It seems like everywhere I turned today, I ran into the phrase "kicking ass and taking names." It may have been clever the first time it was used, but it has become a cliche and, as such, lost whatever power it had. Remember when "cut to the chase" used to sound clever? Now it’s as sharp a line as "stop beating around the bush."
Other Random Posts
Walk Like a Panther
Tony Christie is a poor man’s Tom Jones who had a UK hit thirty years ago with "Avenues and Alleyways," the theme to the TV series THE PROTECTORS, and another one in 1999 with "Walk Like a Panther" (later covered by The Pretenders). I can’t seem to get the cheesy, awful lyrics of "Panther" out of my head tonight.
(Lyrics on the Jump)
Used Book Haul
My wife and I were out running errands today. One shop she visited was next door to…you guessed it… a used book store. Twenty minutes and ten dollars later, I emerged with:
HERITAGE OF BLACKOAKS by Ashley Carter (Harry Whittington)
SCANDAL OF FALCONHURST by Ashley Carter
ROGUE OF FALCONHURST by Ashley Carter
SWORD OF THE GOLDEN STUD by Ashley Carter (damn, I was going to use that title for my next DIAGNOSIS MURDER novel)
GUILTY BYSTANDER by Wade Miller
DRISCOLL’S DIAMONDS by Ian MacAlister (Marvin Albert)
THE MIERNIK DOSSIER by Charles McCarry
…then I got home and discovered I already have DRISCOLL’S DIAMONDS and SCANDAL OF FALCONHURST. Oh well.
Used Book Haul
Between meetings today, I snuck into a used bookstore and here’s what I walked out with…
UNDER THE BURNING SUN by H.A. DeRosso
VENDETTA by Ed Gorman
DONOVAN by Elmer Kelton
.357 VIGILANTE by Ian Ludlow (I couldn’t resist getting an extra copy)
.357 VIGILANTE: MAKE THEM PAY by Ian Ludlow (ditto)
SECOND SIGHT by Charles McCarry
SECRET LOVERS by Charles McCarry
LAST SUPPER by Charles McCarry
I am, I Said
I’ve always posted under my own name where ever I go on the Internet. I consider it a matter of principle. I can’t help noticing that 99% of the most opinionated flamers and abusive insult-slingers always hide behind pseudonyms in newsgroups and back-blogs. That makes it easy for them to behave in ways they never would if they had to take personal responsibility for their words and deeds. But that’s my reasoning…what’s yours for using your own name or choosing to use a pseudonym or handle instead?
The World’s Dumbest Dog
My friend, actor/author Ian Ogilvy, sent me this funny video of a dog defending his bone…from himself. I don’t know where Ian got it, but I hope you’ll find it as amusing as I did.
Used Book Haul
I walked into a used bookstore in Ojai… and walked out $22 lighter, but with these books in my bag:
Valleys of the Assassins by Ian MacAlister (Marv Albert)
Strike Force 7 by Ian MacAlister
Apache Rising by Marv Albert
The Last Smile by Marv Albert
Sweetheart by Andrew Coburn
The Trespassers by Andrew Coburn
Strictly for the Boys by Harry Whittington
Biscuit Shooter by Clifton Adams
I Am, I Said
Are you one of those people who can’t get enough of Neil Diamond? 
You know you are. I see you there, in your sequined shirt, working on your "Love on The Rocks" fanfic. Studio 360 did an entertaining segment on Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band. The segment focuses on a guy calling himself "Surreal Neil," but the best of the Diamond imitators is the unsung (pun intended) Kevin Hogan, aka Fantastic Diamond. Please don’t ask me how I know that. Listen for yourself.
Comment Spam
I’ve started using Typepad’s new option requiring people to register with Typekey before leaving comments… I’m hoping this will cut down on some of the "trolling" done by anonymous users who post simply to keep the flames burning. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience this will cause, at first, to my friends and regular participants on this blog.
We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties
Yes, I know my blog is completely messed up (thanks to all the folks who let me know!). Typepad launched some sort of major upgrade tonight and somehow it has corrupted my blog. I’m hoping things will return to normal once their update is complete on Monday. I appreciate your patience.