Richardderus thread 1 of 2014

And cry and cry and cry.

I have a category called Orphans, which will still catch all the other reading I do.

My ORPHANED books ticker:




I want to treat the Short Story collection challenge as a ticker-to-itself thread, thinking 48 reviews as my goal. I'll keep the thread over in the Short Stories forum.

My SHORT STORY collections ticker:




I'm keeping a mystery-genre thread over in Crime, Thriller, and Mystery forum. Way way way too many of my reviews have been, in all forums, mysteries and thrillers, and while I love them, I don't want to get too rut-ified and read only those books while keeping up my self-made review writing census.

My MYSTERY & THRILLER books ticker:




THIS THREAD is the 75 challenge for 2014, which will be non-fiction and non-genre-fiction books published in 2013 and 2014, plus recommendations from other 75ers.

My last thread of 2012.
My last reviews of 2013 in this thread.

My 2014 NEW books ticker:




Books are reviewed in post:

Me first, me first!

I would cry. 1200 and counting - edited after reviewing my tags to ay 1391 plus the 5 I received today - not enough lifetime left for all of them considering the fact that I always buy too damned NEW books when I've got so many OLD, just-waiting-to-be-read books on my shelves.

Nice problem to have, when all's said and done.

Hope you're having a nice Christmas night, RD!

Boo hoo. I'm crying. Life is too long given the people in it; too short to read all I want to. The solution? A TOME HOME!

>2 richardderus: You're first!! Hi Horrible! I've got a combination earworm and Sherlock gif as your reward:

>4 Chatterbox: It is the ONLY way I can get old, you know, surrounded by books and the bookish dear ones who love them as immoderately as I do. We must make this happen.

Hugs and smooches!

I absolutely adore Benedict Cumberbatch. He could eat crackers in my bed ANY day.

Thank you.

OK, dude, you have a STAR!

Welcome back!

>7 karenmarie: I was pretty sure that would meet with your approval...*smooch*

>8 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen44! *smooch*

>9 drneutron: Hi Jim, thanks! *smooch*

Oh wait, no, take that back sorry sorry forgot.

Yours is the first 2014 thread I've starred, which seems fitting since I need the head start!

It does feel like a race, doesn't it Pat? I end up behind in every thread including my own several times a year. *aaack*

:)

RD - Nice to see you dear fellow but not entirely surprising.

This year was particularly bad for me in getting behind in threads but each year I find interesting new members whose threads I want to follow that get added to the list of all the existing members' threads that I love so it's a problem that will only get worse and that I'm happy to have.

Hi, Richard!

So, I've always meant to ask you what you mean by your description above your Orphans ticker. So nbefore the year starts, what do you mean by 'other'? Other than what?

>13 drneutron: ;>

>14 PaulCranswick: Mmm yeah try and have one of these beanos without me. *snort*

>15 phebj: Every darned year! Every blinkin' one I start thinking "THIS year I'll keep up with all the threads I want to follow" and *piff* by February I'm so behind I lose people.

Not this year. No, THIS year I'll keep up with all the threads I want to follow!

Stop laughing.

>16 ffortsa: Hi Judy! "Orphaned" reviews are reviews of books I read "other than those in the categories below." I didn't think many people paid attention to that post, so I stopped describing the category. Maybe I should again?

You're my first starred thread for 2014, BigDaddy! I'm ready for a grand adventure. Will there be drinks?

Here you are! And I'm already behind. Story of my life. LOL {{{smooch}}}

>18 richardderus:. aha! I am now ready for the year.

>19 Crazymamie: Hiya Mamie! Drinks? This is even a question, silly lassie? Whose thread do you imagine this to be, after all!



>20 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! It's where I always am, so...

>21 ffortsa: Ta-da! And so simple, too.

Hi RD
I'm Barbara and I'm very new to this group. I hope you don't mind if I'll keep track on your thread. In 2013 I kept an eye on your threads and I really loved your book porns and all the other pictures but also your comments.
Best wishes from Zürich, Switzerland

Hi Richard! I wanted to emerge fleetingly from my customary location in the Kingdom of Lurk in order to let you know how much I enjoy you. I've scarfed down many a lunch while reading your latest takes on books and life. And. I can't even discuss the Book Porn. Breathtaking!

Immediately starred, Richard! xx

Yay I am so glad you posted this on your 2013 thread. Now I cannot lose you.. :)

*stomps in*

So, I've been happy you know. I've been safe. I've been avoiding your bigger than the universe threads. I don't post or read threads of LTers that don't post to mine. It's the only way I can keep myself sane. It's the only way I keep myself from spending all day on LT. But what did you do? YOU POSTED ON MY THREAD!

*drops a star and stomps out*

Book porn, cozy edition.

>23 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! The more the merrier, so come on in and start enjoying the silliness.

>24 Fourpawz2: *eeeeeeeeeeeeek* A Lurker! A Lurker!

Welcome, and delurk as and when you feel like it.

>25 wilkiec: Hi Diana! *smooch* directed northeastward to the Dutch coast, where the North Sea winds will take care of delivery for me

>26 MonicaLynn: Hi Monica! I'm awfully big to lose...easy to see in crowds, all that...

>27 Morphidae: Morphy!! I, well, I scarcely know what to say! I can't imagine being more honored.

Perkins! Please mop up the stompings, and be sure there's a supply of zero-calorie treats for Miss Morphy to snack on without endangering her amazing weight loss.

@28
Oh, this library is is gorgeous. It looks like one in a chalet somewhere in the Alpes :-D

>30 Ameise1: Isn't it lovely? It's from a barn on an estate in suburban Boston, Massachusetts. I got it from a realty site.

I'm envious of its snug, well-loved atmosphere!

Definitive! And it remembers me to the lovely chalets in our Alps. 😃

Books & drinks, throw in knitting & we're in my Heaven.

>33 Deedledee: Hi Dee! Happy to see you here. I've never been good with manual-dexterity stuff like knitting or sewing. I've got zero talent for it and never did have.

It does make me gasp, though, some of the stuff knitters produce. I have a sister who knitted me an afghan when I was a kid...she did the most amazing things! I loved to see her packages arrive.

The bar's open. Simply tell Perkins (the virtual butler) what you'd like.

Pearl one and stitch one for me too Dee.
Wow RD! #28, is this shabby sawn-off Yorkshireman's idea of heaven.

I agree Paul, it's a slice of quiet paradise. So inviting!

That piece of book lovers' porno cures me of my continual whining that all the pictures of house decorations and designs, etc. all have high, high ceilings, which I never have. I love the lower ceiling, and the wood, and the cozy warm feelings that picture sends out to my eyes.

