Various foxtrots with Sundry

[lagilman]

January in New Haven: our street is seeing a steady parade of heating oil trucks making deliveries. $100 a barrel. Owwwwwww.

Cheap Fun: Cats, boxes, and catnip.

It hasn't been all observation. I have been busy getting things off my desk, including a short story that has been simmering for two years. I looked at it this morning and thought "oh, not (supernatural creature) but (supernatural creature)!" And it all fell into place. Not done yet, but I grok it. Rewriting comes next. And I still have no idea if it's a viable story or not. That's the kicker -- you've got to do it and no guarantees. Digging ditches isn't easier, but at least at the end of the day you know you've got a ditch. And the muscle aches are probably the same.

on the financial front:
Ten resolutions that will help you survive the coming bear market Not sure I agree with all of his suggestions, but he raises important points that you should have in mind, even if you don't play the market.

on the international front:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080102/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_france_smoking_ban_1

A Paris without smokes? As a former smoker, I understand the push to create smoke-free public areas. I even support it, within reason (no smoking in restaurants, yes. No smoking in open-air stadiums? GMAFB). But the thought of sitting in a cafe in Paris, specifically, now without a smoker to my left and a smoker to my right, and a smoker behind me... I dunno. Somehow it just seems wrong.

Comments

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

Actually, since the new law means I can actually travel in France again, I welcome it wholeheartedly. (Plus if my employer actually manages to get that France tour together for this year, she'll be able to survive it without coming down with severe bronchitis three days in.)

[lagilman]

I just get hives at the Big Brother "we will tell you what to do in public" attitude that swept over this country and seems to be spreading... I figured the French would be the very last holdouts, for sheer stubborness if nothing else.