Royal Escape from the Topic - for off topic chit chat Showing 1,001-1,050 of 2,839

[Christine PNW]

I am in Oregon, and was at 99.8% totality. It was very cool to watch, and I was astonished at how dark it was as well as how much the ambient temperature dropped.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Moonlight Reader wrote: "I am in Oregon, and was at 99.8% totality. It was very cool to watch, and I was astonished at how dark it was as well as how much the ambient temperature dropped."

Yes, I had forgotten that part. I have never experienced anything like it. It was like everything just stopped!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Moonlight Reader wrote: "I am in Oregon, and was at 99.8% totality. It was very cool to watch, and I was astonished at how dark it was as well as how much the ambient temperature dropped."

Lucky you!

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽]

We had about 90-95% totality here in Utah, but I managed to combine a trip to Wyoming for my mother's 80th birthday with a stop in the small town of Shoshoni on the drive home to see the total eclipse with several others in my family. It was amazing! Truly one of the most memorable, awe-inspiring experiences of my life. There's a monumental difference between a partial eclipse - even 99% - and seeing the total eclipse. The world just changes in the instant the sun goes dark and you can look at it with your naked eyes.

Now I just have to hang on until 2045 (when I'll be 85 years old) to see the total eclipse come to Utah. You're all invited. :)

[Kim]

I would be 90. Hmmm. Possible, but not a sure thing after the last couple of years...

[Susan in Perthshire]

And I'll be 96 - quite a goal to aim for though!

[Critterbee❇]

We are planning to go to beautiful Maine in 2024 for the next one!
April in Maine should be BRRRRRRRRR, but hopefully clear.

[Susan in Perthshire]

❇ Critterbee wrote: "We are planning to go to beautiful Maine in 2024 for the next one!
April in Maine should be BRRRRRRRRR, but hopefully clear."

Now that's far more realistic - I will still only be 75!

[Kim]

Think I might be 68 then, before my birthday. That sounds at least within the realm of more likely. 🌒

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

In 2024 I plan to go to my home town where there should be 100% totality.

Only 80% yesterday where I live now.

[Karlyne]

We were at the edge of totality (99.8% or so), and I have to say it was a weird experience. It seemed to take forever to black out, and the actual darkness only lasted about two minutes, but it was really disorienting to feel the sun setting on top of the house. The temperature dropped about 10', too. It happened so fast at the end that I missed the stars, but the kids in town saw them - in spite of the street lights coming on. Crazy!

[Susan in NC]

At the edge of totality here, too, but overcast at my house, so didn't see anything!

[Karlyne]

We were lucky and had a couple days of blue sky before the smoke moved back in, so it really did get black during the eclipse. Today feels like a partial because it's so red and smoky again. We're all praying for drenching rain!

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "We were lucky and had a couple days of blue sky before the smoke moved back in, so it really did get black during the eclipse. Today feels like a partial because it's so red and smoky again. We're ..."

Oh I am so sorry - be safe!

[Karlyne]

The whole West is blanketed. There are so many fires we're getting it from all directions, even including Canada. There's a 40% chance of rain here today, but I'm afraid it'll just be local mountain clouds and won't put much fire out. I've heard Oct. 15th as the projected date for most fires to be out. Seriously stinky!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "The whole West is blanketed. There are so many fires we're getting it from all directions, even including Canada. There's a 40% chance of rain here today, but I'm afraid it'll just be local mountai..."

Oh no! :(

[Kim]

All the rain we got over winter has made for fecund foliage. My husband had to evacuate from UC Berkeley campus a couple of weeks back because of wild fire started up on Grizzly Peak, think it was arson. Firefighters ran into bee hives, running away from bees, 1 fell 20 feet or so down Peak & hit pavement. Had 2 have surgery, I think...survived to hospital, I know.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

We were evacuated because of a fire (arsonist) over 30 years ago. This is why I have fought so hard to preserve our track (for those of you who know about this) as it is also our emergency evacuation route. I'm happy to say, after a 3 month campaign by my husband & me, our local council finally got a contractor in to repair it & clear out the drains. It looks awesome now. :)

[Kim]

The careless firestarters are bad enough, but the deliberate arsonists are monsters.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kim wrote: "The careless firestarters are bad enough, but the deliberate arsonists are monsters."

Our one never caught either. Took a long time for the bush to grow back.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽]

We have a mountain that starts right at the end of our street, and this summer there were, not one, but two, separate fires started by careless people, at the base of the mountain. The fires go very quickly up the mountain and then creep back down and threaten our homes. It's always a very fraught time for us when this happens (4x over the 23 years we've lived here).

[Karlyne]

We actually had a guy start a fire a couple of years ago, because he wanted to get hired as a fire-fighter. Amazing.

