Author Archives: paleololigo

Scientist (Paleontology, Geochemistry, Geology); Writer (Speculative and Science Fiction, plus technical and non-technical Science); Mom to great boy on the Autism spectrum; possessor of too many hobbies.

Challenges and Contests

I’m a writer.

I mean, I haven’t published any fiction as yet, but I write. Every day. Often it’s just a little blog post. Sometimes it’s a little more technical. Sometimes it’s a lot more technical. (And I have published technical papers, so I guess I could argue that I’m a professional writer. Ha!)

One thing that people like me – those who write for pleasure but aren’t really making a career of it – often do is sign on to various writing challenges and contests. I enjoy the challenges and occasionally, I sign up to do a contest.Continue reading “Challenges and Contests”

Stink Bug – Chapter 35

V’x tucked her beak under her wing and napped beside my bed. I let my arm hang off the bed and stroked her feathers while she slept. I wasn’t sure which of us was more grateful that she was no longer in the cage. She shifted, pressing up against my hand and trilling lightly. “It’s all right Vix,” I whispered.Continue reading “Stink Bug – Chapter 35”

Camp Chili – Recipe

I may have mentioned before that I hate to cook. I really hate to cook.

But in the last week, I’ve discovered the joys of the mini Crock Pot I just got. I have it in my office and put a meal-sized portion in it in the morning, so I have a warm, delicious meal at lunch time.

So I made an old favorite recipe for chili, one that I often make when I’m camping because it’s easy. Continue reading “Camp Chili – Recipe”

Darn Those Lazy Professors

There’s a link bouncing around Facebook about what exactly it is the people who hold the title of “Professor” actually do. The gist of it is that someone who should have known better but that was in an influential position suggested that professors only work about 200 hours a year. The rest of the post goes on to outline what professors actually do.

But there’s even more to this, which is why I’m writing this. I’m not a “Professor,” but like a professor, I teach at a university, and I spend way more than 200 hours a year working.

I have the title of ‘Research Associate,’ which necessarily means that my list is a little different from those holding the title of ‘Professor.’ However, the differences are subtle (yet the difference between paychecks is significant. Grumble.).Continue reading “Darn Those Lazy Professors”