytale continues being more about "relationships" than romance. This is a plus, as far as I'm concerned. The mystery/crime plot was well-handled, with an interesting resolution.
Bluefeather Fellini by Max Evans. I picked this up on impulse. It's episodic, almost like novellas woven together. I'm currently on the battlefields of WWII. Scary. There has also been love, sorrow, discovery, friendship, and obsession. And some gorgeous descriptive writing.
Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. I'm on a panel at Conduit this weekend on Dune. I decided I wanted to remind myself how "Dune the next generation" progressed.
Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. I'd seriously intended to move on to the second book in the much-discussed Southern Reach triology as soon as a copy became available on audio, but I gave into the lure of watching Christopher as a teenager.
I started Ursula K. Le Guin's "rendition" (her word, not mine) of Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching: A Book About the Way and The Power of the Way. Reading slowly, as such deserves.
TT: The Hippness Factor of Wizards
JANE: So, Alan, I've been enjoying talking with you about the impact Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels had – not only their decided impact on Fantasy fiction, but their larger cultural impact. Can you give me another example?
Wizards Rock!
ALAN: I most certainly can. We had a hippie community in England that called itself Gandalf's Garden. It ran a head shop and published a magazine that emphasised mysticism over materialism and which claimed that meditation was to be preferred over drugs!
JANE: Wait… Both a head shop and preferring meditation over drugs? There's a disconnect here…
ALAN: Perhaps head shop is the wrong word, I was using it in the generic sense of filling your head with new ideas based on spiritualism and occultism (and probably a lot of other -isms as well). Gandalf's Garden was a craft shop and drop-in centre with some accommodation for the homeless and lots of honey-flavoured tea. The magazine only lasted for six issues but, nevertheless, it still managed to attract articles by Joan Baez, Spike Milligan and the poets Christopher Logue and Adrian Mitchell.
JANE: Wow! That's a great list of contributors. I like craft shops… Too much! Sounds as if I would have found much to enjoy.
ALAN: Another example of the impact the books had came from the music of the time. Marc Bolan and a young man who insisted on calling himself Peregrine Took (after the hobbit of the same name, of course) formed an avant-garde, psychedelic underground rock band called Tyrannosaurus Rex. I'm sure you can guess what kind of songs they sang.
JANE: Uh… Hobbitty folk songs? I'm guessing, because I'm more familiar with Marc Bolan's later work.
ALAN: Their songs all had a magical/mystical feel to them, heavily influenced by generic fantasy tropes. For example, their 1968 album Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages has a track called "Aznageel The Mage." I can easily imagine bumping into Aznageel at the Prancing Pony in Bree…
JANE: I'm not familiar with the album. We did discuss the impact of Fantasy on rock music in general a while back, and this fits in beautifully into that pattern. But Marc Bolan didn't stay with the hobbits, did he?
ALAN: No, not quite. Later in his career, after Peregrine Took left, Marc Bolan re-invented himself as a glam rocker and changed the name of the band to T. Rex. He made a fortune, lived the rock star life to the full, and died in a car crash, a victim of his own success. There were those who claimed he had sold out…
JANE: Ah, but as the band name shows, he envisioned himself as a carnivorous dinosaur, not a hobbit. He just followed his muse.
Going back to your mention of Gandalf's Garden. I'm not sure I would have found the use of his name an incentive to attend a place, even a garden.
Gandalf was one of my biggest problems with the "Lord of the Rings" story. He was so very full of himself. He put other people in danger. Vanished inconveniently. Refused to die and leave people alone but, instead, did the whole Jesus resurrection thing… And then at the end of the series, he has the gall to admit he's had one of the major magical rings all along.
It took me a long time – and actually a very sound comment from the audience by a fellow named Joe Jackson, during a panel at Bubonicon – to show me Gandalf as many others see him: the unhappy political leader who must send others into danger. Next time I read the books, I read them with that in mind and I felt more sympathy for Gandalf.
ALAN: That's a good point. When I read The Hobbit, like you, I was always unhappy about the way Gandalf deserted Bilbo and the Dwarves just when they needed him most. I was very pleased to see that Peter Jackson obviously felt the same way because in the movie of The Hobbit we learn just why Gandalf had to go, where he went and how important his journey was. Also, Gandalf does not leave with an easy conscience. He clearly feels guilty about the necessity.
JANE: Good for Peter Jackson. I suppose it was a lot to expect Gandalf to be everywhere at once, but he certainly had a gift for vanishing and leaving others to carry the burden. I really felt he was stupid to go see Saruman as he did, even though there had to have been evidence that his old friend wasn't quite right in the head.
However, having Saruman imprison Gandalf did solve the problem Tolkien had created for himself by creating a very powerful wizard who knew a huge amount of both history and magic, and had influence with just about everyone. As when earlier in the series, Gandalf falls when fighting the Balrog, it gets him out of the way, so more vulnerable characters will be center stage.
ALAN: I like the idea that Gandalf could make mistakes. There's something terribly tedious about infallibility – all the literary tensions disappear. I hesitate to say that his errors of judgement and moments of weakness made him more human, because human was the very last thing that he was. But it certainly made him easier to identify with.
JANE: I'll go with the fact that these mistakes do make Gandalf easier to identify with. However, it's often overlooked that neither Gandalf nor his fellow wizards are human. They belong to a race called the Maiar, and were sent to Middle Earth as part of the struggle against the forces of Sauron.
It may be because Gandalf is aware that he and Saruman's (I really hate how similar the names "Saruman" and "Sauron" are! They perpetually confused me when I was a child.) entire reason for being on Middle Earth is to fight Sauron, that he cannot believe Saruman would fall and go over to their enemy.
ALAN: The Maiar can be seen as angels and we know that angels can fall. I've always seen Saruman as a Lucifer-like figure. It helps, of course, that Lucifer means the bringer of light and Saruman was the white wizard. White is the colour of a bright light (remember the tremendous glare when Merry and Pippin encountered the re-born Gandalf the White in Fangorn Forest?). I don't want to read too much into the parallel because Tolkien always denied that he was writing allegory, but nevertheless he was a deeply religious man and this must have had an effect on his view of the world. Saruman's treachery would be a natural story development for him
So I didn't find it nearly as surprising as Gandalf did.
JANE: Hmm… I can certainly see your parallel, although Lucifer's besetting sin was Pride. Saruman's going over to Sauron seems to have been from fear and a desire to be on the winning side.
Gandalf, by contrast, never shows Luciferian pride, even when the power of becoming Gandalf the White is so intense that he is distant and even confused when he first re-encounters his friends.
I'd love to go on and talk more about the influence of the Lord of the Rings novels but, although Middle Earth is fascinating, my duties on this Earth beckon. I'll save my musings and questions for next time!
Posted in Thursday Tangents | 2 Comments »
Talking About Colonoscopy
Reminder! This coming weekend I'm Guest of Honor at Conduit, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hope to see some of you there…
A week ago, I had my first colonoscopy. This is one of those coming-of-age rites that – like most coming-of-age rites, if you think about it – most of those subjected to it don't really look forward to participating in. What they want is to have it over and done with.
Prep Instructions Day by Day
In my case, though, I was sort of lucky. Not only had Jim had the test before me, I'd been designated driver, twice, for one of our friends. So I'd had a chance to get about as close to the procedure as you can without doing it yourself. That actually helped.
So I decided that – even though some of the details aren't exactly pretty – to share what having a colonoscopy is like so that when it's your turn, you can say, "Hey, I've heard it's really not that bad."
A colonoscopy actually starts with the prep. This starts five days before the test with going off drugs you can't take because they're blood thinners. (No worries. You'll be given a list.)
In my case, the only one that really affected my lifestyle was aspirin. Aspirin is my painkiller of choice. This spring my allergies are rampant. Going for five days without being able to dull a headache wasn't fun, but it was manageable. Hot drinks do a lot for sinus headaches.
Two days before the test, certain slowly-digested foods are eliminated: nuts, seeds, and corn. The list I was given didn't clarify whether things like peanut butter were okay, but I decided to play it safe. I'd been thinking about making humus for our Sunday night game, but that has tahini, which is sesame paste. This part of the prep did make me realize how many nuts and seeds are in my routine diet…
The day before the test is when the big challenge comes. It starts with a clear liquid-only diet. Again, you'll be given a list. It will include sodas like ginger ale and sprite, clear fruit juices, and chicken or beef broth. It should also include jello and popsicles. However, what color you get is really important. No red. No purple. No blue. No pink or orange. However, yellow and green are fine.
Coffee and tea were included. Yay! I don't take cream in my coffee, so I had no worries there. And life with coffee is much easier.
My test was on a Tuesday, so the weekend before, Jim and I did some thoughtful shopping. I'm not a huge fan of apple juice, but we found a nice juice blend that was light and clear and tasted more or less like peach. We bought three boxes of jello: lemon, lime, and sour apple.
I like to cook, so I made my own chicken broth, making sure to add vegetables for flavor, but no herbs that might mar the "clear" nature. I chilled it and removed every spec of fat (as well as the meat and the veggies, of course). The end result had lots of flavor and even a bit of body.
The night before, I ate a snack before going to bed, hoping to stave off the inevitable blood sugar crash.
Monday morning it was tough not having chocolate with my coffee, but I substituted lime jello to pump up the sugar. I managed to do my e-mail and even write. The piece about toads in the pond was written then. I had my usual Monday chat with my friend Sally and think I was at least moderately coherent.
Then late Monday afternoon came and with it the big challenge: drinking a gallon of Golytely as quickly as possible. Again, the instructions I was given were a little vague. They said to drink a full "glass" every twenty minutes until the stuff was gone. They did not specify the size "glass."
Let's put this in perspective. A gallon is 128 ounces. Divided by the standard eight ounce drinking glass, that's sixteen glasses. Now divide that by three (as in every twenty minutes or three times an hour). You come up with 5.33 (repeating). Or, in other words, you'll be at this for the next five or so hours!
I decided I wanted to be done sooner. I did some experimenting and found I could get twelve ounces of water down pretty easily. I marked that on a sixteen-ounce tumbler and resolved to try for at least twelve ounces, sixteen if possible.
I started at promptly at 4:00 p.m. The Golytely tasted a bit like Gatorade: sweetish with fake lemon over salt. I downed sixteen ounces, pressed the timer, and picked up my book. I was reading Dune, which seemed ironically appropriate. Twenty minute later, I downed another sixteen ounces, grabbed the timer and headed for the bathroom.
If you've ever read a somewhat old-fashioned novel, you've encountered the expression: "His bowels turned to water." Usually that means to experience complete, crippling terror. No terror was experienced, but the rest is a really accurate description. The instruction sheet had said: "…will make you go to the bathroom many times and cause diarrhea." That's the understatement of the century. This wasn't diarrhea; it was transformation.
Because the earlier prep and liquid diet had already cleared the system out a good deal, it wasn't even really uncomfortable.
By drinking sixteen ounces at a time, I managed to get the worst of this ordeal over in about three hours. I found that if I drank even a little fruit juice after each glass, it took the salty-sweet taste of the Golytely away. The bowels-to-water thing abated about an hour after the last glass of Golytely, although it didn't go away completely for a couple more hours.
I actually began to feel a little hungry, which was both a pleasure – I no longer felt as overfull – and annoying, since the closest to something solid I could have was jello.
A few words about jello. I've heard people say that they can't eat jello after this. I won't go that far. I found it a relief to be able to convince my stomach, even briefly, that it was getting filled. One of the things I found toughest about the clear liquid diet was that so much of what was recommended was sweet. I have a moderate sweet tooth. I like chocolate, but usually dark. I prefer fresh fruit to pies or jams. For me the sour apple jello was salvation because it lacked the overt sweetness of the lemon or lime.
By bedtime, the worst of the digestive upset was over. I wasn't even that hungry, which surprised me.
The final ordeal was going without any liquids from midnight on. This was a bit tough because even at night I tend to drink a lot. (Remember, I live in a very dry climate; also, my allergy drugs contribute to a dry mouth.) However, I wasn't going to quit so close to the goal.
Please note… Going without water was the final ordeal. The actual procedure was a breeze. Jim drove me over to the clinic. I had gotten the earliest possible appointment and so there was no delay. Everyone was very kind and seemed to understand that by now I had reason to be a bit muddleheaded.
I'd been worried about feeling embarrassed – especially when I learned the procedure was being done by a male doctor. I mean, we're indoctrinated not to let strangers see certain parts of us and this was a real violation of that taboo. I was surprised by how I didn't feel embarrassed at all. This wasn't because of cool, detached professionalism either. Jim and I chatted with just about everyone, from the nurse trainee who was observing through the anesthesiologist and the doctor.
I think it was because everyone took for granted what was being done, so no one felt at all strange. It's embarrassment that causes embarrassment most of the time.
Eventually, IV in one arm, covered in nice, warm blankets (right out of the dryer), I was wheeled to the procedure room. I felt a little weird when I realized that, although I'd never ridden on a gurney before, I felt as if I had, because a camera-eye view of such is a routine part of medical dramas on TV.
In the procedure room, a pop piece I didn't know was playing in the background. As it was finishing, the anesthesiologist came in… I should clarify here that I was part of a pilot program using anesthesia rather than the more usual sedation. As I'd never had either, I can't really tell you how they compare.
The anesthesiologist asked me to roll onto my left side, warned me that the blood pressure cuff would tighten almost painfully, and told me she'd be starting her part as soon as the doctor was there.
David Bowie and Queen's "Under Pressure" came on the sound system. I was musing about the irony of that as the blood pressure cuff eased off. I heard one of the nurses greeting the trainee nurse, reading off my name and identifying information…
And then I heard Jim's voice. For a brief moment, I wondered if the procedure had been called off and he was being told why. Then I opened my eyes and realized I was in the recovery room. Jim was talking to the nurse. By the time they had me sitting upright, the doctor came in to tell me all had gone well. No polyps. Come back in ten years…
I started tearing up then. Why? Because there's an alternate universe in which someone I loved didn't die of colon cancer. If he'd had this test… But then, we never know.
Nothing is certain except that we can make choices… I might get hit by a bus tomorrow, but I won't have let fear – of embarrassment, of discomfort, of the unknown – have kept me from doing a small thing that removed one unknown.
And maybe, someday, even those who get bad news will know there are better treatment options. That's why I contributed a new story ("Knights Errand") to the anthology Fantasy for Good, the full proceeds of which are donated to the Colon Cancer Alliance.
And now, when it's your turn, you can say, "Hey. It really isn't so bad. Jane says so." And if you've already had the test, don't give into the urge to dramatize… It really isn't too bad – especially when you consider the alternative – is it?
Posted in Random Wanderings | 11 Comments »
Plowing through Dunes, and Jones
This week's reading has had some odd contrasts. On the one side Frank Herbert's Dune. On the other, more Diana Wynne Jones.
Double for Dune, aka New Mexico
And I always enjoy hearing what you're reading. Sometimes, I then go read it myself!
Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones. Amorality rather than immorality is brilliantly illustrated in the character of Luke. Although technically "middle grade," such themes – and DWJ's usually brilliant look at the contradictions of family dynamics – makes this a book for all ages.
Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. This one was fun but it also seemed like the first part of a novel. Does anyone know if there is a Part Two?
Dune by Frank Herbert. Fifty years after its original publication, this book holds up, largely because of its brilliant world-building and sensitive characterization. At the time it was written, the desire for "strong female characters" was hardly being discussed, but the presence of Jessica and Chani – as well as the Bene Gesserit – gives the book a modern feel.
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto, volume 68. Manga. Sometimes words are the most powerful weapons.
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert. Set twelve years after Dune this book fails to have the same fire. Unlike Dune, which is about beginnings, Dune Messiah focuses on endings. Although only about half the length of the original, this one seemed much longer to me.
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. Here we get the childhood of the man who will become the powerful Chrestomanci. Once again, Diana Wynne Jones shows she hasn't forgotten the peculiar logic of childhood.
The Hunt for the Big Bad Wolf by E.M. Tippets. The third book of Tippets' series which began with Someone Else's Fairytale finds Chloe dealing with a tough case in which someone in her office may be leaking information to Hollywood cop show. And is being married boring by definition?
When stuck at a doctor's office, I read several articles in Sport's Illustrated. Not bad writing.
Posted in Random Wanderings | 9 Comments »
TT: Lord of the Hippies
JANE: So, Alan, last time, when we were chatting about how you and Robin went to visit Hobbiton, it became evident that J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Ring" novels – as well as The Hobbit – meant a great deal to you.
I hate to admit it but, while I enjoyed them, they've never been among my favorite novels – not even among my favorite Fantasy novels.
Hobbit Hole, photo by Alan
I realize that this is a heretical view. Can you tell me why you're so crazy about those books?
ALAN: I think it's because I was imprinted on them when I was very young. I discovered them in the school library when I was about 12 years old. This was long before the books became trendy – nobody I knew had ever heard of them – and I was at exactly the right impressionable age to be completely overwhelmed by the world of Middle Earth.
JANE: Oh! That's nice. It's always wonderful when a book is your own private discovery. My first encounter was similar and different. And here's where the difference in our ages comes in!
I was also about twelve when a nosey neighbor brought over the boxed set of the novels as an excuse for snooping. (Everyone knew Jane was an avid reader.) However, the world of Middle Earth did not overwhelm me. By then, there were numerous imitations and I'd read some of them. Tolkien seemed unnecessarily fussy. Why give each river or mountain three names? Why not just get on with the story?!
ALAN: Oddly, I always found that to be part of the charm. It made the world of Middle Earth seem so real, so lived in. I was already very familiar with landmarks that had multiple names (Vienna and Wien for example), and now that I live in New Zealand (or perhaps I should call it Aotearoa), I find that almost everywhere has both a Maori and an English name, which are often used interchangeably. So that kind of thing has always seemed quite natural to me.
Looking at the books now, from the other end of my life, I am willing to admit that they have flaws, but a fussiness about multiple names is not one of them. However I'm biased. That early imprinting is still in force and I still love them dearly.
JANE: The funny thing for me is that the older I get, the things that originally bugged me don't anymore. Rivers do have multiple names, especially when multiple cultures live in an area. Given the long lifespans, yet essentially isolationist nature of some of the races (elves and dwarves in particular), it makes sense that different cultures have different names for the same landmarks.
ALAN: Exactly so! Perhaps I came to that understanding earlier than you did simply because of where I lived. After all, the city of York, a few miles up the road from me, was called Eboracum by the Romans, and I really can't remember a time when I didn't know that fact.
JANE: I think you're right. Places in the U.S. usually have one name. Even when that name is rooted in an earlier culture – for example, an Indian name for a place – this contributes to a sense of constancy, rather than the other way around.
ALAN: But back to the books! I always identified closely with the mood that Tolkien evoked with his tale. Something in it just seemed right and natural. And then Donald Wolheim of Ace published the (arguably illegal) first paperback version of the books in the mid-1960s, and the sales exceeded his wildest dreams.
It seemed that my contemporaries agreed with me. The mood of the times was exactly right for Tolkien's vision of the world. It was the so-called summer of love and the hippies adopted Tolkien as a guru. The struggle against Sauron could easily be seen as a metaphor for the anti-establishment feelings of the time. We all knew that Sauron lived in the White House. And Frodo's essential pacifism struck a chord with the young people whose anti-war sentiments manifested themselves in protests against America's involvement in Vietnam.
JANE: Once again, age plays a role. In the mid-sixties, I was a very small child. I was still in single digits when the Summer of Love came and went. Growing up in D.C., I knew there were lots of long-haired people around who behaved oddly. I was aware of the struggle against the "establishment," but that was something "grown-ups" were involved in.
If anything, it seemed a bit odd to me, since both "establishment" and "anti-establishment" were grown-ups, and so were all, from my perspective, part of the same problem!
ALAN: I think you get a different view of events when you experience them for yourself.
Certainly from my point of view there was always a distinct feeling of "us" and "them" during those years. And by and large, "we" were powerless because "they" were in charge. Tolkien's books were inspirational because they showed clearly that while individual people may be little and unimportant in the grand scheme of things, nevertheless, just like the hobbits did, they can still make a profound difference to the working of the world. Tolkien was talking to us on so many levels, and his vision of the world resonated with the zeitgeist. It was inevitable that his books would be adopted by the movement.
JANE: Again, time perspective… I've met very few people who identify with hobbits. I know lots who want to be elves or half-elves, a few who identify with dwarves, but I can't think of a single person who has identified with hobbits.
I remember an article in a gaming magazine (most early RPGs were highly influenced by High Fantasy and especially by Tolkien) in which the writer commented, "Let's face it. Who would want to play a hobbit?"
After all, they're essentially lazy and idle. Both Bilbo and Frodo need to be forced into adventure. Merry and Pippin are shanghaied, though they do pretty well once they get the hang of it. Sam is different, though. He has his feet in his garden, his head in the clouds.
ALAN: Perhaps I'm odd, but all those things seem to me to be very desirable traits to have. I identify very closely with hobbits and I can easily imagine myself living in Hobbiton and being very happy there.
JANE: Certainly, if "laziness" and "idleness" are seen as finding contentment in small achievements, like growing a good garden, or raising happy children, I agree.
Many years ago, shortly after Roger died, my dad tried to convince me to look into writing for Hollywood, as several of my NM friends were doing. I mulled it over seriously. Then one day, standing in my garden, hip-deep in tomato plants, listening to bees, and musing over what I'd be writing later, I realized that high-pressure, backbiting, ambitious Hollywood wasn't for me.
So, I guess I've got a bit of hobbit in me, too!
Toads in the Pond
We have toads in our pond. Several generations of toads, to be precise.
To clarify why this is a wonderful and exotic thing, let me explain.
Spadefoot Toad on Our Marsh
First, where I live is exceptionally dry. Although the Rio Grande river is not that far away – just a couple miles' walk in a straight line east – when judging proximity to water, we might as well be on the Moon. Okay. Maybe not the Moon. But take it from me, it's dry.
Second, calling the water-feature in my backyard a "pond" is a grand over-glorification. Our pond is a black plastic shell that holds maybe a hundred and twenty gallons. And that would be its maximum capacity if we didn't have anything but water in it and filled it all the way to the brim.
Instead, we have plants in our pond – a dwarf water lily, a blue pickerel weed, and an ornamental plantain that has flowers like baby's breath. Between them, the blue pickerel weed and the plantain have created a little marsh firm enough to hold the birds that land to drink. We have aquatic mint growing around the edges (and into the water, whenever it can).
We have a pump that displaces a couple of gallons. And a school of goldfish, three generations, all descended from feeder fish we rescued from the pet store.
So there's not a lot of water there. But it's enough water to attract toads.
Our toads are spadefoot toads, specifically, New Mexican spadefoot toads, which are the state amphibian. Spadefoot toads can live without much water at all. Using a special digging toe on their hind legs, they burrow underground, emerging when there is water to lay their eggs. Because usually all they have are puddles, spadefoot tadpoles develop very quickly – often going mobile in as little as forty-eight hours.
I have a friend who makes a point of transferring spadefoot tadpoles from puddles that are drying up to ones that still have water. I know she has occasionally wondered if this is at all helpful to the toads. I can now reassure her that a few hours can make a big difference.
Spadefoot toads usually dig backwards, excavating behind them, then backing in and closing the hole after them. This can lead to startling encounters for those who share their territory.
One year, I noticed that an alyssum I'd planted where it would artfully spill over the edge of a flowerbed had apparently turned triffid and was preparing to go walkabout. After I gently moved it and prepared to widen the hole and replant it, imagine my astonishment when I looked down and saw a toad looking up at me reproachfully. It had found a nice, damp piece of real estate, complete with floral ornamentation for the roof. Now I was messing everything up!
Needless to say, I moved the alyssum to one side, and both toad and plant had a happy summer.
As the years have gone by, we have progressed from the occasional toad sighting, to our current thriving colony. There's the toad who lives near our back porch door, waiting to dine on the insects that are attracted by the light spilling out from the kitchen. There is the toad that lives down at the western edge of the bean netting, doubtlessly enjoying the dampness of the soaker hose we use to water the beans. There are the toads we see as evening gathers (spadefoot toads are nocturnal) hopping their way from various points in the yard to have a splash in the pond before going hunting.
Last year, we had a transitory turtle spend some time in our yard. In hopes of encouraging it to stay, we put a shallow dish of water out so it could have something to drink and a splash if it so desired. We don't know if it ever used it, but we did see little toads sitting in it, shyly requesting we ignore that they were there so they didn't have to pretend to be scared and run away.
Most of the year, spadefoot toads are quiet cohabitants. However, this time of year, they are quite noisy. Their call is hard to describe. It's deeper than you'd expect from such a small creature (most of our toads could sit comfortably in the palm of my hand, many could sit on a quarter). It's all on one long, somewhat harsh note, a sort of elongated sound like "cat" without the "C" and with the "T" barely audible.
I'm not sure it's exactly a "pretty" sound, but Jim and I really like it because it's a sign that our yard is a vibrant, living organism. Our cats (who are "indoor only" cats) find it fascinating. One evening, as a toad was warming up, the toad would go "aaat" and Ogapoge, our big, sixteen pounder, would call back on almost the same note.
We've had a relatively damp (for New Mexico), relatively cool (for New Mexico) spring, and the toads are loving it. So, as you can probably gather, are we.
Posted in Wildlife | 5 Comments »
FF: Some Very Odd People
I feel as if I'm missing something, but for now this will have to do.
Just in case you don't know… The Friday Fragments feature lists of what I've read over the past week. Most of the time I don't include either short fiction or magazine articles.
Ogapoge Snags My Books for Himself!
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Audiobook. Really enjoyed this. It walked the delicate line between silly and intense. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the quirky characters. Adults will get a kick out of the commentary on the value system in the modern U.S. Recommended by Chad Merkley, a reader of the Friday Fragments! Thank you, Chad!
Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones. This one came up when Alan and I were writing about Diana Wynne Jones for the Thursday Tangents. I had to re-read. Translating the gods of Norse mythology into modern England makes for some very odd characters.
Dune by Frank Herbert. A re-read, but probably not for at least ten years…
Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones. Audiobook. Just started. It's short, so I'll probably be done tonight.
Lots of research and the usual beginning of the month magazine deluge.
Jane's Official Website
janelindskold.com
About Jane


