August 14, 2007
The Mic Is On: We’re Talking with Becky about Beer . . .
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
. . . Wine, and Whiskey - and a Liquor Store in Oklahoma
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.
Oh, and bring related links about to share!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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305 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking with Becky about Beer . . .”
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Becky McCray said
Seen on a tshirt:
Booze is the answer!
What was the question?
DaveOlson said
Becky… are you already promoting the business?
Becky McCray said
Well, since I really can’t sell anything except in person, I don’t mind talking about it.
ME Strauss said
Hey Becky!
Great t-shirt. It sure beats this one that has colorufl scribbles and says “Don’t drink and DRAW.”
Marti said
I’ve never tried to buy liquor over the Internet - is that done?
Good evening everyone!
DaveOlson said
now wouldn’t that be something. virtual liquor! wonder how that could work?
Scorpia said
Promise me anything; give me Glenlivet.
If you can’t manage that, I’ll settle for Drambuie, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Amaretto Di Saronno, Kahlua, or Grand Marnier.
Or sweet champagne, sherry, or port.
Come to think of it, send me a bottle of each. It’s been years since I had any of those except Kahlua. ;(
P.S. I don’t drink beer.
ME Strauss said
Hi Dave!
How’s your back? How’s your elbow? Had any bac American beer lately?
Becky McCray said
I can’t sell anything, but I do answer questions! So at least we can play “Stump the Chump!”
ME Strauss said
Hey Scorpia,
Here’s your Glenlivet!
We’ve always got plenty around for you.
I’m sure Becky’s brought the rest.
Becky McCray said
Hey Scorpia! You’ve covered a huge part of the inventory there! Is there anything you don’t like?
Scorpia said
Thanks, Liz. I only wish it weren’t virtual.
DaveOlson said
Okay… just for the record. I WAS NOT dissin’ ‘merican beer. I just don’t drink the stuff given an option.
The back’s still pretty sore. In fact it’s gotten worse so my time here is limited.
Thanks for asking Liz
Mike said
Hi Becky and Liz,
I do like the barriers in front of the store to keep patrons from inadvertently creating a “drive thru” when picking up that second case of hooch late at night!
Mike
Marti said
I love Asti Spumante for a celebration
Scorpia said
Well Becky, like I said, I don’t drink beer. Don’t even think about gin (eeeww!). Not that fond of vodka. Th stuff I liked best is mentioned above. Though I could manage Chivas or Johnny Black if necessary
Becky McCray said
Dave, don’t mix pain pills and booze!
Mike, the old man who designed my store really knew his business! Those are not just decorative!
Becky McCray said
Marti, Asti is very popular!
Marti said
Scorpia - our tastes are nearly identical - I love your list!
DaveOlson said
Becky… definitely don’t mix those two. Actually don’t often have a drink and even less often have pills.
Becky McCray said
You all have expensive tastes!
Be sure to try the new Bailey’s Carmel and Mint Chocolate. Dreamy flavors….. mmmmmmm
Scorpia said
Marti, I love it, too
Got anything to add to it?
Marti said
On a hot evening such as this, I like a frosty drink like a grasshopper (hat tip to Chris Brogan - lol)
Scorpia said
Becky, that’s because the expensive stuff is the best! I just wish they weren’t so pricey
DaveOlson said
Becky… speaking of Bailey’s. Why’d they go messing with perfection and adding flavours?
Becky McCray said
Great day to pop some Lemoncello in the freezer for a verrrry cold refresher.
Mike said
Dave,
I have sampled the new Bailey’s, and the Mint Chocolate is worthy of the Bailey’s name!
Mike
Becky McCray said
Dave, they had a great thing going, so I was real skeptical of flavors. But I was at the liquor show (the most fun trade show anywhere) and got to try them. They are amazingly good!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi everyone,
Guess I’ll be fairly quiet tonight [haha] since I don’t know much about this stuff - drinking with a straw is wicked so I don’t do it much. I have a bottle of that mint Bailey’s sitting here, unopened. How sad is that?
Marti said
I’ll have to turn on the way-back machine to try to remember the name of this little winery in California that made a fabulous Asti Spumante - they made one that was berry flavored that was divine…
DaveOlson said
Mike… glad to hear the recommendation. Gotta admit though, I usually limit my selection to either beer or wine.
Scorpia said
Becky, were you able to walk out the door unaided afterwards?
Glenda, that’s so sad, I’d like to cheer you up. So send me the bottle
Becky McCray said
Hi, Glenda! Don’t let me dominate this with all booze, feel free to drift the conversation whereever! (I’m just an insufferable know-it-all, and Liz said I could talk!)
