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Friday, February 27, 2009
And Now For Something Completely Different
Have I mixed the metaphor sufficiently? Maybe I should just get to the point(s). I do have good news:
1) Effective immediately, IGMS will be released on a bi-monthly basis, publishing for January, March, May, July, September, and November.
2) The number of stories published in each issue will be reduced from 7 to 5; however, the total number of stories published each year will increase from 28 to 30.
3) Instead of writing a new story for each issue (which he was having a hard time keeping up with), from now on Orson Scott Card will record a story as an audio file for each issue. If you bought issue 9 or 10 with the expectation that there would be a new Orson Scott Card story in it, fear not; that commitment will still be met (and hopefully soon, now that the latest screenplay for the Ender's Game movie has been completed). However, having an audio file takes advantage of things a print magazine cannot do, and also allows Orson to stay active in the magazine on a more timely basis, with a commitment that takes a few hours of his time instead of a few weeks. The audio story he records might be one of his own previously published stories; it might be a story by another author published in IGMS; or it might be something from a novel-in-progress, as will be the case with issue 11 when he reads an early chapter from The Lost Gate (to be published in the future by Del Rey). The story/chapter is titled "The Man in the Tree," and the audio presentation will be accompanied by the full text.
4) There will still be an author interview in every issue, and the monthly columns will still be free. Each story will still come with its own custom illustration.
Issue 11 should be out the first of next week. In addition to the audio story by OSC that I already mentioned, the table of contents will include a great new story by Peter Beagle called "Vanishing," as well as "The Urn of Ravalos" by Rebecca Day, "The Sin Hypothesis" by Liz Lustig, "Tekkai Exhales His Avatar" by Tony Pi, and Part Two of the novelette, "The Absence of Stars," by Greg Siewert. You'll also find an interview with Tanith Lee, and a short essay by our own Orson Scott Card in response to a reader question.
Well, that's what's happening at IGMS. As much as I like to ramble on and on and on and on, I think that's enough for you to digest in one sitting. If you have any thoughts or questions about any of this, please drop us a line via the contact page on our website or comment right here.
Edmund R. Schubert
Editor, Orson Scott Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show
P.S. As usual, I've collected essays from the authors in the upcoming issue and will post them here on Side Show Freaks. Feel free to drop by next week and catch The Story Behind The Stories, where the authors talk about the creation of their tales.
P.P.S. If you've a story submitted to IGMS, please give me a little extra time to get to it; with the changes we've made to the publication schedule, we should have already started work on issue 12, so I've got a bit of artificially created catching up to do. It's a good problem to have, but still one I have to prioritize.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Local TV and Not-So-Local Signing
On other notes, I'm doing a 90 minute workshop on the Business of Writing, followed by a reading and signing at the City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC (just west of Asheville). The bookstore called yesterday to say they've already got 35 people signed up, so it might be smidge crowded, but if you're in the area, please stop by.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Guest Post - Mur Lafferty and "New Media"
Edmund posted recently on this blog about podcasters getting publishing contracts. He then invited me to guest blog here, and I wanted to discuss this in more detail.
I am a podcaster who built an audience of over 40,000 via free giveaways of audio podcasts and PDF podcasts, so you can guess I'm rather gung-ho about new media. Podcasting my book led directly to it being picked up by a small press and released in print.
Yes, print publication, or "old media" is my ultimate goal. Giving work away for free is not a way to directly make money, obviously. But new media allowed me to connect to an audience, make them care about my work, and then ask them to help me with the marketing of the small press book. Many bought copies of the book for themselves and to give as gifts. I received one email from a woman who appreciated the free podcast so much that she promised to buy several copies for Christmas gifts. I'm never clear on what number makes a small press book a success, but I earned out my advance and had a strong showing on Amazon for several weeks after the release, so I'm pretty pleased with the sales numbers of a book that never hit the bookshelves.
New media is not a fad or a gimmick. It's not a pipe dream or a crazy idea. It's a way to connect directly to an audience in a way that just a website will not do. Established authors with existing audiences can afford to look down on new media, but new authors with no audience would do well to consider audio or ebook releases of their work.
The relationship with the community is what it's all about. What I've discovered from the listeners who hear my voice talking to them in intros and read me on blogs and Twitter, is that they want me to succeed. I'm not an author in an ivory tower to them, I'm a person trying to climb a pretty big mountain and can't do it alone. (Yeah. Sometimes I mix metaphors.) When these people see my book, they don't think, "Oh, a superhero novel by that author I heard of once." They think, "Mur's book came out! Awesome!"
