The WELL: pre.vue.46: What's going on around The Well?

#201: Hugh Watkins (hughw1936uk) Wed 31 Dec 08 20:15

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:15:00 PST

Happy 2009 with our neighbours fireworks "http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_nh0tBFSs1Q."

from Brumleby *sterbro Copenhagen Denmark [Read entire topic]

#200: Gail Williams (gail) Wed 31 Dec 08 15:00

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:00:00 PST

The snow flakes are a nice touch. Thanks for these great updates!

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#199: tired titular trope (draml) Mon 22 Dec 08 02:29

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:29:00 PST

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Not-to-be-missed topics around The WELL: Christmas and New Year edition December 22 2008

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<inkwell.vue.342> Best of The WELL - 2008 Edition Until the end of 2008, join your fellow WELLfolk as they review some of their favorite discussions of the year from the likes of the Fitness, Pets, Gardening, Cooking, and Words conferences.

And then from January 1 we have the annual freewheeling "State of the World" conversation with author, futurist, and world citizen Bruce Sterling. Bruce is reunited with Jon Lebkowsky for the tenth straight year to talk about politics, culture, environment, technology, the economy - and anything else they (and we!) want to cover.

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<news.3164> The Weather Report (07/28/8+++) <weather.ind.24.1558-> Worldwide Weather Check-In VII As we head into the holiday season, there's been some interesting weather to look out for overhead and all around ...

<travel.954> Good airports, bad airports The dire reputation of airplane food is well-known, but what about airport food? Where, in which airports, can the hungry traveller get a decent meal?

<words.1669> Botticelli XII Why not get into one of The WELL's longest running games for the holidays? It's "Who am I?" but you're also trying to manoeuvre the quizmeister into being unable to duck answering your indirectly.

<photography.404.532-> Digital Cameras, part IV Still looking for Christmas ideas? Plenty of desirable tech for lovers of photography being discussed here.

<games.712> Mobile gaming Or how about ideas for games on your mobiles? It's looking like a booming area.

<decor.39> Decorating for the Holidays. Christmas trees, wreaths, ornaments, disembodied Santa heads. All your holiday decorating needs are here.

<popcult.835.900-> cool and stupid ads continue again During this season of gift-giving, where would we be without TV ads telling us which cool, shiny things we should be buying, watching and yearning for?

<philosophy.270> Can there be "a world" without money? And as a reaction against all that blatant consumerism: can we imagine a life without the need for money?

<current.1783.1394-> Pop Goes The Bubble IV Talking of money - 2008 has been all about the economic downturn and recession, so we could hardly have the end-of-year Bulletin without the latest updates.

<investment.533> Going for broke: 2009 Market Timing Contest But let's not get too down with economic news - not when there's a whole new chapter about to open in The WELL's premier marketing prediction contest!

<byline.512> Good, Bad, and Ugly: Byline 2008 The economic news leads nicely on to a time-honored Byline tradition - looking back on the outgoing year and remember the ups, downs, and the downright scary events of the past twelve months.

<misc.1082.830-> The New Thing I Learned Today Go on, share something new that you've just discovered with your fellow WELLfolk this year - and maybe get surprised in return!

<movies.3496> Slumdog Millionaire Could this be the movie to see over the holidays? It's the story of an Indian teen who goes on a game show to win love, rather than money.

<cooking.911> Any advice for a newbie It's a good time of year to try your hand at new things, like cooking - and WELLfolk are here to help with advice, suggestions and pointers.

<writers.2204> Strange Jobs We Have (Or Had) So what are the weirdest and wackiest day jobs that you've had down the years? Unimaginably boring, repetitive or repulsive jobs also count!

<history.492> How long after an event does politics stop influencing the witting of history? Looking back over the 20th century, we've become pretty good at balanced reporting of, say, the First World War. How have we done since then? How long does it take for ideologies to cool?

<politics.2719> Are gas prices too low? - Would a gas tax be a good idea? Only a few months ago we were stressed by spiralling fuel prices. But now, are they too low? Are we already forgetting the environmental damage cars do? Perhaps it's time for a fuel tax to wean us off gas guzzlers once and for all.