DaveOlson said
Any thoughts on ice wines. There is a winery nearby that does an ice merlot that hooked me on the variety
Scorpia said
What is an “ice wine”?
Becky McCray said
The liquor trade show is rather open, and some people always seem to be over-enjoying the sampling privileges. But I … [looks around carefully, then whispers] … I really don’t drink, so it’s easy for me to just taste without going overboard.
Marti said
Husband remembered! Franzia! They had a “kir” I think it was - blackberry flavor?
Scorpia said
Becky, you don’t drink? That’s like a vegetarian running a butcher shop.
Becky McCray said
Ice wines are made from grapes that are left on the vines long after regular harvest, long enough to be frozen. Because so much of the produce is lost, ice wines are very, very expensive. In fact, I’ve never tried one.
Marti said
I admit I don’t know what Ice Wine is either…
DaveOlson said
Becky… I’ll leave you to do the definitions, but basically it is a wine that is made from the grapes after they have been frozen on the vine. As a result there is a really high sugar content. A bit like a port or a muscat liquor, but not as high in alcohol.
ME Strauss said
Hi Glenda,
Keep an eye on Dave’s back tonight, would you?
Marti said
Becky is our fountain of knowledge - thank you!
Becky McCray said
Marti, Franzia is mostly box wines now. Andre makes some fruited sparkling wines, and there are a few others, too.
Scorpia, it’s true. I barely drink at all. But I’m doing more sampling these days. It’s my job!
Scorpia said
Hah! Sampling, indeed. I’ll bet you do a lot of “sampling”, eh?
(say, is there any way for an “outsider” to sneak into one of these shows?
Becky McCray said
Great explanation, Dave, thanks!
Marti said
My Franzia reference is 25 years ago, when we lived in the Central Valley of California - it came in bottles back then (in the stone age - LOL)
Becky McCray said
Well, Scorpia, you can go as a guest, but you have to know an insider to get there!
Dwayne Melancon said
I’m not wild about ice wine - a bit sweet for me. I’m a “bold red” kind of person Syrah/Shiraz - that sort of thing.
Scorpia said
So Becky, are you an “insider”? Huh? Huh? And whereabouts did you say you were? (And if you didn’t say, tell now
Dwayne Melancon said
I thought it was beer night anwyay - why all the wine talk??
;^)
Becky McCray said
Hi, Dwayne! My mom, our real wine expert, likes those big reds, too. She just discovered Razor’s Edge.
Scorpia said
I never drink….beer
ME Strauss said
Hi Dewayne!
I’ll talk about beer with you. I bet Mike and Dave will too!
Dwayne Melancon said
Big Tattoo is pretty good - I’m in Oregon, so I’m (of course) biased toward Oregon reds.
Becky McCray said
I thought you guys talked about beer *last* week!
ME Strauss said
Anchor Steam is still pulling it’s weight here
Becky McCray said
Dwayne, a Benton Lane fan?
Marti said
I can remember when you couldn’t buy Coors east of Kansas….
ME Strauss said
Oh Becky, it’s guys and beer . . . no stereotype . . . just a big subject . . .
Becky McCray said
Liz, I have Anchor Steam in stock now, so come on by whenever!
Scorpia, every big city will have a liquor show, I’m sure. I go to Oklahoma City, usually in October.
Mike said
I CAN talk about beer! Sadly, I no longer live in Wisconsin, where much of the best is available. I’m also of Belgian descent, and that’s where the real magic happens!
What do you like, Dwayne?
Dwayne Melancon said
Not that Big Tattoo is from Oregon. In my mind those were two separate thoughts!
Becky McCray said
Marti, we were excited when Lone Star rolled out side of Texas.
ME Strauss said
Becky,
There used to be a beer called Furstenberg or something very much like that. Did you ever hear of it?
Marti said
In my wild and crazy youth, I used to drive from the Missouri Ozarks to Kansas and transport it back to sell for double the price. (I hope the statue of limitations has run out on such a crime - if not this was a story I heard from someone else - lol)
Becky McCray said
Heading to my wholesale site to check on Furstenburg…
Scorpia said
Oklahoma, huh? Oh well. Have a taste for me then.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
lol Scorpia, thanks for the offer! Think I’ll try it.
I grew up in a semi-dry home, not that my parents were against it, just was a luxury we couldn’t afford - tho Mom always had a stashed bottle for making Christmas cake, hmm. So, pouring myself a drink isn’t a frequent thought.
But, when our friends the Keanes come for dinner, that is when we have a good times. They’ve introduced me to some nice wines - more fruity, less dry. Mmm. One glass and I’m gone!
Mike said
I haven’t heard of Furstenburg for years…I think it went the way of Chief Oshkosh Reg Lager, the best (and original) red lager.
Mike
Becky McCray said
No Furstenberg or any variation thereof from my wholesaler.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Becky, do you know much about Okanogan wineries? {Dave, did I spell that right?} Just wonder how those wines stack up.
Becky McCray said
Almost every state now has some great local wines and beers to explore. Check around!
Scorpia said
Yeah Glenda, that’s the thing: the good stuff costs so much (which I mentioned before). Now, if I could just get Drambuie or Grand Marnier for, say, ten dollars a bottle….
Becky McCray said
Speaking of local wines, Okanogan must be a local winery! Not one I’ve heard of.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Dave, sorry to hear your back is worse. Do you need to exercise your elbow more?
ME Strauss said
Uh-oh Dave’s elbow needs exercise. Please pass him this glass. Thanks!
Marti said
My condolences to all here suffering any sort of physical pain or injury. Been there, know how wretched it can make life. Blessing and healing thoughts sent out….
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Becky, check this http://www.okanaganwines.ca/. They’ve replaced apply orchards with wineries. Bigger business.
Scorpia said
Folks, it’s been fun, but I have to get going. Besides, with all this liquor talk, I don’t want to wake up with a hangover tomorrow
Bye all! Have one for me! (Even better, send me one!!)
Becky McCray said
A great place for drink recipes is the webtender: http://www.webtender.com
Marti said
Bye Scorpia - you have wonderful taste!
DaveOlson said
I live right in the middle of the okanagan valley with about 150plus wineries within an hour’s drive… plenty of tasting here. You should come by sometime Becky
Becky McCray said
Bye, Scorpia!
(Checking Glenda’s link…)
(By the way, isn’t Marti sweet?)
ME Strauss said
bye Scorpia!
Thanks for coming! Always have a GlenLivet for you!
DaveOlson said
Thanks for the glass Liz… but what is this stuff in it???
DaveOlson said
bye Scorpia
Becky McCray said
Okanagan Valley looks amazing!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Have a good night, Scorpia!
Marti said
I used to love going to Hermann, Missouri for Octoberfest. A bunch of wineries there, street festivals, sausage vendors on the streets, beer gardens, spectacular scenery along the river bluffs. Great fun!
Becky McCray said
We’ve noticed a real shift over the last few years, of folks buying better items, moving up.
I dunno why, really, but I think we want to treat ourselves to a better quality item.
Marti, our Chamber of Commerce wants to start an Octoberfest, just like that!
Marti said
{{blushes at Becky’s nice comment}}
ME Strauss said
I used to like those things to, Marti. Then I got old and decide the crowds weren’t fun. . . Now it’s an air conditioned bar for me.
Top of the Hancock. A nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
[Liz, your W-list has sure received some attention. Congrats! Any interest from mainstream media yet?}
Becky McCray said
[Marti is only blushing cause she had too much of whatever that stuff is that Liz is pouring.]
DaveOlson said
Dwayne… have you tried any of the Australian Syrahs. My current favorite is Wyndham Estates Bin 555.
Becky McCray said
Yes, Liz, any more “women have just discovered blogs” comments?
Marti said
Becky, it was great fun! For a few years, it got a little rough when some biker types tried to hog (bad pun) all the fun, but a bit more security got it cleaned up to “family-style” entertainment again. I would encourage you to promote it to your community!
ME Strauss said
Oh Glenda!
It wasn’t my list. Valeria started it. And the mainstream media hasn’t a whit of interest in me.
Becky McCray said
Dave, also try the Cab/Pinotage blends from South Africa.
DaveOlson said
Well folks it’s been intoxicatingly fun again, but I need to “back” out of this converstation. Have a great night everyone!
ME Strauss said
“Women have just discovered blogs.”
That was a caveman taling . . . At least he said the word women not Chicks
Becky McCray said
Good night, and good rest to you, Dave.
Marti said
Bye Dave
ME Strauss said
Well Dave, Y’all come “back” again Y’hear!
Becky McCray said
“women have just discovered blogs” is right up there with “women are ruining blogs by talking about mommies and relationships.”
Marti said
LOL Liz - I understand.
ME Strauss said
Gee Becky,
Do you think I should send Nick Denton my post on Unconditional Love?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
night Dave
Becky McCray said
Liz, wouldn’t that be pearls before swine, so to speak?
Lots of guys don’t get that women still take flack and condescension, and more, based just on gender.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, I’ve been wanting to write a press release “The Left Thumb Blogger Makes Prestigous W-List” to promote my upcoming virtual book tour. Just haven’t got there yet - it’s been one of those weeks and its only Tuesday! Blog post about it is the works.
Marti said
Liz, that’s be great (doubt he’d comprehend though…she said snarkily - lol)
Becky McCray said
I won’t tell you what all the car salesmen pulled on me this weekend!
