Wit, Words, and Joie de Vivre

Cigarette vending machines in Japan may soon start counting wrinkles, crow's feet and skin sags to see if the customer is old enough to smoke.

I picked up a wonderful fleece for spinning today.  DH carded some of it for me while I was teaching someone to spin, and he laughed and said, "This fleece is so nice I only need to run it through the cards once, but I'm doing it twice because I feel like I'm cheating!"
The fleece is VERY easy to card as I found out later, and is a lovely white with golden undertones, though that may change once it's washed. Still, some fleeces have a cold color, and others are warm looking, and this one looks very warm.
I'm planning on doing some dying with it.

Just for kicks, I made a pair of knitting needles today, too.  I think they turned out pretty good.  I look forward to trying them out.

Hi there! Here's a couple o' things I picked up today!



Godspell vinyl- $1 at Savers
I was just in this show and I love it with all of me!



bag- $5 at yard sale.
The lady I bought it from said it was made from an old Navajo blanket.

As always, thanks for looking!

The setting in question is a Steampunk world based roughly on 1890s Europe and America, the heroes come from the Britain equivalent, but they are familiar with American laws. I am assuming that they won't see anything wrong with risks and behaviours we would consider outrageous, but even they would draw the line somewhere.

My questions are as follows:

When did the first reckless endangerment laws come about?

In what way, if any, did they differ from modern reckless endangerment laws?

Are there any other laws that could be used against someone who has placed another human being in very grave danger?

I have tried googling it but I couldn't find anything useful that way.

EDIT: Removed the example since it only confused the issue.

I'm trying to write about a cage fighter, but he's not a professional by any means, and wiki only seems to have information on the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This guy is trying to stay under the radar, so he won't be doing anything very highly regulated. I'm wondering- what are the basic rules? What kind of money can he expect?

Thanks!

I've googled "Cage fighting" and "Bare knuckle boxing", and wiki'd the same.

conditioner
broke.

Now buying fans.

13 words not found in the English language

1. Waldeinsamkeit (German): the feeling of being alone in the woods

2. Ilunga (Tshiluba, Congo): a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time

3. Taarradhin (Arabic): a way of resolving a problem without anyone losing face (not the same as our concept of a compromise - everyone wins)

4. Litost (Czech): a state of torment created by the sudden sight of one’s own misery

5. Esprit de l’escalier (French): a witty remark that occurs to you too late, literally on the way down the stairs…

6. Meraki (Greek): doing something with soul, creativity, or love

7. Yoko meshi (Japanese): literally ‘a meal eaten sideways’, referring to the peculiar stress induced by speaking a foreign language:

8. Duende (Spanish): a climactic show of spirit in a performance or work of art, which might be fulfilled in flamenco dancing, or bull-fighting, etc.

9. Guanxi (Mandarin): in traditional Chinese society, you would build up good guanxi by giving gifts to people, taking them to dinner, or doing them a favour, but you can also use up your gianxi by asking for a favour to be repaid.

10. Pochemuchka (Russian): a person who asks a lot of questions

11. Tingo (Pascuense language of Easter Island): to borrow objects one by one from a neighbour’s house until there is nothing left

12. Radioukacz (Polish): a person who worked as a telegraphist for the resistance movements on the Soviet side of the Iron Curtain

13. Selathirupavar (Tamil): a word used to define a certain type of absence without official leave in face of duty

Here are some random things I've sketched so far this weekend!

First of all, some of my stories don't get enough art love from me, so I tried to remedy that situation a little bit.

( Angora Fix. )

( Lost Princes. )

Uh, then I was doodling a bit of silly crossover fanart for alexds1, who was the winner of my icon contest.

( Meekheart. )

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Random writing related stuff:
My guest blog was posted over at Witchy Chicks.  I rambled on the process of a book going from my mind to a bookstore/library shelf.

Harper did this video thing, & they posted it.  It's already been on Amazon for a while & on my website under media.

Booksigning Today
Today I had a signing at Borders Woodbridge (in Northern VA, abt 30 minutes south of DC at the giant shopping area off the interstate) which was just good fun. 


Random Thoughts on book signings:

 Jury Duty, Motorcycle Attire, & the Library of Congress
I'm in a mood tonight. . .  I've hit restless this evening, but there's no solution just now.   The book-currently-without-a-name (previously Enthralled) will be returned to the editors again by close of business Monday.  . . which is good bc I'm to report for jury duty on Wednesday.  Of course, as much as I want to be a responsible citizen . . . I'm really hoping to be sent back home bc I wanna go play.  Yes, I know that's horrible of me.  Being a Responsible Adult means I'll go & do my part, but it doesn't mean that the urge not to is gone.  Submitting book=treat time and somehow sitting at a courthouse doesn't feel like a treat.

