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 |   A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life. |
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.  I'm starting a new blog because
I'll be linking to
I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
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| Part 2! Added after reading hullabaloo22  's entry on winter."But to reflect on what you have written. 1. I'm happy when I'm happy but the "forced jollity" as you put it doesn't cheer me up. I tends to piss me off when others insist that I HAVE to be happy for them to be happy. I despise coercion. 2. Everything closes. Many places try to make these holidays 4 days off, especially when they fall on a Thursday or Tuesday. This year it's Wednesday and the Senior Center closes for only one day. But... I bet it'll close early on the 24th and 31st like the library (which already means... two writers group meet-ups are cancelled. 3. I can tolerate one day. One of the local cafés or bars or casinos will probably be open on one day or the other. That helps. But... as you say... getting advice or help is difficult if not impossible. 4. My niece's birthday is the 31st. I haven't spoken to her in years. But that's how my family mis-functions. We're not close. So while everyone else does these family things there is nothing for me. Being attached to someone else's family makes it even harder. Last year... was bad. 5. Champagne and fireworks... My New Years Day is in March and doesn't involve champagne. As for fireworks... elsewhere not here. Go out if it's frigid? I don't have a car so walking is an issue. I've spent these days in Costa Rica other years and that's better. Watch it on TV (celebrations, parades, football?). I don't have television. So yeah, these days are tricky for me as well. But other than these two weeks there's hope for snow and sunshine.  The farmer's market will be open on Saturdays and I'll get out of town sooner or later." Part 1! From earlier. IceSkatingSugarCube  mentions a quandary about working on her cover for a book that needs to come out January 21st. I'm sure some constructive ideas would be appreciated. It's a touchy situation needing tact. (A virtue for sure but not one that I'm really good at). Entry: "Invalid Entry"  Robert Waltz  was not amused with the new Star Wars movie... has anyone else seen it? runningwolf04 will be facing surgery next month but she appears to be doing much better. A great time to visit her here and support her efforts to become healthy. hullabaloo22 responded to wrapping prompt. I commented: "I kept paper from year to year. Pieces kept getting smaller... but I loved wrapping as a child and as a teenager because it allowed me to be creative. My creativity wasn't really encouraged. My parents and factory town neighbors seldom understood me. In Costa Rica the posada (manger scene) is still what one finds in homes. Trees? Yes, some, but it's an alien idea. It's the time of year when poinsettias bloom. I would love to have some pine boughs but it's not like I can clip my neighbors' trees! I'll just have to be happy with incense and geraniums in bloom reaching towards the pale slant of winter-light." bobturn is having fun with the SCREAMS prompts in his blog: "Invalid Item" Very few bloggers seem to be posting. It's almost as if they have better things to do! Can't imagine what that might be...  I'll need to revisit Robert Waltz as he just posted about non-morning people. My sister and mother are morning people. I am NOT*. (*I do better if the sun gets up early; I'm light sensitive; Montana is dark in the winter.)And yes, it's ghostly here in Blogville. Feels like everyone is in hibernation. |
Katya the Poet  is celebrating 30 years of marriage, theatre, and family gatherings in her blog entry: "30 Years" . Unfortunately, I have nothing similar to celebrate. I replied:So glad everyone is thinking of the pets. I don't have any because I'm still traveling but who knows how long that will last. Maybe until I'm forced to move. This city is gentrifying and kicking us out. Urban Iowa beckons. Or back to small town Kansas and an old car? I'll have to do the numbers. In any case, doubt I'll live anywhere near family. We spread out long ago and nothing will bring us back together. I know how sad that sounds... I do mourn at times. My cousin left a message asking where I was. I replied Montana. I've been dying here 11 years. 30 years... that was so long ago! I thought I had it good. And I did. Then a decade later I didn't. I mostly remember anniversaries of traumatic events. Glad you shared some good memories and that you are still making new ones.  So what relationships do I celebrate? Every 1st of December I think kind thoughts of Kevin. In many ways he saved my life. Our friendship lasted quite awhile (1979-2003). And every October 10th I try to call Gary to remind him how long in the tooth he's getting or call him around his two son's birthdays. (2000-present). May 7th was Mother's Day in our house, so I do remind my mother, now 97, that it's HER day. There are other people I randomly think of but too many good memories are entangled with traumatic events happening in the same place or time. Don't ask too closely about Costa Rica (1974 and 2009-present); I've tried to erase many old memories with good ones. I'm in awe how some people here can dig around in their past and come up with gems or even pieces of tarnished silver that just needs some TLC. And those who can turn shit into diamonds leave me speechless. But... back to Katya: I'm glad she has happy memories and is making new ones. We all should cherish those. I've decided to enter the 24 syllable poetry forum. My first entry is "Make me shine! (Scintillate in 24 syllables)" in my old blog "L'aura del Campo" I also wrote my flash offering earlier today:
