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totally off topic -- just a lot of random stuff
message 1051:
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Christine
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Apr 12, 2020 06:50AM
Aww your so sweet Wendy lol
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1. Ifirst want to state I changed my mind about Zoom. If anyone wants to chat and meet, I am game.2. Question to the Community. What really makes a Best Seller? I rarely pick up best sellers and the last time I actually purchased a book on such a list was Harry Potter book,
Growing up, I never had the "in" thing when it came school supplies, clothing or toys. I just was not interested or we could not afford it.
So I ask what actually makes a book a best seller? Is it because of publicity? A Known Author? Subject Matter?
Wendy, I'm with you on the 'in' thing. I never cared about it, whatever 'it' was.As to what makes a best-seller, I don't think there is any one thing.
1/ Author. I think some authors are so well-know, anything they write is automatically a best seller. Stephen King would be an example.
2/ Sometimes a book just resonates with so many people and they tell so many friends and neighbors, it takes off.
3/ Sometimes it is hype. If a book is touted as the best (fill in the genre of your choice) novel of all time, everyone who reads that genre will grab it to see if it really is.
4/ Sometimes it's the 'source' of the hype. I think many books praised by Oprah Winfrey (for one) become best-sellers because people buy the book just because she said it was good.
5/ Sometimes a book is different or unique. The 'Harry Potter' books were such a fresh take on the genre, they took off.
6/ Sometimes the times make a book a best-seller. A bright, optimistic book might become a best-seller during a depression.
Just my 2 cents.
Wendy wrote: "1. Ifirst want to state I changed my mind about Zoom. If anyone wants to chat and meet, I am game.2. Question to the Community. What really makes a Best Seller? I rarely pick up best sellers and ..."
I couldn't either, but I'm going to respond to something other than your actual question. If you think of what's "in" as what resonates with a lot of folks and may represent a common cultural reference, then - depending on your personality and needs - sometimes it's worth understanding and being able to engage on what's in in order to connect with other people. For example - Game of Thrones or Friends or The Office on TV, or Where the Crawdads Sing in books. Maybe none are really my thing, but if you don't get any of the references to the first 3, it can make social interactions something where one doesn't get jokes that everyone else gets, or maybe it stops you from being a good teammate in bar trivia, because you need to be able to answer these questions. Crawdads also wasn't my thing, but I'm a reader and, if it's the only book a new acquaintance read in 2019, if I can't engage on it at all, then I've frustrated the person who thinks he or she has a basis for connecting with me.
-- signed, your neighborhood curmudgeon who has begun to see the value in understanding what's broadly in, without investing a ton of time or $$ on it.
On a different topic that, given we're a mystery group I see as "on-topic" but don't know where else to share; a CrimeReads article I found interesting, on how to get firearms right in novels or, common, avoidable errors in crime fiction. Some of this I knew, but less than I thought.https://crimereads.com/a-police-offic...
Carol. A very astute thought process. I have not read Game of Thrones, Hunger Games or the twilight series. I was about to read Thrones when I found out WE Martin has not finished the series and does not appear to even want to try. That would drive me mad. Besides, it did not seem to be my cup of tea... I just reread this paragragh, think I am channeling my recently deceased British Mom. None of the aforementioned books appealed to me either. To note: I did read Da Vinchi Code and had to skim the last third of it because it dragged on and on. My husband at the time (dyslexic non reader) devoured it and started researching aspects online!
Carol wrote: "On a different topic that, given we're a mystery group I see as "on-topic" but don't know where else to share; a CrimeReads article I found interesting, on how to get firearms right in novels or, c..."good article and true. I am retired leo. Not mentioned, but in 60s and 70s cop shows, criminals and cops would taste suspected narcotics. We had chemical reagent field test kits.
Thomas wrote: "Carol wrote: "On a different topic that, given we're a mystery group I see as "on-topic" but don't know where else to share; a CrimeReads article I found interesting, on how to get firearms right i..."That always seemed risky to me and I couldn’t understand that it was “the” approach. Thanks for the education.
