CRAIG CONLEY (Prof. Oddfellow) is recognized by Encarta as “America”s most creative and diligent scholar of letters, words and punctuation.” He has been called a “language fanatic” by Page Six gossip columnist Cindy Adams, and a “cult hero” by Publisher’s Weekly. An eccentric scholar, Conley’s ideas are often decades ahead of their time. He invented the concept of the “virtual pet” in 1980, fifteen years before the debut of the popular “Tamagotchi” in Japan. His virtual pet, actually a rare flower, still thrives and has reached an incomprehensible size. Conley’s website is OneLetterWords.com.
I was asked to write a blurb for a book of writing prompts targeted at reviewers of writing prompt books. I just fell down the rabbit hole. about 15 hours ago
Grasping the difference between a Zocchihedron and a hecatohedron. about 19 hours ago
Piecing together the secret of the sunflower . . .
* The most profound secrets lie not wholly in knowledge, said the poet. They lurk invisible in that vitalizing spark, intangible, yet as evident as the lightning—the seeker's soul. Solitary digging for facts can reward one with great discoveries, but true secrets are not discovered—they are shared, passed on in confidence from one to another. The genuine seeker listens attentively.
No secret can be transcribed, save in code, lest it—by definition—cease to be. This Book of Whispers collects and encodes more than one hundred of humankind's most cherished secrets. To be privy to the topics alone is a supreme achievement, as each contains and nurtures the seed of its hidden truth. As possessor and thereby guardian of this knowledge, may you summon the courage to honor its secrets and to bequeath it to one worthy.
Do you deserve a nostalgic breather? Through the delicate workings of the music box, even the most dramatic compositions seem to play only for you. You’ll hear even a very familiar piece in a whole new way. Courtesy of home recording pioneer Ken Clinger, here’s today’s music box selection. It will sound surprisingly good even through built-in computer speakers, and it will cut through the ambient noise of the office without being distracting.
Featured in Today’s Music Box:
Sonata K.204 - movement #2 (Scarlatti) performed by Ken Clinger
One's life path is marked by crossroads and signposts. If you are confronted with making a choice today, perhaps the signpost displayed here will help to characterize your situation and guide you to make a decision. If you need more guidance, refresh this page for another symbol. If both signs are the same, perhaps any choice will lead to the same outcome.
The signs are inspired by a system of symbols entitled "Spiritual Diagnosis," developed by Dr. Robert McNary of Montana. Dr. McNary actually creates nine-faceted mandala charts for people and interprets the symbols with uncanny accuracy. If you're interested, you can contact Dr. McNary at theportableschool @ gmail.com.
This collage was inspired by the following quotation:
"Wednesday there was a four-hour wrangle in a conference room crowded with planets and nebulae of cigarette smoke." —F. Scott Fitzgerald. (Thanks to dj misc for sharing the quotation!)
* The most profound secrets lie not wholly in knowledge, said the poet. They lurk invisible in that vitalizing spark, intangible, yet as evident as the lightning—the seeker's soul. Solitary digging for facts can reward one with great discoveries, but true secrets are not discovered—they are shared, passed on in confidence from one to another. The genuine seeker listens attentively.
No secret can be transcribed, save in code, lest it—by definition—cease to be. This Book of Whispers collects and encodes more than one hundred of humankind's most cherished secrets. To be privy to the topics alone is a supreme achievement, as each contains and nurtures the seed of its hidden truth. As possessor and thereby guardian of this knowledge, may you summon the courage to honor its secrets and to bequeath it to one worthy.
A collaged story we assembled for a singular Beverly and henceforth dedicate to all the Beverlies of the world. Click on the thumbnails below to view an enlarged version in a new window.