I went to the library today for my usual weekly investigation of the New Books shelves, and found quite a few things of interest.
On the Wing, book two of Flying, a Trilogy, by Eric Kraft. The cover of this caught my eye, a classic 1950s illustration of man and wife in a convertible...except the car was up in the air along with a helicopter and an experimental single engine, single wing plane.
The dust jacket gives the plot:
In Taking Off, the first installment of Peter Kraft's beguiling trilogy, Peter Leroy built an aerocycle in his parent's garage, working from designs he found in Impractical Craftsman magazine. Cheered on by the gathered residents of his small Long Island community, Peter readied his contraption for the adventure of a lifetime, a solo cross-country flight to New Mexico and back.
Now Peter is ready to fly, and in On the Wing, he tells the hilarious tale of his journey across a mid-century America populated by eccentrics, crackerbarrel philosophers, and figments of the national imagination.
In small hops, mostly consisting of "taxiing" and "landing", he visits roadside attractions and unusual towns,...another where he is chased with pitchforks and shotguns by citizens still traumatized by Orson Welles "War of the Worlds."...
And in a parallel conteemporary journey undertaken with his wife, Albertine, the adult Peter revcisits his long-ago journey, navigating as Albertine drives a vintage automobile through a much-changed America, and misremembering every step of the way.
Other titles I picked up, which I'll get around to describing tomorrow, are
Bright of the Sky, by Kay Kenyon, fantasy fiction
Little Tiny teeth, by Aaron Elkins (not sf or fantasy but mystery, but heck, I like Elkins and this is new, so....)
Under A Green sky: Global Warming, the Mass Extinctions of the Past and What they CAn Tell Us about the future
----one of at least three new books my library has recently acquired on global warming, the atmosphere, et al...
The Atomic Bazaar: The Rise of the Nuclear Poor, by William Langewiesche
and finally
Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons, by George Pendle (2005)
This last book illustrates the principle of serendipity. I'd just been writing an article on the book Rocket to the Morgue, a mystery novel from 1942 which has a character in it named Hugo Chantrelle who is actually based on John Whiteside Parsons. Of course Parsons' real "occult" activities are not mentioned in the fiction book.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Cast list for The Heart of Hark'un
This offering from BBC 7, first aired in 1991, must certainly be popular because I'm getting a great many hits from people searching the web for information on it. I'm assuming that these searchers are listening to it on BBC 7 and are searching for additional information.
If you're not listening to it, whoever you are, check it out at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
It's a 6 part fantasy serial, originally aired weekly, but BBC7 is airing it on a daily basis. You've got about 4 more days left to hear part 1, 5 to hear part 2, and so on.
It's a comedy drama, a complex plot with good characters, both male and female.
It's a lot of fun...so if you've never heard audio drama, give it a listen!
Apart from that, there's not a lot of info I can give about it, as I'm hearing it for the first time myself. The cast list isn't any help, because they just read the list of names without identifying who is playing who. But, for anyone who wants to know the cast list:
Francis Thompson
Trevor Peacock
Liz Whiting
Crawford Logan
Edward Kelsey
Melanie Hudson
Robert Portal
Nigel Carrington
Emma Fielding
John Church
Theresa Stetfield
If you're not listening to it, whoever you are, check it out at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
It's a 6 part fantasy serial, originally aired weekly, but BBC7 is airing it on a daily basis. You've got about 4 more days left to hear part 1, 5 to hear part 2, and so on.
It's a comedy drama, a complex plot with good characters, both male and female.
It's a lot of fun...so if you've never heard audio drama, give it a listen!
Apart from that, there's not a lot of info I can give about it, as I'm hearing it for the first time myself. The cast list isn't any help, because they just read the list of names without identifying who is playing who. But, for anyone who wants to know the cast list:
Francis Thompson
Trevor Peacock
Liz Whiting
Crawford Logan
Edward Kelsey
Melanie Hudson
Robert Portal
Nigel Carrington
Emma Fielding
John Church
Theresa Stetfield
Lava!
I was listening to Colin Cowherd in the Herd this morning as I drove to the store. Not quite sure if that's how his name is spelled but, close enough. It's a sports show. I may, or may not, have commented about him before...his delivery really gets on my nerves, because he'll say his main topic point - and then he'll illustrate it with a few examples. And in five minutes he's covered it all and could move on. But he does not move on. He reiterates his topic point, and then he repeats his examples, maybe throwing in a new one if the listener is lucky. Another 5-10 minutes gone. And then he does it again! And by this time I'm screaming at the radio - yes, I get it, I got it ten minutes ago, move on!
I discovered recently he's not the only radio sports guy who does this though. I think it was two evenings ago, when Barry Bonds* broke the home run record, that some guy was talking about it, mentioned it was the greatest sports moment he'd ever see and it could never happen again, and then he too spent 30 minutes repeating himself over and over and over again.
But that's not the purpose of this entry, I just felt like venting about it.
Today, on the Herd, Colin had someone else with him, whose name I didn't catch. Colin commented that there had been an earthquake in Los Angeles last night, and that it had registered at 4.5 or so on the Richter Scale. And this other guy had said that's why he'd never live in LA, he didn't want to see lava coming up from an earthquake.
And Colin razzed him, since "there's no lava in LA."
This is because, when you get earthquakes, you only get a lot of destructions of any buildings having been constructed, and perhaps a lot of steam from broken underground pipes in the area, but *usually* nothing else, because earthquakes on the east coast of the US are caused by shifting tectonic plates.
Lava, on the other hand, comes from volcanoes, which are nothing more than pipelines to the molten magma beneath the surface of the earth. And while seismic quakes are thought to signify the possibility of a volcanic eruption...it's not quite the same thing as what this guy seemed to think.
This guy surely must have had a college education, or at least he spoke as if he'd had an education (it's quite possible to be well-educated without ever having gone to college, as I am here to tell you), and yet he didn't know this fact.
Are the disaster movies to blame? Wasn't there a movie called Volcano with Tommy Lee Jones that took place in LA? (I confess I never saw it...I'm not in to disaster movies...)
It'd be interesting for someone to do a poll...who in LA thinks that if "the big one" comes and all of California slides off into the sea, lava will come pouring out of the drastic earth wounds that would result?
I discovered recently he's not the only radio sports guy who does this though. I think it was two evenings ago, when Barry Bonds* broke the home run record, that some guy was talking about it, mentioned it was the greatest sports moment he'd ever see and it could never happen again, and then he too spent 30 minutes repeating himself over and over and over again.
But that's not the purpose of this entry, I just felt like venting about it.
Today, on the Herd, Colin had someone else with him, whose name I didn't catch. Colin commented that there had been an earthquake in Los Angeles last night, and that it had registered at 4.5 or so on the Richter Scale. And this other guy had said that's why he'd never live in LA, he didn't want to see lava coming up from an earthquake.
And Colin razzed him, since "there's no lava in LA."
This is because, when you get earthquakes, you only get a lot of destructions of any buildings having been constructed, and perhaps a lot of steam from broken underground pipes in the area, but *usually* nothing else, because earthquakes on the east coast of the US are caused by shifting tectonic plates.
Lava, on the other hand, comes from volcanoes, which are nothing more than pipelines to the molten magma beneath the surface of the earth. And while seismic quakes are thought to signify the possibility of a volcanic eruption...it's not quite the same thing as what this guy seemed to think.
This guy surely must have had a college education, or at least he spoke as if he'd had an education (it's quite possible to be well-educated without ever having gone to college, as I am here to tell you), and yet he didn't know this fact.
Are the disaster movies to blame? Wasn't there a movie called Volcano with Tommy Lee Jones that took place in LA? (I confess I never saw it...I'm not in to disaster movies...)
It'd be interesting for someone to do a poll...who in LA thinks that if "the big one" comes and all of California slides off into the sea, lava will come pouring out of the drastic earth wounds that would result?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
4 Questions for Kim Baccellia - author of The Earrings of Ixtumea
The Thunder Child blog Daily Space is proud to host the virtual book tour of author Kim Baccellia, the author of The Earrings of Ixtumea, a fantasy novel for young adults published in July 2007, featuring a Latina heroine and an adventure into an alternate world where the culture of the Maya still flourishes. And check out her website at: http://www.kim-baccellia.com/
Check this out at Amazon
My questions are in bold.
1. Your book takes place in the parallel world of Ixtumea, which is modeled after the Maya civilization. Can you describe a bit about that civilization. (Where was it located, who were the rulers, how was it run, what roles did women have in the society, etc.) and how you modified it, if you did, to become Ixtumea. What did it feel like to be a "world builder."
I’ve always been fascinated with the ancient Mesoamerican civilization. When I did research I found out that my ancestors had a civilization that was more advanced than the conquistadores that invaded them. I cringe to think of all the history the invaders burned in order to civilize them.
I wanted to base my fantasy world in this country. The Mayans and even Incans are still shrouded in mystery. I found a book from a professor who based his thesis on the idea of the Incan khipu (knots) not being an abacus but instead a code to their history, culture, language. The Incans did this in order for their history to survive. Problem was once the Incans priests died out so did someone who could translate the code. I played around with this idea and use it as part of Lupe’s responsibility in Ixtumea.
I also liked the idea of a woman leader. I often wondered if our world be a lot better if we had a woman in power. Hence the idea of the Revered One and her maidens. I still have wise men but they have to report to the Revered One, who’s the one in power. Malvado is based on a male of our world who is sexist and didn’t like the idea of a woman being in charge.
Ixtumea would be located in lower Mexico/central America.
I did use some of Mexican myths and legends plus I wove throughout my story dichos-sayings that are similar to our proverbs. I modeled Concha after a modern date Malinche. I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t done a movie on her life yet.
The idea of the Spider Goddess was also based on Mexican mythology plus I admit I added some of my own ideas to her. I also wanted the spiders to be the ‘good’ ones. I was sick of how spiders were always portrayed as being bad.
2. Most young adult books have a "message" or "theme." For Earrings of Ixtumea it's that people should have knowledge of and be proud of their heritage. In your experience teaching Latinos (and others) in the LA county school district, are the youngsters so intent on "fitting in" that they do ignore or are ashamed of their culture?
I based this on experiences related to me from family members of my grandfather who’s mother, my great-grandmother, was Mexican. My grandfather was ashamed of his Mexican roots—most of his family was—to the point they tried changing her name to make it more “Spanish sounding”. They even said she was adopted by a Mexican couple. I later learned from Professor Ortega at Ca State Fullerton about the racism and prejudice against Latinos in California during the 1900’s. I even found out about the court case Mendez vs. Westminster school board, where a Latino couple fought to have their children go to a nearby school and not to the segregated ‘colored’ school. It made me wonder if my own grandfather was segregated during the Second World War based on his color.
Also in my classroom I found it disturbing how my six-year-old girls would color themselves blonde, blue-eyed, and fair skinned. Their idols at the time were Britney Spears and Xuxa from Brazil, a blonde, blue eyed TV star. Also the telenovelas had a lot of the blonde models and actresses.
I’m hoping with JLo, America Ferrera( I love how this actress shows it’s okay to be yourself), and a few others that there will be more Latino role models for youth to look up to.
3. In your initial draft, did you have the book outlined where you knew from beginning to end what you wanted to happen, or did the characters "come to life" and dictate changes to the story?
I used a character chart and listed down my character’s quirks and traits. I also used a classical 3 act structure from Greek dramatic works.
All of my characters came to life to me. Some more than others. Concha’s struggle with betraying her daughter to the man she loved haunted me. The one scene where Lupe finds out why her mother is the way she is refused to leave me. I remember crying when I wrote that scene. I left it in as I felt it was important.
4. The artwork on your site is done by Liz Jones. I'm confused as to whether she did your cover artwork as well. Regardless, how did the cover art come about? Did you say what you wanted - the temple, etc., and have the artist draw it, or did the artist read the book and then choose a dramatic moment to illustrate?
The cover art was done by the talented Michael Leadingham. He based the cover from one of my scenes when Teancum first takes Lupe to Ixtumea. I wanted the cover to show this. Liz Jones did the self portrait with characters from both of my books. I had her put in my own bisabuela looking down on me from the spider web, guiding me in my own search of my heritage.
Thank you, Kim, for answering my questions. The next stop on Kim's virtual blog tour is at www.plugyourbook.blogspot.com/ on August 9, 2007.
Check this out at Amazon
My questions are in bold.
1. Your book takes place in the parallel world of Ixtumea, which is modeled after the Maya civilization. Can you describe a bit about that civilization. (Where was it located, who were the rulers, how was it run, what roles did women have in the society, etc.) and how you modified it, if you did, to become Ixtumea. What did it feel like to be a "world builder."
I’ve always been fascinated with the ancient Mesoamerican civilization. When I did research I found out that my ancestors had a civilization that was more advanced than the conquistadores that invaded them. I cringe to think of all the history the invaders burned in order to civilize them.
I wanted to base my fantasy world in this country. The Mayans and even Incans are still shrouded in mystery. I found a book from a professor who based his thesis on the idea of the Incan khipu (knots) not being an abacus but instead a code to their history, culture, language. The Incans did this in order for their history to survive. Problem was once the Incans priests died out so did someone who could translate the code. I played around with this idea and use it as part of Lupe’s responsibility in Ixtumea.
I also liked the idea of a woman leader. I often wondered if our world be a lot better if we had a woman in power. Hence the idea of the Revered One and her maidens. I still have wise men but they have to report to the Revered One, who’s the one in power. Malvado is based on a male of our world who is sexist and didn’t like the idea of a woman being in charge.
Ixtumea would be located in lower Mexico/central America.
I did use some of Mexican myths and legends plus I wove throughout my story dichos-sayings that are similar to our proverbs. I modeled Concha after a modern date Malinche. I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t done a movie on her life yet.
The idea of the Spider Goddess was also based on Mexican mythology plus I admit I added some of my own ideas to her. I also wanted the spiders to be the ‘good’ ones. I was sick of how spiders were always portrayed as being bad.
2. Most young adult books have a "message" or "theme." For Earrings of Ixtumea it's that people should have knowledge of and be proud of their heritage. In your experience teaching Latinos (and others) in the LA county school district, are the youngsters so intent on "fitting in" that they do ignore or are ashamed of their culture?
I based this on experiences related to me from family members of my grandfather who’s mother, my great-grandmother, was Mexican. My grandfather was ashamed of his Mexican roots—most of his family was—to the point they tried changing her name to make it more “Spanish sounding”. They even said she was adopted by a Mexican couple. I later learned from Professor Ortega at Ca State Fullerton about the racism and prejudice against Latinos in California during the 1900’s. I even found out about the court case Mendez vs. Westminster school board, where a Latino couple fought to have their children go to a nearby school and not to the segregated ‘colored’ school. It made me wonder if my own grandfather was segregated during the Second World War based on his color.
Also in my classroom I found it disturbing how my six-year-old girls would color themselves blonde, blue-eyed, and fair skinned. Their idols at the time were Britney Spears and Xuxa from Brazil, a blonde, blue eyed TV star. Also the telenovelas had a lot of the blonde models and actresses.
I’m hoping with JLo, America Ferrera( I love how this actress shows it’s okay to be yourself), and a few others that there will be more Latino role models for youth to look up to.
3. In your initial draft, did you have the book outlined where you knew from beginning to end what you wanted to happen, or did the characters "come to life" and dictate changes to the story?
I used a character chart and listed down my character’s quirks and traits. I also used a classical 3 act structure from Greek dramatic works.
All of my characters came to life to me. Some more than others. Concha’s struggle with betraying her daughter to the man she loved haunted me. The one scene where Lupe finds out why her mother is the way she is refused to leave me. I remember crying when I wrote that scene. I left it in as I felt it was important.
4. The artwork on your site is done by Liz Jones. I'm confused as to whether she did your cover artwork as well. Regardless, how did the cover art come about? Did you say what you wanted - the temple, etc., and have the artist draw it, or did the artist read the book and then choose a dramatic moment to illustrate?
The cover art was done by the talented Michael Leadingham. He based the cover from one of my scenes when Teancum first takes Lupe to Ixtumea. I wanted the cover to show this. Liz Jones did the self portrait with characters from both of my books. I had her put in my own bisabuela looking down on me from the spider web, guiding me in my own search of my heritage.
Thank you, Kim, for answering my questions. The next stop on Kim's virtual blog tour is at www.plugyourbook.blogspot.com/ on August 9, 2007.
Faeries of Dreamdark
I've only read the first chapter of Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer, by Laini Taylor, but I think I'm going to enjoy it.
The overall premise is nothing new - in a war a long time ago, faeries imprisoned devils into silver bottles and cast them into the sea, now human beings are pulling up these bottles and uncorking them, letting the devils loose on the world once more. (Similar to the myth of Pandora's Box for a start, and several other stories including The Thirteen Ghosts of Scooby Doo, a personal favorite of mine since Vincent Price leant his voice to it!)
And now, an especially powerful Devil - Blackbringer - has been set free.
So while the starting point is a familiar one to anyone who reads fantasy - or horror, for that matter - it's where the author takes the concept, and how and why, that matters - because that's all new. Laini writes very well, her heroine, Magpie the faerie is appealing, and there's curiosity and a desire to know.
My review of the book will be appearing in a couple of days.
The overall premise is nothing new - in a war a long time ago, faeries imprisoned devils into silver bottles and cast them into the sea, now human beings are pulling up these bottles and uncorking them, letting the devils loose on the world once more. (Similar to the myth of Pandora's Box for a start, and several other stories including The Thirteen Ghosts of Scooby Doo, a personal favorite of mine since Vincent Price leant his voice to it!)
And now, an especially powerful Devil - Blackbringer - has been set free.
So while the starting point is a familiar one to anyone who reads fantasy - or horror, for that matter - it's where the author takes the concept, and how and why, that matters - because that's all new. Laini writes very well, her heroine, Magpie the faerie is appealing, and there's curiosity and a desire to know.
My review of the book will be appearing in a couple of days.
Monday, August 06, 2007
News about the Leap Backward - Quantum Leap Convention 2009
I received a Press Release from the Convention people today, and I share it below:
www.leapback2009.com
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT COMING ON SAM'S 54TH BIRTHDAY!
