J. M. Levinton

See You Next Week

• July 20, 2020
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Writing and editing this week. Have a good one! 🙂

No More Gaming for Me

• July 13, 2020
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During this time when a lot of people are indoors, playing games via computer or phone is a great way to pass the hours.

Not for me. I recognize and accept that I become addicted. I don’t use that word lightly. I would play one game for hours, days, months, until I wasn’t doing anything else. Eventually I would realize that I wasn’t even enjoying the game, but I couldn’t get myself to stop. Then I’d delete it. And then another game would grab my attention. I’d convince myself that this time it would be different. I’d play just a little each day and not let it rule my life.

It would get to the point where I played a game before even getting out of bed in the morning. And play for hours until it was time to sleep.

The last game did me a favor when it began running ads I felt were horrifying. I contacted them and their response was, “Well, we use an ad agency and have no control over the ads.” I suggested they use another ad agency and they replied, “All ad agencies are the same.” Since I have friends playing games from different companies who have never seen the ads I described, I highly doubted that, but further communication with the game company showed me that they had no intention of changing. (Game companies, take note: Political ads driving lies and fear have no business popping up in the middle of a game.)

Still, they did me a favor. Their actions made it easier to delete the app. I knew I’d lose all those thousands of play time rewards (that I earned, dammit!) but did it anyway.

Within days, I completed a short story for an anthology. A story that had lain dead in the water for months because I had no brain cells left for it. I felt happier. It’s true that for a couple of weeks I kept flipping screens on my phone looking for “something.” That’s when I realized the habit I formed.

I’m okay with listening to friends enjoying their games. My writing is the best game I can play, and in turn, my friends listen to my voice rise with excitement after getting through a difficult scene.

Happy 4th Weekend!

• July 06, 2020
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Middle-Earth: On to Bree

• June 29, 2020
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Stayed at The Prancing Pony. The food was good, bed was soft. Probably will stay a few extra days. Friendly people!

I couldn’t resist and bought another postcard. 🙂

 

First postcard by OtterSquad at Redbubble. Buy it here.

Second postcard by ErikaRaeHeins at Etsy. Buy it here(it’s a set).

Father’s Day

• June 22, 2020
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As is my tradition, I’m repeating my Father’s Day post:

My Dad and Writing

Vacationing in Middle-earth

• June 21, 2020
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It’s been a while since I visited Middle-earth. I went via portal to The Shire. Of course, I couldn’t fit inside a Hobbit hole, but they had outdoor accommodations for me, and a wonderful meal. Yep, off to a good start. Hope you can meet me there!

Note: Coming home briefly, I made scones that reminded me of having afternoon tea in Hobbiton. The recipe can be found here. Raspberry jam is a wonderful touch.

Postcard by ErikaRaeHeins at Etsy. Buy it here (it’s a set).

Resting from Otherworldly Travels

• June 15, 2020
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I’m just taking a little break . My next trip will be through a portal to a place I haven’t visited in years and I’m looking forward to it. 🙂

 

What They Don’t Tell You About Traveling in a TARDIS

• June 08, 2020
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My travels continue. I met four of the doctors in different timelines and they all fly this thing like a bucking horse. Every trip needs motion sickness pills.

Tip: Should you ever travel this way, make absolutely sure you opt for the extra accident insurance!

Wish you were here.

 

 

Postcard by Dream-Coat at Redbubble. Buy it here.

 

 

And the Travel Mishaps Continue

• June 01, 2020
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Seriously. Another desert??? Okay, I’ve really, really learned my lesson! Never pay discount for travel. I chose some space junker with a decent hyperdrive that dumped me here instead of Endor. I guess it could have been worse: I could have ended up on Hoth without winter gear packed.

Those Jawas charge a fortune for sunscreen. Good thing I still have the robes from Vulcan…

 

 

Postcard by cjrobbins at Redbubble. Buy it here.

 

 

When Travel Plans Go Awry

• May 24, 2020
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For those who love Star Trek, you’ll understand my frustration. I booked a shuttle to the planet of Risa but got taken to Vulcan instead…

For those not sure why I’ m annoyed, watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 3, episode 19, “Captain’s Holiday.”

I have other trips planned and hope they go more smoothly. But I will never use an Andorian travel agent again!

 

 

Postcard by doctorheadly at Redbubble. Buy it here.