Best analysis of Flight 447 weather . . .
Detailed documents here:
http://www.weathergraphics.com/tim/af447/
Main web site here:
http://www.weathergraphics.com/
The weather may be one factor; there will almost certainly be more . . .
The mainstream media catches up
60 Minutes recently did a show on the situation in Afghanistan, which several people who have been there recently have said is a very good overview of what's going on there.
My book, Leopards Kill, is set a little further into the badlands you see in the video. The situation has gotten even worse than I thought it would - and I was far from an optimist.
Inattention kills - wars as well as soldiers.
60 Minutes recently did a show on the situation in Afghanistan, which several people who have been there recently have said is a very good overview of what's going on there.
My book, Leopards Kill, is set a little further into the badlands you see in the video. The situation has gotten even worse than I thought it would - and I was far from an optimist.
Inattention kills - wars as well as soldiers.
The Guru on baseball
See you at the game . . .
* I paraphrased a bit. It's fun editing an editor.
Baseball is the only sport where, no matter how old or out of shape you are, you are utterly convinced that you could go down to the dugout, grab a bat, and get up and knock one of CC's fastballs out of the park.
That's why baseball is so great.*
See you at the game . . .
* I paraphrased a bit. It's fun editing an editor.
Rogue Warrior - the game
Dick's in LA this week at E3, the big video game show, helping preview the new Rogue Warrior game.
It's a blast, literally and figuratively. You get to play as Dick, conducting a mission in North Korea, with all the attendant mayhem and Murphy-isms you'd expect. The game will be out this fall - just ahead of a new RW novel.
(That's Richard Marcinko, SEAL Team 6, and Dictator's Ransom for all you search engines out there.)
The cover of Dictator's Ransom, btw, is based on a screenshot from the game. It'll be out in paperback by the end of September, if not before . . .
Dick's in LA this week at E3, the big video game show, helping preview the new Rogue Warrior game.
It's a blast, literally and figuratively. You get to play as Dick, conducting a mission in North Korea, with all the attendant mayhem and Murphy-isms you'd expect. The game will be out this fall - just ahead of a new RW novel.
(That's Richard Marcinko, SEAL Team 6, and Dictator's Ransom for all you search engines out there.)
The cover of Dictator's Ransom, btw, is based on a screenshot from the game. It'll be out in paperback by the end of September, if not before . . .
The problem with Kindle . . .
. . . You can't throw it across the room when you come to a part of a book you don't like.
Well, actually you can - it's just that you're going to seriously regret it after it lands. Unlike a paperback.
I was thinking about this fact while listening to some of the speakers at the BEA book industry conference this past weekend. And while it started as an irreverent, wise-ass remark-toid, it provoked ideas about the future of books that are, maybe, more relevant.
Books - the physical objects - have played a critical role in transferring and preserving knowledge for two or maybe three thousand years. They've gone through relatively few major changes in that time, each one connected to technology. They've also also evolved as mass entertainment media. While they've never really been dominant in that role, it's been as critical in their history as the transfer of knowledge has.
Like the printing press, the possibilities of electronic/digital media and networks has once again thrown the fundamentals into flux. Books' role as the primary reservoir of knowledge has been challenged if not superseded by the internet. Go into any elementary school and ask the kids what they are using for their research projects. The first answer they give will be "the internet."
You can debate whether that's good or bad, but the bottom line is, it's a fact.
As entertainment media, books face a similar, though not quite as fundamental challenge. For the moment at least, they are physically the most efficient means of providing a long-scale imaginative experience - or whatever it is that a novel delivers. But that, too, is changing, and whether people will lose the taste for that form of entertainment - as they have mostly lost their taste for poetry - remains an open question.
Most people in the industry today think that books will basically migrate on-line, where they will resume their traditional role as reservoirs of knowledge and providers of entertainment. I don't know that that's a good assumption. Even if it is, their nature will surely change. If you look at the books being produced in medieval monasteries and those being produced after the invention of cheap paperbacks (and the distribution system that made their sale on a mass market level possible), you can't help but realize the difference is so vast that you're essentially talking about a different product.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that books do migrate and survive successfully to the electronic realm. Digital media makes a large number of things possible that ink and paper can't, at least not economically. Graphics are only the beginning; video, audio, live links to other media - the possibilities are vast.
Given that, it seems logical that the electronic or digital version of a book will be considered, should be considered, more valuable than a print version. If, for example, you're reading about a World War II battle - Dieppe - and you can instantly see a map of the battle site, view newsreels, etc., etc., that's worth more to you than simply being able to read the text.
Yes?
Well, duh. It's not a radical assumption at all. But I didn't hear anyone mention that at BEA, and in fact have yet to hear anyone point that out when discussing E-books. On the contrary, E-books' value is seen primarily in terms of their distribution system - they're cheap (and quick) to get to market, since you don't have transport costs, etc., etc. (Amazon and Google are doing their best to corner and add to the transport costs, but that's another post.)
The nature of books, storytelling, knowledge transfer and the book industry are all very much in flux. But the people who are mostly looked on for direction mostly don't seem to have much of a clue. We're often not even picking the right people to listen to.
Panel after panel at the BEA featured people who were supposedly experts on topics simply voicing opinions from very limited positions. Can a group of authors, none of whom actually make their living publishing books, really provide insight on the role of publishers either in the present or the near future?
It's an interesting, if difficult, time to be a writer. I'm not sure whether it's a consolation knowing everybody else is confused, too.
. . . You can't throw it across the room when you come to a part of a book you don't like.
Well, actually you can - it's just that you're going to seriously regret it after it lands. Unlike a paperback.
I was thinking about this fact while listening to some of the speakers at the BEA book industry conference this past weekend. And while it started as an irreverent, wise-ass remark-toid, it provoked ideas about the future of books that are, maybe, more relevant.
Books - the physical objects - have played a critical role in transferring and preserving knowledge for two or maybe three thousand years. They've gone through relatively few major changes in that time, each one connected to technology. They've also also evolved as mass entertainment media. While they've never really been dominant in that role, it's been as critical in their history as the transfer of knowledge has.
Like the printing press, the possibilities of electronic/digital media and networks has once again thrown the fundamentals into flux. Books' role as the primary reservoir of knowledge has been challenged if not superseded by the internet. Go into any elementary school and ask the kids what they are using for their research projects. The first answer they give will be "the internet."
You can debate whether that's good or bad, but the bottom line is, it's a fact.
As entertainment media, books face a similar, though not quite as fundamental challenge. For the moment at least, they are physically the most efficient means of providing a long-scale imaginative experience - or whatever it is that a novel delivers. But that, too, is changing, and whether people will lose the taste for that form of entertainment - as they have mostly lost their taste for poetry - remains an open question.
Most people in the industry today think that books will basically migrate on-line, where they will resume their traditional role as reservoirs of knowledge and providers of entertainment. I don't know that that's a good assumption. Even if it is, their nature will surely change. If you look at the books being produced in medieval monasteries and those being produced after the invention of cheap paperbacks (and the distribution system that made their sale on a mass market level possible), you can't help but realize the difference is so vast that you're essentially talking about a different product.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that books do migrate and survive successfully to the electronic realm. Digital media makes a large number of things possible that ink and paper can't, at least not economically. Graphics are only the beginning; video, audio, live links to other media - the possibilities are vast.
Given that, it seems logical that the electronic or digital version of a book will be considered, should be considered, more valuable than a print version. If, for example, you're reading about a World War II battle - Dieppe - and you can instantly see a map of the battle site, view newsreels, etc., etc., that's worth more to you than simply being able to read the text.
Yes?
Well, duh. It's not a radical assumption at all. But I didn't hear anyone mention that at BEA, and in fact have yet to hear anyone point that out when discussing E-books. On the contrary, E-books' value is seen primarily in terms of their distribution system - they're cheap (and quick) to get to market, since you don't have transport costs, etc., etc. (Amazon and Google are doing their best to corner and add to the transport costs, but that's another post.)
The nature of books, storytelling, knowledge transfer and the book industry are all very much in flux. But the people who are mostly looked on for direction mostly don't seem to have much of a clue. We're often not even picking the right people to listen to.
Panel after panel at the BEA featured people who were supposedly experts on topics simply voicing opinions from very limited positions. Can a group of authors, none of whom actually make their living publishing books, really provide insight on the role of publishers either in the present or the near future?
It's an interesting, if difficult, time to be a writer. I'm not sure whether it's a consolation knowing everybody else is confused, too.
Still more plugs from San Antonio . . .
Continuing my pay back for all the beers bought down in San Antonio . . .
I'd never met Jim before San Antonio, but I had heard a lot of good things about his book. Larry's book hadn't shipped yet, unfortunately, so we didn't have any for the signings at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio.
David Hagberg was his usual affable self. Even though he's not technically a Forge author, Stephen Coonts (and his wife) came out and gave away books and met with vets and their families as well.*
As I said a few days ago, the pleasure really was ours. The work done at both facilities is truly amazing, and of course we owe a debt of gratitude and more to the men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.
* I know I'm forgetting a couple of guys, which is only going to add to my bar bill next time we meet . . .
Continuing my pay back for all the beers bought down in San Antonio . . .
I'd never met Jim before San Antonio, but I had heard a lot of good things about his book. Larry's book hadn't shipped yet, unfortunately, so we didn't have any for the signings at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio.
David Hagberg was his usual affable self. Even though he's not technically a Forge author, Stephen Coonts (and his wife) came out and gave away books and met with vets and their families as well.*
As I said a few days ago, the pleasure really was ours. The work done at both facilities is truly amazing, and of course we owe a debt of gratitude and more to the men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.
* I know I'm forgetting a couple of guys, which is only going to add to my bar bill next time we meet . . .