*thinks of buying a lottery ticket today*

Go Lotto! It's a lucky day!

Not a bad idea..... if I win, I might be able to retire from the hell-hole that work has become.

I did get a bit of unexpected money at Christmas. High school friend sent me $30 because she felt bad about a parking ticket I got while spending the night at her apartment in California in the 1970s. She said she should have paid for it and was doing so now. *windfall* much?

Hello Richard. I saw your message on Heidi's thread about the new group so I hurried on over. I love that library in #28!

BOOK MONEY!!

And, BTW, a very odd little story. Forty years later you feel bad enough to make good? Huh.

>29 richardderus: You're making me blush. Stop it. Or I'll make more of a mess.

Richard, I predict that you will start your second thread for 2014 before the year 2014 arrives.
But, happily, I am here and I have appointed my star. You know I will follow all your threads, no matter how many of them you create.

Smooches and hugs to you and Stella with wishes for a wonderful, relatively pain-free, and full-of-interesting-reading New Year.

Richard -- You've been my inspiration for joining a Challenge and learning to post. (There's a first time for everything!) Hoping this will be a year of firsts and discovery for us all. Thank you!! Plus, who couldn't love a fellow Book Porn/Cumberbatch as Sherlock fan? Marianne

>42 Morphidae: Ha! We'll leave you in peace then, Madam la Morphy.

>43 EBT1002: I like all of those wishes! Yes please, Universe, you heard Ellen...get busy! *smooch* and Stella, when she wakes up, will send a discreet slurp.

>44 michigantrumpet: Why thank you most kindly, Marianne! Welcome to the group, and happy reading in 2014!

Hi Richard! I'm looking forward to another year of book porn, courtesy of your thread.

Hi Nora! Happy to see you here. Come in and set a spell, I've got a great book porn lineup for 2014.

Book porn here. Food porn at Joe's.

IS THERE ANY PLACE SAFE?

No.

Nowhere at all.

*mmmwwwaaahhhaaahhhaaa*

Morphy. Safety. That is totally an outdated concept. Just pull up a computer and give into it.

I'm here. Now the party can begin.

*smooch*

>28 richardderus: All y'all clear out of my ROOM and let's have a little less noise; I'm trying to read. OH! Richard...I didn't see you there...sir...uh...Mr. Derus...uh, sorry about that, I was just...uh,....PERKINS!! Give Richard a drink of something, quick! *tries to stuff carpet into her carryall while Richard is slurping distractedly*

Not going to lie -- I'm mainly here for the book porn. The curmudgeonly rants are just a nice bonus.

Just making sure I can find you.

Here's to a 2014 filled with books and fun.

Well, my friend! I am looking forward to another entertaining year on LT and of course you are one of the folks that always puts a smile on my face. I hope to start my 2014 thread on Sunday.

Book porn! Cozy and rich edition.

>50 EBT1002: I know, right? Safety. Heh. So quaint.

>51 tloeffler: Well then! Perkins, a very very very large bottle of Veuve Cliquot and some flutes. I believe Vijay and Enrique and Lars are the naked dancing boys on call. Cue up the music, TLo!

>52 laytonwoman3rd: See above.

>53 NielsenGW: Finally! Someone who understands this thread.

>54 Matke: I'm hard to miss, Danvers darling. Anything that makes it easier, though!

>55 msf59: *sigh* You best slap cheeks, man, good help is hard to find!

Under the Skin with a chainsaw.

The Monument Men with a chainsaw

This seat right next to the bar will do me nicely ;)

Oh and Virgin Soil with a Chainsaw.

The Beats with a chainsaw

I love the colour of the library but I'm not sure if the light would give a comfortable reading.

American Afterlife with a Chainsaw

The Library with a Chainsaw

No! That's terrifying.

Plain Jane with a Chainsaw..

LOL that's is kinda funny but scary

BTW Love that cozy rich room.. Sigh.. sidles off to her own little recliner..

Rules of Vengeance with a Chainsaw

Sea Glass with a Chainsaw

Wilson with a chainsaw

Civil to Strangers with a chainsaw.

The Absent One with a chain saw. She would have used it, too.

>58 mahsdad: THAT is an unsettling image, Jeff!

>59 BekkaJo: Hi Bekka! *smooch*

>60 AuntieClio: I kindasorta think that's what happened, Stephanie.

>61 Ameise1: Hello Barbara! I think the lighting is ceiling mounted, that's usually pretty good for reading.

>62 NielsenGW: *blink* Something extra disturbing about that, Gerard.

>63 scaifea: It's not safe for the books!! Help them help them!

>64 MonicaLynn: Morning Monica! I agree about the scary aspect, what could Plain Jane accomplish with her chainsaw...and yeah, that's an enviable room.

>65 Ameise1: *snerk* That's a title I can see making the bestseller lists, Barbara.

>66 Morphidae: That one boggles me a bit, I have to confess. Sea Glass just doesn't seem to lend itself to chainsaw-ing. (Hi Morphy!)

>67 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne! I think quite a lot of Americans felt like the League of Nations was a pretty dangerous chainsaw.

>68 laytonwoman3rd: I suspect one's natural inclination is to be civil to anyone with a chainsaw, stranger or bosom companion. "Self-preservation" seems to be the need.

>69 ffortsa: Heh! No kiddin'.

Your game: The Bloodletter's Daughter with a chainsaw. Now that's an image to wake up your imagination!

Happy end of week, start of weekend. I may do a Do Nothing But Read day on Saturday, or maybe both Saturday and Sunday. I deserve it. Also, a trip to bookstore planned!

Good morning, Rdear.

The Shining with a chainsaw.

*shudders*

>74 maggie1944: It is indeed, Karen44, my imagination is giving me the most shudedrsome images!

Perfect plan for your weekend. Perfect, and richly deserved.

>75 Matke: How do, Danvers me dove. I concur with the shudder. Like Stephen King needs a chainsaw in his books to be scary!

Hi, Richard. As usual, I'm a bit slow, but I'm glad to see you're up and running on your new year's thread. As I mentioned on FB, my book title is Why We Read Jane Austen with a Chainsaw. If I saw that on the shelf, I'd have to grab it - an irresistible title, don't you think?

Completely agreed...though The Death of Dickens with a chainsaw tops my list of fantasy titles.

I know. I was like - sea glass? chainsaw? They're not funny. They're not weird. They just sort of... sit and stare at each other.

RD - My one sort of works ~ Harvest with a chainsaw. Would be a lot quicker now wouldn't it?

The Grass is Singing with a chainsaw.
I mean, how else would it do it?

Sailing Alone Around the Room with a chainsaw
Hmm...

Indeed.

Summer at Fairacre with a chainsaw. A completely different direction for this cozy series about English Village life.

