(no subject)

A personalized writing quote from lj Friend affinity8:

"The Second Cosmic Rule of Writing: Work With What You're Given. One of my favorite New Yorker cartoons by George Booth depicts a tormented, obviously "blocked" writer sitting at his typewriter, crumpled paper strewn about, surrounded literally by dozens of dogs-- napping, barking, hanging from the window sills, etc. The writer's wife stands in the doorway, glaring at him in weary fashion. 'Write about dogs,' she says."

(From Dennis Palumbo as excerpted in The New Writer's Handbook 2007)

UPDATE: and here's a link to the cartoon in question.

(no subject)

A personalized writing quote from lj Friend affinity8:

"The Second Cosmic Rule of Writing: Work With What You're Given. One of my favorite New Yorker cartoons by George Booth depicts a tormented, obviously "blocked" writer sitting at his typewriter, crumpled paper strewn about, surrounded literally by dozens of dogs-- napping, barking, hanging from the window sills, etc. The writer's wife stands in the doorway, glaring at him in weary fashion. 'Write about dogs,' she says."

(From Dennis Palumbo as excerpted in The New Writer's Handbook 2007)

UPDATE: and here's a link to the cartoon in question.

Fall

Yesterday, temps neared record highs--hi to mid 80s. Today, the wind is gusting and temps have dropped to the 50s. Our high tomorrow will be in the 50s. Yesterday I ran the A/C; tonight, the windows are open, cold freshness is gusting through the house, and I can hear my wind chimes.

I will also need to break out the leaf blower in the next week or two. Trees are still very leafy, but enough leaves have fallen to make things look quite autumnal.

Dyson note--I had to take it to the shop a couple of weeks ago. The On/Off switch stopped working--I called Dyson, the rep I spoke with said the problem happens occasionally with Animals. Took my beast to the repair place. Mentioned the word "occasionally" to the repair guy, and he smiled. In his opinion, Dysons are overrated, and have simply done a great job of marketing in the States--in Europe, they're the equivalent of Dust Busters. They vacuum just fine--it's solid technology (that's been around for years). But there are design flaws, and they're not, in his opinion, particularly well-made. He recommended a company called Sebo. They warranty everything down to the belt.

So, the beast is back home, and it's working for now. I'll use it for as long as it lasts, but this is the first time I ever had to take a vacuum cleaner in for service. Having to do so after only 3 months of use didn't fill me with warm fuzzies. At least it was covered under the warranty.

Fall

Yesterday, temps neared record highs--hi to mid 80s. Today, the wind is gusting and temps have dropped to the 50s. Our high tomorrow will be in the 50s. Yesterday I ran the A/C; tonight, the windows are open, cold freshness is gusting through the house, and I can hear my wind chimes.

I will also need to break out the leaf blower in the next week or two. Trees are still very leafy, but enough leaves have fallen to make things look quite autumnal.

Dyson note--I had to take it to the shop a couple of weeks ago. The On/Off switch stopped working--I called Dyson, the rep I spoke with said the problem happens occasionally with Animals. Took my beast to the repair place. Mentioned the word "occasionally" to the repair guy, and he smiled. In his opinion, Dysons are overrated, and have simply done a great job of marketing in the States--in Europe, they're the equivalent of Dust Busters. They vacuum just fine--it's solid technology (that's been around for years). But there are design flaws, and they're not, in his opinion, particularly well-made. He recommended a company called Sebo. They warranty everything down to the belt.

So, the beast is back home, and it's working for now. I'll use it for as long as it lasts, but this is the first time I ever had to take a vacuum cleaner in for service. Having to do so after only 3 months of use didn't fill me with warm fuzzies. At least it was covered under the warranty.