"A Civil Campaign: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel" by Lois McMaster Bujold
https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Campaign-Lois-McMaster-Bujold/dp/0671578855/

Book number fourteen (in chronological order) of an eighteen book space
opera series. However, some people call this a military science fiction
series. There are several other books and short stories in the
Vorkosigan Universe. This series won the Hugo and Nebula awards for
best series in 2017. Also, several of the individual books in the
series have either won awards or been nominated for awards. This book
was nominated for the 2000 Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel. I
have read this book at least twice. I reread the well printed and well
bound new MMPB published by Baen in 2000 that I just rebought on Amazon
(the second printing !). I have rebought the rest of the books in the
series in MMPB.

Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan has sent his sights on Ekaterin
Vorsoisson, a widow whom he met on Komarr while investigating the
soletta space mirror destruction. She was not a widow when he met her
and her husband died while with Miles, chained in the deadly Komarrian
outdoors when his breath mask ran out of oxygen and power.

Unfortunately, due to the influence of interstellar technology, the
people on Barrayar elected to have more male children than female
children instead of the natural progression of nearly 50:50. The
resulting 60:40 split of men to women has left many young men desperate
to find a mate. The resulting confusion and one-upmanships has even
affected the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson during her mourning year when she
is supposed to be left alone. Not so and even Miles has joined in,
treating the pursuit of Ekaterin as a military campaign in his desperation.

Vorkosigan Saga (Chronological) by Lois McMaster Bujold
https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-saga-chronological
1. Dreamweaver's Dilemma
2. Falling Free
3. Shards of Honor
4. Barrayar
5. The Warrior's Apprentice
6. The Borders of Infinity (The Mountains of Mourning, etc)
7. The Vor Game
8. Cetaganda
9. Ethan Of Athos
10. Brothers in Arms
11. Mirror Dance
12. Memory
13. Komarr
14. A Civil Campaign
15. Diplomatic Immunity
16. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
17. CryoBurn
18. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (439 reviews)

Lynn

This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.

On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.

And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the attempted
arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran Detective.

Lynn

On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
> > This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.
> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the attempted
> arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran Detective.

Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!

Peter Wezeman
anti-social Darwinist

On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT), "peterwezeman@hotmail.com"
<peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>> > This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the attempted
>> arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran Detective.
>
>Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>

My favourite was Gregor's:
"This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to my
negative attention on matters touching political concerns. Remind us
to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where he can be less
busy."

I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something based on
this into a team meeting.

--
Jerry Brown

A cat may look at a king
(but probably won't bother)

On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT), "peterwezeman@hotmail.com"
> <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the attempted
>>> arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran Detective.
>>
>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>
>
> My favourite was Gregor's:
> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to my
> negative attention on matters touching political concerns. Remind us
> to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where he can be less
> busy."
>
> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something based on
> this into a team meeting.

I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good management. If
they don't respect you then make them fear you has worked for me in
tough situations over the years.

Lynn

Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:

> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>> wrote:
>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
>>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
>>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
>>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>> Detective.
>>>
>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>
>>
>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
>> he can be less busy."
>>
>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>> based on this into a team meeting.
>
> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>
I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
you.

--
Terry Austin

Proof that Alan Baker is a liar and a fool, and even stupider than
Lynn:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.

On Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 6:19:17 PM UTC-4, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:se74g9$90j$1...@dont-email.me:
> > On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
> >> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
> >> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
> >>> wrote:
> >>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
> >>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
> >>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
> >>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
> >>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
> >>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
> >>>> Detective.
> >>>
> >>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
> >>>
> >>
> >> My favourite was Gregor's:
> >> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
> >> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
> >> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
> >> he can be less busy."
> >>
> >> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
> >> based on this into a team meeting.
> >
> > I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
> > management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
> > has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
> >
> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
> you.

The internet assigns it to Caligula, though I have my doubts. I'm pretty sure his
uncle Tiberius said "I don't care if they hate me, as long as they fear me", which
is also attributed to Caligula.

When I worked at GE they seemed to have the same philosophy. I have never seen
a company so brazenly robbed by its employees.

