Friday, August 27, 2010
My Recent Reads
I have finished these three books in the last week. "The Apostle" by Brad Thor; "Mid Scrambler", by Chris Grabenstein; "Scavenger" by David Morrell. All are in the genre of Thrillers. I liked them, so should you, if your into that type of reading.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
New Reviews
I just reviewed two books on "Library Thing". "The Cobra", by Frederick Forsyth and "Broken", by Karin Slaughter.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Online Writing - How Can You Earn More Money?
by: Sutikno Slamet
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to online writing. Most of the newbies to this career see those jobs offering a dollar for five hundred words, and while they might work for that amount to start with (just to get some experience) they soon want to build up and earn more for their hard work.
And why not? Every writer should earn what they are worth, and the better you get the more money you should be able to bring in.
So how do you earn more from online writing? The trick is to raise the bar. If you have been writing for a dollar for 500 words, you need to start dismissing those jobs from now on. Think about this for a moment - if you spend time considering whether or not to apply for those low paid gigs, you won't be able to spend as much time looking for higher paid jobs.
You need to get into the habit of only considering higher paid jobs in the online writing world. And you'll find - as I did - that as soon as you raise that bar in your own mind, you'll start finding other jobs that you can apply for.
There is another tactic to remember here too, and it works in conjunction with the first trick I mentioned above. This is all about numbers. You need to apply for as many higher paid writing jobs as you can. The more you apply for the better the chance is of actually winning more of them.
It can be depressing to think about the percentage rate of winning jobs to losing them. Some writers have mentioned winning around ten per cent of everything they apply for. Now if you think that it is depressing losing a full 90% of the jobs you go for, you need to think of it in a different way.
For every ten jobs you go for, you'll win around one. So if you want to get two writing jobs you'll have to go for twenty in total. Get the idea? Think in terms of what you need to do to win the number of online writing jobs you actually want to get.
As you can see, your own frame of mind can have a big effect on how much writing work you get. And the more you get the more money you will earn. And of course, you now know that if you raise that bar a bit higher you will be bringing in more money before you know it.
About The Author
Still Looking For A Job? Get Paid For Writing Short Articles and Stories. No Experience Required to Join. Start Earning Up To $375 Per Day Writing For Large Companies. Visit : http://www.realwritingjob.net For More Information!
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to online writing. Most of the newbies to this career see those jobs offering a dollar for five hundred words, and while they might work for that amount to start with (just to get some experience) they soon want to build up and earn more for their hard work.
And why not? Every writer should earn what they are worth, and the better you get the more money you should be able to bring in.
So how do you earn more from online writing? The trick is to raise the bar. If you have been writing for a dollar for 500 words, you need to start dismissing those jobs from now on. Think about this for a moment - if you spend time considering whether or not to apply for those low paid gigs, you won't be able to spend as much time looking for higher paid jobs.
You need to get into the habit of only considering higher paid jobs in the online writing world. And you'll find - as I did - that as soon as you raise that bar in your own mind, you'll start finding other jobs that you can apply for.
There is another tactic to remember here too, and it works in conjunction with the first trick I mentioned above. This is all about numbers. You need to apply for as many higher paid writing jobs as you can. The more you apply for the better the chance is of actually winning more of them.
It can be depressing to think about the percentage rate of winning jobs to losing them. Some writers have mentioned winning around ten per cent of everything they apply for. Now if you think that it is depressing losing a full 90% of the jobs you go for, you need to think of it in a different way.
For every ten jobs you go for, you'll win around one. So if you want to get two writing jobs you'll have to go for twenty in total. Get the idea? Think in terms of what you need to do to win the number of online writing jobs you actually want to get.
As you can see, your own frame of mind can have a big effect on how much writing work you get. And the more you get the more money you will earn. And of course, you now know that if you raise that bar a bit higher you will be bringing in more money before you know it.
About The Author
Still Looking For A Job? Get Paid For Writing Short Articles and Stories. No Experience Required to Join. Start Earning Up To $375 Per Day Writing For Large Companies. Visit : http://www.realwritingjob.net For More Information!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Solitude
alone without being lonely, quiet, yet welcoming a brief sound in the silence
nature’s music surrounds the solitude
an internal and external phenomenon
emotions ebb and flow like a mystical tide
desire for companionship sometimes dispels
the need for solitude, a quest to unite lonely beings into a whole
that is beyond singularity
the sounds, the feelings, the wonder of just thinking thought without direction momentary aberrations of time and space
amazement at imaginary journeys of the soul
nature’s music surrounds the solitude
an internal and external phenomenon
emotions ebb and flow like a mystical tide
desire for companionship sometimes dispels
the need for solitude, a quest to unite lonely beings into a whole
that is beyond singularity
the sounds, the feelings, the wonder of just thinking thought without direction momentary aberrations of time and space
amazement at imaginary journeys of the soul
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Immortal Love
the tension of love begins
familiar yet new
intense beyond a faded memory
a scintillating light in the darkness
love that lasts an eternity
a distant place in the heart and soul that beckons
two to become one
Immortal love
sadness is dispelled
regrets fade into the past
feelings burst forth like blossoms in the early spring
the distant journey begins
a void is filled with passion
tears are created from pure joy
completeness exemplified by calm
Immortal love
Friday, July 16, 2010
Online-Writing-Jobs - Paying Freelance Markets Opportunity
by: Sutikno Slamet
If you are a screen writer, there is a one stop job bank you can visit for instant access and almost immediate listing. Imagine have the opportunity to choose among more than 1000 jobs in the freelance writing world. How would you feel? You will definitely feel on to of the world knowing that many online freelance hunters doesn't have this kind of opportunity at your finger tips.