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 . Since it is very personal and deals with mental health issues it won't be for everyone. It is extremely well-written and will be publishable some day. Today Char wrote about cutting and the fear of going back to the hospital. I responded that when I was young going to therapy was a threat and a punishment. It may be why I resisted for so many years and don't go back although I still really need one. The other thing that triggers me: "I'll have to report this." If a person cannot share something without it being reported it just bottles up inside. And some folks wonder why no one shares or tells the truth ... or heals. Everything has been criminalized (for many the hospital is a jail). And accusations can kill. ..................................... On facebook a friend of a friend, Donn Lassila, wrote: "This is how our republic unravels......Will likely take the drying of spilt blood to glue it back together." I felt this was a very strong and poetic image. I'll have to use it in a poem or flash fiction. It's worthy. So I wrote about it in my other blog: "Will it take the drying of spilt blood to glue us together?" in "O Pinions!" and posted it on facebook where it's being ignored because? Maybe because it's serious and not a selfie nor a picture of food. Also yesterday's flash fiction:
And this one from last week:
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I responded to Eric Wharton  :We all use the same ideas and words. Seldom is there anything truly new. The themes of all movies have been done again and again. When Rashomon came out in 1950 it was startling to Hollywood because the story wasn't wrapped up. The ambiguity of truth was shocking to those accustomed to simplified black/white concepts common in American culture of that time (still common, imho). Writing an ending would be fan fiction and in this particular case not a good idea. However, Western writers have been appropriating Greek gods for centuries. Isn't that fan fiction? And didn't Shakespeare rip off old tales, change the names, adapt the story to English culture of that time? Romeo and Juliet was NOT new. There's nothing I write about that hasn't been written before. But have I done it well? Have I learned something in the writing? Has the reader learned something in the reading? Shakespeare is worthy as is Akira Kurosawa. Fan fiction... A familiar setting or a set of familiar characters... or both. If I were to write fan fiction in the Harry Potter World I would write as a Hufflepuff. THANKFUL SONALI Now What?  would be a character. Teacher, student, peer? I'd try to incorporate other WDC Hufflepuffs. I'm sure we'd have lots to say about the other 3 houses. Why are the Slytherins so self-righteous about being pure? Why are the Ravenclaws so caught up in being rational that they don't see humans for the emotional beings they are? And don't even get us started about those Gryffindors... (they're techy...).My flash fiction sometimes uses ideas found elsewhere and the contest provides prompts. We all write to them in different ways. But... we rarely write outside the box. I'm watching Chinese series on Youtube. Would writing about Xiao Bai and his past and current incarnations be fan fiction based in the Fairy Fox world? How about Biblical fan fiction. Thousands of fictional stories come from there. Christmas carols? Most are pure fan fiction! Mary did you know? Really... did you hear the Little Drummer Boy? Was the night Silent? If writing fan fiction helps a writer to write then ... write on. 797 |
| I commented on tah2o's blog: My friends gave me presents at lunch today. I don't celebrate any holidays at this time of year, but what could I do? I drew the line at opening them in front of everyone. But I have been that way since I was a child. I'm glad you-all love games. I hated them. Hurt every time. I also don't tolerate crowds of shoppers. No shopping for me. So... I'm glad I haven't been invited to any parties I have to say no to. The next 16 days will be difficult for me. I usually try not to be here this time of year. But, here I am. At least the Senior Center will be mostly open. As for hot cocoa... I'm making some as I write. Now... people who work... like teachers and professors... can look forward to these days off. A time to refresh mentally and physically. But I dread them. This town turns ghostly when the university students leave and I have no family and few close friends here. The skies turn grey and stay grey day-after-miserable-day. We suffer from inversion snuggled here in the valley. I just want to sleep. So what will I do? There's a chance to arrange the next trip or two or three. I have enough money. I checked. I could focus on making booklets of poetry, flash fiction or photos for my avid fans (all four of them... but they have asked...). I could continue to binge on Chinese internet series. Working on another. I have plenty to read. Picked up more discarded books tonight. I'll probably sleep too much. I tend to hibernate. I'll survive, just like I do every winter. |
