There's just too much spam in the world

I just blew by (and deleted) an email message...then did a double-take and undeleted it. The subject heading was:

Have you received Communication in Our Lives?

It dawned on me that it was a query from a publisher, not Jesus spam. *sigh*

There's just too much spam in the world

I just blew by (and deleted) an email message...then did a double-take and undeleted it. The subject heading was:

Have you received Communication in Our Lives?

It dawned on me that it was a query from a publisher, not Jesus spam. *sigh*

Teaching history...graphically

The Boston Globe online notes that a retired Boston University professor has looked to new ways of teaching old material:

Boston University professor emeritus Howard Zinn has turned to a new platform to give his version of US history -- the graphic novel, with "A People's History of American Empire."

Illustrations are by Mike Konopacki.

The link offers some samples of the novel graphics...

Teaching history...graphically

The Boston Globe online notes that a retired Boston University professor has looked to new ways of teaching old material:

Boston University professor emeritus Howard Zinn has turned to a new platform to give his version of US history -- the graphic novel, with "A People's History of American Empire."

Illustrations are by Mike Konopacki.

The link offers some samples of the novel graphics...

New bid for 2012 Worldcon announced

To commemmorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I understand that a group of fans have arranged for a trip following the original Titanic itinerary on the largest pleasure ship [soon-to-be] afloat (it sails in 2009), Royal Caribbean's Genesis (3,000 tons larger than a Nimitz class air craft carrier).

It is amazing that any group of fans would propose a boat bid, and on such an inauspicious anniversary. I understand the convention, should they win, will be called CirConNavigation.

( Details here for them what wants them... )

New bid for 2012 Worldcon announced

To commemmorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I understand that a group of fans have arranged for a trip following the original Titanic itinerary on the largest pleasure ship [soon-to-be] afloat (it sails in 2009), Royal Caribbean's Genesis (3,000 tons larger than a Nimitz class air craft carrier).

It is amazing that any group of fans would propose a boat bid, and on such an inauspicious anniversary. I understand the convention, should they win, will be called CirConNavigation.

( Details here for them what wants them... )

If I win the Mega Millions tonight...

...we'd have enough money to take a ride on the XCOR Lynx, in development to give paying customers a suborbital ride (up front with the pilot) to experience weightlessness and see the Earth from space. (Perhaps it would be possible to send someone else. Return optional.)

If I win the Mega Millions tonight...

...we'd have enough money to take a ride on the XCOR Lynx, in development to give paying customers a suborbital ride (up front with the pilot) to experience weightlessness and see the Earth from space. (Perhaps it would be possible to send someone else. Return optional.)

Steampunk Vader Mask

Luke, I am your pop-rivet. Via Geek Alerts, this lovely item is now available on eBay. Bid high; bid often.

Steampunk Vader Mask

Luke, I am your pop-rivet. Via Geek Alerts, this lovely item is now available on eBay. Bid high; bid often.

Why new revenue-generating device will not work in Boston

From Neat-O-Rama comes a story about a new trend in traffic enforcement in some large U.S. cities:

A lot of cities in the United States are strapped for cash but a handful of them are taking extreme measures of raising funds by taking these steps:

1. Install red-light cameras
2. Shorten the yellow light duration
3. Profit!

This trick would not work here. It would simply ramp up the number of us getting a cheap thrill out of blowing through the thinnest edge of a yellow...or an outright red. Police generally have better things to do than trying to enforce most traffic laws around here (although they got a bit huffy about the "don't-hit-the-pedestrian" one a couple of years ago).

Still, I want this kind of traffic light (although I'd give it less than 24 hours before it was sporting a mustache around here):

Why new revenue-generating device will not work in Boston

From Neat-O-Rama comes a story about a new trend in traffic enforcement in some large U.S. cities:

A lot of cities in the United States are strapped for cash but a handful of them are taking extreme measures of raising funds by taking these steps:

1. Install red-light cameras
2. Shorten the yellow light duration
3. Profit!

This trick would not work here. It would simply ramp up the number of us getting a cheap thrill out of blowing through the thinnest edge of a yellow...or an outright red. Police generally have better things to do than trying to enforce most traffic laws around here (although they got a bit huffy about the "don't-hit-the-pedestrian" one a couple of years ago).

Still, I want this kind of traffic light (although I'd give it less than 24 hours before it was sporting a mustache around here):

Fitness water for my friend Stephen

And I hope smofbabe shows him this web site, for a health water crafted with him in mind.

:-)

Fitness water for my friend Stephen

And I hope smofbabe shows him this web site, for a health water crafted with him in mind.

:-)

If anybody happens to see Bob Silverberg...

...would you tell him that I love his style?

As I was reading this month's Locus out on the deck (no, it's not that pleasant out, and it's started to rain, but I needed a smoke), I saw Bob's short piece on the history of Locus (which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year). He is just as drolly erudite as ever he was.

And the funny thing about reading Bob is that his voice comes through in his writing. I can hear him saying what he's writing -- a rare thing.

Not long ago, benveniste and I put together a hack to sell some of the Noreascon One banquet records by putting the content on a USB thumb drive to accompany the vinyl. I sat that night and listened to the whole thing (and it's a wonderful trip back into fandom past).

Bob was the toastmaster, and aside from sounding younger, he is clearly himself and clearly just as wry as he would be 33 years later, when his reminiscences about 50 years of Hugo Awards ceremonies were the highlight (for me) of the Noreascon Four Hugo event.

So, thank you, Bob. Your style never fails to delight.

If anybody happens to see Bob Silverberg...

...would you tell him that I love his style?

As I was reading this month's Locus out on the deck (no, it's not that pleasant out, and it's started to rain, but I needed a smoke), I saw Bob's short piece on the history of Locus (which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year). He is just as drolly erudite as ever he was.

And the funny thing about reading Bob is that his voice comes through in his writing. I can hear him saying what he's writing -- a rare thing.

Not long ago, benveniste and I put together a hack to sell some of the Noreascon One banquet records by putting the content on a USB thumb drive to accompany the vinyl. I sat that night and listened to the whole thing (and it's a wonderful trip back into fandom past).

Bob was the toastmaster, and aside from sounding younger, he is clearly himself and clearly just as wry as he would be 33 years later, when his reminiscences about 50 years of Hugo Awards ceremonies were the highlight (for me) of the Noreascon Four Hugo event.

So, thank you, Bob. Your style never fails to delight.