MARY LAMPHERE AUTHOR

I frequently get responses to my NTM posts saying, Oh, I knew that. My ‘new to me’s are rarely life-altering discoveries, just things that I was previously unaware of and that I’d like to share. Maybe I’m sharing trivia-bits, maybe I’m sharing my naiveté, (how did she not know that?!), either way, I’m learning. And maybe, just maybe, someone else is, too. Today’s NTMs:

I could be nominated for a Pulitzer. I recently looked up ‘Pulitzer Prize’ in regard to a book I was reading that had won. I was astounded to discover that basically anyone can submit just about anything as long as it meets their pretty ordinary submission standards. Suffice it to say that I am differently impressed by this particular award. Seems less elite but more attainable.

Good to know. 🙂

TASER is a brand name! It stands for Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle. Developed in the 1960’s by inventor, Jack Cover, inspired by the Tom Swift novels he grew up with, it was introduced to law enforcement in the 1990’s. Not all CEDs (conducted electrical devices) are TASERs, much like not all powdered gelatin desserts are Jell-O. During my session at the Writers’ Police Academy, the officer made a point of NOT calling his non-lethal stun gun a “TASER” because his was a different brand. Something to be aware of when writing.

Truly a shocking discovery.

Cloth wristbands for venue admission. Brilliant? Or the bane of concert-going fiddlers and futzers? These adjustable cloth wristbands may be coming soon to a venue near you. Please be warned, they have a one-way lock closure! Once you slip it over your wrist, tighten ONLY to the the point of not falling off, then DO NOT touch it again. We’d never seen them before. Dave fiddled with his immediately, then couldn’t put it on because it was too small. They don’t get bigger. Unless you have the proper tools. Which the venue is happy to engage. For a ten dollar fee! Of course, I had to test it, too, and even though it was already on my wrist, I tightened it to see if I could loosen it.

Duh-duh-dumb! I couldn’t.

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As always, I’m going to wrap up what’s New to Me with What I know:
Tigers do not change their stripes. And neither do people. Unfortunately, this is probably something you know, too.
“This is one of the hardest life lessons that I’ve ever tried to follow, but it is sage advice.” Maya Angelou