I had a man approach me at DragonCon last year. The conversation went something like this:
HIM: You're giving your PDF book away for free?
ME: Yep.
HIM: The whole book?
ME: Yep.
HIM: I read ebooks exclusively. What's to stop me from downloading your book and putting it on my reader and never paying you?
ME: Nothing.
HIM: But I won't buy the print version. What are you getting out of this?
ME: Hopefully a new fan. And someone who will tell a friend, who does buy print books, that there's a new author they should check out.
I'm not the best advocate for Creative Commons or giving work away - if you want to read some fantastic arguments for this, check out this Cory Doctorow's essay - (or his collection of essays, Content, which is available in print and, yes, as a free ebook. ) I will say that I've experienced nothing but good things using new media, and I can personally vouch for everything that Cory mentions in his essays (that apply to me, of course.)
I'm only a small example of the power of new media. Scott Sigler hit the New York Times Bestseller list with his latest book, Contagious, this past January. Scott built his career on podcasting as well, and has vowed to always have a free version of his work available (usually audio podcast). His legions of fans are rabid and dedicated and do a lot of his marketing heavy lifting for him.
For me, new media is a key part of the foundation of my writing career. I am hopefully building an audience who will stay with me for years, evangelizing my work whether it's out for free or in print. "Old" media is not dead; it's vital if you want to feed your family on what you make as a novelist. But it's becoming more and more important for new authors to consider new media as a way to engage their audiences, build communities, and get that zealous fanbase. Marry the two, as it were.
How do you do it? Here is a small checklist, but it doesn't cover everything:
1) Contact other authors doing the same thing. My audience already knows about this whole "they give it to you in one form and hope you buy it in another" situation. They're also already built in to receive and appreciate audio podcasts.
2) Network, offer to play other podcasters' promos if they play yours or talk up your book.
3) Connect with your audience. Intro your book with a personal note. Doesn't matter what you talk about, just let them know who you are and what you want out of podcasting your book. If you want them to buy the print version, SAY SO. If you want them to tell others via blog, word of mouth, or Twitter, then SAY SO. When they email you, email them back. Thank them for listening. We've been completely honest with our audiences, telling them what our goals are, and hoping they can help us.
4) Get a Twitter account, announce the Twitter account on your podcast and ask your listeners to spread the word. Make sure you use it - whether to talk about your breakfast, liveTweet the Oscars, or talk about your latest book. Just don't use it solely as a way to shill your stuff. You're trying to make people get to know you; you're not using it as a bullhorn about your work.
5) Keep putting out content. This is the hardest one; we all have issues with time management, and managing new media is no relaxing hobby. But if you want to keep up with your podcast audience, just like your print audience, you need to keep putting out content.
6) Enjoy yourself. The thrill of getting fan mail that your book in someone's ears moved them to tears, or got them through a tough time, or just that they usually hate [insert your genre here] books, but they loved yours, is unparalleled. And it's been proven many times that it will increase sales, but you have to work your audience (go back and re-read #3.)
Thanks a lot to Edmund for letting me play on his blog about new media. If you want to ask questions or continue the conversation, comment below or email me at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can find my many projects at http://www.murverse.com.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Picture Worth A Thousand Words?
Some of my February has been spent writing a new novel, but not as much as I would have liked. (Never as much as I would have liked.)
I thought I was going to sit down and start writing the first draft on February 2nd, but found myself terribly blocked. After a couple of frustrating days I realized the reason I was blocked was because I didn't know enough about my characters or the world they lived in.
So I pulled out a flip chart and started taping pages up on the walls of our guest room, until I had covered just about every available inch of wall space with blank pages. I labeled one for each of my main characters and started writing what I knew about them. I had another page for plot points I knew I wanted to hit, for characters and situations I wanted to bring into conflict. Conflict is one of the main things I'm looking at/for right now. Where can I bring opposed viewpoints together to clash in the story? It's been an interesting process.
For the first couple of days the kids would walk into the room and chuckle (after an initial wide-eyed response). And the wife doesn't mind at all. In fact, I think she's hoping that when I take these sheets down the tape will peel off some of the paint so that I will then have to repaint the room. She's never been happy with the shade of green it is now. And yes, the whole room is covered with pages.
So anyway, technically that's writing. I'm not really drafting any text for the story, but I'm writing down everything I know and using that to figure out what it is that I still need to figure out so I can get to writing. Right?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
TV Interview? What TV Interview?