ME Strauss said
When I was in Bologna, Italy.
They served gelato in the best way. I was in this small restaurant. We were ordering dessert.
He said, Would you like vodka with your gelato?”
Why not?
So when the gelato came, he poured the vodka over it. Oh my! Was that wonderful on lemon geloato!!
At the enxt restaurant on the next night I ordered gelato again. What’s this? No vodka? I had to ask for some. . . . they looked at me like I was a crazy American (little did they know)
Marti said
Glenda, don’t feel bad, I got a car and haven’t even found time to blog about it
Becky McCray said
Glenda, I love that brand, The Left Thumb Blogger! It’s short, unique, and starts an interesting story.
Marti said
Aww. c’mon Becky, you’re among friends (and it must be a good story - lol)
ME Strauss said
Hey Becky
The guys I know get it pretty quick — after I hit them up ‘longside the head a few times.
Guess that’s what comes of growing up in a boy’s neighborhood. 
Becky McCray said
Marti, Marti, where are those car pics?????? Wanna race?
Marti said
Liz that sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing
ME Strauss said
But seriously,
The guys who hang here don’t deserve to have to listen to this discussion. They’re cool and highly respectful fella’s who think women are intelligent and fascinating people.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
lol Marti, creating an ebook version of my autobiography has proven more involved than creating an accessible pdf and adding a paypal buy now button. Thank goodness I didn’t write War and Peace!
Becky McCray said
Now, Liz, where are those guys tonight? Have I scared them off?
Marti said
Oh Becky! We could tear up the OK/MO border, huh? LOL
Pic = http://flickr.com/photos/cyberpumpkin/1119757096/
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
thanks Becky, I love it too. And if you google it, I already have first spot - or I did.
ME Strauss said
Hey Becky,
Did you look in the beer aisle?
ME Strauss said
What’s your most interesting alcohol memory — funny, romantic, exotic, bigger than life?
Marti said
Glenda, you can go through Lulu to make a free PDF without ever listing the item for sale (a little cheat way) To make an e-book just put a picture (like the book cover, but low resolution) on the very first page, then when someone stores it it shows in their Documents files as the image - very cool - learned that from Seth Godin
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, that car looks like adventures are awaiting to happen!
Becky McCray said
Liz, is that where all the guys are? Hanging in the beer aisle?
Marti, it is beautiful! Right down to the dealer tag in the window! Looks practically new. Congrats!
GP said
greetings all, once upon a time in what seems to be a former life, I worked for seagrams… never a weekend with out a case of Mumm (very) cordon rouge
L’chaim
gp in montana
Becky McCray said
But, Marti, do you think you can outrun the mighty Mustang V8?
Marti said
Thank you! I am giddy about my pumpkin PT - LOL Yes, it is a 2003 but it looks brand new. That is a 30 day temporary tag from the dealer in the back window - so I have a month to get the “real” license plates
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, the problem with pdfs is they can be shared and i need to protect my asset! And, lulu takes a fair chunk.
Becky McCray said
GP, Seagrams would be awesome to work for, if you could get those samples! My mom loves that Cordon Rouge.
Marti said
I dunno Becky - LOL But it is a turbo, and the speedometer goes to 145 mph. Husband cranked it up a bit on the freeway…we were going 90 in like three seconds. I was saying, “OK, hon, that’s enough…enough…ENOUGH” LOL
ME Strauss said
Hi GP!
Horses and Seagrams. A lady who has had a taste of eveything!
Marti said
You can create a PDF through Lulu for free, download it to your computer, then upload it to your own server and put it on a secured page. Then delete the file from Lulu, and they have no more to do with it, you don’t owe them a dime, and you can sell the PDF from your secured page. That’s cheating, I know so you didn’t hear this from me - (but it works - lol)
Becky McCray said
Funny, Marti! I took my sis out for a quick spin yesterday. Lots of fun!
Becky McCray said
Marti has a real conniving streak that I’m just starting to see!
ME Strauss said
Lulu has plenty of book templates that they offer for free. I don’t think she’s being too evil
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, how do you prevent people from sharing the pdf? I have the pdf, but apparently I can’t prevent people from sharing it????
Joe said
Hey Liz,
Hey All,
Late again, that must mean something…
Still working (for free?!?) for a friend of mine. He screwed up his computer AGAIN.
Guess what he is going to pay me with… RIGHT!
A CASE of BEER!!!
Oh, well, maybe someday someone will actually pay CASH…
Becky McCray said
Hey, Joe. I haven’t tried paying people in beer yet! I’ll have to see if I can get away with it!
Marti said
Well, you really can’t protect the PDF, I agree. Is that even possible? I don’t know a lot about PDF’s…can they be “locked” to avoid sharing?
