Art Theft Update

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Stolen paintings found in Zurich: "Two paintings stolen in one of the world's largest art thefts have been recovered in an abandoned car, Swiss police have confirmed.

The pictures, by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, were among four paintings worth $160m (�82m) that were stolen from Zurich's Emil Buehrle Collection."

Y'All Come

LONE STAR SLEUTHS DAY
Meet & Greet with Fifteen Texas Mystery Writers
plus Acoustic Noir Songs Performed Live

FEBRUARY 23, Saturday, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to LONE STAR SLEUTHS DAY celebrating the new Texas
crime fiction anthology in the Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series
with UT Press. Fifteen of the contributing mystery writers and the three
editors, Bill Cunningham, Steven L. Davis, and Rollo K. Newsom, will be on
hand to talk with guests and sign books.

SCHEDULED AUTHORS
Susan Wittig Albert, Neal Barrett, Jr., Paula Boyd, Susan Rogers Cooper,
Bill Crider, A.W. Gray, Rolando Hinojosa, Joe R. Lansdale, David Lindsey,
Ben Rehder, Rick Riordan, Jim Sanderson, Jesse Sublett, Doug J. Swanson,
Mary Willis Walker

LIVE MUSIC
Author/musician Jesse Sublett and country singer Kasey Lansdale will
perform acoustic noir songs.

Catered refreshments will be served.
Books by all attending authors will be for sale.

Free and open to the public.

ATTENDEES, PLEASE RSVP
to southwesternwriters@txstate.edu or (512) 245-2313.

THE WITTLIFF COLLECTIONS
Southwestern Writers Collection
Alkek Library Seventh Floor
Texas State University-San Marcos
(512) 245-2313
http://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/

Read more about Lone Star Sleuths: An Anthology of Texas Crime Fiction
from UT Press
http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/cunlop.html

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

Possible Cell Phone Ban In S.A. | WOAI.COM: San Antonio News: "When you drive through a school zone, you may soon have to turn off your cell phone.

A proposed cell phone ban goes before San Antonio's City Council Wednesday. Council Member Justin Rodriguez proposed the ban, which would require drivers to hang up their phones when they see a school zone sign.

The goal is to prevent accidents and make the roads safer before and after school."

It's Alive!

You'd think I'd remember this stuff. Anyway, Of All Sad Words hit the streets yesterday. I assume you all bought ten or twelve copies.

Sigh

'80s tunes become the new oldies - Yahoo! News: "NEW YORK - The music blaring from the speakers of a small pub on a recent Friday night seemed like typical oldies fare: Aretha Franklin's 'Respect,' the 1970s tune 'Disco Lady' and the 1950s surf instrumental 'Tequila.' Then, 'Karma Chameleon' — the 1983 hit by Culture Club — came on.

The music was from WCBS-FM, a New York-based station that used to rely on songs from the '60s and '70s, and occasionally, the '50s. Now, like similar stations around the country, WCBS has deemed music from the '80s as the new oldies."

Is FelonSpy for Real?

That's the question Mike McGruff asks on his blog. FelonSpy purports to pinpoint on a map the felons living in your neighborhood. But typing in the same address twice gives different results. So what's up?

Update: It's a hoax.

Happy Birthday, Molly Ringwald!

I love 16 Candles.

Happy 40th (!) Birthday, Molly Ringwald! | PopWatch Blog | EW.com: "Another millstone milestone guaranteed to make Gen-Xers feel old: Today, Molly RIngwald hits the big 4-0."

Mensa Picks 10 Smartest TV Shows

What, no Gilligan's Island?

FOXNews.com - Mensa Picks 10 Smartest TV Shows of All Time - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment: "The head of genius organization Mensa has picked the 10 Smartest TV Shows of All Time —sparking debate in the blogosphere, especially over the inclusion of the 1990s sitcom 'Mad About You.'"

Make-Up Secrets of Movie Horror Pictures

In 1933, that is. A great article with photos, from Modern Mechanix.

Link via Boing Boing.

Fossil Update

My Way News - Scientists Find 'Devil Toad' Fossil: "WASHINGTON (AP) - A frog the size of a bowling ball, with heavy armor and teeth, lived among dinosaurs millions of years ago - intimidating enough that scientists who unearthed its fossils dubbed the beast Beelzebufo, or Devil Toad.

But its size - 10 pounds and 16 inches long - isn't the only curiosity. Researchers discovered the creature's bones in Madagascar. Yet it seems to be a close relative of normal-sized frogs who today live half a world away in South America, challenging assumptions about ancient geography."

We're from the Government, and We're Here to Help You

FDA evaluated wrong Chinese drug factory - Health care- msnbc.com: "WASHINGTON - U.S. health officials evaluated the wrong factory when assessing the safety of a Chinese-made drug ingredient that may be a source of problems with a blood thinner, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday."

Gator Update (Presidential Edition)

I'm a day late with this one. I wrote a short story about this gator for an anthology a few years ago.

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - HISTORY: Animals in the Oval Office: "The kids seemed more interested in the unusual pets, such as John Quincy Adams’ alligator, a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette."

Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie

That's the name of it.

Happy Birthday, Len Deighton

Beth Foxwell, over at The Bunburyist, reminds us that it's Len Deighton's birthday. I remember reading The Ipcress File when it first came out in paperback and really liking it. I read many other books over the years. Judy and I saw the movie version of The Ipcress File when we were living in Denton, Texas, during the first year of our marriage. A long time ago.

Ron Paul Update

Ron Paul is the congressman from my district. He has a lot of fans, though few delegates. Photos at the link.

