kimlajevardi

Happy Wednesday. That sounds kind of dull, doesn’t it? Wonderful Wednesday. Nah… Welcome back Wednesday. Better. Hmm…

While I think about it some more–the news.

This first video speaks for itself. Watch. Trust me.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/guy-picks-up-car-bike-lane_55b7a827e4b0a13f9d1a48e2?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

This next video clip has been all over the news, and so normally I’d avoid it, but it’s so cute. I just had to. 😉

http://www.today.com/pets/police-officer-baby-owl-have-cutest-standoff-ever-t34901

And in science news, ancient African huts could teach the world something about the earth’s magnetic field. This article is not just interesting in what they’ve discovered, but I also loved hearing about the South Atlantic Anomaly–I had no idea. Double learning. Yay!

http://www.livescience.com/51688-ancient-huts-earth-magnetic-reversal.html

That’ll do it for another week. It’s time for me to go fight with a computer that thinks it needs to die. Wish me good technical thoughts.

Another week has passed, but not a regular week–one of the last weeks of July. Summer’s going too fast. I need a time-rewinder thingy. Someone help. I’ll pay. In fact, I bet teachers and students throughout the US will cough up a pretty penny to stall the end of summer.

Please.

Crickets. Sad face. Ugh…

All right. I guess it’s time for the news.

First up is yet another stupid criminal story. What can I say? I’m a sucker for stories of criminals who basically give themselves away.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/17/burglar-selfie_n_7820968.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

This is for a good cause, and I bet t-shirts are flying off the shelves promoting this thing. Brilliant!

http://www.sfgate.com/news/medical/article/Romanian-music-fest-gives-free-tickets-in-6394384.php

In science news, superheroes are even more super than we realized. Okay, they’re actually men and women with conditions that encumber their lives in ways I can only imagine, but they will be like superheroes to those that are saved by their conditions. Science for the win.

http://www.popsci.com/new-drugs-mimic-mutations-make-humans-more-super

That wraps up another week. Any chance one of you has found a time-rewinder thingy for me? No? Drat. Oh well, gonna go make the best of the few weeks I have left. Good night.

Welcome back for another edition of The Weekly News. Can you hear my booming voice? It’s super cool–Darth Vader style even. Well…maybe that’s just in my own head. A lot of good things happen in my head, but not nearly enough of them make their way out. What’s up with that? 😉

This past week I took some beautiful pictures of the lake near my house, and it has me all atwitter about photography. Here are some other photos that really struck me. The first half dozen display the beauty of Earth and the rest show many faces of people.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/theweekinpictures/11731449/The-week-in-pictures-10-July-2015.html?frame=3370698

Time lapse images of Earth from Japan’s new satellite.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/10/science/An-Image-of-Earth-Every-Ten-Minutes.html?utm_source=loopinsight.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+loopinsight%2FKqJb+(The+Loop)&utm_content=FeedBurner&_r=1

And in science news, Pluto. The New Horizons probe has sent back images that give us information about the dwarf planet, and in doing so, change things for geophysicists. New information brings new understanding. This is why we explore, and why we need to continue funding exploration. Knowledge.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33543383

That’ll do it for me. Time to curl up on my chair and relax a bit before bed. Ooh…and have my tea. Yum. See you next week.

Well, hello there. Happy hump day!

Why the cheery mood? Dunno. I’m giddy for no specific reason. I could chalk it up to summer and the relaxing time I’ve had lately, but that’s part and parcel of having summers off. So I can’t fully explain it, but then again, good moods are better enjoyed than examined.

While I bask in my grin, some news.

First up, this is cool. I may be a dork, but being able to make a tortilla into a record seems like a great party trick.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/08/tortilla-record-vinyl_n_7751094.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Geez. It started out as a way to point out the insanity of walking with your attention somewhere else, but now they think it’s a good idea that should spread? What is wrong with us?

http://www.sfgate.com/business/technology/article/Utah-school-creates-texting-lane-for-6335753.php

And on deck in the science slot for this week, an ongoing debate about whether time is real or merely a matter of human perspective. Color me intrigued.

http://www.livescience.com/51465-the-illusion-of-time.html

That’ll do it for me once again. Have a great rest of your week–with a smile if you can.

Time for another month of angst-ridden posts from the talented writers of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Fear and doubt are just side effects of this gig we writers sign up for, and as such, need to be soothed by commiserating with other jittery messes on a regular basis. You can either join in the nervous camaraderie by clicking on the image above, reading postings from a wide range of talented but quirky messes, or you can throw chocolate and coffee at us. Your choice. 😉

The awesome co-hosts today are Charity Bradford, S.A. Larsen, AJ,Tamara Narayan, Allison Gammons, and Tanya Miranda!

Time for my insecurity this month:

It’s size.

😮

No, not that kind of size. It’s my manuscript. I’m currently writing a fantasy novel that kind of made itself known early on as the first in what I thought was going to be a trilogy. But… it’s feeling bigger.