Susan Reynolds said
I’m speed partying tonight guys! Waving while multitasking . . .
GP said
becky, obviously you’re mom’s a woman of good taste. !
THe champers to celebrate a great ride with the full and upright position maintained !:)
cheers all
gp in montana
Becky McCray said
Was that blur Susan Reynolds?
Marti said
Ah, genius assistance has arrived - Let’s ask Joe!
Susan Reynolds said
Beer, Wine, I’ll bet Becky brought it all. Whatever you pass make sure it’s cold. I’m steamy
ME Strauss said
Hey That was Susan . . . I caught a blur of lavendar. I had to be her!
Marti said
Joe, is it possible to protect a PDF from file sharing? (hands Joe a cool Coors in gratitude for his forthcoming reply)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, apparently pdfs can’t be locked. Hence, it has been a longgg week already. I wanted this ready to go before heading out on this virtual book tour, starting Monday. Silly me.
Hi Joe!
ME Strauss said
Hey Joe!
You’ve really gotten to be alacker!!
Char said
Hi all!
Joe, you mean beer isn’t currency? It sure seems like it is among my husband and his friends.
Susan Reynolds said
I’ll have some of that Lake Ontario Ice Wine please Becky. Just pass the whole bottle . . .
And in honor of you I put a new blog post up with wine photos and a story about Liz and you and the whole motley crew
http://susanreynolds.blogs.com/artist/2007/08/my-friend-liz-s.html
Marti said
waves at SusanBlur ~ ~ ~
Susan Reynolds said
Are we mixing booze and iced treats on a stick of which name I can not mention or I’ll drool?
Joe said
Hey Susannnnnnn…
Ask me what Marti?
I’ve missed most of the conversation.
Is it about copying PDF’s?
Becky McCray said
Susan, have a sip of this coooold Lemoncello. That will refresh you!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Joe, is there any way to prevent pdfs from being shared?
Susan Reynolds said
Mmmmmmm - wait Joe, give me back that Lemoncello. I knew you were acting way too glad to see me!
Joe said
Still playing catch up.
Marti, I doubt you can protect anything from some sort of scraping once it enters the ’sphere’ Blogo or Web.
I’ve been trying to fight a Scraper that is even going through the same server as I, and it takes more “paperwork” than I have time to write.
Besides, they seem to disappear before they are caught!
Marti said
Glenda, if you can’t protect the file itself, you can make up a really weird (unguessable) URL to upload the file to. That is what I did to sell my e-book from the blog. Then I directed the Paypal button back to the weird URL after payment, for customers to download
Becky McCray said
Susan, is there something that we wouldn’t mix with booze?
Susan Reynolds said
Reading comments backwards, I’m at #140. And getting dizzy.
ME Strauss said
I’m looking for a simple book template.
ME Strauss said
Marti,
What did you use to build your books in?
Mike said
Liz,
Top of the Hancock? I was going to buy you a drink the next time I got to Chicago, but I see I’ll have to wait until I hit the big time!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Aw, Mike!
I do go other places . . . remember I wrote about the neighborhood bars??
Marti said
I go with the “believe in the goodness of man” mentality, and put my stuff out there. If someone steals it, well, shame on them. They will have to answer someday.
“Every lie you’ve ever told, you will be told, Every dirty deal you’ve ever dealt, you will be doled”
(lyrics by Marti Lawrence)
Becky McCray said
I’m guessing most folks won’t pass along your e-book PDF, if you charge for it and remind them not to share. I wonder if one of these authors around here can offer any insight or statistics on that? Maybe Ted Demopoulos knows?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, current plan is an ebook generator which makes html an exe, but then the buyer needs to email me for a registration key and the exe only opens on one computer, supposedly. Manually handling regkeys doesn’t seem very automated to me. How do people sell thousands of these things???
Susan Reynolds said
Well with or without your PDFs, someday I’m going to get all of you to Second Life so we can be in a photo together, toasting Liz.
Wouldn’t that just surprise her boots off? Becky can bring her best bottle.
(and red wine did not stain the dress nor the white chair in that blog photo, so you know second Life is magic)
Mike said
With regards to protecting PDFs; it is possible. Our library has a considerable online collection now, that gets distributed as PDFs. No printing, no copying. I ran a benign test just to make sure!
Marti said
In other words, karma’s a bitch (burp) Sorry, a skosh too much liquor in pumpkin girl - lol
Marti said
I wrote all my books in Word, uploaded them to Lulu to use their free converter to make PDF’s
ME Strauss said
I just need something to generate a two page spread to send to the printer in Michigan. You guys, what software did you use to make your books?
