Comics around the world: Israel.

Another great artilce about comics in Israel. One of the creators is thirteen years old. And it makes me wonder, what I waiting for?

Finally finished A Wrinkle In Time. Now I remember, why I didn't finish it when I was a kid.

My heart and prayers go out to everyone effected by the hurricane especially in New Orleans and Gulfport.

Have you ever seen the F/X movie Oil Storm? Events in it are very similar to our current situation. In the movie, a hurricane ravages the Gulf Of Mexico and oil prices sky rocket so high that people freeze to death and the like because they can't afford to heat their homes.

The number one failing of American policy in the past fifty years is the lack of a sound energy policy. Shame on us, we have the resources to create one. And I'm not talking about more drilling. (Though right now we need it.)

The air car should of been available thirty years ago. By now, hydrogen fuel cells should of been common place.

But it's too late for all that. Instead, we'll just topple more foreign terrorists.

Bottom line is if Bush could run again. He'd probably win a third time. Though he may have the might and muscle of the Imperial-Military-Industrial Complex behind him, he has something much more powerful at his beck and call.

Ignorant voters.

"Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation. No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam."

- Iraqi Constitution supported by Iran-backed Shiites and the Bush Administration (but opposed by Sunni leaders.)

And one can only ask, what are the undisputed rules of Islam?

May have been more aptly titled, Bruce Lee: Journey. Bruce Lee's life, philosophy, and final film are examined in this highly recommended documentary. Even to a martial artist like me, it's more than his martial arts prowess that we remember him for. It is his spirt. His journey is our journey in this brotherhood of man. The legacy will live forever.

You Are Likely A Forth Born

At your darkest moments, you feel angry. At work and school, you do best when your analyzing. When you love someone, you tend to be very giving. In friendship, you don't take the initiative in reaching out. Your ideal jobs are: factory jobs, comedy, and dentistry. You will leave your mark on the world with your own personal philosophy.

CHAOS MANOR IN PERSPECTIVE.

Jerry Pournelle's BLOG, also How to Get His Job: Becoming a Professional Writer.

Red Roach Press.

Not exactly the name I'd choose but nice site.

Gotham Lounge: Compulsive Spreading.

When I'm rich, I'll be doing this.

And I thought I was the most anal person to have ever existed. :)

365tomorrows.com : Roll.

I told you I was collecting robot stories.

Seth's Blog: Nonsense, marketing and gullible doctors.

Don't tell me that marketing isn't the most powerful force since nuclear fission.

Found one of Grodin's books in our library at work. Can't wait to read it.

cartoonmayhem: Conspiracy Theories.

Ahh..and more good BLOG conversations.

I needed this.

Japanese Robot Knows Words, Can House-Sit.

I've been collecting links of robots, researching them, reading books and the like. I'm going to write a story about them like no one's ever heard. It'll be called Where the Droids Die. I think my friend Andrew might work on it with me.

I like Andrew. He's from Canada. And secretly, I'm thinking he can fly!

An old friend and have been talking a lot about poetry, lyrics, and words lately.

The things of my life.

Rep: Wilson Won't Use Skoal Can in Concert.

I wasn't going to blog anything this evening but my daily internet trawl did bring me this interesting link on the ever hot Gretchen Wilson. (And yes, I still can't stand her music.) Skoal in the back pocket?

Apparently, no one has any back bone anymore.

Death to the politcally correct.

And more death to those who can't think for themselves.

"God is in the TV."--Marilyn Manson

There are new posts over at my Live Journal which archives the best of my work from blogs and zines.

I'm thinking of changing the name of my LJ. I still want to keep a similar theme but it needs to have a life of it's own. Hmmm....I'll have to think about that. It's amazing how many people read LJ only.

Why doesn't BLOGGER have built in tagging?

More original work to be appearing there and here soon but first bed time.

uzine: What is a Zine?

"Zines - are defined as periodicals that have no ISSn number or bar code, are produced via a photocopier, or are published by an unincorporated entity. Any publication received tha does not meet at least one of these creteria will be reviewed as a book, newspaper or magazine."

brian wood - Would you buy it?

Brian Wood strikes up a good conversation. It seems Chavez, popular with the poor at home, offered to help needy Americans with cheap supplies of gasoline.

