The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries
&
Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries
I’ve been on a British mystery series kick, so here are a couple of my favorites!
In The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries, Diana Rigg and Neil Dudgeon form this dynamic duo in an era of flappers, jazz, and snappy wit. Mrs. Bradley is unabashedly modern and irreverent, and really, you must confess that you catch yourself thinking admirably, “I want to be her at that age.”
And let’s not forget George, dear George, who I don’t think was part of the original novels at all, but I’m glad he was created here, because let’s face it, he’s a great foil and character. Plus the chemistry between them is as sizzlingly sharp as the conversation, and as subtle as a wink.
As for Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries (The Lord Peter Wimsey-Harriet Vane Collection), let’s just say that while Lord Peter may hide his intelligence under a meandering demeanor, Edward Petherbridge gives him sex appeal. Charm, such charm. You can’t help falling a little for him, and wishing they’d been able to acquire rights to make the fourth in the series, if only to see the actors carry this through to the end.
Prevue Clean Life Bird Cage
Who raves about a bird cage? Well, trust me, if you’ve ever gotten the Clean Life Bird Cage by Prevue, you’d be singing its praises too. I used to have a Top Wing cage, which I called the “birdie condominium” due to its size (18“x18“x36”), but it was a tremendous hassle to clean each and every time. And that didn’t stop the surrounding mess. The Prevue Clean Life Bird Cage, however, is a big difference!
The bottom pan is angled so that it catches all stray foodbits, eliminating the need for even a seed-guard. Cleaning is a snap. I was initially concerned whether it would be enough space for two cockatiels (one of them quite feisty), but I’ve since found it roomy enough. Which makes sense, considering in their previous birdie condominium, they hardly ventured to the bottom section of the cage, thus constituting wasted space. Nothing wasted about the Clean Life cage! I can even transport my birds in this when going to the vet, instead of having to use a separate smaller cage each time.
The bars of the cage are ever-so-slightly wider apart than typical small-bird cages, which you’ll only notice when putting in food-clips or that sort of thing. Nothing too drastic — they may feel a bit loose but they’ll hang all right. Overall, if you like keeping the place clean (and I’m sure you do), give this cage a look. Thumb’s up!
Dexter
Michael C. Hall is brilliant playing your friendly neighborhood serial killer. Well, he fakes the “friendly” part but hey, what else can you do when you’re a sociopath forced to pretend emotions in order to fit in? But don’t worry, Dexter is perfectly capable appearing normal and sprightly while moonlighting as a chopper-upper. He’s that kinda guy.
What I especially love is the wit just brimming in this show. Some of it comes from the original book it was based on, of course (I’d read the first two; let’s say I root for the TV version), but the writers and actors definitely deserve a grand share of kudos in making the show their own. There have been many times when I just cracked up over the deadpans, or even the slightest change in Dexter’s expression (parts where he stops over an Oops? Hilarious).
I don’t get Showtime, and so am only able to rent Season 1’s DVDs. You have no idea how much I’d like to fast-forward in time just so I can get Season 2’s DVDs, but I soothe myself with the knowledge that when the time does eventually come, I can launch a marathon Dexter session once more, and it shall be good.
Oh, and the show’s opening credits? Totally addictive. I could watch it over and over again. Oh wait, I guess I have. . . .
A Lifetime in Heat by The Guggenheim Grotto
This Irish trio will sneak up on you faster than a garter snake, and you’ll love it when their numbers coil their way around you. This number, in particular. Its soft, understated style weaves around faint keyboards and strings in the background, and you’ll find yourself crooning along to the song as it stays stuck in your head for days at a time.
I’ve never held any love for America / But you kissed her shores and somehow she held onto ya
It moves very subtly, but as I said, you won’t be able to get it out of your head. Oh, and the faint foot fetish aspect doesn’t hurt, either.
I spent myself trying to find your feet / And it felt like a lifetime in heat
If you can get hold of the band‘s Told You So, that’s another excellent song, too.
Went to see Josh Ritter play at the High Noon Saloon — it was a terrific show. You may already know how much I like Josh Ritter — I could espouse on his songwriting skills, the attitude he inspires, the way he conducts himself in interviews, that sort of thing — but that has nothing to do with the fact that if he’s playing in your area, you should go to his show.
