Not remotely reviews
Filed Under Books
But a quick rundown of some of the books I’ve been reading recently, which you may also enjoy reading:
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Short list
Filed Under Shred of Evidence
The Spinetingler Award Short List includes Gerri Leen’s “Shared Losses.” I’m (obviously) pleased whenever a Shred story garners attention. Voting is open until December 30.
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Pile o’ comics
Filed Under Comics
Some of the stuff I’ve been reading in the past few months and/or have in the TBR pile:
Eye-tracking
Filed Under Website
Many of the points in this eye-tracking study are rehashes of common knowledge (people ignore ad banners, headers draw the eye) or just good design regardless of medium (fancy fonts are bad). But it’s still useful to see the enumerated (and neatly summarized).
Methinks I need to rethink font sizes, possibly on this site and certainly Shred. I was more concerned about eye strain; but now it sounds like I’ve been encouraging readers to skim. That’s no good.
Tonight, we shall eat yummy things with friends
Filed Under Life
Larry is brining a turkey. I predict juicy deliciousness. I will make a green bean casserole derived from the Paula Deen recipe. Four out of five salt vampires agree the results are yummy. It’s my standby dish for dinner parties and pot lucks. I guess it’s really my only dish. But that’s Larry’s fault, since he’s always the one who cooks.
“Last Words”
Filed Under Published
The second issue of The Back Alley is now online. It includes my story “Last Words” plus some other stuff that I’m sure is very enjoyable, but haven’t had a chance to read yet.
Based on the Editor’s Note, Mr. Helms seems to think I should be surprised to find out The Back Alley obtained my picture. To which I say: Ha! That old head shot is nothing. If he can dig up the picture with the Nutella, the fursuit, and the goat, then I’ll be impressed.
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Still an ogre
Filed Under Pets
I gave Charlie a bath with his new medicated shampoo. He did not enjoy the experience. He shivered throughout the process, though it became a somewhat perfunctory shiver toward the end, and rather than a dejected tail hanging straight down (Kiko’s typical response to a bath), his was tucked very firmly between his legs.
Larry tried a blow dryer afterward. I was skeptical, and experimental evidence shows that 100% of Charliedogs will flee blow dryers and go to their dens.
On the plus side, his ear looks pretty clear, after a week’s worth of ear drops. And it’ll be a while before I have to give him another bath.
I’m not usually big on True Crime…
Filed Under Books
But I enjoyed The Last Duel.
The prose leaves something to be desired, and I do wish someone had taken a blue pencil—or a pencil of any color—to the more repetitive passages. (I understand that it can be useful to remind readers of an important point. But two pages—or only a few paragraphs—later?) Despite the flaws, the book made for a quick and engrossing read.
I was a little surprised when I saw the spine in the medieval Europe section of Borders, since there are plenty of examples of testosterone-infused confrontations in the years since 1386. The duel of the title is a judicial duel—trial by combat rather than gentlemanly foils or pistols—and it was only the last one in France. (Or “France,” given that we’re talking about the 14th century.) I have been feeling Dumb lately, in terms of my reading material, and I have decided that I should be supplementing my yummy fiction intake with some scholarly vitamins. This particular pill had a sweet candy coating and it went down nicely.
There’s always something
Filed Under Life
This year I got my first flu shot. I didn’t bother before because I haven’t gotten the flu (or anything worse than mild “flu-like symptoms”) for many years. Why mess with my string of luck and well-balanced humors?
I figured I’d start getting the shot when I became the member of a high-risk group, or after the flu overcame my perceived natural immunity. Larry classifies this line of reasoning as witchcraft and a ridiculous way to make medical decisions. But, interestingly enough, historically he’s never bothered about flu shots, either.
So anyway, I got my first flu shot last month. My bodily humors remain unperturbed.
And then this morning on NPR I heard a story about a deadly strain of the cold virus. Identified cases only in the triple digits, and not many fatalities among them, but still. Deadly colds.
Argh!
A(nother) lawyer in the family
Filed Under Life
My sister passed the New York State Bar.
You are all invited to add your favorite lawyer joke in comments.
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