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Burgers / California / United States
The Squeeze Inn – Roseville, California
June 14, 2010 July 19, 2018 - 1 Comment
Tried to amend my carnivorous habits
Made it nearly seventy days
Losin' weight without speed, eatin' sunflower seeds
Drinkin' lots of carrot juice and soakin' up rays
But at night I'd had these wonderful dreams
Some kind of sensuous treat
Not zucchini, fettucini or Bulgar wheat
But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat
Cheeseburger in paradise (paradise)
Heaven on earth with an onion slice (paradise)
Not too particular not too precise (paradise)
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise
~Jimmy Buffett
The interior of the Squeeze Inn in Roseville, California
Just what is a cheeseburger in paradise? In his top 40 song Cheeseburger in Paradise, Jimmy Buffett seems to infer that a cheeseburger in paradise can be any cheeseburger you consume after depriving yourself, or as he put it, "after trying to amend your carnivorous habits." There's much truth in this. Every dieter with whom I've spoken admits that what they dream about most after any period of deliciousness deprivation are cheeseburgers. Cheeseburgers are, after all, America's most popular, arguably most delicious, fast food offering.
In Buffett's case, the cheeseburger in paradise was inspired by a boating excursion on the azure waters of the Caribbean. While sustaining himself on peanut butter and canned foods, he fantasized about devouring a "piping hot cheeseburger." His fantasy cam true…sort of, when he landed in the British Virgin Islands where he found a restaurant offering American cheeseburgers. Despite the specificity of his instructions to the waiter on how he wanted the burgers prepared, what he got was an overdone beef patty on a burned, toasted bun. No matter. To Buffett, this was a cheeseburger in paradise. It fulfilled his fantasy and "tasted like manna from heaven."
Buffett likes his cheeseburgers "with lettuce and tomato, Heinz Fifty-Seven and French-fried potatoes." For New Mexicans, there is nothing as thoroughly soul-satisfying and utterly delicious as our ubiquitous green chile cheeseburger. We have a fierce pride in that most simplistic, but explosive, flavor-blessed union of a thick, juicy beef patty grilled over an open flame or sizzled on a griddle then blanketed in cheese and topped with taste bud awakening, tongue tingling, olfactory arousing green chile. To New Mexicans, it isn't a cheeseburger in paradise without green chile.
The Squeeze Burger with Cheese: The famous 1/3 lb. 100% Beef Burger with all the fixins. Mayo, Mustard, Tomato, Lettuce, Pickles, Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun With a "Skirt" of Cheese (1/3 pound of cheese)
Americans have been adding cheese to their burgers since the mid-1920s though, as with the hamburger itself, culinary historians can't seem to agree as to when the molten marriage of cheese and beef patty first happened. Most credit Lionel Sternberger with having "invented" the cheeseburger while working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California sandwich shop. Legend has it that Sternberger experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger. The rest, as the proverbial "they" say, is history.
Though the "inventor" of the cheeseburger is much in dispute, there is absolutely no disputing its impact on the American culture. Wall Street Journal writer Raymond Sokolove called the cheeseburger "America's contribution to world cuisine. Does it stand to reason, therefore, that the more cheese you add to a cheeseburger, the better and more delicious the end-product will be? The Squeeze Inn in the Sacramento, California area seems to think so.
For many people in the Sacramento area, the Squeeze Inn offers the cheeseburger in paradise. That's been validated in their having voted it the "best burger" winner from 2007 through 2010. The original Squeeze Inn, a Lilliputian burger joint has also been voted "best dive" in Sacramento five years running. It's called the Squeeze Inn because of the original restaurant's size; you literally got squeezed in to get your food. The original was so small –only twelve bars tools–that customers would line up literally around the block to get in its doors then wait for hours to eat. It would have to be a cheeseburger in paradise to inspire such loyalty.
In 2009, Sacramento area resident and Food Network luminary Guy Fieri introduced The Squeeze Inn to the rest of the world on his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives program. The effusive Fieri also included the burger on the second book he wrote about his "Triple D" program. In an episode of the Jay Leno Show, the host asked Fieri who serves the best hamburger in America. Without hesitation, Fieri mentioned the Squeeze Inn in Sacramento.
What makes the Squeeze Inn's "squeeze with cheese burger" unique and famous is the way it's prepared. It starts with a third-pound of 100-percent beef topped with mayo, mustard, tomato lettuce, pickles, cheese and onions served on a sesame seed bun, pretty traditional stuff. A crispy "cheese skirt" is created after the beef patty is cooked on a flat top grill. The skirt is created when an entire third-pound of cheese and the top bun are placed atop the patty. The cook then throws a handful of ice chips on the flat top and covers the burger with a "hood" to create a steamy effect. The result is a rectangular, crispy cheese skirt which extends about an inch beyond the burger on all sides.
That's one-third pound of beef and one-third pound of cheese plus high-quality, fresh ingredients. What's not to like? As Fieri might say, "it's a California thing." While I found the burger interesting and unique, it wasn't necessarily memorable by virtue of its flavor profile alone. Though I cherish cheese, the fried cheese skirt itself can be a bit off-putting–both texturally and in terms of flavor. Sure, it's crispy and maybe by itself would be a nice snack, but it makes the burger difficult to eat (the cheese becomes a bit "rubbery") and actually detracts from the flavor of the beef. This is one marriage of beef and cheese I didn't like much, but there are thousands of Sacramento area residents who say otherwise.
Nick Sardo, Bruce "Sr. Plata" Silver and Jesse Housholder enjoy the Squeeze Inn's cheesy burger
The Squeeze Inn prepares everything to order and to your exacting specifications. In addition to their famous "squeeze with cheese," the restaurant serves other menu items including tacos, hot dogs, sandwiches and more. Even a vegetarian burger is available for non-carnivores.
The Squeeze Inn is certainly not everybody's version of a cheeseburger in paradise, but from an experiential point of view, it's one of those legendary restaurants you've got to try just to say you've been there and done that. You may even like it more than I did….and who knows, had the squeeze with cheese had some New Mexico green chile, it might have been closer to being a cheeseburger in paradise for me, too.
The Squeeze Inn
106 North Sunrise Avenue
Roseville, California
LATEST VISIT: 14 June 2010
BEST BET: French Fries, Squeeze with Cheese
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One Comment on "The Squeeze Inn – Roseville, California"
Sr Plata says:
Some new friends on the recommendation by Sensei had a great time eating mass amounts of cheese baked into our burgers. It was AWESOME! I think everyone in the Sacramento area needs to go here at least one in their lives. Yes, I should have had a double, but next time… Thanks Gil!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Much to our amazement, she nailed it 5 minutes after the wheels came off! It was far less traumatic than I thought it would be. Peter gets all the credit – I wasn't even brave enough to go to the park until I heard it was going well. She even mastered starting herself by the time we left the park. Next up, turning.
And of course the little guy had to be part of it. He decided that he too needed a push. Do you hear him say "Me two three TOO!!" Translation: say one two three and push me too! I also love his glide and look back. Such a ham.
Wishing you and yours the very Merriest Christmas!
I distinctly remember the day that Baylor and I had our first two way conversation. She had woken up from her nap early and was standing in her crib, crying. As I opened the door, I asked her what was wrong. She pointed to her ears and said "Ears. Hurt.". It was like Helen Keller signing water. It was amazing to speak to her and have her answer back!
Augustus. I'm. Right. Here. What do you need?
Yes, hammering the train table IS loud.
I would give that kid a pony if he said orssie peas, mommy. Dank you. It's so stinking cute, I can't stand it!
Sometimes you just need a friend who will sit under and umbrella and watch a movie with you. We're grateful that M is that buddy to Baylor.


