Amazon.com: The Square Root of Murder (Professor Sophie Knowles) (9780425242193): Ada Madison: Books: "Dr. Sophie Knowles teaches math at Henley College in Massachusetts, but when a colleague turns up dead, it's up to her to find the killer before someone else gets subtracted."
Thursday, July 07, 2011
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention
Amazon.com: The Square Root of Murder (Professor Sophie Knowles) (9780425242193): Ada Madison: Books: "Dr. Sophie Knowles teaches math at Henley College in Massachusetts, but when a colleague turns up dead, it's up to her to find the killer before someone else gets subtracted."
Notorious New Mexico Nipple Ripper WBAGNFARB
The Smoking Gun: "Notorious New Mexico Nipple Ripper Pleads Guilty To Attack On Daughter-In-Law"
Here's The Plot for Your Next Da Vinci Code Thriller
BBC News: "A hugely valuable illuminated manuscript has disappeared from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, say police.
The Codex Calixtinus dates from the 12th Century and was compiled as a guidebook for medieval pilgrims following the Way of Saint James."
The Codex Calixtinus dates from the 12th Century and was compiled as a guidebook for medieval pilgrims following the Way of Saint James."
Hat tip to Rich Prosch.
Iain (Emma) Blair, R. I. P.
Emma Blair - Telegraph: "Emma Blair, the romantic novelist who died on July 3 aged 69, was, in reality, Iain Blair, a burly 6ft 3in Glaswegian actor with a 60-a-day habit and a fondness for a good pint."
Feeling Safer Now?
Palm Beach News - The Daily Pulp: "While most Transportation Security Administration employees are busy groping people or taking naked pictures of them, the cops say one of those employees was putting fliers' electronics down his pants.
The Broward Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Nelson Santiago stole around $50,000 worth of electronics over the past six months from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 1.
Santiago -- a TSA officer since 2009 -- was caught earlier this week by a Continental Airlines employee taking an iPad out of someone's luggage and stuffing it into his pants, the cops say."
The Broward Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Nelson Santiago stole around $50,000 worth of electronics over the past six months from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 1.
Santiago -- a TSA officer since 2009 -- was caught earlier this week by a Continental Airlines employee taking an iPad out of someone's luggage and stuffing it into his pants, the cops say."
Free Willie!
The Raw Story: "A west Texas judge said this week that she was rejecting a plea deal for legendary country-western musician Willie Nelson, who now faces up to a year in prison for marijuana possession."
Gator Update (NFL Edition #2)
TMZ.com: "Arizona Cardinals defensive juggernaut Darnell Dockett dropped down into a death-defying 3-point stance last weekend -- directly over a LIVE alligator -- and we're told, he paid $225 for the privilege."
Great photo at the link.
Gator Update (Mudbogging Edition)
livingstondaily.com: "'They had it tied to the roof of the pickup and were mudbogging,' the sheriff explained."
Photo at the link.
Here's the Plot for Your Next Forensic Thriller
Herald Sun: "TECHNOLOGY, history and 'good old-fashioned detective work' have combined to solve a gruesome 132-year-old murder mystery.
And it all took place in the backyard of BBC nature show supremo Sir David Attenborough."
And it all took place in the backyard of BBC nature show supremo Sir David Attenborough."
Key quotation: "The boys ate two bowls of lard which was unfortunately Mrs Thomas."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
iWon News: "Dallas wide receiver Roy Williams has sued his ex-girlfriend for return of an engagement ring he included in a marriage proposal-by-mail spurned by the ex-beauty queen."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention
Amazon.com: Drunk on the Moon eBook: Paul D, Brazill: Kindle Store: "When a full moon fills the night sky, P I Roman Dalton becomes a werewolf and prowls the dark streets of the city battling creatures of evil. Paul D Brazill's Drunk On The Moon is an intense and hard-boiled noir / horror series, brought to you by some of the finest dark fiction writers around.Spinetingler Award nominee Paul D. Brazill was born in England and lives in Poland. His writing has appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies, including the 2011 Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime. His short story collection '13 Shots Of Noir' will be published in 2011. He writes regularly for Pulp Metal Magazine and Mean Streets Magazine. His influential blog is You Would Say That, Wouldn't You? "
Ghost car
Ghost Car --�A 1939 Plexiglas Pontiac Deluxe Six -- To Be Auctioned: "One of only two 'Ghost Cars' ever built will be up for grabs at the RM Auction in Michigan on July 30 and the plexiglas 139 Pontiac Deluxe Six could fetch up to $475,000."
