Hubby got me an Asus EeePC for Christmas - and I am exceedingly impressed. It comes with a nifty little carry-pouch, a USB mouse and a charger - plus an actual hard-copy manual. I haven't had the opportunity to find out if battery life is as advertised, but the built-in wireless works perfectly out of the box. The whole machine does ( Read more... )

About this time of year I always get a surreal disconnect because even though there's Christmas stuff happening everywhere, it doesn't feel like Christmas to me. I've been in the States for a smidge over 5 years after living most of my life in Brisbane, Australia, so Christmas in winter just feels totally wrong. Christmas is a time of long, lazy ( Read more... )

Fair warning - this is going to read like a completely disconnected rant. It may be worse than that.

Anyway, I've been following a small collection of web comics for a good while now, and one of those is one of the grand-daddies of web comics, Sluggy Freelance (ten years and counting...) by Pete Abrams. I've cursed the person who sicced me onto ( Read more... )

#13 Letter from Lady Francine Virtew to her mother ( Read more... )

In the middle of a discussion over on
( Read more... )

#12. Letter from Father Benedictus to Bishop Petrus
Your Reverence,

My heart fills with shame as I write this sad missive. Yet, I fear I am already too late, and you have heard a distorted, gossip-laden account of the most appalling behavior of two of the young townsfolk. Who they are, I have yet to determine, for I saw no faces. But I begin at ( Read more... )

#11 Letter from Sir Cecil Partwaste to Lady Catherine Basoomy

Dear Catherine,

I'm writing this to assure you that if our planned marriage does go ahead, I won't impose on you any more than necessary. Frankly, I would be far happier marrying a stable boy -- not that this is any criticism of you. You are not to blame that my inclinations are somewhat ( Read more... )

#10 Letter from Dame Meridith Partwaste to Dame Eleanor Basoomy

Dear Ellie,

Well, that was a journey I would prefer not to repeat. I have never been so cold in my life! I swear not one inn had any kind of decent heating. Thank goodness the servants who had gone ahead had the foresight to ensure that everything here was in good order.

I hate to tell ( Read more... )

#9 Letter from Lady Catherine Basoomy to Lady Margaret Basoomy

Dear Maggie,

I know I've been a bitch lately, and I'm really sorry. Is there anything you can do to help me? Anything at all? I mean, I know I'm supposed to get married and all, but Cecil Partwaste! He's... well... You know. One of those.

Please, if you know anyone who can stop the ( Read more... )

#8 Letter from Dame Eleanor Basoomy to Dame Meridith Partwaste

Dear Merry,

I was so relieved to hear that you made it to town before the storms. I hope there were no problems in your journey?

The servants have almost completed fixing the townhouse - you would not believe the amount of dirt that's accumulated since we last stayed in town! Honestly, ( Read more... )