Mike said
Glenda,
I’m with Marti on trusting the goodness of your fellow beings. What kind of person would receive a stolen book about YOUR story? It’s not the same demographic that would even want to read it. Now if you were a famous computer hacker, I’d feel differently.
Mike
Becky McCray said
I’m ready for the Second Life photo op! I have a few drink items for “in world” parties.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi Mike!
Liz, I used Word for my paperback, which is proving easier than creating an ebook. Go figure.
Mike said
Hi Liz,
Finally, one I can answer! CutePDF is a freeware tool to generate PDFs and it works great! I’ve used it for two years without a hiccup with all kinds of wacky applications.
Mike
Marti said
(Marti, who does not normally refer to herself in third person, used to sing in bars - in keeping with the liquor theme)
Mike said
Marti,
I sincerely hope it was a karaoke bar, or at least one with a live band!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Oh was hoping for a two-page template. Any out there?
Marti said
Glenda, what are you trying to do different? Many Lulu usres have the same manuscript they upload for paperback as their e-book. I re-did mine as an 8 X 10, added the image on first page (trick I mentioned earlier) and took out the blank pages, but many don’t. They just sell the same PDF their book is printed from, as their e-book.
Becky McCray said
I’ve made PDFs through Open Office, too.
Mike said
Liz,
Move your right hand over one key!
Mike
Alex Shalman - Practical Personal Development said
Hey everyone!
If beer, corona with a lime is nice!
If we’re talking liquor stores in general - Golan Heights Wine is amazing!
Ann said
Jumping in with both feet, this is a first for me!
ME Strauss said
PS Glenda,
Your comment #161 was the 44,000 comment on this blog!!! Congratulations!!! Have a bottle of virtual chambpagne!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks Mike. So, you think at $14.95,people wouldn’t mind paying it rather than sharing it? I have the pdf, and shopping cart and paypal. If I go that route, I could have it up tonight.
Marti said
Mike - yes, it was back in the stone age when bars had live bands - LOL
Timothy Johnson said
Hi all… any room in this conversation for an “abstainer” from alcoholic beverages?
Ann said
I had a desert pear mojito with dinner I had no idea that would prepare me for this!
Marti said
We serve “virgin” drinks and always have club soda, Timothy!
ME Strauss said
Hey Everyone
New arrivals at #189 and #190!!!
Susan Reynolds said
We need top open up that iced cream freezer in addition to the bar.
Char said
I like Macromedia’s Flash Paper for creating PDFs from documents created in just about anything.
ME Strauss said
Welcome Alex and Amm!!
Becky McCray said
Just found this interesting article through a quick search:
http://www.ebookgraphics.com/protectpdf.html
He gives some good ideas for password protecting your download. He doesn’t seem worried about sharing.
ME Strauss said
Hey Tim
You’re always Welcome!
Mike said
Glenda,
Definitely! As Marti said, just tell people up front that as a service to them, you haven’t restricted their ability to print and save the file on all of their computers, but you’ll trust that when the recommend it to a friend, they’ll respect your mutual license agreement.
Mike
Ann said
Char, Macromedia Flash Paper? That’s a new one for me. I need to check into that.
Marti said
I apologize for not saying hello to all of the lovely folks who’ve joined us! Hi there!
Susan Reynolds said
((hugs Ann))
Becky McCray said
Welcome, Alex, Ann and Timothy! Corona, mojitos, or ice cream, whatever you enjoy.
Marti said
{{group hug}}
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks Liz, I’ll drink that that!
Mike said
Hello Tim and Alex and Ann!
Char said
FlashPaper comes with the full versions of Macromedia’s Studio (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Illustrator, etc). It is as easy as clicking print.
Ann said
It’s great to see some familiar faces here!
Ann said
Char,
I am going to look for that in the lab this week..we have the Macromedia 8 Suite. Thanks for the tip!
Marti said
Wow Liz! Over 44,000 comment on this blog!!! Congratulations!
Timothy Johnson said
Thanks - I brought my own: Peach Pear Italian Soda over crushed ice… a “real man’s drink” LOL
Mike said
Marti,
Don’t laugh, but I think I still have a toga from the days of live bands! LOL
Mike
Timothy Johnson said
OK, Mike… there’s gotta be a picture of you in a toga… cough it up, buddy
Becky McCray said
Actually, Tim, that sounds luscious!
Mike said
Now Tim, if you’d only said “over suggestively shaped ice cubes”, you’d be Mr. Smooth…
Becky McCray said
wait, I meant the drink, not the pic of Mike in the toga!
ME Strauss said
Ah Mike,
Drinking Everclear punch from a garbage can . . . those were the days
Marti said
Mike, I would never laugh at a man in a toga!
Ann said
…and just what would be considered and overly suggestively shaped ice cube?
