S.K.S. Perry's Blog, page 12
July 31, 2012
Last Chance!
Today is the last day to get my series, DARKSIDE and DARKSIDE: WAKING THE DEAD for free at Smashwords. Funny Urban Fantasy. Try it, you'll like it! https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sksperry
July 24, 2012
So how was YOUR Monday?
Got my stitches out yesterday. According to the surgeon the dermatologist got all the cancer during the biopsy, so the surgery wasn't really necessary. Oh well, better scarred than sorry.
On a happier note, I probably have food poisoning. (Remarkably, almost passing out in the reception area while waiting to see a doctor moves you to the front of the line. Who knew?) They told me If I didn't feel better by today they want me to report for a MRI just in case it's a perforated ulcer. I'm going with food poisoning though: I mean, what do I have to be stressed about?
Anyway, feeling slightly better today. Not in any real pain, although I don't know if I want to risk eating anything.
On a happier note, I probably have food poisoning. (Remarkably, almost passing out in the reception area while waiting to see a doctor moves you to the front of the line. Who knew?) They told me If I didn't feel better by today they want me to report for a MRI just in case it's a perforated ulcer. I'm going with food poisoning though: I mean, what do I have to be stressed about?
Anyway, feeling slightly better today. Not in any real pain, although I don't know if I want to risk eating anything.
July 18, 2012
Free Books!
You can get both Darkside AND Darkside: Waking the Dead for FREE at Smashwords in most electronic formats until July 31. Just enter the promotion code SSWIN. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sksperry
I am nought but a cog in the Great Machine of Life.
And not one of those important cogs either. You know, the ones that when you pull it out the whole machine falls apart? No, I'm one of those cogs you might find lying about some day and think, "I wonder what this does? It can't be that important, because everything still seems to work fine. Still, I'd better keep it in case it turns out to be something important."
So you stash it in a drawer or an empty pickle jar on the shelf in your workshop with all the other bits and pieces that you don't know what they do.
So that's me then, a spare cog in the pickle jar of life. Maybe I'll turn out to be important some day, or maybe I just get tossed in the trash when you finally get around to cleaning out your garage.
So you stash it in a drawer or an empty pickle jar on the shelf in your workshop with all the other bits and pieces that you don't know what they do.
So that's me then, a spare cog in the pickle jar of life. Maybe I'll turn out to be important some day, or maybe I just get tossed in the trash when you finally get around to cleaning out your garage.
July 17, 2012
My review of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises
No, I haven't seen the film yet, but that doesn't seem to stop the professional critics from reviewing most movies lately, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
First off, Christian Bale. Didn't he scream at some poor crew member that one time? He's obviously a narcissistic prick, and we all know they can't act.
And Anne Hathaway? She was engaged to that guy who went to prison, right? Anyone who associates with known criminals must suffer from some kind of moral turpitude. And she's pretty, so she's probably just getting by on her looks.
What about Joseph Gordon-Levitt? He…um…what a…um….okay, I actually kind of like him. Obviously he's the bright light in this film.
Let's face it, The Dark Knight Rises is the third film in the series, and they always suck. Blade 3, Spiderman 3, X-men 3. Am I right?
So, in a nutshell, The Dark Knight Rises is a lacklustre third film in a franchise who's lead actors suck. The only reason it's worth seeing is for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
There, a review by an unqualified critic who hasn't even seen the movie. This thing should go viral any minute now.
First off, Christian Bale. Didn't he scream at some poor crew member that one time? He's obviously a narcissistic prick, and we all know they can't act.
And Anne Hathaway? She was engaged to that guy who went to prison, right? Anyone who associates with known criminals must suffer from some kind of moral turpitude. And she's pretty, so she's probably just getting by on her looks.
What about Joseph Gordon-Levitt? He…um…what a…um….okay, I actually kind of like him. Obviously he's the bright light in this film.
Let's face it, The Dark Knight Rises is the third film in the series, and they always suck. Blade 3, Spiderman 3, X-men 3. Am I right?
So, in a nutshell, The Dark Knight Rises is a lacklustre third film in a franchise who's lead actors suck. The only reason it's worth seeing is for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
There, a review by an unqualified critic who hasn't even seen the movie. This thing should go viral any minute now.
July 16, 2012
10 Things You May Not Care...er...Know About Me
1. My birthday is April 20th, same day as Adolf Hitler. (Different year though.)
2. I have black belts in 7 different martial arts - one in ninjitsu - making me, in fact, a ninja.
3. I am not as tall as most people think I am.
4. In spite of most photo evidence to the contrary, I do smile--a lot.
5. I have written four novels to date that have been read bymillions thousands close friends and family - and that homeless guy who lives in the dumpster out back behind the Walmarts.
