19 Nov 2008

Aliens Smoking Dope Over Saturn!

posted in: quirky, science, space | 0

I’ve written before about the giant hex socket in the north pole of Saturn, set there uncounted millennia ago by aliens, for purposes unconfirmed. But now…what are those guys up to?

Rhetorical question. You can see what they’re up to. They’re blowing smoke rings over the poles!

You cannot tell me that’s tobacco smoke. Noway. And aurora? Please! Don’t think I’ve forgotten about them buzzing the Saturn neighborhood in flying saucers!


Scientists will keep trying to explain it away with fables about moons, and rocks, and erosion, and auroras, and strange turbulent attractors…

Feh! We won’t be fooled!

14 Nov 2008

Fomalhaut b — Extrasolar Planet in Visible Light

posted in: science, space | 0

Yowza! NASA has released images of the first planet outside our solar system that we’ve directly observed and photographed. Readers, may I introduce Fomalhaut b…

NASA, ESA, et al.

It’s a planet probably three times the size of Jupiter. The full image is kind of squished here, but you can see it big at Astronomy Picture of the Day.

This is the result of years of painstaking work. Read more about it at Science NASA.

“When I consider the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you have set in place…” —Psalm 8

10 Nov 2008

Fan of John Williams Movie Scores?

posted in: quirky, science fiction | 0

Okay, I thought I was the world’s biggest fan of the music from Star Wars, Superman, Close Encounters, and all the other films John Williams has scored. But I think I must relinquish that title to this fellow here (but see note below):

Here’s a link to the video at scifiwire, in case it doesn’t display correctly for you.

[Later note]

Well…as Josh pointed out, it turns out that guy did a really clever job of lip syncing a song actually created by a group called Moosebutter. You can hear (or buy) the song here on their website. Scroll down, and you can see a video of their live performance of the number.

It would have been really nice if the fellow above had credited his source.

10 Nov 2008

Great Success!

posted in: personal news, science fiction, Sunborn, writing | 0

Both book signings were terrific successes, with lots of hardcovers leaving in people’s hands—in many cases, the hands of people I did not know before the signings. (Always a good indicator.) And the folks at Menotomy Beer & Wine were fantastic, made me feel welcome and even sent me home with a bottle of wine! This continues my experience that the best place to do book signings is not necessarily at bookstores (though I’m happy to sign at bookstores, too!), but at places where something else is going on. Indoor water park, church fair, wine tasting—what’ll be next?

6 Nov 2008

Two Signings This Week!

posted in: ebooks, personal news, science fiction, Sunborn, writing | 0

I’ve added a second book signing of Sunborn to the one previously announced:

  • On Friday evening, Nov. 7, from 6:30 to 8:30, I’ll be doing a benefit signing at Park Avenue Congregational Church in Arlington, Mass., at the annual fair.
  • On Saturday, Nov. 8, from 4:00 to 7:00, I’ll be signing as a guest at the regular wine tasting at Menotomy Beer and Wine, also in Arlington.

Click for a full rewrite, with details and locations. Stop by! Have some lasagna and pie (Friday) and some wine (Saturday).

5 Nov 2008

What a Day! What an Election! Yo, Barack!

posted in: public affairs | 0

Thank you, Barack Obama, for undertaking such a long and exhausting run for the presidency, and for your moving and inspiring acceptance speech. Congratulations, and best wishes and prayers.

Thank you, all the supporters who helped make this happen for all of us.

Thank you, John McCain, for your gracious and forward-looking concession speech.

Thank you, America.

Oh, and…thanks, Starbucks, for the free cup of coffee. 🙂

4 Nov 2008

The End of an Opus

posted in: personal news, quirky, writing | 0

As an old-time fan of the comic strip Bloom County, I have followed the later incarnations of the strip (Outland and Opus) with decidedly mixed feelings. I love the old characters, but they were mostly gone. And Opus wasn’t quite what he once was, though he certainly had his moments.

It’s been clear for a while that the strip was coming to an end, and creator Berkely Breathed was taking what seemed to me a depressing route toward the conclusion, with Opus locked away in a dog pound. (I imagine it is hard to bring something like that to a close.) Last Sunday, the final strip ran in the paper, and it…told us we had to go online to see the last panel! It also gave the wrong web address.

But here it is, the final shot of Opus (at least for now). It’s too big to show here: take a look for yourself. It’s really quite touching, and redeemed all of the darkness of the leadup. Bye for now, Opus. And sweet dreams!

4 Nov 2008

This Blog Endorses Barack Obama!

posted in: public affairs | 0

I didn’t want to influence you all too soon, but the suspense is over. Like Republicans Colin Powell and William Weld (except that I’m not Republican) I am standing forth and urging everyone to vote tomorrow for Barack Obama for president! I’m serious. It’s time to put an end to:

  • Attacks on the environment
  • Attacks on science
  • Attacks on nations that did not attack us first
  • Attacks on the Constitution
  • Attacks on the separation of church and state
  • Deceptions in the interests of money and power

And time to embrace:

  • Dialogue with other nations, including those we disagree with
  • Transparency and honesty in public policy
  • A leader who reads, thinks, and is willing to listen to opposing points of view
  • Concern for the environment, both global and local, and respect for real science
  • Concern for the disadvantaged and the middle class, and not just the wealthy
  • Sane fiscal policy, including an end to the massive drain caused by an ill-conceived war

I believe Barack Obama represents these values, and that a vote for Obama is a vote for steering America back toward the values that made this country great.

Okay, that sounded like a campaign slogan—but I actually believe it’s true. I probably didn’t change anyone’s mind with this, but I just wanted to go on the record one last time. I urge other Americans to support these Family Values. Amen.

3 Nov 2008

National Novel Writing Month…

posted in: personal news, public affairs, quirky, writing | 0

…is upon us again! (As reader Marco pointed out in a comment below.) This would be a hard one for me to miss, because my daughter is giving it a shot, along with several friends. Ticka-ticka-ticka-ticka… Different people have different feelings about this project, but my own feeling is, if it gets people writing and having fun writing, it’s a good thing! Check it out at NaNoWriMo.org.

“I admire anybody who has the guts to write anything at all.” —E.B. White

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