For Flemlisa: What's Next in My Life

Flemlisa asked: I've been thinking about asking you a question so this seems like a good time. Retired a number of years ago and working part-time now and I am not sure how long this stage of my life is going to last. Would appreciate any insight you can offer.

So, let's try my new birthday cards (Dream Tarot) - what fun! Everyone should know the drill by now...

Past - Cups X - From this card, I'd read that your past appears to be dominated by family and home, perhaps with some emotional strain and challenges as a result, but you'd found your peace, your balance, your harmony. Or that's what I'd take away from this.

Present - XII The Hanging Man - From this, I'd presume that you feel you're in limbo, at a type of crossroads, between the life you once made and whatever else your life has in store. But you've been here a while and you're starting to feel stagnant, suspended, without direction.
Future - Wands III - So, what's next? That is, after all, your question. This is a card with interesting aspects. This card can indicate opportunities, enterprising initiatives, productivity. There is a possibility of travel or even a marriage (or other relationship) based on mutual interests. Perhaps an opportunity to teach something you love.

Wands III is a card that speaks of opportunities, not by way of limiting, but of opening them. From this, I would presume that opportunities do or will exist for you, if you keep your mind and eyes open. Pursuing them can bring another new chapter to your life.

Best of luck.

Also, note that there is a contest to win a deck of tarot cards going on on Rocket Scientist. For those interested...

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For Jeff: Said I or I said?

Jeff King asked: When should I use Jeff said or said Jeff? I use Jeff said when adding an adverb after, like so. "I am right" Jeff said reassuringly. And when I am not I use this “I am right” said Jeff. Does it matter either way? Is there a rule of thumb to follow?

Jeff, I have no idea. Fortunately, there's at least one wonderful copy editor who follows this blog who might chime in.

However, here's what I do. Generally, I use XXX said (and, yes, I use saidisms if I think they work better). For some reason, it generally works for me better. However, there are times when it doesn't, when it doesn't flow right.

To date, this has often corresponded to times when someone is speaking a bit more formally or, if someone consistently speaks formally, I might make it the norm for that particular characters. It feels more traditional to me, a little more distanced.

But I don't do it consciously, I don't think, and I don't know about a hard and fast rule.

Anyone else have some input on this?

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I'm Out of Questions...Again

I'm out of questions again I'm not doing another on metrication (unless asked) because it's too distracting. The topic is literally too much fun for me (hey, I'm a geek!).

So, in the interest of getting back to my novel, I won't be posting here until someone asks me some more questions.

Have a good weekend!

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For Relax Max: Metric Arrogance

Relax Max didn't ask me anything, per se, but we've been going back and forth about the metric system (or more appropriately, SI) . See, I'm a scientist so I'm for it. And Relax Max doesn't agree with me. There's nothing unusual about the latter, I might add, but this happens to be one of my pet subjects, so I'm doing a double header on this today, here and on Rocket Scientist (which is fielding an oldie but a goodie).

So, I'm going to use this question he posed in a comment: Why is it so wrong to just slip in and out of whatever system a person wants to use, or NEEDS to use for a particular job?

That's a wonderful question, Relax Max. Let's see if I can't give you the answers you were looking for in my tyrannic and smug way. 'Cause, hey, it's the only way I know. :)

Below are the sources I used on my paper two years ago. Hopefully some of the links are still good and can help you with more detail if I don't provide enough, or actual examples. As I mentioned earlier, I'm also going into why I think standard units are needlessly complex and ambiguous on Rocket Scientist, so feel free to check it out, but, here, I'll focus on your question.

The simplest way to answer is to ask what units of measure are for. I would say (and you're welcome to provide your own definition, but I'd be surprised if it didn't boil down to the same thing) that units of measure do two things. They enable one to convey the magnitude of some amount/size/distance, etc. They enable you to use those values to figure out important things about an object without having to test it. What do I mean?

A measuring device can let me know I have six cups of flour (or perhaps a half kilo - I have no idea what flour masses and, as it's compressible, it's variable). Knowing that, I can figure out how many batches of cookies I can make before I must go to the store for more. If I know the fuel economy of my car on the highway, I can figure out how much gasoline (or how often) I will need to stop for gas to fill my tank of 16 gallons (~60 l).

Now, if I never had to worry about anyone else or conveying things to anyone else or do any sorts of calculations, I could have a truly independent unit of measurement system, as many a chef does, with dashes and pinches and smidges and handfuls or whatever. As long as I knew what the amount referred to, I'd be fine. But, if I'm going to pass my famous recipe for molasses cookies to my niece, Charlotte, I'm going to have to units that she can identify so that she can reproduce my quantities or, at least, proportions. I already know what I want, why I want it, and in what proportions. Units allow me to communicate or convey those quantities to someone else. Hopefully reliably or why use them at all?