You can’t see me now, but my head has fallen to the desk and my shaking is nearly record-breaking. Seriously.

A darn character presented himself last week. Someone that the other characters and I all believed was dead–someone that I only started realizing a week prior could still be alive–and he not only showed up alive, but with a damn interesting voice and backstory all his own. Now, the story is growing and I’m questioning my ability to contain and develop it.

What have I gotten myself in to? Am I capable of that level of world building? 

Need coffee. So. Much. Coffee.

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In a slightly less dramatic gesture, head slowly peeling itself from my desktop, here’s the news. See…I can perform a Vanna wave. I’m not shaking at all. Gonna keep it light. Yeah, that’ll help. Light and funny.

Up first, my favorite is the third one. He’s just scratching away taking in the weird people all dressed up when clearly it’s Miller time.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/best-wedding-photobombs-ever-dolphin-5980003

Firefighters rock! Yay for the rescued cow! And um…bulls just wanna have fun. *Snort*

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/watch-randy-bulls-being-hosed-5976955

Last, but never least, science news. Cool discovery that may someday help us understand fear more. Probably late to help me with my current nervous twitterings, but in the future…maybe say by the second or third book. I’m going with it. Yes, definitely by the second or third book. Nothing to fear, right?

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/one-path-fear-takes-brain-discovered?tgt=nr

That’ll do it for me today. For those of you in the U.S., enjoy your fourth! For everyone else, enjoy coffee. Oh, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Welcome back for our regularly scheduled news break. I’m on time this week. Yay! Home and relaxing on my favorite chair with the laptop propped up on my lap–as it should be. Summer is kicking around outside, roasting everything under the sun. But you won’t hear any complaints from me because I’m on break. A little sweat is worth days where I can spend time writing. I’m getting much closer to finishing the first draft of my second novel. Ah… So much closer. That is my own personal news.

Now on to the rest of the world. 🙂

This first story is a ten on the ewwww scale. I don’t eat around my computer very often, but that’s going to change to never. I’m never bringing food around my computer again. So gross. I keep wiping along my arms. Clean work spaces people. I’m looking at you twenty-something gamers. Eww!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/computer-bug-spine-crawling-video-shows-5943909

Biscuits are good, but… Master criminal he is not. Um… some people make it too easy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/18/shane-lindsay_n_7613458.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

This next science story is super cool, and it shows the benefits of looking to biology for engineering solutions for our machines. Nothing like Terminator, of course. But engineering solutions the way our amazing bodies do. Nice!

http://www.popsci.com/material-could-instantly-repair-airplane-wings-mid-flight

That’ll do it for me tonight. I have more writing to do. See you in a week–seven more days of words on paper. Night.

I’m a little early this week, I know. Confused? Don’t worry–I didn’t lose track of time again. I have to attend a national competition that my students are participating in. School is still over–they couldn’t drag me in during the summer with even the biggest of nets–but National’s are during the summer because students come from many states. Short story long, I won’t be around tomorrow.

So early news it is. 🙂

I’m thinking that the expense of a crane, and the size of what it lifts warrants some measure of experience for use. Call me crazy.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/viral-video-shows-you-how-5893928

As a teacher, this would be so embarrassing.  Printers make mistakes, but, um… maybe checking the diplomas before you give them out would be wise. Ouch.

http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/school-districts-diploma-cover-features-wrong-state-seal-31759538

And in science news, attempting to define black holes. This is so cool because it could rewrite our understanding of the universe. I think. And if the rest of the universe is imperfect, then maybe they’re correct about the copies made by black holes. Wouldn’t it be interesting to think of black holes as giant galactic copy machines?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150616155037.htm

That’ll do it for another week. I’m off to pack. Fingers crossed for my team. Have a fantastic week, and I’ll see you next Wednesday.

Sorry I’m a little late posting tonight. I was engrossed in the best movie I’ve seen in a long time: Interstellar. Great concept, conflict, themes, acting, special effects, etc… I can’t rave about it enough. If you haven’t seen it, rent it immediately. And to top it off, I got to watch it with my son. Bonus.

In keeping with the science theme of the movie. Strong science to my level of understanding. Are there holes? Probably. But a popular movie that’s based on high-level science concepts is a giant leap forward. We need science and the resulting knowledge almost as much as we need air, food and water. And in homage to the field of study that will carry us forward if we allow it, three science-based news stories today.

Why Mars? Because we can. Exploration is our nature. And the search needs to go beyond our planet. You’ll never convince me that we should use our resources to make more pretty widgets or shiny gadgets. Knowledge is the key to our future and the future of humanity.

http://www.livescience.com/51102-nasa-manned-mars-mission-phobos.html

Study and advancement. Science changes the world. This could help you individually. Think about how far medical breakthroughs have already changed our lives.

https://student.societyforscience.org/article/altered-gene-leaves-people-totally-painfree

I’m not going to pretend to understand the extent of how this next story can influence society. Computers are also above my pay grade. But computers manipulating not just data but matter itself, well, that changes the game completely.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20150509223026.shtml

That’ll do it for me. Yawn. It’s way past my bedtime. But let these final words bounce around in your mind if you’re willing: Science is the study and observation of the physical and natural world. Learning about the world basically. Aren’t we all scientists under that definition?