What's wrong with publishing today
The publishing industry's major convention, Book Expo or BEA, is being held this weekend in New York City. It's not really of much immediate use to writers, except as an excuse to party, and if you're a writer, since when do you need an excuse?
Yeah, I went anyway.
Friday morning before hitting the floor I ran down one of my old editors at Starbucks a few blocks away. Without getting all dopey-eyed about it, the guy was one of the best fiction editors in the business.
I say was because he was so good his publisher gave him cookbooks to edit.
No joke. This encouraged him to get another job, which quickly turned out to be so ludicrous he left publishing all together.
Well not all together; he does free-lancing now and then, but that's about it. He's given up looking for an editing job, at least for the time being. Nobody's hiring, and the people who are hiring want him to edit . . . cookbooks. He's doing pretty well in other fields.
Editing fiction is a lot more difficult than people - especially writers - think. It's a strange kind of talent. A big part of it has to do with handling the writers who, rumor has it, can be difficult to deal with. Even when they arrive in the office unarmed.
Anyway, my former editor looked a hell of a lot more relaxed than while he was at the publishing house. I'm not sure whether that says more about the publisher, or me.
The publishing industry's major convention, Book Expo or BEA, is being held this weekend in New York City. It's not really of much immediate use to writers, except as an excuse to party, and if you're a writer, since when do you need an excuse?
Yeah, I went anyway.
Friday morning before hitting the floor I ran down one of my old editors at Starbucks a few blocks away. Without getting all dopey-eyed about it, the guy was one of the best fiction editors in the business.
I say was because he was so good his publisher gave him cookbooks to edit.
No joke. This encouraged him to get another job, which quickly turned out to be so ludicrous he left publishing all together.
Well not all together; he does free-lancing now and then, but that's about it. He's given up looking for an editing job, at least for the time being. Nobody's hiring, and the people who are hiring want him to edit . . . cookbooks. He's doing pretty well in other fields.
Editing fiction is a lot more difficult than people - especially writers - think. It's a strange kind of talent. A big part of it has to do with handling the writers who, rumor has it, can be difficult to deal with. Even when they arrive in the office unarmed.
Anyway, my former editor looked a hell of a lot more relaxed than while he was at the publishing house. I'm not sure whether that says more about the publisher, or me.
More shameless plugs . . .
Randy and Bill provided a running commentary on the Alamo while we were in San Antonio, proving that having a few beers with historians is even better than just having a few beers.
The Quick and the Dead isn't Randy's latest book, but it's one of my favorites. I haven't had a chance to read Bill's latest, but it's on the shelf waiting . . .
Randy and Bill provided a running commentary on the Alamo while we were in San Antonio, proving that having a few beers with historians is even better than just having a few beers.
The Quick and the Dead isn't Randy's latest book, but it's one of my favorites. I haven't had a chance to read Bill's latest, but it's on the shelf waiting . . .
Shameless promotion
Mike's name is small, but he had a big contribution to this.
He was one of the gang who visited the hospital down in San Antonio, and besides driving a mean pickup he plays a hell of a guitar.
This link gets you to some of his stuff on Amazon.
Mike's name is small, but he had a big contribution to this.
He was one of the gang who visited the hospital down in San Antonio, and besides driving a mean pickup he plays a hell of a guitar.
This link gets you to some of his stuff on Amazon.
Fun with Staples, part II
A response in less than three hours - and a favorable one as well . . .
I'm impressed. Almost makes me want to double down on my next order of Gel Impact pens . . .
Seriously, that's good customer service. Have to give them a plug in the next book . . . or at least not blow them up . . .
A response in less than three hours - and a favorable one as well . . .
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. The missing ream of paper will be reshipped to you at no charge. Delivery is scheduled for 5/28/09 via UPS between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
To track your order just click on the following link:
www.staples.com/orderstatus
I'm impressed. Almost makes me want to double down on my next order of Gel Impact pens . . .
Seriously, that's good customer service. Have to give them a plug in the next book . . . or at least not blow them up . . .
My latest Staples order
Or fun with stationery . . .
I'll settle for a copy of what they wrote . . .
Or fun with stationery . . .
Order No.: xxxxx6368 Customer No.: xxxx7468
To whom it may concern:I just received my order.While I appreciate the prompt delivery, I was dismayed to discover that not only had the case of paper been opened but paper was removed from one of the reams.I'd appreciate either a credit or a new ream.Sincerely yours,
I'll settle for a copy of what they wrote . . .
Even more fun with banks . . .
Baseline Scenario is a blog that has had the Money Meltdown nailed from the get-go. Here's the latest blast. . .
Baseline Scenario is a blog that has had the Money Meltdown nailed from the get-go. Here's the latest blast. . .
Read the rest here.From the headlines of the Wall Street Journal: “Banks Aiming to Play Both Sides of Coin — Industry Lobbies FDIC to Let Some Buy Toxic Assets With Taypayer Aid From Own Loan Books (subscription required, but Calculated Risk has an excerpt). I thought the headline had to be a mistake until I read the article.
To recap: The Public-Private Investment Program provides subsidies to private investors to encourage them to buy legacy loans from banks. The goal is to encourage buyers to bid more than they are currently willing to pay, and hopefully close the gap with the prices at which the banks are willing to sell.
Allowing banks to buy their own assets under the PPIP is a terrible idea. In short, it allows a bank to sell half of its toxic loans to Treasury – at a price set by the bank. I’ll take this in steps.
Talking about writing
So we're hanging out in the hotel penthouse, ten or twelve of us, all writers and the guru. And mostly we're talking about country-western music.
Until David Hagberg (who still hasn't bought me a beer, or seen me completely sober), says something along the lines of, "It's good to have so many writers together. You can talk and be understood."
Everyone else agreed; someone even said they could talk about craft and not be looked at strangely.
There was unanimous agreement, people saying how marvelous it is to talk about craft, until the circle came around to me.
"The hell with craft," I said. "I'd rather talk about baseball."
They made me buy the next round.
So we're hanging out in the hotel penthouse, ten or twelve of us, all writers and the guru. And mostly we're talking about country-western music.
Until David Hagberg (who still hasn't bought me a beer, or seen me completely sober), says something along the lines of, "It's good to have so many writers together. You can talk and be understood."
Everyone else agreed; someone even said they could talk about craft and not be looked at strangely.
There was unanimous agreement, people saying how marvelous it is to talk about craft, until the circle came around to me.
"The hell with craft," I said. "I'd rather talk about baseball."
They made me buy the next round.
The homestand
So, tying up the loose ends on the new Yankee Stadium -
- I found the sushi place. It's right behind the main hall (duh) on the main level. My spicy tuna roll looked a little battered by the time I reached my seat, but it tasted OK. Of course, you're paying Stadium prices . . .
- My bet is that the calorie counts next to the beer prices will do as much to curb excessive drinking as Anti-DWI ads will. Maybe more . . .
- Speaking of beer, the selection is much better than at the old Stadium. But it still could use some tweaking. And, of course, you're paying Stadium prices . . .
- We did find the good way out - got in the parking lot in under six minutes. Without running . . . now if I could only find a good spot for a cigar . . .
So, tying up the loose ends on the new Yankee Stadium -
- I found the sushi place. It's right behind the main hall (duh) on the main level. My spicy tuna roll looked a little battered by the time I reached my seat, but it tasted OK. Of course, you're paying Stadium prices . . .
- My bet is that the calorie counts next to the beer prices will do as much to curb excessive drinking as Anti-DWI ads will. Maybe more . . .
- Speaking of beer, the selection is much better than at the old Stadium. But it still could use some tweaking. And, of course, you're paying Stadium prices . . .
- We did find the good way out - got in the parking lot in under six minutes. Without running . . . now if I could only find a good spot for a cigar . . .
Did they get it right this time?
Preliminary reports indicate that the North Koreans exploded another nuclear bomb Monday, with an NK spokesman saying obliquely that this explosion was "larger" than the last" and corrected "problems" in "increasing the power" of nuclear weapons.
In other words, yeah, the first one was a dud, but we got it right this time.
Most of the stories you'll read over the next few days will connect the explosion to political maneuvering over Kim's successor. (One theory: the successor is demonstrating to Kim and-or others his worthiness as a leader.)
But the explosion is also one more step down an increasingly barren path: it lessens North Korea's leverage rather than increasing it in any sort of international negotiations. The weapon(s) can't be used, since everyone knows what the response will be - complete destruction of the North Korean leadership. Once it's clear that North Korea has the technology, the incentive to make a deal with them lessens. The terms for any deal will also become more onerous from North Korea's point of view, since it will always be possible that they are hiding one or more of the nukes somewhere. (See Rogue Warrior: Dictator's Ransom for a plot built on this premise.)
And what does North Korea do if no one wants to negotiate with it? Blow up something, like maybe South Korea?
The rhetoric that comes from North Korea is so psychotic that you can't rule that out. However, assuming at least a modicum of self-serving preservation is still guiding the leadership (whoever it may be), the options are slim and none. At best, the North Koreans could hope for an arms race kicked off by Iran, allowing it to sell technology to the highest bidder (which of course could be the West and-or China).
Iran's successful missile launching earlier this month - coming after North Korea's own failure - was an interesting coincidence. The two countries are presumed to have traded technology before; what the case is now remains pure speculation - or the stuff of techno-thrillers.
The truth is, Monday's nuke test only made North Korea more irrelevant. The problem is, they don't realize that yet . . . and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to do so.
Preliminary reports indicate that the North Koreans exploded another nuclear bomb Monday, with an NK spokesman saying obliquely that this explosion was "larger" than the last" and corrected "problems" in "increasing the power" of nuclear weapons.