When I discovered this paying market I'm about revealing to you, I wondered why it had taken me so long to find this rich data base which freelance writers can mime for information in the several listed categories which is specific about your writing talent.
Here is the talent category or interest listed by online-writing-jobs for freelance jobs:
· writing jobs
· copywriting jobs
· magazine
· blogging
· website writing jobs
· content writing jobs
· article writing jobs
· book writing jobs
· ghost writing jobs
· proofreading jobs
· travel writing jobs
· public relations jobs
· journalism jobs
· research jobs
· review
· resume writing jobs
· entertainment writing jobs and lot more
You think about a ready gateway to the hidden treasure on freelance writing markets. Advertisers fall over themselves to get a piece of your talent. They are desperate to hire you. That means your frustration of not having job to do will soon be over with this information at your disposal.
If you are then so serious about your hunting job for writers all you just have to do is to rush to the location of the site as detailed among other 101 freelance paying markets.
About The Author
Still Looking For A Job? Get Paid For Writing Short Articles and Stories. No Experience Required to Join. Start Earning Up To $375 Per Day Writing For Large Companies. Visit : http://www.realwritingjob.net For More Information!
If you are a screen writer, there is a one stop job bank you can visit for instant access and almost immediate listing. Imagine have the opportunity to choose among more than 1000 jobs in the freelance writing world. How would you feel? You will definitely feel on to of the world knowing that many online freelance hunters doesn't have this kind of opportunity at your finger tips.
When I discovered this paying market I'm about revealing to you, I wondered why it had taken me so long to find this rich data base which freelance writers can mime for information in the several listed categories which is specific about your writing talent.
Here is the talent category or interest listed by online-writing-jobs for freelance jobs:
· writing jobs
· copywriting jobs
· magazine
· blogging
· website writing jobs
· content writing jobs
· article writing jobs
· book writing jobs
· ghost writing jobs
· proofreading jobs
· travel writing jobs
· public relations jobs
· journalism jobs
· research jobs
· review
· resume writing jobs
· entertainment writing jobs and lot more
You think about a ready gateway to the hidden treasure on freelance writing markets. Advertisers fall over themselves to get a piece of your talent. They are desperate to hire you. That means your frustration of not having job to do will soon be over with this information at your disposal.
If you are then so serious about your hunting job for writers all you just have to do is to rush to the location of the site as detailed among other 101 freelance paying markets.
About The Author
Still Looking For A Job? Get Paid For Writing Short Articles and Stories. No Experience Required to Join. Start Earning Up To $375 Per Day Writing For Large Companies. Visit : http://www.realwritingjob.net For More Information!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Best Best Seller Lists
Bestsellers
Top Sources   Thanks to http://www.bookspot.com/bestsellers.htm |
Thursday, May 20, 2010
My current read, "Eye of the Red Tsar" by Sam Eastland
Just finished this book I received for review from "Library Thing". The lead character Pekkala is Finnish, where my paternal grandparents are from, and starts during the reign of the last Tsar, the war of Communism in Russia, which are both things my father and grandparents went through.
It was an intriguing look at the early days of the Soviet Union and Stalin and the last days of the Romanov's.
The characters were engaging, the scenic descriptions realistic and interesting.
It gave me some further insights into my family genealogy, like The Finnish Guards, and the Russian & Finnish War.
I look forward to the new novel in 2011, featuring Pekkala, "The Emerald Eye".
I recommend this book to anyone interested in a good suspense novel or a historical based novel.
It was an intriguing look at the early days of the Soviet Union and Stalin and the last days of the Romanov's.
The characters were engaging, the scenic descriptions realistic and interesting.
It gave me some further insights into my family genealogy, like The Finnish Guards, and the Russian & Finnish War.
I look forward to the new novel in 2011, featuring Pekkala, "The Emerald Eye".
I recommend this book to anyone interested in a good suspense novel or a historical based novel.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Funny Questions About Life
by Hal Lacious
Ever had one of those funny questions about life? Then please read on. When it comes to funny questions and thoughts about life, every time I think I've seen them all I find one I've never seen before or come up with more of my own. The following are some of the ones I've discovered or written however, I know there's more because thats, well... life. So, if you find while reading these funny questions and thoughts about life make you smile, pass them along. All right, let's get started!
Funny Questions about life - Group 1 Why does Hawaiian pizza also contain Canadian Bacon? Grape Nuts cereal. No grapes - no nuts. Huh? What's the difference between regular ketchup and fancy ketchup? Do Dutch people always split the bill? If you use Miracle Whip on Wonder Bread, do you have to use Heavenly Ham?
Funny Questions about life - Group 2 Is there ever a day that mattresses aren't on sale? They make bullet proof vests, why not bullet proof pants? Why are oriental rug stores always going out of business? Is there any difference between partly cloudy and partly sunny?
