Wednesday, December 23, 2009

This, That, and the Other

Here's some random stuff that's going on, in my life and in my head:

See, Mom, it's not a joke:

DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD author Alan Orloff's THE LAST LAFF, the first book in a series, featuring a stand-up comedian with a tragic past who is searching for his missing protégé while dealing with the offbeat comedy scene, to Terri Bischoff at Midnight Ink, in a two-book deal, by Kathy Green at the Kathryn Green Literary Agency (world).             

(From Publisher's Marketplace)

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It's the time for year-end (and decade-end) "Best Of" lists, and I've seen a lot of book lists on various blogs (and other places). It makes me realize just how many great books I haven't read. I need to find more time somewhere. I wonder if I can read while I shower?

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Who is Stieg Larsson, and why do people either love his books or hate them?

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I've been working on giving my website a facelift. Look for something new and (hopefully) dazzling sometime in the early part of January. Photoshop rocks!

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I just received the proofs of DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD to review. Looks like fun, if you like that sort of thing. I'll let you know if I do after I'm finished.

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I've been "elected" to the post of Treasurer for the Mid-Atlantic MWA chapter. And by elected, I mean that I volunteered and ran unopposed. Of course, I didn't realize it was a two-year term until I got my ballot in the mail. Seriously, I'm looking forward to giving back to an organization that helped me so much over the years.

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I'm thinking about getting a new phone. Right now, I have one that makes and receives phone calls. No camera, no GPS, no MP3, no fancy apps. It makes phone calls (I know, how charming). Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what features/apps/functionality I need (aside from making phone calls). The question is: Do I have enough time in my schedule to learn how to operate yet another device?

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In my never-ending quest to get organized, I just bought an appointment "planner." I spent about four dollars. It's paper. No batteries are involved. To operate, I write my appointments in it with a pencil. To delete, I use an eraser. Will this low-tech solution be sufficient? I guess I'll find out.

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Here's my end-of-December resolution: Work on my New Year's resolutions.

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What's going on in your life/head?


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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alan - It sounds as though you're planning a lot of new things and changes, and that can be fun. I empathize about your plans to work on your blogsite; I'm always trying to think of ways to tinker with mine. I wish you well with your proofs!

joe doaks-Author said...

Look forward to the new web site, Alan. Lots of work. Can be fun. For sure time consuming. So, what are you planning to do with the MWA money? That, too, sounds like fun. A paper Organizer??? Ewwww. (Mama looked down and spit on the ground every time a paper organizer is mentioned.—Paul someone). Here’s a thought: combine the new phone and organizer into one cool electronic device.

Best Regards, Galen.

Imagineering Fiction Blog

Alan Orloff said...

Margot - Thanks. If there's one constant in my life, it's change.

Galen - I think I'll write a story about embezzlement. As a matter of fact, I have thought of combining a phone with an organizer (with a camera, and a GPS, and an MP3 player, and a blender, and a vacuum cleaner, and a ray gun, and...)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

You've got a lot going on!

My phone up and died, so I have a replacement phone today. Try a texting phone, maybe? When your kids get one, it'll make texting them a ton easier.

Looking forward to the website!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder