Tag: dailyprompt

Posted in Writing

What Technology Would You Be Better Off Without, Why?

Posted on by jennrae

Smart appliances and smart devices. I feel like the more app focused things in a house or a car, or anything really, the more dependent we are on technology doing things and thinking for us. A good example would be something like Google Maps.

I have noticed a decline in navigation skills in a lot of younger people, and even myself. I have gotten used to the app, and no longer pay as much attention to the actual roads or try to investigate alternate routes. And then the app gets confused in an alley and I can’t figure out my own way out of it.

I guess I feel any technology that can cause dependence or less cognitive function can be bad in the long run. We need to foster critical thinking and problem solving and increasingly this app based tech encourages less thinking and less problem solving which if it were to continue to get integrated into our lives may eventually make us unable or unwilling to figure out solutions.

Eventually all technology and civilizations stumble and fall. If it has a beginning, it inevitably has an end. If it were to end with us unable to problem solve, we would be unable to rebuild and it would be an ugly end. Or perhaps the people who could rediscover these skills would be the only people that could survive.

Daily writing prompt
What technology would you be better off without, why?
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Posted in Life

What’s the Hardest Decision You’ve Ever Had to Make? Why?

Posted on by jennrae

The hardest for me was to admit I needed help and to move back to my hometown when I was pregnant. I have always been very stubborn, and very independent. So, admitting I was out of my depth and needed help was very hard. And, dealing with it all by myself was too much. I needed to be closer to my family and I needed the support. I had left a very ugly domestic violence situation and so was very isolated.

So, I was very alone, and the stakes were very real. It was the best decision I made because sometimes you have to admit you need other people and I really don’t know what would have happened to me had I stayed over there. I’ve made a lot of dumb decisions or at least questionable ones in the past. I kind of learn by stumbling around figuring things out as I go. Someone was looking out for me to give me the wisdom I needed in that moment. I believe that.

Daily writing prompt
What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?
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Posted in Uncategorized

Do You or Your Family Make Any Special Dishes for the Holidays?

Posted on by jennrae

My mom loves to cook and makes enough food to feed an army. I used to bring a salad on occasion, but there is always too much food. We have all the usual fixings for an American Thanksgiving. Turkey, ham, stuffing and cranberry sauce. We usually also have candied yams, and some kind of fruit salad and a pea salad.

Usually we also have deviled eggs and celery sticks with cheese filling. Olives, and biscuits. Of course a thick gravy with mashed potatoes. Sometimes roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts. Sparkling cider to drink as well and an apple pie, possibly a pumpkin pie.

Basically a pretty normal fare, nothing too different or unusual. But what I like most about Thanksgiving is spending the quality time with my family and joining together around the table. It is like Christmas without all the stuff and expectations. In a lot of ways, I prefer it. I hope everyone has a good day tomorrow, whether you celebrate or not, just good vibes all around.

Jenny Rae

Daily writing prompt
Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?
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Posted in Life

If You Didn’t Need Sleep, What would you do with all the Extra Time?

Posted on by jennrae

I actually haven’t been sleeping much. Just too excited with all these plans for all these things, and with the way twitter and my website are doing. I’m just really pleased so far how things are going.

That being said, I would probably write and post round the clock. Everyone might get sick of it, I don’t know. I would probably be ready to publish something. Maybe more than one something.

My house would probably be spotless too. I had a brief stint when I was unemployed, and that seems to have gotten a lot of the extra time when I wasn’t looking for work, I was cleaning. Maybe reorganize things. I all ready went through my movie collection recently. I have a lot of movies. Most are good, some are random ones people gave me. Most are good though. Maybe I’d reorganize my CD changer it is a mess. I bought it in 1997 I think. Still works. I also still have my PlayStation 2, also still works. Maybe fix some computers. Got an old laptop that I was hoping had some story files on it, but it only had one. I have a walk in closet that has hard copies of everything I’ve ever written, but damn if I can find anything in there. Maybe go through that. That would take a lot of time. Maybe do more drawing or take up painting. That would be fun. So little time, so much to do!

Daily writing prompt
If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time?
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Posted in Uncategorized

Top 3 Pet Peeves

Posted on by jennrae

I don’t like it when someone makes me repeat myself. It shows they aren’t really listening and it is very annoying. I also don’t like it when people don’t say thank you, or appear grateful. I guess I find it rude, and rudeness is annoying.

I also don’t like when someone says they will be there at a certain time, and they show up really late. It has to be more than ten minutes though. I personally hate being late, but I am realistic as far as traffic and unaccounted for things.

These pet peeves aren’t like serious deal breakers. I will still stay friends or continue talking to someone.

I’m the type who seethes on the inside and I may grumble about it a bit, but I don’t hold grudges and I don’t have ill will or anger toward anyone. If I do get upset, it doesn’t last. I am usually over it within hours. Life is too short to waste it on negative energy.

