Hollywoodland

It’s officially the first day of winter. And the weather seems to be determined to prove it. If you’re living in Colorado (or stuck there), I hope you’re able to get out and about soon. I even heard people are stuck in the airport at Heathrow in London. Not snow for them, but bad fog. At our house, we’re just going to have a wet Christmas. I’d rather have some snow. Though maybe not as much as Colorado is getting…

Kind of a slow TV night again tonight. Identity, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, First 48, and Decoding the Past (they’re focusing on the spear that pierced Christ’s side on the cross, I’m hoping they’ll talk about its supposed mystical powers—research!).

I’m still reading the writing book (Writing the Private Eye Novel, Marianne). The upcoming chapter is titled “Humor in the Private Eye Novel”. I have a hard time being too serious in my writing. Like I’ve said before, I’m all about the fluff. So, anyway, that chapter ought to be right up my alley.

Today’s horoscope:

This is an excellent day to begin a journey or study a new subject. You are operating from a fresh, unbiased point of view. Look to discover something new about yourself along the way. A secret admirer will be revealed shortly.

Okay. What shall I study? And I didn’t know I had a secret admirer. How fun!

While channel surfing last night, I happened across one of my “not so secret vices”, Dog the Bounty Hunter. It was a Christmas episode and Dog was singing a song about the criminal they were after and how they were going to put him away. And he was singing to the tune of “Away in a Manger”. I nearly fell in the floor laughing. And what’s really amazing is how well it actually scanned. Go, Dog!

Tonight on TV we have Identity (which is growing on me…) and Dead Like Me which are the only things I’ll be recording or watching. Then I guess I’ll watch something I recorded earlier because it’s a Rerun Fest tonight.

I’m still reading through the writing book. Even though it’s geared towards writing a book with a private investigaor protagonist, I keep thinking about how their tips would work for my 1920s murder mystery which has a cop and an amateur detective.

There’s a blog post that’s been getting mentioned around and about called 50 Ways to Help Your Author. It’s a cool list and it won’t cost you a thing! Some of these are things I do on a fairly regular basis, but others I’d never thought of before. So help out your writer friends or your favorite writers!

And now…. Tidbits From the World of Science and Entertainment!

52 new species discovered on Borneo Island
Scientists have discovered at least 52 new species of animals and plants on the southeast Asian island of Borneo since 2005, including a catfish with protruding teeth and suction cups on its belly to help it stick to rocks, WWF International said Tuesday.

Joe Barbera, of ‘Yogi Bear’ team, dies
Animation giant was one half of the Hanna-Barbera team that created characters like Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones.

I can just imagine Joe getting together with his sidekick Bill Hanna for a heavenly pic-a-nic.

Lots of reruns tonight, so I’ll be watching & recording Dead Like Me (which is new to me), Identity (I haven’t decided if I like this show or not), Science of the Bible (tonight they’re covering the Ark of the Covenant, I think), Cash & Treasures, and Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites. Some good research material there.

Read more of the writing book last night. Some good tips. Other tips that don’t quite apply. At least not at the moment.