Annette Mori's Blog, page 6
October 11, 2024
Favorite Lesbian Sex Toys
Now you know how I love to talk about topics related to sex. In the past, I’ve done blogs on vibrators, but I don’t believe I’ve ever specifically dedicated a blog to the favorite sex toys in our little world! Yup, we’re going to get up close and personal with these delightful gadgets that add a little extra sizzle to our romantic escapades. As always, how about a few general facts: According to a 2023 survey by the Sexual Wellness Institute, a whopping 78% of women in same-sex relationships reported using sex toys as part of their intimate experiences. The same survey noted that 65% of them said that these toys significantly enhanced their sexual satisfaction. So, if you’re toying with the idea (pun totally intended) of trying something new, you’re in good company! So…without further ado, let’s go over the favorites!
The Trusty Strap-On The trusty strap-on is a versatile tool that has long been a favorite among lesbian couples, and for good reason. It’s all about empowerment and exploration, allowing partners to switch roles and experience new dynamics. According to recent data, the SpareParts Joque is a fan favorite thanks to its comfort and ease of use. Double-Ended Dildos Next on the list are double-ended dildos, which are all about shared pleasure and connection. These toys allow both partners to feel involved and satisfied, making them a staple in many lesbian relationships. The Tantus Feeldoe, for instance, is highly recommended for its ergonomic design and hands-free fun. Vibrating Bullets Don’t let their size fool you—bullet vibrators pack a punch! These compact toys are perfect for solo play or to add a little extra buzz during partner play. The We-Vibe Tango is a standout, known for its powerful vibrations and discreet design. One more fun fact: 72% of respondents in the Sexual Wellness Institute survey listed bullet vibrators as their go-to toy for quick and intense pleasure.Remote-Controlled Toys For the adventurers at heart, remote-controlled toys bring an element of surprise and playfulness to the bedroom—or anywhere else, for that matter. The Lovense Lush is a top pick, celebrated for its strong vibrations and app-controlled features. It’s perfect for long-distance couples or those who enjoy a little public play.Harnesses Last but not least, we have harnesses. A quality harness can make all the difference when using a strap-on, providing comfort and control. The Aslan Leather Commando is a popular choice, offering durability and a snug fit.
Certainly, not all of my books include sex toys, but incorporating sex toys into my stories isn’t just about adding spice—it’s about authenticity and representation. By depicting characters who explore their sexuality openly and confidently, I hope to encourage readers to embrace their own desires without shame. After all, these toys are tools for empowerment and connection, helping us to express and explore our unique sexual identities. As always, feel free to check out my books by clicking the links below, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a new release: Join Mailing List. Almost all have at least one intimate scene, with a fair number including sex toys of other creative accessories to the scene!
ove Sins Available Now!
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Catch up with Books 1 and 2 in The Next Generation Series
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
October 4, 2024
AI Friend or Foe?
While the controversy continues on the less than ethical uses of AI in the publishing industry, causing many to take a stand that books written using AI exclusively will not be accepted, various shades of acceptance remain. Of course this travels the path of everything from spell check and grammar programs, to pictures purchased legally that can be slightly altered for optimum use when an author has a specific hair color and eye color in mind but the picture just doesn’t meet their criteria. What often gets ignored in these lively discussions about whether AI is friend or foe, is the enormous drain on energy.
I listened to NPR on the way to the LCLC conference where I am currently enjoyingmyself and look forward to a master class on the use of AI and other technology. There was a fascinating podcast talking about just how much energy AI consumes and the effect on dwindling resources, including water. For example, to compose a 100 word email takes as much energy as fully charging an iPhone. Now, that may not seem a lot, but multiply that by millions of people using AI on a daily basis, with the use only increasing over time and you have yourself a real dilemma. Here are some startling facts I discovered in my research on the topic.