Hi Richard! What a beautiful new thread!

>70 richardderus: When I was quite young I was obsessed I was stuck in the matrix, so any time I read anything, it is because the matrix designers put it in. Now they are saying that it is theoretically plausible we could be living in the matrix. 0.o

>79 Morphidae: I can't think of an Anita Shreve title that would go with "with a chainsaw" at all. Can you?

>80 PaulCranswick: Heh. Oh my, that's a short harvest. And a poimanent (spoken in Brooklynese) one, too.

>81 EBT1002: Or it could be a lovely nature-based choir! No, really!

>82 bell7: Oh my goodness. Yes ma'am, yes indeed, I'll bring that overdue book back! I swear!

>83 MDGentleReader: *smirk* It makes the entire exercise sound so...noisy. Fun meme, though, isn't it?

Sigh. I Love Enrique.....

Jim Henson: The Biography With A Chainsaw.

Now, now, mustn't play favorites. Lars will get all pouty and that's never fun.

Puts a whole new spin on Henson. Oops, not the best image to use.

What the Buddha Thought with a chainsaw.
.....Well that's ironic.

As well as amusing! Thanks for coming by, and for leaving me with that giggle-making image.

Shreve would have The Pilot's Wife with a chainsaw, or, indeed, Resistance with a chainsaw which could prove as futile as it could fatal.

A Christmas Carol with a chainsaw - which is probably how you would read it!

>90 PaulCranswick: Oh I *do* like those. Somehow I thought The Pilot's Wife was written by Audrey Niffenegger, so I guess pilots and time travelers are interchangeable to my subconscious.

>91 Crazymamie: Never! Why on earth would you imagine I'd do such a terrible thing to a *delightful* book by one of my most favoritest author-men of all times?

*gag*retch*KER-ZAP

The National Weather Service wishes to inform the general public of the dangers of telling stonking lies during unsettled weather....

Flesh wounds with a chainsaw .... hmmm

HA!! That's excellent, Alex.

Morning RD! It looks like you are exploding out of the gate. You go boy! The 2013 threads already feel so......last year. LOL.

>85 richardderus: I wouldn't know. I don't think I've read anything by Anita Shreve. My Sea Glass was by Maria Snyder!

Oh, lord. That would be Reamde with a chainsaw, now wouldn't it?

Rather than take my most recent read + with a chainsaw, how about books I read earlier this year?

The Inquisitor with a chainsaw
Running Blind with a chainsaw
Treatment with a chainsaw
Defending Jacob with a chainsaw
I Hope You Find Me with a chainsaw
and, finally,
The Million Dollar Wound with a chainsaw

Good morning, RD! Too much discussion of your "fav".... let's away to Louise Penny and Max Allen Collins and that irritating Italian detective series author you like. Max somebody?

Pushing the Limits with a Chainsaw, ha ha ha!

>95 msf59: Hi Mark! Well, you know how it is, every year the first few weeks are hella busy then things slow down. When are you starting your own 2014 thread?

>96 Morphidae: I've never heard of Maria Snyder before. Must go look into her ouevre.

>97 vwinsloe: That's hilarious, Valda! I can't picture Neal Stephenson in any proximity to a chainsaw, can you?

>98 karenmarie: Max Somebody...Max Somebody...hmmmmm

xoxo Horrible! Love the title list!

>99 RosyLibrarian: Those're some limits that'll stay pushed, eh Marie? Thanks for coming by!

The Road to Babylon by Vadim Voitekhovitch, found on Facebook.

I love the side-wheeler airship! And I feel like a watercolor of myself today. I'm washed out, grayed down, and wrinkled at the edges. I hope it's temporary!

Oh, I LOVE that! And it's temporary, BigDaddy, definitely temporary.

I absolutely love the picture! I can see it on my wall.

I second the "washed out, grayed down, and wrinkled at the edges" today. I'm tired of hearing my sons complain about their sister-in-law, tired of children crying over what they didn't get, tired of cooking and eating (!). I'm kind of anxious to start watching what I eat again, which I never in a million years thought I'd say.

But tonight, I will have my fill of Kelly's Knockers, a drink my own sister-in-law created, consisting of egg nog, french vanilla Kahlua, amaretto, with whipped cream on top! I may not feel great tomorrow, but I shan't care!

Every one of those things sounds lethal, and only one in a good way. *smooch* for the return of routine to the TLoverse.

That pic just became my new desktop pic! It's fantastic...

Oh, and Finding Arthur with a Chainsaw.

Hi Jim, I know right?!

If Arthur had any sense he'd hide even harder with that chainsaw rippin' in the background....

Sore head is getting even *more* fun.

Well RD, it wasn't Max somebody, it was Andrea Camilleri.

I miss my mind.

*smooch*

What an amazing picture. I love it :-D

Don't think Maria Snyder will really be your thing, RD. She writes YA fantasy with foofy heroines.

>107 karenmarie: I kinda figured that was it, but since my Half-heimer's is getting worse and worse, I wondered if I'd forgotten something I should remember. When I think about it, I miss my mind too. Wish he'd send a postcard to let me know he's okay.

*smooch*

>108 Ameise1: Isn't it gorgeous, Barbara?

>109 Morphidae: I went looking, Morphy, and errrmmm uuuhhh wellllll....

>110 richardderus: Yep, exactly. Not your thing.

Another fan of >101 richardderus:. How bizarre and great.

I'm really hoping that the whiskey over on my thread has made your status temporary.
xo

A long nap, a quick dip in here, dinner and a quite interesting movie, and now time for nightnights.

>111 Morphidae: Mos' def'.

>112 jnwelch: Isn't it? I want to tell all the stories I see in the image!

>113 EBT1002: It's been a grueling day. Pain really bothering me, and not slowing down. I even had to reschedule a dear friend's visit because I feel so crappy.

We watched a very weird movie called The Master, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.

Lush, beautiful movie, but too long for its story. Cult leader finds soul mate in a damaged WWII Navy vet with PTSD. Story goes too far into things that don't matter and makes the things that do matter feel rushed, although they're not really. Phoenix as sailor Freddy Quell is very very convincingly wounded. Hoffman as Lancaster Dodd is *hugely* good as a deeply self-deluded cult leader. Amy Adams as Dodd's wife is pitch-perfect as the burningly ambitious and cruelly protective co-cult-creator that every good cult leader needs.

But too long. And the last scene is unnecessary. A good movie that could and should have been excellent.

^Ain't that a hoot?

Kinda drizzlegloomy today, but I'm tucked up, I've got my coffee mug and my poochie beside me, and a wall of books teetering precariously towards me, planning my early demise if I don't promise to read them soon. It's almost 2014, which means the manufactured gaiety and desperate jollity of New Year's Day is the last thing to get through before the tree comes down.