Time for another batch of twittering writer insecurities. Every month quivering messes of writers position themselves behind their keyboards and type out their doubts, fears or insecurities in hope of… well, connection most of all. But I also believe it’s also a bit of virtual therapy. Free therapy. Won’t you join us? Take part in the Freudian exercise as spectators if nothing else. Click on the image above and find yourself transported to the site that lists the names or aliases of those authorial messes. Come on, you know you want to. 😉

Thanks to the co-hosts this month:  M. Pax, Tracy Jo, Patricia Lynne, Rachna Chhabria, Feather Stone, and Randi Lee!

Now on to my insecurity.

I find myself again questioning one of my decisions in my current WIP. I began my second novel with every intention of writing in 3rd person limited. I initially believed that the 3rd person POV would give the greatest exposure to the world–given that it’s fantasy–and allow me to choose to maintain that POV choice but expand to include a second POV in the 2nd book. That was before. Then about halfway through my first draft, I felt stymied by the limits of 3rd, primarily the lack of intimacy. The first book focuses on the changes to the world through the eyes of the heroine, and I kept feeling that it was lacking her full voice. So… I switched to first.

Big inhale.

I rewrote over 35,000 words to make the transition to first. A lot of work–yes, but I was feeling it. The next 5-10,000 poured out and it felt right. But then I paused to re-read it all. I had taken a break to edit on another project, and I often re-read a WIP when I have to transition. It puts me back in the characters’ heads and all that. Anyways, I began to question my decision. Again. Blah! This time, it’s not the lack of intimacy, but the lack of exposure. Her feelings and experiences are coming through loud and clear, but the world no longer is.

Which brings me to my insecurity/question: What POV do you all favor and why?

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Time for some news.

Up first we have a video I first saw on Facebook but loved so much that I had to share it with all of you. I’ve shared Eminem songs before because I am a fan, but this woman made the song better. Without further ado, the best rendition of Lose Yourself that I’ve seen. Not news, but just plain old awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/28/lose-yourself-sign-language-asl_n_7464980.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news&ir=Weird%20News

Too many comments. I would have died laughing. And this town… Why have I not heard about this town before? Giant traffic cones. Mankinis. My eyes are watering from the tears of laughter. Just read. You’ll see.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/human-traffic-cones-cause-havoc-5817975

And in science news–it’s back!

http://www.livescience.com/51064-lhc-produces-new-data.html

That’ll do it for my first week as more-relaxed-than-normal writer woman, instead of stressed and juggling teacher/writer woman. Enjoy your week. I’m off to get myself some froyo. New addiction. I may or may not have had it every day for the last five days. Don’t judge.

Maybe I’ll run into some traffic cones on my way. 😉

As a springboard into summer, some of us are banding together and hopping between favorite vacation spots identified on participating blogs. Join us! The wonderful co-hosts below also have special giveaways on their blogs, and who doesn’t like free stuff–especially books?
Lexa Cain: http://lexacain.blogspot.com/
Melanie Karsak: http://www.melaniekarsak.com/
T.F. Walsh: http://www.tfwalsh.com/blog/
Vanessa Morgan: http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com/
Jolie Du Pre: http://www.preciousmonsters.com/
Stuart R. West: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

For my favorite, I cracked open my picture folder and sifted through the hundreds of photos I have from my favorite vacation ever. It was 2010, and I was finishing up my Master’s degree program with one final class–the best class ever. The class involved one thing: a trip to Peru, Chile and Easter Island. Seriously. I loved the trip–especially Peru. Easter Island was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but it’s an island. Once you’ve driven from end to end and everywhere in between, you’ve seen it.

But not Peru. Oh my gosh. We went to Cusco, Ollaytaytambo, Pisac, Machu Picchu and several other cultural sites, and we barely scratched the surface. The people were warm and interesting and the history was spectacular. Take a look at just a small sampling of what Peru has to offer:

A women’s collective organization showed us how they dye and weave the textiles they make from alpaca wool. Afterwards, they cooked guinea pigs for us. They’re considered a delicacy in Peru.

The Maras Salt Mines cover an entire mountainside and make up the income for dozens of families. Individual pools of water and salt that make the hillside look snow-covered. We hiked in along a beautiful path and then enjoyed the subsequent hike out through a valley. This picture cannot even begin to do justice to the view.

Terraces everywhere. The ancient Incas made use of terraces on mountainside after mountainside. We hiked a number of them. Beautiful sites to behold and great for the calves. I may or may not have been lapped by an older Peruvian women carrying a baby coming down the side of one of these.

And Machu Picchu needs no explanation. AMAZING!

If you enjoyed my vacation pics, why not hop on over to more participant blogs. It’s the next best thing to actually going to those locals yourself. 🙂