tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169573642024-03-07T20:42:41.326+11:00Down In The HoleDaniel Hatadi is a crime fiction writer based in Sydney, Australia. His work has appeared in Crimespree, Thrilling Detective, and Shotsmag UK.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-81227318788947114282010-05-11T16:47:00.005+10:002010-05-11T16:51:33.913+10:00New DigsLooking over my well-worn and semi-retired Blogger blog, it’s painfully easy to notice that I haven’t posted in almost one year. And before that, the posting was pretty damned infrequent.<br /><br />I could blame work, moving house, travelling overseas, not writing, not making music, spending too much time playing computer games, drinking too much absinthe … but only one of these would be true.<br /><br />Yeah, you got me. It was the absinthe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/S-j-OUx5c4I/AAAAAAAAAYw/SpPH1wYoUDQ/s1600/housemove-lg.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/S-j-OUx5c4I/AAAAAAAAAYw/SpPH1wYoUDQ/s320/housemove-lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469901269491086210" /></a><br /><br />Rather than trying to force discipline onto my inconsistent personality, I thought it might be easier to start a new blog at some new <a href="http://www.danielhatadi.com/">digs</a>.<br /><br />Same name as the old one, same guy writing. Here’s hoping he writes more.<br /><br />From now on, you can find me over at <a href="http://www.danielhatadi.com">www.danielhatadi.com</a>.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-69752087484794773352009-06-03T12:27:00.004+10:002009-06-03T12:51:55.846+10:00You Call That A Book Launch? THIS Is A Book Launch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsYEOlvPkt5oMFwBV9CH1Hm1w0biqOv6uvILbEiL05f_RZybUeOH9P56vd6u2bvwozEy0WWExZUJft7txUc1h_KutQV54U94bjI5UuQBQ_kwRDNxaruxakTnqGVKDPx82AwpwiQ/s1600-h/e-mail+flyer+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsYEOlvPkt5oMFwBV9CH1Hm1w0biqOv6uvILbEiL05f_RZybUeOH9P56vd6u2bvwozEy0WWExZUJft7txUc1h_KutQV54U94bjI5UuQBQ_kwRDNxaruxakTnqGVKDPx82AwpwiQ/s320/e-mail+flyer+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342922647524786978" /></a><br /><br />Big Daddy's doing a Booze And Bands Book Launch for SEX, THUGS AND ROCK & ROLL, the latest Thuglit anthology (which includes a story by the bald headed guy all over this page). Jason Starr, Justin Porter, Sarah Weinman, Patrick Lambe and Big Daddy Thug himself are all going to do readings from the book before they stage dive into the mosh pit.<br /><br />I'd be there, but I'm half way across the globe and I've gotta see a man about a dog.<br /><br />Details in the flyer above.<br /><br />If you're scared of bricks and mortar, you can grab a copy of the book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thugs-Rock-Roll-Todd-Robinson/dp/075822267X/ref=pd_sim_b_73">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sex-Thugs-and-Rock-and-Roll/Todd-Robinson/e/9780758222671/?itm=2">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="http://powells.com/biblio/1-9780758222671-0">Powells</a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780758222671">Indiebound</a> or <a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=14163">Kensington</a>.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-75302444341912846982009-05-18T16:03:00.000+10:002009-05-18T16:07:54.861+10:00SEX, THUGS AND ROCK & ROLL is now available<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thugs-Rock-Roll-Todd-Robinson/dp/075822267X/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oQv6JZaNpqCsZzqdGRIGmsn52TjlCDaXCN-fi2N3YjbCHjTOn-iAc62I4BrI6MgncgbcuEzycEPNmQg6aZj2iDopUtYEnP9S_Ylo328ntaNa7zniP2gk0El17Q-o114Xc6nKzw/s320/Sex+Thugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337033052697626402" /></a><br /><br />Smack bang in the middle of a fine collection of thuggery related literature is my story, BUDDHA BEHIND BARS. It's my first publishing credit so I'm celebrating by dehydrating a bottle of Johnnie Walker and snorting it off the belly of ... okay, I'm just having a glass of Coke. But still, I'm hoping this will kick my arse on to a chair and force me to write some more.<br /><br />With an intro penned by Sarah Weinman, followed by a love letter from Big Daddy Thug, the collection includes stories from the broken keyboards of Patricia Abbott, Jonas Knutsson, Jedidiah Ayres, Justin Porter, Albert Tucher, Joe R. Landsdale, Scott Wolven, D.T. Kelly, Marcus Sakey, Steven M. Messner, Hugh Lessig, Lyman Feero, Gary Carson, Matthew Baldwin and Jason Starr.<br /><br />The faint of heart and the high of morals need not apply.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-11493603760352774232008-10-21T22:43:00.003+11:002008-10-21T22:47:11.157+11:00I'm BackAnd I've been back for a number of weeks. <br /><br />Something that happens when you're away from constant internet access for a decent length of time is that you have a lessened desire to get back to the internet. So since I came back to Sydney I've been slowly ramping up my internet usage. It feels like it will never again reach the heady heights of my initial excursions into blogging and social networking.<br /><br />And I have plenty of guitar to play, so don't expect me around so much. It's a little more than hibernation.<br /><br />Of course, every time I say something like this I tend to indulge in a short burst of posts, so there's every chance you can look forward to some of my travel notes from New York and Los Angeles.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm back.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-36899229950569305572008-09-10T17:44:00.009+10:002008-10-05T03:13:51.083+11:00A Half-Life Long Dream Achieved!Remember when I talked about my <a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=537324%3ABlogPost%3A133969">desires</a> for a National Steel guitar? The kind of guitar that costs whole yearly salaries to ship to the sunburnt shores of Australia?<br /><br />Well, in the last couple of days, I discovered to my absolute and goose-pimple-inducing delight that I could purchase one of these beautiful beasts for about half the price I would expect in my home country.<br /><br />So, I did it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl80_QHQy4ezaV8ygfLdYvbl6_Iwt-zK8lPTtTWz2QfFSgZ1LOUaPUJOwm0esrmg7Q5cfz0gGvPWypeflhc9pQlxK4HLob9pAeHToYeux9qFZ07DadPP1lo72Cu2bPknDI6uTz6g/s1600-h/nationalsteel.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl80_QHQy4ezaV8ygfLdYvbl6_Iwt-zK8lPTtTWz2QfFSgZ1LOUaPUJOwm0esrmg7Q5cfz0gGvPWypeflhc9pQlxK4HLob9pAeHToYeux9qFZ07DadPP1lo72Cu2bPknDI6uTz6g/s320/nationalsteel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253332589630074098" /></a><br /><br />I'm sorry, <a href="http://ombites.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>, but there's a new love in my life.<br /><br />Arrggghhh, grrrlll, drooooool ....Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-49846897953827719962008-09-01T18:40:00.005+10:002008-09-01T18:45:41.676+10:00Gone Fishin'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SLurWBpOuzI/AAAAAAAAAQA/GdXeEzBxOWI/s1600-h/mg2y2-09b-gonefishin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SLurWBpOuzI/AAAAAAAAAQA/GdXeEzBxOWI/s320/mg2y2-09b-gonefishin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240970986262543154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's pretty easy for three weeks to pass without my posting here, but I just thought I'd let you all know ... I'm going overseas for three weeks. New York and Los Angeles to be exact. I'll definitely be meeting some of the people that have read this blog for the very first time and I hope to meet a few others too. Like <a href="http://www.jasonstarr.com/Appearances.html">these</a> <a href="http://www.kenbruen.com/index.php">guys</a>.<br /><br />Have fun, all. Don't break the place while I'm gone.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-30678783441584914082008-08-25T11:02:00.003+10:002008-08-25T11:07:21.325+10:00Around The Traps<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SLIFddQlv0I/AAAAAAAAAP4/oHWqJEd6DFw/s1600-h/bearTRAP.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SLIFddQlv0I/AAAAAAAAAP4/oHWqJEd6DFw/s320/bearTRAP.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238255320213864258" border="0" /></a><br />Sure, I've been in hibernation, I've been having all of my creative juices sucked out of me by a ludicrous amount of over-engineering and lack of communication at my workplace, but I've still kept my nose to the screen.<br /><br />Time for some bullets.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://la-noir.blogspot.com/">Stephen Blackmoore</a> has himself an <a href="http://la-noir.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-can-haz-agent.html">agent</a> in the shape of one <a href="http://www.jennybrownassociates.com/">Allan Guthrie</a>. I'd like to think it was because of my amazing work in critiquing Stephen's novel, but I know it's all on his own back.<br /></li><li><a href="http://patrickshawnbagley.blogspot.com/">Patrick Shawn Bagley</a>'s gone and <a href="http://patrickshawnbagley.blogspot.com/2008/08/he-returns-with-news.html">done it too</a>, with some <a href="http://www.rzagency.com/">firm</a> that's based in some city called "New York".</li><li><a href="http://www.murdalandmagazine.com/">Murdaland</a> <a href="http://therapsheet.blogspot.com/2008/08/publishing-is-murda.html">is</a> <a href="http://www.sarahweinman.com/confessions/2008/08/rip-murdaland.html">dead</a>. I'd like to know who shot them, but I have a feeling it just was what it was.</li><li><a href="http://www.jasonstarr.com/index.html">Jason Starr</a> and <a href="http://www.kenbruen.com/">Ken Bruen</a> are <a href="http://www.jasonstarr.com/Appearances.html">launching</a> their new collaboration, THE MAX, in New York. I'm going to be there, even if I'll have to rush off to catch <a href="http://www.knowlewestboy.com/">Tricky</a> on the same night.</li><li><a href="http://freelancemother.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/new-story-published/">Christa M. Miller</a> has a new short story up over at <a href="http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com/8.2sThePromise-ChristaMMiller.htm">Mouth Full Of Bullets</a>. Go read it before you get some yourself.</li></ul>That'll do for now. Back to the hard slog.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-62354344628848848452008-07-09T10:17:00.004+10:002008-07-09T10:35:09.073+10:00The Lineup: Poems On Crime, Issue 1 Out Now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lulu.com/content/2132580"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLzKyLjjm3vAbb7aePwUv1C59Yd4AUzTnvUcuAdyUwu269CPsd3rkkAaSTxt54qOcKHcbyS_7wNiKOZB3C-xJL2jVaF2ah89a1DfZ0Li76YJDqtJVukuCcGm7e7O2ujFE5rqn/s400/lineup-blogheader.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220801538083266162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"...every word has purpose: to plant clues, reveal character, move toward resolution."<br />Gerald So</span><br /><br />Edited by Gerald So of <span style="font-style: italic;">Thrilling Detective</span>, with Patrick Shawn Bagley, R. Narvaez, and Anthony Rainone.<br /><br />Including the hard-hitting poets Patrick Shawn Bagley, Ken Bruen, Sarah Cortez, Graham Everett, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Daniel Hatadi</span>, Daniel Thomas Moran, R. Narvaez, Robert Plath, Misti Rainwater-Lites, Stephen D. Rogers, A.E. Roman, Sandra Seamans, Gerald So, KC Trommer.<br /><br />Now available in paperback from <span class="caption"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/2132580">Lulu.com</a> and <a href="http://www.murderbooks.com/">Murder By the Book</a> (Houston, TX)</span><br /><a href="http://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=2132580"><br /><img border="0" alt="Support independent publishing: buy The Lineup on Lulu." src="http://www.lulu.com/services/buy_now_buttons/images/gray.gif/" title="Support independent publishing: buy The Lineup on Lulu."/></a><br /><br />Get the lowdown at <a href="http://poemsoncrime.blogspot.com/">poemsoncrime.blogspot.com</a>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-62214703177682129662008-06-16T10:21:00.007+10:002008-06-16T10:40:41.235+10:00News From Around The InterwebSure, I'm still firmly entrenched in hibernation mode, watching lots of episodes of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Outer Limits</span> and drinking a responsible amount of absinthe, but that doesn't mean I don't have at least one eye to the cyber playground commonly referred to as "the internet."<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.spinetinglermag.com/">Spinetingler magazine</a> has just put out its Summer 2008 issue, which of course confuses me and my Antipodean biological clock (it's winter here, dammit!). Still, with fiction of all lengths (as long as they're short) coming from the likes of Patti Abbott, Amra Pajalic, Stephen D. Rogers, Allan Guthrie, Steve Mosby, Tony Black, Brian Lindenmuth, Grant McKenzie, John McFetridge, you're sure to have some chills regardless of climate.</li><li><a href="http://www.demolitionmag.com/">Demolition</a> is another fine zine that has the same need for seasonal confusion, but much more in the self-destructive noir mould. Go thou and read now some fine stories from Justin Porter, Stephen Blackmoore, William Dylan Powell and John Kenyon.</li><li><a href="http://poemsoncrime.blogspot.com/">The Lineup</a>, crime poetry collection extra-ordinaire, is gearing up for launch Real Soon Now. Click away and look forward to some poetry from the likes of Ken Bruen, Patrick Shawn Bagley, Ken Bruen, Sarah Cortez, Graham Everett, Daniel Hatadi, Daniel Thomas Moran, R. Narvaez, Robert Plath, Misti Rainwater-Lites, Stephen D. Rogers, A.E. Roman, Sandra Seamans, Gerald So, and KC Trommer. You saw my name in that list, didn't you? Well, get to it then.</li><li>I should have blogged about this a tad sooner but winter hibernation kicked in early: For those of you that live in the same sunburnt and overcast country as me, you may want to get your car in order to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rouse Hill Town Centre for An Evening Of Crime with Aussie crime authors Sydney Bauer, Kathryn Fox and Katherine Howell</span>. Details below.</li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Dymocks Rouse Hill and Vinegar Hill Memorial Library present “An Evening of Crime” with Sydney Bauer, Kathryn Fox and Katherine Howell. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet three successful crime authors face to face and answer those questions you always wanted to ask.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Their books will also be available for purchase and signing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sydney Bauer has written 3 riveting legal thrillers –Undertow, Gospel and Alibi. Undertow was recently announced as the winner of the coveted Sisters In Crime Davitt Award under the main category of Best Crime Novel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kathryn Fox is the award winning author of internationally acclaimed forensic thrillers, Malicious Intent, Without Consent, and Skin and Bone. “Malicious Intent is the most exciting crime fiction released in Australia for a long time”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Katherine Howell’s first book Frantic was released in May 2007 to rave reviews and will</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">be published internationally in 2008/2009. Her second book, The Darkest Hour, has just</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">been released.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Location: Vinegar Hill Memorial Library</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rouse Hill Town Centre</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rouse Hill, NSW</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Date: 17th June,2008</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Time: 7.30-9.00pm</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cost: $5</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bookings Essential: (02) 8889 5200</span>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-19614263572989610932008-06-10T15:38:00.005+10:002008-06-10T16:13:11.506+10:00Hibernating With The Green FairyWith this blog nearing its fourth birthday, I find myself less and less inclined to post.<br /><br />Generally when I have an interesting topic of discussion centring around crime fiction, I'd much rather keep the booze flowing over at <a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/">CrimeSpace</a> by posting it in the forum. So this particular spot on the web has become more of a news list than something with regular meaty content.<br /><br />Before your heart attacks you, don't worry, I'm not closing the blog down. But I do seem to be shifting into my regular wintry hibernation, just like the big teddy bear that I really am.<br /><br />To explain further, interests not involving the internet--at least the crime fiction part of it--have been happily taking up brain space over at Casa Hatadi's Cranium Lounge & Bar. <br /><br />Having recently purchased a respectable <a href="http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_diII_a016.asp">amount</a> of <a href="http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=901-a80db46ea3">camera</a> <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3253&navigator=5">gear</a>, I've been teaching myself the digital photographic ropes. You can witness the constant fruits of these efforts in the sidebar under Photografia, or go straight to my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannyhawaii/">Flickr account</a> to stalk me over there.<br /><br />The other interest that has taken up the full services of my liver and brain has been that of <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Green Fairy</span> known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe">absinthe</a>. This has tied in with writing, over at my <a href="http://absinthe.com.au/2008/03/19/an-absinthe-minded-journal-begins/">Absinthe-Minded Journal</a>. Behind the scenes I have also been very slowly working on an absinthe-related crime story, as well as trying my hand at some very melodramatic and purple poetry.<br /><br />On Sunday, the two of these interests combined to form some kind of pinnacle<span style="font-weight:bold;">*</span>. <br /><br />You see, one night after coming back from a work function more than a little toasted, I received an email that led me to order a very small, sample bottle of approximately 100 year old absinthe. 50mls to be precise. That's two small shots, enough to make two decent glasses of absinthe. I won't share the price of it here, as it made someone at my workplace have a minor choking fit.<br /><br />This weekend I invited a couple of fellow absintheurs to partake of the extremely aged amber nectar and in between tastes, gasps and giggles I tried my hand at updating a famous absinthe painting.<br /><br />So, until I blog again with some real news or expand my range of topics for some real content, I leave you all with a taste of my handiwork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zlf6Z4FHULcRMh-oMTSvhuZLv4x4-pc97tAtpcleTLX-QIQ8Q2Lx49TETDM2I4OArGx1DUKicH6gnJGyuT8huEl_RxCKx09jqQ0Lzw4KhN9coN8YDMgSOTopjVLaCUKqIRLgKQ/s1600-h/2560697029_ea07284699.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zlf6Z4FHULcRMh-oMTSvhuZLv4x4-pc97tAtpcleTLX-QIQ8Q2Lx49TETDM2I4OArGx1DUKicH6gnJGyuT8huEl_RxCKx09jqQ0Lzw4KhN9coN8YDMgSOTopjVLaCUKqIRLgKQ/s400/2560697029_ea07284699.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210128722123076818" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">An update of a famous absinthe painting. The newspaper is the Sydney Morning Herald from 8th June, 2008 and the absinthe is a glass of Pernod Fils circa 1910.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SE4bI578vkI/AAAAAAAAAO4/4-TUL1kPGFM/s1600-h/Charles-Maire-72KB-503x420.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SE4bI578vkI/AAAAAAAAAO4/4-TUL1kPGFM/s400/Charles-Maire-72KB-503x420.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210131658719411778" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The original: Based on a painting by Charles Maire (1845-1919), this ubiquitous print advertising Pernod Fils once hung in almost every bar and cafe in France.</span><br /><br />Cheers,<br />Daniel<br /><br />* Or possibly just a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltron">Voltron</a>-like robot sword.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-81659348982200632072008-05-09T16:23:00.003+10:002008-05-09T16:53:40.017+10:00Forgotten Books Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SCPuQX3yWaI/AAAAAAAAAOA/3-H2S1hBQU4/s1600-h/gunincheek.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SCPuQX3yWaI/AAAAAAAAAOA/3-H2S1hBQU4/s400/gunincheek.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198260359969003938" /></a><br />Bill Pronzini's GUN IN CHEEK is not your average critical work of the genre of mystery fiction. While books on writing mysteries will guide authors in what makes good writing and books of literary criticism will look carefully at the writing craft over a period of time, Pronzini's book is an encyclopedic reference of what a writer shouldn't do.<br /><br />Published by Mysterious Press in 1982, GUN IN CHEEK is part of a series of like-minded books that the erudite Pronzini wrote, including SON OF GUN IN CHEEK and SIX-GUN IN CHEEK (a focus on Westerns rather than mysteries).<br /><br />When I started writing my trunk novel of a young PI-in-training, I bought a crate full of books on how to write, both in the genre of mystery, as well as on general fiction and editing. Randomly coming across this book on one of my regular adventures in the Amazon, I thought it would also be a great idea to have a reference on what to avoid in my writing.