A friend of mine who is friends with one of the local morning news TV personalities gave her a copy of my novel, Dreaming Creek. That's the way of the world, right? A little 'friend-of-a-friend' networking. She reads enough of the book to decide that she likes it (you know they never read the whole thing) and then invites me to come on TV to talk about it. Cool beans. I've done plenty of print interviews, and maybe a half-dozen podcasts, but this is my first time with a major media outlet.
So... I get to the TV station this morning, get buzzed in the door, and am greeted by a producer whose first words are "Who are you and why are you here?" She honestly has no idea.
Much scurrying and scrambling ensues. Computers and logbooks are consulted. Finally the news anchor who invited me is pulled off the set during a commercial break. "I swear I wrote it in the book," she says three or four times, all the while poring over a book that clearly doesn't have my name written down anywhere in the schedule for this week (or next, or the week after that). Numerous apologies are made on their part; I smile and just keep saying "It's no big deal." What else is there to say?
An hour later I'm at home, working on various magazine stuff, when I get an email from the TV producer saying they finally figured out what happened. Apparently my friendly neighborhood news anchor wrote me in for March 19th, when she meant to write it in for February 19th. Oops. These things happen. (Though I'd like to know why I'm such a magnet for them; they may happen, but they seem to happen to me with disproportionate frequency.)
I'm scheduled to try again next week, Wednesday morning. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
Oh well, could have been a whole lot worse…
Assuming it comes off this time, I'll post a link to the interview when the station adds it to their website.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Achieving Publishing Success
There are a problems with that logic, though, specifically in that there are some things it fails to recognize. And I think the main thing it fails to recognize is that the means of distribution is not the key to the success. For every success story that can be found in the realms of self-publishing, podcasting, etc. etc., there are thousands upon thousands of people who have tried the exact same path and failed. And failed miserably. Failed spectacularly.
The reason for the successes is because of three main things, two of which the author controls, one of which the author does not, and none of which are the means of distribution.
The first controllable factor is that the author wrote a good (or great) book to begin with. Just because an agent or editor rejects a book, does not mean it isn't a good one; sometimes editors (or agents) just get it wrong. The publishing industry is rife with stories that bear that fact out. But if an author has done their best work and believes in that work, they'll keep trying.
That brings us to the second controllable factor: that the authors of these books worked their assess off to promote them. There are so many books out there that it takes a tremendous amount of effort to get noticed, much less succeed. This is not news to anyone; you hear it all the time. But if you look at the story of the people who made it, you always hear them talk about how hard they worked, how many events they appeared at, how many signings and reading they set up, how many blogs they guest-posted on, etc. etc. etc. etc. ad infinitum. That effort, more than anything else, is the single biggest key to their success. I firmly believe that if an author who enjoyed success with podcasting their novel had put equal effort into self-publishing that same novel or releasing that same novel as an e-book (or whatever other means of distribution you care to name), they would have enjoyed comparable success. It's about the level of effort put into the book's promotion.
And for better or for worse, the third factor in determining success (or failure) is luck. Being in the right place at the right time has made or broken more careers than there is time to list. Of course, you increase your odds of being in the right place at the right time by being in as many places as possible as many times as possible (see previous paragraph on the subject of working your ass off), but in the end a little luck goes a long way. You can't control it, though, so stick with items one and two.
The last thing I want to mention is somewhat related to this topic and somewhat not. I've been hearing a lot of chatter about the potential demise of the traditional means of publishing and the revolution that's imminent. But before you dismiss traditional publishing, bear this in mind: The "success" of people who tried their hand at self-publishing or podcasting their novels is usually success in the very traditional medium they started out circumventing. They may not have arrived by conventional means, but they still arrived at the same place everyone else is angling for, for the same reason everyone is angling to get there: a good contract with a major publisher. Why? Because that's how you get you book into as many hands as possible. And because that's where the money is. And at the risk of having my membership revoked by the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Fine Artists, that is still the kind of "success" we are all looking for. We want as many people to read and enjoy our books as possible, and we want to be paid well enough for it that we can afford to stay home (instead of going to a regular job) so we can do it again.
Anyway... I didn't mean for this to turn into a PhD dissertation, I just wanted to say that getting as many people as possible to read your book is a good way to get noticed by a major publisher, but I think it is a mistake to confuse the means of distribution (podcasting, self publishing, whatever) for the cause of success in achieving wide distribution.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Locus Online: 2008 Recommneded Reading List
"The Tale of Junko and Sayuri", by Peter Beagle (InterGalactic Medicine Show July, '08)
"From the Clay of His Heart", by John Brown (InterGalactic Medicine Show April, '08)


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One School
Our Mission | About the New Church
The New Church (also referred to as Swedenborgianism) is a Christian faith based on the teachings of the Bible and the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century Swedish scientist and theologian. Swedenborg published extensively about what it means to be Christian, the inner meaning of the Bible, the afterlife, and God. The teachings for the New Church emphasize that true happiness comes from leading a life of useful service to others.
