Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts: The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I Report, You Decide
The clearest sighting of a Yeti yet... or an elaborate hoax by some schoolboys? Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Attention to Books of Interest
Guilt (A Noah Milano novella): Jochem Vandersteen: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: Years ago Noah Milano was the son and bodyguard of gangster boss Robert Milano. He was forced to shoot Lisa Waxman's father, turning her into an orphan, saddling him with a lifetime of guilt.
Now, Noah Milano has broken off all ties to his father and tries to make an honest living as a security specialist. He finds out Lisa's stepfather is accused of being one of the vilest, most sadistic serial killers of California. This is Noah's chance to find redemption. He swears to prove his innocence. It seems not everyone agrees with his quest, though. Soon not only Noah but his dearest friends are in mortal danger...
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Attention to Books of Interest
Fight Card: AGAINST THE ROPES: Jack Tunney, Terrence McCauley, Paul Bishop, Mel Odom: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: NEW YORK CITY - 1925 The boxing ring was the only world Terry Quinn had ever known. He'd entered the hallowed halls of St. Vincent’s Home for Boys in New York City as a fighter and left as a boxer. Years of training and honing his skills finally paid off as he fought his way to the top. Only one more fight stood between Quinn and shot at the heavyweight championship against Jack Dempsey. It was the glory he'd been waiting for all his life.
But things have never gone easy for Terry Quinn. As he starts training for the biggest fight of his career, a crew of Tammany thugs and fix-it men tell him to throw the fight or face dire consequences. Even before he has a chance to consider their offer, those dire consequences come home to roost when one of his long time corner men turns up dead.
New Publisher Seeks Submissions
Adventure Publications, an award-winning publisher of outdoor guides is accepting fiction manuscripts (68,000 – 100,000 words) for its new series of outdoor/wilderness mysteries. (www.adventurepublications.net
Here's the Plot for Your Next Big Credit-Card Scam Thriller
Yahoo! Finance: Many scam artists are looking for ways to get rich quick.
Then there are the 18 people authorities said spent years meticulously creating fake credit cards, building up their credit scores and borrowing money they never repaid in what may be one of the nation's largest credit card fraud rings.
The 18 were charged last week in what authorities said was a sprawling international scam in which at least $200 million was stolen using at least 7,000 identities and 25,000 credit cards. The enterprise spanned eight countries and 28 states, authorities said.
Then there are the 18 people authorities said spent years meticulously creating fake credit cards, building up their credit scores and borrowing money they never repaid in what may be one of the nation's largest credit card fraud rings.
The 18 were charged last week in what authorities said was a sprawling international scam in which at least $200 million was stolen using at least 7,000 identities and 25,000 credit cards. The enterprise spanned eight countries and 28 states, authorities said.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Rick Huxley, R. I. P.
BBC News: Bass player Rick Huxley, one of the founding members of 60s pop group The Dave Clark Five, has died at the age of 72.
He joined the band in 1958 and played on hits including Bits and Pieces and Glad All Over.
OMG!
Local Expert: ‘Sleep Texting’ Is Growing Problem Among Teens: Teenagers are prolific texters. But now’s there’s evidence that they are even doing it in their sleep.
The Apes of Wrath -- Richard Klaw, Editor
Some things you know will be included, like Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" and an excerpt from Tarzan of the Apes, but there's a lot more good stuff. In the nonfiction area there's Mark Finn's "The Men in the Monkey Suit," about Hollywood's gorilla men, and Scott Cupp's "The Four-Color Ape," about apes in the comics. And Jess Nevins' "Apes in Literature," which covers a lot of territory in the space of a few pages.
The fiction's all fine, and you'll recognize most of the names: Howard, Cave, Lansdale, Farmer, Waldrop, Flaubert. Yes, Flaubert, the Madame Bovary guy. Kafka and Aesop, too. Apes know no literary boundaries.
If you like apes, this if the book for you. It's also the book for you if you just like good reading. Check it out.
Update: There's a good interview with editor Klaw here.
No Wonder I'm So Productive
NYTimes.com: Paradoxically, the best way to get more done may be to spend more time doing less.
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
Dispute over mashed potatoes turns dangerous - City & Region - The Buffalo News: A disagreement over mashed potatoes turned dangerous over the weekend when a victim said tempers escalated and a woman came at her with box cutters.
Overlooked Movies: From Here to Eternity
There's a lot more to the movie than that, though. Montgomery Clift is Prewitt, who falls for a prostitute (Donna Reed). Ernest Borgnine is vicious bully who has it in for Maggio (Frank Sinatra, who won an Oscar). Prewitt's a boxer who refuses to box for reasons of his own, though his commanding officer schemes to get him back in the ring. All this happens in the days just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurs near the end of the film.
