The Rap Sheet: Making News at the Shamuses: "Tonight’s presentation of the 2009 Shamus Awards brought a few surprises, one of which was certainly the second-in-a-row win by Reed Farrel Coleman in the Best Novel category. These prizes, sponsored by the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA), were given out during a banquet at Indianapolis’ Slippery Noodle bar."
Complete list at the link.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Macavity Awards
Mystery Fanfare: Macavity Awards: "I just presented the Macavity Awards for mystery works published in 2008. I'm in Indianapolis for Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention. Great turn out for the Awards--and a wonderful line-up of nominees."
Go to the link for a complete list.
Go to the link for a complete list.
Awards at Bouchercon
Mystery Fanfare: More Mystery Awards: "There were lots of mystery awards given out at Bouchercon last night, besides Mystery Readers International's Macavity Awards. For the first time, the Derringer Awards were part of the ceremonies. Jim Doherty, one of the original members of Mystery Readers International presented."
For a complete list of the awards, go to the link.
For a complete list of the awards, go to the link.
Ed Valigursky, R. I. P.
I've seen the news of Valigursky's death on a couple of lists. It seems he passed away last month, but little notice was taken in the news media. Too bad. He did some memorable covers and no doubt attracted a lot of readers to paperbacks and digests. Certainly he was a favorite of mine.
More Fantastic 1954
Here's the back cover. Again, I like the ad, and two of the books pictured are two of the ones I bought when I joined the SF Book Club about this time: Omibus of Science Fiction and The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology. I still have them, and they're full of touchstone stories for me. No wonder. I was at the golden age for science fiction. None of the stories in this issue of Fantastic measure up to the ones in those two anthologies."The Murder-Con" by Jerome Bixby is the longest story in the issue. It's set at the 13th WorldCon. It name-checks a few SF writers and has a nice comment or two on cons, like this one: "'This science-fiction crowd can raise more hell, kill more bottles and drop more panties than bank night in le shack Sade.'" (I knew I should have started going to cons when I was a kid!) Not a great story, but smoothly told with alternating first-person viewpoints. It's about an awakening telepath and what must be done about him because he's Not A Nice Person. The illustration on the second page of the story depicts the ending, which I thought was too bad.
"The Outlaws" is an over-population story by Lee Priestley, whoever that is. Slick, condescending toward women (I wouldn't have noticed in 1954), and most notable for its casual mentions of wind farms, few of which must have been around in those days.
Forgotten Books: MURDER -- Harold Adams
Murder is the first book in Harold Adam's series about Carl Wilcox, an ex-con living, for the moment, in Corden, a small town in South Dakota during the Great Depression. I don't know how many books there were in the series, but one of them, The Man Who Was Taller than God, won a Shamus Award from the Private-Eye Writers of America.Wilcox isn't a private-eye, however. He's a hobo and a sign-painter, but he always seems to be around some small town when a murder takes place. It's a good thing he's so good at solving crimes.
In Murder, Wilcox is fresh out of prison (armed robbery), and settling in back in his hometown. Before long, however there are three murders, and Wilcox decides that he'd better help solve them before the sheriff decides that an ex-con is just the man to take the blame.
The Wilcox novels are sold, old-fashioned entertainment. By that I mean they aren't flashy. They don't involve plots that affect the fate of the world. They're set in small towns and peopled with small-town characters. Wilcox likes women and booze, but he's trying to avoid the latter and go straight. He makes an engaging narrator as Adams talks about the way things used to be, when murder was personal and people weren't so very different from the way they are now, though the times certainly were. The next time you want to take a trip back to a simpler era, you could do a lot worse than to sample one of Adams' books.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fantastic, October 1954
Since I've talked about a 1954 issue of Amazing, I thought it was only fair to say a few words about an issue of Fantastic from the same year. One thing is obvious: the Amazing had a much better cover. On the other hand, I have to admit that the guy in the middle of this one is making a truly bold fashion statement.The cover illustrates "The Yellow Needle" by Gerald Vance. It's a time-travel fantasy, sort of an anti-Bradbuy -Finney story about a guy who travels back to 1900 and finds out he's not nearly as happy there as he'd thought he'd be. The yellow needle is the gimmick in the story, and what it has to do with a fakir in Cairo is something it's probably best not to think about. In fact, the whole story is something it's probably best not to think about. It's not very good at all.
The first story in the magazine is a science fiction tale by Milton Lesser. (The first story in the issue of Amazing was a fantasy by Lesser; go figure.) "Cosmic Appetite" can be summed up thusly: The Blob in outer space. Since it was written a good many years before The Blob hit the theaters, you might perhaps want to write a monograph on its influence. I don't.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Here's the Plot of Your Next Blockbuster SF Novel
Essay - The Collider, the Particle and a Theory About Fate - NYTimes.com: "Then it will be time to test one of the most bizarre and revolutionary theories in science. I’m not talking about extra dimensions of space-time, dark matter or even black holes that eat the Earth. No, I’m talking about the notion that the troubled collider is being sabotaged by its own future. A pair of otherwise distinguished physicists have suggested that the hypothesized Higgs boson, which physicists hope to produce with the collider, might be so abhorrent to nature that its creation would ripple backward through time and stop the collider before it could make one, like a time traveler who goes back in time to kill his grandfather."
So Here We Are at Bouchercon
We got to Indianapolis around 11:30 this morning after getting up way too early. The hotel had a room ready, though, so we checked in and had lunch at Panera Bread. Met some friends later in the afternoon, had dinner, and sat around and talked for a few hours. That's what Bouchercon's all about for me.
Al Martino, R. I. P.