Funny Questions about life - Group 3 If it only takes one match to start a forrest fire, why on earth does it take me a whole box of matches and a can of lighter fluid to light my grill? When they ship those styrofoam peanuts, what do they pack them in? How do you know when pickles or sour cream has gone bad?
Funny Questions about life - Group 4 How does one know when their bagpipes need tuning? Allstate Insurance has a disclaimer that reads: not available in all states. What? If Donkey Kong's main character is a monkey, why isn't it called Monkey Kong? Why does the word lisp have an "s" in it?
Funny Questions about life - Group 5 How come you never read the headline, "Psychic Wins Lottery"? The next time someone says, "Now I've seen everything", ask them if they've ever seen a UPS truck parked in a parking space. Has anyone ever really seen a Jolly Rancher? If you get a club soda stain, how do you remove it?
Funny Questions about life - Group 6 Has anyone (besides Donald Trump's wife) ever been fooled by a comb over? Is it really possible to change the direction of a bowling ball by waving your hands? There's senior citizens, so why aren't there junior citizens?
Funny Questions about life - Group 7 They say laughter is the best medicine - so who came up with the phrase, "I died laughing"? Why do doctors leave the room when your getting dressed? After all, they've already seen you naked. What's wrong with the United States? They only have two choices for President, but fifty for Miss America. Any reason they nail down the lid of a coffin? When butterflies get upset or nervous, what do they get in their stomachs?
Funny Questions about life - Group 8 Where do they put price stickers on non-stick pans? If it's called lipstick, why is it always coming off? When they sing, "Take me out to the ball game" they're already there. Why? Who's idea was it to make the word abbreviation so long?
Yes, these are just a few of the Funny Questions about life that try men's -and women's souls. And there's a ton more funny questions about life not listed here. Some of them come to me during the course of a day. For example, why does every shampoo bottle say, lather, rinse, repeat? I'm sorry, did I miss my head entirely the first time or do you just want to sell more shampoo? If you have or have thought up any funny questions of life yourself, feel free to send them along and thanks for wasting a few minutes of your life pondering these funny questions of life. Now get out there and do something good. Like figuring out what people in China call their good plates...
Ever had one of those funny questions about life? Then please read on. When it comes to funny questions and thoughts about life, every time I think I've seen them all I find one I've never seen before or come up with more of my own. The following are some of the ones I've discovered or written however, I know there's more because thats, well... life. So, if you find while reading these funny questions and thoughts about life make you smile, pass them along. All right, let's get started!
Funny Questions about life - Group 1 Why does Hawaiian pizza also contain Canadian Bacon? Grape Nuts cereal. No grapes - no nuts. Huh? What's the difference between regular ketchup and fancy ketchup? Do Dutch people always split the bill? If you use Miracle Whip on Wonder Bread, do you have to use Heavenly Ham?
Funny Questions about life - Group 2 Is there ever a day that mattresses aren't on sale? They make bullet proof vests, why not bullet proof pants? Why are oriental rug stores always going out of business? Is there any difference between partly cloudy and partly sunny?
Funny Questions about life - Group 3 If it only takes one match to start a forrest fire, why on earth does it take me a whole box of matches and a can of lighter fluid to light my grill? When they ship those styrofoam peanuts, what do they pack them in? How do you know when pickles or sour cream has gone bad?
Funny Questions about life - Group 4 How does one know when their bagpipes need tuning? Allstate Insurance has a disclaimer that reads: not available in all states. What? If Donkey Kong's main character is a monkey, why isn't it called Monkey Kong? Why does the word lisp have an "s" in it?
Funny Questions about life - Group 5 How come you never read the headline, "Psychic Wins Lottery"? The next time someone says, "Now I've seen everything", ask them if they've ever seen a UPS truck parked in a parking space. Has anyone ever really seen a Jolly Rancher? If you get a club soda stain, how do you remove it?
Funny Questions about life - Group 6 Has anyone (besides Donald Trump's wife) ever been fooled by a comb over? Is it really possible to change the direction of a bowling ball by waving your hands? There's senior citizens, so why aren't there junior citizens?
Funny Questions about life - Group 7 They say laughter is the best medicine - so who came up with the phrase, "I died laughing"? Why do doctors leave the room when your getting dressed? After all, they've already seen you naked. What's wrong with the United States? They only have two choices for President, but fifty for Miss America. Any reason they nail down the lid of a coffin? When butterflies get upset or nervous, what do they get in their stomachs?
Funny Questions about life - Group 8 Where do they put price stickers on non-stick pans? If it's called lipstick, why is it always coming off? When they sing, "Take me out to the ball game" they're already there. Why? Who's idea was it to make the word abbreviation so long?
Yes, these are just a few of the Funny Questions about life that try men's -and women's souls. And there's a ton more funny questions about life not listed here. Some of them come to me during the course of a day. For example, why does every shampoo bottle say, lather, rinse, repeat? I'm sorry, did I miss my head entirely the first time or do you just want to sell more shampoo? If you have or have thought up any funny questions of life yourself, feel free to send them along and thanks for wasting a few minutes of your life pondering these funny questions of life. Now get out there and do something good. Like figuring out what people in China call their good plates...
