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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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For: "JAFBG"  You have a new power this holiday season! You get to put one idea in everyone's head simultaneously and all of them will agree with it as fact. What idea are you pushing? *sigh* So last decade. It's been done ... over and over again. Like the jingles of my childhood ... plop, plop, fizz, fizz ... you're dead from the neck up! It's all in your radio-video-dancing-divas exploding heh-heh-head. So no, I don't want to be Donald Sr. Jr. III, IV or V ... Louis made it to the XVIII in Fance and John got as far as XXIII in the Vatican. I'll take John over Louis. And yes... Don Donnie lives in my head and yours. Love him or hate him, you know the brand. For me he's been the equivalent of other autocrats more than a leader of a republic. He mirrors some of the actions of another well-known Central European who died a year before he was born. The same scheming, lying (except he does it better), manipulating, power-hungry, end-justifies-the-means, social-psychopathic narcissicist. Mister Biden has given the signal that he won't allow him to live in his head. Good luck! The damage that has been done and the damage he's alluded to doing is not easily undone. I can't block him out any more than I can safely turn my back on a snake or hug a Siciliana with a stiletto in her hand. Yes, it's not good for me; but, I can't escape him if I want to keep up with the news. There's other news, y'know... Like this virus going around, in case you haven't heard of it. There's even good news! Not that it matters. My head throbs. Get out! Thanks to anyone for reading. |
| For "Space Blog" "Glances" [E] by Mikibits  Mini-review: I really like it. It's a snapshot of mundane life that those of us who've hung out in coffee shops can relate to. Not everyone is in a hurry! People watching is still a pasttime. The poem flows well. I think the first 'watching' should be 'watches'; the one near the end is fine. 'extra warmly' should be 'warmly' as 'extra' is ackward and unnecessary. 'regularly' may be better as 'comes in each day' but that's a quibble. I like how it loops back. It may need a further light edit. I rate it 4.8. Prompt: A poem about a coffee shop whose customers and staff were all eyeballing somebody who was eyeballing somebody else. Why do humans act like this in your opinion? Some of us enjoy watching humans. They are unpredictable and sometimes amusing aliens. Example: Georges Seurat's "About A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884" is about as boring as it gets (a million dots?). Believe me. I was there, just out of the frame. But... if you knew why humans went there, what they were thinking and scheming... it would make you blush. Hint: they weren't thinking about mathmatics. I responded to Robert Waltz  [edited] In my Space Cadet series I have a character who can read the thoughts of others but a few are just very perceptive. They 'know' from acute observation whether innate or learned. [From a human perspective] it may seem akin to 'talent'. But in a multi-sentient voyage through the Void it's indispensible [as they investigate the known, less known, unknown]. I have multiple characters. I switch point-of-view between stories/episodes. They will not be put together in chronological order so 'stardate' and 'stardate unknown' need to be clear as well as who is speaking. In writing 'you' can be accusatory. Very tricky to use in poetry as it can make the reader feel attacked or extremely uncomfortable. Which... if that was the intention... I/you is useful in diaries, sermons, letters.One of the problems with academic writing is that it can be so distant-third-person as to lack any emotion that connects the reader to the subject. Say what you will, but pop-science, and people like Bill Nye, helps. I can imagine a [creatively written] chemistry chapter covering the atom called "Attraction", same with physics or geology. I've written poetry based on geology. IRL, first-hand stories (no matter how reliable the narrator) are much more engrossing. "I was there!" gets my attention. Each point-of-view has it's strengths.  Wrote a flash fiction  :
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Covid-19 Deniers won "Turd of the Year" according to Elisa the Bunny Stik  It wasn't the only candidate. "Record Breaking Turdout" I concur. I'm sure she would appreciate a read and a comment.Lots of people getting covid now... showing up in the blogs here. Recently innerlight  , now Mighty  . I'm sure there are others. Hope the Whartons are doing better. Locally, numbers have eased a bit in Montana but I'm careful. For
"Where I'm From" [E] by StarrQueen Mini-review: Well done by a newbie here. Quite poetic in feel. The short (~19 syllable) verses flow well. Lines at the end of verses 2,3,4,5 rhyme. No tortured syntax (thank-you). I think that verse #2 needs to be rethought and trimmed (it's a tad long but not annoyingly so, just sticks out). The poem strengthens from verse #3 to the end. Really like the ending. I feel it needs a second look and edit, although it's very good as is. I give it a 4.8. Prompt: The author here describes where they are from in poetic terms. How would you describe where you are from? I've done this before so I'll skip. Need to send out more cards and postcards (sent one today). Found some beautiful cards, 3 handmade locally at the thrift store. Paid $.50 for all 10+ ... I'm thrilled. Also got bright red shorts for wearing around my place. I think I'll be able to use them for travel/sleeping as well and some blue sweat pants. Paid $4.00 for both. I have piles of books here but if I need a special paperback for traveling (got lots of those but...) I can buy one for $.50. In other snews... misplaced my glasses, searched for over an hour. Anybody seen them? I put some non-prescription amber-tinted glasses on to go out because I feel naked without glasses (have worn since age 6). At home I take them off to read. So I'm fine. It was time to clean anyways... I mentioned to Bill and Laxmi that I was paranoid thinking that someone stole them ... that I caught myself and thought ... who'd steal my glasses? Ridiculous, I know, but both chimed in with stories about how common my reaction is. Bill specifically mentioned that past traumas might be at the root of it. So here I sit. Reading and writing.  And waiting for water to boil for another cup of mocha (I mix cocoa and coffee, add cinnamon and a bit of butter). 3.423 |
