Monthly Archives: October 2010

Friday Reads: In the President’s Secret Service

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Susan Spann

This week’s review:  In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect, by Ronald Kessler (2010 paperback reprint). Short review: Highly recommended, with relatively short chapters and entertaining “behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Reads & Reviews | 1 Comment

Of Maidens and Missiles

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Susan Spann

On October 28: 1886:  President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty.  The statue (originally titled “Liberty Enlightening the World”) was placed on Bedloe’s island in New York Harbor, which was renamed “Liberty Island” in 1956.  The statue was not … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 2 Comments

Wednesday Writing: Called on Account of Bugs

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Susan Spann

I had a fantastic Wednesday Writing Challenge lined up for this week, including a surprise guest-blogger to respond to the challenge, but Sunday night I discovered I’d brought an unintended souvenir home from my recent trip to Southern California. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 3 Comments

Howling at the Moon – and Fake TVs

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Susan Spann

October 26 is official “Howl at the Moon Night.”  The moon is slightly past full, but get out there and give it a wail anyway.  It’ll cure what ails you. And while you’re out, you can plug in a Fake … Continue reading →

Posted in Anything for a Party, Shiny Dinglehoppers | 3 Comments

On Angering the Technology, Part Deux

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Susan Spann

Last week I explained why we do not anger the technology. If only I knew. Last night I returned from a weekend business trip, fired up the laptop (which performed perfectly out of town) and heard a Very Bad Sound.  … Continue reading →

Posted in in the Weeds, Lessons Learned | 3 Comments

One Now at a Time

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Susan Spann

Many of you know (and many more do not) that my dad died a couple of years ago.  He and I were very close, and his passing had a tremendous impact on my life in more ways than I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | 4 Comments

Wednesday Writing Challenge: Seeing the Unseen

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Susan Spann

Last week we talked about observation. This week’s writing challenge: take one of those “invisible” objects and describe it from the point of view of someone for whom it would not have been invisible. Here’s mine: My eyes scanned the … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok | Comments Off

Look Out…It’s That Guy Again

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Susan Spann

Yesterday at Whatever, John Scalzi mentioned the concept of “narrative usurpation” – essentially theft of a narrative line by a minor character who decides to come on the scene and steal the show.  In his words, “characters who show up … Continue reading →

Posted in Running Amok, Scribbling | 1 Comment

Do Not Anger the Technology

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Susan Spann

I have a new motto. Here’s how it happened. I spent Saturday evening playing World of Warcraft with friends.  About 9pm, my laptop lost connection to the Internet, knocking me offline (in the middle of an instance – my apologies … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned | 6 Comments

Friday Reads: Waiter Rant

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Susan Spann

Waiter Rant, by “The Waiter” (to preserve the author’s anonymity, though he’s now identified himself as Steve Dublainca) is one of the best narrative nonfiction books I’ve read this year. Short review: Highly Recommended, but with an asterisk for language … Continue reading →

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