Saturday, May 02, 2009
Babylon Revisited
Babylon Ruins Reopen in Iraq, to Controversy - NYTimes.com: "BABYLON, Iraq — After decades of dictatorship and disrepair, Iraq is celebrating its renewed sovereignty over the Babylon archaeological site — by fighting over the place, over its past and future and, of course, over its spoils."
The 20 Best Bad Movies of the Past 20 Years
The 20 Best Bad Movies of the Past 20 Years [I Heart Movies] | I Heart Chaos: "Movies, like any other art form are highly subjective-- one man's Titanic is another man's Toxic Avenger. But there are some movies, for one reason or another, are generally accepted as being bad movies. Either because they flopped at the box office or because of budget constraints or public perception or just because they tried and succeeded in being a bad movie."
I'm glad to see Robot Jox on the list, as I got to kid Joe Haldeman about it at Armadillocon last year.
Link via Neatorama.
Gator Update
TAMPA, Fla. (April 24) - Florida alligators are known to roam in springtime when they search for mates, but a Tampa woman was mystified to find one parked on her doorstep.
Great photos at link!
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Will the Persecution Never End?
SCARLETT SUFFERS DIRECT BLOW- New York Post: "SCARLETT Johansson's dream of being a director was dashed on her first try.
Johansson -- who's said in the past she'd prefer to direct rather than act -- helmed a segment for the upcoming movie 'New York, I Love You,' a series of intertwined love stories shot by several auteurs, including Brett Ratner and Natalie Portman.
But unfortunately for Johansson, her segment, starring Kevin Bacon and shot in black and white, was deemed 'unwatchable,' sources said."
Johansson -- who's said in the past she'd prefer to direct rather than act -- helmed a segment for the upcoming movie 'New York, I Love You,' a series of intertwined love stories shot by several auteurs, including Brett Ratner and Natalie Portman.
But unfortunately for Johansson, her segment, starring Kevin Bacon and shot in black and white, was deemed 'unwatchable,' sources said."
Hmmmmmm
Splash Page � J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof To Adapt Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower’ After ‘Lost’ Is Over: "“Damon Lindelof and I talked to Mr. King,” [J. J.]Abrams told IGN while promoting the upcoming “Star Trek” film. “We got the rights for ['Dark Tower'] as a film. Damon is obviously still on ‘Lost’ and we’ve been working on ‘Star Trek’ together. As soon as ‘Lost’ is done, hopefully we’ll begin tackling that.”"
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Sheriff's Deputies Investigate Bizarre Child Custody Case - News Story - KFOX El Paso: "EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso County sheriff's deputies say charges are expected following a bizarre custody child case that began when a Westway woman claimed her son had been kidnapped and taken to Mexico.
Investigators said they were called to the 1200 block of Lakewood Street. in reference to a child custody dispute over the weekend. Deputies met with a woman who told authorities her 20 month-old-son had been abducted by her sister-in-law and taken to Juarez, presumably to sell the baby for $10,000.
After an investigation by deputies, investigators learned that the accused abductor was actually the biological mother of the child. Further investigation determined the woman and her sister-in-law had previously made a verbal agreement in which they decided that the child would be given to the woman shortly after birth. Instead of pursuing a legal adoption plan through the courts, investigators said, the two instead allegedly planned for the biological mother to assume the other woman's identity in the hospital during birth so the two could later claim false legal motherhood of the child."
Investigators said they were called to the 1200 block of Lakewood Street. in reference to a child custody dispute over the weekend. Deputies met with a woman who told authorities her 20 month-old-son had been abducted by her sister-in-law and taken to Juarez, presumably to sell the baby for $10,000.
After an investigation by deputies, investigators learned that the accused abductor was actually the biological mother of the child. Further investigation determined the woman and her sister-in-law had previously made a verbal agreement in which they decided that the child would be given to the woman shortly after birth. Instead of pursuing a legal adoption plan through the courts, investigators said, the two instead allegedly planned for the biological mother to assume the other woman's identity in the hospital during birth so the two could later claim false legal motherhood of the child."
At Least Her Mouth Was Clean
Woman Accused in Maine of Bid to Bite Flight Crew - ABC News: "A British woman accused of downing prescription drugs, two or three bottles of wine and liquid soap from a London-bound jetliner's lavatory before scuffling with flight attendants will remain in jail in Maine over the weekend.
Prosecutors say Galina Rusanova punched and kicked attendants on the Chicago-based United Airlines flight. They say she snapped 'like a dog' while trying to bite one."
Prosecutors say Galina Rusanova punched and kicked attendants on the Chicago-based United Airlines flight. They say she snapped 'like a dog' while trying to bite one."
Friday, May 01, 2009
50-Year Killing Spree?
Police Say Man, 72, Tied To SoCal Serial Killings - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver: "On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it had solved McKeown's case. The suspect, they said, was likely responsible for the murders of as many as 30 women, dating to the mid-1950s, which would make him the most prolific killer in city history."
Another Derringer Update
From Gerald So: "There was an oversight in the Best Flash category. A new vote will determine this year's winner."
Derringer Update
Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement goes to Clark Howard.
I can't think of a better choice. Fine writer, great guy.
