(Cross Posted on Working Stiffs)



This week’s Citizens’ Police Academy was a two-fer. A little bit of something new and a little bit of something old was presented during our field trip to the training center.



Relatively new to Pittsburgh is the Crisis Intervention Team. Unlike SWAT, this is not a “response” team. Rather it’s a “collaborative” team in which the Pittsburgh… Continue

(Cross posted to Writing, etc.)



I spent several hours yesterday writing stuff that no one will ever read.



Considering that I have two manuscripts collecting rejection slips in New York it could be argued that I spend ALL my time writing stuff that no one will ever read, but I don’t want to go there.



Let me put it differently. Even my critique groups and first readers won’t read the pages I wrote yesterday. They’re… Continue

Cross posted to Working Stiffs

The guys from Pittsburgh’s SWAT team tried to convince us that their job isn’t glamorous, but let me tell you, they do get to play with some really cool stuff. Their presentation was so fascinating that while I started out scribbling notes like crazy, pretty soon I got so wrapped up in listening and watching the videos that I forgot to take notes! This is why I… Continue

Are you a good driver? Do you know the rules of the road? Then come over to Working Stiffs where today I report on week #7 of my Citizens' Police Academy experience and offer a quiz on driving laws we should all know.

(Cross posted to Writing, etc.)



Yesterday, after months of preparation, I played host for Pennwriters’ Firearms 101 for Writers Workshop. The workshop was a joint effort between Pennwriters’ Area 3, of which I am the representative, and Area 1, which is represented by Catherine McLean. Catherine took care of all the sweet treats and hot beverages, budgeting and registration. I took care of the presenters, lunch orders, and bottled… Continue

Last night I attended a booksigning for one of my very favorite authors, Laura Lippman. For a report on the evening and pictures, check out Writing, etc.

As Area 3 Rep for Pennwriters, part of my duties is putting on workshops on occasion. So this Sunday I am co-hosting (along with the Area 1--Erie--Rep) a Firearms 101 for Writers Workshop at the McDonald Sportsmen's Club. My husband and two of his cronies...errr...BUDDIES...are doing the presentations on weapons and firearms from the prehistoric all the way to modern police and military. It should be a lot of fun.

I've been attending the Pittsburgh Citizens' Police Academy for the last six weeks. Today and every Wednesday, I am posting about the experience over on Working Stiffs. Come on over and comment or ask a question.