I very seldom buy anything on the internet, but I “shop” and compare prices for specific items sometimes. An advertisement drew my eye for retro-styled shoes; as a “shoe” person, I browsed through their on-line stock. When I wanted to look for a red handbag locally, I again “shopped” on line to see what was available. After looking for both items, I immediately received email from Amazon advertising shoes and handbags. How far do the tentacles of Amazon reach? I think I resent the fact that my information had been shared with Amazon. Thank heaven I wasn’t shopping for anything for I wouldn’t discuss in this forum.
Amazon, stay out of my business! If I wanted to buy shoes and handbags from you, I would have checked out your site. I didn’t, so butt out! Incidentally, I will not buy shoes, not matter how cute they are, from the site I was browsing because apparently they share my information without my permission.
Grouse, grouse, grouse! Grumble, grumble, grumble!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Savage Run by C. J. Box
Several months ago, I discovered the novels of C. J. Box and have read several. I finished one this morning that was everything a good adventure novel should be—a real page turner.
Savage Run is, I believe, the second novel in Mr. Box’s Joe Pickett series. Mr. Box puts us, his readers, in the middle of a conflict able to see both sides of the problem. Joe Pickett is a game warden in Wyoming. He is drawn into a murderous situation between the Stockman’s Trust, with its roots going back to the infamous Tom Horn, and modern environmental terrorists.
Mr. Box also allows us to see the conflict between the killers hired by the Trust. (This is not a spoiler moment; you know almost from the beginning who’s doing what to whom.) One, who fancies himself a modern day Tom Horn, seems to enjoy the act of killing while the other sees himself as a righteous man trying to stop the environmentalists destroying his and others ranchers’ way of life.
One of the environmentalists rhapsodizes about the beauty of a herd of elk stampeding through the forest. She sees beauty in the wolf pack following behind the elk maybe not realizing that the wolves are following to cull the herd for their next meal. When she sees the savagery of the wolf kill, she is unprepared for the reality of Nature. Perhaps it forces her to see her cause in a different light.
There is a murder by an exploding cow, a harrowing chase through the mountains, and a canyon crossing that made my fear of heights to kick in big time. It left me a little queasy; it is written that well. (Nausea is my criteria for well-written, descriptive material? I never said I wasn’t a little strange.)
Joe Pickett is a nice, if not stubborn, guy with a loving family who is thrust into situations as a result of his wanting to do the right thing. I can hardly wait to get to the library to share another of Joe’s adventures and to get Mr. Box’s stand-alone, Blue Heaven.
Savage Run is, I believe, the second novel in Mr. Box’s Joe Pickett series. Mr. Box puts us, his readers, in the middle of a conflict able to see both sides of the problem. Joe Pickett is a game warden in Wyoming. He is drawn into a murderous situation between the Stockman’s Trust, with its roots going back to the infamous Tom Horn, and modern environmental terrorists.
Mr. Box also allows us to see the conflict between the killers hired by the Trust. (This is not a spoiler moment; you know almost from the beginning who’s doing what to whom.) One, who fancies himself a modern day Tom Horn, seems to enjoy the act of killing while the other sees himself as a righteous man trying to stop the environmentalists destroying his and others ranchers’ way of life.
One of the environmentalists rhapsodizes about the beauty of a herd of elk stampeding through the forest. She sees beauty in the wolf pack following behind the elk maybe not realizing that the wolves are following to cull the herd for their next meal. When she sees the savagery of the wolf kill, she is unprepared for the reality of Nature. Perhaps it forces her to see her cause in a different light.
There is a murder by an exploding cow, a harrowing chase through the mountains, and a canyon crossing that made my fear of heights to kick in big time. It left me a little queasy; it is written that well. (Nausea is my criteria for well-written, descriptive material? I never said I wasn’t a little strange.)
Joe Pickett is a nice, if not stubborn, guy with a loving family who is thrust into situations as a result of his wanting to do the right thing. I can hardly wait to get to the library to share another of Joe’s adventures and to get Mr. Box’s stand-alone, Blue Heaven.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Baseball and Conversation
Today was Noah’s first baseball tournament for his traveling team. He did really well. They lost the first game and won the second. They played the games back to back. Tomorrow’s games are also back to back. I think it’s a little hard for those little guys in the heat with only a 15 minute break between games.
I actually talked to real people a little bit today, too. Mr. Fixit has been gone for eight days. I have talked to him once a day, and Jason called a couple of times. Other than that, I haven’t talked to anyone. While I was at the supermarket, I was hoping that the lady behind me in the check-out line would tell me about her gall bladder surgery. I had decided that if she did start a conversation I would invite her to lunch so that she could tell me about her cousin Myrtie Mae’s attack of shingles that pert near kilt her.
It's been a little lonely.
I actually talked to real people a little bit today, too. Mr. Fixit has been gone for eight days. I have talked to him once a day, and Jason called a couple of times. Other than that, I haven’t talked to anyone. While I was at the supermarket, I was hoping that the lady behind me in the check-out line would tell me about her gall bladder surgery. I had decided that if she did start a conversation I would invite her to lunch so that she could tell me about her cousin Myrtie Mae’s attack of shingles that pert near kilt her.
It's been a little lonely.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Smacked in the Face by Reality Yet Again
(No one would ever guess that Mr. Fixit is still at the beach. This is my fifth post in two days.)