Al Martino - Telegraph: "Al Martino, who died on October 13 aged 82, was a great postwar Italian-American crooner who rose to even further fame with his role as the singer Johnny Fontane in The Godfather, the 1972 blockbuster movie starring Marlon Brando; he also sang the UK's first number one record."
Charlie Bartlett
I wouldn't have heard of this one if James Reasoner hadn't mentioned it on his blog. Since he and I have similar tastes now and then, and since I've mentioned before that I'm a sucker for coming-of-age stories, I thought I'd take a look. I'm glad I did because I really liked the movie, which no one gave to me and which I rented with my own money.I don't have much to add to what James said other than that Robert Downey, Jr., does a pretty brave scene that has to do with addiction, and I won't say any more about that. You'll know what I mean if you watch the film. The cast is uniformly good, and while I hadn't heard of any of them other than Downey, I expect I'll be seeing them in a lot of movies down the line. They've all young, and I think they'll be around for a while.
If you're in the mood for something a lot different from the usual teen movie (sort of in the same way that Adventureland was), don't pass this one by.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Bouchercon 1980
This was the first Bouchercon I attended. It was held in Washington, D. C. The guest of honor was Gregory Mcdonald, but I remember that Brian Garfield and James Grady were there as well. That was about it for the Big Names. I wish I had the program, but I believe I've given it to Texas A&M. As I recall, the programming was sparse. A panel or two in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Things have certainly changed, but some of the same people I hung out with in 1980 will be in Indianapolis this week. We've been meeting at Bouchercons for 30 years now, and it's become almost like a family reunion. While I'm looking forward to cruising the dealers' room and seeing a few panels, it's the friends that make the trip worthwhile. Maybe I'll even make some new friends this weekend. That's what Bouchercon is really about for me.
Podcast – Brett Battles interview
014 Reading and Writing podcast – Brett Battles interview: "Welcome to the fourteenth episode of the Reading and Writing podcast featuring an interview with Brett Battles, suspense and thriller writer, and author of Shadow of Betrayal, The Deceived, and The Cleaner."
Bouchercon Bound
I haven't mentioned Bouchercon because we weren't at all sure we'd get to go. It was going to be a game-day decision. Well, today is game day, and we've decided to go. We'll leave tomorrow morning, bright and early. Or maybe not so bright since we'll probably have to be out and about before sunrise. We're staying in the Westin, not the convention hotel, but we hope it won't be too far away. I won't be using Twitter to report, but I might send in something for the blog. Even if I don't, there should be plenty of posts for you to read, including some book and movie reviews. If I get a chance I'll check the comments now and then to be sure the spammers haven't taken over.
We've never been to Indianapolis, but I doubt that we'll see much of the city since the weather forecast isn't exactly favorable. We've flying back to Houston on the 19th, assuming all goes well.
We've never been to Indianapolis, but I doubt that we'll see much of the city since the weather forecast isn't exactly favorable. We've flying back to Houston on the 19th, assuming all goes well.
I Knew It!
Beware the Drain-Dwelling Alligators! - Tonic: "Remember those urban legends about people flushing pet baby alligators down toilets, creating giant, sewer-dwelling gators? Well, turns out those myths have a teensy bit of truth to them.
According to a WPLG story, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue recently pulled an unexpected critter out of a storm drain: A seven-foot-long, 150-pound alligator! To see some pics of the giant reptile, click here."
According to a WPLG story, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue recently pulled an unexpected critter out of a storm drain: A seven-foot-long, 150-pound alligator! To see some pics of the giant reptile, click here."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
CRIME Blog | The Dallas Morning News: "On Saturday, Oct. 10, a Texas Highway Patrol trooper stopped a school bus marked to resemble a United Independent School District bus on U.S. 59 north of Laredo, which contained 5,408 pounds of marijuana with an estimated worth of more than $1.7 million.
The driver fled on foot from the scene. DPS is pursuing several leads in connection with this investigation.
One would think this is rare. Think again. In February comes this south Texas discovery: Nearly $4 million in pot inside another similar bus."
The driver fled on foot from the scene. DPS is pursuing several leads in connection with this investigation.
One would think this is rare. Think again. In February comes this south Texas discovery: Nearly $4 million in pot inside another similar bus."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Just What the World Needs
FT.com / Technology - Dyson launches the bladeless electric fan: "First there was the bagless vacuum cleaner, then the towel-less hand dryer: Now James Dyson, the British inventor, has developed a bladeless electric fan which goes on sale on Tuesday in the US and Australia."
10 Worst Baseball Movies Ever
10 Worst Baseball Movies Ever - FOXNews.com - Slide 1 of 10
I've seen two of these, Major League and The Babe Ruth Story. I laughed during Major League, and I saw the other one so long ago that I remember almost nothing about it.
I've seen two of these, Major League and The Babe Ruth Story. I laughed during Major League, and I saw the other one so long ago that I remember almost nothing about it.
10 Awesomely Terrible 90’s One-Hit Wonders
Karaoke Lounge 10 Awesomely Terrible 90’s One-Hit Wonders
I pretty much missed out on '90s music, but I've heard three of these.
I pretty much missed out on '90s music, but I've heard three of these.
Get a Rope!
It’s a Fork, It’s a Spoon, It’s a ... Weapon? - NYTimes.com: "NEWARK, Del. — Finding character witnesses when you are 6 years old is not easy. But there was Zachary Christie last week at a school disciplinary committee hearing with his karate instructor and his mother’s fiancé by his side to vouch for him.
Zachary’s offense? Taking a camping utensil that can serve as a knife, fork and spoon to school. He was so excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts that he wanted to use it at lunch. School officials concluded that he had violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons, and Zachary now faces 45 days in the district’s reform school."
Zachary’s offense? Taking a camping utensil that can serve as a knife, fork and spoon to school. He was so excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts that he wanted to use it at lunch. School officials concluded that he had violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons, and Zachary now faces 45 days in the district’s reform school."
