Saturday, June 27, 2009
Booking
Scott Cupp and I took a couple of hours away from the convention to hit some bookstores. I didn't buy much, but Scott found a lot. That's always the way it is. He's a book magnet.
I got a couple of Don Winslow's Neal Carey books in paperback, though I probably have them already. I didn't want to take the chance that I didn't, however. Picked up a hardcover of Flynn's World by Gregory Macdonald. It must have slipped under my radar when it was originally published.
Archaeology Update
Models of Earliest (Camel-Pulled) Vehicles Found: Discovery News: "Some of the world's first farmers may have sped around in two-wheeled carts pulled by camels and bulls, suggests a new analysis on tiny models of these carts that date to 6,000-5,000 years ago.
The cart models, which may have been ritual objects or children's toys, were found at Altyndepe, a Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement in Western Central Asia near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Together with other finds, the cart models provide a history of how wheeled transportation first emerged in the area and later developed."
The cart models, which may have been ritual objects or children's toys, were found at Altyndepe, a Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement in Western Central Asia near Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Together with other finds, the cart models provide a history of how wheeled transportation first emerged in the area and later developed."
More Good News!
Peanut butter 'wards off heart disease', say scientist | Mail Online: "Peanut butter sandwiches could be the secret to beating heart disease, says a study.
Snacking on peanuts or peanut butter at least five days a week can nearly halve the risk of a heart attack."
Snacking on peanuts or peanut butter at least five days a week can nearly halve the risk of a heart attack."
I'm Reminded of Otherguy Overby
Naked ex-mayor arrested at campsite | ajc.com: "A former mayor found sitting naked and holding a beer at a Rabun County campsite told police he wasn’t the same naked man seen walking around earlier."
ApolloCon
My first ApolloCon panel is this morning. Book collecting is the topic. I'm more of an accumulator than a collector, but it's always fun to talk about books. Even if nobody shows up for the panel, Scott Cupp and I will have a good time. The panel's at 10:00, which is the earliest time for panels. None of that 8:00 A. M. stuff. The youngsters at the con must like to party all night.
Hogdoggin' -- Anthony Neil Smith
Last time we saw Billy Lafitte, he was on the run after messing with both terrorists and the FBI. That was back when he was a first-person narrator. Now he's back in the third person, and while the terrorists are in his past, Franklin Rome of the FBI still has it in for him. (No wonder, considering the beat-down Lafitte put on him in Yellow Medicine.)Lafitte's dropped off the grid. He's been hanging with a motorcycle gang ramrodded by a guy called Steel God, but Rome's using Lafitte's estranged and mentally unstable wife to put pressure on Lafitte, who takes off for the bayou country on a turquoise motorcycle. He stops off in Yellow Medicine County first, with unhappy results. It seems that even when Billy has decent impulses, things just never seem to work out. People are always dying. Which pisses off other people who now want to kill Bill(y).
This is Smith's most complex novel yet, and it's also his best controlled. He's clicking on all cylinders here, and while there's plenty of sex and violence, it never overwhelms the story or the characters, who, let's face it, aren't the kind of folks you'd want for your neighbors. They're interesting to read about, though. Smith doesn't flinch from anything, and if you do, you might want to look elsewhere for a relaxing read. If you're looking for a wild ride with the pedal to the metal from page one, though, this is just the book for you.
The question is, will Billy Lafitte return? After you reach the last page, you might be wondering, but since the book's subtitle is "The Next Chapter of the Billy Lafitte Saga," I'm sort of expecting to see him again. It doesn't say it's the last chapter, after all, so there's something to look forward to there.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Baked or Fried?
Shelbyville Times-Gazette: Story: Arguing couple does no damage with Cheetos: "A local couple arrested on domestic assault charges Sunday had an unusual choice of alleged weaponry -- Cheetos.
