Josh’s Comments (group member since Jun 17, 2010)

Josh’s comments from the Q&A with Josh Lanyon group.

Trio wrote: "Averin wrote: "I want to read Lament at Loon Landing, but can't yet. So how come someone else claims she did and gave it one star?"

thankfully there's a 5 star review as well to ev..."

God. I really am trying! There are just so many disruptions right now. I don't know if it's just...I've reached the age where a lot of stuff is reaching maxium velocity--health stuff, aging parents, changing circumstances--I keep hoping everything is going to even out again. But when? When is life going to settle into something conducive to a regular work schedule and hitting deadlines?

Sometimes I feel like it's a miracle I've managed to get ANYTHING done this year.

Averin wrote: "I want to read Lament at Loon Landing, but can't yet. So how come someone else claims she did and gave it one star?"

She's probably miffed that it's not out yet. Or she just doesn't like me.

1 - Antibiotics

2 - Reward points
I used to NEVER use--or even notice--reward points on my credit cards, but holy moly! Those can be really useful!

3 - Phillippes French Dip sandwiches
https://www.philippes.com/

4 - Autumn plantings
(assuming I can stay healthy long enough to get them done)

5 - Voting by Mail

Jordan wrote: "I do love the idea of walking with your cat. It sounds so peaceful and fun! ..."

It does! And yet... Isn't it a bit like herding cats? One cat? :-D

Having trouble sleeping with disaster looming over us?

When LB Gregg and I were on Catalina last fall, she introduced me to a feature on the Calm app called The Shipping Forecast.

https://blog.calm.com/blog/soothe-you...

It's hilarious, but also very effective.

Pretend It's a City. Fran Lebowitz is a national treasure. Welllll, maybe a New York treasure. But I love her so much.

Also watched Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. Fascinating for both the insight into an influential writer's life and times. Very poignant. Also inspirational.

The smart, slick reboot of UNSOLVED MYSTERIES has returned for a third season. It might be my imagination, but this season is a bit more gruesome? Or maybe I'm just more squeamish now? But interestingly, with their latest episode, they're following the lead of the original series and asking viewers to help find a suspected murderess.

https://www.newsweek.com/unsolved-mys...

It'll be interesting to see whether viewers of this generation are as engaged (and useful to law enforcement) as the original viewership.

Antonella wrote: "A friend of mine often shares quotes from https://thelanguagenerds.com.

Finally I decided to check it. It is indeed full of hilarious stuff, like for ex. following mistakes and quotes:

https://t..."

This is the kind of thing I love. ;-)

Karen wrote: "I read two books over this week that surprised me in a good way. Key word: intelligent. :)

Kaje Harper's Hidden Blade, the first book in the multi-author The Road to Oktoberfest 20..."

Speaking of intelligent and well-written, I love your sharp, quick little reviews, Karen. You manage to say so much with so few words.

I was going to release the ebook for HIDE AND SEEK in December because the story takes place during the holidays and it left it as a Patreon exclusive for a solid six months, however circumstances being what they are, I went ahead and listed it yesterday.

Supposedly, something over 300 M/M titles were/are being released this month, and it will probably only get worse as the holiday season approaches. So maybe it's just as well it's going out now when there's still a slight chance someone might see it. :-D

Anyway, it's now in audio, print AND digital.

Antonella wrote: "Josh wrote: "We got our latest boosters on Sunday morning.

I thought I was going to get away without a reaction, but Sunday night I started to feel awful. So basically about forty-eight hours of ..."

Well, the thing is, I had my last booster right before Christmas--and then I promptly caught Covid--so I think it was probably time, especially given the current mutations.

I also got my first ever flu shot, so for all I know that was part of the reaction.

BUT BECAUSE ALL THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, I seem to have a...kidney infection?! Maybe? Perhaps? Anyway, I'm back to feeling crappy and on anti-biotics.

I mean this year has been a )((*&&^^%$#@#!@!ING health disaster for me.

Although, knock on wood, still nothing that has put me in the hospital, so yay!

And now that I'm counting back, I guess it's my 3rd booster?

Antonella wrote: "Josh wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I'm very worried for the upcoming US elections...."

Me too."

I take back what I told Melissa just a few days ago: apparently the Republicans gained once more support."

It's like my dad always said: People would rather die than think.

Also, I believe that having to change your mind is one of the hardest things for people to do. Especially when it comes to politics or religion, which is so tied to identity.

HIDE AND SEEK is now available as an ebook

https://amzn.to/3Skve31

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

https://play.google.com/store/books/d...

It should also be on B&N and Kobo shortly

1 - Luxuriously deep sleep

2 - Feeling better after feeling poorly

3 - The light in autumn

4 - Scented candles, super soft blankets, old mystery movies -- the perfect antidote to a chilly night

5 - Halloween

Oh that's hopeful!

Melissa wrote: "I'm very worried for the upcoming US elections.
..."

Me too.

We got our latest boosters on Sunday morning.

I thought I was going to get away without a reaction, but Sunday night I started to feel awful. So basically about forty-eight hours of feeling lousy.

The good news is the reaction seems milder each time and the recovery is way faster.

Still, your basically scheduling yourself for a couple of days of flu. :-D

Which, of course, is so much better than Covid.

Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Happy Indigenous Peoples Day, if you’re not a fan of Columbus Day in the US. It’s also Mental Health day, so take care of yourselves!"

Speaking of things..."

I don't know. I've had many of my assumptions about these people challenged, although typically--not always--there are some common truths: they are largely uneducated or "self-educated." If they are educated, it doesn't tend to be broad or in the liberal arts.

They are people with a strong sense of grievance--I guess that's a sense of entitlement? Because it's not like they're all poor or underadvantaged.

They lack empathy. That's a key one, I think.

They believe the ends justify the means. Which is a dangerous way to think.

But they aren't all socially inept or emotionally unfulfilled, which was an assumption of mine.

Antonella wrote: "Today Auschwitz survivor and Senator for life Liliana Segre presided - as oldest member the Italian Senate (she is 92 years old) - the session to elect the next president of that Chamber of Parliam..."

Ugh.

I fear there are difficult years ahead for those of us who still uphold democratic values.