Author Archive: Eric San Juan
Eric San Juan
January 23, 2017
Contributed Post When a new year swings round, most people stick to resolutions are by and large positive, but also by and large relatively uninteresting to anyone other than the person doing them. This year, you’ll be doing something different to the usual healthy eating, gym going, and alcohol abstaining promises of the new year; this year, you will become an artist. “Me, an artist? But I can barely hold a pencil!” I hear you cry through muffled, anxious tones. Don’t worry – the arts are wide and diverse, there’ll be something for you. And if there’s not, then really don’t worry – because having talent is actually only a small part of being an artist; the majority is looking like an artist. So long…
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Eric San Juan
January 22, 2017
My email filters are usually pretty good at catching nonsense like this. Yours probably are, too. This one got through, however, so I thought I’d toss it out there, even if only so that other people Googling to see if it’s legit will have more information to go on. The scam starts with an email, such as this one I just got titled “Welcome to Mystery Shoppers” From info_tech01@email.utah.edu JOB DESCRIPTION: 1. You will receive funds for the task. 2. You will receive instructions for the task you via email in the location and details of the task. 3. You must complete the task as quickly as possible and quietly. 4. You will be asked to visit the business location for doing good business restaurants, shopping…
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Eric San Juan
January 20, 2017
Contributed Post Picture Source Ah, yes, children. Little joys of the world; miracles of life; bane of your existence. We’ve all been there before, and I know why you’ve trudged over here with your head hanging low and options running even lower. They’ve been nagging you again, and you’re at your wit’s end. This time they want a pool, and you most likely laughed in their faces to begin with. Still, maybe you shouldn’t be so hasty to dismiss the idea. Now you’re most likely laughing in my face, but I guarantee that you won’t be so against the thought of a swimming pool once you’ve considered the benefits to you. I’m not saying you don’t want your kids to be happy, of course (we’d…
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Eric San Juan
January 19, 2017
Eight years ago, Stephen Segal, then creative director at the legendary Weird Tales magazine, asked if he could use some modest writings I had been doing on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman for a 20th anniversary retrospective he was putting together. Naturally, I said yes. Sadly, the series was lost in a website revamp. Not wanting it to disappear into the ether, I’m now presenting it on my site in 11 parts (alas, without the benefit of Stephen’s editing; these are pre-publication versions). Hope you enjoy. Recurring Dream: An Anniversary Re-reading of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Part 11 of 11, The Wake Originally published on the Weird Tales website, January 2009 What is a wake but a time to remember and reflect? A wake is an ending. A closing of…
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Eric San Juan
January 19, 2017
Contributed Post Writing is rewarding. It’s also very hard. Like with any creative pursuit, you have to go out and seek inspiration. We could all sit around and wait for the muse to pay us a visit, but we’d be waiting a long time. Some people believe writing is a natural talent. For the most part, that’s not true. You may not be able to teach yourself to write well in the general sense, but there are things you can do to ensure you’re the best writer you can be. Here are a few things no writer can do without! Image from Pixabay READ That’s right. To write, you need to read. You should read everything you can. Remember in Matilda, when she reads…
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