Warrants filed by Cpl. Kevin Roddy, of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, stated he responded to a call at a home on Pass Road, where 40-year-old James Earl Taylor and Mary S. Childers, 44, were allegedly involved in an argument.
According to Roddy's report, the pair became 'involved in a verbal altercation' with each other 'at which time Cheetos potato chips were used in the assault.'"
Warrants filed by Cpl. Kevin Roddy, of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, stated he responded to a call at a home on Pass Road, where 40-year-old James Earl Taylor and Mary S. Childers, 44, were allegedly involved in an argument.
According to Roddy's report, the pair became 'involved in a verbal altercation' with each other 'at which time Cheetos potato chips were used in the assault.'"
Sky Saxon, R. I. P.
The Associated Press: Sky Saxon of '60s rock band the Seeds dies: "AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sky Saxon, lead singer and founder of the 1960s band the 'Seeds,' who had a Top 40 hit in 1967 with 'Pushin' Too Hard,' has died after a brief illness.
Publicist Jen Marchand said Saxon died Thursday but did not have other details. He was in his 60s.
The Seeds sprang up in California, and their garage-band sound with Saxon's distinctive vocals became a favorite of the flower power generation. Another hit single of 1967 was 'Can't Seem to Make You Mine' and their song 'Mr. Farmer' was included in the soundtrack for the movie 'Almost Famous.'
The Mick Jagger-influenced vocals by Saxon (born Richard Marsh) dominated the sound and in turn influenced later punk rockers."
Thanks to Scott Cupp for the link.
Publicist Jen Marchand said Saxon died Thursday but did not have other details. He was in his 60s.
The Seeds sprang up in California, and their garage-band sound with Saxon's distinctive vocals became a favorite of the flower power generation. Another hit single of 1967 was 'Can't Seem to Make You Mine' and their song 'Mr. Farmer' was included in the soundtrack for the movie 'Almost Famous.'
The Mick Jagger-influenced vocals by Saxon (born Richard Marsh) dominated the sound and in turn influenced later punk rockers."
Thanks to Scott Cupp for the link.
Paris Hilton Update (Maybe She's not Available)
Paris Hilton lets loose on Twitter over Ronaldo | Metro.co.uk: "Paris Hilton has lost her cool on Twitter over rumours that she ditched her latest fling Cristiano Ronaldo because he was a 'sissy'.
The heiress clearly wants to keep in good with the Ronnie's camp, denying a string of alleged remarks she made about their night together in Hollywood.
In a fresh web tweet, the 28-year-old blasted: 'I'm really sick of reporters not only making up stories, but also inventing their own quotes that I never even said. It's ridiculous!'"
Hat tip to the devastated Jeff Meyerson.
The heiress clearly wants to keep in good with the Ronnie's camp, denying a string of alleged remarks she made about their night together in Hollywood.
In a fresh web tweet, the 28-year-old blasted: 'I'm really sick of reporters not only making up stories, but also inventing their own quotes that I never even said. It's ridiculous!'"
Hat tip to the devastated Jeff Meyerson.
Croc & Gator Update
Alligators, crocodile seen on brevard county beaches -- chicagotribune.com: "Beachgoers might not be surprised to see a shark in the surf, but a different pair of predators has appeared on the Brevard County coast.
A rare American crocodile was captured at the Cocoa Beach Pier last Friday and there have been at least two separate alligator sightings in the ocean this week. One of the reptiles left its tracks in the sands of Satellite Beach.
Steven Harp, a professional photographer, followed the Satellite Beach gator, as it swam in the surf. It was the first time he ever saw one in salt water.
'You could tell the salt water was bothering his eyes. He was holding his head pretty high out of the water, not swimming like they normally do,' Harp said."
A rare American crocodile was captured at the Cocoa Beach Pier last Friday and there have been at least two separate alligator sightings in the ocean this week. One of the reptiles left its tracks in the sands of Satellite Beach.
Steven Harp, a professional photographer, followed the Satellite Beach gator, as it swam in the surf. It was the first time he ever saw one in salt water.