6. My initials (S.K.S.) are also the initials of a Russian carbine.
7. The second two initials in my name are the names of my father and grandfather respectively. (Kenneth, Stanley.) I have no idea who Steven was; maybe the milkman?
8. I am only second generation Canadian. My grandfather came over from England during WW1. For reasons no one can explain, his nickname was Scotty.
9. I can only actually think of 9 things you may not know about me at the moment.
10. Although I'm Canadian, I don't play hockey, and can barely skate.
2. I have black belts in 7 different martial arts - one in ninjitsu - making me, in fact, a ninja.
3. I am not as tall as most people think I am.
4. In spite of most photo evidence to the contrary, I do smile--a lot.
5. I have written four novels to date that have been read by
6. My initials (S.K.S.) are also the initials of a Russian carbine.
7. The second two initials in my name are the names of my father and grandfather respectively. (Kenneth, Stanley.) I have no idea who Steven was; maybe the milkman?
8. I am only second generation Canadian. My grandfather came over from England during WW1. For reasons no one can explain, his nickname was Scotty.
9. I can only actually think of 9 things you may not know about me at the moment.
10. Although I'm Canadian, I don't play hockey, and can barely skate.
July 11, 2012
No, I'm not under anesthetic. Why do you ask?
There surgery went well. I even got to keep my ear and everything. Um…on my head…not like in a jar or anything.
In order to celebrate, I went out and bought the new Samsung S lll phone. It’s pretty damn amazing, but I don’t think the voice recognition software is quite up to Suri’s standards.
Me: “Call home.”
Sam: “Did you say Small Gnome?”
Me: O.o
For some reason I took that as a challenge.
Me: "Why yes, yes I did."
Sam: "Searching…there are 3 small gnomes in your immediate area. Would you like me to provide directions?"
Me: “Hell yeah!”
And that's how I got to meet Danny Devito.*
*No, I did not actually get to meet Danny Devito.
*Nor do I actually believe he’s a gnome. We all know that according to my novel DARKSIDE, he’s half Troll.
*Seriously, Danny Devito is NOT half Troll.
*Please don’t sue me, Mr Devito!
In order to celebrate, I went out and bought the new Samsung S lll phone. It’s pretty damn amazing, but I don’t think the voice recognition software is quite up to Suri’s standards.
Me: “Call home.”
Sam: “Did you say Small Gnome?”
Me: O.o
For some reason I took that as a challenge.
Me: "Why yes, yes I did."
Sam: "Searching…there are 3 small gnomes in your immediate area. Would you like me to provide directions?"
Me: “Hell yeah!”
And that's how I got to meet Danny Devito.*
*No, I did not actually get to meet Danny Devito.
*Nor do I actually believe he’s a gnome. We all know that according to my novel DARKSIDE, he’s half Troll.
*Seriously, Danny Devito is NOT half Troll.
*Please don’t sue me, Mr Devito!
July 9, 2012
Free DARKSIDE by S.K.S. Perry
Until July 31 get Darkside for FREE at Smashwords. Just enter the promotional code SSWIN at checkout. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/59844
Did I mention it was free?
Did I mention it was free?
June 29, 2012
Too stuffed; can't move.
We went to one of the numerous country clubs near our house for dinner tonight. (Seriously, there must be 20 golf courses in a 10 mile radius of our house. If only they were wild life reserves. Maybe if we taught the moose and bears to play golf.)
Tangle Creek Country Club held their all-you-can-eat Lobsterfest tonight, and OMG! Fresh, live lobster prepared right in front of you, crabs legs, muscles, scallops, shrimp, pork tenderloin, roast potatoes, rice and shrimp, chicken a l’orange, a crepe stand where they flambé the fruit right in front of you, a pasta bar where the make the sauce to your specifications (fresh garlic, seafood, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, cheeses, all sorts of herby things, wine, vodka etc) and your choice of pasta, grilled steak and arctic char, every kind of salad and bread you can imagine, desserts up the ying-yang. (They had a caramel almond cheesecake that almost made me cry.)
I can’t believe how much Pen ate. I’m sure the Little Mermaid is crying herself to sleep as we speak, because Pen ATE ALL HER FRIENDS. She was legendary. I bet from now on when we walk near an aquarium, all the fish and lobsters and stuff will yell, “Run, it’s her!!!.
