Unreality SF posted today Strange New Worlds: A Look Back, an article in which several authors look back on Pocket Books’ Strange New Worlds anthology contest. Strange New Worlds was an anthology that was open to North American writers with less than three published credits, affording them the opportunity to write and submit Star TrekContinue reading “On the Strange New Worlds Interview”
On Psychedelic Oasis
Way back in the dark days of 1995, dark only because they’re long ago, my sister introduced me to a band that she and her friends were listening to — Oasis. I think their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory, had just come out, as I seem to recall a couple of songs —Continue reading “On Psychedelic Oasis”
On Spam Subjects
I was cleaning out my spam folder, and I found an e-mail entitled “How You Can Tell A Woman Is Sexually Aroused.” Well! That’s valuable information! And what did I learn when I opened the e-mail? “A dead man wins county board seat by 12,000 votes.” I’m not sure whether that’s information I can putContinue reading “On Spam Subjects”
On Tristram Shandy and Book Buying
I’ve decided that I’m going to use Barnes & Noble’s website more often for my book-buying needs. Our story begins two nights ago. I’d recently acquired Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story on DVD for less than five dollars. When it came out in 2006, I wanted to see it, despite never having readContinue reading “On Tristram Shandy and Book Buying”
On Tristram Shandy and Other Movies
I think Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story may be the funniest movie I’ve seen this year. If not the last year or two. Certainly the funniest I’ve seen since Shoot ‘Em Up. Yes, I realize it’s been out for a couple of years, but it’s hilarious. And you have to pay attention toContinue reading “On Tristram Shandy and Other Movies”
On WGN, the Cubs, and the Sox
I sat down to watch today’s Cubs/White Sox game. I was looking forward to two of my favorite announcers, Bob and Len, in the booth, talking about the Cubs and baseball. Instead, WGN put the Sox broadcast team — “Hawk” Harrelson and some other guy — on the game. I realized that while I’ve heardContinue reading “On WGN, the Cubs, and the Sox”
On Friends and Five Years Gone
My habit of holding onto old e-mails and documents paid dividends today. At Natalie and Beau’s wedding reception Saturday night I found myself talking to Natalie’s cousin. I was trying to figure out how long I knew them. I ran the numbers in my head, and I decided that it was almost exactly five yearsContinue reading “On Friends and Five Years Gone”
On WordPress Woes
Yesterday, I really hated WordPress. Last week the newest version of the blogging software I use — WordPress 2.8 — released. I didn’t download it immediately, as I was busy with work and work and more work, but I promised myself that, when I had the free time this week, I would download and installContinue reading “On WordPress Woes”
On the Things I Did This Weekend
I went to North Carolina this weekend to attend the wedding of two of my dearest friends. So what did my weekend look like? Somehow I got out of the house Saturday morning at 3:30 without waking my grandmother. I’d forgotten just how much I liked Bryan Adams’ seminal album, Reckless. Takes me back toContinue reading “On the Things I Did This Weekend”
On the Weekend’s Insights
On Saturday I drove to North Carolina for the wedding of two friends — Natalie and Beau. Natalie I’ve known not-quite-five years; I met her in June 2004, I think on the 22nd, and I first talked to her on the phone on the 18th or 19th. She had applied for a job at theContinue reading “On the Weekend’s Insights”