My first post about sci-fi/fantasy books with no romance seems to be popular, so I figured everyone might appreciate some more recommendations!
Romance is great and all, but sometimes it's nice to read a story that's about family, or growing up, or plain ol' taking down bad guys. I can't promise you books that have absolutely nothing related to romance whatsoever, but I did manage to find some more books that are definitely not about romance.
I only have five books this time, but I'll be sure to keep doing more of these posts as I find more, and hopefully you all will enjoy these five non-romance books as much as I did!
*Note: Some of these books have content that may be triggering or offensive. Please see my reviews for more info.
This YA steampunk Frankenstein-retelling foregoes romance and instead focuses on the relationship between brothers, grief, and what it means to be human.
What can I say? I like Frankenstein retellings, and interestingly enough, this ominous historical fantasy duology is also about brothers—twins this time. The main character does have feelings for someone that drive some of his actions, but don't worry, this isn't a romance story.
This unique, gritty werewolf book is all about growing up and family, and it's one of my favorites. The main character's family members have relationships here and there, and there is a small section in which the MC himself has a girlfriend, but it's really not the focus of the story. It's the writing, the three main characters, and their familial bonds that really make this book shine.
This comical urban fantasy is about a young Black vampire working with his friend, his creator, and a newly turned vampire in order to try and stop a bigger, badder vampire. The main character is vaguely attracted to someone, so I don't know what might happen in future books, but this one was strictly urban fantasy action and fun.
If you like djinns, dragons, non-US settings, complex plots, and not always likeable but realistic characters, then you might enjoy this one. It's a gritty, somewhat dark book set in Bangladesh about djinn politics and a group of people trying to stop a djinn from wiping out the country.
Do you like books without romance?
Do you have any more recs for sci-fi/fantasy books that aren't about romance?
Yeah I'm always kinda surprised when I read a book WITHOUT romance, or with very little, because it seems like it's kinda rare these days! Always nice to see examples of books that look at other relationships than just romantic ones. Of these, I think Mongrels (cause werewolves, after all) and Djinn City sound super interesting!
This list is wonderful Kristin — thank you!
I've been searching for a good werewolf book!! I'm definitely going to have to check out Mongrels!
If you're looking for a shifter story that's different from the paranormal romance kind, then you should absolutely check out Mongrels! I loved it!
I have got to find a copy of Mongrels! I'm also happy to see it on your "no romance" list. I don't mind romance if a) the book is advertised as romance and I know going into it or b) the romance doesn't take over the story.
Mongrels is amazing! I agree, I really like romance sometimes, but sometimes it just takes over the story when it's really not necessary.
I loved This Dark Endeavor so much when I read it! I really need to pick up the sequel!
You should! The sequel was really creepy!
Now this is my kind of post! Thanks for the great recs. I really enjoy MacKenzi Lee's writing so definitely adding This Monstrous Thing to my TBR.
I have been seeing This Monstrous Thing a lot lately. It looks really good.
This is a pretty serendipitous post for me, because I was just talking about how many books, though not romance, seem to contain romance. I know there are people, who want romance-free stories, and I could hardly think of any. Great job finding the five above. I have This Monstrous Thing, and have heard fantastic things about it.
Yay, I'm glad I could be helpful!
While I love romance in my books, sometimes it can be nice to have a book that's focused on something else first or maybe doesn't have any romance at all. Although I rarely read books with no romance at all, unless you count non-fiction books, lol. Most books I read have a side plot line romance or a hint of romance at least.
I remember most of these books from when you reviewed them on your blog or showed them in your recap posts. I haven't read as many books that focus on brothers or sisters, but those can be great.
I mean, same LOL. I can't do these posts very often because most of what I read does have romance at least on the side. But in the past year or two, I realized that, although I love when books have romance, I do enjoy books without romance too, especially when they focus on other types of relationships, like friendship or family.
This Monstrous Thing looks really intriguing—I'll have to check that one out!
I enjoyed it, I hope you like it if you try it!
I do like books without romance, because sometimes it feels like authors are just adding a romance because they think that's what people want…or their publisher suggests it or something. It's not always needed! I haven't read any of these yet, but I do want to read This Monstrous Thing at some point as I love Mackenzi Lee.
It does seem like romance is just pushed into books for no reason sometimes, and I agree it's not always needed! I hope you like This Monstrous Thing!
I need romance, even a little, but I know many readers don't and I'm always happy to point those books out because they can be harder to find.
It's great to know there's selection out there for everyone!
Having just finished two books after each other where the romance elements really did nothing for the story, this post is perfectly time. I've already got Djinn City on my must-get-to list and the Mongrels cover is scarily eyecatching!
I'm glad I could help with such good timing! I hope you enjoy Djinn City, and Mongrels too if you read that one!
Hey, I've actually read the first two! And I really enjoyed them both. I don't mind some romance thrown in but it's also nice to find some books without it. Have you ever read "Gods of Prey?" I think you'd enjoy it.
LOL I'm kind of the same. I love romance when it's there as long as it doesn't take over the story, except sometimes I do like when romance is the focus, but I also don't mind when there's no Romance. Although I'm not a fan of a lot of paranormal romance tropes.
I didn't think I liked books without romance either, but then I started reading some, and they grew on me :-P I hope you like any of these that you try!
I hadn't noticed, but you're right, it is very me lol.
I absolutely love sci-fi. I also really love no romance books. So this list was MADE for me. This Monstrous Thing has been waiting for me on my kindle forever and I love her historical fic duology so I need to get reading that one as soon as possible. Also, Frankenstein is involved so I am so there. The cover for The Dark Endeavour is so gorgeous <3 I waaaant!
Yay this list is great for you! I really hope you enjoy This Monstrous Thing! And This Dark Endeavor if you read it!
Djinn City sounds fascinating as does the twin brothers… actually I love the idea of both brothers books… love other relationship types to be explored in books!
I love when other types of relationships are explored too!
These sound amazing! I love non romance recs.
Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks recently posted: Have Your Ever Finished A Book And Realized You're Missing It Already?
Book recs with no romance really shouldn't be my thing since I kind of live for a good romance but sometimes you want a break from the romance and I've read many a fantasy book where I've despaired at how prominent the romance is as it takes over a perfectly good storyline. Kenneth Oppel is an author name I've not seen in a while I remember way back when reading Airborn and loving it. Like the sound of a Frankenstein retelling as well.
Exactly, sometimes a story is great without any romance, and it's frustrating when romance takes over for no real reason.
I hope you enjoy whichever ones you get to try!