<media.2576> The economy hits the media The media might be covering the economic crisis - but it's also getting hit by it. Hard.

<movies.3498> Most repeated closing lines A great start for a topic - by considering great endings. What memorable last lines/scenes do you remember from the movies?

<macintosh.1574.796-> MacWorld Apple startled the faithful by announcing that this January's MacExpo was to be their last - and Steve Jobs wasn't going to be there anyway. That raised questions about the future of mass events, the mass market, Blu-Ray - and Jobs' health.

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<expat.ind.21> Your new home away from home There's a whole collection of us expatriates here on The WELL, and this week we are swapping stories about the trials of finding a place to live in a new city.

<doingstuff.ind.8> Filing papers: approaches, pain points, etc. The New Year means it's time to start up new 2009 folders for everything. Any tips and ideas for how best to file and store your records?

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_/\_ __/\__ .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. ) . (_ _) .' ( `) '.( ) .' (` 'Happy Holidays' from all of us on the Tips Team! `-._\()/__(~` ()() We'd like to wish all our readers all the very best things / |`\ for 2009; may the New Year bring you all that you wish for! ) : ( `)_/` .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.

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#198: tired titular trope (draml) Tue 9 Dec 08 14:25

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:25:00 PST

Not-to-be-missed topics around The WELL: December 9 2008

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<inkwell.vue.> From December 10 to December 31, join the WELL members as they take a peek inside The WELL for a year-end look back at some of their favorite discussions, trends and ideas. Conversations from the Fitness, Pets, Gardening, Cooking, and Words conferences will be featured.

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<photography.425> December 08 - Theme of the Month - A Gift 'Tis the season and all that. Show off your photographic gifts here.

<genx.1996> Social Networking, Facebook, Twitter, Etc This stuff is all the rage for "the kids" - so how are GenXers taking to it?

<geny.19> Netlife The young whippersnappers reminisce about the good old days of the Internet. Oh the irony.

<current.1800> From the twin towers to India A thoughtful topic following on from the recent terrorist action in India: how can we learn from these awful moments and be better citizens of the world?

<macintosh.1803.139-> iPhone -- the 3G era <macintosh.1804> Jailbreaking iPhone - the process, apps available, hiccups <palm.133> App Store software for iPhone and iPod Touch <popcult.843.> iApps and ye shall iReceive Lots of coverage of the various apps you can get for the iPhone - and what it's like to develop for it.

<misc.1797> How to find a lost friend Social networking sites like Facebook make it easier to reconnect with long- lost friends, but it can really bring up powerful feelings about the passing of time, nostalgia for times past, and generally staying connected.

<travel.1063> The Great WELL "I wanna do a house exchange" repository Anyone interested in a 'house exchange' holiday? Find out the details of how to do it, and who is interested.

<news.3181.208-> Okay, *Now* It's a Depression: Employment Changes Continuing reports of the dire financial times.

<current.1799> I need to cheer up From the state of the collapsing economy to the environment, terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan, things are gloomy. So where do we go to look on the bright side of life?

<obsess.720> Youtube! Oh Youtube, I love you so. <popcult.782> The glory that is youtube.com Actually - if you want some great material to have you laughing out loud, these guides to YouTube's finest is a great start!

<decor.224> Emotional Decor: Feelings about our homes and the things in them What does the home space you create say about you? Are you evoking a specific feeling, or is it a reflection of your past life and homes?

<science.537.364-> Fuel Cell Technology The economic situation and declining oil reserves mean that the search for viable alternatives to gas are getting more and more urgent.

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<mobile.ind.43> Nokia, Symbian, Series 60 Platform For those die-hard Nokia loyalists, and anyone else who is sick of having the iPhone and Android get all the attention.

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<party.300> The WELL Christmas Circus Party Reloaded - December 20th, 8 PM The WELL's had a holiday circus party tradition for a while now, but this time it will include side show acts, drag clowns, a live orchestra, Bolivian dancers, cabaret showgirls, cocktails, and snacks. Oh, and acrobats and aerialists too, of course. Find out the details and come join the fun!

