Interesting Art, books, and computer stuff

Let's see: semi-random stuff that I picked up along the way this week and thought you all might be interested in!

First of all, I'm blogging at the Mad Genius Club today (I'm there every Saturday, for the few who don't already know) about backing up your files, your computer, and creating a deep defense against loss of data. It takes some time (and money) to set up, but I feel so much better knowing I'm not going to lose everything. Like the poor people in the video I lead that post with... you should watch that! 

Secondly, I found a link to salmon skin coats at Peter Grant's blog, and was blown away by the artistry involved. I don't know if I'll be able to work one into the East Witch, but I'm going to try! Digging into it, I found that fish skin was used to make boots, hoods, and bags. For it's waterproof properties, it was a wonderful material, but I can't imagine working with it, so delicate! 

I may have to write a new version of Red Riding Hood. (Yuraryaraq/Woman's hood made of strips of dyed fish skin, from the Yukon.)

I've been reading my way through the Siri Paiboun mysteries, written by Colin Cotterill. The setting caught my eye - they are taking place in late 1970s Laos - and the protagonist is most unusual, being a septuagenarian doctor turned reluctant coroner. The books are wry, witty, and usually fun to read - the exception being the chilling tale set in the midst of the Khmer Rouge killing fields, and the author pulls no punches on it. I would recommend it with reservations, unlike the others it's not silly with a bit of slapstick, it is nightmare-making. I didn't start with Book 1, since I've been checking these out from my online library as they come available, so I've read books out of order and willy-nilly, but that's ok. The characters progress in life but the stories are all stand-alone. I recommend them to anyone looking for murder mysteries with an exotic backdrop and an unflinching look at the gritty realities of living in a communist country with no way out of it.