Alas. 

OTOH, the week after this one I have my Library of Congress talk & Spouse is off that day so . . . umm, unless it rains, we're taking the new motorcycle so we can ride a bit before & after :)   The challenge of this plan is finding clothes that are appropriate for a) back of bike & b) professional thing.  I could be slightly less than responsible & wear a skirt on the bike. . . which wouldn't be the least responsible garb I've worn to ride, but isn't quite the thing I know I should wear. ("It's not that I wanted to be that comfortable. I had a thing at a library!")  Ahem. Or I could wear something practical. . . or yanno, stop & change. I suspect that this third plan is the best option.

This was written in response to a request from my f-list.

Disclaimer:

This is my way of approaching this technique and it may not work for you.

People are passionate about writing and sometimes debate about it gets heated.

If this post results in any comments you find offensive, please complain to me directly, as I opened this can of worms and moderators have enough work as is.

 

 I went to the Unique tonight with my mom, and two days ago I went to Goodwill (by myself). These are the results of my excursions.

PS. I'm not good about the prices. I just see and spend. =(

PPS. My hands now smell like the thrift store. Is this a good or bad thing? You tell me...

I'm starting to feel excited about my WIP. The last book I wrote was so hard and the rivision was so traumatic that I kind of forgot how to love the process. This is the PERFECT book to rekindle the love.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wish I could go to Indiana to do reasearch, but it is not in the cards right now. With Tyler working two jobs and me jaunting off to MA in two weeks to meet with family there, it is just not practical. We just don't have the money. I'm sure everyone reading this is in the same boat, so I can't complain. It is just part of life. In the mean time, I am beginning to enjoy writing again. I hope it continues.

Today was warm. It has been such a chilly Spring. It keeps snowing and just when we think it is going to warm up, it snows again. I don't mind, I love snow, but today is really nice. It is in the 80s. Tyler hooked up the evaporative cooler and it feels delightfully humid and cool inside. Outside it is absolutely beautiful!

Today Simon went to the temple for the first time. Kids need to be at least 12 years old to go. The other day, he reminded me that Saturday was our ward temple day and asked if he might go. I was delighted that he would ask. Today, I stayed home with the girls and Tyler took Simon. They had a nice time.

What?! There is a strange guy playing basketball in our driveway. Hold on. Okay, he's gone. that was weird.

Well, I better go, I have to switch the laundry and work on my WIP. Have a great weekend, all!

Longtime readers of this blog will know that I take piano lessons. I’ve posted before on the parallels between playing the piano and writing. I am a good writer; I understand writing at a deep level. I am not a musician; I will never, ever have the insight into music that a musician has.

Tomorrow night I’m playing in my first-ever recital. I’ve done “musical achievement week,” which means playing for the piano faculty at our music school. Mistakes are expected, it’s held in a practice room, and we get a piece of candy when we’re done. Very low key. Most of the other “musical achievers” are kids.

So the adult recital. It’s up on the stage in the school’s recital hall. I’m playing a Chopin waltz. I’ll probably wear black. Wine and cheese will be served afterward.

Now for the writing parallel. When a novel is going really well I get so immersed in the process—seeing the setting, making the characters live, fitting the plot pieces together—that I’m completely in the moment. There’s no interface; the computer is just the medium, and even it fades away. I lose track of what’s happening outside my head.

When I play the piano, I very seldom get to that in the moment point, where I lose a connection with the outer world and am immersed in the music. I feel my fingers slippery on the keys; I approach a difficult section and tense up; I hear somebody make noises nearby, lose focus, and make a mistake; the notes on the page rise up like a barrier between me and anything approaching real music…

At this morning’s lesson my teacher and I rolled the piano (a Steinway grand, so it took some doing) from the practice room out onto the stage. We switched on the lights and brought out the special recital bench. Adjusted it. My teacher sat in the auditorium. I stepped up to the tape mark on the stage and bowed, then sat down at the piano.

The lights shone down, hot. I took a deep breath and thought about the first few measures, about how I needed to plunge into the piece. I dove in. My fingers didn’t tremble at all. I made a couple of mistakes. As I continued, I found my focus. For just a few measures in the third section, the piano, the interface, faded away and I was in the music.

That probably won’t happen at the recital. But that’s what I’ll be seeking—to play in the moment.