Boo hoo. I love the tree.

RD, make sure you don't pick one from near the bottom of the wall and bring the bloody lot down on yourself.
SWMBO is planning to bring in New Year by booking into a hotel to watch the fireworks over the twin towers. Ho hum, and to rub salt into the wound my credit card is being used to seal the deal.

Coffee and books, the loves that never let you down.

>116 PaulCranswick: Oh whee, oh yay, the fun begins.

*snore*

I've always been curmudgeonly about New Year's celebrations because it's such a silly, arbitrary date to choose. MUCH more sensible to use the old midspring, return of life, burgeoning of plants equinox. Equally sensible to use the old midautumn, harvest is in, work load reduces more and more equinox. But the winter solstice? Why ever?

> 117
Yep, I just had an espresso and I'm enjoying my book 😊

Morning RD! Finally joined the LT Royalty and I have my 2014 thread up & running.

I LOVE 101! And that chair is pretty trippy too. Have a great Sunday.

>119 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! They never disappoint, either one. A specific book might not be the best you've read, or might be the awfulest waste of a tree ever, but Books? Never disappointing.

>120 msf59: Thanks Mark, you too. And yeah, that painting is so cool!! The chair is one I'd love to have in my room.

Our tree comes down New Year's Day and all the decs go back up into the attic.

I'm usually in bed by about 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve, but am toying with the idea of staying up with husband and daughter and toasting in champagne.

And of course, Coffee and books, the loves that never let you down.

Okay so I only read post numero uno and marked it read to here. I'll be back later to catch up and warble you up some Southwestern Satanic goodies!

Some drama at Casa Roberta but nothing little ol me can't rally and handle.

I'm going to start my new thread, throw in some laundry and get back here to get caught up.

xoxo to you and Stella! The Devilles say slurp to you and sniff to Stella.

>122 karenmarie: I don't see what the fuss is all about, Horrible, and never have. Of course any excuse to drink champagne is welcome, but I don't need one particularly. I like to drink it any old time.

Plus people who really shouldn't get drunk of New Year's and that's just unpleasant.

>123 luvamystery65: Slurps from Stella! Pats and there there's from the curmudgeon for the new round of drama. So sorry to hear it. And a rousing ear-tousle for the Devilles!

New Year's celebrations are okay to me, but in the Netherlands, people are terrorising the neighbourhood with heavy fireworks all the time in the last week of the year.

It's not the beautiful colorful fireworks, but bombs so heavy and loud :-(

>125 wilkiec: Oh yuck! The firecrackers and cherry bombs and the like, all for noise, make me grouchier than ever. I don't like noise very much and *really* don't like stupid pointless noise like those things make.

It's 75erland!

RD, am with you about new year's seems very arbitrary, sadly most people miss Summer/winter Solstice ( well they haven't been commercialised yet ....)

thinking about it, I thinks its the remnant commercialisation & over indulging in alcohol that turns me off though ... just not 'pretty', as a country down here we seem to be very adept at binge drinking .....

I'm not at all sure ANY country is unskilled at binge drinking, Alex. But it's exacerbated this time of year because it's institutionalized in the holiday's accepted program of "celebration."

Description of a well-lived life.

Okay. I LOVE that!

I thought it was priceless. She's a role model for me anyway!

I might steal that.

127> Love this image.

To throw my 2 cents into the NYE celebrations, being on the west coast of the US,, we have the luxury of celebrating at nine with all the crazies in New York, and then make sure we are in bed before the fireworks and gunfire starts at midnight. People be crazy in Los Angeles...

>133 Crazymamie: You should.

>134 mahsdad: Isn't it terrific? Ah yes, the gunfire! Like Texas, where I was never sure what that bang was. I hated that. San Pedro might be pretty, but it's in California, and therefore bad. (I was born there, unlike most of y'all, and born the son and grandson of natives, so nyah!)

My neighborhood is lively with fireworks at the drop of a match. Independence Day fireworks went every night for two weeks. Christmas fireworks started on the 23rd. I expect New Year's to be just as loud, or louder. And then there's the weekly neighbor backyard parties with exceedingly loud very bad music. I just cover my ears with the pillows.

I have absolutely no hope of keeping up with you, Richard, but I'm throwing my virtual hat in your ring anyway. Happy New Year!

>136 AuntieClio: It's reports like that that make me happy I live in a gun-controlled state, because if I had a weapon, there'd be a few fewer revelers. *cue Dueling Banjos*

>137 rosalita: Hi Julia! See you when you can get here, no worries. Happy 2014!

Ok so I am so late to this thread I only looked at da pitchurz..... but I like that chair and also that steampunk painting, very naz. I have to give up being a total stickler about the new year or you'll be on your tenth thread before I even get here!

#138, since I live in the middle of gang territory (Latino and Vietnamese), I just keep a low profile. It's a working class neighborhood but not the most embracing. My landlord simply does not understand the boxes and stacks of books, why anyone would want to spend their time reading or get a degree in history when that can't be directly applied to a trade like OR nurse or accounting. I just smile and pay the rent.

>139 sibylline: Hiya cuz, yep I've more or less abandoned 2013's threads. Time to shake the depleted uranium dust of that toxic year from my sandals and move ahead.

That painting and chair would look terrific in the same room, no?

>140 AuntieClio: Yeah, there's that wide streak of puritanism in the US zeitgeist that says if it's done for pleasure it's bad, wrong, sinful, a waste of time, and unpatriotic. *shrug* Pay the rent, ignore the landlord, and PLAN TO MOVE!!!

#141, it's more of a cultural thing. My neighborhood is working class Latino/Mexican and for the few I have spoken with, school is for learning a trade with which to earn money. I get joshed occasionally about reading and I just wink and josh them back for not reading. My landlady has told me she's too lazy to read and her brother has told me it bores him. Once I become rich, I will move. Rents in the San Francisco Bay Area are escalating, and new rental units become scarce. I am lucky to live in my 244 square foot apartment for the price I pay.

Wilberforce Huguenot Stipplefather- I salute you.
And heartily greet you with a pre-new year hug.

(((((WHS/RMD)))))

>142 AuntieClio: When I was growing up in Los Gatos, we had an apricot orchard. It is now forty-year-old ranch houses. The amount of money they're worth is breathtaking, and our old house...! Mama and dad had an old Victorian place on Green Street in SFO and that has *really* big rooms. The lot's now an apartment building.

244sf is scary to me. My bedroom's as big as that!

