I'm probably showing my age by admitting that the most fun I've had of late is playing some D&D last Sunday. We went totally old school and just used notebook paper, a set of dice, and our memories. No laptop with CoreRules 2.0 Expanded, not even a Players Handbook. It was the first rogue I've played in... probably 20 years? (I tried to play an assassin once and TOTALLY SUCKED AT IT. I'm so "not evil" it's not even funny. Well, actually it is funny. But that's a long story and we'll get into it some other time.)
This guy (yes, guy) is a rogue in the smooth-talking, just trying to get by sort of way. His twin sister is more the trouble maker. He learned a few of his roguish skills in his unending quest to protect his uncontrollable (an unfortunately gorgeous) sister. All he really wants to do is work on his beer brewing and find some way to NOT take over the family inn, the Sign of the Lucky Pony, even though he's the oldest child.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
NeoDaq Down
I haven't had much of a chance to play NeoPets of late, but every now and then I sneak a peek at my NeoStocks to see if I've gotten a little NeoCash. Not so much. Right now I'm sitting on about a 30% loss. Remind me not to hit Wall Street.
The Rumors of My Death Are Greatly Exaggerated
Sorry I dropped off the planet. I'll be back soon, I promise. And post all of the stuff I missed...
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
On Writing and Being a Writer
Sixthdoctor's review of Ben Domenech's plagiarism led him to contemplation about what it means to write and to be a writer. Much like the sixthdoctor I have created a small collection of rejection slips and found that I didn't have the stick-to-it-tivity to continue when I wasn't getting positive reinforcement. Because writing is, at heart, all about honesty. Which means that it is real and it hurts that much more when it isn't appreciated. My job is just "a job," but my writing is me. Like sixthdoctor, I find the idea of plagiarism isn't even comprehensible. Who would do that? Why? Since writing is all about honesty, plagiarism means you aren't a writer. You can be a transcriber, and a dishonest one at that, but not a writer.
*due to a quantum singularity and a flux in the time/space continuum you may be seeing this post before/during/after the time it was/is/will be posted - mileage may vary*
*due to a quantum singularity and a flux in the time/space continuum you may be seeing this post before/during/after the time it was/is/will be posted - mileage may vary*
Saturday, January 6, 2007
JASPER Profile on Tickle
What you want out of work:
To dream big and to foster your creativity and knack for innovation.
Your colleagues think of you as:
A creative, abstract thinker who is fun to watch in action.
What you have to offer:
Not only new and better ideas for how things can be improved, but also the courage to pursue them.
Innovative. Your leadership style can be characterized as Innovative. You tend to be inventive and proactive in creating new ways to get things done, bringing a sense of confidence to most things you do. You aren't afraid to take risks if it means finding a new, better way.
Deliberate. You are more Deliberate than Spontaneous when it comes to your work personality. You are disciplined in your approach to work, and tend to follow the rules and comply with organizational expectations. As such, people count on you to be reliable and consistent.
Communication skills. You likely are an articulate person, and you probably have received positive feedback on your writing ability or your skill speaking to groups. Even if you don't regularly use this skill, you nevertheless have confidence in your communication abilities.
Collaborative. You show strength in your ability to be a Collaborative worker. While you're not at a loss when working by yourself, you feel much more productive when you can work with a team and bounce ideas off of other people. You also likely enjoy the camaraderie of group work.
Back Off, Man. I'm a Philosopher.
Apparently I'm three-sided. That hurts my brain, so I'll assume that I'm six-sided and need to divide by two. (How to spot the gamer in the room, don't you know.) Check out Ansir's Three Sides of You. Some of my results:
Thinking Style: Kinsmen
* Family is the common thread running through all they think and do.
* They are gifted negotiators.
"Family is the theme that repeats throughout all they do. The world is but an extension of that deeply-rooted conviction. The Kinsmen tendencey is to see the goodness in others. They remind us of what is ultimately important in life and why each has others in the world. These intelligent, unprepossessing individuals are not driven by ego. Their style is more of the show than tell variety. Their living is their teaching. Set a problem before a Kinsmen, apprise them of needs and objectives and relax thereafter. Not meeting the expectations of others or the standards of work are viewed as personal failure by them. One hallmark characteristic of the Kinsmen strength is their consensus approach to problem-solving. At set intervals they seek general consensus on results to date, gaining approval from all concerned before continuing. Of all and many abilities the one most ascribed to Kinsmen is their unflappable, enduring patience. Many judges, magistrates and religious leaders are of the Kinsmen style of strength."