Mark your calendars for August 8th, 2007. For Sam Beckett's birthday, make sure to check the website for a long-awaited announcement! Hint: It's not about Scott Bakula. Not yet, anyway!
NOW ACCEPTING VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS
Wondering how you can help make the convention even better? Volunteer! We are looking for dedicated fans to help with everything from writing an hour-by-hour blog of convention events to simply handing out flyers at other conventions prior to 2009. Whether you’re going or not, there is something you can do to help! Please take a few moments to fill out the online application. We need YOU!
FAN FICTION CONTEST NOW OPEN
We’re happy to announce the opening of the LEAP BACK 2009 Fanfic Contest. As part of the festivities honoring the 20th anniversary of QL, we plan to produce a brand-new zine that will be available at the con. And obviously, we need stories to fill it. The story that the judges select as being the best will appear not only in the zine, but in the official program book, a copy of which will be given to all our guests and special honorees, including Don Bellisario, Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell and Deborah Pratt. The author of that story will also receive a framed certificate commemorating their selection as Grand Prize Winner and recognition during the onstage programming. We will also select a Second Prize and Third Prize winner, plus several “honorable mentions.” For complete guidelines, see our Events page, which is now open!
NEW FAN FILM TO PREMIERE AT CONVENTION
Award Winning Filmmaker Christopher Allen has announced the title of his company’s next film production, a fan based effort to re-launch the popular “Quantum Leap” television series that ran on NBC from 1989 to 1993. Allen will enlist a wide array of Indianapolis talent to help continue the story of Dr. Sam Beckett, who ironically is from a fictitious town in Indiana. Once completed, Allen hopes to use Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for to persuade the science fiction broadcasting networks to re-launch the popular franchise. “I hope that the story is what will ensure the film’s acceptance by the fans. It centers on Dr. Beckett’s journey to 1997, where he is presented with the likelihood of saving the life of Princess Diana.” Allen said. “That one possibility is something I believe everyone can identify with.” Allen went on to add. Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for will be a non-profit venture since the rights and ownership are not his. “I just want to re-launch the (Quantum Leap) series in some way or another. I don’t care about not making any money on this. It’s not about money... its about quality stories and characters people still care about to this very day. Above all else, it is ultimately for the fans.” Allen said. For more info and a teaser trailer, see our Events page!
PODCAST AT PROJECTQUANTUMLEAP.COM FEATURES MARYSE WORRALLO
Check us out at the Project Quantum Leap fan club - committee member and graphic designer Maryse Worrallo talks about the con during one of their new podcasts!
CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN'S MESSAGE TO LEAPERS
Committee member Carol Davis met with Claudia Christian (Play It Again, Seymour) recently at the Shore Leave 2007 Sci-fi Convention and got a short video of Claudia with a message for you! See it on our main page now! Also visit our Guest Stars page for more info on Claudia and all our guest stars.
DEAN STOCKWELL TO ATTEND 2009 CONVENTION
Dean Stockwell, who played Admiral Al Calavicci for all five seasons of Quantum Leap says he would love to attend the convention! His appearance (as for all our guests) is dependant on unforeseen future commitments and availability, but he has marked us on his calendar! If you've never had the chance to meet the man who could change clothes as often as the Imaging Chamber door opened, here's your chance! This will be the first Quantum Leap convention Dean has attended in 13 years and we hope it'll be the most memorable yet.
DEBORAH PRATT - CONVENTION ATTENDEE AND AUTHOR OF NEW BOOK TRILOGY, THE VISION QUEST
Deborah Pratt, co-executive producer, head writer, and actress on Quantum Leap has also marked us on her calendar for March of 2009! In a recent radio interview, she mentioned the convention and is excited to be a part of the QL fandom. Deborah also appeared as Troian Claridge in "A Portrait For Troian." Be sure to get your copy of Book One of The Vision Quest trilogy from the website today!
PAUL BROWN, CO-PRODUCER OF QUANTUM LEAP WILL ATTEND
On over 40 episodes, Paul Brown was either co-producer, writer, executive story editor, and/or director! With so much experience with Quantum Leap, he'll have some amazing stories to tell, we're sure. You don't want to miss him!
THE GUEST LIST LEAPS EVEN HIGHER IN NUMBERS
Along with the great talent above, 32 other guest stars have shown interest in attending the convention! They are listed below, and for more information on who they are please visit the official website. We also have musical composer Velton Ray Bunch who will share information and may even produce a little surprise for the convention-goers...
Also featuring:
(in alphabetical order)
Erika Amato - "Lee Harvey Oswald"
Vaughn Armstrong - "It's a Wonderful Leap"
Cynthia Bain - "Blind Faith"
Cliff Bemis - "A Hunting We Will Go"
K Callan - "The Americanization of Machiko"
La Reine Chabut - "What Price Gloria?" and "Shock Theater"
Claudia Christian - "Play It Again, Seymour"
Shae D'lyn - "Blood Moon"
Ken Foree - "Pool Hall Blues"
Stuart Fratkin - "Animal Frat"
Michael Gregory - "Star-Crossed"
Susan Griffiths - "Goodbye, Norma Jean"
NEW! James Harper - "Sea Bride"
Richard Herd - "Future Boy" and "Mirror Image"
NEW! Susan Isaacs - "Heart of a Champion" & "The Last Gunfighter"
John Kapelos - "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep"
Rob Labelle - "Temptation Eyes"
Beverly Leech - "Sea Bride"
Jarrett Lennon - "A Little Miracle"
Ernie Lively - "The Leap Home Part II: Vietnam"
DeLane Matthews - "Roberto!"
NEW! Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - "Memphis Melody"
NEW! David Newsom - "The Leap Home Parts I & II" (Sam's Brother, Tom Beckett!)
Natasha Pavlovich - "Lee Harvey Oswald"
Lisa Jane Persky - "Memphis Melody"
Daniel Roebuck - "The Play's The Thing"
Dr. Laura Schlessinger - "Roberto!"
Jane Sibbett - "A Hunting We Will Go"
Kevin Spirtas - "Camikazi Kid"
Jim Townsend - "Promised Land"
NEW! Rich Whiteside - "A Leap For Lisa" and "The Leap Home Part II: Vietnam"
OUR CHARITY - 'ONE LEAP - MANY HEARTS'
We're proud to be supporting The Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation! Every profit dollar earned through the convention sales will be donated to this fantastic organization devoted to making the lives of children with illnesses brighter every day. Even if you can't attend the convention, we hope you'll support Starlight Starbright in your own way through volunteer work or financial donations. Please take a look at our page for this worthwhile charity to see how you can help and how you will be helping just by purchasing your ticket to The Leap Back 2009 Quantum Leap Convention!
SUPPORT TLB2009 BY BOOKING ALL TRAVEL THROUGH US UNTIL 2009
We're now partnered with Expedia.com to bring you the best value for your travel needs. From now until the convention, use any expedia.com banner on our site to book your travel arrangements and the convention will receive financial assistance! You must use the banners on the website for the con to receive credit.
CONVENTION FORUM AT AL'S PLACE QL FAN SITE
Join other con-goers in related discussions on our forums. Find a roommate for the convention to reduce your travel costs, suggest events for the con weekend, chat with the committee and more! Discuss news and meet lots of friendly leapers just like you.
FAQ PAGE UPDATED
Have a question but a little shy or don't have time to get involved on the forum? Look no further! Unlike the episode Mirror Image, most of your questions will be answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON NOW?
Right now we are still tracking down phone numbers and addresses for many more guest stars of Quantum Leap! We're staying in touch with Scott Bakula's agent and working on making sure Scott will be able to attend. We are nearly done working to get our non-profit corporation status set up so that we can open ticket sales and we're still in the negotiations stage with the possible venue at which we'll be holding the convention. We're also in the process of looking for individuals with original QL props that they will allow us to display at the con, so if you know someone please have them contact us.
Stay tuned to the website for the latest news and we'll leap back periodically as more news becomes available.
Thank you, leapers!
Carol Davis, Brian Greene, Emma Fee, Maryse Worrallo, and Judy Ascenzi
The Leap Back 2009 Convention Committee
http://www.leapback2009.com/
www.leapback2009.com
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT COMING ON SAM'S 54TH BIRTHDAY!
Mark your calendars for August 8th, 2007. For Sam Beckett's birthday, make sure to check the website for a long-awaited announcement! Hint: It's not about Scott Bakula. Not yet, anyway!
NOW ACCEPTING VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS
Wondering how you can help make the convention even better? Volunteer! We are looking for dedicated fans to help with everything from writing an hour-by-hour blog of convention events to simply handing out flyers at other conventions prior to 2009. Whether you’re going or not, there is something you can do to help! Please take a few moments to fill out the online application. We need YOU!
FAN FICTION CONTEST NOW OPEN
We’re happy to announce the opening of the LEAP BACK 2009 Fanfic Contest. As part of the festivities honoring the 20th anniversary of QL, we plan to produce a brand-new zine that will be available at the con. And obviously, we need stories to fill it. The story that the judges select as being the best will appear not only in the zine, but in the official program book, a copy of which will be given to all our guests and special honorees, including Don Bellisario, Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell and Deborah Pratt. The author of that story will also receive a framed certificate commemorating their selection as Grand Prize Winner and recognition during the onstage programming. We will also select a Second Prize and Third Prize winner, plus several “honorable mentions.” For complete guidelines, see our Events page, which is now open!
NEW FAN FILM TO PREMIERE AT CONVENTION
Award Winning Filmmaker Christopher Allen has announced the title of his company’s next film production, a fan based effort to re-launch the popular “Quantum Leap” television series that ran on NBC from 1989 to 1993. Allen will enlist a wide array of Indianapolis talent to help continue the story of Dr. Sam Beckett, who ironically is from a fictitious town in Indiana. Once completed, Allen hopes to use Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for to persuade the science fiction broadcasting networks to re-launch the popular franchise. “I hope that the story is what will ensure the film’s acceptance by the fans. It centers on Dr. Beckett’s journey to 1997, where he is presented with the likelihood of saving the life of Princess Diana.” Allen said. “That one possibility is something I believe everyone can identify with.” Allen went on to add. Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for will be a non-profit venture since the rights and ownership are not his. “I just want to re-launch the (Quantum Leap) series in some way or another. I don’t care about not making any money on this. It’s not about money... its about quality stories and characters people still care about to this very day. Above all else, it is ultimately for the fans.” Allen said. For more info and a teaser trailer, see our Events page!
PODCAST AT PROJECTQUANTUMLEAP.COM FEATURES MARYSE WORRALLO
Check us out at the Project Quantum Leap fan club - committee member and graphic designer Maryse Worrallo talks about the con during one of their new podcasts!
CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN'S MESSAGE TO LEAPERS
Committee member Carol Davis met with Claudia Christian (Play It Again, Seymour) recently at the Shore Leave 2007 Sci-fi Convention and got a short video of Claudia with a message for you! See it on our main page now! Also visit our Guest Stars page for more info on Claudia and all our guest stars.
DEAN STOCKWELL TO ATTEND 2009 CONVENTION
Dean Stockwell, who played Admiral Al Calavicci for all five seasons of Quantum Leap says he would love to attend the convention! His appearance (as for all our guests) is dependant on unforeseen future commitments and availability, but he has marked us on his calendar! If you've never had the chance to meet the man who could change clothes as often as the Imaging Chamber door opened, here's your chance! This will be the first Quantum Leap convention Dean has attended in 13 years and we hope it'll be the most memorable yet.
DEBORAH PRATT - CONVENTION ATTENDEE AND AUTHOR OF NEW BOOK TRILOGY, THE VISION QUEST
Deborah Pratt, co-executive producer, head writer, and actress on Quantum Leap has also marked us on her calendar for March of 2009! In a recent radio interview, she mentioned the convention and is excited to be a part of the QL fandom. Deborah also appeared as Troian Claridge in "A Portrait For Troian." Be sure to get your copy of Book One of The Vision Quest trilogy from the website today!
PAUL BROWN, CO-PRODUCER OF QUANTUM LEAP WILL ATTEND
On over 40 episodes, Paul Brown was either co-producer, writer, executive story editor, and/or director! With so much experience with Quantum Leap, he'll have some amazing stories to tell, we're sure. You don't want to miss him!
THE GUEST LIST LEAPS EVEN HIGHER IN NUMBERS
Along with the great talent above, 32 other guest stars have shown interest in attending the convention! They are listed below, and for more information on who they are please visit the official website. We also have musical composer Velton Ray Bunch who will share information and may even produce a little surprise for the convention-goers...
Also featuring:
(in alphabetical order)
Erika Amato - "Lee Harvey Oswald"
Vaughn Armstrong - "It's a Wonderful Leap"
Cynthia Bain - "Blind Faith"
Cliff Bemis - "A Hunting We Will Go"
K Callan - "The Americanization of Machiko"
La Reine Chabut - "What Price Gloria?" and "Shock Theater"
Claudia Christian - "Play It Again, Seymour"
Shae D'lyn - "Blood Moon"
Ken Foree - "Pool Hall Blues"
Stuart Fratkin - "Animal Frat"
Michael Gregory - "Star-Crossed"
Susan Griffiths - "Goodbye, Norma Jean"
NEW! James Harper - "Sea Bride"
Richard Herd - "Future Boy" and "Mirror Image"
NEW! Susan Isaacs - "Heart of a Champion" & "The Last Gunfighter"
John Kapelos - "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep"
Rob Labelle - "Temptation Eyes"
Beverly Leech - "Sea Bride"
Jarrett Lennon - "A Little Miracle"
Ernie Lively - "The Leap Home Part II: Vietnam"
DeLane Matthews - "Roberto!"
NEW! Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - "Memphis Melody"
NEW! David Newsom - "The Leap Home Parts I & II" (Sam's Brother, Tom Beckett!)
Natasha Pavlovich - "Lee Harvey Oswald"
Lisa Jane Persky - "Memphis Melody"
Daniel Roebuck - "The Play's The Thing"
Dr. Laura Schlessinger - "Roberto!"
Jane Sibbett - "A Hunting We Will Go"
Kevin Spirtas - "Camikazi Kid"
Jim Townsend - "Promised Land"
NEW! Rich Whiteside - "A Leap For Lisa" and "The Leap Home Part II: Vietnam"
OUR CHARITY - 'ONE LEAP - MANY HEARTS'
We're proud to be supporting The Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation! Every profit dollar earned through the convention sales will be donated to this fantastic organization devoted to making the lives of children with illnesses brighter every day. Even if you can't attend the convention, we hope you'll support Starlight Starbright in your own way through volunteer work or financial donations. Please take a look at our page for this worthwhile charity to see how you can help and how you will be helping just by purchasing your ticket to The Leap Back 2009 Quantum Leap Convention!
SUPPORT TLB2009 BY BOOKING ALL TRAVEL THROUGH US UNTIL 2009
We're now partnered with Expedia.com to bring you the best value for your travel needs. From now until the convention, use any expedia.com banner on our site to book your travel arrangements and the convention will receive financial assistance! You must use the banners on the website for the con to receive credit.
CONVENTION FORUM AT AL'S PLACE QL FAN SITE
Join other con-goers in related discussions on our forums. Find a roommate for the convention to reduce your travel costs, suggest events for the con weekend, chat with the committee and more! Discuss news and meet lots of friendly leapers just like you.
FAQ PAGE UPDATED
Have a question but a little shy or don't have time to get involved on the forum? Look no further! Unlike the episode Mirror Image, most of your questions will be answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON NOW?
Right now we are still tracking down phone numbers and addresses for many more guest stars of Quantum Leap! We're staying in touch with Scott Bakula's agent and working on making sure Scott will be able to attend. We are nearly done working to get our non-profit corporation status set up so that we can open ticket sales and we're still in the negotiations stage with the possible venue at which we'll be holding the convention. We're also in the process of looking for individuals with original QL props that they will allow us to display at the con, so if you know someone please have them contact us.
Stay tuned to the website for the latest news and we'll leap back periodically as more news becomes available.
Thank you, leapers!
Carol Davis, Brian Greene, Emma Fee, Maryse Worrallo, and Judy Ascenzi
The Leap Back 2009 Convention Committee
http://www.leapback2009.com/
Heart of Hark'un
Starting at Monday in BBC Radio 7:
Heart of Hark'un
A fantasy adventure in which student sorcerer Arcos is sent on an investigation and ends up getting more than he bargained for. Episode 1 of 6.
Young sorcerer Arcos' routine assignment is proving more menacing than expected. Episode 2 of 6.
....the next 4 episode descriptions are the same as that for episode 2, so I won't bother repeating them. Eventually I'll have a summary of this program based on listening to it!
Heart of Hark'un
A fantasy adventure in which student sorcerer Arcos is sent on an investigation and ends up getting more than he bargained for. Episode 1 of 6.
Young sorcerer Arcos' routine assignment is proving more menacing than expected. Episode 2 of 6.
....the next 4 episode descriptions are the same as that for episode 2, so I won't bother repeating them. Eventually I'll have a summary of this program based on listening to it!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Book: The Heart of Mars
I've just finished reading The Heart of Mars by Chuck Rosenthal and am about to write a review of it for The Thunder Child.
I enjoyed it for the most part, although it got a bit too metaphysical for me at the end.
After I finish that review I need to read and review Faeries of Dreamdark. I intend to have both reviews up on the site by the end of the day.
I enjoyed it for the most part, although it got a bit too metaphysical for me at the end.
After I finish that review I need to read and review Faeries of Dreamdark. I intend to have both reviews up on the site by the end of the day.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds
Way back in 1978, Englishman Jeff Wayne wrote a rock opera of HG Wells The War of the Worlds.
Almost 30 years later, the CD has been reissued, and the musical itself is now touring Europe.
I asked Steve Vertlieb to review the CD. He was not impressed.
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds
In other news, I've changed the navigation bar at The Thunder Child to give it a more "science fiction" feel. I think it enhances the look of the pages.
So check it out and let me know what you think!
Almost 30 years later, the CD has been reissued, and the musical itself is now touring Europe.
I asked Steve Vertlieb to review the CD. He was not impressed.
