A group of fast-moving storm clouds have moved over Baltimore in the past hour. These clouds are dark. I finished writing an article for work about Halo Wars and glanced out the window. I thought the world was gloomy, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The cloud looked like a dragon. The dragonContinue reading “On Nature’s Rorschach Blot”
On the New h+ Magazine
The second downloadable issue of h+ Magazine is now available. It’s a magazine on transhumanism and other futuristic trends. I enjoyed the first issue immensely. This issue has an interview with Vernor Vinge on the subject of the Singularity. If this is of any interest, give it a shot.
On Signs of Spring
Today’s a little dreary in Baltimore. It’s overcast. It’s a little chilly. The air feels like snow. I want spring. I want it now. Fortunately for me, the first signs of spring have arrived. Spring training games began yesterday. And in the game that mattered to me, the Cubs :cubs: triumphed over the Dodgers atContinue reading “On Signs of Spring”
On Offering Praise to Odin
There’s a comic from DC/Vertigo I’m really enjoying right now — Brian Woods’ Northlanders. It’s about Vikings, and it’s told in story arcs. The first trade paperback, Sven the Returned collects the first eight-issue story arc (for the budget price of ten dollars!), and it’s a pretty involving tale of a young man who leftContinue reading “On Offering Praise to Odin”
On William Shatner’s New Ambition
William Shatner wants to be the next PM of Canada. Okay, there’s a campaign I can support. I don’t know what his policies are. I don’t really care. It’s William Shatner! Canadian politico! Prime Minister! And what’s his position on Gundam Kim Jong-Il? Betcha Shatner can take him! That’s too awesome for words. Go, Shatner,Continue reading “On William Shatner’s New Ambition”
On Existential Angst
Bear with me. I’m suffering some existential angst. A friend e-mailed me on Friday afternoon. I’d written her about some recent doings in my life, and in her reply she asked a basic question. “Why are you writing science-fiction?” She didn’t put it quite like that. But that was the point she danced around. TheContinue reading “On Existential Angst”
On Missing Lids
The lid to the peanut butter jar is missing. At 10:15 this morning, while fixing a cup of coffee, I saw on the kitchen counter the jar of peanut butter. Lidless. It is a new jar, I opened it yesterday when fixing peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches for lunch. A survey of the kitchen counter revealed noContinue reading “On Missing Lids”
On Philosophy Lessons
“The Spindle of Necessity” notwithstanding, I am not a philosopher. I have no great truths about the universe. I have no system to explain the world. The world just is; I don’t question its existence. Yet. Something strange is in the air. In the past three weeks, multiple friends have sought my input on theContinue reading “On Philosophy Lessons”
On Random Thoughts, Late Friday Afternoon
At a meeting today… “We’re not writing Hemingway here.” No, I try and write like Fitzgerald, thanks. Last night, while listening to the BBC World Service on NPR, I heard something I’d never, ever heard before. I heard someone pronounce “February” the way it’s spelled. I’ve always heard people say “Fe Byoo Airy.” Sometimes, justContinue reading “On Random Thoughts, Late Friday Afternoon”
On the Wash of Sounds
I felt strangely nostalgic last night. I went to my CDs, flipped through them, and I saw a CD I’d not listened to in a while. A long while. The Who’s Tommy. I bought this CD in 1996. Early in the year, maybe March or April. Charlottesville. Fashion Square Mall, the Sam Goody’s down atContinue reading “On the Wash of Sounds”