Friday, April 23, 2010
A Local author, "MYcellF Prisoner of the Pen"
“Anger Management”, quotes from Jason Breedlove’s book, “My Cellf, Prisoner of the Pen”
• I’d like to punch you until I damage your whole frontal lobe!
• I’ll knock your f**king gums down your throat!
• Your body will collapse around my fist.
• Remind me later to punch you in the eye.
• I want to hit you with something sharp.
• I’ll send you home with broken teeth.
• You need to douche your mouth!
• I’ll break your f**cking mustache!
• I’ll beat you down to nothing.
It is available from Powells Books, and on-ling at Jason's Blog.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Books About Natural Disasters....A warning?
Unless you've been on another planet or had your head in the sand, you may have noticed the increased frequency of natural disasters such as earthquakes, snow storms, heat & cold extreams, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, etc. Just watch any news program. Tonight for example, April 8, 2010, a 70 mile in diameter asteroid is making a "Close Encounter" within the moons orbit to the Earth!
Scientist say this is normal activity. I say this is increasing in intensity and frequency, and is a warning of things to come...2012, Jesus, The End, etc. Regardless of the “catastrophe” involved, the will to survive and survival skills necessary to accomplish the act are similar. These attributes are the main importance, at least to me, when reading this type of literature. Perhaps it is because I pride myself in having many of these skills.
For you to form an intelligent or unbiased opinion & perhaps save your life, you should read and do a little research. I an including a few Bibliography's, selected web sites, etc. Inform yourself, come bach to this Blog and comment. This is just the "tip of the iceberg" on references and may help get you started.
Thanks!
Resources:
The Bible
Natural Disaster Science Bibliography
Survival
CBS News Disaster Links
Amazon Books on Disasters
2012
2012 Resources
Book of Daniel
Nuclear War Bibliography
Scientist say this is normal activity. I say this is increasing in intensity and frequency, and is a warning of things to come...2012, Jesus, The End, etc. Regardless of the “catastrophe” involved, the will to survive and survival skills necessary to accomplish the act are similar. These attributes are the main importance, at least to me, when reading this type of literature. Perhaps it is because I pride myself in having many of these skills.
For you to form an intelligent or unbiased opinion & perhaps save your life, you should read and do a little research. I an including a few Bibliography's, selected web sites, etc. Inform yourself, come bach to this Blog and comment. This is just the "tip of the iceberg" on references and may help get you started.
Thanks!
Resources:
The Bible
Natural Disaster Science Bibliography
Survival
CBS News Disaster Links
Amazon Books on Disasters
2012
2012 Resources
Book of Daniel
Nuclear War Bibliography
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Best Sellers, Week of 3-28-10
Hardcover Fiction
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. HOUSE RULES, by Jodi Picoult
3. THE SILENT SEA, by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul
4. THINK TWICE, by Lisa Scottoline
5. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, by Seth Grahame-Smith
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. THE BIG SHORT, by Michael Lewis
2. CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG, by Chelsea Handler
3. COURAGE AND CONSEQUENCE, by Karl Rove
4. THE PACIFIC, by Hugh Ambrose
5. CHANGE YOUR BRAIN, CHANGE YOUR BODY, by Daniel G. Amen
NY Times listings
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. HOUSE RULES, by Jodi Picoult
3. THE SILENT SEA, by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul
4. THINK TWICE, by Lisa Scottoline
5. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, by Seth Grahame-Smith
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. THE BIG SHORT, by Michael Lewis
2. CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG, by Chelsea Handler
3. COURAGE AND CONSEQUENCE, by Karl Rove
4. THE PACIFIC, by Hugh Ambrose
5. CHANGE YOUR BRAIN, CHANGE YOUR BODY, by Daniel G. Amen
NY Times listings
Friday, March 19, 2010
My Latest Read, "Into the Paths of Gods", by Kathleen Cunningham Guler
I have always loved Arthurian legends of Britian, and since this book awas a Library Thing author gift, I really enjoyed it. After doing some personal reserch on Britain of 500 CE, I was impressed by the authors use of historical facts and her ability to paint the images of that time for the reader.
Let me not forget to mention the great main character, Claerwen, a do everything, kick-ass woman of beauty and intelligence, who survives on hardship after another, and becomes stronger for it!
I have just reserved the next book of the series, "In The Shadow of Dragons" from the library, and look forward to reading it.
I am delighted to recommend this series to historical and Arthurian readers.
Let me not forget to mention the great main character, Claerwen, a do everything, kick-ass woman of beauty and intelligence, who survives on hardship after another, and becomes stronger for it!
I have just reserved the next book of the series, "In The Shadow of Dragons" from the library, and look forward to reading it.
I am delighted to recommend this series to historical and Arthurian readers.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice is a touring figure skating show produced by IMG. It was originally conceived in 1986 as a vehicle for IMG client Scott Hamilton, who had been released from his contract with Ice Capades, after being told that male skaters do not sell tickets. Hamilton now has retired from regular touring with the show, but remains actively involved as a producer.
Stars on Ice was originally conceived as an ice show for adults, without the skating Smurfs or Disney cartoon characters typical of other commercial ice shows of the period, such as Disney on Ice. Another concept that has carried through the show from the beginning is that of a small cast of elite skaters who perform together in ensembles as well as solo numbers. In 1991, the Canadian branch of the show, Canadian Stars On Ice, began.
