The Future of Barnes and Nobles – Written By Nicholas C. Rossis

Thank you so much for this article, Nicolas, even though it almost breaks my heart.

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The Passive Guy recently shared a post by Jane Friedman on the future of Barnes & Noble; a topic you may remember from my earlier post, “How Amazon Destroyed Barnes & Noble.”

Quite frankly, Jane’s post made me sad. The latest chairman, James Daunt, is credited with saving UK’s famous bookstore, Waterstons. However, all you got to do is read the following quotes to understand that he really doesn’t get B&N – or books.

Early on, when Daunt was asked what he thought of Barnes & Noble on his last store visit, he said, “There were too many books,” by which he meant that featuring the right inventory is more important that stocking a big blur of titles. Back in 2015, he commented to Slate, “My faculties just shut down when I go in there.”

So… the big problem with a bookstore is that it has too many books.

And this gem:

Daunt loves the physical book, but he wants to give customers a digital option to get them into reading as an entry to physical books.

An entry. To physical books. Like, kids use digital books but us, highbrow grownups, know better. “Thank you, Amazon, B&N will stick to our guns and our lovely paper. No need for this new fandangled way of doing things.”

 

CONTINUE READING HERE

“I wish I had known that before I self-published.” 25 authors share what they’ve learned – Written By Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith provides us with the wisdom of 25 authors who share what they learned about self-publishing. Thank you so much, Sandra.

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on Build Book Buzz:

It’s a common author lament. Maybe you’ve said it, too.

Nearly everybody has a story about something they learned after they started the self-publishing process. For many, the discovery came too late to save them time, money, or trouble.

That doesn’t mean you have to make the same mistakes, though.

Lessons learned

Continue reading HERE

Smorgasbord Laughter Lines Extra – Host Sally Cronin- It’s all about Love…and laughter

Thanks for the fun in this post, Sally. I had a great laugh. I’ll share the smiles today!

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Something to ease you into the weekend….which I hope is love and laughter filled

National Pride..

An Indian cab driver picked up a Japanese man from a hotel. Along the way, they saw a Honda motorcycle overtake the taxicab and the Japanese guy said, “Motorcycle very fast, made in Japan.” Then a Toyota car overtook the taxicab and the Japanese guy said, “Car very fast, made in Japan.” When they reached the destination the fare was 1500 rupees. The Japanese man thought the ride was would only cost 500 rupees. He asked the driver why the ride was so expensive. The driver said, “Meter very fast, made in India.”

MIT Graduate Interview

Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “And what starting salary are you looking for?”

The engineer replies, “In the region of…

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33 Writing Conferences in October 2020 – Most held online – Written By Erica Verrillo

Erica Verrillo informs us about writing conferences that take place in October 2020, most of them held online. If you’d like to participate that’s a great post to read for you. Thank you, Erica.

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on Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity:

While many fall writing conferences have been rescheduled, most are going ahead as planned via online formats. You can still attend workshops, presentations, readings, discussions, lectures, and critiques via Zoom.

Plan ahead! Conferences often offer scholarships, but these have deadlines. If one of these conferences interests you, put the scholarship deadline date on your calendar for next year, or for whenever the conference rolls around again.

Get Full Details HERE

The Best Fiction Story Ideas Come From A Simple Question – Written By Derek Haines

Derek Haines informs us on his blog about the fact that the best fiction story ideas come from one simple question. Thanks so much, Derek!

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on Just Publishing Advice:

If you are writing fiction novels or short stories, you need story ideas.

Nothing happens on a blank page, and looking at it is the worst way to start writing.

A lot of writers use creative writing prompts, but they aren’t the best way to come up with original ideas.

Some writers wait for the muse to arrive, which usually works on a very unreliable schedule.

In This Article

Fiction story idea germs

Famous authors and small ideas

Ask yourself simple questions

Avoid writing prompts

Summary

Continue reading HERE

14 Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media: What you need to know – Written By Janice Wald

Janice Wald provides us with an excellent article about Social Media and its advantages and disadvantages. Thank you very much Janice. This was very educational.

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on Mostly Blogging:

Do you know the impact of social media on students?

With school resuming, as parents, you may have a decision to make: Do you let your children continue to use social media?

Do you need to worry about your child? “Students” is a broad term. What ages does this post discuss?

