I hope everyone who celebrates is having a lovely day today.
I am stealing time while the food cooks, before the relatives get here, swapping off between a new project and rewriting an old. Something that![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
barbarienne said a few days ago sure resonated.
I don't think what she says applies just to beginning writers, I think it applies to all of us. Or, maybe I should say, those of us with more drive than talent--like Yours T. It's really come home as I've been going over Exordium the first volume, Phoenix in Flight, and absolutely cringing at some of the craptastic prose that got by us. No, by me. Most of the worst of the writing is mine, not Dave Trowbridge's. Rewriting this thing has been both freeing and also intensely humiliating. I think I cut at least ten thousand words of solid sludge larding up sentences, without changing anything that actually had content. In fact, probably more like 20 k. I added a couple of short scenes to the beginning in an attempt to make it more accessible, but the whole is still shorter than the original length.
Anyway, learning never stops for some of us. It might take some time between awareness of a problem and figuring out how to deal with it, but never stops, never never never. (And each time I close that file, when I open Banner of the Damned I jet back looking for ways to tighten it up yet again.)
I am stealing time while the food cooks, before the relatives get here, swapping off between a new project and rewriting an old. Something that
barbarienne said a few days ago sure resonated.I don't think what she says applies just to beginning writers, I think it applies to all of us. Or, maybe I should say, those of us with more drive than talent--like Yours T. It's really come home as I've been going over Exordium the first volume, Phoenix in Flight, and absolutely cringing at some of the craptastic prose that got by us. No, by me. Most of the worst of the writing is mine, not Dave Trowbridge's. Rewriting this thing has been both freeing and also intensely humiliating. I think I cut at least ten thousand words of solid sludge larding up sentences, without changing anything that actually had content. In fact, probably more like 20 k. I added a couple of short scenes to the beginning in an attempt to make it more accessible, but the whole is still shorter than the original length.
Anyway, learning never stops for some of us. It might take some time between awareness of a problem and figuring out how to deal with it, but never stops, never never never. (And each time I close that file, when I open Banner of the Damned I jet back looking for ways to tighten it up yet again.)
Anybody up for Lipgloss dancing tonight? It's free.
I've got an elf outfit...
I've got an elf outfit...
There has been a lot of "donate to this charity" going around recently. I know campaigns get stepped up this time of year.
But which charities do you like and why?
I donate to the food bank to offset my dad stealing from them, and because we really did need the food bank as kids. It's something I can see doing actual good. I donate trees through Arbor Day because I am a paper artist. And I donate to The Other Side Arts because I see all the good they do.
But which charities do you like and why?
I donate to the food bank to offset my dad stealing from them, and because we really did need the food bank as kids. It's something I can see doing actual good. I donate trees through Arbor Day because I am a paper artist. And I donate to The Other Side Arts because I see all the good they do.
My mom almost has taste in presents. Like everything is almost something you would want but is a little off. So everything is already re-wrapped to be re-gifted to people who would actually like this stuff. Because I know people who would totally love a sky blue fish plate, and a "haunted places of the world" calendar. Although I cannot think of who would like this Southwestern painted 5lb ceramic lizard. I already pawned the stack of "B" monogrammed hand towels off on my brother because you know his name starts with a "B." And he also took the gift card to Red Robin, because they serve booze.
Anyway. I got Dad the R. Crumb Genesis book, "It's exactly what I wanted!"
Mom yells, "But you never tell anyone what you want!" Mom looked at me and said, "How did YOU know what he wanted?"
"It's R. Crumb, and the Bible, of course he wants it."
I got a bike fromrandomdreams and sweater to match my bike from gows. And an art book. So I am totally happy.
Anyway. I got Dad the R. Crumb Genesis book, "It's exactly what I wanted!"
Mom yells, "But you never tell anyone what you want!" Mom looked at me and said, "How did YOU know what he wanted?"
"It's R. Crumb, and the Bible, of course he wants it."
