Tarnation's Alpha-Loci: Self-Assembled Alphabetical Memory Palaces

[tarnation]

Hi Everybody,

I have been meaning to some rough notes available for my alphabetical memory palaces. They are used to create ad-hoc memory palaces that you can quickly use to turn keywords, such as names, words, abbreviations, and even phrases into virtual memory palaces. Some assembly required.

The idea is that you have a body of information you wish to remember. You select a salient key word and use alphabet mnemonics to turn the word into a (virtual) memory palace (which is memorable in and of itself). Then, after letting that home-baked memory palace harden for a short while, you can use it to store other related information.

So, if you wanted to remember information about a particular person, you could turn their name into a memory palace, then use that memory palace to remember facts about them.

I am not going to go into any detail about how to use it. For now, I am more interested in simply dropping these rough notes here in case somebody else finds them handy to do something similar.

A quick explanation:
At a high level, some of the notes are loosely organized in a particular numerical order to suggest a possible way to use them.

1. Settings & Locations
2. Building Elements
3. Foci & Furniture
4. Means of Conveyance
5. Barriers, Boundaries, Passages and Pathways
6. Stories and Characters
7. Verbs - Action Pegs

One plan was that each of the main numbered sections can be associated with the position of each letter in the keyword you want to turn into an memory item.

So, imagine your keyword is Beryllium (i.e.: the atomic element). You might organize your plan as follows:

B an alpha mnemonic from Settings and Locations (1)
E an alpha mnemonic from Building Elements(2)
R an alpha mnemonic from Foci and Furniture (3)
Y an alpha mnemonic from Means of Conveyance (4)
L an alpha mnemonic from Barriers, Boundaries, Passages and Pathways (5)

So, you might construct a memory palace by along the following lines:

B - Beach setting
E - Earth Shelter building (such as a house built into a hill or mountain)
R - Rocking Chair
Y - Yellow brick road,
L - Litter (aka a Palanquin, used to transport Indian and Chinese royalty in older times)

The idea is that you would combine the above elements to form an image of a place. I won’t bother trying to describe how to do that.

Notes (very poorly organized):

• Arctic, Amphitheater, Alleyway, Aerocar
  

• Beach, Bridge, Bridge, Bike
  

• Celestial, Cabana, Catwalk, Chariot
  

• Desolation, Derelict, Doors, Dogsled
  

• Earth, Earth shelter, Entrance, Elephant
  

• Futuristic, Farm, Footpath, Fly (harnessed)
  

• Grotto, Gazebo, Garden path, Grocery Cart
  

• Heavenly, Haunted house, Hallway, Horse and buggy
  

• Inferno, Ice castle, Intersection, Inner tube
  

• Jardin, Junkyard, Jungle trail, Jet pack
  

• Knoll, Kiosk, Kitchen corridor, Kayak
  

• Lux, Lighthouse, Looking glass, Litter
  

• Monsoonal, Mausoleum, Magic Portal, Monorail
  

• Nebulous, Nissen Hut, Narrow passageway, pNeumatic tube
  

• Oceanic, Observatory, Overpass, Ox cart
  

• Plateaux, Palace, Pipe, Parasail
  

• Quixotic, Quadriporticus, Quarry, Quidditch broom
  

• Rivulet, Rotunda, River, Roller coaster
  

• Snow, Stonehenge, Stairway, Segway
  

• Trail, Tower, Tunnel, Tractor
  

• Underworld, Undercroft, Underground passage, Unicycle
  

• Verdant, Veranda, Valley, Volkswagen minibus
  

• Waterfall, Windmill, Walkway, Wagon, Wings
  

• eXtraterrestrial, eXposition pavillion, eXit, eXoskelton, X-wing jet
  

• Yesternalia, Yurt, Yellow brick road, Yellow cab
  

• Zonk, Ziggurat, Zaguan, Zeppelin
  

1. Settings & Locations
   Handy Settings:
2. Desert - sand, oasis, camels,
3. North (Pole) - snow, Inuit, santa, reindeer, elves, toys
4. Museum - Statues, Paintings, Artifacts
5. Urban area - Skyscrapers, cars, buses, metro, people
6. Hell - fire, torture devices, demons
7. Jungle - tropical trees, stream, huts, apes, pygmies, swinging vines, treehouse
8. Graveyard, ghosts (0),
9. Heaven - clouds, angels
10. Party - balloons, revelry
11. Space - craters, space men with ray-guns, rocket ship (10)

12. ---

13. Trip - road, vehicle, different characters

15. ---

16. Serengeti - savannah, lions, elephants, gnu, gazelles
17. Orient - pagodas, buddhas, rice paddies, geishas, samurai
18. Ruins - greek ruins, old statues, cobblestone roads, people in togas
19. Arena - sports arena
20. Ocean - water, pirate ships, mermaids, dolphins, whales
21. Garden - flowers, butterflies, bees, fountain, benches
22. Farm - cows, pigs, chickens
23. Paris - Eifel Tower, L’Arche de Triomphe

12 Atmospheres::

1. Auroral
2. Arctic
3. Extraterrestrial
4. Aquatic
5. Reverie
6. Pastoral
7. Heavenly
8. Resort
9. Occult
10. Thermidor
11. Crepuscule
12. Opulent
13. Pluvial
14. Festival
15. Verdant
16. Damnation
17. Futuristic

General Settings and Locations:

1. Airport
2. Cemetery
3. Cinema
4. Desert
5. Farm
6. Field / Meadow
7. Forest
8. Garden
9. Gas Station
10. Graffiti Wall
11. Hell
12. Hill
13. Hospital
14. Hotel
15. Ice rink
16. Lemonade Stand
17. Mall
18. Mansion
19. Marina
20. Military Base
21. Mount Royal
22. Mountain
23. Narrows
24. Nature Scene
25. Naval Vessel
26. News Stand
27. Night Club
28. Nirvana
29. North
30. Nude dancing
31. Nudist Camp
32. Nursery
33. Nurse Station
34. Oasis
35. Ocean
36. Orchard
37. Park
38. Parking Lot
39. Plateau
40. Road
41. Temple (Church, Mosque, etc.)
42. Theatre
43. Town Square
44. Woods
45. Zoo

