If you are out and about tonight, be safe. Don't drink and drive. Don't ride with someone else if they have been drinking. AAA is offering free tows for members and non-members. Call 1-800-222-4357 and ask for a Tipsy Tow. They will take you and your car up to 10 miles for free tonight only. Passengers can ride as well provided there is room in the tow truck. They are taking calls from 6pm tonight to 6am tomorrow morning. Play it safe and have a blast! See you next year!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday Salute: Australia Has Jobs for US Vets
With the Iraq War ending, we are expecting an influx of military veterans coming to an end of their service term, unwilling to reenlist for any number of reasons, and then adding to increasing our unemployment numbers. For soldiers and their families, this is a scary possibility. Fortunately for them, there is a solution for some service members.
Australia is hiring! They are especially looking for soldiers with experience in special forces, intelligence, and subs, but are accepting veterans with a broad range of military experiences. According to this article, we are expecting to lose over 7,000 Army jobs by October. Marines are looking to drop 16,000 positions, while the Navy has already cut 50,000 with plans to drop another 3,000. Unexpectedly, the Air Force plans to add jobs, to a tune of a few hundred.
U.S. and Australia has dual citizenship so this is a good prospect for soldiers looking at ending their military careers over the next year. Check the link above to the article to find out more information on this opportunity.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Australia is hiring! They are especially looking for soldiers with experience in special forces, intelligence, and subs, but are accepting veterans with a broad range of military experiences. According to this article, we are expecting to lose over 7,000 Army jobs by October. Marines are looking to drop 16,000 positions, while the Navy has already cut 50,000 with plans to drop another 3,000. Unexpectedly, the Air Force plans to add jobs, to a tune of a few hundred.
U.S. and Australia has dual citizenship so this is a good prospect for soldiers looking at ending their military careers over the next year. Check the link above to the article to find out more information on this opportunity.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Guess What I Got!?
My dad asked me and my little sisters to go on a drive with him yesterday and surprised us with a trip to my grandmother's sister's house to get a puppy!
So here is the story. My grandmother's oldest sister passed away recently. Before she passed, she bred her female black labradoodle with a friend's male chocolate labradoodle. After she passed, her husband hasn't been up to taking care of the mother and 7 puppies. My grandmother's younger sister took the momma and puppies to her house to find them homes since the widowed husband's solution was to just "let them go" and apparently take care of themselves. He's old and grieving... Anyways, so we got there and Dad fell in love with a beautiful brown and cream puppy with blue eyes. I found a solid black puppy that was absolutely adorable. We ended up bringing BOTH of them home. How cool is that? I was shocked when Dad said it was okay to take both. So now, we have two little labradoodle girl puppies, one black and one chocolate and cream. They are so, so sweet!
On the way home, Dad held his little multi-choc puppy in his lap and I held the black one. Dad wanted a dog that will ride with him back and forth from Alabama and Ohio since he goes between our houses frequently. My little black girl had a blast in the car! She crawled up into the center console and looked around during the drive. She cried every time Dad had to stop and get out (to get gas, to get puppy food, and to get groceries). His little brown girl freaked out in the car, shaking and whimpering. Needless to say, we ended up switching puppies before we even got home.
So now I have a beautiful brown and cream puppy, and my parents have a beautiful black puppy. The black one has been named Sadie... or possibly Gracie. They aren't sure yet. Mine was originally Kahlua, then changed to Jolene. But now I'm thinking Aurora. I don't know yet. I'll figure it out in the next couple days.
We just finished building a temporary outdoor kennel for the girls to play in when it isn't raining. They are having a blast romping around in it. I stuck a tote out there on its side with a blanket for them to lay in while they are in the kennel. It is temporary after all. We need to fix a couple holes in our fence before they can run loose in the back yard. I'm taking them to the vet on Monday for puppy shots and health check-ups.
Wanna see them? Check it out!
