This is the second "alligator in a pillowcase" story this week. What's going on out there?
Police Search for the Woman who dropped off an Alligator - WETM 18 Online: "Police are still searching for the woman who dropped off this alligator Petco in Consumer Square Monday.
Employees there told police the alligator was in a pillow case and its mouth was tied. Police say the woman told employees she found the alligator abandoned in Eldridge Park.
They say she also seemed to be in a hurry to leave. That's why employees weren't able to get any more information from her."
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Story Added to This Issue of Crime and Suspense
From Tony Burton:
I wanted to let all of you know that, because I was working on the current issue while hopping back and forth between two different computers, I managed to neglect to include a really fine story in this month's issue.
Devon Green's "The End of the Pier" is a gripping story, with a definite chill, and it is NOW included in the C&S August 2007 issue. (Ah, yes, one of the advantages of working in an electronic medium vice in paper... parchment... or carved stone tablets.)
So, go to http://www.crimeandsuspense.com/cands_0708_1234.htm and take a look at Devon's story. And I hope you can swim.
I wanted to let all of you know that, because I was working on the current issue while hopping back and forth between two different computers, I managed to neglect to include a really fine story in this month's issue.
Devon Green's "The End of the Pier" is a gripping story, with a definite chill, and it is NOW included in the C&S August 2007 issue. (Ah, yes, one of the advantages of working in an electronic medium vice in paper... parchment... or carved stone tablets.)
So, go to http://www.crimeandsuspense
Friday, August 03, 2007
Cool Archaeology News
My Way News - AP Exclusive: Aztec Leader's Tomb Found: "MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican archaeologists using ground-penetrating radar have detected underground chambers they believe contain the remains of Emperor Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztecs when Columbus landed in the New World. It would be the first tomb of an Aztec ruler ever found.
The find could provide an extraordinary window into Aztec civilization at its apogee. Ahuizotl (ah-WEE-zoh-tuhl), an empire-builder who extended the Aztecs' reach as far as Guatemala, was the last emperor to complete his rule before the Spanish Conquest.
Accounts written by Spanish priests suggest the area was used by the Aztecs to cremate and bury their rulers. But no tomb of an Aztec ruler has ever been found, in part because the Spanish conquerors built their own city atop the Aztec's ceremonial center, leaving behind colonial structures too historically valuable to remove for excavations."
The find could provide an extraordinary window into Aztec civilization at its apogee. Ahuizotl (ah-WEE-zoh-tuhl), an empire-builder who extended the Aztecs' reach as far as Guatemala, was the last emperor to complete his rule before the Spanish Conquest.
Accounts written by Spanish priests suggest the area was used by the Aztecs to cremate and bury their rulers. But no tomb of an Aztec ruler has ever been found, in part because the Spanish conquerors built their own city atop the Aztec's ceremonial center, leaving behind colonial structures too historically valuable to remove for excavations."
Speaking of Keith Laumer's BOLO stories. . .
Danger Room - Wired Blogs: "Robots have been roaming the streets of Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the machines are carrying guns.
After years of development, three 'special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system' (SWORDS) robots have deployed to Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots 'haven't fired their weapons yet,' Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM. 'But that'll be happening soon.'"
After years of development, three 'special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system' (SWORDS) robots have deployed to Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots 'haven't fired their weapons yet,' Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM. 'But that'll be happening soon.'"
Revising THE LONG GOODBYE
Mark Coggins has a great article on some of the revisions Raymond Chandler made in what some think of as his best novel. One person who thought that was Bruce Taylor, which is why I like Mark's opening paragraph so much. Typical Taylor. Anyway, go read the whole article.
Mark Coggins - Writing The Long Goodbye: "When Bruce Taylor owned the San Francisco Mystery Bookstore, he had a table of featured books in a central location. The books on the table changed from time to time to highlight currently popular releases or books that Bruce had read recently and enjoyed. But one book was never removed: Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye. And beneath the stack of continuously restocked copies was a hand-written note that read, 'Best Book in the Store.'"
Mark Coggins - Writing The Long Goodbye: "When Bruce Taylor owned the San Francisco Mystery Bookstore, he had a table of featured books in a central location. The books on the table changed from time to time to highlight currently popular releases or books that Bruce had read recently and enjoyed. But one book was never removed: Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye. And beneath the stack of continuously restocked copies was a hand-written note that read, 'Best Book in the Store.'"
