Skip to content

Nearly Clever

by Daniel Sonderling

Primary Navigation

  • Blog
  • Photography
  • About

Goodreads

I never saw Tibetan calligraphy before checking out this library book. Very cool - reminds me of Tolkien's languages he created for his books. #calligraphy #Tibet #books So many great quotes in this book (Braving The Wilderness by Brené Brown). This was one of many that leaped out today. I made the decision a while back not to have kids, but I have believed my whole life that this is the simple truth for those that do want to try that journey. #books #quotes #brenebrown Been feeling more than a bit under the weather with migraine and general blues. Ended up using my vacation day to rest. Getting dine research done on the new novel and pretendibg for a few hours I'm not a 9-5 boffin. I'm grateful to be employed, mind, but sometimes I feel like I'm trying to live someone else's life. I so respect people who have the gumption to go live their dreams and best self. One of these days, I may screw up my courage to do the same. In the meantime, thank gods for local coffeeshops and libraries. Also, Blavatsky was one interesting human! #books #coffeeshop Feeling under the weather and bluesy today, ended up leaving work early to reset. But this little guy cheered me up a bit. Moved so damn fast I couldn't get a high res shot, but he did come closer when I started talking to him. May have to carry snacks next time. #chipmunk "Face your life A story, another twilit mystery in stone... Neil Gaiman, in his Newbery Acceptance speech for The Graveyard  Book, which I was lucky enough to finish reading today. We are lucky to have him. #books #reading #quotes #neilgaiman A friend mailed me a copy of Brené Brown's Braving the Wilderness. I'm glad she did. It is powerful, hard, challenging, thoughtful. And very timely in this moment of social and personal struggle. It is very difficult for me to cry, but this quoted letter from the husband of a victim of the Paris terror attacks to the perpetrators was so powerful; definitely put a lump in my throat. Lots to think about in rearranging how I see and act towards others and even myself. So far, the most insightful book on our American infighting and tribalism, the replacement of love with hate and fear - and possible ways to heal, to build a bridge to move forward. #brenebrown #books #psychology #reading #quotes In brighter news, I went to a library for the first time in years. The librarians were incredibly sweet and helped me get some research materials for the new book. Long live libraries! Ben Franklin's greatest invention (and that is saying a lot.)
Uncategorized

Just: Now

no future, no past no hope, no fear no love, no hate neither grasping nor pushing away no haste, no … Continue reading Just: Now

No Costumes In Improv!
Life

No Costumes In Improv!

Life tried to show me something when I was only half listening(Which happens a lot if I’m being honest.) There’s … Continue reading No Costumes In Improv!

Against Brevity
Uncategorized

Against Brevity

“Brevity is the Soul of Wit” William Shakespeare My whole life, I’ve been told I need to be more pithy. … Continue reading Against Brevity

Book Review: “Propaganda” by Edward Bernays
book reviews

Book Review: “Propaganda” by Edward Bernays

Propaganda was a field that in so many ways was created and codified by Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund … Continue reading Book Review: “Propaganda” by Edward Bernays

Manifesto
Uncategorized

Manifesto

Sometimes people (and my own overactive conscience) tell me I should talk and write more about “politics,” particularly the sensational … Continue reading Manifesto

Light Under The Door
Life

Light Under The Door

You wake and realize that you’re stuck in a dark room. You cling tightly to a broken plate whose edges … Continue reading Light Under The Door

FIGHT or FLIGHT!
Life

FIGHT or FLIGHT!

I hate conflict. During a business dispute where I felt let down and betrayed, I was struggling with emotions and … Continue reading FIGHT or FLIGHT!

What is Truth?
Uncategorized

What is Truth?

I’ve been studying smart folks from many time periods for a few decades now, and one great, difficult, and helpful … Continue reading What is Truth?

