Lokidixon's Journal, 01 March 2016

Thanks, Suzytrws! You, too.  

Great to see you back John and you're well on your way to reaching your mini-goal of losing 10 to 15 by mid May....nice!! 

Thanks, Steven! Hope your back is holding up. It's funny how eating right and losing the first several pounds can really motivate you to stay on track and lose more. Feeling optimistic.  

So true! I know you know this but when you hit your next plateau, stay the course, it'll pay off. Back is better BUT still got a ways to go. 

Thanks, Suztrws. I'm excited about the nomination. My books are darker than Harlan Coben but not as dark as Stephen King, who is my favorite author. They sold as "young adult action adventure," but they're read mainly by adults, and won awards in sci fi and horror. So basically they're schizophrenic. Ha ha. I don't mind -- I think it's cool, reaching lots of different people -- but it does make bookstore placement, marketing, etc..., a little tricky. But yeah, if King's too dark for you, my fear is that you would find some of the scenes -- and one in particular -- too disturbing... so it's probably best to stick with Harlan Coben!  

It's funny you say that, Steven. Historically, plateaus have been a problem. My biggest problem, however, is my loved ones... my extended family. They're awesome, and they love to eat. They're supportive of my dieting efforts, but they quietly worry, especially when I'm on lchf, and over time, especially when I'm doing well, I end up convincing myself that I should just loosen up. It happens in August, when we spend a week together in a rented house at the shore. It's MY responsibility, not theirs. I know that. And I know that my results are 100% up to me. But yeah, that's the way it pans out. Some part of my brain has pegged them as an excuse, if that makes sense. I truly believe that 90% of diet is psychological.  

Stephen King...I used to see him at Fenway Park watching my Red Sox...he is a big fan...living in Maine. 

I agree, but it might be 100% psychological....without the mind making right choices and sometimes hard choices, we won't reach any worthwhile goal....it's sure nicer when it's easy though...heavy sigh.....like if ice cream had never been invented. 

I've heard he's a huge Sox fan, HCB.  

Ha ha, Steven... ice cream and my brain are best frenemies.  

That's very nice of you, Suzytrws. Sorry in advance for any nightmares. Ha ha. And yes, they're available on Amazon. PHOENIX ISLAND is the first book. It's available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, or audiobook. Thanks -- and I hope you like it! 

Thanks again, Suzytrws. For a long time, I said that I would never read e-books. Now I read my Kindle every night. Ha ha.  

I'm so avoiding the kindle. I don't know why. It doesn't seem right. Boyfriend does it. I just love the feel of the books and the smell and turning the pages. when I'm done I donate them to the library. Used to keep them all. Then I moved 6 times in 5 years and was like YEAH don't need to keep all these. Hmmmm. Kindle so much lighter in the hand .... Sigh.  

We're kindred spirits, Loutusblossom2112. The love of books, the tactile thing, even donating them to the library after multiple moves. I only started with the Kindle because I had to read certain books that available only in e. What a shock to realize, after a few days, that I actually liked the experience. I still read "real" books and listen to audio books, but Kindle is great for nighttime. As long as we're reading, right?  

I swing both ways - no, that's not what I mean! I love both books and my Kindles. My favorite Kindle is the old one that's not backlit as it's much kinder on the eyes. I can pump up the font and read without glasses. The Kindle is great for library ebooks, too. I probably own 150 print books as well. Over time I've decided that it is better to buy print copies with non-fiction - much easier to find things you want to re-read. The "book marks" just don't work quite as well in an electronic version. I want to read your books, Lokidixon, and will - I have a huge backlog and am in 3 book clubs right now. One is non-fiction, one is classics (challenging reading - Plato, Kirkegaard, etc.) and one that is social.  

Ha ha ha, Trackin64. I do love readers, whether they dig my stuff or not. I love reading and, like you, read widely. Also, I have to agree with your point about the ease of returning to print books. If you decide to try Phoenix Island, use it as sherbet palate-cleanser between the hard stuff. I'm no Plato! Ha ha.  

Suzytrws, the Potter books are amazing. That series will endure. It will be the classic of my lifetime, anyway. 

Lokidixon, don't get me wrong - I much prefer a book that will engage me so much that I can't put it down. The Plato, the Kierkegaard are the type of challenge where you are wondering just what they were trying to say. Once I finish this "semester" I'm going to re-evaluate whether I want to continue with the "Great Books" group. Though I do have to say I've learned quite a bit from it and there are some very scholarly people who participate so it's a good intellectual challenge. I needed one after 10 years working in a car dealership. No readers there. Harry Potter series - amazing - and what a kick it might be if you're trying to learn Greek to read it in Greek! Some other favorites, Alexander McCall Smith especially his "44 Scotland Street" series. You can tell he is a wonderful person with a gracious attitude towards people. Good bedtime reading as it is so relaxing. My "hated to put it down" go-to author is Diana Gabaldon. (Sometimes I think I must belong in Scotland.) Just as you mentioned for your work, her novels overlapped genres and made it hard for her to get published. Oh - there are so many great books and authors!