<br /><br />Pronzini delivered with this title, not so much in terms of improving my writing, but by giving me a guaranteed good laugh, as well as saving me the trouble of buying some truly horrid novels.<br /><br />The book includes chapters on the amateur detective, the private eye, thrillers, Gothic novels (the true pioneers of mystery), pulp-paperbacks and short stories, as well as dedicated chapters on British and Oriental-based mysteries.<br /><br />With a brilliantly self-deprecating introduction by some guy called Ed McBain, and with gems like the one below, GUN IN CHEEK is definitely worth a thorough going over.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"He poured himself a drink and counted the money. It came to ten thousand even, mostly in fifties and twenty-fives."<br /><br />Brett Halliday, THE VIOLENT WORLD OF MICHAEL SHAYNE</span>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-77940668009805160682008-05-08T01:35:00.003+10:002008-05-08T09:24:15.388+10:00Happy Birthday To Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2473745940_fdfd136fb1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2473745940_fdfd136fb1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Thank all possible deities for <a href="http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/recipes/Sazerac.html">Sazeracs</a>. I'm 35.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-52038055885090962532008-05-02T13:30:00.001+10:002008-05-02T14:35:49.710+10:00Hatadi Is Notable<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SBpy-Hcv64I/AAAAAAAAANg/Xm-rbFxF0nQ/s1600-h/fearloathing.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/SBpy-Hcv64I/AAAAAAAAANg/Xm-rbFxF0nQ/s320/fearloathing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195591531602373506" /></a><br />I feel like the hitchhiker in <span style="font-style:italic;">Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas</span> that says, "Hot damn. I never rode in a convertible before." Of course, it's a slightly different feeling in that I can legitimately say, <br /><br />"Hot damn. I never been notable before."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jamieford.com">Jamie Ford</a> let me know that my name was on the Story South list of <a href="http://www.storysouth.com/millionwriters/2007notablestories.html">notable short stories online for 2007</a>. <br /><br />I seem to be getting a lot of mileage out of <a href="http://www.thuglit.com/zine/thug13/docs/buddha.pdf">BUDDHA BEHIND BARS</a>. It feels good. I should write more short stories, but I've been putting my meagre energies into the novel.<br /><br />Other notables include Anthony Neil Smith, Katherine Tomlinson, Scott Wolven, Paul Guyot and Fleur Bradley.<br /><br />Thanks to whoever nominated me and also to the judges over at Story South.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-54745602909912850722008-04-30T20:50:00.007+10:002008-04-30T21:00:39.766+10:00Six Random Things About Me<a href="http://patrickshawnbagley.blogspot.com/2008/04/hey-no-touchbacks.html">Bagley</a> tagged me with this one. I ain't tagging anyone else. Yes, I'm a rebel without a cause, without a pause, without drawers?<br /><ol><li>When I was sixteen, I fell in love with the saxophone. Because I couldn't afford one, I bought a harmonica instead. I've been playing ever since.</li><li>For one whole year in high school, I only wore red socks. Yes, with other clothes. Quiet, you in the back.</li><li>My biggest fear is an almost indescribable feeling of being turned inside-out in more than three dimensions.</li><li>I can flare my nostrils on cue. Hey, not everyone can.</li><li>My cat's name is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62392362@N00/sets/72157604758036725/">Dax</a>. He's a moggie, but mostly Russian Blue with a touch of Oriental.</li><li>I was on Facebook for a while until it gave me the shits. So I removed myself. My digestion improved immediately.<br /></li></ol>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-23124681473168590332008-04-30T14:20:00.003+10:002008-04-30T20:50:14.036+10:00Phishing Scam In The OfficeExcellent! We just had this happen to us in our office. Of course, we didn't fall for it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjE2NTAuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D">Fraud Squad detectives issue warning about ‘phishing’ scam targeting Sydney residents</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wednesday, 30 Apr 2008 12:53pm</span><br /><br />NSW Fraud Squad detectives have today issued a warning following several reports in the past 24 hours of a ‘phishing’ scam targeting Sydney residents.<br /><br />Several Sydney metropolitan residents have reported receiving an automated phone call, either at home or work, purportedly from a District Court. These messages should be ignored as they have not been authorised by the District Court.<br /><br />In each case the intended victim is asked to press a number on the phone and is transferred to a call centre, who then forwards them to another person. In a number of reported cases, that scammer has claimed to be Col Dyson from the Fraud Squad.<br /><br />...<br /><br />Meanwhile, any members of the public with information about the scam are urged to contact detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously and will be treated in the strictest confidence.