May 17, 2013
Random Ramblings
So . . . a couple of weeks ago I had some time to kill on a Saturday morning, so I turned on the TV and I have just one question - where the heck did the Saturday morning cartoons go?? Other than the regular programming on the three kids networks, there was nothing animated to be had.
The Global network ran fishing shows. CITY TV ran a variety of ethnic programming. ABC offered Good Morning America, followed by several other news magazine shows. CBC had Weekend Wake Up! NBC had something called Today. And even FOX let me down - it was showing paid programming.
When I was a kid, the best part about the weekend was the Saturday morning cartoons. From 7 a.m. until almost noon, I'd be glued to the television set watching Thundaar the Barbarian, Space Ghost, Rocket Robin Hood, and Beanie and Cecil. There were the Flintstones and their counterparts the Jetsons; Top Cat and Johnny Quest; Casper the Friendly Ghost and Woody Woodpecker.
One of my all time favorites was Roger Ramjet
And who could forget Super Chicken?
Even on Sundays we had Rocky and Bullwinkle, Bugs Bunny, and the awesome Rocketship 7, with Commander Tom and Promo the Robot who showed us a variety of Warner Brothers cartoons along with such gems as Gumby, and Davy and Goliath. Rocky and Bullwinkle was unique in that it presented the adventures of the squirrel and moose (usually versus the villains Boris and Natasha) in a serialized form, with stories about Peabody & Sherman, Fractured Fairy Tales, and Dudley Do-Right slotted in between episodes.
Kids today are growing up without Felix the Cat, Huckleberry Hound, and Yogi Bear. Maybe that's what's wrong with kids today. They're not being allowed to take the time to be kids anymore. There's no more cartoons for them to watch on Saturday mornings. What a sad world we live in.
May 16, 2013
Water - Chapter Sixty-six
This serial is presented in draft form and will be updated each Thursday. Your comments are always welcome!
Prologue ~ Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~
Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Ch 16 ~ Ch 17 ~ Ch 18 ~ Ch 19 ~ Ch 20 ~ Ch 21 ~ Ch 22 ~
Ch 23 ~ Ch 24 ~ Ch 25 ~ Ch 26 ~ Ch 27 ~ Ch 28 ~ Ch 29 ~ Ch 30 ~ Ch 31 ~ Ch 32 ~ Ch 33 ~
Ch 34 ~ Ch 35 ~ Ch 36 ~ Ch 37 ~ Ch 38 ~ Ch 39 ~ Ch 40 ~ Ch 41 ~ Ch 42 ~ Ch 43 ~ Ch 44 ~
Ch 45 ~ Ch 46 ~ Ch 47 ~ Ch 48 ~ Ch 49 ~ Ch 50 ~ Ch 51 ~ Ch 52 ~ Ch 53 ~ Ch 54 ~ Ch 55 ~
Ch 56 ~ Ch 57 ~ Ch 58 ~ Ch 59 ~ Ch 60 ~ Ch 61 ~ Ch 62 ~ Ch 63 ~ Ch 64 ~ Ch 65 ~
They met in one of the dead end tunnels that riddled the inner part of the compound.
“How did it go?”
Ravi sighed. “It went as I expected. I spoke only to those I could trust . . . most do not believe there is any threat to their lives, despite the tremors we've been experiencing, nor do they give credit to rumours regarding the compound being moved. Many will not involve themselves in anything that may seem contrary to Dr. Arjun's wishes.”
“But don't they wish to be free?”
“You must understand, Taja, we have lived all our lives within the compound. The outside is just as frightening as staying here is. For some it is even more frightening.”
“I had hoped . . . never mind.” She shook her head. “I forget that for all intents and purposes you’ve all been conditioned to this life. It breaks my heart.”
He moved closer to her. “And me? Do I break your heart?”
She reached up and cupped the side of his face. “You could quite easily break my heart worst of all,” she whispered.
Leaning closer he kissed her gently, and when she didn’t pull away he deepened it. For a moment she kissed him back before exerting her iron will and pulling back. She did not, however, pull away and he took comfort in this.
“I was just a child when the compound was moved, but I still remember that day," he told her in a quiet voice. He folded his arms around her and held her close. "It was terrifying. We were loaded into transports and flown to this location in the dead of night. The building wasn’t finished yet and we had to camp out doors. I remember a lot of screaming and crying, but I also remember touching a tree in the dark – the roughness of its bark, the stickiness of the sap, the smell of it . . .”