Consider this statistic: Half of all Instagram users are millennials (Source). This statistic is daunting when you consider Instagram has one billion users.

Whether your child is a millennial, or someone in Generation Z born in 1995 or later (Source), you need to know the impact of social media on students if your child is a student. This post is for you.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know both the positives and the negatives when it comes to the impact of social media on your children.

This guide presents 6 advantages and 8 disadvantages of social media.

Make sure you stay until the end of the post where I post solutions to the negative impact of social media on students.

You’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether you want to let your teens use social media, not let them use social media, or micro-manage their social media accounts.

Continue reading HERE

An Unexpected Antagonist

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‘The Council Of Twelve’ series is at a critical point at this moment. With the number of books, the tension between Good and Evil grows. The stories aren’t as innocent and romantic as they used to be. Of course, there is still a lot of love involved, after all, we are looking at the Good Side, Heaven,…

But also, there is the other side, and the tension in Hell has grown… Book 9 in the series delivers chaos, shows that there isn’t a mess mainly in the eternal fight, even Hell has its glitches and one of them is directed towards their ruler.

And here I need an Avenger… Alastor, the warrior with the golden spear. The Fighter for his master.

Alastor is a demonic evil spirit, very dedicated to the one who gives him a chance and entrusts him with a task that combines fighting as well as satiating his bloodthirst. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten, that this demon, as civilized as he can act, is still hard to assess.

Unknown and hidden he wandered among his fellow demon siblings, acting submissive and obedient, hiding his true nature and looks, protected by his master and commander.

He is not a fallen angel, like the Hellish Noblesse… he is a pure demon, but recognized by his Master, he is a secret weapon, for an emergency such as the situation that has occurred within the ‘Council Of Twelve’ series at this time. War… a war, worse than anyone on Earth will ever know.

Do humans know there is a war being fought among them? No

Do humans know there is the fight Good versus Evil still going on? No

Do humans feel there is something happening at this moment? Yes

They can feel the calamities, they experience the tsunamis, the earthquakes, the volcanoes, the hurricanes, tornadoes, the heat and cold, the fire, the temperature craziness…

In the meantime, the war goes on, the Archangels and Divine Warriors are fighting the darkness, the fear, the horror, the fire waves, the demonic influence, the legions of Hell with all their might.

There might be hope… but at this moment the odds aren’t good.

Do humans know that the Good side is fighting for them? No

Do humans know that their Creator, their Father, their Lord is sending them His angels to protect them?

Only the Believers… – only the believers…

7 physical and psychological changes that happen when you fall in love – Written By Nicol Natale

Nicol Natale on the Business Insider wrote an article about the physical and psychological changes in our body when we’re in love. I found this very interesting and decided to share the article with you, of course, linking it back to the original page. Maybe you find the one or other information as fascinating as I did.

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Phase4Studios/Shutterstock

• Love leads to biological changes that have been observed in scientific research.
• Being in love can reduce stress, relieve pain, and make you happier.
• Here are seven ways your body and brain change when you fall in love.

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Have you ever looked at your partner lovingly and felt your heart flutter, palms sweat, or mood instantly get better?

That’s because falling in love actually changes what happens in your body — for the better. When in love, neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin flood our brains in areas associated with pleasure and rewards, producing physical and psychological responses like less perceived pain, an addictive dependence, and a stronger desire for sex with your partner.

Cuddling, hugging, and kissing the one you love can instantly reduce stress and increase feelings of calm, trust, and security thanks to oxytocin, while your mood improves as a result of your reward center flooding with dopamine.

Here are seven ways your body and brain change when you fall in love.

Being in love can lower your blood pressure.

Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is a dangerous condition that puts your body at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Medication and lifestyle changes like getting exercise and eating healthier can control or reduce hypertension, but research has also suggested that being in love can serve as a a natural way to reduce blood-pressure levels.

A 2007 study published by the US Department of Health Services looked at the relationship between marriage, physical health, and longevity, and found that married couples have lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease.

In an analysis of cardiovascular disease risk, the American College of Cardiology looked at 3.5 million participants who were single, divorced, or widowed. They found that married couples under 50 years old tended to have a 12% lower risk of vascular disease. Married people between the ages of 51 and 60 had a 7% lower risk for disease than their unmarried counterparts.