So here is the story. My grandmother's oldest sister passed away recently. Before she passed, she bred her female black labradoodle with a friend's male chocolate labradoodle. After she passed, her husband hasn't been up to taking care of the mother and 7 puppies. My grandmother's younger sister took the momma and puppies to her house to find them homes since the widowed husband's solution was to just "let them go" and apparently take care of themselves. He's old and grieving... Anyways, so we got there and Dad fell in love with a beautiful brown and cream puppy with blue eyes. I found a solid black puppy that was absolutely adorable. We ended up bringing BOTH of them home. How cool is that? I was shocked when Dad said it was okay to take both. So now, we have two little labradoodle girl puppies, one black and one chocolate and cream. They are so, so sweet!
On the way home, Dad held his little multi-choc puppy in his lap and I held the black one. Dad wanted a dog that will ride with him back and forth from Alabama and Ohio since he goes between our houses frequently. My little black girl had a blast in the car! She crawled up into the center console and looked around during the drive. She cried every time Dad had to stop and get out (to get gas, to get puppy food, and to get groceries). His little brown girl freaked out in the car, shaking and whimpering. Needless to say, we ended up switching puppies before we even got home.
So now I have a beautiful brown and cream puppy, and my parents have a beautiful black puppy. The black one has been named Sadie... or possibly Gracie. They aren't sure yet. Mine was originally Kahlua, then changed to Jolene. But now I'm thinking Aurora. I don't know yet. I'll figure it out in the next couple days.
We just finished building a temporary outdoor kennel for the girls to play in when it isn't raining. They are having a blast romping around in it. I stuck a tote out there on its side with a blanket for them to lay in while they are in the kennel. It is temporary after all. We need to fix a couple holes in our fence before they can run loose in the back yard. I'm taking them to the vet on Monday for puppy shots and health check-ups.
Wanna see them? Check it out!
Aurora? Sadie?
The girls already took time out of their busy play schedule for a nap in the temporary kennel.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday Five: Favorite 2011 Memories
I hope everyone is enjoying the last Friday of 2011. If you are getting ready to party tomorrow night, please remember to stay safe and keep it all in moderation. If you can't remember it, then how can it be any fun later on? Yeah yeah. Speaking of memory, that leads me to today's Friday Five. My favorite memories of 2011!
1. My brother got married in September! Yeah! Go bro! Maybe my sister-in-law can muzzle him and keep him grounded. :)
2. I finally "officially" moved back to Ohio in August. I live in the south since 2003. It was time to come home for a while.
3. I got my first e-reader in October. I have since downloaded about 600 free books and games. I intend to read them all at some point!
These last two were harder to come up with...
4. Occupy events started in September. I'm sad that it has come to demonstrations and civil disobedience, but I am very happy to keep the memory of Americans finally waking up in my mind.
5. Gay marriage legalized in New York in July. I am very, very happy that my friends in New York are legally entitled to marry their partners, but I really hate that it has come to be court cases and such over the issue. Up until 1996, there was no "definition" of marriage. Why do we need one now? The neighbor's marriage has no merit on someone else's. So yes, just like in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010, I am happy about the legalization, but I am still disappointed that people cannot see beyond their own egos to get over themselves and mind their own business.
Here is to a very Happy New Years to you. Stay safe. Have fun. Ring in the new year surrounded by those you love!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
1. My brother got married in September! Yeah! Go bro! Maybe my sister-in-law can muzzle him and keep him grounded. :)
2. I finally "officially" moved back to Ohio in August. I live in the south since 2003. It was time to come home for a while.
3. I got my first e-reader in October. I have since downloaded about 600 free books and games. I intend to read them all at some point!
These last two were harder to come up with...
4. Occupy events started in September. I'm sad that it has come to demonstrations and civil disobedience, but I am very happy to keep the memory of Americans finally waking up in my mind.
5. Gay marriage legalized in New York in July. I am very, very happy that my friends in New York are legally entitled to marry their partners, but I really hate that it has come to be court cases and such over the issue. Up until 1996, there was no "definition" of marriage. Why do we need one now? The neighbor's marriage has no merit on someone else's. So yes, just like in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010, I am happy about the legalization, but I am still disappointed that people cannot see beyond their own egos to get over themselves and mind their own business.
Here is to a very Happy New Years to you. Stay safe. Have fun. Ring in the new year surrounded by those you love!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday Thought: New Years
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.A very appropriate New Year's thought coming from a poet and shared by a writer. Have a safe night of celebrations and a wonderful 2012!
Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
My New Years Writing Resolutions
2012 is quickly upon us. I have a general rule of avoiding New Years resolutions simply because people never keep them, but here we are anyways. Instead of making life resolutions (I'm already doing a great job of taking better care of my health, losing weight, and relinquishing toxic relationships. I'm good on those!), I'm making Writing Resolutions for 2012. A friend of mine found this post and it is exactly like what I'm looking to do.
I like limebirdkate's 11 resolutions, especially #1,7, and 9. #1: Write gutsier. Everyone should do that. Stop being so careful that you sabotage your writing. Some things require taking chances. Writing is one of those things. #7: Take a writing workshop. No matter your place within the writer's food chain, you can and will benefit from taking a writing workshop. No one is perfect; everyone has room for improvement. Even the pros. #9: Build relationships within the writing community. I cannot communicate how important this is. I have a few friends that write... without them, I probably wouldn't write. I would go crazy from all the ideas and questions so I would block it all away like I used to do. As a writer in this day and age, you have to network with other writers. Not only will you make some amazing new friends, but you will improve your craft, learn some neat tips and tricks, and receive feedback that you wouldn't otherwise get. I know for a beta reader, I prefer writers and/or fantasy readers because those people can offer much better feedback.
So I have a few writing resolutions to share.
I like limebirdkate's 11 resolutions, especially #1,7, and 9. #1: Write gutsier. Everyone should do that. Stop being so careful that you sabotage your writing. Some things require taking chances. Writing is one of those things. #7: Take a writing workshop. No matter your place within the writer's food chain, you can and will benefit from taking a writing workshop. No one is perfect; everyone has room for improvement. Even the pros. #9: Build relationships within the writing community. I cannot communicate how important this is. I have a few friends that write... without them, I probably wouldn't write. I would go crazy from all the ideas and questions so I would block it all away like I used to do. As a writer in this day and age, you have to network with other writers. Not only will you make some amazing new friends, but you will improve your craft, learn some neat tips and tricks, and receive feedback that you wouldn't otherwise get. I know for a beta reader, I prefer writers and/or fantasy readers because those people can offer much better feedback.
So I have a few writing resolutions to share.
Wednesday Weird: Ninja Cow
Residents of Plattsmouth, Nebraska have been tormented by a cow, nicknamed "Ninja Cow" at some point, for months. They think the cow escaped from a cattle truck in mid-September. The townsfolk tried everything to catch her... bribing her with biscuits and gravy, using recording cow sounds to lure her in, etc. Nothing worked.
Several Facebook pages have popped up supporting Ninja Cow. There are even talks of an annual Ninja Cow Day celebration!
The police chief, Steve Rathman, refused to shoot the cow. They went as far as to bring in a contractor to catch her. Eventually, animal control officer Sue Baker called up some ranch hands John and Jessica Vallery. They found the cow's newborn calf and used it as bait. They captured her temporarily but the broke the gate down. After that, Rathman gave a kill order. A cow loose in a residential area poses a great risk to human life, so I can understand his order when their options were exhausted.
Finally a couple cowboys caught Ninja Cow. She is happily residing at the farm of one of the men that captured her. Unfortunately, her calf was sold to another farmer while she eluded capture. The calf would have died without care, so while that is sad, its better than the baby died of starvation. City animal control just doesn't have the resources to care for a cow.
I'm very glad this story has a happy ending. I'm sure the residents of Plattsmouth are happy to not clean cow pies out of their yards, off the streets, and from the tennis court any longer. Yuck!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Several Facebook pages have popped up supporting Ninja Cow. There are even talks of an annual Ninja Cow Day celebration!
The police chief, Steve Rathman, refused to shoot the cow. They went as far as to bring in a contractor to catch her. Eventually, animal control officer Sue Baker called up some ranch hands John and Jessica Vallery. They found the cow's newborn calf and used it as bait. They captured her temporarily but the broke the gate down. After that, Rathman gave a kill order. A cow loose in a residential area poses a great risk to human life, so I can understand his order when their options were exhausted.
Finally a couple cowboys caught Ninja Cow. She is happily residing at the farm of one of the men that captured her. Unfortunately, her calf was sold to another farmer while she eluded capture. The calf would have died without care, so while that is sad, its better than the baby died of starvation. City animal control just doesn't have the resources to care for a cow.
