This weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with a sailor just graduating from Great Lakes naval base. I have to say, I was impressed. If this young lady is a fair representation, we are all in good hands. She not only understood why they did what they did, but got upset when others whined about it. She really seems to grasp the ideas behind the military life. I will be wearing my Navy T-shirt proudly.

It was also really fun to see her on her first time away from the base!! She got to play music and eat when she wanted to. She went to the mall, and napped! I really enjoyed seeing her relax! The most fun was listening as she explained why some one was going to get in trouble for letting her Mom and Brother on base with out checking passes!!

So, WAY TO GO JAMIE!!!!!!!! Congrats.

Also this weekend, I got to meet some more friends from the internet. Books 'n' bytes very own Vicki included. What did I draw from this meeting more than anything else? I wished she lived closer!!! I had a great time talking into the night about books and the world in general. Her son is really great too. Vicki has raised some pretty amazing kids. I also invited some people from Rec.Arts.Mystery over for a cookout. We had a great time.

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Ruth and I are gearing up for Bouchercon. We love this convention. It doesn't hurt that we met at one!

This year in Austin we are looking forward to meeting some people we haven't seen before, and seeing friends from previous years. Money may be tight, but we have enough to get there, and that's cool. I can
always buy books later. (did I really say that?) I'm already planning a a big nap when we get back. The weekend after b-con we are driving to Muncie, Indiana. (yes, on purpose!) for Magna Cum Murder. (http://www.magnacummurder.com/) We met one of the organizers last year and felt that this would be a fun convention. We eventually hope to check out all the different cons.
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Lately I've been picking up a lot of older books. I like to think I'm well read, but with the amount of books out there, well no one is ever done, are they? But I'm going to try to read some older authors and increase my knowledge of the genre. I smell a future article.....
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The weather is cooling off, and the theory is that I will have more time to read. Not likely, but it's a good thought! We have a bunch of great signings coming up, and some fun weekends planned. But I really would love to spend a whole weekend on the couch with a blanket and a cat and a bag(s) of caramel corn and a stack of books. I have read some really good books lately, including the new GM Ford series. I won't go into detail as I have reviewed them already, but they are great!.
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Gossip stuff

- received this yesterday - I'm blocking the author's name and title, but it's still funny:

"so I finished XXXX XXX XXXX byXXXXXX XXXXXX.......wonder if the title refers to XXXXXX's plotting skills-- this one struck me as just about as phony as the Bush election"

-The new Lehane book is based on a real event. Something weird and almost funny. I wonder if we'll actually something kind of light hearted from this hard-boiled master....

-People are loving Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham - I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!! :)

-There is a company reprinting some classic mystery books that have been out of print. Stuart Kaminsky is involved, so you know that it is good stuff. http://mysteryvault.com/

Rebus to die????? That's a rumor I heard. If it turns out to be true, well...., I will miss him. But, Rankin is such a great writer that I trust him to just keep writing what he thinks he should and I know I will love
them.

CJ Songer is putting out a calendar. Girls with Guns. I know I'll be buying a copy. It' s not as good as getting my hands on her next book, but that too, is coming....

Virginia Lanier is feeling better and the next book should be out next year. This makes me happy.

Coming soon from Jan Burke- a stand alone called Nine, and a short story collection called eighteen. Jan rocks!

What the hell happened to the Fletch movie from Kevin Smith????
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I'm going back to my books, out of the fresh air...in my cave .......
Later!
Jon