Also features my Oswego State College roommate Jef Billings, the shows Director and Designer! A very talented person!
Stars on Ice was originally conceived as an ice show for adults, without the skating Smurfs or Disney cartoon characters typical of other commercial ice shows of the period, such as Disney on Ice. Another concept that has carried through the show from the beginning is that of a small cast of elite skaters who perform together in ensembles as well as solo numbers. In 1991, the Canadian branch of the show, Canadian Stars On Ice, began.
Also features my Oswego State College roommate Jef Billings, the shows Director and Designer! A very talented person!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Best Sellers, Wk of 3/1/2010
Hardcover Fiction
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. WORST CASE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
3. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
4. POOR LITTLE BITCH GIRL, by Jackie Collins
5. WINTER GARDEN, by Kristin Hannah
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
3. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot
4. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
5. WILLIE MAYS, by James S. Hirsch
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. WORST CASE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
3. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
4. POOR LITTLE BITCH GIRL, by Jackie Collins
5. WINTER GARDEN, by Kristin Hannah
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
3. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot
4. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
5. WILLIE MAYS, by James S. Hirsch
Monday, February 22, 2010
My Latest Read - "Trust No One"
"Trust No One" by Gregg Hurwitz was a great read. Political conspiracies, murders and corruption at the highest levels create a plot with twists and turns that is enjoyable to read and difficult to put down.
There is a cool tattoo also "Trust No One" in asian characters.......sounds like it could be my one and only tat!
Japanese: ä¿¡é ¼èª°ã‚‚
Chinese: 信任沒人
There is a cool tattoo also "Trust No One" in asian characters.......sounds like it could be my one and only tat!
Japanese: ä¿¡é ¼èª°ã‚‚
Chinese: 信任沒人
Thursday, February 18, 2010
33rd Portland International Film Festival
OK, the 33rd International Film Festival is here in Portland, OR. I've never been to one, have no money for such entertainment, nor am I interested in watching films I can't understand either by language or plot. Who the hell likes sub-titles? Speak English damn it!
But I know there are plenty of new age, tree hugger, yuppie types that go to such things, so I'll mention it here. Pretend your in Caines or Sundance....here is the link. http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff33/
Yawn!
But I know there are plenty of new age, tree hugger, yuppie types that go to such things, so I'll mention it here. Pretend your in Caines or Sundance....here is the link. http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff33/
Yawn!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Best Sellers Week of February 15, 2010
Hardcover Fiction
1. WORST CASE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
2. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
3. FLIRT, by Laurell K. Hamilton
4. WINTER GARDEN, by Kristin Hannah
5. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
3. ON THE BRINK, by Henry M. Paulson Jr.
4. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
5. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot
1. WORST CASE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
2. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
3. FLIRT, by Laurell K. Hamilton
4. WINTER GARDEN, by Kristin Hannah
5. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
3. ON THE BRINK, by Henry M. Paulson Jr.
4. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
5. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot
Monday, February 8, 2010
Best Sellers .......Week of February 8, 2010
Hardcover Fiction
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
3. KISSER, by Stuart Woods
4. BLOOD TIES, by Kay Hooper
5. THE FIRST RULE, by Robert Crais
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
3. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
4. COMMITTED, by Elizabeth Gilbert
5. HAVE A LITTLE FAITH, by Mitch Albom
1. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
2. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
3. KISSER, by Stuart Woods
4. BLOOD TIES, by Kay Hooper
5. THE FIRST RULE, by Robert Crais
Hardcover Nonfiction
1. GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
2. I AM OZZY, by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres
3. THE POLITICIAN, by Andrew Young
4. COMMITTED, by Elizabeth Gilbert
5. HAVE A LITTLE FAITH, by Mitch Albom
Friday, January 22, 2010
So You Wanna Be A Proofreader: Ten Tip
by: Tom Aaron
The title in this article should grab your attention for one of two reasons: you are interested in being a proofreader or you notice the language is inappropriate. "Wanna" is not standard English. Looking at this title, you probably came to one of two conclusions: the writer deliberately used a mistake to grab your attention, or the writer did not proofread very well. At Aaron Language Services, we see error after error from people who apply for proofreading work. We do not expect perfection, but we do have ten tips to help proofreaders get closer to producing good work.
1. Careful checking
Your email message may not be your proofreading work. If you are looking for proofreading work though, any typos or other errors will cast doubt on the quality of your work. If the email message is accompanying proofreading work, the errors will cast doubt on the attached work.
2. Three times
Good proofreading borders on the obsessive. Catching those last errors requires attention to detail. Proofread everything at least three times. I needed three reads to finally notice that I had written "tree times" above instead of "three times".
3. Time intervals
If you keep reading the same writing over and over, catching mistakes becomes more difficult. We suggest that you spread out your three proofreadings over time. For simple text, this proofreading does not have to be on different days. For a longer and more complicated document though, each reading should be on a separate day.
4. Fresh and alert
We work best when we are fresh and alert. Proofreading is complicated because we read for meaning, not for errors. Be sure that you are fresh and alert when you do your final proofreading.