AI requires computer power from thousands of servers housed in data centers; and those data centers need massive amounts of electricity to meet that demand. Northern Virginia’s hub will need the equivalent of enough energy to power 6 million homes by 2030, according to the Washington Post.Goldman Sachs estimates data centers will be using 8% of total power in the country by 2030, up from 3% in 2022. Since the water used to cool the data centers does not end up recycling the water like in our showers, each string of prompts uses roughly 16 ounces of water. That is 16 ounces gone…evaporated into the air nearly equivalent to if we were to drink those 16 ounces. Extrapolate AI use globally, and our already taxed water supply may suffer greatly. Microsoft admits that in the latest environmental report their water consumption jumped 34% from 2021 to 2022, reaching nearly 1.7 billion gallons, and this is a report from two years ago….think how much more our reliance on AI has increased in two years. Google reports its water consumption went up nearly 22% over the same period to a staggering 5.56 billion gallons, about 800 times as big as The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
Those were just a few of the stats I came across in my research. This emerging problem, without solutions, will become more acute as people increasingly rely on AI for many things. It sure gave me pause. I haven’t been a big fan of using AI for cover concepts to submit to Affinity’s cover artist, mostly because I’m not technically competent enough to figure it out. However, I’m sure I use AI much more than I think. But I must admit to reconsidering an exploration of this new and amazing technology simply because it is wreaking havoc with my other core values. I guess I’ll just have to find a happy medium and something I can live with. Side note: I did have a small amount of guilt over preparation of my fun little pictures, undoubtedly using AI to create the memes! Knowledge, though, helps my decisions for the future! As always, I encourage you to click the link below and see how AI has helped me present cleaner manuscripts to my editors through the use of Grammarly and ProWriting Aide.
Love Sins Available Now!
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Catch up with Books 1 and 2 in The Next Generation Series
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
September 27, 2024
Jet Lag is Real!
Most of you probably know that my wife and I took our twentieth-anniversary trip to Fiji recently because I posted pictures and videos along the way. Fortunately, after we arrived and got our first good night’s rest, it was normal activities for both of us. We felt refreshed, and my routine of getting up early and working out wasn’t affected at all. I cannot say the same for our return. It’s been three days now, and neither of us has returned to our regular routines. I’ve slept late every day, had even worse insomnia than usual, headaches, etc. So…I thought I would research jet lag because clearly I was not giving it the respect it deserves!
Here’s what I discovered:
Traveling there versus traveling back affected us less because traveling west ‘prolonged’ our body clock’s experience of its normal day-night cycle (the normal tendency of the body clock in most of us is slightly longer than 24 hours).The condition is especially prevalent when traveling three or more time zones.The official definition is when a person travels across more than three time zones by plane, the body’s “internal clock” (or circadian rhythm) needs time to adjust to the new sleep and wake cycles at the new destination.The term “jet lag” was first used in a 1966 Los Angeles Times article by Horace Suttorn, who described it as a “debility not un-akin to a hangover.” He explained the syndrome by stating, “Jet Lag derives from the simple fact that jets travel so fast they leave your body rhythms behind.”Originally, it was called “time zone syndrome,” which was replaced by jet lag in the 1960s.The cures have been rather inventive in the past. Travelers have turned to everything from taping plant seeds to acupressure points behind their ears to swallowing Viagra. I think I will pass on trying Viagra.It’s all about our circadian rhythm or body clock. The pure science behind it is that these clocks are controlled by the hormone melatonin, which is produced by the master clock when it gets dark to make us feel drowsy, and controls our body temperature when we sleep. When we fly to a different time zone (or work night shifts), all the clocks in our body go out of sync – or, to use the technical term, “desynchronise.”Symptoms of jet lag include: Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia) – check, drowsiness during the day – check, Headaches – check, lack of focus or concentration – check, y’all are lucky I can put two words together to write this blog, extreme tiredness (fatigue) – check, a general feeling of being “off” or not like yourself – check and especially true for my wife, upset stomach – check, mood changes, like irritability – you’ll have to ask my wife about this one!Studies state that people over 60 may be more affected (of course that’s true). Using caffeine or alcohol can increase the effects (well damn…wish I’d known that beforehand).Possible treatments and ways to diminish the effects include: getting outside during daylight hours to jump-start alertness because light helps your body recognize it’s time to be awake. Alternately, artificial light sources (like a lamp) can offer similar benefits; getting on the sleep-wake schedule at your destination quickly may help with your symptoms; sleeping on the plane helps your body adjust faster to a new time zone (yeah…good luck with that); Choosing foods your body knows how to digest (for a day or two) may help ease nausea; drinking plenty of water can combat the effects of dehydration after a long flight.; avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can make you more dehydrated; set your watch to the new time zone before you leave and try to adjust to the destination’s time schedule before you leave; stick with exercise routines; especially If you fly east, take melatonin nightly in the new time zone until you adjust; eat a big breakfast after arrival.