Derringer Awards
The Short Mystery Fiction Society has announced the winners of its annual Derringer Awards. As a past winner, I'm happy to congratulate this year's recipients:
"There was an oversight in the Best Flash category. A new vote will determine this year's winner."
BEST SHORT STORY, 1001 to 4000 WORDS:
"The Cost of Doing Business" by Mike Penncavage
Published in: THUGLIT
BEST LONG STORY, 4001 to 8000 WORDS:
"The Quick Brown Fox" by Robert S. Levinson
Published in: ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE
BEST NOVELETTE, 8001 to 17500 WORDS:
"Too Wise" by O'Neil De Noux
Published in: ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE
BEST SHORT STORY, 1001 to 4000 WORDS:
"The Cost of Doing Business" by Mike Penncavage
Published in: THUGLIT
BEST LONG STORY, 4001 to 8000 WORDS:
"The Quick Brown Fox" by Robert S. Levinson
Published in: ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE
BEST NOVELETTE, 8001 to 17500 WORDS:
"Too Wise" by O'Neil De Noux
Published in: ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Jack the Ripper Update
Jack the Ripper 'was invented to win tabloid newspaper war'
| Mail Online: "Jack the Ripper was a forgery invented by journalists to link a series of unrelated murders and sell newspapers, according to a new book.
The unsolved murders of five prostitutes in London's East End in 1888 have spawned innumerable theories over the identity of the 'real' Jack the Ripper - with candidates including artist Walter Sickert, Alice In Wonderland author Lewis Carroll and even Queen Victoria's grandson the Duke of Clarence.
But now historian Dr Andrew Cook claims to have blown all these theories out of the water by dismissing the notion of a brutal, murderous spree by one 'serial killer' altogether."
| Mail Online: "Jack the Ripper was a forgery invented by journalists to link a series of unrelated murders and sell newspapers, according to a new book.
The unsolved murders of five prostitutes in London's East End in 1888 have spawned innumerable theories over the identity of the 'real' Jack the Ripper - with candidates including artist Walter Sickert, Alice In Wonderland author Lewis Carroll and even Queen Victoria's grandson the Duke of Clarence.
But now historian Dr Andrew Cook claims to have blown all these theories out of the water by dismissing the notion of a brutal, murderous spree by one 'serial killer' altogether."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Enjoy a drink at this Texan bar - but watch out for the pool sharks... | Mail Online: "Here's a bar with a difference - but you might want a stiff drink before stepping on the dancefloor.
For nine inches beneath your feet are two species of shark and four species of stingray, all swimming around and no doubt peeking up at the tasty legs standing just above their heads.
The bar, in Austin, Texas, boast a 20,000 gallon tank filled with black tip reef shark and leopard sharks."
For nine inches beneath your feet are two species of shark and four species of stingray, all swimming around and no doubt peeking up at the tasty legs standing just above their heads.
The bar, in Austin, Texas, boast a 20,000 gallon tank filled with black tip reef shark and leopard sharks."
I may have blogged this before, but this time there are photos at the link.
I'll Bet Steve Brewer Knows This Guy
Redding man third-fastest tire changer : Latest News : Redding Record Searchlight: "A tire technician at Redding’s Big O Tires on Cypress Avenue has placed third in the 2009 Tire Rodeo in Orlando, Fla.
“It was pretty tough, pretty entertaining,” said 23-year-old Michael Shreffler as he waited for his flight home at the airport today. “It was definitely a challenge.”
Shreffler, a Redding native and 2004 graduate of Central Valley High School, was one of just eight contestants chosen to compete from across the country. He advanced to the national finals after winning the Western division contest by posting a winning time of 4 minutes, 19 seconds.
His time Thursday was 2 minutes, 38 seconds. The quickest tire-changer had a winning time of 2 minutes, 11 seconds, Shreffler said."
“It was pretty tough, pretty entertaining,” said 23-year-old Michael Shreffler as he waited for his flight home at the airport today. “It was definitely a challenge.”
Shreffler, a Redding native and 2004 graduate of Central Valley High School, was one of just eight contestants chosen to compete from across the country. He advanced to the national finals after winning the Western division contest by posting a winning time of 4 minutes, 19 seconds.
His time Thursday was 2 minutes, 38 seconds. The quickest tire-changer had a winning time of 2 minutes, 11 seconds, Shreffler said."
I'd Love to Have a Look
WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Sears Skydeck to install glass ledge: "A new thrill is planned for the Skydeck at Sears Tower. 103 stories up, ledges are to be built with clear floors so you can look straight down.
Admittedly, it won’t be for everyone, at least those with fear of heights.
Those who’ve ever pressed their noses against the window trying to eyeball the street below now will have four ledges to step onto that extend about 4 and one-third feet beyond the edge of the building."
Admittedly, it won’t be for everyone, at least those with fear of heights.
Those who’ve ever pressed their noses against the window trying to eyeball the street below now will have four ledges to step onto that extend about 4 and one-third feet beyond the edge of the building."
May Day is "Buy Indie" Day, Too
Don't forget to drop by your neighborhood independent bookseller and buy a book today. Or two books. Make a bookseller happy. And if you live in the boonies, don't forget all the indies that are on-line.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)