Quarry in the Middle -- Max Allan Collins
Disclaimer: Yes, Mr. FTC Guy, it's true. This was a free book. It wasn't a review copy, however. I won it in a Twitter drawing. Not that it matters. I subscribe to the Hard Case Crime line, so each new book that comes out is charged to my credit card and mailed right to my home. That's right. Even though I got this one for free, I'll be receiving my paid-for copy in a short time. Besides, I've been a fan of the Quarry series right from the start, and I still have my four Berkley editions of those early novels to prove it. Not only that, I know Max Allan Collins. I've met and talked to him at numerous conventions over the years, and one of my Quarry novels, the one dedicated to Mickey Spillane, is signed by both Collins and Spillane.Geez. After all that, my review might be shorter than the disclaimer.
Faithful readers of this blog, as I'm sure all of you are, will recall that Collins has done two earlier books in this series for Hard Case, The First Quarry and The Last Quarry (I thought I'd reviewed that one, but I guess not). So it's only natural that this one is Quarry in the Middle, though that's also a kind of joke, considering the plot.
The time is the 1980s. Quarry's not working for the Broker but is free-lancing by using the Broker's list. He's warning potential victims that they're about to be erased and offering to erase the eraser. For a fee, of course. That's how he winds up in Haydee's Port, Illinois, and gets involved with a casino owner named Richard Cornell, who's the target of a hit. Soon enough, Quarry finds himself the target of another casino owner, and you're thinking Yojimbo, which is just fine, because that's what Collins was thinking, too (see this interview for confirmation). Things don't work out exactly according to plan, but Quarry's a hard man to kill.
There's sex, violence, humor, and plenty of little twists before you get to the end of Quarry in the Middle, and the end comes very quickly because, as usual in this series, you've got a real page-turner. You'll probably read it in one or two sittings.
Max Allan Collins has had a lot of success. He's written books, graphic novels, screenplays, music, and who knows what else. And it's all good. The Quarry novels, however, remain my favorite reading of all his work, and I hope he can be tempted to do another one.
Happy Columbus Day!
Columbus Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492 in the Julian calendar and October 21, 1492 in the modern Gregorian calendar, as an official holiday. The day is celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States, as D�a de la Raza (Day of the (Hispanic) race) in many countries in America, as DÃa de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, as Discovery Day in The Bahamas, as DÃa de la Hispanidad and Fiesta Nacional in Spain, as DÃa de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in Uruguay and as DÃa de la Resistencia IndÃgena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela. These holidays have been celebrated unofficially since the late 18th century, and officially in various countries since the early 20th century."
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Top 10 Actresses Past Their Expiration Date
The Top 10 Actresses Past Their Expiration Date | SPIKE
And the response from lemondrop is here.
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the links.
And the response from lemondrop is here.
Thanks to Jeff Meyerson for the links.
To Have and Have Not
The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor | If I Gave Up by Kelly-Anne Riess: "The film To Have and Have Not had its premiere on this day in 1944. It was based on the novel To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway, which was a hard novel for Hemingway to write, and took him about four years. He had been accused of being politically apathetic, so in this novel he tried to engage with the politics of Cuba and Key West, but the result was generally panned by critics. Philip Rahv of the Partisan Review summed it up: “In transcending his political indifference, he has not, however, at the same time transcended his political ignorance.” Hemingway published the novel in 1937, and in 1939, he sold the film, radio, and television rights for $10,000."Good stuff about Faulkner and the screenplay at the link.
Happy Birthday, Elmore Leonard!
Elmore Leonard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Elmore John Leonard, Jr. (born October 11, 1925) is an American novelist and screenwriter.
His earliest published novels in the 1950s were westerns, and Leonard went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thrillers, several of which have been adapted into successful motion pictures or TV movies."
His earliest published novels in the 1950s were westerns, and Leonard went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thrillers, several of which have been adapted into successful motion pictures or TV movies."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Top 50 Scariest Horror Movies
Top 50 scariest horror movies of all time - Halloween movies - Boston.com
All comments should begin, "This is a bogus list because. . . ."
I'd finish that sentence with "The Haunting isn't on it." That's the 1963 version, of course, and still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House is maybe even scarier.
All comments should begin, "This is a bogus list because. . . ."
I'd finish that sentence with "The Haunting isn't on it." That's the 1963 version, of course, and still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House is maybe even scarier.
And Keep Off His Lawn!
Elderly bank robber strikes in San Diego County again | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times: "A man described as in his 70s robbed a U.S. Bank branch inside a Vons supermarket in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego on Friday, police said.
It was the fourth bank robbery in recent weeks in which the robber was a man of advancing years.
On Aug. 29, a robber in his 70s struck the U.S. Bank in Santee. On Sept. 11, a robber in his 70s, with an oxygen tank on his back, robbed a San Diego National Bank branch in La Jolla."
It was the fourth bank robbery in recent weeks in which the robber was a man of advancing years.
On Aug. 29, a robber in his 70s struck the U.S. Bank in Santee. On Sept. 11, a robber in his 70s, with an oxygen tank on his back, robbed a San Diego National Bank branch in La Jolla."
Today's Re-Imagining Announcement
CBS nabs 'Hawaii Five-O' pilot: "Surf's up for a new 'Hawaii Five-O.'
CBS has given a pilot commitment to an updated version of the classic cop series from hot feature scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and 'CSI: NY' executive producer Peter Lenkov.
There aren't many details on the trio's take on the classic procedural, which chronicled the workings of the fictional Hawaiian state police department led by Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord). The original series, created by Leonard Freeman, ran on CBS from 1968-80. It became famous for its opening music and for its staple 'Book 'em, Danno' closing line."