William Hyde

On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 9:09:32 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
> > This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene alone is worth the price of the book.
> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the attempted
> arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran Detective.
>
I'm also found of the scene in which certain people find out what happens when they gave a hard time to a 10-year-old who has an important person's private phone number.

In article <XnsAD799BD887648taustincagmailcom@85.12.62.245>,
Ninapenda Jibini <taustinca@gmail.com> wrote:
>Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
>>>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
>>>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
>>>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>>> Detective.
>>>>
>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>
>>>
>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
>>> he can be less busy."
>>>
>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>>> based on this into a team meeting.
>>
>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>
>I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>you.
>
There's always Sun Tzu.

--
Dorothy J. Heydt
Vallejo, California
djheydt at gmail dot com
Www.kithrup.com/~djheydt/

In article <1369d1ba-9976-4d03-8c78-0555155a2430n@googlegroups.com>,
William Hyde <wthyde1953@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 6:19:17 PM UTC-4, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:se74g9$90j$1...@dont-email.me:
>> > On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>> >> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>> >> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>> >>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
>> >>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
>> >>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
>> >>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
>> >>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>> >>>> Detective.
>> >>>
>> >>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> My favourite was Gregor's:
>> >> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>> >> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>> >> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
>> >> he can be less busy."
>> >>
>> >> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>> >> based on this into a team meeting.
>> >
>> > I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>> > management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>> > has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>> >
>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>> you.
>
>The internet assigns it to Caligula, though I have my doubts. I'm
>pretty sure his
>uncle Tiberius said "I don't care if they hate me, as long as they fear
>me", which
>is also attributed to Caligula.

A quick google attributes it to a character in a play by Lucius
Accius.

"Cicero recorded having met Accius in his youth and having seen
his plays, which he admired and often quoted, including the
famous line from Accius's Atreus, "Oderint, dum metuant!" ("Let
them hate so long as they fear"), a motto that is said to have
appealed to the tyrant Caligula."

It would've appealed to a lot of others.

--
Dorothy J. Heydt
Vallejo, California
djheydt at gmail dot com
Www.kithrup.com/~djheydt/

William Hyde <wthyde1953@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1369d1ba-9976-4d03-8c78-0555155a2430n@googlegroups.com:

> On Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 6:19:17 PM UTC-4, Ninapenda Jibini
> wrote:
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:se74g9$90j$1...@dont-email.me:
>> > On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>> >> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>> >> "peterw...@hotmail.com" <peterw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn
>> >>> McGuire wrote:
>> >>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>> >>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of
>> >>>>> the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party
>> >>>>> scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>> >>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by
>> >>>> the attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the
>> >>>> Escobaran Detective.
>> >>>
>> >>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> My favourite was Gregor's:
>> >> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come
>> >> to my negative attention on matters touching political
>> >> concerns. Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the
>> >> Empire where he can be less busy."
>> >>
>> >> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>> >> based on this into a team meeting.
>> >
>> > I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>> > management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>> > has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>> >
>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>> you.
>
> The internet assigns it to Caligula, though I have my doubts.
> I'm pretty sure his uncle Tiberius said "I don't care if they
> hate me, as long as they fear me", which is also attributed to
> Caligula.
>
The premise in The Prince is that it is preferable for the prince
to be feared rather than loved. He formalized it, perhaps, for his
time, but you are correct that it wasn't an original thought.

> When I worked at GE they seemed to have the same philosophy. I
> have never seen a company so brazenly robbed by its employees.

Different rules apply in an employment situation, since it's rather
easier to choose a new employer than it is a new government.

--
Terry Austin

Proof that Alan Baker is a liar and a fool, and even stupider than
Lynn:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.

On 8/1/2021 4:26 PM, Dorothy J Heydt wrote:
> In article <XnsAD799BD887648taustincagmailcom@85.12.62.245>,
> Ninapenda Jibini <taustinca@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
>>>>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
>>>>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
>>>>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>>>> Detective.
>>>>>
>>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>>>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>>>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
>>>> he can be less busy."
>>>>
>>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>>>> based on this into a team meeting.
>>>
>>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>>> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>>
>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>> you.
>>
> There's always Sun Tzu.
>
Or Mark Twain.