And that's the answer for the first part of your question. Changing/switching/using whatever unit system you want defeats the purpose of having a unit of measurement: to reliably convey the quantity to someone else (or yourself, say, so you can figure out how much carpet you need, for instance). Now, if all "standard units" were actually standard, there wouldn't be an inherent issue with using units as long as we didn't have to do any calculations with them or convert them (like figuring out how many inches of wire I get from my 75 yards of beading wire, so I can make how many 25 inch necklaces). But, for just conveying an amount, no unit is better than another as long as what is meant by that unit is clear.

And that's where non-metric units already start to lose their lustre. Did you know that there are at least 7 different types of "foot", all close to the length the US calls a foot (although that's actually a slightly different length than a survey foot), but the variance is as much as 27%. For pounds (of which there are at least three) NOT counting pounds-mass, the variance is also 10-20%. There are ten different versions of mile and, yeah, they vary even more. Let's not forget fluid vs. weight vs. mass ounces, all of which are different and, can vary in comparison. Yikes!

Therefore, the value of the unit, because there are multiple definitions out there, is inherently ambiguous--which kind of defeats the purpose. Get into the nightmare of determining whether a pound is a mass or a weight (only 32X difference) and it gets more ambiguous. Even things that are generally well known, like pounds per square inch (psi) can be ambiguous. When people read a pressure gauge, for instance, what they are really reading is "psig" or the amount of pressure above atmospheric pressure (which can vary by quite a bit). But there is also psia - absolute pressure - or psid - differential pressure. These can all be quite close (relatively) or they can be drastically different depending on the circumstances, but, quite often, they are all described with the same term: psi.

Guess how many kg there are? Yep. Just one. If you force, though, it's Newton (1 kg m/s^2), but you can calculate force, kinetic energy, inertia, and handfuls of other things without having to change any units, not a single conversion.

Then, there are the jillions of non-standard units included in the standard system: yards, mils, microinches (don't get me started), rods, leagues, furlongs, acres, bushels, hogsheads, barrels (not all the same size, of course), acres, hectares, well, I think you get the point. For a unit of measure to be of use, it must be clear and consistent.

But, that's only half what you need a unit for. The other half is using that unit to calculate what you need and how you need it, stress margins or sufficient building materials, anything. How do I convert inches to feet? Divide by twelve, you might say, so what? How about inches to yards? (72 inches= 1 yard). So, how many inches in 9 3/4 feet? Or how many feet in 189 inches? Don't worry, I'll wait. How many feet in a quarter mile? Um, which mile did you have in mind? How many linear feet of cable would you mean to get electricity down a 2 mile street?

But, I know how many meters of wire I need to get electricity down a three km street? 3000

I've got quite a bit of examples of calculation differences described in Rocket Scientist so I won't do it here.

But, it's more than just clumsiness and ungainliness on conversion. Physics in "standard" units is problematic, for instance. If I want to calculate the kinetic energy of a moving train, I can write it up in Newtons (or megaNewtons) by multiplying the mass of the train by the velocity in m/s squared. No problem. The units are unambiguous and each unit has one and only one meaning. No "conversion" is required.

But pounds-force (weight of the train) means nothing when it comes kinetic energy unless gravity's a factor (which it isn't here), you can't just multiply weight by miles/hour - there is no energy unit that corresponds to pounds-force-miles^2/s^2. You'll have to change miles/hour to feet per s (Doh, that's why you need to know how many feet in a mile!) and find some unit of mass because, if you use pounds-force, it will be wrong (by a factor of 32) - perhaps slugs (which is an ugly horrible little unit of mass that's as ugly and ungainly as its name). And you'll still have to change the units into something else because, hey, who uses slugs-ft^2/s^2? (Is that even a unit? There are so many "standard" units) You'll either be converting to joules or you'll be using something like horsepower, ironically enough, converting it back to pounds-force-feet (although you can't just use pounds force for the calculation) and neither go smoothly into that good night.

Go into space where inertia and mass matter but "weight" means something different depending on where you are, and English units make even less sense. However, in space, a Newton is always a Newton, a kg is always a kg and the combine nicely into Joules (=1 N-m).

So what? Let's be "individuals" and conform to the way we've always done it since dark ages!

Except, if all this complexity and opportunity for error means that your seat belt can handle 1/32 of the force it was supposed to handle because those distinctions weren't clear, or someone made an error because, hey, a pound's a pound (and if you think that can't happen, you don't know enough engineers), someone's kid can die. It won't happen, of course, because

Meanwhile, our children are taught, year after year, to convert fractional values of ambiguous measurement units into others, to perform twenty complex calculations to figure out what can be easily deduced with one or two in SI, to teach themselves what literally hundreds of units are, sort of. Why? Because, apparently, you must conform if you want to be a rugged individualist, no matter how painful it is.

