20 Best Science Fiction Books Of The Decade - Books - io9
Which proves how far out of it I am when it comes to current SF.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
This Sounds Like Joke . . .
. . . but it's not.
Want Everyone To See Your Credit Card Transactions? Of Course You Do. Meet Blippy.: "As the Internet matures, slowly but surely everything we do in the real world is going social. But there’s a limit to how much information we can explicitly share on all the various services. A new service, Blippy, launching today in private beta, has an interesting way to take something you do everyday, buy things with your credit card, and automatically push those transactions online for others to see and interact with.
Yes, I know this is a controversial idea — that’s part of what makes it potentially a great one. Imagine being able to see everything your friends buy with a credit card as they do it. This not only tells you what kind of things they’re actually into (rather than someone just saying they like something), but also other information like how cheap they are, as well as where they actually are at a given time. There is actually a lot of data tied into the transactions we make, and Blippy takes that and makes it social."
Want Everyone To See Your Credit Card Transactions? Of Course You Do. Meet Blippy.: "As the Internet matures, slowly but surely everything we do in the real world is going social. But there’s a limit to how much information we can explicitly share on all the various services. A new service, Blippy, launching today in private beta, has an interesting way to take something you do everyday, buy things with your credit card, and automatically push those transactions online for others to see and interact with.
Yes, I know this is a controversial idea — that’s part of what makes it potentially a great one. Imagine being able to see everything your friends buy with a credit card as they do it. This not only tells you what kind of things they’re actually into (rather than someone just saying they like something), but also other information like how cheap they are, as well as where they actually are at a given time. There is actually a lot of data tied into the transactions we make, and Blippy takes that and makes it social."
Can You Imagine Saying This about a Kindle?
Well, maybe so.
The Writer's Almanac : "Gustave Flaubert. . . said, 'I can imagine nothing in the world preferable to a nice, well-heated room, with the books one loves and the leisure one wants.'"
The Writer's Almanac : "Gustave Flaubert. . . said, 'I can imagine nothing in the world preferable to a nice, well-heated room, with the books one loves and the leisure one wants.'"
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Archeological dig near Hempstead provides clues to Texas history - 12/11/09 - Houston News - abc13.com: "Archeologists are working at a unique site just outside of Hempstead. The Bernardo Plantation once served as a staging area for General Sam Houston.
Just 50 miles north of Houston there is a place where history is being uncovered.
Jim Bruseth with the Texas Historical Commission explained, 'This is the beginning of the plantation system in Texas.'
A piece of Texas past being seen for the first time in 200 years, it's called Bernardo, a plantation established in 1822 by Jared Groce, one of 'the old three hundred' settlers of Stephen F. Austin's colony. His property at the time was the largest plantation in Texas and would become the staging ground for General Sam Houston's troops before the battle of San Jacinto."
Just 50 miles north of Houston there is a place where history is being uncovered.
Jim Bruseth with the Texas Historical Commission explained, 'This is the beginning of the plantation system in Texas.'
A piece of Texas past being seen for the first time in 200 years, it's called Bernardo, a plantation established in 1822 by Jared Groce, one of 'the old three hundred' settlers of Stephen F. Austin's colony. His property at the time was the largest plantation in Texas and would become the staging ground for General Sam Houston's troops before the battle of San Jacinto."
Croc Update (Live Bait Edition)
The Punch:: I used young girls as baits: "“Crocodiles are lovers of girls, so I used young girls to trap the crocodile and bring it out of the water.”
Those were the words of 32-year-old fisherman, Benjamin Abu, as he narrated how he killed a man-eating crocodile that had terrorised a community in Niger State for months. Abu shared his story with an audience, including the Governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, at Government House Minna. However, the crocodile hunter assured that the girls were placed at a great distance from the crocodile and their lives were never in danger."
Those were the words of 32-year-old fisherman, Benjamin Abu, as he narrated how he killed a man-eating crocodile that had terrorised a community in Niger State for months. Abu shared his story with an audience, including the Governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, at Government House Minna. However, the crocodile hunter assured that the girls were placed at a great distance from the crocodile and their lives were never in danger."