Texas, My Texas
MyFox Houston | Man Gives Bizarre Reason for Police Chase in Southeast Houston: "HOUSTON -- A man is in custody after police say he tried to outrun them in a minivan late Thursday night.
Police say the van was 'suspicious' and tried to pull it over when the man took off. The chase lasted about 20 minutes.
When it ended, the man behind the wheel told police he 'just enjoyed' speeding and having officers chase him."
Police say the van was 'suspicious' and tried to pull it over when the man took off. The chase lasted about 20 minutes.
When it ended, the man behind the wheel told police he 'just enjoyed' speeding and having officers chase him."
Gator Update (Special Reggie Edition)
'Reggie The Alligator' Set To Debut At Los Angeles Zoo - News Story - KNBC | Los Angeles: "The elusive alligator has been quarantined at the zoo since his capture in May.
Reggie will move in with the zoo's six other American alligators and two Chinese gators next Thursday.
Earlier this week Reggie got a visit from council members Tom LaBonge and Janice Hahn.
'Reggie looks great,' Hahn said. 'He is healthy and ready for his debut next week at the zoo. I think he misses some of his friends from Harbor City, so we will be bringing some of them to the zoo to welcome him to his exhibit.'
The 6 1/2-foot alligator lived in Harbor City's Lake Machado for almost two years. Authorities believe a San Pedro man who was raising exotic animals at his home dumped Reggie into the lake after he grew too big.
Several animal wranglers attempted to catch Reggie after he was first spotted in the summer of 2005. Attempts were made by a Hurricane Katrina refugee named 'T-Bone' and the late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin.
However, Reggie managed to avoid capture until May, when he was spotted sunning himself on the bank of Lake Machado."
Reggie will move in with the zoo's six other American alligators and two Chinese gators next Thursday.
Earlier this week Reggie got a visit from council members Tom LaBonge and Janice Hahn.
'Reggie looks great,' Hahn said. 'He is healthy and ready for his debut next week at the zoo. I think he misses some of his friends from Harbor City, so we will be bringing some of them to the zoo to welcome him to his exhibit.'
The 6 1/2-foot alligator lived in Harbor City's Lake Machado for almost two years. Authorities believe a San Pedro man who was raising exotic animals at his home dumped Reggie into the lake after he grew too big.
Several animal wranglers attempted to catch Reggie after he was first spotted in the summer of 2005. Attempts were made by a Hurricane Katrina refugee named 'T-Bone' and the late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin.
However, Reggie managed to avoid capture until May, when he was spotted sunning himself on the bank of Lake Machado."
Earl Kemp's Latest e-Zine
The latest issue of Earl's eI is now available here.
In this issue:
Cover: "He loves New York," by Steve Stiles
…Return to sender, address unknown….23 [eI letter column], by Earl Kemp
Dad & I, by Charles Nuetzel
REED ENTERPRISES, INC., by Earl Kemp
Hitting the Fan, by Robert Bloch
The Improbability of Being Sidney Coleman, by Robert Toomey
The Complete Toomey Experience, by Gregory Benford
Sliding Down Mount Shasta, by Earl Kemp
The Anthem Series: Shasta: Publishers, by Earl Terry Kemp
In this issue:
Cover: "He loves New York," by Steve Stiles
…Return to sender, address unknown….23 [eI letter column], by Earl Kemp
Dad & I, by Charles Nuetzel
REED ENTERPRISES, INC., by Earl Kemp
Hitting the Fan, by Robert Bloch
The Improbability of Being Sidney Coleman, by Robert Toomey
The Complete Toomey Experience, by Gregory Benford
Sliding Down Mount Shasta, by Earl Kemp
The Anthem Series: Shasta: Publishers, by Earl Terry Kemp
Judy Update
We spent the day at MD Anderson yesterday. Judy had her first chemo treatment. It was supposed to last ten hours, but it took eleven. We got home around 10:30 last night. Judy did fine. She had a slight reaction to one of the drugs, but some Benadryl in the IV took care of that. In addition to the chemo, she's taking a powerful anti-nausea drug, an antibiotic, and an antiviral. They don't want her to get sick or to get an infection of any kind. When she took the anti-nausea drug this morning at 6:00, she said she was feeling okay. Then she went back to bed. I don't blame her. Anyway, so far, so good. Thanks, as ever, for all the support.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Christmas is Coming
Flying Saucers Go Into Production |Sky News|House Ads: "A flying saucer that glides three metres off the ground and carries two passengers has gone into commerical production.