Dental Help for those without Insurance or Money
Does anyone know of any resources for students without dental insurance that need somewhat immediate help? Pretty basic stuff; check ups and fillings but for really cheap if not nearly free? I have insurance but my boyfriend does not.

Thanks for any help or advice! Too bad our government doesn't provide this help nor could I marry him and give him my insurance...

Has been nice and relaxing. I decided to let myself sleep in, after enjoying yesterday evening with Coraline. We joined Ryan, Damien, Jay, and Ricky at Vino Vino, then filled our bellies with yummy Tex-Mex from Trudy's. I discovered their cheesy mashed potatoes (oh so delish), and I stayed up entirely too late working on Max stuff.

This morning I rolled myself out of bed, and headed to Barnes and Noble Westlake to listen to my dear friend
jo_no_anne discuss finding an agent. Humorous and informative, she may have saved us all from looking like complete asses in our query letters. Afterward, we joined lovely cynleitichsmith and her husband Greg, and a few more very very enjoyable people (I'm the world's worst at names!) for lunch. Much laughing, and good company.

Tre's Rock Band party is tonight, and then tomorrow (or tonight, if I'm not too inebriated) more work in Max. I really want to be finished with it now.

Have a great Saturday night!!

Happy Saturday!!! My girlfriend and I moved into a house recently so I've been enjoying getting to decorate and getting everything set up. You know - being domestic as f*ck.

( pretty much all house stuff. on the wall and whatnot )

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago, I was working with people with disabilities.  Had our first foster child.  And had just learned I was expecting my first birth child. 

2. What are 5 things you need to do today?
Today our family already walked a 5K.
We watched my son's soccer game.  Go, J!  He won.
Portraits for said son.  Adorable.
Deep clean for an hour or two, because Saturdays are always dedicated to that.  UGH!
Grill some hot dogs and maybe run through the sprinklers because I'm sunburned and it's HOT!

3. What are some snacks you enjoy?
Dried cranberries, dark chocolate, and puerquitos.

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Haa haa haa.  Obviously, I'd be dreaming.

5. What are 3 bad habits?
Mine, or other people's?  Hee hee.  Okay, fine.
I hate to do laundry, so it piles up until Saturdays.
I can make terrible faces.  Not on purpose, but I'm very expressive.  
I put myself down too much.

6. Name 5 places you have lived.
Rexburg, Idaho
Provo, Utah
St. George, Utah
Vilonia, Arkansas
Idaho Falls, Idaho

7. What are 5 jobs have you had?
How do I make my jobs sound the best, you know resume-ish?
Cleaning Goddess for an Elementary School AKA Custodian while putting myself through college.
Fashion Goddess at a retail chain.  AKA Clothing Manager.
Developmental Specialist for Persons with Disabilities.  AKA Case manager.
Rehabilitation Specialist for Dept. of Human Services.  AKA Court appointed by judge to help birth parents regain custody of children.
Domestic Goddess, Foster Parent, and Mother Extrodinaire.  AKA  The best job in the world for me right now.

8. And now tag 5 people 1 person:
elizabethcbunce!  I haven't seen you play yet. 

Hi everyone!  I haven't posted for so long, I figure it'll be easier to jump back in with a meme...

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Being a mom to a 3 year old and an 11 year old, and practicing like a fiend to get ready for an audition (which I never ended up doing!)

2. What are 5 things you need to do today?
Well, I've already done some of them--
--bringing a mountain of plastics to be recycled to the Recycling Roundup.  (We missed last one in Feb. and were beginning to avoid entering the garage for fear of being suffocated by it all...)
--pick up library holds
--wash piles of laundry for D's upcoming trip to Tennessee.
--vacuum
--write several overdue emails.
 
3. What are some snacks you enjoy?
raw almonds, apples, dark chocolate, TJ's popped potato chips, cheese, tea

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Oh man, I'd have to think about that one for a while, but I'd definitely buy a huge parcel of land with old growth firs, a lake and a river; make sure my family had all they needed; find ways to save natural habitats in the northwest; help kids in need.

5. What are 3 bad habits?
--Okay, by far the worst is...procrastination.  I'm really bad about that.
--spend too much time internet surfing.
--being messy

6. Name 5 places you have lived.
--Oakville, Ontario
--Princeton, NJ
--Bloomington, IN
--San Francisco, CA
--Beaverton, OR

7. What are 5 jobs have you had?
--Bakery manager
--Symphony player
--violin teacher
--music library clerk
--waitress

8. And now tag 5 people:
tracyworld
2skippingstones
britlitfantwin
idaho_laurie
boreal_owl