The Academy of the New Church is affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem, which is often referred to simply as the New Church. For more information, visit www.newchurch.org.
About Emanuel Swedenborg
Emanuel Swedenborg was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 29, 1688. He was the son of Sara Behm and Jesper Swedberg, a Lutheran clergyman who later became a bishop. Emanuel's education included studies at the University of Uppsala and under leading scientists throughout western Europe. He published extensively on a varitety of scientific and philosophical topics: from natural philosophy to studies of anatomy to the interaction between the soul and the body. In later life, he shifted his focus from science to theology, studying Scripture and publishing theological works. On March 29, 1772 he died in London, at the age of eighty-four.

subset: commoncrawl


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6.____ I can settle my claim for a lump sum payment.
7.____ Because I am getting workers compensation benefits, I will also get Social Security Disability.
8.____ If I die while collecting benefits my spouse will continue to receive them.
9.____ My doctor can bill me for any amounts that workers compensation doesn't pay for services.
10.____ I can't collect workers compensation because I had a bad back before this work injury.
6. True. Parties are able to compromise and release any and all liability which is claimed to exist under the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act. The "C & R Agreement" must be approved by the WCJ who will make a finding of fact that the injured worker understands the legal significance of entering into the agreement to settle.
7. False. Although you may be "disabled" under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, you may not be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits. Each benefit has different standards for eligibility and your case will be analyzed independently under the guidelines/regulations of each program.
8. False. Death due to causes unrelated to the compensable work injury terminates the obligation of the employer/insurer to pay benefits. An exception exists for specific loss benefits.
9. False. A doctor may not seek payment by the patient for any unreimbursed amount of the medical bills covered under the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act. This is a practice known as "balance billing" and is prohibited.
10. False. If an injured worker suffers an "aggravation" of a pre-existing condition, the aggravation will be treated as a new injury and is compensable.


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Believe it or not, at least on the calendar, Spring is just around the corner. So too is one more visit to Orcas Island by the Skagit Habitat for Humanity Store truck. The truck and volunteer drivers will be at Island Market parking lot again (thanks for your support) on Monday the 6th of March from 9:30 AM to noon. Please look at the list of things they will be allowed to accept by going to the Store's website before you load things into your vehicle. Use "acceptible-and-not-acceptible-items-for-donation" to find this list.
"We really appreciate the growing cooperation that has developed between the Skagit Habitat Store and Orcas Recycling Services over the past three years," said Pete Moe, Executive Director of ORS. "While we've been without the Exchange, Skagit Habitat has provided islanders with an opportunity to donate good things that can be reused by others. With a new Exchange just over the horizon, we'll see less of the Habitat truck, but anticipate continuing our relationship with them as the situation offers."
"If you have questions about the Skagit Habitat truck, the schedule, or what might be donated, please call Duff at 376-3032. He is our local point of contact for Skagit Habitat for Humanity, as well as the volunteer coordinator for the Exchange. You can also reach him at firstname.lastname@example.com."
A big "THANK YOU!" to everyone that made our first Black Friday Sale such a success! Whether you were in the Store getting a fantastic deal on a piece of furniture or were on the ground volunteering and helping our wonderful (and patient) customers; YOU helped to make a difference for a family in need here in Skagit County. This sale was a trial run for us as we normally close on the Friday after Thanksgiving. But this year we wanted to offer our customers one day of incredible savings, and it seemed to work out well for everyone.
As a matter of fact, we set a single day sales record on November 25th and I can say that I have never seen the Store so busy. We had a good sized line outside the door by the time we opened at 10:00am with customers coming as far away as Yakima. Both registers were going full steam most of the day and lines moved at a steady pace. Luckily the weather held out and we were able to get sold items out the door almost immediately, leaving the sales floor with some much needed floor space.
Another "THANK YOU" goes out to everyone that had to search for a parking spot. The top lot was filled very quickly, with some customers lining up as early as 9:00pm on Thursday night. Customers arriving later had to park farther down the lot, near the trail head. Everyone did a great job allowing space for other customers to pull in and out of the parking field. You can see just how busy the parking lot was in the photo below.
