Man, this round of deadlining is hurting my head and my whole self. I’ve just done the second draft of the most difficult article I’ve written in years. Probably wrote 15,000 words overall (that’s about 1/6th of a novel, people) to get 4,000 that I hope are useable. Write, rewrite, cut, cut, cut, rewrite, cut, cut. Have a feeling the client will still want one more session of slash and burn. Maybe tear the thing down to 3,000 or 3,500. After that, more deadlines. More challenging ones, in a way. Some days, I wish I’d taken up a promising career…
14 CommentsLiving Freedom Posts
… Well, we’ll see about that on November 9. From Jim B. in a comment section, the feddies will try to take over all radio and television broadcasting at 2:00 p.m. EST on that date as a “test” of the system. As one of the commentors on that article put it, this isn’t actually a test — which would be done at oh-dark-thirty. This is a demonstration. Of power. And fear. Odd, too. The old Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), which has been around since the cold war, relied on the discretion of the broadcasters (which, granted, could be fallible). The…
17 CommentsSome ammo for the next time some statist tells you that laws should be obeyed just because they’re there. Give ’em something to think about. This has been around a few months, but it’s pretty interesting if accurate: “Real-Life Rearden Metal?” A Lyttony of bad writing: Every winner of the Edward Bulwer-Lytton contest, 1983 to the present. That’s the contest where entrants write just the opening paragraph of a really, really, really bad novel. (Thank heaven that’s as far as they go!) Speaking of really bad, these guys (source) look like like something from the opening scene of a really…
16 CommentsYou might find your future anti-zombie retreat here.
9 Comments“The bug-out bag resource list — covering the best sources online.” Excellent collection of links on multiple aspects of bug-out bags — everything from “What is a bug-out bag?” to special-needs bags. Great site in general. Links, links, links on many aspects of preparedness. (A couple of the links are to this blog, I’m happy to say. But there’s so much more.) —– Speaking of preparedness, here’s a real-world idea from a real do-er. One of the readers of this blog, who doesn’t want to be named, is helping his friends develop their preparedness mindset and skills in a way…
8 CommentsJake MacGregor must be feeling better. Four chapters of The Advisor posted this week, beginning with chapter 41. And he tells me he’s already got two more chapters “in the bank.” Yay!
2 CommentsIt’s amazing — and encouraging — how many commentators suddenly seem to be realizing that the problem isn’t “right” or “left” or even a matter of a system needing “reform.” The problem is oligarchy. Tuesday I linked to a very good article about The Bigs. Novelist Barry Eisler is among the first to come right out and use the proper term. (Tip o’ hat to J.) That noxious Louisiana law banning second-hand dealers from transacting any business in cash. You may have read about it. Ellendra in the comments points to an article that says it was passed in virtual…
15 CommentsThe word “awakening” came up twice yesterday, once in a very good article by Michael Needham and Tim Chapman, the second time in a less clear context in the comment section. Awakening is a concept that’s been on my mind lately, too. Needham and Chapman say that “a great awakening is sweeping the nation.” I think a great awakening is trying to sweep the nation. But so far (for most people) it’s only reached that early a.m. stage where you know something is strange in your dream but you haven’t yet gotten conscious. But then, that’s the way awakenings are.…
21 CommentsFriend of mine sent this yesterday to show me how nice the drawing of her cat looks now that it’s framed. I quite agree. Apparently my friend and I aren’t the only ones who appreciate it. 🙂
8 CommentsOkay. I promised updates. I’m behind on some of them. So no revolutionizing today. No deep probes into the psyche. No snicker-snark over political follies. Just catching up. Yogurt update: Two weeks ago I posted about making the first batch of yogurt in my new Yolife Yogurt Maker. Well, I’ve made five batches since then and I’m tellin’ ya, this is something even I can do. (And when you’re talking things of the kitchen, that’s always a good a completely freaking amazing sign.) Not only is it easy. It’s so easy that I usually whip up a batch before I’ve…
18 Comments