>143 LovingLit: Hiya Maudie! Glad to see you've joined the rest of the world in 2014. *smooch*

*skips into thread*

*places a gold star lightly on Richard's cheek*

*blows a kiss*

*skips away, whistling "Waltz of the Flowers"*

#144, 244 sqft can be more cozy than I like. It does get cramped, especially when the books come charging in the door!

>145 dk_phoenix: Why gracious goodness me! The Sugar Plum Fairy hath descendethed! *smooch* Hi Faith, be over in a mo...assuming you have a thread now....

>146 AuntieClio: Brash things, those homeless books, no sense of boundaries at all.

SPEAKING OF WHICH
I was very startled when a sopping wet hand opened my bedroom door, slung an Amazon package in, and squelched away. Upon cross-examination, I learned that the said package was discovered during a dog-walking venture into the rain, leaning in the boxwoods in front of the vestibule door, having been left there by the USPS.

It is, last time I looked, Sunday.

...dafuq...the USPS making Sunday deliveries after xmas for Ammy...these are the end times indeed.

So now, thanks to a wonderful and unexpected giftie, I have HHhH and The Goldfinch!

I wish unexpected packages of books would just show up at my house! Lucky dog.

Stella concurs. She lifted her head when I chuckled just now, and gave a little yawn/howl.

>114 richardderus: We watched a very weird movie called The Master, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.

When I told my friend I was reading Inside Scientology she insisted I watch The Master because it is loosely based on the early days of L. Ron Hubbard & Scientology. She did warn me that it was very weird, though. The acting is excellent but I never found myself caring about Freddy and what was going to happen to him next.

I suspect that the lack of connection could come from the pacing problems inherent in too much movie for the story. Nothing about the film felt crisp or fully thought through to me because of that problem.

147 > excellent surprise books there ... your giftee has great taste

Ain't that the truth! I keep a pretty tight wishlist to be sure anyone who consults it won't duplicate or boo-boo in the choice-making.

Should I just throw in the towel before the year officially starts, RD? Over 150 posts and it's not even Jan 1 yet? *grumbles, mumbles about finding a bottle to drown sorrows with*

Let's have some 1893 Veuve Cliquot, shall we?

You know how to lure me back, don't you?!

Whew! Whaduh you know? I made it before the second thread which will probably arrive tomorrow. Starred! Oh and Five Days at Memorial with a chainsaw.

Chocolate pavlova with honey-roasted pears, dear?

Hi Bonnie! Would you like some Veuve Cliquot and pavlova, too?

I think the people at Memorial would say a chainsaw wouldn't have made things noticeably worse....

*digging out the honey roasted pears from amidst the icky teeth-shattering sweet pavlova and fleeing with my goodies*

Oh, I love pavlova. I help myself with a big spoon of it.

Checking into thread #1 before it's full...

Happy New Reading Year, Richard! That pavlova looks sooo delicious...

>160 cameling: *tsk* doesn't know what she's missing...Perkins! Please clean up the trail of goo Miss Caro has left and bring out another pavlova.

>161 Ameise1: Good move, Barbara, it's delicious stuff. I'm no fan of meringue, but pavlova is different somehow. Maybe it's the yummy filling?

>162 Deern: Hi Nathalie! Happy to see you're back in 2014!

Book porn!

#124 - just to spend more time with husband and daughter - he got a bunch of BluRay movies for Christmas and we haven't watched any of them yet (I discount The Hobbit, which husband and daughter watched the other night - I am not a LOTR fan by any means).

#127 - nice visual.

Happy Monday, RD! *smooches* from Horrible

I want that library! Just snagging my spot for the new year.

>166 karenmarie: Hi Horrible! *smooch* It's very Monday out there, isn't it.

>167 Thebookdiva: Hi Abby! Spot safely snagged. Have a wonderful New Year's celebration.

Okay love I am all caught up. For now that is.

#57 The Testament of Mary with a chainsaw. Oh dear!

#69 She would use it. Poor Kimmie.

#117 True!

#130 I believe I would actually make more.

How's your Monday, Richard? It's already getting dark over here.

Hi Diana, it's a Monday...about 6.5C, cloudy, dank...nothing unusual. I myownself am aching like fury, and not looking forward to the dog's 2pm walk.

OTOH, I'm well stuck-in to The Keeper of Lost Causes.

OTOH, I'm well stuck-in to The Keeper of Lost Causes.

*holding my breath*

>169 luvamystery65:, 172 *cool glance* Oh hello. I believe I have seen your Satanic Book Warbling face around here before. *palpable chill* I should, in the spirit of fairness, let you know that I am preparing a citizen's initiative to make theft of personal reading time a Federal crime. Your malicious incitement to desire a new series of mysteries is case #2. (Horrible is the Ur-case, Curly-Crested Satanic Book Warbler that she is.)

Charges WILL be filed.

I don't look good in Orange but then again who does? All I need to know is do you still love me?

xoxo to you and Stella

\

'Morning Richard! I saw this chandelier on the internet today and thought you would appreciate it. Only costs one zillion dollars!

>175 norabelle414: Oo, you're going to want to get one of those, I'm sure, Richard.

>165 richardderus: That is most beauteous, and I must needs live there now.

Sounds like you're enjoying The Keeper of Lost Causes - glad to hear it. I've enjoyed the first two and am looking forward to the third and fourth.

>174 luvamystery65: ...mmmmaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyybeeeeeeeeee...

*smooch* and *ear-tousle*

>175 norabelle414: OMGOMGOMG ZOMG coveting that gorgeous thing SO HARD!! What a beautiful piece of glasswork it is. Delightful! Thanks for bringing it in, Nora!

>176 jnwelch: I am NOT ENJOYING IT. NOT! I can't afford to follow another series! Can't! Too old too broke and too greedy!

*fumes off to pound on the new grand piano in 165*

Someone is going to send you books 2 & 3 of my favorite Danish series!!! Did you see my pic of Jussi Adler-Olsen in my 2014 thread post #7? He is telling you, "Relax, Richard darling, my fan club's got this one."

xoxo

Now shear off a little of that beard add about a foot and a half in height and that might just pass for the Grouchmeister himself.

Morning, BigDaddy! How's Monday treating you?

>178 luvamystery65: Oh Roberta how sweet of you! I'd protest and say no no no, except it is ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT that I'm now hooked. We'll call this your penance.

>179 PaulCranswick: Heh. I should be so young again!

>180 Crazymamie: Tolerably well, my dove, tolerably well. I'd prefer a less dank and gloomy day, but it IS winter after all. *smooch*

Yes it is my fault Richard, but really the credit goes to Adler-Olsen. I shall tell my master favorite author that his cult fan club is growing.

Sorry about the gloomy. And the dank. But at least you have that book to keep you distracted! I loved that one. Reminds me that I need to get back to that series.

