June 2012
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WatchHans Rosling discusses the effect religion has upon birth rates.
Here’s a hint. Very little.
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Weird Word: Sheaf
Sheaf
Noun
A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
Any collection of things bound together; a bundle.
A bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer.
Verb
To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make...
May 2012
31 posts
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“Far, far too much stock is placed “common sense” and “folk...”
– Solidarity by MovieBob [MovieBob.Blogspot.com]
Interested in the context? Political commentator Chris Hayes elected to talk about how terms like “hero” and “valor” are blanketly-applied to military service in and of itself in the context of the Memorial Day holiday and the...
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Free Write #27: That Goes on Your Tab
That Goes on Your Tab
By Nojh Livic
The beams of light swirled around the gnome’s hands as he manipulated the elemental forces. With his own mind he gathered these forces and separate out the particular forces he needed. It was difficult work to do, surrounded by the chaos of battle, but he was Quin, sorcerer premier. He and his companions had traveled far to find the source of necromantic magic...
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Where did all the "big ideas" of the future in... →
Charlie Stross, an author of science fiction among other things, wrote an article in response to an SF Signal discussion of the question:
“Are SF writers “slacking off” or is science fiction still the genre of “big ideas”? If so, what authors are supplying these ideas for the next generation of scientists and engineers?”
And so he wrote this article: SF, big...
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Seanan McGuire interviews Mira Grant →
Those of you already snickering at the title should probably just click here right now.
Mira Grant is the author of the Newsflesh triology, of which the third and final chapter just hit bookshelves not a few days ago. Mira Grant also happens to be the well-known pen name of Seanan McGuire. Seanan McGuire is the author of several urban fantasy series including October Daye and Incryptid.
And in...
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Weird Word: Burgeon
Burgeon
Verb
To grow or expand.
To swell to the point of bursting.
Used in a sentence:
The balloon began to slowly burgeon as they filled it the warm hair they would need lift off up into the stars.
Source: Wiktionary
Commentary:
Not so weird of a word for those of you who read more historical fiction. I think I’ve heard the term “burgeoned into a tall young man” a few too...
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Understanding that the opposite gender is... →
The following is a quote from Writing Across Gender by Jennifer duBois
I don’t think it’s terribly controversial to note that women, from a young age, are required to consider the reality of the opposite gender’s consciousness in a way that men aren’t. This isn’t to say that women don’t often misunderstand, mistreat, and stereotype men, both in literature and in...
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Space X & NASA Launch their first rocket to the... →
Space X, a privately owned company with a stated goal of achieving economical space flight and a contractor of NASA, has successfully launched its first spacecraft. On 05/22/2012 at 3:44am EDT, the Falcon 9 rocket flawlessly lunched the Dragon spacecraft which is carrying a payload of non-critical supplies to the international space station. The unmanned vehicle will rendezvous with the space...
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Free Write #26: Home by Nojh Livic
So how are people liking the stories? Today’s is going to be a little strange. Please let me know your honest opinion.
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Home
By Nojh Livic
John picked up the red plastic cup and took a sip of its contents. The liquid was bitter. He sighed. John laid back on the couch and lifted the television remote with his free hand. The television flickered to life at the press of a...
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Disappearing Room by Jamie Kinn →
jamiekinn:
Amanda had never been terribly fond of her grandmother, but with the funeral more than a week behind her, she found her thoughts turning to her periodically. Little thoughts and long forgotten memories. The smell of her grandmother’s apartment and of her hair, the corduroy texture of her recliner and matching couch, the smoothness of the varnished coffee table—rising up to her out of...
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Podcasts: Writing Excuses 7.14
So I don’t often post really good podcast episodes mostly because I listen to my podcasts in the car and it is hard to write internet posts in the car. Most of the other drivers don’t appreciate it for some reason. Lots of car horns, let me tell you.
But today I am breaking that rule for Writing Excuses. Writing excuses is one of my favorite podcasts about writing, offering incredibly...
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Weird Word: Abnegation
Abnegation
Noun
A denial; a renunciation.
Used in a sentence:
There had been an abnegation of key facts in the case, despite his using every lawful trick in the book he could remember, leading to its dismissal.
Source: Wiktionary
Commentary:
So another fancy way of saying renunciation or negate or both! You’re welcome!
Original Article
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Free Write #25 Not Enough Memory
Not Enough Memory
By Nojh Livic
“Here is what I don’t understand,” Amon began, waving his hand towards the assembling crowds. Hasim used an infinite amount of willpower not to roll his eyes at his friend, mostly by focusing his attention on the crowds. The stadium was filling in quickly with over three-quarters of standing room filled in under a half an hour. Amon and Hasim had been one of the...
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Comic Links: 8-Bit Theater, Girls With Slingshots,...
8-Bit Theater: 2007-03-17: Early Edition
I’m still reading through the archive of 8-Bit Theater as I never finished it. I’m in a section of comics I never read before and this one struck me as rather hilarious. Particularly Red Mage’s comment in the second to last panel.
8-Bit Theater: 2007-03-22: Half of a Good Idea
That last line is golden.
Girls With Slingshots:...
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Weird Word: Estuary
Estuary
Noun
estuary
Coastal water body where ocean tides and river water merge.
An ocean inlet also fed by fresh river water.
Used in a sentence:
The horse had alacrity but it just didn’t have nimbleness it needed to dodge the obstacles.
Source: Wiktionary
Commentary:
I want to say this word was on one of my spelling lists back in grade school. It is hauntingly familiar. While not as fun...
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Writing Time: Everlasting #40, Station #1
Writing Sessions
Word Count: ~800
Actually it might be more. Hi! Its been awhile. I’ve been writing, mostly. Perhaps not as much as I should or as diligently as I’d like. I’ve written 3,593 words on everlasting since my last update, and fleshed out around five pages of Matrix since then. Also been keeping up with my free writes for the website, as I’m sure you’ve...