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention
Amazon.com: What a Croc! eBook: Bill Crider: Books: "A former pirate and his devoted minion pursue a rogue crocodile through time and space. Sewers! Shotguns! More pop culture references than you can shake a stick at! A short story with fun for all!"
You Don't Pull the Mask Off the Ol' Lone Ranger . . . .
UPI.com: "Police in Iowa said a woman was arrested on an interference with official acts charge for allegedly tugging on a police horse's tail."
Chuck Klosterman interviews Bill James
Chuck Klosterman interviews Bill James - Grantland: "The father of sabermetrics on his new book and what makes a murderer"
Hat tip to Art Scott.
A Very Interesting Discussion -- Check it Out
Top Suspense Group: INSIDE TOP SUSPENSE: SEX: "It’s gonna to be a long, hot summer, and you’re probably wondering how you’ll get through it. What do you think about when the nights are hot and heavy, it’s impossible to move without sweating, and the smell of someone's perfume or aftershave hangs in the air? Well, if you’re INSIDE TOP SUSPENSE, you think about sex.
So that’s our topic this time. How do you mix sex, murder, and suspense? Do they go together at all? When you write sex do you close the door and cut to the next scene? Or do you give readers all the details? Top Suspense gives you our opinions, starting with the Mistress of Erotic Suspense, Vicki Hendricks. You'll also hear from Lee Goldberg, Ed Gorman, and Naomi Hirahawa."
So that’s our topic this time. How do you mix sex, murder, and suspense? Do they go together at all? When you write sex do you close the door and cut to the next scene? Or do you give readers all the details? Top Suspense gives you our opinions, starting with the Mistress of Erotic Suspense, Vicki Hendricks. You'll also hear from Lee Goldberg, Ed Gorman, and Naomi Hirahawa."
Bobby Vee Update
St. Cloud TIMES | sctimes.com: "Like many local neighbors and friends his age, Bobby Vee is planning to sample “retirement living.” He’s just doing so after more than 50 years of steady touring and churning out top 40 hits.
“Those things that I’ve cherished, I’ll now have more time to do,” Vee said."
“Those things that I’ve cherished, I’ll now have more time to do,” Vee said."
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Army’s $2.7 billion cloud computing system does not work | The Raw Story: "Designed by Northrop Grumman to relay real-time intelligence to commanders from multiple sources; the system known as DCGS-A is meant to enable a battlefield officer to search for an insurgent by collecting and relaying data from multiple sources.
Instead, analysts say the system is unable to perform 'simple analytical tasks,' has trouble finding reports, and the mapping software is incompatible with the search software."
Instead, analysts say the system is unable to perform 'simple analytical tasks,' has trouble finding reports, and the mapping software is incompatible with the search software."
Hard Case Crime Update from Charles Ardai
Hard Case Crime has published books by a number Mystery Writers of America 'Grand Masters' over the years -- Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake, Mickey Spillane, Ed McBain, Stephen King -- but in 2012 we're going to add to this illustrious list a Grand Master from the other side of the aisle, the Science Fiction Writers of America: Robert Silverberg. Five-time winner of the Nebula Award, five-time winner of the Hugo Award, author of acclaimed, mind-bending fantasy novels that have won praise from people like Jonathan Lethem and Michael Chabon, Bob began his career writing under fake names for the last surviving pulp magazines. For the very last issue ever of TRAPPED DETECTIVE STORY MAGAZINE, the editor asked if he could supply a complete novel, and Bob did, an action-packed suspense thriller about a government agent going undercover in the Philadelphia Mob to root out a master currency forger from within. The issue of TRAPPED appeared on newsstands in 1962 -- and after it went off sale a few weeks later, this work by Silverberg vanished. It never appeared under the author's real name, never appeared in book form -- never appeared in any form for the past half-century. And it's a great read. So...in April 2012, Hard Case Crime will be giving BLOOD ON THE MINK its first-ever proper publication, including a new afterword by Silverberg discussing the novel's genesis and his work for the pulps, as well as two short stories he wrote for the pulps that have a connection to the novel, and that also haven't seen the light of day for more than 50 years. See http://www.hardcasecrime.com for some more information, a sample chapter, and a peek at the exciting cover art by Michael Koelsch. We're very excited about this book -- if you'd like to know more about it, don't hesitate to get in touch... Best, Charles ---------- Charles Ardai Editor, Hard Case Crime
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Alameda Leads the Way
Cringe at the World’s Largest Hamburger at the Alameda County Fair: "About a month ago, Inside Scoop brought word of the Alameda County Fair’s plan to construct the monstrosity that is the world’s largest hamburger.