Not sure what to make of this. But I can say, don't think our media hasn't lied to you. And don't think our governement isn't in bed with the oil speculators.

Of course, our leaders are too concerned with WMD's that don't exist than taking care of our poor and elderly. Or healthcare. Or education. Etc. Etc.

Welcome to the New America, Where the Rich Get Richer and Everyone Else is too Stupid to Care.

And yes I would buy it. I have four kids to think of.

brian wood - What a dump. Do you ever get the feeling I read ALOT?

BLOGGED this one because one of my dreams is to have a real office and do real work out of it in my home one day.

The Post Money Value: Google Talk On Desktops.

Check out this neat zine blog by a great artist.

Andrew Lane, my good friend from APA Centauri has started another BLOG. Check him out. Tell him Nobius sent you.

And yet another cool online journal this one is for Brian Wood's LOCAL comic. Man, I love this stuff.

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Masters of Sci-Fi in the works.

Underground Swap Meet.

Man, why don't they have these things here? Of course, nothing interesting happens in Barber Town. That would require one to miss an episode of American Idol.

Montana's governor eyes coal to solve U.S. fuel costs.

Neil Gaiman: False Or True. Neil tells us what it's like to finish a story that even he didn't know the ending to, until he got there.

I was going to come home and write about all kinds of things but looking at the clock it's already after five a.m. There's something about working nights that just isn't fair.

But I do get one of these cool dual flat screen monitors to use:



Whoever said getting paid once a month was a good thing never had kids. :) I'm out of money until Kalisa and I can get our savings built back up and I've run out of Anti-anxiety meds. I feel like sh*t, and look even worse. I didn't see that mac truck but I sure felt the f*cking thing. Those racing thoughts will kill you.

And this is why not only am I working hard to learn my new job, I want to get a few things going on the side. Something that will produce some actual cash. I will never forget this feeling of hopelessness when there isn't enough money ever again. Now is the time to do something about it.

Only in America can one work over fifty hours a week, own no credit cards, have no outstanding loans (I don't borrow money either), and still go without necessities. Ladies and gentlemen, we've been lied too. The American Dream is a sham. But more on that in another post...

I finished my next Blue Rabbit Chronicles. It's seven pages contain poetry, a flash fiction, mailing comments, a biography on my job search where I liken it to a journey through the desert, and some ideas I have to promote the
APA.

I also finished my next Warren Ellis Special which is much different from previous issues in that this one contains graphics/pictures.

Saw a nice little newsletter publishing program at Target for about twenty bucks that I'm going to buy. I also have a Dummies book on Microsoft Publisher. Want to make my zines look good. (Plus there are other obvious benefits to learning Desk Top Publishing.) I'm going to change the title of BRC to White Rabbit Falls once I've got the new design going.

Did I mention my new office is located next to BIG CORPORATE GIANT TRUCKING'S library? Not to try and find coincidence where there is none, but it's definitely a good thing. Our corporate library is called the Business Resource Center and it definitely lives up to it's name. It contains a wide range of resources for professional and personal research needs including books, market research studies, analyst commentaries, industry reports, and non-print media materials available for checkout. I'll BLOG some of the books soon. If I just had a sponge that could soak them all up and put them straight into my head!

It's amazing how poor the training material is in my new job. My bosses had good intention but didn't go nearly far enough. Most companies don't. Most of it looks and feels like it was created by someone who had already mastered what they were doing and forgot what it was like to be green.

We have a great corporate intranet site and plenty of nice instruction manuals, etc. But everything is haphazardly spread here and there, some things are never updated, while other important pieces of information are available in ten different locations. How about when an S.O.P. is distributed by email or voice mail but no one updates the manual? Just finding the training materials a person needs is a job in itself!

When I write training things for work, I like them kept on a hard drive in "viral" form where they can easily be found and obtained when needed. However, I think new people should always "get the real thing". There's something about reading a book that makes it easier to learn and remember. (And it's portable.) I've heard that the average person reads 25% faster and retains more when material is given in print form. So much for high tech. :)

I would be a great trainer. More importantly I like writing training documentation and just plain enjoy teaching people. Sure I want to write the great American novel and plenty of comics, zines, and poetry books, but I also want to write an instruction manual. A good one.

One that even I'd use!