Yesterday, I responded to Schnujo is Late to Lannister  :My present blog is titled "Porthole" because I have many blogs and blog about many things. I have an opinion blog but today's blog entry is political-lite. Yesterday's was edgier. (note: now yesterday and day before yesterday) I started blogging back in 2005 and my first blog (still in occasional use) has over 103,000 views (note: "L'aura del Campo" ). Back in the day, there was a group of bloggers in Blogville and we read and commented. The new group of bloggers are less inclined to do so and yes, I realize some are just not interested in interacting with anyone, especially me.I do get some reviews of old items and new. I'm not promoting anything right now. It's a lot of work and I'm worn out. As for political... that along with any hot-topic is a two edged sword. I have to be careful on facebook to not include certain people when I post anything personal or political. I've been personally attacked (not often enough to overly concern me), my friends have been attacked (that's worse) and I'm aghast at some of the things people can post to my wall. I'm death on lies and unfounded conspiracies. That said... I've had to learn to let some items posted by others on their wall as is, without comment about how silly, demeaning, hateful their posts are. I'm very eclectic about friends and some have a screw or two loose. I can't be a screwdriver every day. It's exhausting! Plus... it's really not my job. What do people want from me (note: on facebook)? 1. A photo of me! Not happening. I've sent a few by personal message but I've been targeted before... I'm very careful. I'm not a big selfie person regardless. 2. PHOTOS of my travels... or anything. Some of those get 50+ likes. A few get comments. WDC isn't set up for photos. I need to look into Instagram. 3. Not much else. I interact more on facebook than here. Here, I read blogs daily and comment. A few reciprocate. I even use those comments to write my own blog. Everyone here is more interesting than they give themselves credit for. So today's political spiel is here: "Trump starring in Lord of the Flies #2." in my "O Pinions!" blog.A couple of flash; "Son of a cat (297)" "Salt water (288 words)" 88 entries and only 787 views. Thus is life. I don't promote my writings much now-a-days and I haven't been focusing on earth-shattering blog entries. Maybe if I only wrote an in-depth blog article once-a-week it would help. But that's time-consuming and more importantly, energy-consuming. Also, I'd have to learn discipline. T'ain't happenin'. |
Elisa the Bunny Stik  's blog entry is intelligent and thoughtful. You should give it a read: "Stoned in paradise" She provides a more eloquent response to present politics than I can. My comment: Love your analysis. I come from a blue-collar background that has shifted away from labor's "we're all in this together" to a "I may be poor but at least I'm white." Pisses me off. I really like Buttigieg. I do not agree with him 100% but I'm wary of those who live in the past or who think they can drag us into the future by waving a magickal wand. I stay away from poisoned kool-aid as much as I can. Coming to a decision that is just and kind and leaves no one out is hard work. Very hard work. But I feel that all levels of government should strive for this. The present set-up... does not.  To provide a list (not a listicle... a newish word for me) 1. From my personal experience, governing is difficult. One has to listen to everyone and make the best of it. 2. I believe that all voices need to be heard, even the angry, hysterical ones. 3. Anger and hysteria should not lead the way. 4. A consensus based on head and heart is much better. 5. If we do not hang together we most assuredly will hang separately. I wish we had leaders who truly served rather than ruled. 779 |
| Are we at the end of the Age of Conversation? Well, Robert Waltz got me going with his blog about the "new rules" for interactions like texting and twatting. So I responded:"I really get pissed off at people who get upset if I talk to them. Yes, I am an annoying personality but... "DON'T DARE TALK TO ME UNLESS I GIVE YOU PERMISSION." is beyond "beyond". I see this mostly among younger women who are control freaks. There's the implication that speaking to someone is criminal behavior. Lord help us all. I do use emojis at times. I occasionally abbreviate. At facebook I do ask for comments at times. I don't always leave messages but I usually have a reason not to and I don't expect anyone to call back unless I ask them to. If a comment is meant to be sarcastic, indicate so! I do find one word answers upsetting if I really need to have a conversation. And if I ask an important yes/no question it's nice if someone plays along and answers me yes or no! Messenger is horrible when I need to know something. A phone call is better for that. And since I don't have a phone that's tricky. Face-to-face is best; but, here in Montana old people will interrupt me in the middle of a conversation without an "excuse me". I don't think calling out their rudeness would make a difference. You conclude with mindfulness. I would add politeness and knowing that a conversation is two-sided. Also, not being offended by absolutely everything would be nice." So... don't get me started. It isn't pretty when I vent. Thanks for reading... and at the bleep... please leave a message... *sarcasm* 775 |
