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 |  Contains my entries for all things endurance on WDC |
Home to my entries for endurance challenges.  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
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 A large part of science is using the Scientific Method. Write a story (500+ words) or poem (20+ lines) about the steps of the Scientific Method.Before the hypothesis, before the experimentation, Hubert started with a question, a simple dangling participle, a semi-colon, an ellipses. Those two simple words: What if swirled through the air, electrified with possibility. Falling through the steps, the plausible (or implausible) constantly put to the test, analyzed and dissected until the foregone conclusions, drawn and redrawn, and back to square one. Research and stumbling through yet another hypothesis, What if guiding the way, the blank slate, filling yet again, put to the test, quantified and qualified, under a microscope of experience and time, seeking resolution. (23 lines)  Choose a branch of science, do some research on it, and give us a summary (500+ words) of what you learned!I choose mathematics because I love math.  Mathematics has always been present in our world. In order to develop the great pyramids, Egyptians had to have at least some knowledge of geometry- before we even had a word for it! There are many branches of mathematics today.Algebra. When you think of letters getting mixed in with numbers, you probably encountered Algebra. One of my first actual math courses was pre-algebra in school. At higher levels, algebra has many different topics, such as linear algebra and abstract algebra. The word Algebra is Arabic and was the title of a book by a mathematician named al-Khwarizmi. Calculus. Calculus is a Latin word and is broken off into two branches: differential and integral. Calculus focuses on change, moments of rates of changes and slopes, and well-defined limits. It was developed by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the 17th century and is still taught and used across many fields today. Geometry. Geometry is a Greek word and geometry focuses on shapes and relative sizes. Most students learn geometry following Algebra because many of the geometric equations have algebraic functions. Geometry has many uses included topology and computational geometry. Geometry is said to have been founded by Euclid around 300BC. Trigonometry. Trig is a part of mathematics that focuses on triangles and the length of the sides of triangles. Astronomers were among the first to discover facts about triangles in regards to the angles made by each side. Trig is often taught in school in conjunction with precalculus but can be taught as its own course. Trigonometry is perhaps most known for its Pythagorean theorem and identities. Pythagoras was a Greek mathematician around 500BC who is credited with creating the classic a^2 + b^2 = c^2 theorem in geometry. Probability and Statistics. Probability and Statistics are widely used in various areas of applied mathematics. From economics to finance to marketing, statistics is widely used in the business world as well as in engineering. Statistics are analyzed after gathering data to form some type of interpretation. Arithmetic. Arithmetic is the most basic function of mathematics, analyzing and manipulating numbers through things we all know like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. In order to understand any of the other branches of mathematics listed above, a person has to have a basic understanding and functioning of arithmetic. Especially in algebra, it is necessary to be able to manipulate the numbers to find an isolated variable. Math Facts March 14th is often referred to as Pi Day in reference to the first 3 digits of Pi and the fact that the number looks like pie written backwards: 3.14 The Fibonacci sequence is where you add the two preceding numbers to find the next number: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc. In addition, miles and kilometers can almost be converted evenly using Fibonacci sequence. In a room of 23 people there is a 50% statistical chance that two people share a birthday. The Golden Ratio is roughly 1.618 and is said to be found frequently occurring in nature. (514 words) Find and review 5 items in the "Scientific" GenreReview of "In Significance"  Invalid Review Review of "Ultron 5000" Invalid Review Review of "Song of the Sun" Pick a famous scientist and write a journal entry (250+ words) from their point of view, detailing their discovery.Wilhelm Röntgen November 8, 1895 I am delighted to announce that today I've accidentally discovered x-rays! While experimenting with cathode ray tubing in my laboratory, I noticed a fluorescent light phenomenon when electrical charges passed through my cathode ray tubing. While others have witnessed the lights themselves, I am the first to systematically investigate these light rays and what they could mean. Many of my scientist colleagues thought the lights were some type of paranormal ectoplasm! They were yellowish and glowing. Even when blocking this light, the black cardboard I've covered the tubing with continues to glow. There are specific rays of light transmitted when an electrical current passes through the tubing. Using a photographic plate, I can capture the image of an object placed in the pathway of these light rays! My goal was to understand what was scientifically occurring outside of the cathode ray tubing instead of what was happening inside of it. I know that competition is fierce and the discovery of x-rays will be household information soon. I will continue