Saturday, January 31, 2015

Geraldine McEwan, R. I. P.

NY Daily News: The family of longtime actress Geraldine McEwan says she has died following treatment for a stroke. She was 82. 

McEwan was known for many roles including playing the famous Agatha Christie detective Miss Marple in 12 TV episodes.  

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

A Precious Freedom Preserved

Judge: Men cannot be forced to squat to pee  

Hat tip to Art Scott.

Hammett Prize Nominees

Kevin's Corner:  Hammett Prize Nominees

Please Celebrate Responsibly

The 10 Greatest Gorilla Suits: Today is National Gorilla Suit Day, a holiday invented by Mad’s Maddest Artist, the incomparable Don Martin, in his 1963 book, Mad’s Don Martin Bounces Back! In honor of this auspicious day, let’s take a look at some of the great gorilla suits and their wearers.

6 Barnyard Animals and How They Came to Be

6 Barnyard Animals and How They Came to Be 

PyaPal? Really?

PyaPal

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Song of the Day

Wynonie Harris-Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes At Me - YouTube:

The Weird Week in Review

The Weird Week in Review 

Today's Vintage Ad


21 Rhetorical Devices Explained

21 Rhetorical Devices Explained

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Eric Frank Russell, Wasp, Panther, 1963

The Murder Mystery Legend Behind Austin’s Iconic Moonlight Towers

Austin’s moonlight towers.: The Murder Mystery Legend Behind Austin’s Iconic Moonlight Towers

How Playing a Musical Instrument Benefits Your Brain More than Any Other Activity

How Playing Music Benefits Your Brain More than Any Other Activity: “Playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout.”

10 Tragedies That Robbed Us Of Historical Treasures

10 Tragedies That Robbed Us Of Historical Treasures

Pelican Books: A Flock of Non-Fiction

Pelican Books: A Flock of Non-Fiction on AbeBooks

Friday, January 30, 2015

I Want to Believe!

Idaho professor tells Badger Club he believes Sasquatch may live 

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

'Boarzilla'

Texas men capture 800-lb. 'Boarzilla'   

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Criminal Genius of the Day

Shoplifting Suspect Caught Thanks to His Own 911 Call

The Cruelest Oscar Award Presentation of All-Time

The Cruelest Oscar Award Presentation of All-Time

Song of the Day

Lonnie Donegan - Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor - YouTube:

Latest Getting Away with Murder Now Online

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER #99 FEBRUARY 2015

11 Celebrity #TBT Photos You May Have Missed This Week

11 Celebrity #TBT Photos You May Have Missed This Week

Today's Vintage Ad


Doc or crock: 6 recent “documentaries” that have been accused of being fake

Doc or crock: 6 recent “documentaries” that have been accused of being fake 

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Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon, Panther, 1957

The 50 Best First Sentences in Fiction

The 50 Best First Sentences in Fiction  

Link via SF Signal.

The Best Super Bowl Ads Ever

The Best Super Bowl Ads Ever, According to USA Today's "Ad Meter"

Well, That's Settled

Crocodile Predicts Seahawks Super Bowl Victory

Galaxy Science Fiction, June 1952: A Retro-Review

Galaxy Science Fiction, June 1952: A Retro-Review

FFB: The Star Treasure -- Keith Laumer

Ban Tarleton, a lieutenant on a starship, has never questioned authority or much of anything else.  When his best friend is murdered, he starts to question everything.  And comes up with the wrong answer, which leads to his making a trip to Earth in a ship not equipped for the journey.  He survives but he's a wanted man. 

Tarleton avoids capture for a while but is hunted down, caught, and court-martialed.  Sentenced to a prison planet, he doesn't really fight back.  He thinks the sentence might be justified.  He works in the mines, looking for a substance that is crucially important, although he's not told what it is or what it's for.  He's expelled from the mines onto the desert where he's not expected to survive.  

He does survive (of course) and finds himself living among a native race that no one has suspected is there.  In all these experiences, Tarleton is coming closer to his destiny.  He's one of those SF heroes who's really much more than he seems, but even he doesn't realize it until it's time to wrap up the story.

This is one of those one-damn-thing-after-another story that seemed as if Laumer were making it up as he went along.  It's fun but slight.  If you're looking for some fast-moving but not memorable entertainment, this might do the trick.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Rod McKuen, R. I. P.

LA Times: Rod McKuen, a prolific songwriter and poet whose compositions include the Academy Award-nominated song “Jean” for the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” has died. He was 81.

Suzette Haden Elgin, R. I. P.

