Irony, thy name is China. China, who is hosting the Summer Olympics. China, who is engaged in a brutal repression of Tibet. China, who doesn’t want Tibet to mar their perfect Olympics. China, whose factories are making “Free Tibet” flags. Were making, rather. Chinese authorities put an end to the factory’s orders for Free TibetContinue reading “On Tibetan Flags”
On Burnt Toast
A smoky haze filled the dining room. But it wasn’t my first sign that something was burning. The acrid odor wafted up the stairwell. But naturally, the smoky haze had me concerned. “What’s burning?” I asked my grandmother when I stepped into the kitchen. She stood at the toaster. Around it was… something. “Nothing’s burning,”Continue reading “On Burnt Toast”
On Meeting Cubs Nation
There is a Cubs Nation. Last night I did something I’d never, ever done before — I saw the Chicago Cubs live and in person. They came to Washington, DC, and the new stadium for the Washington Nationals — Nationals Park — for a three game stand. I bought a ticket, in the Right FieldContinue reading “On Meeting Cubs Nation”
On An Expotition
Hooray for you Hooray for me Hooray Hooray The Pooh will soon Be free! I’m off, on an Expotition. I’m just a little black rain cloud Hovering under the honey tree I’m just a little black rain cloud Pay no attention to little me. I’m looking for the North Pole. I will be back. AfterContinue reading “On An Expotition”
On Modifying Vertigo
After getting several e-mails and comments from readers asking how I did this or made that work with the Vertigo theme for WordPress, I’ve decided to share the modifications. This ZIP file contains six files — modified versions of functions.php, index.php, and comments.php for the Vertigo 3-Column theme, index.php for Vertigo 2-Column, and a TagContinue reading “On Modifying Vertigo”
On Guillermo del Toro and the Hobbit Movies
I found myself antsy this week. This is the week that Guillermo del Toro’s deal to direct The Hobbit duology has to be made. He’s said as much in interviews. If it’s not this week, The Hobbit will happen, but not with del Toro. I keep checking TheOneRing.net. Daily. Even hourly. Maybe there’s been movement.Continue reading “On Guillermo del Toro and the Hobbit Movies”
On Saturday’s Baseball Game
I did it. I bought the ticket. On Saturday, I’m going to DC to see the Cubs visit the Nationals at Nationals Park. If I have it figured right, it should be Carlos Zambrano, the Big Z himself, taking the mound Saturday night for the Northside Nine. I could have bought the cheap seats. TheContinue reading “On Saturday’s Baseball Game”
On a Place in the Universe
I went looking for pictures of Saturn today. Last week I spent some time on redesigning my website, and taking the Vertigo theme for WordPress, I combined it with a header and stylesheet I had put together a year before based on Saturn. Why Saturn? I wanted something dark — and Tarski was a lightContinue reading “On a Place in the Universe”
On the Justice League and the Justice Society
The on-again, off-again film based on DC Comics’ Justice League appears to be off again. Years of development heck wasted. The present Justice League project seemed cursed from the very beginning. From script issues (and the Writers Guild strike) to casting problems to location uncertainty (would be it Canada? would it be Australia?), Justice LeagueContinue reading “On the Justice League and the Justice Society”
On Thinking About Summer Movies
I mentioned a few days ago the comic book films I was looking forward to this summer. To recap, from top to bottom: The Dark Knight Hellboy II: The Golden Army Iron Man The Incredible Hulk It’s a bit of a misnomer, actually, to suggest that I’m looking forward to The Incredible Hulk. I’m quiteContinue reading “On Thinking About Summer Movies”