Liz Andra Shaw

Journey into the Creative Mind of a Writing Reader

Category Archives: History and Birthdays of Note

It’s Laugh at Work Week!

April 1st, 2013
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Duane in Black and White

It’s Laugh at Work Week. I laugh a lot at work, so I’m compiling some of my best rib-ticklers to give you something to laugh about, too. Enjoy!

Share a story with your coworkers so they can laugh at work as well!

I am grateful to thisreidwrites on Flickr for the fun picture at the top of this post.

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Happy Pi Day 2013

March 14th, 2013
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Pi Day Proclamation

111th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. RES. 224
Supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2009

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. LIPINSKI, and Mr. BAIRD) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology

RESOLUTION

Supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Greek letter (Pi) is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter;

Whereas the ratio Pi is an irrational number, which will continue infinitely without repeating, and has been calculated to over one trillion digits;

Whereas Pi is a recurring constant that has been studied throughout history and is central in mathematics as well as science and engineering;

Whereas mathematics and science are a critical part of our children’s education, and children who perform better in math and science have higher graduation and college attendance rates;

Whereas aptitude in mathematics, science, and engineering is essential for a knowledge-based society;

Whereas, according to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey done by the National Center for Education Statistics, American children in the 4th and 8th grade were outperformed by students in other countries including Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, England, South Korea, Latvia, and Japan;

Whereas since 1995 the United States has shown only minimal improvement in math and science test scores;

Whereas by the 8th grade, American males outperform females on the science portion of the TIMSS survey, especially in Biology, Physics, and Earth Science, and the lowest American scores in math and science are found in minority and impoverished school districts;

Whereas America needs to reinforce mathematics and science education for all students in order to better prepare our children for the future and in order to compete in a 21st Century economy;

Whereas the National Science Foundation has been driving innovation in math and science education at all levels from elementary through graduate education since its creation 59 years ago;

Whereas mathematics and science can be a fun and interesting part of a child’s education, and learning about Pi can be an engaging way to teach children about geometry and attract them to study science and mathematics; and

Whereas Pi can be approximated as 3.14, and thus March 14, 2009, is an appropriate day for ‘National Pi Day’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

(1) supports the designation of a ‘Pi Day’ and its celebration around the world;

(2) recognizes the continuing importance of National Science Foundation’s math and science education programs; and

(3) encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.

How are you celebrating Pi Day this year?

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National Be Heard Day

March 7th, 2013
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SPEAK OUT. 18/11/2009

Writers, use the power of your words and your platform for more than just promoting yourself. Today is the day to be heard on the cause you are most passionate about. Hear the powerful words of Audre Lourde on this subject:

I was going to die, sooner or later, whether or not I had even spoken myself. My silences had not protected me. Your silences will not protect you…. What are the words you do not yet have? What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own, until you will sicken and die of them, still in silence? We have been socialized to respect fear more than our own need for language.”

I began to ask each time: “What’s the worst that could happen to me if I tell this truth?” Unlike women in other countries, our breaking silence is unlikely to have us jailed, “disappeared” or run off the road at night. Our speaking out will irritate some people, get us called bitchy or hypersensitive and disrupt some dinner parties. And then our speaking out will permit other women to speak, until laws are changed and lives are saved and the world is altered forever.

Next time, ask: What’s the worst that will happen? Then push yourself a little further than you dare. Once you start to speak, people will yell at you. They will interrupt you, put you down and suggest it’s personal. And the world won’t end.

And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don’t miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And you will still flirt and paint your nails, dress up and party, because, as I think Emma Goldman said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” And at last you’ll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking. – Audre Lorde

I am grateful to AMELIA SPEED on Flickr for the profoundly evocative picture at the top of this post.

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Happy Dr. Seuss Day and Read Across America Day

March 2nd, 2013
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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” -Dr. Seuss

I absolutely love Dr. Seuss. I had memorized The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham by the age of 3, and I was reading by age 4. I owe it all to the fantastical worlds of imagination created by Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss.

“Being crazy isn’t enough.” -Dr. Seuss

We all feel a little different, don’t we? Dr. Seuss tells us that it’s not just acceptable to be different, it’s perfect. Crazy is wonderful, but crazy is just the beginning of the process of being alive. You have a special gift to give to the world, but you can only do it if you let go of trying to be normal.

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” -Dr. Seuss

You were born a creative genius. It’s time to get those juices flowing. Read some beautiful, fantastical, nonsensical Dr. Seuss today. Then sit down and create your own beautiful, fantastical, nonsensical art. The good doctor would approve.

“Be awesome! Be a book nut!” -Dr. Seuss

What are you reading today? What are you writing today? Share your joy!

I am grateful to katerha on Flickr for the fun picture at the top of this post.

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Liz Andra Shaw

Journey into the Creative Mind of a Writing Reader