Saturday, October 02, 2010
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Sheriff: Rapper, brother grew $4 million worth of pot in Missouri City home | khou.com | KHOU.com Home Page: "'He had an elaborate large-scale operation in his house. It was the entire second floor of his residence,' said Glendening."
A Case of Plagiarism
Hard to believe stuff like this goes on. If you can help out, please do. You can find out more at The Writer and The White Cat.
Link via Razored Zen.
Harry Potter Update
J.K. Rowling hints to Oprah there could be more 'Harry Potter' - CNN.com: "J.K. Rowling offered a bit of hope on Friday that, perhaps, the final Harry Potter story has yet to be told.
'I could definitely write an eighth, ninth, tenth,' the celebrated author, 45, told Oprah Winfrey during an interview scheduled to air Friday. 'I'm not going to say I won't. I don't think I will ... I feel I am done, but you never know.'"
'I could definitely write an eighth, ninth, tenth,' the celebrated author, 45, told Oprah Winfrey during an interview scheduled to air Friday. 'I'm not going to say I won't. I don't think I will ... I feel I am done, but you never know.'"
Set the DVR!
ESPN's E:60 profiles Miami alligator wrestler - ESPN: "ESPN's Emmy award-winning primetime newsmagazine E:60 will profile 42-year-old alligator wrestler Paul Bedard in the episode airing Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. ET.
By all accounts, Bedard should be dead. He's been bitten 12 times by alligators, nearly lost a finger to a rattlesnake and has been clawed by a bear. Bedard entertains patrons at several Florida attractions by wrestling alligators and dealing with other dangerous creatures.
[. . . .]
In the E:60 profile, Bedard wrestles alligators, treats his own gator bite wounds and is shown being bitten by a diamondback rattlesnake (and subsequently visiting a hospital)."
By all accounts, Bedard should be dead. He's been bitten 12 times by alligators, nearly lost a finger to a rattlesnake and has been clawed by a bear. Bedard entertains patrons at several Florida attractions by wrestling alligators and dealing with other dangerous creatures.
[. . . .]
In the E:60 profile, Bedard wrestles alligators, treats his own gator bite wounds and is shown being bitten by a diamondback rattlesnake (and subsequently visiting a hospital)."
Friday, October 01, 2010
But No Linda Carter
Wonder Woman Returning To TV As Series Written And Produced By David E. Kelley – Deadline.com: "This has to be the highest-profile effort to bring Wonder Woman to television: One of TV's best-known creators, The Practice's David E. Kelley, has come on board to write and produce a new series project about the female superhero. The project, from Warner Bros. Television where Kelley is based, and Warner Bros.' DC Entertainment, will be taken out to the networks shortly."
Uh-Oh
NBC and Bryan Fuller to Reboot 'The Munsters': "Time to fire up the DRAG-U-LA and let grandpa out of the cellar: The residents of 1313 Mockingbird Lane are coming back!
According to The Ausiello Files, NBC has teamed up with 'Pushing Daisies' creator Bryan Fuller to reboot the classic '60s creepshow, and the new version has been described as 'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood.' So, funny and blood-spattered, then?"
According to The Ausiello Files, NBC has teamed up with 'Pushing Daisies' creator Bryan Fuller to reboot the classic '60s creepshow, and the new version has been described as 'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood.' So, funny and blood-spattered, then?"
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Stephen J. Cannell, R. I. P.
'A-Team,' '21 Jump Street' Producer Stephen J. Cannell Passes Away: "Stephen J. Cannell, the producer of iconic television shows such as 'The A-Team,' '21 Jump Street' and 'The Rockford Files' has died. He was 69.
Cannell's family tells ET, 'Stephen J. Cannell passed away at his home in Pasadena on Thursday evening due to complications associated with melanoma. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.
[. . . .]
The prolific Emmy-winning producer was also the author of 16 novels. Having overcome dyslexia, he was a spokesperson on the condition and advocated on behalf of those with learning disabilities."
Cannell's family tells ET, 'Stephen J. Cannell passed away at his home in Pasadena on Thursday evening due to complications associated with melanoma. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.
[. . . .]
The prolific Emmy-winning producer was also the author of 16 novels. Having overcome dyslexia, he was a spokesperson on the condition and advocated on behalf of those with learning disabilities."
