Oh, and there’s also one that’s fallen over.
Just A Short Post
Category: Joy
Man-i-tasking!
Hey blogger buddies! Today we’re delving into a hot topic (well, maybe not so hot) about multitasking. We all know the research behind women as capable multitaskers, but what about us dudes?
My friend Ted thinks so. He calls it man-i-tasking. Why don’t we peek in and see how it’s working for him?
Bollock’s Pet Supplies
December 13, 2022
7:56 AM
Bae: Can’t wait for dinner! Where r u taking me?
Ted: Fuhgeddaboudit!
Bae: Botticellis! I nu it! Luv the Ribollita! Yummee! Tiramisu for dessert!
“Morning Ted. Hey, did you remember to restock the dog food yesterday, before you left?”
“You bet your ah . . . great hair, I did.”
“Hey, I know you’re not on the clock yet, but I’ve got a video call in a few moments. Do you think you can send a quick text for me?”
“Um, on my phone?”
Bae: Hello?
Ted: Txt u in a sec.
“Wouldn’t dream of asking that. Use the one we gave you, the one sitting on the desk by your elbow.”
“Sure, no prob, Susan. I’m just finishing up with Bae, I mean Jen. What’s it about?”
Bae: Why? Watz up?
Ted: Just a sec
“The Christmas Party tonight. There’s been some last-minute changes. I need to let everyone know the details, ASAP. We open in less than five, can you send it now? There’s a lineup at the door already, so I don’t want it forgotten.”
“Okay . . . shoot, Boss Lady. I can man-i-task like the best!”
“Um okay. Here goes. We regret to inform you that due to a kitchen fire last night at Chichi Piquant, we’ve had to change venues. We’ve leased plenty of . . .
Bae: Why u ignoring me? Tell me watz up!
“yxvy hjklmnohhhh invgep dklwpoub
Ted: It’s Boss Lady. K?
Bae: So? U got 4 mins.
“qzxxy ahnghh for . . .
Bae: Tell her!
Ted: She’s Boss!
“6 pm. Remember to bring . . .
Bae: I gotta’ come down there and do it?
Ted: Just a sec!
Bae: U txtin’ wat she says rite now! On the work phone! Pussy!
Ted: It’s not like that!
“exysty. Oh, and . . .
Bae: Hollow back man!
Ted: I ain’t no!
Bae: Gwen Stephanie forever! Ya!
Ted: ROLF!
“You got all that, Teddy? Good. Gotta’ go! Be sure to clean the gerbil cages at some point today.”
Ted: U got it, Boss Lady!
Bae: Huh? Oh ya! U rite about that!
“Right on it, Boss Lady Susan. Just hitting the old group chat ‘send’ button.”
Ted: Bae, I gotta’ go open up shop.
Ted: Bae?
Ted: Bae? I mean it, some kid’s kicking the door.
Bae: Um, u sent this to everyone at our work?
Ted: Ya, why?
Bae: Read it and remember what I said about man-i-tasking.
Ted: Not a thing, got ya. 😉
“Hey, Ted, can I see you in my office?”
“Susan! Hey, I was just about to open up. I thought you had a meeting.”
“I did, I do, but something’s come up. Just a quick chat. Okay? Hey Mike, can you take a break from stocking shelves and open up? Great, thanks.”
“That’s it, Ted, come in and close the door.”
“What’s this about? I sent the text like you asked. I know, I should have stopped talking to Jen. But you know how she is.”
“I do, she’s worked here for a long time. But you’re right, you should have stopped. One thing at a time, remember? Man-i-tasking is a myth.”
“Prove it.”
“Okay. Here’s what I asked you to send: ‘We regret to inform you that due to a kitchen fire at Chichi Piquant, we’ve had to change venues. We’ve leased plenty of space for the kid’s Santa party, as this will keep things orderly.
It’ll be at Crème Emporium for 6pm. Remember to bring a pet toy donation. Rawhides are always a chewy favorite! Oh, and dress up as your favorite Holiday character! Susan will be going as Dotty Elf. Yes, she’s a bit sass!’
“Dotty was a favorite character in a book I used to love, by the way.”
“So, what the problem?”
“Here’s what you texted not only the entire store, but the entire chain. My bosses were a bit ‘curious’ to say the least.
