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June 12, 2005
Nasty Reviews, Gods Among Men, Birthdays and Nekkid Bike Riding!
From Michelle, Rambling Again in Rotterdam...
So, it's been an interesting few days...
On the life-throwing-you-lemons side, it featured a nasty newspaper review of a new chick lit novel. It was reviewed by a Woman Literary Author. We're all entitled to our opinions, and it's a fact that not all of us will like all books. But how sad that once again we have a chick lit book being dissed simply because of its genre.
My response: Postive Action, baby, because as you know, I'm all about making lemonade. I just ordered a copy of that dissed-only-because-it-is-chick-lit book :-)
Also on the positive side, yesterday one of my gods among men was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth as part of her birthday honors list (for services to music and to charity!).
Guess who? It was...
Jimmy Page!
Go Jimmy! Apart from being a fab songwriter and fab guitar player, he is also a fab kind of guy (not that I've ever met him, or anything, but I was once in the same room as him, therefore breathed the same air), and to find out more about what makes him such a fab guy, check this out.
Queen Elizabeth
Dear your Royal Majesty,
Thank you so much for awarding Jimmy the OBE. It was a wise and gracious thing to do.
Additionally, would you please consider Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham (posthumously) for honors next time around, because they are also truly gods among men? I bet you love them, too. Come on, admit it. Led Zeppelin rock!
Please also consider granting everyone in your kingdom two birthdays per year, just like yourself, because it would be lovely to (a) have two parties per year, (b) get presents twice a year, and (c) get cake twice a year.
Sincerely...
See, Queen Elizabeth has two birthdays each year. It's absolutely true!
Her real birthday is in April, but her "official" birthday is always a Saturday in June, on account of the chances of the weather being better for an outdoor celebration in June. It is also the day that she honors worthy men and women with knighthoods, OBEs and such, and also honors the services, which includes a huge ceremony in Horse Guards Parade called Trooping the Colour.
I just love the pomp and ceremony of it all! Click here to see some pics of yesterdays grand affair.
In other news...Nekkid Bike Riders
Over a hundred naked cyclists--yes, naked cyclists, took to the streets of London, yesterday, to protest about how much oil we use, and how we should cut down on our reliance on cars.
I think they have a point, but can you imagine riding a bike naked? Euck, I think it might be a bit painful for some very sensitive body parts...
The cyclists' route included Oxford Street, Picadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Only problem--everyone was at Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour!
That's all for now!
Michelle xx
PS. In case you were curious, that chick lit book I just ordered is The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank.
Posted by Michelle at 8:24 AM | Comments (1)
Comments
It reminded me of the gasoline protests where people wouldn't buy gas on a particular day. It made no sense because the previous day, then, would have double receipts as the protesters stocked up on gas. I consider naked bike riding to be like sex on a beach -- the fantasy of how well it will go is much better than the reality.
The BIG REASON I commented is because of the review. What is a reviewer but a failed author? How come we allow their opinion to guide us? I know that the Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie was supposed to be a reviewer's must-read, yet I found it meandering, stupid, unreadable, and as my copy was lightly mildewed (because they had to warehouse it in fear of terrorist attacks) it stank physically as well. Point being, reviewers -- like agents -- are arbitrary and while one might scoff at a work for lack of interest, another will run with it.
I would prefer to trust readers decide if they likemy writing voice and let market forces take over from there.
Jess (Just barely today)
What color are you? www.dometrilogy.com
Posted by: Just Jess ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 13, 2005 1:40 PM
