March Madness! We love March. March is…
- Small press month
- Women’s history month
- National Nutrition Month
- National Kidney Month
- American Red Cross Month.
See anything interesting yet? Maybe you’re not up to a whole month of anything, so consider this: it’s Read an ebook week! Yes, those annoying tree-huggers are back, admonishing you for still reading paper books! I’ll admit to reading both, although I prefer the “e” variety and have for many years. Do I have a dedicated ereader? Yes, and no. My ereader is the granddaddy of all ebook reading devices, the Rocket eBook, and it’s like 8 years old already. Heavy, clunky, but adorable.
On Monday, I noticed the woman on the next treadmill was jogging while reading a Kindle, placed on the magazine deck of her machine. She had to reach up every few seconds to press the spot that would turn the page as she ran. Very jazzy. Poor me, trying to read about Johnny Depp in Entertainment Weekly, while the overhead fan kept blowing the magazine’s leaves. Hrmph.
To celebrate REBW, my niece and I went to B & N yesterday and she scraped up $280 in cold, hard-earned cash (she’s 18) for a nook™ ereader. (Yes, it’s lower case. Go figure.) We were both so excited and spent quite a while playing with it later. While I am enamored with the upcoming Apple iPad, I am so not enamored with the $500+ price tag. So I’m going to wait a bit, get the feedback from my niece on the nook and see if I get a chance to test drive the iPad when it comes out. In the meantime, I’ll play with her nook. Say, look what she’s reading!
POINT SURRENDER is available for your nook, your Kindle, your Sony reader and even your Rocket eBook. Read it on your computer, your iPhone, your MACBook. Your Pocket PC, your Blackberry, your Palm Pilot. And even (shhh! – don’t tell everyone) available in dead-tree version! (On sale at B&N.com for $11.69!)
Happy Reading!
Tags: Anne Carter, Kindle, nook, Point Surrender, Read an Ebook Week, Rocket eBook, Sony ereader
This is one of those things I’ve been meaning to write about, but I’ve been lazy lately. (Read: busy with un-fun things.) “E”, in this case, is not the drug Ecstasy, but “E” as in “Email” and “E-“ anything else electronically communicable.
Two incidents prompt me to speak up. The first was my posting of a “Retweet” on Twitter recently. My cyber pal George posted that it was his birthday, further explaining that he has been “clean and sober for two years.” It wasn’t his actual birthday, you see, but for a recovering addict, a launch into sobriety holds as much importance. Instead of replying to George, I re-tweeted his joy, prefacing it with my own congratulations.
Now, my “tweets” are set up to post to my Facebook page. Soon, I received a FB message that a friend of mine was wishing me happy birthday and congratulations (on my sobriety, of course!) I’d forgotten, of course, that not all FB folks are Twitterers, and therefore do not understand the brief “RT” in the message as being a “forward” of someone else’s words. Oops.
The other incident is much more troubling. I sent an email to a very dear friend, asking about an upcoming charitable event we were sharing. She didn’t respond for some time (weeks). When she did write me, she ignored my email and her words seemed to convey a disconnect with me with regard to my participation in the event. Stunned, I waited a couple of days to answer, then wrote her a long, heartfelt response. More weeks passed, and I felt horrible over the whole affair. Sadly, I did disconnect myself from the event. I eventually decided I would call my friend, but before I could, that very day she called me.
My friend was in tears. She’d discovered I’d removed myself, couldn’t understand why. So what happened? She changed email addresses. None of my emails reached her. Instead of hitting “reply” to her email, I started fresh, using her old email address. Sounds pretty simple, but the repercussions were horrendous and heartbreaking. I should have picked up the phone when I didn’t hear from her the first time. Should have picked up the phone when she wrote me and I misconstrued her words. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.
Oh, the perils of cyberspace. Be warned.
Tags: Email faults, Facebook, Retweets, Twitter
For those of you not “in the know” – “La-La Land” is the not-so-affectionate nickname of our City of Angels (originally El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciúncula or The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the Little Portion); some just call it “Smell-A” (nasty, ain’t it?)