Please discuss one of these quotes or both in your blog "Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin—inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night." ~ John J. Geddes "Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words." ~ Harlan Miller The scent of pine is great. A few boughs made into a wreath should suffice. No need to sacrifice a tree. The plastic ones may look pretty but fake = fake. Winter? In Costa Rica it's a tad cooler and dryer; they cut cedar. Many set up a posada. Snow is a northern thing. This is the ideal "German" holiday spin on the Christian holy day. I grew up around it but it's not universal. Geddes is describing something that is known and meaningful to him and many others but not all. Miller hits a nerve. Are we silly? Yes. Do we indulge? Yes. Many put an emphasis on 'gifts'. Many more put an emphasis on bigger and more expensive = better. But is it because "we don't know how to put our love into words"? I'm skeptical. I've experienced love random days of the year, freely gifted. Re Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (BCOF from the 16th). [edited] I don't [say either]. Years of getting Christian holidays off whether I wanted them or not while I had to beg for my holy days cured me of any ho-ho-ho. Yes, I know the reason for the season. Yes, I know about the previous ["pagan"] holy days. But many Christians do not know nor seem to care. I won't join in a secular shop-until-you drop either. And the commercial usurption of a religious holy day offends me deeply. The religious myths and stories are nice (the [details are] obscured by time and not-so-important) and some of the songs [are nice] too. And acknowledging each equinox and solstice has some community use. Spring: renewal, planting, fertility. Summer: joy, fecundity, a break from work. Autumn: harvest, planning, a putting-away. Winter: hibernation, calm, peace. But no, I don't merry merry or happy happy. Lantern festival in Taiwan 2020:   3415 |
Over 50 of this trinket collected. I can assure you that I haven't received 50 blog comments this month. Chris Breva  has been checking in though... thank-you.   I may not do the prompts today. I need to go grocery shopping. It's sunny at the moment and 'warming up'. I'm slowly going through my stash of canned soup and pasta. I have plenty of food. It's perishables I lack. When one lives alone they go bad if one miscalculates. I've had to throw stuff out and my past poverty doesn't approve of that. I may make a tuna melt later today. I made the mistake of opening up a big can yesterday and must use it up. I'm trying to go out every day. Not happening but it's a good idea. I'm normally sluggish in December unless I'm traveling. I usually brighten up late January. I should write those postcards I've been promising to write. And later need to work on some writing I started for various contests that I never finished. And... I need to get back to reading "Autumn Letters" by Michael Frederick. It's placed in Nebraska farm country, a landscape and humanscape I'm familiar with. It will be my first book of "52 in 52" (you can still sign up). I have made a stack of other books to read. The contest has prompts and I'll do my best but I don't feel obligated. When I travel later in the year I'll have to figure out how to carry cheap dime pulp-fiction paperbacks that weigh nothing or do kindle or something similar. I have hundreds of used books at home. I'm a 'rabbit'. I binge or not. Many people here are 'tortoises' in the sense that their lives have a daily rhythm of routines and obligations. I don't. It's very stressful for me to be that scheduled. So I sit here with the weak sun on my bareback. I'll need to layer when I go out. It'll be about 45F which is mild for here. I look forward to the six block walk. I may even get to talk to someone! Yesterday I knocked on Bri's door just to tell her I'm okay. If I see anyone I can wait until tomorrow or Friday to say hello to other friends. At some point I need to check my post office box but I really don't like walking the bridge crossing the river. I mailed postcards to Fivesixer  , queenkissy and ~Minja~  . Wonder when they'll be received. Mail has had international and national issues during this Season of Covid.Cooking up chicken. Easier to store cooked than bloody. Sorry Bunny, Bawang, Clovia... . |
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"Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor Mini-review: Definitely poetic. As a ballad it flows well. The rhythm and xaxa, xbxb... pattern is consistent. The second and fourth lines tend to be shorter than first and third lines as in ballad form. I could quibble about forgetting about secrets! I think the opposite happens as well.  But that won't stop me from giving it a 4.8. It is what it is and that's pretty darn good. Prompt: Write about secrets. Secrets can bore a hole right through you. My family kept secrets that kept me in the dark. Clueless I didn't understand for years how utterly human my family was. The elders knew... but were in denial. Even now I keep secrets. I sure don't let anyone in town know. Or on fabecook, especially there! I keep my secrets close here at WdC as well. I open up about a lot of things but the traumas are real tricky and the secrets icky. You just don't need to know. My response to "Invalid Item" re holiday scents:I'll be ornery... which holiday? [and whose] If you mean winter: pine, although I really like frankincense, (non-holiday: fresh snow). If you mean spring: hyacinth and rose, (non-holday: petrichor, fresh mown grass). If you mean summer: I detest the smell of firecrackers, (non-holiday: rose). If you mean autumn: baking ... like pumpkin/squash/sweet-potato pie. Yeah... pie for the win! (non-holiday: wood smoke). One of the strongest scents of my holidays is rose. And the non-predictable smells of potluck.  3.398 |