Google Talk.

Look out Bill, I think these guys are going to take over your world.

Dummies: Firing Up Hot New Ways to Become an "Ontrepreneur".

Everyone loves a dummy. Or a least a Dummies book. Good archive of using the net for buisness.

I think I read a lot.

Center for Photographic Art Publications.

Beautiful poster Lucien Clergue and a bit naughty. I like naughty.

And beauty.

Google Desktop Download.

Another BETA, I'd personally like to see GOOGLE integrate/add gmail with good contact management software. I keep all my contacts in it, much easier than a ROLODEX.

Covert Serenity Promo Afoot?

Can't wait for this one.

It's the Unabomer Personality Test. I scored a 23, looks like I'm only half way like him. Take the test, you know you're shopping for shacks in Montana.

Young American Comics: "Young American Comics".

YAC has an exciting future spread out before it, with a year-long, cross-country tour planned in 2006 and new books constantly in production. YAC continues to raise the bar for small press, self-published comics by creating a professional image and quality product, and holding true to its claim - Real Comics, Only Smaller.

Upping The Ante: The Isotope.

Another solid article on the world's greatest comic shop.

Free Manga Mag!

I love free comics. Like you didn't know.

The online version of the free magazine is located here.

brian wood - dmz_color.

As I'm catching up my linky type things. Check out Brian Wood's DMZ.

Zine Reviews.

Some neat looking small press/underground stuff here. Burn Collector looks like something I'd like to read.

Action Girl Online.

Cool zine site.

Starting Your Own Computer Business - Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business By Supporting Customers and Managing Money.

As I get more skills under my belt, I'll tell you more about my long term plan but I'm obviously working on more than advancing my career at work.

I'd like to get a few things going on the side. Something computer related is one of them. This book sounds good.

Manga, Academia and Sales.

Did you know the Japanese comic market is about sixty billion annually?

I hear that a German publisher does comic biographies of scientists and such. Very cool. I'll keep that in mind as I do really want to create a publishing company.

"To do nothing is to rot on the desert floor." --Nobius Black

Spent tonight working on my next issue of the Blue Rabbit Chronicles zine. Can't believe how long it takes to write. I've spent nearly four hours on it, not to mention the two that I spent already. It's almost done.

If there's one truth about writing, it's that it takes a lot of time.

How did this happen? Seems I've been BLOGGED by a patent list journal.

More investigation is called for.

Expanded Universe Figure Poll.

Vote for the next 12" Star Wars expanded universe figure. Mine goes to Kir Kanos from Crimson Empire.

Great comic.

"Man still has one decree, one decree that stands alone: The laying down of arms is like cancer to their bones." --Megadeth

One of the books in my bulging TO READ pile states on the jacket: How to eliminate waste and grow wealth in your corporation. Truth be told, I have to read it for work. Higher truth: I'm going to apply it to my personal life.

I don't work for BIG TRUCKING CORPORATE GIANT. I work FOR ME. I've always worked FOR ME. And it's that attitude that will get me to where I envision myself being.

I wish that I could wave a wand and be self sufficient income wise. But since I can't, I'll work hard to make it happen. The mind's eye is a powerful tool.

I drive my wife's old van since my old beater died. Being the thoughtful husband that I am, I bought her a different car when mine hit the bricks. I don't really like it: too big, uses too much gas, etc. But it does have a working cassette player. (Nothing but the best for Nobius...ha ha!) I've been breaking out the old school.





I've also been listening to Metal Church: The Human Factor. Amazon doesn't have a graphic for that album.

When I hit it big, I'm getting a booming system in the car.

But right now all I'm going to hit is the sack. Aikido is at 11am, doesn't matter that I'm working nights. My dedication impresses me. :)

William Gibson blogs his inspiration for a scene in Pattern Recognition. If you haven't read it, do so now. It's full of crazy ideas and aversions to other ideas. Idea sickness if you will.



And it stars a cool girl named Cayce.

Gibson's inspiration picture makes me want to write more pretty words glued together rhythmically. Some people call it poetry.

Don't Confuse Urgent With Important. Man, I can't get over how good Grodin's blog is.