With such a successful event, you can bet we will be running another Black Friday sale in 2017 and beyond. And with ideas that we have gleaned from this sale we hope to provide everyone with a more exciting and enjoyable experience next year.
Thank you again,
Jason Harrison, G.M.
Skagit Habitat for Humanity Store
Saturday, April 30 – Saturday, May 7, 2016
Store Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
In the past many years, residents of Orcas Island have used their home-grown "Exchange" as a place to recycle useable items that might have gone into a landfill without the Exchange. About two years ago, the Exchange burned completely, and since then islanders have either had to haul recyclables off island, throw them into the landfill bins, or hang onto them. None of those options was very satisfying.
A year ago, one of our long-time volunteer families moved to Orcas Island, and learned of the Exchange situation. Skagit HFH offered to bring our Store truck to Orcas on a test basis to pick up donations. This began last spring and the response was extremely positive. Islanders turned out to such an extent that the truck was full to the brim on more than one trip. They really appreciated the opportunity to put their recyclable items to good use.
The effort to reopen the Exchange on Orcas Island has continued, and it looks like it will finally be back in operation in late 2015. Until then, the SHFH Store will consider coming back to Orcas to serve islanders and recycle donations. There is no regular schedule, but we try to meet the needs of the islanders when it fits well with the operation of our Store. During these visits, we have found out that Orcas residents are generally unaware that Habitat for Humanity has a retail Store in Skagit County (they seem to be well aware of the Store in Whatcom County.) The presence of our Skagit Store truck helps create awareness of our own Store–a more convenient location when coming off the ferry.


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Review: New on DVD for September 25
Sarah Gopaul
Sep 25, 2012 in
This week's releases include another found footage picture; an original horror series; a dialogue rich, character film; and a complete collection of award-winning television.
Entertainment One
388 Arletta Avenue
A faceless voyeur's twisted manipulation of a young couple escalates into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, as seen from the perspective of hidden cameras he's concealed throughout their house.
A stalker movie that relies wholly on surveillance style footage to tell its story is both innovative and derivative. There is no dialogue for almost the first 10 minutes of the film; the camera simply follows the couple from a distance. The voyeuristic aspect of the narrative is negated because you almost never see the targeted couple outside of the stalker's perspective. Moreover his behavior escalates quickly, moving from watching to tormenting to physical interaction in a matter of days. Nick Stahl carries most of the film appearing more erratic the further the stalker pushes him, turning in an intense performance that endures for the majority of the movie.
Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette. (Entertainment One)
American Horror Story – Season One
A family of three moves from Boston to Los Angeles as a means of reconciling their past anguish. They move to a restored mansion, unaware that the home is haunted.
This series took a unique approach to the haunted house genre, creating ghosts that regularly interact with the living residents. Each episode begins with the portrayal of a tragedy that occurred in the house from a few years to several decades earlier. Nicknamed "the murder house," it's a wonder they would continue getting buyers over the years - though it is a lovely home. The first season was engaging with various twists, turns and surprises. But it could also be a little over dramatic with too many characters or coincidences. The end of the season is wrapped in a neat little bow, which is expected but somewhat disappointing nonetheless. Having covered so much ground in the first season, it will be interesting to see where the show goes in the new chapter. Though they are already building anticipation with a special murder house app that tells users about murders in their own neighborhoods.
Special features not available. (Fox Home Entertainment)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
The American President
As President, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is immensely popular. As a man, he's a lonely father struggling to raise a daughter. His struggles multiply when his romance with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening) becomes fodder for both the press and a rival Senator.
If you've ever wondered what a single president would look like, this film brings that impossibility to the screen. Sydney's shocked response to his advances almost gives the impression that it was assumed someone in his position would be asexual. Even his closest friends and advisors believe public courting is off the menu, instead offering him private, discreet relationships to fill his needs. But the president proves persistent and persuasive against all resisters, including the object of his affections. Of course, to further complicate matters, Sydney becomes privy to information that could change the course of the upcoming election.
Special features not available. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
In a bleak and ominous future, superheroes have fallen out of favour, including Batman. Bruce Wayne hung up his cape at least a decade ago. Most of the others have been forced into retirement. Facing the downside of middle age, Bruce now buoys up his life with racing cars and liquor. Yet the bat still beckons as he watches his city fall prey to gangs of barbaric criminals known as the mutants. Based on Frank Miller's celebrated graphic novel.
