Watching the girl next door dance her way up the garden path while she was watching her shadow. I’m sure she would have been utterly embarrassed if she’d seen me watching, so I withdrew from the window.
In other news, R is committing mass murder of the wasps that keep coming into the conservatory.
Well today mainly involved getting up early and going to visit the puppies. You see we are getting a Golden Retriever, we have a name and I think we maybe a little closer to deciding which of the three bitches is Lily.
Yes you can go all “Awwwww… she’s so cute” ’cause she is. I cuddled her for about five minutes, she managed to get her paw down my t-shirt, lick my neck, lick my arm and tried to wiggle off. She’s very cute. For more photos go and have a look below.
Oh dear… Went out and got The Times at lunchtime… ok so it’s still lunchtime. I’ve read the first part of The Front, the new Patricia Cornwell book, and several things occured to me. One, I’m begining to wonder if my view of Cornwell, is going the same way as James Patterson, which isn’t a good way to go. Two. I wonder if Cornwell learnt anything from the Southern Cross series of books she wrote, namely that they were utter pants.
I know that Cornwell hasn’t been doing too well of late with Scarpetta, I said that earlier, but to go out and write something, that at the outset, is reasonably poor, doesn’t help matters. Maybe I should just stop reading her works all together. Kathy Reichs seems to have picked up the mantle, dropped so carelessly by Cornwell. Not to mention that Reichs is a world renowned Forensic Antrhopologist, experience that is really obvious in her books.
Oh dear, it’s a rather sad state of affairs.
The Times seems to be having a run on Crime Authors this week. They’re serialising Patricia Cornwell’s new book every day this week (of course the advert on the radio had to be played just as I got to work and not as I was passing a news agents… typical). So I’ve had a quick read of the interview with Cornwell, which was insightful, if not a little chilling (she really is as cold as I thought she might be). I will read the book, even though I think that Cornwell has gone down hill since her main protagonist was forced out of her job, making me think that her books had lost the passion that had made them so good to begin with.
Anyway, there is a list of the Top 50 crime authors. I’m incredibly disappointed. Only about four people in there who I think should be there, and a whole load of others are missing. Where is Michael Connelly, John Connolly, Robert Crais, and Lee Child (just to name four who should be there). Seriously, how can you have Dennis LeHanne, when he hasn’t written a decent book in years! You put the likes of Harlan Coben (who’s latest book is as good as ever), without any of these modern writers. Shame on you!
If you want to take a look at the list and get annoyed as much as I have, please click on the link below:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/global/article3773630.ece
As a foot note, what’s particularly interesting is that both Mark Billingham and John Connolly were invited speakers at this year’s Times Oxford Literary Festival… the key thing here being, they’re both celebrated crime authors, and it was a Times event. Some what hypocritical I feel, but such is life.
UPDATE: Just realised that my install of MT has had a bit of a flip out and for some reason had published this entry, twice with no heading and no footnote. I have no idea why, it’s a bit stupid really. Anyway, I’ve deleted the two erronous entries. So the person who’s just read the post by clicking on the link sent to them in an email… it’s nothing personal, it’s just a mess to have the same entry posted three times.
Having spotted a news item today, I was somewhat shocked to find out that I’m fluent in a language I didn’t know. Nerdic.
Nerdic, apparently, is the language of Nerds (yeah, you’d never have guessed that would you now). It means the person is fluent in all things technological. Like Wi-Max (yes I know what that is), Dongle (they say it’s a new word but Dongles have been around for years) and 3G. Well stone me, everything on the list I read I knew about. Eeeks. Now speculation on whether or not I can include “Fluent in Nerdic” on my CV. What say you readers?
More about this item can be found in the following locations:
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/14022/15046/nerdic-geek-speak-fastest-growing-language.phtml
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/parlezvous+nerdic/2030047