--
Troll, troll, troll your post gently down the thread
Angrily, angrily, angrily, the net's a nut's scream.

On 8/1/2021 5:19 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of the
>>>>>> funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party scene
>>>>>> alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by the
>>>>> attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>>> Detective.
>>>>
>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>
>>>
>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire where
>>> he can be less busy."
>>>
>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>>> based on this into a team meeting.
>>
>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>
> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
> you.

Have you ever managed people ?

It is amazing to me how I could tell somebody that they had to get a
task done, they would parrot the details back to me, then walk off and
do something totally different. I would come back the next day and they
would say, oh I am going to start that right now. And I would say nope,
you are not, you are walking the street. And the rest of them get busy
on their given tasks.

Salespeople are the worst at getting things done. Followed closely by
software engineers. I have been doing this for 46 years, I ought to
write a book about my experiences (would be boring !). But I swore
after book #5 that I would never write another book. Shoot, I have paid
out over $20 million in salaries over the last 26 years alone.

Lynn

Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
news:se7kkh$1ua$1@dont-email.me:

> On 8/1/2021 5:19 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of
>>>>>>> the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party
>>>>>>> scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by
>>>>>> the attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>>>> Detective.
>>>>>
>>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>>>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>>>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire
>>>> where he can be less busy."
>>>>
>>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>>>> based on this into a team meeting.
>>>
>>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>>> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>>
>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>> you.
>
> Have you ever managed people ?

Yes.

Have you ever been royalty in a monarchy?
>
> It is amazing to me how I could tell somebody that they had to
> get a task done, they would parrot the details back to me, then
> walk off and do something totally different.

Indeed. The rare few who can actually follow directions while I'm
still on the phone with them are a treasure.

I would come back
> the next day and they would say, oh I am going to start that
> right now. And I would say nope, you are not, you are walking
> the street. And the rest of them get busy on their given tasks.

I know a guy who treated his dice that way in a miniatures game.
When a pair rolled badly, it was "All dice on deck to witness
punishment," and he'd smash the offending pair with a hammer. And
inevitably, the rest would roll very well for the rest of the
night.
>
> Salespeople are the worst at getting things done. Followed
> closely by software engineers.

Try working in retail for a too many years. Have you ever had to
teach a cashier how to count money?

> I have been doing this for 46
> years, I ought to write a book about my experiences (would be
> boring !). But I swore after book #5 that I would never write
> another book. Shoot, I have paid out over $20 million in
> salaries over the last 26 years alone.
>
Less than million a year? We pay more than that a month (without
bonuses, which are less than last year, but not by nearly as much
as I expected).

--
Terry Austin

Proof that Alan Baker is a liar and a fool, and even stupider than
Lynn:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration

"Terry Austin: like the polio vaccine, only with more asshole."
-- David Bilek

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.

On 8/1/2021 9:59 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:se7kkh$1ua$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 8/1/2021 5:19 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
>>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>>> news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>>>
>>>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn McGuire
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of
>>>>>>>> the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party
>>>>>>>> scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by
>>>>>>> the attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the Escobaran
>>>>>>> Detective.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come to
>>>>> my negative attention on matters touching political concerns.
>>>>> Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the Empire
>>>>> where he can be less busy."
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work something
>>>>> based on this into a team meeting.
>>>>
>>>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>>>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear you
>>>> has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>>>
>>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed with
>>> you.
>>
>> Have you ever managed people ?
>
> Yes.
>
> Have you ever been royalty in a monarchy?
>>
>> It is amazing to me how I could tell somebody that they had to
>> get a task done, they would parrot the details back to me, then
>> walk off and do something totally different.
>
> Indeed. The rare few who can actually follow directions while I'm
> still on the phone with them are a treasure.
>
> I would come back
>> the next day and they would say, oh I am going to start that
>> right now. And I would say nope, you are not, you are walking
>> the street. And the rest of them get busy on their given tasks.
>
> I know a guy who treated his dice that way in a miniatures game.
> When a pair rolled badly, it was "All dice on deck to witness
> punishment," and he'd smash the offending pair with a hammer. And
> inevitably, the rest would roll very well for the rest of the
> night.
>>
>> Salespeople are the worst at getting things done. Followed
>> closely by software engineers.
>
> Try working in retail for a too many years. Have you ever had to
> teach a cashier how to count money?
>
>> I have been doing this for 46
>> years, I ought to write a book about my experiences (would be
>> boring !). But I swore after book #5 that I would never write
>> another book. Shoot, I have paid out over $20 million in
>> salaries over the last 26 years alone.
>>
> Less than million a year? We pay more than that a month (without
> bonuses, which are less than last year, but not by nearly as much
> as I expected).