A Rose by Any Other Name . . . .
'Jersey Shore' goes to Japan; Can you come up with a better title than 'Macaroni Rascals'? | EW.com: "Apparently, in Japan, Jersey Shore‘s title is Jersey Shore: The New Jersey Life of Macaroni Rascals. (CNN admits to a bit of self-censorship; the actual title is closer to Macaronia A–holes, which sounds like a put-down from Deadwood.) That title is pretty hilarious…albeit just a wee bit offensive."
Forgotten Books: THE GONE MAN -- Brad Solomon
When I read this book back in 1980, I wasn't terribly impressed. But, hey, it was 1980, and there weren't all that many private-eye books out there. Besides, I kind of liked the cover.Charlie Quinlan, as the cover tells you, is an actor turned private-eye. He doesn't like Hollywood, for reasons that eventually become clear, but he's still there. When he's asked to find a missing man, he's eager for the work because the job has become all-important to him. And the job turns out to be all too easy. When the guy Charlie's been following is killed by a hit-and-run drive, Charlie finds out why, and it's a surprise.
As usual in books like this, everybody wants the p.i. off the case, but he's not going to stop until he gets to the end of it. The end isn't much of a surprise, but then I'd read the book before and remembered it. It might work better for someone coming to it for the first time.
Solomon chose to write the book in the present tense, which didn't bother me because there's not too much narration. Solomon uses dialogue almost exclusively. Nothing wrong with that, except that he's not as good at it as some are. Although it's in first-person we find out very little about Charlie. There's not enough of him. And there's too much of the dialogue. Charlie's conversations go on too long and to too little purpose. A good editor could have chopped a lot of pages from the book with nothing lost.
Still, I enjoyed reading The Gone Man again. I was moved to do it when I saw that Solomon's The Open Shadow was included on Dick Lochte's list of the 20 Best Private-Eye Novels. I haven't read that one in a long time, so I'll probably get around to it eventually. Which brings us to this question: Whatever happened to Brad Solomon? I can't find out anything about him. Even The Thrilling Detective site doesn't have any info. A truly forgotten writer, I suppose.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Peru Update
BBC News - Ancient giant penguin unearthed in Peru: "The fossil of a giant penguin that lived 36 million years ago has been discovered in Peru."
Hat tip to Richard Prosch.
Pirates of The Falcon Lake
McAllen Man Shot and Likely Killed on Falcon Lake - KRGV CHANNEL 5 NEWS - The Rio Grande Valley's News Channel - Breaking News, Breaking Stories - RGV News: "Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez, Jr. tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS armed pirates shot at a McAllen couple on Falcon Lake this afternoon. The husband and wife were jetskiing near Old Guerrero.
One their way back to shore, pirates in a boat pulled up next to them and started shooting at them. The husband was hit, possibly in the head. The woman tried to save him and ended up being at shot as well. She had to turn around and leave her husband in the water. She fears he's dead."
One their way back to shore, pirates in a boat pulled up next to them and started shooting at them. The husband was hit, possibly in the head. The woman tried to save him and ended up being at shot as well. She had to turn around and leave her husband in the water. She fears he's dead."
Will the Persecution Never End?
Showbiz - News - Paris Hilton, boyfriend in hit-and-run? - Digital Spy: "LA police are investigating Paris Hilton's boyfriend Cy Waits for his involvement in a 'hit-and-run' accident on Wednesday.
The crash reportedly occurred outside West Hollywood eatery Boa when Hilton and her boyfriend tried to leave the restaurant.
TMZ reports that Waits was driving at the time of the collision and has been cited by police for leaving the scene of the accident."
The crash reportedly occurred outside West Hollywood eatery Boa when Hilton and her boyfriend tried to leave the restaurant.
TMZ reports that Waits was driving at the time of the collision and has been cited by police for leaving the scene of the accident."
Uh-Oh
Alfred Hitchcock classic to be remade for teenagers | Movies News | NME.COM: "Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers On A Train is to be remade into a thriller for teenagers. Titled Teens On A Train, the film will take Patricia Highsmith's novel as its starting point, but will be tweaked significantly with Deadline.com reporting that in the new version, 'boy meets girl, girl turns out to be raving psychopath'."
Joe Mantell, R. I. P.