Susan Reynolds said
Ann, you know you can’t resist an open bar. I’m hoping Becky will break out the ice wine as the evening wears on.
Susan Reynolds said
Pssst - Ann has a BIG bag of skittles and she’s not sharing!
Ann said
Susan, I am actually a lightweight when it comes to drinking. I keep wanting to type @
Becky McCray said
Susan, I Have held out as long as I can. Here it is, a precious full size 750ml ice wine just for you. Don’t spend it all in one place!
Timothy Johnson said
Mike - the only shaped ice cubes we have in the house are of Mickey Mouse’s head. If that’s suggestive to you, I would recommend seeing a therapist… IMMEDIATELY
Marti said
Oh Liz! You had me ROTF with this one!
Mike said
Sorry folks! When I wore togas they were actually the height of fashion, and the pictures were all destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius!
It’s that or they’ve all washed out from nearly 30 years of aging. Funny how those types of pics never make it into keepsake photo album! LOL
Char said
Ann - I hope you can find it - it should install like a printer. It may already be installed.
Susan Reynolds said
Jeesh and I thought those photos of me pouring wine down my back were going to be the raciest link here tonight.
Now we’ve got togas, garbage cans. Wild and groovy man . .
Ann said
I may need to go to confession after being here with you crazy people.
Timothy Johnson said
Friends do not let friends talk alchohol and togas and ice cubes while typing up summary notes from a strategic planning session.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks guys! I need to rethink this ebook thing - again. Maybe I didn’t need that ebook generator software after all? Wish I could find step by step directions. After all that, I need a drink!
ME Strauss said
Tim,
Friends do not let friends type up strategic planning session notes while talking alcohol and togas.
Mike said
Oh yeah! Everclear punch!! We had guys making the really pure stuff every week in the biology lab (MIT has some of the most advanced distilling equipment on the planet, even though that wasn’t its original intent)!
And in high school, the garbage cans held a mix of everything everyone brought to the party. How DID we survive?
Susan Reynolds said
You know, either Mike is much funnier tonight or it was after whatever that was Becky handed me in a glass . . . I think I’m babbling.
Becky McCray said
Glenda, maybe a mentor would help walk you through the process?
Marti said
I am having a SERIOUS giggle attack
Marti said
Glenda, I will offer you all I have learned through much trial and error
Alex Shalman - Practical Personal Development said
Next SOBCon I want to get tanked with Liz. Everyone is welcome to join in! =)
Char said
Glenda - what is the difference between e-book generator software and a standard PDF writer?
Becky McCray said
OK, to dispel the taste from that everclear punch, now we are going to pass around samples from the top shelf whiskeys. First up is the smooth and warm Labrot and Graham Woodford Reserve bourbon. Best over ice… Smell that hint of vanilla?
Susan Reynolds said
LOLOL, LIZ!
Timothy Johnson said
Point well taken, Liz
Marti - I’m glad you’re having a serious giggle attack; they’re much more productive than the humorous giggle attacks
Mike said
Susan,
It’s obviously the ice wine!
Mike
P.S. Becky, thanks for that clarification in comment #220.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
lol Timothy
Mike - the only shaped ice cubes we have in the house are of Mickey Mouse’s head. If that’s suggestive to you, I would recommend seeing a therapist… IMMEDIATELY
Good thing I wasn’t drinking at that moment, it would have come out my nose! A Mickey Mouse fetish?
Marti said
Husband is muttering something about the structural integrity of the crackers I gave him (which are crumbling badly) He needs more liquor - lol
Mike said
Becky,
I have to ask about the ice…
Mike
Susan Reynolds said
I’ll wind up making a commitment to come to SOB con if Becky keeps pouring.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Char, the software converts the html into an exe.
Ann said
This is cracking me up…half serious..half funny stuff.
Timothy Johnson said
Isn’t it cute how Char and Glenda can carry on a serious technical conversation in the midst of utter chaos? Such focus!
ME Strauss said
Alex,
You would be under the table and I’d still be talking. We’re talking serious experience at the bar here. Remember I’m a saloonkeeper’s daughter.
Alex Shalman - Practical Personal Development said
Liz, saloon or not… I am Russian… I was born with Vodka pumping through my veins =)
Becky McCray said
OK, Mike, are you impugning the honor of my simple whiskey over plain ice cubes? What kind of Mickey Mouse comment is that?
Alex Shalman - Practical Personal Development said
I’m sorry… comment number 256 makes me sound like I was a crack baby… stereotypes are stereotypes.. =)
Mike said
Hi Tim,
You crack me up! I’m not sure what a suggestively shaped ice cube would look like. I simply imaging Austin Powers walking into a bar and ordering a “Peach Pear Italian spritzer - over suggestively shaped ice cubes”, baby!
