There’s a storm brewing in Washington these days. Funding for the government expires on Monday, and two weeks after that the nation’s debt ceiling needs to be raised. Republicans are willing to fund the government if the Affordable Care Act is defunded and/or repealed. Democrats aren’t about to eliminate the signature achievement of President Obama’sContinue reading “The Coming Debt Ceiling Debacle”
Thunder Strikes in Harrisburg, and a Season Comes to a Close
Tonight was the third game of the Eastern League Championship Series. The Trenton Thunder, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees, took a 2-0 lead over the Harrisburg Senators, the AA affiliate of the Nationals, in the best of five series in the two games in Trenton, and tonight’s game in Harrisburg would beContinue reading “Thunder Strikes in Harrisburg, and a Season Comes to a Close”
Playoff Baseball in Harrisburg
This morning I have no voice. Yesterday afternoon I drove up to Harrisburg for game four of the Eastern League Western Division semi-finals between the Senators and the Erie SeaWolves, with Harrisburg holding a 2-1 lead in the best of five series. Three weeks ago, I said I’d gone to my last Senators game thisContinue reading “Playoff Baseball in Harrisburg”
The Philosopher’s Arms
A few days ago I discovered a new BBC podcast, The Philosopher’s Arms. “Podcast” is, I should say, a misnomer. The Philosopher’s Arms is a BBC Radio 4 series, just finished with its third run of episodes, that the BBC has made available as a podcast download. And just what is The Philosopher’s Arms? ThisContinue reading “The Philosopher’s Arms”
Bleacher Creatures
“I can’t believe you wore that,” Peri said. “How was I to know?” the Doctor said indignantly, raising his voice to shout above those jeering at him. Peri frowned. “You could have asked.” “Did you not say, ‘Let’s go to a baseball game.’ Is this not the proper attire?” He gestured at the cap andContinue reading “Bleacher Creatures”
Coffee Bars
Owen frowned. Pubs he liked. Coffee bars he didn’t. The college kids in turtlenecks, the young professionals on their laptops — he’d lived this life and outgrown it. He wanted a drink — bourbon or scotch — not a made-up Italian word for a fancy coffee. He heard Tosh through his earpiece. “You’re on topContinue reading “Coffee Bars”
Making Minds Free
“What we did, Doctor? Was it wise?” “We brought down a corrupt religion, Peri. Minds clouded by dogma will now be free. These people now understand they will fail because of their decisions, not because of the fickleness of fate.” Throngs of the once-worshipful tore a statue down from its pedestal. It crashed to theContinue reading “Making Minds Free”
The Dalek Invasion of Endor
“You can’t do this, Davros!” the Doctor screamed from captivity. Davros rolled to the Doctor’s cell. “You are too late. My Spider-Daleks are moving through the jungles. By sunrise, no Ewok will remain alive.” “Ewoks,” the Doctor whispered, stunned. The Black Dalek outside the Doctor’s cell shook its eyestalk. “ALL EWOKS WILL BE EXTERMINATED.” TheContinue reading “The Dalek Invasion of Endor”
Recitals
Martha gagged twice, bent over. Orange slime covered her face, and some had run into her nose and mouth. “You want a towel?” the Doctor asked. “This… stuff is gross,” she said, her voice muffled as she wiped slime from her face. “I thought you said we were attending a poetry recital.” “We did. Wasn’tContinue reading “Recitals”
The Vault
“We’ve identified one of the bodies.” Elizabeth Shelby looked skeptical. “Which one?” Artifacts collected across the galaxy over the past two centuries crowded every alcove. At the far end stood three cryogenic tubes. Frozen within were the bodies of three things, once intelligent beings now turned into something else, inhuman and cybernetic — Borg. “TheContinue reading “The Vault”