Guest Blogging, Again
There must be something about the season that encourages people to invite me to be a guest on their blogs. My latest rumination is at Mayhem and Magic. Take a look.
James Cameron Update
Next for Cameron: Two 'Avatar' Sequels and 'Fantastic Voyage' - Cinematical: "Aside from Avatar sequels, Cameron will also be producing -- and subsequently applying his new technology -- to a remake of the 1966 sci-fi flick Fantastic Voyage, about a dying scientist whose survival depends heavily upon the five colleagues who are shrunken down and injected into his failing body."
Excitable Boy
I bought this album when it first came out. Nobody else in Brownwood, Texas, was interested in it. In fact, the record store (yes, there were record stores in those long-ago days, kiddies) had to order it for me. When it arrived, the clerk, who happened to be one of my students, suggested that I listen to a few cuts to be sure I actually wanted to buy it. When the first couple of bars of "When Johnny Strikes up the Band" played, I told her I was sure. When I got it home and played it all the way through, I knew I'd be listening to it for a long time.I was right. I listened to it again yesterday (I have it on CD now), and it's a fresh and and wild and crazy as ever. Songs like "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner," "Lawyers, Guns, and Money," "Werewolves of London," "Excitable Boy," "Vera Cruz." They don't write 'em like that anymore, and for that matter nobody else ever did. I bought Zevon's earlier albums, and all the subesquent ones. There are plenty of great songs on all of them, but Excitable Boy remains my favorite.
Friday, December 11, 2009
He Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded
Man accused of shooting wife says he didn't know gun loaded - Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 | 7:26 p.m. - Las Vegas Sun: "A Laughlin man arrested in the shooting death of his wife told police he had pretended to shoot her during an argument four years ago to “shut her up” and believed the gun was unloaded when he pulled the trigger on Sunday, according to an arrest report."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
No Comment Department
DISNEY OPTIONS 'FALLEN', AN ANGEL BOOK THAT WANTS TO BE TWILIGHT | FilmDrunk: Movie news you can make fun of: "Disney has optioned rights to “Fallen,” a young-adult novel by Lauren Kate that features angels. The book, released this week by Delacorte Books for Young Readers, is part of a four-tome series, all of which were included in the deal. The contemporary story centers on an alienated girl torn between two charismatic young men, unaware that they are fallen angels who have battled over her for centuries.
“Twilight” comparisons are inevitable, and angels have been identified as the next trend in young-adult fiction with vampire and werewolf tales having inundated the market."
“Twilight” comparisons are inevitable, and angels have been identified as the next trend in young-adult fiction with vampire and werewolf tales having inundated the market."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Former cop accused of using Taser on girlfriend might not do time - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |: "The woman who said she was repeatedly stunned with a Taser by her live-in boyfriend, a former Police Chief in Oakwood, is not happy with his purposed plea deal."
Happy Birthday, Teri Garr!
Teri Garr Biography - Biography.com: "Born December 11, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of a vaudeville performer and former Rockette, Garr aspired for a career in the dramatic arts at an early age. At the age of 16, she made her professional debut with the San Francisco Ballet. Garr attended North Hollywood High School followed by California State University at Northridge, where she excelled at stage acting and dancing. While still a teenager, Garr relocated to New York City and enrolled at the famed Actors' Studio."
A Charlie Brown Christmas Gets Shorter
An Open Letter to ABC from my friend, Leon. | Dork Tower: "TO: ABC
FROM: Leon Lynn
RE: Desecration of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
12/8/09
Dear ABC,
How could you?
For years and years I have awaited the network broadcast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as the true herald of the holiday season. I brought my kids up with the same tradition — one which has been made no less special for us by the fact that they happen to be Jewish.
Tonight we sat in horror and watched what you have done to the single greatest cartoon ever made.
How many minutes did you cut out of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” so you could run more commercials?
Gone was Sally’s materialistic letter to Santa, which finally sends Charlie screaming from the room when she says she will settle for 10s and 20s.
