Happy Robby Burns Day!!

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley.” 

I think I would have liked Robby Burns–if I could’ve understood him–for he was the sort of down-to-earth,  common sense genius I admire.  The sort that wears genius lightly, without affectation, so they can get on with the important things … Like living life to the fullest–Burns only lived 37 years. So let us raise a wee dram to the immortal bard (hold the haggis, though).

***

It’s Republican primary season, or Super Bowl season–take your pick–and although I love my American cousins dearly (i.e. they’re friendly, welcoming, generous, hospitable and affection) they do love to talk about their favourite ‘sports’–football and politics (in that order). In fact, every play and nuance is discussed, analyzed, and criticized ad infinitum.

I must admit, however, that their knowledge of football is astounding. It is to me, anyway, because until recently I thought that a “first down” was like “coming out.” Moreover, when I found out it was otherwise I lost what little interest I had.

My saving grace is that I’m Canadian, and so what the hell am I supposed to know about football. On the other hand, with a degree in political science I raise an eyebrow (sometimes two) when I hear words like “socialist” and “socialism” used in connection with Obama and “Obamacare.” Uh, excuse me guys, but that ain’t quite the definition of the word.

***

I see that my hometown (Orillia) is having a ‘heat wave’ with temps about +6C (40F), and that’s good. Nonetheless my December electric bill was $244. At that rate I couldn’t afford too many more days of -25C (0F).

PS. The temp in St. Augustine today is 79F.

Until next time,

Gerry

 

My, where does the time go?…

Once again I have to apologize for being late with a post. On top of everything else I wasted more time fussing with Microsoft (“Microcrap”). This time it was Windows Mail–the mail was there, but I couldn’t open it. Ergo I spent a full hour online with a technician, trying the find the prolem. He even took over my machine, but in the end we never did discover the problem.

Nevertheless, he opened a shadow account by which I was able to retrieve and open my mail. The problem being that I will never be able to retrieve the time I lost.

***

I am presently getting ready to write my featured book review for the week. I have chosen a Canadian story (“Merlin-444″) of a teenager who is fancifully transferred back to the “Battle of Britain.” Quite an interesting story.

***

This year the Florida weather is disproving my rule-of-thumb weather forecast, i.e.

• If they’re forecasting good weather, they’re generlly wrong
• If they’re forecasting bad weather, they’re generally right
• The good weather is always forecast for ‘tomorrow’, and
• When it arrives it’s never what we expected

But this year the weather is invariably good–75F, today.

Hopefully I haven’t jinxed it by saying so!

Much luv,

Gerry B.

Some days I feel like I’m dancing as fast as I can…

And that’s a good thing. It’s all a labour of love. There’s keeping up with an increasing amount of correspondence from followers of Gerry B’s Book Reviews (about 300 visitors per week), as well as requests for book reviews. Then there’s my regular writing schedule, reading for next week’s review, and then writing it. Oh, and sneaking a bit of time to write this blog. Albeit, there is no time to get bored because I simply can’t work it into my schedule.

For those who are taking some time to honour Dr. Martin Luther King’s day, do have a good day reflecting on his message and mission.

***

St. Augustrine has a interesting connection to the civil rights movement, for in the spring of 1964 many black leaders had been arrested for holding peaceful protests and sit-ins. That is when dr. King and some followers came to St. Augustine and were arrested. The resulting publicity helped generate protests that ultimately led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

***

One of the things I greatly like about Florida is it never stays gloomy for any length of time. For example, it was overcast this morning but by 10:00 AM the sun was shining. Likewise, it only rains for a short while and then brightens again.

Presently we are in need of rain. Not only are things drying out–grass, trees, etc.– but we have also experienced a couple of forest fires.

***

I have programmed my computer to open to Sympatico.ca home page. That way I can see the weather in Orillia, first thing. I notice that there has not been a lot of snow at one time, but because it has been so COLD it doesn’t melt, either. Fortunately I have my friend, Steve, keeping an eyes on the “L’il Fort” so that the roof isn’t threatened.

Unfortunately I can’t send some warmth up that way in return. It’s upper-sixties today.

Thinking of y’all,

Much luv,

Gerry

 

It’s primary season (Uggh!), so politics has replaced football as the national sport

And all other news is on hold. That’s the good news. The bad news is that this is only the primaries! The actual nominations aren’t for another six months.

As an outsider I’m not directly affected by who gets nominated, but since what happens in the U.S. affects Canada and the world, most of them scare me.  On the good side, Mitt Romaney is a slightly better choice than Michele Bachman would have been, but he’s no damned Messiah, either.