Over the weekend, they made the dream a reality, thereby adding giant hamburger-building to the Fourth of July traditions of gorging on hot dogs for television and blowing stuff up.
The final burger, per the AP, clocked in at 777 pounds total, which is way more than the planned 625."
Over the weekend, they made the dream a reality, thereby adding giant hamburger-building to the Fourth of July traditions of gorging on hot dogs for television and blowing stuff up.
The final burger, per the AP, clocked in at 777 pounds total, which is way more than the planned 625."
Hat tip to Art Scott.
Gator Update (NFL Edition)
Arizona Sports News from USA Today: "Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett played at Florida State so it would be hard to believe that he’s got an alligator as a pet.
Now, a crocodile we could believe."
Now, a crocodile we could believe."
Photo at the link.
Now Available as an e-Book!
Amazon.com: The Dead Man: The Blood Mesa eBook: James Reasoner, Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin: Kindle Store: "BOOK #5 in thrilling DEAD MAN saga, the action/horror series that readers and book critics alike are hailing as 'an epic tale' that compares to the best of Stephen King and Dean Koontz...Matt Cahill finds himself trapped atop a blood-red mesa in the desolate American Southwest when an archeological dig goes terribly, dangerously wrong, awakening an ancient evil with an insatiable hunger. Now Matt, armed only with his trusty ax, must somehow escape...rescue a handful of terrified innocents... and prevent a slaughter of epic proportions."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
The Raw Story: "Crime is on the rise in one small Texas city because the police department has been padlocked and the officers sent home.
The city of Alto laid off its entire police force about two weeks about because the city council completely cut the department's budget."
The city of Alto laid off its entire police force about two weeks about because the city council completely cut the department's budget."
This is the Big Day
The Wild Hog Murders is hitting the streets today, and the coming-out party is at Houston's Murder by the Book at 6:30 this evening. If you can't be there, they'll be happy to send you a copy. Or you can buy one somewhere else. Just be sure to buy one so I continue to live the high-maintenance life of a rich and famous writer to which I've become accustomed. I thank you for your support.
Feeling Safer Now?
Pixiq: "A Miami photographer was escorted off a US Airways plane and deemed a “security risk” after she snapped a photo of an employee’s nametag at Philadelphia International Airport Friday.
Sandy DeWitt said the employee, whose name was Tonialla G., was being rude to several passengers in the boarding area of the flight to Miami."
Sandy DeWitt said the employee, whose name was Tonialla G., was being rude to several passengers in the boarding area of the flight to Miami."
Prison Break Update
Yahoo! News: "Police say a woman was caught trying to sneak her common-law-husband out of a Mexican prison in a suitcase following a conjugal visit."
Photo at the link.
How do you mix sex, murder, and suspense?
Top Suspense Group: "So that’s our topic this time. How do you mix sex, murder, and suspense? Do they go together at all? When you write sex do you close the door and cut to the next scene? Or do you give readers all the details? Top Suspense gives you our opinions, starting with the Mistress of Erotic Suspense, Vicki Hendricks. You'll also hear from Lee Goldberg, Ed Gorman, and Naomi Hirahawa.
Hope you’ll join the conversation, too… it’s bound to be a hot one."
Hope you’ll join the conversation, too… it’s bound to be a hot one."
Anna Massey, R. I. P.