Special features not available. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Damsels in Distress
A trio of beautiful girls who set out to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast College – the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore). They welcome transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men — including slick Charlie (Adam Brody), dreamboat Xavier (Hugo Becker) and the mad frat boys Frank (Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (Billy Magnussen)—who threaten the girls' friendship and sanity.
Writer/director Whit Stillman favors smart, heady dialogue - just see
The Last Days of Disco
. His characters have a lot happening internally, only some of which reaches the surface. The casting of Gerwig in the lead role is also an extension of his style, as she shares many traits with
star Chloe Sevigny. While these girls think they have the interests of everyone else in mind, they are actually elitists (and in some cases neurotics) trying to shape society in their image. The suicide prevention centre they manage is somewhat of a joke on and off screen, withholding donuts and coffee from anyone who is not "serious." It takes a little effort to stay with it all the way through, but the film is well crafted with excellent performances.
Special features include: commentary by writer/director Whit Stillman and cast; deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurette; "An Evening with Damsels in Distress: Q&A with Stillman and cast; and outtakes. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker.
There are no special features. (Entertainment One)
Fox Home Entertainment
Family Guy – Volume 10
America's most dysfunctional family, the Griffins, return with another outrageous, uncensored volume. Follow unconventional dad Peter Griffin (Seth MacFarlane) as he gets up to plenty of antics with the reluctant help of his caring wife Lois (Alex Borstein), their awkward daughter Meg (Mila Kunis), dorky son Chris (Seth Green), maniacal baby Stewie (MacFarlane) and Brian, the family dog who is both a ladies' man and a heavy drinker.
Released in volumes rather than seasons because of irregular airings in its earlier years, this covers the 2011-2012 season. Episodes include more time traveling by Brian and Stewie, but to a time likely more familiar to fans; TV rules are broken when Meg actually ages, turning 18 and entering Quagmire's radar; Lois gets political again, but for an even more controversial cause; Peter continues to offend at every turn, this time getting a shot at the Amish; and Brian and Stewie once again respond to viewer mail. Celebrity guests include a surprising obsession by Ryan Reynolds and a different mammalian appearance by Ricky Gervais.
Special features include: audio commentary on select episodes; select scene animatics; deleted scenes; "Behind the Music for Road to the North Pole"; "German Guy Fight Sequence"; and "Adam West Star Ceremony." (Fox Home Entertainment)
Rescue Me: The Complete Series
This series portrays the New York City firefighters of 62 Truck, whose duty to save lives puts their own in constant turmoil - on the front lines, in the firehouse and at home. Tommy Gavin (co-creator Denis Leary) is a deeply driven first responder with a combustible personality and personal demons to match. Through seven seasons, we follow his gripping story, along with those of his fellow crew. Provocative, profane, dramatic, humorous and unflinchingly honest, it is an unforgettable journey of courage, conflict and ultimate salvation.
Special features not available. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Resident Evil: Damnation
United States Special agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into a small Eastern Europe country to verify rumours that Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) are being used in war. Right after his infiltration, the US government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s.
Special features not available. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Surviving Progress
Surviving Progress
presents the story of human advancement as awe-inspiring and double-edged. It reveals the grave risk of running the 21st century's software — our know-how — on the ancient hardware of our primate brain which hasn't been upgraded in 50,000 years. With rich imagery and an immersive soundtrack, filmmakers Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks launch audiences on a journey to contemplate evolution from cave-dwellers to space explorers.
Special features include: introduction with Martin Scorsese at the New York premiere; "Behind Surviving Progress: Round table discussion with filmmakers at the Montreal Documentary Festival"; extended interviews with Jane Goodall, Ronald Wright, Michael Hudson and Jim Thomas; portrait gallery headshot sequence with voice-over by Wright and Gary Marcus; and filmmaker and producer biographies. (Alliance Films)
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388 Arletta Avenue
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At Limelight Marketing Systems, we believe that most good ideas are simple, which is why we offer five simple systems (though it could be argued that within those systems are a multitude of options and opportunities, but now we're just splitting hairs). It is what our team of designers, writers, branding brainiacs, and tech savants do with these simple ideas that make such a difference in the lives of those we're fortunate enough to help.
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Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek
Greek Cookbook - Village Taverna Recipes by James Newton
Series: James Newton Cookbooks, Book 2. You set the price! Words: 11,360. Language: English. Published: April 5, 2012 by Springwood Emedia. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek
Village Taverna Recipes is a book that contains many of the loved traditional peasant dishes from across Greece. From appetizers, salads to traditional Moussaka, Pastisada, Stifado, Sofrito, fish, chicken, Baklava and many more savoury and sweet dishes.
