Thank you to those who have been following my writing on this blog. My non-fiction story, “Shruti Loves Kit Kats” has been published in Snapdragon: a Journal of Art and Healing ! Please check out the fall issue here. I love this literary journal because it celebrates emerging and existing writers, and it shows howContinueContinue reading “Publication: “Shruti Loves Kit Kats””
Author Archives: Susan Van Sciver
Spring Fashion Trends for the Feminist
Tassels “Tassels are so fun! You can wear them as earrings, on a chain as a necklace, or even lining a top!” — SexyMagazinewithMalnurishedModels When I see a tassel, I think stripper. Thank you, cable television, for giving me images of strip clubs that I can’t unsee. I’m sure there’s some man I can blameContinueContinue reading “Spring Fashion Trends for the Feminist”
Roadside Rubble: an Earth Day Tale
And it was his duty to handle the heat, to provide caffeine to the humans who needed it all day long. He’d have a great tour. He’d see the world, and then when his tour was over he’d meet back with everyone at the landfill. No one ever mentioned anything about roadside rubble.
Valentine’s and Honesty Don’t Mix
*This was originally published 5 years ago,but the message remains the same: go ahead and lie* Today is Valentine’s Day. This is the one day of the year that it’s okay to lie to your loved one. That’s right, I said it’s okay to LIE. We do it all the time. Check it out – First, weContinueContinue reading “Valentine’s and Honesty Don’t Mix”
Sensible Money: 5 ways to deal with your $$$
Those of you who know me personally have been waiting for me to put this post up? “Susan, you work in finance. Why don’t you make your blog about personal finances?” I’ll tell you why. I am not a financial advisor to individuals, and I have no certifications, like a CFP. I work with largeContinueContinue reading “Sensible Money: 5 ways to deal with your $$$”
10 Random Facts about Randomness
This might sound strange coming from someone who is a born planner (See this post), but over the years I have developed a taste for leaving things to chance or opening the door for randomness. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of “random” is: lacking a definite plan, purpose or pattern I am not alone. MostContinueContinue reading “10 Random Facts about Randomness”
“Backstory” – the perfect game for Memorial Day traveling
Traveling for the long weekend? Anticipate waiting in traffic or to board a plane? Why not take a break from staring into your mobile device or tablet and find your entertainment in the actual world and try playing a game of “Backstory”. It’s a game that requires no batteries and is appropriate for all ages. ContinueContinue reading ““Backstory” – the perfect game for Memorial Day traveling”
Create your own magazine or newspaper
I am on an ongoing quest to make technology my friend and not my foe (see Techs and Balances). Lately, my favorite technology friend-maker is Flipboard. I’m seriously late to the game on this one. Apple named it App of the Year….in 2010, and Time proclaimed it one of the Top 50 Innovations…once again, inContinueContinue reading “Create your own magazine or newspaper”
Mother Earth and the Silver Lining
Perhaps I have been accused in the past of being pessimistic, but I think I am practical – sensible, really. I hate when people tell me to think positive or that things will always work out. How do they know? Last time I checked, there are always thousands of reasons why plans get derailed orContinueContinue reading “Mother Earth and the Silver Lining”
“Gimme Dat Trophy” – 3 reasons why school didn’t prepare me for life
I wonder if our education system really prepared me for the real world. 3 things that bother me: Trophies for participation. The grading system – “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” are all good enough to get to the next grade. Everyone gets to the next level the same way – Everyone has to pass grades 9,ContinueContinue reading ““Gimme Dat Trophy” – 3 reasons why school didn’t prepare me for life”
My kid is a genius: Part 1
Have you ever read the book, “The Carrot Seed” by Ruth Krauss? It’s incredibly simple and woefully bland to look at. It is 12 pages of simple words and filled with only 4 dull colors – brown, white, beige and 70’s yellow. Surprisingly, my kid loves it. Lately he has been making me read it to him 3ContinueContinue reading “My kid is a genius: Part 1”
I’ve been given the Versatile Blogger Award!
This is not an April Fool’s Joke – I’ve actually been nominated for an award. Thank you Peace, Love & Fabulous Things for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award! First of all, I haven’t been nominated for an award since I was a kid. Second of all, I can’t believe anyone cares what I have toContinueContinue reading “I’ve been given the Versatile Blogger Award!”
Welcome Back Don Draper!
Mad Men is back! I can’t wait for the 2 hour season premier on Sunday at 9pm. It has been far too long. So, I know it’s super cheesy, but I had to do it – I Mad Men’ed myself and the hubby at the AMC site for the show – MadMenYourself. There IContinueContinue reading “Welcome Back Don Draper!”
I admit it. I juiced.
Juicing is everywhere. Celebrities are doing it. There a thousand websites devoted to it. There are businesses popping up all the time promoting their organic juices. It’s not enough to eat organic fruits and vegetables. Real nirvana is obtained when these things are slowly cold-pressed, packaged in thick glass bottles and sold for at leastContinueContinue reading “I admit it. I juiced.”
Another warning label to ignore…
Today, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ruled against the FDA’s proposed warning labels for cigarette packs. See story here Currently, there’s a succinct warning label on the side of the pack that we have all seen and many have chosen to ignore: The proposal by the FDA was to include graphic images that include rottingContinueContinue reading “Another warning label to ignore…”
I would like to thank the Academy…a case for storytelling and free speech
March 7th, 2010, a day forever marked by two little guys both starting with “O”: Oscar, the little gold Academy Award in my hand below and Owen, the little miracle I just learned was coming into the world. “Congratulations!” they said as they handed me the gold statuette. It felt both cool and warmContinueContinue reading “I would like to thank the Academy…a case for storytelling and free speech”
My kid – the bargaining chip
If I had Gisele Bundchen’s long legs, I would absolutely use them to flag down a car to assist me if I was broken down on the side of the road. If I had piercing blue eyes, I would stare at men until they bought me drinks and offered me trips. If I had unwitting charm,ContinueContinue reading “My kid – the bargaining chip”
Operation Tech and Balances – Results
How much do I use the computer? I overindulge. A lot. I did the math. After tracking my use for 1 week in Operation Tech and Balances, I discovered that I spend about 48% of my time awake each day using the computer! Now, most of that is for work – I work about 10ContinueContinue reading “Operation Tech and Balances – Results”
Do Bee a Dick
I wrote a while ago about my love of books. I claimed it started with the Nancy Drew series, but maybe it really started with Golden Books. They were colorful and had this beautiful gold strip lining the binding. I am told they occupied quite a bit of my time when I was little. Another childhoodContinueContinue reading “Do Bee a Dick”
Tech and Balances
I have a confession. I am an information junkie. I have always enjoyed reading, but this crazy thing Al Gore invented totally blows Encyclopedia Britannica out of the water! Back in the day I could get direct information without banner ads screaming in my face and without access to shopping, entertainment news and social networkingContinueContinue reading “Tech and Balances”
Susan Van Sciver 