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A review of Legend of Korra episode "The Spirit of... →
“The Spirit of Competition” S1/E05, by Emily Guendelsberger May 5, 2012
Emily expounds upon the latest episode of The Legend of Korra, which dealt mainly with relationship issues between the three characters. While I agree with her that this episode won’t be my favorite by far (excepting Bolin’s comedic melodrama), she points out aspects of the story that make this a...
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Free Write #24: The Viewers
The Viewers
By Nojh Livic
“And… release,” Justin ordered, smoothly pointing towards the screen. The technician at station two hit a button and the screen when white only to be followed by static. Justin did not have to make a motion for an image filled the screen again, this time displaying camera two’s field of view according to the label at the bottom of the screen. It showed two figures...
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WatchFunniest microwaving random stuff video I’ve seen in a very long time. They obviously had a lot of fun there.
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Why social issues need to be discussed
There have been times when I’ve wanted to discuss social issues with people, not to convince them of the point, but to try to help evolve my own understanding by getting their opinions and beliefs. And instead of having the discussion, the person decided they didn’t want to discuss it. This has happened to me multiple times with different people, from close friends to friendly...
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Mur Lafferty is offering up her eBooks for free!
As SF Signal is reporting, author Mur Lafferty is offering up all her current eBooks for free for the months of May and June of 2012.
This includes awesome novels like Playing For Keeps, Marco and the Red Granny, and the Afterlife series. I particularly suggest Playing For Keeps and the novella Marco and the Red Granny. You can download the books here.
If you still would like more info about the...
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Weird Word: Lacuna
Lacuna
Noun
A small opening; a small pit or depression; a small blank space; a gap or vacancy; a hiatus.
An absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing, often referring to an ancient manuscript or similar.
(microscopy) A space visible between cells, allowing free passage of light.
(linguistics) A language gap, which occurs when there is no direct translation in the target...
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WatchYes, money can buy happiness. You’re just buying the wrong things.
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Google is making a bad decision
While I have yet to experience this change, there has been plenty of people talking about it across blogs and YouTube itself. What is Google doing?
They’re replacing the like button on YouTube videos with a Google Plus button.
And some people, like Wil Wheaton, are angry about it.
One of the reasons why is because professional YouTube users rely upon not just views, but likes, in order to...
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Free Write #23: A Charge for an Arm and a Leg
A free writing we will go…
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A Charge for an Arm and a Leg
By Nojh Livic
“Good evening! Good evening,” Rylie greeted the pair of cloaked figures as they hurried to the gate. She moved to stand at the gate, ready to let them in, although her hands remained concealed within her own robes, one wrapped firmly around her focus orb, the other on the pommel of a sheathed dagger....
April 2012
47 posts
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Gamewatch: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
an I’m just kicking butt here with the game completion stuff huh?
So hot off the heels of finishing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, I finish off Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. The end came actually as a bit of a surprise. I was expecting maybe two or three more hours of game play from where I picked it back up, but I managed to finish it in about an hour and a half, even though...
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Weird Word: Alacrity
Alacrity
Noun
Eagerness ; liveliness; enthusiasm.
Promptness; speed.
Used in a sentence:
The horse had alacrity but it just didn’t have nimbleness it needed to dodge the obstacles.
Source: Wiktionary
Commentary:
What a fun word. Unusual. Fun to say. Has a meaning that would make it easy to work into normal conversation! I have alacrity for the word alacrity!
Original Article
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Gamewatch: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Seems like forever since I did a game watch, although it was really only a month ago. For those of you who don’t remember, Gamewatch is where I report actually finishing a video game I’ve been playing. Since, in the past, I’ve had difficulty completing video games in favor of starting new ones.
That brings us to my latest conquest: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I was a big...
LoadingReadyRun : En Garde →
The most important thing is to stay outside their vision cone.
WatchLoading Ready Run: EnGarde
The most important thing is to stay outside their vision cone.
Source
Another Loading Ready Run video. This time making fun of tactical stealth video games!
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Free Write #22: A Very Important Question
I think one of the hardest parts of free writing is coming up with good titles.
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A Very Important Question
by Nojh Livic
“Ye-” Daring started to say when his visor went dark. He reached up and hit the side of it once, twice, but his vision didn’t return. He also realized that the background music he had been listening to was no longer being piped into his ears. The old...
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Warren Ellis: GUEST INFORMANT: Anonymous →
This link is to an article on WarrenEllis.com written by a perhaps ex-Anonymous member regarding the UK protests of the Church of Scientology several years back. Whatever you might think of Anonumous, Lulzsec and AntiSec, this is well worth reading to see how a decentralized group of people can do real good.
Warning it is a bit of a long read, if good one.
Or, perhaps, ex-Anonymous. This is an...
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Comic Links: Questionable Content, Girls with...
Questionable Content: #2160: Heck of a View
In case the humor of the last few panels wasn’t enough, the context is that the hologram is a representation of the space station’s AI, who would like the woman to stay aboard because he misses her.
Girls with Sling Shots: 2012-04-11: #1372
Open Mouth, Insert Van.
Shortpacked!: 2012-04-12: Wen
I didn’t so much laugh at this as...
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Baby Goat is so happy →
Follow the link to watch a video of a baby goat.
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Comic: Knite by 'yuumei, Chapters 1-4
Knite is a combination of the words “Knight” and “Kite”. If you see the logo below you’ll note the “t” is used as a the Simplified Chinese character for the word wind.
Knite is a flash comic about a city without stars and a boy who dreams of them. It is being distributed for free via deviant art by its creater, ‘yuumei. Chapter four was just...
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Life hacks
Source
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