In other words, yeah, the first one was a dud, but we got it right this time.
Most of the stories you'll read over the next few days will connect the explosion to political maneuvering over Kim's successor. (One theory: the successor is demonstrating to Kim and-or others his worthiness as a leader.)
But the explosion is also one more step down an increasingly barren path: it lessens North Korea's leverage rather than increasing it in any sort of international negotiations. The weapon(s) can't be used, since everyone knows what the response will be - complete destruction of the North Korean leadership. Once it's clear that North Korea has the technology, the incentive to make a deal with them lessens. The terms for any deal will also become more onerous from North Korea's point of view, since it will always be possible that they are hiding one or more of the nukes somewhere. (See Rogue Warrior: Dictator's Ransom for a plot built on this premise.)
And what does North Korea do if no one wants to negotiate with it? Blow up something, like maybe South Korea?
The rhetoric that comes from North Korea is so psychotic that you can't rule that out. However, assuming at least a modicum of self-serving preservation is still guiding the leadership (whoever it may be), the options are slim and none. At best, the North Koreans could hope for an arms race kicked off by Iran, allowing it to sell technology to the highest bidder (which of course could be the West and-or China).
Iran's successful missile launching earlier this month - coming after North Korea's own failure - was an interesting coincidence. The two countries are presumed to have traded technology before; what the case is now remains pure speculation - or the stuff of techno-thrillers.
The truth is, Monday's nuke test only made North Korea more irrelevant. The problem is, they don't realize that yet . . . and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to do so.
The Center for the Intrepid
I just got back from San Antonio, where a small group of novelists was privileged to spend a day at the Brooke Army Medical Center and the Center for the Intrepid, meeting with patients and staff.
The Center for the Intrepid is an incredible, state of the art rehabilitation facility that helps severely wounded soldiers and their families. Their patients are amputees who have withstood untold pain and horror. Built by private donations, the center provides a comprehensive program for helping the wounded psychologically as well as physically.
Here's a good overview of what the center does.
Every man and woman I met had been severely wounded in horrible ways. Every one of them had an indomitable spirit that reshaped my understanding of what courage is. Meeting them was a humbling but inspiring experience. They reminded me of the greatness we are all capable of, even in the face of unfathomable pain and violence.
The staff and patients thanked us for coming, but we were the one who owe thanks. Not just for their service, but for their inspiration.
I just got back from San Antonio, where a small group of novelists was privileged to spend a day at the Brooke Army Medical Center and the Center for the Intrepid, meeting with patients and staff.
The Center for the Intrepid is an incredible, state of the art rehabilitation facility that helps severely wounded soldiers and their families. Their patients are amputees who have withstood untold pain and horror. Built by private donations, the center provides a comprehensive program for helping the wounded psychologically as well as physically.
Here's a good overview of what the center does.
Every man and woman I met had been severely wounded in horrible ways. Every one of them had an indomitable spirit that reshaped my understanding of what courage is. Meeting them was a humbling but inspiring experience. They reminded me of the greatness we are all capable of, even in the face of unfathomable pain and violence.
The staff and patients thanked us for coming, but we were the one who owe thanks. Not just for their service, but for their inspiration.
Fans? At a baseball game?
Demonstrating the sensitivity and concern for fans that has come to characterize the Yankees' brain trust, the club's chief operating officer Lonn Trost said this week that the team's new policy of not letting most fans near the field during batting practice will remain in place.
Actually, what he said was closer to FU, unwashed fans. (Most of whom traditionally are kids, btw.)
Which isn't that bad a metaphor, considering what they're charging for the seats.
Can we be clear - the Yankees want all our money, but the only fans they want up close to the game are the Madoff crowd who have a few billions to spill out of their pockets.
I'm starting to think my presence at the games is an insult to the top brass . . . and I'm kinda liking that.
Speaking of the Yankees, I found the sushi place last week, as well as the old Italian deli, Mike's. (Duh, they were right near the Legends Hall entrance. Shows the novelist's attention to detail the first time through . . .) The deli has now been repackaged as a pseudo-mall outlet, with expanded offerings. The bread was fresher, but not as crusty as the old place. The jury's still out.
I'm still wondering why they check the cars in the "preferred lot" for bombs, while the rest of us scofflaws are waved through as quickly as possible.
But the biggest question remains: Where is the best place to meet? Most people seem to be adopting the patio-like sidewalk in front of Legends Hall, but there are no good landmarks there. "Meet me by the bench" doesn't have quite the same ring as "we'll hook up by the bat."
Myself, I'll be under Lonn's window.
Demonstrating the sensitivity and concern for fans that has come to characterize the Yankees' brain trust, the club's chief operating officer Lonn Trost said this week that the team's new policy of not letting most fans near the field during batting practice will remain in place.
Actually, what he said was closer to FU, unwashed fans. (Most of whom traditionally are kids, btw.)
“If you purchase a suite, do you want somebody in your suite?” Trost said in remarks reported by The Associated Press. “If you purchase a home, do you want somebody in your home?”
Which isn't that bad a metaphor, considering what they're charging for the seats.
Can we be clear - the Yankees want all our money, but the only fans they want up close to the game are the Madoff crowd who have a few billions to spill out of their pockets.
I'm starting to think my presence at the games is an insult to the top brass . . . and I'm kinda liking that.
Speaking of the Yankees, I found the sushi place last week, as well as the old Italian deli, Mike's. (Duh, they were right near the Legends Hall entrance. Shows the novelist's attention to detail the first time through . . .) The deli has now been repackaged as a pseudo-mall outlet, with expanded offerings. The bread was fresher, but not as crusty as the old place. The jury's still out.
I'm still wondering why they check the cars in the "preferred lot" for bombs, while the rest of us scofflaws are waved through as quickly as possible.
But the biggest question remains: Where is the best place to meet? Most people seem to be adopting the patio-like sidewalk in front of Legends Hall, but there are no good landmarks there. "Meet me by the bench" doesn't have quite the same ring as "we'll hook up by the bat."
Myself, I'll be under Lonn's window.
Copyright
Copyright Critics Rationalize Theft
Writers, composers, designers and other
content creators need to fight back.
by Mark HelprinFull article here.
. . . Their work is peculiarly vulnerable in that it is easy to appropriate....
Were this vulnerability unaddressed, the producers of intellectual property would be put out of business unless they were independently wealthy or worked either as amateurs or drew salaries at the pleasure of, and beholden to, boards, committees and overseers of every type. Always at risk, the independent voice, the guarantor of political freedom and personal dignity, would be dangerously depressed along with the arts that sustain civilization. Amateurs alone are insufficient -- unless one believes that the work of Herman Melville, Thomas Eakins and Aaron Copeland does not merit full-time employment.
Spam
I get a lot of spam because of my "public" email addresses via the website. It's pia mostly, and lately I've come to suspect that the spammers think so, too.
Their subject lines have become more and more prosaic. Now I can understand that - too fancy and the spam killer just bites them in half. But the from addresses show a remarkable lack of creativity.
For example, just today I received email from the following:
Asthma inhaler help
Rebate processing jobs
Shawn C. - A seriously insane rich bitch
Debt Advisor
I mean come on - I'm not even bothering to open any of these. It's almost too much effort even to delete them.
Well, except for Shawn, who's meeting me for coffee next week.
I get a lot of spam because of my "public" email addresses via the website. It's pia mostly, and lately I've come to suspect that the spammers think so, too.
Their subject lines have become more and more prosaic. Now I can understand that - too fancy and the spam killer just bites them in half. But the from addresses show a remarkable lack of creativity.
For example, just today I received email from the following:
Asthma inhaler help
Rebate processing jobs
Shawn C. - A seriously insane rich bitch
Debt Advisor
I mean come on - I'm not even bothering to open any of these. It's almost too much effort even to delete them.
Well, except for Shawn, who's meeting me for coffee next week.
One for the road
The worst thing about traveling is that it really screws up your caffeine addiction.
It's generally impossible to find coffee that's as strong as you want it, especially at the hotel. Not to mention that the default bean is inevitably Colombian, and the roast is generally so light it tastes like it was done with a refrigerator bulb. So you compensate with quantity, not necessarily a bad thing, except you end up draining the dragon every five minutes later in the day.
Do I exaggerate?
The worst thing about traveling is that it really screws up your caffeine addiction.
It's generally impossible to find coffee that's as strong as you want it, especially at the hotel. Not to mention that the default bean is inevitably Colombian, and the roast is generally so light it tastes like it was done with a refrigerator bulb. So you compensate with quantity, not necessarily a bad thing, except you end up draining the dragon every five minutes later in the day.
Do I exaggerate?
Well, duh . . .
Headline in today's NY Times:
Link.
Headline in today's NY Times:
Good story. Tip of the iceberg.
Pakistan Strife Raises U.S. Doubts on Nuclear Arms
Link.
Rogue Warrior update
Did I say Fidel in a post the other day?
Apparently I did. And yes, thanks for asking: the book in question is the next Rogue Warrior, and yes, it does take place in Cuba.
Or did. Some of it anyway. Not that we would have gone there when it was illegal to go there, or would have proceeded in any questionably lawful way, whether under the auspices of a government agency or not under those auspices or whatever formulation the lawyers say I'm supposed to use . . .
(If there was research for the book, or events connected or excused by research, or covered by research, they happened last year. But they didn't happen if happening would have meant that they broke the law. And I wasn't involved anyway.)
Some more details about the book -
It's probably going to be called Seize the Day. (Until we see the cover, it's all up in the air.) Fidel does play a major role, witting and otherwise. Most of the supporting cast carries over from the last few books, with the addition of a couple of guys who have been working with Red Cell International, or would have been working with Red Cell if they were real, because they're not, since any semblance to real people is accidental, except where it isn't.