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds
In other news, I've changed the navigation bar at The Thunder Child to give it a more "science fiction" feel. I think it enhances the look of the pages.
So check it out and let me know what you think!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Books for Wednesday
I paid my weekly visit to the library today, and came away with the following books:
Jules Verne: The Meteor Hunt.
The first English translation of Verne's original manuscript, translated and edited by Frederick Paul Walter and Walter James Miller
Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Biirds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere
by Peter D. Ward
An Ocean of Air: Why the Wind blows and other mysteries of the atmosphere
by Gabrielle Walker
Jules Verne: The Meteor Hunt.
The first English translation of Verne's original manuscript, translated and edited by Frederick Paul Walter and Walter James Miller
Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Biirds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere
by Peter D. Ward
An Ocean of Air: Why the Wind blows and other mysteries of the atmosphere
by Gabrielle Walker
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Who is Delia Derbyshire?
Every Doctor Who fan should know her name, but most don't. Heck, I didn't even know it until yesterday, when I listened to a 45-minute radio play on BBC 7 called Blue Veils and Golden Sands, a fictional story of her life.
Delia Derbyshire was a composer, "a pioneer of electronic music who worked in the BBC Radiophonic Workshop for 10 years." Ron Grainger may have wrote the theme music to Doctor Who, but it was Delia Derbyshire who brought it to life.
Her story is rather a sad one, but inspiring in a way. Make sure you listen to the play at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
And then check out her life:
http://www.delia-derbyshire.org/
Delia Derbyshire was a composer, "a pioneer of electronic music who worked in the BBC Radiophonic Workshop for 10 years." Ron Grainger may have wrote the theme music to Doctor Who, but it was Delia Derbyshire who brought it to life.
Her story is rather a sad one, but inspiring in a way. Make sure you listen to the play at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
And then check out her life:
http://www.delia-derbyshire.org/
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Ghost Galaxies by Piers Anthony
Starting Sunday, July 29:
Read by Stephen Hogan
The Ghost Galaxies
A sci-fi adventure by cult writer Piers Anthony. What happens to a galaxy when it dies? Episode 1 of 2.
Read by Stephen Hogan
The Ghost Galaxies
A sci-fi adventure by cult writer Piers Anthony. What happens to a galaxy when it dies? Episode 1 of 2.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf, and more
Part 2 of this comedy dialog at BBC 7 on Friday (so on for another 7 days):
Moths Ate My Dr Who Scarf
Toby Hadoke's journey as a Doctor Who obsessive continues. Will Doctor Who return to our screens and help Toby find happiness? Episode 2 of 2.
The official radio show of the popular American program Heroes starts on Saturday.
Heroes: The Official Radio Show
Analysis of the first episode of Heroes on BBC2, and a chance to give your thoughts and hear the insights of other fans. Episode 1 of 20.
I've been very remiss in the last few weeks in not updating Journey Into Space - or listening to it either, for that matter...
Journey into Space
The World in Peril: Jet and the crew race against time with threadbare resources to get their broadcast done. Episode 17 of 20.
Moths Ate My Dr Who Scarf
Toby Hadoke's journey as a Doctor Who obsessive continues. Will Doctor Who return to our screens and help Toby find happiness? Episode 2 of 2.
The official radio show of the popular American program Heroes starts on Saturday.
Heroes: The Official Radio Show
Analysis of the first episode of Heroes on BBC2, and a chance to give your thoughts and hear the insights of other fans. Episode 1 of 20.
I've been very remiss in the last few weeks in not updating Journey Into Space - or listening to it either, for that matter...
Journey into Space
The World in Peril: Jet and the crew race against time with threadbare resources to get their broadcast done. Episode 17 of 20.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Recovering...
I haven't been able to do *anything* in the last two days - I've been in bed sicker than a dog. Feeling 100% better today, but still not a lot of energy to do anything, so today will be a wasted day also.
Hopefully will be full of energy tomorrow and can get caught up on stuff for The Thunder Child.
Hopefully will be full of energy tomorrow and can get caught up on stuff for The Thunder Child.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Now on BBC 7.... again. Married (an alternate universe story)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/wednesday/
Married
Robin Lightfoot is grumpy yet happily single. Then he wakes up to discover he's in a parallel universe, with a wife and kids. Episode 1 of 6.
Robin Lightfoot has awoken in a parallel universe. Not only does he now have a wife and kids; he also has two half-brothers, both called Ian! Episode 2 of 6.
Married
Robin Lightfoot is grumpy yet happily single. Then he wakes up to discover he's in a parallel universe, with a wife and kids. Episode 1 of 6.
Robin Lightfoot has awoken in a parallel universe. Not only does he now have a wife and kids; he also has two half-brothers, both called Ian! Episode 2 of 6.
Monday, July 23, 2007
4 Questions for Kim Baccellia, author of The Earrings of Ixtumea
The Thunder Child blog Daily Space is proud to host the virtual book tour of author Kim Baccellia, the author of The Earrings of Ixtumea, a fantasy novel for young adults published in July 2007, featuring a Latina heroine and an adventure into an alternate world where the culture of the Maya still flourishes. And check out her website at: http://www.kim-baccellia.com/
Check this out at Amazon
My questions are in bold.
1. Your book takes place in the parallel world of Ixtumea, which is modeled after the Maya civilization. Can you describe a bit about that civilization. (Where was it located, who were the rulers, how was it run, what roles did women have in the society, etc.) and how you modified it, if you did, to become Ixtumea. What did it feel like to be a "world builder."
I’ve always been fascinated with the ancient Mesoamerican civilization. When I did research I found out that my ancestors had a civilization that was more advanced than the conquistadores that invaded them. I cringe to think of all the history the invaders burned in order to civilize them.
I wanted to base my fantasy world in this country. The Mayans and even Incans are still shrouded in mystery. I found a book from a professor who based his thesis on the idea of the Incan khipu (knots) not being an abacus but instead a code to their history, culture, language. The Incans did this in order for their history to survive. Problem was once the Incans priests died out so did someone who could translate the code. I played around with this idea and use it as part of Lupe’s responsibility in Ixtumea.
I also liked the idea of a woman leader. I often wondered if our world be a lot better if we had a woman in power. Hence the idea of the Revered One and her maidens. I still have wise men but they have to report to the Revered One, who’s the one in power. Malvado is based on a male of our world who is sexist and didn’t like the idea of a woman being in charge.
Ixtumea would be located in lower Mexico/central America.
I did use some of Mexican myths and legends plus I wove throughout my story dichos-sayings that are similar to our proverbs. I modeled Concha after a modern date Malinche. I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t done a movie on her life yet.
The idea of the Spider Goddess was also based on Mexican mythology plus I admit I added some of my own ideas to her. I also wanted the spiders to be the ‘good’ ones. I was sick of how spiders were always portrayed as being bad.
2. Most young adult books have a "message" or "theme." For Earrings of Ixtumea it's that people should have knowledge of and be proud of their heritage. In your experience teaching Latinos (and others) in the LA county school district, are the youngsters so intent on "fitting in" that they do ignore or are ashamed of their culture?
I based this on experiences related to me from family members of my grandfather who’s mother, my great-grandmother, was Mexican. My grandfather was ashamed of his Mexican roots—most of his family was—to the point they tried changing her name to make it more “Spanish sounding”. They even said she was adopted by a Mexican couple. I later learned from Professor Ortega at Ca State Fullerton about the racism and prejudice against Latinos in California during the 1900’s. I even found out about the court case Mendez vs. Westminster school board, where a Latino couple fought to have their children go to a nearby school and not to the segregated ‘colored’ school. It made me wonder if my own grandfather was segregated during the Second World War based on his color.
Also in my classroom I found it disturbing how my six-year-old girls would color themselves blonde, blue-eyed, and fair skinned. Their idols at the time were Britney Spears and Xuxa from Brazil, a blonde, blue eyed TV star. Also the telenovelas had a lot of the blonde models and actresses.
I’m hoping with JLo, America Ferrera( I love how this actress shows it’s okay to be yourself), and a few others that there will be more Latino role models for youth to look up to.
3. In your initial draft, did you have the book outlined where you knew from beginning to end what you wanted to happen, or did the characters "come to life" and dictate changes to the story?
I used a character chart and listed down my character’s quirks and traits. I also used a classical 3 act structure from Greek dramatic works.
All of my characters came to life to me. Some more than others. Concha’s struggle with betraying her daughter to the man she loved haunted me. The one scene where Lupe finds out why her mother is the way she is refused to leave me. I remember crying when I wrote that scene. I left it in as I felt it was important.
4. The artwork on your site is done by Liz Jones. I'm confused as to whether she did your cover artwork as well. Regardless, how did the cover art come about? Did you say what you wanted - the temple, etc., and have the artist draw it, or did the artist read the book and then choose a dramatic moment to illustrate?
The cover art was done by the talented Michael Leadingham. He based the cover from one of my scenes when Teancum first takes Lupe to Ixtumea. I wanted the cover to show this. Liz Jones did the self portrait with characters from both of my books. I had her put in my own bisabuela looking down on me from the spider web, guiding me in my own search of my heritage.
Thank you, Kim, for answering my questions. The next stop on Kim's virtual blog tour is at www.plugyourbook.blogspot.com/ on August 9, 2007.
Check this out at Amazon
My questions are in bold.
1. Your book takes place in the parallel world of Ixtumea, which is modeled after the Maya civilization. Can you describe a bit about that civilization. (Where was it located, who were the rulers, how was it run, what roles did women have in the society, etc.) and how you modified it, if you did, to become Ixtumea. What did it feel like to be a "world builder."
I’ve always been fascinated with the ancient Mesoamerican civilization. When I did research I found out that my ancestors had a civilization that was more advanced than the conquistadores that invaded them. I cringe to think of all the history the invaders burned in order to civilize them.
I wanted to base my fantasy world in this country. The Mayans and even Incans are still shrouded in mystery. I found a book from a professor who based his thesis on the idea of the Incan khipu (knots) not being an abacus but instead a code to their history, culture, language. The Incans did this in order for their history to survive. Problem was once the Incans priests died out so did someone who could translate the code. I played around with this idea and use it as part of Lupe’s responsibility in Ixtumea.
I also liked the idea of a woman leader. I often wondered if our world be a lot better if we had a woman in power. Hence the idea of the Revered One and her maidens. I still have wise men but they have to report to the Revered One, who’s the one in power. Malvado is based on a male of our world who is sexist and didn’t like the idea of a woman being in charge.
Ixtumea would be located in lower Mexico/central America.
I did use some of Mexican myths and legends plus I wove throughout my story dichos-sayings that are similar to our proverbs. I modeled Concha after a modern date Malinche. I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t done a movie on her life yet.
The idea of the Spider Goddess was also based on Mexican mythology plus I admit I added some of my own ideas to her. I also wanted the spiders to be the ‘good’ ones. I was sick of how spiders were always portrayed as being bad.
2. Most young adult books have a "message" or "theme." For Earrings of Ixtumea it's that people should have knowledge of and be proud of their heritage. In your experience teaching Latinos (and others) in the LA county school district, are the youngsters so intent on "fitting in" that they do ignore or are ashamed of their culture?
I based this on experiences related to me from family members of my grandfather who’s mother, my great-grandmother, was Mexican. My grandfather was ashamed of his Mexican roots—most of his family was—to the point they tried changing her name to make it more “Spanish sounding”. They even said she was adopted by a Mexican couple. I later learned from Professor Ortega at Ca State Fullerton about the racism and prejudice against Latinos in California during the 1900’s. I even found out about the court case Mendez vs. Westminster school board, where a Latino couple fought to have their children go to a nearby school and not to the segregated ‘colored’ school. It made me wonder if my own grandfather was segregated during the Second World War based on his color.
Also in my classroom I found it disturbing how my six-year-old girls would color themselves blonde, blue-eyed, and fair skinned. Their idols at the time were Britney Spears and Xuxa from Brazil, a blonde, blue eyed TV star. Also the telenovelas had a lot of the blonde models and actresses.
I’m hoping with JLo, America Ferrera( I love how this actress shows it’s okay to be yourself), and a few others that there will be more Latino role models for youth to look up to.
3. In your initial draft, did you have the book outlined where you knew from beginning to end what you wanted to happen, or did the characters "come to life" and dictate changes to the story?
I used a character chart and listed down my character’s quirks and traits. I also used a classical 3 act structure from Greek dramatic works.
All of my characters came to life to me. Some more than others. Concha’s struggle with betraying her daughter to the man she loved haunted me. The one scene where Lupe finds out why her mother is the way she is refused to leave me. I remember crying when I wrote that scene. I left it in as I felt it was important.
4. The artwork on your site is done by Liz Jones. I'm confused as to whether she did your cover artwork as well. Regardless, how did the cover art come about? Did you say what you wanted - the temple, etc., and have the artist draw it, or did the artist read the book and then choose a dramatic moment to illustrate?
The cover art was done by the talented Michael Leadingham. He based the cover from one of my scenes when Teancum first takes Lupe to Ixtumea. I wanted the cover to show this. Liz Jones did the self portrait with characters from both of my books. I had her put in my own bisabuela looking down on me from the spider web, guiding me in my own search of my heritage.
Thank you, Kim, for answering my questions. The next stop on Kim's virtual blog tour is at www.plugyourbook.blogspot.com/ on August 9, 2007.
Perelandra eps 1 - 18
Perelandra is the sequel by CS Lewis to Out of the Silent Planet. I've read Out of the Silent Planet, but not the next two volumes (concluding with That Hideous Strength) so I guess I'll give this a listen. Not a dramatisation but a reading.
Perelandra
On his way to Dr Ransom's, Lewis is beset by a sense of panic that is not dispelled by the sight greeting him on arrival. Episode 1 of 18.
Ransom explains that he is going on a mission to defend the planet Perelandra. He enlists Lewis to ensure his safe departure. Episode 2 of 18.
Ransom voyages to Perelandra, and lands in what appears to be a giant ocean dotted with floating islands where he takes shelter. Episode 3 of 18.
Ransom wakes on his island to see a human form, a woman, facing him from a neighbouring island. Episode 4 of 18.
Ransom swims to the other shore and discovers that the Green Lady is none other than Perelandra herself. Episode 5 of 18.
The Green Lady tells Ransom of Maleldil's decree: she cannot stay the night on the mountainous island known as the fixed land. Episode 6 of 18.
Perelandra
On his way to Dr Ransom's, Lewis is beset by a sense of panic that is not dispelled by the sight greeting him on arrival. Episode 1 of 18.
Ransom explains that he is going on a mission to defend the planet Perelandra. He enlists Lewis to ensure his safe departure. Episode 2 of 18.
Ransom voyages to Perelandra, and lands in what appears to be a giant ocean dotted with floating islands where he takes shelter. Episode 3 of 18.
Ransom wakes on his island to see a human form, a woman, facing him from a neighbouring island. Episode 4 of 18.
Ransom swims to the other shore and discovers that the Green Lady is none other than Perelandra herself. Episode 5 of 18.
The Green Lady tells Ransom of Maleldil's decree: she cannot stay the night on the mountainous island known as the fixed land. Episode 6 of 18.
Vincent Price and Peter Cushing together again
BBC Radio 7 will be airing Aliens of the Mind for the next 6 days. Stars Vincent Price and Peter Cushing
Aliens in the Mind
Island Genesis: For John Cornelius, an old friend's death is more than it seems. With Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Episode 1 of 6.
Hurried Exodus: Cornelius and Lark try to get Flora off the island of mutants. Starring Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Episode 2 of 6.
Unexpected Visitations: Vincent Price and Peter Cushing star. Curtis and Lock get more than they bargained for back in London. Episode 3 of 6.
Official Intercessions: Vincent Price and Peter Cushing star. How far will certain parties go to conceal Flora's presence? Episode 4 of 6.
Genetic Revelation: A colony of mutants exists in the heart of London, but the only person with powers to help in the crisis is murdered. Episode 5 of 6.
Final Tribulations: An MP finds out that he is a mutant being manipulated by an unidentified Controller. Episode 6 of 6.
Aliens in the Mind
Island Genesis: For John Cornelius, an old friend's death is more than it seems. With Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Episode 1 of 6.
Hurried Exodus: Cornelius and Lark try to get Flora off the island of mutants. Starring Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Episode 2 of 6.
Unexpected Visitations: Vincent Price and Peter Cushing star. Curtis and Lock get more than they bargained for back in London. Episode 3 of 6.
Official Intercessions: Vincent Price and Peter Cushing star. How far will certain parties go to conceal Flora's presence? Episode 4 of 6.
Genetic Revelation: A colony of mutants exists in the heart of London, but the only person with powers to help in the crisis is murdered. Episode 5 of 6.
Final Tribulations: An MP finds out that he is a mutant being manipulated by an unidentified Controller. Episode 6 of 6.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
The Transformers
I saw this movie today, in a theater that was at least half-full. Although I was familiar with the concept of The Transformers and had read a couple of reviews of the movie, as well as seeing the trailer, I'd never seen the cartoon or had any preconceived notions on how they should appear, etc.
So...it was enjoyable for the most part. Only one thing irritated me which I'll get to after I talk about the Fight Scenes
Fight Scenes
Some of the negative comments I heard about the movie was that the fight scenes were filmed from too close, so you couldn't see the action, and the action was happening too fast anyway. And while I was watching the movie I thought... this is actually the way it is in real life. For each individual person when they are in danger of their life time slows down for them, but for witnesses, everything happens so fast and frequently you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys...
So at the end while I had a hard time figuring out where all the Autobots had gone so that it was only Prime vs Megatron, I didn't really mind it.
What Really Irritates Me
Whenever I go see a movie, part of me is always examining it from a feminist point of view. So in the beginning we see the character of Mikeaela wearing the hip hugging "booty shorts" and the revealing shirt so that her belly button is exposed - the style of the day.
And the scene where she pops the hood of the car and is standing there leaning over and Shia's getting all hot and bothered...
And I'm thinking to myself... see young girls and teens...this is why you should bring this particular clothing style to a screeching halt. Because you are pandering to the young male who sees women not as women but merely as 'hos' who are there to turn him on and give him his sexual fantasies.