>182 luvamystery65: He should take you out to dinner or summat. You're spreadin' the luuuv, as post 183 proves.

>183 Crazymamie: Ha! Book-bulleted and nary a review in sight! *smirk*

Anyone feeling Enlightenment-y? Today's all-platforms ebook steal is Benjamin Franklin's Bastard for $1.99! It's based on facts of Franklin's life...he really did have a bastard son that his (common-law) wife agreed to raise with him...and told from the womens' points of view. I read the first few pages at Amazon and was pleasantly taken by the narrative voice.

If you will stop dangling these tasty carrots in front of me all the time, I would come visit more often, you evil man! Have you no pity for my near exploding obese wish list? It's starting to take on the girth of the greedy fellow in Monty Python's Meaning of Life.

*evil sorrynotsorry simper*

But Caro! For $1.99, why not just give in to the temptation?

I just got 6 books for Christmas and bought 3 more with Christmas money..... you are evil, I tell you, evil.

*humming* I'm not listening *humming*

No. I won't go to my Kindle and turn on wireless and ......

No.

Dearest Richard, Abby has set up her thread. She would love visitors. She can be found here: thebookdiva's Book Nook

>158 richardderus: That looks yummy! *waves*

It's kind of fun to sit back and watch all the lovely folks calling you evil for recommending books to them. Next time you accuse me of Satanic warbling I shall remind you what a lovely pair we make, pot & kettle we are.

>188 karenmarie: Oh dear, Horrible! Gracious, how *could* I be so mean as to tell you about a good book-bargain! When you have never, ever done that to me...oh wait...

>189 Crazymamie: Oh goody good good! Time to send the naked dancing boys in with party favors! Oh ummm yeah you're her mom, ummm well! How bout them Colts!

*skedaddles*

>190 leperdbunny: I so agree, Tamara *smooch*

>191 luvamystery65: *I* merely announce to The World At Large when good and interesting materials cross my path. YOU, o Satanic Book Warbler, seek me out and warble your incantations for delectable meth-like bookdrugs into my very ear! These things are not comparable. Mine is a public service offered freely, yours a malicious enabling of my crippling book addiction.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

I WANT #165 so much. That's so much bigger than 244 square feet!

>165 richardderus: oh, so close to my ideal. Now if the seating was a little closer to the fireplace... but I'll take it as is!

Richard, that is one of the funniest posts I have ever read. "Time to send the naked dancing boys in with party favors!" You had me laughing out loud. But sneak them in the back, my mother could be around. *quickly looks around and then nonchalantly walks away* lol

yours a malicious enabling of my crippling book addiction

My Dearest Pot,

What is the problem?

xoxo

Your Kettle

>193 AuntieClio: Stephanie...dear...anything not a walk-in closet is bigger than 244sf. That's a war crime. It shouldn't be allowed. Scary small.

We need to whammy you up a nice big loft!

>194 ffortsa: I can't complain about it either, Judy, though the first thing that'd happen under my direction is those plants go to live with Jesus.

>195 Thebookdiva: I live to amuse. pssst Lars! Vijay! Fabien! Around the back at Miss Abby's!

Nothin' to see, nothin' to see, move along now all you matronly types.

195 - Abby is going to fit in nicely.

RD - You equal opportunities pimp employer you. Scandi, Hindi and faux french.

He's Quebecois and sensitive about it, Paul, lower your voice! Wants everyone to think he's from Paris. *shrug*

Hahaha Good old General Wolfe, at least he spared most of North America.

That's 200 up dear fellow (posts I mean not Fabien, who I'm sure is a very discerning young man).

The blistering pace of the New Year wears off in a week or two, so I recall. It seems we're not significantly down year-on-year. And almost 200 members in 5 days is, I think, up over 2012's slightly earlier start.

#197, yes, I know I know. I would so love to live in a nice warm lofty loft with space to stretch out and read in a good lounge chair.

>202 AuntieClio: How's this?

#203, oh yes please! I love the light coming in through the windows. That couch is certainly a place I could dally my way through a book ... or two ... or ... *ahem*

Why is everyone still hanging at the old thread? This is where it's happening. Yeah, baby!

Hope you had a fine Monday, RD! I just got....cold!

>204 AuntieClio: Perkins! Call the conveyancers and have that loft transferred to Miss Stephanie, please. Her present apartment is smaller than the butler's pantry.

>205 msf59: Hi Mark! Hanging out in the old place? Must be residual EM energy, aka "ghosts." Nothing to worry about.

It's chilly here, mostly because the wind is fairly strong and the humidity is unpleasantly high. Dank. Yech.

oh dear, smaller than the butler's pantry? I am in dire straits aren't I?

And now I have "Sultans of Swing" as my evening's earworm. *sigh*

Oh no ... it was quite unintentional I'm sure.

I JUST found the 2014 group and whose is the first thread I see???? YOURS with over 200 posts already!! It's not even 2014 yet, RD and I'm already behind!! Duly starred, dear one! ;)

Before you all indulge in your substance of choice - Happy New year! - Have a great night & even better year to come - remember its the little things that make life what it is .....

Good morning Richard! The party favors were wonderful, thank you for sending them over. I always want the libraries you post. Right now my books overflowed the bookcases in the hallway so I have 12 wine crates full of books in my room. I'm still over flowing. *sighs*

>209 AuntieClio: Guilty until proven innocent, Stephanie. This thread operates under the Code Napoleon!

>210 TinaV95: Oh my, wait until you find PAUL's thread! Yowza! *smooch*

>211 roundballnz: Thanks, Alex! Back atcha.

>212 Thebookdiva: And thus you will stay all the days of your life, most probably. It's the most marvelous problem!

Hello, Richard! Just popping by to leave your usual *STAR* and this loverly apropos image for you...

xoxo to you and Stella

Happy New Year's Eve!

>215 LauraBrook: Laura!! I'm so happy to see you here! *smooch* And that poster is priceless. I adore the stuff, as you know, but that would make me grin even if I didn't know what it was. Thanks!

>216 luvamystery65: Talk about lemonade from lemons! I love that idea. *smooch* to you and ear-tousles to the Devilles! When Stella wakes up, I'm sure she'll send slurps.

Richard, there is absolutely zero chance of my keeping up with your thread's witty banter and circumloquacious conversatitudities, but darn it, I'm dropping a star in hopes that I can skim through to the good parts (please highlight the good parts, including but not limited to nudity, high book praise, and fits of rage or ecstasy).

>218 UnrulySun: Hi Kathy! Happy baking in 2014.

But dear...those are all the normal daily attributes of my threads...how will I know what to highlight?



I found this on Pinterest. Love it.

Oooh. I pinned that!