The book will be out in time for Christmas.
Did I say Fidel in a post the other day?
Apparently I did. And yes, thanks for asking: the book in question is the next Rogue Warrior, and yes, it does take place in Cuba.
Or did. Some of it anyway. Not that we would have gone there when it was illegal to go there, or would have proceeded in any questionably lawful way, whether under the auspices of a government agency or not under those auspices or whatever formulation the lawyers say I'm supposed to use . . .
(If there was research for the book, or events connected or excused by research, or covered by research, they happened last year. But they didn't happen if happening would have meant that they broke the law. And I wasn't involved anyway.)
Some more details about the book -
It's probably going to be called Seize the Day. (Until we see the cover, it's all up in the air.) Fidel does play a major role, witting and otherwise. Most of the supporting cast carries over from the last few books, with the addition of a couple of guys who have been working with Red Cell International, or would have been working with Red Cell if they were real, because they're not, since any semblance to real people is accidental, except where it isn't.
The book will be out in time for Christmas.
Spies . . .
Item: Congresswoman - Jane Harman - and an (alleged) Israeli spy were caught trading power and connections in 2005.
This happens in Washington all the time, except usually not on a wiretap. And usually we don't admit we tap the phones of allies or congresspeople. Not that allies would spy on us . . . any more than a congressperson would trade influence for a quid pro quo . . . or an ally would be able to influence who gets a plum spot in congress or the administration.
It's been claimed that the matter was dropped because of U.S. politics - Harman had helped pass administration programs, ironically including wiretapping legislation. But there would have been plenty of other reasons, including the nature of the original investigation itself.
This is exactly the sort of scandal that does no one any good, so it's likely to fade from the headlines pretty quickly. Which is a shame - we can use a good scandal that has nothing to do with the economy.
Item: Congresswoman - Jane Harman - and an (alleged) Israeli spy were caught trading power and connections in 2005.
This happens in Washington all the time, except usually not on a wiretap. And usually we don't admit we tap the phones of allies or congresspeople. Not that allies would spy on us . . . any more than a congressperson would trade influence for a quid pro quo . . . or an ally would be able to influence who gets a plum spot in congress or the administration.
It's been claimed that the matter was dropped because of U.S. politics - Harman had helped pass administration programs, ironically including wiretapping legislation. But there would have been plenty of other reasons, including the nature of the original investigation itself.
This is exactly the sort of scandal that does no one any good, so it's likely to fade from the headlines pretty quickly. Which is a shame - we can use a good scandal that has nothing to do with the economy.
A, not an, before eu....
Another week, another copy edit . . .
And another excellent job by the CE, who even figured out what floor Fidel was on in the hospital.
But . . . the editor changed "a euphemism" to "an euphemism."
Ouch.
Yet somehow that endears me to the editor all the more . . .
And no, endears is not a euphemism.
Another week, another copy edit . . .
And another excellent job by the CE, who even figured out what floor Fidel was on in the hospital.
But . . . the editor changed "a euphemism" to "an euphemism."
Ouch.
Yet somehow that endears me to the editor all the more . . .
And no, endears is not a euphemism.
Baseball in quotes
I guess my feelings on the new Stadium are best summed up by the baseball bat, which is now encircled and encapsulated by a set of stairs. They seem like a set of quotes around it - transforming it somehow from an easy place to meet people into an "historical" monument.
Quotes included.
The new stadium does that to the spirit of the old stadium, and baseball in general - the history is encapsulated in quotes.
But the references to the past are, well, just references. There's no actual history at the Stadium. And in fact that's one of its attractions - many of the people who are talking so positively about it are praising how clean it looks.
In the first weekend, balls were flying out of the park. Maybe that was Babe's revenge. The Yankees have claimed that the dimensions of the field are exactly the same, but anyone who has spent a lot of time there can look at right field and know the wall doesn't curve the same way. It doesn't really matter - unless you're Chen Ming Wang - but the insistence that history is being preserved is irksome.
It's too early to tell whether the park really does encourage home runs . . . and it's too early to tell if the "this park could be anywhere" feel I get walking in is a true emotion, or simply a stubborn reaction from someone who went to games at the old park since he was too young to know the difference between a fastball and a curve.
Or sour grapes at losing my field boxes.
For the moment, I struggle to keep an open mind. And more than anything else, the new Stadium has reminded of this: baseball is baseball, whether you play it at Yankee Stadium, or the sandlot across from your house.
I guess my feelings on the new Stadium are best summed up by the baseball bat, which is now encircled and encapsulated by a set of stairs. They seem like a set of quotes around it - transforming it somehow from an easy place to meet people into an "historical" monument.
Quotes included.
The new stadium does that to the spirit of the old stadium, and baseball in general - the history is encapsulated in quotes.
But the references to the past are, well, just references. There's no actual history at the Stadium. And in fact that's one of its attractions - many of the people who are talking so positively about it are praising how clean it looks.
In the first weekend, balls were flying out of the park. Maybe that was Babe's revenge. The Yankees have claimed that the dimensions of the field are exactly the same, but anyone who has spent a lot of time there can look at right field and know the wall doesn't curve the same way. It doesn't really matter - unless you're Chen Ming Wang - but the insistence that history is being preserved is irksome.
It's too early to tell whether the park really does encourage home runs . . . and it's too early to tell if the "this park could be anywhere" feel I get walking in is a true emotion, or simply a stubborn reaction from someone who went to games at the old park since he was too young to know the difference between a fastball and a curve.
Or sour grapes at losing my field boxes.
For the moment, I struggle to keep an open mind. And more than anything else, the new Stadium has reminded of this: baseball is baseball, whether you play it at Yankee Stadium, or the sandlot across from your house.
Cigars
We're standing across the street from the ballpark and these two old guys come up and start sniffing around.
Literally.
"I love that aroma," says one. He points to my cigar. "Reminds me of real baseball."
Forty or fifty years' worth of experiences follow in the space of a few sentences. We don't really need words. We have cigars.
"Those days are gone," he says wistfully, shaking his head. Then he goes up the street to find out where the new entrance to his seats are.
We're standing across the street from the ballpark and these two old guys come up and start sniffing around.
Literally.
"I love that aroma," says one. He points to my cigar. "Reminds me of real baseball."
Forty or fifty years' worth of experiences follow in the space of a few sentences. We don't really need words. We have cigars.
"Those days are gone," he says wistfully, shaking his head. Then he goes up the street to find out where the new entrance to his seats are.
Randy from PA
I rode to the Yankee game the other day with Randy from PA. He's a greeter at Wal*Marts, which is a pain because they've just changed his work hours to two-eleven. The change interferes with his real avocation - Bleacher Creature.
Randy is more a Creature trainee than an actual bonafide Creature; you have to work your way into the brotherhood over a number of years. But he has the fire - along with a tattoo on his arm telling the world who his favorite team is.
Randy also knows the fielding statistics of every Yankee going back to Greg Nettles. Everybody knows batting averages and home runs, he explained, but being able to cite Celereno Sanchez's error rate on bunt attempts separates the men from the boys - or the Creatures from the wannabes.*
Me, I'm just sitting up in tier these days.
Excuse me, the Grandstands.
* Clereno had 14 errors in 71 games in 1974 . . . not going to cut it if you hit under .250. Great baseball name, though.
I rode to the Yankee game the other day with Randy from PA. He's a greeter at Wal*Marts, which is a pain because they've just changed his work hours to two-eleven. The change interferes with his real avocation - Bleacher Creature.
Randy is more a Creature trainee than an actual bonafide Creature; you have to work your way into the brotherhood over a number of years. But he has the fire - along with a tattoo on his arm telling the world who his favorite team is.
Randy also knows the fielding statistics of every Yankee going back to Greg Nettles. Everybody knows batting averages and home runs, he explained, but being able to cite Celereno Sanchez's error rate on bunt attempts separates the men from the boys - or the Creatures from the wannabes.*
Me, I'm just sitting up in tier these days.
Excuse me, the Grandstands.
* Clereno had 14 errors in 71 games in 1974 . . . not going to cut it if you hit under .250. Great baseball name, though.
Dealing with pirates (2) . . .
Originally, I had several posts critiquing the early stages of the operation, but I've been persuaded that doing so may provide some clues to those wishing to harm others in the future.
Frankly, I don't think many pirates are going to be checking this blog out for clues on what to do, but in the one in a gazillion-billion chance that something I say might actually help anyone on the wrong side, they've all been deleted.
I do expect we'll be better prepared next time.
Just about everyone is now saying that we should go ashore and deal with the situation there. While that is certainly one way to do it - and maybe should be part of an overall solution - we can do a hell of a lot more at sea than we're doing now. As I said the other day, simply changing the rules of engagement and the tactics they imply is an important first step.
The shipping companies and the firms that insure them bear some responsibility in this mess. From their point of view, it's cheaper and safer to play pirate roulette for thirty grand or so a passage, than risk arming the crews and taking other steps to deal with the problem. Obviously their cost-benefit analysis can't calculate the loss of life, which is where this will eventually lead.
And did anyone notice that the pirate was smiling when he was brought to NY the other morning?
Originally, I had several posts critiquing the early stages of the operation, but I've been persuaded that doing so may provide some clues to those wishing to harm others in the future.
Frankly, I don't think many pirates are going to be checking this blog out for clues on what to do, but in the one in a gazillion-billion chance that something I say might actually help anyone on the wrong side, they've all been deleted.
I do expect we'll be better prepared next time.
Just about everyone is now saying that we should go ashore and deal with the situation there. While that is certainly one way to do it - and maybe should be part of an overall solution - we can do a hell of a lot more at sea than we're doing now. As I said the other day, simply changing the rules of engagement and the tactics they imply is an important first step.