The scene where Sam kicks his male friend out of the car so that Mikeala can get in tells it all. "Bros before hos," the guy says, which tells us exactly where he puts women....and where a great many teens put women in real life. [Not that I think women should dress in a burkha and five layers of clothing and be ashamed of our bodies. I'm just saying flaunt 'em at home or on a date, not just for general consumption.)
Interestingly, I looked at the first 3 pages of the over 8 pages of messages about The Transformers at the Internet Movie Database, and only one thread was on how "hot" Megan Fox was... but after 3 pages of threads I just couldn't force myself to go any further back.
As for the ending where the two of them are making out on top of the sentient being that is Bumblebee... although perhaps as a robot he doesn't know making out from nothing...
So...it was enjoyable for the most part. Only one thing irritated me which I'll get to after I talk about the Fight Scenes
Fight Scenes
Some of the negative comments I heard about the movie was that the fight scenes were filmed from too close, so you couldn't see the action, and the action was happening too fast anyway. And while I was watching the movie I thought... this is actually the way it is in real life. For each individual person when they are in danger of their life time slows down for them, but for witnesses, everything happens so fast and frequently you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys...
So at the end while I had a hard time figuring out where all the Autobots had gone so that it was only Prime vs Megatron, I didn't really mind it.
What Really Irritates Me
Whenever I go see a movie, part of me is always examining it from a feminist point of view. So in the beginning we see the character of Mikeaela wearing the hip hugging "booty shorts" and the revealing shirt so that her belly button is exposed - the style of the day.
And the scene where she pops the hood of the car and is standing there leaning over and Shia's getting all hot and bothered...
And I'm thinking to myself... see young girls and teens...this is why you should bring this particular clothing style to a screeching halt. Because you are pandering to the young male who sees women not as women but merely as 'hos' who are there to turn him on and give him his sexual fantasies.
The scene where Sam kicks his male friend out of the car so that Mikeala can get in tells it all. "Bros before hos," the guy says, which tells us exactly where he puts women....and where a great many teens put women in real life. [Not that I think women should dress in a burkha and five layers of clothing and be ashamed of our bodies. I'm just saying flaunt 'em at home or on a date, not just for general consumption.)
Interestingly, I looked at the first 3 pages of the over 8 pages of messages about The Transformers at the Internet Movie Database, and only one thread was on how "hot" Megan Fox was... but after 3 pages of threads I just couldn't force myself to go any further back.
As for the ending where the two of them are making out on top of the sentient being that is Bumblebee... although perhaps as a robot he doesn't know making out from nothing...
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The new Bionic Woman
I was visiting TV.com, intending to add some info about The Robot Client, an episode of The Thin Man which featured Robby the Robot, when I saw a blurb for The Bionic Woman.
Now, if I remember correctly - and I do - the original Jaime Summers was an adventurous, single woman, and her accident took place during a parachute jump.
What does the 21st century Jaime Summers do?
"Jaime Sommers is a young woman working as bartender and raising her teenage sister, Becca. When she is hit by a car and seriously injured. Her only hope becomes an experimental and top secret procedure. But this salvation comes at a high price.
The series is produced by David Eick Productions in association with GEP Productions and NBC "
So we're sure to have the teenage angst of the teenage sister ...but as for the rest of Jaime's adventures...? And why does she have to be a bartender instead of the president of a corporation? How will she move through the rarified atmosphere of the business world/word of spies in disguise as a secret agent when her sole experience with people is as a bartender?
Not that bartenders can't be as well-educated as people with college diplomas working in high-paying jobs...anyone with a desire can self-educate themselves to that level - but it's just the fact that's she's a bartender instead of an athlete or something worthy of being a role model that annoys me.
Now, if I remember correctly - and I do - the original Jaime Summers was an adventurous, single woman, and her accident took place during a parachute jump.
What does the 21st century Jaime Summers do?
"Jaime Sommers is a young woman working as bartender and raising her teenage sister, Becca. When she is hit by a car and seriously injured. Her only hope becomes an experimental and top secret procedure. But this salvation comes at a high price.
The series is produced by David Eick Productions in association with GEP Productions and NBC "
So we're sure to have the teenage angst of the teenage sister ...but as for the rest of Jaime's adventures...? And why does she have to be a bartender instead of the president of a corporation? How will she move through the rarified atmosphere of the business world/word of spies in disguise as a secret agent when her sole experience with people is as a bartender?
Not that bartenders can't be as well-educated as people with college diplomas working in high-paying jobs...anyone with a desire can self-educate themselves to that level - but it's just the fact that's she's a bartender instead of an athlete or something worthy of being a role model that annoys me.
Friday, July 20, 2007
12.01 AM, July 21, 2007 Final Harry Potter party
The Final Harry Potter party
I went to my local Books-a-million at 11.30 pm to find the store open and a line serpentined around the entire store of people, from adults to children, waiting for 12.01 am. Many were in costume - both adults and children.
I went to my local Books-a-million at 11.30 pm to find the store open and a line serpentined around the entire store of people, from adults to children, waiting for 12.01 am. Many were in costume - both adults and children.
The News Stalker now ready
I've actually got about 10 movie press releases to put on the page, but the basic outline is ready, so check out:
thethunderchild.com/NewsFeeds">
which is the index page. Currently there is 1 news release for the Assimilation convention in September in Florida, and 4 CD releases.
Harry Potter fans will want to get their soundtrack CD of The Order of the Phoenix. Follow the link below to the press release which explains there is a new composer for the series, and there are links to Amazon.com from there.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Soundtrack, June 17, 2007
thethunderchild.com/NewsFeeds">
which is the index page. Currently there is 1 news release for the Assimilation convention in September in Florida, and 4 CD releases.
Harry Potter fans will want to get their soundtrack CD of The Order of the Phoenix. Follow the link below to the press release which explains there is a new composer for the series, and there are links to Amazon.com from there.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Soundtrack, June 17, 2007
Simon Bovey and Cold Blood, Martin Arlt and Mad Scientist
I've been getting a few hits on this blog for people searching for Cold Blood, which is an SF radio play written by Simon Bovey.
The Thunder Child interviewed Simon a few months ago, and the interview is here:
Simon Bovey
Don't forget to check out his website, and tell him you read about him at The Thunder Child!
New today is an interview with Martin Arlt, a real-life scientist who publishes the Mad Scientist fanzine. A fun read.
Martin Arlt
And again, visit his website to get the latest issue of Mad Scientist, and tell him you read about him at The Thunder Child!
The Thunder Child interviewed Simon a few months ago, and the interview is here:
Simon Bovey
Don't forget to check out his website, and tell him you read about him at The Thunder Child!
New today is an interview with Martin Arlt, a real-life scientist who publishes the Mad Scientist fanzine. A fun read.
Martin Arlt
And again, visit his website to get the latest issue of Mad Scientist, and tell him you read about him at The Thunder Child!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Harry Potter spoilers
First off, let me say that I haven't read anything but the first chapter of the first Harry Potter novel. (I've seen all the movies except Prisoner of Azkeban).
I'm 40, not 15, so I could care less who dies in the final book, whether it be Harry or anyone else. But, I can remember what it felt like to be 15, and how outraged I was when the second Star Wars movie ended in a cliffhanger and we had to wait a couople of years to see how Han Solo was rescued. (But then, I always preferred Han to Luke. I think everybody did.)
But, the publishers and JK Rowling have been fighting so hard to keep the details of the final book secret... and I just find myself wondering... why tell everyone that someone is going to "die" in this book, thus touching off a firestorm of curiosity and setting the spies in motion? Surely the series is so popular that it doesn't need this extra impetus?
And how profitable is this book going to be, considering that, from what I've read, every bookstore is being forced to sell it at a major discount to compete with online stores such as Amazon.
Again, not being a kid - and not even knowing any kids (goodness I love where I live!) - how hard can it be to not hear any spoilers until you've actually read the book. Are gangs of girls going around shouting out who dies at the top of their lungs? Or sending out text messages to all and sundry? (I really, really regret the invention of text messaging for high school kids - bad idea, and I hate to think of the parents' phone bills.)
Anyway, I predict a lot of lawsuits from the publishers over all the people who are posting "spoilers" and pirated copies of the book... indeed the intrigue behind all this is worthy of a book in itself.... I wonder if that's the idea?
I'm 40, not 15, so I could care less who dies in the final book, whether it be Harry or anyone else. But, I can remember what it felt like to be 15, and how outraged I was when the second Star Wars movie ended in a cliffhanger and we had to wait a couople of years to see how Han Solo was rescued. (But then, I always preferred Han to Luke. I think everybody did.)
But, the publishers and JK Rowling have been fighting so hard to keep the details of the final book secret... and I just find myself wondering... why tell everyone that someone is going to "die" in this book, thus touching off a firestorm of curiosity and setting the spies in motion? Surely the series is so popular that it doesn't need this extra impetus?
And how profitable is this book going to be, considering that, from what I've read, every bookstore is being forced to sell it at a major discount to compete with online stores such as Amazon.
Again, not being a kid - and not even knowing any kids (goodness I love where I live!) - how hard can it be to not hear any spoilers until you've actually read the book. Are gangs of girls going around shouting out who dies at the top of their lungs? Or sending out text messages to all and sundry? (I really, really regret the invention of text messaging for high school kids - bad idea, and I hate to think of the parents' phone bills.)
Anyway, I predict a lot of lawsuits from the publishers over all the people who are posting "spoilers" and pirated copies of the book... indeed the intrigue behind all this is worthy of a book in itself.... I wonder if that's the idea?
A vent about unprofessionalism...
A few weeks ago, I learned that some fanzine work by a Golden Age writer was going to be published in book form for the first time by a small press (one too small to even have its offerings on Amazon). I decided to ask for a review copy. I usually don't have any luck with review copies from these very small places, but I figured I'd just ask.
And as I expected, they said no. The book had been too expensive to produce to send out review copies. But, they told me, they'd sell it to me for 20 percent off.
Well, that was a start, but I decided to ask for 30 percent off, because after all, they would be getting free publicity out of it, and since it was an expensive book, it'd cost me more to buy it than I'd get back in advertising revenue from the page. But apart from wanting to review it, I also wanted to read it.
So, when they said no, sorry, 20 percent is as low as we can go, I said, okay, fine. I decided to let them do the math, and asked them what the total was that I should send them. THe email I got back said $29.
Well, I went to their website to try to figure out how to pay them - and it is one of the most amateurish publisher's sites I've ever seen. I hadn't been too impressed with the grammar and spelling abilities of the person I'd been dealing with (the wife of the owner, I believe) and the website reflected more of the same. And I was unable to find a Paypal address to send my discounted money to, as opposed to their shopping cart.
So, somewhat turned off by this, I let things slide for a week. Then I got an email from them saying they'd never received my payment, did I still want the book? I thought to myself... yes I want this book.... so I responded asking for their paypal email address.
And then I sent them the $29 which they had told me it would cost.
I got a rather brusque email back from them, giving the calculation and saying that I owed them $4 more.
I forwarded back to them the email I'd been sent saying that it would cost me $29.
Now, at this point, if they'd responded saying, "Yes, you were sent that, but it was an error by our clerical staff, and the total really is $32, sorry for the inconvenience" - I more than likely would have just sent the extra $4.
But that's not what they did. Instead I got a one sentence reply. "No problem, we'll refund your money."
And at that point they lost me. They obviously didn't want my business, let alone my review. So I sent back a one sentence email: "Please do."
And they did refund the money promptly, I'll say that for them.
But I find myself wondering why anyone who goes to their website and looks around, would even order anything from them...and if anyone has to deal with them...ditto.
Lesson in all this, if you want to be a publishing firm and you're not very good at English, make sure you surround yourself with people who are.
And don't annoy publishers of media - albeit ezines - that can help promote your books!
And as I expected, they said no. The book had been too expensive to produce to send out review copies. But, they told me, they'd sell it to me for 20 percent off.
Well, that was a start, but I decided to ask for 30 percent off, because after all, they would be getting free publicity out of it, and since it was an expensive book, it'd cost me more to buy it than I'd get back in advertising revenue from the page. But apart from wanting to review it, I also wanted to read it.
So, when they said no, sorry, 20 percent is as low as we can go, I said, okay, fine. I decided to let them do the math, and asked them what the total was that I should send them. THe email I got back said $29.
Well, I went to their website to try to figure out how to pay them - and it is one of the most amateurish publisher's sites I've ever seen. I hadn't been too impressed with the grammar and spelling abilities of the person I'd been dealing with (the wife of the owner, I believe) and the website reflected more of the same. And I was unable to find a Paypal address to send my discounted money to, as opposed to their shopping cart.
So, somewhat turned off by this, I let things slide for a week. Then I got an email from them saying they'd never received my payment, did I still want the book? I thought to myself... yes I want this book.... so I responded asking for their paypal email address.
And then I sent them the $29 which they had told me it would cost.
I got a rather brusque email back from them, giving the calculation and saying that I owed them $4 more.
I forwarded back to them the email I'd been sent saying that it would cost me $29.
Now, at this point, if they'd responded saying, "Yes, you were sent that, but it was an error by our clerical staff, and the total really is $32, sorry for the inconvenience" - I more than likely would have just sent the extra $4.
But that's not what they did. Instead I got a one sentence reply. "No problem, we'll refund your money."
And at that point they lost me. They obviously didn't want my business, let alone my review. So I sent back a one sentence email: "Please do."
And they did refund the money promptly, I'll say that for them.
But I find myself wondering why anyone who goes to their website and looks around, would even order anything from them...and if anyone has to deal with them...ditto.
Lesson in all this, if you want to be a publishing firm and you're not very good at English, make sure you surround yourself with people who are.
And don't annoy publishers of media - albeit ezines - that can help promote your books!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The News Stalker added to The Thunder Child
I get a lot of press releases, from CD companies promoting their new releases, to authors their new books, to conventions their latest gathering times.
And up until now I've been a bit remiss in sharing this vital info with my readers.
But all that's going to change.
I'm adding a new feature to The Thunder Child called The News Stalker (named in honor of Darren McGavin and his iconic reporter creation, Karl Kolchak) which will be an index page leading to all the press releases I receive.
So , in a sense, a bit lazy on my part, but actually it makes sense. I simply don't have the time to write an article about each press release I receive, so I will simply let the press releases themselves do the job - after all, that's what they're for!
I'll give the URL here when the section is ready.
And up until now I've been a bit remiss in sharing this vital info with my readers.
But all that's going to change.
I'm adding a new feature to The Thunder Child called The News Stalker (named in honor of Darren McGavin and his iconic reporter creation, Karl Kolchak) which will be an index page leading to all the press releases I receive.
So , in a sense, a bit lazy on my part, but actually it makes sense. I simply don't have the time to write an article about each press release I receive, so I will simply let the press releases themselves do the job - after all, that's what they're for!
I'll give the URL here when the section is ready.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Cold Blood returns to BBC Radio 7
BBC Radio 7 is an "oldies but goodies" digital radio station, and if you miss a program you only have to wait about 3 months before they run it again. Case in point, Simon Bovey's Cold Blood, starting Monday:
Cold Blood
Freezerville: It is 2015 and an Antarctic research station is settling down for another winter - but this will be a winter like no other. Episode 1 of 5.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
As far as Radio Spirits, the American website that plays American OTR, the Superman serial Red Widow will be playing each Wednesday for 3 more weeks. In August there are two X Minus One episodes scheduled:
Friday 8-3-07
Dimension X
Report on the Barnhouse Effect
Original Air Date - 4/22/1950
Tuesday 8-7-07
X Minus One
Lulu starring Jan Miner
Original Air Date - 10/31/1957
And a new Siperman serial, Superman vs Atom Man - on which the Kirk Alyn movie serial was based.
Wednesday, 8-8-07
Adventures of Superman
Chapter 1: Superman vs Atom Man
Original Air Date - 10/11/1945
Wednesday, 8-15-07
Adventures of Superman
Chapter 2: Superman versus Atom Man
Original Air Date - 10/12/1945
Cold Blood
Freezerville: It is 2015 and an Antarctic research station is settling down for another winter - but this will be a winter like no other. Episode 1 of 5.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
As far as Radio Spirits, the American website that plays American OTR, the Superman serial Red Widow will be playing each Wednesday for 3 more weeks. In August there are two X Minus One episodes scheduled:
Friday 8-3-07
Dimension X
Report on the Barnhouse Effect
Original Air Date - 4/22/1950
Tuesday 8-7-07
X Minus One
Lulu starring Jan Miner
Original Air Date - 10/31/1957
And a new Siperman serial, Superman vs Atom Man - on which the Kirk Alyn movie serial was based.
Wednesday, 8-8-07
Adventures of Superman
Chapter 1: Superman vs Atom Man
Original Air Date - 10/11/1945
Wednesday, 8-15-07
Adventures of Superman
Chapter 2: Superman versus Atom Man
Original Air Date - 10/12/1945
Monday, July 16, 2007
Marketing this blog
I've just joined a site called MyLot, which will present a feed of this blog to people there (if all works as I expect it to) and in order to do so I need to post the following:
myLot User Profile
And I have done so!
We'll see how this works...
myLot User Profile
And I have done so!
We'll see how this works...
Heinlein Centenary Continues at BBC Radio 7
Heinlein Centenary
Ordeal in Space: To mark the centenary of Robert A Heinlein's birth, a thrilling tale that delves into the psyche of a traumatised spaceman.
This starts today and will be online for the next 7 days.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/saturday/
Ordeal in Space: To mark the centenary of Robert A Heinlein's birth, a thrilling tale that delves into the psyche of a traumatised spaceman.
This starts today and will be online for the next 7 days.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/saturday/
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I've never read a Harry Potter book, but I've seen all the movies except Prisoner of Askaban (never saw it in a theater, saw a few snippets of it on TV once, enough to know the general plot, but not all the finer details, character interactions, etc.).
So, today I went to see the latest Potter movie, Order of the Phoenix.