I got a bike from
randomdreams and sweater to match my bike from gows. And an art book. So I am totally happy.Critical mass, where bikers gather in huge crowds and fill intersections to block off traffic (well, ostensibly to "raise awareness about bicycles", but I assume many are in it simply for the group anarchistic annoyance factor) is always on the last Friday of the month in San Francisco.
Which would be today. On Christmas. Apparently it is still on.
I wonder how many attendees they will have, and how they will manage to disrupt traffic in a practically deserted downtown area.
- Mood:curious
- Music:Guano Apes, "Dœdel Up"
It is disheartening to know that most health care stocks went up on Monday after the news of the first senate passing of the "reform" bill, and they also went up in pre-opening trading yesterday when the latest revised bill announcement was made. It kind of makes one wonder why the people, cash strapped due to insane health care premiums, have decided that those very same companies are going to be doing better.
But it is easy to read anything in tea leaves. As a whole the industry is up (slightly) less this year than many others. It could just be the economic rebound; one certainly hopes so. I have this sneaking suspicion, though, that by forcing customers onto these insurance companies they will simply get richer. We shall find out when the bill takes effect (presuming it does, of course).
- Mood:skeptical
- Music:The Beatles, "When I'm Sixty-Four"
- 16:10 RT @thinkgeek We're still thinning the herd! RT by 3pmPST to win: Hey @ThinkGeek! Be my #notsosecretsanta & gimme a Tauntaun Sleeping Bag! #
They don't really relate to Christmas Eve, though.
This is my favorite... the sun setting behind cattails. We walked from an inclosed mall past this patch of wetland, across a busy street, to a strip of other mall-like stores. In the middle of All That was this. So pretty
( a slightly different angle )
Earlier, in town, the remnants of autumn, on the brick wall....
( the vines grow around this scary vent-thing )
And one of my favorite things--exterior stairs:
This is my favorite... the sun setting behind cattails. We walked from an inclosed mall past this patch of wetland, across a busy street, to a strip of other mall-like stores. In the middle of All That was this. So pretty
( a slightly different angle )
Earlier, in town, the remnants of autumn, on the brick wall....
( the vines grow around this scary vent-thing )
And one of my favorite things--exterior stairs:
I finished present wrapping at 9:30 pm, rather late. But though today was off from work, it filled itself with errands: oil change, bank, drugstore, grocery store, dinner-making. A little time out here and there to read the newspaper (yes, we still read a daily newspaper), check e-mail and online news and friends' columns, and, after a fun discussion with my son, a change to the computer's wallpaper. We were talking of Christmas lights and wondering how much that increased the brightness of the earthlights as seen from space, and then were searching for the NASA photos we'd seen before. He pointed out the clear separation of North and South Korea, and the way lights marked the Nile, and I pointed out the TransSiberian railway. It's a beautiful picture, very wintry feeling, very appropriate to the season, and so it's now our wallpaper. The page is here:
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.p
Don't be fooled by the thumbnail of Europe; the links show all of Earth. The "gif" ones are black and white and you can't tell absense of human lighting from ocean. The 2400 x 1200 jpeg is the one we used.
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.p
Don't be fooled by the thumbnail of Europe; the links show all of Earth. The "gif" ones are black and white and you can't tell absense of human lighting from ocean. The 2400 x 1200 jpeg is the one we used.
I made thumbprint cookies the other day with howlands pistachio cinnamon marmalade and it's too bitter for cookies. So it went on the buffalo ribs now in the oven.
I did a modified version of this salad:
http://www.latimes.com/features/foo
More spicy in the dressing, fewer persimmons (I forgot I ate the other two), more pom, and toasted almonds.
Maybe I'll do brie mashed potatoes. And plain broccoli on the side.
Uncle Mark is house sitting for someone but will come for dinner. He wants to bring dogs, we'll see how Lillian does.
howlands pistachio cinnamon marmalade and it's too bitter for cookies. So it went on the buffalo ribs now in the oven.I did a modified version of this salad:
http://www.latimes.com/features/foo
More spicy in the dressing, fewer persimmons (I forgot I ate the other two), more pom, and toasted almonds.
