Rob Reiner, Actor Who Went on to Direct Classic Films, Dies at 78 “People take a look at ‘Princess Bride,’ and exclaim, ‘God, this is such an odd conglomeration!’” Mr. Reiner told The New York Times shortly after the movie was released in 1987. “‘How could you balance all those things?’” “But it didn’t seem all that strange to me,” he went on, “because those are all parts of my personality.

“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow * * * Photo by Peter Wormstetter on Unsplash

People often ask me what is the most effective technique for transforming their life. It is a little embarrassing that after years and years of research and experimentation, I have to say that the best answer is – just be a little kinder. — Aldous Huxley * * * Photo by Andrey K on Unsplash

Last month marked 25 years of humanity’s continuous presence in orbit around this fair planet.   25 years, one website: ISS in Real Time captures quarter-century on space station Two NASA contractors, working only during their off hours, have built a portal into all of those resources to uniquely represent the 25-year history of ISS occupancy. ISS in Real Time, by Ben Feist and David Charney, went live on Monday (October 27), ahead of the November 2 anniversary.

“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it's all we'll need.” — Ann Richards * * * Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash

Here’s something fun for my fellow sci-fi nerds: How the Written Word Evolved in 'Star Wars’ The original Star Wars is covered with English signage and written words on displays, something that would change in the wake of the film’s blockbuster success. Both Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi would, with the confidence that audiences had accepted the galaxy far, far away, move away from putting English text on-screen, instead creating unique writing systems—reams of text that were not just left untranslated, but were never given meaning behind the symbology beyond the graphic design.

With crisp sunbright snow on a cardinal’s red cape winter welcomes you. * * * Photo by Skyler Ewing on Unsplash

Last night I had an idea for today's post, but now it's gone missing because some days my mind is a sieve. I'm sure the idea was fabulous but I'll have to wait until it comes back around. In the meantime, my word of the day is "flawsome: someone who is both flawed and awesome." And isn't that all of us? * * * Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash

Here’s a lovely thought piece by Spencer Sekulin on making peace with the ghosts of lives unlived and becoming your imperfect, unpredictable, beautiful self. Forgive Yourself for Not Becoming Everything You Wanted – Spencer Sekulin To live one life, you need to condemn many others. Yet to try to live all of them keeps you stuck, forever. Spencer’s fiction is also terrific. If you’re looking for excellently written fantasy, check out his work! * * * Photo by Brittney Strange on Unsplash

Emily Bressler is helping you recognize, reflect on, and reject hypocrisy with this story at McSweeney’s: I Work For an Evil Company, but Outside Work, I’m Actually a Really Good Person I love my job. I make a great salary, there’s a clear path to promotion, and a never-ending supply of cold brew in the office. And even though my job requires me to commit sociopathic acts of evil that directly contribute to making the world a measurably worse place from Monday through Friday, five days a week, from morning to night, outside work, I’m actually a really good person. * * * Photo by Joeyy Lee on Unsplash

What does James Patterson, one of the world’s top authors, have to say about leading a creative and happy life? Here are three suggestions that resonated with me: James Patterson’s Maxims for a Happy Life 2. Pay attention to process rather than outcomes. 3. Excellence is less about talent and inspiration, more about hard work and persistence. 5. Focus on what’s getting better, rather than fretting over what’s getting worse.

“Be like the sun for grace and mercy. Be like the night to cover others' faults. Be like running water for generosity. Be like death for rage and anger. Be like the Earth for modesty. Appear as you are. Be as you appear.” ― Rumi * * *

Today’s bit of wisdom, gained from an hour of standing in line at the post office with increasingly cranky people: Try not to let someone else’s bad day ruin yours. * * * Photo by Valeria Kodra on Unsplash

I taught an octopus piano (It took 6 months) This video is refusing to embed for some reason, but if you are impressed by clever and creative displays of persistence (by humans and others!), it's worth checking out. Start at the 3:00 minute mark if you want to go straight to the training process, or at 15:00 if you want to skip to the piano performance.

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ― John Holmes * * * Photo by Stas Ostrikov on Unsplash

Now this is exactly what I need on a Monday. How John Green Fights Despair Every Day | The Interview - YouTube I mean the problem with hope is that it feels like a very easy word. You know, it feels like very convenient and sort of kumbaya. But I'm interested in the kind of hope that holds up to scrutiny.

"Young people will have the seeds you bury in their minds, and when they grow up they will change the world.” — Jack Ma * * * Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash

Today, a free fiction short from Colby Devitt and the Grist Climate collection: The Case of the Missing Lake On the morning of April 8, 2200, Lake Ballona went missing. A pair of hikers ventured down from the Hollywood Hills on a day excursion into the Tongva Wetlands. Where the area’s largest body of freshwater met seawater to create a brackish habitat, they discovered an empty crater.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate today! Even if this isn’t your holiday, I hope you have a moment to remember the good things in your life. The Right Attitude to Gratitude - The Atlantic Gratitude is so effective that if you could bottle it, you’d be a billionaire. But as with so many beautiful parts of life, gratitude is not something you can market like a drug or nutritional supplement: It happens to be completely free—but not so easy to attain.

Today is officially a crazy day. By that I mean a mad scramble to get day job work done, including the projects I expected and the three others I did not expect. Lots to juggle, and while I may have bobbled one tiny little thing, it all worked out fine in the end. I also managed to get up early and write a very (very) short story before all the craziness began, so I'm calling it a win! * * * Photo by Duygu Güngör on Unsplash

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, and more complex. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” ― E.F. Schumacher * * * Photo by weston m on Unsplash

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” — George R.R. Martin * * * Photo by Frontiersman on Unsplash

Today, an addition to my recipe collection so I know where to find this next time I need a light, perfectly sweet, flavorful chocolate frosting. This is my new go-to frosting recipe.  Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting - Sally's Baking 339g (12 oz.) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened 170g (12 Tbsp; 3/4 C.) butter, softened 420g (3 1/2 C.) confectioners’ sugar…

For whatever reason, today I’m walking around seeing everything as component parts. For example: instead of seeing the comfy red chair in my office, I’m seeing that chair (so comfy!) with all of the materials that went into it lined up in a row. The tree that provided the wooden legs, the cotton growing in a field before being harvested, carded, spun, dyed and woven, the metal ore that needed to be mined, processed and extruded to make the wire frame, the stuffing made of...

“It's the questions we can't answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he'll look for his own answers.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear * * * Photo by Nick Owuor (astro.nic.portraits) on Unsplash