You may feel more or less stressed than usual, depending on the stage of your relationship.

Falling for someone may be stressful in the beginning — there’s uncertainty about whether they feel the same way, the possibility of rejection, and anxiety about when to say those three big words.

The initial stages of falling in love increase levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, in new couples, according to a small study published in 2004. However, when the participants were tested 12 to 24 months later, their cortisol levels had returned to normal.

Though love can be stressful for some — especially in the early stages — it can potentially lower stress in the long run. A study published in 2005 in Neuroendocrinology Letters examined the neurobiology of those in love and found an association between people’s stress response systems, known as the HPA axis activation, and the development of social attachment. The results suggest that forming a bond with your partner could help bring about physiological changes that reduce levels of anxiety.

You feel more attached and safe.

One reason why you feel less stressed may be because being in love makes you feel safe and develop trust towards your loved one.

Oxytocin, a hormone released through physical contact like hugging, kissing, and sex, deepens feelings of attachment towards your partner and produces sensations of contentment, calmness, and security, according to a Harvard Medical School report.

Oxytocin also plays a role in social bonding, maternal instinct and reproduction, and sexual pleasure. The “love hormone” substantially increases social attachment and trust among partners, according to a study published in Nature.

You get “butterflies” in your stomach.

Your brain activates the vagus nerve, which is connected from the brain to your gut. 

Motortion Films/Shutterstock

Have you ever felt your heartbeat speed up, palms sweat, or stomach churn (in a good way) at the sight or thought of someone you love?

When in love, cortisol levels increase and the body goes into fight-or-flight mode.

“Your limbic or emotional brain activates the vagus nerve that goes from the brain to your gut,” Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist and neuroscientist, told NBC News. “When you get nervous, or when you get excited (as I explain to my patients, it’s the same feeling, but it depends on your interpretation of it) this nerve is stimulated that activates the gut.”

You become happier.

• Being in love releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls the brain’s reward and pleasure center, which makes couples feel happy around each other.

In 2005, a study published in The Journal of Comparative Neurology scanned 2,500 brain images of 17 individuals who self-identified as being in love. Researchers found that participants who looked at a photo of a person they romantically loved showed brain activity in two areas highly associated with dopamine: the caudate nucleus and ventral tegmental area.

You feel less pain.

Being in love has been shown to have pain-reducing qualities, although most doctors wouldn’t recommend relying solely on love after, say, a serious surgery or injury.

A 2010 study published in the journal PLoS ONE took fMRI scans of participants in new romantic relationships. The researchers found that people who viewed images of romantic partners had increased activity in several reward-processing regions in the brain, suggesting that love (and distraction) may reduce the experience of pain.

“When people are in this passionate, all-consuming phase of love, there are significant alterations in their mood that are impacting their experience of pain,” Dr. Sean Mackey, senior author of the study, told Stanford Medicine News Center.

You can feel addicted.

Like addictive drugs that light up our pleasure centers and keep people coming back for more, love can be addictive in its own way.

Scientists have observed overlapping neurochemical responses in the same areas of the brain among people experiencing drug addiction and love. A 2017 study published in the journal Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology reviewed research about the relationship between addiction and love. The authors suggested that love can be addictive because it’s a need that can be temporarily satisfied but can become very distracting if it’s not fulfilled for a long period of time. (Official medical classification guides do not include love as an addiction, however.)

Some of these feelings may have to do with sex — sexual activity, orgasms, and some drugs all release dopamine in an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. An orgasm’s rush of oxytocin and serotonin, along with muscular relaxation, can leave you craving more. That’s why it might feel like engaging in sexual activity can give you a rush.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/falling-in-love-changes-your-body-and-brain-2018-7

Nicol Natale, Jul 11, 2018, 7:51 AM

A Man’s Facial Hair And How To Decode His Personality

Today I found an amusing article on the HuffPost blog that decodes a man’s personality according to his beard fashion. I have moved the biggest part of the blog post here, but to finish reading the entire post, I linked back to Huffpost, where you also will find a picture gallery of famous bearded men.