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-71653133243437349092008-04-25T23:45:00.006+10:002008-04-25T23:56:02.987+10:00The 123 Meme Ends HereMy creative energies have been sucked dry by my work schedule so I haven't been blogging much or spending too much time on the internet, aside from hanging out at <a href="http://wormwoodsociety.org/forums/">The Wormwood Society</a>. I still owe <a href="http://www.momentsincrime.com/2008/04/why-i-read.html">Barbara</a> a post, but for now, this one's nice and easy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The 123 Meme:</span><br /><br />1. Pick up the nearest book.<br />2. Open it to page 123.<br />3. Find the fifth sentence.<br />4. Post the next three sentences.<br />5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.<br /><br />Damien over at <a href="http://afterdarkmysweet.blogspot.com/2008/04/123-meme.html">After Dark My Sweet</a> tagged me, but since so many people have done this meme already, I'm going to be a complete rebel against society and not tag anyone else.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ardentspirits.com/ardentspirits/Books/">THE JOY OF MIXOLOGY</a> by Gary Regan<br /><br />"It turned out that the bar hadn't ordered the correct glassware for a <a href="http://www.drinkboy.com/bartools/cocktailshaker.html">Boston shaker</a>, so this guy had just improvised. Even when the right glasses arrived, he decided to keep using the two metal pieces. Nothing wrong with that--it displays showmanship and imagination."Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-41203938043440572022008-04-09T23:27:00.004+10:002008-04-09T23:32:05.647+10:00Movie MarathonWith my head full of cotton wool and my nose full of mucus, I've had the last couple of days to catch up on a bunch of movies. Reading's been too hard for this noggin, but I seem to have a little energy for writing just now, so what better time could there be to throw some movie thoughts down onto the blogosphere.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">28 Days Later</span><br /><br />Took me a long time to get round to seeing this. Aside from the poor film quality, this movie was a well realised update of the classic zombie flick. A little less cliched than <span style="font-style:italic;">Dawn Of The Dead</span>, and a little less fun for it, but still the usual great look at how people survive in horrific situations.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">28 Weeks Later</span><br /><br />One of the reasons I'd put off seeing this for so long was that I wanted to see the prequel first and two movies at once only works well when I'm laid up on the couch stuffed full of tissues. For this moment, this is my favourite zombie movie of all time. Not that I've seen all of them, but it was mind-opening to see a movie take on what happens when society rebuilds itself after a holocaust, rather than just the descent into it. Great tensions throughout and a believable vision of how badly humans handle anything important.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Rendition</span><br /><br />Great to see a movie present a mostly balanced look at all sides of an international issue, but still a little too clear cut for my liking. And I wish Jake Gyllenhaal had a few more dimensions than just a blank worn out stare.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">No Country For Old Men</span><br /><br />Beautifully shot and acted, paced with a brilliant balance between the stillness of wide open spaces and the tension of action. Has one of my most favourite bad guys in the cinema of late. It also never tired me when it took the time to flesh out character details that weren't necessarily relevant to plot.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I Am Legend</span><br /><br />I'm still yet to read the book, but this film delivered far more than I expected. Will Smith did a great job of holding the screen with no one but a dog and some mannequins to play off. It was also great to see a sci-fi/horror movie that didn't morph quickly into an action flick after the main ideas were presented. I took the extra time to watch the alternate ending and I think I prefer it. On the one hand, it's a little soppy, but it's also far less of a resolution, not bothering to tie up threads that didn't need it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Descent</span><br /><br />This is right up there with <span style="font-style:italic;">Wolf Creek</span> as some of the finest horror I've seen. Takes its time building the tension and claustrophobia but held me all the way. Great to see a group of women focusing on the task at hand rather than a group coupling off into likely love interests. And that's because the prologue did a great job of setting up that relationship tension, without having to waste time on it while we deal with the horrors that unfold. Strangely, these last two movies have similar looking monsters, but I much preferred how this movie only used CG when it had to.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Crank</span><br /><br />I saw this earlier in the day, when I was feeling more lethargic, but it perked me right up from the get-go. Fuck me, I haven't had this much <span style="font-style:italic;">fun</span> watching a film in ages. Some wildly implausible situations are completely forgiven by the tongue that's been super glued to the inside of the director's cheek. Killer soundtrack and hilarious action throughout, this is the film <span style="font-style:italic;">Shoot Em Up</span> only wished it could have been. Loved the 80s videogame reference too!