“Oh, Ravi.”
“I think freedom is something I could get used to,” he said, looking down at her.
“Freedom is not something you should have to get used to,” Taja told him. “It is something you should be born to.”
“I’m beginning to understand, thanks to you.”
She smiled tremulously. “Good. I just wish we had time to make the others understand as well.”
“I tried, but . . .” he shrugged helplessly. “There is something else. One of the Breeders has noticed that some of the children are missing, along with many of the medical and research staff."
Taja nodded. "It looks like Arjun has already started moving the ones he's taking with him to the new location. Could you tell if anyone else is missing?"
"No, but the doors of the personal quarters have been marked, either a red or green symbol on them - including mine."
"Let me guess, yours is a green symbol?"
He nodded. "Yes, as is anyone with a rating of four or higher."
Taja swore under her breath.
"There is a small number of those who will help. And others may join us once they realize the danger is real."
“At least that’s something. Let's just hope it's not too late."
“What happens now?”
“Now, we get ready.” Taja was all business again. She pulled a hand-drawn map of the compound from her back pocket and unfolded it. “Here’s where the outsiders are quartered. We need to get them to this point here before all hell breaks loose.”
“All hell?”
“Yes. I have friends on the outside who will be arranging a distraction and then they’ll be breaking through the gates. At that point the priority is to get as many of the children out as possible.”
“When do we start?”
“We’re just wait—” she stopped, head held to one side as though listening. “We start now.”
“Now? How do you know?”
She started to lead the way out of the tunnel. “I was fitted with an E.T.T., an Esper Thought Transfer device. It allows limited thought communication. I was just told that we need to get ready.”
“But the guards . . .” he almost had to jog to keep up with her.
“The guards will have better things to worry about than what we’re doing, trust me.”
“I do trust you,” he said soberly. “I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.”
Taja stopped suddenly. “I know I’m asking a lot of you,” she began.
He placed his fingers to her lips. “You’re asking nothing of me I’m not willing to give.”
Prologue ~ Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~
Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Ch 16 ~ Ch 17 ~ Ch 18 ~ Ch 19 ~ Ch 20 ~ Ch 21 ~ Ch 22 ~
Ch 23 ~ Ch 24 ~ Ch 25 ~ Ch 26 ~ Ch 27 ~ Ch 28 ~ Ch 29 ~ Ch 30 ~ Ch 31 ~ Ch 32 ~ Ch 33 ~
Ch 34 ~ Ch 35 ~ Ch 36 ~ Ch 37 ~ Ch 38 ~ Ch 39 ~ Ch 40 ~ Ch 41 ~ Ch 42 ~ Ch 43 ~ Ch 44 ~
Ch 45 ~ Ch 46 ~ Ch 47 ~ Ch 48 ~ Ch 49 ~ Ch 50 ~ Ch 51 ~ Ch 52 ~ Ch 53 ~ Ch 54 ~ Ch 55 ~
Ch 56 ~ Ch 57 ~ Ch 58 ~ Ch 59 ~ Ch 60 ~ Ch 61 ~ Ch 62 ~ Ch 63 ~ Ch 64 ~ Ch 65 ~
They met in one of the dead end tunnels that riddled the inner part of the compound.
“How did it go?”
Ravi sighed. “It went as I expected. I spoke only to those I could trust . . . most do not believe there is any threat to their lives, despite the tremors we've been experiencing, nor do they give credit to rumours regarding the compound being moved. Many will not involve themselves in anything that may seem contrary to Dr. Arjun's wishes.”
“But don't they wish to be free?”
“You must understand, Taja, we have lived all our lives within the compound. The outside is just as frightening as staying here is. For some it is even more frightening.”
“I had hoped . . . never mind.” She shook her head. “I forget that for all intents and purposes you’ve all been conditioned to this life. It breaks my heart.”
He moved closer to her. “And me? Do I break your heart?”
She reached up and cupped the side of his face. “You could quite easily break my heart worst of all,” she whispered.
Leaning closer he kissed her gently, and when she didn’t pull away he deepened it. For a moment she kissed him back before exerting her iron will and pulling back. She did not, however, pull away and he took comfort in this.
“I was just a child when the compound was moved, but I still remember that day," he told her in a quiet voice. He folded his arms around her and held her close. "It was terrifying. We were loaded into transports and flown to this location in the dead of night. The building wasn’t finished yet and we had to camp out doors. I remember a lot of screaming and crying, but I also remember touching a tree in the dark – the roughness of its bark, the stickiness of the sap, the smell of it . . .”