Since, I've changed Net providers my Misery Signal radio station has tanked. While I try to start a new one with the free version of Launchcast, I'm listening to the ultracool Blistering Radio. Recent spins include: Throttlerod - Hogwild, Type O Negative - Black No. 1, Novadriver - Spinning into the Future, Celtic Frost - Under Apollyon's Sun , and Red Giant - Jetpack.

One of the neat things about my new job is the cordless headsets we wear to answer the phone. I've talked to a caller from over three hundred feet away (a floor below and building away from my actual phone)!



I need a headset like that for home. You can buy anything at Amazon. Can't you?

Remember that guy I was talking about who started his own publishing company so his work could see the light of day?

Click on the link and get some free advice on how to get into comics as a profession.

Hint #1: Don't suck.

"Your wings will take you there." --Nobius Black



My Mom bought me a Force Battler for my birthday a couple of weeks back. It's one of the neatest action figures I've ever seen though that has almost nothing to do with this post.

I'll expound about this post in one of my next zines however some things can not wait to be written. Lately, I've come to realize all it takes is one good idea. I am a true believer.

Right now I'm filling my head with as much reading and studying as I can. I've tried new things all year long. For example, I added the ability to show you (and sell you) Amazon products. Some people would consider it a huge failure because so far only my brother Michael has bought something via my branded links.

However, I don't consider it a failure at all. Would I like some real sales? Hell yes. Who wouldn't? However, the point was learning how to do it. I'm still trying to find ways to sell things via Amazon, etc but even if I never sell another book at least I know that I've learned a new skill and I've tried.

And I'm still trying.

And I'll keep trying.

And if I'm knocked over, I'll get up and try again.

Sooner or later, I know I'll stumble on to the right thing.

It's like Aikido practice, I envision myself becoming a world class martial artist. Am I? Not hardly. Will I? You bet I will. To me, world class is being the best that I can be. It has nothing to do with anyone else's depiction of the "best".

Fifteen months ago on this very BLOG I said that six hundred dollars a month would be a life style change. My new position at work gave me a four hundred and fifty dollar raise per month. Again, so even though I'm not at goal, I've definitely gotten somewhere.

So now, I begin planning my next stage of attack. The first part being to bust my butt so that I can get promoted again. The second prong is to continue to learn and grow myself, there isn't anything I'd love more than to someday quit my job and go at it on my own. Like this guy.

I've always envied people who make money on there own. Envy in a good way that is. I want to be just like them. I'm thinking that I already am. I just don't believe it.

Yet.

Buisnesses are clueless.

But I am not.

This is but a stop on my journey.

Machinima film fest coming.

For sometime I've been trying to find software to create machinima. I'd love to create my own piece of anime.

Google Sells Out Users to Publishers .

And maybe the library of the future will never exist.

As seen on Ron's fine blog:

"When I gave food to the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor were hungry, they called me a communist." — Dom Helder Camara, Brazilian Bishop, Nobel Peace Prize nominee

Now here's hoping Ron will bring back his Southern Exposure webzine.

"Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility." --Elizabeth Cady Stanton

"Being in love is not being hip-joined. My space is mine, just as ours is ours." --Nobius Black

For someone who loves comics as much as I do, I even amaze myself at the realization that I just bought my first manga earlier this year.

Perhaps the best thing about a manga issue in comparison to a comic or American graphic novel is their size. You can easily take a walk while you read one!

I was reading the other day about a now famous comic author who got his start by creating a publishing company and publishing his work. No one knew it was his company. I not only like idea, I'd like to go one further and try to distribute my books as well. Just as much I'd love to publish other people's stuff as well. The thought of being an editor and a publisher really appeals to me.

Poetry in manga form--another out loud thought for you to hear. *IS* there an artist in the house?

Warren Ellis is at it again. For adults only which means every twelve year old boy in America with an internet connection and unsupervised free time will be looking.

a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground - A short story..

When you say poetry in prose from, this short story is the embodiment.

"The heart lies to itself because it must." --Jack Gilbert

Tonight I'm feeling satisfied. I'm still feeling good over my much earned promotion at work. It's getting late and I should lay down but somewhere inside my heart tells me: "It's not enough."

And I know that it's not enough.

But for tonight, it is.

One day at a time, that's all we can take it.