SF Site News: Author and linguist Suzette Haden Elgin (b.Patricia Anne Wilkins, 1936) died on January 27. Elgin began publishing in 1969 with the story “For the Sake of Grace” and followed it a year later with the novel The Communipaths. She may be best known for the Native Tongue trilogy. In 1978, she founded the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and their Elgin Award is named in her honor.

Helen Eustis, R. I. P.

The Bunburyist: RIP, Helen Eustis (1916–2015).

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

Elementary Teachers Under Fire After Forcing 'Poop Inspections' On Students

10 Everyday Items Brought To Us By the 1893 Chicago World's Fair

10 Everyday Items Brought To Us By the 1893 Chicago World's Fair 

Song of the Day

Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man ( Chess 1954) - YouTube:

10 Legendary Actors Who Appeared in Awful Horror Films

10 Legendary Actors Who Appeared in Awful Horror Films

Today's Vintage Ad


Top 10 Grammar Myths

Top 10 Grammar Myths 

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Alberto Moravia, The Conformist, Ace (British), 1960

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

The Best Hotel Concierge Ever Gives a Guest Nick Cage Pictures

25 Reasons You Should Never Visit Texas

25 Reasons You Should Never Visit Texas

Don Harron, R. I. P.

NYTimes.com: Don Harron, a Shakespearean actor who became a star on Canadian television and a familiar face on “Hee Haw” as the country bumpkin Charlie Farquharson, died on Jan. 17 at his home in Toronto. He was 90.  

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Arrrrrrrrr!

Blackbeard's Booty: Pirate Ship Yields Medical Supplies

Colleen McCullough, R. I. P.

ABC News: Best-selling Australian author Colleen McCullough, whose novel "The Thorn Birds" sold 30 million copies worldwide, has died at age 77 after a long illness.

Every Time Travel Movie Ever, Ranked

Every Time Travel Movie Ever, Ranked

You're Familiar with All of These, Right?

These Are The 10 Most-Liked Songs Of All Time On Pandora

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Paris Hilton Update

Paris Hilton continues bikini body Instagram snaps before leaving Bali  

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Sharknado + Zombies = Sky Sharks!

About_Sky Sharks: A team of Arctic geologists stumble across an abandoned laboratory in which the Nazis developed an incredible and brutal secret weapon during the final months of WW2 . 

Deep in the ice, they accidentally awake a deadly army of flying zombie sharks ridden by genetically mutated, undead super-humans, who are unleashed into the skies, wreaking their bloodthirsty revenge on any aircraft that takes to the air.

12 Classic Books That Got Horrible Reviews When They First Came Out

12 Classic Books That Got Horrible Reviews When They First Came Out

Song of the Day

nappy brown - little by little - YouTube:

Book Bargain of the Day!

THE COZY MYSTERY BUNDLE

Curated by Patricia Lee Macomber

I can think of no better cure for the winter blues than curling up with a good book. In that vein, here are fourteen great books by nine great authors. This Cozy Mystery Bundle offers a variety of books to appeal to a broad range of readers, each of them hand-picked by me. And as always, you decide the price you pay. And please keep in mind that a portion of the proceeds goes to charity.

Here there are happy characters and dark, humor and suspense. You can get a good dose of ah-ha moments and a few prickles of fear. The bundle includes my own book, Murder, Sometimes, the first book in the Jason Callahan supernatural mystery series. It also includes books by perennial favorites, Bill Crider and Ed Gorman, as well as some new and rising stars. There are two boxed sets included in this bundle, as well, bringing the total number of books to fourteen.

This bundle only runs for three weeks, so you'd better get 'em while they're hot. There is no better way to give the gift of reading to your friends, too. The first five books are available for the nominal price of $5 (or more if you're in a charitable mood) and for $14 (or more if you're in a charitable mood) you will receive the four bonus books. – Patricia Lee Macomber

The initial titles in the bundle (minimum $5 to purchase) are:

A Minor Case of Murder by Jeff Markowitz
Deadly Blessings by Julie Hyzy
The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones
Lexy Baker Cozy Mysteries Boxed Set 1-4 by Leighann Dobbs
Murder, Sometimes by Patricia Lee Macomber
If you pay more than the bonus price of just $14, you'll get another four books:

One Dead Dean by Bill Crider
The McKinleys Mystery Series Boxed Set 1-3 by Carolyn Arnold
New Improved Murder by Ed Gorman
Death is a Cabaret by Deborah Morgan
The bundle is available for a very limited time only, via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (.epub and .mobi) for all books!

It's also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.

Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.

Get quality reads: We've chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.

Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth to you. If you can only spare a little, that's fine! You'll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.
Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there's nothing wrong with ditching DRM.

Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to charity. We're currently featuring Mighty Writers and Girls Write Now.

Receive extra books: If you beat our bonus price, you're you're getting fourteen total books (which includes two boxed sets)! StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, Tweet us at @storybundle, Like us on Facebook, and Plus us on Google Plus. For press inquiries, please email press@storybundle.com.

Today's Vintage Ad


Why Is Popcorn the Default Movie Theater Snack?

Why Is Popcorn the Default Movie Theater Snack?

Mysterious Voyages -- Janet Hutchings, editor, EQMM

MYSTERIOUS VOYAGES | SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN

PaperBack



Edna Ferber, Cimarron, Pan, 1960

Miguel de Cervantes Update

Miguel de Cervantes’ coffin found after nine-month search

6 crazy medical beliefs from days of yore

6 crazy medical beliefs from days of yore

Or Maybe Not

26 Discontinued Foods That We Need To Bring BACK!!   

Annoying slideshow.

First It Was the Thin Mints Melee

Arlington Woman Attacks Neighbor With Snow Blower During Blizzard 

Swords & Sorcery edited by L. Sprague De Camp

Swords & Sorcery edited by L. Sprague De Camp

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

Texas teacher boogies through school with students   

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

I Want to Believe!

SEE IT: Boston 'Yeti' on the loose during blizzard  

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Soon to Be a SyFy Movie!

Underwater Photographer Gets Caught in a Sperm Whale 'Poopnado,' Brings Back Photos  

Hat tip to Mel Odom.

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

Facebook post lands Mineral Wells man in jail: A 22-year-old Mineral Wells man is behind bars after allegedly posting on his Facebook page that he had more than a dozen warrants out for his arrest.

Interview with Mel Odom

Spilling Red In the Green Hell: an interview with Mel Odom, author of "Master Sergeant"

8 Casino Scams That Actually Worked

8 Casino Scams That Actually Worked

Song of the Day

Cab Calloway - Reefer Man (1933) [Music Video] - YouTube:

A 1939 Glossary of the Lingo (the "Jive") of the Harlem Renaissance

Cab Calloway’s "Hepster Dictionary," A 1939 Glossary of the Lingo (the "Jive") of the Harlem Renaissance  

Link via mental_floss.

Today's Vintage Ad


Short Stories by John D MacDonald

The Trap of Solid Gold: Short Stories by John D MacDonald: So what exactly does this page contain? It is a listing of every work of short fiction written by John D MacDonald and published in either a periodical or anthology. It contains only the first appearance of each story, although many were reprinted in other magazines.

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Drew Middleton, The British, Pan, 1958

Jim Rockford Warned Us About Google And Facebook Back In 1978

Jim Rockford Warned Us About Google And Facebook Back In 1978

14 movie sequels stuck in development hell

14 movie sequels stuck in development hell

I Miss the Old Days

The 1970s: When Oscar Nominees Mattered

Happy Birthday, Angela Crider!

The best daughter anyone could ask for.

22 Movies Roger Ebert Really Hated

22 Movies Roger Ebert Really Hated

Overlooked Movies: Beowulf

This is a repeat from November 16, 2007.

You remember me. I was the kid in your high school class who actually enjoyed reading Beowulf. I was the one who was apt to say something like, "With my grip I will grapple the gruesome beast!" at odd moments or talk about the time we took a vacation and saw the whale road.

And something I enjoyed before I ever got to high school was 3-D movies. When I was a kid, the theaters in Mexia, Texas, weren't equipped to show 3-D, but I was lucky enough to see a few of the movies, anyway. My aunt took me to Dallas on my birthday to see It Came from Outer Space. I saw Fort Ti while we were in Galveston on vacation. My parents took me to Waco to see Sangree. I saw House of Wax and The Murders in the Rue Morgue in Ft. Worth on a school trip.

So was I going to pass up a chance to see the new 3-D version of Beowulf? Not on your life. I couldn't get to an IMAX theater, but I did find one nearby that was showing the film in digital 3-D, and that's where I went.

Let's talk about the story first. Yes, they changed it. I guess I know why. The Beowulf of the poem is too purely heroic. He has his flaws, but they're minor ones, and that will never do in this modern, cynical age. So we get a guy who makes a major blunder. Personally, I like the old way better, but that's just me. And while the fight with the dragon in the movie is thrilling, probably the best thing in the picture, I think the final section of the poem, with the old king doing what a man has to do, with the faithful Wiglaf backing him up, says a lot more about love, duty, friendship, and honor than you'll find in a hundred movies like this one. But that's just me.