Normally, I like to incorporate my personal experiences in books. A new book that is coming out next year, titled The Love Demand, is set in a tropical region of the world, but I did not include anything about jet lag. Too bad I wrote this before my experience traveling more than three time zones! Perhaps there will be another book that affords me the opportunity to slip this in! Since I didn’t get much of a chance to market my latest release while in Fiji…I’d love to remind y’all about it. The Next Generation series is now finished, and I hope you will click on the links below to check it out!
Love Sins Available Now!
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Catch up with Books 1 and 2 in The Next Generation Series
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
August 23, 2024
Polls and More…
Since I’ve been asked to talk with a GCLS academy class, I wanted to do my research, so I created a short poll to ask readers what is the most effective social media presence. To be honest, I’m a little nervous about talking to the class because although I have a presence, I’m not entirely sure how effective that’s been in helping drive readers to get to know me and my books. That got me thinking about the disastrous results of modern-day polling, particularly related to national elections in the US. So, of course I had to do research on this. Why has the polling been off?
Unfortunately all polls reach only a narrow subset of the population. First, only about 60% of the population who can vote, do…even in high-turnout elections. Pollsters might narrow their polls to those who are registered to vote, but not everyone registered to vote actually votes for various reasons. Additionally, if you actually look at the polls conducted, there is an extremely small subset of the voting population polled. Think about it…if approximately 160 million people vote, and that’s in a high-turnout election, but the poll only includes a couple of thousand…you do the math. How can we possibly extrapolate accurate data based on far less than 1% of the population?Some of the excuses for the 2016 misfire involved differences between Democrats and Republicans. But how did the researchers discover this? Another poll? Apparently, Democrats are more likely to participate in a poll but less likely to vote, while Republicans are less likely to respond to a survey but more likely to vote. Hmmm… that certainly did not describe the red wave that never happened in 2022.The tried-and-true method of phone polling just doesn’t work anymore. Eighty percent of Americans do not answer their phones. I know the pollsters have expanded their methods to URL, QR code (directing them to the survey), text, email, a phone number for respondents to call (inbound dialing), and SSRS reaching out to them by phone (outbound dialing). I don’t know if this has actually improved polling accuracy…I suppose we shall see in November. One thing I will say is that I ignore all those methods because we now receive so many texts, emails, etc, that it is overwhelming. I automatically delete everything political that comes my way. So much for Democrats being more likely to participate in a poll but less likely to vote. I always vote and would never respond to a poll.
I’ve posted my poll on Facebook, but I’m also including the link here and would very much appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to help me out! Just click this link: https://form.jotform.com/242353741182049. Of course, you can also make my day by clicking any of the links below to check out my latest releases or my backlist!
Love Sins available on Pre-order Now!
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Coming Soon…Love Sins, the final Book in The Next Generation Series…Catch up with Book 1 and 2
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
August 16, 2024
What if…
Let’s talk about orgasms again…well sort of! As typical of my behavior, I was scanning the news and came across an article about the differences between men and women, related to the differences in their rates of orgasms during sex (70-85% for men and 46-58% for women). And the research surprisingly held consistent across all age groups. One would think that younger women might demand more from their partners. Of course, the study wasn’t limited to queer individuals or the results may have been different. And they were quick to point out that wording means everything because, for the vast number of straight people, sex means penetration. Now, y’all are wondering why I’m even writing about this because, so what? Sex in the queer world is vastly different and we’ve already talked about studies that indicate queer women have better sex than straight women. Well…I do have a few questions that rolled around in my little brain after reading this article and pondering what the world would be like if just a few minor things were altered. The first question that came to mind was what if women could not conceive unless they had an orgasm? I thought about that not exactly being fair that in order to conceive, men have to ejaculate and have an orgasm, but women get left in the dust. Would that change male behavior? Would their need to spread their seeds across the planet cause them to work a little harder during sex? Would not giving your partner an orgasm be a form of birth control? Then the JD Vance’s of the world would have to jump up and down and scream about the inadequacy of men and how that hurts society. Pretty funny visual, huh?
That got me to take that one step further. With the tiniest bit of change in science, one can imagine a topsy-turvy world where men’s semen and, therefore, orgasms from them were unnecessary for procreation. Perhaps in that world, the stats would be the exact opposite, and women would have more orgasms. In fact, queer women might be the dominant orientation. Unfortunately, at this point that is only a possibility in the world of fiction. I might have to write that book!