The Potter series, more than any other series of movies, I think, requires that you see them in order, because otherwise you simply will not know what's going on. The cast of characters is so huge and only a few scenes are devoted to each one, and there's several references to prior events. (For example, the death of Digory - mentioned quite a bit in this movie but if you haven't seen Goblet of Fire, you won't know who they're talking about).
One thing also you'll see in these movies is that they are peopled with British stars who are not given a lot to do. They are in essence, cameos. [I soooo wanted to see much more of Jason Isaacs and Alan Rickman!) This is somethign you will never see in American movies.
The movie is very dark - there is very little comedy relief. Harry Potter continues to be treated poorly by his family, and because of rumors put about by Cornelius Fudge of the Ministry of Magic, most of the students of Hogwarts also look on him with distrust. Harry is angry... all the time... and initially spurns the help of friends Ron and Hermione, before realizing that everyone has to wokr together to defeat Voldemort.
One of the things I've always disliked in the Potter movies is that it is always the kids who save the day. The teachers - whether Maggie Smith or whoever - rarely contribute anything helpful to the problem, and usually dismiss it, so that the kids have had to band together in each movie to accomplish things *despite* the adults.
And that is the "indoctrination" that I think is bad, not the complaints of religious types that they're urging children to get involved in magic.
Frankly, I found the movie boring. But then, I'm not a young girl with a crush on Radcliffe, or a young boy wiht a crush on Hermione.
There's some interesting scenes for an Alan Rickman fan...although not nearly enough, and Jason Isaacs is sooo devastatingly ice-cold handsome...but again, not enough scenes!
And, I can't give away the end, but it's good. I bet the actors we're laughing as they were filming it as it looks silly without the special effects, but with the special effects.... looks good.
So, today I went to see the latest Potter movie, Order of the Phoenix.
The Potter series, more than any other series of movies, I think, requires that you see them in order, because otherwise you simply will not know what's going on. The cast of characters is so huge and only a few scenes are devoted to each one, and there's several references to prior events. (For example, the death of Digory - mentioned quite a bit in this movie but if you haven't seen Goblet of Fire, you won't know who they're talking about).
One thing also you'll see in these movies is that they are peopled with British stars who are not given a lot to do. They are in essence, cameos. [I soooo wanted to see much more of Jason Isaacs and Alan Rickman!) This is somethign you will never see in American movies.
The movie is very dark - there is very little comedy relief. Harry Potter continues to be treated poorly by his family, and because of rumors put about by Cornelius Fudge of the Ministry of Magic, most of the students of Hogwarts also look on him with distrust. Harry is angry... all the time... and initially spurns the help of friends Ron and Hermione, before realizing that everyone has to wokr together to defeat Voldemort.
One of the things I've always disliked in the Potter movies is that it is always the kids who save the day. The teachers - whether Maggie Smith or whoever - rarely contribute anything helpful to the problem, and usually dismiss it, so that the kids have had to band together in each movie to accomplish things *despite* the adults.
And that is the "indoctrination" that I think is bad, not the complaints of religious types that they're urging children to get involved in magic.
Frankly, I found the movie boring. But then, I'm not a young girl with a crush on Radcliffe, or a young boy wiht a crush on Hermione.
There's some interesting scenes for an Alan Rickman fan...although not nearly enough, and Jason Isaacs is sooo devastatingly ice-cold handsome...but again, not enough scenes!
And, I can't give away the end, but it's good. I bet the actors we're laughing as they were filming it as it looks silly without the special effects, but with the special effects.... looks good.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Discovery Stores closing
I'm about 2 months late with this news, but the Discovery Channel is closing is 103 stores and firing the 1,000 people who worked there.
Stores Closing
According to the article, the Discovery Channel is going to go public, so they have to "position themselves" to make a profit.
I think it's a revolting development, and shame on their CEO for the movie.
Stores Closing
According to the article, the Discovery Channel is going to go public, so they have to "position themselves" to make a profit.
I think it's a revolting development, and shame on their CEO for the movie.
Friday, July 13, 2007
"Hatshepsut was a fatty"
That's the scientific opinion of Egyptologist and paleopathologist Bob Brier, "one of the world's foremost experts on mummies."
The article doesn't show a photo of him, but I wonder if he's a Greek god himself, or if he sports a paunch?
The appearance of women - and men - of antiquity can't be judged by modern day standards. Japanese men had a bald fetish, for example (ever see paintings of samurai?) and Japanese women deliberately blacked their teeth. Then there's sumo wrestlers!
Being overweight in Egypt during the time of the pharoahs may well have been a sign of riches and opulence, for all that their monuments show them as slender.
Hathshepsut's Mummy reveals obesity
The article doesn't show a photo of him, but I wonder if he's a Greek god himself, or if he sports a paunch?
The appearance of women - and men - of antiquity can't be judged by modern day standards. Japanese men had a bald fetish, for example (ever see paintings of samurai?) and Japanese women deliberately blacked their teeth. Then there's sumo wrestlers!
Being overweight in Egypt during the time of the pharoahs may well have been a sign of riches and opulence, for all that their monuments show them as slender.
Hathshepsut's Mummy reveals obesity
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Ladybird Johnson and NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center Director Dr. Wernher von Braun presents Lady Bird Johnson with an inscribed hard hat during the First Lady's March 24, 1964, visit. While at the Marshall Center, Mrs. Johnson addressed the center' employees, toured facilities and witnessed test firings of a Saturn I first stage and an F-1 engine. Dr. von Braun is wearing a cowboy hat presented to him months earlier by Lyndon Johnson during a visit to the Johnson ranch in Texas.
(This photo is from NASA, and as a goverment organization is copyright free)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Sharks keep seagrass tidy!
I subscribe to several news headline fees for my google desktop, and one of them comes from Discover.
Today a headline read:
"Sharks keep seagrass tidy"
So I read it... and, no, sharks do NOT keep sea grass tidy. They pray on the dugong - which eat the seagrass. Because the dugong move around a great deal to avoid predation, they end up "mowing the lawn," keeping the seagrass tidy.
Sharks "indirectly" keep the seagrass tidy, but that's not the same thing.
The reason why I'm making such a big deal about this is that I really, really dislike misleading headlines. Misleading headlines are misinforming headlines. Someone reads the headline and doesn't have the time to read the article will still think to themselves, "sharks keep sea grass tidy. Who knew?"
So as regards sharks t hat's not a "bad" piece of information, but it's part of a trend of news distortion that could have far reaching implications.
Just as headlines that say, "90% of Americans think the President's an idiot." Then when you get to the fine print you see that they're talking about the views of 1000 Americans from a Democratic stronghold...
(And don't get me wrong. I'm not Republican or Democrat...I'm in despair over both parties. All politicians are crooks, and because *we* keep electing politicians who are crooks, and don't do anything to take them out of power, the USA is in big trouble...)
Today a headline read:
"Sharks keep seagrass tidy"
So I read it... and, no, sharks do NOT keep sea grass tidy. They pray on the dugong - which eat the seagrass. Because the dugong move around a great deal to avoid predation, they end up "mowing the lawn," keeping the seagrass tidy.
Sharks "indirectly" keep the seagrass tidy, but that's not the same thing.
The reason why I'm making such a big deal about this is that I really, really dislike misleading headlines. Misleading headlines are misinforming headlines. Someone reads the headline and doesn't have the time to read the article will still think to themselves, "sharks keep sea grass tidy. Who knew?"
So as regards sharks t hat's not a "bad" piece of information, but it's part of a trend of news distortion that could have far reaching implications.
Just as headlines that say, "90% of Americans think the President's an idiot." Then when you get to the fine print you see that they're talking about the views of 1000 Americans from a Democratic stronghold...
(And don't get me wrong. I'm not Republican or Democrat...I'm in despair over both parties. All politicians are crooks, and because *we* keep electing politicians who are crooks, and don't do anything to take them out of power, the USA is in big trouble...)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Mars Underground
http://www.themarsunderground.com/
This could be an interesting website, if it wasn't designed so weirdly - the navbar is at the bottom of the page.
Anyway, it's a DVD of a documentary chronicling Dr. Robert Zubrin (a maverick aerospace-engineer and author known as the "Christopher Columbus of Mars".) attempts to get a manned expedition to Mars under way.
This could be an interesting website, if it wasn't designed so weirdly - the navbar is at the bottom of the page.
Anyway, it's a DVD of a documentary chronicling Dr. Robert Zubrin (a maverick aerospace-engineer and author known as the "Christopher Columbus of Mars".) attempts to get a manned expedition to Mars under way.
Monday, July 09, 2007
New at The Thunder Child: Oceanography Headlines
Oceanography Headlines
Here I'll be collecting links to oceanography news as of July 9, 2007 and beyond, consisting of oceans, global warming stories, aquaculture, hurricane and weather forecasting, etc.
Tomorrow I hope to have the same thing started for space news.
Here I'll be collecting links to oceanography news as of July 9, 2007 and beyond, consisting of oceans, global warming stories, aquaculture, hurricane and weather forecasting, etc.
Tomorrow I hope to have the same thing started for space news.
Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein
Well, once again I can't enter a title for this blog entry. Weird. [I just went to the Blogger email group and everyone is having this problem. The fix is to put the mouse above the box...and it works. But totally weird...]
Anyway, for the next 6 days, Metheuselah's Children is being read at BBC 7.
They are also repeating Routemasters.
Paul Birchard reads Robert A Heinlein's sci-fi novel about a group of families who can live for several hundred years. Episode 1 of 6.
The Government begins a programme of mass arrests. Episode 2 of 6.
Lazarus Long leads the families into space. Episode 3 of 6.
The 100,000 members of the families settle into life on the New Frontiers. Episode 4 of 6.
A colonist enters the alien temple and returns a broken man. Episode 5 of 6.
Anyway, for the next 6 days, Metheuselah's Children is being read at BBC 7.
They are also repeating Routemasters.
Paul Birchard reads Robert A Heinlein's sci-fi novel about a group of families who can live for several hundred years. Episode 1 of 6.
The Government begins a programme of mass arrests. Episode 2 of 6.
Lazarus Long leads the families into space. Episode 3 of 6.
The 100,000 members of the families settle into life on the New Frontiers. Episode 4 of 6.
A colonist enters the alien temple and returns a broken man. Episode 5 of 6.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Heinlein Centenary - The Green Hills of Earth
Well, the old blogger software seems to be acting weird...it won't let me give a title to this post...
We'll see what happens after I try to save it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/saturday/
Now playing for the next 7 days:
Heinlein Centenary
The Green Hills of Earth: To mark the centenary of Robert A Heinlein's birth, a fantastic tale about Rhysling, the blind singer of the spaceways.
We'll see what happens after I try to save it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/saturday/
Now playing for the next 7 days:
Heinlein Centenary
The Green Hills of Earth: To mark the centenary of Robert A Heinlein's birth, a fantastic tale about Rhysling, the blind singer of the spaceways.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Blob Fest next weekend
I live only about 6 hours away from the theater where this is going to take place. There's a re-enactment of the scene where all the movie patrons run out of the theater, as well as other events going on.
But, I can't really justify being away for two days...
Nevertheless, in honor of the Blobfest, Steve Vertlieb wrote an article about The Blob for The Thunder Child.
BlobFest
But, I can't really justify being away for two days...
Nevertheless, in honor of the Blobfest, Steve Vertlieb wrote an article about The Blob for The Thunder Child.
BlobFest
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Volcano Seven
I've started a new website, Volcano Seven, dedicated to fictional organizations for world wide domination, such as SWORD from The Fiction Makers, THRUSH from Man from Uncle, SPECTRE from James Bond.
www.volcanoseven.com
I've got Google ads on the page, and I was horrified this morning to see all the ads were for "Blocking Child Porn" and "Preventing Sexual Abuse" and "Find a Date Here".
And I thought to myself, this site is about Volcanos, and secret agents, and battles to the death, why in the world am I getting such ads???
Then I went to my pages and looked at the header for eah page, which said: "dedicated to fictional organizations for world wide domination"
And it suddenly struck me that that word, "domination" might be triggering these kinky ads. (Not kinky in the sense that there was anything wrong with them, just in the fact that they didn't belong on my site!!)
So I've reworded the header for each page.
Now I have to wait four hours before the change goes into effect, to see if those ads disappear. I hope so, because they are NOT the kind of ads I want on what is to be a cheerful, nostalgia driven site!
Another problem that the name of one of the characters in the episode The Fiction Makers is called "Darling" and that might be triggering these ads to, I suppose. If I don't see a change in 4 hours I'll go in and substitute Amos Klein for Darling, but I hate having to censor my writing in this way...
(And I've also got to worry about the fact that since I've used those words in this blog entry, Google might pick them up and put these ads in my banner...which I don't want either! Ah, the perils of non-specific advertising...)
www.volcanoseven.com
I've got Google ads on the page, and I was horrified this morning to see all the ads were for "Blocking Child Porn" and "Preventing Sexual Abuse" and "Find a Date Here".
And I thought to myself, this site is about Volcanos, and secret agents, and battles to the death, why in the world am I getting such ads???
Then I went to my pages and looked at the header for eah page, which said: "dedicated to fictional organizations for world wide domination"
And it suddenly struck me that that word, "domination" might be triggering these kinky ads. (Not kinky in the sense that there was anything wrong with them, just in the fact that they didn't belong on my site!!)
So I've reworded the header for each page.
Now I have to wait four hours before the change goes into effect, to see if those ads disappear. I hope so, because they are NOT the kind of ads I want on what is to be a cheerful, nostalgia driven site!
Another problem that the name of one of the characters in the episode The Fiction Makers is called "Darling" and that might be triggering these ads to, I suppose. If I don't see a change in 4 hours I'll go in and substitute Amos Klein for Darling, but I hate having to censor my writing in this way...
(And I've also got to worry about the fact that since I've used those words in this blog entry, Google might pick them up and put these ads in my banner...which I don't want either! Ah, the perils of non-specific advertising...)
Monday, July 02, 2007
Ratatouille
I went to see this movie yesterday, and it was .... okay.
A rat named Remy who has a gift for tasting flavors of food, gets separated from his father, brother and the clan and is lost in Paris, until he finds the restaurant called Gusteau. There, he meets a hapless nebbish named Linguini, who can't cook - except with the help of Remy who hides under his hat and pulls his hair in order to control him like a puppet.
Various complications ensue from a jealous chef, and a malignant food critic, and family who expect to be fed for free.
The animation is marvelous, it's funny... but since my taste runs to more adventurous fare, I confess I was bored most of the time. I don't know what age group of children would like this... I would think it would be boring for kids under six or so...
But the animation is so good that it should be seen at least once - preferably at a matinee so you don't have to spend too much money on it.
A rat named Remy who has a gift for tasting flavors of food, gets separated from his father, brother and the clan and is lost in Paris, until he finds the restaurant called Gusteau. There, he meets a hapless nebbish named Linguini, who can't cook - except with the help of Remy who hides under his hat and pulls his hair in order to control him like a puppet.
Various complications ensue from a jealous chef, and a malignant food critic, and family who expect to be fed for free.
The animation is marvelous, it's funny... but since my taste runs to more adventurous fare, I confess I was bored most of the time. I don't know what age group of children would like this... I would think it would be boring for kids under six or so...
But the animation is so good that it should be seen at least once - preferably at a matinee so you don't have to spend too much money on it.
Monday, Jul 3 on BBC7 - FATHERLAND (alternate history)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
A chilling adaptation of Robert Harris' novel set in an imaginary Hitler-led post-war Germany. Episode 1 of 5.
A chilling adaptation of Robert Harris' novel set in an imaginary Hitler-led post-war Germany. Episode 1 of 5.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Seymour the fractal Cat
Seems like I must have missed the first episode of this, which apparently aired last Thursday. This has been aired before, so I'm surprised they're not just repeating it daily instead of once a week...
Fractal Infinity: Can Natalie and Michael save Jeremy? Will L.A.I.N. get its cyber-hands on Seymour? Will Michael get his hands on Natalie? Episode 2 of 5.
Fractal Infinity: Can Natalie and Michael save Jeremy? Will L.A.I.N. get its cyber-hands on Seymour? Will Michael get his hands on Natalie? Episode 2 of 5.
Red as Blood (Snow White revisited)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/friday/
Red as Blood
A dark study of the Snow White fantasy by Tanith Lee. The Queen sets out to rescue her stepdaughter from her sinister heritage.
Will be on the site for 7 more days.
Red as Blood
A dark study of the Snow White fantasy by Tanith Lee. The Queen sets out to rescue her stepdaughter from her sinister heritage.
Will be on the site for 7 more days.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Atomic Tales pt 1 - 6
BBC Radio 7 is repeating Atomic Tales for at least the third time in 12 months, I think... all these repeats are good or bad depending on your point of view... Deep Station Emerald will be repeated starting next week...
Atomic Tales is a spoof of classic American 1950s SF, not really from the States. Some of them are amusing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
Anyway, for this week:
Their Gaze Was Green: The first in a series of 'classic American 1950s sci-fi'. Episode 1 of 6.
And Mother Makes Millions: This episode paints a chilling portrait of a world without children. Episode 2 of 6.
I've Got Your Number: Krank has created a brilliant think piece where all of mankind has a unique number. But what if your number was copied? Episode 3 of 6.
Land of Plenty: On Mars, humanity lives on tinned food known as Magcans. But then the cans start to malfunction. Episode 4 of 6.
Unstoppable!: The tension continues in the sci-fi serial as a space train hurtles towards Earth. Episode 5 of 6.
Night of the Cicadas: The cicada is a friendly chirruping insect, but what if it grew to a vast size and hungered for human flesh? Episode 6 of 6.
Atomic Tales is a spoof of classic American 1950s SF, not really from the States. Some of them are amusing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/
Anyway, for this week:
Their Gaze Was Green: The first in a series of 'classic American 1950s sci-fi'. Episode 1 of 6.
And Mother Makes Millions: This episode paints a chilling portrait of a world without children. Episode 2 of 6.
I've Got Your Number: Krank has created a brilliant think piece where all of mankind has a unique number. But what if your number was copied? Episode 3 of 6.
Land of Plenty: On Mars, humanity lives on tinned food known as Magcans. But then the cans start to malfunction. Episode 4 of 6.