to quietly experiment with x-rays and how they can be used scientifically. I must hurry though before another scientist who is also investigating these light rays discovers what I've found! I will come up with as many experimentations as I can think of, journaling the results of each experimentation. Once I have enough information to prove scientific or medical purpose for x-rays, I will publish all of my findings and perhaps win a Nobel Prize for my discovery! (252 words) Find 5 fictional movies, and/or TV Show episodes (5 total of any) relating to science and give a synopsis of each.1. Weird Science  How could this movie not be at the top of the list? Weird Science is an 80s movie about two high school students using technology to create the 'perfect' virtual girl. A glitch in the computer causes her to come to life and the teenagers basically have to keep it a secret that they've created this supermodel. 2. Planet Earth Pretty much the best nature docu-series ever! Obviously there's a ton of biology in this one, but we also watched clips from it in geology to see how the animals adapted to their natural habitats. Particularly, there 3. The Andromeda Strain I read this book first but it's also been made into (at least) two movies. The basic premise is a government satellite that crashes back on earth and brings with it an extraterrestrial viral organism that kills people. The movie follows a group of scientists who are trying to contain the virus before it spreads. 4. Moon This movie is great because it explores a few different branches of science- and the runtime is very short for this type of movie. There's the obvious science of astronomy and space exploration, but there's also a strong element of psychology in Moon. The movie follows the main character, an astronaut, who has been alone on the moon for three years. As it comes to the end of his stay, he begins to lose his mind and lose touch with reality due to the severe isolation. 5. Her If technology and artificial intelligence are your brand of science, Her is highly recommended. The movie follows the story of a divorced writer who falls in love with an operating system that is designed to naturally evolve into a human-like state of consciousness. |
| Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pattern of unstable moods, relationships, actions, and self-identity. People with BPD have extreme difficulty regulating emotions and will impulsively react to those emotions, often in self-destructive ways. The following resources will help you understand the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, and self-care help for people with BPD. General BPD Information  What is BPD? Symptoms of BPD Differences between Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment Options  Diagnosis and Treatment Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Treating BPD Medications for BPD Self-Care for BPD  Phone Apps for BPD Management Meditation for BPD Miscellaneous Resources  How To Help Someone with BPD BPD Crisis Hotlines |
 List ten significant events to take place in the 70s (national or international). Give brief summaries of each event.1. Nixon orders invasion of Cambodia. The Cambodian Campaign occurred in 1970 and included 13 operations. The order furthered the Vietnam War, resulting in mass protest among the American people. Four student protesters were killed by the National Guard during protests, pitting citizens against the government military.2. First microprocessor introduced. In 1971, Intel introduced the first single chip microprocessor which contains all functions of a computer's CPU.3. Bloody Sunday. On January 30, 1972, 28 unarmed citizens in Derry, Northern Ireland were shot by the British Army during peaceful protests against imprisonment without trial. Fourteen were killed. 4. Roe v. Wade. In 1973, Supreme Court Case Roe v. Wade stated that a woman has a legal right to have an abortion prior to fetal viability.5. Nixon resignation. Following the Watergate scandal and facing impeachment, Richard Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9, 1974. Gerald Ford then became president from 1974 to 1977.6. The Rocky Horror Picture Show On August 14, 1975, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released with little to no critical acclaim. It soon becomes an interactive cult classic that is still played today at Midnight Madness events in movie theaters.7. In re Quinlan . Another landmark court case that determined on March 31, 1976 that the parents of a young woman in a permanent vegetative state had the legal right to remove her from life support. Karen Ann Quinlan has become an important figure in the right to die and euthanasia controversies. After a night of drinking and ingesting quaaludes, Quinlan fell into a coma and stopped breathing, which left her with permanent brain damage. 