The shipping companies and the firms that insure them bear some responsibility in this mess. From their point of view, it's cheaper and safer to play pirate roulette for thirty grand or so a passage, than risk arming the crews and taking other steps to deal with the problem. Obviously their cost-benefit analysis can't calculate the loss of life, which is where this will eventually lead.
And did anyone notice that the pirate was smiling when he was brought to NY the other morning?
Dealing with pirates . . .
The SEALs did a hell of a job. The negotiator did a hell of a job.
But the truth is - we were not properly prepared for that situation. We were not, and are not yet, dealing with the problem in a realistic and imaginative way.
The rules of engagement that have been in place since the establishment of task force d0 not adequately cover the situation and can put people's lives in danger. The tasking is clearly not adequate, on many levels.
The circumstances won't line up like this next time.
The SEALs did a hell of a job. The negotiator did a hell of a job.
But the truth is - we were not properly prepared for that situation. We were not, and are not yet, dealing with the problem in a realistic and imaginative way.
The rules of engagement that have been in place since the establishment of task force d0 not adequately cover the situation and can put people's lives in danger. The tasking is clearly not adequate, on many levels.
The circumstances won't line up like this next time.
We celebrate Christ's Resurrection by pounding people with sticks . . .
MONROE — A New Jersey man, who state police said was traveling 101 miles per hour on Route 17 in the Town of Monroe on Thursday morning, was also found to be in possession of weapons and fireworks.
Troopers say Elefterios Chritis, 20, of Ridgefield, had several weapons in his car, including metal knuckles, knives and a baton. Troopers say they also found about $300 worth of fireworks.
Police said Chritis told them he was preparing for the Greek Orthodox Easter celebration.
He was arraigned in Monroe Village Court and released on $1,000 bail pending an appearance April 29.
Yankee Stadium impressions
So yeah, we're playing hooky and checking the new ball field out. First impressions:
The bat remains, ensconced in the bridge from Metro-North and the Degan parking lots. It probably won't be the best place to meet any more, though - a bit too far from the new Stadium. And it looks less like a bat and more like a monument surrounded by a steel staircase.
The parking lot configuration & traffic flow make even less sense than before. Obviously - most of the lots were set up for the old Stadium. Tough to judge anything yet, though, especially on day games. The distance to the far lots could work out, if the close-in lots empty quickly. Then again, the 'I don't know where I'm going but I'm going there anyway' and tourist factors will be increased exponentially this year.
Things you never saw outside the old stadium: A maintenance guy sweeping up cigarettes (and cigars) from the sidewalk.
They check your car for bombs at the "preferred customer" parking lots. The other ones - hey, we can afford to lose some of the rabble, no?
There are a lot more food places scattered around, not to mention the restaurants. This will take considerably more research, but preliminary recce showed that most stands are duplicates. Haven't found the sushi place yet. The Italian deli place may or may not have been replaced by a place selling Boar's Head sandwiches. (OK as far as they go, but ham and Swiss is no replacement for prosciutto and coppacolla*, w/provolone.
The good - there are a few more places to get bass ale. The bad - they still don't have it on draft.
The garlic fries are extremely greasy, as they should be.
But they ran out of vanilla soft-serve ice cream Friday.
Contrary to rumor, none of the thousands of flat screens added to the Stadium are in the restrooms. At least not in the men's. And there are still lines. The men's doesn't smell like twenty-year-old beer, but we'll give that time.
The center video screen is massive - but figuring out where balls and strikes are tracked is tricky. (On smaller boards by the foul poles.)
More research is needed here as well, but getting out of the Stadium is not easy at all. There were massive jams Friday, when the game wasn't decided until the ninth. We'll have to see how this goes, because it could be a major design flaw.
The place looks nice, open and modern. Does it have New York character . . . ??? But there are definitely characters - guitar man was in the stands. Didn't see Stan and his signs, though. Maybe he got sidetracked in the preferred customer parking lot.
Finding the perfect spot for cigar smoking will take quite a bit more work, but the low wall along 161st shows promise.
And finally:
The view from the cheap seats is a hell of a lot better when the Yankees win.
* Or as it is pronounced in NY, 'pro-shoot n gab-a-goal.'
So yeah, we're playing hooky and checking the new ball field out. First impressions:
The bat remains, ensconced in the bridge from Metro-North and the Degan parking lots. It probably won't be the best place to meet any more, though - a bit too far from the new Stadium. And it looks less like a bat and more like a monument surrounded by a steel staircase.
The parking lot configuration & traffic flow make even less sense than before. Obviously - most of the lots were set up for the old Stadium. Tough to judge anything yet, though, especially on day games. The distance to the far lots could work out, if the close-in lots empty quickly. Then again, the 'I don't know where I'm going but I'm going there anyway' and tourist factors will be increased exponentially this year.
Things you never saw outside the old stadium: A maintenance guy sweeping up cigarettes (and cigars) from the sidewalk.
They check your car for bombs at the "preferred customer" parking lots. The other ones - hey, we can afford to lose some of the rabble, no?
There are a lot more food places scattered around, not to mention the restaurants. This will take considerably more research, but preliminary recce showed that most stands are duplicates. Haven't found the sushi place yet. The Italian deli place may or may not have been replaced by a place selling Boar's Head sandwiches. (OK as far as they go, but ham and Swiss is no replacement for prosciutto and coppacolla*, w/provolone.
The good - there are a few more places to get bass ale. The bad - they still don't have it on draft.
The garlic fries are extremely greasy, as they should be.
But they ran out of vanilla soft-serve ice cream Friday.
Contrary to rumor, none of the thousands of flat screens added to the Stadium are in the restrooms. At least not in the men's. And there are still lines. The men's doesn't smell like twenty-year-old beer, but we'll give that time.
The center video screen is massive - but figuring out where balls and strikes are tracked is tricky. (On smaller boards by the foul poles.)
More research is needed here as well, but getting out of the Stadium is not easy at all. There were massive jams Friday, when the game wasn't decided until the ninth. We'll have to see how this goes, because it could be a major design flaw.
The place looks nice, open and modern. Does it have New York character . . . ??? But there are definitely characters - guitar man was in the stands. Didn't see Stan and his signs, though. Maybe he got sidetracked in the preferred customer parking lot.
Finding the perfect spot for cigar smoking will take quite a bit more work, but the low wall along 161st shows promise.
And finally:
The view from the cheap seats is a hell of a lot better when the Yankees win.
* Or as it is pronounced in NY, 'pro-shoot n gab-a-goal.'
Today's the day . . .
My own inside tips here.
(Side note to Gerry, et al - nothing personal guys. Right? . . . Right????)
My own inside tips here.
(Side note to Gerry, et al - nothing personal guys. Right? . . . Right????)
Piracy as lunacy, and vice-versa
Listening to the Somalian pirates and supposed elders, you get the impression that they think piracy is a third-world entitlement program.
People in the marine industry seem to think that as well. As in this article, where they're fretting about pirates changing their business model.
You're all nuts.
Listening to the Somalian pirates and supposed elders, you get the impression that they think piracy is a third-world entitlement program.
People in the marine industry seem to think that as well. As in this article, where they're fretting about pirates changing their business model.
You're all nuts.
The real reason Apaches don't carry passengers
GARDENA, Calif. (AP) — A judge says a commercial helicopter pilot videotaped in a sex act while flying over San Diego committed gross negligence and cannot have his license back.
National Transportation Safety Board administrative law Judge William R. Mullins upheld a Federal Aviation Administration order revoking the license of David Martz after a hearing Tuesday.
Martz had no comment after the ruling.
A passenger was videotaping when Martz let an adult film actress perform a sex act on him during the 2005 flight, and an edited version eventually became public.
Actually, you have to kind of admire the guy. A lot of hand-eye-foot-and-other coordination involved in this . . .
How you fall in love with a copy editor
And now, for the other copy edit . . . as good as the first was bad. . . .
It's not just that this editor knows the nuances of tense, or actually improves things when suggesting changes. In today's pages, there's a note in the manuscript citing the Chicago Manual of Style chapter and section supporting my word choice . . .
Wow.
And now, for the other copy edit . . . as good as the first was bad. . . .
It's not just that this editor knows the nuances of tense, or actually improves things when suggesting changes. In today's pages, there's a note in the manuscript citing the Chicago Manual of Style chapter and section supporting my word choice . . .
Wow.
Reality bites . . .
I hate it when reality catches up with a plot - especially when I'm it's in a book that hasn't been published yet.
This is from the Wall Street Journal:
I hate it when reality catches up with a plot - especially when I'm it's in a book that hasn't been published yet.
This is from the Wall Street Journal:
WASHINGTON -- Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.
The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.
Full story here; you may need a subscription to view it.
Admittedly, this has been somewhat common knowledge 'behind the scenes' for a while, but mainstream publication is kind of drag . . .
Ah well, not a major plot point, and I'm still working on the book. Just another excuse to revise, revise, revise . . .
Falcon down
A bird hit this two-seat F-16 on takeoff, trashing the engine. You can see the bird in the early frame.
Listen carefully and note the contrast between the calm trainee and the ultra-calm instructor. The instructor saw this as a learning opportunity . . . you can almost hear him thinking, Oh good, now for the advanced lesson . . .
The vid has been around for awhile. Someday I'll tell the story about my flight instructor and the barn. Part of how I got the nickname, The Rock.
And no, it wasn't meant as a compliment . . .
A bird hit this two-seat F-16 on takeoff, trashing the engine. You can see the bird in the early frame.
Listen carefully and note the contrast between the calm trainee and the ultra-calm instructor. The instructor saw this as a learning opportunity . . . you can almost hear him thinking, Oh good, now for the advanced lesson . . .