I’d expected to enjoy it because I love his songs, but I hadn’t expected to have so much fun. The entire band clearly had a great time as well, and it’s wonderful when you can tell performers/entertainers are doing something because they well and truly love it, not because they “have to” do it. The energy, the verve, the laughs and antics. . . well, I was right up front so we had a marvelous view of the whole thing. (*grin*)
(Also, I thought the drummer was adorable, especially when he had this certain expression on his face everytime he played. Hearts!)
So you there — go see his shows!
Hey there, super-readers! As most of you know, Bitters Past is on break while I move countries, but guess what? During my absence, there will be a CONTEST! For you! And yes, there are prizes. Because I love you that much. Hurrah! Here’s the scoop:
The Prizes
First prize: An original full-color drawing of two Bitters Past characters of your choice! Ink and Tria on 9“x12” Bristol board.
Runner-up prize(s): An original b&w drawing of one Bitters Past character of your choice! Ink on 5“x7” Bristol board.
Note #1: Runner-up prizes are only applicable if your entry contains all the correct answers but arrives in my inbox not in first place. Basically, the main reason behind these runner-up prizes is that I’d feel bad if folks were still entering with correct answers just because I’d neglected to update and announce the winner. So if you catch me before I announce the winner, you’re in!
Note #2: Given that I’m moving countries, you might have to wait until August or so to receive your prize. I figure you won’t mind.
The Contest
I use excerpts from song lyrics as BP subset titles (see the table of contents for examples). Below’s a list of BP subset titles you’ll wind up seeing:
| 1. Bring the Wine 2. Wolves 3. Another Confession, My Friend 4. All Hail to the New Infection 5. Wheels to Nullify 6. If By Degrees 7. Uncrossed Line 8. Fingers Turn Black 9. Hallowed Ground 10. Breakers and the Markers 11. Places You Have Known 12. Rush in Your Veins 13. All the Empires 14. Broken Glass 15. Setting Sun 16. Bury Your Bones 17. Blood That You Still Owe 18. We Are Like the Northern Sky 19. Clouds Upon Our Backs |
There might be a few more, and I may rearrange the order when it’s actually drawn, but for the purposes of this contest, this is the list. Your job is to find out the name and artist of each song. Send your entry to lynn at tentative dot net (subject title: “BP contest”) in the following format:
| 1. Bring the Wine – “Bitters Past” by Tim Easton 2. Wolves – “Wolves” by Josh Ritter etc. |
See? I even gave away the first two for you. So simple, no?
But wait! There are rules!
The Rules
Rule 1: Follow all rules. Not doing so will automatically disqualify your entry without notice to you, and also result in me pointing and laughing. Hard. Really, I’m quite incorrigible.
Rule 2: All questions must be answered. No skipping or leaving out any of the 19 songs above. Also, giving just the name of the artist without the song title (and vice versa) means automatic disqualification without notice. People, I gave you the first two for free. I don’t think asking for the rest is so hard, ‘specially in this age of Google.
Rule 3: First come, first win. That’s basically it. First one with all the correct answers to arrive in my inbox wins! However, if there are no winning entries in my inbox before August 1, 2008, then I will close the contest and reopen it at a future date. Like, if I’m away again.
Rule 4: Send in only one entry at a time. You can enter as many times as you want, but that doesn’t mean spammage of my inbox. Send one e-mail to me, and if it doesn’t have all the right answers, I’ll let you know and you can revise and send again. I’d advise you not to skip this rule (refer Rule #1).
Note: If you don’t hear from me within 24 hours, yes, you can check with me to make sure I’ve received your entry. I’m not entirely merciless (shh! Don’t believe a word they say!).
Rule 5: You may ask for clues after your third try. If, after you send in at least two entries but it’s incorrect-sorry-do-please-try-again, you may ask me which line in particular is incorrect. You may also ask for hints as to the answer.