8. New York City Blackout. On July 13th to 14th of 1977, most of New York City saw an electricity blackout. The blackout was caused by lightning striking power lines. This occurred while the city was being terrorized by the Son of Sam serial killer and a major heatwave. The citizens were also strife with financial crisis. The result of the blackout was widespread looting. In total, 1616 stores were damaged in looting and rioting, 1037 fires, 3,776 arrests, and over $300 million in damages.9. Jonestown Massacre . On November 18, 1978, 918 people died in a mass suicide (and homicide) in Jonestown, Guyana led by the People's Temple cult leader, Jim Jones.10. Iran hostage crisis Fifty-two Americans are held hostage after Iranian students overtake the U.S. embassy in Iran. They were held hostage for 444 days, starting on November 4, 1979. It is the longest hostage crisis in history. Write a story or poem set in the 70s. Story should be no longer than 1,000 words; poem no more than 21 lines. Rating no higher than 18+"Time Warping" We filter through red velvet stanchions that are as flimsy as sticky licorice strings, props in hand and ready to block out every rolling blackout, to drown out every political scream melding with thunderous cheers, rice and cards carried by drafts and warm fans- the ultimate propagators of mind flips and time slips. If you lived through the 70s, what was life like? If you didn't, would you have liked living during those years? Write a blog entry talking about this.Let's see... I'm 25, so I did not live through the 70s. I've thought about different decades before, like which would be the most fun to live in at my current age. I don't think the 60s or 70s are high on my list though. There were a lot of political movements at the time and so much oppression on all fronts. I can't stand racial, sexual, gender, etc... oppression. I probably wouldn't have been having a great time in the 70s. I would have been one of the student protesters getting offed for no reason. I mean, it's so hard to say how things would have been on a day-to-day basis in a decade you didn't live through. There were a lot of breakthroughs in the 70s, even though there was a long way to go. Everything seemed very energized and there were a lot of movements to be a part of, if you were into that sort of thing. I'm sure things were a lot simpler with less technology, which always sounds nice in theory. There have been major social improvements since the 70s though. People always talk about how far we have to go yet, and I agree with that, but you really do have to step back and appreciate how far society has come since then. That isn't the case everywhere, but in the U.S., it's definitely true. I feel like we've gotten back into a very political time in the past 5 years or so. We have a lot of political discord and a lot of separation between sides. I don't dig it. I wish everyone could just get along or see each other's points of view at the very least. A lot of the events listed above are still ongoing as well, which is crazy after 40+ years. Like Roe v. Wade? People are still fighting about this. The Rocky Horror Picture Show? I've seen it about fifty times with an interactive audience. Various political conflicts? Yeah, those will never end. The 80s seemed pretty fun, but also pretty shit for the LGBT crowd because it was super mainstream to be homophobic then. If I had to pick a different decade to be 25 in, it would be the 90s. Racial tensions were pretty awful, but the economy was fairly stellar by the end of the 90s. I also remember the end of the 90s, so I guess that's the safest place to fall in at my current age. I'd totally do the 70s though, for like, a month. Just to see how it was.  |
| Broken glass and tin cans are no match for his calloused paws. With eyes darting back and forth, he sets himself upon his prey, slinks gracefully between dented trash bins, tail up with confidence as he lands the catch. Written for "a very Wodehouse challenge" with prompt: Write an item that predominately features a cat. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The road winded to through the woods, the moonlight casting blue light across the perfect Halloween scene. Minnie and Darla had been driving for what seemed like hours in an attempt to find their way back to the main highway. "What the hell is this? Halloween decorations in July?" Minnie asked, staring out the passenger window with a look of horror on her face. Darla centered the steering wheel, driving down the dirt road. There was a small cottage at the dead end. "Well, I guess we can ask here." "Come on, this is ridiculous." "There aren't any other houses," Darla reminded her friend. She pulled up right in front of the house and killed the engine. The two looked at each other and inhaled a sharp breath. Their trips always seemed to take a turn for the worst. There was the Florida hurricane trip and the cross country trip where their car broke down- twice. Now they were lost in the middle of nowhere and the only possible place to ask for directions was straight out of a horror movie. Darla, always the brave one, climbed out of the car first. Minnie was in tow, but creeping behind on her tiptoes like they were trying to sneak up on whoever lived there. The wooden steps of the porch creaked beneath their heavy footsteps. Before Darla could answer the door, it flew open. "What do you want?" It was an old, batty woman who was missing all her teeth. "Where are your dentures?" Minnie screamed. "I lost them in the woods," the woman replied. "You look like a jack-o-lantern," Darla decided. "Did you come here to make fun of me?" "Oh, right. No, we're actually just lost," Darla said, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "Ha, well, if you find the way back to town, YOU let me know," the woman said, grabbing a fly out of the air and eating it. "Protein." She smiled toothlessly. "What does that mean?" Minnie asked, sounding like she was about to cry. The old woman leaned against the wooden door frame. "Welp, let's see. I got lost in these here parts about 38 years ago. Wait, 37. No, 39. I got lost in these here parts 39 years ago. So, you tell me- how the fuck do we get out of here?" |