What surprises me is how involved the special interest groups are, and how this is taken for granted. For example the ‘evangelical lobby’ and big money–not that any of the candidates is poor (Mitt Romney is estimated to be worth $250M). Moreover, these interceders can spend millions on advertising without affecting the candidates’ spending limit–if there is such a thing. So where does this leave the guy with really good ideas but no budget?

There is not just a little pandering, too. For example, all the hopefuls are falling all over themselves to say that they are a) Married, b) Christian, and c) Opposed to same-sex marriage. That could be a risky stand if the GLBT community decided to vote as a block, but it is just as fractured politically, etc., as any other group. So “Negative Mitt” could end up vying for the White House. Yikes!

***

I see there is another cold front due to arrive  in Orillia on Saturday (7F for a high), so I’m send a warm hug in advance. Also to my friend Jim in Ohio. Fortunately the incredibly good weather continues here, with today’s temp in the upper 60s. In fact, everyone is remarking on how warm it is for January.

***

For lunch yesterday, Aaron made Stroganoff from scratch … Heaven! If it was any better the government would put a sin tax on it–Well, the Canuck government, anyway. The prices at Sluggers are reasonable, too. Breakfast specials, which include omelettes, etc., are $5.99. Lunch specials (including the Stroganoff) are $6.99, and dinner specials range from $9.99 to $12.99. However, what I really like about it is the homey atmosphere where everyone does know your name–or soon do.

***

Writing is goin well; another 2000/100,000+words yesterday. I’m not going to make any predictions, but I could be close to finished by the time I leave.

***

Hope you are all well and happy.

Much luv,

Gerry

No news is good news…

That’s why I haven’t posted for a couple of days. I mean, you can only stretch the weather-topic so far … Albeit, it’s been great. Hardly a day under 70.

I notice that it’s a bit more moderate in the north, and that’s good too.

I’m still ‘smoking mad’ over Visa charging me 6-cents on the dollar when the exchange rate is less than 2-cents, so I went looking at other credit cards and came across CreditCards.com. It lists the top ten credit cards in Canada, and Master Card Gold is #1 at 9.9% annual interest. This compares to RBC Visa (which isn’t in the top ten) at 19.99% for secured credit qualifiers. So it pays (a bit) to shop around. PS. Visa is going to get my boot when I get back to Canada.

Living at a hotel is interesting, inasmuch as you get to see an array of people. Since everyone is away from their home turf there is no territorial instinct, and so most are on their best social behaviour. Mind you, there are some jerks too–mostly young–like the three females who checked in for the weekend. To make matters worse, there were three mddle aged guys who checked in at the same time.

Well, as they say, “they were off!” Each triumvirate went its separate way during the day and evening, but at about 2:30 AM–with a little (okay a lot) of alcohol mixed in–the girls would casually saunter up and down the walkway outside the guys’ room. Coyly, mind you, if giggling and tittering like a vixen in heat can be described as “coy,” and of course the guys would respond like hounds to the scent. Whereupon more giggling and tittering would result, this time with slap-and-tickle mixed in, while the rest of us tried to get some sleep.

I don’t think any of them got laid for all their shenanigans, and so the net losers were us.

I am heavily into writing these days, with breaks to do my reading and write my book-blog, and so I am making good progress–about 2,000 words-per-day. In addition, as I have mentioned before, I have found the’edge’ I have been working on. Now, instead of just a story, it has depth and dimension.

Interestingly I have gained this understanding from reading the work of others, and so I have those others to thank as well. The Florida climate (and NO SNOW to depress) have certainly helped as well.

Hopefully the story will be finished by the time I am ready to go home, and then begins the hunt for a new publisher. Untreed and Dream Spinner are my first two choices, but failing that I’ll self-publish in e-book format.

By the way, has anyone thought of a way to hold an electronic book signing?

Regards,

Gerry

Quiet morning…

So back to the weather for a topic. Speaking of which it’s 35F and sunny, and going up to mid 60s.

I was interviewed by the local TV channel regarding the fire, but I didn’t get a chance to plug any of my books. That’s two regrets I have. The other is I didn’t get to make my nudie debut, either.

Speaking of writing, I’m making good progress–another 3 pages yesterday. I believe it’s like everything else; when you’re on a roll things just tend to go better. I feel I have a better handle on the story too, and that is what was missing for a long time. I just couldn’t equate to the characters at a gut level, and they kept fighting me, but now we are on more personal terms.

I also like the characters, personally. There’s Cory (17), the principle character: bright, a little cocky, and just coming into his own; Spencer, Cory’s father, English born aristocrat, and mentor; Reb and Jaycee, supporting characters: typical slow-talking cowhands–rustic philosopher-types.

Of course there has to be bad guys, in this case two, who are sleazy, self-serving crooks (“Holly Rollers”) with their eyes on Spercer’s holding–principally the 40,000-acre “Prodigal Son Ranch”.

