January 2009
17 posts
LOL, Quoted for truth! →
Lord of the Rings: Reread
Over at Tor, Kate Nepveu is leading a reread and discussion of The Lord of the Rings.
Kate links to diverse and thoroughly considered opinions and essays as she develops her commentary. It reminds me of the “Folkroots” column from the recently departed Realms of Fantasy in this respect.
There is an active group following along and commenting. Kate is very active in the comments,...
R.I.P. Realms of Fantasy
Realms of Fantasy is ceasing publication following its April 2009 issue.
Terrible news. I have the complete run.
I always really enjoyed the story mix. The art direction on the illustrations was hit and miss. Over the past year, the advertising became embarrassing as it filled with “erotic/romance fantasy” small print crap. The covers were notoriously bad. But they were clearly...
Anathem, etc.
Neal Stephenson’s book Anathemcame out last September. I’m still working my way through it’s almost one thousand pages.
I strongly recommend the book if you like though-provoking fiction. It’s the type of fiction that Asimov and Clark wrote in the 1950s & ’60s, exploring the possible ramifications of then state-of-the-art research.
Anathem has inspired an...
Three Days
Release of a statement of principles for transparent and open government.
Changing the bias of response to Freedom of Information Act requests towards releasing information instead of finding any reason to hide it.
Rejection of claims of executive privilege over presidential records by former presidents.
Ethics reform among Executive branch staff, including a ban on receiving gifts from...
Yes, a man with African genetics has been elected President of the United States of America.
But the equivalencies of his inauguration today and Martin Luther King, Junior day yesterday come much too easily.
When will the first American aboriginal (a.k.a. American Indian) be elected our president. The first Latino? The first woman? The first …?
When does it stop mattering?
What are...
Good Riddance
Last thoughts on soon-to-be Former-President George W. Bush by way of patriot Thomas Paine:
“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.”
“He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to...
A to the Z, Baby!
I’ll be in Arizona for a week, visiting family. It’s a shame to miss what will likely be the coldest week of the year in North Dakota (it hit -42 in Rocklake, without including wind chill), but I’m sure everyone will tell me about it when I get back.
Initial Music Lineup for "We Are One: The Obama...
Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder.
Billboard has the details.
Forget the inauguration, I want tickets to this show. Wow.
How Porsche Hacked the Financial Industry
Brilliant.
Also, I will now tell everyone with a straight face that I drive a Porsche.
The Recently Deflowered Girl →
“Words of advice that have been so valuable in so many typical situations.”
With illustrations.
Resolutions
Eliminate something superfluous from your life.
This one really, really hurt. I’m significantly cutting gaming from my life for a year: Magic, D&D, chess, Wii, Kongregate.
Magic, in particular, dominated my leisure-time play and spending from 2003-2007.
Simply, Elizabeth needs my “free” time more than Magic does.
Break a habit.
My evening (from the time I get home...
For Real this Time
Barack Obama has been elected the next president of the United States of America.
What, you forgot that the electoral college elects the president?
Pick a style that suits you, then use it consistently.
— Brian Kernigan & Dennis Ritchie
Eliminate something superfluous from your life.
Break a habit.
Do something that makes you feel insecure.
Carry out an action with complete attention and intensity, as if it were your last.
— Piero Ferrucci
No grapes. No Nuts. →
Best cereal website ever. Hilarious. Really brightened my morning.
“Not that I’m anti-technology. I use escalators and watches and clean water. I love them all. But I don’t think it’s necessarily necessary.”