Jun. 10th, 2015

ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
This animation illustrates the mass deaths of World War II.

To absent friends.  To all the ones who weren't as lucky.  Those were the first toasts I remember learning as a toddler, from veterans.
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
Okay, this is awesome. But look at the caption: "There's no good reason for anybody to own anything this powerful."

*facepalm*

You can't think of any reasons that are constructive instead of destructive? And you BUILT that thing?

*epic facepalm*

ExpandRead more... )
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
Life is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.

What are some of the hard things you've done recently?
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
Here is my card for Round Seven of the [community profile] genprompt_bingo fest. This bingo challenge encourages original or fanfic material across all formats and lengths. It's a terrific fest if you want general and/or gentle fiction, although people can interpret prompts any way they like. There are many categories, and you can choose to omit up to three. Read the rules first.  Browse the Round Seven prompt list.  Request a Round Seven card here. Prompt lists are renewed once a quarter, and you may request a new card then even without bingo on a previous card. (See all my 2015 bingo cards.)

If you'd like to sponsor a particular square, especially if you have an idea for what character, series, or situation it would fit -- talk to me and we'll work something out. This is a good opportunity for those of you with favorites that don't always mesh well with the themes of my monthly projects. I may still post some of the fills for free, because I'm using this to attract new readers; but if it brings in money, that means I can do more of it. That's part of why I'm crossing some of the bingo prompts with other projects, such as the Poetry Fishbowl.

Round Seven: June 1, 2015-August 31, 2015.
Cards may be requested prior to August 31.
Any content, fiction or poetry, etc. fanfic or original.
Minimum of 100 words for fiction, poetry, or other text fills.

Underlined prompts have been filled.


GENPROMPT BINGO CARD

Warming / Cooling Drinks The Cost of Magic Reality is Illusion Sunshine and Blue Skies A Mystery to Investigate
Thief Mystery Formidable It Wasn't Meant to Be India
The Elephant in the Room Blood Wild CardLife Affection
Kittens and Puppies Sensory Deprivation Places of Work Autumn Memory Related
Relative values: Families Primary Colours Snowboard Old Things (Heirlooms, Antiques, Nostalgia) Science and Magic

ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
Today I got to thinking that canes and tables are a bad combination.  Someone with a cane sits down at the table in a restaurant, and there's really no good place for the cane.  Put it on the floor, it's out of reach.  Lean it against the table or chair, there's usually nothing for it to catch on and it slides to the floor.  That's a nuisance for the owner and a trip hazard for other people.

So I thought of a solution.  Put a swivel hook under the table.  It stays out of the way unless someone has a cane, crutch, etc. that needs  something to lean against.  Then pull out the hook.  Now the cane will stay put.  When you're done, put the hook back under the table.  As long as it's a flat hook, it shouldn't snag anything when not in use.  Took me a little while to find something like what I'm thinking of.  These are for snow chains, no price listed.  This one is a cabinet latch, for $1.06.  See how you could put a screw through the hole and the hook would twist around that shaft? Swing it out, swing it back.

It's a really cheap solution that requires an absolute minimum of dexterity to apply.  Anyone with a restaurant, a waiting room, etc. could put a cane hook under the tables.  Or do it at home with your dining or end table, if somebody in the household uses the kind of mobility aid that is not self-standing.  A decent tinker could fiddle around with the design and find something that would work to support a variety of items.  If you want to get fancy, ask a blacksmith or a silversmith to make you one with scrollwork.  No reason it has to be boring if you've got the money to spend.  But if you just want to stop dropping your cane, a buck or two at the hardware store should fix that.  If your hands don't work great, you might need help screwing it on, but most people can work a screwdriver.
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
This robot uses a sword with admirable precision.  While this is not an autonomous sparring bot, it is a vital step toward that goal.  

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ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
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