'You could tell the salt water was bothering his eyes. He was holding his head pretty high out of the water, not swimming like they normally do,' Harp said."
Forgotten Books: YOU PLAY THE BLACK AND THE RED COMES UP -- Richard Hallas
This one may not be forgotten, but how many of you have read it? It's a noir classic, though people can't agree on just what kind of classic it is. But I'll get back to that. Let's start with the title. as there ever a better title for a noir novel? I can't think of one.The author is Richard Hallas, whose real name was Eric Knight. Knight was a versatile writer. He wrote Lassie, Come Home; This above All, and You Play the Black and the Red Comes Up. Three more different books would be hard to find.
You Play the Black and the Red Comes Up is the story of a guy who calls himself Dick Dempsey (he looks like the champ). His wife takes their kid and leaves him, so he hops a freight to go to California and it's just one damned thing after another, all of them leading downhill. Dick gets involved in a robbery. A man is killed, but Dick escapes with the money. He meets a woman. Then he meets another woman and decides there's only one way to get rid of the first woman. You can guess what that is. The wrong woman dies. And then there's the ending. Some people think one thing happens, some think another. I can't say more without spoiling it for you.
Now as to what kind of a book it is. Some critics think it's a parody of the hardboiled novel. Some think it's not. Who cares? Long, long ago, the Diamonds recorded a song called "Little Darlin'." It had been originally recorded by a group called the Gladiolas, and many people thought the Diamonds' version was a put-on. But it doesn't matter. Put-on or not, it's still a great rock 'n' roll song. And put-on or not, You Play the Black and the Red Comes Up is still a fine hardboiled noir novel.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Vince Keenan is Excited!
The Blotter | The Anna Nicole Smith circus is coming to town | Seattle Times Newspaper: "There won't be any big tops or trapezes, but the circus that is the saga of Anna Nicole Smith is arriving in Seattle Thursday for a one-day-only performance.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is convening at the old federal courthouse downtown to hear the case of Marshall v. Marshall, the never-ending battle over the estate of Anna Nicole's dead husband, the Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall. The federal appeals court just happens to be in Seattle on a regularly scheduled tour when it will hear the case."
Hat tip to Seattle resident Vince Keenan.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is convening at the old federal courthouse downtown to hear the case of Marshall v. Marshall, the never-ending battle over the estate of Anna Nicole's dead husband, the Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall. The federal appeals court just happens to be in Seattle on a regularly scheduled tour when it will hear the case."
Hat tip to Seattle resident Vince Keenan.
Don Coldsmith, R. I. P.
Don Coldsmith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Don Coldsmith is an American author of primarily Western fiction. A past president of Western Writers of America, Coldsmith has written more than 40 books, as well as and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. His “Spanish Bit Saga,” a series of related novels, helped to re-define the Western novel by adopting the point of view of the Native Americans, rather than the European immigrants."
Don's death was reported on an Internet list. Very sorry to hear it. He and I had the same agent for a while.
Don's death was reported on an Internet list. Very sorry to hear it. He and I had the same agent for a while.
Michael Jackson, R. I. P.
Report: Michael Jackson Has Died: "The King of Pop is dead.
Recording artist, entertainer and global superstar Michael Jackson has died from an apparent heart attack in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 50 years-old.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.
It was reported earlier by various news sources that Michael Jackson suffered a heart attack this afternoon at his home and was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics."
Recording artist, entertainer and global superstar Michael Jackson has died from an apparent heart attack in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 50 years-old.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.
It was reported earlier by various news sources that Michael Jackson suffered a heart attack this afternoon at his home and was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics."
Farrah Fawcett, R. I. P.
Farrah Fawcett Dies of Cancer at 62 - Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal : People.com: "Farrah Fawcett, who skyrocketed to fame as one of a trio of impossibly glamorous private eyes on TV's Charlie's Angels, has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 62."
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