“Oh, Ravi.”
“I think freedom is something I could get used to,” he said, looking down at her.
“Freedom is not something you should have to get used to,” Taja told him. “It is something you should be born to.”
“I’m beginning to understand, thanks to you.”
She smiled tremulously. “Good. I just wish we had time to make the others understand as well.”
“I tried, but . . .” he shrugged helplessly. “There is something else. One of the Breeders has noticed that some of the children are missing, along with many of the medical and research staff."
Taja nodded. "It looks like Arjun has already started moving the ones he's taking with him to the new location. Could you tell if anyone else is missing?"
"No, but the doors of the personal quarters have been marked, either a red or green symbol on them - including mine."
"Let me guess, yours is a green symbol?"
He nodded. "Yes, as is anyone with a rating of four or higher."
Taja swore under her breath.
"There is a small number of those who will help. And others may join us once they realize the danger is real."
“At least that’s something. Let's just hope it's not too late."
“What happens now?”
“Now, we get ready.” Taja was all business again. She pulled a hand-drawn map of the compound from her back pocket and unfolded it. “Here’s where the outsiders are quartered. We need to get them to this point here before all hell breaks loose.”
“All hell?”
“Yes. I have friends on the outside who will be arranging a distraction and then they’ll be breaking through the gates. At that point the priority is to get as many of the children out as possible.”
“When do we start?”
“We’re just wait—” she stopped, head held to one side as though listening. “We start now.”
“Now? How do you know?”
She started to lead the way out of the tunnel. “I was fitted with an E.T.T., an Esper Thought Transfer device. It allows limited thought communication. I was just told that we need to get ready.”
“But the guards . . .” he almost had to jog to keep up with her.
“The guards will have better things to worry about than what we’re doing, trust me.”
“I do trust you,” he said soberly. “I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.”
Taja stopped suddenly. “I know I’m asking a lot of you,” she began.
He placed his fingers to her lips. “You’re asking nothing of me I’m not willing to give.”
May 15, 2013
May 14, 2013
Major Arcana of the Tarot - Part II
The Magician
The Magician's number is one, the number of new beginnings. He is the ultimate achiever and is all about making better use of one's power. Through sheer will he achieves what seem to be miracles, which make his abilities appear magical. Associated with the planet Mercury, the Magician is a bridge between the spirit world and the world of humanity.
In early Tarot decks, the Magician was actually called the Juggler and was represented by a street performer or stage magician, sometimes depicted as a fairground hustler performing slight of hand tricks and illusions. This card was associated with Mercury, Thoth, and Loki and represented the human will.
In the early 1800's, however, an occultist by the name of Eliphas Levi designed a card that showed the Juggler holding one of the symbols from the Minor Arcana of the Tarot, with the rest laid out on a table in front of him. Paul Christian, a disciple of Levi's, renamed the Juggler the Magus, or Magician.
The Magician's right hand holds a staff pointed towards the sky, while his left hand points to the earth to form a connection between the two. Above his head is the symbol for eternity, while around his waist is a snake biting its own tail. The table in front of him holds the symbols for all four suits of the Tarot - Cups, Wands, Pentacles and Swords - which also represent the four elements. His robe is white, denoting innocence, but his cloak is red, reminding us of his humble beginnings.
The Magician card typically appears in a Tarot spread to show you that you have the creative power and energy to begin a new cycle in your life. It suggests you will soon be presented with a situation which will manifest your desires and you will be inspired to apply your skills and initiative to accomplish your goals.
If you're having problems, the Magician indicates that you will find a creative way to solve them. It's a good omen if you have a specific wish, when you're about to begin a project, or you need to make a transformation in your life. It's telling you that at this time you need to be focused on a single goal or purpose and to channel your energy towards this goal, eliminating any distractions.
The Magician is a powerful card, and a very positive one in a reading. It implies that at this time we have the power to make a difference in our lives. It's the perfect time to tap into your creativity. In the position of the past, this card emphasizes the talent you have used to get to where you are. In the present, it indicates the urgency of a situation that you need to take advantage of. In the future, it is an indication that your wishes are being granted through your hard work.
The Magician believes in himself and is not afraid to put that belief on the line. He knows what he wants to do and why he wants to do it. There's no hesitation because he understands the situation he's in. He can focus with a single-minded determination to accomplish his goals.
