New Port Richey man accused of choking wife says marriage is the problem - St. Petersburg Times: "A woman told officers her husband tried to strangle her Wednesday afternoon.
'Arrest me,' Christopher L. Bukowski, 39, told officers, according to a report. 'I did it.'
The New Port Richey Police Department did not say what caused the argument between the couple, who have been married five years.
While the officer gathered paperwork for the investigation, Bukowski said 'I choked her,' the report states.
'I asked him why he did it and he stated 'If you were married, you would understand,'' the officer wrote."
Monday, June 07, 2010
My Mind is Boggled
Elton John Sings at Rush Limbaugh's 4th Wedding - Weddings, Elton John, Rush Limbaugh : People.com: "Talk about an odd couple: conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh and outspoken gay civil-union advocate Elton John.
But, according to a News Corporation (which owns Fox News) wire report, the Rocket Man, 63, serenaded the 400 guests into the wee hours Saturday night to celebrate the marriage of Limbaugh, 59, to Kathryn Rogers, 33, in the Ponce de Leon ballroom of Florida's fabled Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Sir Elton's fee: $1 million, the report notes."
But, according to a News Corporation (which owns Fox News) wire report, the Rocket Man, 63, serenaded the 400 guests into the wee hours Saturday night to celebrate the marriage of Limbaugh, 59, to Kathryn Rogers, 33, in the Ponce de Leon ballroom of Florida's fabled Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Sir Elton's fee: $1 million, the report notes."
Australia Leads the Way
Restaurant tells diners to eat up or else | Reuters: "An Australian restaurateur fed up with the waste left by diners has ordered her customers to eat everything on their plates for their sake of the earth or pay a penalty and not return."
Hat tip to Ivan Shreve, Jr., over at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.
Croc Update (Secret Revealed! Edition)
Secret Revealed: How Crocodiles Cross Oceans - Yahoo! News: "How did the world's largest living reptile, the saltwater crocodile, reach so many South Pacific islands separated by huge stretches of water despite being a poor swimmer?
Apparently, like a surfer catching a wave, these goliaths can ride currents on the ocean surface to cross large areas of open sea, researchers now reveal."
Apparently, like a surfer catching a wave, these goliaths can ride currents on the ocean surface to cross large areas of open sea, researchers now reveal."
Hat tip to Seepy Benton.
I Think I'll Cancel My Vacation in Mexico
Mexico: 6 Bodies in Cave, 3 With Hearts Cut Out - ABC News: "Police discovered six dead bodies in a cavern near the tourist resort of Cancun on Sunday, three of them cut open and their hearts removed.
Authorities are investigating the identities of the four men and two women found dead in the natural cave, said Francisco Alor, the Quintana Roo state attorney general.
'They were apparently tortured and their chests were opened to remove the hearts,' Alor's office said later in a statement."
Authorities are investigating the identities of the four men and two women found dead in the natural cave, said Francisco Alor, the Quintana Roo state attorney general.
'They were apparently tortured and their chests were opened to remove the hearts,' Alor's office said later in a statement."
Oooooooklahoma Leads the Way
Property owners outraged by Guthrie businessman's dealings | NewsOK.com: "A businessman is under fire for buying tiny parcels of land so he can sell or lease them for inflated prices to people who thought they owned them.
In one case, Guthrie businessman Ron Edwards is demanding four Edmond condominium owners pay him $80,000 for a shared driveway he bought for $1,584 at a county auction.
'I thought I made a decent offer,” Edwards said."
In one case, Guthrie businessman Ron Edwards is demanding four Edmond condominium owners pay him $80,000 for a shared driveway he bought for $1,584 at a county auction.
'I thought I made a decent offer,” Edwards said."
Aggies Lead the Way
Man arrested for swimming in Grand Isle waters - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com: "The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says a man has been arrested for swimming in waters shut down because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
WAFB-TV reported Sunday that Grand Isle Police took 22-year-old Jesus Mares, of College Station, Texas, into custody around 7:30 a.m. after he was caught wading in the water just off the beach."
WAFB-TV reported Sunday that Grand Isle Police took 22-year-old Jesus Mares, of College Station, Texas, into custody around 7:30 a.m. after he was caught wading in the water just off the beach."
