kimlajevardi

Hello all! Wednesday is back again, but it’s a sad, sad Wednesday. I go back to work tomorrow; summer break is over. Boo hoo. I know over two months off does not engender much symphony in civilians, but … but …. All right. Big girl pants. News. I’ll distract myself with the news.

This first story is so sweet. I hope they get the overall record. Fingers, legs, and all other assorted appendages crossed. If I can’t walk, do I still have to go to work? 😉

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/masao-matsumoto-miyako-sonoda-oldest-married-couple_us_5b6b591fe4b0ae32af94eef0

Goats. Can you imagine walking out to 100 loose goats? I’m dying over here. I probably would have opened the door, taken one look at the goat crowd, and shut myself back inside. Maybe not. They are so cute.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rogue-goats-boise-idaho_us_5b6472bee4b0fd5c73d9111c

And in science news, a probable planet that could change the game in terms of how we find new planets. Score yet another one for science.

https://www.livescience.com/63282-rogue-brown-dwarf-auroras-magnetic-field.html

That’ll do it for whiny me tonight. Big girl pants–that’s what I need to remember–big girl pants. Sigh.

It’s time for some insecurity. You know, the scratching, twittering, and hair-pulling us writers normally keep for ourselves. This is when we share it. Sharing is caring after all. If you haven’t already done so, please click on the magical image above, and it will take you on an unstable, magic carpet ride to the land of sharing. You know you want to.

Our fantastic co-hosts today are: Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, and Lee Lowery!

The optional question this month is:

What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

Since I’m not published yet, my warning is focused on something to aid the burgeoning writer. Learn to take constructive criticism. I was just discussing this today with another writer friend. None of us is brilliant right from the start–we just aren’t–and if you can’t take feedback for whatever value it may or may not hold, you will not improve. The journey is as much a part of writing as publication is. So … take criticism for what it provides. That’s how you grow.

That’s all for my teacher/writer soap box. Time for some news.

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This first story shows images of an abandoned mansion in New York. At first, as I clicked through, I got the vibe of malevolent ghosts like in Stephen King’s Rose Red. But, as I read about the buyer who has a penchant for buying up properties and letting them decay, I got a whole other vibe. Perhaps, more of a portal-type story. Humans cannot see what is going on there, so the buyer purposely keeps them empty. So many possibilities as to why. Writers–on your marks, get set, go! 😉

http://www.hooch.net/an-abandoned-mansion-in-nyc-raises-questions/11/

Sewage water turned magical elixir. But, and this is important, it is not actually a magical elixir, people. The petition is funny, though.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/petition-to-drink-the-liquid-from-that-black-sarcophagus_us_5b53a1d4e4b0fd5c73c5fed9

The science article I have today is deceptively simple. A discovery that gut bacteria might be part of whether you lose weight or do not, even when adhering to strict diet and exercise regimes. The reason I say it is deceptively simple is that gut bacteria have also been found over the last few years to play small to large roles in diseases, even certain cancers. Science is breaking open more and more of what makes us tick, and weight is just one slice of that pie. I heart science!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180801125029.htm

That’s it for me tonight. See you back here in seven.

The final Wednesday of July 2018 is here. Can you believe it? This summer has flown. They all fly, but it is bumming me out a little. I have to go back to work in two weeks. Dude. I get little sympathy from non-teachers, but dduuddddeeee. It was just June yesterday. I’m feeling whiny and complainy, and I seriously doubt anyone wants to hear it. So … news.

I had no idea Reddit had a “Shower Thoughts” forum. Now, my life is complete.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/reddit-shower-thoughts-july-2018-part-1_us_5b519aa7e4b0fd5c73c3ffb7

Another discovery to make me go hmm …. It’s an international Santa conference. Seriously. Denmark must have been full of candy and good thoughts as 150 suit-wearing Santas strolled through the streets spreading joy.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/santa-congress-denmark_us_5b57ada9e4b0b15aba934af4

Last up for this whiny gal tonight, a diamond-filled Earth. A quadrillion of them. Sparkly and shiny and so pretty. I heart science.

https://amp.livescience.com/63074-earth-interior-full-of-diamonds.html

That’s all, folks. See you back here in seven.

Hello Wednesday! Hot–check. Weird–check. Time for some unusual news–check. 🙂

This first story is deliciously adorable.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dogs-in-food-instagram-account_us_5b327301e4b0b5e692f1da52

I’m on an adorable kick today, apparently.

http://www.giveitlove.com/these-dads-have-failed-gloriously-at-parenting-and-thats-okay/?utm_campaign=fap-d-us-c-0-0-180222-gl-po-b8-a1&utm_medium=huffpo-po&utm_source=po&utm_content=dadfails&mvt=i&mvn=5f0fc5d07cdf4bb996c5e3a7957e4408&mvp=NA-HUFFPOST-11235841&mvl=APage+-+News+2&chrome=1

A ghost particle found in Antarctic ice. I heart science!