The vid has been around for awhile. Someday I'll tell the story about my flight instructor and the barn. Part of how I got the nickname, The Rock.
And no, it wasn't meant as a compliment . . .
Letter to the editor
The copy edit from hell goes back. Excerpt:
The copy edit from hell goes back. Excerpt:
. . . Finally, what is up with [copy editor]? If he's not making snotty remarks in his queries, he's rewriting the copy and screwing crap up. This is the second ms. in a row where he's gone over the wall. . . .
Remind him that I have access to heavy weapons and enjoy using them . . .
Copy editing - a matter of trust
While dealing with the copy edit from hell, a manuscript for another of my books arrived. This one, too, had been copy edited.
By a master. Or at least someone who understands the concept of past, present and future.
Which isn't to say there aren't queries, let alone copy editing, on the pages. There are plenty. But I trust this editor, whether I agree with her or not.
Copy editing isn't about rules; it's about judgment. A writer can only assess the copy editor's judgment from the way the questions are phrased, when they're asked, and the changes that are proposed. It takes only a few pages to decide whether you can trust the editor or not. If you can't . . . you're in edit hell.
STET - which means return to the original, or in the vernacular, stop fucking with my prose - is really a poor and very limited weapon. Even after you do that, you're faced with the question: What did the editor miss that I got wrong? Because you definitely got something wrong.
If you don't trust the editor, you no longer trust the manuscript.
Speaking of no longer trusting manuscripts, the review of the copy edit from hell continues.
I have a question I can't answer relating to my responses: Should FU be capped? What about WTF?
I may have to consult a copy editor . . .
While dealing with the copy edit from hell, a manuscript for another of my books arrived. This one, too, had been copy edited.
By a master. Or at least someone who understands the concept of past, present and future.
Which isn't to say there aren't queries, let alone copy editing, on the pages. There are plenty. But I trust this editor, whether I agree with her or not.
Copy editing isn't about rules; it's about judgment. A writer can only assess the copy editor's judgment from the way the questions are phrased, when they're asked, and the changes that are proposed. It takes only a few pages to decide whether you can trust the editor or not. If you can't . . . you're in edit hell.
STET - which means return to the original, or in the vernacular, stop fucking with my prose - is really a poor and very limited weapon. Even after you do that, you're faced with the question: What did the editor miss that I got wrong? Because you definitely got something wrong.
If you don't trust the editor, you no longer trust the manuscript.
Speaking of no longer trusting manuscripts, the review of the copy edit from hell continues.
I have a question I can't answer relating to my responses: Should FU be capped? What about WTF?
I may have to consult a copy editor . . .
Who says I can't have a little fun . . .
. . . at my own expense?
This is from the rejected trailer series for our latest Rogue Warrior; as you can tell if you watch the promo patch at the end, it was done before the book came out in the fall.
It never made it to full production; I guess you can see why.
Happy April Fool's - it takes one to know one . . .
. . . at my own expense?
This is from the rejected trailer series for our latest Rogue Warrior; as you can tell if you watch the promo patch at the end, it was done before the book came out in the fall.
It never made it to full production; I guess you can see why.
Happy April Fool's - it takes one to know one . . .
IBM - always on the cutting edge . . .
They do this so well, they want to patent it:
Full story here. Note that they dropped the patent application - not plans to outsource or help others do it.
IBM was once one of the best companies in the U.S. to work for. Now it's the leader in figuring out how to screw Americans, whether they're employees or simply taxpayers.
They do this so well, they want to patent it:
IBM drops patent application for out-sourcing
The same day the Times Herald-Record reported IBM had applied to patent a computerized system to help businesses outsource offshore jobs while maximizing government tax breaks, Big Blue did an about-face.
The application "was filed in error and will be withdrawn," IBM spokesman Steve Malkiewicz said Monday.
IBM's filing with the U.S. patent office describes a "method and system for strategic global resource sourcing," weighing such goals as "50 percent of resources in China by 2010" against such factors as labor costs, infrastructure and the "minimum head count to qualify for incentives."
Full story here. Note that they dropped the patent application - not plans to outsource or help others do it.
IBM was once one of the best companies in the U.S. to work for. Now it's the leader in figuring out how to screw Americans, whether they're employees or simply taxpayers.
Speaking of Deep Black
Why not a shameless plug?
Unfortunately, book one is difficult to find - unless you order the hardcover, which is actually a UK edition, though you can get it in the states.
You can order Jihad, which is one of my favorites, here.
Actually, they're all my favorite.
Why not a shameless plug?
Unfortunately, book one is difficult to find - unless you order the hardcover, which is actually a UK edition, though you can get it in the states.
You can order Jihad, which is one of my favorites, here.
Actually, they're all my favorite.
Deep Black in the news . . .
Item:
The story goes on to describe the high degree of control the educated virus has over the computers it infects. The Times story is here.
The operation is undoubted Chinese, though there are others around.
If you're looking for a partial description of how it works, check out the first Deep Black book I wrote.
After developing the series, it was always somewhat amusing to get notes from readers who thought the technology was pure fantasy.
Item:
Vast Spy System Loots Computers in 103 Countries
TORONTO — A vast electronic spying operation has infiltrated computers and has stolen documents from hundreds of government and private offices around the world, including those of the Dalai Lama, Canadian researchers have concluded.
The story goes on to describe the high degree of control the educated virus has over the computers it infects. The Times story is here.
The operation is undoubted Chinese, though there are others around.
If you're looking for a partial description of how it works, check out the first Deep Black book I wrote.
After developing the series, it was always somewhat amusing to get notes from readers who thought the technology was pure fantasy.
Planning for success
Overheard at the other end of the bar:
Writer One: We're having a big meeting on publicity and the launch for my new book next week.
Writer Two: Why bother? Publishers really have only two plans: A) Throw the book out there and hope it sells, B) Wonder why the hell they bought this book in the first place.
Writer One (taking a long hit from her drink): Maybe I'll get a good lunch out of it.
Overheard at the other end of the bar:
Writer One: We're having a big meeting on publicity and the launch for my new book next week.
Writer Two: Why bother? Publishers really have only two plans: A) Throw the book out there and hope it sells, B) Wonder why the hell they bought this book in the first place.
Writer One (taking a long hit from her drink): Maybe I'll get a good lunch out of it.
The bonuses are just a symbol
For all the so-called analysis replacing reporting on facts these days, there have been few if any stories that actually point out why the matter of bonuses for AIG, et al, are such a hot issue.
People are reacting to the vast difference in wealth the bonuses represent, and inequity in society and power. Much of that inequity was glossed over or unacknowledged during flush times, when it could be said - if not quite proven - that the vast amounts of money "awarded" to a small fraction of the population was due primarily to success in the marketplace, etc. But the recession - and dwindling balance sheets - has exploded that myth, showing pretty decisively that in most cases there's a rather large disconnect between reward and risk, reward and achievement, etc.
The anger shouldn't be particularly surprising. Anyone who follows baseball knows that the disgust at players' outsize salaries is pretty much a given. Ironically, at least in their case the connections between pay and achievement are pretty transparent - you can look up the batting average or see the home runs.
The question is, what happens to this anger? A really smart politician can channel into something extremely destructive: see Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.
I'm not smart enough to know what the solution is. Retroactively selective tax laws are a bad idea on too many levels to even consider. And socialistic wage ceilings are worse. Part of the answer is surely a moral attitude that acknowledges that greed is bad . . . but how that translates into the real world where us sinners live is an open question.
For all the so-called analysis replacing reporting on facts these days, there have been few if any stories that actually point out why the matter of bonuses for AIG, et al, are such a hot issue.
People are reacting to the vast difference in wealth the bonuses represent, and inequity in society and power. Much of that inequity was glossed over or unacknowledged during flush times, when it could be said - if not quite proven - that the vast amounts of money "awarded" to a small fraction of the population was due primarily to success in the marketplace, etc. But the recession - and dwindling balance sheets - has exploded that myth, showing pretty decisively that in most cases there's a rather large disconnect between reward and risk, reward and achievement, etc.
The anger shouldn't be particularly surprising. Anyone who follows baseball knows that the disgust at players' outsize salaries is pretty much a given. Ironically, at least in their case the connections between pay and achievement are pretty transparent - you can look up the batting average or see the home runs.
The question is, what happens to this anger? A really smart politician can channel into something extremely destructive: see Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.
I'm not smart enough to know what the solution is. Retroactively selective tax laws are a bad idea on too many levels to even consider. And socialistic wage ceilings are worse. Part of the answer is surely a moral attitude that acknowledges that greed is bad . . . but how that translates into the real world where us sinners live is an open question.
Copy edit hell
I got a manuscript back today that has been mauled - there's no other way to put it - by a copy editor from hell.
It's not the changes for no reason that piss me off - it's the words changed for no reason that change the sense and/or introduce errors that kill me. And so far, we're averaging three of those changes for every ten pages.
The question is - will I resort to physical violence before I finish reading the edit, or after?
I got a manuscript back today that has been mauled - there's no other way to put it - by a copy editor from hell.
It's not the changes for no reason that piss me off - it's the words changed for no reason that change the sense and/or introduce errors that kill me. And so far, we're averaging three of those changes for every ten pages.
The question is - will I resort to physical violence before I finish reading the edit, or after?
They get, all right . . .
Sometime during the next week, Goldman Sachs is going to make headlines by paying back the federal money it was loaned to help it through the financial meltdown. It'll be a supposedly feel good moment, with a lot of emphasis on the firm's financial health and how the taxpayers picked up a quick five percent interest on the dough.