Demetra's Kitchen: Traditional Greek Recipes Handed Down Generations by Demetra Nerantzini
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 15,600. Language: English. Published: January 25, 2012. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek, Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » International(5.00 from 2 reviews)
**iTunes 'New & Noteworthy' selection February/March 2012** Demetra's Kitchen is a personal collection of traditional Greek recipes that have been handed down generations, including Baklava, Gyros and Leg of Lamb. Demetra's recipes are broken down step-by-step and you will not only learn the traditional way of cooking Greek, you will learn a family history told through sight, smell, touch & taste.
Greek Food Our Family Way by Eleni Tsimogiannis & Angeliki Tsimogiannis
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 1,750. Language: English. Published: May 4, 2011 by Chisel Design. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » General cookbooks, Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek(5.00 from 1 review)
Angeliki and Eleni Tsimogiannis are mother and daughter. Angeliki immigrated to Australia over 50 years ago and with her she brought her family's much prized Greek recipes. This book has 8 traditional recipes which we hope you enjoy cooking and serving to your family and friends.
Painless Greek Recipes For Lazy People 50 Surprisingly Simple Greek Cookbook Recipes Even Your Lazy Ass Can Cook by Phillip Pablo
Series: Painless Recipes Series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 10,970. Language: English. Published: November 14, 2017 by Betty Johnson. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek, Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Food-content guides
Do you want to eat Greek meals and too lazy to cook? This recipes book contains 50 surprisingly simple Greek recipes you can prepare and cook on the same afternoon. In other words, it is so simple, even your lazy ass can cook! The recipes follow the Greek guidance and they are designed so you can mix and match them according to your preference.
100 Easy Greek Recipes by Chris Collins
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 16,040. Language: English. Published: April 26, 2018. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Mediterranean, Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek
100 Easy Greek Recipes. It Contains Recipes: Greek Pasta, Greek Salads, Greek Squid (Soupies), Gigantes (Greek Lima Beans), Greek Chicken Burgers with Feta, Greek Pizzas, Greek Pasta Salads, Keftedes - Greek Meatballs, Greek Chicken Stew (Stifado), Greek Scrambled Eggs, Greek Chicken Pasta,Greek Stuffed Tomatoes, Frozen Greek Yogurt,Greek Avgolemono Chicken Soup,Briam.
The Greek Recipes by Pecaros in.rs
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 13,390. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2014. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek
This is great e book with Greek national recipes, healthy and delicious meals. Book includes 86 great, salty and sweet recipes, with ingredients and preparations methods.
Kitchens Beyond Borders Greece by Ronald LeClair
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 2,890. Language: English. Published: December 23, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Greek
This is one in a series of 20 short cookbooks for international food lovers everywhere. It showcases traditional and popular dishes from different countries. The format is buffet style, whereby all the dishes from one particular country are placed together on the table. A full menu is meant to serve twenty guests, but, because of its flexible possibilities, serving smaller numbers is also easy.


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I'm not really complaining, though. Nothing beats watching your self-started business, built from scratch, bloom and become successful! As for the girl guide camp, we always have such good times I honestly can't wait to be on my way, backpack and all!
But still, the brain needs a break, which is probably why I took tremendous pleasure in reading one of my recently-turned-eight daughter's new pre-teen books. You probably know the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In addition to the conventional novels, they've also published a do-it-yourself diary, filled with silly questions and pages to scribble on. I was leisurely flicking through it when I landed on this title: Things to do Before you get Old. Interesting, I thought. Let's see which ones I've already done.
Turns out I've done each and every single one of them. Ouch. Never knew old age would come so fast!
For your benefit, reader, here's the list. I recommend you answer it too, and, why not, add a few more items that appeal to you!
1) Staying up all night
Yep, done that a few times. There was this house party I stayed at until the sun rose, among other examples. Reminds me that before your kids are of age to attend parties where alcohol will be served, please do what my parents did: tell them to never accept a drink from a stranger. There was a guy at this party who was pouring tall glasses of bluish stuff and passing them around. When I had the presence of mind to ask him what it was, he answered "You don't wanna know". I politely refused the drink. He was slightly offended, but I didn't flinch. Later, I learned he had been using 90-something percent alcohol in that thing. Enough to make you go blind. Not to frighten anybody out there, but one of my friends once had a drink (just one!) that came close to put her in a coma. Most likely, someone had put something in it while she was dancing. Lesson number two: never leave your drink unattended.