CBS has given a pilot commitment to an updated version of the classic cop series from hot feature scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and 'CSI: NY' executive producer Peter Lenkov.
There aren't many details on the trio's take on the classic procedural, which chronicled the workings of the fictional Hawaiian state police department led by Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord). The original series, created by Leonard Freeman, ran on CBS from 1968-80. It became famous for its opening music and for its staple 'Book 'em, Danno' closing line."
Top 10 Secret Fast-Food Menu
Shhh! 10 secret fast-food menu items - TODAY Food and wine
You'll want to try the Meat Cube the next time you're at Wendy's.
Link via Pop Culture Junk Mail.
You'll want to try the Meat Cube the next time you're at Wendy's.
Link via Pop Culture Junk Mail.
Here's the Plot of Your Next Noir Novel
'Sometimes evil does come in pretty, petite packages' :: Lake County :: Post-Tribune: "Speaking on behalf of the victim's family, Parker's sister, Tanya Parker, said the maximum eight-year sentence was far too lenient for the crime and described Grabski as evil and manipulative. After the murder, Grabski 'got high afterwards to celebrate what she did.' Grabski wiped away tears after Parker left the witness stand.
Trial supervisor Kathleen O'Halloran said Grabski played a key role in convincing her brother to participate in the crime. 'Sometimes evil does come in pretty, petite packages,' she said."
Trial supervisor Kathleen O'Halloran said Grabski played a key role in convincing her brother to participate in the crime. 'Sometimes evil does come in pretty, petite packages,' she said."
God Forgives . . . I Don't!
For those FTC spies out there, let me say right now that I watched this movie on cable TV, for which I pay a monthly fee. I happened to turn on the Encore Westerns channel just as the movie started, so I thought, what the heck, I'll watch it. It stars Terence Hill, Bud Spencer, and Frank Wolf. How bad can it be?Answer: Pretty darned bad.
The plot, for example, is so dumb and confused that it's almost incoherent. People do things for what seems like no reason at all, either to accommodate the plot or just for the heck of it. So I won't try to describe the plot. Obviously it's an attempt to capitalize on the Man with No Name films, but putting a serape on Terence Hill and having him smoke little cigars doesn't make him Clint Eastwood.
There's some weird stuff going on throughout. Scenes that seem like nighttime scenes take place in full daylight. In some parts of the movie, it'll be night in one scene, but in the next one, supposedly taking place at the same time, the sun is shining brightly.
And then there's the ending. It's undoubtedly the goofiest final ten minutes or so that I've ever seen. I have several theories. (A) Someone edited the movie with a weed whacker. (2) The Western Channel is showing a horribly mutilated print. (3) Ed Wood directed this under an Italian pseudonym.
Here's what happens, more or less, with SPOILERS galore: Hill (called Pretty Face throughout) and Wolf (who's really not bad; he's the best reason to see the movie) are in a cantina or something, about to play a hand of cards. Then, instantaneously, they're somewhere miles away, facing off for a shootout. Before they start, Hill touches off the slowest-burning fuse in movie history. It leads to so many kegs of TNT tht I couldn't count them. Interestingly enough, there's no way in hell that anybody in this movie could have put them there or put that fuse there. But there they are. About this time, Spenser shows up, and Wolf shoots him with his belly gun. Then the final confrontation occurs. Verrrrryyyy slllooowwwlllyyy. Pretty Face knifes Wolf in one arm and shoots him in the knees. Wolf starts snaking across the sand, while Hill picks up Spencer and walks away. Wolf gets to the TNT and tries to pull the fuse out with his teeth. His hands aren't that damaged, so I'm not sure why he's using his teeth, but it makes as much sense as anything else does at this point. He's unsuccessful. Big explosion. Fade to Hill and Spencer riding off in a wagon. Where did that come from? Filled with stolen gold. How did that get there? I don't know, but there it is. And then, mercifully, the movie ends. Judy and I were laughing so hard at this point that I didn't bother to watch the credits roll. I just turned off the TV and sat there for a while. Hey, you can watch the ending for yourself if you want to.
Plenty of violence, okay score, and okay (but not spectacular) scenery. Oh, I forgot the card game near the beginning. If you think you've seen slow-moving scenes before, watch the card game. Glaciers form and melt and form again before it ends.
Geezer Noir
TBO.com - News From AP: "The roommate of a 100-year-old woman found strangled in her bed at a nursing home had made 'threatening' remarks to the centenarian, her son said Friday, and the slain woman's family had sought to have the women split up.
Elizabeth Barrow was found dead in her bed last month, with a plastic bag tied around her head. This week, authorities ruled the death a homicide. They have not named any suspects."
Elizabeth Barrow was found dead in her bed last month, with a plastic bag tied around her head. This week, authorities ruled the death a homicide. They have not named any suspects."
Paging Steve McQueen
Giant, Mucus-Like Sea Blobs on the Rise, Pose Danger: "Beware of the blob—this time, it's for real.
As sea temperatures have risen in recent decades, enormous sheets of a mucus-like material have begun forming more often, oozing into new regions, and lasting longer, a new Mediterranean Sea study says (sea 'mucus' blob pictures)."
As sea temperatures have risen in recent decades, enormous sheets of a mucus-like material have begun forming more often, oozing into new regions, and lasting longer, a new Mediterranean Sea study says (sea 'mucus' blob pictures)."
Friday, October 09, 2009
Stuart Kaminsky, R. I. P.
Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind: Stuart Kaminsky, R.I.P.: "Stuart Kaminsky, a former Grandmaster of the Mystery Writers of America and author of dozens of critically acclaimed and well-regarded detective novels, passed away earlier today. He was 75."