Why Can't Oscar Voters be this Perceptive?
Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise stand out at MTV Movie Awards - latimes.com: "When it came to the awards 'The Twilight Saga' eclipsed the competition for the second year. 'New Moon' sucked up trophies for best movie, kiss, female performance for Kristen Stewart and male performance and global superstar for Robert Pattinson."
Amelia Earhart Update
Artifacts suggest Earhart’s final days a struggle - Science- msnbc.com: "Tantalizing new clues are surfacing in the Amelia Earhart mystery, according to researchers scouring a remote South Pacific island believed to be the final resting place of the legendary aviatrix."
Croc Update (Viva Crock Vegas Edition)
Australian Crocodile Hunter: Viva Croc Vegas | Gambling911.com: "Las Vegas is set to get a massive shake up Aussie style, thanks to Australia's Team Terri Irwin. The wife of the late, great, Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, and her world class team have a vision of everyone doing the Crocodile Rock at an upcoming Croc themed show and expo on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Media Man and Gambling911 take the croc probe to the smiling crocodile situation..."
Judy and I Have Visited Here Several Times. . .
. . . but we haven't touched an alligator.
Photos at the link, but no gators.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
The Gator Drugs Connection Yet Again
Man gets jail for guns, drugs and alligators: "Prosecutors say during a raid on Leon's home in January, police found nearly two dozen guns, 13 marijuana plants, a pound of processed pot and three baby alligators."
Hat tip to Art Scott.
Nobody's Angel -- Jack Clark
When Jack Clark was driving a cab in Chicago, he wrote a book about a Chicago cabbie named Eddie Miles and published it himself, selling it to his fares. Now the book's been reprinted by Hard Case Crime with what I suspect is a much cooler cover. Nobody's Angel is an interesting choice for a crime fiction line, since it's hardly a crime novel at all, at least to my way of thinking. Sure, there's a murder and a slashing, but they seem incidental to main thrust of the novel, which is more about the life of Eddie Miles and how it's spiraled down the drain, much like the city of Chicago seems to have done. There's a strong thread of nostalgia for the city's past and the way things used to be, and Miles' tours of the town are almost like a trip through Dante's Inferno. The plot, however, is thin.
Don't get me wrong, however. I liked the book a good bit. The writing's good, and Eddie's an interesting character. The descriptions of Chicago and of the people who wind up in Eddie's cab are really well done. If you're looking for something a little different from the usual crime fare, this might be just the thing for you.
Victor Gischler, Lisa Brackmann, and Duane Swierczynski
Panel introductions at Murder by the Book, June 5, 2010. A considerably longer video of this trio can be found here.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Or maybe BP leads the way. I live about 15 miles from this plant.
In all, BP officials said more than 500,000 pounds of pollutants and nonpollutants were released while the company increased flaring as they tried to repair a compressor on the faulty unit."
Saturday, June 05, 2010
The Days of Our Lives -- Ken Corday
A long time ago, my wife was a big fan of The Days of Our Lives. Because I was often home when she watched the show, I became familiar with the cast and the storyline. Judy stopped watching the show when her two favorite characters, Doug and Julie, left, but she and I still have fond memories of it and talk about it now and then. We found this backstage memoir entertaining and full of fun facts about this show and others.There's a lot about the Corday family, too. Ken Corday is the executive producer of the show, which was started by his parents. When his father, Ted, died about a year after the show began, Corday's mother, Betty, took complete control and taught her son all he needed to know to carry on. He'd been a music major and thought he'd have a career in music, maybe even be a star. After all, Lucky Mud, his band, opened Jimi Hendrix's last concert. But things don't always go as planned.
Betty and Ted Corday had careers in radio (Betty worked on The Shadow), so they were well versed in dramatic presentations. And Betty had real knack for titles. When William Bell was thinking of a show called The Young and Impatient, Betty suggested The Young and the Restless. She also suggested that a show tentatively titled As the Earth Turns become As the World Turns and that The Edge of Darkness be changed to The Edge of Night. Corday's book is full of great trivia like that, as well as stories about all the stars. There's a spooky one about MacDonald Carey's ghostly presence on the set, for instance, and a good one about Doug and Julie's real-life marriage. If you're a fan of the show (or of any soap opera), The Days of Our Lives is a must-read book. Even casual viewers will get a kick out of some of the inside stories. Pop culture fans, too. There's a wealth of real TV history here. Not to mention that Ken Corday's had quite a life. Check it out.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
WFAA.com : Graham cracker bonanza fuels frenzy on Dallas freeway: "It was a free-for-all on a Dallas freeway' People flocked to a busy intersection Friday morning to scoop up boxes of graham crackers spilled in an accident Thursday night.
