First some personal and writerly updates (yeah, I know, I should do a separate post, but I'm tired and trying to rewrite the synopsis to be 5 or less paragraphs). Today I went up in the attic to see about adding two solar tubes to the living room. Our living room is dark even on the brightest day because we have no south facing windows. Without window treatments it's fine, but with curtains and sheers, those knock the light back enough that it's dark. However, to my dismay, because of our genius builder there's no easy way to get to that portion of the ceiling. At least without redoing the whole attic. Also, where I would be working, I would be practically lying down to fit. So that project is off the books until I can figure out how to do it.
And I finally heard back from the agent that requested the partial. They're passing on it. Fair cop. So now I'm reworking the synopsis to conform to the most strict requirements, and also jazzing up the language a little while I'm at it. For the new book I stared at the screen for an hour last night and nothing came. Then going to bed I got two ideas, but I didn't write them down so guess what happened. Also in a dream last night I was interviewing at a design studio and having a rough time of it convincing the owner I was more than creative enough to handle the job. Not a good omen.
The Google TiSP Network. A little early for April 1, but what the hell. (Pointed to by John)
Ray Garten on how to deal effectively with writers. Yes, this. Also note any "creative" endeavor could be substituted for "writers" in the article and it wouldn't change the sentiment or experiences one iota. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
The sky just got deeper and fuller. (Pointed to by John)
The ecclesiastical history of gay marriage. You may remember that sometime in the early 90's the Vatican closed it's famed archives because researchers found evidence of same-sex marriage ceremonies blessed by the Church. Before that time the Vatican Archives were fairly open to all researchers. After that came out, they are fairly well closed to researchers. Just in case anyone tries to tell you about "traditional" marriage is only between a man and a woman (actually, until quite recently, it was a contract between the husband and father/guardian of the bride). (Grokked from Jay Lake)
While it's good that the Federal Government has cut Medicare block grants to Texas because they're violating their citizen's rights to that money. But, unfortunately as is in most cases, it's not the assnards who are responsible who will pay the price.
2012 or Never. On why the rhetoric from the fringe right is so apocalyptic this election cycle. "The (GOP) had increasingly found itself confined to white voters, especially those lacking a college degree and rural whites… Meanwhile, the Democrats had increased their standing among whites with graduate degrees (ed note: one notable exception in my experience has been MBAs), particularly the growing share of secular whites, and remained dominant among racial minorities. As a whole… the electorate was growing both somewhat better educated and dramatically less white, making every successive election less favorable for the GOP… By 2020—just eight years away—nonwhite voters should rise from a quarter of the 2008 electorate to one third. In 30 years, nonwhites will outnumber whites… Rather than adjust themselves to their slowly weakening position, (conservatives) chose instead to stage a decisive confrontation." It's a long, but interesting read and explains a lot, including the "We want our country back." It's not a flatter look at either side of the political spectrum, but is mostly on demographics and history. I see a few flaws with that Johnathan Chalt is saying, but I am seeing his overall point. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
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