As some of you may know, I have an account at www.fanfiction.net. I write short stories there under the pen name of Thomas Linquist.
I was introduced to the site by my niece. She had left it up on my computer, just over a year ago. Being the curious person that I am, I just had to check it out. Glancing through the stories led me to create an account last year. From there, I have made friends, told jokes that were better left untold, and been bitten by what we fan fiction writers call plot bunnies.
At about the same time that I began with the site, I was also fascinated by a Disney cartoon. Naturally, there was a section of fan fiction devoted to the stories of Kim Possible and her best friend Ron Stoppable. Before you mention it, yes, I am rather old to be so interested by a television show marketed to the "tweens" generation. Naturally, that doesn't stop me.
For the past year, I have been part of what we call the "Kimmunity". That is a group of writers on the site that have dedicated themselves to this particular niche. I have written stories for and, in one case, about these new friends.
Each year, one of the established writers hosts an online contest, where authors vote for one another in a number of categories. This little tribute is affectionately referred to as the "Fannies".
I am honored this year to have been nominated six times in four categories. For a first time writer, this is just mind boggling. I had hoped for a single nomination. While I do not expect to make the second round, it is thrilling to know that so many people have taken an interest in anything I've done.
This post probably falls under the category of tooting my own horn, but I'm just so excited, I thought I would share.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
When fear is left behind.
It's an odd thing, but for some time now, I have just not been easily intimidated.
What brings this up is a matter that I can't go into for legal and ethical reasons, but suffice it to say, somebody tried to get all up in my face, and it didn't work. I just stood there, staring at the guy in disbelief at how foolish he looked.
At an earlier time in my life, any kind of confrontation would send me cowering into my self, turning and looking for cover. I even avoided the arguments of others, because the feeling of anger bothered me. Some people liked to bully me, just to see my reaction. Somewhere along the line, I lost that.
Which isn't to say that I've gotten brave. Heck, confrontation is still a last resort for me. Diplomacy and logical negotiation are still my preferred means of resolution. All I'm saying is that another person ranting and raving is more a source of bemusement for me than something to be feared.
Last summer, a very large man confronted me at my apartment door. He glared down at me and ranted and raved. He was hoping to get me to be afraid and say something stupid. Instead, I was just staring up at him, watching the veins in his neck, wondering if they would pop.
That's another thing. Size doesn't matter anymore. So a guy stands over six feet tall, and I'm only five foot three. All it means is that I'm staring up at him. Nothing confuses a big man more than a short, chubby (let's call a spade a spade, fat) man staring up at him without fear. It just doesn't make sense to them. It goes against all of their experience. Little guys like me are supposed to be afraid. It's the natural order of things.
Somewhere along the line, my mind gave up on that order. Now, when somebody comes at me with so much anger and irrationality, I go into amusement mode. People say the strangest (and dumbest) things when they are angry. In fact, if you let them go on long enough, they begin to realize just how foolish they look, and they back away. They may be yelling and cursing the whole time, but they are backing down.
Cast out fear. When you stop fearing others, you can see a situation for what it truly is. You might be afraid, but if you control that fear, and get beyond it, solutions present themselves. So does the generally insane nature of the universe we live in. Sometimes you just have to give in and laugh.
Nothing infuriates a bully more.
What brings this up is a matter that I can't go into for legal and ethical reasons, but suffice it to say, somebody tried to get all up in my face, and it didn't work. I just stood there, staring at the guy in disbelief at how foolish he looked.
At an earlier time in my life, any kind of confrontation would send me cowering into my self, turning and looking for cover. I even avoided the arguments of others, because the feeling of anger bothered me. Some people liked to bully me, just to see my reaction. Somewhere along the line, I lost that.
Which isn't to say that I've gotten brave. Heck, confrontation is still a last resort for me. Diplomacy and logical negotiation are still my preferred means of resolution. All I'm saying is that another person ranting and raving is more a source of bemusement for me than something to be feared.
Last summer, a very large man confronted me at my apartment door. He glared down at me and ranted and raved. He was hoping to get me to be afraid and say something stupid. Instead, I was just staring up at him, watching the veins in his neck, wondering if they would pop.
That's another thing. Size doesn't matter anymore. So a guy stands over six feet tall, and I'm only five foot three. All it means is that I'm staring up at him. Nothing confuses a big man more than a short, chubby (let's call a spade a spade, fat) man staring up at him without fear. It just doesn't make sense to them. It goes against all of their experience. Little guys like me are supposed to be afraid. It's the natural order of things.
Somewhere along the line, my mind gave up on that order. Now, when somebody comes at me with so much anger and irrationality, I go into amusement mode. People say the strangest (and dumbest) things when they are angry. In fact, if you let them go on long enough, they begin to realize just how foolish they look, and they back away. They may be yelling and cursing the whole time, but they are backing down.
Cast out fear. When you stop fearing others, you can see a situation for what it truly is. You might be afraid, but if you control that fear, and get beyond it, solutions present themselves. So does the generally insane nature of the universe we live in. Sometimes you just have to give in and laugh.
Nothing infuriates a bully more.
Friday, January 9, 2009
OC Transpo Strike
I just want to weigh in here on the current strike by members of the Ottawa Transit workers union. My opinions will not make me popular with many. However, they are mine, and I hold them without real malice for any.