---

2. Building Elements

3. Abacus (of a column)

4. Aisle

5. Alcove

6. Alter

7. Ambulacrum

8. American Flag

9. Apple Tree

10. Apse

11. Archway

12. Armoury

13. Atrium

14. Attic

15. Attic Stairway

16. Awning

17. Bailey

18. Balcony

19. Ballroom

20. Balustrade

21. Bar

22. Barracks

23. Basement

24. Bathroom

25. Bathroom Cabinet

26. Battering Ram

27. Battlement

28. Beam

29. Bean Bag Chair

30. Bed

31. Bedroom

32. Bell tower

33. Bench

34. Bike Rack

35. Bird cage

36. Blacksmith workshop

37. Blanket

38. Bleachers

39. Bookcase

40. Booth

41. Bowling lane

42. Bridge

43. Bunk Bed

44. Buttress

45. Candle

46. Capital (of a column)

47. Carousel

48. Castle

49. Cellar Door

50. Cesspit / Cesspool

51. Chair

52. Chaise Longue

53. Chamberpot

54. Chandelier

55. Chapel

56. Chest

57. Choir

58. Church

59. Cistern

60. Closet / Cupboard

61. Clothes line

62. Coat Rack

63. Coffee Table

64. Colonnade

65. Column

66. Corinthian Column

67. Corner Unit

68. Corral

69. Cottage

70. Counter

71. Court (e.g.: Castle Courtroom)

72. Courtyard

73. Crenel/Crenellation

74. Crib / Cradle / Bassinet

75. Crypt

76. Cubicle

77. Cuckoo Clock

78. Curtains

79. Dance Floor

80. Deacon’s Bench

81. Deck / Patio

82. Desk

83. Dining Room

84. Dining Table

85. Disco Ball

86. Disco Floor

87. Display Case / Curio Cabinet

88. Ditch

89. Divan

90. Dock

91. Dog house

92. Doll house

93. Dome

94. Donjon

95. Door

96. Doric Column

97. Dormer Window

98. Downstairs

99. Drafting Table

100. Drain

101. Drawbridge

102. Drawer

103. Dresser

104. Driveway

105. Dungeon

106. Earth

107. Earthen Ramp

108. Eatery

109. Egyptian Column

110. Electrical Tower

111. Elevated Railroad

112. Elevator

113. Enfilade

114. Entrance

115. Entry Hall

116. Escalator

117. Estipite

118. Fainting Couch

119. False Wall

120. Fan

121. Fauteuil

122. Fence

123. Filing Cabinet

124. Fire extinguisher

125. Fire hose

126. Fire place

127. Fireman’s Pole

128. Firewood shelter

129. Flag

130. Flood Light

131. Flowers

132. Flying Buttress

133. Footbridge

134. Forklift

135. Fountain

136. Four Poster Bed / Canopy Bed

137. French Windows

138. Fridge

139. Frieze

140. Fur rug

141. Futon

142. Garage / Carport

143. Garbage Bin

144. Garden

145. Garden Ornaments

146. Gate

147. Gazebo

148. Ghetto

149. Glass Wall

150. Glass- (Combines with next word)

151. Gloriette

152. Granary

153. Grandfather Clock

154. Grave / Grave stone

155. Green house

156. Grid

157. Grotto

158. Garderobe

159. Hagioscope

160. Hall

161. Hammock

162. Hat Rack

163. Hearth

164. Hedge

165. Hill

166. Hole

167. Hole in the wall

168. Horse

169. Horse and buggy

170. Horse stall

171. Hose

172. Hutch

173. Ice Blanket

174. Ice Blink

175. Ice Box

176. Ice Cream Truck

177. Ice Fall

178. Ice House

179. Ice Rink

180. Ice Sculpture

181. Ice- (Combines with next word)

182. Incendrier

183. Inglenook

184. Inkwell

185. Inkbottle

186. Inkhorn

187. Inner Bailey

188. Inner Gatehouse

189. Inner Sanctum

190. Interior Lights

191. Interstitial space

192. Ionic Column

193. Jail cell

194. Jalousie Window / Louvre Window

195. Jardin

196. Jetty

197. Joist

198. Juke Box

199. Keep

200. Killzone

201. Kitchen

202. Kitchen Stove

203. Ladder

204. Lair (as in comic criminal hideout)

205. Lamp

206. Lamp Pole

207. Lantern

208. Laser lights

209. Lawn

210. Lawn Ornament

211. Log Cabin

212. Loggia

213. Lookout

214. Loudspeakers

215. Lounge Chair

216. Lower Floor

217. Love Seat

218. Machicolation

219. Makeup Table

220. Mantle

221. Mattress

222. Merlons

223. Mess Hall

224. Mews

225. Mezzanine

226. Minaret

227. Mirror

228. Moat

229. Monks Bench

230. Mouse hole

231. Murder Hole

232. Murphy Bed

233. Naiskos

234. Naos

235. Napery

236. Narthex / Foyer / Antechamber / Lobby

237. Nature

238. Nave

239. Newel Post

240. Newspaper office

241. Newsstand

242. Niche

243. Night Stool (Necessary Stool/Close Stool)

244. Night Table

245. Non-descriptia (non-descript images: grass, flowers, junk, etc., that help fill or define a space, but which the inner eye does not fully focus on)