Top of the Ticket : Los Angeles Times : Nearly-naked hotties for Ron Paul! Really!: "Nearly-naked hotties for Ron Paul! Really!

Frontcover1smYou better hurry because the last batch of Ron Paul pin-up calendars is going quickly. Which pleases Juliet Annerino no end because she sank a sizable chunk of her own change into printing up hundreds of these calendars to help fund the campaign of her favorite politician."

Croc Update (Exclusive Video Clip Edition)

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Black Water DVD Clip: "Black Water hits the DVD shelves this coming Tuesday, February 19, but how would you like a little taste of this DVD before that? We have an exclusive video for you to sink your teeth into! Take a look..."

Croc Update (DVD Edition)

DVD Dribble Feature Story:
"Croc

Will it ever be safe to go back in the water? This time an enormous crocodile terrorizes a beach resort in Thailand. When the locals begin to mysteriously disappear and various body parts are found floating in the nearby swamps, croc hunter Hawkins is ready and willing to track down the man-eating monster and claim his prize. But as the body count keeps rising, he realizes he is facing a more powerful force than anyone ever imagined. Croc stars Michael Madsen, Peter Tuinstra, Sherry Phungprasert, Elizabeth Healey and Scott Hazell.

Black Water

The water plays another frightening role in this horror film done in the style of Open Water and Rogue. When a crocodile capsizes their boat, three tourists are stranded in a swamp in Northern Australia. Stranded in a tree without a guide to lead them to safety and with a hungry croc lurking in the murky water below, Grace, Adam and Lee must keep their wits and face nature if they want to survive. Black Water stars Diana Glenn, Ben Oxenbould and Maeve Dermody. DVD features include filmmakers' commentary with writers/directors Andrew Traucki and David Nerlich and a behind the scenes featurette."

Stuck in the '80s

Top 20 movie nerds.

JFK Update

Old JFK documents may stir controversy | Reuters: "DALLAS (Reuters) - A batch of old documents linked to the slaying of President John F. Kennedy has reportedly been unearthed, including a highly suspect transcript of a conversation between assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and Oswald's killer Jack Ruby, the Dallas Morning News said on Sunday.

The newspaper said the Dallas County district attorney's office, which uncovered the documents, would display its discovery at a news conference on Monday morning."

Whiteout -- Ken Follett

I may have mentioned before that big, baggy bestsellers are one way to pass time in hospital waiting rooms. So I took this one last week when we spent seven or eight hours in an ER waiting room with Judy's mother. The plot is simple. It's about stealing a doomsday virus from a heavily protected lab. But to complicate matters, Follett throws in a snowstorm, a family in an isolated house, romances, cops who do stupid things, and so on.

One of the blurbs is from PW, and it refers to the "agonizingly protracted, nail-biter ending." I'd leave out the "nail-biter" for a more accurate description. It's as if the book is never going to get to where you know it's going. I've had fun with Follett's books before, but I thought this one was very much a by-the-numbers job, with not a surprise to be found. I'm sure it sold a million copies. Or more.

As I read the book, I thought of Alistair MacLean's The Satan Bug (originally published as by Ian Stuart). I read that one more than 40 years ago, and found it full of surprises and suspense. I have no idea if it would hold up, but maybe I'll dig it out and see. I do know that around 1963 or '64 I thought it was wonderful stuff.

Happy Birthday, Doc Savage!

Mark Evanier at News from Me reminds us that today is the 75th anniversary of the first issue of Doc Savage. Evanier didn't like the novels he read, but I read a number of the reprints and found them a lot of fun. I even liked the George Pal movie.

Made in Miami -- Charles Willeford

Made in Miami is the Point Blank reprint of Lust is a Woman, a Beacon Book from the '50s. According to the blurb, this is the first time the novel has been reprinted (not counting the Softcover Library edition, I guess). It's a pretty sleazy story about an art student named Ralph Tone, who takes a summer job in a hotel in Miami, where he meets Maria Dugan, a beautiful young woman who goes a long way downhill in the course of a few pages.

Ralph introduces Maria to a wealthy man named Donald McKay, who turns out to be a pimp and pornographer. With a little guile and money, McKay easily adds Maria to his stable. Ralph decides he has to get revenge, but not before a good bit of sordid sex, none of it graphic but some of it brutal. Obviously this was aimed right at the Beacon Books market. It's just fine as a historical document, and the quirky characters, the downward spiral, and the wry Willeford observations make this one worth reprinting and reading. Check it out.

Who'd Have Thought?

That there would be a William M. Gaines biopic. Certainly not me, at least not back when I was a kid reading EC comics and Mad.

John Landis Is Ready to Direct Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines - SuperheroFlix.com: "John Landis has just signed on to direct Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines, a film about the life of the publisher of EC Comics and Mad magazine. According to Variety, Landis will develop the biopic with the film's screenwriter Joel Eisenberg.

Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines centers on an anti-establishment group of artists and writers, led by a reluctant Gaines and partner Al Feldstein, as they produce their comic books. Gaines became a First Amendment figurehead due to his unapologetic testimony before a Senate subcommittee investigating juvenile delinquency."

Dickipedia

It is what the name implies. To see if your favorite dick is included, click here.

Will the Persecution Never End?

PARIS HILTON - HILTON'S HOTTIE MOVIE VOTED WORST EVER: "Socialite PARIS HILTON's new film THE HOTTIE AND THE NOTTIE has been named the worst movie ever. Users of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) have voted the 2008 comedy - in which the 26-year-old plays a stunner with a not-so-attractive best friend - the worst of all time, giving it on average a score of 1.2 on a scale of 1-10."