I'll leave it to you to highlight the best of the best. Or, just the nudity, whichever is easier.

>220 Morphidae: It's misspelled, what IS it with these meme-makers that they can't get the details right?!?, but the sentiment is perfect isn't it. *smooch*

>221 UnrulySun: Ah. Got it. Perkins! Make a note to share all the nudity-filled posts with Miss Kathy, and see if Lars and Vijay have their naked selfies anywhere.

#222 I see the faux French guy got left behind. Does anyone know where Abby is? Hmm

>223 luvamystery65: Oh dear...come to think of it, Fabien hasn't been around all day. What *will* Mamie do to me for debauching her baby girl?! Hide me!!

Trying to find a book- or coffee-related quote that you have not yet posted is probably not possible. So I'm just posting one I like.
Happy New Year, Richard! You know that I've ordered a relatively pain-free 2014 for you, so I hope my magical powers show up soon.
:-)

Thank you, Ellen! I agree with that sentiment completely. I hope your magical powers arrive in time to make that a command and not an idea.

The quote is spot on! I am resolutely NOT going to admit how much I'm enjoying a certain Satanic Book Warbler's gift to me. It would only encourage her.

Invisibility cloak is on the way!

ETA: #226 *squee*

*grumble* Can't trust these Satanic Book Warblers, they sneak and lurk and eavesdrop. Sinful wicked shame on them all!

>216 luvamystery65:/219 Love that!

Happy New Year to you as well, Richard! Dropped a star. Let's see if I can keep up with this puppy.

Shelf envy. Bad, bad shelf envy.

>229 leperdbunny: They're good'uns alright! *smooch*

>230 DorsVenabili: Heh. Most times it's a vain hope to try "keeping up" in this group, at least for the employed.

Good grief. This time of year is truly maddening.

Nevertheless we continue to strive.

Xo

Almost time for a new thread there Richard Dear.. Only 8 more hours until 2014 and you have almost used up your first thread.. LOL.. Have a wonderful Evening and a Wonderful New Year... Smooches to you and Stella.

It's almost that time! Happy New Year!

NY Eve smoochies for you, RD!!

I have you starred. Looking forward to all earthly wisdom.

Hello Richard, wishing you and Stella a very Happy new year and a prosperous reading year and I LOVE the book porn on here. Karen says thank you for the lovely messages of support.

...six hours...

Good Grief....

well... as you move into thread #2

.

Happy New Year, and Happy New Thread !

May all your wishes come true.

Happy New Year Richard!!

Happy New Year Richard!! Hope 2014 is very kind to you!

This one might be more spot on....

But I hope not. :-)

>233 Matke: Maddening? Busy as all get-out, but it's all happy bustle. *smooch* for curmudgeonly Danvers

>234 MonicaLynn: Hi Monica! Another what, maybe sixty posts, and thread 2 will appear. SOME OF US aren't like certain sawed-off Yorkshiremen/gun-jumpers!

>235 Storeetllr: A sentiment I endorse with my entire being. Please please please!

>236 TinaV95: Thanks, Mrs. Lisa, and the same to you and Mrs. Tina!

>237 cindysprocket: Goodness, me too Cindy! All earthly wisdom, please come visit, we're paging you!

>238 johnsimpson: Hi John, happy to see you! I found some great new book porn for 2014, so stay tuned. Hoping the new year's woes will be lighter than the whees for y'all.

>239 Crazymamie: ...four hours twenty-six minutes...

Happy New Year, Richard!

>240 mckait: Oh my heck, that's the cutest one yet! *smooch* I can't believe I finally browbeat you into coming over here, even if it is just a few hours early.

Happy new year, luvvie!

>241 Ameise1: Beautiful, Barbara, simply lovely, from the sentiments to the lovely flowers. Thank you very much!

>242 Copperskye: Joanne! You're here at last, you holdout you. I'll be around directly for your starring.

>243 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle! Happy happy, Mama!

>244 EBT1002:, 245 Ugh, I hope not. But I know so. But I hope not. But I know so.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa tis-was tis-was

>248 phebj: Hi Pat, thanks! I love that graphic, though it's not snowy at all here. Could be a little snowier by Thursday and expected to be a LOT colder by then, too.

Too worn out to fight...sigh.

Happy New Year rdear

*smooch* Right back atcha my dearest Kath. Hugs too!

My joy. May your joy be with you all during 2014!

Happy New Year, RD! Ready for a drink, with an old pal?

Happy New Year Richard :*

ok, how can it not even be 2014 in your neck of the city and you have to make thread #2 in few hrs???

and please stop with the book porn. The one at >28 richardderus: has me drooling and I am kind of young to start that :D
Where did you find it? I really want that picture to make sure I know exactly hot to do my library/cinema room (oh, yeah!on the wall across from the lovely red couch will be my nice big screen)

6am here and 11pm there... I just finished my last book for 2013, so I am going to sleep. Hope you have some nice fireworks to watch, a memorable company and some great memories to stash away.

And to you and all here have a wonderful, amazing year full of good surprises and great books :)

>254 msf59:

You betcha! Pull up a chair and let's make a toast to the last gasp of 2013 *ptoo*ptoo* whose shadow I will not miss.

>255 tigerlyly: That one's a beauty, eh Lyly? Go look at Facebook, I pinned something with your name on it there.

Many many thanks for those wonderful wishes, my dear, and as much plus more back to you!! *smooch*

From a Sawed-off Yorkshire Gun-Jumper:

RD I hope 2014 brings you health, enough wealth to keep you in all the books, cakes and coffee your big heart requires and as many canine treats as Stella demands.

I hope 2014 brings the two of us face to face (Ok I'll have to stand on a box, but you know what I mean) as I am sure it would be just as much fun as all the pleasure you have given me since I signed up for this chaos a few years ago.

You are a huge part of what makes this group so special to me dear fellow and I cherish your friendship accordingly.

Baaaaaaawwwwwwwwww, Paul, that is such a lovely, lovely thing to say! Thank you, thank you for your lovely sentiments, and you know that (all kidding aside) I return them heartily.

See you in a few months!

It is 2014 at last.

Thank GOODNESS 2013 is done.

260 messages by the stroke of midnight? Okay, I'll just ignore this thread and start with the next--is that alright? Happy New Year, Richard!

*sniff*

Of course one must please one's self

*chinwobble*

Has morning broken up there in LI rd?

How are you feeling? Are the ouchies healing at all?

Happy New Year, Richard!

>253 richardderus:: Amen, brother!

Happy New Year Richard, I hope it is one filled with books and all the things you love.

