Journal of Post-Ralphaelite Thought

Dick...Ch..Cheney...subpoena... Must...be...strong.  Must...resist...urge to...rant.... Arrgghhh!

Just saw on Slashdot that Don Herbert , TV's ' Mr. Wizard ,' died today . He was 89. In many ways he was a rationalist version of Mr Rogers for my generation growing up in the late 5o's - early 60's, preaching the gospel of science to a generation raised in the shadow of Sputnik. Like Mr Rogers, his show featured children helping him in his experiments and proceeded at a leisurely pace that these days would be considered slow. He was also the pioneer for shows such as Bill Nye the Science Guy , showing that an intelligent science-themed show could be a success. Although Don Herbert was primarily an actor (Bill Nye has a degree in mechanical engineering) he took on the mantle of science educator for several generations of children. His original Watch Mr. Wizard premiered in 1951 on NBC and ran until 1965. NBC revived it during the 1971-72 season, and he hosted Mr. Wizard's World for Nickelodeon, which ran from 1983-90 and then in reruns until 2000. His shows ...

I was scheduled to have my mid-year performance review tomorrow (now mercifully postponed since I didn't send it to my supervisor for his input until late afternoon) and it reminded me of the latest bit of corporate zeal. We had one of our periodic all group off-site breakfast meetings last week. These typically consist of coffee, carbohydrates and lots of PowerPoint slides. The most highly touted stuff is usually bullshit, and the really interesting stuff is the stuff they try to slide by as "oh, by the way." It operates on the same principle that professional magicians and card cheats use -- misdirection. One of the perks provided to us in the salt mine is free sodas. It sounds stupid, but gosh, I'll admit it: I can be bought for a 12 oz. can of Diet Dr Pepper. Last week's "oh by the way" moment was when they flashed the slide showing the cost of our free sodas doubled from last year to the (projected) cost this year: $50,000. Never mind that our sta...

Church Of God Mission. 23 25 Eglise Surulere, Portharcourt. Rivers state Nigeria .     On behalf of the Trustes and Executor of the estate of Late Engineer. Willy Bubenik, again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you through the Post Office was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you via your  e-mail address .   I wish to notify you that late Engineer. Willy Bubenik,made you a beneficiary to his will. He left the sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars (US$950,000) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.Being a widely travelled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good.Engineer Willy Bubenik until his death was a former managing director and pioneer staff of a giant construction company.   He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out.His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time...

To celebrate 30 years of Star Wars, enjoy the Star Wars Cantina By Richard Cheese ! Cheesy it is!

Rather than hearing my whining, I thought I'd offer you a chance to read an excerpt from Lee Iacocca's book Where Have All the Leaders Gone as featured on Border's/Amazon. His rage is like a bracing splash of cold water to the dull haze of complacency the nation has been drifting through for the past six years. Says Lee, " You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged . This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have." This rant makes mine seem the work of a complete wuss. Enjoy!

Time to take a break from ranting (even I get tired of hearing myself bitch) and instead talk about my friend and fellow writer Bonnie Pemberton's new book, The Cat Master . I'll let you read the reviews at Amazon but it's the story of two brothers (who happen to be cats) battling over who will fill the paws of their late father to be the Cat Master. Along the way, we hear from a host of other animals, including dogs, possums, and a one-of-a-kind lizard. Talking animals? Yes, but wait, they talk a lot like you and me -- wise-ass, funny and hard-boiled. Although marketed to a middle-school audience, Bonnie says this was not originally intended to be a children's book. My dear wife (the children's librarian) has read the advance copy, as have several of the students at her school, and they all love it. Now that I have a (signed by the author!) hard-back copy I'll be taking turns reading it with the other members of the household. Today, she had a book-signing and...