Friday, May 2, 2014

WAZZUP???


Thought for the day:  Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.  [Janet Lane]

Yep, Ms. Lane was right about the importance of a pleasant expression, but right now, my face is probably looking like, "Whoa! Where the heck did April go...?"


That's okay. I enjoyed my month-long break, even if it was the fastest month in the history of mankind. How about you guys? What's new with you? For those of you who participated in the A-Z challenge, how'd it go? Did you enjoy it?


One of the fun things Smarticus and I did last month was visit the Renaissance Festival. First time we went in... ages.  No, that isn't us in that picture, but aren't those costumes neat? There were lots of people there in costume. Lots of fun shows. A joust, even. We got a little bit of sunburn and a lotta tired. But it was fun.

There were all kinds of dragons, gargoyles, and spiffy monsters around, too. This guy was one of my favorites. Except he kinda reminded me of my conscience, bugging me about why I was spending so darned much time having fun, and so little time working on my next book. (Hey! I've got a TITLE... that's gotta count for something...)

But I laugh (HA!HA!HA!) at the notion of that bully conscience trying to intimidate ME...

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused. 

Life is to be lived as play.  [said that smart dude Plato]

Okay, it's good to be back, but what the heck am I gonna write about today? Let's see, how about if I ease myself back into it by writing about a couple news stories that caught my fancy over the past few weeks? Just a couple...

[Wikipedia Common]
The first story is about a real honest-to-goodness whiz kid. It seems 19-year-old Dallas Delyn had the urge to um... whiz... and well, gee, it wasn't his fault he and his buddies just happened to be walking past the Mt. Tabor Reservoir in Portland, Oregon at the time. And all the signs on the fence around the reservoir said was something along the lines of, This is your drinking water. Don't spit, throw, or toss anything into it.

See? Not a doggone word about peeing.

 Well, his actions may have given him some instant relief, but there's been little relief from the ripples of notoriety he's gained from the e-pee-sode. You see, his um... act... was captured on the security camera. And is now plastered all over Youtube. (His parents must be soooo proud!) I'm certainly not condoning what he did, but I sure am scratching my head over what the city is doing in response. Would you believe they're flushing the whole darned reservoir? Despite the fact that the reservoir was just drained and cleaned a couple weeks earlier, and despite the fact that the water tested perfectly clean after the late-night tinkle, they're still gonna flush... and waste... 38 million gallons of water. Their justification? According to a city spokesman, the city has plenty of water, and they didn't want to serve water that had been deliberately tainted. Even the teen, who likely faces a stiff fine, was taken aback by this questionable logic. Says he's seen dead birds and animals floating in the water before, for crying out loud. Not to mention how many critters deliberately taint the drinking supply every single day. If Dallas were my son, though, I know just what I'd say to him: "Boy, urine trouble!"

[Wikimedia Common]
Want to get away from it all? How'd ya like to own your very own 17-acre island in Italy's beautiful Venice lagoon? That's it out there in the picture. Dreamy setting, isn't it? And I'll betcha the price won't be too high, either. Italy is about to auction off a ninety-nine year lease for the diminutive island of Poveglia, and the only way to have a ghost of a chance of getting that lease is by entering a bid. There is a teensy drawback, though. That island is considered the most (Wooo-OOO-ooo) haunted place on earth.

[Wikimedia Common]
Its eerie history started in the 18th century, when a couple ships heading to Venice dumped plague-infected passengers there to die. Then, the island became a handy depository for people infected with all sorts of infectious diseases. Later on, it became a dumping ground for homeless oldsters, and from 1922 to 1968, the island was a notorious hospital/asylum for the mentally ill, spawning rampant stories about creepy doctors and botched lobotomies. Rumor has it that one of those doctors was so plagued by ghosts, he jumped from the top of that bell tower in the photo to get away from them.