There's a lot more to the story, though. Most importantly, the people who run Goldman don't want to function under the scrutiny of the public, and don't want to have to limit their pay to something less than obscene. (Thirty million for the boss seems pretty obscene to me.)
The attitude on all Street - and beyond - remains: we'll take whatever we can, until things sour, then you can rescue us. But if you want to impose rules that will keep us from screwing you in the future, you're shit out of luck.
They get it - and so do we. Unfortunately, what we get is the shaft.
Sometime during the next week, Goldman Sachs is going to make headlines by paying back the federal money it was loaned to help it through the financial meltdown. It'll be a supposedly feel good moment, with a lot of emphasis on the firm's financial health and how the taxpayers picked up a quick five percent interest on the dough.
There's a lot more to the story, though. Most importantly, the people who run Goldman don't want to function under the scrutiny of the public, and don't want to have to limit their pay to something less than obscene. (Thirty million for the boss seems pretty obscene to me.)
The attitude on all Street - and beyond - remains: we'll take whatever we can, until things sour, then you can rescue us. But if you want to impose rules that will keep us from screwing you in the future, you're shit out of luck.
They get it - and so do we. Unfortunately, what we get is the shaft.
Oh, those French
From the news:
If he doesn't shape up, they'll start drinking his least favorite wine . . .
From the news:
French protest by reading Nicolas Sarkozy's least favourite book
On the eve of national strikes, the French have found a new way to show their dislike of Nicolas Sarkozy: by reading a 17th century tale of thwarted love that the president has said he hates.
If he doesn't shape up, they'll start drinking his least favorite wine . . .
Another crock of crap
The IRS yesterday announced new "rules" which will allow victims of Ponzi schemes to immediately deduct nearly all of their losses this year.
They didn't say it was for Madoff victims, though that's pretty clear.
So basically, if you had tons of money but were exceptionally stupid/greedy/and foolish . . . you get a tax break. But if you only lost half your kid's college fund or retirement because the index fund in your 519 or 401k went down, you're shit out luck and have to play by the rules.
WTF?
Oh wait, the people who were screwed by Madoff weren't just stupid/greedy/and foolish -- they were also a hell of a lot richer than the middle class people who are depending on 401ks and the like to fund their retirement.
And forget about working stiffs who are lucky if their retirement plans include a few lottery tickets.
I'm not saying that victims of Madoff - and every other ripoff - don't deserve sympathy. And yes, I realize that the tax breaks will in no way compensate for the real loss of the money.
What I am saying is that changing the rules for them is just one more sign of the vast inequality that is the real heart of what's killing this country.
Two questions:
1) What right does the IRS - as opposed to congress - have to change the regulations?
2) Where's the "change"?
The IRS yesterday announced new "rules" which will allow victims of Ponzi schemes to immediately deduct nearly all of their losses this year.
They didn't say it was for Madoff victims, though that's pretty clear.
So basically, if you had tons of money but were exceptionally stupid/greedy/and foolish . . . you get a tax break. But if you only lost half your kid's college fund or retirement because the index fund in your 519 or 401k went down, you're shit out luck and have to play by the rules.
WTF?
Oh wait, the people who were screwed by Madoff weren't just stupid/greedy/and foolish -- they were also a hell of a lot richer than the middle class people who are depending on 401ks and the like to fund their retirement.
And forget about working stiffs who are lucky if their retirement plans include a few lottery tickets.
I'm not saying that victims of Madoff - and every other ripoff - don't deserve sympathy. And yes, I realize that the tax breaks will in no way compensate for the real loss of the money.
What I am saying is that changing the rules for them is just one more sign of the vast inequality that is the real heart of what's killing this country.
Two questions:
1) What right does the IRS - as opposed to congress - have to change the regulations?
2) Where's the "change"?
Of Starfighters and fiction
One of the difficulties for a fiction writer, especially in a thriller genre, is the constant need to come up with situations that are plausible if not entirely true to life.
Like getting Starfighters to Moscow ten years after the last one has flown.
The trick is not so much being able to bend reality or even being able to fig leaf a solution; the problem is more one of generating an emotion in the reader that allows you to get away with stretching the story. Because after all, a reader who wants to see a Starfighter in Moscow won't particularly care how you accomplished it.
This is a tricky thing to try to explain, even to editors, especially ones who either don't read the genre at all - and thus don't know the readers - or are deaf to emotional tones. (And yes, there are editors like that. In fact, you tend to run into the problem more with editors than readers, since the latter often self-select out and know what to expect. They also tend to be more forgiving.)
We're all deaf to some things, and we all draw the line on believability in different places, depending on what we know, what we think we know - and most importantly, how we feel.
How much a fig leaf do those Starfighters need? Probably depends on whether you've seen one rush by you in the night . . .
One of the difficulties for a fiction writer, especially in a thriller genre, is the constant need to come up with situations that are plausible if not entirely true to life.
Like getting Starfighters to Moscow ten years after the last one has flown.
The trick is not so much being able to bend reality or even being able to fig leaf a solution; the problem is more one of generating an emotion in the reader that allows you to get away with stretching the story. Because after all, a reader who wants to see a Starfighter in Moscow won't particularly care how you accomplished it.
This is a tricky thing to try to explain, even to editors, especially ones who either don't read the genre at all - and thus don't know the readers - or are deaf to emotional tones. (And yes, there are editors like that. In fact, you tend to run into the problem more with editors than readers, since the latter often self-select out and know what to expect. They also tend to be more forgiving.)
We're all deaf to some things, and we all draw the line on believability in different places, depending on what we know, what we think we know - and most importantly, how we feel.
How much a fig leaf do those Starfighters need? Probably depends on whether you've seen one rush by you in the night . . .
On newspapers . . .
I can't say it better than Dvorak . . .
http://nydailynews.pcmag.com/article/Newspaper+Publishers+Are+Idiots/238042_1.aspx
And they won't be published on paper, either, but that's another story . . .
I can't say it better than Dvorak . . .
http://nydailynews.pcmag.com/article/Newspaper+Publishers+Are+Idiots/238042_1.aspx
And they won't be published on paper, either, but that's another story . . .
The middle doesn't hold
I've avoided writing about the fiasco with my Yankee seats, since there's really no way to do it without sounding either spoiled or cranky, or both. My partners and I had great seats, now we don't.
We'll suck it up.
One thing about the process really bothers me, however. In attempting to maximize the $$ and heighten the experience for the rich, the new stadium segregates the well-heeled-and-hosed from the merely-raped rabble. What's galling is not so much the fact that seats which cost about sixty bucks last season - an outrageous price in itself -- are now going for $350 (and up). It's the advertising of the separate entrances and all the other crap that go with those special opportunities to be hosed.
I suppose I should just be my usual cynical self about it all, though it's a little harder to laugh at the fools paying that money when I suspect that they or their corporations got taxpayer handouts (which means I'm really paying the money, and they should be laughing). But the segregation is just one more reminder of what's happened not to Yankee Stadium, or even just New York, but the country in general. Money flexes its muscles as never before.
Ironic that we're in the middle of a depression?
Heh.
I've avoided writing about the fiasco with my Yankee seats, since there's really no way to do it without sounding either spoiled or cranky, or both. My partners and I had great seats, now we don't.
We'll suck it up.
One thing about the process really bothers me, however. In attempting to maximize the $$ and heighten the experience for the rich, the new stadium segregates the well-heeled-and-hosed from the merely-raped rabble. What's galling is not so much the fact that seats which cost about sixty bucks last season - an outrageous price in itself -- are now going for $350 (and up). It's the advertising of the separate entrances and all the other crap that go with those special opportunities to be hosed.
I suppose I should just be my usual cynical self about it all, though it's a little harder to laugh at the fools paying that money when I suspect that they or their corporations got taxpayer handouts (which means I'm really paying the money, and they should be laughing). But the segregation is just one more reminder of what's happened not to Yankee Stadium, or even just New York, but the country in general. Money flexes its muscles as never before.
Ironic that we're in the middle of a depression?
Heh.
Guilotine the m-f-ers
Supposedly, the administration tried to get them to reduce the bonuses but was persuaded that AIG was contractually obligated.
That's crap shit.
Time for Obama to man up. These people did damage to the world financial system that terrorists can't even dream of.
Try them for treason. Then cut their heads off.
A.I.G. to Pay $100 Million in Bonuses After Huge Bailout
WASHINGTON — Despite being bailed out with more than $170 billion from the Treasury and Federal Reserve, the American International Group is preparing to pay about $100 million in bonuses to executives in the same business unit that brought the company to the brink of collapse last year.
Supposedly, the administration tried to get them to reduce the bonuses but was persuaded that AIG was contractually obligated.
That's crap shit.
Time for Obama to man up. These people did damage to the world financial system that terrorists can't even dream of.
Try them for treason. Then cut their heads off.
China's navy
Why are we interested in China's submarine fleet?
The ballistic-missile carrying Jin Class - Type 094 - is one reason.
The Han Class (091) and its replacements are another.
True, most analysts still consider China mainly a regional naval power - but it's an awful big (and important) region, no?
Why are we interested in China's submarine fleet?
The ballistic-missile carrying Jin Class - Type 094 - is one reason.
The Han Class (091) and its replacements are another.
True, most analysts still consider China mainly a regional naval power - but it's an awful big (and important) region, no?
No man is an island . . .
But is he a country?
But is he a country?
DUI defendant claims that he's his own countryIf this defense works, there will be a boom in international lawyers . . .EASTON, Pa. (AP) -- A man accused of driving drunk said Pennsylvania courts have no jurisdiction over him because he's his own country. After seeing the paperwork that 44-year-old Scott Allan Witmer filed with the court claiming sovereignty, a Northampton County judge said Tuesday he cannot be released from jail until he gets a mental exam.
