Yvette Keller's Blog, page 21
November 24, 2017
Finnemore Fridays: Interfaith Conference
Thanksgiving is about friends and family coming together, sharing a meal and gratitude, regardless of their disparate beliefs or points of view.
I adore the smarty-pants nature of this Finnemore sketch that brings beings together, called “Interfaith Conference.” It is especially poignant right now, after the end of Daylight Savings Time, when the sun simply up and disappears all of a sudden, middle of the afternoon, without seeming to work a full day. Kind of like contractors.
Nope. I’m not...
November 17, 2017
Finnemore Fridays: Alchemy
We don’t talk about this kind of thing in our culture, but recently, I made a bit of money. The way I did it was very 2000’s, terribly old-fashioned: I “won” the startup lottery – a small bet I placed on a company I worked for in one of my past lives.
Good thing too, because the living room remodel was over budget, leaving the kitchen remodel with a shortfall. My unexpected windfall has plugged the financial gap between projects, for which I am extremely thankful. The money was needed, it ar...
November 10, 2017
Finnemore Friday: National Debate
We The People…
…seem fine about having replaced discussion with insult slinging in the comments field.
Maybe we need a National Debate? Finnemore Style?
November 7, 2017
Finnemore EXTRA: Election Day!
A haunting reminder about the importance of voting.
November 6, 2017
MOXI REPORT: Nerdy Good Time on a Friday Night
Yes, I’m a big nerd, and my idea of a fun Friday night is a science lecture. With a side order of dissection. Fair warning, there are pictures, so avert your eyes if filet of cow eyeballs isn’t your thing.
My friend Lisa invited me to a member only night at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. It was my first visit and pretty much confirmed that the museum is Santa Barbara’s mini version of the Tech Museum in San Jose.
It is full of beautiful interactive exhibits, labs for ha...
November 4, 2017
NaNoWriMo Inspired DSF
If you are not already a Daily Science Fiction Subscriber, but you are a WriMo, I highly recommend popping over there and checking out Friday’s Story for an excellent giggle.
November 3, 2017
My Second Short Fiction Publication!
My next vignette from a loosely related Coven of the Bowler series is available now!
Once again The Utah Pagan Society Literary Journal has chosen to include my story about magical Santa Barbara. Entitled Cernunnos, 2016, the piece was last year’s submission to the Edhat Halloween Contest, in the same world as 2015’s Roundabout Protection.
Later in the month, newsletter subscribers will have access to awesome illustrations by Wirt Salthouse, along with the audio version. Until then, please s...
Finnemore Fridays: Fairies versus Princesses
I trust that everyone had a lovely Halloween! Now you are all free to focus on making sure your ballots are in: It is time to vote!
I’m writing this two weeks ago from when you are reading it, so I can tell you I turned my ballot in. I put it in the mail about two hours from then.
It is an exciting moment in our little town of Santa Barbara because we are choosing a new mayor! That means voting for the person who most closely shares your vision for what the town should be like.
Santa Barbara...
October 27, 2017
Finnemore Fridays: The Upsell
The Halloween season is upon us and it is time for dressing up like what you most want to be. In my childhood, we had home-made costumes that my seamstress mother whipped up based on whatever we could imagine.
In my mind, home-made is ALWAYS better than plastic-off-the-shelf. But if you do find yourself in the market for some kind of costume, remember that sales is a very fine art. Especially the upsell.
Only the very best customer service professionals know how to subtly exhibit the benefit...
October 24, 2017
My Buddy Kevin
Kevin is one of the people in my life who is so cool that I kinda can’t believe I know him. Have known him for twenty years.
He’s the Chair of Worldcon 76, 2018, in San Jose. He’s a master costumer. He’s more fun at any party than Eccentrica Gallumbits. He has lent me some of the best books I’ve ever read. He loves rodeo.
He’s also a research scientist, doing incredible work to make the future get here faster. Kevin was recently interviewed for this cool series about making the special effec...
