Lynn Flewelling's Blog, page 56
December 20, 2010
Today's Buddhist Thought
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act. The Buddha
December 19, 2010
I'm working, too, I swear!
Made it to Panera and getting some work done. Got distracted by a line from a song. I'm listening to Anonymous 4's European Christmas song album, The Cherry Tree.
From "Star of the East":
Gems from the mountain
Pearls from the ocean
Myrrh from the forest,
and gold from the mine.
Lovely, and sounds like something from Tolkien, doesn't it? But I'd better stick to the songs without the English words.
From "Star of the East":
Gems from the mountain
Pearls from the ocean
Myrrh from the forest,
and gold from the mine.
Lovely, and sounds like something from Tolkien, doesn't it? But I'd better stick to the songs without the English words.
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon Revisited
And here I am, an hour later, still on the couch. *sigh* Twitter and LJ far too interesting today. And 140-wd conversations take time and nuance.
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
It's pissing down rain here. No other way to describe it. The back yard is a lake. The carpets are leopard-spotted with muddy dog prints. We are single-handedly keeping the Redlands Chem Dry in business. If it was snowing, I'd be out on my snow shoes or X-country skis by now. I do miss schussing around this time of year.
Been twittering with Hal Duncan on the word "c*nt". Apparently it has none of the negative misogynistic impact in the UK/Scotland that it does here. At least that's his belief. He has an interesting post in it here:
http://notesfromthegeekshow.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-profanity-3.html
It would be interesting to hear from some UK women on the matter. Anyone? He says "bitch" is the more disempowering word there.
I guess it's time to head up to my other office (Panera) to get some work done. Time is running short and I'm spinning my wheels a bit on the ending. But since I've gotten off a certain med, my brain is noticeably clearer. How many months have I lost to that?? Scientist are exploring the uses of direct electrical stimulation to the brain, via an implant, to treat a number of conditions. Sounds good to me. I"m so tired of taking pills!! Not that I don't do worse without them, but it's an annoyance, an expense, and an occasional hinderance.
And there's all the Christmas wrapping to do. Aside from last minute inspirations and odds and ends, I think my shopping is complete. I love shopping for loved ones! Doesn't have to be expensive, just the "right" thing. House is clean and decorated. Rain on the roof. Contentment begins to steal up on me . . . .
NO! I shall brave the elements and go to work. Now.
Been twittering with Hal Duncan on the word "c*nt". Apparently it has none of the negative misogynistic impact in the UK/Scotland that it does here. At least that's his belief. He has an interesting post in it here:
http://notesfromthegeekshow.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-profanity-3.html
It would be interesting to hear from some UK women on the matter. Anyone? He says "bitch" is the more disempowering word there.
I guess it's time to head up to my other office (Panera) to get some work done. Time is running short and I'm spinning my wheels a bit on the ending. But since I've gotten off a certain med, my brain is noticeably clearer. How many months have I lost to that?? Scientist are exploring the uses of direct electrical stimulation to the brain, via an implant, to treat a number of conditions. Sounds good to me. I"m so tired of taking pills!! Not that I don't do worse without them, but it's an annoyance, an expense, and an occasional hinderance.
And there's all the Christmas wrapping to do. Aside from last minute inspirations and odds and ends, I think my shopping is complete. I love shopping for loved ones! Doesn't have to be expensive, just the "right" thing. House is clean and decorated. Rain on the roof. Contentment begins to steal up on me . . . .
NO! I shall brave the elements and go to work. Now.
December 17, 2010
A Writer's Prayer
At Chuck's request, I am offering an opening excerpt of this wonderful and bombastic-in-the-right-way writer's prayer. The rest is to be found here:
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2010/11/22/the-writers-prayer-the-penmonkey-paean/comment-page-2/#comment-23646
The Pen Monkey's Paean (excerpt)
By Chuck Wendig
I am a writer, and I will finish the shit that I started.
I will not whine. I will not blubber. I will not make mewling whimpering cryface pissypants boo-hoo noises. I will not sing lamentations to my weakness.
My confidence is hard and unyielding. Like a kidney stone lodged in the ureter of a stegosaurus.
These are my adult pants. The diapers have burned away in the fires of my phoenix-esque rising.
I will burn down the forest. As the conflagration rages, all my excuses shall come scurrying forth like syphilitic rats whose backs smolder with the smoky scent of my coming victory. When my excuses bound, shrieking and squealing, toward my feet, I shall use my mighty wordhammer to squash them all, 'asploding each like a sausage stuffed with self-deception and disillusionment.
This book is not the boss of my shit.
These characters dance when I tell them to dance. They leap, cackle, fuck and punch because I jolly well told them to and if they don't do as I say I will have them nibbled to death by marmots.
This plot is knotted tight in the configuration I demand. With it I shall tie a noose, and with that noose I shall hang my fears and uncertainties by the neck until they void their bowels and their legs quit kickin'.
These words march in the order I choose. They are my little bitches, cobbled together of letters and made to carry heavy notions and lofty ideas and character motivations and bad-ass non-stop mad ninja action. In this way they are like ants, carrying more than they should rightfully be able to carry.
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2010/11/22/the-writers-prayer-the-penmonkey-paean/comment-page-2/#comment-23646
The Pen Monkey's Paean (excerpt)
By Chuck Wendig
I am a writer, and I will finish the shit that I started.
I will not whine. I will not blubber. I will not make mewling whimpering cryface pissypants boo-hoo noises. I will not sing lamentations to my weakness.
My confidence is hard and unyielding. Like a kidney stone lodged in the ureter of a stegosaurus.
These are my adult pants. The diapers have burned away in the fires of my phoenix-esque rising.
I will burn down the forest. As the conflagration rages, all my excuses shall come scurrying forth like syphilitic rats whose backs smolder with the smoky scent of my coming victory. When my excuses bound, shrieking and squealing, toward my feet, I shall use my mighty wordhammer to squash them all, 'asploding each like a sausage stuffed with self-deception and disillusionment.
This book is not the boss of my shit.
These characters dance when I tell them to dance. They leap, cackle, fuck and punch because I jolly well told them to and if they don't do as I say I will have them nibbled to death by marmots.
This plot is knotted tight in the configuration I demand. With it I shall tie a noose, and with that noose I shall hang my fears and uncertainties by the neck until they void their bowels and their legs quit kickin'.
These words march in the order I choose. They are my little bitches, cobbled together of letters and made to carry heavy notions and lofty ideas and character motivations and bad-ass non-stop mad ninja action. In this way they are like ants, carrying more than they should rightfully be able to carry.
Yay Brain!
According to my neurologist, the EEG shows that I not only have a brain, but it is chugging along just fine. The few problems I have been having are minor, and mostly caused by meds and age. The meds I can change. The rest I can deal with. Whew!
I Gots a Podcast!
Recently I recorded a podcast for Outer Alliance. It can be heard here. http://blog.outeralliance.org/archives/725
December 16, 2010
Year's Best List
I just discovered that the Nightrunner Series is among Jessewave's best books of 2010 (past 15 year time span)
http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=7813
It's a terrific list, with lots of familiar names. :-)
http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=7813
It's a terrific list, with lots of familiar names. :-)