Unstoppable!: The tension continues in the sci-fi serial as a space train hurtles towards Earth. Episode 5 of 6.
Night of the Cicadas: The cicada is a friendly chirruping insect, but what if it grew to a vast size and hungered for human flesh? Episode 6 of 6.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Busy busy
I've been remiss in making entries in this blog for the last few days. Very busy doing things.... unfortunately not connected to The Thunder Child. Now, however, I hope to be able to get back to this on a full-time basis.
New at The Thunder Child, an overview of Gerry Anderson's Supermation work, including the spoof called Superthunderstingcar by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, and an interview with an agent, John Jarrold.
thethunderchild.com
New at The Thunder Child, an overview of Gerry Anderson's Supermation work, including the spoof called Superthunderstingcar by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, and an interview with an agent, John Jarrold.
thethunderchild.com
Monday, June 18, 2007
Filmmakers Fumble Fantastic Four
I saw this today, and I have to say I wasn't impressed. Oh, the special effects were fine, but the plot just left so many holes and ruined the classic Silver Surfer story.
Spoilers
The Surfer comes to earth. He sees it's a good planet for Galactus. Why doesn't he just send the signal and then leave? Why does he continue making those stupid craters - was that supposed to open up a way for Galactus to devour the planet? Not that he'd need to, because the only Galactus we see in this movie is a gigantic energy cloud who wouldn't need to do anything with those craters, surely?
Victor Von Doom has figured it out about the craters, and comes and talks to the Surfer. "Together we can rule the world." Does Victor Von Doom really, really think that someone like The Surfer would need him?
But of course that was just an excuse so the Surfer would hit him with a blast...which for some reason heals his scarred body... well, ya can't expect actor Julian McMahon to not be able to show his face.
Then there's Johnny Storm giving the Silver a bit of a burst at the end. As if the Silver Surfer needs any help at all getting up to speed.
And then there's the "destruction" of Galactus. How does the Surfer pull that off? If Galactus eats energy, how can a sudden burst of energy destroy him?
The problem is, of course, that in the comic books it was all talk. The Surfer asks the gigantic human-looking Galactus to spare the planet, Galactus says no... but the Watcher is there...and I think Reed has stolen a piece of machinery Galactus needs to survive...so Galactus dooms the Surfer to earth and leaves...
I'd've rather seen it that way!
Spoilers
The Surfer comes to earth. He sees it's a good planet for Galactus. Why doesn't he just send the signal and then leave? Why does he continue making those stupid craters - was that supposed to open up a way for Galactus to devour the planet? Not that he'd need to, because the only Galactus we see in this movie is a gigantic energy cloud who wouldn't need to do anything with those craters, surely?
Victor Von Doom has figured it out about the craters, and comes and talks to the Surfer. "Together we can rule the world." Does Victor Von Doom really, really think that someone like The Surfer would need him?
But of course that was just an excuse so the Surfer would hit him with a blast...which for some reason heals his scarred body... well, ya can't expect actor Julian McMahon to not be able to show his face.
Then there's Johnny Storm giving the Silver a bit of a burst at the end. As if the Silver Surfer needs any help at all getting up to speed.
And then there's the "destruction" of Galactus. How does the Surfer pull that off? If Galactus eats energy, how can a sudden burst of energy destroy him?
The problem is, of course, that in the comic books it was all talk. The Surfer asks the gigantic human-looking Galactus to spare the planet, Galactus says no... but the Watcher is there...and I think Reed has stolen a piece of machinery Galactus needs to survive...so Galactus dooms the Surfer to earth and leaves...
I'd've rather seen it that way!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
James Follett on BBC 7
Beginning on Saturday, June 9, and continuing for 7 days at BBC 7: (Sorry this is rather late, I accidently put it on my Mudville Megaphone blog)
Men, Martians and Machines
James Follett's journey through his writing career, including The Devil to Pay, The Man Who Invented Yesterday, and The Bionic Blob. Three hours.
---- I've listened to bits and pieces of this and I haven't yet heard those 3 shows, I've heard episodes of Earthsearch and The Destruction Factor... but he shares anecdotes between the episodes which are pretty interesting and which I will type up should I ever get the chance...
Men, Martians and Machines
James Follett's journey through his writing career, including The Devil to Pay, The Man Who Invented Yesterday, and The Bionic Blob. Three hours.
---- I've listened to bits and pieces of this and I haven't yet heard those 3 shows, I've heard episodes of Earthsearch and The Destruction Factor... but he shares anecdotes between the episodes which are pretty interesting and which I will type up should I ever get the chance...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
No IPower again...
Well, once again, about 30 days later, my website is down once more. Last time I think it happened because I tried to add a new domain pointer by myself and screwed something up, but this time it just "happened" and I am really getting annoyed with it.
The bad thing is that I've got three domains pointing to this website, so of course they are down as well. The other bad thing is I don't have time to do anything about it today.
I never did go about moving the domain from Ipower after the last debacle, and now of course I regret it. Once it's back up, if it ever comes back up - I'll move everythign toot sweet, (or tout suite, as the Frenchies say.)
Anyway, good SF on BBC Radio 7 during these 7 days, from PHilip K. DIck to James Follett, so check it out.
The bad thing is that I've got three domains pointing to this website, so of course they are down as well. The other bad thing is I don't have time to do anything about it today.
I never did go about moving the domain from Ipower after the last debacle, and now of course I regret it. Once it's back up, if it ever comes back up - I'll move everythign toot sweet, (or tout suite, as the Frenchies say.)
Anyway, good SF on BBC Radio 7 during these 7 days, from PHilip K. DIck to James Follett, so check it out.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Book: Richter's Scale
I don't have time to read it, but there's a new book out about Charles Richter, the man whose name is given to the Richter scale that measures earthquakes.
Richter's Scale: Measure of an Earthquake, Measure of a Man, by Susan Elizabeth Hough.
2007.
Richter's Scale: Measure of an Earthquake, Measure of a Man, by Susan Elizabeth Hough.
2007.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
The American Jusstice system has become the joke of the world
Been a while since I've had time to write here, and I'm so far behind on putting up material for The Thunder Child that it's not even funny. And it's going to be 3 or 4 more days before I can get back to it.
But I am so outraged by this Paris Hilton debacle. She serves 3 whole days in a country club prison, not eating and not sleeping, and gets released, condemned instead to 40 days inside her posh mansion.
What a joke.
How many women in exactly her same circumstances (except without the money, obviously) spend their first three days doing the exact same thing. Are they then shown mercy and sent home?
And of course now Hilton knows that whenever she gets in trouble again, assuming it doesn't kill her right out or cripple her, all she has to do is cry and whine and she'll be let free again.
I hate lawyers, but I hope they take note of this precedent and insist on it for their own clients with similar crimes.
But I am so outraged by this Paris Hilton debacle. She serves 3 whole days in a country club prison, not eating and not sleeping, and gets released, condemned instead to 40 days inside her posh mansion.
What a joke.
How many women in exactly her same circumstances (except without the money, obviously) spend their first three days doing the exact same thing. Are they then shown mercy and sent home?
And of course now Hilton knows that whenever she gets in trouble again, assuming it doesn't kill her right out or cripple her, all she has to do is cry and whine and she'll be let free again.
I hate lawyers, but I hope they take note of this precedent and insist on it for their own clients with similar crimes.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Darth Vader makes the big time
An art show featuring Darth Vader's helmet and the variations rung upon it. Some look pretty cool....
Darth Vader art
Darth Vader art
Pirates of the Caribbean III: At World's End
Just saw this today...and although it was okay...I didn't really like it all that much. Good special effects, some funny lines, lots of action, but...
I enjoyed the first Pirates very much, because I liked Captain Jack Sparrow. It seemed like he was always in control, and always had a plan that spared the innocent and punished the guilty.
I turned against him in Pirates II, when he quite cold-bloodedly set about recruiting 100 souls to give to Davy Jones, in return for his own. Sure,the men he recruited were for the most part old and decrepit...but they didn't deserve that fate, and the fact that Sparrow was willing to sacrifice them... no, I didn't care for it.
Pirates III has Sparrow almost back to his old self - he has plans for Will and it turns out Will and Elizabeth do trust him at the end...but it did seem that there was no elan in Depp's Sparrow, and although Geoffrey Rush's Barbossa had some good lines and some good deliveries, there were other times when he seemed to be walking through the role. I liked Kiera Knightly, but still don't see what she sees in Will Turner (it'd be interesting to see Depp and Orlando Bloom exchange roles, and see how Bloom handles the exuberance of Sparrow while Depp handles the staidness of Will Turner....who would be the most popular character then, I wonder...)
Admiral Norrington has only a few scenes in this movie...I definately felt sorry for him...yet another character who's part is written blandly...
As a connoisseur of movie sword fights, I wasn't impressed by the swordplay on hand here (not that there was very much of it) - although it wasn't quite as bad as the windmill fight of POTC II.
The climactic battle at the end had Miss Swan and Will Turner fighting together, back to back ala Mr and Mrs Smith (Jolie and Pitt), and it didn't work out quite as well, in my opinion, but it gave the chance for Barbossa to have one of the funniest lines in the movie.
I enjoyed the first Pirates very much, because I liked Captain Jack Sparrow. It seemed like he was always in control, and always had a plan that spared the innocent and punished the guilty.
I turned against him in Pirates II, when he quite cold-bloodedly set about recruiting 100 souls to give to Davy Jones, in return for his own. Sure,the men he recruited were for the most part old and decrepit...but they didn't deserve that fate, and the fact that Sparrow was willing to sacrifice them... no, I didn't care for it.
Pirates III has Sparrow almost back to his old self - he has plans for Will and it turns out Will and Elizabeth do trust him at the end...but it did seem that there was no elan in Depp's Sparrow, and although Geoffrey Rush's Barbossa had some good lines and some good deliveries, there were other times when he seemed to be walking through the role. I liked Kiera Knightly, but still don't see what she sees in Will Turner (it'd be interesting to see Depp and Orlando Bloom exchange roles, and see how Bloom handles the exuberance of Sparrow while Depp handles the staidness of Will Turner....who would be the most popular character then, I wonder...)
Admiral Norrington has only a few scenes in this movie...I definately felt sorry for him...yet another character who's part is written blandly...
As a connoisseur of movie sword fights, I wasn't impressed by the swordplay on hand here (not that there was very much of it) - although it wasn't quite as bad as the windmill fight of POTC II.
The climactic battle at the end had Miss Swan and Will Turner fighting together, back to back ala Mr and Mrs Smith (Jolie and Pitt), and it didn't work out quite as well, in my opinion, but it gave the chance for Barbossa to have one of the funniest lines in the movie.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Sunday at BBC Radio 7 - Brian Aldiss
Song of the Silencer
Man plays God, causing galactic disaster, in this chilling sci-fi tale by master storyteller Brian Aldiss.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/sunday/
For new listeners, don't worry about the times they have listed. You can listen to any show at any time.
Just click on the title.
Man plays God, causing galactic disaster, in this chilling sci-fi tale by master storyteller Brian Aldiss.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/sunday/
For new listeners, don't worry about the times they have listed. You can listen to any show at any time.
Just click on the title.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Are You A Fan of Paris Hilton?
If so, why?
I have to confess I haven't really been following the Paris Hilton tragicomedy - I just have read a few messages on some genre message boards that I frequent (each one has an "Off topic" folder which is usually the most popular folder on the board) and they all just wish she'd OD and get it over with.
I say that her story is a tragicomedy because it is...much as Anna Nicole Smith's was. These women have what the foolish believe are the two things that make for a happy life - looks and money.
But...they don't/didn't have brains. And without a brain... the rest of the stuff goes to waste. Sure, they can have sex whenever they want - but then the guy dumps them after having been serviced so he can go talk to someone intellgient... and they've got money that they spend on their toys and their tiny dogs and their cars...
Well, perhaps Hilton's publicist will persuade her to do some good with some of her money - advise her to start a scholarship for girls or educational opportunities for women in real prisons, as opposed to country club prisons.... Never going to happen
I would really like fans of Paris Hilton to comment on this entry - why do you like her? And how much money do you yourself make in a year?
If you don't like Hilton, no need to comment - I think the reasons are pretty obvious...
On a more important note The Thunder Child is back on line after having been down for 3 days, and my hits don't seem to have dropped at all...they're not increasing, either...
I'm involved in a project that's taking me practically every waking hour of the day for the next week or so, but once I get that done I'll start shifting everything to a new, more reliable host.
I have to confess I haven't really been following the Paris Hilton tragicomedy - I just have read a few messages on some genre message boards that I frequent (each one has an "Off topic" folder which is usually the most popular folder on the board) and they all just wish she'd OD and get it over with.
I say that her story is a tragicomedy because it is...much as Anna Nicole Smith's was. These women have what the foolish believe are the two things that make for a happy life - looks and money.
But...they don't/didn't have brains. And without a brain... the rest of the stuff goes to waste. Sure, they can have sex whenever they want - but then the guy dumps them after having been serviced so he can go talk to someone intellgient... and they've got money that they spend on their toys and their tiny dogs and their cars...
Well, perhaps Hilton's publicist will persuade her to do some good with some of her money - advise her to start a scholarship for girls or educational opportunities for women in real prisons, as opposed to country club prisons.... Never going to happen
I would really like fans of Paris Hilton to comment on this entry - why do you like her? And how much money do you yourself make in a year?
If you don't like Hilton, no need to comment - I think the reasons are pretty obvious...
On a more important note The Thunder Child is back on line after having been down for 3 days, and my hits don't seem to have dropped at all...they're not increasing, either...
I'm involved in a project that's taking me practically every waking hour of the day for the next week or so, but once I get that done I'll start shifting everything to a new, more reliable host.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Well, hallaleujah
After a little less than 4 days, my site is back online.
I shudder to think how many readers, not to mention how much money, I've lost during this time frame.
Not happy with IPower, at all.
Time to look for another provider.
Anyway, The Voice of God, written by Simon Bovey, is now airing at BBC 7 for the next 5 days...so don't forget that there's an interview with Simon Bovey at The Thunder Child.
SimonBovey
I shudder to think how many readers, not to mention how much money, I've lost during this time frame.
Not happy with IPower, at all.
Time to look for another provider.
Anyway, The Voice of God, written by Simon Bovey, is now airing at BBC 7 for the next 5 days...so don't forget that there's an interview with Simon Bovey at The Thunder Child.
SimonBovey
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
IPower down...
For those of you wondering where the heck The Thunder Child magazine is today, May 9, my host is down, and has been all day, and I'm a bit annoyed about it. I'm going to give them 24 hours, ie. until tomorrow at 10 am Eastern Time, and if the site isn't back up I'm going to have some serious words with them.
Unfortunately when you call the help desk you get people from Overseas who don't speak English very well, so that's why I'm putting it off even though it's costing me readers and ad income...
But this has happened before and its always come back up in the past...so hopefully it'll come back up in a few more hours.
So, sorry for the inconvenience!
Unfortunately when you call the help desk you get people from Overseas who don't speak English very well, so that's why I'm putting it off even though it's costing me readers and ad income...
But this has happened before and its always come back up in the past...so hopefully it'll come back up in a few more hours.
So, sorry for the inconvenience!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Meet the Robinsons
Saw this a couple of days ago, in the 3-D version. And the animation and 3-D effects were absolutely great.
Unfortunately, the story didn't do the effects justice. I visited the IMDB and was quite surprised to see it rated as highly as it was - over 6.5. Not that I place any credence on quality as judged by what IMDB users think - judging by their message boards they're bombarded by pre-teens who like to put each other down...
Anyway, Lewis is a young boy, aged 13, who was abandoned by his mother on the steps of an orphanage when he was just a baby. He makes disasterous inventions which succeed in ruining any chance of getting adopted, and he's inventing at all hours of the day and night which prevent his roommate Goober from getting any sleep.
Lewis decides to invent a device which will recall his memory of 13 years ago, so that he can remember what his mother looks like and find her. He invents the device...and then Bowler Hat Guy - a black clad villain who looks like Snidely Whiplash and acts like Jim Carrey's Riddler - comes on the scene and sabotages the machine so that he can still it, and make a fortune.
Lewis runs away from this latest debacle, up to his roof top hideaway, where he is accosted by a boy (Wilbur) who says he's from the future. They have to save the world from the Bowler Hat Guy.
Lewis gets on board the other boy's time machine and travels into an Utopian future...which all of a sudden turns into a distopian one...
The first 15 minutes of the movie are mind-numbingly slow, as the premise is hammered down - Lewis is always looking back, wanting to find his mother, instead of looking forward, to new parents, new events, etc. Just as I was getting sick of his whining and wishing he'd just get over it, the 'adventure' part of the story begins...and its not until the end of the movie that the moral, to indeed 'get over it and go forward' is brought home.
There's quite a bit of filler that got on my nerves, even though as set pieces they were all right - singing frogs, a search for the garage that takes entirely too much time and is supposed to be funny but in no way is...and a vicious Tyrannosaurus Rex that can't capture Lewis because it has a big head and teeny tiny arms. (Yes that is a very funny scene. And then there's a bowler hat with many spidery steel legs, looking like a creature out of a ninth Doctor Who episode.
If you want to see it - see it in 3D. You get to keep the pair of cool glasses that they hand out for the film.
Unfortunately, the story didn't do the effects justice. I visited the IMDB and was quite surprised to see it rated as highly as it was - over 6.5. Not that I place any credence on quality as judged by what IMDB users think - judging by their message boards they're bombarded by pre-teens who like to put each other down...
Anyway, Lewis is a young boy, aged 13, who was abandoned by his mother on the steps of an orphanage when he was just a baby. He makes disasterous inventions which succeed in ruining any chance of getting adopted, and he's inventing at all hours of the day and night which prevent his roommate Goober from getting any sleep.
Lewis decides to invent a device which will recall his memory of 13 years ago, so that he can remember what his mother looks like and find her. He invents the device...and then Bowler Hat Guy - a black clad villain who looks like Snidely Whiplash and acts like Jim Carrey's Riddler - comes on the scene and sabotages the machine so that he can still it, and make a fortune.