Although the island, whose soil is allegedly comprised of 50% human ash,  has been uninhabited and virtually off-limits for four decades, some of the buildings remain, including a church, hospital, prison, bell-tower, and some housing and administration buildings. And a couple open-air plague pits. If you're curious, check out this site to see some really terrific... and haunting... photographs. Fascinating stuff. From a respectful distance, that is...
.
[Wikimedia Common]

                    Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

P.S. Another short-time Goodreads giveaway contest for autographed copies of my book kicked off yesterday, and will end with a (ta DA!) drawing on Mothers' Day. Since most of the winners were on the other side of the world last time around, this contest is limited to the United States and Canada. As a follow-up, Amazon will be offering the e-version of my book from May 12th to the 18th for a measly ninety-nine cents. See? Can't lose!

[Thanks to icanhascheezburger.com for the use of those first two images.]

78 comments:

  1. Welcome back. I most definitely did miss your quirky take on the world.
    Love your conscience - mine isn't that good looking.
    I saw the story about the piddling loon and thought the response was excessive. Particularly if the water had been tested.
    And anyone who is fortunate to win (or buy) your book is in for a treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue. It's good to be back. Well, at least my conscience is a lovely color, anyhow.

      Exactly! It's especially aggravating in light of the droughts being suffered in other parts of the country and world. What a waste!

      Aw, sweet. Thank you.

      Delete
  2. Hey your back ! Woohoo !
    Love your new header.
    I love reading your chatty post, so much fun.

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, I'm back... and front, too!

      Thanks. The azaleas were at their peak a couple weeks ago, and I couldn't resist snagging a couple pictures of them. Now, they're about kaput.

      Cheers back atcha.

      Delete
  3. Hello! Glad you had some fun, Susan. Especially like 3rd picture --dark knight and lady-- my daughter's been after me to buy a bike helmet. Do they sell those spikey ones for Schwinn Cruisers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HELLO!!! I think you'd look just delightful... and just a tad sinister... in one of those spiky helmets, dude. Go for it! You'd be the baddest ass Schwinn biker in town!

      Delete
  4. Great to see you back Susan, I have been on my own blog, social media break... I have been reading a few, I saw you posted and I had to come over and read. You are entertaining as always and you share the most interesting stories. I never know any of my own as I rarely look at the news... terrible I know :) Have a great weekend ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Launna. Good to be back. I hope you've been enjoying your break, too.

      As a life-long news and trivia junkie, I can honestly say there might be an upside to ignoring the news. Can be less stressful, anyway. (But not nearly as amusing!)

      Happy weekend to you, too.

      Delete
  5. First of all, no matter what else he's seen in the water, that teen deserves more than a stiff fine. Maybe hours and hours of community service to learn what community means?

    Secondly -- that is one creepy island! Just my kind of place! :D

    And thirdly -- Renaissance Fairs are AWESOME! We visited one last fall, and I spent a lot of time trying to find an ornamental dagger to buy. (After reading my book, you know why!) But they were all either too cheap or too expensive. Oh well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right about that teen. Maybe he should have to clean the reservoir with a toothbrush? Oooh, with his OWN toothbrush, and THEN he has to use it to brush his teeth! Too much? Okay,
      community service would probably be more appropriate...

      I think that island would make a super setting for some reeeeally good stories.

      Yes, they are. Do you have gun and knife shows in your area? You could maybe find a reasonably-priced dagger there that you and your talented daughter could personalize with that design she came up with for your book. That would make a totally cool prop to carry with you to book signings.

      Delete
  6. So that's what a conscience looks like...kind of figures. I think I'll give that haunted island with its plague pits a pass thanks anyway....this place scares me enough as it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what SOME consciences look like. I have a feeling others may be microscopic in size. I don't wanta live on that island, either, but it might be kinda neat to visit it. (But not alone!) Then again, maybe those pictures that are on that site will suffice as a "visit"...)

      Delete
  7. So glad that you';re back Susan. We missed your blog! An island made up of 50% human ash? Not sure I want to visit Poveglia anytime soon lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Keith. It's good to be back.

      Yeah, 50% human ash is more than a little creepy. Lots of skeletal remains in those pits, too. It'd take a lot more than gorgeous water and setting to compensate for THAT.

      Delete
  8. "Boy, urine trouble." Great line, Susan.