I very much enjoy science fiction and fantasy and have tried my hand at both, so feel free to check out my books that create topsy-turvy worlds such as those in The Dream Catcher and Out of This World. For those who sort of keep the world as it is but stretch it just a little, you may want to read about the badass women in The Organization Universe. You know the drill, just click the links below. Love Sins, the final book in the spinoff series set in The Organization Universe is now available for pre-order. I would love for the masses to check that book out! It isn’t necessary to read the other books, but can be helpful.
Love Sins available on Pre-order Now!
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Coming Soon…Love Sins, the final Book in The Next Generation Series…Catch up with Book 1 and 2
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
August 9, 2024
Senior Discounts
Yesterday, I reached a milestone. I am finally eligible for Medicare and every senior discount offered. Sure, I was eligible for many senior discounts before, but not all of them. That got me thinking: When did senior discounts occur? Which ones are tied to eligibility in AARP versus when you reach other milestone ages like 55, 60, and 62? Why the variance? So, of course, I did some research. Apologies to those who live across the pond because the retirement age is dependent on the country you live in, and I only researched the US. Here’s what I learned.
Companies began offering senior discounts in the 1960s as a means to build brand loyalty (seniors love their favorite brands) and because there was a perception that senior folks were poor, so they also used it as positive public relations. AARP was incorporated on July 1st, 1958, but probably gained more traction at the 1964 World’s Fair, which coincided around the time companies began giving discounts. At first, the membership age was 55, but in 1984 that was reduced to 50. It is unclear why the initial age of 55 was established since AARP was first developed by two retired teachers who began their quest to assist retired teachers by establishing a retirement home in 1954 for teachers, then affordable health insurance for those aged 65 and older (which was quite a challenge-not a group that was very attractive to insurance companies). Obviously, there was a great need, and their organization expanded to include everyone, not just teachers.The 1935 Social Security Act initially established the official retirement age as 65, but in 1956 women were allowed to elect early retirement benefits at 62 (probably one of the few times women had an advantage with US laws). The 1978 Retirement Security Act allowed individuals to withdraw contributions from their pre-tax retirement plans at age 59 &1/2. In 2004, the Rule of 55 was born. This is an IRS policy allows workers to make early withdrawals from their employer-sponsored retirement accounts without penalty if they are 55 or older and left their job in the same year or later. The rule applies to 401(k)s and 403(b)s, but not IRAs. Most senior discounts begin prior to age 65, with a fair amount tied to AARP membership. However, what I have learned is that travel often doesn’t discount until age 65, with most airlines offering discounts starting at that age. Recently, I discovered that the ferry system in Washington state offers a 65 and older discount. With our trip to the Anacortes Arts Festival last weekend, I just missed this by a few days! I won’t list all the places with senior discounts because there are far too many, but here are some of the better articles on this: https://www.seniorliving.org/finance/senior-discounts/, https://www.seniorhelpers.com/resources/blogs/top-discounts-for-seniors-in-the-us-in-2024/, https://www.dealnews.com/features/discounts/senior-discounts/ I am sure with a quick internet search you can find even more sites to peruse.
While most of my books have main characters in various age groups below retirement age, I do have one book, Georgetown Glen with two main characters in the 60+ category. It is sad to say that the data shows that books with characters in their 20s, 30s, and occasionally in their 40s sell a little better than books with mature women 50 and older. Thus, even Georgetown Glen contains two other main characters considerably younger. But perhaps I should get points for a book about establishing a lesbian retirement community. Since I see posts asking for books with mature characters from time to time, perhaps the current acceptable marketability age will change! Feel free to check out any of my books where you are sure to find characters of all ages, even if the main characters are mostly under 50. I do have some adorable grandmothers as important side characters.
