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He left the bottle on the bar, then walked around the bar. He leaned up against the counter and looked up, inspecting himself in the mirror.
He saw the door open and a figure stepped through from outside: An unassuming figure, wearing dungarees and a Filson vest. (2/4)

The man walked behind the bar, mindful of the pool of blood on the floor. He set his knife on the bar and pulled a bottle out from behind. His hand was tired, so he pulled the cork out with his teeth and spat it out. Then he tipped the bottle of scotch back and took a swallow. Then another. (1/4)

If anyone is curious about my recent story fragment, here's a reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_production#Nanogalvanic_aluminum_alloy_powder

From the third sequel to Revin's Heart. It has not yet been scheduled for publication. To find out when this work-in-progress manuscript is released, you can subscribe to my monthly mailing list. https://author-sdbrewer.micro.blog/subscribe/

"It's that light metal that the frame of the Vengeance is constructed from."
"And you can make the powder?"
"Well, no," the Professor growled. "We can tell that its principal component is made from #alum. But we don't yet know how to make the powder. Or the metal. We're working on it." (2/2) #wss366

"We finally figured out what that powder is," the Professor said.
"That powder?" Revin said.
"That powder that can generate hydrogen. It's made from #alum."
"Alum?" Revin asked.
"It's an ore they use in dyeing," the Professor said. "If properly refined, it can be turned into metal. (1/2) #wss366

#WordWeavers Is the world your characters live in a good place to raise kids?

Sure — if you're a member of the aristocracy.

I saw a helpful list of things I could do beyond voting and protesting. But they all involved doing things with other people — like THAT's going to happen…

You can read more about Curtains in Revin's Heart from Water Dragon Publishing. To find out when this work-in-progress manuscript is released, you can subscribe to my monthly mailing list. https://author-sdbrewer.micro.blog/subscribe/

"Castleton? Truly?"
"I'm a Castleton: Now, always, and forever," he said, reciting the formula.
She smiled and nodded. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Milord."
"And you, Milady Aspidelle. Now, lest I #abuse your hospitality, let me see to your travel arrangements." (2/2) #wss366

Curtains opened the door to the coach. Inside, sat a young woman wearing a suede traveling costume. Her platinum hair was bound up in a bun with silver wire.
"Good afternoon, Milady," he said.
"And to you, sir," she replied. "May I know your name?"
"Castleton," he said. (1/2)

I'm reminded again of Jane Fountain's distinguished faculty lecture I attended in 2012. She made many interesting and insightful points, but the one that sticks with me most was her observation in the wake of the Arab Spring. It's easy to destroy stable institutions. It's much harder to build them. I fear we're going to experience this first hand. http://blog.bierfaristo.com/content/jane-fountain-technological-change-variable-state-development

I must admit I don't have much patience with people who say they can't leave Facebook. It's not like "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover." Just close the tab and don't go there again. Done.

Something like half of my mastodon feed is being filtered right now.

This NYT article talks about how external costs imposed by businesses on all of us are much larger than the profits they privatize for themselves. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/opinion/philanthropy-charity-billionaires-math.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uE4.kc2e.ghT5ad_1Wms5&smid=url-share

But since they're focused on philanthropy, they don't talk about the elephant in the room: the profits oil companies reap while imposing the costs of climate change on the world. The oil executives have made enough money to build apocalypse bunkers, but the costs to the rest of us for an unlivable planet vastly exceed that.

#PennedPossibilities Have you ever wanted to quit writing?

I misread this and thought it said, "Have you ever wanted to quit working?" And I thought, "Only every day of my entire life."

#WritersCoffeeClub Do you agree with Thomas Mann: “A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”

No. But I agree with him when he says, "Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil."

I posted this in July. The actions taken by the new administration (e.g. imposing tariffs, cutting federal spending, reducing immigrant labor, creating uncertainty) all seem likely to tank the economy. Get ready for things to get a lot worse. https://wandering.shop/@stevendbrewer/112832185241068090

A customer at the pro shop was angrily haranguing the clerk.
"What's going on?" the wife asked.
"He says that they're colluding to over-charge on the tennis equipment."
"So it's a racket racket racket?"
"Ugh."
"I'll be here the whole week," she said. "Tip your waitress. Try the veal."

#wss366

The #wss366 word for today is #racket — a fitting word for the times. I look forward to reading what people do with it!