Saturday, November 22, 2008
I'm all a'Twitter
For some reason, I have a Twitter account. I probably won't update it often, so why do I have it? Good question.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Texas hearing on Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales indictment turns chaotic | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News: "RAYMONDVILLE, Texas — A county prosecutor who brought indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and others pounded his fist and shouted at the judge Friday about special treatment for high-profile defendants as a routine motions hearing descended into chaos.
Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra, who is accusing the public officials of culpability in the alleged abuse of prisoners in a federal detention center, asked Presiding Judge Manuel Banales to recuse himself. Guerra has complained about Banales' handling of the case."
Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra, who is accusing the public officials of culpability in the alleged abuse of prisoners in a federal detention center, asked Presiding Judge Manuel Banales to recuse himself. Guerra has complained about Banales' handling of the case."
November 22, 1963
This post from four years ago pretty much covers it. It was a long time ago, but it seems like yesterday to me.
It's about Time
Sci-Fi Ray Gun Debuts in Iraq - TierneyLab Blog - NYTimes.com: "I tremble to type this, but here goes: The ray gun has finally become a reality.
At least that’s what the Economist reports. It says a “directed-energy weapon” named Zeus (presumably because of his fondness for hurling lightning bolts) has been deployed in the back of a Humvee in Iraq. It’s being tested by soldiers who are using its laser beam to detonate roadside bombs from a safe distance of 300 meters."
At least that’s what the Economist reports. It says a “directed-energy weapon” named Zeus (presumably because of his fondness for hurling lightning bolts) has been deployed in the back of a Humvee in Iraq. It’s being tested by soldiers who are using its laser beam to detonate roadside bombs from a safe distance of 300 meters."
Quantum of Solace
Okay, this isn't a James Bond movie, not in the way other James Bond movies have been, at least. The familiar James Bond theme (along with the familiar image that's opened so many movies in the series) doesn't show up until the closing credits, as if it was either an afterthought or something the moviemakers felt they'd better throw in as a sop to the old fogies in the audience who can't accept change.I'm an old fogey, but I can accept change. I like it when the change is for the better, though, and this time I don't see most of it that way. Take the opening theme. Please. Maybe it's all hip and modern, but I thought it sucked. Or take the action scenes. Jeez. At least 90% of the time I couldn't tell who was doing what to whom. For the most part, they sucked. (When did all this quick cutting start, anyway? I remember that my complaining about them started with Gladiator, but that doesn't mean anything.)
I missed the humor that's been a part of the series for so long, too. I know Bond's supposed to be all gloomy because of the death of Vesper, but still. Okay, there's a nice line at a performance of Tosca. And maybe the last bit was supposed to be funny. There's this really, really ugly luxury hotel in the middle of the Bolivian desert. Why there would be a luxury hotel there is never explained. Location, location, location? Anyway, somebody says, "Was there any trouble making the hotel secure?" (Or words to that effect.) You sure wouldn't think so, considering that the hotel has no guests, mainly because it's about a zillion miles from anywhere. And then someone says, "No trouble. The only problem is the hydrogen cells we use for power. They're very unstable." That's what's known as foreshadowing, kids. Of course the place isn't secure at all, not when James Bond is on the job.
How many Felix Leiters have there been, anyway? Anybody counting?
All that aside, I didn't hate the movie. I liked Daniel Craig a lot. I liked Judy Dench, Olga Kurylenko, and Gemma Arterton. I liked the scenery. The story was okay. It just wasn't a James Bond movie. It could have been any other action movie around.
I liked the trailer for The International, which for some reason looked like a James Bond movie.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Drag queen's role, gay bar venue spark controversy for Miss Texas preliminary pageant | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News: "Cassie Nova is resplendent in red.
Her figure is flattered by an almost-there hemline. Heels, three-inch. Hair, teased. Makeup, porcelain doll smooth.
As co-host of a preliminary Miss Texas pageant held Sunday night in Dallas, Ms. Nova was all woman — except for one thing. She’s a man.
Therein lies the problem. That and the pageant venue: a gay bar."
Her figure is flattered by an almost-there hemline. Heels, three-inch. Hair, teased. Makeup, porcelain doll smooth.
As co-host of a preliminary Miss Texas pageant held Sunday night in Dallas, Ms. Nova was all woman — except for one thing. She’s a man.
Therein lies the problem. That and the pageant venue: a gay bar."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
The stinkiest places in the world. Hereford, Texas, edges out Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Nipplegate Update
AFP: Janet Jackson's 'Nipplegate' case could reach US high court: "WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US government has asked the Supreme Court to reimpose a half-million-dollar fine slapped on CBS television for a 2004 broadcast of live images of pop star Janet Jackson's breast, court documents obtained by AFP show.
It is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it will consider the request.
Prosecutors are asking the high court justices to weigh in on a case that raised eyebrows and stirred passions in the United States, where nudity on non-pay television is a no-no in advertising, while rare and limited to late-night hours in television series."
It is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it will consider the request.