Why “La-La?” The definition, “A state of being out of touch with reality,” has been applied to the residents of Los Angeles, poking fun at our oddball, possibly eccentric ways. Being the eccentrics we are, we tend to just laugh it off. Anyone who’s seen “L.A. Story” would understand. When the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime looked for a name for its newest anthology, it just seemed to fit. The call went out for short stories concerning crime with a local flare. My story, “Just Like Jay” was selected! When you see the company I’m keeping, you’ll know why I feel so honored.
MURDER IN LA-LA LAND is being published by Top Publications. As one of the anthology authors, I’m excited to announce that a launch party has been set. A favorite local bookseller has graciously arranged for us to unveil our new book amid happy festivities!
The Mystery Bookstore, Westwood, Los Angeles
Saturday May 22, 5pm
I certainly hope some of my readers will be able to come by. As it turns out, advance copies of CAPE SEDUCTION should be in hand by that time as well! (Formal release will be at Printers Row in Chicago in June.)
Although people keep asking, I’m not allowed to divulge the identity of the mysterious “Jay” in my story. I will only say that the tale involves a particularly vintage Oldsmobile, and the chance sighting of L.A.’s most beloved nighttime talk show host. Ahem.
Tags: Just Like Jay, Murder in La La Land, Pam Ripling, Sisters in Crime/LA, The Mystery Bookstore, Top Publications
Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom
Thanks to New England Lighthouses for finding this little chuckle!
I posted a link on FB a few days ago to a video I happen to love. This is Rob Thomas, one of my favorite entertainers, and the song is “Someday” (From Cradlesong, Sept 2009.) It’s a feel-good tune about hope for a better future. The video depicts a bunch of variously angry, sad, and generally negative people caught in an urban traffic jam. Soulful Thomas sings his way down the street, threading his way through taxis and various people on the sidewalk, to discover that the traffic is jammed due to a parade for hope and peace.
Many today will label this little film idealistic and fluffy. For all the obvious reasons, people have grown skeptical, disaffected and pessimistic, especially when talking about the future. But like the “half empty, half full” glass routine, it’s all a matter of perspective. Belief—and not just the religious kind—can be a powerful factor in raising optimism, and optimism in itself can initiate change. Yeah? So Rob (may I call him Rob?) has chosen to accentuate a positive, albeit commercial, outlook in creating this happy, uplifting (if you choose it to be) tune.
Take a look, and let go—for just that 3-4 minutes—of your worries. I, for one, am glad for idealism and fluff. Because there’s just too much of the other stuff these days.
Tags: Cradlesong, Rob Thomas, Someday, uplifting videos
I’m back from my hiatus. Didn’t know I was taking one, but there it is. I did.
Here is a video you will enjoy. This song came out something like 9 or 10 years ago, by American bluegrass band Nickel Creek. Saw them at the Greek Theatre, opening act for someone else, and was just floored by their charm and talent. Told from the perspective of a lighthouse, this ballad is tragic but lovely. The original video for it can be found here, but this dramatization is very cool as well. Please enjoy!
Nickel Creek is on a semi-permanent hiatus, having disbanded to pursue individual interests. But as two of the three members are brother and sister, the band stays in close contact and supports each others’ efforts and forays into new musical adventures.
Back soon!
Still going mad. Peeps, you have no idea.
More about last year, and this.
Taking care. I lost 13 pounds in ’09, and resumed the wearing of contact lenses. How did I manage the weight loss? Stopped eating sweets, stopped eating seconds, started walking more. Dancing with iPod-clone. 2010: Will continue to pay attention.
Oh, Boy. Yes, Boy George (O’Dowd) has had a profoundly bizarre life (IMO), and has in some way inspired the writing of Paulie Bingham. As it turns out, Paulie is a completely different character (so no worries, George.) But after reading George’s bio TAKE IT LIKE A MAN (not recommended reading for haters or homophobes) and researching other so-called androgynous entertainers of the 80’s, I was compelled to write a story. It’s done, it’s sitting, and I’m on to something else for awhile.
Singapore. Incredible trip to attend my son’s wedding. Monumental. What a beautiful city/country. I blogged about it earlier, so no repeat info here, except to admonish: don’t eat the durians.
New business. Wasn’t looking for it, but a new account dropped into my lap via a mutual banking acquaintance. Nice company in Bev Hills. Seems to be a good fit. Extra income is very helpful!