Now the challenge is to bring it all together.

Regards, Gerry

Fire … Fire!

Never a dull moment in St. Augustine.

I awoke at about 1:30 AM to the sound of something falling–like a garbage container–which is unusual for that time of the morning. This was followed by my buddy David (chief maintenance guy) shouting, “Everyone out … Fire … Everyone out!” whereupon I started for the door with my walker.

Now, I sleep in the buff, and it takes me about 5 minutes to dress with my handicap, so I figured I’d rather be an exhibitionist than burnt. Ergo I was quite prepared to make my nude debut–in 20F degree weather.

Fortunately it was David to the rescue again, for he stuck his head in the door and told me there was enough time to dress. I therefore dressed and made a quick grab for the most important things.

What to take?

For a writer that was a fairly easy decision:

1. Computers
2. File disks (a copy of Coming of Age is in my pocket at all times, anyway)
3. Passport
4. Camera

I would have included my beer fridge in it if I could have lifted it, but it was nearly empty anyway.

Lots of firemen

When I got outside there were about six fire trucks outside, plus cop cars, and the whole front of the room affected was aflame. Rumours have it that it was a Meth Lab, but I haven’t heard that myself.

All’s well that ends well

Fortunately we were only outside for forty-five minutes or so, and the rest of the hotel was unaffected, so after the excitement we were allowed back to our rooms.

Oh yah, and my beer fridge is safe!

Regards,

Gerry

It’s parka weather in Florida

The first person I saw this morning was wearing a fur-edged parka! It is cool, though (35-degrees), but it’s nowhere near the -4 it is in Orillia. The good news is I don’t have to get the roof shovelled, but I may have to take out a second mortgage to pay my heating bill.

Got a good bit of writing accomplished yesterday, three pages. That’s about 1,800 words at 600-words-per-page. I am also getting a better handle on the story. The first couple of drafts were dark in tone, but it just wasn’t working. In this draft (hopefully the final one) I’ve made the characters a little lighter against a dark background. It makes for a much more entertaining read.

Must get some reading done if I’m going to meet my deadline on Gerry B’s Book Reviews this week. I have yet to review a book by Ava March, and so I think I will feature her this week.

Have a great day.

Gerry

Trouble in Paradise … or a hangover from the New Year’s Eve

Some excitement at the hotel, last night.

A couple (mid twenties) moved in next-door to me on Saturday. They were the usual fun-and-games-type–lots of booze, closed drapes, slap-and-tickle–but no problems until about 1:30 this morning. That’s when they arrived at the hotel drunk, and for some reason couldn’t get in their room.

The solution, or so they thought, was to yell and curse the door. The night clerk was then called in, and when she couldn’t open the door, my buddy Dave (head maintenance guy) was summoned. More yelling and screaming ensued, i.e. “What sort of a cheap f**king hotel is this?” and such. Whereupon the cops were called.

Bottom line: I’ve always said these mixed couples were trouble!

Back to venting

Presently the exchange rate on the Canadian dollar is 0.9833 or 0.177 cents difference. Nevertheless, Visa is charging me 0.6 cents on the dollar. Why? I mean, aren’t they satisfied charging 19% interest when the return on deposit accounts of less than 1%?

Meanwhile our gutless government makes platitudes about getting tough on crime. Well, what do you call ‘highway robbery?’

Needless to say I’m applying for an American credit card, and when I get back to Canada Visa is going to take a hike!

Cooler in the 60s today, but beautifully bright.

Regards to all

Gerry

Happiness is having a beer fridge

Ah, life is good. My friend Dave (…the maintenance guy at Ramada) kindly arranged to put a beer fridge in my room. Now, I’m quite used to drinking beer at room temperature–a throwback to my 19th-century Irish roots, I think–but warm beer tends to go straight to the head. Not a helpful situation if one wants to get any writing done.

With a half-dozen bowl games–all of them playing on TV at once–it’s football season for sure. As I have said before, football is a game that’s played for two hours and talked about for twenty-two. Add to this the “‘colour commentators” nattering on non-stop about nothing, and the “armchair quarterbacks bellowing plays at the TV, and you can see it from  my point of view.

Presently we have some woman ‘hooting’ in the key of high-C from the bar, so I think the favourite team is winning by four hoots to two. Sic, my entire knowledge of football.

New Year’s Eve was quiet: worked ’til 9:00 o’clock and went to bed by ten. Nevertheless, the new year arrived quite well without me. Mind you, there were quite a number of sad looking faces over breakfast this morning.

The temperature is holding in the 70s (bonus!) but there is a cool front expected by tomorrow. However, the bottom-line is NO SNOW.

Happy New Year!

Love y’all.

Gerry

PS. Like if you like my spring theme — called “spring loaded.”