Monthly Archives: January 2011

Philadelphia Mummers 2011 Part 2

As promised, more pictures from the Mummers’ Parade on New Year’s Day. That is one sexy French maid. Grandma Gaga is doing her best to compete, though. And then–ELVIS!!! The Buccaneer Bakers! Pirates and baking, my kind of group. Their … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “The Rear-Guard”

The Rear-Guard (HINDENBURG LINE, APRIL 1917) Groping along the tunnel, step by step, He winked his prying torch with patching glare From side to side, and sniffed the unwholesome air. Tins, boxes, bottles, shapes too vague to know; A mirror … Continue reading

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Arisia 2012 Schedule

If you’re attending Arisia this weekend in Boston (January 13-16), below is my schedule. Schools for Magicians Douglas, Friday 5:30 PM Cecilia Tan (mod.), Mary Catelli, Frances K. Selkirk, Victoria Janssen, Ken Schneyer A Hogwarts degree isn’t the only path … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Glory of Women”

Glory of Women You love us when we’re heroes, home on leave, Or wounded in a mentionable place. You worship decorations; you believe That chivalry redeems the war’s disgrace. You make us shells. You listen with delight, By tales of … Continue reading

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Philadelphia Mummers 2011 Part 1

Check out this lovely review of The Duke & The Pirate Queen at The Discriminating Fangirl! On New Year’s Day, a friend and I went to the annual New Year’s Day Philadelphia Mummers’ Parade. I took a ton of pictures, … Continue reading

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Kindle Field Test

A few days ago, I returned from a two-week vacation that involved a lot of traveling, both in airplanes and in cars. I brought along my Kindle (which I bought in late November), one trade paperback novel (Cold Magic by … Continue reading

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Betty Neels, Outside of Time

I am not nearly the connoisseur of Betty Neels’ 134 novels as the gracious hostesses of specialist blog The Uncrushable Jersey Dress. But, having read about a half-dozen of her novels, I now venture to have some general thoughts on … Continue reading

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Sexy Pirates

This post was originally written for The Smutketeers; I’ve expanded it here. Why did I want to write about pirates? Well, because they’re sexy. It’s the outfits, you know. All that silk and tattered finery! The amazing tattoos. The cutlasses. … Continue reading

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Life in the Freezer

I really love David Attenborough. He’s so interested in everything, and he communicates his interest through a television screen. Which is a writing lesson–putting yourself and your interests into what you’re saying or writing gives those words more energy. I … Continue reading

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Chris Boucher quote

One of my favorite quotes ever: “There are no good guys. There are no bad guys. There are only better guys, and worse guys.” —Chris Boucher I post it at the start of this year because one of my goals … Continue reading

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