I read and enjoyed a lot of Kaminsky's novels. He was a guest at ClueFest years ago in Dallas, in Motel Hell, and was a good sport about it all. I'm very sad to hear this news.
I read and enjoyed a lot of Kaminsky's novels. He was a guest at ClueFest years ago in Dallas, in Motel Hell, and was a good sport about it all. I'm very sad to hear this news.
Stay Classy, Houston!
mikemcguff.com blog: Houston gets Lingerie Football League team: "Houston might have lost the WNBA Comets franchise, but we are now picking up the Lingerie Football League expansion team."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
TV: Gas drive-off leads to multicounty chase | News for Austin, Texas | Austin News | KVUE.com | KVUE News |Top Stories: "A multicounty chase that lasted for more than two hours Friday ended when authorities spun a pickup truck into a rain-swollen ditch along a rural road near Corsicana.
A police dispatcher in the small north Texas town of Melissa, 35 miles north of Dallas, said the chase began Friday morning after the driver of the pickup allegedly drove off from a gas station without paying for 20 gallons of fuel."
A police dispatcher in the small north Texas town of Melissa, 35 miles north of Dallas, said the chase began Friday morning after the driver of the pickup allegedly drove off from a gas station without paying for 20 gallons of fuel."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Texas firm has plan to make Gulf's salty water drinkable | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "A Texas firm plans to use power generated by the Gulf of Mexico's waves to make its salty water drinkable.
Renew Blue Inc. says its project can address two global problems — climate change and scarce drinking water — by using clean energy to turn seawater to freshwater. The company has a lease from the state of Texas to place the facility in 25 feet of water about a mile off the coast from Freeport.
It will use 18 specially designed, wave-powered pumps to send water over a wheel that will turn a small electric turbine. Power from the turbine will light the platform and run a 3,000-gallon-per-day desalination plant, said Doug Sandberg, vice president of Renew Blue's parent company, Independent Natural Resources Inc."
Renew Blue Inc. says its project can address two global problems — climate change and scarce drinking water — by using clean energy to turn seawater to freshwater. The company has a lease from the state of Texas to place the facility in 25 feet of water about a mile off the coast from Freeport.
It will use 18 specially designed, wave-powered pumps to send water over a wheel that will turn a small electric turbine. Power from the turbine will light the platform and run a 3,000-gallon-per-day desalination plant, said Doug Sandberg, vice president of Renew Blue's parent company, Independent Natural Resources Inc."
Gator Update (Water Hazard Edition)
Golfer Loses Arm in Alligator Attack in South Carolina - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "A 77-year-old man has lost his lower arm after he was bitten by an alligator on a coastal South Carolina golf course.
[. . . .]
Kate Hines with the Fripp Island Property Owners Association says the man was picking up his ball when a 10-foot alligator pulled him into a nearby pond."
[. . . .]
Kate Hines with the Fripp Island Property Owners Association says the man was picking up his ball when a 10-foot alligator pulled him into a nearby pond."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Police looking for naked dancer | 10connects.com | Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater: "Dallas police are looking for a man who they say repeatedly sneaks into backyards, dances around naked and then runs away.
Police believe the man has been exposing himself in the same neighborhood since 2005. The most recent incident was on Sept. 30."
Police believe the man has been exposing himself in the same neighborhood since 2005. The most recent incident was on Sept. 30."
Southland, R. I. P.
NBC cancels 'Southland' before its premiere--The Live Feed | THR: "NBC has canceled the well-regarded John Wells' cop drama 'Southland.'
No, the network hasn't started airing the show's second season yet. Why -- why do you ask?
Oh, that's right. Because axing a returning scripted drama right before its season debut is highly unusual.
It's sort of like shooting your racehorse in the starting gate."
No, the network hasn't started airing the show's second season yet. Why -- why do you ask?
Oh, that's right. Because axing a returning scripted drama right before its season debut is highly unusual.
It's sort of like shooting your racehorse in the starting gate."
Recommended Reading
Bud Webster's fine article on SF great (and a favorite of this blog) Murray Leinster. Bonus #1: Lots of pulp, digest, and paperback covers used as illustrations. Bonus #2: A really amazing bibliography. Click here.
This Is What I'd Call Multi-Tasking
California Man Blows Off Hand in Explosion at Pot Farm - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "Police say a man blew his hand off while mixing homemade explosives in a Southern California home that doubled as a pot farm and a child care center."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Forgotten Books: FAMILY VALUES -- K. C. Constantine
First of all, for the FTC schmoes who might be reading this, although I'm a powerful and respected blogger who should be getting all kinds of compensation for his work, I bought this book with my own hard-earned cash. No one paid me a penny for this review, and I've never met K. C. Constantine. In fact, I don't believe K. C. even exists, since the name is a pseudonym for someone else I've never met and whose name I don't remember at the moment.Now on to the comments. Booklist says that Constantine's books about Mario Balzic constitute "one of the best mystery series ever published." I have no idea if the Booklist reviewer got compensation for writing that. I'll bet he got a free book, at least. I think the FTC should look into it. But I digress. Mario Balzic was, for a number of years, the Chief of Police in the fictional town of Rocksburg, PA. By the time of this book, Balzic has retired and is having a bit of trouble adjusting. He's an irascible guy, and he's getting on his wife's nerves, to put it mildly. So he hires on as a special investigator for the state attorney general's office. The case he gets involved in is pretty complicated, involving "a history of mistrials, trials, convictions, appeals, convictions, more appeals, ad nauseam." One of the people convicted has filed for a new hearing. Balzic's going to investigate the case.
