Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, Thoughts, today not so much, Writers, writing on March 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »
It’s the weekend and I feel I should be using my time for creative work, but instead I have a long and growing list taking up space in the back of my mind (and on Post-its fluttering from desk to pocket to pile). This list includes both the ignorable (“clean basement, for real this time”) and the not so much (“Taxes!”).
So I’ll just go take care of that, shall I?
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, creativity, Thoughts on March 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“I wanted what everyone wants. To be me, full-time.”
— Phil Knight
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, explainer, leap year, Thoughts on February 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Today is February 29th, the day that (usually) only comes once every four years. What is a Leap Year, why do we have them and how cool is it that our ancestors figured this out centuries ago?
How does leap day work? Your every-four-years refresher
“I think the significance of the leap year is that it’s a great reminder that the universe is really good at defying our attempts to devise nice and pretty and aesthetically pleasing systems to fit it in”
This video does a good job of illustrating why we leap, and what happens if we don’t!
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, persistence, some days, Thoughts, Writers, writing on February 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.”
― Steve Martin
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, espionage, Fiction, how to, master of disguise, spies, Thoughts, Writers, writing on February 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Today’s Now I Know (a fun free newsletter, recommended) talks about some of the fundamental elements of being a successful spy. Essentially, the key is to play a character as truthfully as possible.
When I moved to Canada I was suddenly surrounded by people and places that were just subtly different from what I was used to. The way people dress, talk, eat, smile, and yes, stand, are all signifiers of culture and place. It made me more conscious of what was the same and what was different, or what made me look at an actor in a commercial and immediately say, “Sooo Canadian!” when Mr Man didn’t register a difference.
Here’s the video referenced in the article, with Jonna Mendez, former CIA agent and Chief of Disguise:
What makes a character look “right” or not, or act as if they are rooted in a particular time and place? Understanding those fundamental cues is a great way to think about adding depth to stories and the characters who drive them.
While we’re here, Mendez also has a fun video critiquing scenes in spy movies, useful to anyone writing a story with espionage:
Alias for the win!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, help wanted, Mars, NASA, science, simulation on February 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Want to get away for a year or so? This job might be for you!
Martians Wanted: NASA Opens Call for Simulated Yearlong Mars Mission – NASA
NASA is seeking applicants to participate in its next simulated one-year Mars surface mission to help inform the agency’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet.
NASA is looking for healthy, motivated U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are non-smokers, 30-55 years old, and proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control. Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars.
The deadline for applicants is Tuesday, April 2.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, Thoughts on February 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »
My high school teacher accidentally gave me a lifelong mantra: “If you think you hate everyone, have something to eat. If you think everyone hates you, go to sleep.”
— Wendy Syfret
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, drabble, genre fiction, Thoughts, writing on February 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »
One of my first drabbles, originally published in Grand Science Fiction. Scroll right to read it in full.
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Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, courage, creativity, fear, inspiration, persistence, Thoughts on February 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
For anyone facing a challenge today, two quotes:
“…very often a risk is worth taking simply for the sake of taking it. There is something enlivening about expanding our self-definition, and a risk does exactly that. Selecting a challenge and meeting it creates a sense of self-empowerment that becomes the ground for further successful challenges.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
“So do it. If you win, you win, and if you lose, you win.”
— Jake La Motta, Raging Bull
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, adaptation, climate change, Thoughts on February 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »
One of our neighbors is installing a home generator. Our area has relatively stable power but events like the Great Power Out-ening of 2022 do tend to stick with you, and they have had it.
Now they’ll be equipped for a future of ice storms and high winds and general grief from the joys of climate change.
We do have a portable generator, but in case of another long-term outage event it’s nice to know that we can pop next door for a cup of electrons.
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