The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 09

[NotWise]

I forgot to mention that I was serenaded by a murder of crows and a laughter of jays who were in separate trees arguing over who controlled my backyard. It got quite loud before the crows decided to find somewhere else to congregate. The jays then bombed my feeder, emptying it to get to the peanuts among the other seeds in the feeder. Now the squirrels and chipmunks are feasting on all of the sunflower seeds ...

On the subject of bird behavior, I saw something this morning I've never seen before. There was furious bird activity in one of the trumpet vines and four sparrows fluttered out to the ground below the fine. I watched for a second before I realized that three of them were attacking a smaller one, which I took as a fledgling.

I headed out the door, which ended the proceedings, but I never saw the little victim again.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

As a child, I always thought sparrows were cute, gentle, harmless things. Not too long ago, we put up a bird feeder and the sparrows chased away the chickadees which have inhabited the apple tree outside our window. Those things are mean, aggressive little critters!

 

[MrPixel]

Just yesterday we were amused by sparrows tussling over a small hunk of suet one plucked out of the feeder. I observed that sparrows fighting over a discarded french fry is practically an urban trope.

 

[NotWise]

Just yesterday we were amused by sparrows tussling over a small hunk of suet one plucked out of the feeder. I observed that sparrows fighting over a discarded french fry is practically an urban trope.

I'm going to stand in for Ogg for a second and point out that "french fry" should really be "Belgian fry."

Anyway, my outlook on sparrows has been transformed. "Hawk and sparrow," with sparrow as a likely victim was a theme in my holiday story. I might pick a different bird if I wrote that now.

Had a phone call with a long-time client who decided he needs more help--maybe ongoing help--then fired off a letter to the remnants of the main office to see what options I have. There might not be much option to me contracting the work myself. I haven't done that since 1984, and I'm not sure I want to complicate my life and my taxes by doing it now.

There's also an issue with professional certification in Texas that I didn't even bring up. Dammit.

 

[MrPixel]

Had a phone call with a long-time client who decided he needs more help--maybe ongoing help--then fired off a letter to the remnants of the main office to see what options I have. There might not be much option to me contracting the work myself. I haven't done that since 1984, and I'm not sure I want to complicate my life and my taxes by doing it now.

Similar-ish situation for me in 2001. Company I worked for was bought-out by a large client for the accounts, and they shuttered our doors. I had responsibility for another client with a specialty product I wrote a lot of code for, and the question was whether I could take the code and the client with me since that product wasn't anywhere in the new parent company's business model. A salesperson who made the jump - was the only one who did - tried to woo my client, but was rebuffed because this small client knew I was the only one who knew the product.

I was told by my former boss to just shut up and run with it. It paid the light bill for a number of years until the product itself became obsolete, and my client went bankrupt.

 

[NotWise]

Similar-ish situation for me in 2001. Company I worked for was bought-out by a large client for the accounts, and they shuttered our doors. I had responsibility for another client with a specialty product I wrote a lot of code for, and the question was whether I could take the code and the client with me since that product wasn't anywhere in the new parent company's business model. A salesperson who made the jump - was the only one who did - tried to woo my client, but was rebuffed because this small client knew I was the only one who knew the product.

I was told by my former boss to just shut up and run with it. It paid the light bill for a number of years until the product itself became obsolete, and my client went bankrupt.

That is similar-ish. Age makes some difference. Also, the client is a public entity, so bankruptcy isn't going to get me out of it.

With my lack of professional certification in Texas, I don't think the client is going to have many options. My contract is actually a subcontract, and the prime is an engineering firm with a national client base. My work in Texas depends on the prime contractor's professional certification.

The prime had a young gun groundwater modeler sit in on the recent conference calls. I'm not sure what his role is, but my aim is to pass the work off to him or to someone else on their staff. But now the client is unhappy with the time it takes the prime contractor to do anything. Quality may also be an issue. They produced a report a couple years ago that I thought was one of the worst professional products I've seen.

The potentially bigger problem for the client is that I'm now the sole surviving repository of technical knowledge from 30-years of groundwater development, which included large investments of public money to buy private water rights. The client is nervous about being cut loose from my knowledge base.

Sorry. You guys get to be my test audience while I organize my thoughts.