Will the Persecution Never End?

Paris Hilton in cat custody battle - New Zealand's source for entertainment news, gossip & music, movie & book reviews on Stuff.co.nz: "Celebrity socialite Paris Hilton is embroiled in a custody battle over her cat.

The hotel heiress' pet feline Prada has been seized by animal rescue centre the Kris Kelly Foundation after Paris left the animal at the vets two weeks ago.

Kelly - who collected the cat after being contacted by the surgery - is refusing to return Prada, saying: “This is a clear-cut case of abandonment.'"

Okay, Here's the Deal

Steve Hockensmith has a book coming out on February 19. So do I. St. Martin's has a blog for its authors.

The authors who blog during a particular week are the ones who have a book coming out that week.

Guess who was invited to be the guest blogger for St. Martin's this week. (Hint: It wasn't me.)

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

C.H.U.D. Update

Ghostbuster called in after sewage workers stalked by 'zombie' in underground tunnels | the Daily Mail: "It sounds like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster.

But staff at a sewage works have called in a ghostbuster because they are being stalked by a zombie-like figure who roams the underground tunnels.

Workers at Southern Water's treatment plant in Eastbourne, East Sussex, said they have been scared to enter tunnels after being followed about by a 'humanoid figure' as they went about their jobs."

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

Students outraged after museum destroys diorama: "Highland High students and faculty are up in arms after hearing that a diorama they helped build was destroyed by Texas museum officials who said it was historically inaccurate.

The 10-foot by 5-foot diorama of the Battle at Palmetto Ranch, the last land battle of the Civil War, was shipped last August to the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin, along with four other dioramas built by Gilbert students."

Peru Update

Miraculous Mud Pond with Alien Healing Powers - Life in the Fast Lane: "People are flocking to wallow in the mud of 3 small remote ponds that locals in Peru believe to possess miraculous healing powers brought by alien space ships. Residents of Chilca — a dusty, desert town on the Pacific coast 40 miles (20 kilometers) southeast of Lima — claim that aliens altered the mud flats in town, infusing them with inexplicable healing powers."

Texas No Longer Leads the Way

Appeals court overturns Texas ban on sex toys - U.S. business- msnbc.com: "FORT WORTH, Texas - A federal appeals court has overturned a Texas statute outlawing sex toy sales, leaving Alabama as the state with the strictest ban on such devices.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Texas law making it illegal to sell or promote obscene devices, punishable by up to two years in jail, violated the Constitution's 14th Amendment on the right to privacy."

One More Valentine's Day Story

Frequent commenter Todd Mason's story wasn't on yesterday's linkfest, but you can read it here.

Update: Make that two more stories. Another one can be found here.

Gator Update (Fugitive Edition)

Alligator Eludes Capture: "TAMPA - Cool weather made it difficult for a state-hired trapper to catch an alligator that killed a dog at Al Lopez Park on Monday.

Julie Harter, the trapper, tried for four hours on Wednesday to nab the alligator, but the reptile was too lethargic to be interested in taking bait. Harter also tried on Monday."

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

We Texans are clever at hiding our learning difficulties. Thanks to Karin Montin for the tip.

Teacher hid illiteracy during 17-year career | World news | The Guardian: "A retired teacher who now spends his time campaigning for improved literacy has revealed that he taught classes for 17 years even though he could not read or write.

Despite his illiteracy, John Corcoran worked as a teacher then as a property developer until the age of 48, when he decided to seek help. He used oral and visual stimuli with his pupils, rather than words, and insists he was a very successful teacher.

'There wasn't the written word in there. I always had two or three teacher's assistants in each class to do board work or read the bulletin,' he said in a television interview."

Croc Update (SuperCroc Edition)

FOXNews.com - Fearsome Carnivorous Dinosaurs Unearthed in Sahara - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News: "'They lived together,' Sereno said. 'That in and of itself is rather spectacular. You’ve got these multi-ton animals eating meat and living together along with a 40-foot crocodile that was also chomping on things.'

The crocodile, called Sarcosuchus and nicknamed 'SuperCroc,' was almost twice as long as modern crocodiles."

Never Take a Knife to a Gun Fight

And stay off this guy's lawn.

80-year-old John Wayne fan puts attacker in hospital | Latest News | WFAA.com: "Investigators say they were definitely going to rob him - possibly even kill him.

But an 80-year-old North Texan wasn't about to let that happen, so he took action.

One of the suspects is in the hospital and both are facing charges."

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

Houston - News - Mescaline on the Mexican Border: "Texas is the only state in the country where peyote is sold legally. Really."

Keeping the Day Job

John Scalzi stirred up a lot of discussion and maybe even a little controversy with this post of advice to new writers. One thing that seems to have gotten under some skins is his comments about marriage. Some of you know that I was incredibly lucky to persuade Judy Stutts to marry me. She has been so much a part of my writing career that twenty or so years ago, Mary Christian, a Houston writer, said, "I need a Judy!" But she couldn't have mine.

As for the day job, unlike some people, I kept mine for a long, long time. Why? Well, for one thing, I needed the money. Or at least I wanted it. And for another thing, I liked the security of a regular paycheck, a really good retirement program, and excellent insurance. Believe me, the insurance came in mighty handy after Judy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. When I retired at age 62, the college continued to pay my insurance, and I paid for Judy's part of it. We'd have been up the creek without it.

And believe it or not, I liked the day job. When I was in high school, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. So I became one, and for nearly 40 years I enjoyed being in the classroom. Sure, the older I got, the more I got involved in administrative duties, but I always taught at least two or three classes a semester, and I looked forward to going into the classroom almost every time I did it.