I'm very glad this story has a happy ending. I'm sure the residents of Plattsmouth are happy to not clean cow pies out of their yards, off the streets, and from the tennis court any longer. Yuck!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday Treat: Devils on Horseback
Found a great New Year's Eve appetizer that I am going to try this weekend called Devils on Horseback. According to the post, these little things are the perfect mix of salty, sweet, crispy, chewy, and crunchy. We'll see how they turn out.
Ingredients:
20 wooden toothpicks
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
20 dates, pitted and left whole
20 whole smoked almonds
10 bacon slices, cut in half
Directions:
Ideas:
I don't know that I've ever had a date, so we'll see how this works out. As for the nut, I'll just have to see what kind is the cheapest. I know nuts in general are fairly expensive. As for the suggested ideas, I have no idea what mango chutney is... but the addition of some red chilies sounds amazing. Wonder if it would ruin the entire taste if served with Ranch dressing? Hmmm... my mouth is watering now. Have a blast this weekend!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Ingredients:
20 wooden toothpicks
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
20 dates, pitted and left whole
20 whole smoked almonds
10 bacon slices, cut in half
Directions:
- Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Soak the toothpicks in water. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan/dish.
- Mix the ginger and soy sauce in a bowl. Put the brown sugar in a separate bowl. Spread open a pitted date and stuff it with an almond. Wrap the date with a half slice of bacon and pin it together with a toothpick. Dip the bacon-date bundle into the soy sauce mix and then the brown sugar. Place the dipped date in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake until the bacon is brown and crispy, 15 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and serve warm/room temperature.
Ideas:
- Double or triple the recipe for large groups.
- Replace dates with dried apricots or prunes.
- Use reduced sodium soy sauce.
- Replace almonds with mango chutney or walnuts.
- Sprinkle finished bundles with extra brown sugar for more sweetness, or with red chili flakes for a spicy kick before baking.
I don't know that I've ever had a date, so we'll see how this works out. As for the nut, I'll just have to see what kind is the cheapest. I know nuts in general are fairly expensive. As for the suggested ideas, I have no idea what mango chutney is... but the addition of some red chilies sounds amazing. Wonder if it would ruin the entire taste if served with Ranch dressing? Hmmm... my mouth is watering now. Have a blast this weekend!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Monday Machination: The 36 Plots
I came across this RPG plot guide by Loren J. Miller earlier in the week as I worked on my genre post (it is still a WIP) and thought I'd share it for the Monday Machination. I know this post is a day late, but I figured I'd post it anyways since I already had it worked up in draft form. Sorry for the late post. :)
Check this article here and then read after the jump.
Check this article here and then read after the jump.
Busy Holidays
I spent all day yesterday shopping for holiday markdowns at Wal-Mart and the mall. I was so busy in fact that I forgot to do yesterday's post until very early this morning. I'll be working on both yesterday's post and today's post over the next couple hours. Check back soon.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Straight No Chaser: 12 Days of Craziness!
I love this video and it never ceases to crack me up. This is a group called Straight No Chaser singing their version of 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy it with your family today.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Sunday Script: Ghostly Quips
I woke up with 13 Ghosts on my mind this morning. Yeah, I know its Christmas morning. I blame reading A Christmas Carol last night and then my screwed up brain for automatically switching to 13 Ghosts. Instead of a full script, I am going to share a few of my favorite lines and then go open presents with the kiddies. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday Salute: Two Christmas Poems
I decided to share two holiday military poems for today's Saturday Salute. The links are in the titles. Have a wonderful holiday. Stay warm and safe with your family and friends. I have presents to finish wrapping and a Christmas morning to plan so I will leave you with the poems.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday Five: Holiday Memories
I figured today's and the 30th's Friday Five could be about memories. Today's is my favorite Holiday Memories over the years. Next week, I'll list my favorite memories for 2011. :)
- I've mentioned this before but my favorite holiday memory is the homemade Christmas ornaments my grandmother made over the years. We put them on the tree this year and I boohooed for a good bit after.
