Archive for October, 2006



The Appetizing Aroma of Blue Macaroni

My mom loved to change things up for dinner on Halloween.  She’d dye the macaroni blue, let the celery suck up some red into its veins, and give us green butter for our bread.  We all thought it was pretty cool, but we didn’t eat much. 
After reading this info on Color Matter, I’m thinking that […]

Year of the Dragon

According to the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, people (like myself) born in the year of the dragon are:

healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. (okay, all true so far) 
They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. (hmmm . . . hoping so)
Dragon people are the most eccentric of […]

Showing a New Face to the World

I’ve updated the site to include a picture of me, powdered and primped, and a new blurb on the ‘about me’ page.  Don’t all look at once–I get self-concious when everyone stares.

The Big Brain Theory

I came across these pictures of a brain and the universe and they got me suppositioning. 
Suppose the universe as we know it is all inside someone’s head?  That would certainly be one way God could know everything and be everywhere.
Suppose the universe is a collosal brain, and the big bang was the result of a brain cramp.  Or the […]

78 Reasons You Won’t Be Published, 14 Reasons You Might

I paraphrased the title, but that’s the rough idea.  It’s a self-help book for wannabe authors by Pat Walsh, and arguably the best of its kind.  I’m recommend this as a great gift to give or get this holiday season.
Reasons I’m raving:
It combines two very important elements.  First, the advice is concise and generally dead on.  I’m not (yet!) a […]

Talent: The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow’s End?

An article titled What It Takes to Be Great points to research findings that hard work and ‘deliberate practice’ decide the level of success someone will achieve, not talent.  Deliberate practice is defined as being “activity that’s explicitly intended to improve performance, that reaches for objectives just beyond one’s level of competence, provides feedback on […]

Suanne Scissorhands

After I took a long look at Warrior’s Flame I realized that the story didn’t really get going until page ten.  I bit my lip.  I looked the other way–and I cut it all.
The story is now 2,000+ words shorter, lookling slim and trim.
At least I won’t have trouble making those word count limits . . .
 

A Determined Ferret Thief

We’ve got family, friends, and the rest of the known universe dropping in for a visit over the next month, so we decided to clean the house. 
This is not a regular event around here, you must understand.  We keep the place reasonably clean–you won’t find anything dangerous or disgusting left out, the dishes get done, and […]

Within Walking Distance

One of the most misapplied statments in the English language. 
‘. . . a cozy little bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown shops . . .’ Think: A three mile hike over back fields with rabid dogs chasing at your heels.
‘ . . . just a short walk from the metro station . . .’ Think: toiling up a […]

This Week In Words (10-22-06)

Casket >n. a small ornamental box or chest for holding jewels, letters, or other valuable objects.
2. a coffin. 
Gradulations >n. a joyful or happy exuberance of feeling as passed from one person to another.  A congratulatory salutation which has associated meaning of the individuals having moved on or progressed to a new sphere.  (From the dictionary of […]