Where were we now? Oh yes, back on the job in California, shortly after my trip to Ireland. Dealing with writers.
I hope not to disappoint after yesterday’s cliffhanger. But this really is about writers and not about defiance and resistance — though it is possible that my old friend Maurice could make another appearance before this story is done.
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Not long after returning, I was making my way down the pile of short-story manuscripts when I ran across another from one of those “two percent” writers — the almost-wonderful ones.
This manuscript told a charming tale, perfect for the kind of magazine we were working on.
Despite being a government school initiative that PBS praises, restorative justice is a good idea. (Never mind that us anarcho-types have been promoting justice-through-arbitration over arbitrary punishment forever and being called right-wing nuts for it.)
Anybody seen The Lego Movie? Critics and audiences are loving it. Foxians have ranted that it’s anti-business. This review say’s its a hilarious and inspiring romp that savages crony capitalism and promotes all that we hold dear.
Sure. You’re an anti-gunner and you just “forgot” you carried your gun into an elementary school.
Google Glass and facial-recognition apps. Not completely evil yet, but how long before they get there? (H/T MJR)
I love movies. So of course I loved the talent and quirky presence of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman, you ass, how could you die in such a damn, stupid, entirely avoidable way? Two good articles on his admirable talents here and here.
Gun control: “Un-American and anti-Negro.” The Dutchman finds treasure and truth in a American Rifleman article.
I became a writer by accident. For two years, I wouldn’t admit I was one because in my experience, they were mostly a bunch of drunken ne’er-do-wells. But maybe that’s a good thing.
This focuses on what will trigger the next stock market mess. Implications (about triggering effects) go way beyond that. You’ll see what I mean.
Tyger Gilbert is a freedomista and a superb photographer who specializes in nature and especially Arizona landscapes. He has long allowed widespread use of his images without a ton of strings. Now he’s published a gorgeous 2014 scenic calendar. He also has a recent book on the beauty of Arizona.
NFI on my part. But he’s a good guy and this is good work, so if you’ve got somebody on your gift list …
Now here’s a charmer. After being closed for 10 years for a major rebuild, the Netherlands’ famous Rijksmuseum announced its reopening last spring in a wonderful way.
Well, after whining the other day about how tedious the first parts of this project were, the rest went nifty-swifto. And here’s my finished memory necklace:
The significant danglies include: door key; diary key; airplane charm; Virgin and child; evergreen tree; several leaves; dolphin charm; two astrological symbols; a Swarovski crystal; several circles; and a couple of stars. The rest are just pretty dangly things, mostly of glass or metal, with a few semi-precious stones. The main colors of the piece (silver and gold) symbolize richness. The clasp is another leaf and is sterling silver. I didn’t have any suitable dog charms. If I had, you can bet they’d have gone on there.
Here’s the original totem necklace by Chelle Mayer from the book Beading for the Soul. This is where I got instructions and inspiration:
Finally, here’s a not-great selfie showing the necklace “in action.” It drapes a bit differently than you might expect. The longest dangles form three triangles.