May 13, 2013
Muscoid Monday
muscoid ~ of, like or pertaining to mosses; moss-like
So . . . how's the weather? Monday it was so nice out I walked downtown to meet a friend for coffee and I didn't even need a coat. Then as the week progressed it began to get colder, and then colder still, until finally, during a barbeque I was at yesterday, we had snow. That's right, you heard me. It wasn't a lot and it didn't stay, but it snowed for about 15-20 minutes.
It's supposed to start warming up again as the week goes on, but still - it's a little disconcerting to see it snowing when it's so green outside. And I really hate the thought of what it's going to mean to the fruit trees that are already starting to bloom.
I've been saying for a while now that I'm considering putting out an anthology this summer and I finally got around to checking my stock pile of stories. I'm in better shape than I realized, story-wise. Lots of them to choose from. I've got long and short, dark and light. The selection process will not be easy.
Last week was another one of those weeks where I was busy the whole week, but didn't really get much accomplished.
You might have noticed I was even late with my installment for Water . . . I started writing the scene and then decided it would work better later on in the story. Then I started another one that I decided needed to go earlier in the story. Then I went to bed and tried again in the morning. Sometimes the writing is like that.
I was pretty tired last week, especially in the evenings, so I ended up getting some crocheting done. Crocheting is much easier to do than writing when you're half asleep. :-) Specifically, I was crocheting snowflakes. Remember that crochet party I went to a couple of weeks ago? The ladies are crocheting snowflakes to decorate a Christmas tree for a fundraiser, and quite honestly, they're a little . . . um . . . okay, one of them actually knows how to crochet, but the rest . . . not so much. So I'm helping out.
I made up for my lack of accomplishment on Thursday. After getting the installment for Water written and posted, I got the next day's Random Rambling post done, and then got my link in the Absolute Write blog chain finished ahead of schedule. If you want to see it, just scroll down a bit. :-)
Blog Stuff For the Week:
Tuesday: The second in my series on the Major Arcana of the Tarot will be The Magician.
Wednesday: A new Hump Day Hunk for your viewing pleasure.
Thursday: Chapter 66 of Water. So . . . whose voice was that in Taja's head??
Friday: I have no idea at this point what this week's Random Ramblings will be about. That's what makes it Random. :-)
Other Stuff For the Week
I didn't catch up on my Goodreads last week, so maybe I'll get around to it this week. The problem is that it's one of those things that's easy to put off, and the longer you put it off the bigger it gets. *sigh*
I'll be going to Peterborough again on Tuesday. I can't remember exactly why, but I hope this doesn't become a habit.
For my writing break and general relaxation, I'll be crocheting more snowflakes. I picked out five different patterns and figure on doing ten of each. I'm not sure what the goal is for the Victorian Christmas tree, but considering I'm not even an official volunteer I figure fifty is a nice round number to contribute.
Writing-wise I've got lots to choose from: narrowing down my choices for the anthology; rework a few stories I'd like to include in the anthology; I have a frivolous poem to write for my poetry group which I may need to re-think; I'd like to write ahead in Water to see how long it's going to be, if I have to I'll start doubling up on installments to get the serial done by the end of November; and time to start working on finishing one of my NaNo novels.
So . . . how's the weather? Monday it was so nice out I walked downtown to meet a friend for coffee and I didn't even need a coat. Then as the week progressed it began to get colder, and then colder still, until finally, during a barbeque I was at yesterday, we had snow. That's right, you heard me. It wasn't a lot and it didn't stay, but it snowed for about 15-20 minutes.
It's supposed to start warming up again as the week goes on, but still - it's a little disconcerting to see it snowing when it's so green outside. And I really hate the thought of what it's going to mean to the fruit trees that are already starting to bloom.
I've been saying for a while now that I'm considering putting out an anthology this summer and I finally got around to checking my stock pile of stories. I'm in better shape than I realized, story-wise. Lots of them to choose from. I've got long and short, dark and light. The selection process will not be easy.
Last week was another one of those weeks where I was busy the whole week, but didn't really get much accomplished.
You might have noticed I was even late with my installment for Water . . . I started writing the scene and then decided it would work better later on in the story. Then I started another one that I decided needed to go earlier in the story. Then I went to bed and tried again in the morning. Sometimes the writing is like that.