US company Moller International has begun to manufacture parts for its Jetsons-like personal flying pod, the M200G Volantor.
The M200G is the size of a small car and is designed to take off and land vertically.
Company founder Dr Moller calls the craft 'the ultimate off-road vehicle' as it is able to travel over any surface."
US company Moller International has begun to manufacture parts for its Jetsons-like personal flying pod, the M200G Volantor.
The M200G is the size of a small car and is designed to take off and land vertically.
Company founder Dr Moller calls the craft 'the ultimate off-road vehicle' as it is able to travel over any surface."
100 Eyes of the Mystery Scene Era
Mystery Scene: "Well, I did it. I sucked it up and pushed “SEND” and my article, “100 Eyes of the Mystery Scene Era” whisked it way to MS editor Kate Stine for inclusion in its 100th issue, which should be at fine newstands and bookstores even as I type. (It’s also available at the MS website, of course, where every back issue sold will result in a $5 donation to the New Orleans Public Library.)"
100. That's right. 100. And Truman Smith didn't make the cut. Man, that's embarrassing.
100. That's right. 100. And Truman Smith didn't make the cut. Man, that's embarrassing.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Top 10 WORST Sci-Fi Shows
Top 10 WORST Sci-Fi Shows EVER! w/Videos: "You know, these days with shows like Lost, Heroes, and Battlestar Galactica, it’s easy to forget how bad we used to have it on television when it came to sci-fi shows. Sure, we remember the Star Treks, the Fireflys, the Babylon 5s, and so on, that managed to crawl their way into our hearts…but lest we forget - Forever Geek is here to remind you just how lucky we are these days. Sci-Fi on TV used to be BAD…real bad.
With that said, we present to you the 10 WORST Sci-Fi Shows of all time. Complete with video of each horrible, horrible, television mistake."
With that said, we present to you the 10 WORST Sci-Fi Shows of all time. Complete with video of each horrible, horrible, television mistake."
Uh-Oh
Francis Directs Live Action SNOW WHITE: "Walt Disney has tapped a director for their live action modern take on SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS. Director Francis Lawrence (Constantine, I Am Legend) has been selected to helm the modern take of the classic animated movie. The current 'working' title for the film is Snow and the Seven though that will most likely change.
Plot Summary: It centers on a 19 century british girl who is raised in Hong Kong. Once she finds out she is destined to defeat something sinister, she is trained by seven Shaolin monks to do battle against the force of evil."
Plot Summary: It centers on a 19 century british girl who is raised in Hong Kong. Once she finds out she is destined to defeat something sinister, she is trained by seven Shaolin monks to do battle against the force of evil."
Emperor Dad
Henry Melton's eBook Emperor Dad is now available as a "real" book. If you prefer that format, check this out. Or this. You can still get the download version if you'd like. It's a fast-moving SF adventure that's a lot of fun. Melton's short fiction has been published in Analog, among other places, but he's had trouble placing his longer work. So he took the Lulu route. Cool cover.
Gator Update (Duck Munching Edition)
WTKR YOUR NEWSCHANNEL 3: Covering Norfolk, Virginia Beach And All Of Hampton Roads - Alligator On The Loose In Hampton Roads, Police Say: "Portsmouth police say there's an alligator on the loose in Hampton Roads. Someone spotted the 6-foot reptile eating a duck in the Elizabeth River.
Around 8:30 Tuesday night, someone living in the 4400 block of Seagrove Avenue saw the alligator. That's near the Churchland Bridge. They told police they saw the alligator munching on a duck along the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. "
Around 8:30 Tuesday night, someone living in the 4400 block of Seagrove Avenue saw the alligator. That's near the Churchland Bridge. They told police they saw the alligator munching on a duck along the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. "
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Online Film Community's Top 100
It's posted over at Ivan Shreve, Jr.'s, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, along with Ivan's trenchant commentary. Have a look.
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