R.I.P., Joe Mantell (1915-2010) | The Movie Cricket | The Salt Lake Tribune: "Joe Mantell was always there, the guy next to the guy - which is what a good character actor is supposed to be.
Mantell, who chalked up more than 70 roles in his career including memorable turns in 'Marty,' 'The Birds' and 'Chinatown,' died Wednesday at a hospital in Tarzana, Calif. He was 94.
Mantell delivered iconic lines in several of his roles.
In 'Marty,' Mantell played Angie, the best friend of Ernest Borgnine's lonely title character. The running argument between the two friends about what they planned to -- in which Angie repeatedly asked 'Well, what do you feel like doin' tonight?' -- became one of the movie's best-loved scenes.
In 'The Birds,' Mantell played a traveling salesman who urged 'Kill 'em all' to counter an ornithologist who recommended studying the birds attacking a California town.
But most memorably, Mantell played the partner of detective J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) in Roman Polanski's 'Chinatown.' It was Mantell who uttered the movie's classic closing line: 'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown.'"
Mantell, who chalked up more than 70 roles in his career including memorable turns in 'Marty,' 'The Birds' and 'Chinatown,' died Wednesday at a hospital in Tarzana, Calif. He was 94.
Mantell delivered iconic lines in several of his roles.
In 'Marty,' Mantell played Angie, the best friend of Ernest Borgnine's lonely title character. The running argument between the two friends about what they planned to -- in which Angie repeatedly asked 'Well, what do you feel like doin' tonight?' -- became one of the movie's best-loved scenes.
In 'The Birds,' Mantell played a traveling salesman who urged 'Kill 'em all' to counter an ornithologist who recommended studying the birds attacking a California town.
But most memorably, Mantell played the partner of detective J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) in Roman Polanski's 'Chinatown.' It was Mantell who uttered the movie's classic closing line: 'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown.'"
Hat tip to Fred Zackel.
Texas Doesn't Lead the Way
Think Houston's roads are rough? So do others | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "A new survey of road conditions in America's biggest cities ranked Houston as the 28th worst, with up to a quarter of its highways and major roads in poor condition. Dallas-Fort Worth placed 20th, with more than a third of its major roadways in poor shape; San Antonio is worse still, placing 16th with 39 percent."
Monster Burger Update
Carl’s Jr. Unveils Massive Foot-Long Burger Popular Fidelity Images: "It’s as American as all-get-out. Carl’s Jr. (AKA Hardee’s here in the South) has long been one of America’s best-known burger chains, and while they do have a 1400-calorie monster burger, they’ve been relegated to an also-ran lately thanks to weird new food items like the Friendly’s grilled-cheese burger melt, the KFC double-down, and even the Burger King pizza burger. Not anymore. Determined to regain a slice of America’s attention, Carl’s Jr. is unveiling an 850-calorie, foot-long cheeseburger sandwich at 50 restaurants in California. If it goes well there, it’ll make tables nationwide."
Set the DVR!
Paris Hilton Will Star in New Reality Show | PopEater.com: "Paris Hilton will star in a new reality series on Oxygen, the New York Post reports.
A source tells the newspaper, 'This isn't 'The Simple Life,' where she played a campy version of herself. This show will give viewers a glimpse of the real Paris and her life, which is sometimes quite amazing.'
While there are no details of the series thus far, the Post writes Paris' new gig will 'show the world she's not a dizzy blonde, as she's been portrayed.'"
A source tells the newspaper, 'This isn't 'The Simple Life,' where she played a campy version of herself. This show will give viewers a glimpse of the real Paris and her life, which is sometimes quite amazing.'
While there are no details of the series thus far, the Post writes Paris' new gig will 'show the world she's not a dizzy blonde, as she's been portrayed.'"
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
I, for One, Can Hardly Wait
Snooki Writing A Novel! | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos: "“Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has reportedly only ever read two books (one about vampires and one that was made into a Channing Tatum movie) – but that’s not stopping the tanned reality star from writing a novel of her own!
Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books announced today that the pint-sized glowing reality star is writing her first novel, “A Shore Thing,” slated to hit the shelves in January."
Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books announced today that the pint-sized glowing reality star is writing her first novel, “A Shore Thing,” slated to hit the shelves in January."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
What Happens in Vegas . . . .
