These Gravely Digs of Mine

Read the Matthew Swift books by Kate Griffin, all four currently in circulation. It was recommended to me by incandescens, whose opinion in these matters is trustworthy (and who, incidentally, should be congratulated on her book deal. The series is highly anticipated in certain circles, especially but not exclusively those named supertailz).

Quite enjoyed the first one, an urban fantasy that occupies a space much closer to Rivers of London and Neverwhere than Sookie Stackhouse or Anita Blake. There's a generous dollop of Unknown Armies in its bones, too. And by generous dollop, I mean, well, if you draw two buckets of water out of the same well, it's not fair to say that the second bucket of water is derivative of the first exactly, but at the same time they will taste very similar and be difficult to tell apart and after all one of them did come first by over a decade. Also, and though it's done quite well this time around, the angelic-force-trapped-within-and-at-odds-with-a-mortal-protagonist gimmick has been done at least twice in urban fantasy series I've read in the last couple of years.

But, those issues aside, it was well written and engaging and I quite liked it.

Second one was still pretty good, but edging away from Rivers of London and Neverwhere towards someplace Harry Dresdenish, with Sandman Slim's faint gravity tugging, tugging, soft but insistent.

Third one was kind of crap. Sorry. Some compelling passages and fascinating imagery occasionally, but crap all the same. There was a sharp turn towards Simon R. Green doing a terrible Clive Barker impression and it was just No Fun At All.

Fourth one, though, was actually quite good. It took a leisurely swing back towards the style and quality of the first novel, though perhaps a bit clumsier and less polished, with a lot of Raymond Chandlerish "our hero gets knocked out and Wakes Up Elsewhere". Also the last chapter or so is obviously setting up a series-arc with cryptic and ominous portents that seem just a little cliche. Still, quibbles aside, quite entertaining and a welcome return to form.

Something to tide you over:

This essay happens to be about the current state of the leather daddy community, but with only one or two small alterations it could just as well be about SF/F fandom: http://www.leatherati.com/2013/03/new-blood-in-an-old-guard-world/

They just don't make 'em like they used to.

A classic sentiment, ably delivered.

$2300 for the plumbing repairs. $1450 for a new back door. $500 to replace the tools I lost.

I don't have that kind of money. I don't have anywhere near that kind of money. Man, I am so boned.

I sincerely hope that the guys that robbed me got the very best crack cocaine in the world with the $150 they made from what they stole. Seriously, I hope it's crack sprinkled on a goddamn motherfucking foie gras kobe beef truffle gold flake sandwich.

Crackhead copper thieves hit my house, crowbarred open back door, clipped all the copper pipe in the house. Except they missed a bunch. Also they stole some tools, but not all the tools. Goddamn crackheads, stealing shit incompetently.

So that's maybe a hundred bucks they'll make. Maybe more for the power drill. And for me, it's going to be... $500 for the tools, probably $900 for the new pipes, god knows how much for a new door and doorframe. And I don't think my insurance policy covers property theft, since they don't usually offer that for vacant properties. Blargh.

This is a kind of bacon marmalade, and the best thing I have ever made.

1 lb maple-cured bacon, cut into lardons
1 pint blueberries
1 large yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (you can substitute 1/4 cup of strong red wine for equal amount of vinegar)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup strong black coffee (optional)
2 tablespoons prepared dijon mustard
pepper, salt to taste

Heat bacon in a dutch oven or large saucepan under high heat until the fat is rendered out. Discard at least 3/4 of the rendered fat. Add onion and blueberries, cook at medium heat, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and lightly caramelized (7-10 minutes). Carefully add cider vinegar (it will splatter, so beware!), coffee, maple syrup, mustard, pepper and brown sugar. Once the liquid begins to boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook down, stirring regularly, until the consistency of thin marmalade (as it cools, it will firm up). Remove from heat, serve warm or cold. I just served it with some roasted bone marrow and truffle toast (toasted french bread with truffle oil), and it blew my mind.