Lewis runs away from this latest debacle, up to his roof top hideaway, where he is accosted by a boy (Wilbur) who says he's from the future. They have to save the world from the Bowler Hat Guy.
Lewis gets on board the other boy's time machine and travels into an Utopian future...which all of a sudden turns into a distopian one...
The first 15 minutes of the movie are mind-numbingly slow, as the premise is hammered down - Lewis is always looking back, wanting to find his mother, instead of looking forward, to new parents, new events, etc. Just as I was getting sick of his whining and wishing he'd just get over it, the 'adventure' part of the story begins...and its not until the end of the movie that the moral, to indeed 'get over it and go forward' is brought home.
There's quite a bit of filler that got on my nerves, even though as set pieces they were all right - singing frogs, a search for the garage that takes entirely too much time and is supposed to be funny but in no way is...and a vicious Tyrannosaurus Rex that can't capture Lewis because it has a big head and teeny tiny arms. (Yes that is a very funny scene. And then there's a bowler hat with many spidery steel legs, looking like a creature out of a ninth Doctor Who episode.
If you want to see it - see it in 3D. You get to keep the pair of cool glasses that they hand out for the film.
With A Whimper to the Grave
starting on bBC Radio 7 on Thursday, April 26.
Episode 1 of 3.
Aliens threaten the Earth, and 'Sixth Sensers' are getting involved. But the British Government has a cunning plan.
Episode 2 of 3.
Tom is trapped amongst the Aliens and the Government is keen to keep him there, but Sally finds an ally at the MoD.
Episode 1 of 3.
Aliens threaten the Earth, and 'Sixth Sensers' are getting involved. But the British Government has a cunning plan.
Episode 2 of 3.
Tom is trapped amongst the Aliens and the Government is keen to keep him there, but Sally finds an ally at the MoD.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Silent Scream
Sequel to Before the Screaming Starts, Wally K Daly
Episode 1 of 3.
Three weeks until Armageddon, and Earth is preparing for an alien intervention.
Episode 2 of 3.
The threat of alien invasion moves ever closer.
Episode 3 of 3.
Will the aliens succeed in their plans to dominate Earth?
Episode 1 of 3.
Three weeks until Armageddon, and Earth is preparing for an alien intervention.
Episode 2 of 3.
The threat of alien invasion moves ever closer.
Episode 3 of 3.
Will the aliens succeed in their plans to dominate Earth?
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Trouble With Lichen
A sci fi serial by John Wyndham... I can't believe I haven't been recording it here.
Well, you've missed 4 of 5 installments.
The secret of long life has been uncovered but, due to Francis' reticence, Diana must face the intense media pressure alone. Episode 5 of 5.
Basically, scientists discover how to extend life using an extract from a certain lichen... but there's not enough to go around...
Well, you've missed 4 of 5 installments.
The secret of long life has been uncovered but, due to Francis' reticence, Diana must face the intense media pressure alone. Episode 5 of 5.
Basically, scientists discover how to extend life using an extract from a certain lichen... but there's not enough to go around...
Shambleau complete
Begins on BBC 7 on Saturday, April 21, 2007
Shambleau
A sci-fi thriller by American author CL Moore. A space bounty hunter lives to regret rescuing a young woman from attack. Episode 1 of 3.
CL Moore's space thriller on Mars continues. Northwest Smith discovers the secret power of the alien women he rescued. Episode 2 of 3.
Shambleau
A sci-fi thriller by American author CL Moore. A space bounty hunter lives to regret rescuing a young woman from attack. Episode 1 of 3.
CL Moore's space thriller on Mars continues. Northwest Smith discovers the secret power of the alien women he rescued. Episode 2 of 3.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Press Release: Recon 2022
Just got this press release in my email, and thought I'd share it here before working it up on The Thunder Child. Too bad it's taking place in England!
World Premiere of RECON 2022 at Sci-Fi London Film Festival
MONTREAL, CANADA, April 17, 2007 – Movie Seals Productions is delighted to announce that their latest sci-fi/action film RECON 2022: The Mezzo Incident, the sequel to the award winning RECON 2020 : the Caprini Massacre, will have its World Premiere at the renowned Sci-Fi London Festival in England on May 5th, 2007.
Directed by Christian Viel ( Evil Breed : the Legend of Samhain, Recon 2020, Deaden), the film stars Anderson Bradshaw (Gothika), Heidi Hawkins (Evil Breed), Deke Richards (Deaden), Carmen Echeverria (Undressed), with special appearances by Berge Garabedian (aka JoBlo) of joblo.com fame, John Fallon (aka Arrrow in the Head ) and scream queen Suzi Lorraine.
From a screenplay written by Christian Viel, John Fallon and William Alexander, the action packed story picks up two years after the events of the first film, and introduces a new cast of characters as well as bringing back familiar ones. After the gruesome events on Caprini, Sharp (Anderson Bradshaw) and his elite team of toughand witty space Marines must now head out to the icy planet Mezzo to investigate further Ma’har activities. What they will encounter will defy their imaginations as they tackle giant man eating snow worms, an underground city of Cyborgs, a slew of murderous alien entities and maybe, finally, the ever elusive Ma’hars.
Director Christian Viel and actor Anderson Bradshaw will be attending the premiere held on Saturday, May 5th, at 9:30 PM at the Apollo West End Theatre and stay for a Q&A following the movie.
The same day, in the morning, Christian Viel has been invited as a guest speaker for the Sci-Fi Film School alongside with fellow low budget indie filmmaker Neil Oseman to discuss the tricks of the trade with attendees. This presentation will be followed by a special screening of RECON 2022.
ABOUT THE SCI-FI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL :
Sci-Fi London is the UK’s only dedicated SF and Fantastic film festival, will run its 6th edition May 2-6, 2007 at the Apollo West End, London. As usual, it has an eclectic mix of movies and events including four world premieres. Alongside the festival Cine-Express: the first London Cult Film Conference will take place. About 50 international cult film specialists, critics, plus practitioners from the movie industry take part in the program.
Recon 2022 Official website:
http://www.recon2022-movie.com/
Movie Seals Productions website:
http://www.movieseals.biz/
Sci-Fi London 2007 program:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/programme.htm
Festival description of the film:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/moviepages/recon2022.html
Film School:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/moviepages/filmschool.html
World Premiere of RECON 2022 at Sci-Fi London Film Festival
MONTREAL, CANADA, April 17, 2007 – Movie Seals Productions is delighted to announce that their latest sci-fi/action film RECON 2022: The Mezzo Incident, the sequel to the award winning RECON 2020 : the Caprini Massacre, will have its World Premiere at the renowned Sci-Fi London Festival in England on May 5th, 2007.
Directed by Christian Viel ( Evil Breed : the Legend of Samhain, Recon 2020, Deaden), the film stars Anderson Bradshaw (Gothika), Heidi Hawkins (Evil Breed), Deke Richards (Deaden), Carmen Echeverria (Undressed), with special appearances by Berge Garabedian (aka JoBlo) of joblo.com fame, John Fallon (aka Arrrow in the Head ) and scream queen Suzi Lorraine.
From a screenplay written by Christian Viel, John Fallon and William Alexander, the action packed story picks up two years after the events of the first film, and introduces a new cast of characters as well as bringing back familiar ones. After the gruesome events on Caprini, Sharp (Anderson Bradshaw) and his elite team of toughand witty space Marines must now head out to the icy planet Mezzo to investigate further Ma’har activities. What they will encounter will defy their imaginations as they tackle giant man eating snow worms, an underground city of Cyborgs, a slew of murderous alien entities and maybe, finally, the ever elusive Ma’hars.
Director Christian Viel and actor Anderson Bradshaw will be attending the premiere held on Saturday, May 5th, at 9:30 PM at the Apollo West End Theatre and stay for a Q&A following the movie.
The same day, in the morning, Christian Viel has been invited as a guest speaker for the Sci-Fi Film School alongside with fellow low budget indie filmmaker Neil Oseman to discuss the tricks of the trade with attendees. This presentation will be followed by a special screening of RECON 2022.
ABOUT THE SCI-FI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL :
Sci-Fi London is the UK’s only dedicated SF and Fantastic film festival, will run its 6th edition May 2-6, 2007 at the Apollo West End, London. As usual, it has an eclectic mix of movies and events including four world premieres. Alongside the festival Cine-Express: the first London Cult Film Conference will take place. About 50 international cult film specialists, critics, plus practitioners from the movie industry take part in the program.
Recon 2022 Official website:
http://www.recon2022-movie.com/
Movie Seals Productions website:
http://www.movieseals.biz/
Sci-Fi London 2007 program:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/programme.htm
Festival description of the film:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/moviepages/recon2022.html
Film School:
http://www.sci-fi-london.com/2007web/moviepages/filmschool.html
Before the Screaming Begins
BBC Radio 7 starts Wednesday
Episode 1 of 3.
Sci-fi thriller by Wally K Daly. Tom Harris' wedding anniversary takes a dramatic turn when he's abducted by aliens.
Episode 2 of 3.
Wally K Daly's sci-fi thriller about what happens when people return after disappearing into a flying saucer.
Episode 3 of 3.
Wally K Daly's sci-fi thriller about what happens when people return after disappearing into a flying saucer.
Episode 1 of 3.
Sci-fi thriller by Wally K Daly. Tom Harris' wedding anniversary takes a dramatic turn when he's abducted by aliens.
Episode 2 of 3.
Wally K Daly's sci-fi thriller about what happens when people return after disappearing into a flying saucer.
Episode 3 of 3.
Wally K Daly's sci-fi thriller about what happens when people return after disappearing into a flying saucer.
The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
Stephen Moore reads this book in 15 parts, starting (repeated) today at BBC Radio 7.
The story is quite good, but I must say I don't care for Stephen Moore's reading style. He doesn't do a good job with different character's voices, they all sound the same. .... although when the ship was trying to outrun the ABomb explosion in Chapter 7, he did get quite an amount of urgency into his voice that worked well.
Episode 1 of 16.
Stephen Moore reads John Wyndham's second novel. On their honeymoon cruise, Mike and Phyllis witness a strange phenomenon.
Episode 2 of 16.
The authories send down a probe to examine what might lie at the bottom of the sea. They get far more than they expected.
Episode 3 of 16.
The authorities are baffled when ships from three different countries disappear without trace.
Episode 4 of 16.
Two more atomic bombs are sent down into the deep but they fail to go off. Then the sea changes colour.
Episode 5 of 16.
Mike and Phyllis travel to their cottage in Cornwall, where they hear some disturbing news.
Episode 6 of 16.
Mike and Phyllis have friends to stay at the cottage, and realise the extent of disbelief at recent events.
Episode 7 of 16.
As hysteria subsides a little, a more concerted effort is mounted to counter the threat from beneath the waves.
Episode 8 of 16.
A bizarre occurrence on a Brazilian island sparks Mike and Phyllis' interest.
The story is quite good, but I must say I don't care for Stephen Moore's reading style. He doesn't do a good job with different character's voices, they all sound the same. .... although when the ship was trying to outrun the ABomb explosion in Chapter 7, he did get quite an amount of urgency into his voice that worked well.
Episode 1 of 16.
Stephen Moore reads John Wyndham's second novel. On their honeymoon cruise, Mike and Phyllis witness a strange phenomenon.
Episode 2 of 16.
The authories send down a probe to examine what might lie at the bottom of the sea. They get far more than they expected.
Episode 3 of 16.
The authorities are baffled when ships from three different countries disappear without trace.
Episode 4 of 16.
Two more atomic bombs are sent down into the deep but they fail to go off. Then the sea changes colour.
Episode 5 of 16.
Mike and Phyllis travel to their cottage in Cornwall, where they hear some disturbing news.
Episode 6 of 16.
Mike and Phyllis have friends to stay at the cottage, and realise the extent of disbelief at recent events.
Episode 7 of 16.
As hysteria subsides a little, a more concerted effort is mounted to counter the threat from beneath the waves.
Episode 8 of 16.
A bizarre occurrence on a Brazilian island sparks Mike and Phyllis' interest.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tragedy at Virginia Tech
A troubled (mentally ill) Korean-American student, Cho Seung-Hui, killed 33 innocent people yesterday, including himself, on the campus of Virginia Tech.
I just walked past someone listening to Rush Limbaugh a few minutes ago, and Limbaugh was urging everyone to just turn off their TVs for the next couple of days. He does this periodically - telling people to depend on him for news, because the "drive-by media" has their own agenda. (In this case, gun control).
And, in essence, he does have a point. I don't watch TV anyway, but on my computer my Google headlines kept changing, first 1 person killed, then 22, then 33...I just couldn't believe it.
Since I didn't watch the news I can't say for sure what was going on, but based on what happened when OJ Simpson went on his little jaunt in his SUV, the media were all over the campus... speculating on everything and making it sound like news even though it really wasn't.
Well, in this day and age that's what they have to do. There's no longer sitting around waiting until all the facts have been gathered - no, it's instantaneous "news" people want, and the truth suffers for it. I'd like newspeople to go back to reporting news, not going out and making it.
The news outlets on the net have been sharing the bios of some of the people killed... terrible losses, all of them. They made a point of saying Seung-Hui was a legal resident - and had been for 13 years. This is a good thing as normally whenever an illegal alien kills someone there's always people who say, "See, if we didn't let all these illegals in, this innocent person wouldnt' have been killed," conveniently forgetting that most people killed in the US are US born and bred, and wives killed by husbands or vice versa...
(Which is not to say that I don't think illegals should not be kicked out of this country. They should. Come in legally! Learn our language and customs. Blame must go to American businesses who have subsidized the process, however, and our government which has looked the other way.)
Anyway, now comes the issue of gun control. My own feeling is that if one of those other people had had a gun the rampage could have ground to a halt real quick...
My final statement is a plea... if you're getting to the end of your rope and feel like you have to end it all...please please please do some research and take some KNOWN drug dealers or rapists or murderers with you, not innocent people who just happened to be in your way as you're walking by.
I just walked past someone listening to Rush Limbaugh a few minutes ago, and Limbaugh was urging everyone to just turn off their TVs for the next couple of days. He does this periodically - telling people to depend on him for news, because the "drive-by media" has their own agenda. (In this case, gun control).
And, in essence, he does have a point. I don't watch TV anyway, but on my computer my Google headlines kept changing, first 1 person killed, then 22, then 33...I just couldn't believe it.
Since I didn't watch the news I can't say for sure what was going on, but based on what happened when OJ Simpson went on his little jaunt in his SUV, the media were all over the campus... speculating on everything and making it sound like news even though it really wasn't.
Well, in this day and age that's what they have to do. There's no longer sitting around waiting until all the facts have been gathered - no, it's instantaneous "news" people want, and the truth suffers for it. I'd like newspeople to go back to reporting news, not going out and making it.
The news outlets on the net have been sharing the bios of some of the people killed... terrible losses, all of them. They made a point of saying Seung-Hui was a legal resident - and had been for 13 years. This is a good thing as normally whenever an illegal alien kills someone there's always people who say, "See, if we didn't let all these illegals in, this innocent person wouldnt' have been killed," conveniently forgetting that most people killed in the US are US born and bred, and wives killed by husbands or vice versa...
(Which is not to say that I don't think illegals should not be kicked out of this country. They should. Come in legally! Learn our language and customs. Blame must go to American businesses who have subsidized the process, however, and our government which has looked the other way.)
Anyway, now comes the issue of gun control. My own feeling is that if one of those other people had had a gun the rampage could have ground to a halt real quick...
My final statement is a plea... if you're getting to the end of your rope and feel like you have to end it all...please please please do some research and take some KNOWN drug dealers or rapists or murderers with you, not innocent people who just happened to be in your way as you're walking by.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Superthunderstingcar
Peter Cook and Dudley Moore had a tv series many years ago, and did a 7 and a half minute spoof of the Thunderbirds, where they portrayed all the characters as if they were marionettes. It's hilarious.
Paradise Lost in Cyberspace - Complete
Begins on BBC Radio 7 on Tuesday, April 11, 2007 (Repeat from a few years ago.)
Paradise Lost in Cyberspace
Episode 1 of 6.
The future - everyone lives happily until they're 70. But due to a clerical error, George Smith is scheduled to die at 69.
Episode 2 of 6.
Lucky old George Smith. It's not everyone who has their own compulsory death broadcast on national television.
Episode 3 of 6.
Has George really escaped, or will his visit to Mrs Cookson return to haunt him?
Episode 4 of 6.
Armed with a new face, an array of OAP gadgets and help from Mrs Cookson and Andrea, George locates Big Jeremy in Central Admin.
Episode 5 of 6.
Now a fully fledged OAP, George goes on a mission with Andrea Sunbeam and Mrs Cookson. It does not go according to plan.
Episode 6 of 6.
The future of the OAPs and indeed the whole of civilisation hangs in the balance.
Paradise Lost in Cyberspace
Episode 1 of 6.
The future - everyone lives happily until they're 70. But due to a clerical error, George Smith is scheduled to die at 69.
Episode 2 of 6.
Lucky old George Smith. It's not everyone who has their own compulsory death broadcast on national television.
Episode 3 of 6.
Has George really escaped, or will his visit to Mrs Cookson return to haunt him?
Episode 4 of 6.
Armed with a new face, an array of OAP gadgets and help from Mrs Cookson and Andrea, George locates Big Jeremy in Central Admin.
Episode 5 of 6.
Now a fully fledged OAP, George goes on a mission with Andrea Sunbeam and Mrs Cookson. It does not go according to plan.
Episode 6 of 6.
The future of the OAPs and indeed the whole of civilisation hangs in the balance.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
School discipline: Spanking, clothespins, or handcuffs?
Was listening on the radio today when some talkshow host mentioned that a 13-year old girl had been arrested, *handcuff* and taken to the police station for 3 hours because she wrote the word "ok" on her school desk.
And I'm thinking to myself, if I'd done that when I was a kid, I would have been spanked.
But oh, no, spanking is physical abuse and damages the psyche.
I wonder what being arrested by police officers, handcuffed, and taken out of your school in front of all your peers does to your psyche. Especially when you'e 13 years old. I'd be willing to bet this girl never trusts the police again - assuming she ever did. And never trusts her teachers. And will be razzed unmercifully by her schoolmates... probably drop out of school and turn to drugs, all because "spanking" is bad for kids.