Las Vegas hotel 'death ray' leaves guests with severe burns | Mail Online: "Guests at a new hotel in Las Vegas have complained of receiving severe burns from a 'death ray' of sunlight caused by the unique design of the building.
Due to the concave shape of the Vdara hotel, the strong Nevada sun reflects off its all-glass front and directly onto sections of the swimming pool area below.
The result has left some guests with burns from the powerful rays and even plastic bags have been recorded as melting in the heat."
Due to the concave shape of the Vdara hotel, the strong Nevada sun reflects off its all-glass front and directly onto sections of the swimming pool area below.
The result has left some guests with burns from the powerful rays and even plastic bags have been recorded as melting in the heat."
Hat tip to Doc Quatermass.
Forgotten Music -- David Seville
Back in the olden days there were "novelty songs." These were comic numbers that parodied a hit or had some unusual hook that you didn't find in a standard recording. Often they were just silly, but now and then one of these novelty songs broke out and became a monster hit.
The classic example is "The Chipmunk Song," which was the lowest rated song ever on American Bandstand's "Rate a Record" segment. The three kids on the panel hated it. I know because I was watching the show that day. That was over 50 years ago, and the Chipmunks are still wildly popular. Who would have guessed? Nobody at the time, though Dick Clark told the panel that they were wrong about the song and that he thought it was going to be a huge hit. However, I suspect that even he never imagined what that song would spawn. The song's creator, Ross Bagdasarian, was a cousin of William Saroyan (talk about forgotten writers!), and in 1951 the two of them wrote a big hit for Rosemary Clooney, "Come on-a my House," based on some lines from a Saroyan novel.
On his own, Bagdasarian started out with novelty records like "The Trouble with Harry," as by "Alfi and Harry" in 1956. It has the same title as the Hitchcock movie, but it's not otherwise connected. (However, for you trivia and mystery fans, Bagdasarian did have a small part in Rear Window.)
As David Seville, Bagdsarian really came into his own as a novelty recording star with 1958's "The Witch Doctor," sort of a warm-up for "The Chipmunk Song." The Witch Doctor" sold over a million records.
Silly? Sure, but it had a good beat and you could dance to it.
His next song, "The Bird on my Head" was only a minor hit. Not novelty enough? Too silly? I don't know. I always kind of liked it. But then I'm pretty strange.
Then came "The Chipmunk Song," and while it's a bit early in the year, why not have a listen to one of the biggest novelty songs ever.
I'm out of the loop today, so I have no idea if there are new novelty songs around. If there aren't maybe there's a good reason.
Tony Curtis, R. I. P.
Tony Curtis, Hollywood Icon, Dies at 85 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com: "Tony Curtis, a classically handsome movie star who earned an Oscar nomination as an escaped convict in Stanley Kramer’s 1958 movie “The Defiant Ones,” but whose public preferred him in comic roles in films like “Some Like It Hot” (1959) and “The Great Race” (1965), died Wednesday of a cardiac arrest in his Las Vegas area home. He was 85."
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Here's the Plot for Your Next Sordid Thriller
Man dies mysteriously in Houston porn video booth | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found locked in a video booth at an adult book store on U.S. 59 in northeast Houston the day after he was seen entering the business."
And He Wouldn't Keep Off Her Lawn
Woman Shoots 12-Year-Old 'Little Monster' Who Threw Bricks At Her (VIDEO): "A South Side woman shot and wounded a 12-year-old boy Tuesday after weeks of being 'terrorized' by the child and his friends, who threw bricks at her home, set her garbage can on fire and destroyed her grill."
Hat tip to Angela Crider.
Fortunately I'm not the Jealous Type
Months after winning $1M in lottery, man wins $2M - Yahoo! News: "The odds against winning $1 million in the Lottery: Astronomical. How about doing it twice?
It happened to a man from Bonne Terre, Mo., Missouri Lottery officials said Tuesday. Ernest Pullen, 57, won $1 million with a '100 Million Dollar Blockbuster' Scratchers ticket in June. And this month, he won $2 million with a 'Mega MONOPOLY' Scratchers ticket."
It happened to a man from Bonne Terre, Mo., Missouri Lottery officials said Tuesday. Ernest Pullen, 57, won $1 million with a '100 Million Dollar Blockbuster' Scratchers ticket in June. And this month, he won $2 million with a 'Mega MONOPOLY' Scratchers ticket."