Working Style: Visionary
* They are driven to do something significant in their lifetime.
* They aspire to being recognized/remembered for their achievements.
"Visionary is a born leader, as well as a card-carrying member of the workaholic club. Even among that select group, theirs is often the more serious affliction. These are the big-picture visionaries. The ones whose eyes are so firmly focused on the future that they hardly notice today's mud at their feet. "Brainstorming" and "think tanks" are typical workplace innovations of theirs and reflective of their intellectual curiosity and people-propensity. This is the strength of intuitive-intellect. A Visionary approach to all and to life is standout different. Leadership is their natural role. They delegate well and handle problems of project, personnel and process efficiently. They are known to be tough, meaning inflexible about poor job performance (their own and others'). When it comes to taking chances, Visionary leads the world; but then, they do have that ace up their sleeve: intuition. Others may consider them extraordinarily bold risk-takers. Their own opinion differs. When emotion gives the nod, Visionary sees it as considerably riskier to ignore their own truth in favour of logic, and much less rewarding.
Emoting Style: Philosopher
* Individual first and gender second is their order of priority and importance in choosing a mate.
* Dishonesty or deception are not practiced nor tolerated by them.
"If asked, they readily offer the shirt off their back. That act in and of itself is not unusual. What differentiates the Philosopher strength from others is that in their giving it is understood they give but once and will neither button nor straighten collars afterwards. They walk with hand extended and arms open to help. Rather than giving, lifting and carrying, what Philosopher does is boost confidence. They expect others to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get back in the race under their own steam and initiative. An aura of confidence surrounds them and draws others like iron filings to a magnet. A more inspirational and powerful being than Philosopher has yet to be born. They tend to be non-judgemental about sexual preferences and proclivities, and contemptuous of dictated propriety. What matters is the depth of fulfillment through emotional sharing, where innermost truth is offered and shared at soul-level with others. Finding a compatible mate is the single greatest challenge for Philosopher."
Thinking Style: Kinsmen
* Family is the common thread running through all they think and do.
* They are gifted negotiators.
"Family is the theme that repeats throughout all they do. The world is but an extension of that deeply-rooted conviction. The Kinsmen tendencey is to see the goodness in others. They remind us of what is ultimately important in life and why each has others in the world. These intelligent, unprepossessing individuals are not driven by ego. Their style is more of the show than tell variety. Their living is their teaching. Set a problem before a Kinsmen, apprise them of needs and objectives and relax thereafter. Not meeting the expectations of others or the standards of work are viewed as personal failure by them. One hallmark characteristic of the Kinsmen strength is their consensus approach to problem-solving. At set intervals they seek general consensus on results to date, gaining approval from all concerned before continuing. Of all and many abilities the one most ascribed to Kinsmen is their unflappable, enduring patience. Many judges, magistrates and religious leaders are of the Kinsmen style of strength."
Working Style: Visionary
* They are driven to do something significant in their lifetime.
* They aspire to being recognized/remembered for their achievements.
"Visionary is a born leader, as well as a card-carrying member of the workaholic club. Even among that select group, theirs is often the more serious affliction. These are the big-picture visionaries. The ones whose eyes are so firmly focused on the future that they hardly notice today's mud at their feet. "Brainstorming" and "think tanks" are typical workplace innovations of theirs and reflective of their intellectual curiosity and people-propensity. This is the strength of intuitive-intellect. A Visionary approach to all and to life is standout different. Leadership is their natural role. They delegate well and handle problems of project, personnel and process efficiently. They are known to be tough, meaning inflexible about poor job performance (their own and others'). When it comes to taking chances, Visionary leads the world; but then, they do have that ace up their sleeve: intuition. Others may consider them extraordinarily bold risk-takers. Their own opinion differs. When emotion gives the nod, Visionary sees it as considerably riskier to ignore their own truth in favour of logic, and much less rewarding.
Emoting Style: Philosopher
* Individual first and gender second is their order of priority and importance in choosing a mate.
* Dishonesty or deception are not practiced nor tolerated by them.