So while the life of a full-time writer is probably filled with glamor and riches beyond the ken or ordinary mortals, I was perfectly happy with my life the way it was. Now that I've retired from college teaching into the life of being a rich and famous full-time writer, I write less than ever. Somebody's gotta do the blog, right?

Flash Fiction for Valentine's Day

Patti Abbott has the links right here.

Croc Update (Valentine's Day Edition)

Find me a Valentine and make it snappy - Cambridge News: "LOVE is in the air at Europe's only crocodile farm - but when Romeo goes wooing his intended partners Cuddles and Kisses he is more likely to be taking a dead quail with him than a bunch of roses.

If Romeo plays his cards right this year's Valentine's Day could see the eventual birth of the first crocodiles at Church Farm, Old Hurst, setting farmer Andy Johnson on the way to crocodile meat production."

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

KXAN.com - News, Weather, Sports - Austin, TX | City Of Austin Gives Away Free Toilets: "The City of Austin is giving away free low-flow toilets. The reason is that more than 60,000 homes and condos have toilets that are wasting water.

'The commodes typically use more water in the home than any other fixture or appliance,' said Mark Wieland with the City of Austin Water Conservation.

The City of Austin wants residents to change to low-flow commodes, because water treatment facilities are near capacity for treating the water you flush."

The Best Sandwiches in America

The Best Sandwiches in America - Esquire: "Unranked, unimpeachable, and incomplete, Esquire’s coast-to-coast list of the finest meals on sliced bread. No burgers allowed."

Croc Update (Penis Edition)

A Tyrannical Romance - The Wild Side - Olivia Judson - Evolution - Opinion - New York Times Blog: "Male crocodiles have a penis — just one — which, most of the time, they keep tucked inside their cloacae. (In most species of crocodile, it’s hard to determine the sex of living animals without an intimate exam, never mind dead ones.) Compared with the mammalian penis, the crocodile’s has an oddity: sperm is transported along an external groove, rather than through an internal tube."

But did T. Rex have one? Nobody knows for sure. You'll have to read the article.

Will the Persecution Never End?

Now they're after her little brother.

Paris Hilton's Little Brother Arrested for DUI - Crime & Courts, Content Item : People.com: "Like sister, like brother? Paris Hilton's 18-year-old younger brother, Barron Hilton, was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of driving under the influence and carrying a fake driver's license, authorities confirm."

Star Wars Update

Blockbuster Buzz - Times Online - WBLG: Star Wars returns to the cinemas: "Depending on your level of geekiness you describe either Revenge of the Sith or Return of the Jedi as the ‘last’ Star Wars movie. Now it looks as if there will be another possibility to further confuse matters. The official Star Wars website has confirmed the recent rumours bubbling throughout the web that Lucasfilm will be releasing their new, all-CGI, ‘Clone Wars’ feature in cinemas before transferring to television for a weekly series. It's thought that Lucas also still intends to continue with the live-action Star Wars TV series that was widely reported in 2007."

Winter Issue of Demolition Now On-Line

The winter issue of Demolition magazine is now ready for reading. As always, some fine stories. Check it out.

Pulp Writer -- Paul S. Powers

Paul Powers wrote this memoir around 1943, though it's just now being published. His granddaughter, Laurie Powers, found the manuscript among his papers as she was searching through her own past to discover something about her family and herself. She provides the introduction and conclusion of the volume.

The first part of the book is Laurie Powers' own detective story, and it's a pretty good one, though readers of this blog will probably be shocked at her lack of knowledge about the pulps. (If you're like me, you tend to think everybody knows about that kind of thing.) Her slightly condescending attitude toward them won't surprise anybody, though. The second part of her intro is a sort of history of the pulps. You know that stuff already.

The memoir is the reason for reading the book, of course. Powers started writing in high school, mainly two-line jokes that magazines and newspapers used for filler. He dropped out of high school to become a full-time writer, but it was several years until he became a regular in Wild West Weekly, writing under several names and creating a number of popular series characters for the magazine. Unlike a lot of pulpsters, Powers seems to have tied his career to that one magazine, which in retrospect seems like a mistake, though he did very well for many years.

There are no more pulps, but some of the things Powers talks about (writers' groups, vanity presses) might have been written yesterday. And to me, what he has to say about his writing about about his editors is quite interesting. He even reprints some of the letters his editor sent him, commenting on his stories.

Laurie Powers' chapter on "After the Pulps" lets us know a little of what happened to Powers after the pulp market collapsed. He wasn't able to make the transition to other markets, but he at least managed to stay around books.

Gator Update (Doggin' It Edition)

Alligator eats dog in middle of popular Tampa park - Tampa Bays Local News: "Tampa, Florida - A Bay area pet owner is in shock after her dog was eaten by an alligator in the middle of one of Tampa’s most popular parks. The attack happened near a walking trail at Al Lopez Park just north of Raymond James Stadium.

Sarah Frey says she and her Cairn Terrier were walking on a trail in the park around 9:30 a.m. Monday when she allowed her dog off its leash.

“I think he was hot, and he saw the water, and he took a big leap towards the water,” says Frey.

Suddenly others in the park started to scream, but before Sarah could get to the edge of the lake everything was over."

Ice Fishing in Bikinis

Okay, now I know why Steve Stilwell lives in Minneapolis.