• United States Metric Association Homepage - http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/#metric.
• Metric Conversion Act of 1975. (http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Metric/pub814.cfm)
• Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988.
• Executive Order 12270 signed by President Bush in 1991. (http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Metric/pub814.cfm#president)
• Savings in Construction Act of 1996.
• ES, G-00-21 NASA Public Affairs Policy on NASA’s Use of the Metric System, 2001. (http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PD_8010_002D_&page_name=main)
• Le Système International d'Unités (SI), 2006: The International System of Units (SI), 8th Edition, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), Pavillon de Breteuil, F-92310, Sèvres, France. (http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/)
• Eyles, Don. Tales From The Lunar Module Guidance Computer: Apollo 11, AAS 04-064. (http://www.doneyles.com/LM/Tales.html)
• Kverneland, Knut. ANSI Metric Standards for Worldwide Manufacturing 2005, 5th Edition.
• Lobrano, Barbara and James B. McCracken. U.S. Manufacturers with Products Conforming to Metric Standards: An Analysis, NIST GCR 99-783. (http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Metric/upload/thomas2.pdf)
• 13. NASA Problem Reporting and Corrective Action database, JSC, March 2006.
• 14. Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS), 2002 and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. (http://www.rohs.gov.uk/content.aspx?id=9)
• 15. Webb, Ted, “General Motors Goes Metric,” Elements of Technology, Winter 1976.
• 16. Naughtin, Pat, “What is the Cost of Not Going Metric?” Metrication Matters website (www.metricationmatters.com), 2005. (http://www.metricationmatters.com/docs/CostOfNonMetrication.pdf )
• 17. Reif, Rita, “The Quiet Revolution: The United States Goes Metric,” New York Times, December 7, 1975.

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For Angela: Should I Try Love Again?

Angela asked: i have a question for your tarot cards. I've just met someone i like a lot, but i've been hurt so many times and i don't want to be hurt again. Can you pleas ask your tarot cards what they have to say about us? Should i give him a chance?

Hooray! I worked out today so I can blog and I got brand new tarot cards (Legacy of the Divine - gorgeous!) for me to play with, so your question is timely.

Unsolicited advice (don't read if you don't want it): Before I do the reading, however, I'm going to butt in with one of my own thoughts. The reason that love can be so painful is because, in my opinion, it matters so much. If past failures cause you to close off your heart, those who have hurt you have done double damage. And, it should be noted, that there are many good people out there. When you "give someone a chance," remember that he or she has no responsibility for the actions of others - give him or her a real chance by looking at them with an open mind.

OK, on to the reading:

Past - Knight of Swords (reversed) - From your question, it will likely not surprise you that rupture relationships and quarrels are represented by this card in the reversed position. The gamut of reasons include selfishness, unreliability, immaturity, egoism, pushiness, obsessiveness... It speaks of strife with someone unreasonable or unhealthy for anyone wanting a lasting relationship.

Present - XIV Temperance - this card seems to argue you are in a state of healing and regeneration, that you are growing in self-acceptance with good influences and friendship. It's a very propitious card for beginning healthy relationships and finding a real comrades (which a long-term love should be).

Future - Wands X (reversed) - Wands X is a card about burdens and, in the reversed position, can show at least two paths for this question. One is that you have not let go your burdens, your pain, your damage from your previous relationships. Unless you can do so, even the healthiest relationship can be twisted and poisoned under the strain. But, there is also the possibility that someone in your future is again overbearing, pushy, oppressive. If that's the case, this is not a relationship that bodes well.

If you are indeed looking at another unhealthy relationship, it might be worth asking what attacts you to such individuals and if those things that attract you are actually symptoms of not-so-wonderful characteristics.

If, however, your baggage is the burden that stands in the way, you can only move forward when you've healed enough or you'll never be a healthy companion for someone else.

Good luck!

Update: Angela asked for another card, so I'm pulling one.

XVIII The Moon (reversed) - The moon is an interesting card, often as mysterious as it is helpful. It is also a very female card. In the reversed position, it talks about fear, misunderstandings, insecurities and misunderstandings. However, there is also the possibility of an era coming to a close and an uneasy peace after paying the price.

To me, this card reinforces my own impression. If you are not ready to regard someone without looking at him through a filter of past pain, his nature isn't the problem. He owes nothing for your past disappointments. Even the term "giving him a chance" seems to say you treat him with suspicion and mistrust - which is no way to start any relationship.