Arthur Penn, R. I. P.
Arthur Penn, 'Bonnie and Clyde' Director, Dies - Speakeasy - WSJ: "Arthur Penn, a stage and screen director, died yesterday at his home in New York City. He was 88. Though he had a distinguished career directing for the theater and on TV, Penn is best known for directing “Bonnie and Clyde,” the 1967 gangster film starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty that is often credited with ushering in a new, gritter style of filmmaking in Hollywood.
Penn made a name for himself in the 1950s directing Playhouse 90, the live TV drama series. In 1959, he won a Tony for the Broadway production of “The Miracle Worker,” which starred Anne Bancroft. It was Penn’s ability to coax great performances from actors, honed by theater work, that allowed him to direct Warren Beatty’s groundbreaking performance as Clyde, according to Chris Nashawaty, who wrote a tribute to Penn for EW. In his post “Bonnie” career, Penn also directed “Little Big Man,” the detective film “Night Moves” and “The Missouri Breaks,” which starred Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson."
Penn made a name for himself in the 1950s directing Playhouse 90, the live TV drama series. In 1959, he won a Tony for the Broadway production of “The Miracle Worker,” which starred Anne Bancroft. It was Penn’s ability to coax great performances from actors, honed by theater work, that allowed him to direct Warren Beatty’s groundbreaking performance as Clyde, according to Chris Nashawaty, who wrote a tribute to Penn for EW. In his post “Bonnie” career, Penn also directed “Little Big Man,” the detective film “Night Moves” and “The Missouri Breaks,” which starred Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson."
Uh-Oh
Authors Feel Pinch in Age of E-Books - WSJ.com: "When literary agent Sarah Yake shopped around Kirsten Kaschock's debut novel 'Sleight' this year, she thought it would be a shoo-in with New York's top publishers.
'Her project was one of the most exemplary in the last decade or so,' said Jed Rasula, who has taught in the English department at the University of Georgia since 2001. 'I certainly thought she'd find a New York publisher.'
But the major New York publishers passed on 'Sleight,' a novel about two sisters trained in a fictional art form. Coffee House Press in Minneapolis, a small independent publisher, now plans to publish the book, offering Ms. Kaschock an advance of about $3,500—a small fraction of the typical advances once paid by the major publishing houses.
The digital revolution is not only disrupting the traditional publishing model, but new and aspiring literary writers as well, who are less likely to gain attention from publishers or command the advances they once might have. WSJ's Jeffrey Trachtenberg discusses on digits.
It has always been tough for literary fiction writers to get their work published by the top publishing houses. But the digital revolution that is disrupting the economic model of the book industry is having an outsize impact on the careers of literary writers."
'Her project was one of the most exemplary in the last decade or so,' said Jed Rasula, who has taught in the English department at the University of Georgia since 2001. 'I certainly thought she'd find a New York publisher.'
But the major New York publishers passed on 'Sleight,' a novel about two sisters trained in a fictional art form. Coffee House Press in Minneapolis, a small independent publisher, now plans to publish the book, offering Ms. Kaschock an advance of about $3,500—a small fraction of the typical advances once paid by the major publishing houses.
The digital revolution is not only disrupting the traditional publishing model, but new and aspiring literary writers as well, who are less likely to gain attention from publishers or command the advances they once might have. WSJ's Jeffrey Trachtenberg discusses on digits.
It has always been tough for literary fiction writers to get their work published by the top publishing houses. But the digital revolution that is disrupting the economic model of the book industry is having an outsize impact on the careers of literary writers."
Link via Dwight Silverman's TechBlog.
Kids Still Like Books
In Scholastic Study, Children Like Digital Reading - NYTimes.com: "Many children want to read books on digital devices and would read for fun more frequently if they could obtain e-books. But even if they had that access, two-thirds of them would not want to give up their traditional print books."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
This Isn't Good
Study: Sounds of US history at great risk, even in digital age; includes Ellington, Crosby | Medicine Hat News: "New digital recordings of events in U.S. history and early radio shows are at risk of being lost much faster than older ones on tape and many are already gone, according to a study on sound released Wednesday.
