Harper Kingsley blog

November 29, 2013 17 comments

Hot Autumn Nights Blog Hop Nov 29-Dec 2

I was tooling around on Facebook, which took me to I Love Freaking Science, which is a great page, and through there I was introduced to Beatrice the Biologist, a blog and webcomic that makes science fun and interesting for everyone. I’m not that great at science stuff, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love. http://www.facebook.com/beatricebiologist.

Beatrice the Biologist – The comics are funny and entertaining, and I’ve learned little things that I never knew before. It’s put in a way that even non-sciencey people (like me!) can find something to be amused about.

Katie McKissick has several books available.

I wish I’d had some of these when I’d been a kid; my school life would have been very different. Seriously, I knew nothing about science and the idea of cells and biology and mitosis and … Well, I didn’t do well. It would have been so much better if I’d started school with at the very least a minimal understanding of what they were going to be teaching us in class. I have a hard time learning from lectures or the like, so instead I had to stumble through on my own.

So if you’ve got a kid in your life or someone that might be interested in a little science and a few laughs, Beatrice the Biologist is worth at least taking a look or two or twelve or even twenty four. Plus there’s something wonderful about seeing cells so happy and smiley. And the viruses and bacterias she draws make me laugh.

Beatrice the Biologist has been a great find, and I’m happy to share her with you.

Little Cells is a book for small children. It explains cells in a way that very young children can easily understand and it would make a great gift.
Little Cells on Amazon
Little Cells on CreateSpace.

Amoeba Hugs and Other Nonsense is a book of 24 comics and includes notes on where she got ideas. It looks like a lot of fun and would be great for people that need a little laugh.
Amoeba Hugs and Other Nonsense on Amazon
Amoeba Hugs and Other Nonsense on CreateSpace
Signed and Inscribed Amoeba Hugs and Other Nonsense on Etsy.

Coming January 2014, What’s In Your Genes? can be preordered now from Amazon.

Cool stuff:

The Forgotten 1950s Girl Gang – http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/02/10/the-forgotten-1950s-girl-gang.

MM Good Book Reviews: Free Reads – http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/free-reads.

Sharpie Marker Gift Mugs – http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2012/11/sharpie-marker-art.html.

Little Legends: Custom Lego people – http://www.little-legends.com.

Grow soybean sprouts (kongnamul) at home from Maangchi-

Soybean sprout side side (kongnamul muchim) from Maangchi-

Soybean sprout soup (kongnamul guk) from Maangchi-

Korean soy bean sprout soup (kongnamul guk) from Omma’s Kitchen-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tag8AZpqRI8

Do you have cool stuff you’d like shared? Let me know!

Read me at Kimichee.com. ∞

November 18, 2013 0 comments

links to Chapters 1-3 of The Phoenix Code, by Catherine Asaro [sci-fi]

Title: The Phoenix Code
Author: Catherine Asaro
Genre: sci-fi

Summary from Amazon: When robotics expert Megan O’Flannery is offered the chance to direct MindSim’s cutting-edge program to develop a self-aware android, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project is trouble plagued–the third prototype “killed” itself, and the RS-4 is unstable. Megan will descend into MindSim’s underground research lab in the Nevada desert, where she will be the sole human in contact with the RS-4, dubbed Aris. Programmed as part of a top-secret defense project, the awakening Aris quickly proves to be deviously resourceful and basically uncontrollable. When Megan enlists the help of Raj Sundaram, the quirky, internationally renowned robotics genius, the android develops a jealous hostility toward Raj–and a fixation on Megan. But soon she comes to realize that Raj may be an even greater danger–and that her life may depend on the choice she makes between the man she wants to trust and the android she created.

As everyone knows, I am a GIANT Catherine Asaro fan (and I don’t literally mean giant, because I’m only 5’2″ I’m just very enthusiastic.) Anyways, Catherine Asaro is re-releasing The Phoenix Code as an ebook soon and she’s decided to graciously share the first three chapters at her blog.

Go check them out:
Chapter I
Chapter II & III

November 14, 2013 0 comments

I have no idea what I’m willing to do for $5

Fiverr gig pic If you follow me on Twitter, I mentioned before that I tried Elance. I will be writing an article about my experience, listing the pros and cons and what have yous. Though I thought it was a good idea to let you all know that any job that requires a status report gives the client your full name and address.

That’s right. Some stranger receives your full name and address. And if you click the wrong box, they get your social security number too (I used an EIN, which is free to get from irs.gov) if that’s what you’re using for tax purposes on the site. You have to agree to have it added to the invoice, but you’re basically one-click away from giving someone your whole life.

I don’t know why Elance gives out that information and is so reluctant to admit it, but there you are. So if you want to use Elance — which is a great tool for some freelancers and a horror story and a half for others — you might want to get a PO box and an EIN.

Anyways, from there I followed the advice of one of my pro-blog link guys (I’ll include his link in my article, but I’m too lazy to look it up right now) and joined Fiverr. He said it was a good way to test the waters and get some experience, and honestly it looks like a lot of fun. Plus, my Peerblock doesn’t go crazy with the site like it used to do, so I take that as a good sign.

I haven’t gotten any gigs yet, but I’ve only got two posted. I have a 0 rating, which means my account is basic. Once I attain a level, I’ll be able to add gig extras, which some people have used to turn out some good money. Basically, for $5 you get whatever base gig they’re offering, but if you choose an extra it’s the $5 plus however much the extra is, which can add up to a nice chunk of change.

I’ve been having fun looking around at all the things people are willing to do for $5 (or rather, $4 after Fiverr takes their cut) and I have to wonder What am I willing to do for $5? Anyone got any suggestions?