- In 2005, I spent New Years with my parents, my brother, two of my brother's friends, and a friend of mine. None of us thought to pick up alcohol. It was my first New Years after I turned 21. A neighbor gave us corn whiskey that resulted in a 6 hour tape of us singing a karaoke version of Cheeseburger In Paradise and Fins over and over again. Never again but it was hilarious.
- When I was 16, I rang in the New Year with girlfriends from high school. I was introduced to the comedy of Eddie Izzard that night and an obsession was born. I still love the guy.
- I may have the year wrong, but we had a blizzard in 1993 where the snow drifts ended up higher than I was tall. I was around 9 then so it may have been 4 foot drifts, but still. I remember making an igloo, several dozen snowmen, and sledding in the neighbor's field.
- Christmas 2008 is my favorite for one simple reason. I graduated from college in December 2008 and Christmas was my first holiday with a degree. It was awesome knowing I didn't have to go back in January, that I could focus on work finally.
I could come up with a dozen more favorite memories but I have to help wrap presents tonight so I'll leave it here. What is your favorite memory during the holidays? Tell me in the comments below!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday Thought: Christmas Gifting
I found this quote this morning and absolutely love it.
Isn't that beautiful? I think I live my life that way as it is, but I'm not perfect. I don't forgive quickly, though I do forgive eventually. I don't know that I have opponents per say but I am very tolerant. I would give everything to my friends if I could. I've done the customer service stuff for close to 15 years (and was very good at it, not just a warm body filling a spot). I definitely give to charity... donations every time I pass the kettle, giving of gently used toys and clothes throughout the year, Angel tree gifts every holiday, serving at the soup kitchen, helping others around me when times are rough. I try to set a good example for all kids all the time, but especially E&L. I'm better about respecting myself. What about you?
Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
Oren Arnold
Isn't that beautiful? I think I live my life that way as it is, but I'm not perfect. I don't forgive quickly, though I do forgive eventually. I don't know that I have opponents per say but I am very tolerant. I would give everything to my friends if I could. I've done the customer service stuff for close to 15 years (and was very good at it, not just a warm body filling a spot). I definitely give to charity... donations every time I pass the kettle, giving of gently used toys and clothes throughout the year, Angel tree gifts every holiday, serving at the soup kitchen, helping others around me when times are rough. I try to set a good example for all kids all the time, but especially E&L. I'm better about respecting myself. What about you?
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Wednesday Weird: Braves Vs Brave
It seems that baseball's Atlanta Braves are so incensed over Disney's use of the title Brave for their upcoming princess movie that the team is protesting their trademark petition. Apparently, the Braves own the trademark for all references to "brave" and/or "braves" and the Disney title would cause confusion. Seriously? Yeah, not really. Okay, they really are petitioning the use of the title but they do NOT own all references to the word. I'm pretty sure that isn't the way trademark law works for a common-use word.
There are hundreds of references to brave in the entertainment industry. Movies, songs, books, and so on. I recall the words to the National Anthem includes a brave reference. Which is sung at the beginning of most sporting events, including baseball. Is trademark so specific that one can trade mark a commonly used word? Can I trade mark THE or OF? That would be awesome.
This whole thing is made even stranger by the fact that the Braves have other contracts with Disney. Their spring training camp is held at Disney Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. I can't imagine this thing is going over well. And of all conglomerates the Braves want to take on... Disney? Really? Talk about David and Goliath syndrome! So is the team being juvenile and petty or is Disney taking advantage of the team's trademarked name in order to further their film?
I personally think the entire thing is stupid and that the Braves folks are acting like elementary school kids picking fights with high school students just to try to show off for their little girlfriends. Weird situation that I'll be watching... especially considering I am so very excited about Brave!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
There are hundreds of references to brave in the entertainment industry. Movies, songs, books, and so on. I recall the words to the National Anthem includes a brave reference. Which is sung at the beginning of most sporting events, including baseball. Is trademark so specific that one can trade mark a commonly used word? Can I trade mark THE or OF? That would be awesome.
This whole thing is made even stranger by the fact that the Braves have other contracts with Disney. Their spring training camp is held at Disney Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. I can't imagine this thing is going over well. And of all conglomerates the Braves want to take on... Disney? Really? Talk about David and Goliath syndrome! So is the team being juvenile and petty or is Disney taking advantage of the team's trademarked name in order to further their film?