Prosecutors are asking the high court justices to weigh in on a case that raised eyebrows and stirred passions in the United States, where nudity on non-pay television is a no-no in advertising, while rare and limited to late-night hours in television series."
Movies Are Your Best Entertainment. Not.
Screenwriting guru McKee says Hollywood is finished: "If screenwriting guru Robert McKee has the plot right, Hollywood is the villain in the piece and TV is the hero. But how the story ends is another question.
'Hollywood films? The death rattle of a dying industry,' said the acclaimed screenwriting instructor, in Paris for one of his sold-out 'Story' seminars.
'The best writers are creating TV series. It's all in TV,' he told AFP."
'Hollywood films? The death rattle of a dying industry,' said the acclaimed screenwriting instructor, in Paris for one of his sold-out 'Story' seminars.
'The best writers are creating TV series. It's all in TV,' he told AFP."
10 Unconventional Winter Holiday Movies
10 Unconventional Winter Holiday Movies | Geekdad from Wired.com: "Everybody knows the classic winter holiday movies, from older ones like It's a Wonderful Life to newer ones like A Christmas Story, to ones that get remade over and over again like A Christmas Carol. Whether or not you like such movies, you must admit that it does get a bit repetitive watching the same stories over and over again every year, with the possible exception of the cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Here, then, are ten holiday movies (in no particular order) that aren't on most people's list to watch with the family, some of them for very good reasons."
Hat tip to Ivan G. Shreve, Jr., at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.
Hat tip to Ivan G. Shreve, Jr., at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
And the Lifetime movie begins filming in 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . .
Katy cheerleaders could face jail for hazing charges | Moms | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "It was only a tradition — a friendly pre-dawn breakfast hosted by the varsity cheerleaders at Katy's Morton Ranch High School for the girls of the junior varsity squad. But this year, a grand jury indictment handed up on Wednesday alleges, something went horribly wrong.
Rather than being driven to an area restaurant, the junior cheerleaders were taken to a private home where, bound and blindfolded, they were pushed into a swimming pool, the indictment charges. Seven members of the varsity squad, aged 17 and 18, were charged as adults with hazing, a Class B misdemeanor that could bring a maximum six-month jail sentence and a $2,000 fine upon conviction."
Katy cheerleaders could face jail for hazing charges | Moms | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "It was only a tradition — a friendly pre-dawn breakfast hosted by the varsity cheerleaders at Katy's Morton Ranch High School for the girls of the junior varsity squad. But this year, a grand jury indictment handed up on Wednesday alleges, something went horribly wrong.
Rather than being driven to an area restaurant, the junior cheerleaders were taken to a private home where, bound and blindfolded, they were pushed into a swimming pool, the indictment charges. Seven members of the varsity squad, aged 17 and 18, were charged as adults with hazing, a Class B misdemeanor that could bring a maximum six-month jail sentence and a $2,000 fine upon conviction."
Forgotten Books: THE DADA CAPER -- Ross H. Spencer
Ross H. Spencer started writing late in life, but when he started, he wrote fast and he wrote a lot. His first series was about a p. i. named Chance Perdue, and the first book in that series was The Dada Caper. I think I can say without fear of contradiction that this series is unique.Spencer eschewed (I've always wanted to say that) most punctuation, though he did use periods and question marks. All his paragraphs are one sentence long. Each chapter begins with some words of wisdom from the sage known as Monroe D. Underwood. The setting is Chicago, and the plots pretty much don't matter. The intent is humorous, and I think you'll either get it or you won't. I enjoyed every book in the series, but I can see that the style might get a bit wearisome to others. I also found the books very funny, for the most part.
"Tough, Tight-Lipped, Incompetent, Chance Perdue Is One of a Kind and the Kind Women Love."
He said oh flaming Heavenly Father.
Fervently
I shrugged.
I am very good at shrugging.
I can just shrug up a storm.
I said look Mr. Ammson.
I said Williams met this chick in the hotel lounge.
I said he got her looped.
I said he took her upstairs.
I said it looked like just the old routine.
I said how was I to know she was Mrs. Williams?
I said my God I didn't know Mrs. Williams from a side of beef.
And so on. You get the idea.
I highly suggest you read this piece by Mike Resnick about Ross H. Spencer. The man himself was as incredible as his books. If you're a writer or would like to be, or if you're just interested in good stories, check it out.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
It Used to be in the Canals
AFP: Evidence of vast frozen water reserves on Mars: scientists: "WASHINGTON (AFP) — NASA scientists have discovered enormous underground reservoirs of frozen water on Mars, away from its polar caps, in the latest sign that life might be sustainable on the Red planet.
Ground-penetrating radar used by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reveals numerous huge glaciers up to one half-mile thick buried beneath layers of rock and debris. Researchers said one glacier is three time the size of Los Angeles in area."
Ground-penetrating radar used by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reveals numerous huge glaciers up to one half-mile thick buried beneath layers of rock and debris. Researchers said one glacier is three time the size of Los Angeles in area."
You Don't Want to Miss Out on This
iWon News - Dr Pepper to deliver on its free-soda promise: "Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28."