However! Your previous two entries must not only have followed the rules, they must also have been performed in good faith/effort. This means you can’t just make titles up in order to score a third try (yes, your mum was right: one really can tell when you’re not trying your best). Also, I reserve the right to be playfully oblique in my clues. Hey, I should have my share of fun as well.
Additional Questions
Do I have to be a Bitters Past reader to enter?
Dude, have you read what the contest is about? It’s essentially “name that song.” I admit, if you’re a reader you get a special place in my heart, and I suppose being a reader might give you an edge in the sense that you’d find out about this contest sooner than other peeps (plus you’d probably like the prizes a lot more than a non-reader would). But really, that’s about it. Anybody anywhere can enter. This means you.
So if I’m a fellow artist/editor/relative/random-stumbler-uponer, I can enter too?
Yup! ‘S all love, baby. Though if you start being a dork and sending me nasties, I’ll put you on my “blocked” list. Right after I point and laugh hard. I did say I was incorrigible.
Um, why songs?
A girl’s got to get her kicks.
That’s it! Much thanks to Natalie for helping me with some contest wording. Now c’mon, folks, let’s play. On your marks, get set, go!
Any other questions, let me know (either e-mail or post here) and I’ll clarify it for you. Have fun!
I love my camera. I really, really do. :D
Click on the pic to view the whole set!
Today: took shots of Christian Bale at the Capitol, where they’re filming Public Enemies, and then found a ten-cent Polish coin on the street. It’s a marvelous day already. :D
Bitters Past update! In which we see the beginning of what is going to be a big mess. Seriously, when this is all over I’d hate to be the one to have to clean it up.
. . . Then again, you’ll have to wait quite a long while to see the mess ensue. I’d told you before that I’m going on break while I move countries. Well, this is the last page in my BP buffer, so you’ll have to wait a few months until I’m all settled before I can resume the tale!
No, I hadn’t intended to leave you with a cliffhanger, but lovely how things turn out that way.
But in my absence, there’s going to be a Bitters Past contest for you! With real prizes! Whoo! Cheer with me, peeps. Then come back next week to find out what it is!
Also, forgive any disjointedness in this posting — it’s Bring Your Birdies To Work Day (yes, we made it up), so I’m currently typing with one hand while they nap on the rest of me. C’est la vie.
Just found this: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Crohns Disease by Tom Humberstone. He did this as a 24-hour comic, but I think it’s a great comic in general. Go read!
Just try and deny their fluffy cuteness!
Fancy some tied-up bellydancer? You’re in luck! The April edition of Dr Sketchy’s Madison is this Sunday, 2-5pm, at the High Noon Saloon! Be there for some fun ol’ kink times!
Dr Sketchy’s Madison also will turn one year old then, and my, what a milestone. I’ve been there since the beginning — missing only one session when I was out of the country — and I can’t tell you how much thought organizers Glenn and Olive have put into it to make it such a fun, rousing success. It’s almost like a Sketchy’s family. Way to go, guys!
I feel a bit sad that this will be my last Sketchy’s event here. They know how to rock it with star power, hoots and giggles, and saucy sassyness. I know Vancouver supposedly has its own Sketchy’s chapter too, but from what I can tell, it looks pretty much dead. Certainly not half as fun as this one, I’m sure. If only I can bring Sketchy’s Madison with me. Wah!
Be there this Sunday for some debauching-fun times, people!
Bitters Past update! Trust me, you just know none of them are ever going to let him live it down.
Also, I may not be able to jump tall buildings in stiletto heels or own over-the-knee boots, but man am I ever living vicariously through Blitz.
Just one more update to go before the break and contest!
Just had to share this: Guess what flavor’s in a Batman ice-cream!
I can’t wait to find out the recipe — not only that, the conversation snippets are hilarious:
“Tasty, tasty Batman.”
“If Batman were to sit down with a pint and a tear-jerker movie (say, one afternoon with nothing better to do—a broken leg maybe?) COULD THIS BE THE ICE CREAM HE PICKS UP?”
“Does it taste like vigilantes?”
“NIGHTWING ice cream! Great thought! It would need to have a hint of ‘chip on shoulder’, I’m guessing? Just how would that taste, I wonder. Could I somehow include sour grapes without being over the top?”
Love it! :D