Hey, I like the dice execution guy.

And royalty have a really bad habit of cutting people's heads off. Not
nice.

Since we write and sell engineering software to the general public of
the planet, where the USA government allows us to, we are retail. Our
business ebbs and flows with the crude oil and natural gas markets.

Lynn

Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
news:se9je9$gbl$1@dont-email.me:

> On 8/1/2021 9:59 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:se7kkh$1ua$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> On 8/1/2021 5:19 PM, Ninapenda Jibini wrote:
>>>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote in
>>>> news:se74g9$90j$1@dont-email.me:
>>>>
>>>>> On 8/1/2021 3:49 PM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>>>>>> On Sun, 1 Aug 2021 12:01:32 -0700 (PDT),
>>>>>> "peterwezeman@hotmail.com" <peterwezeman@hotmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 8:09:32 PM UTC-5, Lynn
>>>>>>> McGuire wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 7/31/2021 6:47 PM, Martin wrote:
>>>>>>>>> This is my favorite of the Vorkosigan books, and one of
>>>>>>>>> the funniest SF novels I've ever read. The dinner party
>>>>>>>>> scene alone is worth the price of the book.
>>>>>>>> And the butter bug war at the Vorkosigan house started by
>>>>>>>> the attempted arrest of Dr. Enrique Borgos by the
>>>>>>>> Escobaran Detective.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Better Butter Bugs for a Brighter Barrayar!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My favourite was Gregor's:
>>>>>> "This is the third time this month that [spoiler] has come
>>>>>> to my negative attention on matters touching political
>>>>>> concerns. Remind us to find a post for him somewhere in the
>>>>>> Empire where he can be less busy."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've been trying for decades to find a way to work
>>>>>> something based on this into a team meeting.
>>>>>
>>>>> I loved that also! I must admit, that is a sign of good
>>>>> management. If they don't respect you then make them fear
>>>>> you has worked for me in tough situations over the years.
>>>>>
>>>> I hear a chap named Machiavelli might possibly have agreed
>>>> with you.
>>>
>>> Have you ever managed people ?
>>
>> Yes.
>>
>> Have you ever been royalty in a monarchy?
>>>
>>> It is amazing to me how I could tell somebody that they had to
>>> get a task done, they would parrot the details back to me,
>>> then walk off and do something totally different.
>>
>> Indeed. The rare few who can actually follow directions while
>> I'm still on the phone with them are a treasure.
>>
>> I would come back
>>> the next day and they would say, oh I am going to start that
>>> right now. And I would say nope, you are not, you are walking
>>> the street. And the rest of them get busy on their given
>>> tasks.
>>
>> I know a guy who treated his dice that way in a miniatures
>> game. When a pair rolled badly, it was "All dice on deck to
>> witness punishment," and he'd smash the offending pair with a
>> hammer. And inevitably, the rest would roll very well for the
>> rest of the night.
>>>
>>> Salespeople are the worst at getting things done. Followed
>>> closely by software engineers.
>>
>> Try working in retail for a too many years. Have you ever had
>> to teach a cashier how to count money?
>>
>>> I have been doing this for 46
>>> years, I ought to write a book about my experiences (would be
>>> boring !). But I swore after book #5 that I would never write
>>> another book. Shoot, I have paid out over $20 million in
>>> salaries over the last 26 years alone.
>>>
>> Less than million a year? We pay more than that a month
>> (without bonuses, which are less than last year, but not by
>> nearly as much as I expected).
>
> Hey, I like the dice execution guy.

The whole idea had a certain charm. Seemed to work better than the
other guy, who would (the game in question was played in a garage)
throw the dice into the gutter on the other side of the street, and
when he ran out of dice, go try to find a pair from previous weeks.
>
> And royalty have a really bad habit of cutting people's heads
> off. Not nice.

