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Author Archives: Confanity
Even a blog of a thousand posts begins with a single keystroke
千里の道も一歩より (Senri no michi mo ippo yori; “Even a road of a thousand ri, from one step.”) Definition: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Even the most daunting undertakings begin with a simple action – … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged single step, thousand miles, thousand ri, 千里, 一歩
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Toddler cognitive / linguistic development, part 4
The kid has acquired glottal stops! For several days now, he’s been saying “niʔnn” (like a slurred “neaten”). The word appears to be entirely of his own invention, but we’ve figured out that he uses it when he wants to … Continue reading
Posted in Musing, Nonfiction
Tagged cognitive development, glottal stop, linguistic development, mimi, the kid
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Telling it like it do be
是是非非 ze.ze.hi.hi Literally: correct – correct – mistake – mistake Alternately: Fairness; honesty; impartiality. Calling correct things correct and mistaken things mistaken, objectively, instead of allowing one’s biases to become involved. Notes: May also be written with the repeating mark … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 非非, fairness, impartiality, ramen, TILII nosh, 是々非々, 是是
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Clowns to the left of me; jokers to the right
過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し (Sugitaru wa nao oyobazaru ga gotoshi; “Too much is the same as not enough.”) Definition: Overdoing something is ultimately the same as not doing it enough. For most human endeavors there is a happy medium range, and going beyond … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Analects, 過ぎたる, happy medium, not enough, overdoing, 及ばざる, 如し
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Magic Monday – What HAS it got in its pocketses?
Conjurer’s Pocket Proving once again that convenience is more highly prized than safety, this rote carries several risks but is still used to reduce the weight of several logistical considerations, whether the magician is on the road or just simplifying … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, Setting, World-Building
Tagged call to hand, Magic Monday, pocket, Shadow
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A stance askance
斜に構える (Sha ni kamaeru; “take a diagonal stance”) Definition: To behave as if the situation isn’t serious; to adopt a (mockingly) aloof attitude, especially toward an opponent or problem. To view things in an ironic or cynical light. Breakdown: Technically … Continue reading
You get what you do, so do wisely!
自業自得 ji.gou.ji.toku Literally: self – business / performance – self – get Alternately: You reap what you sow. When you act, you will get results according to your actions. This is generally used in negative situations, to point out that … Continue reading
Magic Monday – In tribal Tal, ground grasp at you
Clutch of the Soil A signature spell of the adepts of the Tal, in the dry north. The caster shapes a hand (and part of an arm) out of the ground and causes it to move as if it were … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, Setting, World-Building
Tagged arm, dueling, earth, Magic Monday, soil, Tal
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Just the right number of cooks?
三人寄れば文殊の知恵 (Sannin yoreba Monju no chie; “If three people gather, the wisdom of Manjusri”) Definition: Two (or more!) heads are better than one. When ordinary people consider an issue together as a group, they can produce more great ideas than … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged brainstorming, cooks, group, heads are better, Manjusri, wisdom, 文殊の知恵, 三人寄れば
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