Balzic's a blue-collar guy. He's crude at times, vulgar at others. But he knows how to conduct an investigation and question people, and he's smart. Sometimes he slips up, but he's always aware of it. Injustice disgusts him, and what he finds over the course if his investigation is plenty disgusting. Constantine writes great dialog, and the book is full of it. Character revelations come when you don't expect them, and they always bear on the case at hand. If you think George V. Higgins and Elmore Leonard write good dialog, you owe it to yourself to check out Constantine. Balzic's home situation figures heavily into things, too. The dialogs Balzic has with his wife are priceless (he's a conservative guy; he doesn't like to talk about sex).
Warning: Some people don't like all the dialog, which comes replete with "uh's" and repetitions and such. You'll have to judge for yourself.
Constantine received high praise from the FTC-approved big-time reviewers during his entire career. And now he's hardly mentioned. I don't know if any of his books are even in print. How soon we forget.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
If You Go to Bouchercon and Get Tossed i n Jail, . .
. . . you can still have a good time.
Ind. court: Jail sex not a crime | Cincinnati.com | The Cincinnati Enquirer: "The Indiana Court of Appeals says six inmates at the Greene County Jail didn't commit a crime when they sneaked into each other's cells to have sex.
The 2-1 ruling upheld Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin's decision dismissing escape charges against three men and three women. Martin ruled the inmates didn't commit a crime because they didn't intend to leave the jail."
Ind. court: Jail sex not a crime | Cincinnati.com | The Cincinnati Enquirer: "The Indiana Court of Appeals says six inmates at the Greene County Jail didn't commit a crime when they sneaked into each other's cells to have sex.
The 2-1 ruling upheld Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin's decision dismissing escape charges against three men and three women. Martin ruled the inmates didn't commit a crime because they didn't intend to leave the jail."
Did You Ever Wish You Had Athletic Skills?
49ers agree to 6-year deal with receiver Crabtree | Football news | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "While specific terms of the deal, which was completed around 2 a.m. Wednesday, were not disclosed, Crabtree will receive nearly $17 million in guaranteed money, according to a person familiar with the contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the details weren't made public."
I think it's swell that Michael Crabtree is going to make $17 million. That's almost as much as my latest advance, but then I don't have the way with words that he has. For example, he said after ending his holdout, "It's a lot of relief off my shoulders." He also said that the negotiations ended when, "Everybody came to a reachable agreement and it happened." I don't know if Crabtree received his degree from Texas Tech, but I'm sure he did well in English class.
I think it's swell that Michael Crabtree is going to make $17 million. That's almost as much as my latest advance, but then I don't have the way with words that he has. For example, he said after ending his holdout, "It's a lot of relief off my shoulders." He also said that the negotiations ended when, "Everybody came to a reachable agreement and it happened." I don't know if Crabtree received his degree from Texas Tech, but I'm sure he did well in English class.
Meh
WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - "Whatever" Reigns As Most Annoying Phrase: "If you find yourself irked when someone gives you the 'whatever' treatment, you're not alone.
According to a Marist poll, almost half of Americans - 47 percent - said there's no phrase more annoying than 'whatever.'"
According to a Marist poll, almost half of Americans - 47 percent - said there's no phrase more annoying than 'whatever.'"
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Officer Shoots Woman, Pit Bull Playing - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston: "LA MARQUE, Texas -- A police officer shot a woman and a dog that were playing when she thought the dog was attacking the woman, witnesses told KPRC Local 2."
La Marque is about 10 miles from Alvin.
La Marque is about 10 miles from Alvin.
The Mind Boggles
Saudis ask for aid if world cuts dependence on oil | Energy | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "There are plenty of needy countries at the U.N. climate talks in Bangkok that make the case they need financial assistance to adapt to the impacts of global warming. Then there are the Saudis.
Saudi Arabia has led a quiet campaign during these and other negotiations — demanding behind closed doors that oil-producing nations get special financial assistance if a new climate pact calls for substantial reductions in the use of fossil fuels."
Saudi Arabia has led a quiet campaign during these and other negotiations — demanding behind closed doors that oil-producing nations get special financial assistance if a new climate pact calls for substantial reductions in the use of fossil fuels."
Here's the Plot of Your Next Teen Burglar Screenplay
Police suspect 'Barefoot Burglar' is stealing, crashing planes - CNN.com: "Who is stealing -- and crashing -- airplanes in Washington state?"
I recommend that you read the whole long article. Great stuff.
Hat tip (again) to Walter Satterthwait.
I recommend that you read the whole long article. Great stuff.
Hat tip (again) to Walter Satterthwait.
Bacon Cheese Doughnut Burger Update
Shep Smith Outraged By Bacon Cheese Doughnut Burger: 'Sign Of The Apocalypse' (VIDEO): "Fox News host Shepard Smith has a reputation for speaking his mind, and today he let his viewers know the latest source for his outrage: the bacon cheese doughnut burger. The culinary monstrosity is 1,500 calories and seems guaranteed to cause a heart attack. Smith said you could eat one, or just commit suicide. Shep sees a sign of the apocalypse:"
Hat tip to Walter Satterthwait.
Hat tip to Walter Satterthwait.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Former student sues A&M over grades | Bryan/College Station, Texas - The Eagle: "A student who transferred from Texas A&M is suing her former university, saying an academic counselor recommended that she intentionally fail three classes.
The classes were taken in the fall of 2007, the first semester of her freshman year, according to the suit, and the student approached the counselor because she was having trouble understanding her professors.
The student, Jennifer Temple, wanted to Q-drop the classes, but she contends in her suit that the adviser told her that she would lose her parents' health benefits if she did. Students are given a limited number of Q-drops, which allow them to drop a class from their schedule within the first 50 days of classes."
Gig 'em!
The classes were taken in the fall of 2007, the first semester of her freshman year, according to the suit, and the student approached the counselor because she was having trouble understanding her professors.