The Spiral Staircase

When people say "they don't make 'em like that anymore," this is the kind of movie they're talking about (the 1945 version, not the later ones). It has just about everything: A small town just after the turn of the 20th century. An old dark house. A dark and stormy night. A serial killer on the loose. Beautiful B&W photography, as atmospheric as you'll ever see. Spooky soundtrack. Eccentric characters. A cute dog. Plenty of suspense. Good performances all around. A heavy dose of Freud. And probably stuff I'm forgetting.

Dorothy McGuire is the young woman who works in the old dark house for Ethel Barrymore, an invalid. McGuire's character can't speak because of a traumatic childhood experience, so that adds to the complications. Barrymore's two sons, Kent Smith and George Brent alternately menace and charm. Rhonda Fleming plays a secretary who practically has "Doomed" tattooed on her forehead.

I had some serious problems with the plot, but I still liked this a lot. As I've said before, I'm an old-fashioned guy, so you have to take my recommendations with that mind. In fact, I'm so old-fashioned that I'm listening to the top 30 songs of 1948 as I write this. Kay Kyser at the moment. Great stuff.

The Movie Will Have Explosions

Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh And Monet Paintings Stolen In Zurich |Sky News|World News: "Paintings by some of the world's most famous artists have been stolen by an armed gang from a museum in Zurich.

Four oil paintings worth more than 80m Euros by Cezanne, Degas, van Gogh and Monet were taken in the weekend robbery from the E.G. Buehrle museum.

A police statement said the three robbers wearing ski masks and dark clothing entered the museum a half-an-hour before closing on Sunday."

Croc Update (Overeating Edition)

Crocs divert blood to avoid busting a gut (ABC Science Online): "Crocodiles and alligators eat so much in a single meal that they need to divert gas-rich blood away from their lungs into their stomachs to digest it, US research suggests.

The study, which was conducted in American alligators, shows they can eat 23% of their own mass at once."

Roy Scheider, R. I. P.

The Associated Press: 'Jaws' Actor Scheider Dies at 75: "LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Roy Scheider, the actor best known for his role as a police chief in the blockbuster movie 'Jaws,' has died. He was 75.

Scheider died Sunday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital in Little Rock, hospital spokesman David Robinson said. The hospital did not release his cause of death."

A lot of great roles. Fifty-Two Pick-Up, The Seven-Ups, Jaws, Marathon Man, and too many more to name.

Paris's Birthday Party

Photos at the link.

Frock horror! Paris celebrates her birthday as a punk princess | the Daily Mail: "Paris Hilton ditched her usual heiress style to celebrate her birthday as a punk princess.

Wearing a tiara, patterned multi-coloured tights and a mint green strapless mini-dress, the starlet, who turns 27 on February 17, was barely recognisable when she arrived at an LA club last night."

You Want Your MTV?

Here's a link to three hours of MTV from 1983, back when they had music videos. You also get all the cool commercials. The first video on the clip features Night Ranger. Remember them?

Hat tip to the Mike McGruff blog.

John Alvin, R. I. P.

John Alvin was one of the great movie poster artists. He passed away last week, but his work will be around for a long time.

Charley's Aunt

Four words: Jack Benny in drag. That will either sell you on this one or make you run in the opposite direction. The movie is based on a play that was old when the movie was made, but the play is still being revived. There must be something about men in drag that appeals to a lot of audiences.

As for me, I thought this was pretty funny in places, not so much in others. One of the funny things is that Benny, who tries on a British accent for about two words of every ten in the first scene soon tries it for only about one word in a hundred. Some of the physical comedy works very well, too, and of course the idea that anyone would be fooled, even for a second, into thinking Benny is female is amusing. That Edmund Gwen, sprightly as ever, falls for him is also funny, if hard to believe.

Laird Cregar plays the father of James Ellison and remarks about what good shape he (Cregar) is in for a man of fifty. And no wonder. Cregar was about twenty-five at the time, several years older than his "son." Cregar's very good in the part, too. Then there's Kay Francis, who's lovely.

This is very old-fashioned stuff, but then I'm an Old Guy. I enjoyed it.

Gator Update (Babe Ruth Edition)

Rays: St. Pete's best spring training stories: "But two of the most famous stories had to do with an alligator and a president. In 1925, during the Yankees' first spring in St. Petersburg, Ruth bolted off the practice field near Crescent Lake. 'I ain't going out there anymore,' Ruth told manager Miller Huggins. 'There's an alligator.'"

Phyllis A. Whitney, R. I. P.

Over on Mystery*File, Steve Lewis reports that Phyllis Whitney has died at the age of 104. She had a long and highly successful career.

Paris Is Undeterred

In hot pursuit of a Hottie interview | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Paris said she was especially excited about her next flick, Repo! The Genetic Opera, a horror opera directed by Darren Lynn Bousman of Saw fame, due out this spring.

'It's basically about organ repossession in the year 2056,' Paris said. 'People's organs can fail, and you have to get an organ transplant. But if you can't pay for it, then a repo man will come and like rip it out of you.'

'It's like really scary. Creepy. Gory.'

Paris said her character uses plastic surgery to change her face every day. 'You'll never recognize me from scene to scene.'"

A Sad State of Affairs

Hat tip to Vince Keenan.

• Hollywood Elsewhere •: "The weekend's biggest disaster, however, is unquestionably Paris Hilton's The Hottie & The Nottie, Mason reports. It opened yesterday on 111 screens 'and managed only $76 in ticket sales per location. That means that approximately 10 people showed up and bought a ticket at each of those 111 theatres today. Hottie will sell only an anticipated $23,000 during the 3-day weekend for a $207 perscreen average. That's about 26 ticket buyers per location for Friday-Sunday.'"

