Lari's Bookshelf

Parents know how challenging it can be to do something as seemingly simple as putting down their little one for bedtime. They fuss. They fight. They don't want to sleep. At least that's how it is with my little one. She HATES sleeping and would much rather be awake all the time. So I thought I would share a lullaby and a bedtime book that you probably don't want to listen to with your kids in the room. :) They both capture the frustrations of putting a child to sleep. Tim Minchin Sings a Lullaby: Samuel L. Jackson Reads "Go the F--K to Sleep": I don't think I know anyone in the world who can swear as well as Samuel L. Jackson.

My friend Becky sent me a link to some instructions of how to open a new book. I am sharing it here: ...Ah the good old days. Sometimes I fear the modern ways of opening a book have become a little too complicated . (But I still love my eReader.) Also, I couldn't share this without sharing this hilarious video of a medieval help desk. A medieval "techie" helps a person with brand new technology, the book: So what do you think? Do you have any rituals, traditions, or habits you engage in when you open a new book for the first time?

While thoroughly enjoying Epbot's steampunk post today , the though occurred to me that I should share some steampunk things I've enjoyed in the magical realm called "Internet." The artist Bjorn Hurri made some fabulous artwork of steampunk Star Wars characters. Check out Boba Fett in steam/diesel gear. Here is a steampunk Yoda. Check it out. The dude totally needs a hooka at his age.

If you have been here before, you probably have noticed my new blog design! I really think this is it. I'm sticking with this one for as long as I can. If you are wondering why I've changed it, it mainly had to do with my finickiness over getting some sharing buttons coded exactly right. It also had to do with the fact that I think that the text on background is a whole lot easier to read, and this template is more flexible than my old one when it comes to tweaking colors. Plus! The theme is inspired by  Alice in Wonderland . Which in and of itself makes me quite pleased. It also reflects how I feel as I meander through life and my writing. Which reminds me, if you haven't already, check out Natalie Babbitt's essay, " We're All Mad Here ." It's one of my all time favorites, and I'm so tired at the moment I'm not going to explain why. Besides, I probably wouldn't do her justice if I tried (especially as I'm having a hard time keeping...

My Apartment , a set on Flickr. I'm a total hermit. At least that's how I feel since getting a massive sunburn and causing yet another coldsore outbreak on my lower lip, leaving me no choice but to hide inside. Right now, it's swollen and looks like someone sucker punched me in the mouth. It hurts so bad have to drink my favorite tea, Earl Grey, with a spoon. ::violin music ensues:: So I took some pictures of my surroundings.

The title may sound like a downer. But it doesn't need to be. Frankly, a lot of talented people get published, but in my observation and experience, a lot of not so very talented people get published as well. Talent doesn't guarantee a person success in the least. So how do some mediocre writers get published over some very talented writers? Humans try to find patterns and order out of chaos. We try to find reasons for why things happen the way they do, when there really is no reason to be found, only invented. I'm currently reading a rather fabulous book about randomness called The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow. My current random read. In it, the author illustrates some enthralling examples of how randomness plays out in different industries, and how people try to intepret meaning where there is none. Eventually this causes them to lose out in the end. Mlodinow applies the idea of randomness to the publishing industry as wel...