Anna Massey dies aged 73 | Metro.co.uk: "Daughter of actor Canadian actor Raymond Massey and British actress Adrianne Allen, Massey was a star of both big and small screen with roles in Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy, Possession with Gwyneth Paltrow and the 2002 adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest starring Reese Witherspoon and Rupert Everett."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Forgotten Films: The Bad and the Beautiful
When I was a kid, I liked to go to the movies. It didn't matter what the movie was about. I thought a movie was a movie, and if there was any chance of going, I wanted to go. So I saw not only the westerns that were standard fare for kids in those days, but a lot of other things as well. I think I saw this one because of the title, which I found irresistible for some reason or other. Still do, for that matter.Kirk Douglas starred. It seems to me now that in every movie I saw him in when I was a kid, he played a heel, someone who thought of himself as being a little bit smarter than everybody else and willing to use them to get what he wants. Here he's a Hollywood producer, down on his luck, whose story is told by three people in separate flashbacks that give the members of a great cast a chance to show their stuff as Douglas uses each of them and tosses them aside.
I thought it was brutal realism when I saw it long ago, but now I can see that it's really all Hollywood glamour and gloss. But I don't care. It's great stuff, anyway, the kind of big honking soap opera they really don't make anymore. Filmed in glorious black and white.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Hitchcock Update
The Raw Story: "Restored silent Hitchcock films will be screened complete with new orchestral scores as part of the build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, the British Film Institute announced Monday.
The 1920s classics are being cleaned up and restored to create perfect-as-possible digital versions that will premiere during the Cultural Olympiad, a programme of events surrounding the Games."
The 1920s classics are being cleaned up and restored to create perfect-as-possible digital versions that will premiere during the Cultural Olympiad, a programme of events surrounding the Games."
No Comment Department
Almost a Fourth of Americans Do Not Know When the U.S. Declared Independence - The Note: "American Fourth of July traditions are tightly woven into the fabric of U.S. society, but the history of the country’s independence seems to have slipped through the seams.
A Marist poll released Friday shows that only 58 percent of Americans know when the country declared independence. Nearly a fourth of respondents said they were unsure and sixteen percent said a date other than 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Young people posted the most troubling scores with 41 percent of people ages 18 to 29 saying they were unsure when the Declaration of Independence was signed and 27 percent saying the wrong date.
One in four Americans do not even know which country the U.S. gained independence from. The correct answer, of course, is Great Britain, although 20 percent of respondents were unsure of that fact.�"
A Marist poll released Friday shows that only 58 percent of Americans know when the country declared independence. Nearly a fourth of respondents said they were unsure and sixteen percent said a date other than 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Young people posted the most troubling scores with 41 percent of people ages 18 to 29 saying they were unsure when the Declaration of Independence was signed and 27 percent saying the wrong date.
One in four Americans do not even know which country the U.S. gained independence from. The correct answer, of course, is Great Britain, although 20 percent of respondents were unsure of that fact.�"
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention
Amazon.com: Croaker: Tequila Mockingbird eBook: Paul Bishop: Books: "The third Detective Fey Croaker L.A.P.D. novel.Paul Bishop is one of Los Angeles's most respected cops. For over thirty five years, he has played hardball on the streets for one of the toughest police departments in America. As a result, he brings the kind of authenticity to his Fey Croaker novels only an insider could achieve.
When Croaker: Tequila Mockingbird opens with a blistering start, the murder of a highly decorated detective assigned to the L.A.P.D.'s clandestine Anti-Terrorist Division appears to be an open-and-shut case of domestic violence turned deadly.
However, nothing is what it seems – as Fey Croaker discovers after the chief of police removes responsibility for the investigation from the department's elite Robbery-Homicide Division and assigns it to her. But the price of truth is high – maybe even higher than Fey can pay."
Apollocon 2011 Pictures
Apollocon 2011 Pictures Lawrence Person's Futuramen
If you scroll through these, you'll discover that I'm in a few of them.
First It Was the Convict . . . .
San Antonio Express-News: "A former economics professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio who was fired in 2007 for viewing pornography on an office computer has sued the university in federal court to get his job back, claiming officials violated his constitutional right to free speech."
Cell Phone Update
It seems like only yesterday that I was telling you about my new cell phone. Oh, wait. It was only yesterday. Now that we've returned from the big homecoming that we attended, I have an update.