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Dallas Comedy Festival 2012: It's the Improv Set, Yo (Thursday)
It's the Improv Set, Yo
The third night of the Dallas Comedy Festival was the first of the improv grouping, and it set a high bar thanks to Oklahoma City's Twinprov.
published Friday, March 30, 2012
A late night comedy show on a Thursday night in Deep Ellum is not likely to pull in the crowds. Indeed, wandering into the theater of the Dallas Comedy House, where the Dallas Comedy Festival is happening this week, there was one table full.
The lobby, on the other hand, was packed with improv comedians who are a gregarious bunch, animatedly swapping stories and comparing classes they're going to take at the fest. After the smattering of paying customers and press were situated, the doors were opened to the improv hordes and the next thing you know there was a party going on.
Improv sketches often begin with a one-word suggestion from the audience. Little Mr. Dallas was given "botulism" as a starter. Unlike most improv ensembles that launch right away into action, Little Mr. Dallas members instead swapped stories on botulism and related plagues to get a base for action. From that a story emerged. Using a technique called "The Amando," developed by Chicago's ImprovOlympic, they annotated the story with tangents and break-outs. Key directionals were shouted out by off-stage members like "You're now in a bar" and "You have lice" that accelerated the pace and helped (mostly) keep the non-improv audience from getting lost.
Twinprov from Oklahoma City rocked the place with hip-hop improv. Yes, hip-hop improv from OKC, by twins Clint and Buck Vrazel. Even their names are incongruous. But you sure could tell these guys have been doing make-believe with each other since toddlers. They were absolutely seamless. The one-word prompt was "physics" and off they went, scatting lyrics with plenty of science terminology gained from their years at Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, but even roping in "universal healthcare" and "pre-existing universes." Clint set up the fast hip-hop patter while Buck came in with most of the punchlines, with keyboard support from musician Kyle Gossett. By the end of the set, Buck was on a chair portraying an exploding star and prompting the audience to participate in a supernova singalong. Incredible! Don't miss them in Villain: The Musical on Friday at 7 p.m.
Having to follow that was a hard slot for The Outfit from Chicago, who tried to make up for it with high-volume histrionics. Having a petite female member that the large guys in the Outfit could tote around made for some great visual humor. But by that time it was near midnight and this late-middle-aged reviewer was out of steam.
The Dallas Comedy Festival continues with improv and sketch humor through Sunday. Frankematt headline on Friday and Dasariski on Saturday. Check out TheaterJones' exclusive coverage here.
Original post and video at: http://www.theaterjones.com/dallascomedyfestival2012/20120330123015/2012-03-30/Its-the-Improv-Set-Yo
comedy improvisation TheaterJones
Creatively Wide with Comedy Central star Keegan-Michael Key
Dallas Comedy Festival 2013 reviews
Poll My Finger: Babes in Electionland