For the reason why, click the link, for which we have Jeff Meyerson to thank.
For the reason why, click the link, for which we have Jeff Meyerson to thank.
Copernicus Update
Is it just my education that's lacking, or is there something seriously wrong with the second paragraph?
Scientists say Copernicus' remains, grave found - EarthLink - International News: "WARSAW, Poland - Researchers said Thursday they have identified the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus by comparing DNA from a skeleton and hair retrieved from one of the 16th-century astronomer's books.
The findings could put an end to centuries of speculation about the exact resting spot of Copernicus, a priest and astronomer whose theories identified the Sun, not the Earth, as the center of the universe."
Scientists say Copernicus' remains, grave found - EarthLink - International News: "WARSAW, Poland - Researchers said Thursday they have identified the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus by comparing DNA from a skeleton and hair retrieved from one of the 16th-century astronomer's books.
The findings could put an end to centuries of speculation about the exact resting spot of Copernicus, a priest and astronomer whose theories identified the Sun, not the Earth, as the center of the universe."
MWA Names 2009 Grandmasters
And the 2009 Grand Master Award Recipients Are...
Mystery Writers of America names James Lee Burke and Sue Grafton
recipients of the 2009 Grand Master Award
November 20, 2008 – New York, NY: Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has announced that the organization will name James Lee Burke and Sue Grafton its 2009 Grand Masters in honor of the Bicentennial of Edgar Allan Poe's birth next year. Not since 1978 has the organization presented dual Grand Masters.
MWA's Grand Master Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in the mystery genre and was established to acknowledge important contributions to the genre, as well as significant output of consistently high-quality material. The awards will be presented at the 63rd Annual Edgar® Awards banquet on Thursday April 30, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
According to MWA executive vice president Harry Hunsicker, the Edgar Awards -- or “Edgars,” as they are commonly known -- are named after Edgar Allan Poe, whose 200th birthday will be marked next year. "One of the great pleasures of my tenure at the helm of MWA has been informing two of the most talented writers on the planet that they have been selected as Grand Master. As a long-time fan of both, I cannot think of two more deserving individuals.”
"News of my being named MWA Grand Master, along with James Lee Burke, caught me totally off-guard," said Sue Grafton, "but I'm delighted to be tapped and pleased to share the honor with a writer I so admire. I look forward to the ceremony which will surely be a blow-out affair in that it celebrates Edgar Allan Poe as well as the mystery genre."
Says James Lee Burke: "It is a great honor to receive the Grand Master award from the Mystery Writers of America. It's an enormous compliment to my work and to me, and I feel extremely grateful and humbled by the MWA's generosity of spirit. The award will always remain as one of the greatest tributes my work could receive. Thank you for all the support the MWA has given my work over the many years."
James Lee Burke has written more than 25 novels, including 17 in his “Dave Robicheaux” series, and his short stories have appeared in countless publications. . His novel The Lost Get-Back Boogie was rejected 111 times over the course of nine years, and upon publication was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Burke has been the recipient of the Breadloaf and Guggenheim Fellowship, and two of his titles, Heaven’s Prisoners and Two for Texas have been made into motion pictures. He has won the Edgar® award twice in the category of “Best Novel”, placing him in a rare group of multiple winners.
Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series is internationally known and has been published in 28 countries and in 26 languages. Her novels “B" Is for Burglar and "C" Is for Corpse won the first two Anthony Awards ever awarded by Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention. In addition to a third Anthony, Grafton has won three Shamus Awards from the Private Eye Writers of America, as well as that organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2008, Grafton was awarded the Cartier Dagger by the British Crime Writers’ Association, honoring lifetime achievement in the field.
Previous MWA Grand Masters include Bill Pronzini, Stephen King, Ira Levin, Mary Higgins Clark, Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, P.D. James, Ellery Queen, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, Graham Greene, and Agatha Christie.
####
Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. The organization encompasses almost 3,000 members in three categories of membership that include publishers, editors, literary agents, and screen and television writers, as well as authors of fiction and non-fiction books. For more information on Mystery Writers of America, please visit the website: www.mysterywriters.org
# # # #
The EDGAR (and logo) are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by the Mystery Writers of America, Inc.
Not Fade Away
Not fade away: Mick Jagger on the trials of life at 65 - Features, Music - The Independent: "Before Mick Jagger enters the hotel room, I'm half expecting to be reminded of the opening line of The Rolling Stones' old number 'Mother's Little Helper'. You know the bit, as Jagger whines in that unmistakable voice of his, 'What a drag it is getting old'. This has been, after all, a watershed year for the Stones' lead singer. Turning 65 in July, all those jokes about the wrinkly rocker being old enough to collect his pension finally came true. Sir Mick – as he became in 2003 – is now officially an OAP. Not that he's ready to curl up with his cocoa just yet."
Paris Hilton Update
iWon News - Publicist: Paris Hilton and Benji Madden split: "LOS ANGELES (AP) - Paris Hilton and her boyfriend of nine months, Benji Madden, have broken up.