| For "Space Blog" "Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor Mini-review: posted here the very first day on WdC! Way back in 2014. First of all, it's nice to see an essay. It very much reads like a transcript of a talk when you get up in class, tell the classmates what you are going to say and then say it. Reminds me a bit of a TED talk in structure. It weakens it as an essay though imho. The intro can be cut or incorporated into the text. The essay equates the good manners of etiquette with kindness. "Practicing Etiquette" would be a better title. Etiquette is culture based. The example given is culture based and not universal. I hesitate rating because I don't write in this style, but if I must I give it a 4.0. Prompt: Write about acts of kindness. I don't equate "etiquette" with "kindness". For me kindness is different from good or proper manners. In the US, my generation killed off etiquette. It was already dying. The very stiff WASP rules had become a type of classism. Still, manners do count and in traditional cultures may be quite rigid. Kindness? I've written about that many times over the years. It's being empathetic enough to know what someone needs/wants and then doing something about it. Whether that means smiling, helping or merely keeping one's mouth shut depends on the situation.
Week 3: Dec 14 - 20 14. Roast Chestnuts Day Every Christmas holiday we all sing about "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...." But, have you ever roasted chestnuts!? Most american chestnuts died out before I was born. My father told me all about them. I found chestnuts roasting in Pest, Hungary on my way to a hostel. Soft, nutty, warm. I can see why the song was popular. Strong image and waiting for the chestnuts to properly roast and then eat would evoke memories. Kinda like roasting marshmallows. 15. Cat Herder's Day Ya, good luck with that. Not this year! The hospitals are already full. No room for those fools who try to herd cats. Cat-scratch disease is for real (know two people who had it). 16. National Chocolate Covered Anything Day Sounds like a great way to 'pig-out' and enjoy! Have you ever eaten anything 'unique' covered in chocolate? I like potato chips dipped in chocolate. The salty crunch works well with chocolate. 17. Maple Syrup Day Did you know that this sweet and unique flavor originated in America? Native American Indians were the first to harvest and boil the sap of the maple tree into a thick syrup. Talk about, well, maple syrup, of course. I grew up in maple surple country. (Vermont, New York, Quebec) The real deal. We didn't have it often and I preferred pancakes soaked in butter. Still do but real maple syrup is gold. Like olive oil, quality matters. 18. Bake Cookies Day As if we need a designated day for this, lol. Write about your favorite cookie(s) or cookie baking experience. Anything to do with cookies! It's been awhile since I've made cookies. I liked the old fashioned frosted sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, all the various Italian cookies, snickerdoodles. My mother made the best oatmeal-raisin. Cutidati are to die for! Look for them on St. Joseph Day, the 19th of March. Get to know some Sicilians. 19. Oatmeal Muffin Day Oatmeal is on the healthy side and good for lowering cholesterol. I feel like I'm being tricked by putting it in an 'unfrosted cupcake'. Eh... who needs healthy? Growing up I needed calories (I was malnourished and underweight). At this age? Alive is a miracle. That said, you make and bake, I deplete the eats. 20. Go Caroling Day Have you ever gone caroling, or had a group of carolers show up at your door? Write something about caroling. We went caroling as children. A very German blue-collar neighborhood. Now? I don't think I've heard or seen carolers for years. Tonight (Sunday) would've been perfect weather. Cold but not frigid, with snowflakes!    |
| For "Space Blog" "A Wolf's Sonnet to the Rabbit" [E] by T. Merle Mini-review: I'm not convinced that the format works. It does flow but all line-breaks could be rethought imho. For some reason the questions disturb; it asks me to agree that wolves are predators and therefore cruel or bad and that the rabbit is somehow innocent. That may work for others but it doesn't for me. On the other hand, vivid concrete images work better. There is good tension in "she only freezes pulse quickening the wolfs pawsteps rumbling in her ears his nose quivering." I like it but it's uneven and the 'aggressive' approach puts me off. I'm not sure how to rate it. Maybe a 3.9. It has potential. Prompt: The signal asked if the wolf ever considered the rabbit and if the rabbit ever prayed for the wolf. Write about a rabbit and a wolf. I do not look at predator and prey in quite the same way. I'm sure most of us would prefer to not be eaten but we die regardless. And unless we are reduced to ashes or pickled the worms will finish us off. Life has a cycle and death is part of it. We divide nature into a dichotomy of good and bad and I truly don't think that black/white reasoning is helpful. Would someone please read this? It was overlooked and never read.