246. Noodle shop

247. Nook

248. Nursery

249. Obelisk

250. Observation Deck

251. Oculus (circular windowO

252. Oculus Rift (VR gear)

253. Onion Dome

254. Opera

255. Operating Room

256. Oratorium

257. Orb

258. Orchard

259. Orchestra

260. Organ

261. Ornament

262. Ottoman

263. Oubliette

264. Outer Bailey

265. Outer Gatehouse

266. Outhouse

267. Overhang

268. Overpass

269. Oxcart

270. Pagoda

271. Painting

272. Pallette

273. Panel

274. Panorama

275. Pantry

276. Parapet

277. Pavillion

278. Pediment

279. Pen

280. Pendulum Clock

281. Perch

282. Phone / Phone booth

283. Photo Display

284. Photographer

285. Picnic Table

286. Pigpen

287. Pilaster

288. Pillar / Column

289. Pinball Machine

290. Plant

291. Play house

292. Playpen

293. Plinth

294. Podium

295. Poker Table

296. Pool

297. Pool Table / Billiard Table / Snooker Table

298. Porch

299. Portcullis

300. Post

301. Post Box

302. Post Office

303. Printer

304. Printing Press

305. Pump

306. Pyramid

307. Q AQuarium

308. Quadratura

309. Quarrel

310. Quarry

311. Quarters (e.g.: Living Quarters)

312. Quatrefoil

313. Queen Post

314. Rain barrel

315. Ram

316. Ramp

317. Rampart

318. Reading lamp

319. Recess

320. Reclining Chair

321. Record Player / Hifi / Radiogram

322. Red light

323. Refectory / Banquet / Feasting Table

324. Revolving Door

325. Rink

326. Road

327. Rock

328. Rocking Chair

329. Roll away bed

330. Roof

331. Roof Lantern / Cupola

332. Rostrum

333. Rug / Carpet

334. Sandbox

335. Satellite Dish

336. Scala Regia

337. Sconce

338. Screen / Monitor / Computer / TV

339. Screen / Partition

340. Scullery

341. Secret Door

342. Shelf

343. Shelter

344. Shower

345. Shrine

346. Side door

347. Sign

348. Sink

349. Slide

350. Smoked Glass

351. Sofa

352. Solar (Medieval Castle Living Room)

353. Solomonic Column

354. Sphinx

355. Spire

356. Springer

357. Stables

358. Stage

359. Stained Glass

360. Staircase / Stairwell / Stairs

361. Statue

362. Statuette

363. Step ladder

364. Steps

365. Stile

366. Stone wall

367. Stool

368. Stoop

369. Store

370. Store Room

371. Street Lamp

372. Strobe Light

373. Study

374. Sunken-floor

375. Swing

376. Switchback

377. T - Christian cross

378. Table

379. Telephone

380. Telephone Pole

381. Tent

382. Terrace

383. Tilt Yard

384. Toilet

385. Torch

386. Tower

387. Transom Window

388. Trap Door

389. Trebuchet

390. Trellis

391. Triptych

392. Trophy Display

393. Trough

394. Truss

395. Truth Window

396. Tub

397. Turnstyle

398. Turret

399. Tuscan Column

400. Umbrella Stand

401. Undercroft

402. Underpass

403. Upper Floor

404. Upstairs

405. Urn

406. Utility Cabin

407. Utility Room

408. Vanity / Dressing Table

409. Vase

410. Vault

411. Vaulted Ceiling

412. Venetian Blind

413. Venetian Window

414. Veranda / Balcony

415. Vestibule

416. Vines

417. Vitruvian Scroll

418. Voussoir

419. Walkway

420. Wall

421. Wall Clock

422. Wardrobe / Armoire / Chifforobe

423. Wash Stand w/Basin

424. Watchtower

425. Water / Ocean / Lake / River / Stream / Brook / Waterfall

426. Water Pump

427. Water trough

428. Wattle and Daub

429. Weeping Willow

430. Well

431. Whitewash

432. Widow’s Walk

433. Winch

434. Windlass

435. Window

436. Window Box

437. Wishing Well

438. Witch Window

439. Wiring (as in exposed wall wiring)

440. Wooden Beam

441. Wood Stove

442. Workbench

443. Workshop

444. X Exercise Equipment

445. X Exterior Lights

446. X Extinguisher

447. Yard

448. Yard equipment

449. Yard light

450. Zen Garden

451. Zoological- (Combines with next word)

452. Zoom- (Combines with next word)

453. Zwinger

454. Atrium

455. Bird Cage

456. Courtyard

457. Dance floor no

458. Elevator

459. Footbridge

460. Gazebo

461. Hallway

462. Inglenook

463. Jardin

464. Kill zone

465. Ladder

466. Mezzanine

467. Narthex

468. Overpass

469. Perch

470. Quatrefoil

471. Road

472. Staircase

473. Tower

474. Undercroft

475. Veranda

476. Wooden Beam

477. Exercise Room

478. Exhedra

479. Yard

480. Zen Garden

---

3. Foci & Furniture

4. Anvil

5. Apple Tree

6. Archery Bullseye Target

7. ATM

8. Band (Musical) Instruments

9. Bar

10. Barber’s Chair

11. Bed

12. Bench

13. Bench Press

14. Bird Bath

15. Bird Cage

16. Bistro Table

17. Bowling Lane

18. Boxing Ring

19. Buffet

20. Bull statue from Wall Street

21. Bunk Bed

22. Cage (As in Planet of the Apes)

23. Carousel

24. Cash Register

25. Catapult

26. Celebration Cake

27. Coffin

28. Cross

29. Dinosaur Skeleton

30. Diving Board

31. Dog House

32. Eggs (Easter)

33. Eggs (Faberge)

34. Egyptian Sarcophagus

35. Egyptian statue of Ra

36. Electric Chair

37. Fire Hydrant

38. Firing Squad Wall

39. Floodlight

40. Flotation Duck

41. Fountain

42. Foxhole

43. Front Step

44. Gallows

45. Gas Pump

46. Gate

47. Graecian Urn

48. Gramophone / Phonograph

49. Grave Stone

50. Guard House

51. Gum Ball Machine

52. Guillotine

53. Hut

54. Hammock

55. Hamster Wheel

56. Haystack

57. Hockey Goal

58. Hot Dog Vendor

59. Hot Springs

60. Huge Teddy Bear

61. Human Skeleton

62. Icon

63. Idol (e.g.: Buddha)

64. Igloo

65. Illustration

66. Image

67. Indian (Cigar Store)

68. Ironing Board

69. Jacuzzi

70. Juke Box

71. Keg

72. Knight’s Armor

73. Lectern

