I love when I run across something that reminds me of all the good things people can do.
This sci-fi short imagines an alien running across the Voyager 1 spacecraft and its precious cargo of music, greetings in multiple languages, and children singing. The alien is understandably entranced, and falls in love with humanity and a human woman, causing him to seek out Earth. Yes, it’s the plot of the first Star Trek movie – cut me some slack, I’ve had a rough week.
I love being reminded that despite the news, Good Things are still happening. People are still communicating messages of hope by making art and music and working together on passion projects.
I love that technology amplifies crystalline notes of hope, and that anyone with the bandwidth and computer access can experience it.
I love that someone imagined an alien falling in love with the best of what humans are capable of.
I love this, and that I’m still alive to appreciate it.
Fighting the good fight requires energy, and none of us have an inexhaustible supply. We need a break now and then. Sometimes a break as little as seven minutes can be life-saving.
Please enjoy this supercut of people dancing from over 300 movies. Groove, rock, get up and dance if you can, but take these seven minutes to rejuvenate yourself.
I am very excited to announce that a story of mine was accepted to The Creative Truth, a poetry/flash fiction publication. “A History of My Life in Six Glasses” is now available!
You can download the whole Volume as a PDF for free here, or give them money for the print copy here.
Actually, it’s been available since August and I am just dumb. I submitted the story in July, received my acceptance then, and was told that publication would take place when the volume had enough pieces, so the publisher would let me know. Apparently the email got buried under my Mom’s Facebook Like notifications, because I never realized it was available. Earlier this week I thought ‘Hey, I ought to check on that,’ and was delighted to find I’d been accepted! YAY!
**** In Other News****
The big news is that the Army Corps of Engineers blocked the lease on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Although that’s great news, it’s also only the tip of the shitty iceberg (shitberg? GROSS) as apparently the DAPL intended to keep on drilling. It doesn’t seem that they are, but everyone, including the company, expects them to. Whether they still do seems to be up in the air.
Here’s some good news about the viewing habits of young people: More people in the 16-35 age bracket are watching Planet Earth 2 than any reality television. That is wonderful – I FUCKING LOVE Planet Earth and am super looking forward to season 2. I rewatched the whole series (it’s on Instant Watch!) — even the dreaded Polar Bear episode. You know, the one I swore I’d NEVER WATCH AGAIN. I had to return to the well, and I did. I’m not sorry. Although I did cry again.
[weeping sounds] GODSPEED SWEET DESPERATE BEAR! YOU SLEEP AMONG THE ANGELS NOW!This isn’t a new story, but I thought it was neat: a former CNN sales executive quit her job to help teach Malawi farmers about tech-sharing, so they can share their information with other people in the region.
And just for fun, here is The Rock singing “You’re Welcome,” from Moana.
I still haven’t seen it, but I’m going tonight (FINALLY) because I need a dose of cheerfulness, fun, and chicken wings at my favorite cinema grill.
Saturday night I have a holiday party, and Sunday I’m going to a wedding. So, full weekend ahead!
Have you got any weekend plans? Have you received any good news lately? Share it! I’d love to hear it!
