NATO Phonetic Alphabet

A – Alpha

B – Bravo

C- Charlie

D – Delta

E – Echo

F – Foxtrot

G – Golf

H – Hotel

I – India

J – Juliett

K – Kilo

L – Lima (pronounced Lee-Mah like the city)

M – Mike

N – November

O – Oscar

P – Papa

Q – Quebec

R – Romeo

S – Sierra

T – Tango

U – Uniform

V – Victor

W – Whiskey

X – Xray

Y – Yankee

Z – Zulu

Spellings and pronunciations have varied over time. For more information check out wikipedia.

Handwriting Analysis

Graphology is the rather fascinating study of writing. In a world that is increasingly relying on printed and electronic communication, many people might be surprised to find that their handwriting can still say much about their personality and outlook. It can be a fun and inexpensive hobby.

To obtain a good handwriting sample you need unlined paper and a sample of at least 100 words. A fountain or ball point pen should also be used, whichever the writer typically uses. The sample should also be original and not copied material, and no poetry. Whether you are right or left handed can also affect the results. These results are for righties.

If you are curious, here is a handwriting test you can take online using your computer. Not very accurate, and you are the one who tells the computer what characteristics your writing has, but it is an interesting introduction. Handwriting Personality Quiz

Characteristics:

• Slant to the right – an extrovert. someone who like to interact with the world around them and is very expressive. Sociable and impulsive with a tendency to think about the future.
• Straight up and down – Works well alone. Logical and in control of their emotions.
• Slant to the left – an independent who tends to work better alone. Can lack spontaneity, but may also be expressing a rebellious side.

 

• Large – Likes to stand out with a big personality.
• Small – Introspective and meticulous. The writer can also be resourceful and thrifty with an ability to concentrate easily.
• Average – Well adjusted and adaptable.

 

• Small spaced words – The writer is talkative and spontaneous.
• Large spaced words – Inhibited, isolated, but cultured.

 

• Narrow line spacing – Thrifty and frugal, but a hasty decision maker.
• Wide line spacing – Lonely, but well-mannered with good organization skills.

Free Genealogy Forms

So you want to plan out your characters ahead of time, but you don’t know where to start? Maybe you are writing an epic about a family, but you are having trouble keeping all the aunts and uncles separate. Perhaps you just want to make the task of writing back story for characters a little easier. Or maybe, just maybe, you are actually interested in your own genealogy and family history. Either way there are several websites that offer free resources for amateur genealogists. Writers can also use them to help with character development. Just make up what you put on the forms to fit your characters needs.

Midwest Genealogy Center – Family History Forms (The research log can also be used for general research of whatever you want to write. A great way to keep track and you can substitute a web address for the dewey number if you are doing an online search.)

National Archives – Ancestral and Family Charts

(Lots of other resources for genealogists as well.)

Bailey’s Free Genealogy Forms – Various Forms

Astrological Signs

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Strange Hobbies

While we all have certain things we like to do for fun, some hobbies cross the line from interesting to just plain weird. These are the hobbies that make most people stop and wonder who would come up with that. Some make us want to try our hand at them, others not so much. Here are several options if you are looking for new and interesting hobby or just want to wonder about those who are currently practicing them.

Origami – This is the art of paper folding that many of us learn as children. The people who practice this as a hobby can take this art into extreme forms. Unlike the swans and airplanes that most of us learn, these creations can include various plants, animals, characters from cartoons and video games, detailed shapes, insects, and buildings. Some of them can get very complex and impressive.

Taphophilia – or “grave rubbing”, is the practicing of taking a piece of paper and pencil and rubbing to get the impression of a graves inscription and decoration. While this can be done on any grave, older and more ornate graves tend to be pretty popular.

Pooktre Art – otherwise known as tree shaping. This one requires some patience, and a bit of a green thumb. It entails shaping the tree as it grows until it is literally living art.

Hikaru Dorodango – As strange as it sounds, this hobby is all about polishing dirt. Apparently there is a certain technique you can use to do it. Sounds interesting, but I am not sure I would want to make a permanent hobby of this.

Crayon Carving – This is exactly what it sounds like. You carve a crayon like a piece of wood into different shapes and animals. Single animals or totem pole like creations, you are limited only by your imagination (well, and the size of the crayon).