Maybe I'll do brie mashed potatoes. And plain broccoli on the side.
Uncle Mark is house sitting for someone but will come for dinner. He wants to bring dogs, we'll see how Lillian does.
I was thinking I might like to get the new bar built before newyears. But then I realized a) I don't own a table saw, nor a mitre saw anymore and b) I'm working two jobs right now, and don't have any free time to spend on it.
So, maybe for my birthday party.
I'm going with Massive Soviet Wood Technology again, just like with the bed. The plan is basically a table-like cabinet thing for the base, about hip-height, made with two 2x12s on each side and across the top, then the top would be done the same way as the headboard of the bed, but with with 2x12s instead of x10s, and with each section taller. Sand the hell out of it all, stain it a nice dark cherry or something, put a really thick coat of polyurethane on the table/cabinet top..
Why exactly do I think this is a good idea?
So, maybe for my birthday party.
I'm going with Massive Soviet Wood Technology again, just like with the bed. The plan is basically a table-like cabinet thing for the base, about hip-height, made with two 2x12s on each side and across the top, then the top would be done the same way as the headboard of the bed, but with with 2x12s instead of x10s, and with each section taller. Sand the hell out of it all, stain it a nice dark cherry or something, put a really thick coat of polyurethane on the table/cabinet top..
Why exactly do I think this is a good idea?
Working through a puzzle magazine I came across a word seek puzzle where the theme was patriotism. You know, big grid of letters, find all of the list of words/phrases hidden in it. Being a US publication you can guess many of the terms they chose: bill of rights, fourth of july, constitution, republic, liberty bell, allegiance, and so forth.
What you may not have suspected were some of the other words: army, control, energy, force, power, strength, victory, and.. white. Now, white is actually not as bad as you might think since red and blue were also listed, but still, the rest are words I associate more with supremacism than with patriotism. If they really are patriotic terms, then where were subjugation, colonization, and dominion?
Penny Press needs some serious quality control.
- Mood:unimpressed
- Music:Nitzer Ebb, "Join In The Chant"
I was so busy having a calm and relaxing pre-holiday holiday, it just occurred to me that I should probably bring some little gifties to the folks with whom I'm eating Christmas dinner! Most people don't need more STUFF. (goodness knows I don't - I just moved and cleared out so much STUFF that I never want to buy anything again!!)
So here's my idea, combining my passions for food and herbs: homemade chai tea mix. I put together the recipe from 2 cookbooks: The Modern Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amrita Sondhi, and The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadala Morningstar, plus some herbal & preparation touches of my own.
Rooibos is a hearty tea that contains no caffeine, and is high in vitamin C. All the lovely spices are warming and anti-microbial, perfect for winter! And, this is my first winter with my cat named Chai -- ahhhh, the synchronicity!)
Rooibos Mint Chai Tea Mix
Serves 6
1 cinnamon stick
3 cardamom pods
3 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 teaspoon dried ginger
---> simmer above in 4 cups water for 20-30 minutes.
Add ---> 2 cups milk (cow, almond, soy, etc: your choice)
simmer gently for 5 minutes, to warm the milk
Pour over ---> 4 rooibos teabags + 2 mint teabags
Steep 10-15 minutes.
Strain, and add sweetener to taste (honey, agave, etc: your choice).
Happy happy holidays!
So here's my idea, combining my passions for food and herbs: homemade chai tea mix. I put together the recipe from 2 cookbooks: The Modern Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amrita Sondhi, and The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadala Morningstar, plus some herbal & preparation touches of my own.
Rooibos is a hearty tea that contains no caffeine, and is high in vitamin C. All the lovely spices are warming and anti-microbial, perfect for winter! And, this is my first winter with my cat named Chai -- ahhhh, the synchronicity!)
Rooibos Mint Chai Tea Mix
Serves 6
1 cinnamon stick
3 cardamom pods
3 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 teaspoon dried ginger
---> simmer above in 4 cups water for 20-30 minutes.