 

[NotWise]

The research we have to do... I just googled "long nails and dumbbells" to find out how a woman with long nails would hold a dumbbell. I found a video (of course), and at the end of the video the fit, young demonstrator drinks from a mug printed with "I Hope Your Day is a Nice as My Butt."

Made me laugh.

 

[Rustyoznail]

No worries, @NotWise. I know exactly what you mean. Knowing a little about a lot, and a lot about a little can be a rod for you. You're worried about letting people down while wanting to move on.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

@NotWise - I find research to be the best part of writing (other than the wonder of a story unfolding before me that I had no idea would be what it was) ...

There's a fresh pot of coffee going and the teapot is hot. There are donuts and crepes on the counter for those who want to nosh ...

My knee is good enough now that I could get down to the basement to feed the dragon. I found it moping and I think it misses @HandleyPage. I hope he stops by soon.

My new story is coming along. The scope has widened slightly and I like where it's going.

 

[Duleigh]

I'm going to stand in for Ogg for a second and point out that "french fry" should really be "Belgian fry."

I'll stand in for Ogg myself - The French in French Fries refers to the process of turning cut up potatoes into fries, or chips (not Pommes Fritz which look the same but are far superior)

In 1802 the presidential chef in the brand new White House served President Thomas Jefferson "potatoes served in the French manner" the first 'french fries in America. The proper term for 'French Fries' is "French fried potatoes" French being the term for deep fat frying. I know of one INCREDIBLE steak house that serves a deep fried whole potato, it's called a French baked potato. Still in the US and most of Canada French Fries is the shortened name of potatoes served in the French manner, a julienne cut potato deep fried ONCE (deep fried twice makes it a Pommes Fritz)

Another difference between French Fries and Pommes Fritz, is that French Fries, or chips, were always potatoes. Pommes Fritz started out in 17th century Belgium as little fish cooked and served like French fries. During the winter the ponds and rivers froze and they ran out of fish so they used a potatoes until the spring. in 1917 the US soldiers had them for the first time (for many of them) and they brought the idea home (but not the exact recipe) As for Belgium vs France - hey, they both speak French, so, Who Cares? They could be called Frites du Québec for that matter (but then someone would cover them in gravy and melted cheese curd)

You're right Candy, most of the fun in writing is research!

 

[NotWise]

Thanks for your tolerance, guys.

I finished this morning's NYT hard Sudoku in 23 minutes. The cats were waiting to be fed, so they thought it was 23 minutes too long.

 

[MillieDynamite]

So, Jo and I were playing catch with Donnie the other day. Jo tossed me the ball, a little harder than I expected. In fact, I didn't realize she was throwing to me at all. She said, "Catch," and shot it at me. Hit me right in the mouth and broke a tooth. I got a temp crown yesterday and still fill like shit. Well, I don't feel as bad as I let on. Jo's been an angel to me since it happened, and I'm sort of enjoying that. I am allowed to drink coffee again in one more hour.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Oh, I had a wisdom tooth removed as well.

 

[NotWise]

Oh, I had a wisdom tooth removed as well.

How often do you have fun at a dentist's office, anyway?

 

[MillieDynamite]

I've never had fun at a dentist's office! And that wisdom tooth was the first tooth I had pulled by a dentist. I don't remember what it was like when Mum pulled my baby teeth. I do remember several came out on their own. Not a fun experience.

How often do you have fun at a dentist's office, anyway?

 

[GrantBricksly]

Holy Crap you guys......

After 2 years, I finally found my "mojo" again, and managed to write something!!!!! Seriously....I moved...and just lost it...could not write for nothing.....then moved again and still nothing.....until about 2 weeks ago...all of a sudden..BANG...it was back....and after 2 long years (and 2 months) I have a new story published!!!

Shoshana - Ch. 1

Trying out a new category, I've never written in before...Novels/novellas....so not sure how this will go. But it's really the only category I feel like I could put the story. This is going to be a multi-part story (I have at least 20-30 chapters in mind so far) and will likely range in categories....so this seemed like the smartest location...

But seriously....SO GLAD to be back! I've missed you guys....

 

[NotWise]

Holy Crap you guys......

