Numbers, numbers … the maths game. In recognition of my 300th Prague Blog post, here’re some ####s to consider:
* Tormented by the P.O. this month: twice … waiting FOREVER for The Shorter Oxford dictionary, and now waiting interminably for my proof copy of THE VILLAGE WIT
* Books read this year: 20 (and counting) … my record is 24, of which I shall smash in the next 4 months.
* Cakes eaten this week: One-point-five … yes, we scarfed down the inaugural plum cake in HOURS; we’re on to #2 … AND IT’S ONLY TUESDAY
* Naughty Bunny Acts perpetrated this week: 3
* Book Trailer short filmed: 1 (and manipulated for !$@&#!* web upload: 14) … THE VILLAGE WIT is on sale as e-book and shall shortly be available in print. See the trailer; tell friends and readers!
The story of the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. A real history lesson and etymological safari. It took 48 years to complete the dictionary (called “the big dic” by the London Philological Society members). What stands out is the editor, James Murray, and his dogged determination to make a dictionary of the history of words the way it should be done: no scrimping, no corner cutting, no taking “NO” for an answer.
The Group by Mary McCarthy
A group of eight Vassar grads walk from tassels and dorms into 1933 New York City. The hardships they face as women (not just it being the slide into economic depression) is McCarthy’s aim, and well done her, because what we see is a generation of women who, for all their education, most of them are stepped on by husbands, boyfriends, bosses, careerism, and society. Through the maelstrom a few make it still with their heads screwed on, but several don’t know whether they’re coming or going.
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Atwood can flat out write good story. In this Rocky Mountain of a book, she tells the story of a family that is made up of skeletons in the closet, failed traditions, lunacy and desperation, and two young women who, because they were never taught anything valuable, found themselves at the mercy of the world.
Asia’s first cake is a resounding success: sugary crust top and edges, fluffy sweet in the center, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, and plums that have baked down into sweet jelly drops.
Today there are answers. I played tennis and didn’t feel a thing … until I got off the tennis court. Odd how that is, just sucking up what normally seems bothersome to get on with life.
A former student, Frantisek, texted me a few weeks ago, asking how my knee was (we’d met almost a year ago for six weeks for lessons on sports-related English: focus on tennis). Today I got out there: nice clay courts at a club overlooking the Vltava River. Franta teaches tennis there, and many of his clients are English speakers. Franta’s an excellent player: hard shots, strong serve, gets to just about everything.
I started out with baseline shots, moving right and left just enough to see how lateral movement taxed the knee. Okay, that worked. Then I moved up to the net, slowly, getting in position and not darting one way or the other. That felt fine, too.
So being me, I decided to see if game-play speed would do anything bad to the knee (or my back, my shoulder, ankles, wrist … all the things I’ve twists into pretzels over the years). I played smart, not chasing too much, or twisting to make unusual shots. The result was better than I expected, because often just walking down the street I feel the knee sending out pulsing pain.
While I lost a set 6 games to 2, I’m happy with the effort, the play, the knee strength, and my overall conditioning. More tennis to come!
I landed in Europe (for the second time) two years ago today. Got into Prague in the afternoon. Picked up by Robert & Iveta. Moved into the Suchdol place. Wondered what the hell I was doing. Again.
Of course I knew. I had a plan. Some things change, as all plans do. Most of the best plans are free-form, taking a skeleton and adding muscle, organs, veins, tissue, as time goes on.
To put a stamp on this day and what it means to me: Life is fun again. I have a great gig. Have my book published (2 sold and counting!), hardcover available by September 8th. My new novel is coming along nicely, which I feel good about. Besides that, puppies might be in the picture: “Godzilla” and “Dog To Be Named Later” (but not for a while, we think … more, later)
And the icing on this cake: I have the best girl ever.
My schedule for this coming term is nearly identical with last year’s. I only need to fill a late Monday afternoon slot, which won’t be a problem. Most classes have now been mine for two years, going onto a third.
The wopping 23-hour schedule is enough to keep me money-busy, with time remaining for Asia, writing, and fun. Actually, the days and weeks run by quickly, and I’m never bored. That the least that can be asked of a life.
The files are A-okay and I’m waiting for a proof copy. After a look-see through that, I can approve and get onto the websites (Amazon, the e-book site specialized for my book, and Bibliogrind (for a link, anyway).
Okay, this weekend I’m going to become a film director. The new path in book marketing is the “Book Trailer” … a short commercial that advertises the book in some significant way.
I’ve seen several on YouTube and other sites, and I must tell you, many don’t show enough creativity for a simple 30-60 sec spot. And if there’s no creativity there (the idea is to tell a story, no??), then how good can their books be??
After a few days, I’ve finished designing & formatting the interior to The Village Wit, soon to be published through POD and e-book digital platform. The interior is smart, clean looking, with a classic, readable, serif font: Goudy Old Style.
I’m glad I worked in publishing for a few years. The experience of seeing book designs helped me on intent, vision, and execution. At 536 pages, this book is not unwieldly or dense, and the 5 1/4Â x 8 trim size is a nice size for the hands yet easily portable.
Asia is on a tear today. She hasn’t made chocolate in a couple months now (this does not mean to say we haven’t EATEN chocolate) and today she’s made a batch of raison & hazelnut chocolate.
We are couple who share. Half & Half.
Chocolate is no different. After this batch of sugary chocolate heavenly goodness firms up, we’ll split it in half. Then the further divisions come next: I’m going to cut mine into 1-inch cubes and keep them in the fridge. Asia may do the same, or cut her’s into finger-length slabs.
When the first person runs out, he/she can purchase a cube from the other. The price?
A former student, Frantisek, texted me a few weeks ago, asking how my knee was (we’d met almost a year ago for six weeks for lessons on sports-related English: focus on tennis). Today I got out there: nice clay courts at a club overlooking the Vltava River. Franta teaches tennis there, and many of his clients are English speakers. Franta’s an excellent player: hard shots, strong serve, gets to just about everything.
