here it is, a bit bigger (click a few times for maximum embiggenment)
the magnificent, cholesterol-laden blog that originated these beauties, has them for sale. as posters, though. I'm sure they are *almost* too beautiful to fold 16x as to fit in the glovebox. *almost*
Purchased from: Amazon
Rating: 10 out of 10 (Can I give this an 11 out of 10?)
Synopsis: Miller, the accidental memoirist who struck gold with the likable ramble Blue Like Jazz, writes about the challenges inherent in getting unstuck creatively and spiritually. After Jazz sold more than a million copies but his other books didn't follow suit, he had a classic case of writer's block. Two movie producers contacted him about creating a film out of his life, but Miller's initial enthusiasm was dampened when they concluded that his real life needed doctoring lest it be too directionless for the screen. Real stories, he learned, require characters who suffer and overcome. In desultory fashion, Miller sets out to change his own life—to be the kind of guy who seeks out his father, chases the girl and undertakes a quest. Along the way, he comes to understand God as a master storyteller who doesn't quite control where his characters are going. An unexpected bonus of this book is Miller's insights into the writing process. Readers who loved Blue Like Jazz will find here a somewhat more mature Miller, still funny as hell but more concerned about making a difference in the world than in merely commenting on it.
My Review: Well holy crap. Just after I thought my book life couldn't get any better after reading Susan Isaac's memoir Angry Conversations with God, I got my copy of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years in the mail. I could not tear through this book fast enough. Miller really knows how to put words together in incredible ways. AND, in addition to being an organic, funny, inspiring memoir, it was also a story about story, and if you know me -- I love stories. If you're someone who loves plot and character and conflict (all the things memoirists sometimes struggle with), you have got to get this book. Miller realizes his own story is lacking all the things that make great stories that we love to read and watch in the movies, so he sets off to make his story a STORY, letting the Master Storyteller scrawl across the pages of this life. It was so inspiring, I literally cried through the last hundred pages or so, especially during the stories about his friend Bob and his family. It made me want to evaluate my own life in relation to the elements of a story, and adjust things so that my life isn't just boring words on a page. It's my favorite book of the year so far. Seriously, you have to go out and read this book. Now. Do it. I'll be here when you get back because I want to know what you thought.
Is anyone else having problems with tags?
I went to add "red panda" tags to 3 posts but it's nowhere to be found. I was planning to add dozens of them so people could click on, for example, "hornbills" and see all my posts on them. I also want them archived for my own use. Especially if I'm going to do wildlife writing. The information I have on a few posts is actually quite extensive.
This is a big problem because I have so many seperate species posts. If anyone has suggestions on how to fix this, please let me know. Are there websites (preferably related to Vox) where I could export my posts easily?
My iphone is used for 80 percent fun and waisting time and 20 percent which is divided up between productivity and information gathering. I have recently downloaded a 99 cent game that I have become addicted to.
WARNING: Do not under any circumstanced purchase this app because it is digital crack.
Skee Ball by FreeVerse Games
This game is highly addictive. I have become a skee ball junkie. but let me tell you I have scored 8,221 tickets and my highest score for a single game so far is 2,130. I have collected some rare and epic prices including a pastrami sandwich, a robot henchman, a pink toed tarantula, a glow in the dark lollypop, and a us senate seat. Among other prices.
Be aware that playing this game is public could result in some odd looks due to the outburst you will have. Think about what people on the subway maything when you scream out "Damn one of my balls is stuck!" "Oh man, it wouldn't go in the hole. "Thats right baby, slide real nice into that hole and don't fall out." "Oh man I rimmed it!".
People will have to cover their little kids ears, no one will want to sit next to you and you won't even notice the whispering and pointing because you will be so engrossed in your game.
So avoid this at all cost unless you want to at like a another foaming at the mouth junkie but if you decided to, and you can't say I didn't warn you, if you decide to get addicted feel free to brag to me about your loot you win.
Hello all,
I am in dire need of an original photo that would look nice on our website (church) for our Christmas Eve candlelight service. It doesn't have to be candles - it could a Christmas tree, fireplace...just something that says "cozy", "calm", "peace", "quiet celebration", etc.
Anyone have one I might borrow/use for a few weeks?
This is completely embarrassing, but here goes:
I've almost never had an oven that wasn't self-cleaning. If I did, it was in one of my early apartments and I didn't stay long enough in the place to bother cleaning it.
So--what's the best (and greenest) way to go about it? I would like to avoid using the super-nasty chemical stuff as much as possible. Any tips?
Thanks!
He's all settled in with his meds and his babyfuds and some experimental small can fuds too.
Has his own kingdom in the bedroom, but is locked in cos I think morphined kittums belong inside.
And he has a history of deciding to lope off alone when he feels bad.
So he's set up with fuds and live cat nips and a heating pad under his floofy blankie.
(Floofy blankie gets lots of kneading and cuddling on.)
I've been carrying in the Wolfie Cat, who is his buddy, to den up in the bedroom with us at night.
To cut the boredom a bit.
And Motley, who expects to sleep on the bed.
(And everybody loves Motley, who appears to be just stuffed with Cat Charisma.)
So the first time I found Idiot Kitten in there, I assumed he had done the Ninja Kitty thing, and clouded my mind while he slipped into the room unnoticed.
The cat who walks through walls.....
So I just let him nest with all the Big Boys too, since he was sleepy.
(Some times the Big Guys don't like him around since he is much given to unexpected enthusiastic pounces.)
That was yesterday.
So today I was in there opening babyfoods for Boe, talking babycat talk and making babyfud bottle top noises, and then there he was again, inside the room.
Hmmm...
Well Boe actually wants his tasty treats, and him's a shy type, so I pick up the crazy child and chuck him out the door.
Fair enough.
And turn around and he's there again.
Crazy boy has been squeezing through the bottom of the former heater.
(Disconnected, whew.)
Then coming out behind the wardrobe, and crawling under it to get
into the room.
With possible side trip to Narnia, for all I know.
Because he has to be where the people are.
Such a sweetie.
Luckily, it doesn't seem to work the other way.
He saw me look at him, and went all flat and rug-like on the floor, trying to get back under it, but didn't seem to be able to manage it.
Ten minutes later there is a scratching noise out in the hall.
Silmi is trying to figure out where Nikki Kitten went.
I have an image of all the cats ending up in the bedroom this way, like the Monty Python skit with the room full of mailmen and milkmen.
I had this cutesy little story to go along with my winter picture and somehow lost the whole thing! LOL Perhaps I just saved you all from being bored out of your socks.
Where are the colored leaves and low, green, mountain in the distance? No worries, they will return...... ;) Such is life here in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The view from my front windows is perpetually changing.
