In spite of my natural inclinations toward science, math and all things that public school kids deem to be geeky, I somehow ended up as a professional writer and editor. It was as much of a shock to me as it was to anyone. I went to college thinking that I’d be a [...]
Clarifying Complex Ideas
Category Archives: books
A Science Geek In a Liberal Arts World (Or is it the other way around?)
Evolving Language
As I was reading this article about how half of the world’s languages are in danger of dying out, I started thinking about just how much the English language has changed and evolved, a language spoken by nearly half a billion people every day.
I’m not talking about the changes since Shakespeare’s time, with phrases like [...]
Another 40: Days 22-32
Yes, I’ve been terrible about following through on the documentation of this 40-day challenge. Since we last spoke, I went on vacation. For anyone who wonders if they should skip the hoopla of the holidays and head for the tropics, my answer is an unequivocal yes.
In the course of a week, I read a 500-page [...]
Another 40: Day 21
For the most part, the clients have entered the quiet zone known as Holiday Shutdown. It’s a blissful and glorious time, the time where I get to spend multiple days getting organized, closing out the current year and looking ahead to new things.
Even though things were quiet today, I found that I was still stuck [...]
Another 40: Days 10 and 11
Is it Friday already? Where did the week go?
I went running yesterday morning. It was 38 degrees and cloudy, but I wanted to get out before the forecast hit: rain, rain, rain, rain and more rain. Unfortunately, the rain came earlier than I expected. I got soaked and raced for home, chilled to the bone [...]
Another 40: Days 5 and 6
The weekend comes in one consolidated package.
Highlights: A Saturday morning pilates session that left me feeling beautifully stretched out on Saturday and ab-sore on Sunday. Stumbled across four decent $1 finds on the clearance rack at the used book store around the corner. A good phone conversation with my 91-year-old Nana. Made homemade meatballs with [...]
Another 40: Day 4
Exercise? Oh, that’s the thing I do on mornings where I don’t have back t0 back to back to back calls from 8:30-11:30. The schedule just wasn’t going to cooperate today, so I had to find other ways to treat myself right.
Instead, I did wonders for my mental wellbeing by having lunch with a good [...]
Another 40: Day 2
My best-laid plans for the day were thwarted by phone calls, work, a chainsaw and a friend. This isn’t necessarily bad; it just means that my to-do list will remain unchecked for another day.
Since this morning was foggy and again sub-40, I decided to do some Wii Fit. And then the phone rang. And again. [...]
Another 40: Day 1
I’m back! Did you miss me? I know that I missed this. My body/brain balance needs a little bit of attention after a month of limited exercise and lots of writing.
Some changes since last time: I’m not tracking calories or eating habits this time around. I’m mostly concerned with things that make me feel good [...]
The Highs and Lows of NaNoWriMo
The trick-or-treaters have gone. When the clock strikes midnight, I will begin my sixth year of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Coincidence that the event kicks off at the tail end of a Halloween candy-induced sugar high? I think not.
I’ve managed to hit the 50,000 word goal in all but 2006; yes, I’m using my [...]
