R.A. McCandless's Blog, page 19

It's True, Collusion Isn't A Crime

Well that's what I heard!
“Collusion is the descriptive word the news media has settled on to cover many potential illegal actions by the Trump campaign, which could range from aiding and abetting (18 USC 2) to conspiracy per se (18 USC 371) to conspiring to violate several potentially applicable laws like: 18 USC 1030—fraud and related activity in connection with computers; 18 USC 1343—wire fraud; or 52 USC 30121—contribution...

And Then There Was Racism

Yep, that happened.
I know racism exists, and I know that in the Trump Era its been allowed to come out from under the dark stones where it festered and rotted, into the sunlight to openly march.  Whether or not Trump is a racist hardly matters anymore.  His failure to immediately open...

Wake Up!

Jeff's problems may have been deeper than simple exhaustion.
The biggest problem with an opening is all the pressure that is on it from the start. You have to introduce the reader to a compelling character (not necessarily the MC, but still compelling), ground the reader in the setting, and entice them to read on. That's a lot to cover in a short period of time.
A waking character may actually be the best way to start things, but keeping in mind the checklist of items we have to cover to create...

MoviePass and the Case of the Ticket Stubs

The Force is NOT strong with you!
Dear MoviePass:
Taking pictures of ticket stubs is an unnecessary burden for those of us using the service as intended.  If there are issues with fraudulent behavior, tag those accounts and require THEM to take pictures of ticket stubs.  Cancel or place those accounts on hold.  Contact those account users and try to ascertain what the problem is.
Alternately, just FIX your system. 
What you don't do is place the burden of multiple extra steps...

Wedding Cake Confusion

Let them eat cake, just not from Masterpiece Cakeshop!
This is not an invitation to argue.
Yesterday, June 4, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) made a ruling on a case between a baker, Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop, and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.  Phillips refused to bake a wedding cake for David Mullins and Charlie Craig.  H...

Tristan is 8

Perfect day, perfect model.

Technically, I'm Not Famous

Except I'm not NEARLY that attractive!
Years and years ago, so many that even historians have now lost count, I helped administrate  an online forum community.  The moderator staff was great, and I would buy any one of them a beer if I ran into them.  That was never the problem.  The joy of discussion with interesting, like-minded individuals from around the world quickly waned as I had to deal with all kinds of blah-blah and drama and hate (even a few threats) on every lev...

And Jesus Said, WTF DUDE!?

Cherry-picked for your convenience!
This keeps coming up, and rather than re-write the same argument over and over, I’m putting it here so I can more quickly reference.
This meme is making the rounds and while the Bible quote is correct, it is also cherry-picked completely out of context.  Jesus explains his reasoning for buying swords in the next line, which, for some unfathomable reason, always gets left out. After ordering the purchase of the weapon, Jesus says:
"It is written: ‘An...

Pooh On You Too!

I see it's been awhile . . . Mr. The Pooh.A couple of years back, I ran across a piece of “Calvin & Hobbes” fan-fiction that really got me—it got to me enough that I re-worked it for my own edification.  Either I’m getting older and all nostalgic, or the impact of a beloved character is truly impressive.
Maybe both.
I took my boys to see A Wrinkle in Time and I’m not going to offer any opinions on the movie just yet.  But as we were watching the various trailers that accompanied t...

The Check Is In The Email

Which books? Ohh, THE Facebooks!
If you aren't paying for a product, then YOU are the product.  That is the business model that Facebook has been built around, and that has never been a secret.  Facebook's corporate bottom line is no different from any other business—profits generally supersede most other considerations (although those considerations are still . . . well, considered).  In this case, pursing that bottom line goal, Facebook was able to be deceived.  They did...