Teaser Tuesday: The New Death

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share a few "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much. You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!

I started reading another ebook that's only online, so when it look like I'm just staring at my computer, stalking people on Facebook, I'm actually reading a book.

The New Death and others is an interesting collection of short stories and poems, some satirical and other straight from James Hutchings' imagination. I'm about half-way through it and so far, it's pretty interesting! Some of the stories seem too short, leaving me wanting more, which is probably a good thing. And luckily, several of the characters reappear in other vignettes. I've never been a big fan of poetry (other than Shel Silverstein) but I gotta say, there are some rather good ones in here, especially one about how Love's phone calls are now being answered by Commerce, who suggests that would-be romantics need more beauty products or a fancier car to find true love. And then there's the short story that details how goddess of Fame talked with the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, named Lawyers, and created reality television. The teaser I chose is from a short story about a thoroughly modern love affair.


Also, I'll be interviewing the author, James Hutchings, on his writing process. Just trying to help out my fellow NaNo-ers in their continuing efforts for manuscript perfection. (And he'll be offering one reader his online ebook for free so be sure to check back!)


Here's the Teaser:

" Finally Simon's friend showed him his new phone.

"They have an app for everything. There's probably one for love," the friend said.  

Simon did some investigation, and found that there was indeed an app for love. It was called iYearn. He bought the phone, and downloaded the app. "

- pg 64, "When Love Calls" excerpted from The New Death and others by James Hutchings.

What are you reading? 

11-11-11

Have you met Erin? She's one of those gorgeous, multi-talented people that I would totally hate if she weren't so darn sweet. The only thing I've got on her is that my NaNoWriMo word count is higher than hers. And since copying is a form of flattery, I'm going to copy Erin's idea for today's unusual date.

11 Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Hot Chocolate on cold days. Warms the body and the soul.
2. Chubby-armed hugs and sloppy kisses. Nothing can turn my mood around faster.
3. Being able to be here to send the kids off to school and when they get home. A lot of my friends don't have this opportunity and I admit that some days, I take it for granted.
4. Friends that are equally as a dorky as I am. It's much more fun to let my freak flag fly when I'm in good company. (And when they get all my Doctor Who references…)
5. Zumba. I don't like exercise but this is more like getting in touch with my inner sexy Latina dancer. Sure, I look like a drunken monkey but I don't care! It's fun!
6. The Nephew. I'll have to write a post introducing him but he's only been here a short while and already has made himself indispensable.
7. Naptime. It's a nice break when the kids are sleeping (and I can eat my chocolate without having to share) but even better when I get to lay down, too. My pillow has it's own irresistible siren song.
8. Parents, including in-laws. They're such great examples and help me whenever I ask. Sometimes my big, huge problems can easily be brought down to perspective with just one phone conversation.
9. The Kiddos. There was a time when I was told I'd never be a mother. Each one of my three little ones is a miracle. And not just because they're here, but because they seem to actually like me and laugh at my jokes.
10. The Man. Not only is he basically my perfect match, but he supports me every November when I get the urge to abandon home and family in order to write a book, even when I refuse to let him read it.
11. Jesus Christ, my Savior. Too often I let it go unsaid, but I am so very grateful for His example and sacrifice.

What are you grateful for today?

Takin' Care of Business

My family enjoys a good camping trip. And although we'd much prefer to camp during an unexpected blizzard (it's called making memories, people!) occasionally, we actually have fun. In fact, camping is very much a part of our summer plans. However, now that it's getting chilly, I'm packing away the gear. While cleaning out a bag, I found this list. My scrawled and shaky notes (possibly written in the car or while on a pit toilet) were supposed to become a blog post but must have gotten lost in the unpacking and showering and de-ticking and trying to get the smell of bug spray out of our cooler.

So here it is for your viewing -- and probably gagging -- enjoyment!

Why Pit Toilets Are The Worst Life Experience Ever Inflicted Upon Civilized Cultures

1. You never want to use them unless you really gotta go. Inevitably, there will be someone in line ahead of you and that someone will take a very, very loooooooooong time.
2. Do I really need to mention the smell? You might pretend it doesn't bother you but really, that's just keeping a brave face in front of the kids, like you do when comforting them after they've puked all over the bathroom, pretending that their vomity breath isn't making you want to hurl.
3. You will inevitably have an audience, although it will be of the insect variety. Once, there was a frog in there with me. I couldn't pee and opted for remote bushes instead. (You're welcome.)
4. The height on these things? Ridiculous! Are the makers prejudiced against short-legged folk? Because picnic tables are the same way…it's pretty embarrassing when your feet don't touch. But because of the height, using a germaphobe's "hover" technique is out of the question. Only option is a full-cheek press.
5. Ain't nothing like that "cool breeze" on your nethers to really keep you focused on the task at hand.
6. Couldn't they at least add some sound proofing? I don't need a "reassuring" echo of my business.
7. You might want to consider bringing your own toilet paper. Sometimes, there are four rolls on the locked metal bar and sometimes, you don't even get a full sheet. Do you really want to take that gamble?
8. Don't. Look. Down. If you're not careful, you could lose your sunglasses or camera or small child. My dad once lost a flashlight. I wonder what that next person thought of that.
9. Maybe it's just me, but somehow, I just don't feel done without a flush. So unsatisfying.
10. No sinks. Seriously. NO SINKS. At least now they're putting in hand sanitizer stations.

Teaser Tuesday: Good Omens

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much. You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!

Tarnishing souls takes a certain level of craftsmanship and perhaps the demon Crowley has gotten a little too good on at it because he's been given the task of delivering the newborn Antichrist to a local hospital. Sure, being noticed by the big powers Downstairs is a cool thing but the Apocalypse? Now? Really? After six centuries of watching humanity with his angel counterpart, Aziraphale, and just when things were going so well. 

Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch is written by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman, the same guy who wrote Stardust. I've read a couple of his books and I've gotta say, he's an entertaining writer! One of the reviews for this book is from Clive Barker, where he says "The Apocalypse has never been funnier."

Here's the Teaser:

"The time would come soon enough when sleep would be right out of the question. When those Below found out that he, personally, had lost the Antichrist, they'd probably dig up all those reports he'd done on the Spanish Inquisition and try them out on him, one at a time and then all together."

- pg. 112, Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

What are you reading?

Teaser Tuesday: Every Thing On It

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much. You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!

Maybe because it's Halloween and I have such fond childhood memories of this time of year but I've been waxing nostalgic. Hence, this week's Teaser Tuesday: the new Shel Silverstein book. I hope that one day I will be as loved and cherished as this man so that when I die, they still crave my books and continue publishing even years after. And I can still recite most of the "Sick" poem.

Here's the Teaser:

"Good Idea

Try to get Dad

To walk on his hands,

Then clap and cheer,

"Oh, do some more!"

So there he goes proudly,

And now's your chance

To pick up the change  

That fell out on the floor." 

-pg. 75, Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein

What are you reading?

What is your favorite Shel Silverstein poem?