Archives

All posts for the month May, 2011

Ooof. Never go up against the universe.

Posted by Frank Cote on May 31, 2011
Posted in: news and views.

Wow.    This was the scene last Towel Day:

Me (to my wife):  Ok.  I want to put up the next installment of The Expensive Universal Instrument tonight.  I feel a bit off, but no matter how it gets, I’m going to finish it tonight!

Wife:  Yay!

Universe:  Oh yeah?

Cue the universe basically kicking my ass six ways to Sunday and dragging in innocent bystanders to boot (apologies to my wife, one of those bystanders).   Not content with mere physical sickness, it proceded to be nail us in inventive ways.  It was a royal beat down and I am appropriately chastened.

Me: 0, Universe: a bazillion.

Now.  That being said, I feel better today.  It’s time to get in gear again!  *ducks*

 

 

 

Advertisement

The world didn’t end. I guess I’ll have to keep writing.

Posted by Frank Cote on May 24, 2011
Posted in: Life, news and views, Novel writing, The Expensive Universal Instrument!, Writing. Tagged: , , , .

Hey there campers.  How did you guys prepare for the apocalypse?

I figured I’d take a break.  I apologize for this as I try to regularily update the site.   I’ll try to do better since we clearly are moving on.

I guess I’ll just have to put out another installment of The Expensive Universal Instrument.   Keep an eye out.  I’m working on part 4.

I’ve had a minor problem with credit cards.  Mine was cloned somehow.  Unfortunately this is causing problems with my How To Revise Your Novel course.  However, Ms Lisle has been awesome and I should be able to get this straightened out this week.

The weekend was fun but very busy.  Every year that first long weekend where we get outside and get started for the summer, I realize that I’m way out of shape and I’m gonna pay for the fun I’m going to have.   This one was no different.  I’m sore and I’m stiff.

The upside is that the yard is started and I did get to use the BBQ all weekend.  We spent some time with friends, I ate a lot of charred animal flesh.

Good times.

Oh.  We also discovered we have a Jedi in the family!  Forgive the blurry, I’m not a great photographer and this was taken with my iPhone 3GS.

Anna holding a lightsaber.

The Force is strong with this one.

Ain’t she cute?

Pet Peeve! You are NOT reading.

Posted by Frank Cote on May 12, 2011
Posted in: books, Life, news and views. Tagged: , , .

I know in this post I said I wasn’t interested in audiobooks.

I’m not saying they are bad, just that I, personally, and I alone, am not really interested right now.  They can be wonderful ways of getting a story across, especially in this age of endless commute.

But.

STOP SAYING YOU ARE READING A BOOK IF YOU ARE JUST PLAYING THE AUDIO!

You are NOT reading!  You are listening to someone reading TO YOU.  If “reading” was the correct word to use, then my daughter is now a prodigy who is able to “read” at 13 months!

It’s a pet peeve.

Discuss if you wish.

Sometimes e-books annoy me

Posted by Frank Cote on May 11, 2011
Posted in: books, e-books. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

I’ve been a big fan of the Kindle app on my iPhone for the last few months.  The interface works great and I love the convenience.

Having lived through 4 weeks of plague recently, my fondness for it and the written word has increased.  For the first time in a while I’ve been reading and enjoying new titles rather than revisiting old friends.  I’ve discovered some writers I hadn’t read before and new things from authors I’ve always enjoyed.

Today, I’m annoyed.

Continue Reading

Some non-writing related podcast stuff

Posted by Frank Cote on May 10, 2011
Posted in: Net Life. Tagged: , , , .

A favorite podcast of mine that ISN’T related to writing is trying to increase its listener base and I wanted to do my part and post about it here!

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe is a weekly podcast created by the New England Skeptical Society and is dedicated to promoting critical thinking, reason, and the public understanding of science.

Weekly episodes usually feature current science news items, interviews and the fact or fiction game segment as well as segments on critical thinking (“Spot the logical fallacy” is my favorite).   There is a particular focus on combating the proliferation of pseudoscience, quackery and snake oil salesmen and the promotion of evidence based medicine.  The show has close ties to the James Randi Education Foundation and Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer) both of which figure prominently in the series.

Personally I think it’s a thought provoking podcast that allows me to stay somewhat current with scientific events as well as helping hone my critical thinking skills (something that I find is sadly lacking encouragement in today’s society).   The podcast is very positive, lighthearted and fun while still being very educational.

Check it out!