And sometimes, the royalty got *their* heads cut off. Which still
wasn't nice.
>
> Since we write and sell engineering software to the general
> public of the planet, where the USA government allows us to, we
> are retail.

Not like we are.

> Our business ebbs and flows with the crude oil and
> natural gas markets.
>
Ours ebbs and flows with the economy in general, but generally in
the opposite direction.

--
Terry Austin

Proof that Alan Baker is a liar and a fool, and even stupider than
Lynn:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration
(May 2019 total for people arrested for entering the United States
illegally is over 132,000 for just the southwest border.)

Vacation photos from Iceland:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/collection/QaXQkB

On 7/31/2021 4:19 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> "A Civil Campaign: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel" by Lois McMaster Bujold
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Campaign-Lois-McMaster-Bujold/dp/0671578855/
>
> Book number fourteen (in chronological order) of an eighteen book space
> opera series.  However, some people call this a military science fiction
> series.  There are several other books and short stories in the
> Vorkosigan Universe.  This series won the Hugo and Nebula awards for
> best series in 2017.  Also, several of the individual books in the
> series have either won awards or been nominated for awards.  This book
> was nominated for the 2000 Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel.  I
> have read this book at least twice.  I reread the well printed and well
> bound new MMPB published by Baen in 2000 that I just rebought on Amazon
> (the second printing !).  I have rebought the rest of the books in the
> series in MMPB.
>
> Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan has sent his sights on Ekaterin
> Vorsoisson, a widow whom he met on Komarr while investigating the
> soletta space mirror destruction.  She was not a widow when he met her
> and her husband died while with Miles, chained in the deadly Komarrian
> outdoors when his breath mask ran out of oxygen and power.
>
> Unfortunately, due to the influence of interstellar technology, the
> people on Barrayar elected to have more male children than female
> children instead of the natural progression of nearly 50:50.  The
> resulting 60:40 split of men to women has left many young men desperate
> to find a mate.  The resulting confusion and one-upmanships has even
> affected the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson during her mourning year when she
> is supposed to be left alone.  Not so and even Miles has joined in,
> treating the pursuit of Ekaterin as a military campaign in his desperation.
>
> Vorkosigan Saga (Chronological) by Lois McMaster Bujold
>    https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-saga-chronological
> 1. Dreamweaver's Dilemma
> 2. Falling Free
> 3. Shards of Honor
> 4. Barrayar
> 5. The Warrior's Apprentice
> 6. The Borders of Infinity (The Mountains of Mourning, etc)
> 7. The Vor Game
> 8. Cetaganda
> 9. Ethan Of Athos
> 10. Brothers in Arms
> 11. Mirror Dance
> 12. Memory
> 13. Komarr
> 14. A Civil Campaign
> 15. Diplomatic Immunity
> 16. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
> 17. CryoBurn
> 18. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
>
> My rating:  6 out of 5 stars
> Amazon rating:  4.7 out of 5 stars (439 reviews)
>
> Lynn

I forgot to mention that I have an alternate title for this book,
"Miles: A Comedy of Errors". Yes, I stole that from Robert Heinlein.
Always steal from the best !