"Can one get a stomach transplant?"
Zocdoc›Answers›Can one get a stomach transplant?
My wife is turning 60, and I'm worried about her stomach. She's had ulcers for years, and other digestive problems, too. Maybe this is crazy, but if her stomach gets bad enough, would it be possible to just replace it with a stomach transplant?
Stomach transplants are not done, as the stomach is not considered an absolutely essential organ to the human body. Large portions of the stomach are either bypassed or cut off during routine weight loss surgeries, and the entire stomach is often removed in cases where stomach cancer is diagnosed. If your wife has been suffering from chronic stomach ulcers, she should be followed by a gastroenterologist, who is an internal medicine doctor that specializes in diseases of the stomach, intestines, and liver. This physician would most likely perform an upper endoscopy to assess the damage; this procedure involves putting a tube with a camera down the esophagus which allows for direct visualization of the lining of the stomach. There are a number of medications which can help reduce the occurrence and severity of stomach ulcers (such as as proton pump inhibitors), and certain medications to avoid which tend to cause ulcers as side effects when taken in great quantities (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If she is having issues with chronic ulcers, she may also warrant testing for a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which can often lead to the formation of ulcers in the stomach and first part of the small intestine. She should have a discussion with her physicians regarding the best way to treat her stomach problems.
Why do I have constipation and sticky/thick golden stool?
If a person has Hepatitis C can he date someone with cirrhosis of the liver?
Why do I have severe heartburn when I eat tomatoes late at night?
Why am I gagging after eating a few bites of food?
Did my medication cause my gastritis?