[Kim]

I've read about that sort of thing. Also, firefighters starting fires because they like fighting them. It is rare, but it does manifest this way at times.

[QNPoohBear]

I was in Salem, Mass. on Monday-yes that infamous city- so not much of an eclipse there. Some people had pinhole projectors and many had glasses but from inside, there wasn't any difference.

However, I did discover this most amazing gift shop The Marble Faun! I wanted to buy the whole store. Actually I already own a large portion of the Austen shelf. No Heyer but lots of Austen, Downton Abbey, Brontes, Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, parasols, lace gloves etc etc!

[Sheila (in LA)]

There's a store not too far from where I live called "The Ripped Bodice." They do sell Georgette Heyers (new ones). It's all romance, and every sub-genre is represented, including many I had no clue about. They sell second-hand books on the upper floor and I've seen a few Mary Stewarts, Victoria Holts, etc. I was with a friend on one visit and he couldn't understand how they managed to stay in business (ha ha).

[Critterbee❇]

The Ripped Bodice and the Koch sisters are famous nationwide (USA), and had a popular podcast, appear on other romance podcasts, and have a patreon. They sell books and other gifts, including clothes. They do mail items, so you can shop from afar (I am on the other side of the country in Virginia) and they have an adorable mascot in Official Store Dog Fitzwilliam Waffles.

Romance is by far the best selling genre in the USA, with reports of between 1.4 -1.8 billion dollars sold per year. So overall, it makes sense to me how they could stay in business. People appreciate having a store devoted to their favorite genre, and support them.

[Critterbee❇]

Although, maybe they just seem famous to me? I guess I can not say famous nationwide if no one else here has heard of the store?

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

There used to be one in South Auckland called Barbara's Books that specialised in romance. I can't find a live link online & she may well have retired.

[Barb in Maryland]

❇ Critterbee wrote: "Although, maybe they just seem famous to me? I guess I can not say famous nationwide if no one else here has heard of the store?"
Fear not, Critterbee, the romance community knows all about The Ripped Bodice.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& this is a really old article about Barbara.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/n...

[Critterbee❇]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Fear not, Critterbee, the romance community the romance community knows all about The Ripped Bodice."

I am so glad! They really are providing a comforting service to readers of a genre long scorned, even though that genre consistently has fantastic sales figures.

[Susan in Perthshire]

❇ Critterbee wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Fear not, Critterbee, the romance community the romance community knows all about The Ripped Bodice."

I am so glad! They really are providing a comforting service to read..."

I agree - a well written romance takes some beating when you want a lift or an escape. When I was a teenager, I devoured Mills and Boon (I think they're known as Harlequin elsewhere) as part of an incredibly varied diet of books - and even now I enjoy a good romance.

[Teresa]

I read Mills and Boon by the bucket load when I was younger. I had an aunt who loved them too. She lived quite a good bit away from me so when she came for a visit she would bring me a huge bag load and I'd have one for her to take back. I learned more about geography and the lives of people in foreign countries from those books than I ever did in school.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Teresa wrote: "I read Mills and Boon by the bucket load when I was younger. I had an aunt who loved them too. She lived quite a good bit away from me so when she came for a visit she would bring me a huge bag loa..."

At the shop, we used to be donated huge numbers of Mills & Boon but it seems to have dried up! Have all the readers switched from dead tree to ereaders?

I read Mills & Boon & Loveswepts in the early 90s when I thought I had it in me to write one. To cut a long story short I didn't. I became really fond of some of the Australasian writers though.

[Susan in NC]

❇ Critterbee wrote: "The Ripped Bodice and the Koch sisters are famous nationwide (USA), and had a popular podcast, appear on other romance podcasts, and have a patreon. They sell books and other gifts, including cloth..."

I haven't heard of that one, but great name for a romance bookstore !

[Susan in NC]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "❇ Critterbee wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Fear not, Critterbee, the romance community the romance community knows all about The Ripped Bodice."

I am so glad! They really are providing a comfo..."

Me too! On both the Harlequins as a teen and currently enjoying a good romance novel, although I'm really addicted to mysteries ( not too gory, I'm a wimp!)

[Critterbee❇]

Susan in NC wrote: "Me too! On both the Harlequins as a teen and currently enjoying a good romance novel, although I'm really addicted to mysteries ( not too gory, I'm a wimp!)."

I usually like mysteries and history, and then a chance encounter with a Georgette Heyer opened up the world of romance fiction to me.

I try books that I normally would not read, to be able to recommend titles more effectively for patrons. And The Grand Sophy turned out to be such an enjoyable read that I started looking elsewhere in the romance genre.

Kind of makes me think, what if I had picked up some bad stereotype of a romance novel, and never returned to the genre!