How I Got a Kick-Ass Resume
Life Hacks

How I Got a Kick-Ass Resume

One of the toughest parts of the modern dystopia is the work world. Trying to convince some corporation to give … Continue reading How I Got a Kick-Ass Resume

Book Review: A Troll Walks Into A Bar by Douglas Lumsden
book reviews

Book Review: A Troll Walks Into A Bar by Douglas Lumsden

Verdict: Lumsden can spin a yarn! This isn’t even my normal reading genre, so I was pleasantly surprised by how … Continue reading Book Review: A Troll Walks Into A Bar by Douglas Lumsden

How I Got A Professional Book Review
Books

How I Got A Professional Book Review

It’s difficult out there for Indie authors, and that is especially true in “Pro Book Review Land.” Scammers and shady … Continue reading How I Got A Professional Book Review

Hangover Zen to Kill the Dementors
Uncategorized

Hangover Zen to Kill the Dementors

“God does not play dice.” Physics, cosmology, and spirituality increasingly overlap as our understanding grows, and perhaps the most universal … Continue reading Hangover Zen to Kill the Dementors

Power, Money, and Sex
Uncategorized

Power, Money, and Sex

I used to be very curious about power, money, and success (as so many young people are, particularly in a … Continue reading Power, Money, and Sex

The Other Side of the Coin
Uncategorized

The Other Side of the Coin

Disclaimer: mental health is a major issue and needs far more attention from society. I personally deal with mental health … Continue reading The Other Side of the Coin

De Nihilo
Uncategorized

De Nihilo

WHY IS THE WORLD SO STUPID? Like many in the USA, I was angry and sad to hear certain news … Continue reading De Nihilo

Apex Predator
Uncategorized

Apex Predator

Remember that you are the apex predator in your life, and challenges puff themselves up out of fear. Image: Shutterstock … Continue reading Apex Predator

On Corinthian Grapes and the Power of Doing
Society

On Corinthian Grapes and the Power of Doing

I’m not religious now, but when I was a kid, I was forced to read the Bible. A lot. Anyway, … Continue reading On Corinthian Grapes and the Power of Doing

I Am More Than The List Of Things That I Hate
Uncategorized

I Am More Than The List Of Things That I Hate

When I constantly define myself in opposition to something, I am actually defining my identity by the thing I am … Continue reading I Am More Than The List Of Things That I Hate

Don’t Bomb A Housefire
Life Lessons

Don’t Bomb A Housefire

We see a world devastated by hate and violence and then believe the lie that if we just add more … Continue reading Don’t Bomb A Housefire

Don’t Outsource Your Cape
Life

Don’t Outsource Your Cape

I think that the greatest teachers help make us wise, showing us how to learn for ourselves. To adapt a … Continue reading Don’t Outsource Your Cape

Perhaps Liberation
Inspirational

Perhaps Liberation

perhaps liberation is simply the moment when we realize we are already free; as free as we allow, as free … Continue reading Perhaps Liberation

Epiphany
Society

Epiphany

I have begun to notice such a profound difference between the many who define ourselves by what we hate/what makes … Continue reading Epiphany

Mantra
Uncategorized

Mantra

As you get older you try to formulate simple rules, even “mantras” to help when things get tough or your … Continue reading Mantra

The Third Door
Society

The Third Door

Had a recent conversation with a good friend about science and social issues, and a great analogy emerged from the … Continue reading The Third Door

Balance
Life

Balance

It sometimes feels like life is simply about learning to dance in the space between order and chaos, to find … Continue reading Balance

A Candle
Inspirational

A Candle

Note: I love myself and love my life now, but occasionally old Depression and his buddy Anxiety will still sneak … Continue reading A Candle

Extreme Nerd Bedtime Trivia #1013
Just For Fun

Extreme Nerd Bedtime Trivia #1013

An X-Ray movie trivia card informs me that Foum Tatouine was a filming location for this film, “X-Files,” aka “Fight … Continue reading Extreme Nerd Bedtime Trivia #1013

Compound Interest
Uncategorized

Compound Interest

I try to observe a personal “93%” rule when examining any unusual area of human experience. We are prone to … Continue reading Compound Interest

People First!
Society

People First!

“People over concepts.” Ann Druyan I catch glimpses in dreams but I can never see the whole thing or put … Continue reading People First!