The Accidental Time Machine -- Joe Haldeman

I've enjoyed Joe Haldeman's work for many years. I even have a couple of his Attar the Merman books written under some pen name or other. So when a friend recommended this book, I picked it up.

Matt Fuller is a grad student at MIT and kind of a loser. He's never going to finish his dissertation, which he realizes isn't much good, anyway. But then he accidentally discovers a time machine. It works only in one direction, and each time it leaves, it goes farther into the future. He tries it with a turtle, and then, when things go downhill for him, he goes himself. After that, he lands in a number of different futures, and in one of them he falls for Martha, who accompanies him on his next trip and gives him a chance to grow up a little. What Matt really wants to do is get back to his own time, but no society he lands in has the capability to send him there. At least not until he lands in a far-distant future.

I wouldn't want to spoil the fun by telling you what goes on, but I'll give you one thing: Matt has a troubling encounter with Jesus. There are more surprises along the way, too.

I saw this novel on the Locus list of recommended books, and Haldeman's effortless prose and satirical take on the various futures makes if fun to read.

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

The Herald-Zeitung: "The San Antonio area has been found to be in compliance with the Clean Air Act, becoming the only major metropolitan city in the country which can make that claim.

“I think it’s a monumental achievement for the San Antonio region,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Jay Millikin, who also serves as chairman of the Air Improvement Resources Committee for the Alamo Area Council of Governments."

Croc Update (Eye Surgery Edition)

winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Rare surgery saves croc eye: "You don't need to shed any crocodile tears for Dirk -- the little guy is on the mend.

Dirk the crocodile will soon see things much clearer thanks to veterinary surgeons who performed a rare eye operation this week at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Doctors removed an ulcer from the 14-year-old African dwarf crocodile's cornea and stitched the reptile's third eyelid shut to protect the affected area from harm during the healing process."

James Reasoner Update

I'm moving this up as a reminder, and maybe some of you missed it earlier. If you want to send books or money to James, here's how.

Longtime Western writer and WWA member James Reasoner and wife Livia lost their house and studio, and all their belongings, in a fire earlier this week. They're OK, as are their dogs and children, but got out with only their clothes they were wearing. Books, pulps, comics, everything else, gone. "This is totally overwhelming," James says.

To help the family, Western Writers of America and Kensington Books have agreed to make sizable contributions and ask anyone who would also like to contribute to send cash donations to the WWA Executive Director's office in Albuquerque, N.M. Make the check out to Western Writers of America and put in the memo that the money is for the James Reasoner Emergency Fund.

Checks should be mailed to:
WWA
MSC06 3770
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

Since James and Livia also lost their sizable library, donations are also being sought to help restock their bookcases whenever they have a new home. Kim Lionetti, Livia's agent at BookEnds, has generously agreed to accept any BOOK donations and keep them until the Reasoners have a place to put them. Books should be sent to:
Kim Lionetti
BookEnds Inc.
136 Long Hill Road
Gillette, NJ 07933

Our thoughts and prayers are with James, Livia and family during this trying time. Thanks for your help.

Johnny D. Boggs
WWA Vice President

Anna Nicole Smith Update

Anna Nicole Smith's death -- one year later -- chicagotribune.com: "HOLLYWOOD - It's was one year on Friday since Anna Nicole Smith was found unconscious in her room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood.

The former Playboy centerfold later died the same day at a hospital. Her sudden death started a tabloid frenzy in a Broward County courtroom over her body and the paternity and custody of her infant daughter.

California officials and the Seminole Police Department continue to investigate the numerous prescriptions written for Smith by her doctors. An autopsy showed she died of an accidental overdose."

Intentional Farting Update

Bangor Publishing Company: "The original newsletter article, published the week of Feb. 4, was erroneous, she said. 'I learned about it the day after, on Thursday.'

Libby said the headline, 'Farting is banned from CRMS?' was wrong.

'We didn’t ban anything,' she said."

No Comment Department

Sheriff: Cross-dressing driver 'unsettling' | Portland Press Herald: "The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who has a mustache and has been seen wearing women's underwear, a garter belt and black high-heel boots.

Since last spring, the sheriff's office has received six reports that a motorist wearing that outfit has pulled in front of female drivers, jumped out of his vehicle and modeled his attire in the roadway."

These are the People Who Keep Our Country Safe

U.S. military loses records for bin Laden's driver - Yahoo! News: "GANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - The U.S. military has lost a year's worth of records describing the Guantanamo confinement of Osama bin Laden's driver, a prosecutor said at the Yemeni captive's war court hearing on Thursday.

Lawyers for the driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, asked for the records to support their argument that prolonged isolation and harassment at the Guantanamo prison have mentally impaired him and could affect his ability to aid in his defense against war crimes charges.

'All known records have been produced with the exception of the 2002 Gitmo records,' one of the prosecutors, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Stone, told the court. 'They can't find it.'"

100 Best Movie Soundtracks?

The first movie soundtrack album I ever bought (in 1958) is on this list. The movie was based on a book by a writer I didn't know at the time but who became a huge favorite of mine only a few years later. The movie was The Big Country, and the writer was Donald Hamilton.

100 best movie soundtracks - Telegraph: "From 'A Fistful of Dollars' to 'Some Like it Hot', from Mozart and Wagner to Rodgers & Hammerstein... may we present cinema's greatest scores."

Gator Update (Fence Repair Edition)

Local News - Driver Slams Into Alligator Farm: "ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- Crews at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm quickly worked to repair a fence after a driver on A1A slammed into it Thursday morning around 6:30.

'The first thing we did was make sure all the animals were in place,' Alligator Farm Director John Brueggen said.

