Cheese, Champions and Disappearing Books

Cholecystectomy

By the time you read this I’ll be home from my laparoscopic cholecystectomy. At least, I hope it will be laparoscopic. The lay term is ‘keyhole’. Being cut open is much more invasive. Whodathunk.

The operation removes the gallbladder through several small incisions. Without a gall bladder, the liver still produces bile, but instead of being stored and released when needed, it flows directly into the small intestine. Most people adjust without any lasting problems, although rich or fatty meals may cause digestive dramas for a while, and some people experience loose bowels. Apparently the sensible approach is to start gently and discover what the new management system will tolerate. [source]

It had better tolerate cheese. Otherwise there will be complaints to management.

The second attempt at an MRI after last Friday’s aborted embarrassment went smoothly. A small dose of Valium was had, although I think it was probably unnecessary. I’d given myself a stern talking-to and had practiced affirmative thoughts such as “close your eyes and it’s just like being in bed”. The scan took about half an hour. And while I was in there, eyes firmly closed, listening to classical music (often interrupted by “breathe in, breathe out, breathe in and hold your breath”, followed by clicks and whizzes, then, “breathe normally”) it was fine.

In comparison with the noises and bumps I experienced when I had the brain MRI, it was a doddle. I never once felt like squeezing the panic ball. And I solved a plot conundrum in my latest book.

I’m looking forward to a cheese, bacon, and egg sandwich as soon as possible.

FIFA World Cup

So, it’s Argentina versus Spain in the World Cup final, to be played in New Jersey, safely outside both teams’ home continents. That removes the usual home-ground argument, although Argentina may attract the louder crowd.

Picking a winner is tricky. Argentina have scored more goals than anyone else in the tournament, while Spain have conceded only one and are unbeaten in 37 matches. In other words, the best attack meets the best defence. Spain may have the slight edge on form, but Argentina are the reigning champions and have become very good at surviving matches that refuse to behave. Like that one against England. I’m tipping Spain, but not with any confidence whatsoever. And, I might add, a care factor of zero.

Books and Reading

Those of you who read using Amazon’s Kindle app will by now have been advised there is a new version and that what you’ve been using all these years is now called ‘kindle legacy’. It will soon be removed.

I tried the new app recently and discovered two things:

• Books I had bought as epubs elsewhere and ported to kindle using Amazon’s  sendtokindle were now converted to PDF format, which doesn’t allow for the flexibility of an epub. And is much more easily pirated.
• A book bundle (where you have several books in one volume) had been withdrawn for sale by the author. I had purchased it, but it was no longer in my library. When you buy a Kindle book, you are buying permission to read it, not ownership of the file. Usually that makes little practical difference, until a book, an account or a service disappears. [source]

I will be avoiding buying any books from Amazon from now on. Adobe Digital Editions (it’s free) will read epubs and PDfs and has a library function.

And that, friends, is why quite a few authors are working on developing their own stores. When you buy from us, you’ll download the file to your own computer. It’s yours, exactly the same as when you buy a paperback from a bookstore and take it home.

Come and visit my store. And maybe download that FREE BOOK