CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-19 16:01:37 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Hiked the trail from Lory State park into Horsetooth park and back. Most action my combat cane has seen since I bought it.

2013-05-19 15:47:43 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Look. I did a thing where I posted an update.
With photos and everything.

2013-04-14 15:53:54 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

There's a thing out there in the world that says "Bianca's Demons" and it is specifically referring to me. This is awesome. Starlight and Lucy are much adored.

Want one? Get one.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/coinopcustoms
+Coin-Operated Customs 

2012-11-08 20:42:14 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 4 +1s)

Because today, I am an emotional terrorist.

Read this lovely award-winning short story. Just under 5,000 words. It's like a feels IED. ^_^

http://io9.com/5958919/read-ken-lius-amazing-story-that-swept-the-hugo-nebula-and-world-fantasy-awards

2012-10-27 13:21:19 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

#NaNoWriMo

I have a complete outline. The names have been assigned, but I still need to assign about 25 character descriptions this weekend.

I don't have any of the settings figured out yet, but I have a few days for that. This year's goal is 100k, though, historically, I usually fall somewhere around 70-80k.

Most importantly, I'm excited about this story. I'm going for 100% horror. Biggest thing I need to remember is that in a book, the reader has to know ahead of time what lies ahead. The horrific part is watching the character head for spike trap in the ground. Should be fun.

2012-10-21 13:29:40 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

In the future, post-apocalyptic movies won't feature cars as a mode of transportation. They won't work without electricity / fancy fuels.

There will probably be lots of bike riding... and carts.

2012-10-19 11:31:03 (8 comments, 6 reshares, 13 +1s)

#NaNoWriMo #writing  
+Invisa Chonillo  Asked me "How do you plot your novels?"

Typically, I just write, but on November, I do things all proper like, for fun.

I amassed this from Jim Butcher's livejournal. I distilled all his writing advice into a neat little file for myself. This 'arc' has helped me plot out things better than any of my other 'little files.'

I use it as my starting point:

Basics
Story Question: When [something happens] [the protagonist] [pursues a goal]. Will the protagonist succeed when [the antagonist] [provides opposition]?
Protagonist: description, tags, traits, introduction ideas
Antagonist: ditto

Story Arch: Draw a massive arch.
Left side: opening scene
Right side: climax
Top / Big middle: whatever events... more »

2012-10-19 11:09:44 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

#NaNoWriMo

I spent all of yesterday going through my notes and found an entire book idea sketched out. Probably is, while it sounds like an 'okay' idea, it's not an 'omg why haven't I written this yet' kind of idea.

Good for a fall back though.

I'm still working it out, all based off the question: "What do I want to read about?"

That method has worked. I have 3 'sorta' outlines to choose from.

2012-09-15 21:23:41 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

#Doodles
I did another notan today. This one is the best by far.

2012-09-10 20:44:04 (0 comments, 4 reshares, 4 +1s)

#Music

Heard this for the first time last  night. I immediately thought of Squarepusher's Beep Street. He mentions Squarepusher but the sample he picked wasn't quite as prevalent.

Nice bit of music history. Creativity depends on borrowing to thrive. I hope we learn to get over this copyright hurdle as a society.

2012-09-09 23:19:35 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Freehand with an X-acto knife.

My Chaotic Disaster

2012-09-09 01:24:05 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Funky instruments, metal-rock sound.

2012-09-04 02:47:37 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

#Doodles

This is a thing I did today. The style is "notan" but I messed it up in several ways. My first, so, whatever.

I call it My Beautiful Disaster.

Next time I'll need a razor. Scissors were a huge fail. The external bits reflect the internal bit - that's on purpose for reasons. Also, not a bad effect.

2012-08-06 05:50:08 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 10 +1s)

SCIENCE IS AWESOME

Nailed it! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!

#mars   #marscuriosity   #msl   #mslcuriosity  

2012-07-31 13:29:07 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

#Tablet #Technology

I have this awesomely craptastic Samsung Q1. Yeah, bet you didn't know this is what passed for a tablet (hand held computer) years ago. It was so terrible that this was given to me after being abandoned as a technology to program for.

I discovered a use for this clunky POS. I copy my TV shows / movies to it and watch them at work. It's not an office machine, it's small, it doesn't touch a network. It's like listening to music, but with pictures. ^_^

After many years, software and avi / mp4 sizes have become more memory intensive. DivX doesn't even load on it anymore.

I want to replace it. Yeah, I have a lap top and an iPad - I'm also using these for other things. I need a dumb device for movie watching. Zero network connection required. A small brick with a USB connection and ability to play avi, mp4, and mkv. ... more »

2012-07-04 14:08:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Awesome-sauce!
http://press.web.cern.ch/press/PressReleases/Releases2012/PR17.12E.html
#CERN #HiggsBoson #Higgs #Boson #Physics #LHC #Particle

2012-06-30 14:47:05 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

For those on the quest to keep cool this weekend: Wear black.

Oddly enough, Florida is nominal. But for the rest of you all? It's a bit early to be baking. Stay cool!