Dallas County Sheriff's Department is trying to determine what caused an 18-wheeler to overturn in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35E at Colorado Boulevard. The wreck snarled traffic for hours overnight. last night.
After the sun came up Friday, rubberneckers turned into cracker collectors.
Deputies had their hands full trying to prevent motorists from rushing in collect hundreds of packages of Honey Maid graham crackers that had been dislodged from the semi-trailer when it turned over."
Dallas County Sheriff's Department is trying to determine what caused an 18-wheeler to overturn in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35E at Colorado Boulevard. The wreck snarled traffic for hours overnight. last night.
After the sun came up Friday, rubberneckers turned into cracker collectors.
Deputies had their hands full trying to prevent motorists from rushing in collect hundreds of packages of Honey Maid graham crackers that had been dislodged from the semi-trailer when it turned over."
Friday, June 04, 2010
Uh-Oh
Brett Ratner Plans to Throw Mud at 'Snow White' - Cinematical: "Or you can just say screw it, add some violence and dirty words, and say you're being 'edgy.' That's what producer Brett Ratner is doing to Snow White following the runaway success of Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The 3D movie will be called The Brothers Grimm: Snow White and written by Melisa Wallack. . . ."
Congratulations to the Anthony Award Nominees!
BEST NOVEL
THE LAST CHILD - John Hart [Minotaur Books]
THE MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DEATH - Charlie Huston [Ballantine Books]
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE - Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland [Quercus/Knopf]
THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny [Minotaur Books]
THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan [Minotaur Books]
BEST FIRST NOVEL
THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley [Delacorte Press]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
A BAD DAY FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield [Minotaur Books]
THE TWELVE/THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville [Harvill Secker/Soho Press]
IN THE SHADOW OF GOTHAM - Stefanie Pintoff [Minotaur Books]
BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott [Simon & Schuster]
TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman [Busted Flush Press]
QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE - Max Allan Collins [Hard Case Crime]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
DEATH AND THE LIT CHICK - G.M. Malliet [Midnight Ink]
AIR TIME - Hank Phillippi Ryan [Mira]
BEST SHORT STORY
"Last Fair Deal Gone Down" - Ace Atkins, CROSSROAD BLUES [Busted Flush Press]
"Femme Sole" - Dana Cameron, BOSTON NOIR [Akashic Books]
"Animal Rescue" - Dennis Lehane, BOSTON NOIR [Akashic Books]
"On the House" - Hank Phillippi Ryan, QUARRY: Crime Stories by New England Writers [Level Best Books]
"Amapola" - Luis Alberto Urrea, PHOENIX NOIR [Akashic Books]
BEST CRITICAL NONFICTION WORK
TALKING ABOUT DETECTIVE FICTION - P.D. James [Bodleian Library/Knopf]
THE LINE UP: The World's Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Detectives - Otto Penzler, ed. [Little, Brown and Co]
HAUNTED HEART: The Life and Times of Stephen King - Lisa Rogak [Thomas Dunne Books]
DAME AGATHA'S SHORTS: An Agatha Christie Short Story Companion - Elena Santangelo [Bella Rosa Books]
THE TALENTED MISS HIGHSMITH: The Secret Life and Serious Art of Patricia Highsmith - Joan Schenkar [St. Martin's Press]
THE LAST CHILD - John Hart [Minotaur Books]
THE MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DEATH - Charlie Huston [Ballantine Books]
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE - Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland [Quercus/Knopf]
THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny [Minotaur Books]
THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan [Minotaur Books]
BEST FIRST NOVEL
THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley [Delacorte Press]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
A BAD DAY FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield [Minotaur Books]
THE TWELVE/THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville [Harvill Secker/Soho Press]
IN THE SHADOW OF GOTHAM - Stefanie Pintoff [Minotaur Books]
BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott [Simon & Schuster]
TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman [Busted Flush Press]
QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE - Max Allan Collins [Hard Case Crime]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
DEATH AND THE LIT CHICK - G.M. Malliet [Midnight Ink]
AIR TIME - Hank Phillippi Ryan [Mira]
BEST SHORT STORY
"Last Fair Deal Gone Down" - Ace Atkins, CROSSROAD BLUES [Busted Flush Press]
"Femme Sole" - Dana Cameron, BOSTON NOIR [Akashic Books]
"Animal Rescue" - Dennis Lehane, BOSTON NOIR [Akashic Books]
"On the House" - Hank Phillippi Ryan, QUARRY: Crime Stories by New England Writers [Level Best Books]
"Amapola" - Luis Alberto Urrea, PHOENIX NOIR [Akashic Books]
BEST CRITICAL NONFICTION WORK
TALKING ABOUT DETECTIVE FICTION - P.D. James [Bodleian Library/Knopf]
THE LINE UP: The World's Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Detectives - Otto Penzler, ed. [Little, Brown and Co]
HAUNTED HEART: The Life and Times of Stephen King - Lisa Rogak [Thomas Dunne Books]
DAME AGATHA'S SHORTS: An Agatha Christie Short Story Companion - Elena Santangelo [Bella Rosa Books]
THE TALENTED MISS HIGHSMITH: The Secret Life and Serious Art of Patricia Highsmith - Joan Schenkar [St. Martin's Press]
Officer of the Year?
FOXNews.com - Conn. Officer Arrested in Genitals Photo Case: "A Connecticut police officer has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge for allegedly showing a female motorist a cell phone picture of his genitals during a traffic stop.
Stamford Officer Paul Mabey, who was named the city's 'Officer of the Year' in 2006, was charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday and released on a promise to appear in Superior Court at a later date. He was suspended with pay on Friday."
Stamford Officer Paul Mabey, who was named the city's 'Officer of the Year' in 2006, was charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday and released on a promise to appear in Superior Court at a later date. He was suspended with pay on Friday."
And Yet People Say Romance is Dead
L.I. Couple Getting Married in a Shark Tank | NBC New York: "It’s difficult enough trying remember your vows during a normal wedding ceremony -- try doing it while surrounded by sharks.
That’s what April Pignataro and Michael Curry will be doing.
The couple is preparing to take their vows this Sunday while in the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Tank at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead."
That’s what April Pignataro and Michael Curry will be doing.
The couple is preparing to take their vows this Sunday while in the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Tank at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Forgotten Books: A COOL BREEZE ON THE UNDERGROUND -- Don Winslow
Forgotten? Maybe, but soon to be re-released by Busted Flush Press. And it's about time because a passable paperback copy will run you around twenty bucks.I'm a big admirer of Don Winslow's novels, and I've reviewed several of them here on the blog. For some reason, however, I'd never read his early efforts, the books in the Neal Carey series, of which this is the first. Carey is a private-eye, working for a large agency with a long history. The agency provides very private services for the clients of The Bank. Carey is picked off the streets as a kid by one of the operatives, Joe Graham, and part of the fun in this book is the training Carey receives from Graham. Now Carey's grown and working for the firm, while at the same time working on his Master's degree in 18th century British literature.
"It was a wandering daughter job." That's the way Hammett put it, and in Carey's case the wandering daughter has disappeared in London. He has a short time to find her, and when he does, she's in pretty bad shape. But he gets her home. Along the way there are plenty of twists, betrayals (some of them by Carey), and surprises. It's good stuff, and it's great that Busted Flush is going to reprint the entire Carey series . (Not so great for the people selling those old paperbacks, though.) Highly recommended, just like anything by Winslow.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
The Kids Today Have a Lot of Fun Playing Games
Teenager Has Testicle Amputated After 'Tapping' Game: "A Minnesota teenager had to have his testicle amputated after being punched in the groin by a classmate, KARE11.com reported Friday.
David Gibbons, 14, was changing classes in his Crosby, Minn. high school when he was attacked by another student playing a game called “sack tapping.”"