    It is nice to see you back in Blogland. We missed you and your wonderful sense of humor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. My sense of humor is just as warped as it was before I took a break. Which reminds me... the comment you left on Geo's blog about only needing the alphabet up to the letter P really cracked me up. My kinda gal.

      Delete
  9. Welcome back - great to have a Friday chuckle. And you look relaxed and sassy. Lovely azalea pic too - Happy May!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Glad to give you a chuckle. Yep, relaxed and sassy... that's me!

      Happy May to you, too. Have a super weekend.

      Delete
  10. Good to see you and boy am I glad a-z is over. It was fun but tiring!

    "Urine trouble." Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It's good to be seen! I'm glad you had fun with the A-Z, but I remember how tiring it was.

      What can I say? "Corny" should be my middle name.

      Delete
  11. Blah to that island I say
    Stay far far far away
    Did you get away with your ear?
    That gremlin thing looks ready to bite I fear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What? Blah to that island, you say?
      Yeah, too many ghosts there to play.
      And yep, my ear is still here,
      But so is that pushy conscience, I fear.

      Delete
  12. I'm with you....where did April go? It looks like you had a good one.
    It will be interesting to hear what someone comes up with to do with that island. The 50% human ash may limit the ideas. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess April went so fast because it only had thirty days. (One more day might have made a difference... HA!)

      Happy weekend!

      Delete
  13. I've never been to one of those festivals, but they sound interesting. I heard about the kid and the water reservoir. I thought it was really strange they would drain the whole thing too! What a waste!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, renaissance festivals are a blast! Last time we went, we even rode on camels! How cool is that? (I was a teensy bit disappointed there weren't any camel rides this time. They're a little smelly, but it sure was a fun experience.)

      Yeah, that was a huge waste of water. Makes no sense.

      Delete
  14. Dear Susan,
    it is a very important thing, the pursuit of fun! I'm glad you had so much to enjoy - and yes, I missed you! I bought your first book via Kindle, thank you - and am looking forward to your next!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Britta!

      Yes, yes, yes! Having fun is oh-so important. Life's too short to forego playtime.

      Delete
  15. Welcome back! You missed the chaos.
    I'll take my own island, thanks.
    And I bet that goblin didn't scare you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yep, I missed the A-Z. Maybe I'll be up to joining the chaos next year.

      Me, too.

      Nope. I'm a tough ol' broad. Now, if he would have been breathing, I mighta viewed him a wee bit differently... (like from afar.)

      Delete
  16. Welcome back, Susan.

    This post was interesting. Yeah, that teenager screwed up by peeing in the water. BUT I think the city is crazy to waste all of that water. Actually it is just more evidence of how government folks seem set on wasting money and our natural resources. Water is actually a valuable commodity. That is just insane.

    Maybe we should send all of the politicians to that island so that they can think about what THEY are doing? What do you think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin. Good to be back.

      I think the city is nuts, too. It's insane to take any natural resources for granted. Failure to protect what we have "plenty" of today is a foolish gamble that could lead to having little of it tomorrow.

      Great idea! 'Course, some of THEM would probably scare the ghosts away!

      Delete
  17. Hey! Missed ya. Great post - as usual. I love gargoyles, and according to Eastern beliefs, dragons are damn GOOD LUCK! You have such a wonderful sense of humor. You crack me up! I think it ridiculous they would drain the whole reservoir because someone peeing in it - especially after all the birds that defecate in it and whatnot. I wonder does anyone drain their pool for the same reason. Cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey! Thanks. Glad ya liked it. Well, if dragons are good luck, the Renaissance was overflowing with it. Our daughter and son-in-law went to the festival with friends a couple weeks after we went, and she bought herself a "pet dragon", so she brought the luck home with her. Cool.

      Yeah, that whole reservoir-draining thing is over the top, isn't it? All to give the appearance of the city looking out for the good of the people, I guess. Just made 'em look stupid and wasteful to me.

      Cheers!! Happy weekend.