The reason I bought the cell phone was that in Judy's old hometown, we don't have access to the Internet. I figured that I'd use the phone for that. When I shopped for the phone, I asked the Verizon rep if I could get data coverage in the 76687 area code. She looked it up on the Internet and assured me that I could. "Not 4G coverage," she said, "but you can get full 3G coverage. You can surf the 'Net, watch videos, and everything." I asked if she was sure. She even went to the actual street address and showed me the full coverage picture on the map.
I was sold, so I bought the phone. Once again, however, my trusting nature has led me to disaster. Not only could I not surf the 'Net or watch videos, I couldn't even make a phone call. Well, I could do all those things for about 10 seconds. After that, the service went away. Now and then it would return, but not for long.
It's very annoying to be misled by someone, even though I'm sure the rep wasn't at fault. Like me, she believed Verizon. There's a lesson to be learned here. Too bad I probably won't learn it.
Poor Guy
Jail inmate: Lack of porn violates US Constitution: "A Michigan jail inmate says he's being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because he can't have pornography.
In a handwritten lawsuit, 21-year-old Kyle Richards claims his civil rights are being violated at the Macomb County Jail. Richards says denying his request for erotic material subjects him to a 'poor standard of living' and 'sexual and sensory deprivation.'"
In a handwritten lawsuit, 21-year-old Kyle Richards claims his civil rights are being violated at the Macomb County Jail. Richards says denying his request for erotic material subjects him to a 'poor standard of living' and 'sexual and sensory deprivation.'"
Hat tip to Art Scott.
I Remember them Well
Those Aren’t Your Father’s Fireworks: "There were always whispers of more powerful holiday ordinance from the days of yore, though. M-80s. Cherry bombs. Silver salutes. The kind of fireworks that Bart Simpson could throw down a toilet and detonate the whole plumbing system. What happened to these legendarily destructive fireworks, and are they really illegal?"
No Comment Department
NYPOST.com: "The family of a coldblooded killer serving 25 years to life in state prison for shooting a man in the head complains he's being stigmatized -- by the use of the term 'inmate.'
The label 'implies that our brother is locked up for the purpose of mating with other men,' claims Marie Domond in a lawsuit against the state Correctional Services Department.
The Brooklyn federal court filing demands that officials immediately stop calling Gerard Domond 'an inmate.'
It apparently hurts his feelings. Sis seeks $50 million damages for 'mental anguish.'"
The label 'implies that our brother is locked up for the purpose of mating with other men,' claims Marie Domond in a lawsuit against the state Correctional Services Department.
The Brooklyn federal court filing demands that officials immediately stop calling Gerard Domond 'an inmate.'
It apparently hurts his feelings. Sis seeks $50 million damages for 'mental anguish.'"
End of an Era
The Raw Story: "As the United States winds down its shuttle programme in a symbolic twist in a long-running space rivalry, Russia will gain complete control of access to the International Space Station.
The Russian space agency plays down any triumphalism, but US astronauts will remain dependent on Russia for access to the ISS at least until 2015 and will have to pay for seats in its Soyuz space capsules."
The Russian space agency plays down any triumphalism, but US astronauts will remain dependent on Russia for access to the ISS at least until 2015 and will have to pay for seats in its Soyuz space capsules."
Have a Glorious 4th!
Independence Day (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States."
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Ruth Roberts, R. I. P.
LoHud.com: "Ruth Roberts, the songwriter who penned 'Meet the Mets,' died Friday at her home in the village. She was 84.
Recorded for the New York Mets after their inaugural season in 1962, 'Meet the Mets' was written as an upbeat fight song for the struggling young baseball team."
Recorded for the New York Mets after their inaugural season in 1962, 'Meet the Mets' was written as an upbeat fight song for the struggling young baseball team."
She also wrote "They Call Him Mr. Touchdown," among others.
Archaeology Update
The Raw Story: "Egyptian and French archaeologists have unearthed a 2,700-year-old stone gate belonging to Nubian King Shabaka while digging near Luxor's Karnak temple, the ministry of antiquities said on Sunday.
The gate, which was found to be 'in good condition,' once led to the room holding the king's treasures, the ministry said."
The gate, which was found to be 'in good condition,' once led to the room holding the king's treasures, the ministry said."
