Andrew Moore's Blog, page 100

New Year Resolution Reflection

If it isn't to avenge your master, either he's still alive, or you're lacking in virtue.

Acclimating to the New Year

I'm so far behind, I'm still writing checks!

Ring in the New Old Year

Subjects across the city prepared for the famous spring festival, which struck travelers as odd.
"But they leaves have fallen," they objected.
"Yes, well, the reason for that is . . . ah. There it goes again."
The bells, the criers, the streamers ejected from the palace towers all proclaimed the new year had arrived. By order of the blessed suzerain, a day of celebration was declared to honor Year 528 of the Era of Measured Anticipation.
Travelers heard all that with puzzlement. The subjects sighed. Inside the palace, officials remonstrated.
"Your subjects enjoy the increased holiday frequency, but . . ."
"Your resolve to keep your resolution to offer all thanks to the gods and never give way to pride is admirable, but . . ."
"Our neighbors are making fun of us! We're falling behind in social and technological progress!"
The blessed suzerain frowned. "That does not sound credible to us. Regardless of the calendar, the incentives toward innovative scholarship we have implemented surely—Wait. Ring the bells again."
The officials groaned, but the blessed suzerain's will was done.
Finis

Happy New Year

Haven't we had enough of these things? Be honest.

Addendum

I think the Roaring '20s is the only decade name that ever really stuck. What a testament to the power of the word "roaring." The '20s were pretty good too, with all that detective fiction and so forth.

Reflections on the Decade So Far

More like the Boring 20s!

Addendum

You might think that three magic schools would work, but it wouldn't. THe problem is that each school needs to have a relationship with the others. That would take up too much of the story. A dozen magic schools would be better, because people wouldn't expect them to be equally important.

A New Way to Liven Up Your Story

Two magic schools!

One Small Tip for Life Improvement

Tired of missing the call to adventure? Hire a butler!

The Banality of Power

"Did you hear the prime minister of Ruritania died?" Daryl failed to make the question sound casual. He and everyone else looked at Kent expectantly.
"Oh. 4:18."
"Got it again!" That really livened up lunch, which made up for waking up in the middle of the night, Kent supposed. Not really. He would have preferred not to have woken up at 4:18.
"C'mon, man." Simon jostled him. "Feeling a jolt when a world leader dies seems pointless now, but I bet you'll save the world someday. It's not like you're one of those telepaths. They say another one went crazy and burned out a bunch of people the other day."
Kent jabbed his peas with a fork. "Man, I wish mutant powers had never happened."
Finis