Gone was Schroeder’s miraculous multiple renditions of “Jingle Bells” from a toy piano, including the one that sounds distinctly like a church organ.
Gone was Linus using his blanket as an improvised slingshot to knock a can off the fence no one else can hit, complete with ricochet sound effect.
Gone were the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues and commenting on their flavor.
Gone even was poor Shermy’s only line. He thought he had it bad because he was always tasked to play a shepherd. He had no idea."
FROM: Leon Lynn
RE: Desecration of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
12/8/09
Dear ABC,
How could you?
For years and years I have awaited the network broadcast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as the true herald of the holiday season. I brought my kids up with the same tradition — one which has been made no less special for us by the fact that they happen to be Jewish.
Tonight we sat in horror and watched what you have done to the single greatest cartoon ever made.
How many minutes did you cut out of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” so you could run more commercials?
Gone was Sally’s materialistic letter to Santa, which finally sends Charlie screaming from the room when she says she will settle for 10s and 20s.
Gone was Schroeder’s miraculous multiple renditions of “Jingle Bells” from a toy piano, including the one that sounds distinctly like a church organ.
Gone was Linus using his blanket as an improvised slingshot to knock a can off the fence no one else can hit, complete with ricochet sound effect.
Gone were the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues and commenting on their flavor.
Gone even was poor Shermy’s only line. He thought he had it bad because he was always tasked to play a shepherd. He had no idea."
I Haven't Read this eBook
. . . but it looks like a classic to me.Fictionwise eBooks: The Crider Chronicles by Anderson Gentry: "The nations of humanity thought they were alone in the Galaxy. They were wrong, and now humanity faces a threat greater than all the wars in all their history. From the mountains of Idaho to the depths of space comes Mike Crider, the one man who might just be able to save them. Through guerilla battles in the deep woods, canyons and prairies of the wilderness world Forest, through the struggle to set up a new interstellar government, through the battles of the first Galactic War, the Crider family overcomes the forces of the hostile Grugell Empire to emerge as the Galaxy's Founding Family. The Crider Chronicles is the first of four books in the Galactic Confederation series."
Tips for Single Ladies
Jeff Meyerson included this link in a comment, but I thought it was so helpful that I'd move it into the regular postings.
Tips for Single Ladies (1938) | SadAndUseless.com
Tips for Single Ladies (1938) | SadAndUseless.com
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
And keep off his lawn!
The Galveston County Daily News: "Despite giving up 5 inches and 50 pounds, a 79-year-old man knocked an acquaintance unconscious in a bar fight about a woman, authorities allege.
[. . . .]
An argument led Dickson to punch Joseph Swart, who is 5-feet 7-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, Cook said. Swart is known at the bar as “Old Man Joe,” Cook said.
“The old man knocked him to the floor, jumped on top of him and was banging his head into the floor,” Cook said."
The Galveston County Daily News: "Despite giving up 5 inches and 50 pounds, a 79-year-old man knocked an acquaintance unconscious in a bar fight about a woman, authorities allege.
[. . . .]
An argument led Dickson to punch Joseph Swart, who is 5-feet 7-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, Cook said. Swart is known at the bar as “Old Man Joe,” Cook said.
“The old man knocked him to the floor, jumped on top of him and was banging his head into the floor,” Cook said."
Criminal Mastermind of the Week
TBO.com - News From AP: "Police in central Pennsylvania followed footprints in the snow to catch a man who allegedly tried to burglarize a convenience store by throwing a brick through a window.
Altoona police say they followed the tracks early Wednesday to a home where 28-year-old Joshua Phillips, of Tennessee Ridge, Tenn., had been staying with relatives. Officers say Phillips claimed to be home asleep all night even though his sneakers were wet and he had two pair of wet pants with him."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Altoona police say they followed the tracks early Wednesday to a home where 28-year-old Joshua Phillips, of Tennessee Ridge, Tenn., had been staying with relatives. Officers say Phillips claimed to be home asleep all night even though his sneakers were wet and he had two pair of wet pants with him."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
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