According to Christopher Vogler (author of The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers) “all stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies. They are known collectively as The Hero’s Journey.” http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/10/heros-journeypart-1-journey.html This first of a series of posts on The Hero's Journey describes the journey itself.

In the wake of Hurricane Ike, many are still without services. Is global warming the cause for increased frequency and intensity of violent storms like Ike? http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/09/intensity-of-hurricane-ike-linked-to.html

[Singing sands] at times fill the air with the sounds of all kinds of musical instruments, and also of drums and the clash of arms—Marco Polo, 13th Century Explorer Certain sand dunes, particularly when disturbed, will occasionally emit a loud, low-pitch rumble that lasts up to 15 minutes and can be heard up to 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. Find out why: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/09/singing-sandsnatures-boom-boxes.html. Nature is SO COOL!

What does the exquisite Chambord raspberry liqueur and Louisville Kentucky have in common? Find out and also get cool recipes for drinks and desserts. http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/08/chambord-liqueur-royale-deluxethe-taste.html

OOPS.... sorry, I sent you the wrong URL. Here is the right one for NASA's 50th birthday: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/07/nasa-celebrates-its-50th-aniversary.html

NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary: read a summary of its wonderful history and catch some VERY COOL PICS! http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2007/11/sacred-balance.html

Join Nina on her continuing tour of the US in "America, You're Beautiful--Part 2: Louisville, Kentucky." Read about Louisville's coolest, funkiest part of town, where to shop, eat and meet people: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/07/america-youre-beautifulpart-2.html

America, You're Beautiful! Follow Nina's drive across the Unites States and her eclectic observations of the central states and take the twister quiz here: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/07/america-youre-beautiful.html

The colour green may not be the dominant colour (of photosynthesis) on other planets. Find out what and why from your very own Alien Next Door: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-color-is-your-alien.html

The Phoenix lands on Mars! See pictures and join in on some lively conversation about space exploration: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/05/phoenix-landing-on-mars_28.html

When I was first tantalized by the high-speed trailor for the 2005 Paramount motion picture, Aeon Flux, directed by Karyn Kusama (Girlfight), I was blissfully unaware of its history: that it was based on the darkly irreverant and raunchy 1995 MTV Liquid Television animated SF series created by Korean American animator, Peter Chung. Read the review here: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/05/aeon-flux-motion-picture-animation.html

Happy Mother's Day! Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face --George Eliot What is a mother? ... We are all mothers. Every woman is a mother, whether she gives birth to a child or a movement; whether she nurtures a family, a corporation or a nation. --Nina Munteanu - auther, scientist and mother http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-mothers-day.html

Getting lost in Paris...On my third day in Paris, I got lost. I didn’t mean to; it just happened... Paris unfolds like an impressionist canvas, to be interpreted through experience. It is an aria, both exquisite and haunting, like the lingering aftertaste in the back of my throat of a complex bitter-sweet Bordeaux. I lost myself willingly to its mystery. “Real travel,” says Mark Kingwell, “means we must surrender expectations and submit to chance, to challenge our desires, not merely satisfy existing ones…Leaving home ought to be, above all…that plunge into otherness…Getting lost to yourself might be the best way to find out who you are.” http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-lost-in-paris.html

Climate change and your health...find out what the real cost is...http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/03/climate-change-human-healthfriday.html

Happy Easter, everyone! Victor Frankl, survivor of the Holocaust, says: "success cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself..." http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/03/victor-frankl-holocaustfriday-feature.html

The Paradox of Africa: the Little Things. When I traveled to Africa with thoughts of magnificent wildlife, I was unprepared for its true magnificence: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/03/paradox-of-africa-little-things.html

Creative Destruction--Is global warming just another paradox? Read this ecologist's view: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/03/creative-destructionyet-another-paradox.html

The Science & Magic of Love: http://sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/02/science-magic-of-loverevisited.html

Happy Holidays all! This weeks feature is on negotiations, it's entitled, "Give Away The Farm Because the Barn Costs More." Enjoy! http://howtosplitanatom.com/news/give-away-the-farm-because-the-barn-costs-more/

This weeks feature is "A Case For Blogging" where I look at some common misconceptions that mainstream media has about bloggers. Enjoy! http://howtosplitanatom.com/news/a-case-for-blogging/