Lynn

In article <seaa41$h6d$1@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 7/31/2021 4:19 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> > "A Civil Campaign: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel" by Lois McMaster Bujold
> >
> > https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Campaign-Lois-McMaster-Bujold/dp/0671578855/
> >
> > Book number fourteen (in chronological order) of an eighteen book space
> > opera series.  However, some people call this a military science fiction
> > series.  There are several other books and short stories in the
> > Vorkosigan Universe.  This series won the Hugo and Nebula awards for
> > best series in 2017.  Also, several of the individual books in the
> > series have either won awards or been nominated for awards.  This book
> > was nominated for the 2000 Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel.  I
> > have read this book at least twice.  I reread the well printed and well
> > bound new MMPB published by Baen in 2000 that I just rebought on Amazon
> > (the second printing !).  I have rebought the rest of the books in the
> > series in MMPB.
> >
> > Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan has sent his sights on Ekaterin
> > Vorsoisson, a widow whom he met on Komarr while investigating the
> > soletta space mirror destruction.  She was not a widow when he met her
> > and her husband died while with Miles, chained in the deadly Komarrian
> > outdoors when his breath mask ran out of oxygen and power.
> >
> > Unfortunately, due to the influence of interstellar technology, the
> > people on Barrayar elected to have more male children than female
> > children instead of the natural progression of nearly 50:50.  The
> > resulting 60:40 split of men to women has left many young men desperate
> > to find a mate.  The resulting confusion and one-upmanships has even
> > affected the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson during her mourning year when she
> > is supposed to be left alone.  Not so and even Miles has joined in,
> > treating the pursuit of Ekaterin as a military campaign in his desperation.
> >
> > Vorkosigan Saga (Chronological) by Lois McMaster Bujold
> >    https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-saga-chronological
> > 1. Dreamweaver's Dilemma
> > 2. Falling Free
> > 3. Shards of Honor
> > 4. Barrayar
> > 5. The Warrior's Apprentice
> > 6. The Borders of Infinity (The Mountains of Mourning, etc)
> > 7. The Vor Game
> > 8. Cetaganda
> > 9. Ethan Of Athos
> > 10. Brothers in Arms
> > 11. Mirror Dance
> > 12. Memory
> > 13. Komarr
> > 14. A Civil Campaign
> > 15. Diplomatic Immunity
> > 16. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
> > 17. CryoBurn
> > 18. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
> >
> > My rating:  6 out of 5 stars
> > Amazon rating:  4.7 out of 5 stars (439 reviews)
> >
> > Lynn
>
> I forgot to mention that I have an alternate title for this book,
> "Miles: A Comedy of Errors". Yes, I stole that from Robert Heinlein.
> Always steal from the best !
>

Note that Heinlein stole it from James Branch Cabell.

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
—-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com

On Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 12:57:48 AM UTC-4, Robert Woodward wrote:
> In article <seaa41$h6d$1...@dont-email.me>,
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On 7/31/2021 4:19 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> > > "A Civil Campaign: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel" by Lois McMaster Bujold
> > >
> > > https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Campaign-Lois-McMaster-Bujold/dp/0671578855/
> > >
> > > Book number fourteen (in chronological order) of an eighteen book space
> > > opera series. However, some people call this a military science fiction
> > > series. There are several other books and short stories in the
> > > Vorkosigan Universe. This series won the Hugo and Nebula awards for
> > > best series in 2017. Also, several of the individual books in the
> > > series have either won awards or been nominated for awards. This book
> > > was nominated for the 2000 Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel. I
> > > have read this book at least twice. I reread the well printed and well
> > > bound new MMPB published by Baen in 2000 that I just rebought on Amazon
> > > (the second printing !). I have rebought the rest of the books in the
> > > series in MMPB.
> > >
> > > Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan has sent his sights on Ekaterin
> > > Vorsoisson, a widow whom he met on Komarr while investigating the
> > > soletta space mirror destruction. She was not a widow when he met her
> > > and her husband died while with Miles, chained in the deadly Komarrian
> > > outdoors when his breath mask ran out of oxygen and power.
> > >
> > > Unfortunately, due to the influence of interstellar technology, the
> > > people on Barrayar elected to have more male children than female
> > > children instead of the natural progression of nearly 50:50. The
> > > resulting 60:40 split of men to women has left many young men desperate
> > > to find a mate. The resulting confusion and one-upmanships has even
> > > affected the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson during her mourning year when she
> > > is supposed to be left alone. Not so and even Miles has joined in,
> > > treating the pursuit of Ekaterin as a military campaign in his desperation.
> > >
> > > Vorkosigan Saga (Chronological) by Lois McMaster Bujold
> > > https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-saga-chronological
> > > 1. Dreamweaver's Dilemma
> > > 2. Falling Free
> > > 3. Shards of Honor
> > > 4. Barrayar
> > > 5. The Warrior's Apprentice
> > > 6. The Borders of Infinity (The Mountains of Mourning, etc)
> > > 7. The Vor Game
> > > 8. Cetaganda
> > > 9. Ethan Of Athos
> > > 10. Brothers in Arms
> > > 11. Mirror Dance
> > > 12. Memory
> > > 13. Komarr
> > > 14. A Civil Campaign
> > > 15. Diplomatic Immunity
> > > 16. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
> > > 17. CryoBurn
> > > 18. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
> > >
> > > My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
> > > Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (439 reviews)
> > >
> > > Lynn
> >
> > I forgot to mention that I have an alternate title for this book,
> > "Miles: A Comedy of Errors". Yes, I stole that from Robert Heinlein.
> > Always steal from the best !
> >
> Note that Heinlein stole it from James Branch Cabell.
>
> --
> "We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement." "
> Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
> —-----------------------------------------------------
> Robert Woodward robe...@drizzle.com