Daily writing prompt
Name your top three pet peeves.
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Posted in Uncategorized

Who are your current most favorite people?

Posted on by jennrae

Most favorite. In my life currently it would be my son. Aspiring rock star, mathematically inclined with a heart of gold. I’m really lucky to have a teenager who is so sweet. And, I am super proud of the person he is becoming.

Further from my actual life, I have been influenced by a lot of people, supportive teachers, my parents, my brothers, and even ex romantic partners. Old friends most of which I have lost touch with unfortunately. There is just so many people who shaped who I am today, and who knows who may shape what I become tomorrow. The only constant in life is change afterall.

Writer-wise my influences are many from Ursula K LeGuin to George RR Martin, and lots in between. I like some classic sci fi Ray Bradbury, Robert A Heinlein, and some classics like Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Albert Camus and existentialism has been an influence since The Plague. Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I like gothic creepy. Classic fantasy like Lord of the Rings and Gormenghast and Chronicles of Narnia. I used to read everything by Anne McCaffery too. Dragonriders of Pern. I can’t wait to see what other gems I find in the future.

Culturally, I am influenced by interesting people, artists, writers, songwriters, poets. Creativity fuels creativity.

Daily writing prompt
Who are your current most favorite people?
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Posted in Uncategorized

What are Your Favorite Animals?

Posted on by jennrae

It would be easier to say which animals I don’t like if I am being honest. I love animals in general. I have always had an affinity for birds, I even had a childhood nickname based around it, and used to love raising pheasants, quail, bantam chickens and the like. I also like chickens even if they are dirty dinosaurs.

I had a pet chicken named Spot once, she was mostly white, very petite with one black spot on her back. She used to fly up onto my shoulder. I had to stop her eventually because she was getting my shoulder muddy from chicken poop.

I also had a pet butterfly for a weekend. I found a hurt western yellow swallowtail. I took it with me everywhere and fed it hummingbird nectar from an eye dropper. It had a hurt wing, but it could fly short distances. I would set it down to go in the house because my mom didn’t want me to bring it inside, and go back outside and get it. It was cool because I could lift my finger and it would fly to me. But, Monday I had to go back to school, so I left it on a bush by the backdoor. When I came back it was gone.

I also had a pet rabbit, a goose, several cats, and different dogs growing up. We even had some horses at one time. But they didn’t like me much, or the one didn’t. He would scare me on purpose, like run at me toward the fence. He also would buck me off any chance he got. So, yeah, I didn’t ride him much. The other one was a traumatized racehorse. She spooked easily and she was a thoroughbred so her back was kind of boney and uncomfortable.

I love the idea of horses, but I never had great experiences with them. But I was always reading horse books, and drawing horses and deer. I also drew unicorns and dragons though. I can honestly say I have never successfully ridden on those either. So, there is that.

I love cats as well, but each one is different, so they are almost like little demanding people. One of mine kept me up last night because my son stayed at a friend’s house. It is like she didn’t understand why I wasn’t worried.

I like dogs too, but they require more maintenance. Although I love their loyalty. Unlike most people, you know where you stand with them. They are honest. I like their goofiness as well. They can be downright silly.

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite animals?
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Posted in Uncategorized

Beach or Mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

Posted on by jennrae

I prefer beaches because I love hearing the surf going in and out. I find the sound soothing and the views are breathtaking. I like being near the ocean. But, I don’t like crowds, and that can be an issue. I love mountains as well for the views, and just the unspoiled nature. So, it is a tough choice. An unspoiled private beach though sounds like paradise to me. Just listening to the water, and soaking some sun, with sun screen of course. Sounds really nice.

Daily writing prompt
Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?
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Posted in Uncategorized

Your Family’s top 3 favorite meals?

Posted on by jennrae

My son seems to want to eat at Taco Bell 7 days a week, but that’s too much for me. As far as stuff I make, I would say a pepper jack smoked salmon scramble with pancakes and toast with raspberry preserves. Or any omelet really. We love eggs. Good source of protein.

Second, the classic spaghetti with meatballs. Italian heritage american style. Might be tied with Chicken Parmesan, my son loves both, kinda similar style dishes. Comfort food for the win.

Any kind of enchiladas or tacos. Had some mahi mahi fish tacos that were good. Definitely making those again.

Daily writing prompt
What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?
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Posted in Uncategorized

If I Could Meet a Historical Figure.. Who and Why?

Posted on by jennrae

Jules Verne would be fun, because he was one of the first writers of science fiction. But I would need a translator. I would love to interview him and ask him how he came up with his ideas. I have always liked Captain Nemo. I wouldn’t want to go too far back because living standards in medieval times and such were kind of gross. I like showering and not emptying buckets of filth into the streets. I like some modern conveniences. Modern plumbing and hygiene are good things.

Daily writing prompt
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?
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