Monthly Archives: January 2006

Another online goodie for writers

Posted on January 31, 2006 by Kirsten

Via Miss Snark, a great on-line resource for writers who want to avoid scams and sham “agents.” Which is, presumably, most writers. Quips about fools being born every minute notwithstanding. Technorati Tags: literary agents, writing

Posted in Writing | Comments Off

It’s on the tip of my tongue

Posted on January 31, 2006 by Kirsten

Since one can never have too much extraneous information clogging one’s inbox, I’ve subscribed to the Wordcraft “Word of the Day” email. Many days the word is one I already know, or, since I don’t aspire to David Foster Wallacian … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | 2 Comments

Yellow Stuff

Posted on January 31, 2006 by Kirsten

Rochestarians are understandably uneasy. What’s happened to winter? Our average annual snowfall is 92.3 inches. So far this season, we’re up to ten: two inches of snow in January, three inches in December, and five in November. My daughter is … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Rochester, New York | 2 Comments

Upstate, Downstate

Posted on January 31, 2006 by Kirsten

Zubalove, in a post about NY State politics, references one of the state’s archetypes: the perennial rivalry for money and political power between New York City and “Upstate.” (Upstate, for anyone who has never been here, is about as different … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Rochester, New York | Comments Off

It’s an hawk, it’s an owl . . .

Posted on January 30, 2006 by Kirsten

No, it’s a Northern Hawk Owl, and Junk Store Cowgirl trucked her family out today to look at it. This species of owl, she writes, isn’t supposed to be found this far south, so it’s generating a bit of excitement … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Rochester, New York | Comments Off

Freying deals

Posted on January 30, 2006 by Kirsten

Last Friday, Publisher’s Marketplace reported in their e-newsletter that Riverhead, a Penguin subsidiary that had contracted with James Frey to write two more books, is having second thoughts: “The ground has shifted. It’s under discussion.” Today, Publishers Lunch says that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Comments Off

A day for bucking up

Posted on January 30, 2006 by Kirsten

I’m a firm believer that if you want something, your mindset is crucial. I also believe that people who succeed maintain a certain mindset despite appearances. Even when they seem to be failing, they maintain an inner certainty that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Comments Off

Next up: Googlets?

Posted on January 30, 2006 by Kirsten

Steve Rubel’s Micropersuasion predicts that Google’s refusal to turn over search records to the US Department of Justice is only the first sally in what will become a protracted power struggle: Years from now we will remark that this was … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet | Comments Off

Shoe! Shoe!

Posted on January 30, 2006 by Kirsten

I’m working on a new trick with my dog. It’s a complex one, which is good — it stretches my training skills. Ultimately, what I hope my dog will be able to do is to hunt for an object I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs | Comments Off

Protest march to nowhere

Posted on January 29, 2006 by Kirsten

Political parties always face hard decisions about who, within their ranks, should have the most influence — the wings or the middle. Today, one of these flashpoints can be found in the Democratic Party; it was the subject of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 3 Comments