The driver tore through the exterior fence on the north side of the park, knocking the large 'Alligator Farm' sign down."

More Bad News

I've just heard from Lynn Meyers that the wife of Wayne Dundee, author of the Joe Hannibal series, passed away Sunday night. She was 58 years old. My sympathies to Wayne and the families.

Waco Doesn't Lead the Way

Mexia Daily News - Waco council downs statue: "WACO, Texas (AP) — The City Council rejected a proposal for a giant statue of a Texas Ranger lawman designed to loom over Interstate 35 and the Brazos River, citing a lack of public support.

The council voted 5-1 Tuesday against allowing the 65-foot concrete statue to be erected on city land in front of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum."

A Hairy Deal

Report: Tom Jones has chest hair insured: "t's Not Unusual ... it's really unusual.

Ageless heartthrob Sir Tom Jones has reportedly insured his chest hair for almost $7 million.

Though the 67-year-old crooner's management told a British tabloid that Jones has been 'working far too hard in the recording studio' for such frivolity, media reports have confirmed the policy was taken out with the world-renowned Lloyd's of London."

Shaq Attack

Sheriff's Uniform Waiting for Shaq: "Sheriff Joe Arpaio is excited that Shaq's coming to town.

Arpaio deputized Shaquille O'Neal, who became a Phoenix Sun on Wednesday, two years ago.

``Actually, I made him a colonel after he won the NBA championship (with the Miami Heat in 2006),' Arpaio said after learning of the trade.

``He's a great addition to the Valley. He's a good guy and likes law enforcement, and I hope he'll be good for the Phoenix Suns.'

The sheriff added, ``I'm glad he's coming out to my turf. I'm hoping we'll recruit him for our posse. Maybe we'll go after illegal immigrants and other crime.'"

James Bond/Amy Winehouse Update

Amy Winehouse to write & sing the bond theme tune - if she kicks the drugs | Showbiz Gossip, Showbiz News, Entertainment News - Showbiz Spy: "Troubled Amy Winehouse will get to write the theme tune and sing the theme tune for the new James Bond movie - if she can stay off the drugs for two months, it has been revealed.

The ‘Back to Black’ songstress - who’s currently battling her drugs demons in a London rehab clinic - has been told by film bosses she must clean up her act by April to make the record.

A source said last night: “That’s when the Bond people make a final decision on who sings the theme. If Amy is clean then, it’s hers.”"

Will Texas Lead the Way?

Burnt Orange Report::: Will Texas Pick the President?: "Barack Obama's strong performance on Super Tuesday all but guarantees that Texas primary voters will play a key role, maybe the key role, in selecting the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."

How Pollution Created the Creepiest Movie Mutants

The second movie mentioned is a personal favorite.

Horrorhead: How Pollution Created the Creepiest Movie Mutants: "Back in the 1950s, it seemed like every monster was created by radiation: giant ants, a giant tarantula, and even a giant dinosauroid thing called Gojira. But ever since the 1970s, an even scarier byproduct of human invention has been creating gloopy crawlies: pollution."

One Toke over the Line

When I saw this "modern spiritual" on Boing-Boing, I couldn't believe it.

Texan Not Leading the Way

But staying in the race. He's also the first man ever to see my sister-in-law naked, but that's another story.

Star-Telegram.com: | 02/06/2008 | 'Message' candidate doesn't plan to drop out: "One month into the 2008 presidential primaries, Texan Ron Paul has outlasted a half-dozen other GOP hopefuls.

The 72-year-old doctor-turned-politician says he has no plans to quit no matter how everything shakes out today after the Super Tuesday votes are counted."

Of All Sad Words

The street date is the 19th, but you might want to order one now, either from your favorite independent bookseller or Amazon. Do your part to help me remain rich and famous.

Great News

This press release was sent to me by Jayme Lynn Blaschke.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Home-grown Texas authors Joe R. Lansdale and Ardath Mayhar have been named Toastmaster and Author Emeritus, respecitvely, by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America for the 2008 Nebula Awards® Weekend April 25-27 in Austin, Texas.

The event will take place at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. The event will be hosted by the Austin Literary Arts Maintenance Organization (ALAMO), with the assistance of SFWA members Elizabeth Moon, John Moore and Lee Martindale.

Joe R. Lansdale of Nacogdoches, Texas, is widely regarded as one of the most thoroughly Texan authors writing today. The author and editor of more than two dozen novels, short story collections and anthologies, he has won a variety of awards in multiple fields including the Edgar award for The Bottoms, the Bram Stoker Award six times and the British Fantasy Award. In 2007 he was named Grandmaster by the World Horror Convention. He has also written westerns, comics, dark suspense, humorous pieces and gonzo fiction that can only be described as “Lansdale-esque.” In addition to his writing, Lansdale is the founder and grandmaster of the martial arts system Shen Chuan and an inductee of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame. His website can be found at www.joerlansdale.com.

Ardath Mayhar of Nacogdoches, Texas, is widely known for her sweet, grandmotherly appearance which belies a quick wit and fast tongue. The author of 36 novels along with numerous short stories and poems, her publishing career began in 1979 with the philosophical fantasy How the Gods Wove in Kyrannon, and in 1982 she published Golden Dream: A Fuzzy Odyssey, a sequel to H. Beam Piper’s Little Fuzzy. From there she published a wide variety of works including science fiction (The World Ends in Hickory Hollow), fantasy (Exile on Vlahil), westerns (under the pseudonym Frank Cannon), a mountain man series (under the pseudonym John Kildeer), horror (The Wall), folklore (Slewfoot Sally and the Flying Mule) and contemporary fiction (Medicine Walk). She also served on the Writers Digest instructional staff, passing her knowledge and critical eye on to younger writers. Her website can be found at www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/7172/ardath.html

The 20 Bestselling Albums and the 20 Most Influential

Click here. I love the album that's #1 on the "most influential" list. I bought it, and I didn't form a band. I still have it, of course.