74. Lemonade Stand

75. Life Guard Chair

76. Manhole

77. Massage Table

78. Monkey Bars (Rocket Shaped)

79. Murphy Bed

80. Napery

81. Narcissus (flower)

82. Naufrage

83. Nau-sea (Flintstones boat)

84. Neckerchief

85. Necktie

86. Nest

87. Nestling

88. Net (Basketball, Tennis, Bed, etc)

89. Newspaper

90. Nickelodeon

91. Nicknack

92. Nightmare

93. Night table

94. Obelisk

95. Octagon

96. Office Desk

97. Organ

98. Orrery

99. Ottoman

100. Park Bench

101. Phone Booth

102. Piano

103. Piñata

104. Pinball Machine

105. Play House

106. Pool Table

107. Porch Swing

108. Quilles (Bowling Pins)

109. Quilt

110. Rocking Chair

111. Rocking horse

112. Roll away cot

113. Roll top desk

114. Sand box

115. Scales

116. Sewing Machine

117. Ship’s wheel

118. Shoe Shine Seat

119. Sledge Hammer & Bell

120. Snowman

121. Sofa

122. Spiral Staircase

123. Statue

124. Stepladder

125. Street Lamp

126. Taxidermy bear

127. Teepee

128. Teeter totter

129. Telescope

130. Throne

131. Toilet

132. Totem pole

133. Trampoline

134. Trapeze

135. Treadmill

136. Treasure Chest

137. Tree House

138. Triptych

139. TV

140. Urinal

141. Urn

142. Vending Machine

143. Veranda

144. Water Pump

145. Water Slide

146. Well

147. Windmill

148. Wood Stove

149. Xylophone

150. Yak (Taxidermy)

151. Zamboni

0 - ottomans, papasans, round rug, round coffee table
1 - tree or tall plant, towel or trouser holder
2 - pet dog, cat, lion (live, statuette)
3 - divan, love seat, sofa
4 - wooden chair, side table, trunk, chest,
5 - fireplace, heater, Franklin, wood stove
6 - rocking chair, lazy boy, armchair, wheelchair
7 - awning, umbrella, covered bed, curtain, draping, netting
8 - shelf, cabinet, closet
9 - lamp, lighting, lantern

• Anvil
• Bench
• Cradle
• Desk
• Easel
• Fireplace
• Gramophone
• Hammock
• Ironing Board
• Jacuzzi
• Keg
• Ladder
• Monkey Bars
• Narnia Lamp post
• Organ Grinder
• Plant
• Queen-size Bed
• Rocking Horse
• Statue
• Toilet
• Urinal
• Vanity table
• Water Slide
• EXercise Machine
• Yoga Space
• Zen Garden

---

4. Means of Conveyance

5. Aerocar (Jetsons)

6. Airplane

7. Apparition (Scrooge)

8. Aquatic bus

9. Beam (Star Trek)

10. Bicycle

11. Big Bike (Multiple riders)

12. Blown by wind

13. Boat

14. Broomstick

15. Bumper car

16. Camel

17. Cannon

18. Canoe

19. Car

20. Carriage

21. Catapult

22. Chariot

23. Conveyor belt

24. Dandelion pollen

25. Dogsled

26. Dragged by horse

27. Dragon flight

28. Drone

29. Eagle

30. Elephant

31. Fire Engine

32. Flintstones car

33. Floating teacup

34. Flown by Superman

35. Flying car

36. Flying castle or city

37. Flying ship

38. Flying Umbrella

39. Foot (Walk / Run / Jog)

40. Giant Eagle

41. Giant slide

42. Golf Cart

43. Gondola

44. Green Lantern’s ring

45. Grocery Cart

46. Happy train

47. Helicopter

48. Horse and Buggy

49. Hot air balloon

50. Hover board

51. Hover craft

52. Huge Rolling Spherical Frame

53. Huge Soap Bubble

54. Ice Boat

55. Inner tube

56. Jet pack

57. Jump

58. Kangaroo

59. Kayak

60. Litter / Palanquin

61. Log bridge

62. Maker (Giant Worm)

63. Magic Carpet

64. Magic school bus

65. Monorail

66. Motorcycle

67. Motorcycle Side Car

68. Mounted Ant

69. Mounted cat

70. Mounted Dinosaur

71. Mounted Dolphin

72. Mounted duck

73. Mounted horse

74. Moving sidewalk

75. Mule

76. N Pneumatic Tube / Hyperloop

77. Ox Cart

78. Paper Airplane

79. Parachute

80. Parasail

81. Parkour

82. Pegasus

83. Piggyback

84. Pogo stick

85. Polar bear

86. Propeller Hat

87. Public Ttansit (Metto, bus, trolley)

88. Quidditch broom

89. Race Car

90. Raft

91. Rickshaw

92. Rocket ship

93. Roller coaster

94. Rolling bed

95. Santa’s Sleigh

96. Scooter

97. Segway

98. Ship

99. Shopping cart

100. Skates

101. Ski

102. Ski lift

103. Snowmobile

104. Star Wars land speeder

105. Stilts

106. Stretcher

107. Submarine

108. Surf board

109. Swimming

110. Swing rope or vine

111. Tank

112. Tardis

113. Tight rope

114. Time machine (HG Wells)

115. Tow Truck

116. Tractor

117. Tractor Trailer

118. Train

119. Train track Handcar

120. Tricycle

121. Truck

122. U-Haul

123. Unicycle

124. Volkswagon

125. Volkswagon minibus

126. Wheelbarrow

127. Wings

128. Worm hole

129. X-wing fighter

130. Yacht

131. Yellow cab

132. Yellow submarine

133. Zeppelin

134. Zip line

---

5. Barriers, Boundaries, Passages and Pathways:

alleyway
aquaduct
arcade
archway
arroyo
astroturf
autobahn
beach
bicycle path
boardwalk
brick road
bridge
canal
canyon
cave passage
cellar door
channel
chimney
cobblestone road
conveyer system
corridor
coulee
covered bridge
covered hole
dale
dell
dirt path
door
doorway
entrance
exit
fell
ferry
field
foggy road or walkway
forest path
grove
gully
hallway
highway
hole in ground
hole in wall
interstate highway
jungle trail
K
ladder
looking glass
manhole
meadow
mirror
moat
monkey bars
mountain pass
nave
overpass
park
passageway
pasture
pathway
playground
portable
porthole
quarry
ramp
ravine
river
riverside path
road
rope bridge
secret passage
sewer system
ship’s corridor
sidewalk between fences
sidewalk
skateboard park
skywalk
spiral stairway
stairway
stile
tightrope or slackline
trail
trap door
tunnel
underpass
valley
wadi
water way
window hole
X - treasure map path
yellow brick road
Zigzag Route