After 2 years, I finally found my "mojo" again, and managed to write something!!!!! Seriously....I moved...and just lost it...could not write for nothing.....then moved again and still nothing.....until about 2 weeks ago...all of a sudden..BANG...it was back....and after 2 long years (and 2 months) I have a new story published!!!

Shoshana - Ch. 1

Trying out a new category, I've never written in before...Novels/novellas....so not sure how this will go. But it's really the only category I feel like I could put the story. This is going to be a multi-part story (I have at least 20-30 chapters in mind so far) and will likely range in categories....so this seemed like the smartest location...

But seriously....SO GLAD to be back! I've missed you guys....

Welcome back! Novels and Novellas was friendly to me. May you have the same reception.

 

[GrantBricksly]

Welcome back! Novels and Novellas was friendly to me. May you have the same reception.

I hope it will be. I have big plans for this story....very big plans...and really, this is the only place to put it. I thought about just waiting until I had the whole thing done....but like I said...big plans...that was going to be a while...and you know us Erotic writers....we like our instant gratification...lol I had to know if people liked it...lol

I'll probably still compile it all at the end into one book...but we'll see....

 

[NotWise]

I hope it will be. I have big plans for this story....very big plans...and really, this is the only place to put it. I thought about just waiting until I had the whole thing done....but like I said...big plans...that was going to be a while...and you know us Erotic writers....we like our instant gratification...lol I had to know if people liked it...lol

I'll probably still compile it all at the end into one book...but we'll see....

Here's to your success!

View attachment 2542655

I thought this picture was cute, so I followed up on Henry Clive a little. Awesome stuff, especially for Art Deco fans.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

A beautiful start to the Memorial Day weekend. Having had a career in the USAF, it means a lot to me to be able to remember all those who gave their last full measure of devotion. There have been times that I've despaired that this country isn't deserving of that sacrifice, but I'm not ready to give up on it yet...

That said, I've got a fresh pot of coffee brewing and the teapot is hot and steaming (kind of like me when I'm really into my writing). I made a batch of of chocolate (Mmmm, chocolate ...) chip cookies and they are on the counter.

The dragon is restless and I can hear it pacing around in the basement. For now, I'm over in the corner, doing some research for my story.

 

[NotWise]

The NYT hard Sudoku took 30 minutes this morning. Maybe I'm not getting better.

I have to rethink the start of day three of my WIP. In my synopsis I started the day just before the New Year's Eve party. I moved the start earlier in the day to expand on certain elements, and the intervening story isn't catching my imagination.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I know, it's a holiday weekend in the U.S., but the shop/room must never be abandoned for this long. Don't make me throw in something about sitting at the card table under the leak in the ceiling.

 

[JGittes]

It's a holiday weekend in the UK too.

There are still six goslings (and their parents) in the pond.

There's a strange charity event that started yesterday evening. People walk all night along trails through Sussex. Our house on High Street is on the course, and since my wife leaves the window open, I hear people walking by and talking all night long. It's certainly more pleasant than drunks throwing up after the pubs close.

 

[MrPixel]

Yeah, I've been sort of scarce around the coffee shop. Been preoccupied with getting the new hot tub installed at the studio and the garden area around it fixed-up. Needed to make a minor modification, but said modification required draining the tub and starting over. Ugh. C and I finally found a pump setting tonight that didn't scramble our innards and we had a very, very relaxing soak.

Planted a replacement cedar for the one that was apparently stressed and failing when I bought it and its four brothers. I was ready to toss it, but I was surprised by a very green sprig hiding in the middle, and found it having put down roots (already!) when pulling it up. I think I'm going to get a cheap tub to pot it in and see if there continues to be signs of life. My "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree", I guess.

Uploaded a new story in the Barstow series two hours ago and it is already approved and in the queue for release on Tuesday morning. Apparently Laurel has somehow automated the approval process if the story meets certain criteria. I'll take it!

 

[NotWise]

I did the NYT hard Sudoku in fourteen minutes. I'm not sure how it qualified as "hard."

The weather service says our weather is changing. The dew point should start going up this evening when winds shift around from the east, and it should stay generally higher through the forecast. There will be a slight chance of showers every day. It'll be the first time this year that we need to use coasters for our iced drinks.

I think I'm past the hard spot at the start of day three in my WIP. I'll work on it for a little while longer before I get to the list of other things that need to be done.