The Frick Up List

Welcome to the first of (no doubt many) Frick Up Lists.

In case you're wondering, Frick Up is shorthand for "Friday F*** Up." It's been a big week for bonehead behaviour, and today's the day to list a few standout moments.

1. Connecticut Marriott Claims Assault Victim Was Careless And Negligent - Stamford marriott rape - Jez - ah yes, feels like old times!

2. Facebook notification of "pending family member requests" links to invasive "virus scan" of computer - but Facebook wouldn't allow malicious links disguised as valid, personalized updates! :-(

3. Quarterback Michael Vick signs deal with Eagles - Yahoo! News - because every team needs a convicted dog killer in the ranks

4. Sarah Palin's "Death Panel" Claims - so many articles, so little time, but this is as good a place as any to start

I'm sure there are many more that could make the list, but I think you get the idea of the kind of week it's been.

I could say, "Better luck next week," but I know better!

Is this your favorite writing blog?

Maria Schneider wants to know. That's why she's running a contest and welcoming nominations for the Editor Unleashed 25 Best Writing Blogs.

Perpetual Prose already got a couple nods, and I'm hopeful that Apollo's Lyre will make the grade, but I can't help promoting InkSpotting, too.

Now it's back to romance editing. More blogging to come tomorrow and over the weekend.

August 2009 issue of Apollo's Lyre now live

The August issue of Apollo's Lyre is now available at http://apollos-lyre.tripod.com/

According to Editor in Chief Lea Schizas, "Jim Harrington has an interesting article in this month's issue along with one of his flash fiction pieces.

"Kim[berly Brown] and Betty [Dobson] have another round of amazing flash fiction and poetry to suit all 'reading' buds.

"Earl Staggs impresses us once again with his writing know-how.

"And we have a short article on what the buzz is all about with The Top Ten list.

"Enjoy. And our submission lines are open. Check out our guidelines. And just to let you know our flash fiction editor of 501 - 1000 words is really hard to throw out acceptances so take this as a challenge and let's see who can break that barrier."

That's right. A challenge! Surely there must be flash writers out there who think they have what it takes to break through Jim's icy reserve. Go get 'im!

Inunnguaq

In celebration of my latest editing gig (a poetry book), I feel like sharing one of my poems tonight, so here's one that first appeared in Sol Magazine.

Inunnguaq

Stones grow from barren rock,
Balanced one upon the other, like
Men in step with nature, standing
Testament to Inuit passage through time.
How will the people know they were here
When each permanent path that forms
Through melting ice floes
Spells the end of ancient ways?
Stones rise but ice recedes
In the wake of passing ships,
Crews heedless of the cost of
Balance overthrown.

Help! It's Saturday and I can't get out!

Just when I think I have Blogger figured out, I find myself stuck in a time loop or something.

That last post ("Pop Quiz Show") just went live a few minutes ago but somehow showed up as being posted yesterday (which is when I first pasted the link and saved the message for later).

Mind you, there are worse places to be stuck than Saturday!

Grammar Made Easy, Episode 3: Pop Quiz Show

Perpetual Prose has added the latest installment in the Grammar Made Easy series: Episode 3 – Pop Quiz Show

Don't let the words "pop quiz" scare you. Yes, it's a test, but it's not that hard--at least, it's not supposed to be hard.

Go. Try. Better yet, do.

Don't make me go all Yoda on your sorry behinds. ;-)

Saturday's Chide (or is it Sunday already?)

See what I mean about missing a day? I dropped the blog ball on Tuesday, and here I go missing Saturday, too--if only by a nose.

In my defence, I received new information on a previously unknown ancestral line recently, and I've been tracking down more info online. Genealogy can distract me like few other activities. Time simply falls away.

I now have Oulton ancestors and, through them, several others that I'd love to research. But there's no time. (That's not to say I couldn't give over time to the pursuit, but then nothing else would get done.)

PS: Don't let the date stamp on this post fool you. In my corner of the world, it's already Sunday morning.

Yard Arms

When I started working on my back yard earlier this summer, I never imagined I would start to look forward to the task. Nor did I consider that I'd start building muscle!

Yet here I am with firmer biceps--mostly from pulling out vines at the root. I feel stronger over all. Losing weight doesn't hurt, either. It's all tied together, of course. Lose weight, get more active. Get active, lose more weight.

Best of all, I'm experiencing far less pain in my knees (arthritis) and back (scoliosis). After years of daily pain, I'm sure I could used to that!

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy...

It's just been one of those summer days when nothing much happens...and you don't much care.

A little sun bathing. A little yard work. A little glass of wine (or two) with dinner.

Time enough tomorrow to worry about bigger issues like work and errands.

Reunion Recap

Yesterday, the Dobson family gathered in Half Island Cove (Guysborough County, Nova Scotia) for a long-awaited reunion.

We started with a quick tour of the Lighthouse Museum. The building used to be the community school, and older family members shared their stories of being students there (including some of their less than studious behaviour).

Then we stopped by the "old homestead" where Dad and his siblings grew up. The house is currently for sale--and a lingering source of temptation for a few of us.

Across the road, the beach was just a short walk away (see photo). While time has eroded the shoreline, it hasn't altered the memories of those who used to swim there in their youth.

I'm Not Really Here

Ah, the beauty of technology! This post can go live without me.

Rather than miss a day or fight with dial-up access at my parents' house, I can write this on Saturday morning, while I'm still in my own home. It's almost like being a time traveller.

Okay, not really, but it sounds like fun!

The only travelling I'm doing is to the country (specifically Guysborough County, for those of you familiar with Nova Scotia). My father's family is having something of a reunion this weekend. Cousins and aunts and uncles and assorted others are here from across Canada, and my 94-year-old grandmother is the star of the show (just the way she likes it).

Bigger plans were afoot initially, but circumstances made it necessary to scale things back. An all-day affair turned into an afternoon picnic on the beach at Half Island Cove--assuming the weather stuck to the forecast.

If all goes as planned, I'll have an update on the festivities tomorrow. I might even post a picture or two.

Same Blog Time, Different Blog Station

Trying out Blogger for a change, since it lets me "post date" my entries for days when I know I won't have access to the Internet (like this Sunday).

I'm officially tackling National Blog Posting Month for the first time (I started in mid-July, so previous daily posts don't really count), and I don't want to fail on day two just because I'm going away for the long weekend.

As soon as I get this posted, I have to start working on Sunday's post and decide what time I want it to go live. And I think this might feed into the old blog service. But it's more likely that I simply misunderstood the feed option I selected. Fingers crossed!