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Posts Tagged ‘inspiration’

With Feeling

Posted in Other, tagged , , , , on April 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“If you can’t do it with feeling—don’t.”

— Patsy Cline

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Photo by Allen Taylor on Unsplash

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If One Thing

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on April 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

What if one story one vase one photograph one ring or one whatever it is you do when you do art, were guaranteed to make it into the historical record? Sadly, you do not know which one thing that will be.

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Photo by Marcel Eberle on Unsplash

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Better with Magic

Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A phrase in a recent Storybundle promo caught my eye: “real life would be better if it had magic.”

Not that I actually think there are werewolves and vampires lurking around every corner, and I definitely believe in the power of science and all its wonders, but in general? I couldn’t agree more.

For me, magic is possibility. 

Magic is the sure and certain knowledge that while we like to think we know everything the world has to offer, we do not.

I find that encouraging. You may have noticed that our world has a number of pressing issues, from the social to the political to the environmental. It would be wonderful to be able to pull out a magic wand and make those problems go away, but that’s not how our magic works.

Our magic is anchored in reality. I’ve talked about this idea before, but think it bears repeating. Just like the best fantasy, it relies on people (that’s you and that’s me) who care about their family, their friends, and their communities. 

This form of magic is slower, yes, but surer. A rogue warlock can’t come along one day and upend everything we’ve worked for, just because he stole a forbidden spell from the archives of Alexandria-Under-Sea. (The Lernaean Hydra has been protecting those archives for centuries, thankfully! If you visit, tell him I sent you. And bring salmon snacks, he loves those.)

It also means that the problems and constraints we face today aren’t necessarily permanent. Not if we continue to study, to observe, to understand the world around us. (To quote Kurt Vonnegut, science is magic that works.) Not if we understand that every face is a mirror of our own humanity. Not if we are brave and focused and keep our eyes on our goals.

And if someone tells you that there is no hope? That you might as well give up?

Don’t listen to them.

So what if you’ve misplaced your magic wand. That’s ok, you can still be a hero. You can make your own magic.

Just embrace a world of possibilities. And then work to make it real.

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Photo by Lena Polishko on Unsplash

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Earth Day: What’s Good

Posted in Holidays, Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on April 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Today is work work work but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about what’s good for the planet. If you are looking for ideas on what to do and how to do it, check out the Earth Day 2024 website or this Earth Day Action Toolkit.

And for ideas on how interacting with nature can help change our perspective, here’s an article by documentary film maker and student of octopi Craig Foster:

Earth Day 2024: ‘Saving the Planet’ Is the Wrong Goal

I was gifted with a new way of seeing the day I got mugged underwater…

Note to self: do not swim with novel shiny things!

As we’re discussing octopi and how they see the world, let me also recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Is it fiction? Maybe!

(And yes, my favorite character was the octopus.)

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Photo by sheri silver on Unsplash

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Got the Munchies?

Posted in Food and..., Holidays, tagged , , , on April 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Maybe AI can help:

Food Mood — Google Arts & Culture

Get inspiration for your next meal and create new recipes mixing influences from two cuisines, generated with the help of Google AI.

I decided to mix Ireland and Sweden. On the face of it, at least, the basic concept of baked salmon and mashed potatoes wasn’t terrible (although the AI-generated image was a little off base).

Or break out the chips. You do you.

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Photo by Ryan Quintal on Unsplash

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Taxes and the (Not So) Grim Reaper

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

It’s that time again for Americans: Tax Day. Fun? Not really, although my taxes are done and I can rest easy knowing that I have contributed to the collective project that is civilization, and also won’t get a disturbing letter from the IRS.

It’s also a day when a lot of us could use more humor in our lives, which makes it a perfect excuse to promote my friend David Hankins’ new book, out today!

Death and the Taxman | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store!

Allies are few and hijinks are many in this hilarious race against time as the Grim Reaper himself tries to cheat death and avoid an audit by Hell’s Auditor and the Office of Micromanagement.