Good advice from Scott:

My apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

So, getting into tech writing. Basically all you need is some training so that you know the lingo and of course, writing and editing skills. Here are a few things I would do:

Pick up a copy of "Technical Writing for Dummies" somewhere. I don't ordinarily care for those books but it is a decent introduction and overview for the field.

Check out the website of the Society for Technical Communication, I believe it is stc.com. They publish a magazine as well that may be of interest to you.

Download a copy of Adobe FrameMaker and learn how to use it. It's a pretty standard application for the field, basically like PageMaker but designed for creating books. Also useful would be knowledge of RoboHelp, which is now owned by Macromedia. You may be able to get a trial version from their site.

A handy skill to have is knowledge of Information Mapping, a system for organizing information that is sold to companies and usually involves a Word plug-in thing called Formatting Solutions- download that as well if you can find it, and I will look for my copy to send you. I took the InfoMapping course a few years ago through my last employer and while it is worth taking, it is not the be-all and end-all of tech writing as the InfoMapping people would have you believe. It certainly isn't worth what they charge for their courses. If I can get my copy back from my co-worker, I will send you their course binder shortly. They have a website too, Infomap.com I think.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. To be a tech writer, having some of the experience above and a decent portfolio of writing samples should be all you need. You may want to start by freelancing for any kind of writing you can find, be it local journalism, marketing writing, etc. Introduce yourself to local tech writing companies and explain that you want experience to break into the field and are willing to work cheap (at first) to get a feel for it. They may be able to feed you small writing and editing assignments.

So, hopefully that will help. Let me know if you have any questions.

See you in the September AC!

Scott

Creating Comic Part 11: The Basics of Comic Art.

The great series continues.

If at first you don't succeed try try again. Just ask Bob Parsons.

MediaRights: Film: D.I.Y. OR DIE: HOW TO SURVIVE AS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST.

I'm there man.

World Fantasy Nominees Named.

I'm blogging this one not so much because of the awards but more because everytime I read a title that is getting a nomination. I think of a story. Or a poem. Or a comic.

It's one of the ways that I write. I love titles.

Titles speak to me. Stories without words. Pictures without film. I weave them into other things. I mold them from the clay.

I am a writer.

Qualities of successful entrepreneurs.

Actually the title is misleading, the author states one quality is necessary to be successful: systematic thinking.

You know I resemble that trait. :)

And lately every time I pass an empty office for rent, my dreams start moving in my head. There is more for me out there. I will find it.

And so will you.

TheForce.Net - Latest News - Lucasfilm Hires Cable TV Executive.

Just hurry up with the darn show already!

Buy Robert Kirkman's Books.

See Mom, he didn't go to college and he makes comics for a living.

Where did I go wrong? :)

Create A Photography Database w/Microsoft Access.

Unfortunately, you must subscribe to Smart Computing to get the full article however this reminds me of the good old days when people used to try to solve computer problems themselves. And that leads to me to an idea I've had, I'd love to create a magazine and website dedicated to home grown computer applications. You know like home made video games, databases, etc. Not sure I could generate revenue from such a venture but it sure would be fun.

Ellis talks Nextwave.

Ellis describes his next superhero-team-book as Attention Deficit Disorder Anime.

Much like it's creator evidently. :)

ABC News Anchor Peter Jennings Dies at 67.

What a shame. I loved Jennings style and intelligence.

"I've got time and I know how to use it." --Black Flag

I've asked this before and had no response. Maybe I'll get lucky this time becuase I can't seem to figure it out. Does anyone know how to right Technorati type TAGS for a BLOGGER blog?

Nobius Black

Technorati Tag

And maybe I just figured it out?

Tag you're it.

I used to fiend...

"I meant to talk about the way people think pop culture is unintelligent or not worthwhile just because it's reaching a wide audience. I meant to talk about people who define individualism as whatever's the opposite of what they percieve the mainstream as." --Joey Comeau

It's five in the morning. I'm just rolling in from work. Tonight I'm thinking about how lucky I am. And wondering if angels die with their wings.

365tomorrows.com: Pripyat Time.

365 tales of our future. I know where Pripyat is? Do you?

New Chapter in the Mystery of Marilyn: Her Own Words?

"She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She was told by [acting coach] Lee Strasberg, maybe ill-advisedly, that she had Shakespeare in her and she was fascinated with the idea."