Carol wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Carol wrote: "On a different topic that, given we're a mystery group I see as "on-topic" but don't know where else to share; a CrimeReads article I found interesting, on how to get f..."You're Welcome
On TV, I see law enforcement personnel ill from accidental Fentanyl ODs from touching something without gloves. Is this a thing?
Wendy wrote: "On TV, I see law enforcement personnel ill from accidental Fentanyl ODs from touching something without gloves. Is this a thing?"We were taught to use gloves when handling drugs.
Fentanyl can be absorbed into the body through the skin, the membranes of the nose or the tissue lining the cheek.So, yes just touching a surface contaminated by fentanyl (or inhaling the powder can make a person fall ill from the drug.
It was an NCIS NOLO, and it was unexpected exposure
They had a similar story line on Blue Bloods. Baez (Danny Reagan's partner) picked up a tray with fentanyl and (I think) heroin on it and absorbed enough to put her in a coma for 5 days (aka the whole show).
Edit!! yes it was Blue Bloods, not NCIS NOLO
Let's hope my library opens this month. (sighs) There are such STUPID people in my county.
Kirsten I’m not going nowhere because of this Corona Virus thing and Kirsten everyone isn’t paying attention about this whole Corona Virus thing because they’re all going out or having parties
Christine wrote: "Kirsten I’m not going nowhere because of this Corona Virus thing and Kirsten everyone isn’t paying attention about this whole Corona Virus thing because they’re all going out or having parties"Yes they're so stupid. Cases in my county went up after Mother's Day because so many people went to visit their mothers. It makes me so mad. We have one of the few counties in our state where cases are going up not down. And it's because no one listens when the governor and the health officials tell them to wear their masks!!!
I lived on Bailey Island, Maine for a couple years with my parents until 2 years ago when I moved to Florida. Bailey Island made national news last week. A friend of my parents (not close friends, but friends) was killed by a great white shark. It was the first fatal attack by a shark in Maine recorded history. My mom sounded a bit distraught when she told me about it. The whole community is upset, as people know each other better there than most places.
I agree with you Kirsten and that’s crazy Kirsten and I don’t blame you for being mad about it Kirsten because I would be mad about it too Kirsten and I think people aren’t thinking about this whole Corona Virus thing Kirsten
It's terrible. I just heard that my middle school math teacher is in the hospital with it and isn't expected to live. Thanks for your kind thoughts Christine.
Yeah it is terrible Kirsten and that’s horrible Kirsten and no problem Kirsten
Bruce wrote: "I lived on Bailey Island, Maine for a couple years with my parents until 2 years ago when I moved to Florida. Bailey Island made national news last week. A friend of my parents (not close friends, ..."I saw that on the news. How tragic and scary!
I’m so sorry, Kirsten. I hope you and your family are safe.
I am hoping everyone is healthy and keeping safe. I just experienced my first Zoom Funeral and Zoom Shiva. I was Class of 1983 and one of our most beloved teachers Mr. Jack Fasman has passed away. Granted he was 90+, but he was mourned from coast to coast by family, congregants, co-workers and students. I was so happy to be allowed to convey my fond memories and condolences.
I have had to do Zoom as a para educator, family gatherings and now a funeral.
I am so desperate for human contact, i am willing to forgo Goodreads faceless talks like this and do a ZOOM meeting here.
I read an article in today's newspaper about one of the California fires. People had to be evacuated from Mammoth reservoir area by helicopter. Liz and I visited this area in 2008. See my travelogue. http://www.vermontbridges.com/keating...
I live in N. California. I went to Big Basin last summer. It is almost all gone. Just gone.
Wendy wrote: "I live in N. California. I went to Big Basin last summer. It is almost all gone. Just gone."I used to lead Sierra Club family vacations in Big Basin can't believe it's been hit by fire - it's so sad
"Totally off Topic" I have a weird one. I was on another social media site called Reddit. It is most definitely a site that you take with a grain of salt because it is well known for elaborate and bizarre narrations as well as advice, entertainment, humor and snark.