David Gibbons, 14, was changing classes in his Crosby, Minn. high school when he was attacked by another student playing a game called “sack tapping.”"
Eleanor Taylor Bland, R. I. P.
Via Libby Hellmann on DorothyL: "Sad news: author Eleanor Taylor Bland passed away this afternoon. She had been ill for a long time. I have no information on arrangements yet, but will post them when I do."
And Keep Off His Lawn!
‘Granddad Bandit’: 21 banks and counting - thestar.com: "A bald, heavyset man who has robbed 21 banks in the eastern and central U.S. is proving to be so elusive that the FBI has given him a name — the “Granddad Bandit” — and the agency announced plans Tuesday to post a digital picture of him on billboards in several states in hopes of catching him."
Rue McClanahan, R. I. P.
Golden Girls Star Rue McClanahan Dies at 76 - Tributes, Rue McClanahan : People.com: "Golden Girl Rue McClanahan has died at the age of 76.
'She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning,' her manager, Barbara Lawrence, tells PEOPLE. 'She had a massive stroke.'"
'She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning,' her manager, Barbara Lawrence, tells PEOPLE. 'She had a massive stroke.'"
Bigfoot Update
On Sasquatch's trail in Virginia's Spotsylvania County: "Billy Willard says he's on the verge of a major discovery that could change the way humans think about the natural world, not to mention their need for a creature-proof home security system.Here in Spotsylvania County, in the forests around Lake Anna, Willard claims there have been 14 sightings in the past decade of that most fabled of cryptozoic beasts: Bigfoot."
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
I'll Bet They Don't Film in Ft. Worth This Time
Logan’s Run Is Being “Devised and Shot” in 3D | /Film: "Last week it was revealed that commercial director and Ridley Scott protege Carl Erik Rinsch is in talks to direct a remake of Logan’s Run for Warner Bros/Joel Silver. MTV got a chance to talk to Silver who was promoting Splice this week, and the mega-producer confirms that the upcoming remake is being developed as a 3D movie, and should be shot with 3D cameras."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Drunk Driver Launches Car Over Toll Booth: "An intoxicated driver launched her Chevy Impala, Dukes Of Hazzard-style, over a toll booth as she left the Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport yesterday. The car clipped the toll booth but both the operator and driver escaped without serious injury."
Hat tip to Art Scott.
Never Talk about Politics or Religion
Collinsville bonfire ends in brawl over religion, demons | St. Louis Crime Beat | STLtoday: "“The victim had been talking about religion and demons when the other three became upset and started whipping up on him,” said Madison County Sheriff’s Capt. Brad Wells.
Wells said he didn’t know what specific religious issue incited the fight, but that talk of demons apparently put the fight over the edge. He said that eyewitnesses support the victim’s claims."
Wells said he didn’t know what specific religious issue incited the fight, but that talk of demons apparently put the fight over the edge. He said that eyewitnesses support the victim’s claims."
And Keep Off His Lawn!
Going full throttle at 76, the motorbike champion with one eye, an artificial hip and a pacemaker
| Mail Online: "He's got one eye, an artificial hip and a pacemaker but 76-year-old Henry Brody was born to open it up once he's on a motorbike.
Which is why the daredevil pensioner, like a British version of Anthony Hopkin's loveable character Burt Munro in the hit film The World's Fastest Indian, is the current UK motorcycle sprint champion in the veteran class."
| Mail Online: "He's got one eye, an artificial hip and a pacemaker but 76-year-old Henry Brody was born to open it up once he's on a motorbike.
Which is why the daredevil pensioner, like a British version of Anthony Hopkin's loveable character Burt Munro in the hit film The World's Fastest Indian, is the current UK motorcycle sprint champion in the veteran class."