5. Your spellchecker
As basic as this tip is, many people seem to forget. Use your spellchecker.
6. Search engines
Spellcheckers are not perfect. When writing this, the spellchecker said "proofreadings" was misspelled. I was positive it was not, but I still checked. Even when I am positive, I am still wrong sometimes.
7. When in doubt
With the Internet just a few keystrokes away, the answers to most of our questions are just as close. If you do not know something, research it. Check dictionaries and other references. Check search engines to see what standard usage is.
8. Read
Reference materials help us to become better writers and to catch mistakes. Take advantage of them.
9. Reading
Anyone wanting to be a better writer, editor, or proofreader needs to read. Reading gives us the unconscious language knowledge that we need. As you read more books on writing, editing and proofreading and as you write, edit and proofread, you will also start to look more consciously as you read in general. You will notice Hemingway's short active sentences and Faulkner's punctuation of his long descriptive sentences. The more you read, the more you will notice. The more you notice, the better you will write, edit and proofread.
10. Taking a break
We do not work in an ideal world; sometimes we must work when we are tired. Take breaks; refresh yourself. Do a page; walk around the room; do another page. A tired proofreader is a poor proofreader.
Being a good writer, editor, or proofreader takes time. Improving your writing, editing, and proofreading takes time too. If you follow these ten tips, you will learn and get better. Writing, editing, and proofreading are not mysterious skills that come to us naturally. If we work on them, we will get better. We wish you the best in developing your proofreading and editing skills.
About The Author
If you are an experienced editor specializing in medicine or the hard sciences, Aaron Language Services is interested in working with you. You can find us at on the web at http://www.aaronlanguage.com/personnel.html
The title in this article should grab your attention for one of two reasons: you are interested in being a proofreader or you notice the language is inappropriate. "Wanna" is not standard English. Looking at this title, you probably came to one of two conclusions: the writer deliberately used a mistake to grab your attention, or the writer did not proofread very well. At Aaron Language Services, we see error after error from people who apply for proofreading work. We do not expect perfection, but we do have ten tips to help proofreaders get closer to producing good work.
1. Careful checking
Your email message may not be your proofreading work. If you are looking for proofreading work though, any typos or other errors will cast doubt on the quality of your work. If the email message is accompanying proofreading work, the errors will cast doubt on the attached work.
2. Three times
Good proofreading borders on the obsessive. Catching those last errors requires attention to detail. Proofread everything at least three times. I needed three reads to finally notice that I had written "tree times" above instead of "three times".
3. Time intervals
If you keep reading the same writing over and over, catching mistakes becomes more difficult. We suggest that you spread out your three proofreadings over time. For simple text, this proofreading does not have to be on different days. For a longer and more complicated document though, each reading should be on a separate day.
4. Fresh and alert
We work best when we are fresh and alert. Proofreading is complicated because we read for meaning, not for errors. Be sure that you are fresh and alert when you do your final proofreading.
5. Your spellchecker
As basic as this tip is, many people seem to forget. Use your spellchecker.
6. Search engines
Spellcheckers are not perfect. When writing this, the spellchecker said "proofreadings" was misspelled. I was positive it was not, but I still checked. Even when I am positive, I am still wrong sometimes.
7. When in doubt
With the Internet just a few keystrokes away, the answers to most of our questions are just as close. If you do not know something, research it. Check dictionaries and other references. Check search engines to see what standard usage is.
8. Read
Reference materials help us to become better writers and to catch mistakes. Take advantage of them.
9. Reading
Anyone wanting to be a better writer, editor, or proofreader needs to read. Reading gives us the unconscious language knowledge that we need. As you read more books on writing, editing and proofreading and as you write, edit and proofread, you will also start to look more consciously as you read in general. You will notice Hemingway's short active sentences and Faulkner's punctuation of his long descriptive sentences. The more you read, the more you will notice. The more you notice, the better you will write, edit and proofread.
10. Taking a break
We do not work in an ideal world; sometimes we must work when we are tired. Take breaks; refresh yourself. Do a page; walk around the room; do another page. A tired proofreader is a poor proofreader.
Being a good writer, editor, or proofreader takes time. Improving your writing, editing, and proofreading takes time too. If you follow these ten tips, you will learn and get better. Writing, editing, and proofreading are not mysterious skills that come to us naturally. If we work on them, we will get better. We wish you the best in developing your proofreading and editing skills.
About The Author
If you are an experienced editor specializing in medicine or the hard sciences, Aaron Language Services is interested in working with you. You can find us at on the web at http://www.aaronlanguage.com/personnel.html
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Voynich Manuscript
I am reading "The Book of God and Physics", a book on the Voynich manusript, and the third book I have read on this subject.
A large bibliography: Voynich Bibliography
The Voynich Manuscript is probably the world's single most intriguing and potentially solvable puzzle. The puzzle consists in determining the age, origin and purpose of the Voynich manuscript: but first, one must be able to read it. The manuscript is written using a mixture of vaguely familiar characters with some very strange ones. Despite the efforts of a great many professional and amateur cryptologists, we quite simply do not know if the manuscript is a hoax or a code.