6. Stories and Characters

Context: Activity, Setting, Locus, Event, Action, Reaction, Climax

I. Handy Settings:

1. Desert - sand, oasis, camels,
2. North (Pole) - snow, santa, reindeer, elves, toys
3. Mountain - Tibet, mountain goats, cliffs, snow caps
4. Rural area - Farms, cows, horses, trees
5. Hell - fire, torture devices, demons
6. Jungle - tropical trees, stream, huts, apes, pygmies, swinging vines, treehouse
7. Ghetto - grafitti wall, cars on blocks, grubby shops, open fire hydrant
8. Heaven - clouds, angels
9. Party - balloons, revelry
10. Cemetery - graves, ghosts (0), Space - craters, space men with ray-guns, rocket ship (10)
11. Trip - road, vehicle, different characters
12. Spring scene - Flowers, Bambi, Thumper, Butterflies

II. Characters by Category:

1. ETs - Alien
2. Animals - Flipper
3. Monsters - Dracula
4. Romantic Characters - Juliette
5. Law Enforcers - Boss Hogg
6. Children - Macaulay Culkin
7. Cartoons - Homer Simpson
8. Villains - Hannibal Lecter
9. Politicians - Trump
10. Super-heroes (0), Stars
    • Batman (0)
    • David Caruso (10)
11. Tricksters - Loki
12. Strong people - Hulk

III. Character Qualities: Negative/Unlikeable/Privileged

1. Dishonest/Treacherous
2. Inebriated
3. Murderous
4. Wrathful
5. Lecherous
6. Childish
7. Greedy
8. Filthy
9. Paranoid
10. Self-righeous (0), Slothful (10)
11. Tragic
12. Screechy

7 Deadly sins:

1. Wrath
2. Pride
3. Lust
4. Envy
5. Gluttony
6. Greed
7. Sloth

IV. Objects:

1. Dog
2. Knife
3. Mustard
4. Rifle
5. Lyre
6. Shovel
7. Golden Calf
8. Frying Pan
9. Pushcart
10. Suitcase (0), Statuette (10)
11. Drill
12. Spray paint / gun

V. Characters by Category:

1. ETs - Mork
2. Animals - Lassie
3. Monsters - Shrek
4. Romantic Characters - Romeo
5. Law Enforcers - Columbo
6. Children - Shirley Temple
7. Cartoons - Tweety
8. Villains - Newman (from Seinfeld)
9. Politicians - Obama
10. Super-heroes (0), Stars
    • Supergirl (0)
    • Angelina Jolie (10)
11. Tricksters - Maverick
12. Strong people - Arnold Schwarzenegger

VI. Character Qualities: Positive/Likeable

1. Disciplined
2. Nurturing
3. Mystical
4. Romantic
5. Logical
6. Just
7. Curious
8. Friendly
9. Brave
10. Saintly (0), Special (10)
11. Thrifty
12. Strong

VII. Plot Templates (Note: Most were borrowed from: http://www.darcypattison.com/writing/plot/29-plot-templates/)

1. Temptation (1)
2. Hunt/Pursuit/Quest (2)
3. Mystery (3)
4. Revenge (4)
5. Love (5)
6. Justice
7. Conspiracy (7)
8. Forbidden Zone (8)
9. Play/Game (9)
10. Sacrifice (0), Escape (10)
11. Trial (Ordeal, Proof, Rite) (11)
12. Strengthening (Training a la kung fu movie) (12)

VIII. Character Qualities: Fun/Exciting/Amusing/Entertaining

1. Daring
2. Whimsical
3. Funny
4. Audacious
5. Misfit
6. Mysterious
7. Oblivious
8. Impossible
9. Sexy
10. Talented

[tarnation]

Today I had time to play and experiment using an AI image generator (via Bing) to create an Alpha-Loci mnemonic image.

For this example, I was just playing with the word ALPHA, which I turned into the words Aquatic, Lighthouse, Pyramid, Horus (the Egyptian mythological god), and Apple tree.

Here is the prompt I used:
“Please create an image that integrates an aquatic setting that shows a lighthouse with a shining beacon atop a pyramid in the not-to-distant background. In the foreground is a statue of famished Horus (from ancient mythology) sitting in the shade of a large apple tree. The statue of a pensive Horus is munching on a golden apple. Please give enough emphasis to all the elements so the overall composition can be used as a visual memory palace. Digital art”

And here is the image it generated:

Of course, this was just an experiment to get used to generating prompts. As I get better, I hope to see if I can create images that I can use effectively as alpha-loci memory palaces.

Regards,

Darn

[tarnation]

Recently, I have been reading Lynne Kelly’s book Memory Craft. (Excellent book! Highly recommended.) It inspired me to start working on my own history ancestor rapscallions.

One of the early characters that I plan to include is Sargon the Great, so I thought it would be fun to see if I could build an Alpha-Loci mnemonic scene for old Uncle Sargon. As before, I am using the AI image generator via Bing. But this time, I am using only words from the lists provided in my original post. Thus, my virtual memory palace elements for SARGON are: Scala Regia, Archway, Ram, Garden, Oratory, Narthex.

Here is the prompt that I used:
Please create an image that integrates the following elements: A Scala Regia, An Archway, A Large Menacing Ram, A Garden, An Oratory, A Narthex . In a prominent position is the legendary conqueror, Sargon the Great.

And here is one of the first images that were generated:

It’s not perfect yet, but it does a good job of capturing many of the elements that I want. The scala regia is the steps in the foreground. They are not quite as majestic as I had hoped. At least one of the alternate images did a better job, but the oratory in the background looks good. Some of the other elements also need work. No problem, I can try tweaking my prompts a bit until I get something that is even closer. Maybe I will also do better if I try playing with different architectural elements. For example, maybe Naos or Niche instead of Narthex. (It’s surprisingly hard to find good words that start with N.)

Here is another image that does a better job with the scala regia:

Regards,

Darn

[tarnation]

And here are two more of Sargon that appeal to me:

[tarnation]

So, setting aside the AI tools, here’s a simple example of creating a memory palace on the fly based on a book I’m currently reading, “Strategists First”, by Ryan Hays.

In the table of contents, Mr Hays very nicely organizes related chapters into grouped sections. For example, there is a section called 5 Habits, which comprises 5 chapters: one to discuss each habit.

There is also a section called 4 Skills, followed by 4 chapters on skills:

• Decide Better
• Message Better
• Innovate Better
• Coach Better

To remember this, first I construct a virtual memory palace from the word SKILLS. Later, I will use this virtual memory palace to store the titles of the 4 chapters, along with any other info of interest within each of the chapters.

