Julie Barrett is a freelance writer and photographer based in Plano, TX.

Down the (Killer) Rabbit Research Hole: In the Steps of Sherlock Holmes

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

You know how it goes when you look up one thing and it takes you off on an entirely different tangent. This week's tangent has been looking at part of the considerable London stomping grounds of Sherlock Holmes. I'm starting at the pub, which is where one should start (or end) an adventure.

SherlockHolmesPub_1990.jpg

This is a vacation snap of the Sherlock Holmes pub, ca. 1990.

This was likely the location of the Northumberland Hotel, mentioned in The Hound of the Baskervilles, though it seems a bit downmarket for someone of his means. There were three larger hotels around the corner - The Metropole, The Victoria, and The Grand - which had ben built in 1887 and were, in my mind, more likely candidates.

The Turkish bath Holmes and Watson visited is nearby, and apparently the ladies' entrance
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Filed under: Sherlock Holmes            

9/12/2023 10:22:08 AM

      

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A Little Virtual Housekeeping

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Thursday, August 24, 2023

I'm making a few changes to the site. Mainly updating a few things here and there. You may not even notice some of the changes. At any rate, the site is in serious need of updating, and I plan to squeeze that task in over the coming weeks.

And yes, the cat tax must be paid. Have an inscrutable Daenerys.

Dany_Inscrutable.jpg

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Filed under: Housekeeping      Pictures      

8/24/2023 11:00:16 AM

      

   

The Tortie of Judgement

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The Tortie of Judgement

Arya appears to be the Tortie of Judgement, but she's just hanging around with a guilty look. This is the office bed, which Danerys has claimed as her own for months. I think Arya misses it.

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Filed under: Cats            

8/22/2023 8:32:54 PM

      

   

ArmdilloCon Report

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Monday, August 7, 2023

I spent the weekend in Austin at ArmadilloCon. It was an up-and-down experience. Most of the negatives were due to the weather/air quality. 

I was not on programming this convention. It's one of those cons where I'm not a good fit. Goodness knows I've asked, but as a conrunner, I totally understand. They can't have everyone on programming. I was invited to participate in the Art Show, and so I went for that and a bit of networking. Okay, and to look at a different set of walls. One of the downsides of working from home is not getting out of the house enough.

Let's talk about the good first! I did better than last year at the Art Show. The thing with art shows is that I seem to do better when I'm on programming. And I'm not a good fit for programming here! The solution for this, I think, is to get better at figuring out what will sell down there. 

I sat in on some good panels. There was one I really, really w
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Filed under: Conventions            

8/7/2023 10:31:14 AM

      

   

I'm On Bluesky!

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Rose, with blue sky

I finally snagged a Bluesky invite. You can find me at @julieb.bsky.social. Now I'm @julie.barrettmanor.com. If you're on Bluesky and want to set your domain as your handle, follow the instructions here.

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Filed under: Social Media            

7/26/2023 9:18:56 PM

      

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X-Rated, But Family Friendly

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Monday, July 24, 2023

Today Twitter switched their brand to X. I believe this to be a mistake, but then, I'm not a billionaire with money to waste on a social network. I am a mere technoserf who shouldn't be bothered to have an opinion. 

Excuse me for having one.

And yet, this is my journal, and I'll opine if I want to! So there, X!

My two readers will  notice the ever-growing sidebar (or bottom block if you're on a mobile device) of social media. I feel like I'm drowning in the stuff, shouting into a void because I don't have the cash to boost my posts so two more people can see them. 

Some sites frustrate me more than others, and there's this feeling of urgency that if I don't post everywhere, people will forget me. They've already forgotten me on Twitter and Facebook. The algorithms at those places aren't meant to help out average people. And Ghu help you if you're a non-profit. The one I work wit
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Filed under: Social Media            

7/24/2023 9:36:35 AM

      

   

Back to Blogging? Again?

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Friday, July 7, 2023

Geez, this is harder than it should be. The fractures in social media definitely make me want to go back to the journal, and I am going to try!

Life has been darn near as fractured as social media. I'll spare you the complaints. But let's see what I can do here.

In the meantime, have a cat.

Sleepy Kitty

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Filed under: Housekeeping            

7/7/2023 9:48:51 AM

      

   

SoonerCon Report

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Thursday, July 6, 2023

Well, SoonerCon was a blast. I've just been too tired to post about it until today.

The panels and workshops were fun, and I not only caught up with some old friends, but made new ones!

There had been one bit of a snafu in programming, but hey, I've run convention programming before, and I know stuff happens. That glitch may lead to some other opportunities, though, so yay! 

If you'd like me to do a workshop at your con (or sit on panels. Or both!), please contact me!

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Filed under: Conventions            

7/6/2023 4:20:56 PM

      

   

Updating the Social Media Thing

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Thursday, July 6, 2023

It's getting so you can't tell the players without a program!

My current social media list is on the sidebar. 

Still trying to get into BlueSky. Clearly, I am not one of the cool kids. My request has been languishing like, forever.

Edit: And I see my Tweets aren't showing up. Why am I not surprised?


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Filed under: Housekeeping            

7/6/2023 4:17:16 PM

      

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My Soonercon Schedule

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Saturday, June 24, 2023

Yes, Soonercon is approaching!

I'm very excited about this weekend, even if my table in the Art Show is going to be sparse this year. My laser burned down, fell over, and sank into the swamp. So, unless the few things I have all to go auction and sell for fabulous prices, I don't know what's next on that front. Well, the laser is still (barely) under warranty, and I have an email in to support. We shall see what happens. Even if I get it going again, I don't expect to have a full table this year. 

Sigh.

If you're there, do check out the Art Show. There are lots of cool artists there and plenty of goodies to buy! Artists (and writers) need all the support they can get right now.

However, on to the good stuff! Please forgive any typos. If I get your name wrong, let me know and I'll fix it. 

Friday:
2:00 PM in Soo
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Filed under: Conventions            

6/24/2023 3:57:54 PM

      

   

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