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Coming Soon…Love Sins, the final Book in The Next Generation Series…Catch up with Book 1 and 2
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
July 26, 2024
Facts Do Matter
Everyone who reads my blog knows that I love to do research. One of my favorite sites is Snopes because they will chase down any rumor, regardless of whether it originates from the left or right. Recently I shared a fact-based article to counteract the insane rumors being spread around about Kamala Harris. Because this is an important election, I feel compelled to share the facts cited in the article, plus a few others! Don’t take my word for it…do your own research, but for goodness sake, go to reputable sources for the information! Here’s what I found that might be relevant:
Harris is a natural-born citizen of the US and thus eligible to run for the presidency. She was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964, which makes her 59. The Associated Press confirmed this after obtaining a copy of her birth certificate. Under the 14th Amendment, anyone born on U.S. soil is considered a natural-born U.S. citizen and eligible to serve as either the vice president or president. Thus the ridiculous notion that her parents are also required to be natural-born citizens is not factually correct. Harris did not sleep her way to the top. She dated Brown, who was legally separated from his wife at the time, so the misleading headline that she dated a married man is false. Additionally, the disgusting rumor that she was also Montel William’s side piece as evidenced by the picture of Harris, Williams, and another woman as proof, fails to mention that the other woman in that picture was Montel’s daughter. She is an accomplished woman with degrees in political science, economics, and law. It’s ridiculous to believe a woman who ran and won as District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President slept her way to the top. She won District Attorney on her stellar record. According to Wikipedia, which can be verified by other sources, “In the early 2000s, the San Francisco murder rate per capita outpaced the national average. Within the first six months of taking office, Harris cleared 27 of 74 backlogged homicide cases by settling 14 by plea bargain and taking 11 to trial; of those trials, nine ended with convictions and two with hung juries. She took 49 violent crime cases to trial and secured 36 convictions. From 2004 to 2006, Harris achieved an 87-percent conviction rate for homicides and a 90-percent conviction rate for all felony gun violations.”Two quotes attributed to Harris are completely false. She never said, “Once Trump’s gone and we have regained our rightful place in the White House, look out if you supported him and endorsed his actions, because we’ll be coming for you next. You will feel the vengeance of a nation.” That was a satirical article published in 2019. Also, this rambling quote, “Today is today. And yesterday was today yesterday. Tomorrow will be today tomorrow. So live today, so the future today will be as the past today as it is tomorrow,” altered to sound like she’s the same as Trump who often says non-sensical things was taken from an actual speech where she said this, “So I think it’s very important — as you have heard from so many incredible leaders — for us, at every moment in time, and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future.”Contrasting Harris with Trump…his companies filed for Bankruptcy six times. He was convicted of 34 felonies. By the end of Trump’s presidency, the economy lost 2.7 Million jobs, the unemployment rate increased by 1.6% to 6.3%, and the economic growth rate was down by 3.4%. The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services in 2020 was the highest since 2008 and increased 40.5% from 2016. The murder rate rose to the highest level since 1997. Illegal immigration increased. Apprehensions at the Southwest border rose 14.7% last year compared with 2016. Over the course of Trump’s four years in office, the gross national debt grew from $19.95 trillion to $27.75 trillion – a $7.8 trillion increase, and the net 10-year debt was 8.4 Trillion.Current financial indicators with the Biden/Harris administration: Over 15 million jobs have been created since Biden took office. The rate of inflation is now at 3%, lower than the long-term average of 3.28%. Current unemployment is 4.1% lower than the long-term average of 5.69%. Net ten-year debt added by the Biden/Harris administration is 4.3 Trillion, nearly half of what Trump accumulated. The Stock Market that Trump used to tout as his major accomplishment reached an all-time high under the Biden/Harris administration. As of July 25, 2024, the United States Stock Market Index reached an all-time high of 5672.45. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) also reached record highs in May 2024.Now, let’s talk about the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics on July 15th for June 2024, which show a significant decline in migrant encounters following Biden’s Presidential Proclamation announced on June 4, 2024. Border Patrol encounters between ports of entry were 29% lower than in May 2024 and were the lowest monthly total for the Border Patrol along the southwest border since January 2021 as well as lower than the number of encounters between ports of entry in June 2019, the last comparable year prior to the pandemic (which was during Trump’s Presidency, by the way).
Don’t just accept what is thrown about as facts…do your own research. If something sounds hinky, it probably is. Granted, we all cherry-pick statistics to support our candidates, and I’ll readily admit I’ve done that. But what I refuse to do is put out facts that are simply not true. I’ll also readily admit to sneaking in political views, supported by research, into my novels. If you wish to read more of that, feel free to check out my books. I like the outcomes in my books a little better than reality (a historic woman as president). But maybe, just maybe, that historic event that occurred in Politics of Love will come true for us, with an even better historical outcome as a woman of color! Harris for President! Oh, and I am a proud childless cat lady for the record! You know the drill, click the link below to read my most recent series. Coming soon is Compound Interest in Audio, and Love Sins, the final book in The Organization universe.