The part of this exercise that I most want to illustrate is the creation of the memory palace from the word SKILLS—that is, the title of the section.

To start with, I simply review the various words from my alphabet keywords above—most of which make good loci-on-the-fly. Here’s what I came up with:

S - Snowman (a winter scene with a snowman)
K - Kite (person flying a huge kite in the snow)
I - Ice (outdoor skating rink)
L - Log (log cabin near ice rink)
L - Lamp - (street lamp in front of log cabin)
S - Sofa - (sofa on porch of log cabin)

The scene is very wintery, but slightly quirky with the kite and the sofa. I find it interesting and easy to visualize, so I think I will find it easy to use as a memory palace.

I find it helpful to let a virtual memory palace rest for a at least an hour or even a day before using it. This lets me get used to the memory palace as a place in its own right, before I start using it to remember other pieces of info.

Later, I will use the places such as the snowman, the kite, the ice rink, the log cabin, the lamp and the sofa to store the 4 skills and other ideas that I read about in the book.

Personally, I think this virtual memory palace method is ideal for non-fiction books. It’s a bit of work, but it’s rather fun, IMO, and the self-created memory palaces tend to stick in my mind.

[thinkaboutthebible (Doug)]

@tarnation, I like your reinforcement of the loci in a small palace. It seems easy to remember.

Midjourney is my AI image generator of choice. Here’s what it did with your acronym objects:

The lake was only partially frozen but it works for me.
Doug

[tarnation]

Thanks, Doug. What an excellent image!

I’m surprised how close it is to my own mental picture.

[tarnation]

I had been meaning to go back and edit the original post in order to reorganize what I now think of as my “Alpha-tecture” word list. It seems I can no longer edit that post, so I am posting a more orderly list here: (Needs more work, so please feel free to improve on it.)