"If asked, they readily offer the shirt off their back. That act in and of itself is not unusual. What differentiates the Philosopher strength from others is that in their giving it is understood they give but once and will neither button nor straighten collars afterwards. They walk with hand extended and arms open to help. Rather than giving, lifting and carrying, what Philosopher does is boost confidence. They expect others to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get back in the race under their own steam and initiative. An aura of confidence surrounds them and draws others like iron filings to a magnet. A more inspirational and powerful being than Philosopher has yet to be born. They tend to be non-judgemental about sexual preferences and proclivities, and contemptuous of dictated propriety. What matters is the depth of fulfillment through emotional sharing, where innermost truth is offered and shared at soul-level with others. Finding a compatible mate is the single greatest challenge for Philosopher."
Getting to Know Me...
- WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 7am
- DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Hmmm, pressurized carbon or oyster phlegm...
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE T.V. SHOW? Current? The Colbert Report!
- WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Breakfast?
- WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Mine, not yours. :) It's a family name.
- FAVORITE CUISINE? Hmmm. Depends on my mood. Haven't we covered this food thing with me before?
- WHAT FOODS DO YOU DISLIKE? Bad food.
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHIP FLAVOR? Sour cream and onion.
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD AT THE MOMENT? CD? How old school. I keep hitting my humor mix on my iPod which starts off with Ultimate Showdown and White and Nerdy.
- KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Sedan.
- FAVORITE SANDWICH? Oh, food again... Egg salad is always good.
- WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU DESPISE? Evil. I hate evil. It actually gives me the wiggins.
- WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU LOVE MOST? Good. Humanity, altruism, kindness...
- FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? Purple leather bomber jacket. Yes, I own AND WEAR a purple leather bomber jacket. Heck, I have purple suede gloves and boots, too.
- IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? The vault at Fort Knox... can I get some souveniers...?
- WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? A sort of foresty light gray-green. I love that color.
- FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? My new favorite designer is Dana Buchman. Is that the same as a favorite brand?
- TO WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE? Not sure. I think I have some time to decide.
- WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? When I turned 30 we combined a fancy restaurant with a Scooby-doo themed party. I got a stuffed Scooby and wore it on my head the rest of the night because I thought I should "put on the dog." I swear I wasn't drinking alcohol.
- FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Probably ice skating. It's the only "sport" I will watch on TV. I prefer everything else live - baseball and football games are my favorite live sports.
- FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Out onto the internets.
- WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? Gosh, that's personal. I'm a Scorpio. We like to be more secretive than that...
- WHEN IS YOUR ANNIVERSARY? ???!!! October.
- ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON? Night owl!
- WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Writer.
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Milky Way Midnight!
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Iris.
- WHAT IS A DATE ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Tomorrow. There's always tomorrow...
- FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Span of the United States.
- NAME A SMALL THING YOU REALLY ENJOY: Bite size Milky Way Midnight!
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers
Which famous feline are you?
You're Tigger. Playful and fun-loving, you enjoy hanging out with friends even though you don't always have to be the center of attention. You're never pessimistic or sluggish. Your enthusiasm is at once endearing and over-the-top. You're the quintessential extrovert.
Take this quiz!
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Tip o' the hat to Deb at Property of a Lady.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Stephen vs. the Factinistas: Episode One
Colbert snapped his cuff link in place and studied his face in the mirror. Fortunately the Truth was strong in him and the stress of the last forty eight hours wasn't showing. The memo his interns had received while he'd been on vacation had sent them into a panic. They had called and called and called until it had just been easier to talk to them than to keep hanging up. He would have fired them if they didn't work for free and shine his shoes to such a nice, shiny gloss. A shiny, shiny gloss...
Right, the memo. The Factinistas were determined to strike within the studio. He didn't see what all of the fuss was about. The interns had been all, "What will we do?" and "Are we safe?" and "Oh no, when are they coming?" Ridiculous. Stephen gave himself The Eyebrow in the mirror and considered that perhaps tonight's Word should be "Interns Have No Balls." He knew he had the Truth on his side. Factinistas attacking inside the studio wasn't possible. The interns could hire all of the security staff they wanted to. Using their own funds, of course, which they seemed to have raised with desperate phone calls to grandparents and friends that had gotten real jobs. But it really didn't matter because the idea was preposterous. Stephen gave the mirror one more look and headed out into the studio lights.
Right, the memo. The Factinistas were determined to strike within the studio. He didn't see what all of the fuss was about. The interns had been all, "What will we do?" and "Are we safe?" and "Oh no, when are they coming?" Ridiculous. Stephen gave himself The Eyebrow in the mirror and considered that perhaps tonight's Word should be "Interns Have No Balls." He knew he had the Truth on his side. Factinistas attacking inside the studio wasn't possible. The interns could hire all of the security staff they wanted to. Using their own funds, of course, which they seemed to have raised with desperate phone calls to grandparents and friends that had gotten real jobs. But it really didn't matter because the idea was preposterous. Stephen gave the mirror one more look and headed out into the studio lights.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Are We Having Fun Yet?