"The best color to keep cool in the heat, it turns out, is to wear black. Black absorbs everything coming in from the sun, sure. But black also absorbs energy from the body instead of reflecting it back. Now, the helpfulness of black clothes depends on finding black clothes that are the same thickness and looseness as those summery white clothes. Black clothing also needs a little help from atmospheric conditions. Once it has absorbed heat, it has to have some way to radiate it away. If there's even a little wind, black clothing is the better choice for those who want to keep cool, like goths who understandably don't like sweating through their make-up. So find something black to wear this... more »

2012-06-04 22:01:42 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

#writing

I had a moment today, a moment that typifies why I write.

I'm in the process of reworking a novel I wrote in 1992. (Yes, 20 years ago.) Anyway! I came up with this idea, worked it into the scene, finished it... and had this wave of euphoria. Brilliance! I was like "omg you fucking genius, I love you." I didn't realize how awesome my idea was until it happened.

That's why I write. Because sometimes (not all the time), I feel like a BOSS when my imagination throws me something perfect to run with. It makes all those days where I feel like I'm pulling frayed rope out of my gut totally worth the effort.

This post is unabashedly narcissistic, but hey, I tend to keep it to myself a lot. I had a good moment and that makes it a great day. So... I'm not keeping this joy to myself.

/giggles

Okay... back to... more »

2012-05-16 11:41:35 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2012-05-15 06:39:04 (16 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

#Diablo3

So... just woke up and Mr. Man and I are making last minute preparations before our 24hr Diablo 3 gaming marathon.

As an extra bonus, today is also our 8th anniversary of marriage. Celebrating it by playing a game? Appalled?

Fuck your couch.

This day, 8 years ago, we went and signed a marriage license at the UPS store, bought a ring across the street at the mall, and was back home and playing Everquest II by 10am.

The couple that games together, stays together.

Evil is back. yay!

(Battle Tag: Nysidra1417. Be warned. I'm an obsessive, check every corner, explode every barrel, kill-all-the-things kind of player.)

2012-05-13 12:58:48 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

#Technology

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheFloppyDiskMeansSaveAnd14OtherOldPeopleIconsThatDontMakeSenseAnymore.aspx

Fun read.

2012-05-10 16:20:20 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

#writing
For those that still partake in handwriting manuscripts - how do you handle text messages?

I currently use Sender: "Message." but I'm curious as to what others are using. Also, I'm not a fan of that method. Seeing as how "change the font" is the standard way of doing it when typing, a general google search hasn't helped.

I was thinking about using single quotes rather than double, but that doesn't seem the best fit either.

2012-05-09 22:20:33 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

#shades #entrepreneur

http://www.shadesofswag.com/

I gave some advice to my siblings when they went off to college, "Don't wait to find a job. Try creating one. There's no guarantee you'll get hired into a company and college is the best place to work out the details of building a small business."

I like to think what I told them stuck.

They attend two different colleges and together, my male and female siblings have created a side business and now this website to market their shades. They are in their target demographic and located where they sell their shades in person.

I don't pimp much, but I figure, hey - young business people - that's so hot right now. Also, I'm proud of them. They've been doing this for a year now.

2012-05-06 11:50:04 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

#writing

Now that I've edited all the things, I've returned to writing new material. The goal remains a lowly 500 words a day. I've done at least 1k a day this past week.

I have 4 blank journals to fill and my new rule is to keep brainstorming to Evernote and only do "story stuff" in the journals. So, no matter how previous ideas fizzle out, I just start with a new concept on the next page.

Past adherence to this rule makes for a fun reading back experience and leaves more room for a story to develop.

Things are going extremely well. Looking forward to how I fill the pages this week.

2012-04-27 22:28:07 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

#wildflowers
New blooms in the yard: None So Pretty, Cornflower (painfully out of focus), and Cosmos Dazzler
Plus an overall pic.

I put some sunflower seeds down, and the seedlings are up. Looking forward to that.

2012-04-20 11:10:21 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Current state of the wildflower garden:

The black eye Susan and lance-leaf coreopsis clustered on their own. I scattered the seed evenly. Of note is the new "pink patch" in the center. Toward the street they are all white / pale pink.

2012-04-20 11:09:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

2012-04-17 22:58:16 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

If my Mom could see me now, she'd call me special.

I'm not entirely sure she'd be wrong.

I'm super special and super happy.

Took these while dead heading spent blooms.

Also, new bottle of Woodford Reserve.

Very Special. ^_^

2012-04-15 22:11:08 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

#beadweaving

The snake necklace is still in progress, just slowly so. 26" and counting.
It will be 45" total before I'm done.

2012-04-15 14:39:07 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

So... My Little Pony is streaming on Netflix. I decided to give it a watch and see what the fuss was about yesterday morning.

12 episodes later...

As I was going to sleep last night, I couldn't get Apple Jack's voice out of my head.

I figured I'd had enough. I got the point. No need to watch any more episodes.

... Currently watching episode 13. /sigh

2012-03-29 20:53:21 (2 comments, 8 reshares, 7 +1s)

*PLEASE READ THIS.*

I saved 3 people from drowning before I was 16, two of whom were within arm's length of a wall. One of them, the mother was watching and didn't know. This is absolutely critical knowledge.