I was pretty tired last week, especially in the evenings, so I ended up getting some crocheting done. Crocheting is much easier to do than writing when you're half asleep. :-) Specifically, I was crocheting snowflakes. Remember that crochet party I went to a couple of weeks ago? The ladies are crocheting snowflakes to decorate a Christmas tree for a fundraiser, and quite honestly, they're a little . . . um . . . okay, one of them actually knows how to crochet, but the rest . . . not so much. So I'm helping out.
I made up for my lack of accomplishment on Thursday. After getting the installment for Water written and posted, I got the next day's Random Rambling post done, and then got my link in the Absolute Write blog chain finished ahead of schedule. If you want to see it, just scroll down a bit. :-)
Blog Stuff For the Week:
Tuesday: The second in my series on the Major Arcana of the Tarot will be The Magician.
Wednesday: A new Hump Day Hunk for your viewing pleasure.
Thursday: Chapter 66 of Water. So . . . whose voice was that in Taja's head??
Friday: I have no idea at this point what this week's Random Ramblings will be about. That's what makes it Random. :-)
Other Stuff For the Week
I didn't catch up on my Goodreads last week, so maybe I'll get around to it this week. The problem is that it's one of those things that's easy to put off, and the longer you put it off the bigger it gets. *sigh*
I'll be going to Peterborough again on Tuesday. I can't remember exactly why, but I hope this doesn't become a habit.
For my writing break and general relaxation, I'll be crocheting more snowflakes. I picked out five different patterns and figure on doing ten of each. I'm not sure what the goal is for the Victorian Christmas tree, but considering I'm not even an official volunteer I figure fifty is a nice round number to contribute.
Writing-wise I've got lots to choose from: narrowing down my choices for the anthology; rework a few stories I'd like to include in the anthology; I have a frivolous poem to write for my poetry group which I may need to re-think; I'd like to write ahead in Water to see how long it's going to be, if I have to I'll start doubling up on installments to get the serial done by the end of November; and time to start working on finishing one of my NaNo novels.
May 12, 2013
May Blog Chain - Dialogue
Once again it's time for the Absolute Write Blog chain. This month's prompt: Make a post that is only back-and-forth dialogue, with no description or tags. As always, it may be fiction or nonfiction, prose or poetry, or any other form you care to use. If you want an additional prompt for your dialogue, you can use "Wrong Place, Right Time," but this is strictly optional.
Please read and comment on the other links in the chain that are listed at the end of my piece. You will be amazed at how much can be conveyed through conversation without dialogue tags.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
“Miss Saint James? I—You! You’re Alexis St. James?”
“That I am, and you are?”
“Alexis St. James the writer?”
“No, that would be me. My friends call me Lexi.”
“You wrote the Dungeon Mistress, and Come On Command?”
“That would be me. Why don’t you have a seat; you don’t look so good. Would you care for some iced tea?”
“You're really Alexis St. James?”
“I’m sorry if you’re disappointed . . . ”
“What? No! No, I’m not disappointed, just surprised, that’s all.”
“The truth is, I wrote those books a long time ago, when I was young, and stupid, and needed the money badly. It’s just the last few years there’s been a jump in the erotica market and my publisher decided to re-release my early work.”
“So the picture on the back cover wasn't changed with the new editions?”
“And in case you’re wondering, I am, or was, nothing like the women in those books, even in my younger days.”
“What? I mean, you’re not?”
“My sex life was never close to as interesting as my heroines. Ninety percent of the stuff in those books is all made up – I’ve never tried any of it. And some of it may not even be possible.”
“This is not good. This is not good at all.”
“Sorry to disappoint you son, but I’ve lived a pretty vanilla life.”
“I’m not disappointed. The truth is, I’m rather relieved. I’m just worried about how my employer is going to take it. The picture on the back of your books . . .”
“That was me, all right. About thirty years ago.”
“I’ve come a long way to meet you . . .”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes ma’am. My employer—”
“I don’t care how far you’ve come. If you ‘ma’am’ me again I’ll be dumping this pitcher of iced tea over your head.”
“Sorry, Miss St. James. My employer—”
“You’d better call me Lexi.”
“Lexi . It suits you.”
“Thank you. And you are?”
“I’m sorry, my name is Benedict. I’m here on behalf of my employer who wishes to meet you and—”
“No.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Sweetie, you can beg anything you want, but the answer is still no.”
“How can you say no? I haven’t even asked you anything yet.”
“You don’t need to. I don’t do interviews and I don’t go off with strange men I don’t know, no matter how gorgeous they are, and I especially don’t go off with strange men to meet even stranger fans.”