The student, Jennifer Temple, wanted to Q-drop the classes, but she contends in her suit that the adviser told her that she would lose her parents' health benefits if she did. Students are given a limited number of Q-drops, which allow them to drop a class from their schedule within the first 50 days of classes."
Gig 'em!
Soon We'll Have No Freedoms Left
Judge tells 'Speedo Man:' No more thongs | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat: "The man known around Tallahassee for regularly riding his bicycle in a thong had his day in court on Monday afternoon.
Also known as 'Speedo man,' Richard E. Irby, 55, sat in court in black jeans, shirt and trench coat as his attorney told Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins that Irby had consented to a deferred prosecution agreement. Conditions of the agreement include not wearing a thong and remaining free of legal problems for three months."
Also known as 'Speedo man,' Richard E. Irby, 55, sat in court in black jeans, shirt and trench coat as his attorney told Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins that Irby had consented to a deferred prosecution agreement. Conditions of the agreement include not wearing a thong and remaining free of legal problems for three months."
I Guess Using Steroids Would Be Out of the Question
Second Lakefront Marathon winner disqualified for iPod use - JSOnline: "Lakefront Marathon officials have disqualified a second women's winner because the runner from Lombard, Ill., tuned into her iPod in the late stages of the run to Veterans Park, Race Director Kristine Hinrichs confirmed Wednesday morning.
The unprecedented action appears to elevate Corina Canitz of Brookfield into the top spot, although two other women beat her to the finish line on Sunday.
The fastest woman, Cassie Peller, a 23-year-old student at Marquette University, was disqualified shortly after the race for accepting aid - a water bottle - from a friend outside of the official water stations. That made Jennifer Goebel, 27, the winner, but only for a couple days."
The unprecedented action appears to elevate Corina Canitz of Brookfield into the top spot, although two other women beat her to the finish line on Sunday.
The fastest woman, Cassie Peller, a 23-year-old student at Marquette University, was disqualified shortly after the race for accepting aid - a water bottle - from a friend outside of the official water stations. That made Jennifer Goebel, 27, the winner, but only for a couple days."
Another Geezer Alert!
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time | Entertainment | Music | Reuters: "Barbra Streisand scored her ninth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop chart on Wednesday with a jazz release that overshadowed high-profile releases by some much-younger artists.
Streisand's 'Love Is the Answer,' her first studio recording in four years, sold 180,000 copies during the week ending October 4, according to her Columbia Records label, a unit of Sony Corp."
Streisand's 'Love Is the Answer,' her first studio recording in four years, sold 180,000 copies during the week ending October 4, according to her Columbia Records label, a unit of Sony Corp."
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Geezer Alert Again
Chevy Chase - Chevy Chase Could Return To Fletch Role - Contactmusic News: "Comedy legend CHEVY CHASE has hinted he's set to return to the big screen in one of his most famous movie roles - playing FLETCH in a forthcoming sequel.
Chase played the womanising journalist in two movies in the 1980s, based on the books of author Gregory MCDonald."
Chase played the womanising journalist in two movies in the 1980s, based on the books of author Gregory MCDonald."
I Feel Really, Really Old
Elvis' grandson, Benjamin Presley, age 17, recording first album - report: "Elvis Presley's grandson is out to fill some pretty big blue-suede shoes.
The Daily Mail reports that 17-year-old Benjamin Presley, the oldest son of Elvis' only child, Lisa Marie, has been offered a $5 million deal from Universal to record up to five albums.
But don't expect any rockabilly tunes or lavish, Vegas-like productions similar to you-know-who.
'The music will be nothing like Elvis,' said Benjamin Presley, who was in England for an awards ceremony. 'Nothing like him at all.'"
That last paragraph is probably an understatement.
The Daily Mail reports that 17-year-old Benjamin Presley, the oldest son of Elvis' only child, Lisa Marie, has been offered a $5 million deal from Universal to record up to five albums.
But don't expect any rockabilly tunes or lavish, Vegas-like productions similar to you-know-who.
'The music will be nothing like Elvis,' said Benjamin Presley, who was in England for an awards ceremony. 'Nothing like him at all.'"
That last paragraph is probably an understatement.
Anna Nicole Smith Update
Anna Nicole Smith investigated by FBI in murder plot: "Anna Nicole Smith was investigated by the FBI in a plot to murder the son of her tycoon husband following her husband’s death. Newly released FBI documents show that the organization investigated Anna Nicole Smith throughout 2000 and 2001. She was never prosecuted."
Internet Archive: Free Downloads: Film Noir
Internet Archive: Free Downloads: Film Noir: "Expressionistic crime dramas of the 40s and 50s: tough cops and private eyes, femme fatales, mean city streets and deserted backroads, bags of loot and dirty double-crossers."
42 films available. Link via Boing-Boing.
42 films available. Link via Boing-Boing.
Science Fiction Gets No Respect
Why science fiction authors just can't win - SFFMedia: "“It is a truth widely acknowledged that SF is not worth consideration by sane minds. Kurt Vonnegut and J. G. Ballard have adopted Atwood’s gambit. When Vonnegut grew tired of being a guru, he returned to SF and wrote such brilliant novels as Galapagos. No reviewer spoke its name. When — possibly because of my age — I was invited on Desert Island Discs this year, I was told that SF readers were nerds who were poor and could not 'get a woman.''"
Gator Update (Henry Giblson Edition)
If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger,There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats: Stacks o' Wax #22: "As requested, here is Henry Gibson's LP ...by Henry Gibson, a reissue of his 1962 recording The Alligator, and Other Poems By Henry Gibson designed to cash in on his newfound fame on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In."
Album cover photo at the link.
Album cover photo at the link.