*smooch*

>263 mckait: Good morning, me lurve. I'm pretty sure Satan put my feet on her target list, but I'm managing to do the necessaries. Sunshine and freezing cold, to be followed by snow, or so I'm informed. Other than promenading with Miss Stella for her to check her peemail, I don't have to be in it, so do your worst I say.

*smooch*

>264 scaifea: I know, right?! I love that.

>265 calm: Thanks, calm! Today will be, it looks like, and it's one day after another in this game. *smooch*

Checking her peemail! I'm going to use that one.

Ha, glad you liked it!

Mark's started up a group read of Bleak House. Thought you might want to rush right over there... :)

Sooner I would die, thank you please.

Morning Richard!

*smooch* Where's the coffee? Don't you know better than to approach an ill-tempered old man this early without propitiatory coffee offerings? I swaNEE what did that mother of yours teach you!

RD - There's more chancing of you moving to Bleak House than reading it I would surmise. Nice try by Jim though, I must say.

A valiant, if doomed, attempt. Chuckles the Dick isn't likely to convert me at this late date.

Whoops, sorry Richard. How bout this?

yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

And you even brought donuts! Good thinking.

Belated Happy New Year, Richard! Those doughnuts looks pretty great.

Happy 2014, Julia! Yes, MY donuts look lovely and yummy, don't they.

Happy 2014, Richard! Man, having LT ahead of us all year makes it look that much better, doesn't it?

I'm about to finish the second John Ceepak, so thanks for the push on Grabenstein.

Coming in a bit late but wishing everyone a 2014 filled with everything good. I love the library in #165 and want one just like it.

Hmm.. have you had any Donut Plant donuts, RD? They have their own stores on Grand Street in the Lower East Side but they also supply donuts to other places like Dean & DeLuca or Joe Coffee. They are absolutely delish!

Starting 2014 with shelf envy...uh oh, my biblioholism isn't under control!

>279 jnwelch: Oh goody good good! I've managed to hit Joe with a book bullet. My 2014 can now end.

Except for the reading bits, that is.

>280 kmartin802: Thanks for coming in to leave such kind wishes! I love that library too. I think we should ALL have one like it!

>281 cameling: I'm innocent of their donuts, so far as I know. I spent 2013 lusting after and learning to fake up cronuts. Which are, in actual factual, scrummy as all get-out.

Happy New Year, RIchard!

Thanks, Steve, and a good reading year to you too!

Those books are absolutely gorgeous! I'm not above buying books because of how they look. That's how I ended up with We The Drowned by Carsten Jensen.

It *is* beautiful. A Danish friend of mine has been after me to read it, since she gave it four stars. It sounds so Moby-Dicky, though. Maybe one day.

Omggg doughnuts! Oh er, Happy New Year, RD!

Yes, MY donuts are luscious looking, aren't they.

Happy 2014, Tamara!

You are being awfully possessive about those doughnuts, Richard. I think one of your New Year's resolutions should be to learn to share. Especially doughnuts. Especially with me.

Now that we've made it through 2013, bedraggled though we be, let's celebrate 2014!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year :-)

Any champagne left to go with those donuts?

Happy New Year, darling!

As is becoming annual tradition, Richard dear, I will peek my nose in here at the beginning of the year and then inevitably become intimidated by the size and speed of your thread and fall behind. But for now have smooches and well wishes for the new year. *smooch*

>290 rosalita: But Julia, how can I be expected to share something I don't have? I have no "doughnuts" whatever those are. I've only got DONUTS. So, sorry about that.

>291 -Cee-: Now see! Claudia has the right idea!

We'll have a bit of Veuve Cliquot, shall we, with the donuts.

>292 LauraBrook: Laura, what a perfect illo! I love it! *smooch* and the bestest 2014 to you, too!

>293 MickyFine: *smooch* But Micky, Stephen's threads move as fast as mine...

282 > Hmm Dickens is in there - so all this protesting about Dickens is just bluff ??

>294 richardderus: A nice attempt, Richard, but that is so not true. You can't help being Mr. Popularity. :)

Dat Sherlock gif. Dat tentacle lamp. AIRSHIP PAINTING, OH MY STARS! I want to snag that and put it somewhere, all in the name of Glorious Writer Inspiration.

I've missed you loads, Richard. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been away for so long. :/

Well, I'm going to be making the rounds seeing everyone! I don't know if I'll get a thread, but maybe I'll just be that one annoying creepo stalker person. :D

#294 by @richardderus> Pshaw, I say. They are DOUGHnuts no matter what you say, Mr. D. So keep them all to yourself and I'll go find my own. :p

>295 roundballnz: WHAT?!? There's something by Chuckles the Dick in there?! I must take it down immediately!

>296 MickyFine: I am NOT!! I'm a mean old curmudgeon, just ask anybody!! And I'll thank you to keep your character assassinations to yourself.

>297 ErisofDiscord: OMG ERIS!! DARLING!! Well, I see your posts on Goodreads once in a while, so I knew you weren't dead, but I'm pleased to see you back even for a bit.


Come back soon!

>298 rosalita: Oh, I'm sure they *are* "doughnuts," I wouldn't venture to say. Tell me, do they resemble American donuts at all?

I respect my curmodgeonly elders so I won't point out that you have 300 posts after only 7 days... *innocent big eyes*

Holy cats. Time for another thread?! No. Can't be!

Post 301.

Yowza.

Gaack. Go away for a few minutes and am over 100 messages behind.

I wish you many book bullets in 2014.

God knows you'll shoot tons of them at me.....

*smooch*

Hard to type, I have one of those large sized holy cats on my lap, arms, keyboard.
Cking for new thread....

>302 karenmarie: I'm sure it will calm down in the next week or so. After all, it IS like this every New Year. And as for book bullets...heh...INCOMING! *smooch*

>303 mckait: Not putting it up yet, dearest, simply noting the need for it was distressing enough.

Now I'm craving doughnuts but I'm determined not to exit the abode today, even if it were for a trip to Psycho Donuts.

It was surprisingly quiet last night. About midnight the fireworks started up but I hadn't realized it was that late, so when I looked at the clock I realized it made sense for fireworks.

Hi Stephanie! Do take a picture of one of these "doughnuts" for me. I'm curious to know how closely they resemble the common-or-garden donut.

I can't believe I'm typing this on New Year's Day: New Thread Is Up!

#299 - Aye, Goodreads had me for quite a bit, but I've been dropping off a bit more. One of my best friends is there, and GR is one of the only ways I can keep in contact with her.

Well, I hope I'll be on more than a bit. I am determined to stubbornly linger here more often. Awwwwww, Jack and Rose. ^.^ Forget Titanic. When someone mentions those two, DW is all I think.

Me too. Much better story, the Whovian one. xo

AGREED. I can't take Titanic. :P