Twilight of the Gods

The Film Music Society (since picked up everywhere else) notes the passing of Alexander Courage, who composed the Star Trek theme.


This in addition to Harvey Korman and Sydney Pollack over the past few days. It's time for a memorial viewing of Blazing Saddles.

More Mars

io9 has images from the HiRISE camera, which followed the descent of the Phoenix lander and then snapped some pics of the lander on the surface. Here's one (click on it for full-size image):

As If Things Were Not Bad Enough for the Tigers...

Now this.

By Gad, Sir! You're a Man Worth Knowing!

After a night on which the Wings and Pistons both lost, at least I can comfort myself with this headline, from the New York Times: Monkeys Control a Robot Arm with Their Thoughts.

Another solace was that last night we watched The Maltese Falcon, which is one of those movies that holds up to infinite viewings. Used to be I thought that the real knockout performances were from Lorre and Greenstreet, but the more I watch the movie, the more I appreciate Humphrey Bogart. L was quick to point out that nowhere in the movie does Mary Astor wear the dress from the movie poster.

Vertigo Encyclopedia Cover and Copy

Delve into the dark comic universe that produced Constantine and V for Vendetta . Get up close and personal with every major Vertigo character and title ever published in this unique one volume encyclopedia. From The Sandman to the Preacher you'll find out all about your favourite Vertigo titles, including information on its history, creators and impact. Plus key characters and storylines from leading comics are revealed in a comprehensive A-Z section. Over 500 colour illustrations taken from the original comic books and graphic novels, featuring the spectacular cutting-edge work of Vertigo's finest artists through the decades, bring this extraordinary journey to life.

Vote Bodary!

My dad, Michael Bodary, is running for City Council in Ypsilanti, Michigan (my home town). Drop him a few bucks, and if you live in Ypsi, vote for him!

Just for grins, here's a precinct map of the city. Bodary for Ward 2!

The Martian Arctic

From the New York Times, with this accompanying story. More images at NASA. Yowza.

The Listing Never Stops

From The Art of Manliness, The Essential Man's Library.

Summer has at last arrived here in the savage wilds of South Portland. Oh joy!

In writing news, look for stories in Postscripts 15, the Super Worldcon Special Edition, and in an upcoming issue of Barrelhouse.

Wings! Pistons! What Is One to Do?

Tonight, Monday, and Wednesday, the Pistons and Wings will be playing at the same time. This is a damnable injustice...
but at least their success is easing the sting of the Tigers being such a disappointment. I mean, really. Who thought the Tigers would be 20-28 at this point? At least there are 114 games left. All they need to do is go 75-39 to win 95 games and have a shot at the playoffs.

In book-related news, the British have outdone themselves in the area of literary lists. 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die? Ay yi yi.

Things of Interest Over the Past Few Days

Phoenix is about to land on Mars, where it's going to look for evidence of life.

New York Magazine's Vulture blog takes an interest in Philip K. Dick's late-50s literary novels.

And the following list of Favorite Obscure Books, courtesy of the Village Voice. I've only read two of them: Fup and Gob's Grief. Both are excellent.

On a gloomier note, the depressing influence of Time Warner over the post office, and its effect on small literary magazines, is briefly post-mortemed (is that a word?) here.

What My Students Get Up To, Pt. 2

My Advanced Creative Writing students recorded their flash stories and got them up on this website, for your listening enjoyment. Check it out...

Ahhhh, end of the semester. Life takes on a different shape for the next almost-four months.