You haven’t heard much about my writing lately. I’ve been concentrating on release stuff—and that makes sense, I’ve had another release! Buzz, buzz, look at my new book, I’m so thrilled to show it to you! Actually, truth be told, by the time you actually have that book, any book, I’m a little sick… Continue reading Not as Done As I Thought
I’m beginning to learn what the phrase “those who can’t do, teach” means. It doesn’t mean only people who are crap at something teach it. It means that if you do something instinctively, actually trying to figure out what you do enough to explain it to someone else is a process that might actually drive… Continue reading Those Who Can’t Do, Teach the Rest of Us Coping Skills
I’m not saying that marriage causes spicy curries, I’m just saying that three out of the four curries that have been too hot for me to eat have been cooked since Husband and I got married a couple years ago. Which is what happened this wedding anniversary. It was one of those fatal meals where… Continue reading What Dinner Is Like When Your Husband Lacks Tastebuds
In the world of blogs, memes fly around like measles, and lo but I’ve been bitten! Not that I mind, really. And so this Wednesday morning, we bring you, courtesy of Sarah Mitchell Jackson, the Sunshine Thingy! …with one caveat: I refuse to call it an award. It isn’t. It’s a meme. And the rules are… Continue reading The Sunshine Thingy (aka silly questions)
I wrote a book that was called by a reviewer “the perfect nightmare,” but honestly, it didn’t look like one of mine at all. Of course, in many ways, neither did the one I had last night. I’ve had nightmares all my life. That’s not so unusual; most people get them now and again. But… Continue reading What Nightmares Are Made Of
Every country has its stereotypes. From Japan’s point of view, Americans are three things: loud, friendly, and generous. We talk too much, too freely, too familiarly. We’re kind to strangers, to everyone. We share our things without holding back, we help our friends when they ask, and offer when they don’t. We like to have… Continue reading Japan Memoir Part 6: The Dream of America
An article from NPR on the phenomenon of people liking certain foods and not others came across my newsfeed. They managed to draw out a thousand words on people have preferences (imagine!) before the comments started, and like a numpty, I read them. There is no one more sanctimonious than the people whose kids happily… Continue reading Don’t Call Me A Picky Eater
The other day, someone on a forum I frequent was complaining about how difficult Twitter is. Every time they go on there, someone is arguing about politics! Or race! Or religion! It made them feel like they couldn’t even venture a comment without someone jumping down their throat. Twitter is awful! Er, no, you’re just… Continue reading Twitter for Beginners, Or: If Your Twitter Feed Sucks, It’s Your Fault
I am not a technology person, so of course I married the sort of man who thinks a month-old phone is “a bit dated.” In some ways, this is perfect. I hate all things that require more set-up than plugging them in and pushing an “on” button, he positively revels in finding little bowls to… Continue reading Smartphones Are For Idiots Like Us
I have no photos of this time period. None. Not of my apartment, or myself, or Husband. Not the street we lived on or the places we went. Though I bought an iPhone 5 around this time, my first smartphone, I didn’t use it for anything except downloading a voice recording program to use at… Continue reading Japan Memoir Part 3: The Sound of Far-Away
Under-Paid, Over-Enthused 