Even recent history, such as recordings from 9/11 or the 2008 election is at risk because digital sound files can be corrupted and widely used CD-R discs last only last three to five years before files start to fade, said study co-author Sam Brylawski.
'I think we're assuming that if it's on the Web it's going to be there forever,' he said. 'That's one of the biggest challenges.'
The first comprehensive study of the preservation of sound recordings in the U.S. being released by the Library of Congress also found many historical recordings already have been lost or can't be accessed by the public. That includes most of radio's first decade from 1925 to 1935."
Even recent history, such as recordings from 9/11 or the 2008 election is at risk because digital sound files can be corrupted and widely used CD-R discs last only last three to five years before files start to fade, said study co-author Sam Brylawski.
'I think we're assuming that if it's on the Web it's going to be there forever,' he said. 'That's one of the biggest challenges.'
The first comprehensive study of the preservation of sound recordings in the U.S. being released by the Library of Congress also found many historical recordings already have been lost or can't be accessed by the public. That includes most of radio's first decade from 1925 to 1935."
No Comment Department
Technolog - Texting-while-driving bans don't reduce crashes, institute says: "Text messaging-while-driving bans have not resulted in a reduction in crashes, and may even be 'ineffective,' according to a new report from the Highway Loss Data Institute.
If anything, the institute said, in states where texting while driving is illegal, there appears to be a 'slight increase in the frequency of insurance claims filed under collision coverage for damage to vehicles in crashes.' The finding is based on the institute's comparisons of claims in four states — California, Washington, Minnesota and Louisiana — before and after texting bans took effect, compared with patterns of claims in nearby states.
It could be that drivers who continue to text while driving are doing it more surreptitiously, hiding their phones from view of other drivers and law enforcement, increasing the risk of an accident even more, the institute says."
If anything, the institute said, in states where texting while driving is illegal, there appears to be a 'slight increase in the frequency of insurance claims filed under collision coverage for damage to vehicles in crashes.' The finding is based on the institute's comparisons of claims in four states — California, Washington, Minnesota and Louisiana — before and after texting bans took effect, compared with patterns of claims in nearby states.
It could be that drivers who continue to text while driving are doing it more surreptitiously, hiding their phones from view of other drivers and law enforcement, increasing the risk of an accident even more, the institute says."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Mesquite ISD stands by decision to turn away girls whose homecoming dresses were deemed too revealing | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News: "When Bea Guffey's daughter called Saturday night, she thought the girl had been in a wreck.
'I could hear screaming and crying,' she said. 'My husband kept saying, 'Baby girl, calm down,' over and over.'
Sarah Guffey had been turned away from Mesquite High School's homecoming dance because the senior's dress didn't meet the dress code."
'I could hear screaming and crying,' she said. 'My husband kept saying, 'Baby girl, calm down,' over and over.'
Sarah Guffey had been turned away from Mesquite High School's homecoming dance because the senior's dress didn't meet the dress code."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Anna Nicole Smith Update
Supreme Court to hear Anna Nicole Smith estate case | Reuters: "The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that it would decide whether Anna Nicole Smith's estate should get part of the fortune that the former Playboy model, who died in 2007, sought from her late Texas oil baron husband."
No Comment Department
The Snuggie Sutra: The Definitive Manual For Fuzzy, Cozy Sex: "Hitting bookstores (and Urban Outfitters, of course) today is The Snuggie Sutra—based on the blog of the same name—an illustrated guide to sexual positions using the innovative technology of a blanket with sleeves."
Hat tip to Art Scott.
Gene Hackman, Western Writer
Gene Hackman Lands Book Deal for Western - mediabistro.com: GalleyCat: "Actor Gene Hackman has sealed a deal to publish his next novel with Pocket Books. Entitled Jubal's Bounty, the new Western takes place in 19th century of New Mexico--recounting the adventures of 'a brave young hero who is forced to take the law into his own hands after the murder of his family.'"
Hat tip to Fred Zackel.
Comics Collections They'd Love to See
: RevolutionSF - Uncanny Un-Collectibles: Missing Comic Book Trades, 1930s to 1940s : Feature
I'd love to see some of these, too.
A Little Q&A with Reed Farrel Coleman
Reed Farrel Coleman's Moe Prager series is not to be missed. The latest installment, Innocent Monster, hits the streets on October 5, and Reed was kind enough to drop by and to a little Q&A here on the blog.