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#197: tired titular trope (draml) Thu 20 Nov 08 11:33

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:33:00 PST

Not-to-be-missed topics around The WELL: November 20 2008

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<inkwell.vue.340> Amy Trubek, The Taste of Place Currently in the Inkwell, Dr Amy Trubek is with us for a discussion of her latest book about 'terroir' - the special characteristics that a particular geography bestows on a particular food or drink that gives rise to a 'sense of place' for that cuisine.

And from November 26, controversial journalist Gary Greenberg will be here to discuss his latest book "The Noble Lie: when scientists give the right answers for the wrong reasons."

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<movies.2694.1304-> Upcoming releases The new trailer for 2009's Star Trek prequel movie has some fans puzzled - and worried.

<photography.424> November 08 - Theme of the Month - Dreaming Dreamscapes, dreams come true, dreamy atmospheres; it's all here.

<misc.1799> What's On Your Browser Right Now? What tabs and/or windows do you have open on your browser RIGHT NOW?

<current.1797> How Bad? When it comes to the economy, the answer appears to be: "Very." And spiralling downwards as we speak ...

<genx.1867> GenX???? The election of (arguably) our first GenX president has set off another identity discussion, with some entertaining new definitions proposed. The Tips Team's resident GenY renegade is entertained, anyway.

<politics.2388.860-> Same Sex Marriage: Part Three <legal.1063> Legal issues in the wake of California's Proposition 8 <media.2553.668-> Media Coverage of Homosexuality and Homophobia Drags On <movies.3492> Should the Sundance Film Festival Move to San Francisco?? Reaction to the passing of Prop 8 in California outlawing gay marriage.

<salon.47.1760-> Salon!! The credit crunch and recession is hitting book chains and malls hard.

<ethics.233> Finding common ground in Red and Blue morality How come red states have blue cities, and blue cities have red enclaves? How do such differing world views grow up side-by-side - and how do they get along?

<history.81> Architectural History Noteworthy architecture turns up under the unsuspecting noses of residents of Buffalo, Rochester, and Iowa.

<current.1798> Sea of Outlaws - Modern Piracy Piracy on the high seas is the new 21st century crime of choice. And Jack Sparrow is nowhere in sight.

<writers.2203> Interview How writers can organize and conduct interviews to get the best result on paper.

<music.1980> The Well's Disturbing Nostalgia Obsession The music we return to, again and again. Do we simply need a few years to sort out the ephemera from the really great stuff, or is it because we've given up on the excitement of the cutting edge?

<vc.558> Protecting virtual communities What happens when the owner of a virtual community shuts it down with no notice?

<health.1861> tummy aches & the food we eat & more Garbage in, garbage out: paying attention to what we eat, drink, think and do.

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<chow.ind.434> Don't Call Me Late for Dinner Make us drool with your mouth-watering dinner descriptions!

<novelistas.ind.38> Nanowrimo 2008 So how's it going? Are you there yet?

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<party.300> The WELL Christmas Circus Party Reloaded - December 20th, 8 PM The WELL's had a holiday circus party tradition for a while now, but this time it will include side show acts, drag clowns, a live orchestra, Bolivian dancers, cabaret showgirls, cocktails, and snacks. Oh, and acrobats and aerialists too, of course. Find out the details and come join the fun!

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#196: Cleave the general ear (ronks) Sun 2 Nov 08 09:55

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:55:00 PST

Have already churned out three novellas this year; I think I will rest on my laurels, or maybe something more comfortable, whilst I revise the drafts of #s 2 and 3. [Read entire topic]

#195: Gail Williams (gail) Sun 2 Nov 08 09:39

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:39:00 PST

Ron, you're only one day behind on your novel... [Read entire topic]

#194: Cleave the general ear (ronks) Sun 2 Nov 08 08:17

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:17:00 PST

So *that's* what nanowrimo stands for; I have often wondered. [Read entire topic]

#193: tired titular trope (draml) Sun 2 Nov 08 06:08

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:08:00 PST

Not-to-be-missed topics around The WELL: November 2 2008

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<inkwell.vue.339> Sara Laschever, Ask For It Currently in the Inkwell we have Sara Laschever, co-author of "Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want" to help women approach negotiating as a skill-set that they can master, rather than as a talent some people have and others don't.