“The Goal is Here”
Inspirational

“The Goal is Here”

I think Alan Watts is lovely, and I was just reading one of my new favorite essays by him. I … Continue reading “The Goal is Here”

Zuckertown, USA
Uncategorized

Zuckertown, USA

“What is truth?” Pontius Pilate I think part of the problem in our culture and countless subcultures is that we … Continue reading Zuckertown, USA

Jacob and the Angel
Inspirational

Jacob and the Angel

When you lift weights, you don’t “agree” or “disagree” with the weight. You just wrestle with it, and in the … Continue reading Jacob and the Angel

HUMANS are NOT the ENDPOINT
Inspirational

HUMANS are NOT the ENDPOINT

This morning I saw headlines that made my blood boil and made me sick to my stomach, and I started … Continue reading HUMANS are NOT the ENDPOINT

I Am Not Shaped Like This World
Uncategorized

I Am Not Shaped Like This World

I usually say that “I have problems;”It’s always too much or too little of something,Or doing it at the wrong … Continue reading I Am Not Shaped Like This World

Life: The Videogame
Humor

Life: The Videogame

Confused by the prophecy dilemma? Wondering why the Mayan apocalypse didn’t descend on schedule, why Christ is dawdling, and more? … Continue reading Life: The Videogame

Airplane!
Uncategorized

Airplane!

The airplane plummets under the onslaught of a cloud of Dementors. A chocolate brownie flies by your face next to … Continue reading Airplane!

We Talked
Loss

We Talked

We talked (We really did)And l can’t remember what or why And I know that I’ll never knowWhether ghost or … Continue reading We Talked

The Other Dream Bit
Inspirational

The Other Dream Bit

Be the universe. Continue reading The Other Dream Bit

Dream Diary
Dreams

Dream Diary

Bit under the weather this week, sleeping and dreaming a lot, having conversations with I have no idea whom (or … Continue reading Dream Diary

Firing Up the Improbability Drive
Inspirational

Firing Up the Improbability Drive

It’s a tough week, so I’ll be brief. It seems statistically impossible that such an innately cruel and stupid species … Continue reading Firing Up the Improbability Drive

Silent Days and Quiet Ways
Inspirational, Spirituality

Silent Days and Quiet Ways

Your silent days and your quiet ways matter far more than you will ever know. Continue reading Silent Days and Quiet Ways

Thawing
Hope

Thawing

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Han Solo I’ve always had invisible alarm bells ringing in my head since … Continue reading Thawing

A Jung Man’s Game
Books

A Jung Man’s Game

“Meaninglessness inhibits fullness of life and is therefore equivalent to illness. Meaning makes a great many things endurable — perhaps … Continue reading A Jung Man’s Game

Zinn and the Art of Moral Masturbation
Society

Zinn and the Art of Moral Masturbation

IN WHICH DANIEL RAISES A CHEERY TOAST TO AMERICA, TO BEING AN EVEN GOODER LIBERAL, AND TO RIGHTEOUS CONSUMERISM IN … Continue reading Zinn and the Art of Moral Masturbation

MY SOURCE
Spirituality

MY SOURCE

If you want to break it down simply, I guess I got tired. Me and my friends spent years and … Continue reading MY SOURCE

Don’t Think Different – Think Better
Society

Don’t Think Different – Think Better

UNCERTAINTY IS UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT CERTAINTY IS STUPID –(adapted from Voltaire, ‘Letters on the English’) Brilliant people with a hundred times … Continue reading Don’t Think Different – Think Better

Discovering Bill Hicks
Uncategorized

Discovering Bill Hicks

I discovered Bill Hicks very late indeed at the start of 2021 (thanks to the Netflix release of several recordings, … Continue reading Discovering Bill Hicks

Destroy All Humans!
Society

Destroy All Humans!

“We’re all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but … Continue reading Destroy All Humans!

Boxes
Observations

Boxes

You will notice something interesting during your time on this planet. Blame — like romantic love, sexual infatuation, and false … Continue reading Boxes

Uncategorized

We’d Like You To Respond to a Brief Survey About How the Company Can Do Better (or, Finding God in Qualtrics)

I guess it’s just that people are people. And when we treat them that way, that’s where the good stuff … Continue reading We’d Like You To Respond to a Brief Survey About How the Company Can Do Better (or, Finding God in Qualtrics)

Uncategorized

All I Have

All I have Is what I am What I am Is what I do All I have is what I … Continue reading All I Have

Posts navigation

Older posts
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
Nearly Clever
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Nearly Clever
    • Join 77 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Nearly Clever
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...