Settings: Atmospheres	Locations	Alphatecture: Building Elements	Furniture	Foci	Boundaries: Barriers	Passages	Pathways	Means of Conveyance
Aquatic	ATM	Aquaduct	Aerocar (Jetsons)
Arctic	Abacus (of a column)	Arcade	Airplane
Auroral	Airport	Archway	Apparition (Scrooge)
Beach	Aisle	Arroyo	Aquatic bus
Celestial	Alcove	Astroturf	Beam (Star Trek)
Crepuscule	Alter	Atrium	Bicycle
Damnation	Ambulacrum	Autobahn	Big Bike (Multiple riders)
Desert	American Flag	Beach	Bike
Desolation	Amphitheater	Bicycle path	Blown by wind
Earth	Antechamber	Bird Cage	Boat
Extraterrestrial	Anvil	Boardwalk	Broomstick
Festival	Apple Tree	Brick road	Bumper car
Forest	Apse	Bridge	Camel
Futuristic	Archery Bullseye Target	Canal	Cannon
Grotto	Archway	Canyon	Canoe
Heavenly	Armoire	Catwalk	Car
Inferno	Armoury	Cave passage	Carriage
Jardin	Atrium	Cellar door	Catapult
Knoll	Attic	Channel	Chariot
Lux	Attic Stairway	Chimney	Conveyor belt
Monsoonal	Awning	Cobblestone road	Dandelion pollen
Nebulous	Bailey	Conveyer system	Dogsled
Occult	Balcony	Corridor	Dragged by horse
Oceanic	Ballroom	Coulee	Dragon flight
Opulent	Balustrade	Courtyard	Drone
Pastoral	Band (Musical) Instruments	Covered bridge	Eagle
Plateaux	Banquet	Covered hole	Elephant
Pluvial	Bar	Dale	Fire Engine
Quixotic	Barber’s Chair	Dance floor no	Flintstones car
Resort	Barracks	Dell	Floating teacup
Reverie	Basement	Dirt path	Flown by Superman
Rivulet	Basin	Door	Fly (harnessed)
Snow	Bassinet	Doors	Flying Umbrella
Thermidor	Bathroom	Doorway	Flying car
Trail	Bathroom Cabinet	EXit	Flying castle or city
Underworld	Battering Ram	Elevator	Flying ship
Verdant	Battlement	Entrance	Foot (walk, run, jog)
Waterfall	Beam	Exercise Room	Giant Eagle
Yesternalia	Bean Bag Chair	Exhedra	Giant slide
Zonk	Bed	Exit	Golf Cart
	Bedroom	Fell	Gondola
	Bell tower	Ferry	Green Lantern’s ring
	Bench	Field	Grocery Cart
	Bench Press	Foggy road or walkway	Happy train
	Bike Rack	Footbridge	Helicopter
	Billiard Table	Footpath	Horse and Buggy
	Bird Bath	Forest path	Horse and buggy
	Bird Cage	Garden path	Hot air balloon
	Bird cage	Gazebo	Hover board
	Bistro Table	Grove	Hover craft
	Blacksmith workshop	Gully	Huge Rolling Spherical Frame
	Blanket	Hallway	Huge Soap Bubble
	Bleachers	Highway	Hyperloop
	Bookcase	Hole in ground	Ice Boat
	Booth	Hole in wall	Inner tube
	Bowling Lane	Inglenook	Jet pack
	Bowling lane	Intersection	Jump
	Boxing Ring	Interstate highway	Kangaroo
	Bridge	Jardin	Kayak
	Brook	Jungle trail	Litter
	Buffet	Kill zone	Log bridge
	Bull statue from Wall Street	Kitchen corridor	Magic Carpet
	Bunk Bed	Ladder	Magic school bus
	Buttress	Looking glass	Maker (Giant Worm)
	Cabana	Magic Portal	Monorail
	Cage (As in Planet of the Apes)	Manhole	Motorcycle
	Candle	Meadow	Motorcycle Side Car
	Canopy Bed	Mezzanine	Mounted Ant
	Capital (of a column)	Mirror	Mounted Dinosaur
	Carousel	Moat	Mounted Dolphin
	Carpet	Monkey bars	Mounted cat
	Carport	Mountain pass	Mounted duck
	Cash Register	Narrow passageway	Mounted horse
	Castle	Narthex	Moving sidewalk
	Catapult	Nave	Mule
	Celebration Cake	Overpass	N Pneumatic Tube
	Cellar Door	Park	Ox Cart
	Cemetery	Passageway	Palanquin
	Cesspit	Pasture	Paper Airplane
	Cesspool	Pathway	Parachute
	Chair	Perch	Parasail
	Chaise Longue	Pipe	Parkour
	Chamberpot	Playground	Pegasus
	Chandelier	Portable	Piggyback
	Chapel	Porthole	Pogo stick
	Chest	Quarry	Polar bear
	Chifforobe	Quatrefoil	Propeller Hat
	Choir	Ramp	Public Ttansit (Metto, bus, trolley)
	Church	Ravine	Quidditch broom
	Cinema	River	Race Car
	Cistern	Riverside path	Raft
	Close Stool	Road	Rickshaw
	Close Stoolhone booth	Rope bridge	Rocket ship
	Closet	Secret passage	Roller coaster
	Clothes line	Sewer system	Rolling bed
	Coat Rack	Ship’s corridor	Saddle (invisible horse?)
	Coffee Table	Sidewalk between fences	Santa’s Sleigh
	Coffin	Sidewalk	Scooter
	Colonnade	Skateboard park	Segway
	Column	Skywalk	Ship
	Computer	Spiral stairway	Shopping cart
	Corinthian Column	Staircase	Skates
	Corner Unit	Stairway	Ski
	Corral	Stile	Ski lift
	Cottage	Tightrope or slackline	Snowmobile
	Counter	Tower	Star Wars land speeder
	Court	Trail	Stilts
	Courtroom	Trap door	Stretcher
	Courtyard	Tunnel	Submarine
	Cradle	Undercroft	Surf board
	Crenel	Underground passage	Swimming
	Crenellation	Underpass	Swing rope or vine
	Crib	Valley	Tank
	Cross	Veranda	Tardis
	Crypt	Wadi	Tight rope
	Cubicle	Walkway	Time machine (HG Wells)
	Cuckoo Clock	Water way	Tow Truck
	Cupboard	Window hole	Tractor
	Cupola	Wooden Beam	Tractor Trailer
	Curio Cabinet	X - treasure map path	Train
	Curtains	Yard	Train track Handcar
	Dance Floor	Yellow brick road	Tricycle
	Deacon’s Bench	Zaguan	Truck
	Deck	Zen Garden	U-Haul
	Derelict	Zigzag route	Unicycle
	Desert	Alleyway	Volkswagen minibus
	Desk		Volkswagon
	Dining Room		Volkswagon minibus
	Dining Table		Wagon, Wings
	Dinosaur Skeleton		Wheelbarrow
	Disco Ball		Wings
	Disco Floor		Worm hole
	Display Case		X-wing fighter
	Ditch		Yacht
	Divan		Yellow cab
	Diving Board		Yellow submarine
	Dock		Zamboni
	Dog House		Zeppelin
	Dog house		Zip line
	Doll house		eXoskelton-wing-wing jet
	Dome		pNeumatic tube
	Donjon
	Door
	Doric Column
	Dormer Window
	Downstairs
	Drafting Table
	Drain
	Drawbridge
	Drawer
	Dresser
	Dressing Table
	Driveway
	Dungeon
	EXercise Machine
	Earth
	Earthen Ramp
	Easel
	Eatery
	Eggs (Easter)
	Eggs (Faberge)
	Egyptian Column
	Egyptian Sarcophagus
	Egyptian statue of Ra
	Electric Chair
	Electrical Tower
	Elevated Railroad
	Elevator
	Enfilade
	Entrance
	Entry Hall
	Escalator
	Estipite
	Exposition
	Fainting Couch
	False Wall
	Fan
	Farm
	Fauteuil
	Feasting Table
	Fence
	Field
	Filing Cabinet
	Fire Hydrant
	Fire extinguisher
	Fire hose
	Fire place