All kinds of misconceptions exist about Millennial employees.
You may have heard that they're difficult to manage or unmotivated. Depending on the article – there are more and more published every day – you may have heard all kinds of other criticisms, too.
I have to be honest with you though; I don't see it.
What I do see is that Millennials are different than workers from other generations, but certainly no less talented or capable. The biggest problem is that not enough managers are using goal-setting to propel their Millennial employees toward meeting their potential.
Setting goals has always been an important part of effective management. This holds true for Millennial employees, but there are four specific ways you need to do it if you want the best possible results. Fortunately, this advice is fairly simple to apply.
Much has been made about Millennial employees and technology. In short, they're entering the workforce with a stronger grasp on technology than any generation before them.
A lot of this technology is about tracking their performance in different areas. They may use a Fitbit, which will tell them how many calories they burned that day. There is no shortage of apps to report how many steps they took over the course of 24 hours. The same can be said for apps that let them track their finances.
You may have heard that Millennials have short attention spans. That's not completely fair, though. It's probably more accurate to say that being raised with technology has made them more demanding on their feedback loops (more on this in a minute).
If you give them a goal, make sure you also give them a way to track it on a daily basis, at the very least. They want to know if they're making progress, so they can adjust as necessary.
This shortened feedback loop means they also want to hear from you and may want that input more often than employees from other generations.
Technology can give them objective feedback on how well they're doing, but your employees will also know this doesn't tell the whole story. They know that your experience and position make your opinion a lot more valuable.
However, just because Millennials want feedback doesn't mean they'll ask for it. At the moment, only 19% of these workers are receiving regular feedback but only 15% are asking for it.
Commit to consistently giving your Millennial workers any thoughts you have on their work. Keep in mind, this doesn't mean 30-minute meetings once a week. A simple instant message, email, or quick call will be enough to keep them engaged and moving toward their goals.
Despite the fact that most Millennials are old enough to remember the Great Recession, this hasn't dampened their commitment to finding meaningful work. They aren't scared to leave a job – a major risk – to find one that better aligns with their goals.
One way to leverage this in order to get the best out of them is to help them understand the underlying reasons behind their work. They want more than just a paycheck, so no matter what it is they do for your company, explain to them the real value they're providing and set goals that will channel this.
The other way to make the most of this point is to actually ask them what their professional goals are. More than 90% of them want to be leaders in your company, so that's most likely a goal you can help them set and achieve by showing them how their day-to-day work contributes to this long-term plan.
The last thing I want you to take from this article is that setting goals isn't only important for Millennial employees.
This is something you should be doing throughout your entire company with every staff member. Goal-setting is a vital form of employee motivation regardless of their age.
That said, Millennials value company culture. If yours is one that clearly prioritizes goal-setting, you have a better chance of attracting and retaining them as employees.
Aside from the advice we've already provided about how to help your Millennial workers set and achieve their goals, don't forget about the importance recognition plays in the workplace.
As employees meet their goals, make sure you provide them with recognition. 69% of employees report they would actually work harder if they were recognized more. That's an incredible ROI for just walking over to their desk and congratulating them.
Now, of course, you want to go above-and-beyond that from time to time. Public recognition is how you instill and maintain the type of company culture that elevates goal-setting and the kind that Millennials love.
At the moment, roughly 38% of Millennials would like to see their employers improve the way they recognize employees. As with the way you provide feedback, it doesn't need to be an expensive or time-consuming gesture. Everything from a compliment to affording the employee greater freedoms (e.g. a more flexible schedule, longer lunch break, etc.) can go a long way toward the desired effect.
Millennial employees love working toward goals. The better you become at providing them with goals, the better they're going to do.
Like all things, this will take practice on your part. Make it your goal to start goal-setting for your Millennial employees today and constantly work toward improving on this vital task. Try our Annual Goal Setting Booklet to gain clarity on your Millennial employees' goals.
Speaking of setting goals, this is one of the topics we cover in detail during my eight-week leadership and management program, Take the Lead™. If you're not 100% happy with your current ability to lead others, I would highly recommend it.
For those working in sales, I have another eight-week program, Systematic Foundation™, that also breaks down the steps involved with setting actionable goals. We then go on to talk about sales-related topics that will boost your confidence and help you close more deals.