Coming up: Won’t call them resolutions. Goals, perhaps.
Get organized. As I mentioned earlier, I am drowning in paperwork. The amount of mail we get is staggering. Because I am involved in so much, I have multitudes of files for my charitable organizations, my accounting clients, my book marketing campaigns, my school work, and just the day-to-day garbajjjjhe that lingers because it doesn’t quite fit anywhere. This has got to stop, because it’s dragging me down emotionally!
Lightening the load. Speaking of those charitable orgs, I need to quietly step away from some. Not looking forward to doing that, it’s not easy, but something’s gotta give!
Tasting life…and wine. The 4th annual Relay For Life Wine Tasting is coming to my backyard on May 8th. Am putting together a committee to ramp this thing up a bit this year. Despite the less-than-stellar economy, it might be our best year yet.
There’s more, a lot more, but I tire of windy blogs. Back later.
Coming Soon! (Honest)
Aside from the notion that I am, in fact, going mad, everything seems to be fine.
Everyone is quick to say, “2010 will be better!” Even in the bank today, a customer—a stranger to me—called out the same, asking for my concurrence. I do believe that people everywhere are ready to feel better. They are ready for recovery, and their attitude may just be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I hope so.
About 2009? What do I remember? What influenced me?
John. Although most things take no particular precedence, one event does stand out above all the others: the death of our friend John. Nothing quite so profound has happened to me before. Nothing pervaded my mind so completely for so many weeks and months. The shock notwithstanding, the empathy I felt for his widow—my best friend—was, and is, enormous. Unbidden, the memory of her phone call still haunts me. It’s not something you can forget. Nor was John someone you could forget. If a man’s wealth is truly measure by the love and grief of his survivors, John was a very rich man. Other things….
Going back to school. So proud of myself for doing it. I enjoyed my classes, I worked very hard, was rewarded with good grades. 2010: Will resume classes in February.
My family. Hubby had to change jobs, but is working and fully recovered from his health scare of a year ago. Major thankfulness on that front. Kids are now working (yes!), and happy at their jobs. Daughter went missing, alien teenage girl took her place. Still looking for the original, but the replacement turns out to be not so bad.
My writing career. Finished two novels, nearly finished a third. CAPE SEDUCTION is a great book, probably the best I’ve written, has a wonderful cover I had the pleasure of designing myself, and will be released soon. OLD ENOUGH, another middle grade mystery, is yet to be submitted. (My bad.) My WIP, UNMASKING PAULIE BINGHAM, is nearing completion and at the moment is a long book. Of course it will be shaved down, eventually, and I don’t look forward to that prospect. JUST LIKE JAY, a short story for Sisters-in-Crime/Los Angeles’ upcoming anthology, MURDER IN LA LA LAND, will be published this spring. Huge, puffed-out-chest-pride on that one. 2010: Will finish Paulie’s story, will start third paranormal lighthouse mystery. Will try to work on getting OLD ENOUGH at least submitted…
Part Two to follow…..
Tags: Anne Carter, Cape Seduction, Just Like Jay, Sisters in Crime/LA
I must say I am absolutely loving this rain. It helps to make one feel like it’s really holiday time, despite the fact that it seems we just packed up Christmas a month ago.
School’s Out
School is done, for now. Political Science was a great class, I learned a ton of stuff that I somehow missed the first time around. Like, did you know the Democrats are the liberal party? Okay, I’m joking. But seriously, I enjoyed the class, finished with a 97%.
Crossing Cultures, my diversity-requirement cinema class, turned out to be much better than I thought. The sad thing was not getting to know more of the other students until the end. I did, I suppose, labor under self-imposed intimidation, being in with all those decidedly younger students. But honestly, most of them were really nice. I did my final project yesterday, a Power Point-backed discussion of my original screenplay for Unmasking Paulie Bingham. My presentation included photos of glam rockers Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Slade, George Michael, Iggy Pop, Elton John and Boy George. I backed them with audio snippets from “Rebel Rebel”, “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” and “Miss Me Blind”. I talked about the history of glam rock and difficulties those rockers who were gay faced in hiding the fact. I related it to the struggles faced by the characters in my story. It all went “swimmingly” well. A+.