‘We regret to inform you that due to a kitchen fire at Chichi Piquant, we’ve had to change venues. We’ll leash all the kids for the Santa Party, it’ll keep them orderly. It’ll be at the Crematorium for 6pm. Remember to bring your chewy hides, as they’re a favorite. Huh? Dunno’ about that one, but Susan’s telling me what to type. Anyways, she’s going as Naughty Elf because she’s a bad ass.’ ”
“Am I fired?”
“Is man-i-tasking a myth?”
“Er . . .”
“Is it?”
“Yes, if I can keep my job.”
“Done.”
Bae: Told you so!
Review of, The Bones Of Amoret, by Arthur Herbert
I hope you’re all doing well on this Sunday morning at the tail end of summer. Yesterday, we did our annual apple picking road trip with a side of pumpkin harvesting. I can already smell ghosts of future apple crisp and pumpkin pie baking in the oven.
But from the post’s title, you can see that I’m not here to talk about pie. So, let’s get started, shall we?
What’s it About?
Amoret, Texas, 1982. Life along the border is harsh, but in a world where cultures work together to carve a living from the desert landscape, Blaine Beckett lives a life of isolation. A transplanted Boston intellectual, for twenty years locals have viewed him as a snob, a misanthrope, an outsider. He seems content to stand apart until one night when he vanishes into thin air amid signs of foul play.
Noah Grady, the town doctor, is a charming and popular good ol’ boy. He’s also a keeper of secrets, both the town’s and his own. He watches from afar as the mystery of Blaine’s disappearance unravels and rumors fly. Were the incipient cartels responsible? Was it a local with a grudge? Or did Blaine himself orchestrate his own disappearance? Then the unthinkable happens, and Noah begins to realize he’s considered a suspect.
Paced like a lit fuse and full of dizzying plot twists, The Bones of Amoret is a riveting whodunit that will keep you guessing all the way to its shocking conclusion.
My take:
The entire book is written in first person, Noah’s, with a folksy, “come sit on the porch for a spell,” narration. I found it quite appealing, almost endearing, in fact.
In his late eighties at the telling, Noah is a man conflicted and remorseful about the past . . . the moral fiber of his character is subjective, which for me, made him all the more realistic. Personally, I think he’s a man with good intentions, but things just often got out of hand.
As the blurb suggests, there are some great plot twists, none of which I found to be “edge of your seat”, but well orchestrated with a bit of, “Gotcha!”
The writing style was river rock smooth, with plenty of creative slang that brought a smile.
I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy a good mystery under the backdrop of ‘Big sky’ country.
Meet Arthur:
Arthur Herbert was born and raised in small town Texas. He worked on offshore oil rigs, as a bartender, a landscaper at a trailer park, and as a social worker before going to medical school. He chose to do a residency in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in critical care and trauma surgery. For the last eighteen years, he’s worked as a trauma and burn surgeon, operating on all ages of injured patients. He continues to run a thriving practice.
His second novel, The Bones of Amoret, is set to be released on April 1, 2022 through Stitched Smile Publishers.
Arthur currently lives in New Orleans, with his wife Amy and their dogs. Arthur loves hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to email him at arthur@arthurherbertwriter.com.
Grab a copy:
Six Word Story
Honestly, sometimes I think Sage just loves to mess with Charlie’s mind. 🙂
“I’m just messing with him, Dad.”
My Toast To You
There’s no shortage of talent here on the blogosphere, and that goes for some amazing poets, too. Heck, you’re all amazing! That’s why I’ve chosen this theme for my first ever attempt at Concrete Poetry.
I mean every word and I wish you all the best this season and onwards into the New Year!
A toast to all of you, my dearest friends
From near and far, to all four earth’s ends
Pinotage on the heights of the Drakensberg
Beck’s sipped near the Pegnitz in Nuremberg
Be it wine, water, whiskey; just raise your glass
I admire each one, because you are all first class
May trouble nor fear lay you low, with nary a snare
All dreams and ambitions be realized without a care
Please toast towards Canada and I’ll hoist mine back
Life spare you lemons and misfortune cut you slack
I wish every blessing, joy, and great thing for you
A very Merry Christmas, and all the best in ‘22
Cheers! Salud! Santé! Prost! Cin Cin!
Kanpai! Saúde! Skal!
Sláinte!
J
O
Y
P
E
A
C
E
LoveHope
Goodwilltoall
Noel!Noel!Noel!Noel!Noel!Noel!
Mark Bierman 