It is my opinion that the union is making life for the people of Ottawa unnecessarily difficult, and in some cases perilous. They have made their point, that they are unhappy with the contract offered by the city. If neither side is able or willing to move, there is no point in continuing in this action. There are alternatives. If the union wanted to get their message out, mission accomplished. Move on.
The sticking point, as I understand it, is the scheduling of drivers. This is very much a safety issue. Quality of life for the drivers is important, but not at the expense of safety on the road. The system of shift scheduling that the union wants would allow drivers to work unsafe numbers of hours without thought for what is best for the riders.
The rest of us have to work hours that are not necessarily convenient for us. We are not allowing truck drivers to work more than 14 hours at a stretch, without an 8 hour rest period. Should people carrying the lives of people not be as responsible as those carrying canned goods?
Most importantly, it's time to move away from the chaos that has been caused by this strike. Lives have been disrupted enough already.
Go to binding arbitration. If neither the city nor the union can be adult enough to compromise in some way, then it's time for somebody to decide what is best for the public that both sides claim to be serving. If the drivers are unhappy during this process, they can still picket, in a safe way, but on their own time. They will be seen and heard.
Students have lost time. They might lose the work of a whole semester. Some university and college students were held at picket lines, with the union members knowing fully that it would cause them to possibly fail entire courses. If I were those students, I would seriously consider a class action suit against the union and the city for the cost of tuition for the semester lost.
The same thought applies to those who lost their jobs, their livelihoods, because one group is so determined to get what it believes is its prerogatives, and another would not compromise, or put forth a new proposal. Daycare, lost wages, lost business and lost security. The tally is mind-boggling.
Like it or not, Transit is an essential service. Get it together people, and get things moving.
It is my opinion that the union is making life for the people of Ottawa unnecessarily difficult, and in some cases perilous. They have made their point, that they are unhappy with the contract offered by the city. If neither side is able or willing to move, there is no point in continuing in this action. There are alternatives. If the union wanted to get their message out, mission accomplished. Move on.
The sticking point, as I understand it, is the scheduling of drivers. This is very much a safety issue. Quality of life for the drivers is important, but not at the expense of safety on the road. The system of shift scheduling that the union wants would allow drivers to work unsafe numbers of hours without thought for what is best for the riders.
The rest of us have to work hours that are not necessarily convenient for us. We are not allowing truck drivers to work more than 14 hours at a stretch, without an 8 hour rest period. Should people carrying the lives of people not be as responsible as those carrying canned goods?
Most importantly, it's time to move away from the chaos that has been caused by this strike. Lives have been disrupted enough already.
Go to binding arbitration. If neither the city nor the union can be adult enough to compromise in some way, then it's time for somebody to decide what is best for the public that both sides claim to be serving. If the drivers are unhappy during this process, they can still picket, in a safe way, but on their own time. They will be seen and heard.
Students have lost time. They might lose the work of a whole semester. Some university and college students were held at picket lines, with the union members knowing fully that it would cause them to possibly fail entire courses. If I were those students, I would seriously consider a class action suit against the union and the city for the cost of tuition for the semester lost.
The same thought applies to those who lost their jobs, their livelihoods, because one group is so determined to get what it believes is its prerogatives, and another would not compromise, or put forth a new proposal. Daycare, lost wages, lost business and lost security. The tally is mind-boggling.
Like it or not, Transit is an essential service. Get it together people, and get things moving.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Resolutions, but little resolve.
Okay, so I haven't exactly been keeping up with posting. I do promise to try.
This is why I never make New Years resolutions. I know that within a week, they will be out the window, down the street, and thumbing their way to who knows where. It's been that way since time immemorial with me. I can make all kinds of vows, and mean every word of them. When it comes to will power... Let's just say, I'm a little lacking.
I'm not alone in this either. Studies and surveys show that more than 60 percent of all New Years resolutions are broken within three months. After six months, another 10 percent might go by the wayside.
We all feel the need to improve ourselves in one way or another. Unfortunately, we tend to fall short in just how much we are willing to do to make those changes.
Experts say that the key to keeping resolutions is to have reasonable expectations. No point trying to change something that you physically cannot. Another important thing is to put those promises to yourself in writing somewhere. Preferably where it has to be looked at once a day or more. After that, the usual self-help rules apply. Get support, and don't be afraid to ask for help when things are tough.
Here's hoping I can keep my promise to post here more often. You, obviously, will be the judges.
This is why I never make New Years resolutions. I know that within a week, they will be out the window, down the street, and thumbing their way to who knows where. It's been that way since time immemorial with me. I can make all kinds of vows, and mean every word of them. When it comes to will power... Let's just say, I'm a little lacking.
I'm not alone in this either. Studies and surveys show that more than 60 percent of all New Years resolutions are broken within three months. After six months, another 10 percent might go by the wayside.
We all feel the need to improve ourselves in one way or another. Unfortunately, we tend to fall short in just how much we are willing to do to make those changes.
Experts say that the key to keeping resolutions is to have reasonable expectations. No point trying to change something that you physically cannot. Another important thing is to put those promises to yourself in writing somewhere. Preferably where it has to be looked at once a day or more. After that, the usual self-help rules apply. Get support, and don't be afraid to ask for help when things are tough.
Here's hoping I can keep my promise to post here more often. You, obviously, will be the judges.
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