Over the Dither and Through the Words

I have liked Bill Gates for quite a while now. He was a true geek: excited about what he did. Occasionally stepped on some toes. But when he really grew up and then found himself a billionaire he started doing what we all wish we could do. This stunt was just too cool. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/microsoft/4524578/Bill-Gates-unleash-swarm-of-mosquitoes-at-TED-2009.html Who here thinks it is deeply ... Read More »

I’ve volunteered in fan organizations a couple of times, and it is a hard job, made harder by freeloaders who feel entitled because of their “special” love for the literature. Being a desperate writer is nothing special either, unless we use our powers to help others in our community. For genre writers such as me, the best online market resource ... Read More »

I haven’t read what Orson Scott Card had to say about recent developments until today. Let’s just say I’ve been sleeping, too frustrated with the incoming information, to eager in some cases to be thought well of by people who I like and even sleep with. My husband is swayed by anti-American European newspapers and many science educated folk get their cue ... Read More »

I’ve been listening to Brian Greene’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos”. I was struck so much by something in it that I stopped listening and have been thinking about it for the past couple of days. Inspired by Richard Feynman’s remarkable observations on experiencing the world as a physicist, “the search for the deepest understanding of the cosmos became [Greene's] ... Read More »

William Buffet donated 31 billion dollars to the Gate’s Foundation. That’s a lot of money.  In total, he donated about 37.4 billion dollars – 85% of his total worth which is 44 billion. But with 6.6 billion dollars left, the guy still has so much money that he could live richly off just .1% interest, which would be 6.6 million ... Read More »

Out of the blue a couple of years ago, I was called to head up a committee in the Parent Teacher Association. It was kind of weird because, actually, I had been a bad, bad mom and never paid any PTA dues or attended any PTA meeting other than the budget they forced us all to go through at the ... Read More »

I’m running Race for the Cure, and I would like to officially bum money off of you, dear reader, if you haven’t already helped me out. My goal is $125, and I have $105 more to raise.  I’ve decided that you should get something in the process.  Everyone who donates any money will be featured in their own short, short: a 500 word ... Read More »

Today I ran 3.35 miles in 31:53 minutes.  This gives me an average pace of 9:35 a mile.  I can actually do a 9 minute mile when I push a little.  But today was the first time I’ve run a whole 5K.  I’m training harder now because I decided to actually enter a race.  Running a 5K race has two great benefits for anyone.  First ... Read More »

I wrote a post in December relating some of my feelings about suffering and charity. These thoughts have continued to impress themselves upon me. I must use my talents somehow to improve the situation of those less fortunate in this world. So I have this blog, and am under the delusion that I can write. In my sidebar, you’ll see ... Read More »

I started this blog in the wake of Katrina. I thought about saying something about it at the time, but decided against. Many had already said much about the tragedy, and I felt that I would be commenting only to stand among the masses to affirm that I, too, was horrified, moved to compassion and action, outraged, and any other ... Read More »