A year ago former Astronaut Russell Schweickart called on Congress to fund a mission to study whether or not Asteroid 2004 MN4 will strike the Earth in 2029 by placing a radio transponder on the asteroid for more precise measurements of its orbit. Now it’s thought that the asteroid has a better chance of strikingContinue reading “On an Asteroid Strike”
On Corporate Marketing Madness
The X-Men 3 game releases today. It's not directly based on the film; rather, it fills-in-the-blanks between X2: X-Men United and X-Men 3: The Last Stand, and features Wolverine, Iceman, and Nightcrawler as playable characters with Hugh Jackman, Alan Cumming, and Patrick Stewart lending their voices to the game. Corporate sent stores a box ofContinue reading “On Corporate Marketing Madness”
On the President's Speech
President Bush addressed the nation tonight in a rare address from the Oval Office on the subject of immigration reform and border security. In other news, I received Neil Young’s new CD, Living With War in the mail today–Living With War is an anti-Bush album, with tracks decrying the war and calling for Bush’s impeachment.Continue reading “On the President's Speech”
On "School Reunion"
Thanks to the kindness of a beagle I watched “School Reunion”–the second season Doctor Who episode with Sarah Jane Smith–today. Lawrence Miles is, in my opinion, off-base in his criticism of the episode. Miles criticizes “School Reunion” as being a prototypical example of “cult television.” Indeed, the episode structure does resemble a typical 1987-2004 StarContinue reading “On "School Reunion"”
On Customer Craziness
Two work anecdotes to share, both from customers who came in the store today. A woman came in early this morning. “I need that new Smackdown game,” she said with an uncertain tone in her voice. “Smackdown versus Meat.” “Smackdown versus Meat?” I repeated, not quite sure what I’d heard. “Would you possibly mean SmackdownContinue reading “On Customer Craziness”
On the Minimum Wage
Senator Hillary Clinton of New York introduced a bill last week, the Standing with Minimum Wage Workers Act of 2006, that would provide for an increase in the federal minimum wage, from its current $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour within two years and then index future minimum wage increases to Congressional pay raises.Continue reading “On the Minimum Wage”
On Page Proofs
The page proofs for “Make-Believe,” my story in Star Trek: Constellations, arrived today. There's a part of me that keeps expecting Ashton Kutcher to come along and say, “Dude, you've been Punk'd!” Edits, copy-edits, contracts, now page proofs, and I just can't shake that feeling, that I haven't really sold this story, that it's allContinue reading “On Page Proofs”
On Some Random Observances
Sitting in my car this morning, after I’d pulled into my parking space at work, I took a look through the sunroof at the sky. It was cloudy, chilly, even a little blustery. And what did I notice? Muddy cat footprints. On the sunroof. I’ve long known the cats liked getting on the car, butContinue reading “On Some Random Observances”
On the Important Things
What does President Bush rate as the best moment of his Presidency? The best thing that’s happened to him in the last five years? According to an interview in a German newspaper Bush cited catching a fish as the best moment of his Presidency. “You know, I’ve experienced many great moments and it’s hard toContinue reading “On the Important Things”
On 50 First Dates
Because of an article I’ve just read, a rant on a film I’ve seen once, eighteen months ago. 🙂 I don’t generally like Adam Sandler movies. Okay, let’s be honest–remove the “generally” from the previous sentence, and that’s sums up exactly how I feel about Sandler and his cinematic excesses. Yes, I laughed at theContinue reading “On 50 First Dates”