      Delete
  18. Good to see you back - and good to know you had fun while you were away.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Welcome back! I took a short hiatus myself a couple of months back.

    As for Portland's water supply, my hometown Georgetown, South Carolina back in the 1950's had an open air, above ground reservoir that supplied the drinking water for the town. Long story short, all the kids who lived around it regularly swam in the thing during the summer months.I really don't want to imagine all the bodily wastes that circulated through all that water.

    By the time I arrived on the scene the reservoir had been long drained and was essentially a ruin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Sometimes, we have to step away from our computers for a little while and recharge our batteries.

      If they EVER drained the open air reservoirs in Baltimore when I was a kid, I didn't know about it, so there's no telling what was in all that water I drank. Hmmm, that could explain a lot...

      Delete
  20. I made the mistake of going to the Arizona Renaissance Festival twice in my first three years here. The first time was fun, the second was too soon, so it took on a "been there, done that" feel.

    It's been a lot of years, so maybe one of these years....

    ...unless I lease that island. I don't believe in ghosts, and I worked in a building for 17 years with a lot of reported sighings and I never saw a one, in spite of many a late night into the wee hours where I was the only person in the building save for a security guard.

    Not sure how I feel about plague pits, though...

    Welcome back,

    Larry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're probably right about going to the festival too often. The last time we went was probably twenty years ago, so everything seemed "new" to us. One of the best things about this time around is it wasn't nearly as HOT as it was the last time we went.

      Yeah, whether or not you believe in ghosts, all those decomposed bodies piled up in those pits would be a real downer...

      Thanks.

      Delete
  21. Glad to see you had a great time. I love Renaissance Festivals. I have not been to that one, but I have been to several.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was only the second Renaissance Festival for us. Last time, the weather was way too hot, but we got to take a ride on a camel, which was totally cool. A teensy bit smelly, but cool. No camel rides this time, but the weather was fabulous, and the whole day was a lot of fun.

      Delete
  22. Welcome back. I hope to go to a Renaissance Festival.

    April was a busy month since I participated in the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It's good to be back. I hope you get a chance to go to a Renaissance Festival sometime; it's quite an experience.

      Congrats on making it over the A-Z finish line!

      Delete
  23. I have missed your warm + funny posts! Welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What she ^^^ said! I'm glad you're back too.

    And flushing the water is dumb.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Welcome back!

    I've never been to a Renaissance festival...it sounds like I would enjoy it! I KNOW I wouldn't enjoy that island...

    I remember reading about the water reservoir being drained. I wondered if that wouldn't take a while (like a few days) to do that, and what would the town use for drinking water in the meantime?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      Yeah, I think you'd like a Renaissance Festival. Lotsa interesting foods there... some of the biggest turkey legs I ever saw. (Could been from emus!)

      Draining that reservoir won't cause a problem as far as the town having drinking water, because they actually have four separate reservoirs there.

      Delete
  26. Wow, that looks like a photo of MY conscience! (only mine would be much more sinister). Welcome back to Bloggerland, you were sorely missed.
    I haven't been to a Renaissance Fair in at least twenty years. They used to have them near Ojai in California when I was a wild hippie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm, maybe December babies all have gruesome-looking consciences, eh? Thanks. It's good to be back. If it's been twenty years since you went, you should go again. Bet you'd have a whole different perspective on it now.

      Delete
  27. Welcome back!
    I'll pass on the haunted Venetian island, but please - five minutes with the moron who peed in the drinking water!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      HA! Something tells me you'd do more than say, "Urine trouble!"

      Delete
  28. Hi human, Susan,

    Oh, have you been away? Arf! I'm kidding. Right then, I reckon that you've been eagerly waiting for yet another highly collectable from me, yes me, the diva dog, Penny. Phew, your wait is over.

    That Renaissance Festival reminds me of living in modern day England. Yep, I take my human for a walk and a pee, well, I wont mention pee. Although I mean that I go for a wee when I take my alleged human for a walk. Gee Whiz.

    A contest for your book limited to Canada and that country to the south of Canada. Well mostly to the south unless I mention Alaska, which should really be part of Canada, eh.