The End of Everything -- Megan Abbott
Megan Abbott's books have always seemed to me to tilt toward the mainstream, and while I don't know how The End of Everything is being marketed, it could easily be put into the mainstream section of the bookstore. It's a coming-of-age story told by Lizzie Hood, who's looking back on certain events from her childhood. However, she maintains a 13-year-old's point of view for the most part, so Lizzie's understanding of things might not be ours. We can see things from a different perspective.Lizzie thinks the Ververs, her next-door neighbors, are more or less a perfect family. Their daughter Evie is her best friend. And then one day Evie disappears. Everyone is sure she's been abducted, and Lizzie uses her special knowledge to do some investigating of her own. She's not above planting evidence if she has to.
There's not much mystery in the usual sense here. Everyone seems to know who the culprit is. The question is what really happened. And why. Those are the things that bother Lizzie, too, and she gradually finds out the answers. Maybe not all of them, but the reader again understands a little bit more than she does.
Excellent and evocative writing as usual from Abbott. Check it out.
A Coincidence
Years ago, I have no idea how many, I signed up with the college where I was teaching to get a cell phone at a special discount rate. It was so long ago that I had to haul the cell phone around in a wagon. Okay, it wasn't that big, but it was big. It was an analog phone. Later on I traded it in for a digital model, just the kind I needed. It wouldn't do anything other than make and receive calls. It wouldn't even take pictures.
The other day, I decided it was time to update myself and get a smartphone. So I did, from the same carrier. I couldn't get the same deal, though, and the rep at Best Buy couldn't even transfer the number or cancel the old contract because of the special deal. I'd have to take care of that at the college.
So on Friday I went out there and walked into the office of Janet Schweibel, who's in charge of the phone accounts. As soon as I came through the door, she said, "I hope you're not here about your cell phone."
I was taken aback. I said, "How did you know?" It turned out that she didn't know. She thought I might be there about getting a new phone or adding someone to the account or something like that. She'd asked the question because, as she explained, she'd just heard from the carrier, and the college was going to cancel the program. She was going to have to notify everyone that they'd no longer be able to use their cell phones and that they'd have to get new ones.
I'm glad I'm always (barely) ahead of the curve.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
The Serial Killer's Daugher --Heywood Gould
I've mentioned my fondness for the books of Heywood Gould before (here and here). It's another wild and entertaining ride that's hard to put down.College senior Peter Vogel is attracted to Hannah Seeley, a girl in one of his classes. She doesn't appear interested in him, but one day she says she'll have sex with him if he'll write her papers. It's an offer he can't refuse. Little does he know what he's getting into.
First, Hannah disappears. Peter goes to Houston and gets a job. Hannah turns up. That's when things get wild and crazy. People die. Someone's trying to kill Hannah, and Peter, too, since he's with her. They go on the road to California, but they can't escape their tormentors. Peter discovers he's a lot better at violence than he thought, and that's about all I should say. Best that you find out what happens for yourself. It's funny, it's gruesome, it's a great road trip. I've accumulated a couple more of Gould's books to read sooner or later. I can't seem to resist them. You should give this one a try.
It's Not too Esoteric for Seepy Benton
U. mathematician wins Italy’s top science award | The Salt Lake Tribune: "Christopher Hacon’s exploration of how polynomial equations help scientists describe objects in multiple dimensions may be too esoteric for most people to grasp. But it has earned the University of Utah mathematics professor numerous scholarly awards, including his promotion last year to distinguished professor."
PaperBack
Will F. Jenkins, Dallas, Gold Medal, 1950
Jenkins was better known under his pen name of Murray Leinster.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
The Associated Press: "housands of people came from miles around Wednesday to see and honor a legend in the flesh — the white buffalo born in a thunderstorm on a northeast Texas ranch.
The rare white buffalo calf, regarded as sacred by Lakota Sioux tradition, was honored with Native American prayers, religious songs and the solemn smoking of a pipe in a special naming and dedication ceremony at the Lakota Ranch in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas."
The rare white buffalo calf, regarded as sacred by Lakota Sioux tradition, was honored with Native American prayers, religious songs and the solemn smoking of a pipe in a special naming and dedication ceremony at the Lakota Ranch in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas."
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
NBC Dallas-Fort Worth: "The Arlington Police Department is in the first part of its experiment in using unmanned aircraft to assist in law enforcement.