Normally Pen and I are quick. Sit down, eat, pay the bill, in and out in 30 minutes. Restaurants love us. Tonight? 2 ½ hours!!!
We had a hard time making it to the car afterwards, which was only exacerbated by the fact that it was a golf course and there were all these golf carts just sitting there. I almost tipped one of the golfers going by to give us a lift to the car.
All this, and drinks, for $120 a couple.
They even had a great guitarist/singer entertaining us while we gorged. It’s a wonder nobody ate him.
Tangle Creek Country Club held their all-you-can-eat Lobsterfest tonight, and OMG! Fresh, live lobster prepared right in front of you, crabs legs, muscles, scallops, shrimp, pork tenderloin, roast potatoes, rice and shrimp, chicken a l’orange, a crepe stand where they flambé the fruit right in front of you, a pasta bar where the make the sauce to your specifications (fresh garlic, seafood, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, cheeses, all sorts of herby things, wine, vodka etc) and your choice of pasta, grilled steak and arctic char, every kind of salad and bread you can imagine, desserts up the ying-yang. (They had a caramel almond cheesecake that almost made me cry.)
I can’t believe how much Pen ate. I’m sure the Little Mermaid is crying herself to sleep as we speak, because Pen ATE ALL HER FRIENDS. She was legendary. I bet from now on when we walk near an aquarium, all the fish and lobsters and stuff will yell, “Run, it’s her!!!.
Normally Pen and I are quick. Sit down, eat, pay the bill, in and out in 30 minutes. Restaurants love us. Tonight? 2 ½ hours!!!
We had a hard time making it to the car afterwards, which was only exacerbated by the fact that it was a golf course and there were all these golf carts just sitting there. I almost tipped one of the golfers going by to give us a lift to the car.
All this, and drinks, for $120 a couple.
They even had a great guitarist/singer entertaining us while we gorged. It’s a wonder nobody ate him.
June 28, 2012
Thank you for your service - don't let the ass hit you on the door on the way out.
Last Thursday the CO had a meeting with all the Reservists, and told us the plan was that we'd all be employed until at least 31 March. The plan was to take our unpaid leave in August, and then re-sign our contracts until March, when we'd find out whether or not we'd be offered more full time employment, and if so, that we'd have to give up our pensions. They told us they'd have us all come over and work out the details this week.
Seeing as it's already Thursday, and I hadn't heard from them, I decided to give them a call. Guess what? It's seems they've run out of hours. My my contract is done 30 Sept. (So no need to take unpaid leave in August.)
Yep, as of 30 Sep I'm unemployed.
But wait! There's another contract coming up that they want me to apply for, and if I get it I'm good until 31` March again (and have to take a month of unpaid leave before Dec.) That's right; they've got no money left to pay out my current contract, but enough to start a new, different one. (Apparently my current contract isn't a priority, which is BS - just ask my supervisors - but hey.)
There's the possibility that they could employ me for 12 days a month (Class A), which pays about $500 a month less than I'd make on EI, and no benefits. (No medical, dental, vacation time).
It's kind ofinsulting weird to end a 30 year military career this way, but what can you do? Let's face it, best case scenario I'm employed until 31 March, and them I'm right back in the same boat. Maybe it's best to pull the plug now and get it over with.
So, does anyone know where I can find a job in the Barrie area that pays $55-60K a year?
I didn't think so.
Oh, and I got home to find a phone message scheduling my surgery for the basal cell carcinoma for 11 Jul. Yay.
Seeing as it's already Thursday, and I hadn't heard from them, I decided to give them a call. Guess what? It's seems they've run out of hours. My my contract is done 30 Sept. (So no need to take unpaid leave in August.)
Yep, as of 30 Sep I'm unemployed.
But wait! There's another contract coming up that they want me to apply for, and if I get it I'm good until 31` March again (and have to take a month of unpaid leave before Dec.) That's right; they've got no money left to pay out my current contract, but enough to start a new, different one. (Apparently my current contract isn't a priority, which is BS - just ask my supervisors - but hey.)
There's the possibility that they could employ me for 12 days a month (Class A), which pays about $500 a month less than I'd make on EI, and no benefits. (No medical, dental, vacation time).
It's kind of
So, does anyone know where I can find a job in the Barrie area that pays $55-60K a year?
I didn't think so.
Oh, and I got home to find a phone message scheduling my surgery for the basal cell carcinoma for 11 Jul. Yay.