The Story with No Name
Laurie's Wild West: "Here is part 10 of The Story With No Name. This is a free form western written by some very talented writers - each week a different writer takes on the assignment to keep the story going. Part 10 is written by Paul Dellinger."
At the link there are other links to blogs with the previous nine parts of the story in case you've missed them.
At the link there are other links to blogs with the previous nine parts of the story in case you've missed them.
See What I've Been Telling You?
Dangerous foods list includes leafy greens, eggs, tuna - Oct. 6, 2009: "Leafy greens -- including lettuce and spinach -- top the list of the 10 riskiest foods, according to a study from a nutrition advocacy group released Tuesday."
Archaeology Update
'Second Stonehenge' discovered near original | Science | guardian.co.uk: "Archaeologists have discovered evidence of what they believe was a second Stonehenge located a little more than a mile away from the world-famous prehistoric monument.
The new find on the west bank of the river Avon has been called 'Bluestonehenge', after the colour of the 25 Welsh stones of which it was once made up."
The new find on the west bank of the river Avon has been called 'Bluestonehenge', after the colour of the 25 Welsh stones of which it was once made up."
Jack the Ripper Update
New Jack the Ripper suspect was mortuary attendant who killed two more women | Mail Online: "An historian claims to have uncovered the identity of Jack the Ripper by using modern police forensic techniques.
Mei Trow also believes that the notorious Whitechapel murderer was responsible for the deaths of an additional two women.
He has concluded that Robert Mann, a local morgue attendant, was the killer who terrorised east London in 1888 and who was officially credited with dismembering five prostitutes."
Mei Trow also believes that the notorious Whitechapel murderer was responsible for the deaths of an additional two women.
He has concluded that Robert Mann, a local morgue attendant, was the killer who terrorised east London in 1888 and who was officially credited with dismembering five prostitutes."
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Latest Issue of Clues
The Bunburyist: <i>Clues</i> 27.2 published: Lesbian crime fiction.: "Clues 27.2 has been published, which is a theme issue on lesbian crime fiction guest edited by Jacky Collins (Northumbria University, UK). The contributors look at works by—among others—American author Katherine V. Forrest, British author Stella Duffy, French author Maud Tabachnik, German author Thea Dorn, . . and Spanish author Isabel Franc."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Criminalizing everyone - Washington Times: "'You don't need to know. You can't know.' That's what Kathy Norris, a 60-year-old grandmother of eight, was told when she tried to ask court officials why, the day before, federal agents had subjected her home to a furious search.
The agents who spent half a day ransacking Mrs. Norris' longtime home in Spring, Texas, answered no questions while they emptied file cabinets, pulled books off shelves, rifled through drawers and closets, and threw the contents on the floor.
The six agents, wearing SWAT gear and carrying weapons, were with - get this- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
The agents who spent half a day ransacking Mrs. Norris' longtime home in Spring, Texas, answered no questions while they emptied file cabinets, pulled books off shelves, rifled through drawers and closets, and threw the contents on the floor.
The six agents, wearing SWAT gear and carrying weapons, were with - get this- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Plasma Rocket Could Travel to Mars in 39 Days: "Last Wednesday, the Ad Astra Rocket Company tested what is currently the most powerful plasma rocket in the world. As the Webster, Texas, company announced, the VASIMR VX-200 engine ran at 201 kilowatts in a vacuum chamber, passing the 200-kilowatt mark for the first time. The test also marks the first time that a small-scale prototype of the company's VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) rocket engine has been demonstrated at full power."
4-7 People? I Was Thinking It Would Seve 2.
On Restaurants | A marriage of style, sushi | The Columbus Dispatch: "If you're looking for a way to 'disgust 4-7 people easily,' consider visiting Avalanche Pizza in Athens. The shop's newest pie is named Bride of Wonderboy, and at best, it will leave you wondering.
Here's the description: a crust stuffed with foot-long hot dogs, then laden with mustard, macaroni and cheese, a half-pound of mozzarella and cheddar, 'serious beef' and bacon, covered with onion, tomato and dill pickle, and topped with french fries and ketchup. Price: $18.99."
Hat tip to John Hall.
Here's the description: a crust stuffed with foot-long hot dogs, then laden with mustard, macaroni and cheese, a half-pound of mozzarella and cheddar, 'serious beef' and bacon, covered with onion, tomato and dill pickle, and topped with french fries and ketchup. Price: $18.99."
Hat tip to John Hall.
Max Allan Collins Website Update
Max Allan Collins has a revamped website, and he'll be blogging once a week or so here. Today's post is about the DVD of The Last Lullaby, and you can scroll down for other interesting stuff. Check it out.
A Case of Mistaken Robbery
My Way News - Jumpy clerks toss cash at man before he demands it: "Police said clerks at a convenience store that was robbed twice in recent months threw money at a man in a case of a mistaken robbery. The clerks at Five Star Snacks and More thought they were being robbed last Thursday when they were confronted by a rambling man who had his hand in his pocket. Police Capt. John Beckman said the clerks put money in a bag and threw it the man, who left it alone and walked out of the store.
Police said the man was drunk and the robbery suspicions were a mistake."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Police said the man was drunk and the robbery suspicions were a mistake."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Archaeology Update
'Alexander the Sexy' Seen in New Portrait: Discovery News: "An unprecedented miniature portrait of a young, resolute, sexy Alexander the Great has emerged during excavations in Israel, archaeologist announced this week.
Engraved on a brilliantly red gemstone, the finely carved tiny head portrait is estimated to be 2,300 old, possibly dating to after the Macedonian king's death in 323 B.C."
Photo at the link.
Engraved on a brilliantly red gemstone, the finely carved tiny head portrait is estimated to be 2,300 old, possibly dating to after the Macedonian king's death in 323 B.C."
Photo at the link.
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