The IRS Sucks and a new book.
Any other year, our federal tax check would get here quickly, since we direct deposit. And now, of course, the one year we're actually getting back enough money that we can actually do something with it, the federal IRS decides to drag it's feet. I want my MACBook, damn it. I'm tired of using a Windoze machine with substandard hardware. [Sigh] I supose I should be grateful that I even have a computer, but ...
Anyway, on a brighter note, found the new Valdemar anthology that Mercedes Lackey put out. It's called "Moving Target" which is also the name of the story that she wrote for it. Now anyone who has put up with me talking about what I like when it comes to books and stories knows I like her stuff (and that I'm a Sci-fi/Fantasy buff with a closet liking for romances if they're set in those genres). If you don't know much about this author or what stories she's written, go ahead and skip this part then. It will also have spoilers for that story if you haven't and want to read it.
SPOILER ALERT
The Woman is a genious. Who else could put the Scooby-Doo gang in her world, make them Heralds and make the story actually believable. They even have the talking dog. It was that, that pretty much cinched it for me. This description really looses alot of the impact of how I reacted when I figured it out, but sufice to say, I just about died laughing. At least I figured it out before I got to far in the story, I'm glad to say. Powers of deduction still working.
The story starts out with the descriptions and introductions of the characters. A senior Herald is taking a group of four new Heralds on their first circut. This is abnormal to begin with because usually it's either a one on one training or, at the most, two trainees and one senior for the first circut. These four trainees were put together because they just worked so well and that altogether they made the "Perfect Herald" because their talents together compensated for each other. And also, because of so many going on circut at once, they've been allowed to take a wagon (think gypsy in description) instead of just the normal pack animals. The description of the wagon's design (yellow with vines motif and a red roof) doesn't quite grab the attention until it gets painted blue over it (for reasons of speed they don't have time do a complete repaint) and Wa La, you have the Mystery Machine.
The description of the Trainees also puts you in mind of Velma, Daphnie, Fred and Shaggy but you'll have to read to find out who's who. it's pretty much spot on and their "Talents" fit as well. So far nothing out of the ordinary for the usual Valdemar story from Misty, but then the Shaggy character has a Kyree "Choose" him to help out. Enter Ryu, who instead of using mindspeech with everyone to talk tries to articulate what he wants to say with actual speaking, with "Shaggy" being the only one to completely understand him. It was at this point I lost it. I was laughing so hard. After that I pretty much knew how the story was going to go and end but it was so much fun picking everything out.
There are times when I want to read the absurd in a fandom I love and when the creator desides to spoof there own stuff, but actually make it believable in their own world... I just love it.
Ok, recap, No federal tax refund yet because the IRS doesn't want to give up their money yet, and a new book with a story that made me smile and got me through Friday the 13th. Though, actually, me and hubby came up with something the other day to always get us through Friday 13th with a smile. We've declared it "Eris Day" and deal with it accordingly.
And this post should take care of the last month that I DIDN'T write anything.
Anyway, on a brighter note, found the new Valdemar anthology that Mercedes Lackey put out. It's called "Moving Target" which is also the name of the story that she wrote for it. Now anyone who has put up with me talking about what I like when it comes to books and stories knows I like her stuff (and that I'm a Sci-fi/Fantasy buff with a closet liking for romances if they're set in those genres). If you don't know much about this author or what stories she's written, go ahead and skip this part then. It will also have spoilers for that story if you haven't and want to read it.
SPOILER ALERT
The Woman is a genious. Who else could put the Scooby-Doo gang in her world, make them Heralds and make the story actually believable. They even have the talking dog. It was that, that pretty much cinched it for me. This description really looses alot of the impact of how I reacted when I figured it out, but sufice to say, I just about died laughing. At least I figured it out before I got to far in the story, I'm glad to say. Powers of deduction still working.
The story starts out with the descriptions and introductions of the characters. A senior Herald is taking a group of four new Heralds on their first circut. This is abnormal to begin with because usually it's either a one on one training or, at the most, two trainees and one senior for the first circut. These four trainees were put together because they just worked so well and that altogether they made the "Perfect Herald" because their talents together compensated for each other. And also, because of so many going on circut at once, they've been allowed to take a wagon (think gypsy in description) instead of just the normal pack animals. The description of the wagon's design (yellow with vines motif and a red roof) doesn't quite grab the attention until it gets painted blue over it (for reasons of speed they don't have time do a complete repaint) and Wa La, you have the Mystery Machine.
The description of the Trainees also puts you in mind of Velma, Daphnie, Fred and Shaggy but you'll have to read to find out who's who. it's pretty much spot on and their "Talents" fit as well. So far nothing out of the ordinary for the usual Valdemar story from Misty, but then the Shaggy character has a Kyree "Choose" him to help out. Enter Ryu, who instead of using mindspeech with everyone to talk tries to articulate what he wants to say with actual speaking, with "Shaggy" being the only one to completely understand him. It was at this point I lost it. I was laughing so hard. After that I pretty much knew how the story was going to go and end but it was so much fun picking everything out.
There are times when I want to read the absurd in a fandom I love and when the creator desides to spoof there own stuff, but actually make it believable in their own world... I just love it.
Ok, recap, No federal tax refund yet because the IRS doesn't want to give up their money yet, and a new book with a story that made me smile and got me through Friday the 13th. Though, actually, me and hubby came up with something the other day to always get us through Friday 13th with a smile. We've declared it "Eris Day" and deal with it accordingly.
And this post should take care of the last month that I DIDN'T write anything.