Recently released on KU: action-packed dystopian romance, The Others!
Brand New Audibles just released….
Book Addict Audible US Book Addict Audible UK Book Witch Audible US Book With Audible UK
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
July 19, 2024
Funny Words
The one subgenre I’ve yet to master is romantic comedy. Although some readers have reported on my sense of humor in books, even noting several laugh-out-loud moments, I believe that romantic comedies are the hardest to pull off. I can think of only a handful of sapphic authors who execute this subgenre with perfection. Recently, I listened to another interesting podcast on NPR about the use of certain words that generate laughter. Of course, I was fascinated enough to do more research on this. As writers, we tend to gravitate toward certain words, sometimes even having our favorite funny word. Mine is dicknob. Especially when hurling an insult at a particularly horrid character. Here’s the thing, Professor Chris Westerbury actually conducted a study, more recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, to determine what makes some words funnier than others. Here’s what I learned about that research.
A prior study he conducted concluded that part of a word’s funniest was a result of something called incongruity theory-“the idea that something becomes funnier the more it subverts your expectations.” This earlier study asked students to rate made-up words that were computer-generated. Words like: “snunkoople,” “hablump” and “jumemo” — were consistently rated funniest because they were words that looked the least like known English words.Another factor in how funny a non-word is perceived to have a dirty connotation, such as: “whong,” “dongl” and “focky”. I suppose that is why dicknob is funny to me! Perhaps that is how twatwaffle became so popular and is now accepted slang.In Westbury’s newest study, he looked at actual words versus computer-generated nonwords. Looking specifically at the highest-rated words and lowest-rated words, a pattern began to emerge. The lowest-rated words were those with negative meanings connected to things like murder, rape, attacks, violence, and harassment. However, words related to sex, bodily functions, insults, animals, and partying received the highest ratings.The top five funniest words were: Upchuck, bubby, boff, wriggly, and yaps. Can you tell the study was done in the UK? I wonder if the top five words would be dramatically different in the US? I suspect they would.Specific letters, especially with non-words also play a part in humor. Words with relatively uncommon letters — like k, j, and y — consistently appeared funny. The single funniest vowel sound was /u/, as in “guffaw,” “humph” and “lummox.” The perfect funny word is “a short, infrequent word composed of uncommon letters,” and has a meaning that is “human and insulting, dirty, diminutive and/or related to good times.”Next on the horizon is searching for word pairs that reach the top of the humor scale. They have some ideas on what those might include “toothy weasel, muzzy muffin, and fizzy turd.” And the final frontier will be entire jokes. So how funny a joke like, “how many writers does it take to change a lightbulb,” will depend on if those writers are farting while changing said bulb.
I have a tendency to make up words, particularly ones that are funny to me. If you’d like to explore what has been laugh-out-loud funny to some readers and see if it fits what the researchers learned, feel free to click on the links below.
Just released on KU: action-packed dystopian romance, The Others!
Brand New Audibles just released….
Book Addict Audible US Book Addict Audible UK Book Witch Audible US Book With Audible UK
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
July 12, 2024
The Benefits of Reading Fiction
This past week, on my way to Seattle, I listened to NPR as is my normal thing to do, and was delighted to hear that I’m not the only one actively avoiding listening to or reading the depressing news. Normally, I incessantly scroll through the news for any positive sign that things won’t go terribly wrong in November, but I haven’t done that this whole week. Sometimes, during my weekly scroll, I’ll come across an article that has nothing to do with the election, and I’ll have my topic for the week. Fortunately, the story on NPR interviewed a couple of librarians and a queer bookstore owner about their recommendations on fiction summer reads to escape from the news.
