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

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

So I got my new iPhone!

My old phone was a *cough* 6, so it seems some things have changed along the way. :-D

SamSpayedPI wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Unfortunately here, in winter, it’s wake up in the dark and go home in the dark as the daylight hours get shorter. It’s really depressing. Like, 5pm, and it’s dark out. Sigh... oh we..."

Spenser will happily snooze for however long someone is willing to stay put with him. Marlowe is always waiting for signs of life so he can start demanding his breakfast. :-D It doesn't matter if it's four in the morning. If I leave the bed for any reason, he's convinced it's time for breakfast.

1 - Spending gift cards (which I did on Sunday)
I'm kind of a gift card hoarder, but after discovering one of my gift cards was hacked, I resolved to use my remaining ones up--or at least get them applied directly to my accounts, so that I could be sure of using them myself.

Anyway, I spent a pleasant hour or so on Ebay and then Amazon buying lights and plants for the garden.

2 - Marlowe the Alarm Clock
I think it's Marlowe's mission in life that I never sleep past seven o'clock. He has all kinds of little tricks for ensuring this: he'll sneeze loudly, he'll hop up and down on the bed on few times, then he'll sit and stare down at me. I don't think he can tell if my eyes are open, but if I smile--which it's hard not to do with that earnest little face peering into mine--he's all over me. :-D

3 - Late afternoon swims
The light is so gorgeous this time of year and the weather is still warm

4 - Not living in a hurricane zone GULP

5 - That stage of writing where the characters and their world is more immediate and real than my own. :-D

The SO and I watched Hallmark's Nikki and Nora: Sister Sleuths.

https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysterie...

It was, well, it has potential. Maybe I think so because it was better than the incoherent mess that was the previous week's Francesca Quinn, PI. THAT was truly terrible.

The leads here were engaging and had actual chemistry together, the mystery held at the seams and actually even sort of made sense, and there's potential for a lot more.

So that was a relief. Hallmark still has one decent mystery series left.

Jordan wrote: "Karen, I could probably do fictional stories based on truth. I’ve not yet seen Nordic noir though. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a favorite genre, but maybe one or two every now and then might be enjoyab..."

I know! Common enough that when an episode begins and one of those three scenario factors is present, the SO and I immediately yell, "GUILTY!!!"

Antonella wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I want to take self defense classes but haven't signed up. I hope one day."

I totally recommend Wen-Do. It was very important for me because after an attempted sexual assault I did..."

I think every woman should take some form of self-defense course--and then a refresher when she hits her forties/fifties. It's important to understand your options in potentially dangerous situations. You have to be able to set your priorities.

Also taking some form of martial arts training is beneficial on so many levels.

Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "Does anyone here read on any of the mobile platforms like Radish or Dreame or Inkitt?

Are youse guys familiar with web publishing?"

I've not heard of them, but i live in a cave so..."

It's a very different audience, I think--which is one reason Amazon has had such trouble launching Vella successfully.

Jordan wrote: "So on Thursday I took my first beginner Tai Chi class in over a year! My work schedule and other things conspired against me making it to class. Now there’s an intermediate class on Mondays, and I ..."

Basically, just do lots of stretching and flexing and you'll be ready for anything!

Antonella wrote: "Did you know that October is Bat Appreciation Month?

Bats: A World of Science and Mystery by [author:Melville Brockett Fen..."

If there was ever a month for it...

1 - Making plans.
There was that long stretch during the first part of the pandemic when making any plans seemed pointless, but I think I've reached a point of being able to plan while understanding that everything could change at a moment's notice--and actually be okay with that.

2 - Vintage cocktail recipes
So. Much. Less. Sugar. I don't necessarily want to drink them, but I love reading the recipes and experimenting.

3 - 1950s seed bead necklaces

4 - Peonies
Which I have ZERO luck growing so far

5 - Spenser struggling so hard not to bark
(which involves a lot of muttering under his breath and reproachful looks)

It looks like the SO and I will be attending the 2023 Bouchercon Mystery Conference in San Diego, so if anyone is planning to be there, I'd love to see you!

https://bouchercon2023.com/

Karen wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it ..."

It's in my watchlist. I haven't got to it yet.

I still enjoy Nordic noir TV shows, though we don't watch them as voraciously as we originally did. I guess we finally had our fill of hangings in churches and flaming swans. ;-D

mwana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It r..."

LOL

Well, that's kind of disheartening!

Jordan wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It r..."

The three commonalities in Dateline stories that most depress me are adopted children who grow up and murder their parents, ministers who murder their wives, and former highschool sweethearts who eventually murder their spouses.

Those in particular are just... WHAT??? WTH???

And there are a startling number of them--although the fact that they make Dateline hopefully means that they're unique enough to be newsworthy.

Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it ..."

Yes. Dateline in particular does a nice clean overview with (usually) some kind of resolution. Offering the illusion of a world still somewhat in control. ;-D

Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it home that those..."

It is definitely depressing, and I have to monitor how much of it I watch because I do start to get depressed and anxious. I remember when I was binge watching DISAPPEARED I started texting my nieces (who were pretty young at the time) safety tips.

SAFETY TIPS OUT OF THE BLUE. :-D

Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "I admit, I wasn't a fan of the original Quantum Leap, but the new one looks sort of fun."

Josh, le gasp! Not a fan? Sacreblue, lol. Dr. Sam Beckett was li..."

I HAVE had a busy life. :-D And an interesting life. Which I have to remind myself of sometimes when I start feeling dispirited about everything I haven't done.

DISAPPEARED is back. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappe...

The original Disappeared introduced me to true crime. I had the flu and I streamed episode after episode on Amazon and was hooked by episodes like the one on Maura Murray and the McStay family.

The new incarnation is...well, it remains to be seen. Last week's episode was pretty good. The previous two seemed less in-depth and more cursory.

Melissa wrote: "Marge wrote: "Melissa wrote: "We'll have to compare notes after each episode. :)."

Yeah, like gee, where did all that new code come from? Who could POSSIBLY have written it? LOL"

I am eagerly wai..."

LOL I love how much you're into this! ♥

Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "I admit, I wasn't a fan of the original Quantum Leap, but the new one looks sort of fun."

Josh, le gasp! Not a fan? Sacreblue, lol. Dr. Sam Beckett was like the best hero! Some of the..."

LOL.

I don't think I was watching a lot of TV back then! I went a few years without even owning a TV, believe it or not. At one point I was going full throtte for the musician thing, so I was in two different bands AND dating a musician who was in a third band. Every night was a rehearsal/practice, every weekend was a gig, and the rare night off was spent in pubs. LOL.

THAT WAS THE LIFE. :-P

That was also when I took a long break from writing--years where I only wrote for myself.