text:
Regents Park est une ville-banlieue se situant dans la zone d'administration locale du Conseil d'Auburn, dans la région de Sydney Ouest dans l'État de Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, en Australie. Elle compte  habitants en 2006.

Regents Park se trouve à environ 22 kilomètres à l'ouest du Central business district de Sydney, au sud de Berala, au nord de Potts Hill, à l'ouest de Lidcombe et à l'est de Sefton.

Liens externes
  Statistiques sur Regents Park

Ville en Nouvelle-Galles du Sud
Conseil d'Auburn

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This paper presents dataset on the beneficiation of a Nigerian clay mineral for drilling mud application. The experimental design applied used a Response Surface Design (RSM), which involved 2 (2-Level, 4-Factors) to generate statistical models, and analyze the dataset.
Bentonite, Bentonite Suppliers and Manufacturers mineral processing ore bentonite mineral processing in nigeria Bentonite, Wholesale Various High Quality Bentonite Products from Global Bentonite Suppliers and .
Obaje (2013) investigated bentonite clays in Borno State, North-East Nigeria and like previous works done on bentonite clays in that region discovered that it was rich in montmorillonite containing predominantly calcium and requires beneficiation to improve the quality of the clay.
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The bentonite deposits found in Niger Delta region of Nigerian hold a probable reserve of about over 4 billion tonnes as reported by terra mines Edo state Nigeria . The properties of the natural form of these deposits occur with significant impurities which adversely affect their quality for eventual application.
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Bentonite (/ˈbɛntənʌɪt/) is an absorbent aluminium phyllosilicate clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. ... Calcium bentonite may be converted to sodium bentonite (termed sodium beneficiation or sodium activation) to exhibit many of sodium bentonite's properties by an ion exchange process.
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Professor J I D Adekeye CV November 2011.doc - University of Ilorin. Beneficiation and characterization of a bentonite from North Eastern Nigeria. .... to M.Sc. degree in Mining Geology at the University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K..


text:
Peoples Temple HAM Radio Website Adds New Features
by Josef Dieckman
Last fall, after spending several years gathering information about Peoples Temple and its use of amateur radio, I created a website to present this research to the Temple community, scholars and researchers, and other HAMs besides myself (see last year's article here).
The site has grown tremendously in the last year. Some of the more interesting additions are:
A log book used in Jonestown to document radio contacts;
Several transcripts of radio conversations made between Guyana and San Francisco (including audio downloads for portions of these tapes);
Images of various QSL cards;
The Peoples Temple radio codebook.
Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. One goal, with the help of Fielding McGehee, is to examine and edit a manuscript donated by Ed Westcott called, CQ Jonestown. Mr. Westcott made a few contacts with radio operators in Jonestown and did some independent research of his own. The end result of his work is this 90+ page manuscript.
Other goals include getting more transcripts, audio, and images up. Also, I am trying to put together a FAQ section to answer some of the more basic questions people might have.
I invite you to stop by the site and leave your comments. What do you think is the most important aspect of the Temple's radio communications? What questions do you think we should explore? Are there pieces of the puzzle which you believe are missing altogether?
While I invite input from all, I am particularly interested in contacts with people from the Temple who spoke on the radio, who maintained the radio equipment, who wrote radio codes, or who sent out QSL cards. I also welcome input from other HAM operators who monitored or recorded Temple radio communications between Guyana and the US.
I pledge to abide by all requests for privacy in these communications.
(Josef Dieckman has written extensively about both the so-called death tape (Q 042) and the "day after" tape (Q 875). His complete collection of writings for the jonestown report may be found here. He may be reached at joeyjosef@yahoo.com.)
Last modified on March 5th, 2014.
the jonestown report, November 2006, Volume 8 >
Reports and Updates >
Peoples Temple HAM Radio Website Adds New Features >


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I am very excited to bring you a new amigurumi pattern born from the collaboration with my colleagues and friends @Haydeeehrlich and @amigurumisalasdehada.
This time it is an unprecedented pattern, a Crochet Baby Unicorn that I have designed especially for them and for you to enjoy crocheting it following their wonderful videotutorial.
Yarn of different colors: white, black, light blue, light yellow, dark yellow, light violet, light pink.
Hook according to the thickness of the yarn.


For over four years Cells4Life has offered the additional option of storing umbilical cord tissue stem cells alongside those found in the cord blood. But what is so special about these cells and why is it important to preserve them?
Cord tissue is one of the richest sources of mesenchymal stem cells available. These are the cells that are thought to have the most potential in the field of regenerative medicine.
The MSCs found in the 'Wharton's Jelly' are more abundant and powerful than those in the cord blood and have huge potential for use in a wide range of regenerative therapies.
The perivascular cells found in the umbilical cord are being investigated for bone formation and dermal tissue engineering.
These cells are easy to culture and commonly used in a research setting for vascular biology – including inflammation, blood clotting and angiogenesis.
CLSCs have proved effective in the treatment of difficult to heal human wounds such as diabetic ulcers, defects to the cornea and have demonstrated successful regeneration of the liver and heart in animal studies.
Not only will the umbilical cord tissue stem cells be a 100% match to your child – they could also be match to other members of the family too.
One of the great advantages of umbilical cord tissue stem cells is the ease by which they can be collected. In the very unlikely event that there is any difficulty with the collection of cord blood, stem cells from the umbilical cord tissue will almost certainly still be available.


text:
Q: Best way to run fast JUnit tests in Android project in Android Studio I have some plain old Java classes and simple JUnit tests in my Android Studio project.  They currently live inside my Android Module.  If I run them as Android tests they pass fine, but they're really slow as it requires launching or connecting to the emulator.
If I try to run one as a JUnit test, I hit the !!! JUnit version 3.8 or later expected JUnit version problem.  This answer explains how to workaround that issue.  Unfortunately, I then hit the java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: junit/textui/ResultPrinter, which I can't figure out how to fix.
I then tried to move my JUnit tests into a separate Java module that depends on the Android Module.  Everything compiles fine.  I added a new configuration to launch the JUnit tests (:MyJUnitTests:test), but the tests fail with package com.myproject.util does not exist.  It looks like maybe the classpath isn't including the classes from the dependent Android Module.
Does anybody know how to fix this classpath issue?  I've looked at lots of related answers and none of them seem to work for me.  Or is it a just a bad idea to try and keep my JUnit tests in their own Module?
I can get the JUnit tests to run fast and pass if I move my plain Java classes and their JUnit tests into a completely separate Module (e.g. here), and reverse the dependency so the Android Module depends on the Java Module.  Is that the preferred solution?