The book's full title is actually "A Civil Campaign: A Comedy of Biology and Manners".

On 8/3/2021 9:50 AM, Martin wrote:
> On Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 12:57:48 AM UTC-4, Robert Woodward wrote:
>> In article <seaa41$h6d$1...@dont-email.me>,
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/31/2021 4:19 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>>> "A Civil Campaign: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel" by Lois McMaster Bujold
>>>>
>>>> https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Campaign-Lois-McMaster-Bujold/dp/0671578855/
>>>>
>>>> Book number fourteen (in chronological order) of an eighteen book space
>>>> opera series. However, some people call this a military science fiction
>>>> series. There are several other books and short stories in the
>>>> Vorkosigan Universe. This series won the Hugo and Nebula awards for
>>>> best series in 2017. Also, several of the individual books in the
>>>> series have either won awards or been nominated for awards. This book
>>>> was nominated for the 2000 Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel. I
>>>> have read this book at least twice. I reread the well printed and well
>>>> bound new MMPB published by Baen in 2000 that I just rebought on Amazon
>>>> (the second printing !). I have rebought the rest of the books in the
>>>> series in MMPB.
>>>>
>>>> Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan has sent his sights on Ekaterin
>>>> Vorsoisson, a widow whom he met on Komarr while investigating the
>>>> soletta space mirror destruction. She was not a widow when he met her
>>>> and her husband died while with Miles, chained in the deadly Komarrian
>>>> outdoors when his breath mask ran out of oxygen and power.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, due to the influence of interstellar technology, the
>>>> people on Barrayar elected to have more male children than female
>>>> children instead of the natural progression of nearly 50:50. The
>>>> resulting 60:40 split of men to women has left many young men desperate
>>>> to find a mate. The resulting confusion and one-upmanships has even
>>>> affected the widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson during her mourning year when she
>>>> is supposed to be left alone. Not so and even Miles has joined in,
>>>> treating the pursuit of Ekaterin as a military campaign in his desperation.
>>>>
>>>> Vorkosigan Saga (Chronological) by Lois McMaster Bujold
>>>> https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-saga-chronological
>>>> 1. Dreamweaver's Dilemma
>>>> 2. Falling Free
>>>> 3. Shards of Honor
>>>> 4. Barrayar
>>>> 5. The Warrior's Apprentice
>>>> 6. The Borders of Infinity (The Mountains of Mourning, etc)
>>>> 7. The Vor Game
>>>> 8. Cetaganda
>>>> 9. Ethan Of Athos
>>>> 10. Brothers in Arms
>>>> 11. Mirror Dance
>>>> 12. Memory
>>>> 13. Komarr
>>>> 14. A Civil Campaign
>>>> 15. Diplomatic Immunity
>>>> 16. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
>>>> 17. CryoBurn
>>>> 18. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
>>>>
>>>> My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
>>>> Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (439 reviews)
>>>>
>>>> Lynn
>>>
>>> I forgot to mention that I have an alternate title for this book,
>>> "Miles: A Comedy of Errors". Yes, I stole that from Robert Heinlein.
>>> Always steal from the best !
>>>
>> Note that Heinlein stole it from James Branch Cabell.
>>
>> --
>> "We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement.""
>> Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
>> —-----------------------------------------------------
>> Robert Woodward robe...@drizzle.com
>
> The book's full title is actually "A Civil Campaign: A Comedy of Biology and Manners".

Checks book. And so you are correct, it is not on the cover of the MMPB
though.

Lynn