This is really weird. My inbox is under some bizarre form of a spam attack. I'm currently being inundated with emails that are marketing two vastly different style products. The only conceivable common denominator is that both provide some form of transportation, albeit two vastly different ones. The first set of emails come from Hoveround wheelchairs. Because I'm still ambulatory, I don't quite understand how I got on their prospective customer list. Perhaps some internet widget has somehow monitored my habits, identified my addiction to writing, and determined that I will soon follow in the wheelchair tracks of George R. R. Martin and become too unhealthy to even walk to the mailbox under my own power. The other barrage of advertising is offering to help me "find great rates on luxurious private jets." Since I can't even afford to buy a new luxury car at the moment, I can't imagine where this marketing spam attack is coming from, either. Now if I could afford my own private jet, I would have to support a local Savannah business and buy a Gulfstream G650. Hey, I can dream, can't I? But, this begs the question: what does the internet know about my future personal needs that I don't? … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
A friend called me recently and suggested I should come to Savannah for St. Patrick's Day. Frankly, I'd rather have my teeth pulled without Novocaine. I grew up in Savannah, so I know all too well what St. Patrick's Day in Savannah can be like, especially when it falls on Saturday. Don't get me wrong. It will be great fun. In fact, it's too much fun for me. It is not a place for someone who doesn't like "standing room only" anymore. The only way to stand out in a crowd on St. Patrick's Day is to wear any color except green. A city of 250,000 people doubles in size. Many of them get drunk, but the police do keep things from getting out of hand. Don't even think about drinking and driving. The police will be out in force. Still, the traffic is horrific on St. Patrick's Day Saturdays, and the parking non-existent. A city known for it's hospitality gets overrun by more rowdy revelers than it can handle. Once upon a time, I lived for that sort of thing. If you've never been to Savannah for St. Patrick's Day, the city does roll out the green-dyed red carpet for visitors. There are events, parades, bands, and green beer, the whole nine yards. For me, that's the whole problem. I'm too old and cantankerous for that sort of stuff. Besides, at the moment, I'm focused on completing the task of editing my new novel. On the other hand, it would be nice to see the old friend allegedly flying into town for the big celebration, as long as I can avoid the most boisterous of the festivities myself. We'll have to see how work goes. Honestly, the green I'd most like to see in … [Read more...]