It is somewhat futile to try to decode any document without being able to put it into a context of time and place. It is time and place which give us our first clues as to the author's probable purpose and language. Thus, before going into any detail about the Voynich manuscript itself, I shall give some historical background. Meanwhile, just to whet my reader's appetite, here is a picture comparing a small portion of the original manuscript with a computer-readable document version.
The Voynich manuscript takes its name from Wilfrid M. Voynich, a book dealer who claimed to have acquired it in 1912, in Italy. He was a Polish revolutionary who escaped to London where he met and married his wife, Ethel. He had seen her before, from a window in his prison in Warsaw. They later emigrated to America. If the Voynich manuscript is a hoax, a fake, a means to make some quick money, then the prime candidate for the faking must be Wilfrid Voynich. Everything that can be determined about Wilfrid and Ethel Voynich suggests that he had the funds to purchase the manuscript in good faith.
Behind the Voynich manuscript lies a web of connected names so strange that it reads like fiction, or a Who's Who of academics and revolutionaries. Indeed, Ethel Voynich, by her own account, was inspired to write much of her fiction from her own experiences and acquantances. Political turmoil, revolution, espionage and intrigue; all are to be found in the Voynich manuscript story. More strange, perhaps, than the mystery of the manuscript is the list of well-known names which are connected with the history of the manuscript. Most of the names can be linked directly to Ethel Voynich.
A large bibliography: Voynich Bibliography
The Voynich Manuscript is probably the world's single most intriguing and potentially solvable puzzle. The puzzle consists in determining the age, origin and purpose of the Voynich manuscript: but first, one must be able to read it. The manuscript is written using a mixture of vaguely familiar characters with some very strange ones. Despite the efforts of a great many professional and amateur cryptologists, we quite simply do not know if the manuscript is a hoax or a code.
It is somewhat futile to try to decode any document without being able to put it into a context of time and place. It is time and place which give us our first clues as to the author's probable purpose and language. Thus, before going into any detail about the Voynich manuscript itself, I shall give some historical background. Meanwhile, just to whet my reader's appetite, here is a picture comparing a small portion of the original manuscript with a computer-readable document version.
The Voynich manuscript takes its name from Wilfrid M. Voynich, a book dealer who claimed to have acquired it in 1912, in Italy. He was a Polish revolutionary who escaped to London where he met and married his wife, Ethel. He had seen her before, from a window in his prison in Warsaw. They later emigrated to America. If the Voynich manuscript is a hoax, a fake, a means to make some quick money, then the prime candidate for the faking must be Wilfrid Voynich. Everything that can be determined about Wilfrid and Ethel Voynich suggests that he had the funds to purchase the manuscript in good faith.
Behind the Voynich manuscript lies a web of connected names so strange that it reads like fiction, or a Who's Who of academics and revolutionaries. Indeed, Ethel Voynich, by her own account, was inspired to write much of her fiction from her own experiences and acquantances. Political turmoil, revolution, espionage and intrigue; all are to be found in the Voynich manuscript story. More strange, perhaps, than the mystery of the manuscript is the list of well-known names which are connected with the history of the manuscript. Most of the names can be linked directly to Ethel Voynich.
Monday, January 4, 2010
My recent reads!
Try as I may, I fail to read more than three books per week! So many books, so little time. Here are some I have read in the last two weeks, and enjoyed.
- "Damage Control" by J A Jance
- "Triple Cross" by Mark T Sullivan
- "Portland Noir" edited by Kevin Sampsell
- "The Ninth Generation" by John L Owens
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Common Academic Writing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
by: Terence Reed
You can never write a successful academic essay until and unless your revise it properly. There could be several mistakes while writing an academic paper which could be easily checked while revising. These mistakes are often spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes, typographical mistakes or semantic errors. It is important to understand that writing a language is far different than speaking it.
Let us have a look at some common mistakes in writing an academic paper:
• Spelling Mistakes:
Due to the mobile messaging culture, enormous changes in spelling of words have come in front, for example typing “U” instead of “you”. We should be careful enough to spell words accurately while writing a formal essay or all sorts of academic papers. It is better not to rely on the software’s spell check. Revision and correction of spellings is the only way-out to successful academic writing.
• Grammatical Mistakes:
We often fail to describe the main idea because of the use of wrong tense. The reason behind this mistake is a broader view of topic. While mentioning this information we make shifts in action which confuses you in selecting a particular verb tense. To avoid such grammar mistakes, always use basic verbs and keep control of the flow of your paper.
• Typographical Mistakes:
These types of mistakes are very complicated to find in the academic writing. We make such mistakes while typing for example typing “Then” instead of “Than”. Even typing software is sometimes unable to find these mistakes. Make it your habit to revise every paragraph to avoid typographical mistakes.
• Relying on Spelling Software:
An intelligent and quality academic writer will never rely on the spelling software because sometimes this software will not be able to check all sorts of mistakes properly. Only a human eye is efficient enough to check all the grammar mistakes. Always revise your paper yourself instead of relying on the spell check software.
By keeping these mistakes in mind while writing academic papers and the solutions discussed above to these problems would help you in refraining from such mistakes. In this way you can write better and quality academic papers with no errors at all.
About The Author
Terence Reed is an Academic Writing Specialist, working with a2zEssays (http://www.a2zessays.com/)to serve a diverse body of students with their term papers.
