Tag Archives: 2009 News & Events

NaNoWriMo 2009

What’s up

I may very well be out of my mind, but I’ve signed up for this year’s NaNoWriMo. Yeah. After not writing much of anything for months >.< I’m so out of practice! *headdesk* But I’m excited about getting started, if more than a little nervous and kind of intimidated by the goal. I figure if anything might be able to kickstart the writing habit again, it’d be this. 50,000 words in 30 days. 2000 words a day for 25 days would give me five days leeway or downtime so I don’t go crazy :p

I’m wishing I’d considered this much earlier. At this point, I’m trying to figure out a) what I might be able to wring 50k words out of, and b) what I want to write, because if it’s not going to hold my interest, I’ll never make it. :/ There are a small number of concepts I’ve ideas I’ve toyed with in the past that might work, and there’s a new very nebulous sort of concept that came to mind when all this started (which could be interesting/fun in a self-exploratory kind of way if I can manage to freewrite my way into it).

But I’m working on getting my head in the right place, writing-work-wise. I think I’m going to be using yWriter5 for notes and outlining and all that background kind of stuff, and likely some simple full-screen editor like TextRoom or somat for the actual writing part. Something super low-distraction :p I’m also actually considering creating a side-blog specifically for creative junk — NaNoWriMo to start with, since it’ll obviously be in the forefront here for a bit, and over time for other writing and art. If that pans out, I’ll be sure to post a link here. I still need to do some minor stuff like putting together a playlist or three to write to. I’ll definitely be throwing the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack in there, just because it makes me want to make beautiful things, and I may have to see if I can dig up/dust off some old scifi/fantasy-based playlists.

What you can expect

Even if I do go with the side-blog for writing, expect to see daily wordcount updates (and if there are any regular lurkers out there, please feel free to give me a gentle nudge if I miss a day). It’s also very likely that I’ll be doing One Words here and there, most likely as warm-ups and cool-downs, doing Friday Fives and mid-week memes, possibly participating occasionally in Girl Talk Thursday (which link I got from Juliana), and generally doing things to get and keep me writing regularly. I’m hoping to make it out to some of the local WriMo write-ins for some in-person encouragement and a little socializing (which is the best part, if you ask me, as I don’t have many friends — and none locally, that I can think of — who share my creative interests :p).

For my local circle, consider this your fore-warning: I will have my laptop and/or notebook with me constantly. Don’t be surprised if I end up working some while we hang out. I consider myself good at that sort of multitasking, but feel free to poke me if I get too sucked into whatever I’m doing. Also feel free to cheer me on, ask questions about what I’m doing, buy me drinks, or whatever you think my keep the Muse hanging around. :)

You win ComicCon!

Okay, well maybe not you. But Felicia Day, District 9, and Sherlock Holmes (among others) apparently made a good impression. :)

In the News Today: 7/8/09

1) Florida Senator Bill Nelson is pushing for a Florida ban on pythons as pets.

Nelson: “This is a no-brainer. Unfortunately it took this tragedy to get to this point. It was just a matter of time until a human was going to be threatened. And this time, tragically, in a home.”

Up until now, my understanding has been that Nelson has been citing environmental issues as justification for his requested ban. Apparently the recent tragic strangling of a two-year-old Florida girl due to owner negligence was the cherry on the cake that is his “environmental” argument that these animals are dangerous creatures and shouldn’t be kept as pets…? Unless I’m mistaken, every report I’ve heard or read says the snake’s owner didn’t have the required permit, nor was the snake microchipped (also required by law in FL), and its cage (aquarium? house?) wasn’t properly locked (yep, you guessed it, another legal requirement). The US Humane Society lists eleven reported incidents of pet python-related death in the US since 1980. That doesn’t seem that incredibly large a number to me. 11 in almost 30 years? According to Dogbitelaw.com, in 2007 alone there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the US*. I wonder how many of the deaths by python may have involved illegally-owned animals? Or ones that were mishandled, or poorly housed, or cared for.

Ultimately, we do have to remember that any creature in the “exotic pet” category is not the same as your dog or cat, but it seems more than a little ridiculous to punish people who really do actually enjoy keeping them, and doing it legally, because some people are seriously irresponsible. I agree with Bobby Rex, an exotic pet store owner in FL. “Rather than ban people’s livelihood and their pets, I think we need to just enforce the law.” Genius! Enforcing the laws that are already there? Who woulda thunk it! The death of this girl was a horrible accident. I’ve heard the 911 call that the owner put in. It’s clear just from his voice that didn’t mean for his snake to get out and hurt anyone. But the laws are there for a reason. No charges have yet been filed against the owner, but I hope they do. He broke the law, and was negligent toward the safety of his family, and it cost a child her life. He should have to answer for it.

*Nationmaster.com attributes, as of 2004, 16,700 deaths (the highest of the countries listed) in the US to emphysema — commonly associated with prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke. And that’s just one of the tobacco-related health issues. Where’s the Senator calling for a ban on tobacco products/smoking? At least if you’re responsible and properly care for a python it’s not guaranteed to cause you harm.

Disclaimer: I don’t own snakes. I’m not afraid of them, and I think they’re beautiful creatures, just not my thing.


2) Organization Let Freedom Ring asks Senators and Congressmen/women to sign a pledge not to pass any healthcare reform package they have not personally read or that hasn’t been made available for review by the public.

Am I the only one who finds it sad that something like this is even necessary? When did this not become common sense? Do politicians really care so little about the job they’re supposed to be doing? Hey, LFR guys? If you’ve gotta do it, why not cut out any future excuses or need for similar efforts and ask them to know what it is they’re voting for every time! Whether it’s healthcare, or Cap & Trade, or environmental issues, or the janitorial staff’s Christmas bonus. Hey Big Government guys? You keep doing crap like this and wonder why no one trusts you! “By the people, for the people” remember?

Bah. I knew there was a reason I avoided watching the news. Stupid politics. You birds can keep it! >.<


3) Google Announces Chrome OS [ Article #2 ]

Look at that! Some news that doesn’t (automatically) suck! My interest it piqued. I may mess around with the Chrome OS a bit just to see what it’s got. Unfortunately, as far as OS’s go — and I cringe to admit it — I’m fairly attached to Windows :/ I’ve been using it so long that it’s insanely easy to use, and all the mainstream software (theoretically) works in it. But if Chrome ends up being as easy/intuitive, I may put it on my EeePC. It’s initially going to be geared toward netbooks and “people who spend most of their time on the web,” so it’ll be lightweight and web-centric. Definitely a plus over Windows and all its bloatware.

This almost sounds like the kids at Google have created the rudimentary beginnings of a Shadowrun comlink. Now if we could just get global, free wifi :/