| Is Flash Fiction a viable genre within our community? Is it worthy of gp winnings or awards when another member may have to write 10,000 words to achieve one? Write a response to this prompt in blog format. Maximum 400 words, 40 lines. I've been reviewing a lot of flash fiction for "Invalid Item" this week and I will say that flash fiction is a viable genre within our community. There are a ton of different flash fiction contests. Why? Because it's quick and fun! It's fun to write, review, and judge. It doesn't take a lot commitment from either party. People might look at a contest, enjoy the prompt and decide to go ahead and write for it because there only needs to be 500 words. People are more willing to judge and review these pieces because it will take WAY less time than reviewing a novel, novella, or even a chapter.But, let's face it, it is difficult to write a good flash fiction piece. I know that I can't do it worth a damn. I've read a ton of flash fiction pieces that could have been so great if only they were expanded upon and fleshed out a little more. It's like the premise and plot or there, but the ability to cram it all into a few hundred words was not. When you do see a truly finely crafted piece of flash fiction, it's like seeing a unicorn. It's totally awesome. I do think flash fiction is worth GPs and awards. If they're able to write in 1000 words what someone else takes 10,000 to write, give them double GPs and awards. That is a talent.  280 words |
 Required: Idea/Premise Revision ▼Now that you have spent a month planning your novel, revise your initial premise. Identify the following: (1) Protagonist(s). Who is(are) your main character(s)? Evan Riley and Margot DeWitt (2) Goal(s). What do they want? Evan and Margot want to know what happened to their mothers. Margot has been searching for years and Evan joins her in the fight during the novel. (3) Conflict. What is keeping them from their goal? Dr. Albright has control over their mental health files and the files of their mothers as well. He is popular, well-liked, and highly respected in the field of psychiatry. They will have a hard time finding people to believe them given Dr. Albright's stature. (4) Antagonist(s). Who(what) is creating the conflict? Dr. Joseph Albright (5) Theme: What is the theme or moral of the story? (If applicable.) It's a coming-of-age about sticking to your guns and not accepting things as they're presented Bonus: Workspace Preparation OR Procrastination List ▼Workspace Prep: Plan out where you will work, what computer you will use, and what supplies you will need. Create a music playlist, if applicable. I will be working mostly in bed, using my laptop, because that's how I'm most comfortable. I will also probably be writing a lot at night, so that's where I would be anyway. I also have an iPad that I will be using when I'm out without my laptop so I can always keep up with the daily goal of 1666 words. As far as music goes, I'll mostly be listening to either atmospheric music or bands that make me feel creative. Here's a few tracks from my writing playlist: 1. "Pictures of You" by The Cure 2. "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" by The Smiths 3. "Disorder" by Joy Division 4. "Cure For Pain" by Morphine 5. "Alison" by Slowdive |
 Required: Protagonist Change ▼Describe in detail how your protagonist has changed from the beginning of the story to the end. If you created a protagonist profile, devise before-and-after versions. In the beginning of the story, Evan thinks that Dr. Albright is a good role model. He looks up to Dr. Albright almost as a father figure and definitely as a mentor. He wants to join the psychiatry field for a career because he believes so much in what psychologists and psychiatrists do to help people. He feels that if it weren't for Dr. Albright, he would have lost his mother much earlier in life, so he is almost offended when Margot claims that Dr. Albright is an evil person. In the middle of the story, circumstances have led Evan to be less confident in Dr. Albright and therefore less confident in himself. He begins to question everything around him that has happened since the death of his brother and father. He begins to think that there might be things that Dr. Albright is hiding from him and his paranoia drives him to do researching of his own. In the end of the story, Evan is a much more cautious person. He sees now that things aren't always what they seem at face value and he's more quick to question people's true intentions. He almost loses his faith in humanity along the way, but Margot shows him that the world consists of both good and bad people. In the end, he is actually in a better mental state because he has closure with his past that he was missing in the beginning. Bonus: Protagonist Interview ▼You are a journalist. The story of your novel is complete. Interview your protagonist and ask the following questions: 1. How did the events of your story change you? 2. How is life for you now? 1. How did the events of your story change you? Oh boy, isn't that a loaded question. I always believed in the greater good of people, especially a physician who supposedly has dedicated his life to helping people with mental illness. I think the turning point for me was when Dr. Albright started threatening to lock Margot up again. I believed it was necessary when I was locked up even. I couldn't see the situation from the outside, even when she could. After I realized that he had lied on our charts, I began to question everything that he had told me in the past. I'm much more cautious when dealing with people now. I know what they are capable of. 2. How is life for you now? Surprisingly, it's much better than it was before. Knowing that my mother didn't intend for things to end how they did has given me a bit of closure, along with Dr. Albright paying for what he did to Margot and I. I still want to pursue my degree in the psychology field because I know that there are good people and bad people out there I want to be one of the good people. |