You can never write a successful academic essay until and unless your revise it properly. There could be several mistakes while writing an academic paper which could be easily checked while revising. These mistakes are often spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes, typographical mistakes or semantic errors. It is important to understand that writing a language is far different than speaking it.
Let us have a look at some common mistakes in writing an academic paper:
• Spelling Mistakes:
Due to the mobile messaging culture, enormous changes in spelling of words have come in front, for example typing “U” instead of “you”. We should be careful enough to spell words accurately while writing a formal essay or all sorts of academic papers. It is better not to rely on the software’s spell check. Revision and correction of spellings is the only way-out to successful academic writing.
• Grammatical Mistakes:
We often fail to describe the main idea because of the use of wrong tense. The reason behind this mistake is a broader view of topic. While mentioning this information we make shifts in action which confuses you in selecting a particular verb tense. To avoid such grammar mistakes, always use basic verbs and keep control of the flow of your paper.
• Typographical Mistakes:
These types of mistakes are very complicated to find in the academic writing. We make such mistakes while typing for example typing “Then” instead of “Than”. Even typing software is sometimes unable to find these mistakes. Make it your habit to revise every paragraph to avoid typographical mistakes.
• Relying on Spelling Software:
An intelligent and quality academic writer will never rely on the spelling software because sometimes this software will not be able to check all sorts of mistakes properly. Only a human eye is efficient enough to check all the grammar mistakes. Always revise your paper yourself instead of relying on the spell check software.
By keeping these mistakes in mind while writing academic papers and the solutions discussed above to these problems would help you in refraining from such mistakes. In this way you can write better and quality academic papers with no errors at all.
About The Author
Terence Reed is an Academic Writing Specialist, working with a2zEssays (http://www.a2zessays.com/)to serve a diverse body of students with their term papers.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Books on War
With the war in Afganistan seeing an increase of 30,000 troops, I thought it might be timely for a review of books on the subject of War. After 8 years in Iraq and Afganistan and the possibility of Iran or Pakistan being involved in the future, knowledge is power.
Aside from books of a historical perspective, other main topics would include strategy & tactics of warfare, armaments, & leadership.
This brief list barely scrathes the surface of books on the subject. Public and University Libraries would have hundreds on the subject, as well as Amazon.com
The Art of War - by Sun tzu Ping Fa
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A - by William L Shirer
Principles of War - by Carl von Clausewitz
War Strategy and Intelligence - by Michael I Handel
A History of Warfare - by John Keegan
Robert E. Lee on Leadership: Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision - by H. W. Crocker III
Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad - by William Craig
Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs - by Adrienne Mayor
Aside from books of a historical perspective, other main topics would include strategy & tactics of warfare, armaments, & leadership.
This brief list barely scrathes the surface of books on the subject. Public and University Libraries would have hundreds on the subject, as well as Amazon.com
The Art of War - by Sun tzu Ping Fa
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A - by William L Shirer
Principles of War - by Carl von Clausewitz
War Strategy and Intelligence - by Michael I Handel
A History of Warfare - by John Keegan
Robert E. Lee on Leadership: Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision - by H. W. Crocker III
Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad - by William Craig
Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs - by Adrienne Mayor
Monday, November 30, 2009
I Dream of Mars
I dream of Mars. Since I was a young boy reading science fiction, I have dreamed of going to, and living on Mars. Fueled by books and movies, news reports of space probes, my interest in Mars has never wavered.
My first career choice was Astronaut. I went to college originally in Aerospace Engineering for two years at the University of Colorado, Boulder. However, in my freshman year my vision degraded below acceptable Air Force Standards and I changed majors, but my interest in space and Mars, has remained high.
Many books have been written about Mars from Edgar Rice Burroughs to Greg Bear, and I have read most of them over the years. Here is a brief list of books, which I consider the most interesting.
The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury
The War of the Worlds - H G Wells
A Princess of Mars - Edgar Rice Burroughs
Moving Mars - Greg Bear
Mars - Ben Bova
Return to Mars - Ben Bova
Red Mars - Kim Stanly Robinson
Mars Life - Ben Bova
Mars Crossing - Geoffrey A. Landis
The Day the Martians Came - Frederik Pohl
The Empress of Mars - Kage Baker
Blood Red Sphere - Lawrence Barker
And of course dozens of others, read by me in the last 50 years!
My first career choice was Astronaut. I went to college originally in Aerospace Engineering for two years at the University of Colorado, Boulder. However, in my freshman year my vision degraded below acceptable Air Force Standards and I changed majors, but my interest in space and Mars, has remained high.
Many books have been written about Mars from Edgar Rice Burroughs to Greg Bear, and I have read most of them over the years. Here is a brief list of books, which I consider the most interesting.
The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury
The War of the Worlds - H G Wells
A Princess of Mars - Edgar Rice Burroughs
Moving Mars - Greg Bear
Mars - Ben Bova
Return to Mars - Ben Bova
Red Mars - Kim Stanly Robinson
Mars Life - Ben Bova
Mars Crossing - Geoffrey A. Landis
The Day the Martians Came - Frederik Pohl
The Empress of Mars - Kage Baker
Blood Red Sphere - Lawrence Barker
And of course dozens of others, read by me in the last 50 years!
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