A: The basic problem is that Android Framework classes don't work well outside the context of Android OS, so any code that has dependencies on Framework classes doesn't run in a regular JUnit environment, as you've found.
Your solution of trying to move the JUnit tests into a separate module won't work because you can't have a plain Java module depend on an Android module. Android Gradle modules don't act like Java modules, because Android builds are much more complex, and because the end result of an Android module build will be an APK or an AAR, which other module types won't understand.
If you can move your plain Java classes and unit tests into a plain Java module and have the Android modules depend on that, it will be the best approach that will get the most support from official features in the IDE. It will also have an architectural benefit in that it will keep those classes free from Android abstractions, making it more portable, and enforcing a separation of business logic from UI or storage or other things more device-specific.
If that's difficult for you to do, then a lot of developers in your shoes go with Robolectric, which is a test harness allowing code depending on many parts of the Android Framework to run in a JUnit environment without an emulator or device. It's not officially supported by Google, but Google is aware that it's widely used and tries hard to not wantonly break it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


7,178 m2 multi-use complex including a 2,430 m2 library and a 4,645 m2 YMCA. The library includes areas for collections, seating, children's programs, meeting facilities and associated administrative services. The YMCA accommodates an aquatics centre, mini-gym, health enhancement area, change rooms, multi-use areas and a child care centre to accommodate 10 toddlers and 24 pre-schoolers.
Shared facilities include lobby, public washrooms, café, parking, pick-up/drop-off and shipping/receiving. The project was tendered under budget.


Following along with the series, get a look at how MySQL's Random Query Generator can help you make templates for your own queries with JSON in mind.
Welcome back to Testing N1QL! If you're just getting in, check out part one and part two. Now that we've been introduced to the Random Query Generator, let's dive into an example of how you can use it with N1QL.
We use the RANDGEN Perl script to generate different patterns of templates using this grammar.
We identified a standard relational database, Flightstats, and created our own database schema in MySQL. We created different database definitions for different kinds of operations. Each database definition corresponds to a single schema in MySQL, and each MySQL table is mapped to a Couchbase bucket and defines sufficient columns to map to different data types being tested, since we need to test different JSON data types.
That's where we're going to wrap up for today. It's a bit short, but it's important to get a look at how Randgen works in action. Next time, we'll dive into using the templates we just made to generate queries.


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Redbergslids Idrottsklubb (kurz Redbergslids IK) ist ein 1916 gegründeter schwedischer Sportverein aus Göteborg, der vor allem für seine Handballabteilung bekannt ist.

Der Verein ist Schwedens erfolgreichster Handballverein, dessen Herren-Mannschaft seit 1934 ununterbrochen in der höchsten Spielerklasse, der Handbollsligan, gespielt hat. Außerdem ist er schwedischer Rekordmeister mit 20 Titeln. Neben der Handballabteilung gibt es auch noch eine Fußballabteilung. Der Spitzname des Vereins ist die weißen Eleganten, da man bereits 1950 eine elegante Spielweise hatte und weil die Spieler Hosen mit Bügelfalten haben wollten.

Außerdem stand die Herrenmannschaft des Redbergslids IK auch zweimal in Europapokalendspielen: 1959 konnte die zweite Austragung des Europapokals der Landesmeister gegen Frisch Auf Göppingen gewonnen werden, gegen BM Ciudad Real aus Spanien verlor man jedoch 2003 das Endspiel des Europapokal der Pokalsieger.

Bekannte ehemalige Spieler
 Dan Beutler
 Martin Boquist
 Martin Frändesjö
 Martin Galia
 Peter Gentzel
 Jerry Hallbäck
 Magnus Jernemyr
 Henrik Lundström
 Stefan Lövgren
 Andreas Palicka
 Ljubomir Vranjes
 Magnus Wislander

Weblinks
 Offizielle Homepage des Vereins

Schwedischer Handballverein

Sportverein (Göteborg)
Gegründet 1916


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would "advise" the Iranians to leave Syria "as quickly as possible" after an Iranian minister claimed Tehran only has anti-terrorms "advisors" in the Syria"I heard the statement made by Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman that they have no military presence in Syria, only advisors," Netanyahu said as he welcomed the new IDF chief Aviv Kochavi. "So I advise them to get out of there quickly, because we will continue our aggressive policy in the region as we've promised.".
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi rejected Netanyahu's claims on Monday that Israel carried out "hundreds" of airstrikes against Iranian military targets in Syria, saying "Israel's claims are baseless and false… it's only an attempt by the Zionists to conceal their ongoing failures in the region." Qassemi insisted that the Iranian officials are in Syria in a strictly advisory capacity. "The Syrian government invited us in order to advise them on methods to fight terrorism." He said.
According to Israeli media report IDF has assessed that the Iranians have given up on their plan to establish permanent bases in Syria, and are instead focusing on trying to improve the accuracy of the missiles Hezbollah holds in Lebanon IDF has assessed that the Iranians have given up on their plan to establish permanent bases in Syria, and are instead focusing on trying to improve the accuracy of the missiles Hezbollah holds in Lebanon – and also create a similar proxy missile capability in Iraq.
10,000 pro-Iran troops massing to cross into Syria from Iraq. There could be some major casualties for the PMU if IDF does preemptive airstrikes. Hit them before they hit you. And Israel is not fvcking around at this point, they are just deciding the best time to strike because Iran is continuing building up troops/martyrs for Syria and is clearly pushing forward with its war plan.


And I walk a lot. But during the summer I can't go outside and get exposed to the hot sun. I can't do this inside my house because I can't afford a treadmill. I'm afraid of getting sunburn or skin cancer. Hats can only cover my head. Will I look like a fairy if I walk outside with an umbrella?
Another good place to walk is your local mall. You will be indoors and you can clock several miles there.
You just have to make sure you leave all your credit and ATM cards at home and only bring a small amount of money so you aren't also shopping your way through the mall.
Personally, I like fast walking. I walk 'til I'm hungry or thirsty then stop for a bear claw or beer which ever shows up first on my journey.
Is there a YMCA that has treadmills?
Will I look like a fairy if I walk outside with an umbrella?
Not if you move to China, my daughter is there at the moment. She can't buy sunscreen, and everybody walks around with an umbrella.
I have heard, perhaps not totally correct, but Asians believe that fairness (aka, whiteness) correlates with beauty, so especially women walk around with umbrellas on sunny days. Same thing in NYC amongst the Asians.
Plus, being tanned has historically correlated with being a peasant in Asian, so the obsession with no tan, as I understand it.
Hats can only cover my head.
don't you wear any clothing?
Where she is, they do value paleness actually. One of her friends was refused a taxi ride because she was black. Race is a real problem, but a lot of it is down to ignorance, they only see other Chinese people.
She went to a lotus flower festival last weekend. She is just a foreign language student, but she was put on a list of visiting dignitaries, and booked into a 4* hotel with loads of freebies. People stared and took her photo.
A lot of people are skin smart... Even wear thin layered shirts in hot weather..
Why not do your walking at dusk? Before the sun comes up or at sunset, as the sun goes down..


This entry was posted in Events, Favorite Finds, Recipes, Restaurants and tagged Bobolink cheese, Bobolink dairy, Boulevard Five72, Brothers Moon, Cafe Blue Moose, Chef Chris Albrecht, Chef Manuel Perez, Chef Scott Snyder, China box, chocolate espresso pot de creme, elements restaurant, Eno Terra, Epicurean Palette, goat meat, Goatober, Grounds for Sculpture, Heritage Foods USA, Jonathan White, New Hope restaurant, Nicolas Angelus, Nina White, Peacock Inn, pot de creme recipe, Rat's restaurant, Scott Anderson, Shane Cash, Skylar Bird, Will Mooney. Bookmark the permalink.
We have TWO farmers at Union Square Greenmarket on Saturdays who sell goat meat! I really like it. Both farmers suggest treating the cuts as you would the corresponding cuts of lamb.