“But I—You think I’m gorgeous?”
“You can wipe that grin right off your face. It was a slip of the tongue.”
“You feel it too, don’t you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m twice your age. I’m old enough to be your mother!”
“Look me in the eye. Tell me you don’t want this too and I’ll leave you alone.”
“This isn’t some kind of ploy to get me to agree to go meet your employer, is it?”
“No, this is just for me.”
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
The other links in the chain:
orion_mk3 - http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com ~ link to post
Ralph Pines - http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ ~ link to post
articshark - http://www.drslaten.com/blog ~ link to post
Sudo_One - http://sudoone.wordpress.com/ ~ link to post
Nissie - http://www.rinchupeco.com/ ~ link to post
Angyl78 - http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/ ~ link to post
Lady Cat - http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/ ~ you are here
U2Girl - http://ancatdubh.org/ ~ (link to post)
MsLaylaCakes - http://www.taraquan.com/ ~ (link to post)
SuzanneSeese - http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/ ~ (link to post)
LanaK - http://lanaketrick.blogspot.com/ ~ (link to post)
in_one - http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/ ~ (link to post)
Bumped:
pushingfordream - http://www.danielwallock.com/ ~ (link to post)
pyrosama - http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/ ~ (link to post)
May 10, 2013
Random Ramblings
This week I'm not so much rambling, as ranting. And specifically, I have two totally unrelated rants.
Although really, only the first one is a true rant, the second is more of an observance of my continuing bad luck. :-)
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Normally, one of the perks about going away to a bowling tournament with my husband is staying in a hotel. Notice the word normally. This might clue you into the subject of my rant.
Last weekend was the Year End Tournament for 5-Pin bowling, which ironically marks neither the end of league bowling for the season nor is it the last tournament of the season. It's just the name they give it. Anyway, the tournament is held in Hamilton and includes ten games of bowling over two days. This necessitates staying overnight in the city.
Okay, it doesn't really necessitate staying over, it's only a two hour drive, but at the price of gas these days you might as well spend the night . And besides, it's more fun that way - there's a banquet and dance and general merriment to be made.
It used to be that we stayed at the Sheridan, which is a really, really nice hotel. But some moron in the Bowler's Association decided it would make more sense if we had to drive over to Burlington (the next city over) and stay at the Holiday Inn.
Sheridan: downtown in Hamilton; pillow-top, queen sized beds; quiet and classy; heated bathroom floor; shopping mall underneath it; a wonderfully restful night's sleep.
Holiday Inn: next city over; double-sized, hard and uncomfortable beds; insanely noisy AC unit which has to be run because the rooms are so freaking hot and you can't open the windows because of the noise in the parking lot; worst night's sleep ever. And the toilet didn't work properly.
Colour me unimpressed.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
The observance of my continuing bad luck has to do with small appliances. They say that trouble comes in threes . . . Well guess what. They (whoever they are) lied.
It started with the electric can opener, which suddenly decided it wasn't really happy opening cans any more, so it started skipping along the lids of the can so you'd have to try two and three times to get a lid open. Then it added special effects in the form of a grinding noise. The noise grew louder, and louder. Then it refused to open any cans at all, but it would still make the grinding noise if you asked nicely.
A couple of days after the can opener gave up the ghost for good, the inner element of the toaster decided to quit. I suspect it was in sympathy for the plight of the can opener. At any rate, only the outer element of the toaster works, so you have to run your bread through twice. The bagel setting doesn't work at all, but I got around it this morning by turning the cut edge to the outside and turning up the heat. Ha! Take that Toaster!
A couple of days later I was processing away in my food processer and couldn't help but notice the small lake forming on my counter top. Perhaps I filled it too full and it was leaking out the top? So the next batch I made sure I only filled it half full, and the lake expanded. No doubt about it. I had a leak. *sigh*
Which brings us to this week. Specifically, Tuesday morning when I made myself bacon and eggs for breakfast. I have not fried bacon since I got spattered in the eye with grease when I was much younger. I broil my bacon, and because I'm usually only cooking bacon for one or two people, I use the toaster oven. I love my toaster oven, but apparently it no longer loves me. Instead of crispy bacon, it was more like bacon jerky - it was fully cooked (eventually), but really dried out.
So there you have it. Four of my small appliances, one right after another. It's a conspiracy I tell you! And it totally wouldn't surprise me if the microwave is next.
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