July 31, 2007

So, last Saturday, my Music Man and the kids and I were invited to attend this big outdoor party sponsored by a German Club near Ann Arbor where they served, among other things, buckets of beer.

Since my Music Man 1) is German, 2) loves German food, and 3) really loves German beer, we were all over that. (Admittedly, I fall into the same categories, so we were in communion with the idea. That doesn't always happen.)

I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't at all what I expected. When we pulled into the parking lot, it reminded me of the Renaissance Faires we've attended–cars everywhere. Everywhere. 

A long line to get in.

And once we got in, people, people, everywhere…lines everywhere (there was an entrance fee, then you had to stand in line to buy tickets–which are the currency for food and beer, and then you  had to stand in another really really long line for spatzen, bratwurst, knockwurst, strudel, sauerkraut, etc.).

There was a band playing German music (polka, anyone?) along with old favorites like The Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey (my kids were in heaven).

I told Music Man later that it reminded me of a big frat party for adults and families.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun and ate great food.

But I must confess my ignorance here, for when they said "bucket of beer," I had this image of a bucket (plastic, I suppose, although my image wasn't that detailed) with five or six longnecks sitting in it.

Uh, no. They meant a bucket of beer. Literally. A bucket filled with beer. 

So, yeah. But the beer was good. They had several options on tap, and since MM and I love weissbeer (ie, a wheat beer), we were delighted to find that it was one of the options.

I've really grown to like beer in the past nearly two decades (eek!) of hanging out with Music Man. But, no Bud Light or Miller or even Heineken for me.

I like Blue Moon or Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat (my fave when it's on tap) or Hacker Pshorr weissbeer. I stridently dislike heavy or dark beers, however, so just keep the Guiness away from me. (I'm sorry to say; my Irish grandfather's probably rolling over in his grave!)

So what about you? Do you like beer? If so, what are your favorite brews?

July 30, 2007

WHO: Someone with a quirky sense of humor. One who appreciates snark and the absurd at the same time. Someone who understands tongue-in-cheek and who is well-written and/or well-spoken. Preferably someone who's read The Gardella Vampire Chronicles, though that's not a necessity.

FOR: To write a short piece for me. (I already have the premise.)

TERMS: Negotiable.

INTERESTED PARTIES: Contact me by email author at colleengleason dot com for more details.

July 30, 2007

There's been a lot of buzz about the new drama on TNT, Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter. I was very intrigued about it, but I missed the premier. Imagine my delight when I learned they were rebroadcasting it last Thursday night….so I set my DVR to watch it.

I wasn't disappointed. The show's taking a lot of risks, and I like it. I love the whole premise, and I'm eager to see how it does ratings-wise.

For those of you who aren't familiar with it (ie, you didn't see The Order of the Phoenix movie [was its trailer shown at all viewings of TOoP, or just the two I saw?]), here's the premise, straight from the TNT site:

In her television series debut, Holly Hunter stars as Grace Hanadarko, a tormented, fast-living Oklahoma City police detective who, despite being at the top of her field, takes self-destruction to new heights. 

After seeing tremendous tragedy in her life, both professionally and personally, Grace lives life hard and fast. She drinks too much, sleeps with the wrong men and defies authority. Grace has a tender side with her 22 nieces and nephews, but that is a side that most of the world doesn’t get to see.

It all catches up with her one night when, as she’s driving too fast after too many drinks, she hits a man who is walking along the road. In an uncharacteristic moment, Grace asks for help, and she gets it – in the form of an unconventional angel named Earl (Leon Rippy, Deadwood). Earl tells Grace that she is in trouble and running out of chances, but he wants to help lead her back to the right path. The journey, for both of them, will not be an easy one. 

The show was edgy and intense, with bits of humor thrown in. It was thought-provoking, too, and I really enjoyed it. I've already got the DVR cued up to record the upcoming episodes.

The next one is on tonight, but never fear…if you missed the premier, you can watch online! 

Did anyone else see it? What did you think? 

July 27, 2007

Thanks to all who have submitted questions for Readers Ask so far! If you have a question, send it to me via email at questions at colleengleason dot com, and if I choose to answer it, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a copy of The Bleeding Dusk. I'll be giving away multiple copies in the fall when the Advance Copies are available, so there will be multiple chances to win!

Now, on to this week's question, which comes from Chris of Stuff As Dreams Are Made On. He asks:

I've had a question I've been wanting to ask since I started book one. Seeing that the books are set in England and most recently in Italy, did you travel to do research for the books? Have you been to London, Venice, Rome? And aside from just locations, what other research was involved for these books…as far as the time period, dress, formalities of society, etc.? 

The short answer to the question is, no, I didn't travel to research these locations (much to my dismay, believe me!). I would love to go to Italy and you'd think that writing two books set there (Dusk is set in Rome) would be a great excuse to do so…but it just wasn't in the cards.

However, I have been to England and spent several days in London, about ten years ago. So that has helped a bit with the feel for the city–taking into account the fact that it's two hundred years later than when my books are set.

So, yes, I did a lot of research about the geographic locales and historical setting. It helps that I've read many books set in this time period (both contemporary and classic), so I already had a a good sense for the customs, clothing, and lifestyle of 1820s England.

I supplemented this knowledge by doing research on specific things as they came up–what kind of carriage Victoria would ride in to a ball as opposed to the hack that Barth drives…what kind of decor might be used at a debut…whether the waltz was permitted to be danced by unmarried women at this time (yes, it was)…where a place like The Silver Chalice would be located in London, etc.

When it came time to research Italy, a place I'd never been, I started with the Internet. But then I quickly graduated to travel books. They work wonderfully for researching geographic locations–not only do I get photographs of historic buildings, but maps, information like walking distance, and lots of historical tidbits–and all in one place. My travel book about Rome is marked up like crazy!

I also spent some time at the Graduate Library at the University of Michigan (which besides being my alma mater, is a public university and very close to me) reading through some of Lord Byron's journals and letters about his time in Venice (for portions of Rises the Night). The portrayal of his Italian duchess lover was gleaned right from those pages. 

I was also able to find a few really old books–so old that I had to read them in the restricted section (remind anyone of Hogwarts' library?)–about Italian secret societies, like the Carbonari and others. That, of course, was for the development of the Tutela society. 

Great question, Chris, and thanks for playing!

Check back next Friday for another question answered in Readers Ask, and have a great weekend. 

July 25, 2007

How long do you think it will take for "macking" "snogging" "git" and "bloody" to become commonly used in American slang, courtesy of J. K. Rowling?

Or are they already, and I'm just oblivious?

Personally, I think "git" is a great term, and I've been using "bloody" myself for awhile. "Snogging" doesn't sound right to me, however, but I do like "macking" I guess.

Have you heard anyone use these slang words in common conversation?