Oooooooklahoma Leads the Way
Hot pink and bright yellow means you're in jail in Cleveland County | NewsOK.com: "Cleveland County prisoners wear jail-issue uniforms of hot pink shirts and yellow-and-white striped pants, which some say make them look more like clowns than criminals."Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Jack (Best Seller) MacLane
Horror Mall’s Bestselling eBooks for May 2010
- Just Outside Our Windows, Deep Inside Our Walls by Brian Hodge
- The Summoning by J. F. Gonzalez
- The Spectators by Jeffrey Thomas
- The Nightmare Frontier by Stephen Mark Rainey
- Rest in Peace by Jack MacLane
- The Thief of Broken Toys by Tim Lebbon
- What Steven Found by David Jack Bell
- Clown in the Moonlight by Tom Piccirilli
- He Stepped Through by Nate Southard
- Goodnight Moom by Jack MacLane
The Columbo Collection -- William Link
If you enjoyed the Columbo TV series, or even if you didn't, you might enjoy this Crippen & Landru collection of original stories by William Link, one of its creators. You probably know that Crippen & Landru publishes great reprints, but this collection isn't a reprint. As I said above, it's all original. These stories weren't done as part of the TV series, and they've never appeared in print before.
And take a look at the cover. It's by Al Hirschfield, and I'm sure you can find his daughter's name hidden in it. But can you find the hidden gallows and noose? I'm looking for it, myself.
This just arrived at Casa de Crider, but I'm looking forward to reading some of these inverted detective stories and seeing how Columbo figures things out.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
The Post and Courier - Controversy over Citadel grad brews - Charleston SC - postandcourier.com: "A controversy is brewing at the University of Texas at Austin over a residence hall named in honor of William Stewart Simkins, a native South Carolinian who graduated from The Citadel in 1861 and was an unapologetic Ku Klux Klan organizer."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Gadding About
Judy and I arrived home last night about 6:30 P. M. after a great few days in San Francisco. More photos later.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
A Very Interesting Take
Scott Adams Blog: The Adams Theory of Content Value 06/01/2010: "I predict that the profession known as 'author' will be retired to history in my lifetime, like blacksmith and cowboy. In the future, everyone will be a writer, and some will be better and more prolific than others. But no one will pay to read what anyone else creates. People might someday write entire books - and good ones - for the benefit of their own publicity, such as to promote themselves as consultants, lecturers, or the like. But no one born today is the next multi-best-selling author. That job won't exist."
Read it all at the link.
Ouch
Police: Man accidentally shoots self in testicles - AP State News - MyNorthwest.com: "Police say a man accidentally shot himself in the testicles at a Lynnwood department store.
Police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions says the man was carrying his handgun in his waistband and it accidentally went off about noon Sunday."
Police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions says the man was carrying his handgun in his waistband and it accidentally went off about noon Sunday."
Hat tip to Jeremy Lynch.
Chuka -- Richard Jessup
Richard Jessup wrote westerns under his own name and as Richard Telfair. While I've read a lot of his other books, this is the first of his westerns that I've tried. It's a good one, and it was made into a film with Rod Taylor in the lead role.The title character is a gunfighter. No one knows his real name. He's just Chuka. He and two friends arrive at Fort Clendennon on their way to Montana. At about the same time a stage arrives with several passengers. You can guess what's going to happen: Indian attack. The fort is filled with misfits overseen by a Major Valois, a 25-year-old West Point grad and a tough sergeant who backs him up.
There's an assorted cast of characters: the grizzled scout, the disgruntled soldier, the beautiful woman, the former prostitute. All familiar, but Jessup does some interesting things with all of them. In fact, the book could have been a hundred pages longer and still not have told all their stories. Some things clearly needed more development, but it doesn't matter in the end.
The people in the fort are clearly over-matched. They don't stand a chance against the united force of several tribes. I won't say how all this turns out, but what happens is told matter-of-factly and it's all the more effective for that. I should read another western by Jessup soon.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Sub Accused Of Watching Porn In Classroom - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston: "An elementary substitute teacher with Spring Independent School District is accused of watching child pornography in class, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The district launched an investigation after more than one allegation that a substitute teacher at Jenkins Elementary School was viewing child pornography on the school's computer in the classroom full of fourth grade students."
The district launched an investigation after more than one allegation that a substitute teacher at Jenkins Elementary School was viewing child pornography on the school's computer in the classroom full of fourth grade students."
Collectible Vintage Posters
Collectible Vintage Posters: "A little known secret about AbeBooks is that thousands of collectible vintage posters can be found for sale on the website. Posters offer amazing insights into popular culture, the history of art, politics (including all the fascinating aspects of propaganda), war and commerce, but they rarely survive the passage of time."
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