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/12/world/neutrino-blazar-cosmic-ray-discovery/index.html

That’s all for this Wednesday, folks. See you back here in seven.

Happy Wednesday! It is a million degrees over here. Again. I’m melting. I’m melting. He he. If you need a distraction from your quickly melting lives, I’m here for you.

This first story shows a kangaroo who knows he’s the shit and will go where he wants to go.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/29/624357112/kangaroo-brings-soccer-match-to-a-standstill

This made me admire soccer fans from Japan and Senegal. Nice!

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/20/621726977/world-cup-fans-clean-up-after-themselves

If this study bears out, significant change could be in store for the coral reefs. There are so many connections within ecosystems. I heart science!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180711131201.htm

That’s all for me tonight folks. Time for us all to return to our individual infernos. Hopefully, you don’t melt in the next seven. If not, see you then.

Welcome to another posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. If you haven’t yet checked out the site or any of the authors who participate, click the image above and go whisking away. Everyone loves a good virtual whisking.

The amazing co-hosts for this posting of the IWSG are Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!

The optional question this month: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

My ultimate writing goals are to get my novels published. I currently have two completed ones, and I’ve started the third. The goal is actually bigger than it sounds when you hear that my second novel is the first in a series of five. I want to not only find homes for my completed novels, but also homes which will welcome me completing what I have started.

And yes, my goals have definitely changed over time. When I first started writing, I didn’t look past my first book. The goal at that time was to complete a single book. Now … I have no intention of stopping at three. 🙂

That’ll do it for this portion of my blog. Time for some news.

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Ah, Siri, you naughty thing.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gavin-williamson-siri_us_5b3c50a7e4b07b827cbbfbbb

He’s smarter and far more hip than your average bear.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bear-margarita-hot-tub_us_5b3bc90ee4b09e4a8b2821ec

Dude! They’re growing Neanderthal brains in a lab. This is both incredibly cool and terrifying all at once. Next up, interfacing with robots. Seriously!

https://www.livescience.com/62916-mini-neanderthal-brains.html

That’s all for me tonight, folks. See you back here in seven.

Hello all! Wednesday is here. It’s a hot one over here, like a bring your marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers outside kind of hot. The 100 degree day will fire up your s’more, fry an egg, or melt your brain. Same, same. I am so appreciative of air conditioning. My writing coherence is as well.

Time for me to prove it with some news.

This first story demonstrates people will buy anything. Critical thinking, people. *face palm*

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/man-trolls-festival-goers-selling-12773284

I love this raccoon. I may not be fond of neighborhood raccoons because they broke into my house and cost a lot of money. But this one is far, far away from me and a freaking rock star. A little raccoon rehab for my heart.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/13/619491657/raccoon-is-trapped-in-minnesota-after-capturing-fans-worldwide

This study underscores the importance of actual science in assessing generational changes. Our perceptions are skewed by our own experiences, the changing lens of childhood to adulthood, and screaming media stories calling into question “this generation.” Turns out, there’s a lot of good there.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180625122534.htm

That’s all from my scalding corner of the world. See you back here in seven.

Welcome back for another Wednesday, an “I’m exhausted and horrified by the real news” kind of Wednesday. I don’t know about you, but I need something beautiful and soothing. Time for some art and music.

This first one shows fantastic 3D street art, which is a frequent go-to for me. I love this stuff.

https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/absolutely-stunning-3d-street-art-paintings/

I also adore outdoor art installations. Look!

https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/7-must-see-public-art-installations-of-the-summer

Last but not least, music soothes the soul. This song lets me get lost in a total music experience. The video is a bit odd, though.

Peace out, my friends. See you back here in seven.

Happy Hump Day! The middle of the week has strolled back into our lives, ready and willing to let us all slide down its slope and into the weekend. Weeee!

Time for some news.

Who knew peacocks were so destructive. I’m getting a little economic activism as well. Low-end cars come in dark colors as well. The peacocks are only going after the expensive ones? I sense a revolt.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/peacocks-attacking-luxury-cars-canada_us_5b155c56e4b0d5e89e220cfe

Yuck, just yuck.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/susan-allan-liquid-poo_us_5b170960e4b0734a99387bb3

Normally when I search for a science story I look for a new advancement, technology, etc…. Today, however, I just wanted to read a story about how scientists could train and assess bees.

https://www.livescience.com/62773-bees-understand-concept-of-zero.html

That’s all for tonight, folks. See you back here in seven.