For people, like myself, enchanted with the Age of Fighting Sail, the BBC is broadcasting online a radio dramatization of HMS Surprise, the second book in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey and Maturin series of novels, on Afternoon Play. It’s 1804, the Napoleonic Wars are in full swing, and Lucky Jack Aubrey is back at sea! It’sContinue reading “On the BBC’s HMS Surprise”
On Planetariums and John McCain’s Short-Sightedness
When I was younger, my father used to take me, my brother, and my sister to the planetarium on a regular basis. I loved it. Lean back in the chair, look up at the presentation, and learn something about the universe we live in. My interest in astronomy was kindled by Carl Sagan’s Cosmos. TheContinue reading “On Planetariums and John McCain’s Short-Sightedness”
On Re-Reading VALIS
A discussion on TrekBBS a few days ago prompted me to pull out some of my Philip K. Dick books and take a look at them. Dick was one of the authors I discovered in college and went on a “binge” in reading everything by Dick that I could possibly get my hands on. InContinue reading “On Re-Reading VALIS”
On John McCain’s Health Care Plan
John McCain has offered a health care plan as part of his platform. Employer provided health insurance would be taxed as income, and then the taxpayer would receive a tax credit when they file their 1040s — $2,500 for the individual, $5,000 for a family. For workers who can’t get health insurance through their job,Continue reading “On John McCain’s Health Care Plan”
On the Cubs’ Collapse
Damn. I don’t know what to say. Scholars will be dissecting the Cubs’ collapse in the playoffs this year — from best record in the National League and an offensive threat from positions 1 through 8 (and usually 9) to a brutal sweep at the hands of the Dodgers in the Division Series — forContinue reading “On the Cubs’ Collapse”
On the Obsession DVD
I mentioned on Thursday that I had received that day in the mail a DVD — Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West. Obsession is, according to Wikipedia, “a documentary movie about Islamist teachings and goals” that “compares the threat of radical Islamism with that of Nazism before World War II, and draws parallels betweenContinue reading “On the Obsession DVD”
On Ronald Reagan, Doctors, and the Republican Party
Last night in the Vice Presidential debate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin closed her remarks with a quotation of Ronald Reagan: It was Ronald Reagan who said that freedom is always just one generation away from extinction. We dont pass it to our children in the bloodstream; we have to fight for it and protect it,Continue reading “On Ronald Reagan, Doctors, and the Republican Party”
On Wondering What to Watch
My choices are three. The Cubs/Dodgers game. Starts at 9:37 EDT. The Biden/Palin debate. Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West. Obviously, I want to watch the first. Though I really wish TBS would find some real announcers. Dick Stockton and his band of idiots were annoying as piss last night. On the other hand,Continue reading “On Wondering What to Watch”
On Showing My Cubs Spirit
I used to wear a necktie to work every day. I liked wearing neckties, actually. I taught myself to tie the knot, and somehow, without ever figuring out how, I discovered the Windsor knot, which is probably the most perfect necktie knot there is — it’s symmetrical and it’s balanced and it’s meaty and big.Continue reading “On Showing My Cubs Spirit”
On Rainy Weather
It’s rainy. It’s stormy. It’s really quite dismal. Perfect weather for getting some writing done! 🙂 ETA: Writing done. The storm’s done, too. All is good with the world.