Cribbed from
James who reads far better things than I.

Back to Ohio.

From Joe Trippi's excellent BLOG (and no I'm not a Democrat or Republican). Ohio gets the double whammy of a corrupt Republican President and an inept Republican Governor.

Nobius needs to run for office.

Metallica To Open For The Rolling Stones In San Francisco.

Not sure what to think of this.

Wired News: Bridging the Google Ad Gap.

Super Saturation Method for Information-Media.

Brain Workouts May Tone Memory.

Did I mention I'm studying to get on Jeopardy?

LOSERS pack up to go home.

And this is truly depressing news, issue 32 will be the last. Check them out, before their gone.

I'll get more into this at a later date. Suffice to say, I'm working on a few things. This advice was given to me from Rick Gebhardt.

It's actually weird how I got into tech writing. I started out as a
computer science major in college and even interned as a developer.
Once I graduated the tech bubble had burst and jobs were hard to come
by so I went back to school for my philosophy degree. I used that to
leverage a position as a tech writer at a software firm since I had
the tech savvy already, but was somewhat unproven in writing.

There's not much you can really do to prepare for tech writing other
than doing lots of writing. I would suggest that if you have no
experience attempt to join an open source software initiative and
volunteer to do documentation work. Maybe volunteer for an
organization that has documentation needs. Anything to show that
you've done writing and that you have done writing other than simply
creative writing. Thankfully my philosophy degree forced me to do a
LOT of professionally styled essay writing which was easily
transferable into "real world" technical writing.

I've recently been promoted out of my tech writing role and am now
operating as the lead business analyst for one of our software
projects, but I still have lots of technical styled writing to do.
Tech writing is a good profession to start in, but I don't think I
would have wanted to stick with it for more than a couple of years at
most since it does become repetitive and there isn't a ton of room for
advancement. It will help you to develop essential skills you will
need in other areas of business, however.

I wish you luck in your tech writing aspirations!

Rick

Now why didn't I think of this? Includes how to bulletproof your Batmobile, how to make a Batsuit (with or without rubber nipples I hope), and how to survive poison kisses.

Now if it could only make me "super"! :)

Added to my wishlist!

Worldwired completes "Jenny".

"SF author Elizabeth Bear told SCI FI Wire that her latest three books, including the upcoming Worldwired, could be considered a trilogy—but she's not so sure."

Yahoo Tests New Audio Search Feature.

Did I mention I love search engines?

Of course I did.

The Rat Squeaks: "As Kingfishers Catch Fire "

Ron presents a beautiful poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins. When will I be able to write like that??

DC's Paul Levitz on Manga.

Manga will be the door in for them [teenage female readers] because it's the material they're most familiar to them, whether it's genuine manga import licensed titles coming from Japan or Korea, or original manga created here by artists and writers who are influenced by it. We just did Deadboy Detectives, Jill's second book in that kind of experimental style. The first one was very successful. It's too soon to tell where we are on this one. You'll see more and more work being created in that format. Three or five years out you'll see a new generation of artists and writers who want to work in that style and create for that audience. That's when we'll have an enormous growth opportunity. You'll see material that takes the passion manga has engendered and take it up to the next level.

Retaliatory Vandalism: Lock Pick Pornography.

Commeau's book can still be pre-ordered. Pre-orders get a free zine with characters from the book!

Unfortunately, I'll have to get one at a later date. For some reason, my family things eating is more important than books.

Silly rabbits! :)

DISCLAIMER: I am allowed to use this tired joke as many times as I like. You on the other hand must think of something more original. :)

Seth's Blog: The New Normal.

"The only security you have is in your personal brand and the projects you've done so far." --Seth Godin

Storm's Crispin Creates New World.

A couple of points I enjoyed from the article:

Working in someone else's universe allows a writer to skip character descriptions, because readers already know how a character sounds and looks, but the writer must take care to keep the continuity of the universe going.

With one's own universe, "You must describe everything, because readers have no mental pictures of characters or settings," ....

And

Crispin said she created Boq'urain in much the same fashion as her Star Bridge universe, which was a seven-book series often co-written with another author, published between 1989-'98. She writes extensively about the world's geography, culture, language and history, most of which never appears in the book and is used only for her reference.