The department has been testing and evaluating two battery-operated, remote-controlled aircraft over a small, restricted airspace near Lake Arlington Dam, away from populated areas."
The department has been testing and evaluating two battery-operated, remote-controlled aircraft over a small, restricted airspace near Lake Arlington Dam, away from populated areas."
Friday, July 01, 2011
An Excerpt from a Wonderful New Novel
Check it out. If you don't register, all you can read is the blurbs, but those are pretty nice ones from two great guys.
Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
abc13.com: "Police asked why he ran and the suspect replied he felt like 'messing with the officers.'"
PaperBack
Yankee King of the Islands, Lancer, 1963
As you can see from the back cover info, this is a collection of "fabulous true adventures." Leave out the "true" and accept the "fabulous" in the original sense, and it might be right. All the "articles" are from Atlas Magazine publications.
And Keep Off Her Lawn!
iWon News: "Pennsylvania police say an 89-year-old woman used her cane to dent the car of two people who stole her friend's purse, and authorities were able to track down the getaway car based in part on the cane's imprint."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
I'm in Favor
Oxford Comma Still Alive and Well | ThirdAge: "The 'Oxford comma' is still alive and well, calming some people's fears that the university had revised its rules governing the use of the serial comma."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Fabulous Faber and Faber
AbeBooks: Fabulous Faber and Faber: Eliot to Ishiguro: "Faber and Faber has been publishing fabulous books since the days of King George V. There was only one Faber – Geoffrey, who took on the firm from its original incarnation as Faber and Gwyer. The second Faber is there purely for the sake of appearance.
Faber and Faber will always be associated with the poet T.S. Eliot, who quit life as a bean counter in Lloyds Bank to work for the publisher. Faber’s first Eliot book was Poems 1909-1925. In some respects, Eliot’s behind-the-scenes work as a publisher is just as important as his own writing. Aside from the author of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Faber and Faber were (and always has been) deeply committed to poetry and its stable of poets during the Eliot era included Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden, Stephen Spender and Walter de la Mare."
Faber and Faber will always be associated with the poet T.S. Eliot, who quit life as a bean counter in Lloyds Bank to work for the publisher. Faber’s first Eliot book was Poems 1909-1925. In some respects, Eliot’s behind-the-scenes work as a publisher is just as important as his own writing. Aside from the author of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Faber and Faber were (and always has been) deeply committed to poetry and its stable of poets during the Eliot era included Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden, Stephen Spender and Walter de la Mare."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Houston Chronicle: "Joanne Ayoube dutifully worked for a month as a physical therapy intern at a Sugar Land hospital, filling out medical records and working with patients beginning in April, prosecutors said.
Four weeks into her 'internship,' Ayoube checked one of her patients with dementia, 95-year-old Jack Fine, out of the hospital. The two went to his home, and she moved in, an arrangement that allegedly netted Ayoube tens of thousands of dollars.
It was a lot of cash for a resourceful 30-year-old woman who had no credentials, documentation or authorization to work in the hospital, authorities said Thursday after Ayoube was charged with bilking Fine out of $65,000."
Paris Hilton Update
TMZ.com: "The knife-wielding man who tried to break into Paris Hilton's L.A. home was just sentenced to 2 years in state prison, TMZ has learned."
Forgotten Books: Hunt the Killer -- Day Keene
When it comes to man-on-the-run novels, Day Keene was right up there with his friend Harry Whittington. The day Charlie White gets out of prison after four years, his wife's not waiting for him outside. A beautiful Cuban woman is, however, and she tells Charlie that not only is he safe but that he has $48,000 in a Cuban bank just waiting for him. Which would be a pretty good deal, except that someone kills the woman while she's in Charlie's arms and tries to kill Charlie, too.Charlie lives, but he's the fall guy for the murder. He thinks his only hope is to get back to his wife and prove that he's not the killer. The manhunt is on all over Florida, and Charlie's just one step ahead of the cops and others out to get him. You know it's all going to work out in the end, but the fun is in seeing how Keene manages to work it all out. You might not remember this book for a month, but you'll remember how you were glued to it while you were reading. Luckily Stark House is coming out with a triple-decker Keene volume in the fall, and this novel is one of the three. Check it out.
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