And I'm thinking to myself, if I'd done that when I was a kid, I would have been spanked.
But oh, no, spanking is physical abuse and damages the psyche.
I wonder what being arrested by police officers, handcuffed, and taken out of your school in front of all your peers does to your psyche. Especially when you'e 13 years old. I'd be willing to bet this girl never trusts the police again - assuming she ever did. And never trusts her teachers. And will be razzed unmercifully by her schoolmates... probably drop out of school and turn to drugs, all because "spanking" is bad for kids.
Journey Into Space: The World in Peril complete
Just begun on Saturday at BBC Radio 7...which means its going to take 20 weeks to finish this entry!!
Journey into Space
The World in Peril:
Episode 1 of 20.
Jet and the crew get back to Earth, only to find their problems just beginning. Classic sci-fi from Charles Chilton.
Episode 2 of 20.
World in Peril: Jet and Lemmy take a look at the asteroids around Earth. But as they get closer, a strange sound is heard.
Episode 3 of 20
Jet and his crew get on the trail of the alien visitors.
Episode 4 of 20.
The World in Peril: After an attempt on their lives, Jet and the crew race against time to get back to Mars.
Journey into Space
The World in Peril:
Episode 1 of 20.
Jet and the crew get back to Earth, only to find their problems just beginning. Classic sci-fi from Charles Chilton.
Episode 2 of 20.
World in Peril: Jet and Lemmy take a look at the asteroids around Earth. But as they get closer, a strange sound is heard.
Episode 3 of 20
Jet and his crew get on the trail of the alien visitors.
Episode 4 of 20.
The World in Peril: After an attempt on their lives, Jet and the crew race against time to get back to Mars.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Nancy Pelosi
Okay, I suppose since its Easter break...or spring break... politicians are off on one of their many, many paid vacations this year...
Nevertheless what the heck is Nancy Pelosi doing in Syria? When the President specifically asked her not to go? Talk about undermining the country and showing weakness to enemies...seems to me if the President doesn't send a politician somewhere - that politician doesn't go! Who is paying for that trip? Pelosi, or we the tax payers?
American politicians should stay in America. Ambassadors - and presidents - are the only ones who should do any travelling. And wait til your own party's president is in power, instead of going around undermining what your president is trying to do.
Not that I think Bush hasn't made dreadful mistakes in Iraq...but the Dems are only going to make it worse by pulling us out....we're in a lose/lose situation either way and yes the blame for that does lie with Bush...
Back to sci fi... Paradise Lost in Space (from BBC 7) is really good, bittersweet comedy...
Nevertheless what the heck is Nancy Pelosi doing in Syria? When the President specifically asked her not to go? Talk about undermining the country and showing weakness to enemies...seems to me if the President doesn't send a politician somewhere - that politician doesn't go! Who is paying for that trip? Pelosi, or we the tax payers?
American politicians should stay in America. Ambassadors - and presidents - are the only ones who should do any travelling. And wait til your own party's president is in power, instead of going around undermining what your president is trying to do.
Not that I think Bush hasn't made dreadful mistakes in Iraq...but the Dems are only going to make it worse by pulling us out....we're in a lose/lose situation either way and yes the blame for that does lie with Bush...
Back to sci fi... Paradise Lost in Space (from BBC 7) is really good, bittersweet comedy...
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Damn pointy-headed people
For about six months, or even longer, I've had links to my Lady Vols basketball site on Wikipedia page for Pat Summitt. Over the past 3 days I've gotten over 3,000 hits from that page! Well, it's all over now, as some officious twerp went in and removed the link. All that's left now are two links to official sites. So I guess fan sites aren't worthy of being listed on Wikipedia, that fine collection of truthful and trustworthy material...
And I had my own entry for The Thunder Child, a professionally published webzine, also for several months, and some officious twerp has decided to remove that as well! Irks me no end.
It's a pity Wikipedia is so popular - the page on Pat Summitt, for example, has practically nothing on it - which is why people went to my site to learn all about her. Should I put my biography of her on Wikipedia? I don't think so! So Wikipedia has deprived thousands more people the opportunity to learn about Pat Summitt, one of the greatest coaches of college basketball ever!
For those who'd like to check it out:
Biography of Pat Summit
Lady Vols: The WCBB Standard Bearers
And I had my own entry for The Thunder Child, a professionally published webzine, also for several months, and some officious twerp has decided to remove that as well! Irks me no end.
It's a pity Wikipedia is so popular - the page on Pat Summitt, for example, has practically nothing on it - which is why people went to my site to learn all about her. Should I put my biography of her on Wikipedia? I don't think so! So Wikipedia has deprived thousands more people the opportunity to learn about Pat Summitt, one of the greatest coaches of college basketball ever!
For those who'd like to check it out:
Biography of Pat Summit
Lady Vols: The WCBB Standard Bearers
Lady Vols win record 7th title
The Lady Vols beat Rutgers relatively easily last night, bringing Pat Summitt her 7th championship in her 33 year career. It had been 9 years since her team last one, back when Chamique Holdsclaw was on the team, and they won three in a row. Candace Parker said she's coming back for another year - so there's a possibility that they might be able to repeat...and if Parker stays around it might be possible for a three-peat!
I watched the entire game. It started out slow and ugly, as no one could get the ball to go into the basket, but the Lady Vols set the tone early because they kept getting all the rebounds. And their rebounding superiority continued throughout the game.
I noticed on two occasions - but only two - that the refs let the Vols 'star' get away with something. She got 2 pts on what should have been an offensive foul, and Shannon Bobbitt ran over someone and the other girl was called for the foul. But overall it seemed like a cleanly called game (although the TV coverage never once showed a replay of *any* of the fouls so that watchers from home could see it in slow mo...)
Rutgers did seem to give up with 2 minutes to go, down 8. They should have played trapping defense, trying to force turnovers, but instead they just hung back and played regular defense. The announcers were puzzled about it, and I admit so was I. Throughout the year the Lady Vols had demonstrated that they didn't handle the ball well under very aggressive pressure....
But, it's a win.
I watched the entire game. It started out slow and ugly, as no one could get the ball to go into the basket, but the Lady Vols set the tone early because they kept getting all the rebounds. And their rebounding superiority continued throughout the game.
I noticed on two occasions - but only two - that the refs let the Vols 'star' get away with something. She got 2 pts on what should have been an offensive foul, and Shannon Bobbitt ran over someone and the other girl was called for the foul. But overall it seemed like a cleanly called game (although the TV coverage never once showed a replay of *any* of the fouls so that watchers from home could see it in slow mo...)
Rutgers did seem to give up with 2 minutes to go, down 8. They should have played trapping defense, trying to force turnovers, but instead they just hung back and played regular defense. The announcers were puzzled about it, and I admit so was I. Throughout the year the Lady Vols had demonstrated that they didn't handle the ball well under very aggressive pressure....
But, it's a win.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Paradise Lost...in Space - radio at BBC 7
First aired in 1995.
Paradise Lost ...in Space
Norman - Tony Robinson
Max - David Haig
Stella - Louise Lombard
Makarri - Michael Troughton
Captain Rossiter - Dan Strauss
Jane - Carla Donser (sp?)
Tony - Jeff McGivern
written by Colin Swash, produced by Richard Wilson
Episode 1 of 6.
Norman is an idealist with a hand grenade. Max is a cheerful bore. They will soon ruin the lives of some friendly aliens.
Episode 2 of 6.
A call from CID puts Max in a desperate position when he and Norman begin to sample the Oblivions' Sublime fruit.
Episode 3 of 6.
As the Oblivions have so much time on their hands, it couldn't hurt to introduce them to a game of tennis, could it?
Episode 4 of 6.
The dangers of tennis are now apparent to the Oblivions - but Martinis? What could possibly go wrong with Martinis?
Episode 5 of 6.
When Norman introduces the Oblivions to foreplay, one thing inevitably leads to another.
Episode 6 of 6.
The UME spaceship arrives at Oblivion dispensing culture to the aliens, and Norman and Max make a sacrifice.
Starring
Tony Robinson (most famous as Baldrick in the various Blackadder series)
Paradise Lost ...in Space
Norman - Tony Robinson
Max - David Haig
Stella - Louise Lombard
Makarri - Michael Troughton
Captain Rossiter - Dan Strauss
Jane - Carla Donser (sp?)
Tony - Jeff McGivern
written by Colin Swash, produced by Richard Wilson
Episode 1 of 6.
Norman is an idealist with a hand grenade. Max is a cheerful bore. They will soon ruin the lives of some friendly aliens.
Episode 2 of 6.
A call from CID puts Max in a desperate position when he and Norman begin to sample the Oblivions' Sublime fruit.
Episode 3 of 6.
As the Oblivions have so much time on their hands, it couldn't hurt to introduce them to a game of tennis, could it?
Episode 4 of 6.
The dangers of tennis are now apparent to the Oblivions - but Martinis? What could possibly go wrong with Martinis?
Episode 5 of 6.
When Norman introduces the Oblivions to foreplay, one thing inevitably leads to another.
Episode 6 of 6.
The UME spaceship arrives at Oblivion dispensing culture to the aliens, and Norman and Max make a sacrifice.
Starring
Tony Robinson (most famous as Baldrick in the various Blackadder series)
50th anniversary of the death of Conrad Veidt
Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of actor Conrad Veidt, on April 3, 1943. He died of a heart attack on a golf course in Los Angeles... having unfortunately smoked heavily all his life...
Depending on your point of view, Veidt is most famous as Cesare the sleepwalker in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919), or as Major Strasser in Casablanca, which co-starred that Bogart guy. He is also much beloved as the hero - yes, the hero!, the ambitious and love lorn Jaffar in Thief of Bagdad. Veidt made over a hundred films, lots of silents of course including The Student of Prague. Two classics from England are Spy in Black and Contraband, both with Valerie Hobson.
A popular actor in Germany, Veidt - who was not Jewish - married his third wife, a Jewish woman named Illona Prager, and brought her with him when he emigrated in 1933 after Hitler's rise to power - first to England and then to the US, where, ironically, he would be typecast in Nazi roles during the war. Had he lived during the post-year Wars, his star would be so much higher now...
But it is not his many movies that I find so admirable about the man, but what he did in the first few years in England. He starred in two movies with sympathetic Jewish characters, The Wandering Jew and then Jew Suss. Goebbels was so enraged that Veidt would do this that he banned all of Veidt's films from Germany and declared him persona non grata - as Veidt knew he would. That took a lot of courage.
My own website dedicated to Conrad Veidt, The Conrad Veidt Society, is in the re-design stage, nevertheless there's lots of good info there..including a clip from The Man Who Laughed (with make up that inspired The Joker of Batman fame). Follow the links on the links page for other sites devoted to Veidt.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Pat Summitt's Lady Vols Beat North Carolina
"Oh, ye of little faith" would be a more apt title for this entry, as that was me last night, but I'm learning you've got to title these entries well if you want search engines to find them....
First off, anyone who is a new fan of Pat Summitt, winningest coach in the College basketball game: Pat Summitt Biography. It goes from her childhood to 1997 in detail - the time covered in her two books. After that info is more of a year to year, accomplishments nature...
Anyway, last night the Lady Vols were down by 12 with 8 minutes to go, and I just turned off the TV. I simply didn't think they had the mental toughness to come back against the Tar Heels. But, they did.
Unfortunately, how they came back was by free throws - during those last 8 minutes they went to the line twice as much as the Tar Heels did. Articles about the game reference this. However, if you read The Summitt (hardly a biased source, of course) the Tar Heels had been fouling the Vols all game and were finally starting to get called for it. And there are several pics uploaded showing players hanging off Parker in what are obviously fouls.
That of course, begs the question, why did the refs let the Tar Heels get away with murder in the first half, but start calling those same kinds of plays fouls during the last 8 minutes?
The Summitt has the answer - the Tar Heels were simply too tired at the end of the game to keep up with the Vols (even though they'd gone on a 20-something run just before that to build that 12 point lead).
But, everyone, even on other boards, is saying the Tar Heels made bad shots at the end, and of course Ivory Latta threw up two three-point shots that missed in the last minute - instead of giving the ball to their designated 3-point shooter who had been inserted for just that purpose. But Latta never looked for a teammate - she was going for her shot each time. Had they gone in she'd've been a heroine...
Latta did do her trademark "flex pose" around the 8 minute mark, after one of her 3 point shots - wasn't T-ed up for it though. I really dislike it and though I'm sorry for Sylvia Hatchell, I'm glad Latta lost!
The Lady Vols now face Rutgers, who also play a very physical style of defense ala the Lady Vols... Rutgers has also beaten UConn, LSU and Duke (albeit by 1 point), and C Viv and Pat Summitt are great friends. If Pat has to lose she'd obviously want C Viv to get her first NCAA title out of it instead... but here's hoping the refs will let them play - all game long - and that the Lady Vols can pull it out. Much as I'd like to see a few poor sports on the Summitt have to shut their yaps, it's silly to let that influence my opinion about the team itself - whom I want to win!
First off, anyone who is a new fan of Pat Summitt, winningest coach in the College basketball game: Pat Summitt Biography. It goes from her childhood to 1997 in detail - the time covered in her two books. After that info is more of a year to year, accomplishments nature...
Anyway, last night the Lady Vols were down by 12 with 8 minutes to go, and I just turned off the TV. I simply didn't think they had the mental toughness to come back against the Tar Heels. But, they did.
Unfortunately, how they came back was by free throws - during those last 8 minutes they went to the line twice as much as the Tar Heels did. Articles about the game reference this. However, if you read The Summitt (hardly a biased source, of course) the Tar Heels had been fouling the Vols all game and were finally starting to get called for it. And there are several pics uploaded showing players hanging off Parker in what are obviously fouls.
That of course, begs the question, why did the refs let the Tar Heels get away with murder in the first half, but start calling those same kinds of plays fouls during the last 8 minutes?
The Summitt has the answer - the Tar Heels were simply too tired at the end of the game to keep up with the Vols (even though they'd gone on a 20-something run just before that to build that 12 point lead).
But, everyone, even on other boards, is saying the Tar Heels made bad shots at the end, and of course Ivory Latta threw up two three-point shots that missed in the last minute - instead of giving the ball to their designated 3-point shooter who had been inserted for just that purpose. But Latta never looked for a teammate - she was going for her shot each time. Had they gone in she'd've been a heroine...
Latta did do her trademark "flex pose" around the 8 minute mark, after one of her 3 point shots - wasn't T-ed up for it though. I really dislike it and though I'm sorry for Sylvia Hatchell, I'm glad Latta lost!
The Lady Vols now face Rutgers, who also play a very physical style of defense ala the Lady Vols... Rutgers has also beaten UConn, LSU and Duke (albeit by 1 point), and C Viv and Pat Summitt are great friends. If Pat has to lose she'd obviously want C Viv to get her first NCAA title out of it instead... but here's hoping the refs will let them play - all game long - and that the Lady Vols can pull it out. Much as I'd like to see a few poor sports on the Summitt have to shut their yaps, it's silly to let that influence my opinion about the team itself - whom I want to win!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Everything Old Is New Again
or... People are the same everywhere, and always have been...
I have dozens of VHS tapes in my bookcase, of movies I taped over the years that I didn't want to watch at the time, and need to feel "in the mood" to watch them before I watch them now. And I rarely feel in the mood.
Today, I put in a tape, the label of which said, Torchy Blaine. I assumed, and I think with justification, that the movie on the tape would be Torchy Blaine (Torchy being a female reporter).
But not so, it was instead the last third of a movie called Julie, which starred Doris Day in a drama role, as a woman on the run from her abusive husband, Louis Jourdan. It ends with them on an airplane, and he shoots the pilot and co-pilot (himself being shot in the process) so that she has to land the plane herself, after a bit of training from the suffering co-pilot who eventually dies, and then with the help of a guy from the Tower.
I actually had the sound down throughout it all, so I don't know if Day's character had by any chance some pilot training in the past..but that's beside the point. The point is I went to the IMDB to see what was up with this film, and saw that it had 3 external reviews, one of which said:
"Take one part Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) and one part Airport 1975 (1974), add America's sweetheart and you've got an overwrought, low-budget, woman-in-peril thriller that will satisfy any fan of cool cinema trash."
And I'm thinkng to myself, "whaddya mean, take one part a movie from 1991, and one part a movie from 1974, when the movie you're talking about was made in 1956?" It is they who obviously stole, borrowed, etc, from this movie, not the other way around.
There are actually only about 10 movie plots everywhere, and only about 10 movie characters, and they're all recycled over and over and over again...
I have dozens of VHS tapes in my bookcase, of movies I taped over the years that I didn't want to watch at the time, and need to feel "in the mood" to watch them before I watch them now. And I rarely feel in the mood.
Today, I put in a tape, the label of which said, Torchy Blaine. I assumed, and I think with justification, that the movie on the tape would be Torchy Blaine (Torchy being a female reporter).
But not so, it was instead the last third of a movie called Julie, which starred Doris Day in a drama role, as a woman on the run from her abusive husband, Louis Jourdan. It ends with them on an airplane, and he shoots the pilot and co-pilot (himself being shot in the process) so that she has to land the plane herself, after a bit of training from the suffering co-pilot who eventually dies, and then with the help of a guy from the Tower.
I actually had the sound down throughout it all, so I don't know if Day's character had by any chance some pilot training in the past..but that's beside the point. The point is I went to the IMDB to see what was up with this film, and saw that it had 3 external reviews, one of which said:
"Take one part Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) and one part Airport 1975 (1974), add America's sweetheart and you've got an overwrought, low-budget, woman-in-peril thriller that will satisfy any fan of cool cinema trash."
And I'm thinkng to myself, "whaddya mean, take one part a movie from 1991, and one part a movie from 1974, when the movie you're talking about was made in 1956?" It is they who obviously stole, borrowed, etc, from this movie, not the other way around.
There are actually only about 10 movie plots everywhere, and only about 10 movie characters, and they're all recycled over and over and over again...
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