	Fireman’s Pole
	Fireplace
	Firewood shelter
	Firing Squad Wall
	Flag
	Flood Light
	Floodlight
	Flotation Duck
	Flowers
	Flying Buttress
	Footbridge
	Forest
	Forklift
	Fountain
	Four Poster Bed
	Foxhole
	Foyer
	French Windows
	Fridge
	Frieze
	Front Step
	Fur rug
	Futon
	Gallows
	Garage
	Garbage Bin
	Garden
	Garden Ornaments
	Garderobe
	Gas Pump
	Gas Station
	Gate
	Gazebo
	Ghetto
	Glass
	Glass Wall
	Gloriette
	Graecian Urn
	Graffiti Wall
	Gramophone
	Gramophone / Phonograph
	Granary
	Grandfather Clock
	Grave
	Grave Stone
	Grave stone
	Green house
	Grid
	Grotto
	Guard House
	Guillotine
	Gum Ball Machine
	Hagioscope
	Hall
	Hammock
	Hamster Wheel
	Hat Rack
	Haunted
	Haystack
	Hearth
	Hedge
	Hell
	Hifi
	Hill
	Hockey Goal
	Hole
	Hole in the wall
	Horse
	Horse and buggy
	Horse stall
	Hose
	Hospital
	Hot Dog Vendor
	Hot Springs
	Hotel
	Huge Teddy Bear
	Human Skeleton
	Hut
	Hutch
	Ice
	Ice Blanket
	Ice Blink
	Ice Box
	Ice Cream Truck
	Ice Fall
	Ice House
	Ice Rink
	Ice Sculpture
	Ice rink
	Icon
	Idol (e.g.: Buddha)
	Igloo
	Illustration
	Image
	Incendrier
	Indian (Cigar Store)
	Inglenook
	Inkbottle
	Inkhorn
	Inkwell
	Inner Bailey
	Inner Gatehouse
	Inner Sanctum
	Interior Lights
	Interstitial space
	Ionic Column
	Ironing Board
	Jacuzzi
	Jail cell
	Jalousie Window
	Jardin
	Jetty
	Joist
	Juke Box
	Junkyard
	Keep
	Keg
	Killzone
	Kiosk
	Kitchen
	Kitchen Stove
	Knight’s Armor
	Ladder
	Lair
	Lake
	Lamp
	Lamp Pole
	Lantern
	Laser lights
	Lawn
	Lawn Ornament
	Lectern
	Lemonade Stand
	Life Guard Chair
	Lighthouse
	Lobby
	Log Cabin
	Loggia
	Lookout
	Loudspeakers
	Lounge Chair
	Louvre Window
	Love Seat
	Lower Floor
	Machicolation
	Makeup Table
	Mall
	Manhole
	Mansion
	Mantle
	Marina
	Massage Table
	Mattress
	Mausoleum
	Meadow
	Merlons
	Mess Hall
	Mews
	Mezzanine
	Military Base
	Minaret
	Mirror
	Moat
	Monitor
	Monkey Bars
	Monkey Bars (Rocket Shaped)
	Monks Bench
	Mountain
	Mouse hole
	Murder Hole
	Murphy Bed
	Naiskos
	Naos
	Napery
	Narcissus (flower)
	Narnia Lamp post
	Narrows
	Narthex
	Nature
	Nature Scene
	Nau-sea (Flintstones boat)
	Naufrage
	Naval Vessel
	Nave
	Necessary Stool
	Neckerchief
	Necktie
	Nest
	Nestling
	Net (Basketball, Tennis, Bed, etc)
	Newel Post
	News Stand
	Newspaper
	Newspaper office
	Newsstand
	Niche
	Nickelodeon
	Nicknack
	Night Club
	Night Stool
	Night Table
	Night table
	Nightmare
	Nirvana
	Nissen
	Non-descriptia (non-descript images: grass, flowers, junk, etc., that help fill or define a space, but which the inner eye does not fully focus on)
	Noodle shop
	Nook
	North
	Nude dancing
	Nudist Camp
	Nurse Station
	Nursery
	Oasis
	Obelisk
	Observation Deck
	Observatory
	Ocean
	Octagon
	Oculus (circular windowO
	Oculus Rift (VR gear)
	Office Desk
	Onion Dome
	Opera
	Operating Room
	Oratorium
	Orb
	Orchard
	Orchestra
	Organ
	Organ Grinder
	Ornament
	Orrery
	Ottoman
	Oubliette
	Outer Bailey
	Outer Gatehouse
	Outhouse
	Overhang
	Overpass
	Oxcart
	Pagoda
	Painting
	Palace
	Pallette
	Panel
	Panorama
	Pantry
	Parapet
	Park
	Park Bench
	Parking Lot
	Partition
	Patio
	Pavillion
	Pediment
	Pen
	Pendulum Clock
	Perch
	Phone
	Phone Booth
	Photo Display
	Photographer
	Piano
	Picnic Table
	Pigpen
	Pilaster
	Pillar
	Pinball Machine
	Piñata
	Plant
	Plateau
	Play House
	Play house
	Playpen
	Plinth
	Podium
	Poker Table
	Pool
	Pool Table
	Porch
	Porch Swing
	Portcullis
	Post
	Post Box
	Post Office
	Printer
	Printing Press
	Pump
	Pyramid
	Q AQuarium
	Quadratura
	Quadriporticus
	Quarrel
	Quarry
	Quarters
	Quatrefoil
	Queen Post
	Queen-size Bed
	Quilles (Bowling Pins)
	Quilt
	Radiogram
	Rain barrel
	Ram
	Ramp
	Rampart
	Reading lamp
	Recess
	Reclining Chair
	Record Player
	Red light
	Refectory
	Revolving Door
	Rink
	River
	Road
	Rock
	Rocking Chair
	Rocking Horse
	Rocking horse
	Roll away bed
	Roll away cot
	Roll top desk
	Roof
	Roof Lantern
	Rostrum
	Rotunda
	Rug
	Sand box
	Sandbox
	Satellite Dish
	Scala Regia
	Scales
	Sconce
	Screen
	Scullery
	Secret Door
	Sewing Machine
	Shelf
	Shelter
	Ship’s wheel
	Shoe Shine Seat
	Shower
	Shrine
	Side door
	Sign
	Sink
	Sledge Hammer & Bell
	Slide
	Smoked Glass
	Snooker Table
	Snowman
	Sofa
	Solarium
	Solomonic Column
	Sphinx
	Spiral Staircase
	Spire
	Springer
	Stables
	Stage
	Stained Glass
	Staircase
	Stairwell
	Statue
	Statuette
	Step ladder
	Stepladder
	Steps
	Stile
	Stone wall
	Stonehenge
	Stool
	Stoop
	Store
	Store Room
	Stream
	Street Lamp
	Strobe Light
	Study
	Sunken-floor
	Swing
	Switchback
	T - Christian cross
	TV
	Table
	Taxidermy bear
	Teepee
	Teeter totter
	Telephone
	Telephone Pole
	Telescope
	Temple (Church, Mosque, etc.)
	Tent
	Terrace
	Theatre
	Throne
	Tilt Yard
	Toilet
	Torch
	Totem pole
	Tower
	Town Square
	Trampoline
	Transom Window
	Trap Door
	Trapeze
	Treadmill
	Treasure Chest
	Trebuchet
	Tree House
	Trellis
	Triptych
	Trophy Display
	Trough
	Truss
	Truth Window
	Tub
	Turnstyle
	Turret
	Tuscan Column
	Umbrella Stand
	Undercroft
	Underpass
	Upper Floor
	Upstairs
	Urinal
	Urn
	Utility Cabin
	Utility Room
	Vanity
	Vanity table
	Vase
	Vault
	Vaulted Ceiling
	Vending Machine
	Venetian Blind
	Venetian Window
	Veranda
	Vestibule
	Vines
	Vitruvian Scroll
	Voussoir
	Walkway
	Wall
	Wall Clock
	Wardrobe
	Wash Stand
	Watchtower
	Water
	Water Pump
	Water Slide
	Water trough
	Waterfall
	Wattle and Daub
	Weeping Willow
	Well
	Whitewash
	Widow’s Walk
	Winch
	Windlass
	Windmill
	Window
	Window Box
	Wiring
	Wishing Well
	Witch Window
	Wood Stove
	Wooden Beam
	Woods
	Workbench
	Workshop
	X Exercise Equipment
	X Exterior Lights
	X Extinguisher
	Xylophone
	Yak (Taxidermy)
	Yard
	Yard equipment
	Yard light
	Yoga Space
	Yurt
	Zen Garden
	Ziggurat
	Zoo
	Zoological
	Zwinger