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MayB
An oily rag sounds logical, MayB. Either that, in a mostly Scottish part of Canada they are probably running on the smell of a whisky cork, MayB, which would explain everything - hic!
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 6, 2006 at 2:19 PM
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Blanche
I appreciate the rephrasing, Blanche, and I did know what you meant - I think? But it was helluva funny. Ell is sitting here looking over my shoulder, shaking her head and saying, "But you do write drivel. Blanche was quite right the first time." Just ignore her. I do.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 6, 2006 at 2:15 PM
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Blanche
Sob! Sob! When I read '
would rather write drivel than publish yours', I was cut to the quick.
I know I write drivel, but to be reminded - on Blogit - which is read by the whole world (well my reader, OK?). Should I make the final sacrifice and throw myself from the top of the desk and impale myself on the upturned staple gun? Should I go into the attic and search for the family AK47 heirloom? Should I let Samantha lick the tears which course down my cheeks as I laugh my head off? I settled for the latter as I poured a large glass of Highland Park, Blanche. Cheers.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 6, 2006 at 2:11 PM
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It probably says more about production values when the
paper is probably run on the smell of an oily rag
posted by
Azur
on January 6, 2006 at 12:35 PM
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let me rephrase that, it didn't come out exactly the way that I intended:
When I said, "rather print drivel like that than yours", I think maybe I should clarify and say, "print your articles", drivel was not at all what I meant, in regard to your writing!
posted by
Blanche.
on January 6, 2006 at 12:29 PM
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Well, that shows you what they're about, JohnMcNab,
if this paper would rather write drivel like that than publish yours, I'd say "shake the dust off your feet" and never darken their door again (or something like that).
posted by
Blanche.
on January 6, 2006 at 12:27 PM
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strat
It's really weird, strat. I think they must have a grab-bag of last centuries articles and they dip into it when they need a space filled.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 6, 2006 at 12:25 PM
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That's some pretty odd stuff, John.
posted by
strat
on January 6, 2006 at 10:54 AM
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Blanche
I think the staff were asleep, after all this was the newspaper that didn't even reply to, or return, lots of my articles. Which means they are not only lacking in attention to detail but have a distinct lack of taste.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 5, 2006 at 7:04 PM
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JohnMcnab,
This is news? Are the editorial staff asleep at the wheel? I read that wondered, 2000? What year is this? And do people really care?
posted by
Blanche.
on January 5, 2006 at 6:17 PM
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JohnMcNab
I tend to addiction on that score too. Your encouragement is a big help. It is a solitary business and so the small lines to other humans help
posted by
Azur
on January 5, 2006 at 6:13 PM
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MayB
Download whenever, MayB. It's my pleasure. I'm really chuffed you got it finished before the deadline. I knew you would, because as it got nearer and nearer your brain would go into hyperdrive. Isn't it strange when you have an idea and you think, 'I'll never write 2,000 words on that subject,' and you end up writing 5,000 and wondering what to chop. Sorry for not commenting earlier, but I was leaving you in peace. Also there was the slight problem that once I start reading and commenting on Blogit, I'm hooked.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 5, 2006 at 9:59 AM
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JohnMcNab, it's turned out well but not without enlisting my in-house editor - I married well - to drag me out of some fog. I don't know either if I can do this kind of work. I admire a few people I know who are excellent at that level. It is such a process - researching the idea, selling the idea, lining up the interviews, gathering information - preparing notes with the useful stuff from what i recorded on I-pod, selecting what to leave out (that's tough) and then weaving it together in to some structure before you can even begin to get it up to the level it needs to be and then you get ruthless because you said too much - only then I got too ruthless and had to find 450 extra words and there are facts to check.
the in-house editor mentioned a few nice turns of phrase- high praise from him - and at least I was able to say they were mine. All of this and the money' s not great but the group is high profile and it's on the cover so it's all good. Phew! Thanks for asking. I download here. Sorry
posted by
Azur
on January 5, 2006 at 6:00 AM
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MayB
You've done it? Good on ya! I was thinking of you and your looming deadline yesterday while I was farting about trying to write a chapter, and wondering if I could do what you do. I then decided I couldn't. Did you end up writing it to your satisfaction, MayB?
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 5, 2006 at 5:15 AM
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well johnmcnab, I've done my 2000 word article but my book is nowhere at the moment as I now have a 1200 word article and 3000 words of study assignments to complete
posted by
Azur
on January 5, 2006 at 4:55 AM
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BrightIrish
I completely agree with you BrightIrish.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 5, 2006 at 4:32 AM
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ginnie
Afraid not, ginnie. I got up to 2,808 words and lost it. I'm pleased with they way I've done it this time - so far. In the last attempts I've got up to 800 words twice and 1,100 once and 2,200 another time. I do know what I'm going to write for the final 700 words though. It must have been really annoying me thru the night for me to be up at this time of the day - watching the snow falling. Thank goodness I don't write for a living.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 5, 2006 at 4:31 AM
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It is beyond me why they would put all this enegy and time into change. Their are so many things going on that could use the time and energy wasted on these trivial things.
posted by
BrightIrish
on January 4, 2006 at 9:27 PM
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Did you do it Mac???
posted by
ginnieb
on January 4, 2006 at 7:57 PM
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Original
Thanks for popping in Original. If I ever get this book finished, it will be one of the wonders.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 4, 2006 at 5:52 PM
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Smartdog
I agree completely, Smartdog. You can keep the fame, I'll take the cash.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 4, 2006 at 5:50 PM
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MayB
It would be fun, MayB. It's the kind of thing you would do after making a fortune from having your book published. Your comment piqued my curiosity and I looked up the World's Wonders. There are none of the Ancient Wonders left, but depending on whose list you use, I've seen 9 of them. Let me see -9 into 7 goes....?
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 4, 2006 at 5:49 PM
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Good post. I agree too!
posted by
Original_Influence
on January 4, 2006 at 5:42 PM
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John
Why people feel the need to try and change things just so they can try to make themselves famous boggles my mind. I'm with your opinion on this.
-smartdog
posted by
smartdog_670
on January 4, 2006 at 4:21 PM
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Hey, it'd be a fun job traveling around and checking it all out
posted by
Azur
on January 4, 2006 at 4:08 PM
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MerryAnne
LOL, MerryAnne. I think you described the lack of excitement perfectly.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 4, 2006 at 1:25 PM
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ginnie
Sorry, ginnie. I thought it was built in 1976, not 1996. My apologies. It isn't a grey afternoon here. It has started snowing with freezing rain and it looks fantastic - not that I am going out in it, you understand. And possibly, perhaps, maybe, I will nail this chapter tonight. Shhhhhh. Don't say it out loud.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 4, 2006 at 1:24 PM
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Hmmmm
I'm not sure how to express my feelings about a new list of wonders of the world ... oh I've got it!
*YAWN*
have a great day John!
posted by
MerryAnne
on January 4, 2006 at 1:19 PM
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Good lawrd Mac!
I was there when it went up....now I'm ancient too? Such a thought for a gloomy grey afternoon!
posted by
ginnieb
on January 4, 2006 at 12:33 PM
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