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| In response to Sum1: "Why do folks here insist on 'correct' spelling or word usage according to their own dialect. Arguing grey versus gray, for instance? Why was I told years ago that I mispelled 'desember' when that is its correct spelling ... in Norwegian. I also spell it 'diciembre' and 'decembre' because I'm not mono-lingual. And, by-the-way, it's not capitalized either. Plus, since we are entering 2021 and many here consider it their 'new year' and assume it applies to everyone, I feel a need to mention that my new year starts March 20th. The year of the Ox starts February 12th and April 27th is observed by Theravada Buddhism while September 6th is the Jewish New Year. Muslim new year is August 9th. The basic issue is focusing on details that in the greater world don't matter. And assuming, in their ignorance, that there is only one [right] answer to their questions." Today I received 3 very nice reviews for my October contest entry:
I thanked all of them, of course. I won't win! So no mega-gps for my next trip to Norway. I wanted to add, but thought better-of-it, to what I wrote in response to one of the reviews: "As an aside... I started writing this at 2 a.m. with the contest deadline looming; it was a full moon; the neon sign out my window is now 2.26/gallon. I have a dear friend in Tromsø where I have visited thrice; the horizon there glows dawn/sunset before nightfall November 21st ~ January 21st. I was desperate weaving these images, trying to write something worth receiving a review. It's short because I only write flash and this was a 'moment' that the protagonist knew would come... but was still shocked when it came." So, please read it and tell me... is it clear that the protagonist is an alien? Also, what do you think? I'm biased because I actually like the story even when I reread it today. I'm not always happy with what I write and I'm often perplexed as to what works for others. As in... i.have.no.clue. Today, I have to choose a rejected story for "2nd Time Around". I'm happy with my poetry entry but then again... clueless as it what works here at WdC (at least some folks like it). I can't complain. I do win or place occasionally. I also have to work on other contests. Some are partly written already. One has a trinket I want to collect and I do like merit badges! Plus ... gps. Making trinkets cost and I need to make more. (157 have been collected so far  )I've been very depressed. Hit another low yesterday, even wrote a very short blog entry that apparently no one read; for sure, no one commented. I know some people exist here for years with little or no interaction, but I'm not that way. At least I saw my neighbor who knocked on my door to give me a box (my inner feline appreciated that). Plus with the Supremes smacking the insane objection to the election my nerves calmed a bit (but not totally... I no longer trust these folks). I did go out for a walk in the snow. It can be magical and I love it. |
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"Locomotive Days" [13+] by Bruce. Mini-review: I really love the first verse where the long lines (of about 14 syllables) suit the rhythm. The end rhyme aa, bb, ... is fine as well. But... the second verse doesn't follow the first... and is jarring to my ear. The third resembles the first with long rhythmic lines of 4-4-x. I understand and appreciate the humor of the last line. Unfortunately the change of rhythm does not please my ear. It's a story poem imho, and as a story works well. I was pulled into it. Maybe in slightly different poetic or prose form it would work better. At 11 years old 'it is what it is'. I give it a 4.2 due to its inconsistencies. Prompt: The character in this poem is a locomotive engineer. What do you do for a living?" I don't. I stay alive by living under my means. I stay alive by staying in touch; connections are important to me. I stay alive by traveling, as movement is life. I stay alive choo choo... I'm still alive choo choo... Alive choo choo choo choo... choo choo choo choo choo choo. 3.386 |
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