Hilton publicist Alanna McCarthy said Wednesday that the two 'remain very good friends.' She wouldn't say more."
My lips are sealed, too. Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Hilton publicist Alanna McCarthy said Wednesday that the two 'remain very good friends.' She wouldn't say more."
My lips are sealed, too. Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Even for Texas, this is Pretty Bad
Fight over fast food order leads to fatal argument between son and father in Texas -- Newsday.com: "KEMAH, Texas (AP) _ Authorities in Texas say a teenage boy fatally shot his father during an argument over a fast-food order, then killed himself.
Galveston County sheriff's officials say the violence occurred Sunday at the family home southeast of Houston."
Thanks to Jeff Segal for the link.
Galveston County sheriff's officials say the violence occurred Sunday at the family home southeast of Houston."
Thanks to Jeff Segal for the link.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Irving Brecher, R. I. P.
Irving Brecher, 94, Comedy-Script Writer, Is Dead - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com: "Irving Brecher, who wrote vaudeville sketches for Milton Berle, jokes for Henny Youngman, comedies for the Marx Brothers, a television series for Jackie Gleason and screenplays for movie musicals including “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “Bye Bye Birdie,” died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 94."
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
That's LIFE
Google gives online life to Life mag's photos (AP) by AP: Yahoo! Tech: "MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Google Inc. has opened an online photo gallery that will feature millions of images from Life magazine's archives that have never been seen by the public before.
The new service, available at http://images.google.com/hosted/life, debuted Tuesday with about 2 million photos. Eventually, Google plans to scan all 10 million photos from Life's library so they can be viewed on any computer with an Internet connection."
The new service, available at http://images.google.com/hosted/life, debuted Tuesday with about 2 million photos. Eventually, Google plans to scan all 10 million photos from Life's library so they can be viewed on any computer with an Internet connection."
George C. Chesbro, R. I. P.
From Patti Abbott's blog: "[George C. Chesbro] died yesterday, November 18, 2008.
http://www.dangerousdwarf.com/
He wrote a new Mongo novel, LORD OF ICE AND LONELINESS, that was published in France in 2006. Unfortunately, he was never able to find a U.S. publisher that was interested in the book."
http://www.dangerousdwarf.com/
He wrote a new Mongo novel, LORD OF ICE AND LONELINESS, that was published in France in 2006. Unfortunately, he was never able to find a U.S. publisher that was interested in the book."
My Mind is Boggled
Yours will be, too, when you read about this guy's library. And there are pictures at the link.
Browse the Artifacts of Geek History in Jay Walker's Library: "Nothing quite prepares you for the culture shock of Jay Walker's library. You exit the austere parlor of his New England home and pass through a hallway into the bibliographic equivalent of a Disney ride. Stuffed with landmark tomes and eye-grabbing historical objects—on the walls, on tables, standing on the floor—the room occupies about 3,600 square feet on three mazelike levels. Is that a Sputnik? (Yes.) Hey, those books appear to be bound in rubies. (They are.) That edition of Chaucer ... is it a Kelmscott? (Natch.) Gee, that chandelier looks like the one in the James Bond flick Die Another Day. (Because it is.) No matter where you turn in this ziggurat, another treasure beckons you—a 1665 Bills of Mortality chronicle of London (you can track plague fatalities by week), the instruction manual for the Saturn V rocket (which launched the Apollo 11 capsule to the moon), a framed napkin from 1943 on which Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined his plan to win World War II. In no time, your mind is stretched like hot taffy."
Browse the Artifacts of Geek History in Jay Walker's Library: "Nothing quite prepares you for the culture shock of Jay Walker's library. You exit the austere parlor of his New England home and pass through a hallway into the bibliographic equivalent of a Disney ride. Stuffed with landmark tomes and eye-grabbing historical objects—on the walls, on tables, standing on the floor—the room occupies about 3,600 square feet on three mazelike levels. Is that a Sputnik? (Yes.) Hey, those books appear to be bound in rubies. (They are.) That edition of Chaucer ... is it a Kelmscott? (Natch.) Gee, that chandelier looks like the one in the James Bond flick Die Another Day. (Because it is.) No matter where you turn in this ziggurat, another treasure beckons you—a 1665 Bills of Mortality chronicle of London (you can track plague fatalities by week), the instruction manual for the Saturn V rocket (which launched the Apollo 11 capsule to the moon), a framed napkin from 1943 on which Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined his plan to win World War II. In no time, your mind is stretched like hot taffy."
The Bookworm's Award
Patti's Pen & Picks: The Bookworm's Award: "Patti O'Brien has just awarded me The Bookworm's Award. She adds, "Along with the award, there are a few rules. Open the closest book to you—not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment—to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence as well as the next two to five sentences."
The book nearest me happens to be Pieces of Modesty, a collection of Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise short stories. On p. 56 we see this: "Though the guards there could not see the truck now, they would have marked its passing along the road, and they were trained to suspicion. Their machine guns would be ready, covering the gap between wire and Wall, and they might well be calling the patrol guards by radio. Distantly, from the far side of the Wall, a loud hailer sounded harshly."
