Category Archives: writing

Actis Temporibus

For a few years I’ve had a Latin version of “Auld Lang Syne” on my Latin-for-the-holidays handout, but I’ve never been crazy about it. For one thing, it erases the repetitions in the original. For another, references to drinking have … Continue reading

Posted in academia, Adventures in the Public Domain, Christmas, language, music, writing | Tagged , | Comments Off on Actis Temporibus

Ear Ye! Ear Ye!

Typo of the day resulted from a cut-and-paste error. It started its journey as Dear editors and ended up as ear editors. Ear editors: some kind of digital plastic surgeon, I guess? “Have you run this lobe past the ear … Continue reading

Posted in Typo of the Day, writing | Comments Off on Ear Ye! Ear Ye!

Creepypasta

Seen on Bluesky: Gustaw Gwozdecki’s “Evening Melancholy”, c.1905. I didn’t know it on sight, but somehow it felt familiar. I wonder if I saw it a long time ago and it re-surfaced from my subconscious when I needed a creepy … Continue reading

Posted in art, fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, writing | Comments Off on Creepypasta

The End of the Beginning

By the power vested in me, I declare this rough draft COMPLETE. Now to knock off some of the rough edges. I will need my largest and most abrasive rasp.

Posted in fantasy, Myth & Legend, sword-and-sorcery, writing | Comments Off on The End of the Beginning

Decisions, Decisions

It’s a three-day weekend (thanks, Organized Labor!) and I was figuring on catching up with some writing projects. But then I saw Criterion had added Duel and Donnie Darko and a bunch of good stuff. So… maybe yes; maybe no.

Posted in review or meta-review, sff, writing | Comments Off on Decisions, Decisions

Writing Music

Some bluesy piano to cool off a hot July afternoon.

Posted in music, writing | Comments Off on Writing Music

Extruded Word Product

I guess I understand that replacing writing with “automated insight extraction” makes sense from a managerial point of view. I just can’t see how it makes sense from any other point of view (e.g., someone who might have to read … Continue reading

Posted in AI is a misnomer, writing | Comments Off on Extruded Word Product

Words to Live By

“When you’re cooking lentils, don’t add perfume” (ὅταν φακῆν ἕψετε μὴ ‘πιχεῖν μύρον). –Strattis Comicus (whoever he was)

Posted in language, writing | Tagged | Comments Off on Words to Live By

Words to Live By

“One prefers, of course, on all occasions to be stainless and above reproach but, failing that, the next best thing is unquestionably to have got rid of the body.” —Wodehouse, JOY IN THE MORNING

Posted in writing | Tagged | Comments Off on Words to Live By

Facts About Fiction

Studies show that most studies don’t show what they show. Still, this is an interesting and well-sourced piece about the connections between reading and empathy. https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/reading-fiction-empathy-better-person/

Posted in academia, books, science, writing | Comments Off on Facts About Fiction