D for DACTYLOLOGY

Dactylology, often referred to as finger spelling, is the representation of letters and numerals using only the hands (Wikipedia). The finger alphabets or hand alphabets, have been used in deaf education, and have been adopted by a number of sign languages around the world. For those of you who may not know, there isn’t one universal sign language, there are about 200 different sign languages used around the world today. The American Sign Language (ASL) is one example.

The following videos are songs interpreted using ASL. I think both of these individuals signing are amazing. Watch how they not only sign with their hands but also use facial expressions to convey emotions in the songs. Since I was a kid, I've always been interested in learning sign. I know it takes a lot of work and practice, but maybe one day I'll get serious about it and learn sign language. 

Oh, and just a heads up, you may have to click the Watch on YouTube  link in the first video. Sometimes it works right off the bat and sometimes I get a  restricted from playback message. But if you have time, do check these out, I think both interpreters are impressive and very nice to look at. (; 

Skip to 0.55 seconds if you want to go directly to the start of the song.

Other dang interesting D_ology words:

Deltiology: The study and collection of postcards.

Dysteleology: The philosophy that existence as we know it, has no cause or purpose or inherent goal. Dysteleology is also described as a form of science-oriented atheism.

Dendrology: The study of trees. 

The Morning Star, And a Poll

This morning during breakfast my kids and I were looking out the window. The sun was starting to come up and they asked me what star that was in the sky.  I wasn't sure. I told them I think it's actually the planet Venus, the morning star, but I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm that by chance?

The eastern sky at around 7:30am, November 30th.

Also, Mina Lobo over at Some Dark Romantic is conducting a poll to see what days of the week you guys are most likely to be catching up on your blog reading. It's real quick so hop on over and vote, if you get the chance.

Oh and one more thing!

Happy Friday everyone, and have a great weekend!

(:

All I Want is a Room Somewhere...

If you could have one special place all to yourself where you could take along only your writing materials and a few precious books, where would you go? If money or circumstance weren't an issue, where would your macro writing universe be? 

Me? 


I'd be up a tree. If I had the money, time and the physical strength, I'd build myself a cabin perched near the canopy. Over the last few years I've seen amazing tree houses built around the world. Many of them have sprung up to attract the ecotourist, but some are simply built for personal use. My perfect writing bubble would be in a tree house. No cell phone, no tv, no distractions.  Inside, the cabin would wrap around the central trunk and thick branches would pierce through one wall and disappear out the other. I'd have a simple desk and desk lamp (yes it would have electricity), a small table and a couple chairs, a bed with white linens, a ton of pillows and a wrap around book shelf. I'd even put in a pluming system, it's my dream so what the heck.  I'd also make sure the structure didn't require driving screws into the tree or compromise it in any shape or form.


Here are a couple images scanned from one of my books to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. But a simple Google search of tree houses will bombarded you with amazing images of modern and highly conceptualized tree top cabins as well as very simple and calming canopy getaways. *sighs longingly*

Source: ViVons Perchés, Laurens, Dufour, André, Thfoin; Editions de La Martinière;  2006

Source: ViVons Perchés, Laurens, Dufour, André, Thfoin; Editions de La Martinière;  2006

Or maybe just the bed for days when you'd rather do something else...(;
Source: ViVons Perchés, Laurens, Dufour, André, Thfoin; Editions de La Martinière;  2006

So what's your dream? Where would your secrete writing place be if you could go anywhere?