Like Some Came Running, this movie tells you a lot about the attitudes of the 1950s. In some ways, it's almost a quintessential movie of its era. If you haven't seen it, give it a shot. For us old folks, it's a shot of nostalgia that's hard to beat. For the whippersnappers, it's a time capsule that brings the '50s to life (even if it's set in the '40s).
Monday, February 11, 2013
Free for Kindle for a Limited Time
Grand Delusion (A Jacob Burns Mystery): Matt Witten: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: Jacob Burns is getting used to the good life in Saratoga Springs. With a spot of money in the bank and a loving family at home, he's never been happier. Except that his drug-dealing neighbors' rowdy antics keep him up all night. Complaining to the cops doesn't bring satisfaction - possibly because the dealers' landlord is a cop himself! Jacob and his fellow Saratogians are trying to clean up their down-and-dirty West Side neighborhood. But when the cop landlord - Jacob's personal nemesis - is murdered, Jacob becomes the prime suspect. Jacob ends up on the run from the law, with nobody he can truly count on except his own family - and a homeless nine-year-old boy who may hold the key to solving the murder.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Lolong, R. I. P.
NY Daily News: A Philippine village is shedding crocodile tears for its most famous inhabitant.
Lolong, who earned the title as the world’s largest croc in captivity last year, died Sunday night after he was found flipped over in his cage with a bloated stomach.
Lolong, who earned the title as the world’s largest croc in captivity last year, died Sunday night after he was found flipped over in his cage with a bloated stomach.
Gator/Drugs Update
DailyHerald.com: "He was never able to get (the alligator) returned to him," said defense attorney Dan Hofmann. "We did not get it back."
Matt Hilton
The Hardboiled Collective is promoting its members this week, and it's my pleasure to recommend the work of Matt Hilton. On February 14, his 8th Joe Hunter thriller will be available on Amazon UK, soon to be available in the U.S. Here's the pitch:When Rink's father is brutally murdered, Joe has to stop his friend rushing headlong for vengeance. Because Rink's mother witnessed the crime and Yukiko isn't telling everything she knows.
Her silence is governed by the Japanese tradition of giri, or moral obligation. But when there are more vicious deaths - all of them elderly men known to Yukiko - it becomes a matter of honour to uncover the shameful secret that lies behind the murders.
The killer isn't playing by the rules. But some rules are made to be broken and Joe doesn't care what he breaks to ensure Rink gets his revenge.
Hilton is the author of lots (and lots) of other books that are now available. Click here for 73 examples. If you haven't checked out his work, well, it's time to get started before you get even farther behind.
Launching The Western Fictioneers Library
Western Fictioneers: Launching The Western Fictioneers Library: Introducing the Western Fictioneers Library, new editions of some of the best action-packed Western novels by top authors in the genre. The first entry in the line is RAW DEAL AT PASCO SPRINGS by Clay More, originally published by Robert Hale.
They Wouldn't Have Been Surprised if They Followed this Blog
DNAinfo.com Chicago: Officers with the Chicago Police Department's gang crime unit probably expect to find drugs in Jorge "Lil Man" Carrillo's home, but the alligator may have surprised them.
If You Live in L.A., Just Stay at Home
Police seeking Dorner opened fire in a second case of mistaken identity - latimes.com: Seconds later, Perdue's attorney said, a Torrance police cruiser slammed into his pickup and officers opened fire; none of the bullets struck Perdue.
His pickup, police later explained, matched the description of the one belonging to Christopher Jordan Dorner — the ex-cop who has evaded authorities after allegedly killing three and wounding two more. But the pickups were different makes and colors. And Perdue looks nothing like Dorner: He's several inches shorter and about a hundred pounds lighter. And Perdue is white; Dorner is black.
His pickup, police later explained, matched the description of the one belonging to Christopher Jordan Dorner — the ex-cop who has evaded authorities after allegedly killing three and wounding two more. But the pickups were different makes and colors. And Perdue looks nothing like Dorner: He's several inches shorter and about a hundred pounds lighter. And Perdue is white; Dorner is black.
Python Challenge Update
Python Challenge nearly over; where are all the snakes? - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com: Fewer than 48 hours remain in the Python Challenge, and the snake kill count is, wait for it, 50. Same as it was Tuesday. State wildlife officials are calling the invasive-snake bounty hunt a success, but for all the pomp and urgency, some hunters are not pleased.
"I don't feel the epidemic is as bad as they're saying," said Mike Singleton, 39, of Tampa, who participated in the hunt the first weekend, but became disillusioned and quit.
"I don't feel the epidemic is as bad as they're saying," said Mike Singleton, 39, of Tampa, who participated in the hunt the first weekend, but became disillusioned and quit.
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