So there you have it. I think I've seen this meme before, and as usual, I won't tag anybody. Feel free to play on your own blog, though, or in the comments.
The book nearest me happens to be Pieces of Modesty, a collection of Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise short stories. On p. 56 we see this: "Though the guards there could not see the truck now, they would have marked its passing along the road, and they were trained to suspicion. Their machine guns would be ready, covering the gap between wire and Wall, and they might well be calling the patrol guards by radio. Distantly, from the far side of the Wall, a loud hailer sounded harshly."
So there you have it. I think I've seen this meme before, and as usual, I won't tag anybody. Feel free to play on your own blog, though, or in the comments.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Vice president, former AG, state senator indicted | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "McALLEN, Texas — A South Texas grand jury has indicted Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges related to the alleged abuse of prisoners in Willacy County's federal detention centers."
Custer's Brother's Horse -- Edwin Shrake
I've been following the career of Edwin "Bud" Shrake since 1961 when he and Gary Cartwright were doing sports stories and columns for The Dallas Morning News. What a tandem that was, and it was a great day for sports writing in Dallas. While this review is concerned with Shrake's book, I should admit that I'm a Cartwright fan, too. He, like Shrake, has written articles, novels, and nonfiction books that I've enjoyed over the course of a lot of years. In fact, he's one up on Shrake in a way: He's written a Gold Medal original.But back to Shrake. He's written some fine novels (Strange Peaches, Blessed McGill), but you might know him from the best-selling sports book in American publishing history, Harvey Penick's Little Red Book. Or maybe you remember his articles from Sports Illustrated. He's a versatile guy.
Custer's Brother's Horse is a novel set in Texas just after the Civil War. Jerod Robin, a former Confederate officer, and Emund Varney, a British novelist (he perfers the term "romancer"), find themselves imprisoned in Austin waiting to be hanged, Robin for having crossed a man named Santana Leatherwood, whose family and Robin's have been feuding for years, and Varney for having stolen Tom Custer's horse. Robin and Varney are spared their fate and released, along with a woman named Flora Bowprie, to make their way as best they can.
This is a road novel, as the unlikely trio travels through Texas, encountering any number of entertaining and oddball characters, most of whom have a story to tell. Some of the characters and stories do little to advance the plot, but I didn't care. I just enjoyed. One woman, Isabella Bushkin, wife of a politician who's skipped the country, goes along with them. (I'll just call your attention here to her last name and let you imagine some of the stuff Shrake has to say about her husband and related political matters. Better yet, you could read the book and find out.)
There's plenty of action, lots of shooting, and some wonderful stuff throughout the book. The last third of it is the best as things work their way to an unexpected (by me) ending. Things don't sort out the way you might think. There's even a sermon, and a good one, too.
Duuuuuuude!
Feds say S.F. has more pot clubs than Starbucks, but it might not add up: "There are more medical marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco than Starbucks Coffee shops. Or at least, so claims the Office of National Drug Control Policy in a posting on its official blog, pushingback .com."
Apostrophe Update
Half of Britons struggle with the apostrophe - Telegraph: "According to the survey nearly half the nation cannot use the possessive apostrophe and, most annoyingly, often replace 'they're' with 'their'.
The apostrophe has emerged in an independent poll of nearly 2,000 people as the punctuation mark that causes the most problems. Nearly half of UK adults tested were unable to use it properly."
The apostrophe has emerged in an independent poll of nearly 2,000 people as the punctuation mark that causes the most problems. Nearly half of UK adults tested were unable to use it properly."
The Wellness Skull
Wellness Skull: "Now this is a pretty morbid device - the Wellness Skull. It allows one to sweat it out, featuring an integrated sauna in the head while a bath is located in the neck."
Thanks to Jeff Segal for the tip. Photo of the skull at the link.
Thanks to Jeff Segal for the tip. Photo of the skull at the link.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jail Can Be Fun
Mugshots at the link.
Con-jugal Visits - November 17, 2008: "NOVEMBER 17--Undaunted by a concrete wall separating their respective cellblocks, male and female inmates took advantage of a design flaw in an Indiana jail to engage in late-night sexual trysts. The Greene County inmates--three men and three women--pried open metal security tiles in the ceiling of their respective dormitory-style housing units to gain access to the adjoining cellblock, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Circuit Court."
Con-jugal Visits - November 17, 2008: "NOVEMBER 17--Undaunted by a concrete wall separating their respective cellblocks, male and female inmates took advantage of a design flaw in an Indiana jail to engage in late-night sexual trysts. The Greene County inmates--three men and three women--pried open metal security tiles in the ceiling of their respective dormitory-style housing units to gain access to the adjoining cellblock, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Circuit Court."
Gator Update (Egg Theft Edition)
WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Three people arrested in connection with thefts from alligator farm: "SPRINGFIELD, LA (WAFB) - More arrests have been made in an alligator theft case in Livingston Parish.