My NeoPet Leilani has been doing better since I figured out that I can check her into a hotel and they will feed her and groom her and otherwise keep her happy and healthy. Leilani and I have been investing in the NeoMarket and playing NeoQuest. We've also put in the first room in our NeoHome and started to decorate. Apparently the recent activity has paid off because while checking pages for this post Leilani went up to level 2 even though she hasn't entered the Battledome. (She cries if she can't get the book she wants, how could I send her into battle?) Like many of the fun online things I do, I picked up the link to NeoPets from Pam at Beancounters.
The quiz for the week is from Tom Hilton at If I Ran the Zoo, the Which Personality Quiz are You? Quiz.
The quiz for the week is from Tom Hilton at If I Ran the Zoo, the Which Personality Quiz are You? Quiz.
You scored as Which Personality Quiz Are You?. While most people have a personality, you have a meta-personality. You live a life of ironic detachment, self-conscious and self-mocking. You maintain your sanity by being more amused than aghast at the absurdities people are willing to believe.
Which Personality Quiz Are You? created with QuizFarm.com |
You scored as Mermaid. Mermaid: Mermaids are also known as Sirens. These creatures were beautiful women who tricked sailors into becoming completely entranced by their haunting voices and found death soon after. Not all stories of Mermaids are about gentle loving sea people. They are mystical, magical, and extremely dangerous. They have a way about them that brings anyone they are around to seem enchanted. They are very mysterious creatures and to meet one... Would mean certain Death. Let the song of the Sea fill your soul, for you are a Mermaid.
What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!) created with QuizFarm.com |
Allow Me To Make An Introduction
I swear this is the first result I got...
There is a Rap Masta D coming. Are you sure you're on the right side?
Thank You...
RapmastaD would like to thank the coMmANdEr for inviting him to share his/her thoughts on myriad topics of unimportance...sure to be shocking if not stupid. Stay tuned.
Quote of the day: "If we all sacrificed like Saddam Hussein (with a choke and wriggle followed by limp repose), the war would be over and we would have achieved an everlasting peace."
Quote of the day: "If we all sacrificed like Saddam Hussein (with a choke and wriggle followed by limp repose), the war would be over and we would have achieved an everlasting peace."
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
"His brain is gone!"
I just tried to go to Spocko's Brain and got a 404:File not found message. If anyone finds Spocko's Brain, please tell me.
Shaping a Life - Books, Writers, and Writing
I was inspired by Jeff Hess at Have Coffee Will Write to think about the books that have shaped my life. Jeff was asked by a friend to identify ten and ended up with his "Eighteen Books That Have Shaped My World."
Usually I just think about ones that are favorites, but that is slightly different than the books that shaped my personal reality. Some fit into both categories and some don't. I have always been a voracious reader so the question becomes what really stuck, what really made a difference. I can't remember where I read it, but I have to agree that I wasn't so much influenced by what I read as I discovered myself in it. So much of who we are isn't revealed until a light is shone upon it, and quite often I have found that light through the words of an author that resonates with me on a very deep level. I haven't gotten to ten yet, but I may come back and update the post as they come to me. I'll have to say that they aren't in any particular order. That may not turn out to be true, but I'll figure that out later.
In my own fiction life I have dug out ye olde files and tried to decide what I will focus on. Focus, for me, is not such an easy thing. To be kind we could call it a... non-talent. Snappy dialogue? Check. Engaging characters? Check. Interesting plots? Check. Focus to get something done? Er.... not so much. If you ever need to see a very large collection of first chapters, I'm your girl. I wonder if I could bundle them all up and sell them under the title "Potential"?
Usually I just think about ones that are favorites, but that is slightly different than the books that shaped my personal reality. Some fit into both categories and some don't. I have always been a voracious reader so the question becomes what really stuck, what really made a difference. I can't remember where I read it, but I have to agree that I wasn't so much influenced by what I read as I discovered myself in it. So much of who we are isn't revealed until a light is shone upon it, and quite often I have found that light through the words of an author that resonates with me on a very deep level. I haven't gotten to ten yet, but I may come back and update the post as they come to me. I'll have to say that they aren't in any particular order. That may not turn out to be true, but I'll figure that out later.