<br /><br />Other stand-outs I've seen recently but not in the last few days have been <span style="font-style:italic;">Michael Clayton, Syriana, The Lookout, Last King Of Scotland, Fast Food Nation, Fur</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Fido</span>. Haven't got the cojones to go into them right now, but they're all movies that have stuck to the inside of my skull and might never let go, for one reason or another.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-48617305113960192842008-04-03T17:13:00.001+11:002008-04-03T17:11:58.390+11:00Snapshot Interview<span style="font-style:italic;">At the end of 2007, Karen Chisholm (of the Aust Crime Fiction weblog), Damien Gay (of Crime DownUnder) and Perry Middlemiss (of Matilda) decided a similar snapshot of Australian crime fiction was required.<br /><br />Over the past couple of months these three have conducted a number of small, five-question interviews with a wide variety of Australian crime fiction writers and will begin publishing them across the three weblogs, starting Monday March 3, 2008.<br /><br />If you are at all interested in the current state of Australian crime fiction, you'll find this series very entertaining and, hopefully, illuminating.</span><br /><br />This is where you can read my <a href="http://www.austcrimefiction.org/node/4259">interview</a>, and here are all of the <a href="http://www.austcrimefiction.org/taxonomy/term/1103">interviews</a>.<br /><br />It's especially worth reading my interview because I mention the existence of two dimensional poo.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-83737581783177125392008-03-31T23:59:00.001+11:002008-04-01T11:55:07.690+11:00CrimeSpace Short Story Competition Results 2008<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2376425937_182fb139ab_m.jpg"/><br />We have now come to the end of the judging period for CrimeSpace's inaugural short story competition. From a total of thirty-two entries, the pre-judging team arrived at a shortlist that was passed on to the final panel of judges.<br /><br />From there, the winning three were chosen by this year's panel, made up of authors Katherine Howell, Stuart MacBride, and Sandra Ruttan, as well as Crimespree Magazine's Jon Jordan.<br /><br />The theme of 'Australia' proved an interesting one, in that most of the entries weren't written by Aussies. Some entrants used their internet prowess and social networking skills to flesh out the cultural details, where others settled for a mention of beer.<br /><br />Click through to the <a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/page/page/show?id=537324%3APage%3A134495">results</a> to find out who won.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-71689963455982959072008-03-29T01:55:00.004+11:002008-03-29T02:01:29.400+11:00I Was Born In The Wrong Decade<a href="http://www.jacksonsrareguitars.com/National-Style-O-1936-p-18160.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/R-0Hf8JnwJI/AAAAAAAAANA/X4qYSTZXhdE/s320/image.php.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182806991477129362" /></a><br /><br />I'm sure this would have been cheaper in the late 30s. Right now, I'd have to kill for it.<br /><br />I'm thinking about it.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-50496867917287140482008-03-25T11:22:00.001+11:002008-03-29T02:00:56.942+11:00Tom Waits: Down In The Hole<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xw2MjRcVO4g&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xw2MjRcVO4g&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />The song that gave this blog its title.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-54589894807736775192008-03-20T11:14:00.005+11:002008-03-20T13:34:34.397+11:00Hard-Hitting Poets Arrested For THE LINEUP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkFduq2o_fO38SZcG8QhD9gQ2pPxgSKBuQ0xN2oyyScZt89WUj3ILQUCuxTSUl2sefhEvcZ_2fiDTX41IvfGzngMzrFoE3pQ7xNF0rVRBJHw9hUTQBgK6H6tzXlnlknLKPFq3BQ/s1600-h/Crimespree+ad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkFduq2o_fO38SZcG8QhD9gQ2pPxgSKBuQ0xN2oyyScZt89WUj3ILQUCuxTSUl2sefhEvcZ_2fiDTX41IvfGzngMzrFoE3pQ7xNF0rVRBJHw9hUTQBgK6H6tzXlnlknLKPFq3BQ/s320/Crimespree+ad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179611836456616066" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"...every word has purpose: to plant clues, reveal character, move toward resolution."<br />Gerald So</span><br /><br />Edited by Gerald So of <span style="font-style:italic;">Thrilling Detective</span>, with Patrick Shawn Bagley, R. Narvaez, and Anthony Rainone<br /><br />Including the hard-hitting poets Patrick Shawn Bagley, Ken Bruen, Sarah Cortez, Graham Everett, Daniel Hatadi, Daniel Thomas Moran, R. Narvaez, Robert Plath, Misti Rainwater-Lites, Stephen D. Rogers, A.E. Roman, Sandra Seamans, Gerald So, KC Trommer<br /><br />In paperback spring 2008 from www.lulu.com - $6.50<br /><br />Get the lowdown at <a href="http://poemsoncrime.blogspot.com">poemsoncrime.blogspot.com</a>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-21117616394505599402008-03-19T10:35:00.004+11:002008-03-19T10:44:41.688+11:00An Absinthe-Minded Journal Begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/R-BR63X0R0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/xcO6iPUtvFE/s1600-h/march2008mansinthe.