Add ---> 2 cups milk (cow, almond, soy, etc: your choice)
simmer gently for 5 minutes, to warm the milk
Pour over ---> 4 rooibos teabags + 2 mint teabags
Steep 10-15 minutes.
Strain, and add sweetener to taste (honey, agave, etc: your choice).
Happy happy holidays!
Oh the Confluence LaTeX plugin bone is connected to the... JVM bone!
and the JVM bone is connected to the... Crowd bone!
and the Crowd bone is connected to the... keystore!
and the Confluence LaTeX plugin bone is also connected to the... TeTeX!
and the TeTeX bone is connected to the... a 32-bit syscall!
and the 32-bit syscall returns EOVERFLOW when the filesystem is over... 2TB!
and the TeTeX bone needs to be... recompiled!
but in the meantime the Confluence temp directory bone needs to be... moved and symlinked!
Paging Rube Goldberg; Rube Goldberg to the white courtesy phone.
In case anyone's keeping track, that's one RT ticket in, one Atlassian support request, 2 hours of research and debugging, a bit of strace, a CSW bug, and a hack in a directory tree; but now it works.
and the JVM bone is connected to the... Crowd bone!
and the Crowd bone is connected to the... keystore!
and the Confluence LaTeX plugin bone is also connected to the... TeTeX!
and the TeTeX bone is connected to the... a 32-bit syscall!
and the 32-bit syscall returns EOVERFLOW when the filesystem is over... 2TB!
and the TeTeX bone needs to be... recompiled!
but in the meantime the Confluence temp directory bone needs to be... moved and symlinked!
Paging Rube Goldberg; Rube Goldberg to the white courtesy phone.
In case anyone's keeping track, that's one RT ticket in, one Atlassian support request, 2 hours of research and debugging, a bit of strace, a CSW bug, and a hack in a directory tree; but now it works.
Tim Eriksen relaunched his website and is giving away a Christmas carol. (He gave away one of my all-time favorite carols just a little bit ago--"Oh Sight of Anguish"/Occom's Carol-- but that is no longer available--but this one is, and this one is pretty too).
The carol is Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming"
I am not managing life or human interaction much right now, but I can still note and observe with interest the successful interactions of others.
( for instance )
And now to eat. More anon.
The carol is Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming"
I am not managing life or human interaction much right now, but I can still note and observe with interest the successful interactions of others.
( for instance )
And now to eat. More anon.
- Mood:
out of step - Music:Tim Eriksen: Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming
- Find something you want to print out and read over the long weekend.
- Forget over and over to take it into work.
- Finally remember (at home) to plug in an MP3 player using its special cable and upload it (this would be the main point of failure).
- Finally remember (at work) to go print it out.
- Find out that of course you did not bother to pack the special cable, because, duh, it's an MP3 player and all you need are headphones! You use your flash drive for files, after all.
- Feel stupid.
- Mood:dumb
- Music:The Descendants, "I'm Not A Loser"
Profile
- ebourland
- Eric Bourland
- Eric Bourland's home site
Page Summary
- sartorias : writing, rewriting, and writers [+1]
- manintheboat : (no subject) [+0]
- miafedup : (no subject) [+0]
- manintheboat : And goodwill, in the form of cash, to.... [+1]
- manintheboat : Santa [+2]
- merle_ : slightly less critical mass [+0]
- merle_ : health care [+0]
- caffeina : Lasterday... [+4]
- bethie_nova : (no subject) [+0]
- asakiyume : Christmas Eve photos [+22]
- kathryn_aka_kat : Nearly Christmas [+0]
- manintheboat : Dept. of Worse Chili Mac [+1]
- manintheboat : Christmas Eve dinner [+1]
- tithonium : (no subject) [+10]
- merle_ : patriotism [+2]
- tricianutricia : Happy Holiday Chai [+0]
- shalyndra : hmm [+2]
- en_ki : a sysadmin's song [+2]
- asakiyume : music, and overheard [+40]
- merle_ : the six 'F' steps to feeling stupid [+0]