BC: I was reading on your website about the new book, and I see the title is Innocent Monster, so I'm guessing it's about vampires, right?
RFC: Is this where I stick needles in my eyes? Christ, am I sick to death of vampires. Charlaine Harris is like the nicest person alive, but can she please make it stop? Seriously, Innocent Monster is pretty far away from your basic vampire book.
BC: Okay, I guess I was wrong. I noticed that Booklist gives it a starred review that says it's "pretty much note-perfect," so where do the musicians come in?
RFC: On cue, I hope.
BC: Kidding aside, I remember that at the 2004 Bouchercon in Toronto you were campaigning to "Save Moe." Can we assume that Moe has been thoroughly saved and will be around for a while?
RFC: I think it’s a safe assumption. I’m already at Moe #7, Hurt Machine.
BC: Tower, your collaborative novel with Ken Bruen, was a big success. Any plans for another collaboration with Bruen or anyone else?
RFC: We have tossed around the idea of a Western. A loony Irishman from Galway and a Jew from Brooklyn … makes perfect sense to me. But Ken’s so busy these days, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
BC: When you start a novel, do you have an outline handy, or do you prefer to wing it?
RFC: I am the king of winging it. Outlines kill me, so I avoid them at all cost.
BC: What about social networking? Do you think Twitter and Facebook are necessary for writers? How do you use them?
RFC: Unfortunately, I think they are necessary evils. I like socializing the old-fashioned way, but I’m on Facebook and Twitter. I’ve updated my website.
BC: What other writing projects can you tell us about? Poetry, maybe?
RFC: I’m now a co-editor of The Lineup, a poetry magazine that focuses on crime poetry. I have a stand-alone being shopped around. I’ve discussed some collaborations and I hope to do a short story anthology for Busted Flush.
BC: Thanks for the visit, Reed, and we all hope Innocent Monster sells a million.
RFC: Me too.
* * *
Reed Farrel Coleman’s Innocent Monster (Tyrus Books, Oct. 5, 2010) is the sixth in his Moe Prager series. Reed has been called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and the noir poet laureate in the Huffington Press. He’s published eleven novels—two under his pen name Tony Spinosa—in three series, and the stand-alone Tower co-written with award-winning Irish author Ken Bruen. He’s won the Shamus Award for Best Novel of the Year three times, won the Barry and Anthony, and twice been nominated for the Edgar Award. He is a co-editor of The Lineup and was the editor of the anthology Hard Boiled Brooklyn. You can reach Reed on his website, Facebook, or Twitter.
10 Essential Works of Transhumanist Fiction
Online Certificate Programs: 10 Essential Works of Transhumanist Fiction: "Transhumanist fiction is a developing genre that explores futuristic societies in which technology has been used to enhance human cognitive and physical abilities. Basically, the undesirable and inherently human qualities that everyone possesses are eliminated, causing the posthuman world to become either utopian or more imperfect, usually the latter."
Don't Read This
Dad visits son in prison, ends up joining him - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com: "According to an FBI agent's report, Denney planned to smuggle a golf ball-sized chunk of black tar heroin he had wrapped in plastic and hid in his rectum.
Authorities say Denney was going to transfer the drugs by giving his 29-year-old son, who has the same first name, a mouth-to-mouth kiss during a visit."
Authorities say Denney was going to transfer the drugs by giving his 29-year-old son, who has the same first name, a mouth-to-mouth kiss during a visit."
Keep off Their Lawns!
More Celebrities Are Now Carrying Guns – Indyposted: "Celebrities are looking for additional protection, and they’re getting permits so they can legally carry guns in New York City, PEOPLE.com is reporting.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood are carrying a license to carry a firearm. These celebrities include: Marc Anthony, Robert De Niro, Donald Trump, his son, Donald Jr., David Wright and Martha Stewart’s daughter, Alexis Stewart."
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood are carrying a license to carry a firearm. These celebrities include: Marc Anthony, Robert De Niro, Donald Trump, his son, Donald Jr., David Wright and Martha Stewart’s daughter, Alexis Stewart."
Monday, September 27, 2010
George Blanda. R. I. P.
Raiders legend George Blanda dies at 83: "Former Raider quarterback George Blanda, whose passing and kicking exploits during a 26-year NFL career led him to a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died. He was 83.