Mike
Marti said
We all good?
Mike said
And Becky, I NEVER impugn the honor of free booze!
Mike said
Hi Marti,
Welcome back to the fray!
Mike
ME Strauss said
It appears the bar is open!
Marti said
Wow, that was trippy…..
Mike said
Why yes it is. Only now I’ve forgotten all those comments I was going to make…
ME Strauss said
All of a sudden my mind went blank . . .
Marti said
The password for this speakeasy is, “Becky’s Mustang is awesome” LOL
Marti said
Husband is still fussing about the structural integrity of his crackers (which are crumbling badly)
Marti said
I thrive on chaos, I am in my element
Mike said
Well Liz, it looks like you me and Marti in the water hanging onto the floating bar after that wreck!
ME Strauss said
It’s serious business when a guy has time to study the structure of his crackers. I might guess that he’s not in danger of starving.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
wow, before I could have Timothy pass the bottle, everything went blank. I told you I was a cheap date. Cheap but not easy!
Marti said
You’ll get back in the groove in no time, Mike
Mike said
Marti,
Is your husband putting those things on a tensile strength gauge?
Mike
Mike said
Hey Glenda!
Marti said
Husband thinks I hit them with some sort of invisible disintegrating ray - the entire roll LOOKS OK, but when he pulls one out it falls apart
Marti said
Laughing too hard at Mike to reply
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
[ Glenda waves at Mike]
ME Strauss said
I’m starting to wonder . . . do you think we all were abducted by aliens?
Mike said
Liz,
My operating theory is that the blog rammed into one of the abuttments in front of Becky’s store, and most people are still woozy!
Mike
Marti said
clinging to the raft here, hard to hold on when I am laughing so hard
ME Strauss said
Hold on, Marti, I have to go back to the canoe analogy to find out who dropped the paddle!!!
Marti said
Why yes Liz, I was wondering why the raft was silver and hovering….
Mike said
In most alien abduction scenarios, the paddle levitates by itself!
ME Strauss said
Mike, was over in my gmail making the devil’s tower out of mashed potatoes.
Marti said
I am drifting in the analogy ocean….
Mike said
That’s two stellar references in a row, for you Liz! You’re on fire!!
ME Strauss said
Aw Mike,
Shucks . . .
Mike said
Well that was the worst misplaced comma in years. Sorry about that!
And somebody tell Becky to phone home to the blog.
Marti said
Oh lordie, I nearly wet myself on that one, Liz!
Which wouldn’t matter in the ocean I guess, but might short out the UFO, or rock the boat or the Kasbah or oh oh I am babbling
Mike said
Okay Marti, now you’ve given me the giggles!
ME Strauss said
It’s okay, Marti.
Aliens think babbling is English.
Marti said
When I start babbling, it is time for me to say Klatu Nicto Baratu (I will be stunned if anyone gets that reference - lol)
Thanks to Liz, Becky and the whole dang gang for a fabulous evening!
Peace and joy to all! Cheers!
Mike said
And the French think English is babbling. Hmm…that would explain their love of Jerry Lewis…
Mike said
Marti,
How could anynot NOT love The Day The Earth Stood Still?
klaatu barada nikto, right back at ya!
Mike
Mike said
anyONE
Marti said
Oh
My
God
Leave it to me to get the word order wrong. LOL I stand in awe of Magnificent Mike
Mike said
Well, I’ve got to pick my youngest up from dance, so I’ll see y’all later!
Mike
Mike said
It’s okay, Marti. You just said the bourbon stain on my toga looked suggestive! LOL
Marti said
And with that I bid farewell
Marti said
Sweet dreams everyone
ME Strauss said
Thank you for saving this most fabulous evening.
Good night everyone, including Joe,
Sleepy swell.
Susan Reynolds said
I’m adding this post comment night - through tears of laughter.
My question, and there IS one, is after the great comment silence / boat accident / alien abduction why didn’t anyone call out something akin to, “oh dear, where did poor sweet Susan and Ann and Becky go? Are they OK? Are they adrift on a plank? Let’s row out to save them.”
Nooooo, we just had to fend for ourselves and try to pick up the pieces of our shattered existence while you guys kept on partying like it was i999. >
ME Strauss said
Susan,
Had you not been wearing white, we might have been able to find you three. We worried at first and then wondered whether you might have been part of a government conspiracy — after all. You do live in D.C.
It was wonderful having you here!
Marti said
Well shucks Susan, I tried to throw y’all a lifeline, a buoy and a tractor beam at Twitter -
Thanks to Liz and Becky! Last night was so entertaining and informative! Hope everyone has a great day today!