2012-03-25 02:42:38 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

The current state of my wildflower garden...

Featured: Sweet William, Blanket Flower, Red Clover

I think I have a poppy on the verge of blooming as well. That will be cool.

My entire front yard is made of ~60 different wildflowers.

2012-03-25 02:40:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-03-25 02:39:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

2012-03-25 02:39:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-03-25 02:39:11 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

2012-03-25 00:51:45 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Thank you so much for linking this +Panda Corleone It's been my life this evening.

Horror / SciFi Movie lover heaven. However... it's not just movies. I caught a couple TV references as well. I was surprised, some of the movies there are fairly obscure, and it even makes use of previews for movies that aren't even out yet.

(Also, if you can name over 50, there's a mashup prize or some such, but that's not really of interest to me.)

Love.

2012-03-17 14:10:56 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Fun fact.

I'm bored and doing nothing.
Okay, I'm doing something: Metal + Dubstep + Orange juice + bourbon.
Oh, + Google.

A Question:
You find a stone stairwell into a lower level that you found in the basement. If you go down to explore, who and what do you take with you? (If anything) What do you think you'll find down there?

2012-03-06 11:00:36 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 7 +1s)

#khanacademy

This keynote is 45 minutes long, so, block out some time. It's worth it.

Sal Khan (re)taught me calculus, physics, chemistry, finance, and gave me a better understanding of basic math concepts so that I could then teach them to others.

He's the best tutor I've ever had.

2012-03-04 01:41:44 (12 comments, 9 reshares, 26 +1s)

This has been on my mind for a couple days.

All this talk about contraception, slut shaming, and the morals of women who want to have sex without becoming pregnant as a result... Somehow, this pill gains more wrath than condoms or sterilization, but whatever.

Here's a point that is missed:

It's perfectly fine if you want to have sex outside of marriage.
Perfectly fine if you want to have sex inside of marriage.
Perfectly fine if you want to have sex every day, fertile or not.

In fact... there is no shame in being a slut. Not, "kinda" not "in the eyes of bigots" but an honest to goodness fucking as many people of any gender for any reason inside or outside any kind of relationship.

Sex is a good. Lust is lovely.
Fucking is fun and pure.

If you are a slut, there is no reason to be ashamed.... more »

2012-03-27 07:26:01 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Yes, I was at the RSA Conference all week, but I only cared to take photos of the pretty sights in San Francisco that I finally got to see my last evening there thanks to my wonderful friend and tour guide +Fenwick Rysen . I'm no photographer, I'm barely a passable picture taker, but this is what I got.

Plus... I'm kind of the person that would rather be looking at what I'm seeing rather than trying to get a picture of it. 0.o But you know what they say: pics or it didn't happen.

2012-03-03 15:39:36 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

2012-03-03 15:38:39 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2012-03-03 15:38:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-02-23 11:09:00 (2 comments, 5 reshares, 5 +1s)

"Our system of law doesn't acknowledge the derivative nature of creativity. Instead, ideas are regarded as property, as unique and original lots with distinct boundaries. But ideas aren't so tidy. They're layered, they’re interwoven, they're tangled. And when the system conflicts with the reality... the system starts to fail."

http://www.everythingisaremix.info/everything-is-a-remix-part-4/

If you haven't seen the previous installments of Everything is a Remix - go watch.

2012-02-18 03:15:10 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

#beadweaving

Current WIP: Honduran milk snake / Mexican milk snake.

It will be a 45" necklace designed to wrap around the neck twice. The smaller loop is intended to be the Mexican milk snake (silver, black, red), and the longer loop is the Honduran milk snake (orange, black, red).

2012-02-18 01:25:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

+Bianca Lee Just got my necklace, I love it! Looks so good with my outfit today. :]
Hit up +Bianca Lee if your looking for some STUNNING handmade jewelry. Her work is amazing. For more photos of her work go here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nysidra/

2012-02-17 18:18:36 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

+Hangout Hoodies
Thank you +Emily ECYCLE for my awesome hoodie. Love it!

2012-02-17 17:02:30 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Neat article that discusses one biologist's hobby of keeping fruit flies and the observations he's made in this time. One of which being their use of alcohol to ward off an infection by wasps.

I used to keep pill bugs as pets. Far better than an ant farm, imo. I learned so very much about them in that time.

2012-02-11 21:50:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

#writing

Today, I met with my writing buddies. (I met them years ago during a NaNoWriMo meetup.)

They reminded me of the first time I showed up to the NaNo meeting, "Don't expect to see me again. I'm a recluse and I rarely leave my house." Weird to say that, given how many places I end up in. But yes, given my druthers, I prefer to be home.

Either way, it was a great meeting. We don't always get much writing done (outside November), but we're always talking about writing or helping each other with a few plot points, names, or ideas.

There were only 3 of us today, but these two wonderful ladies helped me flesh out an idea I've been stalling on the last couple days. An idea that would have normally died in a couple pages suddenly has enough of a foundation to turn into a full novel.

All that to say this: If you can... more »