- Cosmos - Carl Sagan (As part of my 'reading everything in the house' campaign I probably read this the first time when I was seven years old. The wonder it inspires was delightful to my young mind.)
- If I Ran the Circus - Dr. Seuss (We had a ton of Dr. Seuss books in our house, but not this one. I read it at school once and it stuck with me for the rest of my life. When we got some "childhood stuff" from my father-in-law's house I discovered that my husband had a copy all along. I hopped up and down saying, "I knew I loved you for a reason!" Then I sat down on the floor and re-read it for the first time in twenty-five years. It still struck a cord. What resonated? It was probably the first budding sign of my leadership talent - a desire to dream a big dream and be in charge. It took a long time for that talent to manifest and others saw it before I did.)
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (I used to read the trilogy every year for about a decade. I thought I was Marvin. Turned out I'm Eddie. Or maybe Trillian. What resonated? Wonder and genius and humor. "You may think that it's a long way to the corner chemist's, but that's just peanuts compared to space...")
- The Stainless Steel Rat - Harry Harrison (I don't remember where the quote shows up in the series, but to this day I often repeat the phrase, "Never lie. Tell selective truths." It's the only way for someone compulsively honest like me to live a somewhat normal life.)
In my own fiction life I have dug out ye olde files and tried to decide what I will focus on. Focus, for me, is not such an easy thing. To be kind we could call it a... non-talent. Snappy dialogue? Check. Engaging characters? Check. Interesting plots? Check. Focus to get something done? Er.... not so much. If you ever need to see a very large collection of first chapters, I'm your girl. I wonder if I could bundle them all up and sell them under the title "Potential"?
Monday, January 1, 2007
SUBJECT: SCI-FI BUREAUCRACY
TO: READERS OF TTGSiMH
FROM: CMDR SUE
Over the holidays my sister Cmdr Tal made a joke during a viewing of the Star Wars trilogy regarding the bureaucracy that would underlie an enormous undertaking like the Deathstar. She pointed out that any bureaucrat worth his salt would have documented when Darth Vader requested actions outside of normal policies and procedures, and would have popped over to a console to jot off a quick email to darth.vader@deathstar.gov, perhaps with a copy to the Emperor's executive assistant and two witness on the bridge, to back up why said actions were taken. "Lord Vader, as per your instructions on Imperial Date XXX, I have countermanded Imperial Code XV.I.2, subsection 3, paragraph 4." In the hopes of, you know, not getting blamed when the Deathstar blows up.
That made me start to think about all of the mundane bureaucracy that would be at the heart of our favorite sci-fi and makes me declare that Mondays will now be Sci-Fi Bureaucracy Day. Yep, I'm putting a FOIA request out for the future. Check in to see what emails, forms, and other gems of everyday documentation added up to form the underpinning of our favorite science fiction stories. (Except for The Hitchhiker's Guide, I suppose. It was very straightforward about the bureaucracy of the future.)
*Note: Due to a flux in the time/space continuum this post was drafted on Saturday and posted on Tuesday, but is documented with the date/time that was originally intended.*
FROM: CMDR SUE
Over the holidays my sister Cmdr Tal made a joke during a viewing of the Star Wars trilogy regarding the bureaucracy that would underlie an enormous undertaking like the Deathstar. She pointed out that any bureaucrat worth his salt would have documented when Darth Vader requested actions outside of normal policies and procedures, and would have popped over to a console to jot off a quick email to darth.vader@deathstar.gov, perhaps with a copy to the Emperor's executive assistant and two witness on the bridge, to back up why said actions were taken. "Lord Vader, as per your instructions on Imperial Date XXX, I have countermanded Imperial Code XV.I.2, subsection 3, paragraph 4." In the hopes of, you know, not getting blamed when the Deathstar blows up.
That made me start to think about all of the mundane bureaucracy that would be at the heart of our favorite sci-fi and makes me declare that Mondays will now be Sci-Fi Bureaucracy Day. Yep, I'm putting a FOIA request out for the future. Check in to see what emails, forms, and other gems of everyday documentation added up to form the underpinning of our favorite science fiction stories. (Except for The Hitchhiker's Guide, I suppose. It was very straightforward about the bureaucracy of the future.)
*Note: Due to a flux in the time/space continuum this post was drafted on Saturday and posted on Tuesday, but is documented with the date/time that was originally intended.*
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