 Required: Setting Description ▼Describe a setting in words. Use all five senses and make your reader experience the setting as if he or she were there. Add the setting to your setting database (if applicable.) It was one of those days that begs to be ended early. Dying leaves spun with every gust of wind and there was nothing you could do to protect your face from the blistering chill in the air. October was dying and dragging every last bit of beauty along with it. Soon the snow would come and it wouldn't end until March, if we were lucky. The cemetery always seems busier around this time of year. The alleged creepiness of Halloween luring thrillseekers into its maze of headstones. A little blonde girl laughed and skipped around a tall monument singing a nursery rhyme that we all remember from childhood, but never realize how morbid it is until we're adults. Her guardians pointed at the weird and funny quotes on various stones. Things like: "I told you I was sick" or "Harold F. Malcolm: Known Drinker and Cheater." I hear them giggling and saying something about that guy pissing his wife off. Mom would hate be a spectacle like this. Something to be passed by without interest, just another boring headstone among rows and rows of others. She wasn't like this- stale and dull as the air in the cemetery. She was full of life and love, or she was at one point. It all slipped away like sand through an hourglass, and here we were. Bonus: Same Scene/Different Viewpoints ▼Same Scene/Different Viewpoints: Write a brief description of your setting from the viewpoints of two or more different characters. Evan: It was another dead end. That's all anything was anymore, dead end after dead end. I felt like giving up. I felt like admitting to myself that I'd never know the truth behind my mother's death. In that moment, I could have convinced myself that I already knew the truth. She hanged herself from the ceiling beams and swayed there ever so slightly in the chill of late October. The curator sighed loudly as Margot pleaded with him one more time. "Look, kid, I haven't got anything else to show you." I hated how condescending he sounded, called her 'kid' when she was soon-to-be 25 years old. But what more could we do? If he didn't have any more information on Bellevue Brook, we couldn't force him to present us with anything. Composing myself, I took a step back and urged Margot to just leave with me. She refused, of course. Margot: I shook my head in disbelief. "No, I will not be going anywhere until you provide the information I've requested!" The curator's stubby hands clasped together as he attempted to explain one more time that he had no further information to give us. That was a lie and I knew it was. I knew Dr. Albright had gotten to him before we did. There had to be a million documents on Bellevue Brook, but all he could produce was an old photograph of the building? What good was that supposed to do? "Look, kid, I haven't got anything else to show you," he said exasperatedly. I'd give him something to be exasperated about. I had made my decision, and once my mind is made up, not a damn person is going to change it. I saw Evan starting to back down like he always did. He sighed and said that we should just go as he started taking steps back. Surely he knew this wasn't going to be that easy. That must be why he left without me. |
 Required: Minor #2 Profile ▼Complete a character profile of any additional protagonist, antagonist, or minor character, whom we will call Minor #2. Add the profile to your character database (if applicable.) Full Name: Shannon Fitzgerald Age: 22 Birth: April 19 Height: 6'2 Weight: average Hair: black, curly Eyes: green Occupation: waiter Parents: Robin and James Fitzgerald Siblings: One older sister, one younger brother Heritage: American Religion: None Hobbies: Concerts, playing music, playing sports Likes: Fun people, pretty girls, late nights Dislikes: Boring things, homework Strengths: Personable and gets along with most people, friendly Weaknesses: A little bit loud and obnoxious Character Background: He is the main character's best friend and has been since childhood Wants: He's in school for music engineering Problems: His best friend has been through a hard time and is now finding things out about the past. He's there as a source of support for Evan, but is also focused on having fun and school Bonus: Minor #2 Voice ▼Have your character introduce themselves to us in first person using their own voice. Brainstorm ways to make their voice unique. Add the introduction to your character database (if applicable.) Jeeeeez, is it my turn, finally? How did I end up being the FOURTH one introduced? Am I not Evan's best friend? Have a not been the one supporting him along the way? I'm kidding! Or am I? Look, I don't take it personally or anything. You do you. I will say that I'm about to lighten the mood around here. All you guys are so somber and serious. Oh, did my mom do this? Oh, did Dr. Albright do that? Ehhh, why don't you put a lid on it already? Let's talk about something FUN for once like the party at our loft tomorrow night. Don't tell Evan about it. It's going to be a surprise, meaning that he'll totally rain on it if he finds out. I promise it'll be fun. Oh you? Yeah, you're invited, I guess. |
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I just had a series of very bad flashbacks with this subject. Brrrrrrr!
Just hearing all the kids screaming and stuff... horrible. I couldn't shake that one for a couple days.