One additional thing I've learned from all-nighters is that you will feel fine except for around the time you usually go to bed (then as that time passes, your energy comes back) and around 3 in the morning (when the human body is programmed to be in its deepest sleep). It's not that hard staying up all night. The problem is: how will you feel the next day.
2) Try a roller coaster that has at least one full loop
I did, at La Ronde (in Montreal). Fun fact about roller coasters: they bring up your level of arousal (from fear and excitement), but the human neurochemestry does not distinguish between excitement-induced arousal and attraction-induced arousal. So, next time you want to make someone fall in love with you, take him/her on a roller coaster ride (literally) with you! They'll attribute the butterflies in their stomach to your presence and boom! done deal. (If they're particularly scared, they might even find comfort in your arms... an obvious bonus!)
3) Take part in a food fight
We had a few in high school. The most memorable one involved throwing chocolate pudding into a friend's mouth, using a spoon and trying to aim accurately. One smart friend, not quite in the mood for a chocolate facial mask, took a paper bag, cut 2 wholes for the eyes and one whole for the mouth, and put it on her head, to limit the mess. Quite a sight!
I'm not a big groupie, but I do have a few autographed books from Quebecois and French novelists.
5) Get a hole in one at mini putt
It happens once in a while. Funny how throwing a ball in a hole can induce such feelings of elation! The human mind truly is amazing.
6) Cut your own hair
Only once. Turned out better than you'd imagine given my complete lack of talent when it comes to doing anything manual. The hair did get much shorter than I had envisioned, though (from trying over and over again to make it all equal). I don't recommend it.
7) Find an idea for an invention
Don't know if that counts, but in grade 7 or 8, we had to write a paper on a futuristic invention. I came up with that air cushion super fast train. (Admitted, I wasn't the first one to think about this.) Obsession with traveling faster was on my mind early!
8) Spend three nights in a row away from home
All the time while travelling, and I love it.
9) Send a real letter in a real envelope with a real stamp
Many, many times in my youth as I had multiple pen pals all over the globe. I highly recommend this activity for kids. What a great way to practice reading and writing skills, and to learn about other cultures! I found most of my pen-pals through a Finland-based organization called International Youth Service, which has closed recently due to the lack of interest from kids nowadays. How sad. They were great, except maybe for the time they paired me up with a Peruvian girl who only spoke Spanish (which I didn't), and this other time they paired me with a Moroccan boy who rather quickly asked me to marry him (!!!)
10) Sleep out in the open
Did that at camp. First time when I was about 12. We unrolled our sleeping bags on the grass next to a cute pond. The - summer - night was warm and peaceful. The sky was full of stars. I experienced a moment of bliss... that is, until the girl next to me started screaming about a frog making its way into her sleeping bag!
11) Read a complete book with no pictures
Well, obviously this is frequent. Don't forget this list targets a pre-teen audience!
12) Beat someone who's older than you at a race
Beating an elderly person doesn't count, I'm afraid, but I did beat a few older kids at the 100 m sprint in high school. I actually made it into the track and field team, but quickly got frustrated as I discovered I was irrevocably javelin-challenged: the f-ing thing kept falling on the wrong end!
13) Eat a whole lollipop without biting into it
That's tough, but if I try hard, yes, I can do it.
14) Use a port-a-potty or latrine
Anybody with a minute bladder has to, at least once in a while. Plus, that's what they have at races. And at some Girl Guide camps. So.
15) Score at least once in a team sport
It's still a complete mystery to me why my 6th grade gym teacher decided to put me on the basketball team, since I'm terrible at dribbling, but it must have been because of my ability to throw the ball in the hoop. Might also have to do with the fact that I grew about 10 cm that year, making me - temporarily - one of the tallest kids of the school. Other than that, team sports have always been a disaster: my memories of soccer mostly involve nose bleeds; water-polo was fun until people began trying to make each other drown and made it a habit to rip each other's bathing suits (common things in water-polo, I hear... if it wasn't for the helmet, they'd also rip your ears from you); and nobody will ever want to play volleyball with me, I'm afraid (because, to put it bluntly... I s*** at it). The only team sport I really liked was badminton doubles... until my partner, F, smashed the shuttle on the back of my head. When I reminded him of it, last summer, he said "Yes, and that must have hurt, 'cause I was quite a strong player". Awww. Great times.
Wait, there's one team sport I do love: floor hockey. Anybody wants to start a league?
16) Apply to a casting (e.g. for a play)
Twice, in high school. Got a small part both times. Don't think I'm very talented, but I loved it anyways.
There are so many more things one should do before getting old... Why don't you send me your suggestions?