[Abigail]

If you like contemporary romance at all, I was very impressed by one I read lately, by Kristan Higgins: Just One of the Guys. It reads a little vulgar for one accustomed to historical romance, but I got over worrying about that and really liked it. It was both funny and sad. Full of real emotions and ethical issues, not just the pantings of attraction.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm hoping my copy of Behold Here's Poison will arrive today or tomorrow.

Our government elections are next week & I am a worker on the day.

Had my training morning yesterday. I am doing the Special Votes this time (this is my 4th time doing it) A lot more to this but I'm sure I'll be ok on the day.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I'm hoping my copy of Behold Here's Poison will arrive today or tomorrow.

Our government elections are next week & I am a worker on the day.

Had my training morning yesterday. I am doing the Spec..."

What are 'special votes' Carol?

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "What are 'special votes' Carol? "

We are a very democratic democracy & our system knocks itself out getting people to vote. Special votes are mainly for people who are outside their electorate on the day, who enrolled too late to appear on the roll or who have moved since enrolling.

This year they have even had workers going door to door to check if people are on the roll & there was a chap outside the supermarket to sign people up. If you want to vote in advance you can over the next 2 weeks. (I applied for that job but didn't get taken on for that)

Is it the same in the UK, Susan?

[Abigail]

Here in the USA we would call the work you’re doing “provisional balloting.” Good for you, Carol, to be a poll worker! I used to do that, when my back could tolerate the 14-hour days on a folding chair.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "What are 'special votes' Carol? "

We are a very democratic democracy & our system knocks itself out getting people to vote. Special votes are mainly for people who are ..."

Similar, but there are differences I think. Whilst there is a concerted effort to get people registered to vote, we don't have the special measures you have. Many people now take advantage of the postal votes system - if they are going to be away on holiday or for their work and not be able to attend the polling station. You obviously have to be registered to vote and the local government department is very good about sending out reminders. You can also register online - so that makes it easier. However, if you are not registered by the deadline - then you don't get to vote. Again, there are always loads of press and television adverts to remind folk - but I guess not everyone registers.
Interestingly, when we had the referendum on Scottish Independence, people were registering to vote right up to the wire! There was a turnout of almost 85% which is the highest on record! Interestingly the EU referendum only had a turnout of 72% - probably because many folk thought the result was a foregone conclusion whereas in the Scotland referendum, it was incredibly tight in the run up to the vote so everyone knew their vote counted. The turnout in the last General Election in June was just under 69% - a reflection I believe that in the 'first past the post' system which operates for the UK government elections - people don't see the value of voting quite so much. (Of course there is also a general cynicism about politics which affects voter habits, but that's for another discussion!)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Abigail wrote: "Here in the USA we would call the work you’re doing “provisional balloting.” Good for you, Carol, to be a poll worker! I used to do that, when my back could tolerate the 14-hour days on a folding c..."

Folding chair????? Blech.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "What are 'special votes' Carol? "

We are a very democratic democracy & our system knocks itself out getting people to vote. Special vote..."

Interesting. Our local body elections have been postal for quite some time.

They are having trouble getting the young to enrol. If our boy is enrolled I doubt if he has changed his address. For a guy who has strong opinions on almost everything he is very unmotivated politically.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "What are 'special votes' Carol? "

We are a very democratic democracy & our system knocks itself out getting ..."

It's been a problem here as well. They reckon that if all the young people who supported remaining in the EU had actually voted - the result would have been vastly different. Interestingly, there was a real surge in young people registering and voting in the June General Election. Perhaps they had realised after last year's result that having political opinions is not enough if you don't also vote!!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "Here in the USA we would call the work you’re doing “provisional balloting.” Good for you, Carol, to be a poll worker! I used to do that, when my back could tolerate the 14-hour days on a folding c..."

Hank you for your service, Abigail! My husband did it for years, also...definitely worthwhile work.

[Susan in NC]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "What are 'special votes' Carol? "

We are a very democratic democracy & our s..."
I agree, I think it's the same here! My husband always says, if you can't be bothered to vote, you can't complain!

[Teresa]

Here in Ireland we seem to be big on voting. Susan I agree with your husband, if you can't be bothered to get off your butt and take ten minutes out of your day to have your say then, yes, shut up! We've had a few serious issues here for voting in recent times. My daughter felt so strongly about them that she came home from London to vote.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Yeah we had some idiot on radio yesterday. Special voting opened yesterday & some polling stations are already having problems with people wanting to take selfies or be photographed placing their vote. We had one last time - a New New Zealander who was so excited to be voting for the first time.

People are losing all concept of the right to privacy now.

Edit; oops sorry. The radio idiot couldn't understand why anyone would care if his vote was private or not. Really!?!? what about if an abusive husband saw that his wife wasn't voting the way he told her to?