Damian Foreman and Chace Cullen are the latest to be charged with stealing alligator hatchlings and eggs from Wall's Alligator Farm in Springfield during and after Hurricane Gustav."
Damian Foreman and Chace Cullen are the latest to be charged with stealing alligator hatchlings and eggs from Wall's Alligator Farm in Springfield during and after Hurricane Gustav."
No Comment Department
www.baltimoreexaminer.com >> Michael Olesker: "Examiner Columnist | 11/14/08 9:59 PM Some people collect sports memorabilia, or rare coins, or sea shells from the beach at Ocean City. Wilson Watson collects sentences.
He taught local community college students for 35 years and has now slipped gently into retirement. But his students’ sentences trail behind him like ship’s anchors, evidence of the sinking of American writing skills.
Or, as one of Watson’s scholars wrote so succinctly: “Some people use bad language and is not even aware of the fact.”
Or, another: “It’s good I’m doing something with my self; Therefore, I can do better in the foochure.”"
He taught local community college students for 35 years and has now slipped gently into retirement. But his students’ sentences trail behind him like ship’s anchors, evidence of the sinking of American writing skills.
Or, as one of Watson’s scholars wrote so succinctly: “Some people use bad language and is not even aware of the fact.”
Or, another: “It’s good I’m doing something with my self; Therefore, I can do better in the foochure.”"
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
New judge says his cocaine addiction can help Houston | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "The devil tattooed on Kevin Fine's upper arm holds a razor blade, a mirror and an eight ball symbolizing cocaine. His forearm sports a tattoo of Jesus holding up a man who has collapsed amid the waves of a massive storm.
Elected by Harris County voters as a state district judge this month, Fine said he'll draw from his experiences as a cocaine addict who has been clean and sober for 10 years when presiding over felony cases."
Elected by Harris County voters as a state district judge this month, Fine said he'll draw from his experiences as a cocaine addict who has been clean and sober for 10 years when presiding over felony cases."
So You Think You've Got It Bad?
8 Eye-Opening Movies To Remind You That Your Life Isn't So Bad | AlwaysWatching.org: "Most people endure their fair share of tough times – the poverty of college life, relationship problems, a bad car accident, a woeful flirtation with the crack pipe, or any other equally awful experience. But film is constantly there to remind us that there are others out there who are suffering exponentially more than we could ever hope to. Watching them overcome their challenges or ultimately be swallowed by them create two very different types of movies, but in the end, there’s a certain set of films that show us an exceptionally brutal set of circumstances."
Hey, That's Me!
Science puts a face to honesty - Times Online: "Meet the man with Britain’s most trustworthy face.
Scientists at Kent university compiled the image after asking people to pick features indicative of honesty. They included a round face, small nose and no facial hair. Faces with a sharp jaw and eyes wide apart were deemed untrustworthy."
Scientists at Kent university compiled the image after asking people to pick features indicative of honesty. They included a round face, small nose and no facial hair. Faces with a sharp jaw and eyes wide apart were deemed untrustworthy."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Ananova - Life-saving beer tastes awful: "A beer that can help prolong life and prevent illness has been created - the only problem is it tastes awful.
BioBeer has been genetically-modified by students in Texas."
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
BioBeer has been genetically-modified by students in Texas."
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the link.
Paging the Beagle Boys
BBC NEWS | Europe | Inmate escapes German jail in box: "A manhunt is under way in western Germany for a convicted drug dealer who escaped by mailing himself out of jail.
The 42-year-old Turkish citizen - who was serving a seven-year sentence - had been making stationery with other prisoners destined for the shops.
At the end of his shift, the inmate climbed into a cardboard box and was taken out of prison by express courier. His whereabouts are still unknown."
The 42-year-old Turkish citizen - who was serving a seven-year sentence - had been making stationery with other prisoners destined for the shops.
At the end of his shift, the inmate climbed into a cardboard box and was taken out of prison by express courier. His whereabouts are still unknown."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Copy of famed Lincoln letter turns up in Dallas: "DALLAS — A Texas museum hopes a document found in its archives turns out to be an authentic government copy of Abraham Lincoln's eloquent letter consoling a mother thought to have lost five sons in the Civil War.
The famed Bixby Letter, which the Dallas Historical Society is getting appraised as it prays for a potential windfall, has a fascinating history.
The original has never been found. Historians debate whether Lincoln wrote it. Its recipient, Lydia Bixby, was no fan of the president. And not all her sons died in the war."
The famed Bixby Letter, which the Dallas Historical Society is getting appraised as it prays for a potential windfall, has a fascinating history.
The original has never been found. Historians debate whether Lincoln wrote it. Its recipient, Lydia Bixby, was no fan of the president. And not all her sons died in the war."
Book 'em, Dan-o
Sunday Business Post | Irish Business News: "Yes, we’re talking to you. Adrian Weckler examines 12 ways that the technology you use every day could land you in hot water with the law."
Beatles Update
'Lost' Beatles track could finally be heard - CNN.com: "LONDON, England (CNN) -- A 'lost' Beatles track recorded in 1967 and performed just once in public could finally be released, according to Paul McCartney.