One of the Karma stories happen to mention a Tire Rental Company who repossessed a mean woman's tires. A Redditer commented she had "never heard of such a business" whereas another Redditer belittled her for being ignorant.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the nearest "Tire Rental" business. The nearest place to me (SF Bay Area) was Salinas - 70 miles away - then the next over a hundred. They lease tires, rims and wheels.
As this Group is from all over the world, I am am very curious if this Group has heard of this practice.
I've never heard of renting tires. However, I googled it and the tire place around the corner from me is listed as a renter. I guess it works like a rent-to-own. I'm in NC.
I just had to buy 2 new tires and they can get pricey. I thought about getting 4 but decided that was too much. So I can understand why people might rent tires.
As this is " totally off topic" etc. AND I see this Group as a SAFE place, I would like to ask some touchy questions.This is NOT a political ploy. I simply want an explanation.
As everyone knows, the US has finished the Presidential elections. Prior to the election, our President and many others threw out accusations of mail in ballot voter fraud:
specifically double voting, voting with dead people's ballots and people no longer in residence.
Now, I personally received TWO mail in ballots. I was worried my ballot would be tossed. I called my local Voter Officer who assured me 2 was a oops and had I voted 2x, aka fraud, their computer would have spit out the 2nd one received. Okay. Are all State computers that sophiticated?
Dead People: How does the State know when NOT to send a ballot? My Mom died last January - did my stepdad receive a ballot with her name on it this October? ( he is not gonna tell).
When I went camping Oct 31st weekend, one of the other campers reported he received FOUR Mail in Ballots. His and his Brothers, SILs and their adult son's lived there for awhile before MOVING OUT. He has no idea if they reregistered. Only he had received 3 extra ballots. He commented how easy it would have been to vote 4x. We pointed out signatures had to match. He replied, how easy it would have been to forge them...
Now, I listen to NPR and other news outlets. Their experts say if there is fraud like Above, it is so little, it does not affect the Election.
But, I quietly, worry. Just in MY small world, I encountered ALL of it. If my stepdad got Moms ballot, and the camp friend voted with those ballots, that is FOUR ballots of fraud. Multiple that with everyone else receiving extras.
Please tell me my fears are unfounded.
P.S. if this gets political, I give the Mods permission to delete the thread if I do not so it fast enough
I believe they check signatures to make sure the correct person sent in the ballot. And as you said, toss out extra ones from the same voter.
They do check the signatures and, here in NC, they check that the witness has accurately filled out his/her information. A number of ballots were given a second chance so that errors in address, signature could be corrected before the deadline.I only got one mail-in ballot and I had to wait for my sister to visit so I'd have a witness. Otherwise, I'd have had to vote early.
Wendy wrote: "As this is " totally off topic" etc. AND I see this Group as a SAFE place, I would like to ask some touchy questions.This is NOT a political ploy. I simply want an explanation.
As everyone knows..."
You have ABSOLUTELY nothing to fear, the whole world knows the US election was fair and free from ANY interference. For heaven sakes even your conservative majority Supreme Court confirmed the nonsense of trump and republicans peddling untruths. I am not being political just dealing with a sociopath lying president that fooled Americans. Your state based election approval confirmed it too, many of them republican appointees. That's not to say there were some amonalys but they are not statistically significant but there was over 150 million votes. So happily the American people and Democracy have spoken.
Michael wrote: "...So happily the American people and Democracy have spoken."Amen.
Moderators: If this is a wrong place, please put it in the correct place. It appears that the Blog Thread does not seem to fit my query.I am trying to figure out why SYKM is so popular. I had hoped it would assist me with specific genres: Internationally based specifically as well as other books. I do not see the International areas of this site updated at all. And other areas of interest are not updated.
Is SYKM a sponsor?
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