Y’all should know by now that I enjoy researching everything. That got to thinking about whether there have been any research studies on the actual benefits of reading. Not just any kind of reading but fiction. Do we reap the benefits of escaping into a good book? We most certainly do! Here is what I learned:
In 2013, University of Toronto researchers looked into the need for cognitive closure, or the desire to “reach a quick conclusion in decision-making and an aversion to ambiguity and confusion.” People with a strong need for cognitive closure rely heavily on “early information cues,” in other words, they struggle to change their minds as new information becomes available. This results in fewer individual assessments of the world around them, which makes them more confident in their own initial (and potentially flawed) beliefs. Those with a high need for cognitive closure gravitate toward smaller bits of information and fewer viewpoints. Alternately, people who resist the need for cognitive closure tend to be more thoughtful, more creative, and more comfortable with competing narratives—all characteristics of high EQ. So what does this have to do with reading? I’m getting there. These researchers found that reading short stories, not intellectual essays, reduced the reader’s need for cognitive closure and subsequently allowed them to be more open to a variety of perspectives.In 2016 a study in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggested that reading fiction improves a person’s social-cognitive abilities. reading may improve one’s ability to empathize with and understand the thoughts and feelings of other people. Fiction readers scored higher on measures of empathy and something called theory of mind (ToM). ToM is the ability to think about others’ thoughts and feelings. And guess what? The romance genre was specifically boosted ToM. How about that!In a 2009 study at the University of Sussex, researchers discovered that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. Not only that, but the study revealed that reading was superior to other forms of stress reduction, including, various relaxation methods, listening to music, or drinking a hot cup of tea. The theory behind this is that our minds are invited into a literary world free from everyday stressors. A summary of research published in 2018 in the Journal Experimental Psychology looked at 14 different studies on how reading fiction affects social skills compared to reading nonfiction or not reading at all. Basically the studies showed reading fiction improves personal relationships by enhancing social skills, increasing capacity for compassion and empathy, and enhancing a person’s ability to guess how people react in different situations. So…all you introverts out there can take great comfort in the fact that your go-to method of relaxation may actually be a huge benefit to developing social skills and improving your relationships! As an introvert, I loved learning that! Next time I’m reading a good book to the point of total immersion, I’ll remind my spouse of its benefits.
So…in summary, step away from the depressing news cycle and pick up a good book! Of course, as always I have several to recommend. You know the drill. Click the links below to any number of my books. I promise. They will have a positive effect on you!
Just released on KU: action-packed dystopian romance, The Others!
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July 5, 2024
Funny Cat Videos
Lately, I’ve been shutting myself off from the depressing news cycle. I was happy to learn that my sisters across the pond in the UK have seen their world take a dramatic turn. Thank goodness for that. I’m hoping that will rub off on the US because even the news outlets that I’ve relied on, like MSNBC and, in the distant past, CNN, seem to be abandoning us and playing right into the hands of those who are determined to take away every last freedom we’ve worked hard for. I couldn’t even muster enough energy to look out over the lake and watch the fireworks last evening. Freedom could very well be a distant memory here in the US. So…what have I taken to…watching funny and cute cat videos and bingeing on crime or superhero shows.
That got me thinking about the facts surrounding those funny cat videos. Here are some of the more interesting ones I found:
Cat videos are amongst the most viewed videos in the world. The “That Little Puff” YouTube channel, about a cute ragdoll cat, reached over 7.5 billion views.Believe it or not, scientists have conducted research studies on how watching them makes a person feel. One study from Indiana University Media School noted that viewing the videos boosted their energy and positive emotions. The study was published in the journal, Computers in Human Behavior.As of August 2022, YouTube had over 18 million cat-related videos (up from 2 million in 2015), with more than 90,000 uploaded daily. Since laughter has been known to have a positive effect on health by lowering blood pressure and reducing stress, other scientists insist that it could translate to watching funny cat videos creating the same benefits.I don’t have a pet channel where I post funny cat videos, but I used to do Putty Cat Reviews using my Talking Pet App after finding it and using pictures of my cats to create talking cats. Above is my favorite video for your enjoyment (not a review, just something fun)! Recently, I jumped on the TikTok bandwagon and have used the Talking Pet app to create teasers for my books and promotions. Maybe y’all can check them out while checking out my latest books: https://www.tiktok.com/@annettemoriauthor. You know the drill, just click the links below…Perhaps they will get you out of your funk if you’re like me and the news or social media is getting you down! Just released on KU, check out my dystopian romance, The Others!
Brand New Audibles just released….
Book Addict Audible US Book Addict Audible UK Book Witch Audible US Book With Audible UK
Where it all began….
Buy the audible of The Organization Buy the audible of Asset Management
Books in Audible:
Books In Kindle Unlimited (KU)
Proud to be an Affinity Rainbow Publications author!
