We’re past Thanksgiving and people are asking, “Allyn, what do you want for Christmas?” Last year my answer was, “the things I want–world peace, an end to hunger, President’s Bush impeachment, Vice President Cheney’s indictment for war crimes–no one can give me. These are unrealistic wishes.” These are still unrealistic wishes. The reality is, I’mContinue reading “On Wishlists”
On Christmas Cards
I unpacked the box today with my Christmas cards. I’d bought boxes of Christmas cards the past few years at places like World Market and the Museum Company, but for a variety of reasons I hadn’t sent any out last year (probably because I was writing “Make-Believe” last December) or the year before (probably becauseContinue reading “On Christmas Cards”
On Lankhmar News
I love Fritz Leiber’s Lankhmar stories. Set in the world of Nehwon, these stories follow Fafhrd, a barbarian, and the Gray Mouser, a failed wizard, as they adventure from one side of the world to the other, getting into weird scrapes in their quests for coin, cleavage, and alcohol. When asked what is my favoriteContinue reading “On Lankhmar News”
On Writing a Letter to Rick Santorum
I promised Lisa at PhilCon that I’d post about this. 🙂 In the run-up to the mid-term election Pennsylvania’s junior Senator, Rick Santorum, made a most bizarre statement: that the war in Iraq was drawing the Eye of Mordor away from the United States. No, really. He did. “As the hobbits are going up MountContinue reading “On Writing a Letter to Rick Santorum”
On Egyptian Signs
Once again, stolen from Lisa, my Egyptian Zodiac sign is: Satis Peace-loving and tolerant, receptive to wealth, analytical and science-minded, tender towards those who are not ignorant, can sometimes be angry. Colors: male: deep red, female: deep blueCompatible Signs: Amon-Ra, Set Dates: Jan 1 – Jan 7, Jun 19 – Jun 28, Sep 1 –Continue reading “On Egyptian Signs”
On Great Simpsons Quotes
Michael Chabon, while beating up Jonathan Franzen: Ooh, you fight like Anne Rice! Of course, the highlight of tonight’s episode was J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson, editor of a poetry magazine. 🙂
On Tarot Cards
Though I’ve done a similar quiz before (where I was revealed to be the Hierophant), there’s a new Internet meme going around, seen most recently on Lisa‘s LiveJournal–which Tarot Card best fits your personality: You are The Lovers Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse. The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very oftenContinue reading “On Tarot Cards”
On a Sign of the Apocalypse
My grandmother is watching The O.C.. She wanted me to sit down and watch it with her. I think I’d rather stab my hand repeatedly with a fork than watch The O.C.. Is this what my life has been reduced to?
On Excel
I want it said. I hate Excel. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. So why must I be so bleeding good at using it?
On the Books I've Read
Stolen from Richard White, a list of the most significant science fiction novels written since 1953. We’re going to bold the titles I’ve read, strikethrough the ones I’ve read and hated, italicize the ones I’ve started and never finished, and put a star next to the ones I love. Any questions? 🙂 The Lord ofContinue reading “On the Books I've Read”