This morning I had my hair cut to correct the unfortunate poofy results of the perm I put in a couple of days ago. A very nice young lady did a good job of fixing the problem. When I paid, she said, “That will be $9.00.” Having not lost all of my mental acuity, I thought, “Hmm, that’s less than I usually pay.” I glanced up at their posted prices. “Haircut - $11.00, Children and Seniors Haircuts - $9.00.” What?! She assumed I am a senior citizen?! She must not have a magic mirror as I do that firms my droopy jowls, brings back my naturally blond locks, and smooths away my “character lines.” She’s lucky I tipped her. Harroomph! And stay off of my lawn!
This morning I had my hair cut to correct the unfortunate poofy results of the perm I put in a couple of days ago. A very nice young lady did a good job of fixing the problem. When I paid, she said, “That will be $9.00.” Having not lost all of my mental acuity, I thought, “Hmm, that’s less than I usually pay.” I glanced up at their posted prices. “Haircut - $11.00, Children and Seniors Haircuts - $9.00.” What?! She assumed I am a senior citizen?! She must not have a magic mirror as I do that firms my droopy jowls, brings back my naturally blond locks, and smooths away my “character lines.” She’s lucky I tipped her. Harroomph! And stay off of my lawn!
A Slow News Day
This morning on the Yahoo! News, there was an AP video of an interview with Levi Johnson. Remember him? He is the father of Bristol Palin’s baby. Remember her? She’s the daughter of Sarah Palin. Remember her? Oh, forget it. You know know who I’m talking about, right?
Anyway, the thrust of the interview concerned the reason for Gov. Palin’s decision to leave office before her term is completed. He was then asked if he would vote for her if she ran for President in the future.
Am I supposed to care what this young man has to offer on the controversial decision made by the Governor? Do I care whether he would vote for her or not? Pul-leese! This interview was about as newsworthy as the story in the Houston Chronicle today about the woman who accidentally shot her lover during a game of “dirty cowboy” while engaging in foreplay. I have no idea what “dirty cowboy” is, and guess what—I DON’T want to know.
You may be thinking, “Why did she read these two news items in the first place?” In my own defense, like everyone, I occasionally slow down and gawk at car accidents. The same principle applies.
Anyway, the thrust of the interview concerned the reason for Gov. Palin’s decision to leave office before her term is completed. He was then asked if he would vote for her if she ran for President in the future.
Am I supposed to care what this young man has to offer on the controversial decision made by the Governor? Do I care whether he would vote for her or not? Pul-leese! This interview was about as newsworthy as the story in the Houston Chronicle today about the woman who accidentally shot her lover during a game of “dirty cowboy” while engaging in foreplay. I have no idea what “dirty cowboy” is, and guess what—I DON’T want to know.
You may be thinking, “Why did she read these two news items in the first place?” In my own defense, like everyone, I occasionally slow down and gawk at car accidents. The same principle applies.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Plagiarism - Part II
I noticed on Site Meter I had a visitor from Nebraska. Imagine my surprise when I checked HER site and discovered that the plagiarized post had been removed. I wonder how she knew I had posted about her. I thought when I checked her profile this morning that there was the option to email her. I didn't chose to do that, and I may be wrong about the email, but it is interesting that the option is no longer there.
I only wish she had the integrity and character to at least apologize to me. I guess if you steal someone's writing you're a little short on integrity and character.
I also wonder what would happen if some of her readers found out that she copied my post.
I only wish she had the integrity and character to at least apologize to me. I guess if you steal someone's writing you're a little short on integrity and character.
I also wonder what would happen if some of her readers found out that she copied my post.
Plagiarism
The strangest thing just happened. I found that one of my posts has been plagiarized! I am simply astounded. First of all, I’m surprised that anyone found my thoughts were worth stealing, and second of all, I totally surprised at my reaction. I feel angry and violated.
I found it completely by accident by checking my Site Meter details. I found saw this person’s post listed three or four items below the search results for my post of Feburary 1, 2009. I noticed it because her name is the same as my daughter-in-law’s and the summary of her post was almost word for word as mine. I opened her March 6, 2009, post that saw most of it was copied from my post. She even copied the illustration of the djinn’s shoe I had posted. She did say “elf shoe” instead of “djinn’s shoe.”
I wonder if all the rest of her posts have been stolen.
Dena, in case you’re reading this now searching for new material, you should be ashamed!
If anyone would care to make the comparison you can find the this person's post by doing a Google Blog search using the term “leg cramps elf shoe.” Make the comparison and judge for yourself.
I found it completely by accident by checking my Site Meter details. I found saw this person’s post listed three or four items below the search results for my post of Feburary 1, 2009. I noticed it because her name is the same as my daughter-in-law’s and the summary of her post was almost word for word as mine. I opened her March 6, 2009, post that saw most of it was copied from my post. She even copied the illustration of the djinn’s shoe I had posted. She did say “elf shoe” instead of “djinn’s shoe.”
I wonder if all the rest of her posts have been stolen.
Dena, in case you’re reading this now searching for new material, you should be ashamed!
If anyone would care to make the comparison you can find the this person's post by doing a Google Blog search using the term “leg cramps elf shoe.” Make the comparison and judge for yourself.
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