Paris Noir

I've read only three stories in the book so far, but I've enjoyed all of them. The question I'd ask, however, is "are they noir?" Sparkle Hayter's "Deus ex Machina" is very funny and a bit dark. I'm a sucker for a story about a writer with problems. You can count on Jason Starr for an effective bit of violence. Or two. And you get them in "Bar Fight," a clever story with a couple of nice twists. The closest one to noir, by my definition, is Michael Moorcock's "The Flaneur of Les Arcades de l'Opera." There was a time, more than 30 years ago, when I immersed myself in the Chronicles of Corum, the accounts of Count Brass, the tales of Elric (Elric, for me, is noir), and many other novels of the multiverse, but I haven't kept up with Moorcock's huge production, and I'm not well-versed in the adventures of the Metatemporal Detectives. However, I knew enough to follow the story quite well, and it made me want to read more of this series. I'll be reading more of the stories in the book, which has a great line-up of authors.

The Real Paris (Hilton, That Is)

Will the real Paris Hilton please stand up? - Movie interviews- msnbc.com: "LOS ANGELES - Because of her checkered past, most folks don’t expect much from Paris Hilton. She, however, made it clear that she has high expectations of herself, while promoting “The Hottie and the Nottie,” a romantic comedy hitting theaters on Friday that she executive produced and stars in."

Thanks to the ever-alert John Duke for the link.

James Reasoner Update

Livia has posted photos. Sad to see. Here, here, and here.

Famous Writer Quits Day Job

Duane Swierczynski resigns as City Paper editor | Philadelphia Daily News | 02/04/2008: "City Paper editor Duane Swierczynski gave notice today that Feb. 15 he'll be leaving the weekly that he's run since October 2004. Swierczynski told us moments ago that he's leaving to focus more on the mystery novels that he now writes only on nights and weekends. His latest, 'The Blonde,' is out from St. Martin's Minotaur."

James Reasoner Update

James checks in.

I've Been Trying to Find a Candidate I Could Support

Now I have one.

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

The Associated Press: Man Says Exorcism Led to Wife's Death: "ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A man accused of killing his wife says he was trying to exorcise a demon from her when the devil entered his body and caused her to die, according to a police probable cause statement.

Jan David Clark, 60, was arrested Friday after authorities went to his home and found Susan Kay Clark's body wrapped in a bed sheet with a cross and sword on top of it."

Soon We'll Have No Rights Left at All

New Rule: No Farting In School :: Legal Juice: "As reported in The Knox County Times, Camden-Rockport Middle School in New Jersey has banned farting, apparently due to a bunch of superfarting eighth-graders."

Worst Performances to Win an Oscar for Best Actor?

Here's a list.

Hat top to Ivan at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, whose own list is here.

New Issue of Gumshoe Review Now On-Line

Check it out right here.

Croc Update (Cane Toad Edition)

Cane toads threaten rare crocodile population - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "North Australian environmentalists say time is running out to save a rare miniature crocodile from extinction.

Ten dead freshwater crocodiles have been discovered in a remote billabong on Auvergne Station near the Northern Territory and Western Australia border.

Post-mortem results showed they died from eating cane toads."

Once Again, . .

. . . this blog is slighted.

Thanks to John Duke for letting me know.

Will the Persecution Never End?

50 CENT - 50 CENT MAKES PARIS HILTON CRY: "Rap superstar 50 CENT kicked PARIS HILTON offstage and reduced her to tears during a pre-Super Bowl concert on Thursday (31Jan08). Hilton hosted the bash for 944 magazine in Scottsdale, Arizona and was stunned when the headliner turned on her."

Worst Movie Dialogue Ever?

Photo 1 | 15 Nominees for Worst Movie Dialogue Ever | Photos | EW.com: "Some of the most regrettable lines in Hollywood history come from the mouths of babes (Drew Barrymore), Oscar nominees (Tom Cruise), and superheroes (Halle Berry). Here are 15 of the all-time silliest."

A Trip to Bountiful?

The reason for the sparse posting today is that Judy and I took her mother home for a quick visit and to pick up a few things from her house. I don't think the idea that she'd probably never see the place again sunk in, and Judy and I certainly didn't mention it. A few of her friends saw the car in the driveway and stopped in. We took her to the new church to see the pews that hadn't been put in when she came here for Christmas. We came back here. Life goes on.

James Reasoner Update

Thanks to Lee Goldberg for this link to the Weatherford Democrat article about the fire.

Frenzy -- James O. Causey

James O. Causey is one of those writers about whom I know nothing at all. I have three or four books by him, and that's it. This one is the real thing, right there in Jim Thompson territory.

The narrator is a self-described two-bit grifter, a small-timer who screws up every time he gets close to the big time. After his most recent beating, he goes back to his hometown and sees the opportunity to make his big score at last. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top. He'll lie to anyone, use anyone, cheat anyone. Old friends? Screw 'em. Family members? Screw 'em. When you think he's gone about as low as possible, he sinks lower. And finally . . . well, that's what you'll have to find out for yourself. The ending packs quite a noir punch.

Frenzy has a lot of sex and even more violence, along with one of the most despicable characters you'll ever run across. I'm surprised this one hasn't been reprinted, but reading copies turn up cheap now and then. Check it out if you like the down and dirty.