I personally think the entire thing is stupid and that the Braves folks are acting like elementary school kids picking fights with high school students just to try to show off for their little girlfriends. Weird situation that I'll be watching... especially considering I am so very excited about Brave!
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Homemade Holidays Part 5
I got into the crafting mode again tonight (yes, I know I'm supposed to be writing but its the holidays man... I'm like a freaking raccoon OH SHINY!!!!!!). I found a very cute snowman set up and had to give it a try. And then I modified it to suit my own needs. Check it out!
Tuesday Treat: Buffalo Chicken Dip
One of my cousins made this dip for our family Christmas party on Sunday and it was incredible. Seriously, I think I ate more of this dip than I did of real food. Holy crow it was great. Sorry I don't have any pictures but I'm sure there are some on Google if you look it up. It is super easy to make and serves a whole freaking lot. This is a great addition to an appetizer spread, tailgate parties, and BYO covered dish festivities.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday Machination: Mystery Fiction
Today's Monday post relates to a post on genre that I have been working on recently. I'll finish it eventually, but until then, here is a little something.
Mystery fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing specialized fiction like medical thrillers, police procedural, and "hardboiled" fiction. It is associated most usually with crime fiction, although supernatural thrillers are not uncommon. The name should tell you exactly what it is, but in a nutshell, mystery fiction is at its heart a puzzle and solution story. There are many cliches in mystery fiction like the alcoholic detective, the ditsy girl that solves the case, and the main suspect is innocent all along.
Probably the most famous mysteries are those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew series. It grew in popularity in the 20's and 30's, giving rise to pulp magazines before declining in the 50's. Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine is one of the remaining pulp magazines today, continuing to churn out monthly volumes since the 1950's.
Today, mystery stories remain popular. The genre is popular in television (NYPD Blue and its ilk), books (James Patterson is amazing), and comics. Whodunit fiction is surprisingly selling well. Murder mystery dinner theaters pop up all over the place and have amazing online resources for at-home murder mystery parties. Mystery fiction is a very neat genre when done well. Not many can do it well though, as Tod Goldberg (wrote the books Burn Notice is based on) likes to point out. Check out his rant... it is hysterical.
So do you have any favorite mysteries that you could read over and over, or that you recommend to everyone? I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew so this is a favorite of mine even though I write fantasy.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Mystery fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing specialized fiction like medical thrillers, police procedural, and "hardboiled" fiction. It is associated most usually with crime fiction, although supernatural thrillers are not uncommon. The name should tell you exactly what it is, but in a nutshell, mystery fiction is at its heart a puzzle and solution story. There are many cliches in mystery fiction like the alcoholic detective, the ditsy girl that solves the case, and the main suspect is innocent all along.
Probably the most famous mysteries are those of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew series. It grew in popularity in the 20's and 30's, giving rise to pulp magazines before declining in the 50's. Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine is one of the remaining pulp magazines today, continuing to churn out monthly volumes since the 1950's.
Today, mystery stories remain popular. The genre is popular in television (NYPD Blue and its ilk), books (James Patterson is amazing), and comics. Whodunit fiction is surprisingly selling well. Murder mystery dinner theaters pop up all over the place and have amazing online resources for at-home murder mystery parties. Mystery fiction is a very neat genre when done well. Not many can do it well though, as Tod Goldberg (wrote the books Burn Notice is based on) likes to point out. Check out his rant... it is hysterical.
So do you have any favorite mysteries that you could read over and over, or that you recommend to everyone? I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew so this is a favorite of mine even though I write fantasy.
Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday Scene: Steve Gets Pwnd By a Priest
I love The Ringer. It is an incredibly funny movie from 2005 about a guy (Johnny Noxville of Jackass fame) that tries to fix the Special Olympics in order to pay off a huge accumulation of debt. There are some amazing one liners and features many actors with disabilities. I didn't think I would like the movie... I assumed it was making fun of adults with disabilities, but it ended up being very uplifting and completely hilarious. Link here.
A few of my favorite one liners from the movie:
A few of my favorite one liners from the movie:
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