Streamlining Playtime

Technology is great, but it can be a little frustrating as well. Just when you have a collection of one thing going, the powers that be change the rules. First it was cassettes, then CDs. First it was VHS, then DVD... now it's Blu Ray. And don't even get started on the game systems. One good thing is that the newer XBox's, the xbox 360 also double as Blu Ray players. In fact, they have Internet accessibility and everything. It's a really good all around system that you can run all of your entertainment from. That, at least, helps a lot in streamlining the frustration.

Form Follows Function

As a freelance writer I've noticed that the later months and the first few months of each year tend to be dry times. That can make for a very long dry spell from somewhere around Thanksgiving at the end of November to after Valentine's day in February.

This year, however, I haven't noticed that happening at all--a good thing. However, I personally have had no ambition what-so-ever--a bad thing. I guess there is just no way to win over having some bad months each year. I know that my ability to concentrate, and my desire to produce took several big hits last year around late June. A beloved person passed away, I quit smoking (huge hit), just a few months later another person in the family passed away, and it took many months to recover from those hard blows in rapid succession. Still, around late December I thought I had it licked, but I find that I still have ups and downs. The up times are lasting a little longer now, but I still can't control the occasional depressions, or lack of desire.

I really hope that some year I can have it all come together where I am in top form, and the business is as well, preferably both at the same time.

Nostalgia and the Modern Age

Several friends and a few family members are pregnant and expecting new little bundles this year. It is exciting and nostalgic all at the same time. I remember the days of morning sickness and prenatal vitamins well. In fact, many of our photo albums are dedicated to the times when I was either pregnant or the kids were babies. Just a few years after digital cameras and computers became such a big thing that we don't have many physical photos beyond the younger years. I keep telling myself to get all of those SD cards turned into hard copies. It is easy enough to do. There's just something special about thumbing through old pictures. Sure you can do it on the computer but it doesn't have the same feeling.

Real Life Horror

This is downright scary. Knowing it is just in my backyard on the Illinois river systems makes it even more scary. If I didn't know it was a real problem I'd think this video was a cheap horror movie, but it's not.

Making It Real

An interesting thought just crossed my mind. I talk a lot about how to make characters more 'human' and real on a page. Things like quirky personalities, idiosyncrasies, furnishings, atmosphere, all help make things more believable. How many writers give their characters disabilities, or illnesses to deal with. How often do you find a character, even a supporting one, with eczema? I'm not making light of it, I mean it would make characters more real. Give stories more of a well-rounded personality and feel. There are so many aspects of real life that we'd prefer not to exist in fiction, but makes fiction more real.

Here Fishy Fishy

After watching this, I swear, the first time I go fishing this year I'm saying "heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere fishy fishy fishy." I'm sure it will freak my husband out.

Great Improvements in a Short Time

It's really amazing how far we've come with medical science. The cosmetic improvements as well are mind boggling. I'm not just talking about plastic surgery, botox, or other image improvements and augmentations. I'm talking about things to solve typical problems like male pattern baldness. Products to prevent hair loss are so sophisticated now that it is no longer a hit-or-miss thing now, most products work quite well. There are several to choose from and which one works best depends a lot on how they fit into your lifestyle, and financial situation. All of the fields of medicine from cosmetic to dentistry have come a long way in a very short time.

Life Keeps Going

I'm still watching the earthquake show. It is scary, and they even proved that a great quake and tsunami hit the Pacific coast about 300 years ago here in America. At first when watching this it makes you shake with fear and think it is only a matter of time until it happens again. Yep, it probably is, but then you think, hey, wait a minute. This great quake and monster tsunami hit there 300 years ago, and yet, the ground is still there, people are there. I'm sure 300 years ago there were few inhabitants. I'm also sure that if it were to happen again it would definitely be devastating, but I'm also going to bet that the land will not disappear, life will go on.

What to Choose

One of the marvels of modern life is the vast amount of choice we have for every single product of interest. I do not know which is the best wrinkle cream, but I know that I have a plethora of products to choose from that is the best one for 'me'. I think that might be the trick when it comes to choosing. You can argue until you are blue in the face with someone else who likes something else about what is best, but it should be more important to decide what is best 'for you.' Of course, what is best for you should also have the elements that make it simply 'the best' product of its kind. Rest assured, however, in that you will probably never have a shortage of choices. Online resources help make good decisions. Reviews and other product information gives you the ability to decide what is best, and best for you without even leaving home and facing the wall of products at your local store.

Megaquakes

I'm watching a show on the Science channel about the next great megaquake. They're talking about the Pacific Northwest here in America and it's kind of scary. I mean anyone growing up in America knows the Pacific coast is always at risk for a quake, but what they're talking about is horrific, real sink in the ocean and disappear, destroy the entire side of the continent type of damage. I don't know when it will happen, but after what happened in Haiti yesterday, it only brings the message of this program home.