Enjoy the post. I had tons of fun.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Fellas, we know that we can be a bit judgmental, but first impressions are the most lasting. That’s why we feel it is our obligation to point out when the hem length of your suit is all wrong or to run in the opposite direction when we detect Merrells on your feet. And whether you realize it or not, your facial hair also says a lot about you.

The editors here at HuffPost Style have a strong attraction to scruffy-faced guys (read: Ryan Gosling) because they appear to be the most easygoing and laid-back. However, after recently chatting with Allan Peterkin, a pogonologist (aka beard scholar), Dove Men+Care facial grooming expert and author, the confidence of a mustache-wearing male like “Sons of Anarchy” star Charlie Hunnam is turning us on.

Does this facial hair expert have you all figured out?*

Full Beard

An “older” man’s beard. “I think the association for a lot of people is that it’s scholarly beard, or academics often have those beards,” says Peterkin. “Full beards also have religious associations (think of Moses or Jesus). So that one comes with a lot of historical weight. It’s a bit of an old-fashioned style but we certainly see young men wearing it these days.”

Goatee

A man who’s stuck in the past. “This [facial hair style] hit in the mid-1990s. It was a bit of a statement then, but it’s sort of become the overly done expression. Some men still wear it, but one guy I interviewed said, ‘If your dad and your dentist still have goatees, it’s time to change your look,'” says Peterkin.

Scruffy/Stubble

A man who is up on the latest trends. “If you just scan men’s magazines — Esquire, GQ, etc. — probably every one to three ads have a guy with stubble as the main expression. Sometimes you see it superimposed with a mustache on top or with bigger side burns, but stubble is sort of the base,” says Peterkin. “The only misconception is that people think that it’s easy and you just roll out of bed. But you do have to maintain it.”

Sideburns

A man who likes to have fun. “Everyone thinks of Elvis when they think side burns. I think college campuses and hipsters in Brooklyn are where men experiment with it the most. It’s a playful look,” says Peterkin.

Chinstrap

A man making a pathetic cry for attention. Peterkin says, “It’s for a guy who wants to push the envelope and also wants to be asked about his facial hair. Everything has been done under the sun, so I think men are sort of looking for what’s the thing that they don’t see on their street or in their workplace.”

Mustache

A man who is a bit cocky. “Historically, it’s had the baddest rap of all the facial hair expressions. Then in the ’70s, the mustache took on a sexual connotation — there was the swinger mustache, the porn mustache and then the gay/bisexual mustache,” says Peterkin. “The mustache comes with all that baggage, but it’s eased up recently because of charity movements like Movember. I think younger guys who wear it are confident enough to believe that you can read their mustache in any way and not really care.”

Horseshoe Mustache

A man who is rebellious. “This one was always thought of as the biker mustache and then the wrestler. Or whenever a famous person like Hulk Hogan adopts the style, it becomes associated with him,” says Peterkin.

Handlebar Mustache

A man with a pleasant personality. “We think of barbershop quartets, southern gentleman and the famous baseball player Rollie Fingers… this sort of old fashion, sipping tea on the porch kind of association,” says Peterkin.

Soul Patch

A man who is a bit off-beat. “During both both World Wars, men particularly in America were clean-shaven. Then every decade after, there was a little pocket of facial hair,” says Peterkin. “In the ’50s, beatniks had soul patches, and then hippies adopted the look in the ’60s.”

Mutton Chops

A gentleman with a big heart. “What comes to mind for me is a Victorian gentleman with a monocle or the a general in the North called ‘Burnside.’ But it’s a very Victorian expression,” says Peterkin.

Clean-Shaven

A man who is a bit preppy. Peterkin says, “Before, men used to be wed to a look, it was a life-long expression and not a fad. I think young men are going back and forth between having some sort of facial hair and now going clean-shaven. I think men are freer to do that than before. And I predict that we’re going to go back to that ‘Mad Men,’ clean-shaven look.”

*In the past, Dr. Peterkin acknowledges that a man’s facial hair would say a lot about him. “You could read his politics, read his religion and read his class. But in sort of the late 20th and mid-21st century, you can’t really know what the facial hair means unless you ask the guy,” he explained. “We all project meaning onto beards and mustaches but that may not really align with who the man is.”

How does your facial hair measure up to these celebs?

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Birds of a feather

Thank you for the laugh, Bluebird. These are hysterical!

bluebird of bitterness

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