    Seriously, welcome back my adoring human fan.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi-ya, Penny. (You, too, Gary!)

      It's pawsitiviely wonderful to hear from you again. I hope you've been taking good care of each other.

      Thanks. It's good to be back.

      Delete
  29. Welcome back! Glad you had fun on your break. I love the gargoyle. It's kind of cute in a weird sort of way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Your family might get a kick out of the Renaissance festival, but if you go, it's best before the temperatures start getting too high. If you're interested in going, it's in Fairburn.

      Delete
  30. Sus, I love your new header! But I love the picture of you and the gargoyle even more! You're looking good, girl. Happy. But yes, Renaissance festivals are good for tired and sunburned! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I took that header picture in our yard a couple weeks ago, and now the azaleas are kaput already.

      Isn't that gargoyle great? Dunno about "good", but definitely happy...

      Delete
  31. Welcome back! That banner photo screams Georgia to me, but I used to live on Azalea Drive in Roswell. I'll let you use your imagination to figure out how the street got it's name. :)

    I haven't been to a Renaissance fest since I left Seattle. I love a good joust and Medieval Times just isn't the same. As few clothes as I packed to move north, I managed to fit in my 16th century Italian day dress. Now, all I need is somewhere to where it.

    The "plague" island is fascinating, fertile ground for story telling.

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The azaleas and dogwoods were particularly beautiful this year, but they're about kaput now. Supposed to hit close to ninety degrees today, so I guess spring is over.

      Oh, if you already have the dress, you have GOT to find a Renaissance festival! (And take pictures, of course.)

      I know. That setting just begs for a tale.

      Delete
  32. ur post is so cool and a fun feeling that puts the readers at ease!!Smiles:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! That's very kind of you to say. (BIG smiles!)

      Delete
  33. Welcome back! I've been gone, too. You may possibly have had more fun than I did. I'll need to remedy that. Soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And welcome back to you, too! I dunno. You posted some pretty cool pics on FB, so I know you had a good bit of fun. But, yeah, go for it. Can't have TOO much fun.

      Delete
  34. Glad you're back, Susan! Cute new profile, and Renaissance Festival photos! The Whiz Kid had the worst kind of 15 minutes of fame, and the draining of the reservoir was quite extreme considering that it's exposed to so many other elements. Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade is perfect for Mother's Day and every day! It's a must read for anyone who's ever had a mother. Best of luck with the giveaway, Susan!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome home!!! I hope your trip was absolutely amaaaaazing.

      Guess that means it's time for us to get to work, eh?

      Delete
  35. That island sounds like it might have been the inspiration for several books. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane comes to mind.
    it really doesn't make sense for that reservoir to be drained just because of a little wee. After all, birds would wee over it every day and like the kid said, there's been dead things seen floating in it. He deserves a fine though for deliberately flouting the law.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If that island wasn't the inspiration for any books, it should be!

      I'm with you. A big waste of water over a wee bit of wee.

      Delete
  36. I was just posting a comment on your recent post and
    as I hit publish, whoosh. The entire post vanished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! Sorry about that. I was editing a post for later this month, and published it inadvertently. It'll be back in a couple weeks.

      Delete
  37. The whole reservoir? For one tinkling teen? Amazing.

    And welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I know... a bit of overkill, isn't it?

      Thanks! Good to be back.

      Delete
  38. Welcome back! I missed you.

    The mansion/asylum in Venice sounds kind of cool. I think I'd like to spend the night just once. But with my husband and a lot of flashlights. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      Yeah, I'm with you. I think it would be totally cool to spend the night there... once... and not alone.

      Delete
  39. Hi Susan .. oh crumbs - they must clean it as it leaves the reservoir for any residual matter .. eg dead birds, guano droppings ... and do they do splatters from planes any more? Cranky ... but fun to read about, but that kid/man will never live it down ... quelle horreur .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think draining the reservoir was more about "appearance" than anything. Like you say, they surely filter the water more as it leaves the pool. As for the boy, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up bragging about the incident when he gets older.

      Cheers!

      Delete