How To Use A Comma

I needed this humorous and visual comma rules refresher.

Transactional Analysis : “Games People Play”

Vintage videos with Dr. Berne about Transnational Analysis, a system for understanding people’s behavior who are trying to change people’s behavior and for predicting people’s behavior.

iNaturalist

Whoa! Why didn’t I discover iNaturalist sooner? It’s an app that helps you identify the plants and animals around you by connecting with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists. By recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.

(Thanks for helping me figure out what mushroom that was, Ninja)

“Dadvice”

As someone who was raised by a super nerdy computer dad, I appreciate this YouTube channel: Dad, how do I? A dad teaching things like how to unclog a bathtub, hang a shelf, change a tire etc.

Vacation With an Artist

Vacation with an Artist allows you to discover a new destination, create real local connections and spend time inside a master artist’s studio making something with your hands. What an incredible concept. This is wonderful!

How To Write by Elizabeth Gilbert

1) Tell your story TO someone. Pick one person you love or admire or want to connect with, and write the whole thing directly to them —like you’re writing a letter. This will bring forth your natural voice. Whatever you do, do NOT write to a demographic. Ugh.

2) Start at the beginning of the story, write what happened, and keep going until you get to the end.

3) Use radically simple sentences.

4) Don’t worry if it’s good; just finish it. Whether or not your project is good, you’ll be a different person at the end of it, and that’s always worth doing.

5) Don’t write with the aim of changing anybody’s life. That will lead to heavy, irritating prose. Just share what delights or enrages or fascinates you. If somebody’s life is changed by it, that’s a bonus.

6) Whenever you can, tell stories instead of explaining stuff. Humans love stories, and we hate having stuff explained to us. Use Jesus as an example: He spoke almost exclusively in parables, and allowed everybody to draw their own lessons from his great storytelling. And he did very well.

7) Your work doesn’t have to be any particular length, or written for any particular market. It doesn’t have to even be seen by another human being. How and if to publish your work is a problem for another day. For today, just write.

8) Remember that you’ve been doing research your whole life, merely by existing. You are the only expert in your own experience. Embrace this as your supreme qualification.

9) Every writer starts in the same place on Day One: Super excited, and ready for greatness. On Day Two, every writer looks at what she wrote on Day One and hates herself. What separates working writers from non-working writers is that working writers return to their task on Day Three. What gets you there is not pride but mercy. Show yourself forgiveness, for not being good enough. Then keep going.

10) Be willing to let it be easy. You might be surprised.

Elizabeth Gilbert

A Brief History of Cheese (aka Immortal Milk)

The way to my heart is paved with cheese. So happy for this brief history of cheese find.

Citizen Game

Citizen a reality-based board game in which you take on a ’cause’ and use actual members of Congress to pass your cause/bill through. Can’t wait to get my copy!

How to Propagate Monstera Deliciosa

I have a Monstera plant that is growing a bit unruly. So I went to YouTube for help and found the above video! I love the internet so much!

Tooter Smart Flashcards

If my kids were still little, I would support this Kickstarter and buy a set of Tooder flashcards. The interactive iPad part makes it fun and parent-indepdenent. Winner!

Advice vs Feedback

“What advice does anyone have for me?”

How one little word makes all the difference in unlocking honest feedback. I need to remember and apply this.

How To Have A Good Conversation

We too often imagine that ‘good conversations’ are things we fall into out of luck. According to the School of Life it’s far from it, knowing how to have a good conversation is a skill that can be learnt – and here are the beginning of the rules.

Emotions

Yesterday I posted on Instagram about the book “How Emotions Are Made” and multiple commenters said I should listen to this episode of Invisibilia. They were right. So good.

How To Keep Growing Up

How We Need to Keep Growing Up, by The School of Life.

Mammals by Tinybop

The fine folks over at Tinybop have been busy and launched a new app, called Mammals. The app comes with a free handbook to play and learn with your kids. It entails interactivity tips, fun facts and questions you can ask the kids.

Sign with Robert

Robert teaches you sign language trhough animated GIFs. Love this!

The New York Times Crossword

Ready to conquer The New York Times Crossword? Here’s a sampling of 11 — hand-picked by Will Shortz — to get you started.

Squid Skin

This is is remarkably fascinating: Squid speak a unique, undeciphered language using their skin

How to Draw Perfect Circles Without a Compass

Need to draw a circle but you don’t have a compass? This video will help!

Folding The World Record Plane

John Collins demonstrates how to fold his design for a long distance paper airplane for the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Japan Gift Wrap Hack

Fascinating Japanese Gift Wrapping Hack that doesn’t require tape or ribbon.

How to put on a duvet cover

Now, this was useful. But I doubt it will work with a thick down comforter like I have. I’ll give the burrito method a try though!

Interesting facts about every country in the world

This video, with interesting facts about every country in the world, is *so* great!

JAM – Online Courses for Kids

JAMJAM cooking class

My daughter has recently discovered the joy of cooking. So I am going to gift her the cook for yourself course by JAM for Christmas. JAM offers a variety of online courses for kids. So great!