We had a pot luck lunch, and snacked while everyone gave their presentations. There were students who worked for a charitable organization (L.A.’s “Dream Place”) over Thankgsgiving; a girl who described the hardships her Vietnamese parents faced as boat people; a girl who exposed the fact that our community doesn’t take care of its homeless population very well. There were four people who visited the Museum of Tolerance; a guy who works with mentally challenged children and adults through the “LET ME SAIL” program. And last, a young man who made his own >2 minute film about fear between students on campus. The film was great.
I was sad that it was the last day. I made a few friends I’ll likely not see again. I hope to see Melinda, the instructor, next spring, if I can take her Film Aesthetics class. She’s a smart, savvy lady and we got along well. A class like that is more like a treat than a task.
“Just Like Jay”
I’m excited to report that Top Publications has just issued a press release for Sisters in Crime’s Murder In La-La Land (which will include my short story, “Just Like Jay“), with a publication date of May 2010. There is talk that the anthology may be out in time for the L.A. Times Festival of Books. That would be super.
Works in Progress
Relay For Life
Happy Hannukah
Tags: glam rock, Just Like Jay, melissa kaye, Murder in La La Land, Relay For Life, Sisters in Crime/LA
We don’t subscribe to HBO. Cable is expensive enough without piling on premium channels – we are already on the highest tier, I believe. Anyway, as luck would have it, last weekend was “open” for all the premiums, and lo and behold, what was on but the 25th Anniversary of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame! I set the DVR and then forgot about it for awhile. But when I was putting away dishes that evening, I heard the incredibly sweet sound of Art Garfunkel’s voice wafting from the family room, and I followed like a rat after the Pied Piper.
I sat down on the edge of the couch, dishtowel still in hand, and watched Art and Paul singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” together, the tall, Einstein-haired tenor and his less tall, white-haired partner in song beside him. My throat swelled, and I started weeping. I was overcome by the “Sounds of Silence” and “The Boxer.” Why?
The powerful lyrics? The memories of high school? The very fact that these two mega-talented performers are still so…mega-talented? Heck, they didn’t even need girl backup singers to hit the high notes! It was emotional, let me tell you.
The line up for the show was listed as Stevie Wonder, CS&N (Big fave of mine), U2, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel. But did they tell anyone in advance that also appearing was Mick Jagger, Sting, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, John Fogerty (CCR), Buddy Guy, Annie Lennox, Jackson Browne (another fave), Bonnie Raitt, Fergie, Ozzy Osbourne, Lou Reed, Ray Davies (Kinks), James Taylor, Patti Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis, Smokey Robinson… and I’m sure I’ve missed several. Oh! Billy Joel, too.
Talk about crying…Stevie Wonder paid homage to Michael Jackson, singing “The Way You Make Me Feel” – and broke down during the performance. It seemed to be triggered by the line, “My lonely days are gone.” Shiver! I cried too, just watching Stevie so broken up. But he recovered and finished the song with style.
Obviously missing was Eric Clapton, whom, I found out later, was ill. 2009 inductee Jeff Beck was hauled in as a worthy replacement. And speaking of Beck, he must sleep in formaldehyde – this guy doesn’t look a day over 40. Okay, maybe 50 (he’s 65).
Can you tell I’m excited? They really mixed it up, too, performers singing with other performers, things you’ve never seen nor ever will again.
So who was missing? Well, they couldn’t possibly have put all the inductees into one show, but missing for me was Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Steely Dan, Paul McCartney (remember him?), Carlos Santana, The Eagles, Bowie, Elton, Rod. To name a modest few, of course.
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Whew. When I go off on a tangent, I really spin out. Now a word from our sponsors.
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Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog. I’m overdue on talking about ebook readers, so will try to fit that in later this week. BTW, on another topic, has anyone seen MJ’s “This Is It?” I’d really love to, and I’ve heard it will be out on DVD. Looking forward to seeing that. I just saw “Up” this week and what a cute movie that is! Might watch it again before it goes back into the red & white envelope.
Well, cheerio, must get dinner made…
Tags: Echelon Press Shorts, Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Simon & Garfunkel
CAPE SEDUCTION by Anne Carter