Witmer, who represented himself, said he believes police lack jurisdiction to pull him over. As he said in court: "I live inside myself, not in Pennsylvania." He said there is no victim in the crime and asked to go to trial.
Defense attorney James Connell, Witmer's standby counsel, said a challenge to the traffic stop would need to be filed as a pretrial motion.
Rocket science dreams
I spent part of the day talking to a rocket scientist for some background on a book I'm writing. Actually, I mostly listened while he talked . . .
I won't bore anyone with the technical stuff - I'll save that for the book - but one of the things that struck me was how relatively inexpensive space travel could become if some of his (and others') ideas are followed up on . . . for far less than we're spending on bailing out the car industry, we can get a dependable family of boosters on line, making possible things like an orbiting solar energy generator that would radically change the energy equation for years to come.
Among his many points was the difficulty of getting taxpayers to fund the programs. Basically, he believes it's doable if we capture people's imaginations with a dream - like a program to land men (and women) on Mars.
Doable within a decade?
Even before.
Maybe dreaming is the real solution to our current economic problems, and a lot else . . .
I spent part of the day talking to a rocket scientist for some background on a book I'm writing. Actually, I mostly listened while he talked . . .
I won't bore anyone with the technical stuff - I'll save that for the book - but one of the things that struck me was how relatively inexpensive space travel could become if some of his (and others') ideas are followed up on . . . for far less than we're spending on bailing out the car industry, we can get a dependable family of boosters on line, making possible things like an orbiting solar energy generator that would radically change the energy equation for years to come.
Among his many points was the difficulty of getting taxpayers to fund the programs. Basically, he believes it's doable if we capture people's imaginations with a dream - like a program to land men (and women) on Mars.
Doable within a decade?
Even before.
Maybe dreaming is the real solution to our current economic problems, and a lot else . . .
What the Chinese are up to
So why does the U.S. Navy have not one but (at least) two spy ships near Hainan Island?
Because it's a major port for Chinese submarines . . . which begs the question of what the Chinese are trying to hide.
Hint: they're said to have been working on expanding the base area recently.
So why does the U.S. Navy have not one but (at least) two spy ships near Hainan Island?
Because it's a major port for Chinese submarines . . . which begs the question of what the Chinese are trying to hide.
Hint: they're said to have been working on expanding the base area recently.
Le shelf-thing
Dogboy called the other night and got me on the cellphone in the car.
"How good's your French?" he asked.
"Ehhh..."
"Better than mine?"
"Oui."
"Can you come over? We're putting together this wooden shelf thing we got from Pottery Barn and the only instructions they sent are in French."
"Since when do you follow directions?" I asked, but he'd already hung up.
Curious to see Pottery Barn's Double-wide Collection up close, I headed up. When I got there, Dogboy was outside in front of the barbecue pit, roasting homemade Italian venison sausages.
Said barbecue pit consisting of a fifty-gallon drum, rusted to a fine sheen. Nice fire, though.
I had a couple sausages, then asked about the wooden shelf-thing.
"Ah, that's not a problem now," he told me.
"You got it up yourself?"
He glanced down at the fire. "It's all taken care of," he said.
Dogboy called the other night and got me on the cellphone in the car.
"How good's your French?" he asked.
"Ehhh..."
"Better than mine?"
"Oui."
"Can you come over? We're putting together this wooden shelf thing we got from Pottery Barn and the only instructions they sent are in French."
"Since when do you follow directions?" I asked, but he'd already hung up.
Curious to see Pottery Barn's Double-wide Collection up close, I headed up. When I got there, Dogboy was outside in front of the barbecue pit, roasting homemade Italian venison sausages.
Said barbecue pit consisting of a fifty-gallon drum, rusted to a fine sheen. Nice fire, though.
I had a couple sausages, then asked about the wooden shelf-thing.
"Ah, that's not a problem now," he told me.
"You got it up yourself?"
He glanced down at the fire. "It's all taken care of," he said.
Talk about air rage . . .
So the AP has a story that Ryanair* is considering putting pay toilets in its 737s.
Heh.
* Ryanair flies short-haul routes all throughout Europe. If you haven't flown it yet, you will . . . assuming you're in Europe.
So the AP has a story that Ryanair* is considering putting pay toilets in its 737s.
Heh.
* Ryanair flies short-haul routes all throughout Europe. If you haven't flown it yet, you will . . . assuming you're in Europe.
Man sports
Monday night's watch-wrestling night at Dogboy's so I went over to catch Raw. Five minutes before the show starts, someone mentions MMA (mixed martial arts), and there's a big debate about the various nuances - a difficult word to say after several beers. Then Old Mike (as opposed to Mike 2 and Biker Mike, whose name isn't Mike but is called Mike . . .) starts in on Ali-Frazier, because boxing is the only real man sport, except they don't box like that any more.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Tommy asked.
Everybody stared at him. He did the next beer run for penance.
Monday night's watch-wrestling night at Dogboy's so I went over to catch Raw. Five minutes before the show starts, someone mentions MMA (mixed martial arts), and there's a big debate about the various nuances - a difficult word to say after several beers. Then Old Mike (as opposed to Mike 2 and Biker Mike, whose name isn't Mike but is called Mike . . .) starts in on Ali-Frazier, because boxing is the only real man sport, except they don't box like that any more.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Tommy asked.
Everybody stared at him. He did the next beer run for penance.
Speaking of Rod Serling . . .
Most people realize that besides being the host of Twilight Zone, he was a gifted screenwriter. What they don't know is that he was also a decorated war hero who served in Pacific during World War II. He was a paratrooper and what they called a combat demolition specialist - the guy on the team who blows things up.
I sure wish my dream was a recurring one . . .
Most people realize that besides being the host of Twilight Zone, he was a gifted screenwriter. What they don't know is that he was also a decorated war hero who served in Pacific during World War II. He was a paratrooper and what they called a combat demolition specialist - the guy on the team who blows things up.
I sure wish my dream was a recurring one . . .
Iran and its nuke
Yesterday, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said that Iran has enough fissile material to build a nuclear weapon. A few hours later, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Iran isn't close to having a nuke.
So who's right?
Technically, both - but you have to suspect that Gates' timeline is very short. Just having the material doesn't mean you can use it for a bomb. But as far as we know, no country that has enough bomb material has stopped itself from going to the next step. There are certainly a host of technical difficulties involved in transforming the material into a bomb. But all of those difficulties have been overcome before.
One of the reasons that Gates says there's still time to stop the program is the fact that, if you're Iran, you're not going to test a weapon as soon as you have enough material for one bomb. You're going to make sure you have two or three - or five or six - just in case the rest of the world decides it doesn't like the results of your test.
Maybe my imagination just isn't very powerful, but I have a hard time seeing why Iran would abandon the program now.
Yesterday, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said that Iran has enough fissile material to build a nuclear weapon. A few hours later, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Iran isn't close to having a nuke.
So who's right?
Technically, both - but you have to suspect that Gates' timeline is very short. Just having the material doesn't mean you can use it for a bomb. But as far as we know, no country that has enough bomb material has stopped itself from going to the next step. There are certainly a host of technical difficulties involved in transforming the material into a bomb. But all of those difficulties have been overcome before.
One of the reasons that Gates says there's still time to stop the program is the fact that, if you're Iran, you're not going to test a weapon as soon as you have enough material for one bomb. You're going to make sure you have two or three - or five or six - just in case the rest of the world decides it doesn't like the results of your test.
Maybe my imagination just isn't very powerful, but I have a hard time seeing why Iran would abandon the program now.
Dreaming of Rod Serling
So I have this dream where Rod Serling stands at the foot of my bed and says, "It's not my fault your story didn't end right."
And it's so spooky I bolt upright in bed. I see Rod Serling standing there.
"It's not my fault your story sucked," he says.
Then I wake up, really wake up. And I'm relieved to see that he's not there.
But someone is walking down the hall toward the bedroom.
It's Rod Serling. He has a six-pack with him. It's a side of Rod Serling I never knew. He gives me a beer, then sits down at the edge of the bed and tells me how the story should end. It's brilliant. I thank him.
Then I wake up, and spend the rest of the day trying to remember what he told me.
So I have this dream where Rod Serling stands at the foot of my bed and says, "It's not my fault your story didn't end right."
And it's so spooky I bolt upright in bed. I see Rod Serling standing there.
"It's not my fault your story sucked," he says.
Then I wake up, really wake up. And I'm relieved to see that he's not there.
But someone is walking down the hall toward the bedroom.
It's Rod Serling. He has a six-pack with him. It's a side of Rod Serling I never knew. He gives me a beer, then sits down at the edge of the bed and tells me how the story should end. It's brilliant. I thank him.
Then I wake up, and spend the rest of the day trying to remember what he told me.
These things happen . . .
Note that it's not against the law to carry deer parts, or to be painted red . . . I was worried about that when I saw the headline.
PAINT-COVERED MAN FOUND WITH DEER PARTS
EAST FISHKILL — Covered in red paint and carrying the head and leg of a dead deer, a man roamed an interstate median Thursday, state police said.
A state trooper spotted 19-year-old Jesse Carlson of Hopewell Junction about 11:25 a.m. Thursday on a stretch of Interstate 84 in the Town of East Fishkill.
Police said Carlson couldn’t give a reasonable explanation for walking on the highway, being covered in the red paint or having the deer parts.
It’s against the law to walk on a controlled-access highway, so police arrested Carlson for that and added charges of disorderly conduct and possession of graffiti instruments.
He was issued an appearance ticket for a March 12 date in town court.
Note that it's not against the law to carry deer parts, or to be painted red . . . I was worried about that when I saw the headline.
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