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<media.2564> Media Coverage of the Presidential Election Continues <politics.2700 The Election at the End of the Universe: the 2012 US Presidential Campaign The WELL is the place for all the breaking election news!

<politics.2701> Election return musical playlist Just a few hours more ... Oh how slowly they are passing. Speed them up a bit by planning your own election night playlist.

<tv.1935> The Daily Show, from October 2008 on... Very strange that a comedy show should be doing some of the sharpest and most insightful political reporting of the year.

<decor.223> The White House We're learning more than we ever thought possible about the relative impacts of successive First Ladies on their surroundings.

<misc.1477> The Fictionalized Version of "What Are You Wearing?" Tentacles? A suit made of liver? A second head? It's all up for grabs in this delicious exercise for our imaginations.

<homeowners.361> Kyoto self-build sliver diary Japanese ground-breaking ceremonies, the ritual of soap as a gift, and the correct method of ceremonial sand distribution. It's all here.

<books.1631> Doc Savage Revel in some retro pulp fiction classics!

<science.653.1815-> Media coverage of science Creationism in Texas and religious experiences via transcranial magnetic stimulation - things you need to know from the world of science!

<plumage.659> Cosmetics, Makeup, Skincare, Toiletries (continued again!) Sarah Jessica Parker seems to be the poster girl for how NOT to do mascara.

<ethics.232> Knowledge and ethics Does increased knowledge and intellectual ability actually have any connection with improved ethical behaviour?

<music.1978> How loud is loud enough? Issues of over-amplification and compression of music in clubs and other live venues.

<news.3178> The Weed of Crime Bears Bitter Fruit (10/20/8+++) <crimescene.ind.81.243-> Crimewire 2: ripped from the headlines The latest and most outrageous dispatches from the war on crime around the world.

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<novelistas.ind.38> Nanowrimo 2008 So is anyone on The WELL taking part in this year's National Novel Writing Month? Seems quiet out there, but maybe you're just shy! [Read entire topic]

#192: tired titular trope (draml) Thu 16 Oct 08 11:43

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:43:00 PDT

Not-to-be-missed topics around The WELL: October 16 2008

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<inkwell.vue.338> Daniel Levitin, The World In Six Songs Dan Levitin - author, musician, professor of psychology and former record producer - is here to talk about his new book, about how our musical brain has shaped our very nature cognitively, culturally and socially, as much as language, if indeed not more.

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<homeowners.396> Solar Energy prices going up, recession looming, life looking generally grim? Well you might be able to do something about the first one of those. Talk here with people who are making solar energy work.

<books.1629> The Garden of Forking Paths Interactive fiction: books that offer multiple routes through their pages. Do you have fond memories of the Choose Your Own Adventure series from the 1980s?

<poetry.529> A Poem I Quite Like <poetry.570> Poems about death Whatever has moved or inspired or comforted you, come share your favorite piece of poetry.

<genx.1992> Wonderful In these depressing times, let's cherish the good stuff.

<macintosh.1788.82-> Mac News This time Apple left us in no doubt early on about their new product announcement: a very flash new MacBook, including new glass trackpad - iPhone chic arrives on your lap!

<software.466> iPhone Programming Draconian NDAs, stupid NDAs rescinded, conferences so overbooked that even early registrants can't get in. Just another few days in the reality- distortion field of trying to develop for Apple's hot toys.

<politics.2688> the presidential transition <politics.2689> National Unity: Maybe the most important question.... Not taking anything for granted, but if the polls are to be believed then how will the transition from a Bush to an Obama administration go? And after all the vitriol and attacks of the last few weeks, will the new president - whoever he is - be able to pull the nation together?

<movies.3488> City of Ember A star cast and a movie based on a successful book - but does this new movie create a spark?

<sftv.292> True Blood "Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball swaps the dead for the undead, and HBO's vampire series is proving one of the more interesting - if not completely successful - new season projects. [Read entire topic]