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/R-BR63X0R0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/xcO6iPUtvFE/s320/march2008mansinthe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179229643214178114" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Around seven years ago, a good friend who played the oud came to my house with a strange bottle that he proclaimed as ‘absinthe’. I’d never heard of the drink before but was pleased to discover its illegal status. So even though he played a girly Turkish instrument that looked like strings on a watermelon, I did my best to conjure the spirit of Keith Richards as my friend popped the bottle open.<br /><br />Daniel Hatadi, March 2008</span><br /><br />I never thought I'd stoop so low as to quote myself in my own post, but today it has some worthwhile relevance.<br /><br />For those of you that may have been watching <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62392362@N00/sets/72157604120255680/">certain photos</a> appear on my Flickr account, you may have realised that an obsession centred around that fabled green liquid known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe">'absinthe'</a> has been building not so slowly in my soon to be feeble mind. <br /><br />To ensure that I remember this time when the world seemed so simple and innocent, I've begun a journal of my absinthe-minded adventures. It will be published on a semi-regular basis over at <a href="http://absinthe.com.au">absinthe.com.au</a>. To read it in full you will have to subscribe, but it's free and they don't use your details for anything nefarious.<br /><br />The first article is up now: <a href="http://absinthe.com.au/2008/03/19/an-absinthe-minded-journal-begins/">An Absinthe-Minded Journal Begins</a>Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-16309408092812712622008-03-14T10:10:00.002+11:002008-03-14T10:12:44.035+11:00Cobra And Scorpion Whiskey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/R9m0d3X0RzI/AAAAAAAAAMo/f0O69HkRsQo/s1600-h/cobra_scorpion_whiskey.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n8sVMdyG5so/R9m0d3X0RzI/AAAAAAAAAMo/f0O69HkRsQo/s320/cobra_scorpion_whiskey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177367671812146994" /></a><br /><br />Who would have thought a product like this could come out of a sweet and innocent country like <a href="https://www.thailandunique.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11">Thailand</a>?Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16957364.post-41868415319738612952008-03-04T13:16:00.002+11:002008-03-04T13:20:28.790+11:00Happy 1st Birthday To CrimeSpace<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/qM0RV7DV-6QrlNuEwfA-1aWNgKYYAwS6mNapPsToe3KLwxtNsixR3nnfBBhdFje9n-gvTAPJKlwwpDoSDhbLzB52w*HfG6QU/HappyBirthday_cake_by_LittleFantasy.jpg?width=300" alt="" width="300" height="400"/></p>When I started <a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/">CrimeSpace</a> on March 4th 2007, I didn't see it living past the six month mark. I certainly didn't see it hitting over 1000 members or winning any awards either. I just saw a hole in the crime fiction internet universe and wanted to fill it. I'm such a boy.<br /><br />To celebrate CrimeSpace's 1st birthday, I've given the site a revamp.<br /><br />Since I'm feeling nostalgic, I thought I'd assemble a list of memorable CrimeSpace moments:<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A101">Welcome To Crimespace</a>: The very first post, still a good summary of what this place has become.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A2966">The Bar</a>: Before the forum was split up into categories, this post served as a place for people to introduce themselves.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A6617">Daniel Hatadi</a>: Posted by Ken Bruen, he doesn't mince words. I'm still yet to make it to America, and it looks like I won't be hitting a convention this year, but I will be in LA and NY in September so I'm sure I'll be organising to meet some of you fine folks at CrimeSpace.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A3732">The Must-Reads</a>: I've been meaning to compile a list from this thread for some time, but it's easy to forget since it was so long ago. Hopefully this will make me remember.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A54282">JESUS!!!</a>: Quite possibly the most fun post ever put on CrimeSpace, almost everyone felt the need to chip in with ideas on how to react when a severed head landed at your feet.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A74940">Are Libraries Unethical?</a>: The only post I've ever had to close replies to, this would have to win the competition for Most Flameworthy. I'm happy to say that this is one rare exception to the general niceness of all the people on board this web-shaped ship.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A16681">What are you currently reading?</a>: As far as I know, the longest running thread of discussion, this one's a classic that gets reinvented every month or so. Matter of fact, it's about time to start it up again.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A35897">How important in grammar?</a>: I always assumed that the mistake in the subject heading was supposed to illustrate the point, but now I'm not so sure.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=537324%3ATopic%3A15827">Is BSP Really Necessary?</a>: The most difficult topic for me to find a nice balance between for CrimeSpace, this thread is where a lot of my early policies were formed. Since they came about from member discussion, I feel safe in saying that CrimeSpace has a good balance between promotion and community.<br /><br />Now if only I could blow out this candle.Daniel Hatadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.com2