Green Pieces

A little self-service here.

In addition to my mighty works of fiction and ramblings about life and its many complexities... I also keep a science blog. The purpose of it is to demystify many of the issues we face in science and nature. Most people love science when they're young and gradually become disillusioned by the jargon and the math when they go through school. But science is a wonderful realm of amazing things and I think everyone deserves to regain that love they had when they were kids.

In my blog, I cover many things - the ethics of our political decisions about the environment, current scientific research, the pure joy of watching nature at its finest... There are amusing and fascinating nature videos every Tuesday. And my current project (inspired by my new job) is an in-depth look at invasive species.

The blog can be found here: Green Pieces For Everyone

Connected

I seem to go through these periods of wanting to be in touch with everyone and everything alternating with periods where I withdraw from most of the world and put myself out there in very limited ways. Right now I'm going through a phase of sort of loving my social networks (both real and internety).

November is going to be the beginning of a brand new chapter in my life. Having my own apartment and a serious job outside of university studies is probably exciting for anyone - but I have never taken the time to imagine this sort of life for myself. I clearly remember as a child picturing my life as a teenager, wondering about high school and boys and what sorts of classes I would take. As a teenager, I dreamed of college. I longed for it. I laid out various dreams in the shape of different majors and settings and friend groups. But as a university student, I don't think I did much imagining for my own life. It was all about getting to the next class. The next semester. The next dorm. Part of that was because I stuck myself in a long distance relationship and pinned all of my hopes for the future on being with this person - even though I think I always knew that it couldn't work out that way.

Well, now I've graduated from school. I have a serious long-term relationship with someone that I'm not constantly stressing about in terms of future plans. (I think we can call this "being content in love." Mutual love is nice, I've found.) I was finally hired for a job that not only relates to my major, but will interest me, make me feel like I'm making some kind of difference, and give me the freedom of mind I need to keep my writing up. And I just signed the lease on my first apartment.

I guess I'm beginning to feel more like a citizen rather than the non-entity you are when you're a child. And I never really imagined how that would feel. Frankly, I'm so excited about 'beginning' my life that I want to constantly write about everything I'm doing. I find myself self-narrating more than ever. (Anyone else do that?) And thinking about writing some autobiographical non-fiction.

To start though, I think I'll just keep up with my blogs some more... Stay in touch with people on Facebook (go see The Social Network btw it was genius writing)... And tweet about my writing.

To life! As boring as it sounds, the mundane details are endlessly fascinating to me. I'm ready to explore more.

...***Please check out my science/nature blog: Green Pieces. In addition to posting more about myself :D I'm also going to be posting more about issues in science that should matter to everyone. Plus there's an awesome video featured every Tuesday!***...

BTT: Rewrite

If you could rewrite the ending of any book, which book would it be? And how would you change it?

I'm always afraid that when I get published people are going to cite my books in answer to this. 0.o

Honestly, the idea of rewriting book endings seems anathema to me. But I'm a writer, and also obsessed with the process of writing. Movie endings - sure. That I could easily answer (the entire Star Wars prequel series to name one).

In general, I suppose I'll just say that I am in favor of bittersweet endings. Happy endings are usually too convenient. Blatantly unhappy endings leave me feeling unsatisfied. But endings that combine both happiness and misery are my favorite. I feel drained - but in a good way.

New Favorite Word

New favorite word followed by old favorite video.

CORNOBBLE: to hit someone with a fish

Take it away, Monty Python.

Theme Songs

WARNING: This post has music coming out of every orifice.

I was browsing through the latest posts on this silly girly website I like to look at (The Frisky), and saw one where they were discussing their personal "theme songs." Which obviously got me to thinking. I create theme songs like it's my job. I have them for myself, my friends, my relationships, my novels, my characters, situations or time periods in my life... Pretty much everything.

So I thought I'd share a few. Because why the hell not? If you'd like specific explanations for why - then you'll have to comment and ask.

Theme Song for My Life: Sweetness Follows by R.E.M.



Theme Song from Last Summer: Lovegame by Lady Gaga



Theme Song for D: Take It Easy by the Eagles



Theme Song for M: Postcards from Italy by Beirut



Theme Song for Rising: One Day from Pirates of the Caribbean III



Theme Song for Ariana (from Face the Flames): I Know by Jude -- yeah, I've got ones for almost every character from this book.



Theme Song for A Hunter's Fire: Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac



Theme Song for Creatures of the Wind: Mystic's Dream by Loreena Mckennitt (also this music video is awesome and I don't even play WoW)



Theme Song for My Grandparents: Memories of You by Benny Goodman



Theme Song for My Father: Handel's Messiah



Theme Song for My Mother: The Offbeat of Avenues by the Manhattan Transfer



Theme Song for My Brother: Around the World by Daft Punk



And I'd like to know if other people do this or if I'm just insane like that.