'Carnival of Light' -- a 14-minute experimental track recorded at the height of the Beatles' musical experimentations with psychedelia and inspired by avant-garde composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen -- has long been considered too adventurous for mainstream audiences.
In an interview for BBC radio, McCartney said his bandmates and their producer George Martin had vetoed its inclusion on the exhaustive 1990s 'Anthology' collection, according to UK's The Observer newspaper.
'Carnival of Light' -- a 14-minute experimental track recorded at the height of the Beatles' musical experimentations with psychedelia and inspired by avant-garde composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen -- has long been considered too adventurous for mainstream audiences.
In an interview for BBC radio, McCartney said his bandmates and their producer George Martin had vetoed its inclusion on the exhaustive 1990s 'Anthology' collection, according to UK's The Observer newspaper.
100 Best CSI: NY Quips
CSI: NY Marks Milestone with 100 Killer Quips - Today's News: Our Take | TVGuide.com: "Horatio Caine isn't the only one armed with a bon mot. With its 100th episode airing Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 10 pm/ET, the folks at CBS' CSI: NY compiled a list of memorable lines (some much more so than others) from the series' run thus far."
Can R. Daneel Olivaw Be Far Behind?
Pictured: The robot that can pull faces just like a human being | Mail Online: "Scientists have created the first 'humanoid' robot that can mimic the facial expressions and lip movements of a human being.
'Jules' - a disembodied androgynous robotic head - can automatically copy the movements, which are picked up by a video camera and mapped on to the tiny electronic motors in his skin.
It can grin and grimace, furrow its brow and 'speak' as his software translates real expressions observed through video camera 'eyes'."
'Jules' - a disembodied androgynous robotic head - can automatically copy the movements, which are picked up by a video camera and mapped on to the tiny electronic motors in his skin.
It can grin and grimace, furrow its brow and 'speak' as his software translates real expressions observed through video camera 'eyes'."
From Charles Ardai at Hard Case Crime
First things first: We've added a new book to our Web site, STOP THIS MAN! by Peter Rabe. (Yes, the exclamation point is part of the title.) It's the story of a thief trying to unload a bar of gold that happens to be radioactive and it's one of the most memorable and moving books I've read in ages. You can see the exciting cover painting by Robert McGinnis and read the first chapter at www.HardCaseCrime.com. Just click on the word "BOOKS" on the left side of the screen -- STOP THIS MAN! will be the first one listed.
Second, we have reached an important milestone: as we speak, our 50th book is hitting stores. It's called FIFTY-TO-ONE, it was written by yours truly, and it's a hardboiled comedy that imagines what it might have been like if Hard Case Crime had been founded 50 years ago rather than 50 books ago. The year is 1958, saucy paperback crime fiction is reigning at newsstands and bookstores everywhere as America's reading matter of choice, and a not-entirely-honest young man sets out to cash in on the phenomenon. Everything's going well until he conscripts an 18-year-old showgirl to pen the life story of the mobster she works for and instead of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, she starts making things up out of whole cloth. Except that somehow everything she writes turns out to be the truth after all. And now both the Mob and the police want to get their hands on her...
It's a mad romp, told in 50 chapters, with each chapter bearing the title of one of our 50 books. (Our first book was GRIFTER'S GAME by Lawrence Block, so the first chapter is called "Grifter's Game." Our second book was Max Phillips' FADE TO BLONDE, so Chapter 2 is called "Fade to Blonde." And so on, all the way up to Chapter 49, which is called "Gun Work," and Chapter 50, which is called "Fifty-to-One.") Crafting a story to fit these 50 titles wasn't easy -- but it was lots of fun, and long-time readers of our series will particularly get a kick out of it. Adding to the fun, Hard Case Crime co-founder Max Phillips wrote one of the book's chapters (I'm not telling which!), authors Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, and Mickey Spillane make cameo appearances, and there's a full-color section in the middle featuring miniature reproductions of all 50 of our covers.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY wrote "Breathless action and entertaining characters make this a page-turner from start to finish...With good girls, bad girls, mob kings and grifters, suspense is guaranteed." THE SEATTLE TIMES had this to say: "A wild chase through the New York underworld...it's a doozy." And just today Mel Odom, writing for BLOGCRITICS MAGAZINE, wrote, "FIFTY-TO-ONE is simply the best kind of potboiler...a great read." I hope you'll treat yourself to a copy of this book -- and I hope you enjoy it if you do.
Meanwhile, in other news, I'd like to congratulate the winners of our recent drawing for free advance copies of Lawrence Block's KILLING CASTRO (David, Rozalynne, Valerie, Chuck, Kevin, Rosemarie, Steve, Robin, Luke, and Clint) and Roger Zelazny's THE DEAD MAN'S BROTHER (James, Matt, Shelton, Bridget, Ellen, Ray, Brian, Isaac, Elektra, and Polly).