Maybe the question isn't should you give him a chance but can you give him a chance, which can only be done by looking at him on his own merits and not by comparing him to everything that's come before. According to the cards, you're at a place in your life where harmony and companionship are yours for the taking, but you have to be open enough to see them clearly.

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For Shakespeare: Career Direction

Shakespeare asked: I have a Tarot Queene question for you. My husband has the option of applying for two different new jobs, one halfway across the country, one all the way. He's not sure whether he should even apply for them, or should just hold out here for a few more years. What do the tarot cards say?

Let's give it a whirl. Given the type of question, I'm going to try something a little different. I'm going to pull four cards, one to represent "husband", one for the the job halfway across the nation, one all the way, and one for staying put. Depending on the results, I might pull more for clarification.

Husband - XX Rejuvenation aka Judgement (reversed) - In the reversed position, this card indicates that, with regards to this question, your husband is, er, dithering. Procrastination and indecision can readily lead to frustration and stagnation. I'd take from this that your husband, perhaps unknowingly, is approaching a crossroads where he'll have to decide what he really wants.

Halfway across the nation - XI Strength (reversed) - With regards to a position, this is not a propitious card in this position. It speaks of tyranny, discord and abuse of power. From this card, I'd get the sense that this is a very political position, one where the caliber of work is less important that the political infighting.

Across the nation - Cups III - This card, however, is full of promise and fulfillment, contentment and emotional satisfaction. If the cards are any indication, this may be a job worth pursuing.

Staying put - XII The Hanged Man (reversed - this is a card (in the reversed position) where I can see the answer one of two ways, more that it's a choice. If one fails to make the necessary sacrifice, one will reap a commiserate lack of success. However, a sacrifice made will lead to success...eventually. It's not a card that speaks to me of amazing success but the potential for a quiet hard-won success.

I think the cards were pretty clear, but I'd do more research. At least one card seems to argue that there is a good alternative in the offing. Good luck.

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For Boris: What About Italics?

Boris Legradic asked: I am participating in the NaNoWriMo this year. Still going strong at day four, but one thing in my writing is starting to bug me:From time to time I will fill the need to use italics for emphasis, as in "Now I was curious."This I feel is a bad habit, much like using smileys in written communication, an unnecessary short-cut to something that could be better expressed through superior prose. Also, I just checked my most favourite fantasy book in the world, Rothfuss's "The Name of the Wind", and HE doesn't use any italics. Neither did Tolkien, or Shakespeare for that matter. Herbert does use italics to great effect in "Dune", but only to denote thoughts.What do you think? Do you use italics? And how could I re-write "Now I was curious." without italics, and be sure that it is read as intended and not as "Now I was curious.", for example?

Really? Cool. I have never been tempted to jump into NaNoWriMo, because writing when I'm not inspired inevitably leads to garbage (that's what happens when I do it - not saying it doesn't work for many people). Ironically, I started a novel 10/16 that does inspire me and I'm 32K+ words into it, which means that, inadvertently, I'm pretty close to doing the same thing (50K words in 30 days if the pace continues).

Do I use italics? Yes, for emphasis and to denote thought (several of my novels include telepathy). Although I've read several authors (especially classic authors when type was less readily manipulated) who don't use italics except to denote foreign languages and the like. However, when I take a survey of my favorite current authors, I don't have one that doesn't use italics for emphasis (and yes, sometimes for thought).

According to Wikipedia, emphasis is at the top of the list of "When to use italics" which argues that at least someone else advocates the use.

Are there authors who don't use it? I'm sure that there are. I'm sure there are authors who feel that it is "cheating" and that, if you wrote effectively, you wouldn't ever need italics (or adjectives or adverbs, etc - I've heard it all).

Could you stress "Now I was curious," without italics? Sure, you could say, "Before it didn't matter," I said, "Now, I was curious." (Though it should be noted that "now" with "was" seems somehow problematic). The comma, as a pause, can add a stressor but isn't always available. Dashes and ... can also emphasize a word and make the speech pattern more obvious. In the end, though, only you can decide if going down such a path makes the work better.

For me, the story's the thing. As an author, it's my job to tell the story as effectively as I can, communicate all the salient information in a way that the reader feels and experiences those things I want them to feel with as little conscious effort on their part as possible. That's my goal and I have to use the methods I think best to do so. For me, I tend toward things I like when I read.

What I'm saying is that, when it comes to your story, "rules" don't outrank your story. If you find a way to convey it within constraints you think are pertinent, great. But, if you can only do so at the expense of the story, you're not doing the story justice. So, if you like what you wrote better with the italics, I'd say, use 'em. If you don't, find an alternative.

In the end, you have to be the first and last one happy with what you've written. After all, it has your name on it.

Good luck.

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