Now about that 3-D. It's awesome. Great. Wonderful. I loved it. Why anybody would see this movie in any other format is beyond me. It won't be half as good. Not one-fourth. The visual effects carry you over the slow spots, and some of them are truly eye-popping.

Which reminds me. There's a lot of eye-popping in this movie, not to mention gore of many other sorts. It's over-the-top violent, and how it ever got a PG-13 rating, I'll never know. Except that violence doesn't bother the ratings board. It's nudity they hate. Well, you've got Angelina Jolie (or a representation of her) fully frontally nude here. No nipples, though, so I guess that's what saved them. She Grendel's mother, and while she doesn't have cloven hooves, she does have, well, you'll just have to see for yourself.

And you really should. See for yourself that is. If you like 3-D, you can have a good time with this one, in the same way you can with The Vikings or The Long Ships or even another Beowulf movie, The 13th Warrior. Check it out.

Beowulf

Beowulf Trailer 2007 w/ Angelina Jolie - YouTube:

Monday, January 26, 2015

Uh-Oh

You'll have to read the whole article, but it's worth it.  Your jaw will drop.

Adam Sandler's First Netflix Movie 'Ridiculous 6' Casts Taylor Lautner, Blake Shelton

Left Coast Crime Award Nominations

Mystery Fanfare: LEFT COAST CRIME AWARD NOMINATIONS

10 Hollywood Breakthrough Roles Landed By Stars Who Could Barely Speak English

10 Hollywood Breakthrough Roles Landed By Stars Who Could Barely Speak English  

Song of the Day

Clyde McPhatter - Come What May - YouTube:

Forgotten Hits: 50 Year Flashback - January 26th, 1965

Forgotten Hits: 50 Year Flashback - January 26th, 1965

Today's Vintage Ad


Once Again Texas Leads the Way

Robber falls from ceiling into police custody

First It Was the Thin Mints Melee

New York man shoots 15-year-old boy multiple times for throwing snowballs at his car

Cover Art Fans Should Not Miss This

Sleazy Digest Books: Digest art meets The Beacons!

PaperBack



Derick Goodman, Villainy Unlimited, Pan, 1960

Epic Supercut of Cinema's 60 Greatest Sword Fights

Epic Supercut of Cinema's 60 Greatest Sword Fights

And Most of You Do

10 Science Fiction Illustrators You Should Know

Why You Feel Like There’s Too Much TV to Watch

Why You Feel Like There’s Too Much TV to Watch

New Poem at the Five-Two

The Five-Two: Nancy Scott: THE GREAT STEAK HEIST AT TRENTON HIGH

Good Luck to All in the Path of the Current Blizzard

Photos From New York After the Blizzard Of 1888 

Vintage Mugshots from the 1920s

Vintage Mugshots from the 1920s 

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Now's Your Chance to Become Ian Feming

Copyright quirk leaves James Bond up for grabs in Canada: Master spy James Bond, one of pop culture’s most iconic figures, is now available for dangerous assignments from Canadian writers, thanks to a copyright quirk that allows the writing and publication in Canada of original material based on Bond creator Ian Fleming’s work. As of Jan. 1, the original writings of Fleming, a former British naval intelligence agent who published 12 novels and nine stories featuring 007 between 1952 and 1966, have entered the public domain. That’s because Canada’s view of copyright is that it extends for 50 years after the death of a writer.  

Hat tip to Fred Zackel.

To Say Nothing of the Iguana

Gunfire meant for iguana terrifies vacationing family  

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

10 Unsolved Mysteries From Ancient Times

10 Unsolved Mysteries From Ancient Times 

Song of the Day

Jerry Lee Lewis --- When they Ring Those Golden Bells - YouTube:

12 Insane Road Intersections

12 Insane Road Intersections 

Today's Vintage Ad


Map: Literally every goat in the United States

According to this map, there are 4101 goats in Brazoria County,Texas, where I live.
Map: Literally every goat in the United States 

PaperBack



Robert Ford, Captured in Tibet, Pan, 1958

Gator Update (The Rock Edition)

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Helps Wrangle an Alligator

Dino Update

Top 10 Fascinating Facts About T. Rex (Or How Sam Neill Lied To You)

The Four Horsemen Have Saddled Up and Left the Stable

New 'Sex Box' series features couples who make love in a booth LIVE on TV 

13 Secrets of Amazon Warehouse Employees

13 Secrets of Amazon Warehouse Employees  

Hat tip to Mel Odom.