I am also excited to announce that after the success of THE LAST QUARRY and its recent prequel THE FIRST QUARRY, Max Allan Collins has decided to write a third Quarry novel for us, QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE. That one will hit stores for Christmas next year. If you're hungry for more Quarry in the meantime, director Jeffrey Goodman has turned THE LAST QUARRY into a feature film called "The Last Lullaby," starring Tom Sizemore, and the movie has already won a number of film festival awards, including both Best Actress and the Audience Award at the San Diego Film Festival. The film hasn't yet been released in theaters, but you can find out more about it at www.thelastlullaby.com.
We've got more interesting stuff cooking, too -- including a surprise 13th book at the end of 2009 -- but that'll have to wait till a future message (none of it's quite ready to talk about yet). For now, let me just wish you a very happy start to the holiday season and remind you that nothing says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Channukah" quite like a festively wrapped package of murder, larceny, lust, greed, and double crosses. You can find our books at a store near you, or you can always order them online or by phone (toll-free) at 1-800-481-9191.
Want a particularly special gift? How about a set of all 50 of our titles? Or maybe a subscription to the Hard Case Crime book club, which delivers each month's new title automatically by mail? Call the good folks at Dorchester Publishing during East Coast business hours and they'll be glad to help you. Again, it's 1-800-481-9191, and operators are, as they say, standing by.
Second, we have reached an important milestone: as we speak, our 50th book is hitting stores. It's called FIFTY-TO-ONE, it was written by yours truly, and it's a hardboiled comedy that imagines what it might have been like if Hard Case Crime had been founded 50 years ago rather than 50 books ago. The year is 1958, saucy paperback crime fiction is reigning at newsstands and bookstores everywhere as America's reading matter of choice, and a not-entirely-honest young man sets out to cash in on the phenomenon. Everything's going well until he conscripts an 18-year-old showgirl to pen the life story of the mobster she works for and instead of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, she starts making things up out of whole cloth. Except that somehow everything she writes turns out to be the truth after all. And now both the Mob and the police want to get their hands on her...
It's a mad romp, told in 50 chapters, with each chapter bearing the title of one of our 50 books. (Our first book was GRIFTER'S GAME by Lawrence Block, so the first chapter is called "Grifter's Game." Our second book was Max Phillips' FADE TO BLONDE, so Chapter 2 is called "Fade to Blonde." And so on, all the way up to Chapter 49, which is called "Gun Work," and Chapter 50, which is called "Fifty-to-One.") Crafting a story to fit these 50 titles wasn't easy -- but it was lots of fun, and long-time readers of our series will particularly get a kick out of it. Adding to the fun, Hard Case Crime co-founder Max Phillips wrote one of the book's chapters (I'm not telling which!), authors Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, and Mickey Spillane make cameo appearances, and there's a full-color section in the middle featuring miniature reproductions of all 50 of our covers.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY wrote "Breathless action and entertaining characters make this a page-turner from start to finish...With good girls, bad girls, mob kings and grifters, suspense is guaranteed." THE SEATTLE TIMES had this to say: "A wild chase through the New York underworld...it's a doozy." And just today Mel Odom, writing for BLOGCRITICS MAGAZINE, wrote, "FIFTY-TO-ONE is simply the best kind of potboiler...a great read." I hope you'll treat yourself to a copy of this book -- and I hope you enjoy it if you do.
Meanwhile, in other news, I'd like to congratulate the winners of our recent drawing for free advance copies of Lawrence Block's KILLING CASTRO (David, Rozalynne, Valerie, Chuck, Kevin, Rosemarie, Steve, Robin, Luke, and Clint) and Roger Zelazny's THE DEAD MAN'S BROTHER (James, Matt, Shelton, Bridget, Ellen, Ray, Brian, Isaac, Elektra, and Polly).
I am also excited to announce that after the success of THE LAST QUARRY and its recent prequel THE FIRST QUARRY, Max Allan Collins has decided to write a third Quarry novel for us, QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE. That one will hit stores for Christmas next year. If you're hungry for more Quarry in the meantime, director Jeffrey Goodman has turned THE LAST QUARRY into a feature film called "The Last Lullaby," starring Tom Sizemore, and the movie has already won a number of film festival awards, including both Best Actress and the Audience Award at the San Diego Film Festival. The film hasn't yet been released in theaters, but you can find out more about it at www.thelastlullaby.com.
We've got more interesting stuff cooking, too -- including a surprise 13th book at the end of 2009 -- but that'll have to wait till a future message (none of it's quite ready to talk about yet). For now, let me just wish you a very happy start to the holiday season and remind you that nothing says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Channukah" quite like a festively wrapped package of murder, larceny, lust, greed, and double crosses. You can find our books at a store near you, or you can always order them online or by phone (toll-free) at 1-800-481-9191.
Want a particularly special gift? How about a set of all 50 of our titles? Or maybe a subscription to the Hard Case Crime book club, which delivers each month's new title automatically by mail? Call the good folks at Dorchester Publishing during East Coast business hours and they'll be glad to help you. Again, it's 1-800-481-9191, and operators are, as they say, standing by.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)