After sharing an ill-advised cup of tea with IRS auditor Frank Totmann, Grim finds himself trapped in Frank’s life amid a world of dangers: love, betrayal, reckless cabbies, implacable demon hunters, and the incessant needs that keep his body ticking . . . for now.

David’s writing is terrific, and this book is based on his award-winning short story of the same name. It’s great to see humorous fantasy done so well. Want a sample of his writing? Preview a chapter here.

Because when it comes to taxes, who doesn’t appreciate a laugh?

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Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash

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No Knights Need Apply

Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged , , , , on April 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Is your troll of boss driving you crazy? Are you tired of the backbreaking work involved in cleaning up after Medusa? Or having to answer three questions from the Sphinx before you can get through the employee entrance? I’m sorry (and may I suggest you add an axe of cold iron, a very shiny shield, and a riddle book to your daypack?).

Still, this job posting is here to remind you that things can always be worse!

Dragon Hoarding Enormous Pile of Treasure Seeks Unpaid Intern – McSweeney’s Internet Tendency

The work is not just coffee-fetching and gold-polishing — you will gain plenty of on-site experience. Past interns have been lucky enough to watch a knight be brutally murdered. Successful interns are detail-oriented, unafraid of random bursts of fire, and able to jump at least three vertical feet to avoid a swinging, razor-sharp reptilian tail.

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Photo by János Venczák on Unsplash

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In Pursuit

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on March 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

We’re out and about today, and I’m finding inspiration in both natural and human worlds. I don’t have time to get started right now, but I’ve got two story ideas competing for space in my head. I look forward to chasing them down soon.

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Photo by Karly Santiago on Unsplash

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Eclipse Fever

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By now you have probably heard that there will be a full eclipse of the Sun on April 8th. (If you haven’t, this is your public service announcement. The world is not ending and the Sun will return to its place in the sky. No wolves, dragons or demons are involved. The gods of sun and light just need to slip out for a quick break.) The next time this will happen in the contiguous US won’t be until 2044.

Millions of people will be able to view the eclipse. Here’s a map of the eclipse path:

NASA Eclipse Explorer

Keep in mind, of course, that even those outside the path of totality will be able to view a partial eclipse. 

When will it happen? Here’s a table, with another map. Because I like maps.

Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 (Great North American Eclipse )

If you will be able to view this super cool space phenomenon, then you’ll want to get your hands on some eclipse glasses.

How safe are your solar eclipse glasses? Cheap fakes from online marketplaces pose a threat, supply-chain experts say

Of course, we now know that the Sun isn’t really eaten during an eclipse. Instead, it does what it always does: rain ultraviolet rays on everything in its path. That’s why you should never look at a solar eclipse without protective eyewear.

And if you are in charge of kids on April 8th (or adults, we should have sciencey fun too!) consider the ideas in this article:

How Schools Can Turn the Solar Eclipse Into an Unforgettable Science Lesson

If the weather cooperates, science students of all ages could be in for quite a show on April 8. The first sign will be a sudden temperature drop. The sky will darken, and winds will shift. A dark shadow will appear on the horizon. Faint waves of light may waft across the ground. A ring of bright light will shine from the outer edges of the otherwise darkened sun. Then the moon will cover the sun completely and, for a few seconds, a thin red layer may appear around its outer rim.

And just for fun, here’s a little something for your ears, too:

Listen to the Eclipse Song Made by the Sound of Light of an Eclipse

Ok, that’s a little edgy. But still fascinating!

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Photo by Bryan Goff on Unsplash

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The Nebula Award Finalists

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2024| 1 Comment »

Fun, new reading recommendations! SFWA Announces the Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards – SFWA

Here are links to the short story and novelette finalists. Most are free to read. For the full list with info links (including those below), see Finalists for the 59th Nebula Awards | MetaFilter.

Nebula Award for Novelette

Nebula Award for Short Story

I read this delightful short by R.S.A. Garcia with lunch: Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 – Uncanny Magazine

You could meet him if you want but take off the recorder first. I tell you my story, but you have to ask him if you want to hear his.

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Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash

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