Blanda was known as the Ageless Wonder because he didn't retire until he was just short of his 49th birthday.
And some of his best work came in his last decade in the NFL, with Oakland."
Blanda was known as the Ageless Wonder because he didn't retire until he was just short of his 49th birthday.
And some of his best work came in his last decade in the NFL, with Oakland."
Gloria Stuart, R. I. P.
Gloria Stuart, actress in 'Titanic,' dies at 100: "Gloria Stuart, 100, a glamorous blonde actress who starred in 1930s horror films and musicals before reviving a long-dormant career in 1997 with her Oscar-nominated performance as the older version of Kate Winslet's character Rose in the box-office smash 'Titanic,' died Sept. 26 at her home in West Los Angeles."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
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Memorial Service for David Thompson
Yesterday afternoon I went to the memorial service for David Thompson. (See previous post here.) It wasn't really a service so much as a celebration of David's life. Margaritas and Mexican food, the way David would've wanted it. Hundreds (and hundreds) of people turned out to show their support for David's wife, McKenna, for David's family, and for David's friends at Murder by the Book. I wasn't surprised at the size of the crowd, nor was I surprised at the number of mystery writers from all over Texas who drove long distances to be there. I wasn't surprised, either, at the fact that some writers came all the way from distant states like New York, California, and Pennsylvania. It was just further proof of the influence David had on the mystery field and of how many people appreciated him and what he did. It showed once again what great people mystery readers, writers, and fans are. I'm proud to be part of that community, just as David was. He'll be much missed for a long, long time.
Play for Pay
Bikini bandit stripteases to getaway car | News.com.au: "A FEMALE robber surprised staff at a Darwin fast food restaurant with a strip, before fleeing with more than $500 in cash."
What's Up, Doc?
Rabbit-swinging man denies animal cruelty - Story - National - 3 News: "An Auckland man is today defending accusations that he held a rabbit by its ears and thrust it at passers-by on Queen Street, before spitting on a police officer who tried to arrest him."
Keep off His Lawn!
Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: News :: OAP attacks Hell's Angel: Race jibe led to assault: "A PENSIONER who attacked a “fearsome” Hell’s Angel with his walking stick after being racially abused has been jailed for 18 months."
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Peru Update
Letter reveals lost language - oddstuff | Stuff.co.nz: "Archaeologists say scrawl on the back of a letter recovered from a 17th century dig site reveals a previously unknown language spoken by indigenous peoples in northern Peru.
A team of international archaeologists found the letter under a pile of adobe bricks in a collapsed church complex near Trujillo, 347 miles north of Lima. The complex had been inhabited by Dominican friars for two centuries.
'Our investigations determined that this piece of paper records a number system in a language that has been lost for hundreds of years,' Jeffrey Quilter, an archaeologist at Harvard's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, told Reuters."
A team of international archaeologists found the letter under a pile of adobe bricks in a collapsed church complex near Trujillo, 347 miles north of Lima. The complex had been inhabited by Dominican friars for two centuries.
'Our investigations determined that this piece of paper records a number system in a language that has been lost for hundreds of years,' Jeffrey Quilter, an archaeologist at Harvard's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, told Reuters."
Baker Street Update
For his book Baker Street Irregular, recently reviewed on this blog, Jon Lellenberg has created "a rolling weekly feature about the hero's times, settings and troubles -- accessible from my website's Novel page, or directly at http://www.bsiarchivalhistory.org/BSI_Archival_History/Woodys_World.html. The first installment just went up, and future installments will stretch out over the next several months. Comments and suggestions are welcome."
I've had a look at the site, and it's excellent. Check it out.
Bring Me the Head of Juan Vizcarra Quispe
Peru thieves nab mayor's dad's skull ahead of vote - The Mainichi Daily News: "Foes of a small-town mayor in Peru say they have dug up the skull of his late father and won't give it back unless he drops out of next month's election.
Police in San Cristobal say unknown thieves unearthed the remains of Juan Vizcarra Quispe, who died in 1978. His bones were found strewn about the cemetery, but his skull is missing."
Police in San Cristobal say unknown thieves unearthed the remains of Juan Vizcarra Quispe, who died in 1978. His bones were found strewn about the cemetery, but his skull is missing."
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