| Blog grazing: munching on the fertile fields of fellow bloggers while your own remain fallow. I do not celebrate Christmas or any other winter holiday so I commented on Apondia  's blog: Cats helping trim the tree... such fun!  The virgin birth thing and dramatic death scene can take away from Christ's message. Of course, not all Christians buy into the let's-go-broke modern winter extravaganza. And not all merge fertility rites with religious ones come Spring. What is nice about the four Gospels is that messages and events get looked at from slightly different points of view (time wise, personally and culturally). Yes, that's messy, but the essence is more important than nitpicking details. This is NOT an easy time of year for many people for many reasons (not just the obvious). I commented on today's blog entry from hullabaloo22 : I do like your analogy to shades of blue. And for me a kind word or gesture matters deeply. But when it's December... it seems the Earth herself is working against me some days. Part of my problem is SAD. That part is helped by traveling to a place with more sunshine or merely by traveling. Another part: the holidays may be great for others but they are difficult for me to navigate. Through the years my most difficult months have been August and December. Fortunately, I write when I'm depressed. Unfortunately, I'm binge watching Chinese bromances on youtube. I'll force myself to get out today and that will be my "victory". Time for a new computer? My ASUS is getting long in the tooth. I wrote to IceSkatingSugarCube :I keep all my SD cards and never erase them. Not a for-sure thing but it calms my nerves down a bit. I also have copies on two external drives. Back in the day I was in awe of a friend who had a terabyte of storage... I mean... who would ever need so much? Now, with thousands of photo graphs I'm even greedier. It's one reason why I don't delete here on WDC. I do need to back-up on paper and delete some items just so that I'm better organized. And why I have so many albums of photos on facebook. I have thousands of photos stored there. I'm just so... Hope you can catch up on writing. It's good to finish things. You are almost there. And by-the-way, I need a new computer as this one is broken and they won't let it on a plane. The tablet I bought in 2018 just doesn't work for me. I only need something lite, big but not too big, with 2 terabytes of storage and all the symbols from all the worlds languages at my fingertips and... under $500. Lucky me... I know how to compromise my tastes with reality. 770 |
| bobturn writes in his blog: "never use the same word twice - especially close together." Yes, I can see this if 1. the word is unnecessary, 2. another word is available, 3. the word unduly calls attention to itself like an odd or very long one does. 4. repeating the word adds nothing. 4. I try to limit "the' and 'is". Neither is very informative. "the" is just a place keeper denoting the following word as a noun, (kinda like "a" in Spanish is used before a proper name to distinguish someone from an object). "is" means a verbal =, as in "the house = red". One may as well write "the red house". "is" actually just links a noun with an adjective; nothing is happening. To avoid either? A plural noun doesn't necessarily need "the" and "is" can be left out or replaced with an action verb. Make those red houses DO something! "Red houses line bays, lean into water to peer at fish, warn children at night, 'time to go home.'" I had to edit to remove a couple "the"s and an "is". In poetry and short fiction every word has weight. That said... if "THE" pronounced "thee" or yelled "THE" for emphasis is intended... feel free to capitalize it. In that case you are intentionally drawing attention to it. And "is' cannot always be easily avoided in phrases like "it's a boy". In longer prose one may not even notice these short words, but eliminating some makes the writing tighter. 3. I tend towards short Anglo-Saxon words. Long Latinate or French words have too many unstressed syllables (and can sound overly-educated). Not a problem in French but it affects the rhythm in English. I do borrow from other languages and make up words. Using them once is usually sufficient. 2. The Thesaurus or here, the Ideanary, is a great tool. At times English has many words for the same idea or object. Some can be quite nuanced. No need to hammer away at a nail unless that is intended. Beyond simple words, many can be substituted with metaphoric phrase or kennings. 1. What is necessary? If I am trying to maintain a rhythm or rhyme certain words may be difficult to avoid. If I am trying to communicate directly and repetition is not desired than it's better to just cut them, especially for dialog. Few people speak in iambic pentameter. As I told Bob, one needs to learn rules... and then one needs to learn how to break them. |
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